cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Observer-Based Study of an X-Ray Imaging System for Small Animal Research

In this study, an x-ray imaging system for small-animal studies was characterized. This system includes an x-ray source with a 20-mm focal spot and a fiber optics coupled CCD detector module. It can be operated in magnification levels ranging from X1.5 to X5, by varying the object-to-detector distance. The system was subjectively characterized using a contrast-detail x-ray phantom. X-ray images of the phantom were obtained and reviewed by observers. The threshold contrast values for different object sizes were determined from observer measurements. The contrast-detail curves showed that magnification reduces the contrast threshold required for object detection. This system is suitable for small animal studies at different magnification levels, with high spatial resolution and adequate contrast-detail detectability.
Portal vein thrombosis after laparoscopy-assisted splenectomy and cholecystectomy.

A 12-year-old girl underwent laparoscopy-assisted splenectomy and cholecystectomy with removal of her spleen through a small Pfannenstiel incision. She had an unremarkable postoperative course but returned 16 days later because of increasing right-sided abdominal pain. The pain was constant, sharp, and stabbing without radiation. Abdominal examination showed diffuse right upper quadrant and epigastric tenderness without peritoneal irritation. Laboratory test results included white blood cell count, 14.4 x 10(9)/mm3; hemoglobin, 8.5 g/dL; platelets, 1,483,000; and normal values for lipase, amylase, aspartate transaminase, and alanine transaminase. Evaluation with ultrasonography and vessel Doppler studies showed an occlusive thrombus throughout the portal and splenic veins. The patient underwent intravenous heparin anticoagulation therapy. Her symptoms resolved completely over the next 2 days. The patient is currently receiving warfarin and anagrelide as an outpatient (international normalized ratio, 2). There were no long-term complications caused by portal vein thrombosis. This is the first reported case of portal vein thrombosis after laparoscopic splenectomy in the pediatric population.
Fluid inclusion gas compositions from an active magmatic–hydrothermal system: a case study of The Geysers geothermal field, USA

Abstract Hydrothermal alteration and the active vapor-dominated geothermal system at The Geysers, CA are related to a composite hypabyssal granitic pluton emplaced beneath the field 1.1 to 1.2 million years ago. Deep drill holes provide a complete transect across the thermal system and samples of the modern-day steam. The hydrothermal system was liquid-dominated prior to formation of the modern vapor-dominated regime at 0.25 to 0.28 Ma. Maximum temperatures and salinities ranged from 440°C and 44 wt.% NaCl equivalent in the biotite hornfels adjacent to the pluton to 305°C and 5 wt.% NaCl equivalent at distances of 1730 m from the intrusive contact. The major, minor, and noble gas compositions of fluid inclusions in the hydrothermally altered rocks were integrated with microthermometric and mineralogic data to determine their sources and the effects of mixing and boiling. Major and minor gaseous species were released from the inclusions by crushing or thermal decrepitation; noble gases were released by crushing. The samples were analyzed by mass spectrometry. The analyses document the presence of magmatic, crustal, and meteoric components in the trapped fluids. Hydrothermal fluids present during the liquid-dominated phase of the system contained gaseous species derived mainly from crustal and magmatic sources. At The Geysers, N 2 /Ar ratios greater than 525 and 3 He/ 4 He ratios of 6–10.7 Ra are diagnostic of a magmatic component. Crustal gas has CO 2 /CH 4 ratios less than 4, N 2 /Ar ratios between 45 and 525, and low 3 He/ 4 He ratios (0.5 Ra). Meteoric fluids have CO 2 /CH 4 ratios greater than 4 and N 2 /Ar ratios between 38 (air-saturated water) and 84 (air). However, N 2 /Ar ratios between 15 and 110 can result from boiling. Ratios less than 15 reflect the incorporation of N 2 into NH 3 -bearing clay minerals. In the central Geysers, the incursion of meteoric fluids occurred during the transition from the liquid- to vapor-dominated regime. Variations in the relative CH 4 , CO 2 , and H 2 contents of the gas analyses demonstrate that boiling took place under open-system conditions. The gas data indicate that the inclusions have remained closed to the diffusion of He and H 2 since their formation.
Death Receptors, Intimal Disease, and Gene Therapy Are Therapies That Modify Cell Fate Moving too Fas?

The pathogenesis of vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and postangioplasty restenosis is characterized by endothelial cell injury and an abnormal accumulation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) within the intimal space. The classic paradigm has emphasized the role of VSMC migration, proliferation, and subsequent elaboration of extracellular matrix as the principal cellular events that mediate neointima formation.1 In accord with this model, gene therapy strategies directed at inhibiting cell proliferation and migration have been shown to be effective at inhibiting intimal disease in animal models and are currently under study as novel therapies for vascular disease in clinical trials.2 3 4 5 It has become increasingly clear that the cellular economy within tissues reflects a balance between cell proliferation and cell death by apoptosis.6 7 8 Studies involving both animal models and human specimens have clearly established that VSMC apoptosis is a prominent feature of the response to injury and the consequent formation of the neointima.9 10 11 Nevertheless, the studies describing the association between cell death and lesion formation fail to definitively establish the pathogenic role of vascular cell apoptosis in the natural history of intimal vascular disease. Therefore, it remains to be determined whether therapeutic strategies that modulate apoptosis within the vasculature will have efficacy in ameliorating the course of vascular disease. The study by Chan et al12 in this issue of Circulation Research provides important new insights into the complexities of the intrinsic compensatory mechanisms that VSMCs exhibit to promote cell viability under various conditions. These findings challenge us to develop a deeper, more intricate understanding of apoptosis regulation within the vasculature that is commensurate with our understanding of cell-cycle regulation. It is well established that loss of endothelial cells from the intimal surface predisposes to vascular lesion formation.1 Accordingly, it …
A re-formulation of the expression for mode-field diameter in the variable-aperture domain

Several expressions of mode-field diameter are currently in use in the optical fiber industry enabling measurements to be made in different measurement domains. A re-formulation of the expression for mode-field diameter in the variable aperture domain is presented. An inconsistency has been observed between this expression and that currently specified by standards organisations and manufacturers. The magnitude of this discrepancy is investigated and a new expression is proposed. >
On the applicability of linear feedback for nonlinear systems in fluid mechanics

Examines the application of linear optimal control theory to a low-order nonlinear chaotic convection problem. Linear control feedback is found to be fully effective only when it is switched off while the state is far from the desired equilibrium point, relying on the attractor of the system to bring the state into a neighborhood of the equilibrium point before control is applied. Linear estimator feedback is found to be fully effective only when (a) the Lyapunov exponent of the state estimation error is negative, indicating that the state estimate converges to the uncontrolled state, and (b) the estimator is stable in the vicinity of the desired equilibrium point. The aim in studying the present problem is to understand better some possible pitfalls of applying linear feedback to nonlinear systems in a low-dimensional framework. Such an exercise foreshadows problems likely to be encountered when applying linear feedback to infinite-dimensional nonlinear systems such as turbulence. It is important to understand these problems and the remedies available in a low-dimensional framework before moving to more complex systems such as turbulence.
CONTEMPORARY ALUTIIQ MASKS AND MEANING

Between the late 19th century and the late 20th century, mask carving was not practiced on Kodiak Island, the ancestral home of the Alutiiq peoples. In the last three decades, this tradition has re-emerged. This article examines how Alutiiq masks are made today and examines some of the challenges of making masks for both Alutiiq and non-Alutiiq audiences. A visitor to Kodiak, Alaska today will probably encounter Alutiiq 1 masks hanging in homes, for sale in the Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository and used as decoration in businesses around the city. A visitor might notice reproductions of Alutiiq masks imprinted on t-shirts, magnets and coffee cups. If a visitor is lucky enough to travel to one of the villages on the island, he or she might see Alutiiq students participating in masked dances, or carving miniature masks in a workshop. Her or she might see masks hanging from street posts, or sheds. (See figure 1). There are two distinct audiences that enjoy Alutiiq masks; those who belong to the culture and use the masks for culturally relevant activities, and those without Alutiiq heritage who collect such masks as art objects. This article examines how Alutiiq masks are made today and explores some of the challenges mask carvers face when navigating these audiences. The first section of this article briefly presents the history of Alutiiq masks. This is followed by a discussion of how masks are made and used within the culture for Alutiiq audiences and an analysis on how this compares with the use of masks for non-Alutiiq audiences. The information gathered in this article is based on extensive research on Alutiiq masking including fieldwork in Alaska that incorporated participation in mask carving, and interviews with Alutiiq mask carvers between 2006 and 2009. 2 This research also included studies of historical Alutiiq masks found in museum collections (including the Burke Museum in Seattle, Washington; the Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository in Kodiak, Alaska; the Smithsonian Institution ’ s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC; and the Musee du Quai Branly in Paris, France), as well as studies of contemporary masks created for sale or trade. Many of the issues that this article considers are relevant to indigenous communities around the globe who share a common history of exploitation and cultural repression as a result of colonization. Recently, indigenous communities have been involved in reevaluating the value and meaning of their material culture for their own political and cultural needs (Hallowell, 2004, p. 358). Alutiiq mask carving revitalization is just one example of how an indigenous community is responding to culture renewal and is asserting their right to positively represent themselves and their culture. Including Alutiiq voices in this article offers the opportunity to hear some of the voices that have been missing from discourses about indigenous art making.
How US institutional review boards decide when researchers need to translate studies

Informed consent is crucial in research, but potential participants may not all speak the same language, posing questions that have not been examined concerning decisions by institutional review boards (IRBs) and research ethics committees’ (RECs) about the need for researchers to translate consent forms and other study materials. Sixty US IRBs (every fourth one in the list of the top 240 institutions by The National Institutes of Health funding) were contacted, and leaders (eg, chairs) from 34 (response rate=57%) and an additional 12 members and administrators were interviewed. IRBs face a range of problems about translation of informed consent documents, questionnaires and manuals—what, when and how to translate (eg, for how many or what proportion of potential subjects), why to do so and how to decide. Difficulties can arise about translation of specific words and of broader cultural concepts regarding processes of informed consent and research, especially in the developing world. In these decisions, IRBs weigh the need for autonomy (through informed consent) and justice (to ensure fair distribution of benefits and burdens of research) against practical concerns about costs to researchers. At times IRBs may have to compromise between these competing goals. These data, the first to examine when and how IRBs/RECs require researchers to translate materials, thus highlight a range of problems with which these committees struggle, suggesting a need for further normative and empirical investigation of these domains, and consideration of guidelines to help IRBs deal with these tensions.
Complementarity and Evolution of Contractual Provisions: An Empirical Study of IT Services Contracts

An increasing volume of business activity appears to be occurring via alliances or other interfirm arrangements in which complex contracts are featured, yet there has been relatively little study of contract design in the strategy or management literatures. The economics literature on contracting has been extensive, but it has been less concerned with learning and evolution---phenomena in which strategy and organization scholars are deeply interested. In this paper, we investigate the relationship between two types of contractual provisions that are important in high-technology contracts, or contracts for which environmental uncertainty or technological complexity are significant, namely, contingency planning and task description. Previous research suggests that contracts can vary significantly in the degree of detail with which such key provisions are written, and that they are each subject to learning. In this paper, we find evidence from a sample of 386 contracts that contingency planning and task description behave as complements in contractual design. We argue that this complementarity reflects patterns of learning to contract. We also find that repeated exchange between two firms leads to greater effort at contingency planning in subsequent contracts, a finding that is also consistent with learning effects, but not with frequently made claims that contracts and trust are substitutes.
World Hunger and Movements to Stop It

The persistence of hunger and its growing impact on suffering in the world isdisheartening. As seen in Figure1, for the first time in human history, the number of people living with chronic hunger ...
Embodying Computational Thinking: Initial Design of an Emerging Technological Learning Tool

This emerging technology report describes virtual environment interactions an approach for blending movement and computer programming as an embodied way to support girls in building computational thinking skills. The authors seek to understand how body syntonicity might enable young learners to bootstrap their intuitive knowledge in order to program a three-dimensional character to perform movements. We have gained insight into the desire for character realism. The lessons learned to date, as well as the challenges to integrating the physical and virtual and keeping the interactions rich are discussed.
Coordinated adaptive robust contour tracking of linear-motor-driven tables in task space

In order to improve the overall contouring performance, it appears that it is no longer possible to neglect dynamic coupling phenomena that occur during contour tracking, especially for linear motor systems which often move at high speed. This paper studies the high performance contour tracking control of linear-motor-driven tables. The table dynamics is first transformed into a task coordinate frame. A discontinuous projection based adaptive robust controller (ARC), which explicitly takes into account the dynamic coupling effect, is constructed to improve the contouring performance under both parametric uncertainties and uncertain nonlinearities. A desired compensation ARC scheme is also presented, in which the regressor is calculated using desired contour information only. Both schemes are implemented and compared on a linear-motor-driven X-Y table.
Innate Immunity and Resistance to Tolerogenesis in Allotransplantation

The development of immunosuppressive drugs to control adaptive immune responses has led to the success of transplantation as a therapy for end-stage organ failure. However, these agents are largely ineffective in suppressing components of the innate immune system. This distinction has gained in clinical significance as mounting evidence now indicates that innate immune responses play important roles in the acute and chronic rejection of whole organ allografts. For instance, whereas clinical interest in natural killer (NK) cells was once largely confined to the field of bone marrow transplantation, recent findings suggest that these cells can also participate in the acute rejection of cardiac allografts and prevent tolerance induction. Stimulation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), another important component of innate immunity, by endogenous ligands released in response to ischemia/reperfusion is now known to cause an inflammatory milieu favorable to graft rejection and abrogation of tolerance. Emerging data suggest that activation of complement is linked to acute rejection and interferes with tolerance. In summary, the conventional wisdom that the innate immune system is of little importance in whole organ transplantation is no longer tenable. The addition of strategies that target TLRs, NK cells, complement, and other components of the innate immune system will be necessary to eventually achieve long-term tolerance to human allograft recipients.
Risk Economies of Scale in the Finance and Insurance Industries: Placing the Right Emphasis in Introductory Business Statistics

Most undergraduate and graduate business programs include a required introductory course in statistics with statistical inference as the primary focus. Developing the proper understanding of statistical inference techniques requires an ambitious ramp-up effort devoted to the study of probability theory, discrete and continuous probability distributions, and the central limit theorem. Mastering this large amount of demanding material in a short time poses a significant challenge to most students. As a result, students resort to formula lists they apply without proper understanding. Frequently, even the best performing students in the class are incapable of applying simple statistical concepts soon after the course is over. Acquiring lifelong knowledge requires understanding. This paper illustrates how simple properties of the sum of independent identically distributed random variables account for risk economies of scale which are at the foundations of the finance and insurance industries. By highlighting this simple, yet extremely important result, students stand a better chance of achieving lifelong recollection and understanding of one of the most significant quantitative results in business.
Analysis and mitigation of common mode voltages in photovoltaic power systems

A typical photovoltaic (PV) power system is composed of multiple strings of PV arrays with one central inverter or a combination of PV modules with micro-inverters. Per-module DC-DC converter and series connected multilevel inverter topologies are possible candidates. In this paper, the analyses of common mode voltages and currents in the afore-mentioned PV topologies are detailed. The grid integration of PV power employs a combination of pulse width modulation (PWM) DC-DC converters and inverters. Due to their fast switching nature a common mode voltage is generated with respect to the ground, inducing a circulating current through the ground capacitance. Common mode voltages lead to increased voltage stress, electromagnetic interference and malfunctioning of ground fault protection systems. This paper analyzes the common mode voltages and current present in high and low power PV systems with different topologies. Mitigation strategies such as common mode filter and transformer shielding are proposed to minimize common mode voltages and currents. A practical rooftop PV system rated at 2.76 kW per string is used in the analysis.
Dynamic Behavior of a Class of Wind Turbine Generators during Random Wind Fluctuations

Common in the design of wind turbine generators of the multi-megawatt size is a soft shaft in the low speed part of the drive train. The presence of the soft shaft gives rise to a low frequency torsional mode involving an oscillation where the hub and blades swing relative to the generator. It is shown that normal wind variations can excite this mode resulting in large oscillatory fluctuations in the drive train torques as well as in the generated electric power. Methods of improving the dynamic performance are examined.
Fertility decline via marital postponement in China.

Planned reproduction in the Peoples Republic of China encompasses both marital postponement and fertility limitation within marriage. Marital postponement has long-run potential because it can serve to eliminate 1 or 2 generations within an extended period of about 1 century. Little documentation exists on the extent to which Chinas youth has followed repeated exhortations to delay matrimony. The data presented are probably the 1st of their kind available anywhere and were obtained first hand by "opportunity sample." There were indications that marriage during adolescence has disappeared. The median age at the birth of 1st child for current age group 25-29 (1973) was 27.0 for men and 24.0 for women compared were 23.5 for men in age group 40-44 and 20.0 for women in the same age group. In other words those whose most impressionable years were spent in the new society exhibited a radically different pattern of parenthood. It is thought that efficient use of contraception played a minor role in these changes.
The effectiveness of the US endangered species act: An econometric analysis using matching methods

Abstract Diametrically opposed views of the effectiveness of the United States Endangered Species Act (ESA) co-exist more than 30 years after the Act's creation. The evidence marshaled to date for and against the ESA suffers from a problem common in analyses of biodiversity protection measures: the absence of a well-chosen control group. We demonstrate how matching methods can be used to select such a control group and thereby estimate how species listed under the ESA would have fared had they not been listed. Our results show that listing a species under the ESA is, on average, detrimental to species recovery if not combined with substantial government funds. In contrast, listed species with such funding tend to improve. Our analysis offers not only new insights into a controversial debate, but also a methodology to guide conservation scientists in evaluating the effectiveness of society's responses to biodiversity loss.
Hesitation patterns in third grade children's derived word productions

Hesitations have been considered to serve both cognitive and linguistic functions. This study presents analyses of children's hesitations while producing English derived words with the suffix -ity. Two questions were considered: Do children's linguistic skills influence their use and frequency of hesitations when producing derived words, and do children's use of hesitations vary as a function of word frequency. Eight real words derived with the suffix -ity were produced by 20 third grade children and analysed for different hesitation types. Four of the target words were high in lexical frequency, and four were low in lexical frequency. Results indicated varying hesitation patterns based upon stress accuracy skill. Children with good stress accuracy skills tended to produce false starts, whereas children with poor stress accuracy skills tended to produce glottal stops and intra-word pauses. Word frequency had a specific effect only for children with good stress accuracy skills.
A Medieval Metaphor to Aid Use of the Neuman Systems Model in Simulation Debriefing

Patient simulation is an effective clinical nursing experience and debriefing is recognized as the most crucial phase for students to internalize learning. The Neuman systems model is an excellent organizing framework for simulation debriefing to maximize learning. However, due to the model's complexity, metaphor may be useful to help students to link simulation events with the model's concepts. A medieval metaphorical adaptation of the Neuman systems model was created as an educational debriefing tool to help students bridge this gap. Neuman's concepts are represented as medieval figures encountering and dealing with stressor dragons, with assistance (nursing intervention) as necessary. The companion questionnaire allows recording of student insights and becomes an evaluation tool for student comprehension.
Pragmatism, Paternalism, and the Constitutional Protection of Commercial Speech

Two key perspectives have emerged in the Supreme Court’s decisions about First Amendment protection of commercial speech. The anti-paternalism view, originally embraced by the Court’s most liberal members but now advanced by Clarence Thomas, holds that the government has only a narrow interest in preventing false advertising. To the extent that commercial speech is not fraudulent or misleading, the government must simply let people hear it and decide for themselves whether they find it persuasive. Other judges argue that courts need to be more pragmatic about the effects of advertising and more deferential to government attempts to promote public health and safety. That view was originally developed by conservative William Rehnquist, while its current champion is liberal Stephen Breyer. This Article traces these two lines of thought through the Supreme Court’s key rulings and then examines how they affect significant commercial speech issues now facing lower courts. In particular, the Article looks at how pharmaceutical companies have been fighting with the FDA about free speech issues relating to promotion of off-label uses of drugs, the tobacco industry has challenged the graphic images that the federal government wants to add to warning labels on cigarette packages, cell phone companies have sued to block a San Francisco ordinance requiring them to give warnings about radiation emitted by their products, and a provision in the “Obamacare” statute will require chain restaurants to start listing the calories in each item on their menus.
Feasibility modeling of a truss-braced wing as a beam

This article presents a case study on the use of elementary beam and truss theory to ascertain whether a truss-braced wing is structurally feasible. It begins with a brief history of airplane structures, and then explains how elementary structures theory can be used to explore one aspect of how airplanes work. Its purpose is solely to see whether a truss-braced wing is structurally sensible, as a prelude to performing full-scale analyses of such configurations that would include their aerodyamics, materials, controls and economics.
Learning In a Virtual World: Experience With Using Second Life for Medical Education

So called "Web 2.0" technologies hold great potential for medical education. Second Life is the best known of a group of new web-based social networking virtual reality environments. Although these environments are being increasingly explored for use in education, we are aware of almost no use or evaluation of these environments for formal medical education, either at the undergraduate, residency, or post graduate levels. Most applications of these environments in medical education have been limited to patient-centered sites for disease or condition specific education and support, or for supporting larger professional meetings via providing a virtual environment in which to participate in the meeting. We designed and delivered a post-graduate continuing medical education (CME) program in the virtual world social networking program Second Life. Our objectives of this pilot project were to: 1)Explore the potential of the virtual world social networking web environment Second Life (SL) for CME activities 2)Determine possible instructional design models for using SL for CME 3)Understand the limitations of SL for CME activities. 4)Understand the barriers, solutions, and costs to using SL, including need for training of participants, and presenters. 5)Learn about the types of environments within SL environment that promote learning. 6) Measure user feedback. We trained and enrolled 16 primary care physicians in an hour-long highly interactive event in Second Life on the topic of Type 2 Diabetes, given by an endocrinologist. Participants completed a pre and post survey, with case-based questions assessing acquisition of learning objectives of the program, and the post survey assessed their attitudes towards the virtual reality learning environment. We also tracked time and costs associated with developing a program of this type, including costs of training participants. Preliminary analysis of our results shows high levels of participant satisfaction, with rates of agreement to the following evaluation statements: 1) “Overall, I found this experience in Second Life to be an effective method of CME”: 100% agreeing, (including 64% “strongly”agreeing). 2) “The Second Life approach to CME was superior to other methods of online CME in which I have participated.”: 100% agreeing (including 55% “strongly” agreeing). 3) “This Second Life CME method is superior to face-to-face methods of CME”: 36% neutral, 9% disagree, 55% agree (including 18% “strongly” agreeing. 4) 100% agreed they would take another CME course in Second Life, including 82% who “strongly” agreed. Virtual world environments will become a significant component of medical education programs in the future. Little is known about how to use this technology for medical education. This project will provide some useful information to help move this understanding forward. It is likely, however, that until the state of art in both technology, access to high speed internet, and user competence all improve, this method of education will be slowly adopted. []
From Nuisance to Nostalgia: The historical archaeology of nature tourism in Southern California, 1890-1940

Between the comparatively brief period of 1890 to 1940, Southern California tourism resorts and tourists visiting the region exhibited conflicting feelings toward the region’s wildlife and natural resources. On the one hand, from 1910 to 1930, nature was seen by some Americans as a popular attraction, yet, on the other, some capitalists perceived it as an impediment to the industrialization and imperial expansion efforts underway in the western United States. Drawing upon historical and archaeological data from railway workers employed at one of the most popular tourist attractions in turn-of-the-century Southern California, this article shows the changing meanings and uses of the tourist landscape. At the same time I develop a case for the development of an historical archaeology of tourism.
Debt, Death, and Redemption: Toward a Soterial-Legal History of the Turner Rebellion

The objective in this essay is to question the conjunction “socio-legal,” resorted to routinely by law and society scholars who locate “law” in a determined/determining relationship to social “context.” Concretely, the essay examines the capacity of the socio-legal to assist us in explaining a particular incident in antebellum U.S. history, the Turner Rebellion, a slave revolt or “insurrection” that occurred in Southampton County, southeastern Virginia, in August 1831 by counterposing the agency of the soterial, which stands at about as stark a polar opposite to the social as it is possible to imagine. Soterial means salvific, pertaining to salvation, to the eschatology of redemption. If social connotes the profane, the world of the creature, the world of fallen humanity, where law reigns and justice is an afterthought, soterial connotes the sacral, beyond law, where justice is eternal. The question posed is which – the social or the soterial, empiricism or metaphysics – better helps us understand the Turner Rebellion? Which of them, in particular, unleashes from that incident the energy that might alter the way we understand American history and, not incidentally, the way we understand law?
Strength of Neoprene Compounds and the Effect of Salt Solutions

Abstract Soft CR vulcanizates resemble NR vulcanizates in many ways. Their tensile strength is high at low temperatures and drops sharply at a characteristic temperature to a value of about 1–1.5 MPa. Their tear resistance decreases smoothly as the temperature is raised and does not reach a lower limit, even at temperatures as high as 150°C. However, they show continuous tear propagation at room temperature under relatively large tear forces, whereas NR materials do not. This difference must reflect different strengths of the crystallites formed at the tear tip, those in CR being significantly weaker. Also, a specific environmental effect is noted: When immersed in solutions of FeCl3, the CR materials show more rapid tearing, and they tear at significantly lower forces than in water or in NaCl solutions (or in air). Although they swell continuously in water and in salt solutions, the rate of swelling seems far too low to account for the weakening observed. Moreover, the swelling is greater in water, where...
RO-1-7780, a potent antagonist of alphaprodine.

Conclusions(1) 1-3-hydroxy-N-propargyl morphinan has been found a potent antagonist to alphaprodine or morphine in the dog and to alphaprodine in man. (2) Ro-7780 given contemporaneously with alphaprodine at l/75th or 1/100th the dose of the latter appeared to counteract completely the respiratory depression produced in the dog by the narcotic alone. (3) At the same dose ratios of Ro-7780 to alphaprodine in man, the antagonist diminished the severity of the respiratory depression produced by alphaprodine, but otherwise the narcotic effect was judged unaltered.
Application value of the amplitude integrated electroencephalography in early diagnosis and treatment of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and predict prognosis

Objective To evaluate the application value of the aEEG in early diagnosis and treatment of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy(HIE)and long-term prognosis. Methods A total of 120cases of newborns with HIE who were hospitalized from August 2010to February 2013were selected,and their gestational ages were from 34~42+2 weeks.120cases of newborns were randomly dividing into the observation group with aEEG and non-observation group.According to the severity of HIE,each group was divided into mild,moderate,and severe subgroup,each subgroup with 20cases.aEEG was respectively traced at time points(1,3,14and 28days)after birth for observation group with aEEG;Two groups of HIE took the Neonatal Behaviral Neurologieal Assessment(NBNA)assessment at time points(3,14and 28days)after birth;followup research for two was done groups after corrected gestational age of 12months,the follow-up investigation including Denver Developmental Screening Test(DDST)and nervous system sequelae. Results There was positive correlation between aEEG and HIE clinical indexing(r=0.843,P0.01).At time points(3and 14days)after birth,it was not statistically significant for the NBNA score between observation group with aEEG and non-observation group(P0.05)while it was statistically significant for the NBNA score between observation group with aEEG and non-observation group at time point 28 day after birth(P0.05).At time points(1,3,14and 28days)after birth,the aEEG results for observation group with aEEG had strong positive correlations with prognosis after corrected gestational age of 12months(r=0.832,0.857,0.778, 0.743,P0.01).The disable rate in the observation group with aEEG(13.8%)was significantly lower than that in the non-observation group(23.2%);the cure rate(60%)in the observation group with aEEG was significantly higher than that in the non-observation group(40%).The long-term prognosis of the observation group with aEEG and the non-observation group was statistically significant(χ 2= 4.107,P0.05). Conclusions The aEEG has excellent correlation with HIE clinical indexing,and can assist in early diagnosis and treatment of HIE.aEEG can be used to predict long-term prognosis of HIE.
APPROACHES TO XINJIANG'S MINERAL RESOURCES EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT

This paper analyzes the exploration situation of Xinjiang's mineral resources,and concludes that Xinjiang is a vital strategic alternative region for energy,non-ferrous and noble metals with huge potentials.Mining is a key drive to Xinjiang's economy.Xinjiang's mineral resources are marked by widely-spreading,abundant categories,developed logistics,large reserves,quality and rational structure of some mineral resources.Limited by its remote sites,poor natural conditions,under-developed economy,and primitive geological works,lower technology and lack of science talents,Xinjiang's mineral resources development stays a primary level and a lower synthetic utilization level.This paper presents approaches to synthetic development and utilization of Xinjiang's mineral resources.
The composition and application of engine hot test stand

Engine hot test for the engine manufacturing process is an important aspect of the performance of the main engine,emissions,reliability and durability,etc.for testing.This paper describes the composition of hot test bench and its practical applications,from machine stand,the test system,electrical control systems and utility systems to discuss an efficient,environmentally friendly and low-cost hot test system. According to practical production applications,the practicality and economy and so on are shown of the hot test system in the small-displacement engine testing.
Responses of the ticks Amblyomma hebraeum and A. variegatum to known or potential components of the aggregation-attachment pheromone. II. Attachment stimulation

Nine known or potential components of the aggregation-attachment pheromone of the ticksAmblyomma hebraeum andA. variegatum were tested as attachment stimulants. Unfed adult male and female ticks were confined in linen bags on the ears of rabbits that had been treated with solutions of the test compounds; the numbers attached were recorded after 24 h. In both species, males attached more rapidly and more readily than females. InA. hebraeum, attachment of males was induced by eight compounds (benzaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, 2,6-dichlorophenol, heptadecane, 2-methyl propanoic acid, methyl salicylate, o-nitrophenol and salicylaldehyde) and attachment of females by six compounds (benzaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, 2,6-dichlorophenol, 2-methyl propanoic acid, o-nitrophenol and salicylaldehyde). InA. variegatum, attachment of males was induced by seven compounds (benzaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, 2,6-dichlorophenol, heptadecane, methyl salicylate, o-nitrophenol and salicyladeehyde) and attachment of females by two compounds (methyl salicylate and o-nitrophenol). A mixture of the nine compounds and extracts of prefed males ofA. herbraeum andA. variegatum induced attachment in males of both species and in femaleA. hebraeum; in these tests, attachment of femaleA. variegatum was only induced by extracts of conspecific males.
Romantic relationships in Mexico: Understanding the role of parenting and respeto in adolescence

This study examined whether adolescents’ perceptions of maternal warmth and monitoring were associated with dating experience (experience vs. no experience) and romantic relationship duration in Mexico. We also explored whether respeto, age, and gender moderated these associations. Mexican adolescents (54% girls), aged 12–19, self-reported on their perceptions of maternal warmth and monitoring and romantic relationships. Findings suggest that more perceived maternal warmth was associated with longer relationships. The association between monitoring and relationship length was moderated by age and respeto. Specifically, more monitoring was associated with shorter relationships among older adolescents and those who reported lower levels of respeto. Adolescents who endorse respeto and those who are younger may not perceive maternal monitoring as an attempt to hinder their romantic relationships. Findings highlight the importance of cultural context and parental relationships in Mexican adolescents’ romantic ...
CT–Guided Bone Biopsies in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Factors Predictive of Maximum Tumor Yield

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the success rate of CT–guided bone biopsies in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and to investigate associated technical, imaging, and clinical parameters affecting diagnostic yields. Materials and Methods Eighty CT–guided bone biopsy specimens were obtained from 72 men (median age, 68 y; range, 49–89 y) enrolled in a multicenter trial to identify mechanisms of resistance in mCRPC. Successful biopsy was determined by histologic confirmation of tumor cells and successful isolation of RNA for molecular analysis. Results The overall success rate of CT–guided bone biopsies was 69% (55/80) based on histology and 64% (35/55) based on isolation of molecular material for RNA sequencing. Biopsies performed in lesions with areas of radiolucency had significantly higher diagnostic yields compared with lesions of predominantly dense sclerosis (95% vs 33%; P = .002) and lesions of predominantly subtle sclerosis (95% vs 65%; P = .04). Success rates increased in lesions with density ≤ 475 HU (79% for ≤ 475 HU vs 33% for > 475 HU; P = .001) and in lesions with ill-defined margins (76% for ill-defined margins vs 36% for well-circumscribed margins; P = .005). Alkaline phosphatase was the only clinical parameter to correlate significantly with diagnostic yield (83% for > 110 U/L vs 50% for ≤ 110 U/L; P = .001). Conclusions Image-guided bone tumor biopsies can be successfully used to acquire cellular and molecular material for analyses in patients with osteoblastic prostate cancer metastases. Diagnostic yields are significantly increased in lesions with areas of radiolucency, density ≤ 475 HU, ill-defined margins, and interval growth and in patients with alkaline phosphatase > 110 U/L.
Supportive housing program for homeless families: Foster care outcomes and best practices

Abstract Purpose This study is an outcome evaluation of Cottage Housing Incorporated's Serna Village Program (CHI), a supportive housing program serving homeless families in Sacramento, California. Methods This quasi-experimental study examined a sample of 293 children and youth who lived with their parents in CHI between 2002 and 2009. Results 71% of the children had a history of foster care before CHI; 10% of the youth reentered foster care after graduating from CHI (compared with reentry rates of 20–40% from other studies). The CHI youth overall spent less time in care after foster care reentry when compared to other Sacramento County youth. Child welfare costs of the sample before entering CHI were $1,313,262, yet at reentry, child welfare costs were $295,632 (2.5 to 5 years after leaving CHI). Conclusions Child welfare recidivism rates and total child welfare costs after reentry may decrease for homeless families by providing them with permanent housing and support services.
The Visibility of Features in SEM Images

The detection in SEM images of specimen features such as compositional differences, topography (shape, inclination, edges, etc.), and physical differences (crystal orientation, magnetic fields, electrical fields, etc.), depends on satisfying two criteria: (1) establishing the minimum conditions necessary to ensure that the contrast created by the beam–specimen interaction responding to differences in specimen features is statistically significant in the imaging signal (backscattered electrons [BSE], secondary electrons [SE], or a combination) compared to the inevitable random signal fluctuations (noise); and (2) applying appropriate signal processing and digital image processing to render the contrast information that exists in the signal visible to the observer viewing the final image display.
Effects of State-Imposed Tax and Expenditure Limits on Municipal Revenue Reliance: A New Measure of TEL Stringency with Mixed Methods

How state-imposed tax and expenditure limits (TELs) affect municipal revenues depends on both the terms the limits and the municipal revenue level. The majority of TEL literature assumes that the same TELs have the same stringency for municipalities with varying property tax efforts. I construct a “TEL gap” measure that accounts for different maximum allowable rate for property tax growth across states and incorporates different levels of the actual levies across municipalities within a state. Using a sample of 100 large cities in the United States from 1995 to 2011, this study examines the effects of TELs on revenue reliance by source and shows that cities with more restrictive TELs do not have higher reliance on non-property-tax revenues. In a sample that includes only cities with TELs, the results suggest that cities subject to more restrictive TELs rely more on sales taxes and less on user fees.
Development of Subject-Specific Proximal Femur Finite Element Models Of Older Adults with Obesity to Evaluate the Effects of Weight Loss on Bone Strength.

Study background: Recommendation of intentional weight loss in older adults remains controversial, due in part to the loss of bone mineral density (BMD) known to accompany weight loss. While finite element (FE) models have been used to assess bone strength, these methods have not been used to study the effects of weight loss. The purpose of this study is to develop subject-specific FE models of the proximal femur and study the effect of intentional weight loss on bone strength.Methods: Computed tomography (CT) scans of the proximal femur of 25 overweight and obese (mean BMI=29.7 ± 4.0 kg/m2), older adults (mean age=65.6 ± 4.1 years) undergoing an 18-month intentional weight loss intervention were obtained at baseline and post-intervention. Measures of volumetric BMD (vBMD) and variable cortical thickness were derived from each subject CT scan and directly mapped to baseline and post-intervention models. Subject-specific FE models were developed using morphing techniques. Bone strength was estimated through simulation of a single-limb stance and sideways fall configuration.Results: After weight loss intervention, there were significant decreases from baseline to 18 months in vBMD (total hip: -0.024 ± 0.013 g/cm3; femoral neck: -0.012 ± 0.014 g/cm3), cortical thickness (total hip: -0.044 ± 0.032 mm; femoral neck: -0.026 ± 0.039 mm), and estimated strength (stance: -0.15 ± 0.12 kN; fall: -0.04 ± 0.06 kN). Adjusting for baseline bone measures, body mass, and gender, correlations were found between weight change and change in total hip and femoral neck cortical thickness (all p<0.05). For every 1 kilogram of body mass lost cortical thickness in the total hip and femoral neck decreased by 0.003 mm and 0.004 mm, respectively. No significant correlations were present for the vBMD or strength data.Conclusion: The developed subject-specific FE models could be used to better understand the effects of intentional weight loss on bone health.
Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression.

Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression, a frequent complication of systemic malignancy, is a neuro-oncologic emergency where early diagnosis is crucial. Back pain is almost always the initial symptom and when neurologic signs of myelopathy or radiculopathy are present, emergent CT/myelography or MRI is indicated. Radiation is the treatment of choice for the majority of patients, but lesion-directed surgical tumor resection with stabilization, followed by radiotherapy, has produced excellent results in selected series.