cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quality changes in chicken livers during cooking.

Raw chicken livers are often contaminated with Campylobacter and Salmonella. Cooking is considered the last defense of pathogen control for meals containing chicken livers. However, consumers' preference for pink color and a creamy texture as desired attributes in preparing liver pâte may lead to inadequate cooking, thereby increasing the risk of foodborne illness. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different cooking conditions (60-90°C, 0-65 min) on quality changes in frozen and fresh chicken livers and develop cooking recommendations to produce safe liver products with desired qualities. Frozen storage reduced the water holding capacity of raw chicken livers and led to more cooking loss (reduction in the weight of liver pieces during cooking) and area shrinkage after heating. The cooking loss and area shrinkage increased with increasing heating time and temperature, following the first-order fractional model. Compared with fresh livers, the shear resistance for cutting through the cooked livers increased after heating at 73.9°C to 90°C and decreased at 60°C, whereas the livers heated at 70°C had shear resistance (~4.5 N/g) similar to the fresh liver, regardless of the heating times used in this study. Heating resulted in color changes in livers, shifting from red hue (0°) toward yellow hue (90°), as characterized by the increased hue angles after heating. Cooking livers to an internal temperature of 70°C to 73.9°C and hold for 101 to 26 s is recommended for food processing plants or restaurants to prepare ready-to-eat meals containing chicken livers to achieve microbial safety with respect to Salmonella and provide cooked livers with desired texture and pink color.
Long-term Minimum 15-Year Follow-up After Lateral Discoid Meniscus Rim Preservation Surgery in Children and Adolescents.

Background Discoid meniscus is a congenital variant typically affecting the lateral meniscus of the knee. Historically, surgical intervention when symptomatic consisted of total meniscectomy; however, after degenerative changes were observed, current treatments now focus on rim preservation with arthroscopic saucerization and meniscal repair for instability, when indicated. The purpose of our study was to examine long-term patient-reported outcomes of lateral discoid meniscus (LDM) treated with meniscal-preserving techniques. Methods Ninety-eight patients treated arthroscopically for LDM at a single institution at a minimum of 15 years ago were retrospectively identified and contacted by mailers and telephone to participate. Subjective functional outcomes and patient satisfaction data were collected using a questionnaire that included the validated International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Evaluation Form, Lysholm Score, Marx Activity Rating Scale, Tegner Activity Score, and Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index Osteoarthritis Index. Patient and surgical characteristics and patient-reported outcomes were summarized by mean and SD, median and interquartile range (interquartile range), or frequency and percent, as appropriate. Results Of the 46 patients contacted (response rate of 46/98 eligible), 25 (54%) completed the questionnaires. The mean (±SD) age at initial surgery was 10.8 (±3.4) and 30.3 (±3.7) years at final follow-up. The mean (±SD) follow-up time from initial surgery was 19.5 (±2.8) years (range, 16 to 27). Patient-reported outcomes included: International Knee Documentation Committee 77.4±17.2, Lysholm 78.6±21, Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index 7.6±11.3, Tegner Activity 7 (of 10), and Marx Activity Rating Scale 8 (of 10). Eleven (44%) cases underwent subsequent LDM-related surgery on the ipsilateral knee(s). There were no cases of total knee replacement. Conclusions Overall, patient-reported outcomes were favorable at a minimum of 15-year follow-up after rim-preserving saucerization of LDM. While two thirds of patients were satisfied with their surgical outcomes, nearly half of patients underwent revision saucerization with or without meniscal repair. Subsequent long-term follow-up studies with objective outcome measures are important to further elucidate the natural history of LDM and understand how rim-preserving procedures may prevent the development of degenerative processes. Level of evidence Level IV-case series, prognostic study.
A contingency framework—The influence of computerized information systems on organizational performance

Evaluation is a task most designers, builders, and supporters of information systems agree is significant. However, most information systems evaluations are performance evalua­ tions focusing on the efficiency of the computer system. There is another dimension to the evaluation of the information system that must be considered if computerized information sys­ tems (CIS) are to be designed to "fit" an organization: impact evaluations. Impact evaluations are concerned with those effects on an organization which result from the development and use of an information system. The actual task of performing an impact evaluation is hindered by the complexity of the task and by the apparent lack of methods. The complexity is characterized by the difficulties in choosing measures, by the multiplicity and interactions of factors influencing impacts, by the inability to control some of those factors, and by the varying criteria for judging impacts. The lack of methods is characterized by inexperience and insufficient documentation.
Interactive Visualization of Network Anomalous Events

We present an interactive visualization and clustering algorithm that reveals real-time network anomalous events. In the model, glyphs are defined with multiple network attributes and clustered with a recursive optimization algorithm for dimensional reduction. The user's visual latency time is incorporated into the recursive process so that it updates the display and the optimization model according to a human-based delay factor and maximizes the capacity of real-time computation. The interactive search interface is developed to enable the display of similar data points according to the degree of their similarity of attributes. Finally, typical network anomalous events are analyzed and visualized such as password guessing, etc. This technology is expected to have an impact on visual real-time data mining for network security, sensor networks and many other multivariable real-time monitoring systems.
Preprečevanje pooperativne ponovitve Crohnove bolezni: ali je to mogoče?

Crohn’s disease (CD) is diagnosed in about 20 % of patients before the age of 18 years. Its phenotype is more complicated than in adult-onset CD and requires more aggressive therapy, including surgery. Surgery rates in pediatric CD range between 10 and 72 %. Indications for surgery include medically refractory disease (especially with growth failure) and complicated behaviour. Surgery is crucial, allowing children to catch up in growth and height before late puberty. However, surgery is not curative and post-operative recurrence (POR) is almost inevitable. Even if pediatric data are scarce, clinical recurrence has been reported in 50–94 % and re-operation in 18–54 % of cases, depending on the follow-up time. Thus, prevention of POR has a decisive role in managing CD. Several strategies have been used to decrease POR, with only some being efficacious and not in all cases. Therefore, currently, no standard of care for the management of postoperative CD does exist. The published studies in adults, systematic reviews and meta-analyses have shown efficacy for thiopurines, nitroimidazole antibiotics and anti-TNFα agents, while budesonide, probiotics and interleukin-10 were not effective. Although safe, mesalazine is of little benefit and not recommended, except in few selected patients. Since no randomized-controlled trial has been performed in children, data have to be extrapolated from adults and enteral nutrition may play an important role. In the prevention of recurrence, it is imperative to consider its risk factors, how it should be assessed, and what medication to use in relation to risk factors and cost-efficacy, based on actual evidence.
A Single-Server Queue with Markov Modulated Service Times

We study an M/MMPP/1 queuing system, where the arrival process is Poisson and service requirements are Markov modulated. When the Markov Chain modulating service times has two states, we show that the distribution of the number-in-system is a superposition of two matrix-geometric series and provide a simple algorithm for computing the rate and coefficient matrices. These results hold for both finite and infinite waiting space systems and extend results obtained in Neuts [5] and Naoumov [4]. Numerical comparisons between the performance of the M/MMPP/1 system and its M/G/1 analogue lead us to make the conjecture that the M/MMPP/1 system performs better if and only if the total switching probabilities between the two states satisfy a simple condition. We give an intuitive argument to support this conjecture.
Self-Assembled Nanomagnets

This chapter reviews recent progress in the field of self-assembled nanomagnets. Emphasis is on the fabrication of self-assembled nanomagnets by solution-phase chemical approaches. After outlining the general concepts of self-assembly; we describe several common chemical procedures leading to monodisperse magnetic nanoparticles. Considered examples are Co, iron oxide and FePt nanoparticles. Our review also includes including the preparation of the assemblies, the particle-shape effect on self-assembled structures, interparticle spacing control in self-assembled nanoparticle superlattices, and the magnetic properties of these arrays. The last part of the chapter is devoted to potential applications of the magnetic nanoparticle arrays in information storage, tunneling devices, and permanent magnets.
Crystal field analysis and Monte Carlo simulation of lattice disordering for Cm3+ in YPO4 and LuPO4

A method of analyzing inhomogeneous line broadening with crystal-field theory is presented. For actinide ions with unfilled f-shells in solids, the most important contribution to line broadening of f-electron transitions is from short-range interactions with distorted lattice. Optically active curium ions are used to measure the degree of radiation damage in the vicinity of their lattice site. The radiation damage was produced by decay of distant 244Cm3+ ions. Fluorescence line narrowing (FLN) spectra show that inhomogeneous line broadening induced by α-decay of the actinide ion 244Cm3+ in single crystals of LuPO4 and YPO4 has a microscopic nature. Namely, correlation is absent between energy levels of the Cm3+ ions at different local environments. Monte Carlo simulation of lattice distortion and crystal-field calculation of Cm3+ energy levels have been conducted to provide a quantitative interpretation of the experimental results. This method should be applicable to 4f- and 3d-ions in crystalline materia...
Solar photovoltaic power electronic systems: Design for reliability approach

This paper proposes reliability block diagrams for various photovoltaic (PV) system topologies and evaluates their reliability functions and mean time to failure (MTTF). The paper presents sensitivity analysis of the system MTTF with respect to individual failure rates of power electronic converters. The proposed approach can be used to determine reliability specifications of required converters in terms of desired MTTFs based on a desired PV system MTTF. This creates a reliability feedback loop to refine the PV system topology leading to a “design for reliability” approach. Results and reliability models proposed in this paper can be used for further comparing the reliability of different power electronic topologies in PV applications, and can extend to a wide range of energy systems utilizing power electronic converters.
Analyzing the Differential Impact of Radiology Information Systems Across Radiology Modalities

Purpose The aim of this study was to assess the impact of redesigning a medical imaging workflow using a commercial radiology information system (RIS), particularly the impact of implementing a disciplined collection of background clinical information all along the clinical service chain. Materials and Methods The impact of the RIS on the total report turnaround time and on its various components, such as the radiologist interpretation, transcription, and radiologist review turnaround times, was empirically investigated. Advanced statistical tools were used, including lognormal survival functions and t -tests, to compare and analyze the pre-RIS and post-RIS operational performance of a regional network of outpatient clinics. Results The RIS installation did not produce uniform benefits for all modalities. There was no statistically significant impact on report turnaround times for magnetic resonance imaging. On the other hand, turnaround times for mammographic studies declined significantly. Conclusion Although the additional time needed to navigate through the RIS screens might have (unexpectedly) increased the radiologists' interpretation cycle times, the overall benefits of the RIS outweighed this negative effect in this study. Before the RIS installation some clinical background information was not available to the radiologists at the time of interpretation. As a part of the RIS implementation the radiology practice introduced several disciplined data collection procedures to make such information readily available downstream. These procedures significantly reduced the percentage of mammographic studies that had to be put on hold, increasing radiologists' overall performance and income. The effectiveness of any RIS solution, therefore, significantly depends on systemwide analyses of all relevant performance metrics and also on the creative implementation of new clinical and administrative workflows.
Outcomes of allergy testing after an emergency department visit for food anaphylaxis

Background Anaphylaxis is a potentially life threatening allergic reaction. Failure to identify the inciting allergen places patients at risk of future life-threatening allergen exposure. Anaphylaxis guidelines recommend that all patients who experience anaphylaxis from an allergen encountered in a non-medical setting carry self injectable epinephrine and follow up with an allergist. Very little data is available on outcomes of allergy follow up after an emergency department (ED) visit for anaphylaxis. The aim of our study was to determine the outcomes of allergy follow up after an ED visit for food anaphylaxis.
A class of Matérn-like covariance functions for smooth processes on a sphere

Abstract There have been noticeable advancements in developing parametric covariance models for spatial and spatio-temporal data with various applications to environmental problems. However, literature on covariance models for processes defined on the surface of a sphere with great circle distance as a distance metric is still sparse, due to its mathematical difficulties. It is known that the popular Matern covariance function, with smoothness parameter greater than 0.5, is not valid for processes on the surface of a sphere with great circle distance. We introduce an approach to produce Matern-like covariance functions for smooth processes on the surface of a sphere that are valid with great circle distance. The resulting model is isotropic and positive definite on the surface of a sphere with great circle distance, with a natural extension for nonstationarity case. We present extensive numerical comparisons of our model, with a Matern covariance model using great circle distance as well as chordal distance. We apply our new covariance model class to sea level pressure data, known to be smooth compared to other climate variables, from the CMIP5 climate model outputs.
Determination of proper temperature distribution for warm forming of aluminum sheet materials

In warm forming of aluminum sheet materials, determination, realization, and maintenance of optimal temperature gradient is a key process parameter for increased formability. In this study, a two-phase procedure for efficient and accurate determination of proper temperature condition for warm forming of aluminum sheet metal blanks is presented using a hybrid 3D isothermal/non-isothermal finite element analysis (FEA) and design of experiments (DOE) approach. First, the relative trend, priority and overall temperature ranges of aluminum sheet metal blank regions are obtained using isothermal FE modeling and DOE techniques to reduce the analysis time significantly. In this phase, different temperature levels were assigned onto different regions of the deforming blank material (i.e., holding region, corner region, etc.). Heat transfer with the tooling and environment during the deformation process is ignored in order to achieve rapid predictions. Second, few additional non-isothermal FEAs, taking heat transfer into account, are conducted to validate and to refine the warm forming conditions based on the results from the isothermal FEA/DOE analysis. The proposed hybrid methodology offers rapid and relatively accurate design of warm forming process, especially for large parts that require 3D FE analysis. In addition, effects of forming speed v, friction , and blank holder pressure on formability are investigated. Increasing part formability is observed with decreasing punch speed and blank holder pressure while an optimal process window is found in case of varying friction coefficients. DOI: 10.1115/1.2162913
Prevention of stuttering: A response to Hamre

Hamre believes that attempts to prevent stuttering are misguided. Stuttering can be treated, but not prevented. According to Hamre, the erroneous belief that stuttering can be prevented stems from two major misinterpretations of the literature. In his first paper, he disputes the widely held belief that stuttering is difficult to identify in young children. This belief, according to Hamre, is especially troublesome because it makes it seem plausible that parents might mistakenly diagnose normal disfluency as stuttering, a necessary condition for Johnson’s “diagnosogenic” theory of the origin of stuttering. In the follow-up paper, “Stuttering Prevention 11” Hamre discusses what he considers to be a second major misinterpretation, the view that stuttering progresses from normal disfluency to stuttering. In my response I will discuss the principle ideas of each paper.
DC-based cancer vaccines: lessons from clinical trials.

Introduction DCs are extremely potent APCs capable of stimulating both the cognate and innate arms of the immune system. Recent clinical trials have documented that DCs, when loaded ex vivo with tumor-associated Ags (TAA) and administered to patients with cancer, can elicit T-cell mediated tumor destruction and, in some cases, durable clinical responses. However, both the methods used in these trials and the results obtained have varied widely. This article reviews key issues related to DC vaccine development, summarizes our group’s experience with DC vaccine trials and suggests possible directions for future investigation.
In vivo correlation between blood T2 and orrygen saturation

The in vivo relationship between blood T2* and oxygen saturation was investigated. A wide range of blood oxygen saturation levels was created in pigs by altering the ventilation rate. Blood T2* was measured in vivo in the abdominal aorta and the inferior vena cava, corresponding to each oxygen saturation level. Our results indicate that it is possible to measure blood T2* in vivo reliably with an MR technique we previously proposed. Blood T2* correlates closely with oxygen saturation levels over a wide range, and the relationship between blood T2* measured in vivo and oxygen saturation can be approximated by a linear function.
LIPID AND LIPOPROTEIN TRACKING IN CHILDREN

Summary: This study was designed to assess tracking of plasma cholesterol, trigly-ceride, high and low density lipoprotein cholesterols (C-HDL, C-LDL), in 108 children followed over a 4 year period in the Cincinnati Lipid Research Clinic's Princeton School Study, with focus on those children initially in the lowest decile for lipids and lipoproteins. For children whose initial lipid-lipoprotein levels were in the lowest decile, 60% (for cholesterol), 33% (for triglyceride), 56% (for C-LDL), and 13% (for C-HDL) remained in the lowest decile after 4 years of follow-up. The difference in total plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, C-LDL, and C-HDL between those children initially in the lowest decile and all others was retained for these specific children during the 4 year follow-up, p ≤ 003. A considerable proportion of the increase in group mean lipid-lipoprotein levels over 4 years could be accounted for by the phenomenon of regression toward the mean, with the exception of C-LDL where the observed means did not increase as one would expect due to regression towards the mean (≤.05), a further example of tight tracking at low C-LDL levels. For children whose initial total plasma, cholesterol, triglyceride, C-LDL, and C-HDL were in the highest decile, 46% (for cholesterol), 27% (for triglyceride), 27% (for C-LDL), and 45% (for C-HDL) remained in the highest decile after 4 years follow-up. For all 108 children, initial plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, C-LDL, and C-HDL were all closely correlated with subsequent measurements 1, 2, and 3 years apart, p ≤.001. Such findings raise the possibility that children who tend to track in the lowest and highest deciles for cholesterol and C-LDL may mature to become adults respectively at reduced and increased coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. Children who tend to track in the lowest and highest deciles for C-HDL may also mature to become adults respectively at increased and reduced CHD risk. Although the degree of tracking at either extreme of the distribution and for the group as a whole appears to have cohesiveness and may be useful for prediction of future lipid and lipoprotein levels, individual children at the extremes of the distributions will need to be followed over longer periods of time, to identify the continuity of childhood and adult values, and eventual CHD risk. Speculation: Children who tend to track in the lowest and highest deciles for cholesterol and C-LDL may mature to become adults respectively at reduced and increased coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. Children who tend to track in the lovest and highest deciles for C-HDL may also mature to become adults respectively at increased and reduced CHD risk.
Cabinet Instability and the Accumulation of Experience: The French Fourth and Fifth Republics in Comparative Perspective

Drawing on arguments about politics during the French Fourth Republic, the concept of cabinet instability is reconsidered. Rather than studying cabinet duration, the article examines the accumulation of experience by individual cabinet ministers. Two variables are measured in nineteen parliamentary democracies: portfolio experience the experience of cabinet ministers in the specific portfolios that they hold) and political experience (the experience of cabinet ministers in any significant portfolio). The results cast doubt on existing claims about cabinet government in the Fourth and Fifth Republics. They also uncover substantial cabinet turnover in majoritarian systems, suggesting that existing claims about stability in such systems may be overstated.
On the mechanism and kinetics of the CO-oxidation reaction on polycrystalline palladium: I. The reaction paths

Abstract Transient phenomena, which occur in the oxidation reaction of carbon monoxide catalyzed by palladium, have been characterized. The substrate, a polycrystalline palladium foil initially exposed to relatively large amounts of oxygen at high temperatures, was dosed alternately with oxygen and carbon monoxide and transient carbon dioxide production was monitored mass spectrometrically. Two different reaction paths were found to prevail. When oxygen is preadsorbed, exposure to carbon monoxide leads to carbon dioxide through CO(g) + O(a) → CO2(g), an Eley-Rideal path. When the dosing sequence is reversed, a Langmuir-Hinshelwood reaction occurs, CO(a) + O(a) → CO2(g). The former reaction can be used to quantitatively titrate surface oxygen and two methods of analysis can be used to determine the amount of adsorbed oxygen under working conditions. One method is useful when the working pressure of CO is low while the other is useful when it is high.
Out-of-Pocket Payments and Use of Care for Serious and Minor Symptoms: Results of a National Survey

• To assess the effect of out-of-pocket payments on use of care for symptoms that physicians consider serious and meriting care, and for minor symptoms, we evaluated data from a 1986 national survey. Among 5412 adults reporting one or more medical visits in the last year, 18.8% had experienced serious symptoms within the previous 30 days, among whom 63.0% sought care, while 31.3% had experienced minor symptoms, among whom 42.8% sought care. Subjects who had paid $15 or less out of pocket for their last medical visit were more likely to seek care for a serious symptom (67.1% vs 52.6%) or for a minor symptom (47.1% vs 32.2%) than were those who paid $30 or more. Large out-of-pocket payments are associated with significant reductions in use of care for both serious and minor symptoms. ( Arch Intern Med. 1989;149:1645-1648)
Calcium-dependent structural changes in scallop heavy meromyosin

The mechanism of calcium regulation of scallop myosin is not understood, although it is known that both myosin heads are required. We have explored possible interactions between the heads of heavy meromyosin (HMM) in the presence and absence of calcium and nucleotides by sedimentation and electron microscope studies. The ATPase activity of the HMM preparation was activated over tenfold by calcium, indicating that the preparation contained mostly regulated molecules. In the presence of ADP or ATP analogs, calcium increased the asymmetry of the HMM molecule as judged by its slower sedimentation velocity compared with that in EGTA. In the absence of nucleotide the asymmetry was high even in EGTA. The shift in sedimentation occurred with a sharp midpoint at a calcium level of about 0.5 microM. Sedimentation of subfragment 1 was not dependent on calcium or on nucleotides. Modeling accounted for the observed sedimentation behavior by assuming that both HMM heads bent toward the tail in the absence of calcium, while in its presence the heads had random positions. The sedimentation pattern showed a single peak at all calcium concentrations, indicating equilibration between the two forms with a t(1/2) less than 70 seconds. Electron micrographs of crosslinked, rotary shadowed specimens indicated that 81 % of HMM molecules in the presence of nucleotide had both heads pointing back towards the tail in the absence of calcium, as compared with 41 % in its presence. This is consistent with the sedimentation data. We conclude that in the "off" state, scallop myosin heads interact with each other, forming a rigid structure with low ATPase activity. When molecules are switched "on" by binding of calcium, communication between the heads is lost, allowing them to flex randomly about the junction with the tail; this could facilitate their interaction with actin in contracting muscle.
Deep impurity levels in epitaxial PbS films

Abstract Compensation of sulfur vacancies in hot wall grown epitaxial films produces materials with very low carrier concentrations, p 77 k ∼3 × 10 22 /m 3 ). At these lower concentrations, an impurity center is found, tentatively identified with the dominant Si impurity, and which produces a deep electron trap and acceptor level 0.079 eV above the valence band. At low temperatures, the lifetime rises to 65 milliseconds indicating minority carrier trapping.
Immunochemical heterogeneity of human plasma lipoproteins.

EVIDENCE for the immunochemical heterogeneity of human plasma lipoproteins has recently been presented1. Several lipoprotein fractions and a non-lipoprotein containing plasma protein fraction were isolated from human plasma by ultracentrifugal methods. Antiserums against lipoproteins were prepared in rabbits. No cross-reaction was observed between anti-lipoprotein serums and the non-lipoprotein - containing plasma protein fraction. By serological absorption of the antiserums, high-density lipoproteins (hydrated density 1.07–1.16 gm./ml.) were found to be distinguishable from low-density lipoproteins (hydrated density less than 1.063 gm./ml.). Differences were observed between the quantitative precipitin behaviour of two low-density lipoprotein fractions, S f 6 (hydrated density, 1.03–1.04 gm./ml.) and S f 13 (hydrated density, 1.015–1.03 gm./ml.), and their respective antiserums. By the Oudin agar diffusion procedure2, six to eight bands were observed in tubes. Band formation did not, however, proceed in the usual manner. Rather, the formation of a precipitation zone was observed first, and then, within this zone, bands developed.
Quality of life and leisure education: implications for tourism economies.

Abstract Tourism is rapidly growing in many parts of the world. Although tourism development has much to contribute economically, the long term value will also be based on the environmental and social sustainability. The thesis of this paper is that the leisure needs and interests of local residents and their quality of life should be considered along with the development of tourism economies. Providing the best tourism and local leisure services is dependent on determining means for leisure education, professional education, and research leading to equitable opportunities for all citizens and visitors.
Neuronal prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 2 responses to oxygen and glucose deprivation are mediated by mitogen-activated protein kinase ERK1/2.

Abstract Prostanoids in the central nervous system define an important linkage between blood pressure and hormonal responses to hypotension/ischemia. Prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase (PGHS)-2, the inducible isoform of this enzyme, is induced by cerebral hypoperfusion/ischemia. To investigate the mechanism of the PGHS-2 gene expression in response to cerebral hypoperfusion/ischemia in neurons, we used a cell culture model (human SK-N-AS cells) to mimic the oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) that usually results from ischemia. Whereas OGD stimulated robust increases in PGHS-2 mRNA abundance, neither oxygen nor glucose deprivation alone was effective. Our data demonstrated that induction of both PGHS-2 mRNA and protein reached peak levels (∼10 fold) after 6 h OGD. This was partially blocked by the inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38, and was almost completely blocked by the inhibition of extracellular signal-related kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2 or p44/42), another MAPK. These results indicate that PGHS-2 gene expression is induced by oxygen and glucose deprivation synergistically in neurons, and this induction is mediated by one or more members of the MAPK family.
Nonlinear spectral characteristics of large deformation elasticity theory

Abstract This paper investigates the spectral properties of general structural systems undergoing large elastic deformations. The governing field equations used in the analysis consist of large deformation elasticity theory wherein the Hookes type constitutive law is defined in terms of the second Piola-Kirchhoff stress and Lagrangian strain tensor combination. Due to the generality of the approach taken, the effects of external loading fields containing a perfusion of harmonics can be handled. In this context, special emphasis is given to ascertaining the various forms of sub/super and combination type harmonics. Overall a wide range of combination behavior is considered. This includes mixed interactions between external harmonics and the various system spectra. Special emphasis is given to dealing with cross talk which may occur between all the various participating system spectral branches.
Fuel Economy and Emission Performance of Fuel Cell-Based Diesel HEVs

The fuel economy and emission advantages of diesel-electric hybrid powertrain modifications and an auxiliary fuel cell subsystem over those of a conventional midsize crossover SUV are discussed. The vehicle architecture is representative of one selected for the multiyear ChallengeX intercollegiate student design contest. To analyze the fuel economy, a simple “top-level” approach is used to estimate the fuel economy characteristics and performance potential to illustrate the advantages of the hybrid-electric powertrain configuration and the auxiliary fuel cells. Chained energy efficiency assumptions for the powertrain components lead to gasoline equivalent fuel mileage estimates. In the emission analysis, the greenhouse gases, regulated emissions, and energy use in transportation model is used to track the environmental impact of the powertrain on a well-to-wheels basis.
On an eigenvalue problem arising in the study of the stability of ocean currents

We study a singular Sturm-Liouville eigenvalue problem which arises in studying the stability of rotating shallow-water shear flows on an equatorial β-plane. Earlier studies have shown that the problem has only stable eigenvalues if a certain parameter φ exceeds 3/4. On the other hand, numerical studies have found unstable eigenvalues if φ is sufficiently small. In this note, we give an analytical proof that the bound of 3/4 is indeed sharp, i.e. there are instabilities for any φ < 3/4.
Comparing U.S. and Russian experience with cavity decoupling in salt

Recently released Russian data on two underground nuclear explosions in an Azgir salt dome allow comparison for the first time with similar U. S. explosions. In both cases, highly tamped explosions were employed to form cavities and, after a period of several years, much smaller explosions were then carried out in these same cavities. The seismic decoupling factor obtained from the Russian tests appears to be a factor of 4 less than is predicted, based on the U. S. experience. However, the Russian data are found to be entirely consistent with smaller scale U. S. experiments with chemical explosives. These results can be explained by the extent of damage in the immediate vicinity of the cavity walls, but it remains unclear why the damage should exist at the Russian site, and not at the U. S.
Surface Tension Prediction Using Characteristics of the Density Profile Through the Interfacial Region

A simple surface tension estimation technique is described that is based solely upon the characteristics of the density profile in the interfacial region and the physical properties of the molecules in the fluid. This method, denoted free energy integration (FEI), links interfacial tension to known interfacial region density profile characteristics obtained via experiment or simulation. The general FEI methodology is provided here, and specific relations are derived for a methodology that incorporates the Redlich–Kwong fluid model. The Redlich–Kwong based FEI method was used to predict interfacial tension using the density profile characteristics of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of argon using the Lennard–Jones potential, diatomic nitrogen using the two-center Lennard–Jones potential, and water using the extended simple point-charge (SPC/E) model. These results for argon compare favorably to values calculated by the traditional virial approach, known values from the literature using the finite-size scaling technique, and ASHRAE recommended values. In addition, the FEI predictions agree well with ASHRAE values and predictions using the virial method for nitrogen for the simulated range of temperatures in this study, and for water for reduced temperatures above 0.7. In addition, the FEI method results agree well with other established theoretical techniques for predictions of the surface tension of sulfur hexafluoride close to the critical point.
Property C and uniqueness theorems for multidimensional inverse spectral problems

Abstract A simple proof is given of the uniqueness theorem for the multidimensional inverse spectral problem. This problem consists in finding the potential from the set of the corresponding eigenvalues and the traces of normal derivatives of the eigenfunctions on the boundary. The proof is based on property C for Schrodinger operators. The smoothness assumption on q(x) is weaker than in the earlier results: it is assumed that q ∈ L 2 (D) .
Square-root RTS smoothing algorithms

Two kinds of new square-root algorithms for Rauch-Tung-Striebel (RTS) smoothing formulas are suggested: stable square-root algorithms and a fast square-root (or so-called Chandrasekhar-type) algori...
Histologic examination of teeth with necrotic pulps and periapical lesions treated with 2 scaffolds: an animal investigation.

Abstract Introduction Traditional pulp regeneration procedures that use a blood clot as a scaffold have produced histologic evidence of bone, cementum, and connective tissue growth within the root. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a bioactive scaffold containing growth factors that enhance wound healing. Aim The aim of this study was to histologically compare the tissues generated when PRP or a blood clot is placed into teeth with preexisting necrotic pulps and periapical lesions. Methods Twenty-four canine teeth from 6 immature ferrets were used. Two ferrets served as positive controls. Sixteen experimental canine teeth from 4 ferrets were infected, debrided, treated with a triple antibiotic paste, and randomly distributed to the following groups: group 1 (blood clot/Gelfoam), group 2 (PRP), and group 3 (no scaffold). At 3 months, the ferrets were sacrificed, and the tissues were evaluated histologically. Data were analyzed by using the Fisher exact test ( P Results In 3 of 6 teeth in the PRP group, 2 of 6 teeth in the blood clot group, and 1 of 4 teeth in the no scaffold group, an ingrowth of hard tissues was observed in the apical third of the roots. When using PRP or a blood clot as a scaffold, we found significantly more apical narrowing and hard tissue deposition in comparison to not using a scaffold ( P Conclusions The use of PRP or blood clots as scaffolds results in the ingrowth of bone-like, cementum-like, and connective tissue in the apical third of the roots at inconsistent rates.
Intracardiac atrial defibrillation

Intravascular ventricular defibrillation and intravascular atrial defibrillation have many similarities. An important factor influencing the outcome of the shock is the potential gradient field created throughout the ventricles or the atria by the shock. A minimum potential gradient is required throughout the ventricles and probably the atria in order to defibrillate. The value of this minimum potential gradient is affected by several factors, including the duration, tilt, and number of phases of the waveform. For shock strengths near the defibrillation threshold, earliest activation following failed shocks arises in a region in which the potential gradient is low. The defibrillation threshold energy can be decreased by adding a third and even a fourth defibrillation electrode in regions where the shock potential gradient is low for the shock field created by the first two defibrillation electrodes and giving two sequential shocks, each through a different set of electrodes. However, the addition of more electrodes and sequential shocks complicates both the device and its implantation. Because patients are conscious when the atrial defibrillation shock is given, they experience pain during the shock, which is one of the main drawbacks of intravascular atrial defibrillation. Unfortunately, the pain threshold for defibrillation shocks is so low that a shock less than 1 J is uncomfortable and is not much less painful than shocks several times stronger. Therefore, even though electrode configurations exist that have lower atrial defibrillation threshold energy requirements than the atrial defibrillation threshold with standard defibrillation electrode configurations used in implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) for ventricular defibrillation, they are not clinically practical because their shocks are almost as painful as with the standard ICD electrode configurations. Such electrode configurations would make the ICD more complicated, leading to greater difficulty and longer time required for implantation.
Stability of Adolescents’ Multidimensional Life Satisfaction Reports:

Eighty-four students were administered the Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (MSLSS) on three occasions, 1 year apart (Grades 8, 9, and 10). The 1-year stability coefficients ranged from .29 to .59, whereas the 2-year stability coefficients ranged from .41 to .59. MSLSS mean scores were consistent across administrations, with the exception of satisfaction with living environment in which scores were lower in Grade 10 relative to the previous two grades. Although a fair degree of stability was observed across most MSLSS domains, differences in the magnitudes of the coefficients across domains and time intervals suggested the importance of contextual factors in understanding the nature of the life satisfaction construct among adolescents as well as implications for the use of total and domain-specific life satisfaction reports as outcomes measures.
Being 'Chagga': natural resources, political activism, and identity on Kilimanjaro

This article argues that the emergence of Chagga political identity on Mount Kilimanjaro in the 1940s and 1950s can best be understood as a product of intensive debates over the control of natural resources and the nature of chiefly authority. As a result of perceived threats to the land and water resources of the mountain and resentment of the role of the chiefs in these issues, grassroots activists adopted a language of unity using the ethnic term ‘Chagga’ – a moniker long used by the colonial state but eschewed by the general population. With the rise of a paramount chieftaincy in 1951, the term shifted from being a symbol of colonial rule to one of common identity and resistance against the encroachment of the colonial state in local affairs.
Meta‐analysis of risk for relapse to substance use after transplantation of the liver or other solid organs

For patients receiving liver or other organ transplants for diseases associated with substance use, risk for relapse posttransplantation is a prominent clinical concern. However, there is little consensus regarding either the prevalence or risk factors for relapse to alcohol or illicit drug use in these patients. Moreover, the evidence is inconsistent as to whether patients with pretransplantation substance use histories show poorer posttransplantation medical adherence. We conducted a meta-analysis of studies published between 1983 and 2005 to estimate relapse rates, rates of nonadherence to the medical regimen, and the association of potential risk factors with these rates. The analysis included 54 studies (50 liver, 3 kidney, and 1 heart). Average alcohol relapse rates (examined only in liver studies) were 5.6 cases per 100 patients per year (PPY) for relapse to any alcohol use and 2.5 cases per 100 PPY for relapse with heavy alcohol use. Illicit drug relapse averaged 3.7 cases per 100 PPY, with a significantly lower rate in liver vs. other recipients (1.9 vs. 6.1 cases). Average rates in other areas (tobacco use, immunosuppressant and clinic appointment nonadherence) were 2 to 10 cases per 100 PPY. Risk factors could be examined only for relapse to any alcohol use. Demographics and most pretransplantation characteristics showed little correlation with relapse. Poorer social support, family alcohol history, and pretransplantation abstinence of < or =6 months showed small but significant associations with relapse (r = 0.17-0.21). Future research should focus on improving the prediction of risk for substance use relapse, and on testing interventions to promote continued abstinence posttransplantation.
Coupled radiative and vibrational nonequilibrium in a diatomic gas, with application to gas dynamics

Abstract Macroscopic equations are formulated for the nonequilibrium interaction of radiative and vibrational rate processes in an infrared-active diatomic gas. Radiative transitions are taken into account initially in a microscopic formulation for a general two-level system, with line broadening included. The macroscopic equation of radiative transfer for the multi-level system is then obtained by summation of the microscopic equation, specialized to a harmonic-oscillator rigid-rotor molecule, over all rotational and vibrational transitions. The resulting transfer equation is necessarily coupled to the vibrational rate equation, which is formulated heuristically on the basis of energy-exchange mechanisms and the established model for collisional relaxation. The entire development is influenced by its intended application in radiative gas dynamics. Such application is illustrated in its simplest form by the development of the corresponding acoustic theory.
Threefold vs. fivefold cross validation in one-hidden-layer and two-hidden-layer predictive neural network modeling of machining surface roughness data

Abstract Predictability of a manufacturing process or system is vital in virtual manufacturing. Various data mining techniques are available in developing predictive models. Cross validation is critical in determining the quality of a predictive model and the costs in data collection and data mining. Several cross-validation (CV) techniques are available, including the -fold CV, leave-one-out CV, and the bootstrap type of CV. Some past studies have not revealed any statistical advantages of using tenfold cross validation over fivefold cross validation. Determining the number of hidden layers is important in predictive modeling with neural networks. This study attempts to compare the performance of fivefold over threefold CV and that of one-hidden-layer over two-hidden-layer neural nets in predictive modeling for surface roughness parameters defined in ISO 13565 for turning and honing. Statistical hypothesis tests and different prediction errors are employed to compare the competitive models. This study does not reveal any significant statistical advantages of using fivefold CV over threefold CV and of using two-hidden-layer neural nets over one-hidden-layer neural nets for the cases under study. Furthermore, the procedure presented here is applicable in comparing competitive data modeling or data mining methods.
Industrial subsidies and technology adoption in general equilibrium

Abstract Industrial subsidies to failing establishments are common across developed economies. The paper constructs a dynamic general equilibrium model with a view to study the effects of this policy. Interestingly, subsidies to failing plants may increase productivity and accelerate the diffusion of new technologies. In spite of this, labor productivity, employment and income decrease, as resources are devoted to maintaining and updating establishments that would otherwise have closed.