cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Short latency somatosensory evoked potentials recorded around the human upper brain-stem.

Abstract We analyzed the intracranial spatiotermporal distributions of the N18 component of short median nerve somatosensosry evoked potentials (SSEPs) in 3 patients with epilepsy. In these patients, depth electrodes were implanted bilaterally into the frontal and temporal lobes, with targets including the amygdala and hippocampus; the latter two targets are close to the upper pons and midbrain. In this study N18 was divided into the initial negative peak (N18a) and the following prolonged negativity (N18b). Mapping around the upper pons and midbrain showed that: (1) the amplitude of the first negativity, which coincided with scalp N18a, was larger contralateral to the side of stimulation, but showed no polarity change around the upper brain-stem; and (2) the second negativity, which was similar to scalp N18b, did show an amplitude difference or a polarity change. This wave appeared to reflect a positive-negative dipole directed in a dorso-ventral as well as dorso-lateral direction from the midbrain, where positivity arises from the dorsum of the midbrain, contralateral to the side of the stimulation. Recordings from depth electrode derivations oriented in a caudo-rostral direction suggest that N18a and N18b may in part reflect neural activity originating from the upper pons to midbrain region which projects to the rostral subcortical white matter of the frontal lobe as stationary peaks.
Multiplicity Control in the Polygeminal Diazeniumdiolation of Active Hydrogen Bearing Carbons: Chemistry of a New Type of Trianionic Molecular Propeller

Over a century ago, Traube reported the reaction of four nitric oxides with acetone and sodium ethoxide to yield sodium methanebis(diazene-N-oxide-N‘-hydroxylate) and sodium acetate. However, when this reaction is carried out in the presence of nitric oxide at slightly elevated pressures (35−40 psi), a product corresponding to the addition of six nitric oxides, sodium methanetris(diazene-N-oxide-N‘-hydroxylate), forms as the main product in addition to a trace of the previously observed sodium methanebis(diazene-N-oxide-N‘-hydroxylate) and sodium acetate. The corresponding potassium salts form when potassium hydroxide is employed as the base, while lithium hydroxide results in the formation of lithium methanebis(diazene-N-oxide-N‘-hydroxylate) exclusively. Nitric oxide reacts with 3,3-dimethylbutan-2-one in the presence of sodium and potassium hydroxide in methanol to yield sodium and potassium 3,3-dimethylbutan-2-one-1,1,1-tris(diazene-N-oxide-N‘-hydroxylate), respectively. In contrast, the reaction in t...
The effect of deadtime on counting errors

Abstract Count-rate error estimates, as well as the count-rate estimates themselves, require correction for deadtime effects. These corrections are studied for the simple non-paralyzable and paralyzable counter models. It is shown that the maximum worthwhile source count rate (from the standpoint of statistical error reduction) is approximately the reciprocal of the deadtime for a non-paralyzable counter and about one-tenth of this for a paralyzable counter.
Expression of Full-Length trkB Receptors by Reactive Astrocytes after Chronic CNS Injury

Growth factors, including members of the neurotrophin family, are expressed by neuronal and glial elements following injury to the CNS. In order to assess the capacity for glial cells to respond to neurotrophins at sites of chronic injury, full-length trkB receptors were localized following implantation of a nitrocellulose filter into the cerebral cortex for 30 days. Northern analysis demonstrated that filter implants contained cells expressing transcripts for full-length and truncated trkB receptors, in contrast to the predominant expression of truncated trkB receptors by cultured astrocytes. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry using probes to the trkB kinase domain colocalized full-length receptors with GFAP-immunopositive reactive astrocytes adjacent to and within the filter implant. In contrast, OX-42-immunopositive microglia/macrophages were not stained for full-length trkB. These data indicate that reactive astrocytes can express functional trkB receptors following a chronic insult to the cerebral cortex and support the hypothesis that neurotrophins may regulate astrocytic responses to injury.
Reaction of nonaqueous phase TCE with permanganate.

Oxidative treatment of trichloroethylene (TCE) in the form of dense nonaqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL) by potassium permanganate (KMnO4) was investigated in a series of batch tests. The study focused on understanding the fundamental mechanisms of oxidative removal of DNAPL TCE by permanganate oxidation. Dissolution experiment for DNAPL TCE has been performed as a control experiment in the absence of KMnO4. DNAPL TCE dissolved into the aqueous phase until it reached the saturation concentration of 1200 mg/L (9.16 × 10-3 M) at 20 °C. The rate of dissolution of DNAPL TCE was proportional to the volume of the DNAPL. In the presence of KMnO4, the experimental results showed that the amount of TCE oxidized during the reaction was increased continuously as [MnO4-] decreased even though the rate decreased as [MnO4-] decreased. It was apparent that more DNAPL TCE was removed with a faster rate for higher initial permanganate concentration. At high permanganate concentration, the aqueous concentration of TCE was kept ...
Variables Associated with Successful Intubation Attempts Using Video Laryngoscopy: A Preliminary Report in a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service

AbstractBackground. Multiple studies have demonstrated varying rates of successful endotracheal intubation (ETI). Until the application of video laryngoscopy, little information regarding prehospital intubation could be analyzed objectively by individuals other than the provider performing the ETI. Objective. To evaluate the association of variables recorded during video laryngoscopy and successful ETI attempts, defined as placing the endotracheal tube in the trachea. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed intubations performed by a single helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) using a video larygoscope from March 1, 2010, to October 1, 2010. All videos were de-identified and analyzed by a single researcher. Time intervals (e.g., attempt time) and intubation process variables (e.g., Cormack-Lehane [C-L] view) were abstracted from all videos. Time intervals were begun when the laryngoscope blade passed the lips and entered the oral cavity (entry). We describe variables using means and standard deviation...
Interferon-γ Induces X-linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis-associated Factor-1 and Noxa Expression and Potentiates Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Apoptosis by STAT3 Activation

Interferon (IFN)-γ actions on the vessel wall play an important role in the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis, yet the contribution of different IFN-γ signaling pathways to the phenotypic modulation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are poorly understood. We investigated the effects of IFN-γ on VSMCs and arteries through interactions involving signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins. In addition to STAT1 activation, IFN-γ consistently phosphorylated STAT3 in human VSMCs but weakly or not at all in human endothelial cells or mouse VSMCs. STAT3 activation resulted in nuclear translocation of this transcription factor. By selectively inhibiting STAT3 and not STAT1 signaling, we identified a number of candidate IFN-γ-inducible, STAT3-dependent gene products by microarray analysis. Results for selected genes, including the pro-apoptotic molecules X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis associated factor-1 (XAF1) and Noxa, were verified by real time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and immunoblot analyses. IFN-γ-induced STAT3 and STAT1 signaling in VSMCs demonstrated reciprocal inhibition. STAT3 activation by IFN-γ sensitized VSMCs to apoptosis triggered by both death receptor- and mitochondrial-mediated pathways. Knock down of XAF1 and Noxa expression inhibited the priming of VSMCs to apoptotic stimuli by IFN-γ. Finally, we confirmed the in vivo relevance of our observations using a chimeric animal model of immunodeficient mice bearing human coronary artery grafts in which the expression of XAF1 and Noxa as well as the pro-apoptotic effects induced by IFN-γ were dependent on STAT3. The data suggest STAT1-independent signaling by IFN-γ via STAT3 that promotes the death of human VSMCs.
Novel polyamide-imines

An account is given of tough, thermally stable linear polyimides containing amide linkages that recommend themselves for use in high temperature-resistant films and coatings as well as matrix resins for graphite-reinforced structures. Four such polymers were synthesized from unsubstituted amide diamines, and two others from N-substituted amide diamines. High inherent viscosities and glass transition temperatures were obtained. The films exhibit good resistance to organic solvents. Films of the 4,4-prime-isomer polyamide-imide yielded exceptionally high modulus and toughness during impact evaluation.
Vendor-supplied usage data for electronic resources : a survey of academic libraries

A survey was sent to research libraries in the United States and Canada to learn about the level of effort involved in working with vendors' usage reports, how the data are used, and which data are most useful to librarians in managing electronic resources. Ninety-two responses were received and analyzed. Lack of standards and inconsistencies in the usage data were identified as issues in effectively preparing the data for further analysis. In fact, the results showed that more time was spent acquiring, reformatting, and manipulating the data than on actually analyzing them. The number of full-text downloads was specified as the most useful statistic for assessing the use of electronic resources.
Diet, Movement, and Growth of Dolly Varden in Response to Sockeye Salmon Subsidies

Abstract A large and growing body of literature has documented the transfer of marine-derived nutrients from the ocean to freshwater and riparian systems by semelparous Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. The pathways by which these nutrients reach resident fish are often indirect, and the evidence for direct benefits to the resident fish is not always conclusive. However, the consumption of salmon tissue (in one form or another) by resident fish would constitute a direct and efficient pathway for energy transfer. We studied a population of small-bodied, nonanadromous Dolly Varden Salvelinus malma feeding on the fry and eggs of sockeye salmon O. nerka and blowfly (family Calliphoridae) larvae that had fed on salmon carcasses at a series of spring-fed and otherwise unproductive ponds in southwestern Alaska. The Dolly Varden fed heavily on sockeye salmon fry when available, shifted their diet almost exclusively to eggs after salmon spawning commenced, and then shifted to blowfly larvae toward the end of the se...
A Cross-Cultural Study of Consumer Ethnocentrism between China and the U.S.

ABSTRACT As consumers’ ethnocentric tendencies heighten in intensity when a country is threatened, this cross-cultural comparison study aims to understand how the recent global financial crisis may have influenced the phenomenon of consumer ethnocentrism (CE). This study compares the levels of CE in the U.S. and China and examines patriotism, nationalism, internationalism, and demographic factors as antecedents of CE in order to understand how consumers’ ethnocentric tendencies vary across cultures. Results indicate that American consumers are more ethnocentric than Chinese consumers, while nationalism has the strongest impact on CE in both countries.
PYY Inhibition of VIP-Stimulated Ion Transport in the Rabbit Distal Ileum

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) is the pathophysiologic mediator of several small intestinal hypersecretion states. VIP exerts its effect by binding mucosal receptors and ultimately increasing intracellular levels of cAMP. Peptide YY (PYY), a GI hormone concentrated in the distal ileum and colon, has been demonstrated to decrease VIP-mediated secretion in the colon through a specific Y4 mucosal receptor. Characterization of PYY's effect on VIP-stimulated small intestinal secretion may provide a basis for future therapeutic interventions. We hypothesized that ion transport in the small intestine is mediated through a novel Y receptor subtype. We performed Ussing chamber ion transport studies on rabbit ileum using VIP, PYY, and other pancreatic polypeptide (PP)-fold peptides in order to specifically examine: (1) the effects of VIP and PYY on basal and VIP-stimulated short circuit current (I sc ), and (2) the changes in VIP-stimulated I sc in response to NPY, PP, leucine 31 ,proline 31 neuropeptide Y fragment, ([Leu 31 ,Pro 31 ]NPY) and the carboxy-terminal fragment of NPY (NPY 13-36 ). VIP increased basal I sc in a concentration-dependent manner, while PYY decreased basal I sc . Graded concentrations of PYY decreased VIP-stimulated increases in I sc . PYY added prior to VIP had no effect on VIP-stimulated increases in I SC . Inhibition of VIP-stimulated I sc increases was seen with NPY, but not with [Leu 31 ,Pro 34 ]NPY, PP, or NPY 13-36 . This distinct pattern of binding affinity characterizes a novel Y receptor subtype. Additionally, increases in I sc by VIP despite pretreatment with PYY suggests that VIP-stimulated ion transport is mediated through mechanisms other than increases in cAMP
Domain-wall velocities of up to 750 m s −1 driven by exchange-coupling torque in synthetic antiferromagnets

Racetrack memories made from synthetic antiferromagnetic structures with almost zero net magnetization allow for fast current-driven motion of domain walls.
Is there a geriatrician in the house? Geriatric care approaches in hospitalist programs†

BACKGROUND: The rapid growth of the hospitalist movement presents an opportunity to reconsider paradigms of care for hospitalized older patients. METHODS: To determine the impact of the hospitalist movement on acute care geriatrics, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of the hospitalist community in 2003 and 2004. RESULTS: We identified innovations in geriatric hospital care in only 11 hospitalist programs. These innovations varied widely in complexity, goals, structure, and staffing. The majority targeted patients using age as a criterion and incorporated geriatrics training for nurses or physicians. Several innovations had one or more of the following features: geriatrician-hospitalists or gerontology nurse-practitioners, perioperative management for complex older patients, specialized geriatric services such as skilled nursing units or acute care for elders units, and quality improvement initiatives targeted to the older patient. A case study of the Hospital Internal Medicine group at the Mayo Clinic is presented as an example of a complex innovation highlighting several of these features. CONCLUSIONS: The scarcity of geriatric care approaches among hospitalist groups highlights the need for collaboration between hospitalists and geriatricians, with the goals of rethinking staffing models and organization of care and focusing on quality-improvement activities. In particular, perioperative care and postdischarge care are two clinical areas where innovation in hospital care may particularly benefit older patients. Significant opportunities remain for collaboration, coordination, and research to improve the care of acutely ill older patients at the intersection of geriatric and hospital medicine. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2006;1:29–35. © 2006 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Streamlining the additive manufacturing digital spectrum: A systems approach

Abstract Additive manufacturing (AM) promises great potential benefits for industrial manufacturers who require low volume and functional, highly complex, end-use products. Commercial adoption of AM has been slow due to factors such as quality control, production rates, and repeatability. However, given AM's potential, numerous research efforts are underway to improve the quality of the product realization process. A major area of opportunity is to complement existing efforts with advancements in end-to-end digital implementations of AM processes. New paradigms are needed to support more efficient and consistent design-to-product transformations. Systematically configured digital implementations would facilitate informational transformations through standard interfaces, streamlining the AM digital spectrum. Here, we propose the development of a federated, information systems architecture for additive manufacturing. We establish an information requirements workflow for streamlining information throughput during product realization. The architecture is delivered through the development of a solution stack, including the identification of areas where advancements in information representations will have the highest impact. The architecture will specify the stages of the product realization process, and the interfaces needed to link those stages together. Common data structures and interfaces will allow developers and end users of additive manufacturing technologies to simplify, coordinate, validate, and verify end-to-end digital implementations.
Bovine adrenal cortex transformations of mitotane [1-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethane; o,p'-DDD] and its p,p'- and m,p'-isomers.

Abstract The adrenalytic activity of mitotane ( o , p ′-DDD) has made it useful in the treatment of adrenocortical carcinoma and Cushing's syndrome. In support of a study to develop mitotane analogs as more effective therapeutic agents and as a basis for understanding the toxicity of related compounds in the adrenals, the biotransformations of o , p ′-DDD in adrenocortical homogenate preparations have been studied and compared with those of its m , p ′- and p , p ′-isomers. Aliphatic oxidation to the corresponding acetic acid derivative, o , p ′-, m , p ′- or p , p ′-DDA, was the major transformation for all the preparations. In the comparisons of the DDD isomers, the order of both DDA formation and apparent covalent binding was o , p ′- > m , p ′- > p , p ′-DDD. There was also evidence for α-hydroxylation at the benzylic carbon with subsequent loss of water to form ethylene derivatives. This was a minor pathway for o , p ′-DDD, but was the major pathway for the other two isomers. Thus, while the total yields of metabolites of o , p ′- and m , p ′-DDD were similar and at least twice that of the p , p ′-isomer, their distribution of metabolites differed significantly. The effects of the three isomers on cell growth and cortisol production with the human adrenocortical carcinoma cell line, NCI H-295, followed the same order as their DDA formation and tissue binding. It is proposed that hydroxylation by the adrenal cortex at the β-carbon leads to an adrenalytic effect, whereas hydroxylation at the α-carbon would represent an alternate deactivation pathway.
Hepatitis C: recent successes and continuing challenges in the development of improved treatment modalities

Dramatic progress is being made toward the development of less-toxic and simpler alternatives to the current standard-of-care therapy for chronic hepatitis C, which involves a combination of pegylated interferon (peg-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV). Several accessible viral targets have been identified and licensure of the most advanced clinical compounds can be anticipated within the next several years. However, the highly replicative nature of HCV infection, coupled with error-prone viral RNA synthesis and considerable genome diversity, pose extraordinary challenges to drug development. Peg-IFN is likely to remain a mainstay of therapy for the foreseeable future, or until such time that multiple direct-acting antiviral (STAT-C) inhibitors are available and shown to provide a sufficiently high barrier to resistance when used in combination.
Antineoplastic and antiherpetic activity of spermidine catecholamide iron chelators

A series of iron chelating agents including the bacterial siderophores, parabactin and bis-N1,N8(2,3 dihydroxybenzoyl )spermidine, and four related compounds were synthesized and tested biologically. They were found: (a) to inhibit growth of cultured L1210 leukemia cells at IC50 values of 2-14 microM, (b) to inhibit replication of the DNA virus, herpes simplex type I, in monkey kidney cells at IC50 values of 0.4 microM ( parabactin ) to 55 microM, and (c) to be inactive against the RNA virus, vesicular stomatitis, at concentrations up to 1 mM. All effects were fully preventable by exogenous Fe (III). The activities correlated generally with the iron formation constants (10(36) to 10(48) moles/1) and more specifically with the lipophilicity of the compounds. The data suggest inhibition of DNA (but not RNA) synthesis by interference with the iron-containing enzyme, ribonucleotide reductase.
Up-regulation of gut-enriched krüppel-like factor by interferon-γ in human colon carcinoma cells

Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) induces growth arrest and apoptosis of tumor cells but the mechanisms for these functions are unknown. Recently, gut-enriched kruppel-like factor (GKLF) was found to possess similar biological properties. Treatment of HT-29 cells with IFN-γ inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis, the effect was found to associate with GKLF expression. IFN-γ stimulates GKLF mRNA and protein levels in a dose- and time-dependent manner and this process is independent of p53, occurs rapidly and does not require de novo protein synthesis indicating that GKLF is an immediate-early IFN-γ-responsive gene. Moreover, overexpression of GKLF results in similar effect as IFN-γ suggesting that GKLF may function as a downstream target of IFN-γ.
Intermanual transfer of learning reveals representations in simultaneous extrinsic and intrinsic coordinate systems

Recent research on learning and recovery in rehabilitation has raised questions about the manner in which the nervous system stores and recalls memories of skills learned. This is functionally important when an individual is asked to generalize what was learned to a different movement direction, another part of the workspace, or with the opposite hand. Subjects underwent training in Cartesian force field (Saddle type field) in a training workspace. This experiment built upon other approaches by testing before and after training in a new workspace and with the opposite hand in the presence of both extrinsic (Cartesian-based) and intrinsic (joint-based) force fields. Results show that training led to clearly better performance improvements in the extrinsic coordinate system, and also suggest that subjects are influenced by a joint based force field when they are asked to transfer their knowledge their opposite arm. These results suggest that there are multiple simultaneous representations of the training experience in the nervous system that subjects can recall when asked to generalize. These results may be important to the design of future rehabilitation regimens that optimize the training coordinate systems for the best chances of restoration of function.
Cost analysis of NEMO protocol entities

To support IP-mobility of networks in motion, IETF proposed Network Mobility (NEMO) protocol that uses various signaling messages to ensure connectivity of the mobile nodes with the Internet. However, there has been no comprehensive cost analysis of mobility protocol entities that considers all possible costs. In this paper, we have developed analytical models to estimate total costs of key mobility management entities of NEMO. We have presented numerical results to demonstrate the impact of network size, mobility rate, traffic rate and data volume on these costs. Our cost analysis will thus help network engineers in estimating actual resource requirements for the key entities of the network in future design.
Laryngectomy alone for T3 glottic cancer.

Background. The long-term survival of 81 patients with T3 squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx treated with laryngectomy alone is presented and pathologic predictors for cancer recurrence above the clavicles and cancer death are identified. Methods. Clinical records, operative notes, and pathologic slides were reviewed. The major end points were failure above the clavicles, cause-specific survival, and overall survival. All patients were followed until death or a minimum of 10.8 years. Results. The main pattern of treatment failure was within an undissected ipsilateral or contralateral neck. Subglottic extension and nodal metastases predicted failure above the clavicles and delayed metastasis within an undissected neck. The 5-year rate of control of disease above the clavicles, cause-specific survival, and overall survival were 74.1%, 73.7%, and 54.3%, respectively. Conclusions. Patients treated with laryngectomy for T3 glottic cancer who have pathologic evidence of subglottic extension or nodal metastasis are at higher risk for recurrence above the clavicles, particularly within an undissected neck. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Hate Speech, the Priority of Liberty, and the Temptations of Nonideal Theory

Are government restrictions on hate speech consistent with the priority of liberty? This relatively narrow policy question will serve as the starting point for a wider discussion of the use and abuse of nonideal theory in contemporary political philosophy, especially as practiced on the academic left. I begin by showing that hate speech (understood as group libel) can undermine fair equality of opportunity for historically-oppressed groups but that the priority of liberty seems to forbid its restriction. This tension between free speech and equal opportunity creates a dilemma for liberal egalitarians. Nonideal theory apparently offers an escape from this dilemma, but after examining three versions of such an escape strategy, I conclude that none is possible: liberal egalitarians are indeed forced to choose between liberty and equality in this case and others. I finish the paper by examining its implications for other policy arenas, including markets in transplantable human organs and women's reproductive services.
Comments on "Boundary-Layer Turbulence Measurements with Mass Addition and Combustion"

I Ref. 1 an investigation was made of the turbulent velocity fluctuation field in an isothermal boundary layer with homogeneous injection. The authors measured the shear stress distribution across the boundary layer and displayed the results in Fig. 5 of their paper as normalized shear stress as a function of velocity ratio . In Ref. 2 Meroney developed an analytical expression for the velocity profile across the turbulent transpired boundary layer together with an approximate technique to determine the normalized shear stress distribution. He proposed for a velocity profile near the wall
Introducing Software Engineering to Computer Engineering Students

Software engineering is an important topic computer engineering students should learn at the undergraduate level. Many traditional software engineering courses focus on Web-based and database applications with only limited attention to embedded microprocessor topics. For the computer engineering student that approach is not satisfactory. The course described in this paper focuses on topics important to a computer engineering disciple. The evolution of the course over a three semester period is discussed and key issues related to teaching software engineering to computer engineering students are presented
Using traffic flow for cluster formation in vehicular ad-hoc networks

We present a lane-based clustering algorithm designed to provide stability in cluster lifetime for vehicular ad-hoc networks (VANETs) in urban scenarios. Stable clustering methods reduce the overhead of re-clustering and lead to an efficient hierarchical network topology. During the creation of VANET clusters, cluster members select one member to be the clusterhead. Fewer clusterhead changes result in a more stable cluster. To achieve this goal, cluster members must select a member that has the potential to be a clusterhead longer than other cluster members. Our method aims to select a clusterhead based on the lane where most of the traffic will flow.
An Investigation of Two Acoustic Propagation Codes for Three-Dimensional Geometries

The ability to predict fan noise within complex three-dimensional aircraft engine nacelle geometries is a valuable tool in studying low-noise designs. Recent years have seen the development of aeroacoustic propagation codes using various levels of approximation to obtain such a capability. In light of this, it is beneficial to pursue a design paradigm that incorporates the strengths of the various tools. The development of a quasi-3D methodology (Q3D-FEM) at NASA Langley has brought these ideas to mind in relation to the framework of the CDUCT-LaRC acoustic propagation and radiation tool. As more extensive three dimensional codes become available, it would seem appropriate to incorporate these tools into a framework similar to CDUCT-LaRC and use them in a complementary manner. This work focuses on such an approach in beginning the steps toward a systematic assessment of the errors, and hence the trade-offs, involved in the use of these codes. To illustrate this point, CDUCT-LaRC was used to study benchmark hardwall duct problems to quantify errors caused by wave propagation in directions far removed from that defined by the parabolic approximation. Configurations incorporating acoustic treatment were also studied with CDUCT-LaRC and Q3D-FEM. The cases presented show that acoustic treatment diminishes the effects of CDUCT-LaRC phase error as the solutions are attenuated. The results of the Q3D-FEM were very promising and matched the analytic solution very well. Overall, these tests were meant to serve as a step toward the systematic study of errors inherent in the propagation module of CDUCT-LaRC, as well as an initial test of the higher fidelity Q3D-FEM code.
Robust motion control of flexible systems using feedforward forcing functions

Forcing functions are developed to produce vibration-free motions in flexible systems. These forcing functions are constructed from ramped sinusoid basis functions so as to minimize excitation in a range of frequencies surrounding the system natural frequency. Frequency domain attributes of a particular ramped sinusoid forcing function are compared with corresponding attributes of a minimum-energy optimal input and an impulse-filtered ramp signal. A closed-loop control system is developed that utilizes each of these forcing functions to generate a reference profile, and also feeds the particular forcing function forward directly to the system to enhance closed-loop bandwidth. The use of a direct feedforward signal in the closed-loop implementation results in significantly faster response times when the closed-loop bandwidth is otherwise constrained to be very low. Simulation results indicate that residual vibration has been nearly eliminated for all three forcing functions, even when some error in natural frequency exists. However, the ramped sinusoid input provides the most control over spectral energy near resonance and uses the least amount of energy to achieve vibration-free motions. >
Global support for the death penalty

The recently released Gallup International 2000 Millennium Survey Poll collected data from individuals residing in 59 countries. The focus of this research was to analyze these data to examine whether the abolition movement has ushered in a new ‘collective sensibility’ about the death penalty or whether global attitudes toward capital punishment are characterized by deep divisions. The research assumes that the long-term stability of abolition will be assured when the vast majority of the citizens of the world oppose the use of the death penalty. The findings reveal that there are deep cleavages in worldwide support for capital punishment. The article highlights five divides in support for capital punishment and then separately discusses the results from the human rights and minority group threat analyses.
Developing A Broad-based Active Learning Capstone Experience

Capstone experiences in most aviation technology curriculum are often technical with limited exposure to broader planning, personnel or financial issues compared to programs incorporating ABET/EAC criteria. With the industry-wide growth of integrated engineering product teams, it is crucial for graduates to understand operations as a functional system and their role in managing the process in addition to narrower technical concepts. This can be accomplished through an active capstone learning approach for students in an aircraft manufacturing and maintenance B.S. program technology program. The learning outcome is to develop an airline maintenance package while managing its delivery and execution, utilizing supervisory as well as technical skills. Students experience tremendous growth when rigorously challenged to take on this significant responsibility. Coping with adversity and challenges in the workplace teaches quick thinking and decision-making to adapt to changing situations with equipment and personnel. This broad-based active learning better replicates the environment confronting graduates in the engineering and technical workplace.
Design principles of liquid nebulization devices currently in use. Discussion

Liquid nebulization is a common method of medical aerosol generation. Nebulizers are of 2 types: jet (or pneumatic) small-volume nebulizer, and ultrasonic nebulizer. Jet nebulizers are based on the venturi principle, whereas ultrasonic nebulizers use the converse piezoelectric effect to convert alternating current to high-frequency acoustic energy. Important variables for both types of nebulizer are treatment time required, particle size produced, and aerosol drug output. There are several advantages to jet nebulization, including that effective use requires only simple, tidal breathing, and that dose modification and dose compounding are possible. Disadvantages include the length of treatment time and equipment size. Design modifications to the constant-output nebulizer have resulted in breath-enhanced, open-vent nebulizers such as the Pari LC Plus and the dosimetric AeroEclipse. Ultrasonic nebulizers generally have a higher output rate than jet nebulizers, but a larger average particle size. Ultrasonic nebulizers can also substantially increase reservoir solution temperature, the opposite of jet nebulizer cooling. Drug concentration in the reservoir does not increase with ultrasonic nebulization, as it does with jet nebulization. Ultrasonic nebulizers have the same advantages as jet nebulizers. Ultrasonic nebulizers are more expensive and fragile than jet nebulizers, may cause drug degradation, and do not nebulize suspensions well. Neither type of nebulizer meets the criteria for an ideal inhaler: efficient and quick dose delivery with reproducibility, cost-effectiveness, and no ambient contamination by lost aerosol.
Processing of vestibular and other inputs by the caudal ventrolateral medullary reticular formation.

Lesions of the lateral medullary reticular formation caudal to the obex abolish vestibulosympathetic and somatosympathetic responses; this area also contains neurons that mediate baroreceptor reflexes. Recordings were made from neurons in the caudal medullary reticular formation of cats that were decerebrate or anesthetized using alpha-chloralose-urethan to determine whether common neurons responded to electrical stimulation of vestibular and hindlimb afferents and had cardiac-related (i.e., baroreceptor) inputs. Many neurons in the ventrolateral portion of the caudal reticular formation received labyrinthine inputs, and they were interspersed with neurons that received baroreceptor signals. However, virtually none of the units received convergent baroreceptor and vestibular inputs, suggesting that separate pathways from the caudal ventrolateral medulla mediate baroreceptor and vestibulosympathetic reflexes. Furthermore, the neurons that received labyrinthine signals could not be antidromically activated from electrodes inserted into the rostral ventrolateral medulla, which is known to mediate vestibulosympathetic responses; thus an indirect pathway must convey vestibular inputs from the caudal to rostral medullary reticular formation. Over 75% of both neurons with baroreceptor inputs and cells with vestibular signals responded to sciatic nerve stimulation, suggesting that more than one pathway from the caudal medulla may mediate somatosympathetic responses.
The alcoholic and his helpers. A systems view.

When viewed within the framework of general systems theory, alcoholism is a symptom of a complex interactional process. Pathological drinking is a circular, self-perpetuating behavior which is main...
Dietary Glutathione Intake and the Risk of Oral and Pharyngeal Cancer

Glutathione, a tripeptide found in a variety of foods, may function as an anticarcinogen by acting as an antioxidant and by binding with cellular mutagens. The association between dietary glutathione intake and risk of oral and pharyngeal cancer was investigated using data from 1,830 white participants (855 cases and 975 controls) in a population-based case-control study conducted in New Jersey; metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia; Los Angeles County, California; and Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, south of San Francisco-Oakland, California, during 1984-1985. The estimated relative risk of cancer among people with the highest quartile of glutathione intake from all sources was 0.5 (95% confidence interval 0.3-0.7). When analyzed by dietary source, however, glutathione intakes derived from all vegetables and from meat were not related to risk of cancer. Only glutathione derived from fruit and from vegetables commonly consumed raw was associated with reduced oral cancer risk. Relative to the lowest level of combined intake of fruit and of fruit-derived glutathione, risk of cancer decreased slightly with increasing intake of fruit glutathione. This analysis was limited, however, by the small numbers of subjects with extreme combinations of intakes. Further studies are needed to distinguish the potential effect of glutathione from that of fruit and raw vegetables per se or from the influence of other constituents in these foods.
Diabetes Incidence and Glucose Tolerance after Termination of Pioglitazone Therapy: Results from ACT NOW

Context: Thiazolidinediones have proven efficacy in preventing diabetes in high-risk individuals. However, the effect of thiazolidinediones on glucose tolerance after cessation of therapy is unclear. Objective: To examine the effect of pioglitazone (PIO) on incidence of diabetes after discontinuing therapy in ACT NOW. Design, Settings and Patients: Two-hundred ninety-three subjects (placebo [PLAC], n = 138; PIO, n = 152) completed a median followup of 11.7 mo after study medication was stopped. Results: Diabetes developed in 138 (12.3%) of PLAC vs 17 of 152 PIO patients (11.2%; P = not significant, PIO vs PLAC). However, the cumulative incidence of diabetes from start of study medication to end of washout period remained significantly lower in PIO vs PLAC (10.7 vs 22.3%; P < .005). After therapy was discontinued, 23.0% (35/152) of PIO-treated patients remained normal-glucose tolerant (NGT) vs 13.8% (19/138) of PLAC-treated patients (P = .04). Insulin secretion/insulin resistance index (I0–120/G0–120 × Mat...
Variation in Mites Belonging to the Genus Bryobia

The clover mite, Bryobia practiosa Koch, is a taxonomic uncertainty. The phenological behavior patterns and morphological differences between mites from different habitats have been used in the past as taxonomic characters. Variation in hatching phenomena appears to be environmentally induced and contributes largely to the phenological behavior patterns. Nutritional factors also may contribute to the phenological phenomena. Transfer experiments indicate clover mites from one type of habitat can become established on another under certain conditions, and that transferred clover mites assume characteristics associated with mites normally occurring on the new host.
A Study of China's Reform in Music Education Against Orff's System of Music Education

There exist two problems in China's Orff education, i.e., localization of education and diversification in education in correspondence with the international systems. Orff attaches importance to the comprehensive development of children's individualities to stimulate the construction of aesthetic psychology, to the cultivation of children's originality and to the educational ideology in children's music education whose revelation enlightens the reform of China's music education. This system also complies with the direction of development of the international music education, which is helpful to bring its national aspect into full play and reject the narrow nationalism and Chauvinism so as to promote the internationalization of our music education in the diversification of education.
Study on the Characteristics of Series-Resonant Capacitor Charging Power Supply

Series resonant converter is applied in the capacitor charging technology,in which the load and LC resonant circuit output in series.Compared with the common capacitor charging power supply,series-resonant capacitor charging power supply has the advantages of strong capability of anti-load cutting out,small size,simple control and open-loop control.In order to study the circuit characteristics of series-resonant CCPS,the paper presents the circuit diagram and equivalent circuit,establishes a mathematical model of the circuit.The characteristics of the resonant circuit are given out through mathematical simulation methods.The experiment results verify the correctness of the proposed control method and validity of charging system.
Species Trees, Inference of

Species trees are a basic and common type of phylogenetic tree whose tips are species, population, and lineages. Inferring species trees is a growing area of research that uses many classical methods of phylogenetic inference, such as Bayesian or maximum likelihood methods, but differs from traditional phylogenetic analysis by explicitly modeling the stochastic evolution of gene trees, which in turn produce the directly observable DNA sequence data. Models for inference of species trees facilitate the analysis of, but do not require, datasets in which there is heterogeneity in the topologies and branch lengths of the underlying gene trees.
Optical smoothing of laser imprinting in planar-target experiments on OMEGA EP using multi-FM 1-D smoothing by spectral dispersion

Direct-drive ignition on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) requires single-beam smoothing to minimize imprinting of laser nonuniformities that can negatively affect implosion performance. One-dimensional, multi-FM smoothing by spectral dispersion (SSD) has been proposed to provide the required smoothing [Marozas et al., Bull. Am. Phys. Soc. 55, 294 (2010)]. A prototype multi-FM SSD system has been integrated into the NIF-like beamline of the OMEGA EP Laser System. Experiments have been performed to verify the smoothing performance by measuring Rayleigh–Taylor growth rates in planar targets of laser-imprinted and preimposed surface modulations. Multi-FM 1-D SSD has been observed to reduce imprint levels by ∼50% compared to the nominal OMEGA EP SSD system. The experimental results are in agreement with 2-D DRACO simulations using realistic, time-dependent far-field spot-intensity calculations that emulate the effect of SSD.
Hemolymph circulation in insect flight appendages: physiology of the wing heart and circulatory flow in the wings of the mosquito Anopheles gambiae.

ABSTRACT The wings of insects are composed of membranes supported by interconnected veins. Within these veins are epithelial cells, nerves and tracheae, and their maintenance requires the flow of hemolymph. For this purpose, insects employ accessory pulsatile organs (auxiliary hearts) that circulate hemolymph throughout the wings. Here, we used correlative approaches to determine the functional mechanics of hemolymph circulation in the wings of the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae . Examination of sectioned tissues and intravital videos showed that the wing heart is located underneath the scutellum and is separate from the dorsal vessel. It is composed of a single pulsatile diaphragm (indicating that it is unpaired) that contracts at 3 Hz and circulates hemolymph throughout both wings. The wing heart contracts significantly faster than the dorsal vessel, and there is no correlation between the contractions of these two pulsatile organs. The wing heart functions by aspirating hemolymph out of the posterior wing veins, which forces hemolymph into the wings via anterior veins. By tracking the movement of fluorescent microspheres, we show that the flow diameter of the wing circulatory circuit is less than 1 µm, and we present a spatial map detailing the flow of hemolymph across all the wing veins, including the costa, sub-costa, ambient costa, radius, media, cubitus anterior, anal vein and crossveins. We also quantified the movement of hemolymph within the radius and within the ambient costa, and show that hemolymph velocity and maximum acceleration are higher when hemolymph is exiting the wing.
Whither Girard and Islam? Reflections on Text and Context

Despite attempts to bring scholars of Islam into dialogue with Girard’s theories of mimetic desire, scapegoating, and religious sacrifice, the scholarship on this topic is still extremely limited. In this article, Avery first expands on Wolfgang Palaver’s assertion in his short piece on Girard and Islam for The Oxford Handbook of Religion and Violence that declares Islam as part of the Abrahamic revolution against sacrifice. Avery then offers two reasons for why Girardian theory has not gained more interest from scholars of Islam, addressing biblical parallels in the context of the Qur’an, and Islam’s seeming departure from a sacrificial paradigm. Avery offers Girard’s mimetic desire as the discrete portion of Girard’s theory that resonates with the nature of Islamic texts, and also avoids the possible pitfalls of colonizing Islam with Judaic or Christian presumptions.
Neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants undergoing general anesthesia

Abstract Purpose Preclinical data strongly suggest that all agents used for general anesthesia (GA) have detrimental effects on the developing brain. However, clinical data are unclear. The purpose of this study was to use a cohort of infants who underwent GA and understand their neurodevelopmental outcomes. Methods A cohort of infants who underwent GA was selected between 2010 and 2011, and a control group was created. Data regarding GA, procedures, and outcomes were collected in 2015. The cohort was divided into controls, GA without surgery, GA and surgery once, and multiple general anesthetics. Both univariate and multivariate analysis were performed, and a p value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results 457 patients, 121 controls, and 336 cases were included. Median follow-up was 5.1years. While developmental delay and the need for speech therapy were higher with GA, this did not correlate with the duration of GA. Patients having GA for MRI had the poorest outcomes. Multivariate analysis using combined binary outcome measures for psychiatric and neurologic outcomes did not show any significant difference for duration of anesthesia, age at anesthesia, or induction and maintenance agents. Conclusions These data suggest that GA during the first year of life may have few significant neurodevelopmental effects compared to controls. Additionally, the duration of GA did not correlate with neurodevelopmental outcomes. Type of study Retrospective Case Control Cohort Study. Level of evidence 3 b ( according to Oxford Center for EBM Levels of Evidence, March 2009 , http://www.cebm.net/oxford-centre-evidence-based-medicine-levels-evidence-march-2009/).