cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reversible Gelation in Semidilute Aqueous Solutions of Associative Polymers: A Small-Angle Neutron Scattering Study

Thermally reversible gelation in 1% aqueous solutions of poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(propylene oxide)-b-poly(ethylene oxide)-g-poly(sodium acrylate) has been observed. The transition that occurs as the temperature is increased through the gelation threshold (Tgel) is clearly observable by rheological and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements. SANS measurements suggest that within the hydrogel there exists an unusually uniform matrix of scattering centers, attributed to close packing of micelle-like aggregates surrounded by highly hydrated poly(sodium acrylate) and unassociated ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymer. The physical cross-linking caused by these scattering centers induces gelation. Direct model fits to the SANS data suggest that the scattering centers are similar in structure, but somewhat smaller than micelles of the poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(propylene oxide)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) component, with a dehydrated poly(propylene oxide) core of radius 30 A surrounded by a hydrate...
The Shaping of America, 1850–1915

Abstract The appearance of the third volume in Donald Meinig's magisterial historical geography of the Americas is a major publishing event. To mark the occasion, the editors of the Journal of Historical Geography invited Professor Meinig to deliver a special lecture on his ambitious project at the 1998 Annual Meeting of the Association of American Geographers in Boston. The following is the text of his presentation. It is followed by two commentaries also delivered in Boston, by Cole Harris and Carville Earle.
Major right-lateral faulting in the Franciscan assemblage of northern California in late Tertiary time

A minimum of 75 km of right-lateral fault displacement occurred within the Franciscan assemblage of northern California, most likely in late Tertiary time. This displacement is inferred from the present position of two geologically unrelated units, the rocks near Black Lassie, California, and the Redwood Creek schist. The Black Lassie rocks show at least 75 km of northward displacement from their source terrane within the Coast Range ophiolite. Although no conclusive evidence of northward transport for the Redwood Creek schist is available, the geologic setting of the schist and the nature of the faults that bound it strongly suggest that the Redwood Creek schist has also been laterally transported many tens of kilometres northward. We propose that both these units moved northward by means of one or a few major north-northwest–trending right-lateral faults that were active in the forearc basin off the California coast during right-oblique subduction of the Farallon plate under the North American plate in late Tertiary time.
Expression of rat striatal D1 and D2 dopamine receptor mRNAs: Ontogenetic and pharmacological studies

Abstract The developmental characteristics of D1 and D2 dopamine receptor mRNA levels were determined by Northern blot analyses. Striatal D1 and D2 receptor mRNAs of male Fischer 344 rats were about 60% of adults levels at postnatal day 1 and reached their highest measured levels at day 30 (126–139% adults levels) and then decreased by day 120 (100%). D1 and D2 receptor densities at day 30 were about 8-fold higher than at day 1, while mRNA levels showed only a 2-fold increase. The highest level of D2 receptor mRNA in midbrain as reached at day 14 (195% adult level) while levels at day 1 were 31% higher than dose at day 120. Treatment with selective D2 receptor antagonist, haloperidol (0.5 mg/kg/day, s.c., for 2 h, 7, 14, 21 days or 21 days + 3 days withdrawal) had no effect on Sprague-Dawley rat striatal D2 receptor mRNA levels in spite of significant increases in receptor density at the later time points. However, the selective D1 receptor antagonist, SCH 23390 (0.5 mg/kg/day, s.c.) produced increases in striatal D1 receptors and mRNA levels after treatments of 7, 14 and 21 days + 3 days withdrawal.
Lattice dynamics of cubic zinc sulfide

Abstract Dispersion curves for the acoustic phonons have been measured in the [100], [111], and [110] directions by neutron scattering. The zone boundary frequencies have been used to reassign multi-phonon events previously reported from infrared and Raman spectra. The data are compared with a preliminary six-parameter valence force model.
Validation of a WAIS algorithm for the early onset of dementia.

A WAIS algorithm was developed to distinguish between the onset of dementia and depression. Seven WAIS subtests were given to 148 patients whose diagnosis was doubtful. They were classified after a minimum of 1 yr. later as dementia (n = 50) or as depression (n = 98). The algorithm, developed from a discriminant function analysis, indicates dementia if the Vocabulary scaled score is greater than or equal to double the Block Design scaled score. The algorithm predicted 74% of the dementias and 74.5% of the depressions, for an over-all prediction rate of 74.3% (110 of 148 cases). These results indicate that the algorithm, if cross-validated, may be a useful adjunctive diagnostic tool in the differential diagnosis of early dementia from depression.
Utilization and Impact of Repeat Biopsy for Follicular Lesion/Atypia of Undetermined Significance

The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (BSRTC) created a new diagnostic category, follicular lesion/atypia of undetermined significance (FLUS/AUS). The recommended management of FLUS/AUS lesions is repeat biopsy to re-classify the lesion and guide therapy. Prior surgical studies suggest a higher than expected malignancy rate for FLUS/AUS. The present study evaluates a large institutional experience with all FLUS/AUS lesions analyzing use and impact of repeat biopsy. A total of 322 patients with FLUS/AUS cytology have been retrospectively identified since adoption of the BSRTC (2/2009–6/2012). Patient demographics, the results of clinical follow-up, repeat biopsy, or surgical pathology results were evaluated. Among the 322 patients, 16 had concurrent cytology of higher acuity and were excluded. For the remaining 306 patients, 101 (33 %) underwent repeat biopsy, yielding 49 (48.5 %) with FLUS/AUS, 43 (42.5 %) with benign cytology, and 9 (9 %) with higher acuity cytology. Among the 205 patients without repeat biopsy, 117 (57 %) chose thyroidectomy, and 88 (43 %) are being observed. Overall, 170/306 (55.6 %) patients underwent surgery to remove the index lesion, yielding a malignancy rate of 16.5 %. In contrast, the malignancy rate for the entire cohort was 28/306 (9 %). Repeat biopsy was underutilized in FLUS/AUS cases. Repeat biopsy allows a significant proportion of FLUS/AUS patients without other indications for surgery to move to surveillance. In patients who have indications for thyroidectomy regardless of FLUS/AUS results, repeat biopsy does not appear necessary. Malignancy and thyroidectomy rates were similar among patients who did or did not have a repeat biopsy. Further data must be obtained to determine the long-term outcomes for surveillance of FLUS/AUS lesions in patients who do not undergo surgical removal.
Chromatic and luminance sensitivity in diabetes and glaucoma.

The effects of glaucoma and diabetes on the sensitivities of the opponent and achromatic systems were investigated by measuring thresholds along theoretically defined axes in a three-dimensional color space. Thresholds were measured along two equiluminant chromatic axes and one achromatic axis in patients with diabetes or glaucoma and in glaucoma suspects. The results were compared with measures of sensitivities of short- and middle-wavelength-sensitive-cone pathways [S (Stiles π1) and M (Stiles π4), respectively] and with measures of hue discrimination by use of the Farnsworth–Munsell 100-hue test. The glaucoma suspects and diabetic patients showed preferential S-cone-pathway sensitivity losses. For glaucoma patients, however, these losses were associated with significant decreases in the sensitivity of the L–M opponent system and with decreased sensitivity to achromatic contrast.
Respiratory health status of gilsonite workers

Gilsonite, a solidified hydrocarbon used in the manufacture of automotive body seam sealers, is mined only in the Uinta Basin of Eastern Utah and Western Colorado. Health effects of gilsonite dust exposure have not previously been published and exposure to gilsonite dust is not regulated. To examine potential respiratory health effects associated with gilsonite dust exposures, this cross-sectional study surveyed the 100 current male employees who had been exposed to gilsonite dust at 3 existing gilsonite companies. Total dust exposures up to 28 times the nuisance dust standard were found, and 5 of 99 (5%) workers had chest radiographs consistent with pneumoconiosis of low profusion. Increased prevalences of cough and phlegm were found in workers with high-exposure jobs, but no evidence for dust-related pulmonary function impairment was noted. To prevent pulmonary health effects, we recommend reducing dust exposures for those workers in jobs currently characterized by relatively high dust exposures.
Hypertension in Pregnancy: Diagnosis and Treatment

Hypertension affects 10% of pregnancies in the United States and remains a leading cause of both maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Hypertension in pregnancy includes a spectrum of conditions, most notably preeclampsia, a form of hypertension unique to pregnancy that occurs de novo or superimposed on chronic hypertension. Risks to the fetus include premature delivery, growth retardation, and death. The only definitive treatment of preeclampsia is delivery. Treatment of severe hypertension is necessary to prevent cerebrovascular, cardiac, and renal complications in the mother. The 2 other forms of hypertension, chronic and transient hypertension, usually have more benign courses. Optimal treatment of high blood pressure in pregnancy requires consideration of several aspects unique to gestational cardiovascular physiology. The major goal is to prevent maternal complications without compromising uteroplacental perfusion and fetal circulation. Before an antihypertensive agent is prescribed, the potential risk to the fetus from intrauterine drug exposure should be carefully reviewed.
Offering Appropriate Information Technologies at Different Stages in the Customer Service Life Cycle for Improved Service Delivery

The service sector is growing in importance in the US, particularly in B2B contexts. Despite this, research in these areas lags behind manufacturing and B2C studies. The purpose of this article is to begin addressing this issue by looking at how information technology can improve service delivery in B2B contexts by looking at the fit between the CSLC and a mix of customer contact technology modes. Specifically, we look at how Web 2.0 technologies facilitate interorganizational communication even for small and medium businesses by providing a wider variety of technologies at a lower cost. This allows businesses to use technology to reduce business customer uncertainty and equivocality, hence improving the quality of their service delivery. Due to the increasing use of the Internet as a source of communication and the evolution of customer expectations, this is becoming an increasingly important research topic. Propositions and implications are presented.
A generalized family-based association test for dichotomous traits.

Recent advances in genotyping technology make it possible to utilize large-scale association analysis for disease-gene mapping. Powerful and robust family-based association methods are crucial for successful gene mapping. We propose a family-based association method, the generalized disequilibrium test (GDT), in which the genotype differences of all discordant relative pairs are utilized in assessing association within a family. The improvement of the GDT over existing methods is threefold: (1) information beyond first-degree relatives is incorporated efficiently, yielding substantial gains in power in comparison to existing tests; (2) the GDT statistic is implemented via a robust technique that does not rely on large sample theory, resulting in further power gains, especially at high levels of significance; and (3) covariates and weights based on family size are incorporated. Advantages of the GDT over existing methods are demonstrated by extensive computer simulations and by application to recently published large-scale genome-wide linkage data from the Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium (T1DGC). In our simulations, the GDT consistently outperforms other tests for a common disease and frequently outperforms other tests for a rare disease; the power improvement is > 13% in 6 out of 8 extended pedigree scenarios. All of the six strongest associations identified by the GDT have been reported by other studies, whereas only three or four of these associations can be identified by existing methods. For the T1D association at gene UBASH3A, the GDT resulted in a genome-wide significance (p = 4.3 × 10−6), much stronger than the published significance (p = 10−4).
Can Increases in CHIP Copayments Reduce Program Expenditures on Prescription Drugs

OBJECTIVE The primary aim is to explore whether prescription drug expenditures by enrollees changed in Alabama's CHIP program, ALL Kids, after copayment increases in fiscal year 2004. The subsidiary aim is to explore whether non-pharmaceutical expenditures also changed. DATA SOURCES Data on ALL Kids enrollees between 1999-2007, obtained from claims files and the state's administrative database. STUDY DESIGN We used data on children who were enrolled between one and three years both before and after the changes to the copayment schedule, and estimate regression models with individual-level fixed effects to control for time-invariant heterogeneity at the child level. This allows an accurate estimate of how program expenditures change for the same individual following copayment changes. Primary outcomes of interest are expenditures for prescription drugs by class and brand-name and generic versions. We estimate models for the likelihood of any use of prescription drugs and expenditure level conditional on use. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Following the copayment increase, the probability of any expenditure decline by 5.8%, brand name drugs by 6.9%, generic drugs by 7.4%. Conditional on any use, program expenditures decline by 7.9% for all drugs, by 9.6% for brand name drugs, and 6.2% for generic drugs. The largest declines are for antihistamine drugs; the least declines are for Central Nervous System agents. Declines are smaller and statistically weaker for children with chronic health conditions. Concurrent declines are also seen for non-pharmaceutical medical expenditures. CONCLUSIONS Copayment increases appear to reduce program expenditures on prescription drugs per enrollee and may be a useful tool for controlling program costs.
Diabetes Mellitus Increases the Risk of Active Tuberculosis: A Systematic Review of 13 Observational Studies

Background Several studies have suggested that diabetes mellitus (DM) increases the risk of active tuberculosis (TB). The rising prevalence of DM in TB-endemic areas may adversely affect TB control. We conducted a systematic review and a meta-analysis of observational studies assessing the association of DM and TB in order to summarize the existing evidence and to assess methodological quality of the studies.
Complementary neural representations for faces and words: A computational exploration

A key issue that continues to generate controversy concerns the nature of the psychological, computational, and neural mechanisms that support the visual recognition of objects such as faces and words. While some researchers claim that visual recognition is accomplished by category-specific modules dedicated to processing distinct object classes, other researchers have argued for a more distributed system with only partially specialized cortical regions. Considerable evidence from both functional neuroimaging and neuropsychology would seem to favour the modular view, and yet close examination of those data reveals rather graded patterns of specialization that support a more distributed account. This paper explores a theoretical middle ground in which the functional specialization of brain regions arises from general principles and constraints on neural representation and learning that operate throughout cortex but that nonetheless have distinct implications for different classes of stimuli. The account is supported by a computationalsimulation, in the form of an artificial neural network, that illustrates how cooperative and competitive interactions in the formation of neural representations for faces and words account for both their shared and distinctive properties. We set out a series of empirical predictions, which are also examined, and consider the further implications of this account.
PARAMO: A PARAllel predictive MOdeling platform for healthcare analytic research using electronic health records

Abstract Objective Healthcare analytics research increasingly involves the construction of predictive models for disease targets across varying patient cohorts using electronic health records (EHRs). To facilitate this process, it is critical to support a pipeline of tasks: (1) cohort construction, (2) feature construction, (3) cross-validation, (4) feature selection, and (5) classification. To develop an appropriate model, it is necessary to compare and refine models derived from a diversity of cohorts, patient-specific features, and statistical frameworks. The goal of this work is to develop and evaluate a predictive modeling platform that can be used to simplify and expedite this process for health data. Methods To support this goal, we developed a PARAllel predictive MOdeling (PARAMO) platform which (1) constructs a dependency graph of tasks from specifications of predictive modeling pipelines, (2) schedules the tasks in a topological ordering of the graph, and (3) executes those tasks in parallel. We implemented this platform using Map-Reduce to enable independent tasks to run in parallel in a cluster computing environment. Different task scheduling preferences are also supported. Results We assess the performance of PARAMO on various workloads using three datasets derived from the EHR systems in place at Geisinger Health System and Vanderbilt University Medical Center and an anonymous longitudinal claims database. We demonstrate significant gains in computational efficiency against a standard approach. In particular, PARAMO can build 800 different models on a 300,000 patient data set in 3 h in parallel compared to 9 days if running sequentially. Conclusion This work demonstrates that an efficient parallel predictive modeling platform can be developed for EHR data. This platform can facilitate large-scale modeling endeavors and speed-up the research workflow and reuse of health information. This platform is only a first step and provides the foundation for our ultimate goal of building analytic pipelines that are specialized for health data researchers.
Strong supervision from weak annotation: Interactive training of deformable part models

We propose a framework for large scale learning and annotation of structured models. The system interleaves interactive labeling (where the current model is used to semi-automate the labeling of a new example) and online learning (where a newly labeled example is used to update the current model parameters). This framework is scalable to large datasets and complex image models and is shown to have excellent theoretical and practical properties in terms of train time, optimality guarantees, and bounds on the amount of annotation effort per image. We apply this framework to part-based detection, and introduce a novel algorithm for interactive labeling of deformable part models. The labeling tool updates and displays in real-time the maximum likelihood location of all parts as the user clicks and drags the location of one or more parts. We demonstrate that the system can be used to efficiently and robustly train part and pose detectors on the CUB Birds-200-a challenging dataset of birds in unconstrained pose and environment.
Rocket Measurements of the Visible Dayglow

Recent rocket measurement of the spectrum and altitude distribution of the visible dayglow are reviewed. The current theory of the daygolw is discussed in the light of these data and the results of new laboratory studies on atomic processes of aeronomic interest. The important role played by solar radiation in the excitation of the visible dayglow is illustrated in a detailed discussion of the emission of the (0, 0) negative band of N2+ and the red line (6300A) of atomic oxygen in the dayglow.
Modeling the Biosphere–Atmosphere System: The Impact of the Subgrid Variability in Rainfall Interception

Subgrid variability in rainfall distribution has been widely recognized as an important factor to include in the representation of land surface hydrology within climate models. In this paper, using West Africa as a case study, the impact of the subgrid variability in rainfall interception on the modeling of the biosphere‐atmosphere system is investigated. According to the authors’ results, when neglecting the rainfall spatial variability, even if the impact on the total evapotranspiration is negligible, significant errors may result in the representation of surface hydrological processes and surface energy balance. These findings are consistent with the results of previous studies. However, in this paper, this issue is further explored and it is demonstrated that the extent of the resulting errors is not limited to the land surface processes. They extend to the atmosphere via the low-level cloud feedback to impact solar radiation, boundary layer energy, atmospheric circulation, and the distribution of precipitation. The same errors also propagate into the biosphere through vegetation dynamics and can eventually lead to a significantly different biosphere‐atmosphere equilibrium state. This study provides a good example for the need to have physical realism in modeling the subgrid variability and most other details of the complex biosphere‐ atmosphere‐ocean system.
Using Pin as a memory reference generator for multiprocessor simulation

In this paper we describe how we have used Pin to generate a multithreaded reference stream for simulation of a multiprocessor on a uniprocessor. We have taken special care to model as accurately as possible the effects of cache coherence protocol state, and lock and barrier synchronization on the performance of multithreaded applications running on multiprocessor hardware.We first describe a simplified version of the algorithm, which uses semaphores to synchronize instrumented application threads and the simulator. We then describe modifications to that algorithm to model the microarchitectural features of the Itanium2 that affect the timing of memory reference issue. An experimental evaluation determines that, while our methods enable accurate simulation, the use of semaphores has negative impact on the performance of the simulator.
Low power Bluetooth for headset applications

Bluetooth headsets demand high radio performance at extreme low power consumption. A Bluetooth (BT) transceiver implemented in a 0.5 /spl mu/m BiCMOS process is supplied at 1.8 V and consumes less than 24mA when receiving and less than 18mA when transmitting. The receiver has -91dBm sensitivity and best-in-class blocker performance. Architecture, circuits and radio performance are reviewed. A Bluetooth headset based on this transceiver consumes 12mA in a 64kb/s HV3 voice link, has 10h talk time and weighs only 14g.
What Is the Rule of Law and Why Is It So Important

A state governed by the rule of law describes a state where both private and public powers are removed from the administration of justice and are regulated by law. The rule of law serves the public good of the community as a whole. It is a system where laws rule and not men. The law determines what is necessary in a society to prevent domination and oppression and to promote the common good. As people seek justice through law, the rule of law comes at first from men itself, because men obey rules they believe to be just and arise against ones they consider unjust. The value of the rule of law lies in the fact that it prevents arbitrary judgments, secures justice, and prevents tyranny and oppression. It limits the power of those who have authority. The government must first control the people and then it must be obliged to control itself. It must therefore be stable and constitutional and it can therefore be implied that some states are not ready to implement the rule of law, because the governments cannot be trusted. The author argues that the most important step towards the rule of law is when judges are independent of executive and legislative powers. Constant attention to the combination of powers in a state is required, because only in this way can laws be created for the common good. Law must be separated from arbitrary power.
Atrioventricular nodal reentry: evidence supporting an intranodal location.

Abstract The exact site of the reentrant circuit in AV nodal reentry remains controversial. While recent ablative techniques have yielded information, the interpretation of which suggests that the atrium is required, other explanations for these interpretations are available. Prior pathophysiological studies with three-dimensional reconstruction of the node suggest that it is a highly anisotropic structure and extends through Koch's Triangle. Data from humans suggesting the atria are not necessary include the presence of AV dissociation during supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), depolarization of atrial tissue surrounding the node without affecting SVT, pacing induced AH intervals exceeding those during SVT, and site dependency of a critical AH interval (exceeding atrial refractoriness) that is required for initiation of AV nodal reentry.
Activated photothermal heating using croconaine dyes

Laser-induced photothermal heating is promoted by dyes or nanoparticles that strongly absorb light and convert it into heat. The best known near-infrared absorbing systems are gold nanorods and nanocages. The alternative strategy of using organic dyes to absorb the laser light has several inherent advantages due to the small molecular size and potential synthetic flexibility, but a major drawback is rapid photothermal bleaching. Here, we report three important findings: (a) near-infrared croconaine dyes exhibit outstanding properties for high performance photothermal heating; including an intense and narrow absorption band at around 800 nm, high chemical, photo- and thermal stability, very efficient relaxation to the ground state, and very low oxygen photosensitization ability. (b) Photothermal heating obeys the Beer–Lambert law (1 − 10−A) and sample heating reaches an asymptotic limit when chromophore absorbance values are greater than ∼1. (c) Croconaine dyes form red-shifted encapsulation complexes which allows the realization of molecular recognition induced activated photothermal heating, a broadly applicable nanoscale design concept that employs chemical or supramolecular processes to switch on laser-induced hyperthermia.
Convex synthesis of controllers for consensus

We develop convex conditions that are necessary and sufficient for the existence of a controller that yields a closed loop that achieves consensus. The conditions generate controllers with no particular communication structure, but with optimal /spl Hscr//sub 2/ performance on the non-consensus part of the closed loop. We further explore the conditions to impose topology on the interconnection structure generated by the controllers. This is achieved by restricting a certain Lyapunov matrix to be block diagonal, in order to produce convex synthesis results.
Multilevel data structures: models and performance

A stepwise method of deriving the high-performance implementation of a set of operations is proposed. This method is based on the ability to organize the data into a multilevel data structure to provide an efficient implementation of all the operations. Typically, for such data organization the performance may deteriorate over a period of time and that can be corrected by reorganizing the data. This data reorganization is done by the introduction of maintenance processes. For a particular example, the multilevel data organization and the different models of maintenance processes possible are considered. The various models of maintenance process provide varying amounts of concurrency by varying the degree of atomicity in different operations. Performance behavior for the different models is derived and a correctness proof for the developed implementation is outlined. >
Flooding the Courtrooms: Law and Water in the Far West

This legal biography of the California cattle company Miller & Lux illuminates the relationship between law, economic change, and the distribution of wealth and power. It examines law in an environment undergoing rapid development, where the rules governing resources, especially water, were in contention. From the 1870s through the 1930s, Miller & Lux looked to the law to mediate its place amid change. This entailed the hiring of corporate counsel, a new concept for late-nineteenth-century America, and the creative development and use of new legal doctrines. The actions of its lawyers and managers and those of the opponents and judges it faced reveal the complex, dialectical interplay between legal and economic power. Impressively researched from a labyrinth of primary source, Flooding the Courtrooms is an absorbing history of Miller & Lux and its influence in the shaping of the West.
Superior electro-optic response in multiferroic bismuth ferrite nanoparticle doped nematic liquid crystal device

A superior electro-optic (E-O) response has been achieved when multiferroic bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3/BFO) nanoparticles (NPs) were doped in nematic liquid crystal (NLC) host E7 and the LC device was addressed in the large signal regime by an amplitude modulated square wave signal at the frequency of 100 Hz. The optimized concentration of BFO is 0.15 wt%, and the corresponding total optical response time (rise time + decay time) for a 5 μm-thick cell is 2.5 ms for ~7 V(rms). This might be exploited for the construction of adaptive lenses, modulators, displays, and other E-O devices. The possible reason behind the fast response time could be the visco-elastic constant and restoring force imparted by the locally ordered LCs induced by the multiferroic nanoparticles (MNPs). Polarized optical microscopic textural observation shows that the macroscopic dislocation-free excellent contrast have significant impact on improving the image quality and performance of the devices.
Using a Field Analytical Approach to Accelerate Site Assessments

Prior to 1950 the environment was viewed as an untamed beast that required development so that “civilized” people could inhabit it. Analytical methods were limited and rarely if ever applied to the environment for measurement of contamination. Worker safety was determined in mining by the canary approach — if the canary died when sent into the mine then it was considered unsafe for workers.
52: Validation of the 30-Minute Rule at the University of Minnesota Medical Center: An Institutional Perspective

Blood components must be maintained within stipulated temperature ranges when stored in the blood bank and upon release to patient units. For years it has been assumed that red blood cell (RBC) units maintain an appropriate temperature for at least 30 minutes after release from blood bank control. This generalized 30-minute rule has been used to allow reshelving of blood products returned to the blood bank within 30 minutes of release. Until …
Seismic studies: South central Illinois earthquake of November 9, 1968

Abstract The largest earthquake to occur in the central Mississippi seismic region this century took place in south central Illinois on November 9, 1968. The hypocenter and origin time based on observations from twelve regional stations varying in epicentral distance from 171 to 549 km, are 37.95°N, 88.48°W, h = 25 km, 0 = 17 h 01 m 42.0 s ± 0.2 s . Travel times of P at stations distant less than 2600 km indicate regional mantle variations, corresponding to rays bottoming at depths down to 650 km. Beyond this point travel times show a much smaller dependence, if any, on region. For stations in the central United States P times may be fitted by two straight line branches which intersect at about 600 km. The first branch corresponds to P n , the second to rays refracted from a surface at depth 97 km with a velocity below it of 8.37 km/sec. At larger distances (48°-100°) there are non-azimuth dependent residuals with respect to the Herrin Tables averaging about −1.5 sec, indicating a source-region correction with respect to these tables. Body wave magnitude was determined to be m b = 5.54 ± 0.44 for stations for which Δ > 25°, and m b = 5.44 ± 0.29, using Evernden9s formula, for P n in eastern North America. Surface waves give a value M s = 5.2. The fault plane solution determines two nodal planes each striking approximately north-south and dipping 45° to the east and to the west, respectively. This corresponds to dip slip, reverse motion, and to a horizontal east-west axis of compressional stress. While there are no mapped faults in the immediate epicentral region, the motion indicated is in conformity to that along the Wabash Valley Fault System 10 miles to the east.
Book Review: Seymour Hersh: Scoop Artist, by Robert Miraldi

Seymour Hersh: Scoop Artist. Robert Miraldi. Lincoln, NE: Potomac Books, 2014. 415 pp. $34.95.Seymour Hersh, one of America's pre-eminent investigative journalists, took it as a mantra that before he could write, he had to read. Like others before him, notably including Ida Tarbell and I. F. Stone, Hersh immersed himself in documents, both public and secret, when trying to unravel a mystery.This method also works well for Hersh's biographer, Robert Miraldi, a professor of journalism at the State University of New York at New Paltz, who previously produced an award-winning biography of muckraker Charles Edward Russell. To write the first substantial biography of Hersh, Miraldi apparently gathered and read not only everything written by his subject, but also every interview given by or about him.In addition to mining the documents, Hersh famously, or infamously, pried much newsworthy information from sources both willing and reluctant (Henry Kissinger being a notably silent exception). In contrast, although Miraldi long sought to persuade Hersh to sit for interviews for Seymour Hersh: Scoop Artist, he could never close the deal; Hersh dislikes having the spotlight focused on himself instead of his work. Yet Miraldi seems content to rely on snippets of e-mails and personal observations of his quarry at public appearances, noting that he was "sort of glad" not to have had real access. Too much closeness can bias a researcher. Freedom allowed Miraldi to form his judgments without being concerned by how those judgments might affect any relationship with Hersh or anyone interviewed for the book.The result is a good thing. Miraldi's book, while understandably light in its treatment of Hersh's private life, relentlessly dissects Hersh's methods, results, and, to a lesser extent, motivations.The book begins with Hersh's biggest story, the revelations of a massacre by U.S. troops of South Vietnamese civilians at the village of My Lai. Then it retreats to Hersh's first journalism work and progresses forward through each major investigation, concluding with the abuses at Abu Ghraib and the post-911 world.Strengths include Miraldi's graceful yet encyclopedic reconstruction of Hersh's many undertakings, cementing Hersh's reputation as one of the most influential and dangerous journalists of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, who has long deserved an in-depth biography. It includes a mostly positive assessment of Hersh's pursuit of elusive facts and remote sources, such as his strategy for finding Lieutenant William Calley at a massive Army base to get the interview that would crack the My Lai cover-up.It also examines Hersh's ethics, or lack thereof, as Miraldi documents Hersh's bullying, threatening, and lying to his sources as a way to pry open government secrets, all the while justifying it as both journalistic routine and an appropriate means to an end. …
Analysis of Topsoil Water-heat Dynamic and Energy-saving and Pollution-reducing on Flatten Cultivation Maize

In order to develop low-carbon agriculture,discuss the effect of maize low-carbon cultivation technology on food security,the large-plot contrast test was conducted to analyze the topsoil temperature and moisture dynamic and compare yield of flatten and ridge cultivation maize.The result showed that at the early growth stage when the field not covered by leaves flatten topsoil was more beneficial to moisture conservation than that of ridge one.After inter-tillage there was no difference in moisture content between flatten and ridge topsoil.Topsoil temperature of flatten field rose or went down slowly than ridge so flatten field could resist chilling and heat damage better than ridge one.There was no difference in yield between flatten and ridge cultured maize.Flatten culturing could save diesel oil about 22.2 L·hm-2 according to survey data.Flatten cultured maize will be an effective technical measure for low carbon agriculture to deal with climate change.
Responding to the Challenges of Diversity, 1640–60

If the eyes of all Englishmen, or at least English puritans, had followed the shaping of the New England Way in the 1630s, the eyes of the colonists were focused on the extraordinary expressions of lay involvement in religion during the decades of England’s Interregnum. In addition to offering their own advice on how their native land should be reformed, the colonists had to deal with the charge that it was New England that was the source of the heresies of the day, while also dealing with the importation of ideas that many considered threatened the order of the churches that they had established. Meanwhile, English Congregationalists, freed from the threat of a Presbyterian national church, were challenged to develop their own course for advancing a reformed kingdom. If the main focus of earlier puritanism had been defining itself against Roman Catholicism and the remnants of that faith found in the Church of England, the new need was to come to terms with radical puritanism.
Head Nodding Seizures and O.Volvulus Infestation

Head nodding (HN) syndrome, a new epilepsy disorder in sub-Sahara Africa, is described in 62 patients studied prospectively at the University of Ulm, Germany; Haydom Lutheran Hospital, Tanzania; and other centers in Austria, Tanzania, and Canada.
Strain sensing of printed carbon nanotube sensors on polyurethane substrate with spray deposition modeling

Abstract The unique mechanical and electrical properties of carbon nanotubes represent a potential for developing a piezo-resistive strain sensor for smart structures. This study demonstrated a new processing technique of multi-walled carbon nanotube strain sensors with tunable strain gauge factors. A digital-controlled spraying-evaporation deposition process that uses a 12-array bubble jet nozzle attached to a digital x-y plotter combined with a heated substrate which induces evaporation of the solvent was developed. The demonstrated fabrication technique has advantages such as high efficiency, low cost and scalability. The experimental results showed that the prepared carbon nanotube strain sensors are capable of measuring strains through highly linear electrical resistance change. The gauge factors of the fabricated strain sensors could be easily tuned by controlling the number of printed layers of carbon nanotubes. In this work, strain sensors were fabricated with printed carbon nanotube layers ranging from 10 to 50 layers and strain gauge factors were measured in a range of 0.61–6.42. Moreover, the dynamic loading test results revealed that the printed carbon-nanotube strain sensors exhibited excellent durability and stability at cyclic strain. These superior sensing capabilities of the fabricated CNT sensors make them a promising candidate for wearable smart electronics and structural health monitoring applications.
Two New Devices for Identifying Electrochemical Reaction Intermediates with Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry.

Desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI-MS) previously has been used to capture and identify transient intermediates in electrochemical redox reactions on a platinum-covered rotating waterwheel. We present here two different setups that use a flat surface with porous carbon tape as the working electrode, where analyte-containing microdroplets from the DESI probe contacted with electrolyte supplied onto the surface. One setup had the conducting carbon tape in the form of a grooved inclined plane; the other one was in the form of a flat plane that had the conducting carbon tape as its front surface. Both these setups, which were relatively robust and easy to operate, overcame interference from the electrospray sheath gas that disturbs and dries the flowing electrolyte. By using the inclined-plane device, we observed radical cations and dimer species generated in the electrochemical oxidation of triphenylamine, diimine and imine alcohol in the electrochemical oxidation of uric acid, and th...
Mechanics of a String

We start this book with arguably the simplest theory of a deformable elastic body - that of a string or, as it is also known, a one-dimensional continuum. Our motivation is the development of a theory that can accommodate a range of effects such as gravity, spatial discontinuities in velocity, applied forces which are concentrated at a point, large displacements and stretches, and nonlinear material behavior. This theory is used to develop models for a variety of problems ranging from chains to conveyor belts and bungee cords to hanging cables. Initially a wide range of kinematical results are established. Then, the balance laws are presented and a methodology for using these laws to establish the equations governing the motions of both inextensible and elastic strings is presented.
Risks, Benefits, and Patients’ Treatment Decisions at the End of Life

Medicine’s traditional doctor-oriented paternalism has declined rapidly in most Western countries. The rising level of the general public’s education and the simultaneous assertion of personal rights have prompted patients to demand more involvement than ever before in decisions about their care. Many patients want both information and decision-making authority. Numerous studies document this new attitude: Many patients say they want some control, partial or full, over treatment decisions, and only a few patients say they want to maintain sole doctor control. Patient autonomy has, therefore, become medicine’s dominant decision-making ethic, making patient assessments of treatments critically important in end-of-life care.
Comparative Graph Model for Facial Recognition Systems

Template-Based face recognition methods have some limitation for the key points which are used for detection based on the common areas in facial images. One disadvantage of using a template-based method is that not all valuable key points are used. Nodes that are outside the areas that are sought with a template will be overlooked. Some of these key points can provide a more accurate description of the face. Using a method that compares training images against each other rather than a template helps to incorporate all key points of interest for a particular person. By comparing all images against each other, to seek similarity based on distances and repetitive nodes, a node map can be built. This is the foundation for the Comparative Graph Model (CGM). By adjusting a required threshold for repetition and allowable distance among nodes, the algorithm can build a node map solely based on similarity of images across training data.
Performance of denitrification beds for removing nitrate from drainage water at cold temperatures

Abstract. Transport of soluble nitrogen and phosphorus to water bodies has been a concern for many years due to human health issues and is a major contributor to the formation of oxygen deficiency in aquatic ecosystems. Agricultural subsurface drainage is one pathway for transport of excess nutrients to surface water. Compared to other BMPs, denitrification beds (woodchip bioreactors) provide a practical solution with low maintenance and comparable expenses. The objective of this research is confirm justification for enhancing denitrification bed performance at cold temperatures by supplementing readily available carbon (i.e., acetate), and adding cold-adapted and metabolically-active bacteria to bioreactors. We retrofitted an existing bioreactor into eight woodchip beds, providing a unique replicated experiment that allows flow control and microbial manipulation. Water samples were collected during May and June 2016 for each woodchip bed. Nitrate load reduction ranged from 0.4% to 8.7% at inflow temperatures ranging from 7.5°C to 9.3°C. This shows that there is a need for a strategy to boost nitrate removal from drainage water at cold temperatures. Therefore, we will enhance nitrate removal by supplementing readily available carbon (i.e., acetate) and adding cold-adapted and metabolically-active bacteria to bioreactors. The applied significance of this research is that it will optimize bioreactor performance and enhance the quality of agricultural drainage water.
A Case of Erythema Nodosum with Coccidioidomycosis.

Erythema nodosum (EN) is associated with many systemic diseases and infections. This casereport provides an image of erythematous nodules, an overview of the various causes of EN, andthe laboratory tests and imaging that can be done in the emergency department to narrow its broaddifferential diagnosis.
Teaching Neuro Images : Interferon-induced psoriasis flare in a multiple sclerosis case remits with dimethyl fumarate.

A 26-year-old woman with a history of psoriasis diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (Expanded Disability Status Scale score 1) received SC interferon β-1a as first-line treatment. Interferon was discontinued 4 months later, following a dramatic psoriasis flare with plaques in upper and lower extremities (figure, A–C) and manifestation of Koebner phenomenon along abdominal injection sites (figure, C). Switch to oral dimethyl fumarate (DMF) resulted in complete remission within 14 months (figure, D–F), and the patient remained relapse-free for the last 3 years under DMF treatment. Our case is consistent with the association of multiple sclerosis with psoriasis1 and the overlapping efficacy of fumaric acid esters in both conditions.2
Communicating Vaccine Risks and Benefits

Physicians spend significant amounts of time discussing vaccine safety concerns with patients and parents. Nonetheless, many physicians lack access to specific training and resources on communicating vaccine risks and benefits. This chapter provides the following: (1) an overview of vaccine risk communication strategies and barriers for primary-care physicians (pediatrics, family and internal medicine) in communicating with their patients and patients’ parents, and (2) resources and best practices that can be used to improve vaccine-related risk–benefit communication.
A hybrid plastic flow rule for cyclically loaded clay

Abstract The strength loss of clays subjected to seismic loading is a crucial factor promoting slope instability. This paper proposes a constitutive modeling strategy to simulate accurately the development of pore pressure in cyclically loaded clays, i.e. one major factor responsible for strength deterioration during earthquakes. For this purpose, an enhanced plastic flow rule is proposed within the bounding surface framework to represent the cyclic behavior of reconstituted and/or weakly structured clays. The verification of the model against experimental evidence shows that the proposed flow rule improves the accuracy with which sign and magnitude of the pore pressure increments are computed.