cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heat Transfer with Ablation in a Finite Slab Subjected to Time-Variant Heat Fluxes

Heat transfer with ablation in a finite slab subjected to time-variant heat fluxes is studied. Three different approaches are employed: the heat balance integral method, the 0-moment integal method, and an implicit finite difference method. Three specific heat fluxes are considered, in terms of linear, exponential, and "power law" functions of time. Numerical results for ablation distance and speed are presented based on the aforementioned techniques. Nomenclature c = heat capacity per unit volume g = a time dependent parameter H = heat of ablation / = index for dimensionless space j = index for dimensionless time k = thermal conductivity L = thickness of the slab TV = total number of elements q0 = dimensional wall heat flux qr = reference heat flux, = k (Tm — T0) IL Q = dimensionless heat flux, = q0L/k( Tm — T0) 5 = ablation distance s - dimensionless ablation distance, = S/L s =dS/dt t = dimensional time
Variable methylation of the ribosomal RNA genes of the rat

Both the pattern and level of rRNA gene methylation vary in the rat. This variation reflects stages in the maturation process and perhaps the level of gene expression in different tissues. We studied methylation at a common site, the inner cytosine of the sequence CCGG, by hybridizing 32P-rRNA to DNA digests obtained with endonuclease Msp I (which cleaves CCGG and CMCGG) and its isochizomer, HpaII (which cleaves only CCGG). In the liver, the changing pattern of rRNA gene methylation reflected the late stages of development: the rRNA genes were mostly unmethylated at 14 days gestation; by 18 days gestation, about 30% of them were methylated, and this level persisted into adulthood. In 18-day DNA, the methylation was uniform, but in adult DNA, the methylation pattern was discontinuous, because otherwise methylated genes contained a demethylated region. Similar developmental changes were observed in brain DNA. In a tissue culture cell line, the change from the continuous to the discontinuous pattern of the methylation could be induced by transformation with Kirsten sarcoma virus. And, in adult tissues, the lowest level of rRNA gene methylation was found in rapidly growing jejunal epithelium, and the highest level, in non-growing spermatozoa.
Block partial derivative and its application to neural-net-based direct model-reference adaptive control

The concept of block partial derivative and the associated algebra are introduced. The algebra is then applied to direct-model-reference adaptive control (MRAC) of discrete-time nonlinear plants. Three MRAC algorithms are developed employing identification of the forward model, extended MIT rule and extended SPR rule. Local-convergence properties and results of simulation study are presented.
High-dose methotrexate-induced renal dysfunction: is glucarpidase necessary for rescue?

TO THEEDITOR: Widemann et al 1 report the use of glucarpidase, leucovorin, and thymidine for high-dose methotrexate-induced renal dysfunction. When patients develop delayed excretion of methotrexate and impaired renal function after the administration of high-dose methotrexate there are two equally important imperatives. First, we must protect the patients from the potential toxicity of prolonged exposure to the antifolate drug methotrexate. Potential toxicities include myelosuppression, mucositis, and hepatoxicity, and can be lethal. The second imperative is to have the patient’s renal function return to normal to allow continuation of the chemotherapy needed to treat the underlying malignancy. The authors performed an analysis to determine which factors predicted greater than or equal to grade 4 toxicity. They noted that inappropriate increase in leucovorin predicted perfectly for development of greater than or equal to grade 4 toxicity and therefore could not be included in their multiple factor logistic regression analysis. We have reported our experience treating patients who have delayed methotrexate excretion and renal failure after high-dose methotrexate administration using high-dose leucovorin as the sole form of rescue. 2 All patients in our experience were salvaged. None of our patients died. The authors report that the median time to recovery of renal function for their cohort was 22 days. Our experience, albeit considerably smaller, achieved at least as good a time to recovery of normal renal function. One possible interpretation of the results that the authors report is that glucarpidase was not an essential component of rescue for patients experiencing high-dose methotrexate-related renal dysfunction and that similar results could have been achieved with the use of high-doses of leucovorin alone. Glucarpidase is unquestionably an excellent way to lower the plasma methotrexate concentration. This effect, however, has no impact on intracellular concentrations of methotrexate or on renal function. Protection of cells from intracellular methotrexate still requires the administration of high-doses of leucovorin and renal recovery appears to take place independently of glucarpidase administration. The authors’ conclusion that early intervention with the combination of leucovorin and glucarpidase is highly effective in patients who develop high-dose methotrexate-related renal dysfunction may be true but the authors should consider the possibility that similar results could be achieved with leucovorin alone.
The effect of mechanical stress from stopping nitride to the reliability of tunnel oxide and data retention characteristics of NAND FLASH memory

One of the most important characteristics of NAND FLASH memory is data retention. Data retention characteristics depends on the reliability of tunnel oxide under constant current (F/N) stress with respect to defects such as interface states and defects responsible for SILC (stress-induced-leakage-current). Even though the reliability of tunnel oxide is determined by tunnel oxidation itself, various subsequent processes also can influence it. Here, we want to report the impact of mechanical stress on stopping nitride, which is used as an etch stopper, on the reliability of tunnel oxide and data retention characteristics.
Kuna Crafts, Gender, And The Global Economy

Kuna Crafts, Gender, And The Global Economy. Karin E. Tice. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1995. viii + 232 pp. 15 b/w photographs, appendix, notes, glossary, bibliography, index, 5 maps, 10 figures, 7 tables. $14.95 (paper).
On the existence of antisymmetric or symmetric Lamb waves at non-linear higher harmonics

This article theoretically studies the symmetry characteristics of Rayleigh-Lamb guided waves in nonlinear, isotropic plates. It has been known that the nonlinearity driven double harmonic in Lamb waves does not support antisymmetric motion. However the proof of this has not been obvious. Moreover, little is known on nonlinearity driven Lamb harmonics higher than double. These gaps were here studied by the method of perturbation coupled with wavemode orthogonality and forced response. This reduced the nonlinear problem to a forced linear problem which was subsequently investigated to formulate an energy level constraint as the defining factor for the absence of antisymmetry at any order of higher harmonic. This constraint was then used to explain the reason behind the absence of antisymmetric Lamb waves at the double harmonic. Further, it was shown that antisymmetric motion is prohibited at all the higher-order even harmonics, whereas all the higher order odd harmonics allow both symmetric and antisymmetric motions. Finally, experimental results corroborating theoretical conclusions are presented.
Radiofrequency Ablation Is Associated with Decreased Neoplastic Progression in Patients with Barrett's Esophagus and Confirmed Low-Grade Dysplasia

Background & Aims Barrett's esophagus (BE) with low-grade dysplasia (LGD) can progress to high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been shown to be an effective treatment for LGD in clinical trials, but its effectiveness in clinical practice is unclear. We compared the rate of progression of LGD after RFA with endoscopic surveillance alone in routine clinical practice. Methods We performed a retrospective study of patients who either underwent RFA (n = 45) or surveillance endoscopy (n = 125) for LGD, confirmed by at least 1 expert pathologist, from October 1992 through December 2013 at 3 medical centers in the United States. Cox regression analysis was used to assess the association between progression and RFA. Results Data were collected over median follow-up periods of 889 days (interquartile range, 264−1623 days) after RFA and 848 days (interquartile range, 322−2355 days) after surveillance endoscopy ( P = .32). The annual rates of progression to HGD or EAC were 6.6% in the surveillance group and 0.77% in the RFA group. The risk of progression to HGD or EAC was significantly lower among patients who underwent RFA than those who underwent surveillance (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.06; 95% confidence interval: 0.008−0.48). Conclusions Among patients with BE and confirmed LGD, rates of progression to a combined end point of HGD and EAC were lower among those treated with RFA than among untreated patients. Although selection bias cannot be excluded, these findings provide additional evidence for the use of endoscopic ablation therapy for LGD.
Enteral resuscitation and early enteral feeding in children with major burns--effect on McFarlane response to stress.

Abstract Aim Early enteral feeding has become standard practice for burned patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether early enteral feeding could be used as an avenue for resuscitation and feeding and the effect it would have on the induction/amelioration of the hormonal stress response. Method Eighteen children with Results Three children were excluded from the study because of early death from organ failure or carbon monoxide poisoning. Early enteral resuscitation and feeding (ER/EEF) was initiated within a median of 10.7h post-burn in nine children and late enteral feeding introduced on an average 54h post-burn. The ER/EEF group showed an anabolic response with significantly higher insulin concentrations ( p =0.008) and insulin: glucagon ratios ( p =0.043). Although blood glucose concentrations were initially slightly elevated (EEF: 10.3g/l, LEF: 8.1g/l), they rapidly returned to within the normal range. The cortisol and IGF1 concentrations did not differ significantly between the two treatment groups. Growth hormone concentrations were significantly higher in the late enteral feeding (LEF) group ( p =0.03). The estimated energy expenditure was not different amongst the groups. Small bowel permeability [lactulose:rhamnose (L:R) ratios] decreased significantly over time ( p =0.02) in both study groups. No pulmonary aspiration was found. Diarrhoea in the ER/EEF settled quickly (2–4 days), whereas in the LEF group it persisted for longer than a week. The LEF group lost a median of 7.75% (acceptable range=≤5%) of admission body weight, whereas the ER/EEF group lost a median of 3.01%. Patients in the LEF group required antibiotic treatment for a longer period ( p =0.08) and their hospital stay was longer, though not significant. Conclusions Enteral resuscitation and early enteral feeding is a safe and effective method and particularly suited for children in developing countries. It resulted in the amelioration of the hormonal stress response and improved outcome. Enteral resuscitation should not be introduced in a patient in shock or with existing gastrointestinal disease. Complications were minimal.
Teaching computer architecture as engineering design with VLSI

It is argued that to teach computer architecture is to teach engineering design of complex, multidisciplinary systems, and that to integrate that experience into an undergraduate curriculum of either computer science or electrical engineering is difficult. Students typically do not have enough breadth of experience to appreciate all the real-world concerns. It is suggested instead that VLSI be taught as a microcosm of the process of computer architecture design. By using integrated design teams of students, it is possible to give them the experience of a design project in an academic setting. >
Retinal Mosaics: Pattern Formation Driven by Local Interactions between Homotypic Neighbors

Individual types of retinal neurons are distributed across the retina as regular arrays of cells, commonly referred to as “retinal mosaics” (Wassle and Riemann, 1978). This regularity in their patterning is generally assumed to ensure that all locations across the retina are sub-served by every type of retinal neuron, each participating in their own unique way to the local computations carried out before transmission of the visual signal to higher visual centers in the brain. The extent to which each retinal cell type evidences spatial order varies, with some mosaics being only slightly more regular than random distributions of cells (Reese, 2008a). With the exception of certain photoreceptor mosaics however (particularly in non-mammalian retinas), the spatial order present within the more regular of these mosaics lacks any higher-order lattice-like patterning (Cook, 2003), and simulations based on local-spacing rules that minimize proximity between immediate homotypic neighbors are sufficient to account for the spatial order present (Eglen, 2006). Indeed, the order present within a mosaic is generally independent of that in other mosaics (Rockhill et al., 2000), suggesting that the composition of retinal clones and the spatial relationships between them cannot account for the patterning in these mosaics. Rather, cells within a mosaic are free to move tangentially as they space themselves out, establishing territories surrounding each cell where the probability of a homotypic cell is lower than at further distances from the cell (Reese and Galli-Resta, 2002).
Effect of Levothyroxine Administration Time on Serum TSH in Elderly Patients

BACKGROUND:Standard drug information resources recommend that levothyroxine be taken on an empty stomach due to the potential for interaction with food or medications. Due to concern about unpredictable response to levothyroxine in patients receiving morning doses in a skilled nursing facility, the standard administration time for the drug was changed from 0900 to midnight.OBJECTIVE:To determine if a change in response to levothyroxine as determined by the serum ultrasensitive thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration occurred when the time of administration was changed from early morning to midnight.DESIGN:Retrospective chart review.SETTING:A 187-bed skilled nursing facility.PARTICIPANTS:Fifteen nursing home residents receiving levothyroxine during the change of administration time with a mean age of 84 years met inclusion criteria, with at least one TSH concentration reported prior to and at least one serum TSH concentration reported after the change in administration time to midnight.MEASUREMENTS...
Patients With Ventromedial Frontal Damage Have Moral Beliefs

Michael Cholbi thinks that the claim that motive internalism (MI), the thesis that moral beliefs or judgments are intrinsically motivating, is the best explanation for why moral beliefs are usually accompanied by moral motivation. He contests arguments that patients with ventromedial (VM) frontal brain damage are counterexamples to MI by denying that they have moral beliefs. I argue that none of the arguments he offers to support this contention are viable. First, I argue that given Cholbi's own commitments, he cannot account for VM patients' behavior without attributing moral beliefs to them. Secondly, I show that his arguments that we should not believe their self-reports are unconvincing. In particular, his argument that they cannot self-attribute moral beliefs because they have a defective theory of mind is flawed, for it relies upon a misreading of both the empirical and theoretical literatures. The avenues remaining to Cholbi to support motive internalism are circular, for they rely upon an internal...
A Study on the Impact of GPA on Perceived Improvement of Higher‐Order Cognitive Skills*

Colleges of Business (COBs) have experienced high growth rates in the past decade and many colleges are imposing minimum grade point average (GPA) requirements for students to enter or remain in the college. A primary reason for this requirement may be the belief that students with high GPAs are more inclined to demonstrate higher-order cognitive skills (HOCS) than students with low GPAs. It is not clear whether the link is valid. This study hypothesizes that students with high GPAs who are taught in the same way as students with lower GPAs will have higher perceptions of improved HOCS. We conducted an experiment in which students, with varying GPAs, at three large universities primarily used multimedia instructional materials. We obtained the students' perceptions of their improved HOCS from their responses to a survey. A regression analysis of the data reveals that the relationship between GPAs and students' perceived improvement in HOCS is significant (p < .001). We conclude the study by recommending that (a) it is critical to use research methodologies to evaluate perceived and actual learning improvements, (b) COB policies to implement GPA restrictions on admission are worthwhile, and (c) case studies need to be used much more frequently in undergraduate COB classes.
Children's Metaphoric Productions and Preferences.

The capacity to perceive similarity between apparently dissimilar domains is widely regarded as crucial to creative thought; yet little is known about the development of this ‘metaphoric’ skill. To assess children's capacities to effect appropriate ‘metaphoric links’, and to discriminate among metaphors of varying appropriateness, a task probing verbal metaphoric skill was designed. Subjects ranging in age from 4 to 19 years were required to complete a simile and then to choose from a set of four similes the one most appropriate for a given literary context. The study documented a tendency, increasing with age, towards preference for an appropriate metaphor. Whereas primary school children preferred non-metaphoric endings and preadolescents favoured conventional metaphors, high school and college students showed significant appreciation of appropriate metaphors. In contrast, conventional metaphors predominated in the subjects' productions and appropriate metaphors were rarely produced by subjects of any age group. Unexpectedly, the highest percentages of appropriate metaphors were produced by the youngest subjects and the oldest subjects. Where these two groups differed was in the proclivity of young subjects to produce metaphors which were highly original but inappropriate or nonsensical. The various strategies used by subjects of different ages are described and the relations between metaphoric productions and preferences are considered.
Two-Frequency Radar Experiments for Sounding Glacier Ice and Mapping the Topography of the Glacier Bed

We performed airborne experiments using 150- and 450-MHz radars to measure ice thickness on the Greenland ice sheet. Our objectives were to investigate to what degree surface clutter obscures the basal echo when airborne measurements are made at different elevations and at different frequencies. We also explored interferometric techniques for processing the data to form swath measurements of ice thickness. We found that surface clutter was minimal for either frequency when operated at low aircraft elevations (500 m above the ice sheet surface) or over benign regions of the ice sheet. Because signal-to-clutter ratios were favorable, we found that we could retrieve the swath measurements of ice thickness at both frequencies using an interferometric technique. At high elevation, surface clutter degraded the 150-MHz signal, but the nadir ice thickness was still retrievable. The basal return in high-elevation 450-MHz data was detectable only after additional beam-steering techniques were applied to the data to reduce the surface clutter signal. Results suggest that interferometric cross-track ice-thickness measurements can be successfully made given a sufficient number of antenna elements driven at either 150 or 450 MHz and flown at both high and low elevations over the interior ice sheet.
Measuring Rivalry Termination, 1816-1992

The predominant operationalizations of enduring rivalries use a period of time without a militarized dispute to identify the termination of such rivalries. The author argues that this misses the tr...
The Case-study Model: An Organizational Strategy for Cross-cultural Evaluation

In seeking an evaluation approach and organizational framework for a complex cross-cultural evaluation conducted in India, a multiple-case, replication design, with each individual case embedded wi...
A Novel Three-Protein Two-Component System Provides a Regulatory Twist on an Established Circuit To Modulate Expression of the cbbI Region of Rhodopseudomonas palustris CGA010

A novel two-component system has been identified in the cbbI region of the nonsulfur purple photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris. Genes encoding this system, here designated cbbRRS, are juxtaposed between the divergently transcribed transcription activator gene, cbbR, and the form I ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO) genes, cbbLS. The three genes of the cbbRRS system represent a variation of the well-known two-component signal transduction systems, as there are a transmembrane hybrid sensor kinase and two response regulators, with no apparent DNA binding domain associated with any of the three proteins encoded by these genes. In this study, we showed that the membrane-bound full-length kinase undergoes autophosphorylation and transfers phosphate to both response regulators. A soluble, truncated version of the kinase was subsequently prepared and found to catalyze phosphorylation of response regulator 1 but not response regulator 2, implying that conformational changes and/or sequence-specific regions of the kinase are important for discriminating between the two response regulators. Analyses indicated that a complex network of control of gene expression must occur, with CbbR required for the expression of the cbbLS genes but dispensable for the synthesis of form II RubisCO (encoded by cbbM). The CbbRRS proteins specifically affected the activity and accumulation of form I RubisCO (CbbLS), as revealed by analyses of nonpolar, unmarked gene deletions. A tentative model of regulation suggested that changes in the phosphotransfer activity of the sensor kinase, possibly in response to a redox metabolic signal, cause modulation of the activity and synthesis of form I RubisCO.
Puncturing for finite length low-density parity-check codes

In this paper we study and propose an algorithm to puncture finite length low density parity check (LDPC) codes (Ha, J, et al., 2002). The introduced puncturing criterion results in good performance (for 1024 and 4096 bits) when compared with both random puncturing and dedicated LDPC codes, i.e. unpunctured codes designed for a given rate. The comparison also shows that the proposed punctured LDPC codes have better block-error rates than the dedicated codes because of longer effective block lengths of the high-rate puncturing. Although we apply the idea for regular LDPC codes, we can easily modify the idea for irregular LDPC codes.
EVALUATION OF ATRACURIUM NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCKADE IN PAEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH BURN INJURY

The neuromuscular effects of atracurium were studied in acutely burned children, and in children at least 3 years after burn injury (controls). Thirty-one children were studied a total of 48 times. During nitrous oxide-narcotic anaesthesia, a single dose of atracurium was administered in each study and the twitch suppression recorded. Dose-response curves were established using least-squares regression techniques. The ED95 of atracurium in children recovered from burn injury was 0.27 mg kg−1, which is similar to that of normal children reported previously. During the first week of burn injury, the ED95 was 0.3 mg kg−1 irrespective of burn size, and was not significantly different from controls. After the first week of injury, in children with 20–60% body surface burn, the ED95 was twice normal, while in those with greater than 60% body surface burn, it probably may be increased up to 3.0 mg kg−1.
Spatial variability of liquefaction potential in regional mapping using CPT and SPT data

Abstract Cone penetration test (CPT) and standard penetration test (SPT) are widely used for the site specific evaluation of liquefaction potential and are getting increased use in the regional mapping of liquefaction hazard. This paper compares CPT and SPT-based liquefaction potential characterizations of regional geologic units using the liquefaction potential index (LPI) across the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay, California, USA and examines the statistical and spatial variability of LPI across and within geologic units. Overall, CPT-based LPI characterizations result in higher hazard than those derived from the SPT. This bias may result from either mis-classifications of soil type in the CPT or a bias in the CPT simplified procedure for liquefaction potential. Regional mapping based on cumulative distribution of LPI values show different results depending on which dataset is used. For both SPT and CPT-based characterizations, the geologic units in the area have broad LPI distributions that overlap between units and are not distinct from the population as a whole. Regional liquefaction classifications should therefore give a distribution, rather than a single hazard rating that does not provide for variability within the area. The CPT-based LPI values have a higher degree of spatial correlation and a lower variance over a greater distance than those estimated from SPTs. As a result, geostatistical interpolation can provide a detailed map of LPI when densely sampled CPT data are available. The statistical distribution of LPI within specific geologic units and interpolated maps of LPI can be used to understand the spatial variability of liquefaction potential.
Trp64----nonsense mutation in the lipoprotein lipase gene.

A lipoprotein lipase (LpL) gene defect has been identified, a G—-A transition at nucleotide position 446 of exon 3, resulting in a premature termination codon (Trp—-stop) at amino acid residue 64. This defect was identified in a Type I hyperlipoproteinemic subject with an amino acid residue 194 defect in the other allele. Plasma lipoprotein values as well as LpL mass and activity in postheparin plasma were determined in the subjects with the residue 64 defect and in other LpL-deficient heterozygotes. LpL mass levels in both the Type I and the other subject with a 64 LpL defect were markedly reduced. This may be explained by rapid degradation of LpL protein or decreased secretion from the 64 defective allele. Alternatively, the marked reduction or absence of mass associated with the 64 defect may be due to synthesis of a severely truncated protein which escapes immunologic detection.
Use Of Hand-Held Devices With First Year Associate Degree Nursing Students

The use of personal digital assistants (PDAs), hand-held devices and/or IPod Touches, is becoming widespread in the health care field. Many medical and nursing schools require their students to purchase a PDA prior to the beginning of their classes. PDA’s can carry information directly to the patient ’s beside for instant retrieval of information. What does this mean to nursing students and clinical instructors? It means that up-to-date information is available to the student and clinical instructor in seconds, as opposed to searching for a reference book only to find it is outdated and 10 to 15 minutes of valuable time lost. This study identified associate degree nursing students’ use and application in the clinical using PDAs. Results of this study indicated that associate degree nursing students are very satisfied with the use of PDAs in the clinical setting. This study was funded by the Ohio University Regional Faculty Research Fund.
Observations on the distribution and function of the uterine ciliated epithelium in the pig, with reference to certain clinical hypotheses

Abstract 1. In the pig's uterus, eilia are not present on the surface epithelium at any stage of the estrous cycle; but in the uterine glands they are always present, without obvious fluctuation in number or activity. 2. There is no evidence for an alternation of ciliated and secretory (nonciliated) phases in individual cells of the uterine epithelium of the sow. 3. Upon the basis of this and other facts which have been cited it would seem that transportation of the ova and embryos is not necessarily the prime function of the uterine cilia. 4. It is suggested that various hypotheses explaining pathologic states of menstruation and of implantation by supposed variations of the uterine cilia are not sufficiently supported by complete knowledge of the cyclic changes of the uterine mucosa.
Microbiology of Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Rhinosinusitis in Adults

Bacterial rhinosinusitis in adults can be categorized into acute, subacute, and chronic forms. Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis is a common upper respiratory infection in adults. It is characterized by inflammation of the mucosa of the nose and paranasal sinuses of short duration. Chronic bacterial rhinosinusitis is defined as rhinosinusitis lasting for at least 12 weeks’ duration. The bacteria found in acute bacterial rhinosinusitis in adults are predominantly Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. Staphylococcus aureus has also been found in some cases. There is an increase in bacterial resistance due to the frequent use of antibiotics in patients with presumed acute bacterial rhinosinusitis, and this has had an effect on the microbial spectrum of the disease. Biofilms may also play a role in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic bacterial rhinosinusitis.
EBRI Research Highlights: Health Benefits

This Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) report synthesizes highlights of recent EBRI research on health issues. Health data in this document include: national health expenditures, employment-based health benefits, the uninsured, managed care, consumer-driven health benefits, Medicare and retiree health benefits, public opinion, and small employers and health benefits.
Phase-Shift Method to Estimate Solids Circulation Rate in Circulating Fluidized Beds

While solids circulation rate is a critical design and control parameter in circulating fluidized bed (CFB) reactor systems, there are no available techniques to measure it directly at conditions of industrial interest. Cold flow tests have been conducted at NETL in an industrial scale CFB unit where the solids flow has been the topic of research in order to develop an independent method which could be applied to CFBs operating under the erosive and corrosive high temperatures and pressures of a coal fired boiler or gasifier. The dynamic responses of the CFB loop to modest modulated aeration flows in the return leg or standpipe were imposed to establish a periodic response in the unit without causing upset in the process performance. The resulting periodic behavior could then be analyzed with a dynamic model and the average solids circulation rate could be established. This method was applied to the CFB unit operated under a wide range of operating conditions including fast fluidization, core annular flow...
Micrographic Observations of Wool Fabrics Treated with Plasma and Shrink-proofing Agent

目的 羊毛の防縮を目的とした樹脂加工において, プラズマ処理を行わない試料では樹脂量をかなり増加させなければ, 収縮を改善することは困難である.羊毛にプラズマ処理を行うと収縮率を減少できるが, さらに樹脂加工と併用すると, 非常に良好な防縮性が得られる.これは繊維に接着している樹脂が洗濯によって剥離, 脱落することが少なくなるためと考えられる.ここでは繊維に対する樹脂の接着状態が洗濯耐久性に影響すると考え, プラズマ処理によって接着の状態がどのように変化するかを光学および電子顕微鏡を用いて観察した.成果 前処理としてプラズマ処理を行ってから樹脂加工すると防縮性が大きく改善されるが, 光学および電子顕微鏡観察によって, 樹脂の接着状態が防縮性の向上に大きく影響することが分かった.プラズマ処理を行った後樹脂加工をした羊毛織物では, 樹脂が大きく塊らないため繊維間接着の各箇所の長さが小さくなることが分かった.接着箇所が点となることで繊維間接着部の洗濯に対する耐久性が向上し, 洗濯中に繊維間接着部の存在が単繊維の移動を抑制するため防縮性が向上するものと考えられる.また, 樹脂が大きく塊らず, 繊維表面に拡がり, 多くの箇所でスケールエッジを覆い隠している.さらに繊維表面に薄い樹脂の被膜層を形成することが分かった.羊毛繊維の表面を樹脂が覆うことによって洗濯中における繊維同志の接触が減少するとともに, さらにスケールエッジが滑らかになるためスケール間のかみ合いが大幅に減少したものと考えられる.
42 THE N-TERMINUS OF FOG-2 INTERACTS WITH METASTASIS-ASSOCIATED PROTEINS 1 AND 2 TO MEDIATE TRANSCRIPTIONAL REPRESSION DURING CARDIAC DEVELOPMENT.

Mutations in several transcription factors that regulate cardiac development have recently been described to cause congenital heart disease in humans. A greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate heart formation may help identify other genes that when mutated will result in human congenital heart disease. FOG-2 is one such gene that encodes a transcriptional corepressor expressed in the developing heart. It is critical for proper cardiac morphogenesis as mice deficient in this factor die during midgestation of cardiac malformations. We have previously shown that FOG-2 physically interacts with GATA4 and attenuates GATA49s ability to activate cardiac specific gene expression. This repression is mediated by a domain of FOG-2 localized to its N-terminus, termed the FOG repression motif. To gain further insights into the molecular mechanism responsible for this repression, we took a biochemical approach to identify factors that interact with FOG repression motif. Using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, we identified seven proteins from rat neonatal cardiac nuclear extracts that copurified with a FOG-2-GST fusion protein. All of these proteins have been previously described to be subunits of a nucleosome-remodeling complex called the NuRD complex. To determine which of the NuRD subunits directly interact with the FOG repression motif, we used a series of in vitro binding assays. We found that MTA-1 and MTA-2 specifically bound to the N-terminus of FOG-2 but not to a mutant form of the N-terminus that is unable to mediate repression. In situ hybridization revealed that both MTA-1 and MTA-2 are expressed in the developing heart during mouse embryogenesis. Taken together, these results suggest that FOG-2 mediates transcriptional repression during cardiac development by the recruitment of the NuRD complex to GATA-dependent promoters leading to the remodeling of the local chromatin structure and the attenuation of gene expression. This work was supported by NIH HL071063 and a grant from the Schweppe Foundation.
Playing chess with a human-scale mobile manipulator

This paper describes our efforts preparing a mobile manipulator for the 2011 AAAI Small Scale Manipulation Challenge. We describe our approach to building a low-cost mobile manipulator for human-scale environments using ROS and off-the-shelf sensory and servos.
Ion Environments in Mn2+-Doped Polyelectrolyte Complexes: Dilute Magnetic Saloplastics

Amorphous hydrated complexes of the polyelectrolytes poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium) were doped with the spin-5/2 ion Mn2+. X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements of the Mn2+ spins within these stoichiometric polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) revealed an octahedral coordination environment, similar to that observed in aqueous solutions of Mn2+. This octahedral symmetry of the [Mn(H2O)6]2+ complexes, observed in fully hydrated PECs, is somewhat distorted because of the wide range of ion pairs possible with the sulfonate group on PSS. As the Mn2+ concentration was increased, the linewidths broadened, indicating the dominance of dipolar broadening over exchange narrowing in determining the linewidths; that is, any exchange narrowing was masked by the large dipolar broadening. The calculated linewidths were used to estimate the strengths of the dipolar interactions, and hence the distances between the Mn2+ spins, on the basis of a simple model of regularly spa...
Plasma sprayed coatings for containment of Cu-Mg-Si metallic phase change material

Abstract The performance of Y2O3-stabilized ZrO2 (YSZ), Y2O3, and Al2O3 plasma sprayed coatings are investigated for their ability to prevent attack of Haynes 230 by a near-eutectic Cu-Mg-Si metallic phase change material (PCM) in a closed environment at 820 °C. Areas where coatings failed were identified with optical and scanning electron microscopy, while chemical interactions were clarified through elemental mapping using electron microprobe analysis. Despite its susceptibility to reduction by Mg, the Al2O3 coating performed well while the YSZ and Y2O3 coating showed clear signs of failure. Due to a lack of reliable melting in the PCM, these results are attributed to the evolution of gaseous Mg leading to the formation of MgO and MgAl2O4.
Evaluation of Persian Gulf veterans with symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.

Background: Persian Gulf syndrome is a set of symptoms that do not fit into well-understood diagnostic categories. Among these symptoms, there are some that could suggest a generalized neuropathic process. Objective: Correlate neurological symptoms with objective electrodiagnostic findings. Methods: A randomized sample of 176 Persian Gulf veterans (PGV) evaluated at the San Juan Veterans Administration Medical Center was obtained. The subjects completed a questionnaire, and those who met the inclusion criteria underwent electrodiagnostic evaluation. Results: Of the 176 PGV selected, 162 completed the questionnaire. The next step was to perform electrodiagnostic studies on those who described symptoms suggesting peripheral neuropathy and met the inclusion criteria. Twelve individuals met the inclusion criteria for electrodiagnostic studies. All studies were normal except that two subjects were found to have bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. Conclusions: Although this is a relatively small sample of PGV, the findings are in accordance with other studies in which no definite generalized neuropathic pattern has been described.
The politics of “understanding”: secrecy, language, and Manouche song

ABSTRACTThis article explores how song operates as a forum through which Alsatian Manouches (a subgroup of Romanies/“Gypsies”) negotiate social relations with non-Manouches and with each other. Two of the most salient identity markers for Manouches are music and language. Whereas Manouches regard instrumental music as a legitimate means of engaging with non-Manouche people, it is often considered inappropriate to share their spoken dialect of Romani with others. As a combination of both, Manouche song represents a complex juncture of volition and apprehension towards their interactions with non-Manouches. Drawing on fieldwork among Manouche and non-Manouche performers, I investigate how public Manouche vocal performance ironically connotes an ambivalence towards cross-cultural sharing, and how power relations unfold through varying degrees of linguistic concealment and openness. This article theorizes the (il-)legibility of the voice in music and illustrates how song reflects Manouche language ideologies ...
An SiPM based readout for the sPHENIX calorimeters

Conceived and constructed over a decade ago, the PHENIX detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) at Brookhaven National Laboratory was designed to discover Quark-Gluon Plasma, QGP. Following up on the discovery of QGP, the PHENIX collaboration has embarked on a series of upgrades designed to explore the properties of QGP, with the next phase being sPHENIX. The sPHENIX upgrade replaces the current central arm spectrometer with a compact superconducting solenoid, electromagnetic and hadronic calorimetry optimized to study jets produced in p+p, p+A and A+A collisions at RHIC. The compact nature of the detector (r ∼ 1m) means that the optical readout of the calorimetry will be in the vicinity of the of the magnetic field of the solenoid, which will require an optical readout immune to effects of magnetic fields. For sPHENIX, we have designed an optical readout system based on Silicon Photo-Multipliers (SiPMs) for both the electromagnetic and hadronic calorimeters. In this paper we will present the conceptual design of the readout system based on SiPMs and the results of preliminary studies of SiPM performance in context of the the sPHENIX readout requirements.
An Efficiency Analysis of the Internet Infrastructure in Nepal

Using the number of base stations of Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access service as the output and the demand determinants — population, per capita income, and mean years of schooling — at the inputs in a data envelopment analysis model and a stochastic frontier framework, this study finds that the Internet infrastructure is generally inefficiently allocated in Nepal. Such inefficiencies simply reflect that, without a favorable local environment, the investment on information and communications infrastructure will be wasteful. In order to reap the benefits of the global information revolution, the Government of Nepal needs to focus on two important policy issues. First, it should focus on creating income-generation and educational opportunities across the country. Second, it should foster a more competitive market environment to ensure that the incumbent operator is not always dominant.
Kerr nonlinear layered photonic crystal coatings

Theoretical studies are presented of the electromagnetic fields in one dimensional photonic crystal coatings deposited on interfaces and mirrors. The coatings are finite photonic crystal arrays of a Kerr nonlinear dielectric medium alternating with a linear dielectric medium and exhibit a series of electromagnetic transmission pass and stop frequency bands. The pass and stop bands are related to the underlying photonic crystal structure of the coatings. Within the coatings high field intensities occur in the pass bands and low field intensities occur in the stop bands. In addition, certain high field intensity excitations arising solely from the Kerr nonlinearity occur at certain stop band frequencies. The origins and nature of these stop band excitations are discussed and the enhanced fields associated with them are studied with regards to the Kerr nonlinearity. A mapping is presented of the nature of the excitations generated in the coating within the parameter space of the linear and nonlinear components of the Kerr media dielectric. The field enhancements of the stop band excitations are studied and the optimum conditions for field enhancement within a coating determined. The nature of the wave functions of the modes excited within the stop bands is studied as a function of the stop band frequency intervals in which they occur. Discussions are made of the significance of these results to field enhancement due to nonlinearity, surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy, and in the generation of second harmonics at mirror surfaces and interfaces.
Abstract B52: Describing Adherence to Dietary Guidelines in Overweight African American Breast Cancer Survivors

Background African American women have the greatest breast cancer mortality and shortest survival rates of any racial or ethnic group. Increased adherence to general population dietary guidelines has been linked to improved breast cancer outcomes. Limited information exists on the dietary habits and level of adherence to general population dietary recommendations in African American breast cancer survivors (AABCS). Objective We explored differences in diet quality assessed via HEI and AHEI by demographic and anthropometric characteristics. Design A cross-sectional analysis of the baseline interview including a food frequency questionnaire. Participants/setting Study participants were recruited and enrolled in the Moving Forward intervention study. Moving Forward was a randomized, community-based, 6-month weight management intervention for AABCS. Main outcome measures Adherence to population-based dietary recommendations was assessed by the Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI) and the Alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI). Statistical analyses performed We calculated standard descriptive statistics for nutrient intakes, including total and components scores from HEI and AHEI. Linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between socio-demographic factors and dietary adherence. Results Participants had a mean age of 57 and were approximately seven years post-initial breast cancer diagnosis. The mean HEI total score was 65.1 (range: 38.9-93.9; max score 100) and mean AHEI total score was 56.8 (range: 25.00 - 85.8; max score 110) indicating sub-optimal diet quality. In the adjusted analysis, HEI and AHEI total scores were positively associated with education, income, moderate physical activity (HEI only) and negatively associated with waist-hip ratio, and smoking status. Conclusion Generally, non-smokers, who reported more moderate physical activity, more years of education, and smaller waist circumferences had better quality diets compared to other participants. Understanding deficiencies in the diet of AABCS will help to inform the development of effective lifestyle interventions for this at-risk group. Citation Format: Sparkle Springfield, Angela Odoms-Young, Lisa Tussing-Humphreys, Sally Freels, Giamila Fantuzzi, Melinda Stolley. Describing Adherence to Dietary Guidelines in Overweight African American Breast Cancer Survivors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Ninth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2016 Sep 25-28; Fort Lauderdale, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2017;26(2 Suppl):Abstract nr B52.
Use of High-Fidelity Simulation to Increase Knowledge and Skills in Caring for Patients Receiving Blood Products

Simulation has emerged in health care education programs over the past few decades. Acute-care institutions now provide simulation and high-fidelity simulation (HFS) experiences, nurse development, competency training, and evaluation. The International Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning has established best practice guidelines and a framework for multiple skills, such as blood transfusion. The Institute of Medicine report, To Err Is Human, brought patient safety issues to the forefront. Blood transfusion management is a skill for which HFS can provide a safe environment to educate and evaluate nurse competencies for blood transfusion management processes.
Trends in Emergency Department Visits among Adolescents with Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

Abstract Study Objective To explore trends over time in the utilization of the Emergency Department (ED) for adolescents with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). Design Retrospective cross-sectional study. Setting Nationwide Emergency Department Sample database (Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD). Participants Subset of adolescents aged 10-19 years from overall cohort of women aged 10-49 years. Interventions All ED visits from 2010-2014 for which International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision codes for AUB were listed as the principal diagnosis were compared. Health insurance coverage, demographic factors, hospital characteristics, comorbid anemia, and comorbid bleeding disorders were explored. Main Outcome Measures Number of visits, ED disposition, blood transfusions, and billing for pelvic ultrasound. Results There were an estimated 262,939 ED visits nationally for women aged 10-49 years for AUB in 2014. Of these, 12.7% (33,511/262,939) were from adolescents aged 10-19 years. The number of adolescent visits with an AUB diagnosis declined by 11% from 2010-2014 (37,642 vs 33,511; P = .026), while visits by patients aged 20-49 did not change significantly (215,309 vs 229,428; P = .19). The number of adolescent visits for which Medicaid was the primary payer increased slightly, from 17,283 to 18,785, from 2010 to 2014 (P = .152), while the number using self-pay decreased from 8769 (23.4%) in 2010 to 5146 (15.4%) in 2014 (P Conclusion ED visits among adolescents with AUB decreased from 2010 to 2014. There was a sharp reduction in the number of visits funded by self-pay and a slight increase in visits funded by Medicaid.