cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
‘Irreversible Risk’ As Intertemporal Opportunities

In contrast to most work in decision theory, which treats only “reversible risk,” this paper examines the effect on present decision making of gambles that involve “irreversible risk” — i.e., where the outcomes of present gambles may significantly change future opportunities for choice. A two-period optimization model is presented that contrasts certainty, reversible risk and irreversible risk decisions. Two forms of the latter are considered — one involving only physical capital, one involving both physical and human capital as imperfectly substitutable inputs into intertemporal productivity. Irreversible risk is shown to increase the conservatism of risk choice; irreversibility with human capital has especially striking conservative effects compared with conventional reversible risk choice.
Costs and Complications After a Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer Treated With Time-Efficient Modalities: An Analysis of National Medicare Data.

Abstract Purpose Recent trends in payer and patient preferences increasingly incentivize time-efficient (≤2-week treatment time) prostate cancer treatments. Methods and Materials National Medicare claims from January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2014, were analyzed to identify newly diagnosed prostate cancers. Three "radical treatment" cohorts were identified (prostatectomy, brachytherapy, and stereotactic body radiation therapy [SBRT]) and matched to an active surveillance (AS) cohort by using inverse probability treatment weighting via propensity score. Total costs at 1 year after biopsy were calculated for each cohort, and treatment-specific costs were estimated by subtracting total 1-year costs in each radical treatment group from those in the AS group. Results Mean 1-year adjusted costs were highest among patients receiving SBRT ($26,895), lower for prostatectomy ($23,632), and lowest for brachytherapy ($19,980), whereas those for AS were $9687. Costs of radical modalities varied significantly by region, with the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions having the highest cost ranges (>$10,000) and the West South Central and Mountain regions the lowest range in costs ( Conclusions Time-efficient treatment techniques exhibit substantial variability in toxicity and costs. Furthermore, geographic location substantially influenced treatment costs.
Bifurcation Aneurysm Treatment with PulseRider: Technical Nuances, Device Selection, Positioning Strategies, and Overcoming Geometric Challenges.

Background Endovascular therapy is a viable alternative to surgical clipping for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms; however, aneurysms arising at bifurcations remain a challenge. The purpose of this technical report is to share the nuances of treating aneurysms with the PulseRider (PR), including device selection and positioning strategy, from authors who are highly experienced in its use. Methods We offer a comprehensive guide for neuroendovascular surgeons less experienced with PR applications to include design, general coil embolization technique, principles of deployment and detachment, positioning options, and geometric challenges and their solutions. Results In our experience, the PR is well suited for addressing the challenges of treating bifurcation aneurysms. Conclusions PR use is intuitive and straightforward for use in bifurcation aneurysms with ideal favorable. PR can also be safely and effectively used to address a much broader and more challenging range of geometries.
Review of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate in children and adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate is a stimulant prodrug with low abuse and diversion potential that is used in treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, adolescents and a...
Open-Channel Capillary Trees and Capillary Pumping.

Velocity of capillary flow in closed or open channels decreases as the flow proceeds down the length of the channel, varying as the inverse of the square root of time or as the inverse of travel di...
The Paradoxical Position of Kurt Goldstein in the History of Aphasia 1964

A widely-accepted version of the history of the study of aphasia states that before the First World War this discipline was dominated by a group of workers who, with occasional exceptions, were unsophisticated psychologically and who attempted on the basis of inadequate clinical and pathological data to fit aphasia into a narrow anatomical scheme. According to this view a group of reformers appeared, Marie, von Monakow, Head, and Goldstein, who destroyed this inadequate classical scheme.
[Dynamics of adreneractivity after transfer of myocardial infarction: annual observation].

Aim. To study the change in the β-adrenergic reactivity of red blood cell membranes in patients during the first year after acute myocardial infarction. Materials and methods. The study included 25 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who signed informed consent to participate in the study. The erythrocyte membrane β-adrenoreactivity index (β-ARM) was determined in venous blood samples upon admission to the intensive care unit, one day after admission, 6 and 12 months after the index MI was transferred using the BETA-ARM-AGAT reagent kit (Agat-Med, Russia). Results. According to the results of dynamics assessment of β-APM during the first day, patients included in the study were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 ( n =14) included patients who had an increase in β-APM in the first day, and group 2 ( n =21) included patients in whom β-ARM either did not change or decreased. At the time of admission to the hospital in the formed groups, there were no differences in the β-APM index and clinical and anamnestic characteristics. A day after hospitalization, the value of β-APM in group 1 significantly exceeded the same indicator in group 2 ( p =0.02). At the periods of 6 and 12 months, the β-APM indices in the groups did not differ. In the 2nd group of patients, the progression of chronic heart failure to one or more functional classes (NYHA) was significantly more often compared with the 1st group. Conclusion. The study showed that on the first day in patients with AMI, both an increase and a decrease in the activity of the sympathoadrenal system are possible with a further leveling of these differences over the next year. For a group of patients with decreased activity of sympathoadrenal system on the first day, a more unfavorable course of heart failure in the post-infarction period is characteristic.
Effect of electric hysteresis on fatigue behavior in antiferroelectric bulk ceramics under bipolar loading

Antiferroelectric ceramics are exploited for applications in high energy-density capacitors due to their reversible electric-field-induced phase transitions. The difference in the fields between the forward and reverse transition is termed electric hysteresis. As accumulation of hysteresis loss is detrimental to antiferroelectric capacitors, especially in high-frequency applications, the effect of hysteresis on the long-term operation performance must be evaluated. We investigate the effect of hysteresis on fatigue behavior in two antiferroelectric ceramic compositions with comparable recoverable energy densities (0.56 vs. 0.64 J cm−3), having a large and small hysteresis of 23.9 kV cm−1 and 3.9 kV cm−1, respectively. In test cycles of 2.5 × 106 of ±60 kV cm−1 bipolar fields, the ceramic with large hysteresis exhibits a 72% decrease in the recoverable energy density and a 71% decrease in the energy efficiency. In contrast, the small hysteresis ceramic shows a 4.5% degradation in energy density and 0% degradation in energy efficiency. These results demonstrate that reducing the electric hysteresis of antiferroelectric capacitors is essential for higher energy efficiency and longer service lifetime.
Individual differences in algebraic cognition: Relation to the approximate number and semantic memory systems

The relation between performance on measures of algebraic cognition and acuity of the approximate number system (ANS) and memory for addition facts was assessed for 171 ninth graders (92 girls) while controlling for parental education, sex, reading achievement, speed of numeral processing, fluency of symbolic number processing, intelligence, and the central executive component of working memory. The algebraic tasks assessed accuracy in placing x,y pairs in the coordinate plane, speed and accuracy of expression evaluation, and schema memory for algebra equations. ANS acuity was related to accuracy of placements in the coordinate plane and expression evaluation but not to schema memory. Frequency of fact retrieval errors was related to schema memory but not to coordinate plane or expression evaluation accuracy. The results suggest that the ANS may contribute to or be influenced by spatial-numerical and numerical-only quantity judgments in algebraic contexts, whereas difficulties in committing addition facts to long-term memory may presage slow formation of memories for the basic structure of algebra equations. More generally, the results suggest that different brain and cognitive systems are engaged during the learning of different components of algebraic competence while controlling for demographic and domain general abilities.
Public Key Cryptosystems Based on Drinfeld Modules Are Insecure

We show that analogues of popular public key cryptosystems based on Drinfeld modules are insecure by providing polynomial time algorithms to solve the Drinfeld module versions of the inversion and discrete logarithm problems.
Formative Assessment in Economics Principles Courses: Are Applied Exercises Effective?

A limited number of studies have focused on formative assessment in higher education. This paper examines the effectiveness of applied exercises with a feedback mechanism as a formative assessment technique in an economics principles course. The exercises did correspond to overall improvements in pre and post test scores. However, the regression analysis suggests that the applied exercises are not the most effective way to provide feedback to students about their understanding of a targeted topic but that there are other benefits, such as increased motivation and getting to know other students in the class, which lead to overall improvement in the course.
BIOCHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL CHANGES IN SHAKEN SUSPENSIONS OF PASTEURELLA PESTIS

Pasteurella pestis, harvested after 24 to 30 hr of growth in a casein hydrolysate medium at 26 C, was resuspended and shaken in 3% lactose-0.1 m phosphate buffer for 4 hr at the same temperature. Certain characteristics of these starved cells were compared with those of control cells. No differences in the amounts of cellular carbohydrate or lipid were detected. The concentrations of the principal free amino acids were greater in the shaken cells, except that they contained no measureable arginine, and the normally large pools of intracellular tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates were reduced. Greater viable-cell counts resulted with the cells that were shaken in lactose buffer than with the control cells when each was incubated at 5 C for several weeks. However, the reduced viabilities were apparent losses caused by the formation of aggregates of cells. The clumping of cells was caused by the polymerization of extracellular nucleic acids, principally deoxyribonucleic acid, that were excreted by the cells. Cell clumping could be partially prevented by prior shaking of the suspended cells, which removed some of the deleterious material, or by the action of crystalline deoxyribonuclease.
From uncertainty to bugs: inferring defects in software systems with static analysis, statistical methods, and probabilistic graphical models

This thesis shows how probabilistic graphical models may be applied in conjunction with static program analysis to automatically uncover software errors in large, complex, real-world systems. In particular, we show how probabilistic graphical models can be employed to tackle two critical problems in software bug-finding: (1) suppressing false error reports (false positives) emitted by bug-finding tools that arise due to analysis imprecision and (2) the automatic extraction of program-specific specifications directly from programs. For the first problem, we present two algorithms based on the use of statistical reasoning and Bayesian networks that are highly effective at suppressing false positives. Both algorithms are applicable to tools that check a variety of program properties, and we observe that they very often improve the effective precision of a bug-finding tool to the point where false positives have little or no practical impact on the tool's user. For the second problem, we present a generic framework for specification inference built on the use of factor graphs and static program analysis. A key feature of the framework is that it cleanly fuses together seemingly disparate sources of information that are each indicative or suggestive of a program's specification. This includes information gleamed both from program semantics (obtained via program analysis) and program syntax. To our knowledge, this is the only specification inference technique that is able to combine arbitrary sources of information in this way, thus potentially gleaming far more information from a program than otherwise possible. We illustrate the technique's power by inferring resource management specifications in several large open-source projects; the specifications inferred are highly accurate, and led to the discovery of many serious bugs that are highly system-specific.
Evaluating Clinical Practice Guidelines Based on Their Association with Return to Work in Administrative Claims Data

Objective To examine the association between non-adherence to clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) and time to return to work (RTW) for patients with workplace injuries. Data Sources/Study Setting Secondary analysis of medical billing and disability data for 148,199 for shoulder and back injuries from a workers' compensation insurer. Study Design Cox proportional hazard regression is used to estimate the association between time to RTW and receipt of guideline-discordant care. We test the robustness of our findings to an omitted confounding variable. Data Collection Collected by the insurer from the time an injury was reported, through recovery or last follow-up. Principal Findings Receiving guideline-discordant care was associated with slower RTW for only some guidelines. Early receipt of care, and getting less than the recommended amount of care, were correlated with faster RTW. Excessive physical therapy, bracing, and injections were associated with slower RTW. Conclusions There is not a consistent relationship between performance on CPGs and RTW. The association between performance on CPG and RTW is difficult to measure in observational data, because analysts cannot control for omitted variables that affect a patient's treatment and outcomes. CPGs supported by observational studies or randomized trials may have a more certain relationship to health outcomes.
La importancia del contexto en la interpretación de las variantes lingüísticas

This article focuses on the use of contact features as social indexes in a Quechua-influenced variety of Spanish in central Bolivia. I suggest that context of use is important in producing social meaning, and indeed that context can redefine the indexical relationship between any particular sociolinguistic variable and its social referent or referents (Eckert 2008; Silverstein 2003). Spanish-Quechua contact features, acting as part of a system or pattern of enregistered features, do not have a single indexical meaning. Rather, their meaning is built through contrast to or congruence with the expected forms of speech for a speaker or group (Agha 2007; Babel 2011). These expected forms of speech are related to a listener’s personal experience with the speaker over time, and with their conceptions of the types of speech that members of certain groups engage in. I argue that speakers form expectations about typical distributions of linguistic features, but that the interpretations of these patterns are highly context dependent and produced through microlevel interactional dynamics. Through these types of social negotiations, we can observe a system that produces meaning at a variety of scales and over a variety of dimensions, as part of a constantly shifting mosaic of linguistic performance.
Detection of Local Recurrence of Prostate Cancer After Radical Prostatectomy Using Endorectal Coil MRI at 3 T: Addition of DWI and Dynamic Contrast Enhancement to T2-Weighted MRI.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of DWI and dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE) in MRI at 3 T with an endorectal coil in identifying local prostate cancer recurrence after radical prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Eighty men underwent MRI for suspected local recurrence. The reference standards were histopathologic result, decrease in prostate-specific antigen level after salvage radiation therapy, and follow-up findings. Using a 5-point scoring system, two reviewers independently interpreted T2-weighted images alone (protocol A), a combination of T2-weighted and DW images (protocol B), a combination of T2-weighted and DCE images (protocol C), and a combination of T2-weighted, DW, and DCE images (protocol D). ROC analysis was used to compare the four protocols. RESULTS. Local recurrence was found in 57 of the 80 patients (71.3%). The ROC AUCs for protocols A, B, C, and D were 0.71, 0.72, 0.90, and 0.89 for reader 1 and 0.65, 0.62, 0.84, and 0.83 for reader 2. Protocols C an...
Advances in developing HIV-1 viral load assays for resource-limited settings

Commercial HIV-1 RNA viral load assays have been routinely used in developed countries to monitor antiretroviral treatment (ART). However, these assays require expensive equipment and reagents, well-trained operators, and established laboratory infrastructure. These requirements restrict their use in resource-limited settings where people are most afflicted with the HIV-1 epidemic. Inexpensive alternatives such as the Ultrasensitive p24 assay, the reverse transcriptase (RT) assay and in-house reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) have been developed. However, they are still time-consuming, technologically complex and inappropriate for decentralized laboratories as point-of-care (POC) tests. Recent advances in microfluidics and nanotechnology offer new strategies to develop low-cost, rapid, robust and simple HIV-1 viral load monitoring systems. We review state-of-the-art technologies used for HIV-1 viral load monitoring in both developed and developing settings. Emerging approaches based on microfluidics and nanotechnology, which have potential to be integrated into POC HIV-1 viral load assays, are also discussed.
Maternal and fetal signs and symptoms associated with uterine rupture in women with prior cesarean delivery

AbstractObjective: To describe the association between maternal and fetal physical signs and symptoms (signs/symptoms) and childbirth outcomes in women with prior cesarean delivery (CD).Methods: Cases of uterine rupture at a single institution were reviewed to examine risk factors for experiencing signs/symptoms and poor childbirth outcomes.Results: Among 21 014 deliveries, 3252 (15.5%) had prior CD, and 75 (2.3%) had uterine rupture. Of these, 66 (88.0%) labored. Among those who labored, 51 (77.3%) demonstrated signs/symptoms prior to delivery. Signs/symptoms included vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, fetal bradycardia and decreased fetal heart rate (FHR) variability. Laboring patients with signs/symptoms were seven times more likely than those without them to have poor maternal/neonatal outcome (27/51 [52.9%] versus 2/15 [13.3%], OR = 7.31 [95% CI 1.34–52.43], p = 0.0155). In multivariate analysis, risk factors for poor fetal outcome were cervical ripening (OR 4.99 [95% CI 0.86–28.99, p = 0.0735) and pr...
Fine‐needle aspiration cytology of unusual germ cell tumors of the mediastinum: Atypical seminoma and parietal yolk sac tumor

A 30-yr-old man presented with a mediastinal germ cell tumor that combined the histologic pattern of seminoma with the immunohistochemical profile of embryonal carcinoma (beta-HCG+/PLAP-). In FNA smears, this atypical seminoma presented as fragile large cells with scanty cytoplasm, vesicular nuclei, irregular and indistinct nucleoli, scattered singly and in loosely cohesive fragments without the characteristic lymphocytic or tigroid background. The cytologic features were more suggestive of a poorly differentiated carcinoma than seminoma, potentially leading to misdiagnosis and mismanagement. The second case was a 51-yr-old female smoker who presented with mediastinal parietal yolk sac tumor with extension to the lung, a rare occurrence, and contrary to the clinical impression of lung cancer with hilar lymph node metastasis. This case illustrates the value of using the unique cytologic features of parietal yolk sac tumor, i.e., the abundant, viscous, stringy metachromatic extracellular hyaline material associated with the tumor cells in reaching the accurate diagnosis.
The influence of net charge on the redox potentials of Fe4S4 cubane-type clusters in aprotic solvents

Abstract The recent demonstration of the existence of the [Fe4S4]0 oxidation state in the iron protein of nitrogenase raises the issue of stabilization of reduced states of Fe4S4 clusters in proteins and synthetic compounds. In thiolate-ligated clusters, potentials of the redox couples [Fe4S4(SR)4]2−/3− have been shown to scale linearly with substituent (R) constants. In this work, the combined result of inductive and electrostatic effects on potentials has been examined by use of the previously reported clusters with R=p-C6H4NO2, C6F5 and new clusters having R=CH2CH2NMe3 +, p-C6H4NR3 +, and p-C6H4CH2NR3 +. The crystal structure of (Bu4N)2[Fe4S4(SC6H4-p-NO2)4] reveals a tetragonally compressed [Fe4S4]2+ core. Synthesis of salts of the thiol cations p-HSC6H4NR3 + and p-HSC6H4CH2NR3 + are described. The clusters [Fe4S4(SR)4]2+ and the [1:3] site-differentiated species [Fe4S4(LS3)(SR)]1− were prepared by ligand substitution reactions. Potentials (vs. SCE) and potential shifts relative to appropriate reference clusters for 17 clusters are reported in aprotic solvents. Substantial positive potential shifts can be achieved with the use of strongly electron-withdrawing monoanionic and neutral thiolate ligands. The two least negative [Fe4S4]2+/1+ potentials are found for the couples [Fe4S4(SC6H4-p-NO2)4]2−/3− (−0.65 V) and [Fe4S4(SC6H4-p-NMe3)4]2+/1+ (−0.73 V) in DMF. Also reported are [Fe4S4]1+/0 potentials for seven clusters, all of which are ≲−1.5 V and do not correspond to strictly chemically reversible reactions. The redox behavior of the cluster in the iron protein of nitrogenase, with reported reductions at −0.31 and −0.46 V (vs. SHE), is contrasted with synthetic clusters in aqueous or non-aqueous media. None of the latter reduces at comparable potentials and the difference between first and second potentials is always much larger. Synthesis of the [Fe4S4]0 state is a remaining goal in the synthetic analogue chemistry of biological iron–sulfur clusters.
Claiming territory: The Saami assemblies as ethno‐political institutions 1

Abstract A political scientist explores the process leading to the establishment of Saami Assemblies in Sweden, Norway, and Finland and reviews claims advanced through these assemblies for rights to land and natural resources in the northern regions of those countries. Initial sections examine reasons for variations in the relative status of each country's Assembly, followed by an assessment of the Assemblies’ efforts to enhance ethnic identity and cultural rights. A major argument of the paper is that the Assemblies’ lack of an identified land base has provided both an impetus and a means for Saami to pursue their territorial aspirations.
Impaired cyclic AMP generation in outer medullary tubules of gentamicin-treated rats

Abstract We have examined the effects of chronic gentamicin treatment on arginine 8 -vasopressin (AVP)-dependent cyclic AMP (cAMP) metabolism in rat medullary collecting tubules (oMCT) and medullary thick ascending limbs of Henle's loop (mTALH). Gentamicin attenuated AVP-stimulated cAMP accumulation to a greater extent in the mTALH (Δ −51%) than in the oMCT (Δ −25%). The mechanism of attenuation differed between segments, and could not be attributed to either direct inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity nor direct potentiation of cAMP-phosphodiesterase activity. These data suggest that the gentamicin-induced decrease in renal concentrating ability may be due at least in part to reduced AVP-dependent cAMP accumulation in the oMCT and mTALH.
220°C Virus Monobloc: The Infamous Chair, edited by Arnd Friedrichs and Kerstin Finger

(2012). 220°C Virus Monobloc: The Infamous Chair, edited by Arnd Friedrichs and Kerstin Finger. Design and Culture: Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 252-253.
Ohio University's College of Business Uses Integer Programming to Schedule Classes

Ohio University's College of Business uses an integer-programming model to assign instructors to courses, classrooms, and time slots. The model deals with a variety of issues, such as back-to-back classes, maximum number of teaching days, time slots of any configuration, multiple instructors for courses, departmental balance, and preassignments. CPLEX solves the problem for the College of Business quite easily. The college has used the model for about six years, and the administration and faculty view it very favorably.
Energy-controlled depositions of size-selected silver nanoparticles on HOPG substrates

Abstract Silver monomer (Ag+1) or heptamer (Ag+7) ions were deposited on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) substrates at various, well-controlled collision energies. The total amount of silver (Ag) atoms remaining on the substrates after the collision was examined by measuring the Ag 3d5/2 photoelectron intensities. The collision energy dependence of the number of deposited Ag atoms revealed that there exist, for both species, three well-defined energy regions, for which soft landing, rebounding, or implantation is a dominant process. It was found that the collision energy dependence for Ag7 is well scaled to that for Ag1 by the factor 1/72/3 rather than 1/7, reflecting the compactness of Ag7.
Vibratory source, vocal quality and fundamental frequency following pediatric laryngotracheal reconstruction

Summary Objective Surgeons who perform pediatric laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR) have traditionally measured outcomes based on successful airway restoration. Additional information regarding post-surgical vocal function may help guide outcomes toward optimal voice. This investigation documented the relationship between the site of vocal tract vibratory source (glottic versus supraglottic versus mixed) and vocal function in children following LTR. Methods Endoscopic evaluation of voice source was completed in 16 participants who had LTR as children. Three judges rated vocal quality using the Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE-V). Acoustic analysis was completed to obtain fundamental frequency and determine the periodicity of the vibratory signal. Results Seven participants were identified to have glottic vibration and nine had supraglottic or mixed-source vibration for voice. All participants were rated as having some degree of voice disorder. Those who used primarily supraglottic/mixed phonation exhibited significantly worse overall severity, roughness, and pitch deviance ratings than did those who used primarily glottic phonation. Significant differences in strain were also noted; however, poor inter-rater reliability rating of strain confounded this result. No significant differences in breathiness or loudness ratings were exhibited. Periodic vibration was observed in 10 of 16 participants (5 of 7 in the glottic group and 5 of 9 in the supraglottic/mixed group). Three of the five participants who had periodic supraglottic phonation had fundamental frequency measures ( F 0 ) that were below normative ranges, 1 approximated normal, and 1 was above normal range. Two of the five participants who had periodic glottic phonation had lower than expected F 0 s, 1 was within normal range, and 2 were high. Conclusions As observed in earlier studies, voices produced with supraglottic phonation were generally less acceptable than those with glottic phonation. However, phonation with supraglottic structures yielded highly variable voice that may be amenable to change. Some children achieved periodic vibration with alternate structures, suggesting inherent flexibility and adaptability in the tissues used to make sound.
Polarization of 3He elastically scattered by 12C and the 3He spin-orbit optical potential☆

Abstract A double scattering experiment was performed to obtain an estimate of the polarization of 3 He ions of about 40 MeV elastically scattered from 12 C. Elastic cross sections were measured at 36 and 42 MeV. An optical model analysis was made of the cross-section and polarization data. It was found that optical model calculations were consistent with the experiment only if the optical model spin-orbit potential depth was less than or equal to about 3.5 MeV, in contrast with the 12 to 14 MeV found for protons.
Women who kill their husbands: mariticides in contemporary Ghana

Homicide by wives against husbands is a largely unexplored subject in lethal violence research. The paucity of information on the phenomenon is particularly acute in the non-Western world where scholarly research is virtually nonexistent. The specific goal for this article, then, was to provide additional insights into the issue by investigating wife-to-husband killings that occurred in Ghana, a non-Western society, during 1990-2005. In line with the scant, extant literature, the results of the analysis demonstrate that victims were invariably slain at home. The motive for the crime was to punish a womanizing husband, a husband who had taken another wife, or one who was contemplating wedding another wife in this polygynous society. In other instances, the homicidal intent was to physically eliminate a husband to facilitate an amorous relationship between the assailant and her new lover. In several cases, husband-slayers killed a latent or predisposing victim (e.g. sleeping or ill) via burning, slashing with a machete or food poisoning. The implications of the findings are discussed.
Effects of HF treatments on tensile strength of Hi-Nicalon fibres

Tensile strengths of as-received Hi-Nicalon fibres and those having a dual BN–SiC surface coating, deposited by chemical vapour deposition, have been measured at room temperature. These fibres were also treated with HF for 24 h followed by tensile strength measurements. Strengths of uncoated and BN–SiC coated Hi-Nicalon fibres extracted from celsian matrix composites, by dissolving away the matrix in HF for 24 h, were also determined. The average tensile strength of uncoated Hi-Nicalon was 3.19±0.73 GPa with a Weibull modulus of 5.41. The Hi-Nicalon–BN–SiC fibres showed an average strength of 3.04±0.53 GPa and Weibull modulus of 6.66. After HF treatment, the average strengths of the uncoated and BN–SiC coated Hi-Nicalon fibres were 2.69±0.67 and 2.80±0.53 GPa and the Weibull moduli were 4.93 and 5.96, respectively. The BN–SiC coated fibres extracted from the celsian matrix composite exhibited a strength of 2.38±0.40 GPa and a Weibull modulus of 7.15. The strength of the uncoated Hi-Nicalon fibres in the composite was so severely degraded that they disintegrated into small fragments during extraction with HF. The uncoated fibres probably undergo mechanical surface damage during hot pressing of the composites. Also, the BN layer on the coated fibres acts as a compliant layer, which protects the fibres from mechanical damage during composite processing. The elemental composition and thickness of the fibre coatings were determined using scanning Auger analysis. Microstructural analyses of the fibres and the coatings were done by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Stengths of fibres calculated using average and measured fibre diameters were in good agreement. Thus, the strengths of fibres can be evaluated using an average fibre diameter instead of the measured diameter of each filament. © 1998 Kluwer Academic Publishers
Value of computed tomographic angiography in neck and extremity pediatric vascular trauma.

Abstract Purpose We sought to define the sensitivity and specificity of computed tomographic angiography (CTA) in pediatric vascular injuries. Methods All neck and extremity CTAs performed in pediatric patients at a level 1 trauma center were reviewed from 2001 to 2007. Results Overall, 78 patients were identified with an average age of 15.0 ± 4.0 (0-18 years). Males outnumbered females 3.6:1. CTA was performed for 41 penetrating and 37 blunt traumas. Most penetrating injuries were due to missile wounds (71%) or stab wounds (17%). Eleven major vascular injuries resulted from penetrating trauma. For penetrating trauma, CTA was 100% sensitive and 93% specific. CTA for penetrating trauma had a positive predictive value (PPV) of 85% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 100%. Most blunt injuries were due to motor vehicle accidents (57%), followed by pedestrian hit by car (27%). Eight major vascular injuries resulted from blunt trauma. For blunt trauma, CTA was 88% sensitive and 100% specific. CTA for blunt trauma had a PPV of 100% and an NPV of 97%. The accuracy for penetrating and blunt trauma was 95% and 97%, respectively. Conclusions CTA is highly sensitive, specific, and accurate for pediatric neck and extremity vascular trauma.
Ocular Findings in Patients with Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome

Ninety-two patients with biopsy-proven dysplastic nevus syndrome were evaluated ophthalmologically and compared to a non-dysplastic nevus syndrome control population. A statistically significant increase in the percentage of dysplastic nevus syndrome patients versus controls harboring conjunctival nevi (9.78% vs. 1.85%), iris nevi (31.52% vs. 12.96%), and choroidal nevi (18.48% vs. 4.63%) was found. Although not statistically significant, the number of iris nevi encountered per patient was greater for the dysplastic nevus syndrome group. All dysplastic nevus syndrome patients and their families should be evaluated ophthalmologically, with special attention being given to dilated indirect ophthalmoscopy.
Soybean Nitrogen Contribution to Corn and Sorghum in Western Corn Belt Rotations

Increased N availability is often associated with the beneficial effects of rotating grain and legume crops. Our objective was to utilize yield response data from two long-term studies to determine the amount of N supplied by soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] for subsequent nonlegume crops in 2-yr rotations. The experiments were located in eastern Nebraska (Mead) (rainfed) and central Nebraska (Shelton) (irrigated). Continuous corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean-corn cropping systems were present in both experiments while continuous sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] and soybean-sorghum cropping systems were present at Mead only. Three N fertilizer rates were used for the study at Mead and five at Shelton. Nitrogen fertilizer replacement values were estimated using graphical and regression techniques. Results from both techniques indicated that corn in the rainfed experiment at Mead (20 yr) and irrigated experiment at Shelton (10 yr) obtained approximately 65 kg N ha -1 yr -1 from soybean in a 2-yr rotation with soybean at both locations. Sorghum in the rainfed experiment at Mead (20 yr) obtained approximately 80 kg N ha -1 yr -1 from soybean in a soybean-sorghum rotation. Current fertilizer N applications based on fall or early-spring soil tests used extensively in this area need to be reduced by these amounts for corn and sorghum grown in 2-yr rotations with soybean when grown on medium- to fine-textured soils in the western Corn Belt to reduce excess N available for loss and to reduce unnecessary input costs.
Human Pulmonary Dirofilarial Granuloma

A case of pulmonary dirofilariasis in a human being is presented in which the lesion was visible roentgenographically for eighteen months prior to resection and in which the correct etiological diagnosis was made on frozen-section examination at the time of thoracotomy. The documented geographical spread of dirofilariasis in the canine population in the United States and southern Canada suggests that pulmonary dirofilariasis in human beings may be seen with increasing frequency by thoracic surgeons. The epidemiological and pathogenetic features of this unusual disease are discussed. A serological test for dirofilariasis is now available that may allow some patients to escape thoracotomy for this self-limited disorder.
Towards distributed privacy-preserving mobile access control

The mobile marketing is growing exponentially worldwide due to the emerging high speed wireless Internet and the proliferation of smartphones with powerful processors. Consequently, the management of the massive volume of mobile identities has sparked a lot of interest in both industry and academia, as they turn out to be a heavy burden for many mobile application startups. The conventional federated identity management technologies have been developed to delegate the users' identity tasks across different security domains to reduce the burden over the identity service consumers (i.e., Relying Party). However, they also raises serious security and privacy issues, such as the vulnerability to Single Point of Failure (SPOF) and the privacy leakage with respect to users' historical access information. To address these issues, we architect a novel Distributed Privacy-preserving Mobile Access Control (DP-MAC) framework. This framework also leverages a dual-root trust model to prevent identity theft in case of mobile device loss. In the end, we give performance evaluation and prove its applicability by implementing our system in the Cloud Computing platform and android smartphones based on jPBC in real-world settings.
Velocity and radius transients during pressure mediated dendritic growth of succinonitrile

AbstractThis study was part of a larger effort called the transient dendritic solidification experiment (TDSE), which uses the well known Clapeyron effect to study transient effects in dendritic solidification. The transient behaviour was studied between well defined steady states using pressure mediated changes since it is almost impossible to study the transient behaviour during growth of a dendrite from initial state to steady state. The time constants calculated for the velocity and radius transients are of the same order of magnitude. The velocity starts changing almost immediately after the pressure changes. The radius also changes rapidly but the change starts after an initial lag. This is attributed to its 'geometric memory' and the fact that the change in velocity results from a change in the thermal field ahead of the tip, whereas a change in radius also entails a change in the lateral thermal field. These results affirm that pressure changes affect the growth behaviour and interfacial morpholog...
Differential pressure as a measure of particulate matter emissions from diesel engines.

A diesel particulate matter analyzer capable of direct, real-time measurement of engine exhaust particulate is necessary to effectively institute source control technology currently being used on diesel equipment and to ensure that the control measures are working. To investigate the potential of a differential pressure monitor to measure diesel particulate matter in undiluted exhaust, samples were collected from three different diesel enginesKubota, Isuzu, and Deutzrunning under 12 different RPM and load scenarios. These measurements were compared to elemental carbon concentrations in the sampled exhaust as determined by using the NIOSH 5040 analytical method. Elemental carbon is used as a surrogate measurement for diesel particulate matter. The results of the two data sets were then compared using a linear regression analysis. The coefficient of determination (or R 2) was calculated to be 0.98, 0.94, and 0.74 for the Kubota, Deutz, and Isuzu engines, respectively. R 2 values of this magnitude indicate t...
A bifurcated anterior scalene muscle: A case report

Summary Anomalies of the structures related to the scalene triangle have been reported in the literature as a cause of either vascular or neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). This case report details a male cadaver with a right anterior scalene muscle that was split into two bellies, enclosing the right subclavian artery anteriorly and posteriorly. The trunks of the brachial plexus ran in the space between the posterior belly of the anomalous anterior scalene and the normal middle scalene muscles. The earliest report about this anomaly that could be retrieved from the literature was recorded in 1875. The clinical implication of this anomaly involves the possible risk of developing vascular or neurogenic TOS with compression of the subclavian artery between the two bellies of the anterior scalene and/or compression of the trunks of the brachial plexus between the posterior belly of anterior scalene and middle scalene muscles.
Semi-Interpenetrating Network (sIPN) Co-Electrospun Gelatin/Insulin Fiber Formulation for Transbuccal Insulin Delivery

Purpose This work was aimed at developing a semi-interpenetrating network (sIPN) co-electrospun gelatin/insulin fiber scaffold (GIF) formulation for transbuccal insulin delivery.
Management of critical asthma syndrome during pregnancy

One-third of pregnant asthmatics experience a worsening of their asthma that may progress to a critical asthma syndrome (CAS) that includes status asthmaticus (SA) and near-fatal asthma (NFA). Patients with severe asthma before pregnancy may experience more exacerbations, especially during late pregnancy. Prevention of the CAS includes excellent asthma control involving targeted early and regular medical care of the pregnant asthmatic, together with medication compliance. Spontaneous abortion risk is higher in pregnant women with uncontrolled asthma than in non-asthmatics. Should CAS occur during pregnancy, aggressive bronchodilator therapy, montelukast, and systemic corticosteroids can be used in the context of respiratory monitoring, preferably in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Systemic epinephrine should be avoided due to potential teratogenic side-effects and placental/uterine vasoconstriction. Non-invasive ventilation has been used in some cases. Intratracheal intubation can be hazardous and rapid-sequence intubation by an experienced physician is recommended. Mechanical ventilation parameters are adjusted based on changes to respiratory mechanics in the pregnant patient. An inhaled helium-oxygen gas admixture may promote laminar airflow and improve gas exchange. Permissive hypercapnea is controversial, but may be unavoidable. Sedation with propofol which itself has bronchodilating properties is preferred to benzodiazepines. Case reports delineating good outcomes for both mother and fetus despite intubation for SA suggest that multidisciplinary ICU care of the pregnant asthmatic with critical asthma are feasible especially if hypoxemia is avoided.
Adsorption with chemical reaction in a single modified-carbon pellet

Abstract An analysis is presented of the uptake of toxic gases by a single modified-carbon pellet. The uptake rate is effected through physical adsorption and the chemical reactions involving both the toxic gas and metal impregnants with the assumption that the reaction occurs instantaneously. The results provide detailed information on the relative importance of physical adsorption vs chemical reaction in toxic-gas uptake as well as the effect of the impregnant concentration on the efficacy of the modified carbon in removing toxic gases.
Thioredoxin profiles of seeds, etiolated seedlings, and green seedlings of developing barley plants

Abstract Thioredoxin profiles were determined at three stages of development of barley ( Hordeum vulgare ) plants: seeds, etiolated seedlings and green seedlings. Thioredoxins analogous to chloroplast thioredoxins f and m and cytoplasmic thioredoxin c f were present at all three developmental stages. The second cytoplasmic thioredoxin species, thioredoxin c m , was present in green seedlings, as described previously, but was not detected in either seeds or etiolated seedlings, thus implicating a role for light in its formation. Light also brought about a reduction in the molecular weight of the m thioredoxins, which were present in two forms at each stage of development. The mechanism by which light elicits these changes is not known.
Flow in a ventral nozzle for short takeoff and vertical landing aircraft

Short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft are planned for possible future development. For these aircraft, the same propulsion system will provide power for lift, hover, and horizontal flight. To accomplish this, many designs include a ventral nozzle to provide part of the vertical thrust required. Understanding and predicting the internal aerodynamic flow caused by a single exhaust duct opening are highly desirable in assessing this concept. This paper presents a numerical simulation of a ventral nozzle and compares the results with experimental data. Comparisons include visualizations of the flow along the ventral duct walls and in the tailpipe plane of symmetry. Performance calculations are also compared with measured values.
Analytic solution of the pseudo-Brewster angle

The analytic solution of the pseudo-Brewster angle, for the case of light incident from a transparent medium onto an absorbing substrate, has been obtained.
InP MOS single photon array detectors

Single photon detection and imaging have recently received significant attention in applications such as quantum and bio-imaging, sensing, and communication where ultra high sensitivity and low intensity noise are critical. In this paper, single photon array detectors with built-in negative feedback mechanism are reported. Both the single photon sensitivity and a greatly suppressed intensity noise are demonstrated.
Network connectivity in aluminoborosilicate glasses: A high-resolution 11B, 27Al and 17O NMR study

Abstract O-17 enriched calcium and potassium aluminoborosilicate glasses with compositions similar (or analogous) to commercial E-glass were made and studied by 11B, 27Al and 17O NMR in order to explore the network speciation and mixing. Fractions of non-bridging oxygens associated with silicon and boron can be obtained simply from 17O magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR, while bridging oxygen populations result from complete peak assignment of high-resolution 17O triple quantum magic angle spinning (3QMAS) NMR spectra. Dramatic differences between the two samples in boron and oxygen speciation demonstrate a large effect of the charge of the modifier cation on mixing behavior and on the stabilization of non-bridging oxygens. The observed oxygen speciation is compared with that calculated from two models: random mixing of Si, B, and Al, and mixing with avoidance of linkages between tetrahedral aluminum and tetrahedral boron groups. Mixing of B and Al in the K-containing glass tends to follow the latter, while the network speciation in the Ca-containing glass is closer to the random model. The effects of Al and Si on boron speciation are discussed, and indicate that the maximum fractions of four-coordinated boron observed in a wide range of glass compositions are closely related to tetrahedral B and Al ‘avoidance’. A modified ‘Dell and Bray’ model is proposed which seems to accurately approximate boron speciation in many alkali aluminoborosilicate glasses. The higher field strength modifier cation (Ca2+ vs. K+) promotes the formation of non-bridging oxygen, trigonal over tetrahedral boron, and at least minor amounts of five-coordinated aluminum.