cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coordinated Scheduling for In-clinic and Virtual Medicine Patients in a Multi-Station Network

Coordinated services and virtual medicine are the two innovative concepts being employed in the transformation from provider-centered care to patient-centered care. In this paper, we combine these two concepts to study a coordinated scheduling problem with both virtual medicine patients (VM patients) and in-clinic patients (IC patients) in a multi-disciplinary setting. The problem incorporates these two patient types with differing priorities, heterogeneous service time distributions, distinct cost structures and unique care paths in a multi-station network. We establish priority for IC patients and introduce time windows for VM patients to create flexibility. The problem was motivated by patient appointment scheduling requirements in a multi-disciplinary clinic called an Integrated Practice Unit (IPU). Recursion expressions are derived for a performance measure of interest, which balances revenue against clinic overtime and patient waiting time costs. We develop an approach in which IC patients are scheduled first. To do so, we generate IC patient schedules for a special network structure that are near optimal for a more general network. Conditioned on the schedule of IC patients, we show that the VM patients scheduling problem has a discrete convexity property and can be solved by a local search method even in the presence of non-linear costs. Through numerical examples based on IPUs being implemented by the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, we find that the introduction of VM patients can substantially improve system performance and patient access without adding resources.
A Cross-language Study on Automatic Speech Disfluency Detection

We investigate two systems for automatic disfluency detection on English and Mandarin conversational speech data. The first system combines various lexical and prosodic features in a Conditional Random Field model for detecting edit disfluencies. The second system combines acoustic and language model scores for detecting filled pauses through constrained speech recognition. We compare the contributions of different knowledge sources to detection performance between these two languages.
Ecological economics and institutional change

Ecological economics remains unfinished in its effort to provide a framework for transforming the economy so that it is compatible with biophysical limits. Great strides have been made in valuing natural capital and ecosystem services and recognizing the need to limit the scale of economic activity, but the question of how to effectively transform the economy to limit the scale of economic activity remains unclear. To gain clarity about the institutional changes necessary to limit the scale of economic activity, it is essential that ecological economics understands the limitations of its neoclassical roots and expands its theoretical framework to include how markets are embedded in social and institutional structures. This has long been the domain of institutional economics and heterodox political economy.
Visual Programming of Program Visualizations

Program animation has a growing role to play in software engineering. After all, “an algorithm must be seen to be believed, and the best way to learn what an algorithm is all about is to try it.”(1) The perceptual endowments of people are strongly optimized for real-time image processing, and the medium of interactive graphics is simply a broader channel than, say, text by which to communicate information about the internal state of a complex dynamic process. As computer technology matures, it is becoming possible, and therefore increasingly important, for new systems to accommodate their users’ idiosyncrasies, as opposed to the traditional situation which required users to assimilate all the peculiarities of the system. In this respect, animation can be seen as an integral part of a software design and development environment, with particular utility for debugging, process monitoring, and documentation.
COCAINE AND GBR PHOTOAFFINITY LABELS AS PROBES OF DOPAMINE TRANSPORTER STRUCTURE

Several aspects of DAT structure and function have been elucidated using a combination of photoaffinity labeling, proteolysis, enzymatic deglycosylation, and epitope-specific immunoprecipitation.8,9 The two photo-labels are incorporated in different regions of the protein, suggesting that the binding sites for the ligands are distinct or partially nonoverlapping, consistent with results produced by site-directed mutagenesis and analysis of chimeras.14–17 These studies have also verified several aspects of DAT structure previously hypothesized based only on theoretical considerations, including the presence of at least one transmembrane helix or other membrane-anchoring structure in two different regions of the protein, identification of the glycosylated domain, and some topological properties. It should be possible to extend and adapt these techniques to further delineate DAT structural properties and to identify other functional domains such as phosphorylation sites or active sulfhydryl moieties.
Use of intranasal oxytocin for induction and/or stimulation of labor.

Abstract During an 8 month period of study, 1,000 patients were given oxytocin by the intranasal route for the induction and/or stimulation of labor. The method was found to be effective, safe, and convenient. The infant outcome was good. Complications attributable to the drug were rare. From the data presented, the intranasal route of oxytocin administration is seen to offer a satisfactory method for the induction of labor and/or the stimulation of uterine contractions if the accepted precautions are observed and if the contraindications to the use of the drug are taken into consideration.
Alexander Cooley: Base Politics: Democratic Change and the U.S. Military Overseas

Alexander Cooley's second book, Base Politics: Democratic Change and the U.S. Military Overseas, is a fascinating account of why some US basing agreements endure without controversy while other bas...
Optimized multilevel codebook searching algorithm for vector quantization in image coding

An optimized multi-level codebook searching algorithm (MCS) for vector quantization is presented in this paper. Although it belongs to the category of the fast nearest neighbor searching (FNNS) algorithms for vector quantization, the MCS algorithm is not a variation of any existing FNNS algorithms (such as k-d tree searching algorithm, partial-distance searching algorithm, triangle inequality searching algorithm...). A multi-level search theory has been introduced. The problem for the implementation of this theory has been solved by a specially defined irregular tree structure which can be built from a training set. This irregular tree structure is different from any tree structures used in TSVQ, prune tree VQ, quad tree VQ... Strictly speaking, it cannot be called tree structure since it allows one node has more than one set of parents, it is only a directed graph. This is the essential difference between MCS algorithm and other TSVQ algorithms which ensures its better performance. An efficient design procedure has been given to find the optimized irregular tree for practical source. The simulation results of applying MCS algorithm to image VQ show that this algorithm can reduce searching complexity to less than 3% of the exhaustive search vector quantization (ESVQ) (4096 codevectors and 16 dimension) while introducing negligible error (0.064 dB degradation from ESVQ). Simulation results also show that the searching complexity is close linearly increase with bitrate.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Technological and Structural Characteristics, Student Learning and Satisfaction with Web-Based Courses An Exploratory Study of Two On-Line MBA Programs

This article compares courses in two web-based MBA programs on student perceptions of learning and satisfaction. The primary difference between the programs is that one conducts the courses entirely on-line while the other conducts the courses primarily on-line combined with one or two on-site class meetings. The results of the study showed that larger class sizes were negatively associated with learning and course satisfaction while the perceived flexibility of the delivery medium was significantly associated with perceived learning and satisfaction. The results also indicate that more experienced on-line students were more satisfied with their course delivery medium. These findings have significant implications for the role of web-based programs in a business school's strategy. They suggest that that rather than using these courses as a means to drive down the cost of delivering education, business schools may need to identify reasons for which they can charge premiums for them.
Preterm male infants need more initial respiratory support than female infants.

UNLABELLED Female infants have a significantly greater chance of surviving than male infants at similar birthweights and gestational ages, and have an advantage over males for a better outcome with less morbidity. CONCLUSION The exact mechanisms responsible for the gender differences, with a better chance of survival of female infants, remain to be determined. The paper by Elsmen et al. provides an important contribution to this most important area of clinical research.
The depression of operant behavior and retarding action on discrimination learning by amphetamine

Amphetamine, 2 mg/kg administered on four trials one week apart, depressed intermittently reinforced operant behavior and retarded food-motivated discrimination. Since a recovery of operant rate occurred on a subsequent non-drug trial with no similar improvement in discrimination, the drug appeared to retard the learning of discrimination rather than temporarily repressing it as a mere by-product of the effect on overall operant rate.
Do I have to go shopping again? A theory of choice with movement costs

Abstract In this model, the standard theory of the one-person household is extended into space and time. The theory is extended into space by imposition of a real trip cost on the act of purchase, separate from the money price of commodities. It is extended into time by imposition of a real cost of storage (represented by “deterioration”) on the stocks of goods held in the household between shopping trips. The necessity for storage permits the theory to include an endogenous choice of capacity to store as well as choices among consumption, leisure, and shopping trip frequency. By use of duality theory, the comparative static effects of price, wage, and trip costs are examined. Production and transformation within the household are integrated into the model and shown to be covered by the dual approach.
Modeling degradation of terrace scarps in Grand Teton National Park, USA

The widely used linear diffusion model for hillslope evolution does not accurately predict the degradation of terrace scarps produced by the Late Pinedale West Spalding Bay Channelway (WSBC) near Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming USA. These scarps, cut into identical cohesionless quartzite gravel, were formed nearly simultaneously, during the brief period of time the WSBC was active. They are assumed to have had the same initial morphology as scarps currently forming along Snake River that are cut in the same material: a straight midsection sloping at 30° and a horizontal base and crest. The model best able to fit the observed morphology and the change in morphology with scarp height specifies the downslope debris flux is proportional to slope gradient raised to a power of 3.4.
The Institutionalization of Fame: Achievement, Recognition, and Cultural Consecration in Baseball:

This article examines the history of the Baseball Hall of Fame as a cultural consecration project. It argues that the legitimacy of any consecration project depends on the cultural authority of the...
Summer energy budget simulation for A latitudinal transect along the east coast of the Americas

The physically-based model BUDGET combined a solar radiation transmission model and a steady state slope energy budget model. Climatic observations, averaged for 10-degree latitude bands, were used as input in order to systematically examine the changing energy budget components (net radiation, conduction, sensible, and latent heat flux) occurring at the various slope angles (0 to 90°) and directions (south-, west-, and north-facing). Two contrasting landscapes were examined (barren and grassy) along a latitudinal transect of the east coast of the Americas (northern hemisphere). The response of energy budget components was systematic and orderly on a latitudinal basis. However, a great diversity among energy budgets between different slopes and their orientation at a particular latitude was characteristic and more pronounced in the higher latitudes. These findings were assumed to be general enough to encompass most of the possible contrasts encountered in a real-world north-south transect.
Effects of third intracerebroventricular injections of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) on ethanol drinking and food intake.

Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), a neuropeptide secreted by hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic neurons, is thought to mediate stress-related behaviors. The tension reduction hypothesis suggests that ethanol drinking reduces stress; that drinking is reinforced by this reduced stress; and that the probability of drinking therefore subsequently increases. CRF also decrease food intake, and might decrease ethanol drinking similarly. We addressed these hypotheses directly by assessing the effects of intracerebroventricular (ICV) CRF upon ethanol drinking (1 h/day). Rats were provided drinking tubes containing ethanol solutions that were gradually incremented in concentration (from 2% to 8% w/v, over 38 days). Ethanol intakes remained stable, ranging from 0.4 to 0.5 g/kg per hour on average, and a two-bottle choice test revealed that ethanol was preferred reliably to water. Third-ICV cannulae were surgically implanted and CRF or vehicle was acutely injected immediately prior to the sessions. CRF dose-dependently reduced ethanol intake by 31% (0.5 µg) and 64% (5.0 µg), and reduced 24-h food by 9% and 21%, respectively, but did not alter body weights. ICV CRF reduced ethanol drinking despite any acute stress-like effects that may have been present. Hence, these data are inconsistent with the tension reduction hypothesis. On the other hand, our results support the concept that food intake and ethanol drinking may be mediated by similar mechanisms.
Microleakage Around Dental Restorations: A Summarizing Review

Although much has been accomplished during recent years, it is apparent that a great deal remains to be done for a more comprehensive understanding of the microleakage phenomenon. The techniques used in the past have contributed to a better understanding of the subject. Perhaps the future of microleakage study lies in the development of new techniques, the reapplication of old techniques, or the combination of several that have been reviewed. Use of the electron microprobe or the scanning electron microscope may provide answers to many remaining questions.
Mössbauer Spectroscopy of Moon Samples

Lunar bulk sample 10084,85 (< 1 mm size dust), and samples from rocks 10017,17 (fine grained, vesicular), 10046,17 (breccia), 10057,59 (fine grained, vesicular, top surface), 10057,60 (fine grained, vesicular, interior), and 10058,24 (medium grained, not vesicular) have been investigated by 57Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy. Iron metal and the Fe2+ minerals ilmenite, pyroxene, troilite, and iron containing glass have been identified. An iron line of sample 10084,85 (originally sealed in nitrogen) showed no significant intensity change when the sample was exposed to air. The antiferromagnetic transition in several lunar ilmenites at 57 ± 2°K corresponds to stoichiometric FeTiO,. Magneticallv separated 10057 showed troilite and somne metallic iron.
DIMETHYL SULFOXIDE INHIBITION OF PROSTACYCLIN PRODUCTION IN CULTURED AORTIC ENDOTHELIAL CELLS

Abstract : Prostaglandin metabolism is significantly altered in advanced atherosclerosis, resulting in an increased platelet aggregation and adhesiveness. Inhibition of prostacyclin (PGI) biosynthesis by arterial endothelial cells and stimulation of thromboxane A by; platelets has been observed in experimentally induced atherosclerosis in; animals. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) has been reported to impair platelet aggregation and to inhibit PGE and PGF synthesis in seminal vesicle microsomes in vitro. Because of these reports we have investigated the effect of DMSO and its major metabolite, dimethyl sulfone on the synthesis of PGI by cultured endothelial cells.
A toggle switch controls the low pH-triggered rearrangement and maturation of the dengue virus envelope proteins

Immature dengue virus particles undergo a dramatic conformational change upon exposure to the acidic environment of the late secretory pathway. The interactions of the E fusion proteins and prM chaperone proteins on the virus envelope are reorganized to permit prM processing by a host protease, furin, thus priming virus for fusion and infection. Here we identify a pH-dependent toggle switch that controls this key conformational change during virus maturation. Our data show that the M region of prM interacts with E at neutral pH but is released at acidic pH, while the pr region interacts with E at acidic pH but is released at neutral pH. Alanine substitution of the conserved residue H98 in prM disrupts the switch by inhibiting dissociation of M from E at low pH, resulting in impaired prM processing and decreased virus infectivity. Thus, release of M-E interaction at low pH promotes formation of a furin-accessible intermediate.
Pharmacokinetics of digoxin: comparison of a two- and a three-compartment model in man.

An experiment has been carried out in man designed to compare the fit of a two- and a three-compartment pharmacokinetic model to experimentally determined serum digoxin concentration-time data following rapid intravenous injection of 1.0 mg of the drug. Digoxin was administered to five healthy male volunteers, blood samples were withdrawn repetitively over a period of 72 hr, and samples were assayed using a125I radioimmunoassay. Appropriate equations describing two- and three-compartment open models were fitted to the experimental data using weighted nonlinear least squares regression analysis. It was demonstrated that the three-compartment fit resulted in a statistically significant reduction in residual error, a marked improvement in the randomness of scatter of the experimental data about the serum digoxin-time curve, and better agreement of the predicted serum concentration-time curve with experimental serum digoxin concentrations. Thus the three-compartment open model is the simplest pharmacokinetic model consistent with the data observed in this experiment.
Androgens and estrogens induce seasonal-like growth of song nuclei in the adult songbird brain.

In seasonally breeding songbirds, the brain regions that control song behavior undergo dramatic structural changes at the onset of each annual breeding season. As spring approaches and days get longer, gonadal testosterone (T) secretion increases and triggers the growth of several song control nuclei. T can be converted to androgenic and estrogenic metabolites by enzymes expressed in the brain. This opens the possibility that the effects of T may be mediated via the androgen receptor, the estrogen receptor, or both. To test this hypothesis, we examined the effects of two bioactive T metabolites on song nucleus growth and song behavior in adult male white-crowned sparrows. Castrated sparrows with regressed song control nuclei were implanted with silastic capsules containing either crystalline T, 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estradiol (E2), or a combination of DHT+E2. Control animals received empty implants. Song production was highly variable within treatment groups. Only one of seven birds treated with E2 alone was observed singing, whereas a majority of birds with T or DHT sang. After 37 days of exposure to sex steroids, we measured the volumes of the forebrain song nucleus HVc, the robust nucleus of the archistriatum (RA), and a basal ganglia homolog (area X). All three steroid treatments increased the volumes of these three song nuclei when compared to blank-implanted controls. These data demonstrate that androgen and estrogen receptor binding are sufficient to trigger seasonal song nucleus growth. These data also suggest that T's effects on seasonal song nucleus growth may depend, in part, upon enzymatic conversion of T to bioactive metabolites. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 57:130–140, 2003
Induction of mosquito hemolymph proteins in response to immune challenge and wounding

Abstract The rapid induction of proteins in the hemolymph of the mosquito, Anopheles gambiae , was examined after wounding or injection of immune elicitors ( Escherichia coli , lipopolysaccharide, laminarin, zymosan). One-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed at least six hemolymph polypeptides >25 kDa that consistently appeared after any breech of the cuticle. All of these polypeptides appeared in the hemolymph within 30 min and reached a maximum concentration after approx. 6 h. No proteins were specifically induced by bacteria or bacterial or fungal cell wall products, however two constitutively expressed proteins were repressed by these injections. Patterns of hemolymph proteins were further analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis. Seven spots were enhanced or induced 2 h after injection in four replicate experiments. An additional two spots demonstrated some variability between replicates, but were generally responsive to injection. These rapidly induced polypeptides are candidates for regulating and initiating the mosquito’s responses to pathogens and wounding.
Soybean Protease Inhibitors in Foods

The major types of soybean protease inhibitors are the Kunitz inhibitor (KSTI) and the Bowman-Birk inhibitor (BBI). Enzymatic analysis and rocket Immunoelectrophoresis were used to specifically quantitate the amounts of KSTI and BBI in various soy foods. Many soy products such as soy flours, soy concentrates and soy isolates contained significant amounts of KSTI and BBI. Some soy foods contained small but still detectable levels of KSTI and BBI.
Min-max detection fusion for hyperspectral images

We propose an alternative formulation for an already known approach of continuum fusion of detectors. Our approach is based on min-max and max-min detectors that turn out to be equivalent to continuum fused detectors. The new formulation is easier for analytical purposes. We prove a theorem about the relationship between min-max and max-min detectors that would have been difficult to obtain using continuum fusion. For the case of a simple background space, when the two detectors simplify to the max-type detector, we compare the performance of that detector with the generalized likelihood ratio (GLR) detector, and show cases when either of the two outperforms the other detector.
Angular Correlation of Alpha Particles from Decay of Li8

The determination of the electron-antineutrino correlation in an allowed transition has for many years constitutes a basic experimental approach to the solution of the problem of the nature of the beta-decay interaction. In the case where only the directions of the electron and antineutrino are observed, the correlation is given by [formula], where alpha has the values 1, 1/3, -1/3, -1 for vector, tensor, axial vector, and scalar interactions, respectively. As a practical matter, the direction of the antineutrino emission is deduced from coincident measurements of the vector momenta of the electron and the recoil nucleus. Even so, the experiment involves great difficulties because of the extremely low energy of the heavy recoil particle. Some years ago [1] it was pointed out that the decay of Li8 provides a particularly attractive object of study in this regard, both because the decay energy is relatively high and because the kinematics of the alpha-particle decay of the daughter nucleus, Be8*, permits extraction of the necessary information from observations on the relatively high-energy, easily detectable alpha particles.
Measurable vectors for von Neumann algebras

Abstract Let A be a semifinite von Neumann algebra, with countably decomposable center, on the Hilbert space H . A measurable vector is a linear functional on H whose domain contains a strongly dense domain and which satisfies certain continuity conditions. H can be embedded as a dense subspace of the topological vector space of measurable vectors. The measurable vectors are a module over the measurable operators, and the action of measurable operators on measurable vectors is jointly continuous with respect to suitable topologies. If A is standard, then the measurable operators and measurable vectors are isomorphic as topological vector spaces. If the center of A is not countably decomposable, the results hold with minor changes.
Study on Characteristics and Operating Parameters of Axial Rotating Hydrocyclone

The axial rotation of the hydrocyclone affects its internal flow characteristics and separating effect directly, as some local applications require the static hydrocyclone rotates about its own axis. Based on CFD, velocity distribution in the axial rotating hydrocyclone is studied. It is shown that as the rotation speed increasing, the tangential velocity improves and its gradient reduces in free vortex region observably, while the radial velocity has an incremental trend in the section of the small cone. The laboratory experiments are carried out for the static hydrocyclone of disposal capacity of 4 m3 /h at 100r/min ∼ 300r/min. The relationships among rotation speed, flowrate, pressure drop and separated efficiency are achieved, which agree well with the numerical simulation results. The results indicate that the disposal capacity of hydrocyclone subjected to the rotation wall can be more flexible than that with no-rotating wall, the scope of best disposal capacity gradually enlarges with the increase of rotation speed of wall. Appropriate rise of the rotation speed is favor of the separation efficiency at the steady flowrate, however the increase of the flowrate and rotation speed induces the growth of the hydrocyclone’s pressure drop correspondingly to some extent.© 2009 ASME
Observational and theoretical estimates of the intrinsic slope of the ionizing continuum in quasars

Abstract The average ultraviolet continuum slope in quasars steepens smoothly to higher frequencies. The slope just beyond Lyα is 1.15. The observations indicate that the intrinsic slope of the ionizing continuum is at least this steep. A simple argument by Natzer /1/ based on the broad-emission-line energy budget appears to imply an ionizing slope of 0.7. However, realistic photoionization models reveal that the key assumption in Netzer's method—that one Lyα photon is produced for every ionizing photon—is freqently not satisfied. Because of this uncertainty, the emission line energy budget is rather insensitive to the far-ultraviolet slope. The average line spectrum is in fact consistent with the 1.1 slope indicated by the observations.
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension in cystinosis

Objectives To report a high frequency of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) in patients with cystinosis and to speculate on the relationship between these two disorders. Study design Retrospective case series and review of the literature regarding risk factors for the development of IIH in cystinosis. Results Eight patients with cystinosis had documented papilledema, normal neuroimaging of the brain, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) opening pressure greater than 200 mm of H2O, and normal CSF composition. No common medication, condition, or disease except cystinosis was found in these persons. Six of the patients had received prednisone, growth hormone, cyclosporine, oral contraceptives, vitamin D, or levothyroxine at the time of onset of IIH. Five patients had previous renal transplants. Conclusion No single risk factor for the development of IIH linked IIH to cystinosis in our patients. However, thrombosis susceptibility as a result of renal disease or impaired CSF reabsorption in the arachnoid villi as a result of cystine deposition might lead to the development of IIH in cystinosis.
Foucault, the Fathers and Sex

AFTER MICHEL FOUCAULT WROTE the first volume of his History ofSexuality, he discovered that he could not adequately treat sexuality in modem history without first returning to antiquity. This discovery necessitated a change in approach and so slowed his progress that volumes two and three did not appear for another eight years (Lloyd: 25). The difference in tone between volumes one and two is evident to even the casual reader: the sweeping generalizations and scanty documentation of volume one have been superseded by a respectful approach to texts.' Indeed, so carefully does Foucault tiptoe from text to text in the subsequent volumes that admirers of his previous work may find his style plodding. More important, they will find that Foucault's earlier interest in developing an "archaeological" theory of discourse has been drastically modified by attention to the social practices that link power, knowledge, and the body (Dreyfus and Rabinow:xxiv-xxv, 56, 98, 102105, 112, 175).
Role of indolyl-3-acetic acid in the formation of ethylene from 4-methylmercapto-2-oxo butyric acid by peroxidase

Abstract Investigation of three systems producing ethylene from 4-methylmercapto-2-oxobutyric acid in the presence of peroxidase has shown that the addition of indolyl-3-acetic acid (IAA) to two of them increases the amount of ethylene produced and is essential for the third. The system investigated in the present paper produces ethylene from the oxo acid in the presence of peroxidase, p -hydroxybenzoate, IAA and sulphinic acid. Of these components only sulphinic acid inhibits the oxidation of IAA, but no ethylene is produced in its absence. Indolyl-3-acetic acid leads to the production of ethylene by reason of its ability to initiate the oxidation of the sulphinic acid which in turn causes the breakdown of the oxo acid.
Effective thermal conductivity of metal and non-metal particulate composites with interfacial thermal resistance at high volume fraction of nano to macro-sized spheres

In this study, we propose a theoretical model to compute the effective thermal conductivity of metal and dielectric spherical particle reinforced composites with interfacial thermal resistance. We consider a wide range of filler volume fraction with sizes ranging from nano- to macro-scale. The model, based on the differential effective medium theory, accounts for particle interactions through two sets of volume fraction corrections. The first correction accounts for a finite volume of composite and the second correction introduces a self-crowding factor that allows us to develop an accurate model for particle interaction even for high volume fraction of fillers. The model is examined to other published models, experiments, and numerical simulations for different types of composites. We observe an excellent agreement between the model and published datasets over a wide range of particle volume fractions and material properties of the composite constituents.
Experimental study of head loss through an LOCA-generated fibrous debris bed deposited on a sump strainer for Generic Safety Issue 191

Abstract Fibrous porous media have been studied in diverse engineering fields. In nuclear power plants, fibrous debris produced during the blow-down phase of Loss of Coolant Accidents (LOCA) is transported into the sump and becomes an important cause of head loss through the sump strainer affecting the Emergency Core Cooling System (ECCS) performance. In this study, a vertically installed strainer plate in a horizontal pipe flow loop was designed to generate fibrous beds on the strainer and permit measurement of the head loss through the beds. NUKON fibrous insulation material was used as the fibrous debris prepared by shredder method explained in NUREG/CR-6224 report. The head loss data with the shredder method was mainly analyzed considering porosity and fibrous bed thickness. A modified head loss model was suggested and compared to the head loss models developed in previous studies.
Dispositional Statements on Student Teacher Evaluation Instruments: Commonalities Across Institutions

The purpose of this study was to investigate summative student teacher evaluation instruments to determine the most common dispositions evaluated by teacher preparatory programs. Thirty-two (32) final student teaching instruments were purposely selected from across the United States and examined. Thirteen disposition categories emerged from the data: (a) Acceptance of Criticism, (b) Critical Thinking, (c) Enthusiasm, (d) Ethics, (e) Leadership, (f) Personality, (g) Professional Growth, (h) Reflectivity, (i) Relationships, (j) Respect for Learner, (k) Self-confidence, (l) Service to Student, School and Community, and (m) Work Habits. Although there was no consensus as to specific behaviors or characteristics that were evaluated, three themed areas were found that were common across evaluation instruments: Professional Behaviors, Professional Ways of Thinking, and Personality Characteristics.
Antipsychotic-associated neuronal changes in the brain : Toxic, therapeutic, or irrelevant to the long-term outcome of schizophrenia?

The increasingly wide-spread use of antipsychotics in both adults and children calls for a detailed examination of antipsychotic-associated neuronal changes in the brain, and whether these changes are toxic, therapeutic, or perhaps irrelevant to the outcome of major psychiatric disorders, especially schizophrenia. In this review we will examine the extensive evidence demonstrating both acute and longer-term antipsychotic-associated neurotoxicity and neuroplasticity, as well as the more specific cellular changes that appear to underlie these phenomena. These include changes in proteins affecting cell survival, impairment of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, increases in DNA fragmentation, injury to dendritic microtubules, increases in dopamine-generated reactive oxygen species, changes in cell morphology, and rapid induction of apoptosis. We shall also examine the correlation between these changes and alterations in gross brain structure. There appears to be a disjunction between the widespread cellular and gross structural brain changes in schizophrenia, and the duration of illness, expression of symptoms, and response to treatment. We shall explore possible explanations for this apparent paradox.
Patient Self-Management of Anticoagulation: An Idea Whose Time Has Come

Menendez-Jandula and colleagues' study in this issue provides further evidence that patient self-management of anticoagulation leads to better reliability, better quality, and reduced risks and is ...
Kronecker Summation Method and Multiple Delay Systems

A new procedure is presented for determining the kernel and the offspring hyperplanes for general LTI dynamics with multiple delays. These hyperplanes, as they are very recently introduced in a concept paper (Sipahi and Olgae, 2005), form the basis of the overriding paradigm which is called the "Cluster Treatment of Characteristic Roots (CTCR)". In fact, these two sets of hyperplanes exhaustively represent the locations in the domain of the delays where the system possesses at least one pair of imaginary characteristic roots. To determine these kernel and offspring we use the extraordinary features of "Extended Kronecker Summation" operation in this paper. The end result is that the infinite dimensional problem reduces to a finite dimensional one (and preferably into an eigenvalue problem). Following the procedure described in this paper we are able to shorten the computational time considerably in determining these hyperplanes. We demonstrate these concepts via an example case study which treats a 3-delay system. For this case another perspective, called the "building block", is utilized to display the kernel in 3D space of the "spectral delays"
A tomographic approach to inverse Mie particle characterization from scattered light

The problem of computing the internal electromagnetic field of a homogeneous sphere from the observation of its scattered light field is explored. Using empirical observations it shown that, to good approximation for low contrast objects, there is a simple Fourier relationship between a component of the internal E-field and the scattered light in a preferred plane. Based on this relationship an empirical algorithm is proposed to construct a spherically symmetric particle of approximately the same diameter as the original, homogeneous, one. The size parameter (ka) of this particle is then estimated and shown to be nearly identical to that of the original particle. The size parameter can then be combined with the integrated power of the scatter in the preferred plane to estimate refractive index. The estimated values are shown to be accurate in the presence of moderate noise for a class of size parameters.
Hemoglobin - membrane interaction at physiological ionic strength and temperature

Abstract The spin-label electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique has been used to study the interaction between human hemoglobin and erythrocyte membranes as a function of temperature and ionic strength. We show, for the first time, experimental evidence for the existence of the interaction at physiological pH, ionic strength and temperature. In addition to the pH dependence that we have previously reported, the interactions are also temperature and ionic strength dependent. Using a simple two-state equilibrium model to analyze the EPR data, we obtain an equilibrium dissociation constant of about 8.1 ± 5.6 × 10−5 M for hemoglobin-membrane systems in 5 mM phosphate with 150 mM NaCl at pH 7.4 and 37 °C.
Superconductivity in transition metal-germanium systems

The variation in the superconducting properties of various binary alloys of the transition metal-germanium system was surveyed by studying sputter-deposited samples prepared under various conditions. Radiofrequency cosputtering was used to form samples of the form TxGe1−x, where T represents a transition metal, Y, La, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Mo, W, and Re. The primary interest has been to study the formation of A-15 compounds. While sputtered V3Ge hadTcs close to bulk sample values, Nb3Ge (Tc=21.7 K) and Mo3Ge (Tc=5.7 K) showed a considerable enhancement inTc over the bulk values. The formation of the metastable A - 15 modification of Ta3Ge, Ti3Ge, Zr3Ge, and Hf3Ge was attempted, without success. Superconductivity was observed in samples of ZrGe2, HfGe2, YGe2, and LaGe2, the highestTc being that of ZrGe2 (Tc=8.0 K). Annealing studies indicated that superconducting ZrGe2 and HfGe2 were metastable, depending on the conditions of synthesis. Superconductivity was also observed in mixtures of semiconducting Ge and metallic NbGe2, the highestTc observed being 16 K. Several explanations are considered to account for the observedTcbehavior among the various alloys.
Family Metaphors: The Language of an Independence Revolution

The metaphorical element in political statements usually gets treated as trimming, while we look for the content of the statement-explicit principles, grievances, demands, projects. Instead, historians could follow literary critics and social anthropologists in making deeper sense of symbolic language. We need methods for identifying the source, character, and persuasive function of political metaphors, criteria for judging which ones have really counted and why. In this essay I suggest four criteria for measuring the importance of a particular metaphor: (1) whether political discourse relied on it, (2) whether
Leisure activities of young adults not receiving mental handicap services who were in a special school for mental handicap as children

. The subjects of this study were 22-year-old adults who had attended a special school for children with mental handicap. Since leaving school, they had dropped out of the mental handicap services. The subjects' leisure activities were compared with peers who had always attended regular classes as children. The subjects engaged in fewer types of activities than the comparisons and had fewer activities that involved interpersonal relations, especially with non-family peers. The size of these differences was influenced by marital status.
More Than a Crime: Human Trafficking as Human (In)Security

Using the case of anti-trafficking policy in Ohio, this paper examines the emergence and impact of localized policy efforts against the global phenomenon of human trafficking. We argue that the manner in which human trafficking is characterized by international and national policymakers has engendered flawed policy approaches. Specifically, we find that local actors have replicated wholesale the discourse and policy frames developed and adopted by international organizations and national governments. While well intentioned, current characterizations and the subsequent policies have uniformly failed to stem the time of human trafficking even at the local level. Therefore, we examine the human security approach as an alternative means to describe and frame human trafficking and suggest that such a political discourse has the potential to prescribe more effectual policies against human trafficking.
Electrical energy usage over the business cycle

Causality from macroeconomic conditions to electrical usage overall and in the residential, commercial, industrial, and other sectors is examined. The paper shows that changes in macroeconomic conditions cause significant changes in electrical usage in the commercial and industrial sectors, and overall. In addition, the paper shows that causality occurs at business cycle frequencies and that there are asymmetries over the business cycle. An implication is that forecasts used to assess the probability of exceeding capacity constraints should incorporate forecasts of macroeconomic conditions, asymmetries over the cycle, and how the commercial and industrial sectors will respond to such changes.
Incontinence: conservative treatment of postprostatectomy incontinence.

Radical prostatectomy can damage urinary function, causing incontinence. This incontinence typically resolves by the end of the first postoperative year, but it can be expedited by pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFME). A recent randomized controlled trial has demonstrated that PFME can be effective even when started years after surgery.
Penalized maximum-likelihood image reconstruction for lesion detection

Detecting cancerous lesions is one major application in emission tomography. In this paper, we study penalized maximum-likelihood image reconstruction for this important clinical task. Compared to analytical reconstruction methods, statistical approaches can improve the image quality by accurately modelling the photon detection process and measurement noise in imaging systems. To explore the full potential of penalized maximum-likelihood image reconstruction for lesion detection, we derived simplified theoretical expressions that allow fast evaluation of the detectability of a random lesion. The theoretical results are used to design the regularization parameters to improve lesion detectability. We conducted computer-based Monte Carlo simulations to compare the proposed penalty function, conventional penalty function, and a penalty function for isotropic point spread function. The lesion detectability is measured by a channelized Hotelling observer. The results show that the proposed penalty function outperforms the other penalty functions for lesion detection. The relative improvement is dependent on the size of the lesion. However, we found that the penalty function optimized for a 5 mm lesion still outperforms the other two penalty functions for detecting a 14 mm lesion. Therefore, it is feasible to use the penalty function designed for small lesions in image reconstruction, because detection of large lesions is relatively easy.
Effects of chemical stimulation of the “limbic system” on lordosis in female rats

Abstract Double-walled cannulae were bilaterally implanted in the anterior hypothalamus, lateral septum, basolateral amygdala, and the habenula of ovariectomized female rats. Lordosis occurred with hexestrol, carbachol, atropine sulfate and norethindrone acetate implantation, regardless of the region stimulated. Hexestrol was the most effective agent in stimulating lordosis. Copulation also depended upon the duration of implantation, and to a lesser extent, the region implanted. It was concluded that the neural systems mediating lordoses in the female rat are widespread within the brain.
The existence of a benzo(a)pyrene-3,6-quinone reductase in rat liver microsomal fractions

Abstract Analysis of repetitive scan difference spectra of incubation mixtures containing liver microsomes from phenobarbital-pretreated rats, benzo(a)pyrene-3,6-quinone, and NADPH reveals the rapid reduction of the quinone to a steady-state level of hydroquinone and the subsequent reoxidation of the hydroquinone. This cyclic process results in NADPH oxidation coupled to oxygen reduction and hydrogen peroxide formation. The reduction of the benzo(a)pyrene-3,6-quinone is not supported by NADH. The initial rate of the NADPH-supported reaction is inhibited by NADP+, metyrapone, and antiNADPH-cytochrome P-450 ( c ) reductase globulin, but not by dicumarol, anaerobiosis, or a gas mixture of carbon monoxide and oxygen (4:1, v v ). These results suggest that cytochrome P-450 and its reductase are involved in this reaction. During the steady-state of metabolism of benzo(a)pyrene by liver microsomes, the 3,6-quinone produced must exist largely as the hydroquinone and may be suitable for disposition as a water-soluble conjugate(s).
Differential expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in coronary and cardiac tissue in hypoxic fetal guinea pig hearts.

Objective:The purpose of the present study was to quantify the effect of chronic hypoxia on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene and protein expression of fetal coronary artery segments and cardiac tissue of fetal guinea pig hearts.Methods:Time-mated pregnant guinea pigs (term = 65 days) were housed in room air (NMX, n = 6) or in a hypoxic chamber containing 10.5% O2 for 14 days (HPX14, n = 6). At near term (60 days gestation), fetuses were excised from anesthetized animals via hysterotomy and hearts were removed and weighed. Both coronary artery segments and cardiac ventricle were excised from the same hearts, frozen, and stored at -80C until ready for study. eNOS mRNA was quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on SYBR Green I labeling (BioRad Laboratories, Hercules, CA) using eNOS primers obtained from GeneBank normalized to 18S. eNOS proteins were quantified by Western immunoblotting using eNOS antibody (1:200) and normalized to normoxic controls. eNOS cell-specific l...
At WITSENDO: Communal embodiment through storytelling in women's experiences with endometriosis

Synopsis This article argues for a new body-in-the-making emerging at the intersections of corporeality and discourse in the face of chronic, debilitating pain. Working with the body stories/illness narratives of a small, self-selected group of women suffering from endometriosis who regularly participate in an online discussion list (WITSENDO), I delineate a notion of embodiment through the co-creation of a “communal body.” The substance of this body is the women's stories—illness narratives written and re-written on the online discussion forum, as well as in off-list responses to my posted questions and in two depth interviews.