cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measuring the impact of a burns school reintegration programme on the time taken to return to school: A multi-disciplinary team intervention for children returning to school after a significant burn injury

Abstract Introduction Returning to school can be a major step for burn-injured children, their family, and staff and pupils at the receiving school. Previous literature has recognised the difficulties children may face after a significant injury and factors that may influence a successful reintegration. Aim A regional paediatric burns service recognised that some patients were experiencing difficulties in returning to school. A baseline audit confirmed this and suggested factors that hindered or facilitated this process, initiating the development of a school reintegration programme (SRP). Since the programme's development in 2009, it has been audited annually. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the impact of the SRP by presenting data from the 2009 to 2011 audits. Method For the baseline audit, the burn care team gathered information from clinical records (age, gender, total body surface area burned (TBSA), skin grafting and length of stay) and telephone interviews with parents and teachers of the school returners. For the re-audits, the same information was gathered from clinical records and feedback questionnaires. Results Since its introduction, the mean length of time from discharge to return to school has dropped annually for those that opted into the programme, when compared to the baseline by 62.3% (53 days to 20 days). Thematic analysis highlights positive responses to the programme from all involved. Increased awareness and feeling supported were amongst the main themes to emerge. Conclusions Returning to school after a significant burn injury can be challenging for all involved, but we hypothesise that outreach interventions in schools by burns services can have a positive impact on the time it takes children to successfully reintegrate.
Activity Theory and Distributed Cognition: Or What Does CSCW Need to DO with Theories?

This essay compares activity theory (AT) with distributed cognition theory (DCOG), asking what each can do for CSCW. It approaches this task by proposing that theories – when viewed as conceptual tools for making sense of a domain – have four important attributes: descriptive powers rhetorical powers inferential powers and application power. It observes that AT and DCOG are not so different: both emphasize cognitions both include the social and cultural context of cognitions both share a commitment to ethnographically collected data. Starting with a description of the distributed cognition approach, it uses an example of a DCOG analysis to ground a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of AT and DCOG as an approach to issues in CSCW. Finally, the essay considers what theoretical work is being done by the attributes of the respective theories, and whether AT, DCOG, or any theory developed outside the context of group work, will work for CSCW.
POMDP-based Let's Go system for spoken dialog challenge

This paper describes a POMDP-based Let's Go system which incorporates belief tracking and dialog policy optimization into the dialog manager of the reference system for the Spoken Dialog Challenge (SDC). Since all components except for the dialog manager were kept the same, component-wise comparison can be performed to investigate the effect of belief tracking and dialog policy optimization on the overall system performance. In addition, since unsupervised methods have been adopted to learn all required models to reduce human labor and development time, the effectiveness of the unsupervised approaches compared to conventional supervised approaches can be investigated. The result system participated in the 2011 SDC and showed comparable performance with the base system which has been enhanced from the reference system for the 2010 SDC. This shows the capability of the proposed method to rapidly produce an effective system with minimal human labor and experts' knowledge.
Genomic organization and amplification of the human keratin 15 and keratin 19 genes.

Abstract Keratin intermediate filaments are the major components of the cytoskeleton in epithelial cells. Mutations in keratin genes have been documented in many disorders of the skin, nails, hair, and mucous membranes. Although no mutations have been described in either keratin 15 or keratin 19, they are good candidates for other as yet uncharacterized genetic disorders of keratinization, particularly as the skin, nails, hair, and conjunctiva are sites of keratin 15 and 19 expression. To facilitate future mutation detection analyses, we have therefore characterized the intron–exon organization of the human keratin 15 and keratin 19 genes. The keratin 15 gene comprises 8 exons spanning approximately 5.1 kb on 17q21, and the keratin 19 gene consists of 6 exons covering approximately 4.7 kb on 17q21. We have also developed a PCR-based mutation detection strategy using primers placed on flanking introns followed by direct sequencing of the PCR products.
Impairment of maze retention resulting from septal injury

Abstract The retention of a four unit multiple T alley maze was tested in two groups of rats after they were subjected to either bilateral septal or sham operations. The sham operated rats showed almost perfect retention whereas the septal lesioned rats suffered a practically complete retention loss. These findings, in line with other results, indicate that the septum has an important role in retention.
Periodic wavelength dispersion in a scanning UV monochromator.

An analysis has been made of some wavelength dispersion problems associated with the McPherson model 225 1-m VUV scanning monochromator. The measurements show a periodic error in the dispersion of such a monochromator, refocussed for a fast-ion beam light source. They indicate a wavelength error from this source of up to ±0.1 A with a period of 25 A, this latter corresponding to one rotation of the grating drive screw.
What Ails Education Research

My purpose is to reflect on the state of education research and on what ails it. Part of what ails it, of course, is that the public regards much of our work with more than a trace of skepticism. Education research rarely gets credit for such headway as is being made in American education. Rather, it tends to be associated with educational faddism on the one hand and pointy-headed intellectualism on the other.
The Relationship between Oceanic Heat Transport and Surface Fluxes in the Western North Pacific: 1970–2000

Abstract Part of the heat transported poleward from the Tropics by the ocean is stored near the energetic western boundary currents. These storage reservoirs provide a source of interannual to decadal climate fluctuations through their impact on the ocean–atmosphere heat fluxes. Changes in ocean heat storage result from the difference between surface fluxes and the convergence of oceanic heat transport. To estimate the heat budget for 26°–40°N, 140°E–180°, sea surface temperature and subsurface temperatures are assimilated into a one-dimensional model of the upper ocean that is forced by heat fluxes from the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis. Heat transport convergences are inferred as the residual of the heat budget for the period 1970–2000 using the “unknown control” from a Kalman filter/smoother technique. The estimates of heat transport convergence compare qualitatively with direct estimates from a three-dimensional model that uses geostrophic currents from the TOPEX/Poseidon radar altimeter for 1993–99; this peri...
The “Red Book” and Other Risk Assessment Milestones

Risk assessment as a regulatory tool developed during virtually all of the 20th century. During this period there were several critical events such as the passage of the Food and Drug Acts of 1906 and 1938 and the publication of the National Research Council's report Risk Assessment in the Federal Government: Managing the Process, known as the “Red Book,” which defined the concepts and principles of risk assessment. This paper reviews the impact of some of the major events in the evolution of risk assessment and concludes with some speculation on the future.
CliniWeb: Managing Clinical Information on the World Wide Web

The World Wide Web is a powerful new way to deliver on-line clinical information, but several problems limit its value to health care professionals: content is highly distributed and difficult to find, clinical information is not separated from non-clinical information, and the current Web technology is unable to support some advanced retrieval capabilities. A system called CliniWeb has been developed to address these problems. CliniWeb is an index to clinical information on the World Wide Web, providing a browsing and searching interface to clinical content at the level of the health care student or provider. Its database contains a list of clinical information resources on the Web that are indexed by terms from the Medical Subject Headings disease tree and retrieved with the assistance of SAPHIRE. Limitations of the processes used to build the database are discussed, together with directions for future research.
Verrucous carcinoma of the foot

A 50-year-old man presented with verrucous carcinoma on the sole of the foot. This unusual tumor, also called an epithelioma cuniculatum plantare, was successfully treated employing wide surgical excision.
A Gaussian maximum likelihood formulation for short-term forecasting of traffic flow

Traffic counts are key data generated by traffic surveillance systems. In predicting traffic flows, it is commonplace to assume that traffic at a given location repeats itself from day to day and the change in traffic happens gradually rather than abruptly. Consequently, many existing models for short-term traffic flow forecasting use historical traffic information, real-time traffic counts, or both. This paper proposes a new model based on the Gaussian maximum likelihood method, which explicitly makes use of both historical information and real-time information in an integrated way. The model considers flows and flow increments jointly and treats them as two random variables represented by two normal distribution functions. Each assumption made in the model is verified against the field data. The physical structure of the model is easy to interpret. Computationally, the model is simple to implement and little effort is required for model calibration. The performance of the proposed model is compared with four other models using field data. The proposed model consistently yields predictions with the smallest absolute deviance and the smallest mean square error.
Effects of a new cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator inhibitor on Cl− conductance in human sweat ducts

Effective and specific inhibition of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl- channel in epithelia has long been needed to better understand the role of anion movements in fluid and electrolyte transport. Until now, available inhibitors have required high concentrations, usually in the millimolar or high micromolar range, to effect even an incomplete block of channel conductance. These inhibitors, including 5-nitro-2(3-phenylpropyl-amino)benzoate (NPPB), bumetamide, glibenclamide and DIDS, are also relatively non-specific. Recently a new anion channel inhibitor, a thiazolidinone derivative, termed CFTRInh-172 has been synthesized and introduced with apparently improved inhibitory properties as shown by effects on anion conductance expressed in cell lines and on secretion in vivo. Here, we assay the effect of this inhibitor on a purely salt absorbing native epithelial tissue, the freshly isolated microperfused human sweat duct, known for its inherently high expression of CFTR. We found that the inhibitor at a maximum dose limited by its aqueous solubility of 5 microm partially blocked CFTR when applied to either surface of the membrane; however, it may be somewhat more effective from the cytosolic side (approximately 70% inhibition). It may also partially inhibit Na+ conductance. The inhibition was relatively slow, with a half time for maximum effect of about 3 min, and showed very slow reversibility. Results also suggest that CFTR Cl- conductance (GCl) was blocked in both apical and basal membranes. The inhibitor appears to exert some effect on Na+ transport as well.
Regulation of the hyperpolarization-activated K+ channel in the lateral membrane of the cortical collecting duct.

An intermediate-conductance K+ channel (I.K.), the activity of which is increased by hyperpolarization, was previously identified in the lateral membrane of the cortical collecting duct (CCD) of the rat kidney (Wang, W. H., C. M. McNicholas, A. S. Segal, and G. Giebisch. 1994. American Journal of Physiology. 266:F813-F822). The biophysical properties and regulatory mechanisms of this K+ channel have been further investigated with patch clamp techniques in the present study. The slope conductance of the channel in inside-out patches was 50 pS with 140 mM KCl in the pipette and 5 mM KCl, 140 mM NaCl (NaCl Ringer's solution) in the bath. Replacement of the bath solution with symmetrical 140 mM KCl solution changed the slope conductance of the channel to 85 pS and shifted the reversal potential by 55 mV, indicating that the selectivity ratio of K+/Na+ was at least 10:1. Channel open probability (Po) in inside-out patches was 0.12 at 0 mV and was increased by hyperpolarization. The voltage-dependent Po was fitted with the Boltzmann's equation: Po = 1/[1 + exp(V-V1/2)zF/RT], with z = 1.2 and V1/2 = -40 mV. Addition of 2 mM tetraethylammonium or 500 mM quinidine to the bath blocked the activity of the K+ channel in inside-out patches. In addition, decrease in the bath pH from 7.40 to 6.70 reduced Po by 30%. Addition of the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (PKAc; 20 U/ml) and 100 microM [corrected] MgATP to the bath increased Po from 0.12 to 0.49 at 0 mV and shifted the voltage dependence curve of channel activity toward more positive potentials by 40 mV. Two exponentials were required to fit both the open-time and the closed-time histograms. Addition of PKAc increased the long open-time constant and shortened the long closed-time constant. In conclusion, PKA-mediated phosphorylation plays an important role in the regulation of the voltage dependence of the hyperpolarization-activated K+ channel in the basolateral membrane of CCD.
Regulation of Liver Tyrosine Aminotransferase by Endogenous Factors in the Mouse

The levels of mouse liver tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) are shown to increase rapidly and transiently during and after various challenges (e.g., exposure to cold or shaking) to the homeostatic machinery of the fasted mouse. The increase of TAT is dependent on gene activity. Recent feeding and adrenalectomy are shown to inhibit the induction of TAT during the challenge of cold.
Land Use Law in Planning Practice and Pedagogy

The environment in which land use is regulated is changing, and thus the skills that planning graduates need are likely to be changing as well. In this article, the authors present the results of a survey of 386 local planning agencies regarding the knowledge and skills pertaining to land use law they expect in entry-level land use planners. The authors also report on a parallel survey of 27 planning educators who teach land use law regarding the knowledge and skills their students possess as they enter the job market. The authors conclude that planning educators generally are providing the essential knowledge and skills relevant to land use planning and law that agencies desire. Also, the authors have found that the expectations of planning agencies often vary substantially by region of the United States, size of community, and the local rate of population growth.
The effects of migrant remittances on population–environment dynamics in migrant origin areas: international migration, fertility, and consumption in highland Guatemala

International migration impacts origin regions in many ways. As examples, remittances from distant migrants may alter consumption patterns within sending communities, while exposure to different cultural norms may alter other behaviors. This paper combines these insights to offer a unique lens on migration’s environmental impact. From an environmental perspective, we ask the following question: is the likely rise in consumption brought about by remittances counterbalanced by a reduction in fertility in migrant households following exposure to lower fertility cultures? Based on ethnographic case studies in two western highland Guatemalan communities, we argue that the near-term rise in consumption due to remittances is not counterbalanced by rapid decline in migrant household fertility. However, over time, the environmental cost of consumption may be mitigated at the community level through diffusion of contraception and family planning norms yielding lower family size.
A novel treatment of open dielectric waveguides

A general spectral-domain technique is developed which reduces the dimensionality of the space-domain integral equation for a large class of open dielectric waveguides. This technique has the merit of easy extension to three-dimensional structures. As an example, a simple rectangular slab guide is considered, and the corresponding spectral-domain modified Green's function is derived. To solve the resulting equations, the method of moments is employed in the spectral domain using entire-domain Hermite-Gaussian functions. The results show good agreement with other methods, and only a few basis functions are needed to achieve quick convergence. >
Efficient HMM evaluation for recognition of nonverbal speech

A procedure is described for evaluating the likelihood of a hidden Markov model (HMM) using only O(N) flops per observation, where N is the number of states. This improved computational complexity is necessary for near-real-time recognition algorithms for nonverbal speech to be run on ordinary personal computers. In preliminary experiments these measures have significantly reduced the computational load. Further significant reductions are anticipated with larger databases. >
Optically resolved zero field splittings in the phosphorescence spectra of aromatic thioketones

Abstract The phosphorescence spectra of xanthione (XS), thioxanthione (TXS), and thiofluorenone (TF) have been investigated at different temperatures below 4.2 K. Narrow-line spectra are observed in n -alkine matrices, the full width at half maximum intensity being ≈4.5 cm −1 for XS in n -hexane. The emissions of XS and TXS consist of two optically resolved subspectra which are assigned to the (T x , T y ), and T z triplet sublevel manifolds. The intensity of the latter subspectrum vanishes when T is reduced to 1.1 K. The T dependence of the relative intensifies of the subspectra is consistent with the populations of the sublevels existing in thermal equilibrium over the entire temperature range over which T z emission is observable. The lack of T z emission at 1.1 K, the lowest temperature obtained in these measurements, provides strong evidence that intersystem crossing leads to the selective population of T x and T y . We find that D = −5 ± 1 cm −1 for both XS and TXS from measurement of the splitting of the 0,0-bands. Resolved are not observed in the TF phosphorescence, but T -dependent line positions allow an estimate of D = −8 cm −1 . The smaller zero field splitting between T x and T y is obtained for each molecule by ODMR. The large value of | D | is attributed to spin-orbit coupling induced by the presence of the S atom as well as the presence of a low-lying 3 A 1 state. The latter is predicted to lie within ≈ 10 3 cm −1 of T ⊥ in XS.
Hydralazine-Induced Prevention of Nitrate Tolerance: Experimental and Clinical Evidence and Potential Mechanisms

Abstract The clinical use of hydralazine in combination with organic nitrates has resulted in a beneficial effect on survival, cardiac function, and exercise tolerance. More recently, hydralazine has been shown to prevent development of nitrate tolerance and early attenuation of nitrate-mediated hemodynamic effects in both experimental animals as well as patients with severe heart failure due to depression of left ventricular systolic function. Recent in vitro animal results have shown that prolonged nitroglycerin treatment results in increased production of endogenous vascular superoxide (ċO 2 ) production due to a specific NADH-dependent membrane-associated oxidase and that this is at least in part responsible for the development of nitrate tolerance. Further studies demonstrated that concomitant administration of hydralazine normalized endogenous rates of vascular ċO 2 production and prevented the development of nitrate tolerance. The ability of hydralazine to inhibit vascular ċO 2 anion production and to prevent the development of nitrate tolerance may provide further explanations for the benefits demonstrated in the V-HeFT studies with the hydralazine–isosorbide dinitrate combination in the treatment of patients with chronic CHF.
Laterally grown porous polycrystalline silicon: a new material for transducer applications

The formation of porous polycrystalline silicon with pore growth constrained in a thin film has been demonstrated. The overlying silicon nitride layer is optically transparent and allows direct observation of the evolving pore structure. The porous microstructure was characterized using transmission electron microscopy. In addition to measuring growth rates, the authors have explored the transition to the condition of uniform attack and have exploited this effect to form novel structures. >
Development and Application of a Novel Rasch-based Methodology for Evaluating Multi-Tiered Assessment Instruments: Validation and utilization of an undergraduate diagnostic test of the water cycle

We describe the development and validation of a three-tiered diagnostic test of the water cycle (DTWC) and use it to evaluate the impact of prior learning experiences on undergraduates’ misconceptions. While most approaches to instrument validation take a positivist perspective using singular criteria such as reliability and fit with a measurement model, we extend this to a multi-tiered approach which supports multiple interpretations. Using a sample of 130 undergraduate students from two colleges, we utilize the Rasch model to place students and items along traditional one-, two-, and three-tiered scales as well as a misconceptions scale. In the three-tiered and misconceptions scales, high confidence was indicative of mastery. In the latter scale, a ‘misconception’ was defined as mastery of an incorrect concept. We found that integrating confidence into mastery did little to change item functioning; however, three-tiered usage resulted in higher reliability and lower student ability estimates than two-ti...
Microstructural Properties of Air Plasma Sprayed Coating Consisting of Tungsten Carbide and Yttria‐Stabilized Zirconia

Thermal Spraying technologies are proven to be capable of producing composite materials and structures. In the present work, an innovative composite coating was produced to achieve high wear and thermal resistant properties in a single-step process using air plasma spraying (APS) technique. Tungsten carbide has shown high wear resistance and zirconia coatings exhibited excellent tribological and insulation properties. It is speculated that a composite material consisting of zirconia and tungsten carbide exhibits excellent thermomechanical properties. A powder mixture of 50wt% WC-10wt% Ni (WC-Ni) and 50wt% ZrO2-8wt% Y2O3 (YPSZ) was deposited on a low carbon steel substrate using APS technique. Important microstructural properties of WC-Ni/YPSZ coating such as splat boundaries, pore and grain morphology, microcracks, phase composition, elemental distribution of coatings, and lattice parameters of the crystals were investigated using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDS), and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). A good adhesion was observed between different phases in tungsten carbide mixed with zirconia coatings. Decarburization process which occurred during APS process resulted in formation of tungsten hemi-carbide (W2C) phase in plasma sprayed samples. The calculated crystal size for APS-deposited coating was smaller than those of feedstock powder.
Nonelderly Individuals With Employment-Based and Individually Purchased Health Care Coverage

Regulation of health insurance has been the focus of recent legislation in Congress and has become a major political issue. One of the important hurdles facing policymakers is deciding on the scope of individuals who would be covered under potential congressional legislation. For example, in the 1999 congressional session, the Senate passed health care legislation that focused mainly on health plans sponsored by private-sector employers that self-insure. In contrast, the House passed legislation that would apply to all private-sector employment-based health plans, as well as any other health plans using private health insurance policies. This article provides estimates of the number of nonelderly individuals (under age 65) with the various sources of employment-based coverage, along with the number of persons with individually purchased plans. The PDF for the above title, published in the May 2000 issue of EBRI Notes, also contains the fulltext of another May 2000 EBRI Notes article abstracted on SSRN: " IRA Assets Total More Than $2 Trillion."
Culture Doesn’t Matter? The Impact of Apparel Companies’ Corporate Social Responsibility Practices on Brand Equity:

Although Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a crucial issue for the apparel industry, it was limitedly investigated whether consumers' perceptions of CSR affect apparel companies’ brand equit...
The different effects of vinblastine sulfate and nitrogen mustard upon neutrophil kinetics in the dog.

SummaryDogs were given nitrogen mustard (HN2) and radioactive diisopropylfluo-rophosphate (DFP32) and the type of neutropenia which developed, whether of “early” or “late” onset, was correlated with changes observed in the blood granulocyte specific activity (BGSA) curve. The duration of phase X+II of the BGSA curve measures the time required for the storage pool of the marrow to empty by releasing cells to the blood. In dogs developing “late” onset neutropenia there was an abnormally short phase I+II while in those developing “early” onset neutropenia phase I+II was normal. These results were compared with those reported previously in vinblastine sulfate treated dogs. It was concluded that dogs with “early” onset neutropenia after HN2 must have developed a defect leading to an abnormally low rate of output cells from the marrow granulocyte reserve (MGR) to the blood. Reduced output developed despite the presence of enough cells in the MGR to maintain a normal rate of output.
IT-27ONCOLYTIC ADENOVIRUSES-MEDIATED IMMUNE RESPONSES IN SYNGENEIC MURINE GLIOMA MODEL

INTRODUCTION: Oncolytic adenovirus has been developed as a new experimental anticancer agent currently in clinical trials for glioma. Recent evidence suggests oncolytic viruses also have a therapeutic feature of inducing antitumor immune responses. Here we provide evidence that injection of oncolytic adenoviruses into established murine glioma leads to a conversion of immunosuppressive into immunostimulatory tumor environment. METHODS: Stereotactic orthotopic murine GL261 glioma was established in syngeneic immune competent mice. AdCMVΔ24 virus that has been shown to exhibit oncolytic effects on GL261 cells previously by our group was selected in the current studies. Using GL261 murine glioma model along with AdCMVΔ24, we evaluated the effects of viral treatment on generation of immune responses locally (in brain) and systemically (in cervical lymph nodes (cLNs) and spleens) upon viral injection into tumors. RESULTS: At 72hr post treatment, we observed a significant intracranial increase of both macrophages and NK cells. More importantly, we found that AdCMVΔ24 treatment decreased intracranial regulatory T cells (CD4+Foxp3+) at 72hr, 1 week, even at 2 weeks post viral treatment, whereas this was not observed in cLNs and spleens. In contrast to Treg cells, the frequency of CD3+CD8+ T cells were increased at 1 week and 2 weeks post treatment. We also found an increased frequency of IFN-g producing CD8+ cells, in cLNs as early as at 72hr and in brains at 2 weeks post treatment. Further, our studies demonstrated that intratumoral viral injection leads an increase of a ratio of CD4+IFN-g+T cells per CD4+Foxp3+ T cells. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these results suggest that intratumoral oncolytic adenovirus treatment may shift the immune response from suppressive to stimulatory through modulation of Treg cells, which could have significant impacts on the development of CRADs-based novel effective antiglioma immunotherapies.
Thin Films of SrFeO2.5+x - Effect of Preferred Orientation on Oxygen Uptake

Pulsed laser ablation has been used to deposit thin films of SrFeO25+x (x = 0 to ≈0.5). Previous work has shown that the orientation of the films, determined by powder x-ray diffraction depended strongly upon the deposition temperature. Films grown below 770 K showed little or no orientation. A growth temperature of 900 K resulted in films oriented (200). Growth temperatures of > 1000 K produced films oriented predominantly (110). At 673 K in an oxygen atmosphere, oriented films readily converted from the oxygen deficient brownmillerite form (x=0) to the oxygen rich cubic (or distorted cubic) perovskite form (x≈0.3). Films which exhibited no initial orientation did not react with oxygen under these conditions. Cycling non-oriented films between 230 and 800 ppm of oxygen in 101.3 kPa of nitrogen at 673 K resulted in weak (110) orientation. Once oriented, the films reacted readily with oxygen and exhibited measurable resistance changes. The conversion from oxygen deficient to oxygen rich form was monitored by x-ray diffraction and the DC resistance of the films.
Characterizing Mode II Fracture Toughness in Polymeric Composites Using Off-Axis Specimens

A new experimental method using edge cracked off-axis composite specimens to perform mode II fracture test on polymeric fiber reinforced composites is introduced and investigated. The advantage of this small brick shaped off-axis specimen gives the ability to perform dynamic tests on a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) setup to achieve high strain rate loadings. It is found that crack surface friction effect must be included in the evaluation of the mode II fracture toughness. The dynamic SHPB test result indicates that the dynamic initiation mode II fracture toughness is higher than the static value. More interestingly, it is found that the nonsingular compressive normal stress σ22 ahead of the crack has a significant effect on mode II fracture toughness. This implies that the energy release rate (or stress intensity factor) alone cannot characterize the mode II delamination fracture toughness.
Natriuretic peptides in children: physiology and clinical utility.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article reviews the genetics, biochemistry, and physiology of the natriuretic polypeptide family and their receptors; their roles in cardiac, bone, and lipid metabolism in children; and pharmacological agents that utilize the natriuretic polypeptide system. RECENT FINDINGS Clinically, measurements of circulating levels of the natriuretic polypeptides are useful diagnostic and prognostic markers of cardiovascular disease in children. The natriuretic polypeptides also play an important role in growth and body composition. Therapeutic application of the natriuretic polypeptide system may provide new treatments for cardiac, renal, bone, and metabolic disease in children. SUMMARY The natriuretic polypeptide system has promising clinical utility in the care of pediatric patients with cardiac, renal, bone, and metabolic disease.
Study of Migration in PET and PE Bottle for Liquid Food Packaging

Total migration amount test was carried out on two liquid food plastic packaging materials,PET and PE.Twelve different brands of PET and 2 kinds of PE material were extracted for the test.The results showed that migration of the materials into ordinary liquid food is insignificant,but serious migration happens in oil food.
Optimal frequency selection of multi-channel O2-band different absorption barometric radar for air pressure measurements

Through theoretical analysis, optimal selection of frequencies for O2 differential absorption radar systems on air pressure field measurements is achieved. The required differential absorption optical depth between a radar frequency pair is 0.5. With this required value and other considerations on water vapor absorption and the contamination of radio wave transmission, frequency pairs of present considered radar system are obtained. Significant impacts on general design of differential absorption remote sensing systems are expected from current results.
Regulation of the BDNF mRNA 3' UTR on the RNA Level

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is part of the neurotrophic family of genes that encodes for proteins that are known to promote survival of neurons in the peripheral and central nervous systems. The expression of the BDNF gene results in the production of two mRNAs with different lengths, one with a short 3’ untranslated region (UTR) and the second with a long 3’-UTR. The long 3’-UTR BDNF mRNA is the only transcript found in the dendrites and sequences unique to this transcript could be implicated in the regulation of local protein synthesis at distal sites. In this study we used biophysical methods such as circular dichroism spectroscopy, UV/Vis spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy as well as steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy to investigate the potential of a 26 nucleotide RNA sequence located in the BDNF mRNA long 3’-UTR to adopt a G quadruplex structure and analyzed its interactions with the fragile X mental retardation protein, a translation regulator of dendritic mRNAs.
Choreographic Compilation of Decentralized Comprehension Patterns

We develop an approach to compiling high-level specifications of distributed applications into code that is executable on individual computing nodes. The high-level language is a form of multiset rewriting augmented with comprehension patterns. It enables a programmer to describe the behavior of a distributed system as a whole rather than from the perspective of the individual nodes, thus dramatically reducing opportunities for programmer errors. It abstracts away the mechanics of communication and synchronization, resulting in concise and declarative specifications. Compilation generates low-level code in a syntactic fragment of this same formalism. This code forces the point of view of each node, and standard state-of-the-art execution techniques are applicable. It is relatively simple to show the correctness of this compilation scheme.
Demonization in War and Peace

Exploring the role of demonization in the context of “waging war” and “waging peace”, Normand asks why the phenomenon continues to appear in modern political discourse. The chapter introduces the notion of a so-called ‘politics of demonization’ and suggests that demonizing one’s enemy many serve four politically expedient functions in that it can (1) promote unity (2) enhance legitimacy (3) reinforce self-righteousness and moral heroism and (4) secure military and political mobilization. In the context of “waging peace”, Normand addresses some of the moral and pragmatic challenges that emerge when framing peace-efforts with the enemy as “shaking hands with the devil’. The chapter concludes by presenting the three dimensions of “demonization deadlock” to help explain how demonization may further complicate negotiation efforts.
Acute treatment with minocycline, but not valproic acid, improves long-term behavioral outcomes in the Theiler's virus model of temporal lobe epilepsy.

SummaryObjective Infection with Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) in C57Bl/6J mice induces acute seizures and development of spontaneous recurrent seizures and behavioral comorbidities weeks later. The present studies sought to determine whether acute therapeutic intervention with an anti-inflammatory–based approach could prevent or modify development of TMEV-induced long-term behavioral comorbidities. Valproic acid (VPA), in addition to its prototypical anticonvulsant properties, inhibits histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity, which may alter expression of the inflammasome. Minocycline (MIN) has previously demonstrated an antiseizure effect in the TMEV model via direct anti-inflammatory mechanisms, but the long-term effect of MIN treatment on the development of chronic behavioral comorbidities is unknown. Methods Mice infected with TMEV were acutely administered MIN (50 mg/kg, b.i.d. and q.d.) or VPA (100 mg/kg, q.d.) during the 7-day viral infection period. Animals were evaluated for acute seizure severity and subsequent development of chronic behavioral comorbidities and seizure threshold. Results Administration of VPA reduced the proportion of mice with seizures, delayed onset of symptomatic seizures, and reduced seizure burden during the acute infection. This was in contrast to the effects of administration of once-daily MIN, which did not affect the proportion of mice with seizures or delay onset of acute symptomatic seizures. However, VPA-treated mice were no different from vehicle (VEH)–treated mice in long-term behavioral outcomes, including open field activity and seizure threshold. Once-daily MIN treatment, despite no effect on the maximum observed Racine stage seizure severity, was associated with improved long-term behavioral outcomes and normalized seizure threshold. Significance Acute seizure control alone is insufficient to modify chronic disease comorbidities in the TMEV model. This work further supports the role of an inflammatory response in the development of chronic behavioral comorbidities and further highlights the utility of this platform for the development of mechanistically novel pharmacotherapies for epilepsy.
Using parathyroid hormone spikes during parathyroidectomy to guide intraoperative decision-making

Abstract Background Intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) level monitoring is a useful adjunct to parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT). Occasionally, increases (“spikes”) in IOPTH levels from the preoperative baseline parathyroid hormone may occur, which may lead to longer operative times or more extensive neck exploration or both. The aim of this study was to determine if the extent of IOPTH level increase predicts single gland disease (SGD). Methods This is a retrospective review of a prospective parathyroid database of patients undergoing parathyroidectomy for sporadic pHPT from 1999-2013. Extent of parathyroid hormone spike was calculated by the difference in IOPTH level at the time of gland excision and baseline: group 1 had a decrease in IOPTH level, group 2 had IOPTH level increase one to three times above the baseline, and group 3 had IOPTH level increase greater than three times above the baseline. Results Of the 900 patients in the cohort, there were 634 patients (70%) in group 1, 234 (26%) in group 2, and 32 (4%) in group 3. SGD was identified in 88%, 78%, and 100% of patients in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The median gland weight in group 3 (920 mg) was significantly larger than those in groups 1 and 2 (440 and 460 mg, respectively; P Conclusions IOPTH level spikes occur in nearly one-third of patients undergoing parathyroidectomy for sporadic pHPT. Patients with extensive IOPTH level increase are more likely to have larger SGD, whereas patients with moderate IOPTH level increases have increased incidence of multigland disease. In patients with a significant increase in IOPTH levels and larger glands, no further surgical exploration may be indicated.
African American Men’s Decline in Labor Market Status during the Great Recession

This chapter is the anchor of this research and covers original quantitative analyses I have conducted on occupational shifts that occurred among African American men during the recession. The importance of a group’s occupational distribution lies in the distribution’s influence on the group’s average wages. Occupational distribution by race can therefore influence inter-group wage disparities. This chapter shows that while African American male representation in high-, mid- and low-wage jobs declined over the course of the recession, the opposite occurred for white non-Hispanic men; the latter group was able to maintain its occupational representation during the recession. Based on the quantitative evidence presented in this as well as the preceding chapter, my conclusion is that African American men were further and disparately marginalized in the workforce during the Great Recession.
Mapping near-field environments of plasmonic and 2D materials with photo-induced force imaging(Conference Presentation)

We demonstrate the ability to map photo-induced gradient forces in materials, using a setup akin to atomic force microscopy. This technique allows for the simultaneous characterization of topographical features and optical near-fields in materials, with a high spatio-temporal resolution. We show that the near-field gradient forces can be translated onto electric fields, enabling the mapping of plasmonic hot-spots in gold nanostructures, and the resolution of sub-10 nm features in photocatalytic materials. We further show that the dispersion-sensitive nature of near-field gradient forces can be used to image and distinguish atomically thin layers of 2-D materials, with high contrast.
Association of patient age with high-risk pathologic features in papillary thyroid cancer

Abstract Background Certain patient demographics and histopathologic features are risk factors for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) recurrence after initial treatment. Our objective was to determine whether very young age is associated with aggressive pathologic features in patients with PTC. Materials and methods A retrospective analysis was performed for PTC patients who underwent surgical treatment at the University of Michigan between 2006 and 2012. Patients with known distant metastases were excluded. Demographics, high-risk pathologic features (capsular or vascular invasion, extrathyroidal extension, lymph node metastases, and extranodal extension), and disease recurrence were analyzed. Results 632 PTC patients were included in the analysis. Median age was 49 y (range 10-87). Tumors in patients aged P = 0.002) compared with patients aged 25-44 y. Patients aged P P = 0.001) than tumors in patients aged between 45-75 y. Patients aged >75 y had higher rates of vascular invasion ( P P = 0.001) compared with patients aged 45-75 y and more extrathyroidal extension ( P 75 age groups. Conclusions PTC patients aged
When Universities First Encountered Surgery

From student notes of the teaching of William de Congenis, at Montpellier ca. 1225, we can recognize that surgical education fitted not too uneasily into an academic environment at that moment, when universities and medical faculties were beginning to shape their institutional identity. But medical institutionalization over the next two hundred years operated in a variety of ways to strengthen rather than break down a nascent hierarchical distinction between medical and surgical learning. At Montpellier, medical masters acquired many surgical skills themselves and abandoned the most difficult operations to non-academic restauratores; surgeons per se were not part of the university. In the north Italian universities, Padua and Bologna, separate chairs of surgery did come into existence within medical faculties in the fourteenth century, yet surgical education never achieved more than second-class status there, and professors of surgery typically tried to move up into medical chairs; anatomy remained a medical subject until the beginning of the sixteenth century.
Reactive Precipitation of Anhydrous Alkali Sulfide Nanocrystals with Concomitant Abatement of Hydrogen Sulfide and Cogeneration of Hydrogen.

Anhydrous alkali sulfide (M2S, M = Li and Na) nanocrystals (NCs) are important materials central to the development of next generation cathodes and solid state electrolytes for advanced batteries, but not commercially available at present. This work reports an innovative method to directly synthesize M2S-NCs through alcohol-mediated reactions between alkali metals and hydrogen sulfide (H2S). In the first step, the alkali metal is complexed with alcohol in solution, forming metal alkoxide (ROM) and releasing hydrogen (H2). Next, H2S is bubbled through the ROM solution, where both chemicals are completely consumed to produce phase-pure M2S-NC precipitates and regenerate alcohol that can be recycled. The M2S-NC morphology may be tuned through choice of the alcohol and the solvent. Both synthetic steps are thermodynamically favorable (∆Gmo M2S + H2, makes good use of a hazardous chemical H2S and delivers two value-added products that naturally phase separate for easy recovery. This scalable approach provides an energy-efficient and environmentally-benign solution to the production of nanostructured materials required in emerging battery technologies.
SOCIALIZATION OF US NOVICE ACCOUNTING PROFESSIONALS THROUGH ETHICAL DISCOURSE IN 1931

This study applies a qualitative analysis of Fogarty's [1992] application of institutional theory to an individual's socialization in the American public accountancy profession in an historical context. The Ethics of the Profession, a book published by the American Institute of Accountants (AIA) in 1931, is examined to identify the normative, mimetic, and coercive socialization mechanisms embedded within. Both informal and formal code-based ethical discourse is contained in the book. This reflects the AIA's status as one of two competing national professional organizations and the only organization with a promulgated code of conduct. The results indicate use of embedded historical linguistic terms to delineate professional self-image and use of normative and mimetic socialization mechanisms in this effort to instill professional ideals into new entrants to the profession.
Patterns of Heat Transfer by Thermal Convection in a Rotating Fluid Subject to a Horizontal Temperature Gradient: A Summary

Laboratory studies and associated analytical and numerical investigations of thermally-induced motions in a rapidly-rotating fluid of low viscosity are of intrinsic interest in fluid dynamics, and they also bear on a wide variety of natural flow phenomena in atmospheres and oceans. Advective heat flow perpendicular to the rotation axis \(r=0\) (where \((r,\phi,z)\) are the cylindrical polar co-ordinates of a general point in a frame of reference that rotates with angular speed \(\Omega\) about \(r=0\), requires inter alia that \(u_{r}\), the \(r\)-component of the Eulerian relative flow velocity \(\underline{u}\), shall be non-zero. Since \(u_{r}\mathop{=}_{{\hskip-5pt}\cdot}^{{\hskip-5pt}\cdot}(2\Omega\overline{p}r)^{-1}dp/d\phi\) (where \(p\) denotes pressure and \(\overline{p}\) mean density) nearly everywhere when \(\Omega\) is so large that the geostrophic relationship (see equation (2) below) holds throughout most of parts of the fluid, in rapidly rotating systems advective heat transfer must be associated with departures from axial symmetry in the pattern of flow. Theory indicates and experiments amply confirm that strong departures from axial symmetry are ‘generic’ features of the patterns of thermally-induced flow in rapidly rotating fluids, even when the boundary conditions are axisymmetric.