cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MR fingerprinting ASL: Sequence characterization and comparison with dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) MRI.

MR Fingerprinting (MRF)-based Arterial-Spin-Labeling (ASL) has the potential to measure multiple parameters such as cerebral blood flow (CBF), bolus arrival time (BAT), and tissue T1 in a single scan. However, the previous reports have only demonstrated a proof-of-principle of the technique but have not examined the performance of the sequence in the context of key imaging parameters. Furthermore, there has not been a study to directly compare the technique to clinically used perfusion method of dynamic-susceptibility-contrast (DSC) MRI. The present report consists of two studies. In the first study (N = 8), we examined the dependence of MRF-ASL sequence on TR time pattern. Ten different TR patterns with a range of temporal characteristics were examined by both simulations and experiments. The results revealed that there was a significance dependence of the sequence performance on TR pattern (p < 0.001), although there was not a single pattern that provided dramatically improvements. Among the TR patterns tested, a sinusoidal pattern with a period of 125 TRs provided an overall best estimation in terms of spatial consistency. These experimental observations were consistent with those of numerical simulations. In the second study (N = 8), we compared MRF-ASL results with those of DSC MRI. It was found that MRF-ASL and DSC MRI provided highly comparable maps of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and bolus-arrival-time (BAT), with spatial correlation coefficients of 0.79 and 0.91, respectively. However, in terms of quantitative values, BAT obtained with MRF-ASL was considerably lower than that from DSC (p < 0.001), presumably because of the differences in tracer characteristics in terms of diffusible versus intravascular tracers. Test-retest assessment of MRF-ASL MRI revealed that the spatial correlations of parametric maps were 0.997, 0.962, 0.746 and 0.863 for B1 + , T1 , CBF, and BAT, respectively. MRF-ASL is a promising technique for assessing multiple perfusion parameters simultaneously without contrast agent.
Exercising Genres: A Rejoinder to Anne Freadman

Anne Freadman’s engagement with Rhetorical Genre Studies (RGS) is informed, generous, illuminating, and provocative. She does us the service of placing into a broad intellectual context the recent conversations about genre within the developing RGS tradition. She has done me the honour of reading my work thoroughly and carefully, more carefully in some cases than I wrote it. She has taken up Rhetorical Genre Studies in her own way and given us much in return. And in response, I feel … well … compelled to reply, to take up the conversation, to add to the chain of semiosis.
Comparison Between Influenza and COVID-19 at a Tertiary Care Center

ABSTRACT Background Widespread reports suggest the characteristics and disease course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and influenza differ, yet detailed comparisons of their clinical manifestations are lacking. Objective Comparison of the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients with those of influenza patients in previous seasons at the same hospital Design Admission rates, clinical measurements, and clinical outcomes from confirmed COVID-19 cases between March 1 and April 30, 2020 were compared with those from confirmed influenza cases in the previous five influenza seasons (8 months each) beginning September 1, 2014. Setting Large tertiary care teaching hospital in Boston, Massachusetts Participants Laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and influenza inpatients Measurements Patient demographics and medical history, mortality, incidence and duration of mechanical ventilation, incidences of vasopressor support and renal replacement therapy, hospital and intensive care admissions. Results Data was abstracted from medical records of 1052 influenza patients and 583 COVID-19 patients. An average of 210 hospital admissions for influenza occurred per 8-month season compared to 583 COVID-19 admissions over two months. The median weekly number of COVID-19 patients requiring mechanical ventilation was 17 (IQR: 4, 34) compared to a weekly median of 1 (IQR: 0, 2) influenza patient (p=0.001). COVID-19 patients were significantly more likely to require mechanical ventilation (31% vs 8%), and had significantly higher mortality (20% vs. 3%; p Limitation This is a single-center study which could limit generalization. Conclusion COVID-19 resulted in more hospitalizations, higher morbidity, and higher mortality than influenza at the same hospital.
Influence of Self-managed Rehabilitation on Work Efficiency in Active Duty Military With a Knee Injury.

Introduction Knee injuries associated with intense physical training are one of the most frequent injuries associated with medical encounters for military members. The purpose of this study was to evaluate four approaches to physiotherapy rehabilitation and their effects on work efficiency in active duty military with a knee injury. The four groups included neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), walking with a weighted vest (WALK), combined NMES/Walk, and standard physiotherapy rehabilitation. All groups received standard physiotherapy rehabilitation.We have previously reported that quadriceps muscle strength improved over 18 weeks in the study for the three interventions relative to standard rehabilitation alone. This report presents results from an examination of work efficiency as evaluated during a step test while measuring oxygen utilization. Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted, with repeated outcome measures of work efficiency assessed at baseline, 3, 6, 12, and 18 weeks. The sample consisted of 67 active duty service members between the ages of 18 and 50 years with a knee injury. Participants were randomized to one of the four approaches to physiotherapy rehabilitation: (1) NMES was applied to the quadriceps muscle four times per week, for 30 minutes (15 minutes to each leg), consisting of 15 quadriceps muscle contractions per leg; (2) graduated strength walking using a weighted vest (WALK) was for 30 minutes, 3 to 4 days a week; (3) combined NMES with strength walking received both the NMES therapy and the weighted vest walking; and (4) standard physiotherapy consisted of progressive exercise with the number and type of sessions not controlled by the study. All four groups received the standard physiotherapy for a knee injury. The primary outcome was work efficiency, as measured by oxygen utilization during a 2-minute self-paced step test over 18 weeks. The primary analysis used repeated measures, linear mixed-effects models with a random effect for subject. Results Both the number of steps performed and gross work efficiency improved during the study for all three intervention groups. For gross work efficiency, standard rehabilitation improved 12%, WALK showed a 19% improvement, NMES increased by 24%, and the NMES/Walk group improved by 40%. Conclusions All groups showed improved submaximal exercise efficiency based on oxygen utilization, with the intervention groups showing a greater improvement in work efficiency as compared to standard rehabilitation. Knee injuries can be problematic for active duty members because of reduced mobility leading to deconditioning and associated declines in work efficiency. Rehabilitative programs, including those described in this study, may minimize loss of work efficiency and fitness and promote a quicker recovery.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Villages: Results of a National Survey

This study, launched in June 2020, documents the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Villages nationally Villages are non-profit, membership-based organizations that provide support from volunteers and social connections to enable aging in place We distributed on-line surveys to the leaders of the 287 Villages in the national network to capture the effects of the pandemic on organizational operations, membership recruitment, service provision, and member well-being A 40% response rate (n=116) was obtained A majority of Villages reported that the pandemic greatly affected the organization, with the top concerns being: 1) membership recruitment, 2) the health and well-being of members and volunteers and 3) connecting with their members outside of normal in-person events Over half of the respondents reported that the mental health of members had declined;and there were high levels of disruption to usual health care New member recruitment efforts were thwarted and most Villages lost revenue About 70% offered virtual programming but, in general, participation in these on-line events dropped From the survey respondents’ perspective, the value of the Village to members and their family increased (48%) or remained the same (22%) New opportunities emerged that may be continued post-pandemic: new meal and medicine delivery volunteer services, more on-line communication and telephone reassurance, and new family and community connections Findings indicate a wide range of experiences during the pandemic, with variation stemming from age of the Village and size of membership The study informs the sustainability and growth efforts of Villages during and after the pandemic
Coaxial Double-Pigtail Stent Placement: A Simple Solution to Decrease Bleeding Risk Associated With Lumen-Apposing Metal Stent?

Endoscopic cystogastrostomy using lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS) is considered the first-line therapy for symptomatic pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs). Routine coaxial placement of a double-pigtail stent (DPS) through LAMS is debated. We report the case of a patient with delayed massive gastrointestinal bleed eight weeks after LAMS placement due to splenic artery pseudoaneurysm leading to a complicated hospitalization. Theoretically, coaxial placement of DPS through LAMS can prevent the relatively sharp LAMS from eroding into the mucosa of the collapsed cavity of PFCs, decreasing the risk of bleeding. Our case adds to the growing need to further explore the utility of this combined intervention.
Development of a Mass Spectrometric Assay for 5,6,7,9-Tetrahydro-7-Hydroxy-9-Oximidazo [1,2-a]Purine in DNA Modified by 2-Chloro-Oxirane

Vinyl chloride is recognized as a human carcinogen. 2-Chlorooxirane, its biological reactive intermediate formed by the P450 enzyme system in the liver, and the rearrangement product chloroacetaldehyde give rise to the etheno (e) DNA adducts. This type of modified DNA bases appears to be the molecular basis for the genotoxic effects of the parent compound, and site specific mutagenesis studies (Basu et al., 1993) show its mutagenicity. There is evidence that e adducts might not only be formed by vinyl chloride metabolites but also be present at a certain level due to endogeneous sources (Misra et al., 1994).
Systems analysis: the challenge of integrating two competing technologies

As object oriented technologies continue to permeate industrial software development methodologies, it is imperative that the techniques used in these methodologies are re-evaluated. Classic top down structured analysis and design techniques are competing against object oriented techniques within these methodologies. This paper compares and contrasts both of these paradigms drawing conclusions about their strengths and weaknesses and suggesting that the two paradigms within systems analysis may actually provide similar information.
Rule discovery in epidemiologic surveillance data using EpiXCS: an evolutionary computation approach

This paper describes the architecture and application of EpiXCS, a learning classifier system that uses reinforcement learning and the genetic algorithm to discover rule-based knowledge in epidemiologic surveillance databases. EpiXCS implements several additional features that tailor the XCS paradigm to the demands of epidemiologic data and users who are not familiar with learning classifier systems. These include a workbench-style interface for visualization and parameterization and the use of clinically meaningful evaluation metrics. EpiXCS has been applied to a large surveillance database, and shown to discover classification rules similarly to See5, a well-known decision tree inducer.
Force-directed performance-driven placement algorithm for FPGAs

We propose a net-based force-directed performance-driven placement algorithm for hierarchical FPGAs. The input netlist is first transformed into a net dependency graph. Then we partition this graph into clusters and a net-cluster level floorplan is derived by simulated annealing. Force-directed net placement is performed to generate a coarse net-level placement. Next, a force-directed logic cell placement is computed iteratively. Finally, we assign I/O pins using a modified Munkres' algorithm. The main contribution of our work is that we apply force-directed method in hierarchical FPGAs to improve delay as compared to Xilinx tools. We improve the post-layout delay and average connection delay by an average of 10.2% and 19.3% respectively over a set of MCNC combinational benchmark. We also improve the maximum clock frequency by an average of 20.7% over a set of MCNC sequential circuits.
The Impact of the Internet: Increasing the Reference Librarian's Role as Teacher.

Summary The Internet has brought great changes to reference services in academic libraries. One significant impact has been the growth and evolution of the reference librarian's role as teacher. This article reviews the literature on the librarian's increased teaching role with the emergence of the Internet, discusses the changing student populations who require a librarian's instruction and the skills that students need to achieve information literacy, and reviews how the Internet has affected current teaching strategies including classroom instruction, Web-based instruction, and efforts to integrate information literacy instruction into the curriculum. In addition, it also introduces emerging Internet technologies with their potential impact on teaching and instruction. The authors conclude that the reference librarian's teaching role will further increase with the development of information technologies.
The Pregnant Women with HIV Attitude Scale: development and initial psychometric evaluation.

tyer-viola l.a. & duffy m.e. (2010) The Pregnant Women with HIV Attitude Scale: development and initial psychometric evaluation. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(8), 1852–1863. Abstract Title. The Pregnant Women with HIV Attitude Scale: development and initial psychometric evaluation. Aim. This paper is a report of the development and initial psychometric evaluation of the Pregnant Women with HIV Attitude Scale. Background. Previous research has identified that attitudes toward persons with HIV/AIDS have been judgmental and could affect clinical care and outcomes. Stigma towards persons with HIV has persisted as a barrier to nursing care globally. Women are more vulnerable during pregnancy. An instrument to specifically measure obstetric care provider’s attitudes toward this population is needed to target identified gaps in providing respectful care. Methods. Existing literature and instruments were analysed and two existing measures, the Attitudes about People with HIV Scale and the Attitudes toward Women with HIV Scale, were combined to create an initial item pool to address attitudes toward HIV-positive pregnant women. The data were collected in 2003 with obstetric nurses attending a national conference in the United States of America (N = 210). Content validity was used for item pool development and principal component analysis and analysis of variance were used to determine construct validity. Reliability was analysed using Cronbach’s Alpha. Results. The new measure demonstrated high internal consistency (alpha estimates = 0·89). Principal component analysis yielded a two-component structure that accounted for 45% of the total variance: Mothering-Choice (alpha estimates = 0·89) and Sympathy-Rights (alpha estimates = 0·72). Conclusion. These data provided initial evidence of the psychometric properties of the Pregnant Women with HIV Attitude Scale. Further analysis is required of the validity of the constructs of this scale and its reliability with various obstetric care providers.
Modeling musical anticipation: from the time of music to the music of time

This thesis studies musical anticipation, both as a cognitive process and design principle for applications in music information retrieval and computer music. For this study, we reverse the problem of modeling anticipation addressed mostly in music cognition literature for the study of musical behavior, to anticipatory modeling, a cognitive design principle for modeling artificial systems. We propose anticipatory models and applications concerning three main preoccupations of expectation: What to expect? How to expect? and When to expect? For the first question, we introduce a mathematical framework for music information geometry combining information theory, differential geometry, and statistical learning, with the aim of representing information content and gaining access to music structures. The second question is addressed as a machine learning planning problem in an environment, where interactive learning methods are employed on parallel agents to learn anticipatory profiles of actions to be used for decision making. To address the third question, we provide a novel anticipatory design for the problem of synchronizing a live performer to a pre-written music score, leading to Antescofo , a preliminary tool for writing of time and interaction in computer music. Despite the variety of topics present in this thesis, the anticipatory design concept is common in all propositions with the following premises: that an anticipatory design can reduce the structural and computational complexity of modeling, and helps address complex problems in computational aesthetics and most importantly computer music.
Natural second-order observers for second-order distributed parameter systems

The aim of this manuscript is to present an alternative method for designing state observers for second-order distributed parameter systems without resorting to a first-order formulation. This method has the advantage of utilizing the algebraic structure that second-order systems enjoy with the obvious computational savings in observer gain calculations. The proposed scheme ensures that the derivative of the estimated position is indeed the estimate of the velocity component and to achieve such a result, a parameter-dependent Lyapunov function was utilized to ensure the asymptotic convergence of the state estimation error.
Parallel-competitive reactions in a two-dimensional chaotic flow

Abstract A parallel-competitive reaction system, A+B 1 →2P and A+B 2 →2W, where A and B 1 are the reactants, B 2 is a reactive impurity, P is the desired product, and W is a byproduct, is simulated in a chaotic flow by solving the differential convection–diffusion–reaction equations. Three different flow conditions are investigated: a predominantly regular system, a globally chaotic flow, and an intermediate case that displays predominantly chaotic behavior but which has four small islands of regular flow. The time evolution and spatial distribution of species concentration depend strongly both on the nature of the flow and on the relative rates of the two reactions. Even in the globally chaotic flow, significant spatial heterogeneity exists throughout the duration of the reactive mixing simulation. Product and waste accumulate in different spatial regions, depending on the relative characteristic times of the two reactions. When the primary reaction is the faster one, waste tends to accumulate in local A-rich regions and the selectivity of product to waste is strongly affected by the degree of chaos in the system. On the other hand, when the side reaction is faster, waste accumulates in segregated regions which have local excesses of B 2 , but mixing has minimal effect on the quantity of waste produced.
The feasibility of normal mode constraints on higher degree structures

Case studies of four multiplets (υs-sensitive 1S7 and 1S8 and υp-sensitive 5S5 and 5S6) are considered to test the accuracy of normal mode constraints on aspherical structure at degrees above 2 (4,6,8). Analyses of misfit, along-branch consistency, and consistency with existing mantle models argue for the feasibility of constraints on higher structural degrees. Preliminary interpretation indicates a relative insensitivity of data misfits to dlnυp/dlnυs at degrees 6 and 8 in the lower mantle (perhaps due to inaccuracies in current δυs models), and provides weak evidence of some decorrelation between δυs and δυp in the middle and lower mantle.
History as a Laboratory

To demonstrate the fruitfulness of comparative methodology, the contributors present eight case studies drawn from anthropology, archaeology, history, political science, and sociology.
Integrating SAR and derived products into operational volcano monitoring and decision support systems

Remote sensing plays a critical role in operational volcano monitoring due to the often remote locations of volcanic systems and the large spatial extent of potential eruption pre-cursor signals. Despite the all-weather capabilities of radar remote sensing and its high performance in monitoring of change, the contribution of radar data to operational monitoring activities has been limited in the past. This is largely due to: (1) the high costs associated with radar data; (2) traditionally slow data processing and delivery procedures; and (3) the limited temporal sampling provided by spaceborne radars. With this paper, we present new data processing and data integration techniques that mitigate some of these limitations and allow for a meaningful integration of radar data into operational volcano monitoring decision support systems. Specifically, we present fast data access procedures as well as new approaches to multi-track processing that improve near real-time data access and temporal sampling of volcanic systems with SAR data. We introduce phase-based (coherent) and amplitude-based (incoherent) change detection procedures that are able to extract dense time series of hazard information from these data. For a demonstration, we present an integration of our processing system with an operational volcano monitoring system that was developed for use by the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO). Through an application to a historic eruption, we show that the integration of SAR into systems such as AVO can significantly improve the ability of operational systems to detect eruptive precursors. Therefore, the developed technology is expected to improve operational hazard detection, alerting, and management capabilities.
The area of cancer in transurethral resection specimens as a prognostic indicator in carcinoma of the prostate: a computer-assisted morphometric study.

Abstract We used a computerized interactive morphometric method to determine total area of tissue and total area of cancer in routinely stained sections from each of 79 cases of prostatic adenocarcinoma, diagnosed by transurethral resection (TURP). The ability of two morphometrically determined parameters (area of cancer and percent area of cancer) to predict survival was compared with results obtained from two estimates of tumor area commonly used in clinical practice (number of chips and percent of chips involved by cancer). Total Gleason score was also determined. All patients were diagnosed prior to 1981, allowing follow-up of at least 5 years, or until death. Using the Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, our two morphometrically determined parameters, as well as the percentage of chips involved by cancer and total Gleason score, were significant predictors of survival. In contrast, the total number of chips involved by cancer did not reach statistical significance as a predictive factor for survival. By using our morphometrically determined area measurements as a bench mark for clinical utility of area estimates of cancer in TURP specimens, we concluded that calculating the percentage of involved chips yields prognostic information that closely approaches the “ideal” of these more time-consuming computer-assisted techniques.
Immunofluorescence analysis of Ig determinants of mouse thymocytes and T cells.

Abstract Antisera prepared in chickens against purified mouse myeloma IgM contain antibodies directed at the surface immunoglobulin of murine B cells, and in addition contain a minor fraction reacting in indirect immunofluorescence with thymocytes, peripheral T-lymphocytes, and thymus-derived leukemia cell lines in culture. These antisera are tissue-specific, reacting exclusively with lymphocytes from spleen, lymph node, bone marrow and thymus. The immunofluorescence reaction for T as well as for B cells was inhibited by absorption with IgM but not other mouse immunoglobulin, suggesting a high degree of specificity of IgM. Absorption with thymocytes or T cell tumors removed all activity for T cells but left the capacity to stain B lymphocytes. Conversely, absorption with B cells removed all activity for B as well as for T cells. Since the chicken anti-IgM labeled cultured thymocytes and likewise three established thymus-derived leukemic tissue culture lines, the responsible Ig determinants most likely constitute intrinsic properties of T cell. Our observations are compatible with, do not prove the notion, that T cells express an immunoglobulin-like molecule on their surface which shares some but not all antigenic Ig determinants found on B cells.
A Neo-Whorfian Revisitation of Color Memory

Sunznary.-A neo-Whorfian viewpoint on the effects of color names on color memory was tested in two studies with 140 undergraduate subjects. The controlling conception was that stimulus shapes of objects which have characteristic colors (e.g., tomat-red) can function like labels when viewing conditions are difficult. Hypothesized effects were that recognition or reproduction of the colors of such shapes would tend toward the best typical choices for the primary color term linguistically associated with the object. Exps. 1 and 2 pitted the major hypothesis against a prediction derived from Brunet's perceptual theory that familiar shapes would induce reproduction of a color toward the average object color. Two colors, actual average object colors, and best typical instances of associated color terms were made the overlapping segments of a variable color mixer on which color matches were made. Target stimuli from the middle ranges of the overlapping color-wheel segments were tachistoscopically presented either as familiar "red" or "green" objects or as plain circular stimuli. Reproductions consistently averaged toward best instances of primary color terms "red" or "green" rather than toward average object colors. Alternative interpretations of the data are discussed.
Profile: The functions of the VCR in the home leisure environment

This study was designed to determine if VCR satisfaction, VCR use, and interpersonal communication about VCRs are related to three functions: home entertainment, displacement, and social utility. A survey of VCR households yielded 338 responses. Differential patterns were found across the three functions.
kin selection and culture

Social kinship is not equivalent to genetic relatedness, and it is social kinship that organizes much of human action. The soundness of this generalization does not imply that the theory of kin selection developed in evolutionary biology is inapplicable to culture. This paper uses data from Binumarien, a small Highland New Guinea community, to test a prediction from kin selection and to illustrate the use of sociobiological perspectives to explain culture, not explain it away. [culture and biology, kinship, inclusive fitness, social organization, sociobiology, Highland New Guinea]
The precautionary principle in managed relocation is misguided advice.

The subject of managed relocation (also known as assisted migration or assisted colonization) has become a hot topic in the ecological sciences as well as the biological management community. In reviewing the issue in a recent Opinion article in Trends in Ecology & Evolution [1xAssisted colonization is not a viable conservation strategy. Ricciardi, A. and Simberloff, D. Trends Ecol. Evol. 2009; 24: 248–253Abstract | Full Text | Full Text PDF | PubMed | Scopus (300)See all References][1], Ricciardi and Simberloff provide a thoughtful synopsis of our legacy of damage through species introductions and argue that ecologists do not know enough to engage in careful species translocations without incurring a significant risk of harm to the recipient communities. Although the legacy of human introductions does not inspire confidence, we consider the conclusions that Ricciardi and Simberloff derive from these observations to be ill-founded.The three of us have written and worked on the issue of managed relocation [2xA framework for debate of assisted migration in an era of climate change. McLachlan, J.S. et al. Conserv. Biol. 2007; 21: 297–302Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (447)See all References][2], and we differ in our concern about, and hope for, managed relocation as a conservation tool. One of us (M.W.S.) disagreed with Torreya Guardians (in 2005 and today) that the Florida torreya (Torreya taxifolia) should be translocated beyond its current range boundary [3xSee all References][3]. Despite this, the Torreya Guardians moved a federally listed endangered plant over 600 km without a single state or federal permit; and they were completely within their legal rights to do so. This action raises an important point: although managed relocation has potential risks and some ecologists might disagree with it in principle, it must be scientifically evaluated. Although it is possible that research will show that managed relocation should not be used, it should become an ‘ecological bandwagon’ because we do not want large-scale translocations to occur in a void of science policy. Rejecting strategies such as managed relocation based on the assertion that risk uncertainty is irreducible is equivalent to putting one's head in the sand.The precautionary principle has been historically useful in guiding conservation management, but global environmental change presents a different sort of problem. There are real risks of harm to biodiversity through inaction as well as action. The only way forward to confront unprecedented problems such as global anthropogenic climate change is careful risk analysis, including an honest evaluation of uncertainty and potential harm, along with broad public debate beyond the technical expertise of scientists and managers. We must engage in careful study of ethical, legal and biological issues surrounding the idea of managed relocation even if the ultimate conclusion is that it is the wrong approach to managing a difficult problem.
Fluoride catalysis at 175°C. of the reaction: Glycerol plus fatty acid

1. In uncatalyzed reactions the esterification of stearic, oleic, and linolenic acid proceeded at the same general rate though the speed was somewhat enhanced as the degree of unsaturation of the fatty acid increased. None of the reactions went to completion, after 15 hours being 72%, 83%, and 84%, respectively, completed. Only a small fraction of the distearate was converted to the triglyceride; a greater amount of the dioleate was esterified to the trioleate and about half the dilinolenate was changed to the trilinolenate. 2. Of 15 metallic fluorides studied, all afforded some catalysis, but only antimony trifluoride and zinc and cobalt fluorides were outstanding. Antimony trifluoride was the most active although in large amount it caused severe decomposition and charring of the products. Zinc fluoride had the best general properties, approaching antimony trifluoride yet causing practically no decomposition even in high concentration. Its activity was enhanced with an increase in amount, the best concentration apparently being 0.1 mole per 100 grams fatty acid. Antimony trifluoride was also better in larger amount within limits, but cobalt fluoride did not exhibit this property. 3. With zinc fluoride as catalyst the reactions of stearic, oleic and linolenic acids after 15 hours were 95%, 94%, and 92%, respectively, completed. At least three-fourths of the diglycerides were converted to triglycerides. From a study of reaction velocities, zinc fluoride caused the monoglyceride to form at a rate approximately four times that of the uncatalyzed reaction and the diglyceride at a six-fold rate. The triglyceride was formed at an almost undiminished rate whereas in the uncatalyzed reaction the formation of triglyceride was diminished rapidly. 4. Unsaturation and viscosity were not affected seriously in the presence of the fluorides except antimony trifluoride. Certain other fluorides caused severe darkening but without accompanying serious decomposition.
Heat transfer experiments for low flow of water in rod bundles

Abstract Heat transfer experiments are conducted for fully developed forced and natural flows of water through triangularly arrayed, seven uniformly heated rod bundles with P / D = 1.25, 1.38 and 1.5. For forced circulation experiments. Re ranges from 80 to 50000 and Pr from 3 to 8.5; while in natural circulation. Re varies from 260 to 2000, and Ra , from 8 × 10 6 to 2.5 × 10 8 . The forced flow data fall into two basic flow regimes : turbulent and laminar flow. At the transition between these regimes, Re T , which varies from 2200 for P / D = 1.25 to 5500 for P / D = 1.5, increases linearly with P / D . The turbulent heat transfer data is in good agreement (±15%) with Weisman's correlation, designed for fully developed turbulent flow in rod bundles at Re > 25 000. However, the laminar flow data shows the dependency of Nu on Re to be weaker than for turbulent flow. Natural circulation data indicates that rod spacing insignificantly affects heat transfer; for P / D = 1.38 and 1.5, Nu is correlated as Nu = 0.272. Ra 0.25 q .
Associations between obesity and serum lipid-soluble micronutrients among premenopausal women

Elucidating potential pathways that micronutrients may reduce/promote chronic disease may contribute to our understanding of the underlying etiology of disease and their utility as markers of risk. In the current study, we examined associations of serum lipid-soluble micronutrients with body mass index (BMI). We hypothesized that obesity may differentially influence serum micronutrient levels, thereby affecting risk for chronic disease incidence and mortality. Baseline serum samples from 180 premenopausal women from a nutritional trial were analyzed for leptin, C-reactive protein, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, carotenoids, and tocopherols. Participants were stratified into normal-weight (18.5-24.9), overweight (25-29.9), and obese (>or=30) subgroups by BMI (in kilograms per square meter). Differences in serum biomarkers among BMI subgroups were adjusted for Asian ethnicity and smoking status. As expected, obese individuals had significantly higher serum levels of leptin and C-reactive protein (Ps < .05) compared with normal-weight women. gamma-Tocopherol levels were significantly higher in obese individuals (P < .05), whereas alpha-tocopherol levels did not differ among BMI subgroups. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and carotenoids (except lycopene) were significantly lower in obese than in normal-weight women (Ps < .05). The associations between BMI and carotenoids were independent of dietary intake. The obesity-associated reduction for total provitamin A carotenoids (45%) was approximately 3-fold greater than that observed for non-provitamin A carotenoids (16%). Our results indicate potential influences of obesity on serum levels of lipid-soluble micronutrients and suggest that metabolism of provitamin A carotenoids may contribute to the differences observed.
Arbitrary poloidal gyroradius effects in tokamak pedestals and transport barriers

A technique is developed and applied for analyzing pedestal and internal transport barrier (ITB) regions in a tokamak by formulating a special version of gyrokinetics. In contrast to typical gyrokinetic treatments, canonical angular momentum is taken as the gyrokinetic radial variable rather than the radial guiding center location. Such an approach allows strong radial plasma gradients to be treated, while retaining zonal flow and neoclassical (including orbit squeezing) behavior and the effects of turbulence. The new, nonlinear gyrokinetic variables are constructed to higher order than is typically the case. The nonlinear gyrokinetic equation obtained is capable of handling such problems as collisional zonal flow damping with radial wavelengths comparable to the ion poloidal gyroradius, as well as zonal flow and neoclassical transport in the pedestal or ITB. This choice of gyrokinetic variables allows the toroidally rotating Maxwellian solution of the isothermal tokamak limit to be recovered. More importantly, we prove that a physically acceptable solution for the lowest order ion distribution function in the banana regime anywhere in a tokamak and, in particular, in the pedestal must be nearly this same isothermal Maxwellian solution. That is, the ion temperature variation scale must be much greater than the poloidal ion gyroradius. Consequently, in the banana regime the background radial ion temperature profile cannot have a pedestal similar to that of plasma density.
Spectral Sequences for the Classification of Extensions of Hopf Algebras

Abstract We construct spectral sequences which provide a way to compute the cohomology theory that classifies extensions of graded connected Hopf algebras over a commutative ring as described by William M. Singer. Specifically, for (A, B) an abelian matched pair of graded connectedR-Hopf algebras, we construct a pair of spectral sequences relatingH*(B, A) to Ext*,*B(R, Cotor*,*A(R, R)). To illustrate these spectral sequences, we examine the special case ofBa monogenic graded connected Hopf algebra and also analyze an extension of Hopf algebras given by James P. Lin.
Kinetics of phosphorus absorption byCorynebacterium bovis

The initial rate of phosphorus uptake by phosphorus-limited cells ofCorynebacterium bovis grown in batch culture and in a chemostat was measured with [32P] orthophosphate. It was dependent on the external phosphorus concentration and was inversely related to the amount of intracellular phosphorus. The relationship between the initial rate of uptake, intracellular phosphorus, and phosphorus concentration in the medium can be expressed in terms of Haldane's modification of the Michaelis-Menten equation.
Internal jugular phlebectasia.

Summary Varicose veins are a common venous anomaly, but rarer varieties also occur including phlebectasia, which is an abnormal dilatation of an isolated vein. Phlebectasia may affect any vein and is usually asymptomatic. When the internal jugular vein is involved, it presents as a cervical swelling that closely mimics the signs of either a pharyngocoele or a laryngocoele and, due to its rarity, is frequently misdiagnosed. A review of the English literature demonstrates that the diagnosis has generally been confirmed either by invasive contrast radiographic techniques, or surgical exploration, though many authors had made a tentative clinical diagnosis prior to surgical confirmation. No treatment is indicated for this benign self-limiting condition, except for the few patients who complain of symptoms and require surgical removal of the affected vein, and therefore, if a diagnosis cannot be made with certainty from the clinical features, investigations should be as non-invasive as possible, employing either a CAT scan or Digital Subtraction Angiography, though the latter is not yet universally available.
Time-dependent electron-impact scattering from He + using variable lattice spacings

Excitation and ionization cross sections are calculated for e-He{sup +} scattering at electron impact energies of 100, 200, and 300 eV, using a time-dependent close-coupling method that employs variable lattice spacings. The He{sup +} ionization cross section is found to be in good agreement with previous converged close-coupling calculations and experimental measurements. Excitation cross sections for 1s{yields}ns,np transitions in He{sup +} are presented for high n values well beyond the reach of available experimental measurements and previous nonperturbative theories. The relative difference between the nonperturbative close-coupling and the perturbative distorted-wave results is found to grow larger as the principal quantum number n is increased. This difference has important implications in the collisional-radiative modeling of many astrophysical and laboratory plasmas that use perturbation theory.
Pediatric Milliman and Robertson Length-of-Stay Criteria: Are They Realistic?

Objective. Guidelines for inpatient length of stay (LOS) have been developed by several groups; among the most widely applied are those published by Milliman and Robertson (M&R). Few published reports have examined the relationship of actual practice to such guidelines, none in pediatric populations. This study was designed to compare pediatric practice in a large and defined population to M&R LOS criteria. Methods. Administrative data from New York State in 1995 were used to examine LOS for discharges corresponding to 16 selected pediatric diagnoses for which M&R publishes guidelines. Outliers, defined as the 2% of discharges with the longest LOS, were eliminated. The distribution of LOS for each diagnosis was compared with M&R LOS guidelines. Results. In New York State during 1995, pediatric LOS was markedly divergent from M&R guidelines. In general, the percentage of discharges in excess of the criterion LOS was less for nonmandatory admissions (croup: 23%, gastroenteritis: 44%, and pneumonia: 48%) than for those requiring surgery (uncomplicated appendectomy: 67%, pyloromyotomy: 62%, and major but noncritical burns: 64%) or prolonged treatment with antibiotics (bacterial meningitis: 91% and osteomyelitis: 86%). Conclusions. In New York State during 1995, LOS for selected pediatric conditions was generally in excess of published M&R guidelines. This raises concern about the potential effects of such guidelines on both patients and the hospitals caring for them. While endorsing the need for cost-effective practice, we call attention to the methods used to develop and validate guidelines. length of stay, pediatrics, managed health care, administrative data, practice guidelines.
Who is accountable for racial equity in health care

RACIAL DISPARITIES ARE A UBIQUITOUS FEATURE OF THE US medical landscape, with health care delivery substantially segregated by race/ethnicity. Recent evidence from hospitals, nursing homes, and physicians’ offices suggests that those caring for minority patients do not perform as well as those who care for nonminority patients, on average. This evidence is troubling but hardly surprising because the limited resources of those who care for the poor have helped to create and sustain racial disparities. As the United States enters an era of accountability in health care, it is time to consider these familiar circumstances from a new perspective.
The State-of-the-ARPES

10.1080/08940886.2012.720158-F0001 Figure 1: Generic ARPES experimental set-up. Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, or ARPES, is a preeminent tool for determining the electronic structure of...
The TAIPEI Rectifier—A New Three-Phase Two-Switch ZVS PFC DCM Boost Rectifier

A new, three-phase, two-switch, power-factor-correction (PFC) rectifier that can achieve less than 5% input-current total harmonic distortion (THD) and features zero-voltage switching (ZVS) of all the switches over the entire input-voltage and load ranges is introduced. The proposed rectifier also offers automatic voltage balancing across the two output capacitors connected in series, which makes it possible to use downstream converters designed with lower voltage-rated component that offer better performance and are less expensive than their high-voltage-rated counterparts. In addition, the proposed rectifier also exhibits low common-mode EMI noise. The performance of the proposed rectifier was evaluated on a 2.8-kW prototype with a 780-V output that was designed to operate in 340-520-VL-L, RMS input-voltage range.
Pearl S. Buck and the East and West Association: The Trajectory and Fate of “Critical Internationalism,” 1940–1950

The East and West Association was formed during World War II with the aim of aiding the Allied war effort in Asia by helping Americans understand the culture and concerns of the people of China and India. Led by the novelist and political activist Pearl S. Buck, the association soon developed what the author calls a “critical internationalism” perspective, working against colonialism and racism in Asia and in the United States during World War II and expanding that work to include a critique of the Cold War in the following years. While the association did not have a major impact on United States policy during the 1940s, its efforts provided one model of how to mobilize United States public opinion on international affairs, and an analysis of its perspectives can help historians and activists distinguish between very different types of “internationalisms.”
CN force predication model in milling of carbon fiber reinforced polymers

Fiber reinforced polymers are widely used in the transportation, aerospace and chemical industries. In rare instances these materials are produced net-shape, and secondary processing such as machining and assembly may be required to produce a finished product. Because fiber reinforced polymers are heterogeneous materials, they do not machine in a similar way to metals. Thus, the theory of metal machining is not valid for the analysis of machining of fiber- reinforced composites. Previous attempts in modeling this problem have adopted Merchant's theory from metal cutting by assuming that chip formation takes place in a shear plane which inclination angle is determined by the minimum energy principle. This class of models showed that model predictions are valid only for fiber orientations less than 60°. The work presented here focuses on providing predictive models for the cutting forces in unidirectional composites. The models are based on the specific cutting energy principle and account for a wide range of fiber orientations and chip thickness. Results from two forms of non-linear modeling methods, non-linear regression and committee neural networks, were compared. It was found that committee neural networks provide better prediction capability by smoothing and capturing the inherent non-linearity in the data. The model predictions were found to be in good agreement with experimental results over the entire range of fiber orientations from 0 to 180°.
EXTERNAL NET ACID BALANCE (NAB) IN INFANTS WITH CHRONIC DIARRHEA CONSEQUENT TO ACQUIRED GLUCOSE INTOLERANCE (AGI)

A close relationship exists between the presence of a watery and acidic diarrhea and the development of metabolic acidosis in AGI infants. With the objective to identify possible mechanisms of acidosis, 12 malnourished infants, 2 to 17 months old were studied during 3 to 4 days, by the NAB technique, divided in : Group 1 - infants with diarrhea, glucose in stools, and acidosis; Group 2 - infants who tolerated formula feedings well and free of acidosis. Endogenous acid production (AP) was significantly higher in group 1: 3.69 ± 1.92 vs 0.45 - 1.70 mEq/kg/day (p < .002). Urinary excretion of sulfate was similar in both groups and organic acids (OA) were higher in group 1 (p < .05). Absorbed undetermined anions (UA) were significantly different between the groups, positive in group 2, representing base gained : 1.65 ± 1.80 mEq/kg and negative in group 1, representing produced and gained acid: -022 ± 1.85 mEq/kg (p < .05). Urinary net acid excretion (NAE) was similar in both groups, observing group 1 who had inappropriated high urinary pH and bicarbonaturia. We concluded that the metabolic acidosis was conditioned largely by the overproduction of intestinal OA as well as urinary excretion of AO as salts. Impairment in NAE was the factor responsible for maintaining systemic acidosis in group 1.