cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design synthetic reasoning: A methodology for mechanical design

Design synthetic reasoning is a methodology to support the process of design synthesis and includes within its scope support for associated processes of design verification, behavior derivation, and function justification. The design synthesis of machines is viewed as the development of a specification of required behavior, and transformation of the specification into the description of a structure (or assembly) of machine components. In this paper, the process of design synthesis is modeled as a sequence of applications of transformation rules. These rules either respecify, elaborate, reduce, or reformulate the expression of required behavior, and ultimately allow matching and selection of structurally compatible machine components and relationships from a design library. The specification of required behavior for a simple rotary actuator is developed and progressively transformed to synthesize the structures of two different patented rotary actuating devices. The ability of both devices to produce the required behavior is verified, and the property of self-locking for both the devices is derived from the structure descriptions. The functions (purposes) of components and relationships in each device are extracted from the trace of transformation rules applied during the verification and derivation process for each device.
Initial impact of Medicare's nonpayment policy on catheter-associated urinary tract infections by hospital characteristics.

Abstract Aims and objectives The goal of this study was to evaluate the trend in urinary tract infections (UTIs) from 2005 to 2009 and determine the initial impact of Medicare's nonpayment policy on the rate of UTIs in acute care hospitals. Background October 2008 commenced Medicare's nonpayment policy for the additional care required as a result of hospital-acquired conditions, including catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). CAUTIs are the most common form of hospital-acquired infections. Methods Rates of CAUTIs were analyzed by patient and hospital characteristics at the hospital level on a quarterly basis, yielding 20 observation points. October 2008 was used as the intervention point. A time series analysis was conducted using the 2005–2009 Nationwide Inpatient Sample datasets. A repeated measures Poisson regression growth curve model was used to analyze the rate of CAUTIs by hospital characteristics. Results The annual rate of CAUTIs continues to rise; however the annual rate of change is starting to decline. The change in rate of CAUTIs was not significantly different before and after the policy's payment change. The results of the adjusted time series analysis show that various hospital characteristics were associated with a significant decline in rate of CAUTIs in quarters 16–20 (after the policy implementation) compared to the rate in time 1–15 (before the policy implementation), while other characteristics were associated with a significant increase in CAUTIs. Conclusions Medicare's nonpayment policy was not associated with a reduction in hospitals’ CAUTI rates. The use of administrative data, improper coding of CAUTIs at the hospital level, and the short time period post-policy implementation were all limitations in this study.
On the nature of pairing in the two-dimensional t-J model

Abstract Using an extended dynamical cluster approximation, we study the nature of superconductivity in the two-dimensional t – J model. Short-ranged correlations within a finite cluster are treated explicitly, while the effects of longer-ranged physics are incorporated on the mean-field level with self-consistent Fermionic and Bosonic fields. To solve this cluster problem, we employ a non-crossing approximation which allows for transitions to the symmetry-broken state. At sufficiently low temperatures we find a stable superconducting solution with d-wave order parameter. Upon pairing, the exchange energy is lowered, consistent with an exchange-based pairing mechanism.
Synthesis, solid state structure, and variable-temperature NMR spectroscopy of the primary vinylidene complex [Cp*(DPVP)2RuCCH2]PF6, Cp*η5-C5Me5, DPVPPh2PCHCH2

Abstract The primary vinylidene complex [Cp*(DPVP)2RuCCH2]PF6 (Cp*η5-C5Me5, DPVPPh2PCHCH2) was prepared by reaction of [Cp*Ru(η1-DPVP)(η3-DPVP)]PF6 with HCCSiMe3. The complex was characterized by X-ray crystallography, room temperature 1H, 13C{1H}, and 31P{1H} NMR spectroscopy, and variable-temperature 31P{1H} and 1H{31P} NMR spectroscopy. The vinylidene barrier to rotation is very low (⩽6.7 kcal mol−1).
Downlink energy-efficient multiuser beamforming with individual SINR constraints

Transmit beamforming in multiuser wireless systems is typically designed to minimize the transmit power subject to signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) constraints, or maximize the SINR with a total transmit power constraint. However, transmit power is only one part of the total power consumption during the transmission. Circuit power, incurred by devices and signal processing, also needs to be taken into account. In this paper, we consider energy efficiency as the objective function, which can be defined as the number of information bits per unit energy usage. We design the beamforming vectors to maximize energy efficiency with individual SINR constraints for each user. A zero-gradient-based energy-efficient multiuser downlink beamforming algorithm is developed which optimizes the normalized beamforming vectors and the transmitted powers jointly for each user. A simpler method of power allocation among users, with the normalized beamforming vectors given, is also described when the interference among users can be eliminated. Based on this power allocation approach, an additional iterative beamforming algorithm is presented. Simulation results show the advantages of the proposed energy-efficient multiuser beamforming algorithms over traditional downlink beamforming schemes.
Beyond the thermal set point: Significance of the compensatory temperatures of water vapor condensation in biological interactions

This communication reports for the first time a link that has gone unrecognized between the compensatory temperatures of water vapor condensation and the thermal set point in interacting biological systems, where the bound unavailable energy TΔS° = 0, that is ΔH°(TS)(−) and ΔG°(TS)(−)min intersect. In addition to determining the unique thermal set point for water vapor, which falls at 260 K, our results indicate that in any biological interaction, the thermal set point must fall between the limits defined by the compensatory temperatures of water vapor, that is between 30 and 380 K, where ΔH°(Th)(+) ≅ TΔS°(Th)(+) at (Th) and ΔH°(Tm)(−) ≅ TΔS°(Tm)(−) at (Tm) or (Tcond). Only between these limits, where ΔG°(T) = 0, is the net chemical driving force favorable for biological interaction to occur. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Predictions of quasi-periodic and chaotic motions in nonlinear Hamiltonian systems

Abstract In this paper, the mechanism of chaotic motion in nonlinear Hamiltonian systems is discussed based on the KAM theory and resonance overlap criterion. The internal resonances and the corresponding chaotic motions are determined analytically for weak interactions. A numerical method based on the energy spectrum is presented for prediction of quasi-periodic and chaotic motions in nonlinear Hamiltonian systems. The presented numerical method can be applied to integrable, nonlinear Hamiltonian systems with many degrees of freedom. A 2-DOF integrable, nonlinear Hamiltonian system is investigated as an example for demonstration of the procedure to numerically determine the chaotic motion in nonlinear Hamiltonian systems. Finally, the Poincare mapping surfaces of chaotic motions for such nonlinear Hamiltonian systems are illustrated. The phase planes, displacement surfaces (or potential domains), and the velocity surfaces (or kinetic energy domains) for the chaotic and quasi-periodic motions are illustrated. The analytical estimates of regular and chaotic motions in nonlinear Hamiltonian systems need to be further investigated. The mathematical theory should be developed for a better prediction of chaotic and quasi-periodic motions in nonlinear Hamiltonian systems with many degrees of freedom.
Political Advertising and the Older Electorate

An experimental study involving samples of young and old voters examines whether older people are more susceptible to various types of political advertisements (positive versus negative and ambiguous versus clear) than are their younger counterparts. Our results extend research from cognitive psychology into political advertising and confirm age-related differences that favor younger people. The results are mixed regarding the persuasive impact of political advertisements. Specifically, younger people actually show greater attitudinal vulnerability and the oldest voters show the greatest behavioral vulnerability.
Hierarchical design of composite materials with negative stiffness inclusions using a Bayesian network classifier

Recent research in the field of composite materials has shown that it is theoretically possible to produce composite materials with macroscopic mechanical stiffness and loss properties that surpass those of conventional composites. This research explores the possibility of designing and fabricating these composite materials by embedding small volume fractions of negative stiffness inclusions in a continuous host material. Achieving high stiffness and loss from these materials by design, however, is a nontrivial task. This paper presents a hierarchical multiscale material model for these materials, coupled with a set-based, multilevel design approach based on Bayesian network classifiers. Bayesian network classifiers are used to map promising regions of the design space at each hierarchical modeling level, and then the maps are intersected to identify sets of multilevel or multiscale solutions that are likely to provide desirable system performance. Length scales range from the behavior of the structured microscale negative stiffness inclusions to the effective properties of mesoscale composite materials to the performance of an illustrative macroscale component — a vibrating beam coated with the high stiffness, high loss composite material.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Nanotechnology for surgeons

At first glance it might appear that nanomedicine is irrelevant to surgery as it is practiced today, as surgery is generally concerned with the manipulation of decidedly macroscopic devices. However, surgery as a discipline is obviously not limited to clinical procedures, but dovetails with parallel medical therapeutics. Consequently, methodologies that can enhance overall perioperative care are important. An alternative view is that nanomedicine is perhaps destined to put surgeons out of certain kinds of business--much as minimally invasive techniques including invasive radiology have progressively infringed on clinical areas that were once the purview of more conventional surgical approaches. As is often the case, the truth is somewhere in the middle. In any event nanotechnology certainly has the potential to affect the field. It is important to understand that potential and how it can be harnessed.
What is Relative Confirmation

It is commonly acknowledged that, in order to test a theoretical hypothesis, one must, in Duhem's phrase, rely on a "theoretical scaffolding" to connect the hypothesis with something measurable. Hypothesis-confirmation, on this view, becomes a three-place relation: evidence E will confirm hypothesis H only relative to some such scaffolding B. Thus the two leading logical approaches to qualitative confirmation-the hypothetico-deductive (H-D) account and Clark Glymour' s bootstrap account-analyze confirmation in relative terms. But this raises questions about the philosophical interpretation of the technical conditions these accounts describe. What does it mean to say that E confirms H "relative to B"? How should we interpret the relation we are trying to analyze? The answer to this question must lie largely in how "confirmation-relativeto-B" is to inform rational belief. The relationship between relative confirmation and belief-worthiness may not be all there is to relative confirmation. But if an account of relative confirmation is to have any interest, there should be circumstances in which the fact that E confirms H relative to B should provide reason for believing H. Thus one question that must be answered, if we are to understand fully what we are doing in relative confirmation theory, is "when does the fact that E confirms H relative to B constitute reason for belief in ('real confirmation' of) H"?1 Now it clearly cannot be that one should take E to provide a reason for believing H whenever there is some B or other relative to which E confirms H. It is only if B meets certain conditions that confirmation relative to it will provide reason for belief. Just what those conditions are, however, is not obvious. Moreover, writers developing relative confirmation theories have surprisingly little to say on this question (though their arguments often seem to presuppose one or another answer to the question).
Prescription of physical activity by adult nurse practitioners: a national survey.

Abstract A national objective as outlined in Healthy People 2000 is to increase to 50% the proportion of primary care providers who routinely counsel clients about use of physical activity as a means to promote health. Results of this random national survey suggest that adult nurse practitioners are meeting the Healthy People 2000 objective by routinely counseling clients about physical activity.
Counseling and Psychotherapy as Moral and Spiritual Practice: Facing a Major Paradigm Shift.

Blakeney and Blakeney offer a metatheoretical perspective for counseling and therapy that gives primacy to developmental issues and to understanding the worldview of the client. Their thinking adds to the growing paradigm shift currently occurring in the counseling field. This article further demonstrates the holistic and integrative nature and potential of the Blakeney framework, using Developmental Counseling and Therapy (DCT) as a method of translation. The authors offer a framework that challenges the notion of “higher” forms of knowledge, emphasizing instead multiperspctive thought and life-span cognitive-developmental processes.
SPECIES CO-OCCURRENCE: A META-ANALYSIS OF J. M. DIAMOND'S ASSEMBLY RULES MODEL

J. M. Diamond's assembly rules model predicts that competitive interactions between species lead to nonrandom co-occurrence patterns. We conducted a meta-analysis of 96 published presence–absence matrices and used a realistic “null model” to generate patterns expected in the absence of species interactions. Published matrices were highly nonrandom and matched the predictions of Diamond's model: there were fewer species combinations, more checkerboard species pairs, and less co-occurrence in real matrices than expected by chance. Moreover, nonrandom structure was greater in homeotherm vs. poikilotherm matrices. Although these analyses do not confirm the mechanisms of Diamond's controversial assembly rules model, they do establish that observed co-occurrence in most natural communities is usually less than expected by chance. These results contrast with previous analyses of species co-occurrence patterns and bridge the apparent gap between experimental and correlative studies in community ecology.
A Study of The Effects of Computerized Multimedia Technology on Anatomical and Physiological Concept Retention

Abstract Computerized multimedia educational software has been developed for many disciplines but not for teaching clinical dietetics. The effectiveness of incorporating multimedia technology into lectures on anatomical and physiological concepts was studied using a pre-test/post-test format and cross-over design. Two groups of students (N=44) enrolled in a clinical nutrition class were given a pre-test that included normal and pathological lower gastrointestinal anatomy and physiology. Six consecutive lessons were taught to both groups using the traditional lecture format and identical lesson plans. The experimental group lectures were enhanced with color, sound, and motion using computerized multimedia images, animations, and the Internet. After three lectures, the presentation styles were switched between the groups to complete the cross-over design. A post-test using identical questions from the pre-test was administered after the completion of all six lectures. Significant improvement (p
“An Educated and Intelligent People Cannot be Enslaved”: The Struggle for Common Schools in Antebellum Spartanburg, South Carolina

As the political conflict over slavery's fate in the West intensified through the summer of 1849, Peter M. Wallace, editor of the Spartanburg Carolina Spartan, vowed that he was “utterly opposed now and forever to all political compromises” on the issue of slavery. Significantly, Wallace connected the success of such southern resistance to the improvement of South Carolina's free schools. The Carolina Spartan's columns, the editor explained, “will be open to the advocates of a more liberal but judicious appropriation of the public money” for common schooling because “an educated and intelligent people, cannot be enslaved.” Wallace was one of many antebellum Spartanburg leaders who linked schooling with southern nationalism and used slavery as a metaphor for dependence on northern institutions. In the process, these men espoused what historians often view as a very un-southern idea—liberal government support for public education—and contrasted it with an image central to the definition of southern white republicanism—the ignorant slave.
Statistical learning in a serial reaction time task: access to separable statistical cues by individual learners.

The ability of adult learners to exploit the joint and conditional probabilities in a serial reaction time task containing both deterministic and probabilistic information was investigated. Learners used the statistical information embedded in a continuous input stream to improve their performance for certain transitions by simultaneously exploiting differences in the predictability of 2 or more underlying statistics. Analysis of individual learners revealed that although most acquired the underlying statistical structure veridically, others used an alternate strategy that was partially predictive of the sequences. The findings show that learners possess a robust learning device well suited to exploiting the relative predictability of more than 1 source of statistical information at the same time. This work expands on previous studies of statistical learning, as well as studies of artificial grammar learning and implicit sequence learning.
Cefotetan-Induced Hemolytic Anemia After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

The sleeve gastrectomy is one of several effective bariatric procedures, for morbid obesity. The use of prophylactic perioperative antibiotics in gastrointestinal operations has become standard of care, as it has been shown to reduce surgical site infections. Commonly recommended prophylactic antibiotics include a second or third generation cephalosporin such as cefazolin (Ancef, Kefzol), cefoxitin (Mefoxin) and cefotetan (Cefotan). However, cephalosporins have emerged as a leading cause of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, with cefotetan and ceftriaxone topping the list. To increase awareness of this rare but potentially fatal phenomenon, we present a case of cefotetan-induced, hemolytic anemia in a patient who had recently undergone a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity. J Curr Surg. 2014;4(2):52-54 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jcs210w
Deadtime correction for two multihead Anger cameras in 131I dual-energy-window-acquisition mode.

Two side-by-side energy windows, one at the photopeak and one at lower energy, are sometimes employed in quantitative SPECT studies. We measured the count-rate losses at moderately high activities of 131 I for two multihead Anger cameras in such a dual-window-acquisition mode by imaging a decaying source composed of two hot spheres within a warm cylinder successively over a total of 23 days. The window locations were kept fixed and the paralyzable model was assumed. In addition, for the Picker Prism 3000 XP camera, the source was viewed from three different angles separated by 120° and the final results are from an average over these three angles. For the Picker camera, the fits to the data from the individual windows are good (the mean of the squared correlation coefficient equals 0.98) while for the Siemens Multispect camera fits to the data from head 1 and from the lower-energy, monitor window are relatively poor. Therefore, with the Siemens camera the data from the two windows are combined for deadtime computation. Repeated autopeaking might improve the fits. At the maximum count rate, corresponding to a total activity of 740 MBq (20 mCi) in the phantom, the multiplicative deadtime correction factor is considerably larger for the Picker than for the Siemens camera. For the Picker camera, it is 1.11, 1.12, and 1.12 for heads 1–3 with the photopeak window and 1.10 for all heads with the lower-energy monitor window. For the Siemens camera, the combined-window deadtime correction factor is 1.02 for head 1 and 1.03 for head 2. Differences between the deadtime correction factor for focal activity and for the total activity do not support the hypothesis of count misplacement between foci of activity at these count rates. Therefore, the total-image dead time correction is recommended for any and all parts of the image.
PHM is required for normal developmental transitions and for biosynthesis of secretory peptides in Drosophila.

Abstract To understand the roles of secretory peptides in developmental signaling, we have studied Drosophila mutant for the gene peptidylglycine α- hydroxylating monooxygenase ( PHM ). PHM is the rate-limiting enzyme for C-terminal α-amidation, a specific and necessary modification of secretory peptides. In insects, more than 90% of known or predicted neuropeptides are amidated. PHM mutants lack PHM protein and enzyme activity; most null animals die as late embryos with few morphological defects. Natural and synthetic PHM hypomorphs revealed phenotypes that resembled those of animals with mutations in genes of the ecdysone-inducible regulatory circuit. Animals bearing a strong hypomorphic allele contain no detectable PHM enzymatic activity or protein; ∼50% hatch and initially display normal behavior, then die as young larvae, often while attempting to molt. PHM mutants were rescued with daily induction of a PHM transgene and complete rescue was seen with induction limited to the first 4 days after egg-laying. The rescued mutant adults produced progeny which survived to various stages up through metamorphosis (synthetic hypomorphs) and displayed prepupal and pupal phenotypes resembling those of ecdysone-response gene mutations. Examination of neuropeptide biosynthesis in PHM mutants revealed specific disruptions: Amidated peptides were largely absent in strong hypomorphs, but peptide precursors, a nonamidated neuropeptide, nonpeptide transmitters, and other peptide biosynthetic enzymes were readily detected. Mutant adults that were produced by a minimal rescue schedule had lowered PHM enzyme levels and reproducibly altered patterns of amidated neuropeptides in the CNS. These deficits were partially reversed within 24 h by a single PHM induction in the adult stage. These genetic results support the hypothesis that secretory peptide signaling is critical for transitions between developmental stages, without strongly affecting morphogenetic events within a stage. Further, they show that PHM is required for peptide α-amidating activity throughout the life of Drosophila. Finally, they define novel methods to study neural and endocrine peptide biosynthesis and functions in vivo.
Novel structural model of reversed micelles: The open water-channel model

According to the classical model of reversed micelles, any water molecules present are solubilized in the micellar core. Here the authors report unique findings on the nanostructure of reversed micellar aggregates obtained by proton magnetic resonance ({sup 1}H NMR) spectroscopy and molecular simulation. {sup 1}H NMR measurements of the chemical shift of water protons indicate that solubilized water can exist in different environments in reversed micellar systems. The molecular modeling shows that water molecules can be localized in channels within the surface of some rodlike micellar aggregates, thereby confirming the open water-channel model of reversed micelles. This finding has significant implications regarding the physicochemical properties and technological applications of reversed micelles.
Donnan dialysis matrix normalization for the voltammetric determination of metal ions

Abstract The efficacy of Donnan dialysis for removal of interferences by surfactants, complexing agents, and electroactive organic compounds on anodic stripping voltammetry and differential pulse polarography is demonstrated. Up to at least 0.05% gelatin and 0.005% Triton X-100 do not alter the rate of dialysis of Cd(II), Pb(II), Zn(II), and Cu(II). As the ion-exchange membrane is not permeable to the surfactants, subsequent voltammetric determinations can be performed by a working curve method. Recoveries of metals from a variety of real samples were generally above 90%. The presence of humic acid (50 mg l -1 ) does not alter the transport of Cu(II), Pb(II), or Cd(II) from pH 3 solution but does at pH 8. The transport is related to the free and labile-complexed ion concentration which suggests that Donnan dialysis can be used for speciation as well as for enrichment and matrix normalization.
Fate of a Genetically Modified Bacterium in Foregut of Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

Abstract Symbiotic control is a new strategy being investigated to prevent the spread of insect-transmitted pathogens by reducing vector competence. We are developing this strategy to reduce the spread of Xylella fastidiosa by Homalodisca vitripennis (Germar) [formerly Homalodisca coagulata (Say)] (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), the glassy-winged sharpshooter. In this study, the fate of a transformed symbiotic bacterium, Alcaligenes xylosoxidans variety denitrificans (S1Axd), in the foregut of glassy-winged sharpshooter when fed on citrus (Citrus spp.) and grape (Vitris spp.) was assessed. TaqMan-based quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect and quantify bacterial cells remaining in the foregut at 0, 2, 4, 9, and 12 d after acquisition. S1Axd titer dropped rapidly by 2 d after acquisition, but in spite of this, at end of the 12-d experimental period, 45 and 38% of the glassy-winged sharpshooters retained the transformed bacteria, when fed on grape and citrus, respectively.
ESR analysis of gamma radiation dose rate effects on scintillator light output

Abstract Samples of a commercial PVT scintillator, Bicron-499-35, were gamma irradiated with various dose rates to 10 mrads with a 60 Co source while exposed to air during and after irradiation. Radical intensities and light outputs were measured afterwards. In a coordinated manner, the former decreased while the latter increased over a 5 to 7 day-period. More importantly, the radical concentration just after irradiation decreased with decreasing log (dose rate) in a similar manner as the light outputs. The results can be partly explained as a balance of radical production and secondary reaction rates, but a more complete understanding is required, especially to explain the strong log-linear relationship.
Tradeoffs between false sharing and aggregation in software distributed shared memory

Software Distributed Shared Memory (DSM) systems based on virtual memory techniques traditionally use the hardware page as the consistency unit. The large size of the hardware page is considered to be a performance bottleneck because of the implied false sharing overheads. Instead, we show that in the presence of a relaxed consistency model and a multiple writer protocol, a large consistency unit is generally not detrimental to performance. We study the tradeoffs between false sharing and aggregation effects when using large consistency units. In this context, this paper makes three separate contributions:1. We document the cost of false sharing in terms of extra messages and extra data being communicated. We find that, for the applications considered, when the virtual memory page is used as the consistency unit, the number of extra messages is small, while the amount of extra data can be substantial.2. We evaluate the performance when the consistency unit is increased to a multiple of the virtual memory page size. For most applications and data sets, the performance improves, except when the false sharing effects include extra messages or a large amount of extra data.3. We present a new algorithm for dynamically aggregating pages. In our algorithm, the aggregated pages do not necessarily need to be contiguous. In all cases, the performance of our dynamic aggregation algorithm is similar to that achieved with the best static page size.These results were obtained by measuring the performance of eight applications on the TreadMarks distributed shared memory system. The hardware platform used is a network of 166Mhz Pentiums connected by a switched 100Mbps Ethernet network.
Excess Lactate: An Index of Reversibility of Shock in Human Patients

"Excess lactate," an indicator of oxygen debt, has been studied as a metabolic index of severity of the shock state in human patients. The levels of excess lactate correspond to severity of circulatory failure, and an excess of more than 4 millimoles per liter prognosticates a fatal outcome. The validity of this index was confirmed by studies on experimental hemorrhagic shock in dogs. It provides a parameter for measurement of "reversibility" and serves as an objective clinical guide.
Long-term efficacy of percutaneous thermal ablation for patients with recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma.

Long-term efficacy of percutaneous thermal ablation for patients with recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma
Small sample relative performance of the spline smooth survival estimator

The spline smooth survival estimator of Klotz is compared by simulation with the Kaplan-Meier product limit estimator and the empirical Bayes estimator of Van Ryzin, Susarla, and Rai. Using integrated mean square error, the spline smooth estimator is seen to perform better than the Kaplan-Meier estimator for a variety of distributions and censoring percentages. The comparison with the estimator of Van Ryzin Susarla and Rai is less clear and is sometimes better and sometimes worse.
Nonideal elasticity in liquid crystal elastomers

Nematic elastomers undergo a phase change from an orientationally ordered nematic phase to a disordered isotropic phase when subjected to a temperature change. It is shown that such a phase change is both entropically and energetically driven. Isostrain data on a liquid crystal elastomer material is analyzed in terms of classical rubber elasticity theory. By separating the contributions to the total elastic restoring force into energetic and entropic components, the role of internal energy is assessed and shown to be significant.
Characterization and Attenuation of Sandwiched Deadband Problem Using Describing Function Analysis and Its Application to Electro-Hydraulic Systems Controlled by Closed-Center Valves

Sandwiched deadbands can be seen in a wide variety of systems, such as electro-hydraulic systems controlled by closed-center valves. In such a system, the deadband is between the plant and actuator dynamics and therefore can not be compensated directly like an input deadband. Though this sandwiched deadband problem may be attenuated to certain degree through sophisticated advanced control techniques, the increased cost and the necessity of actuator state feedback prohibit their widespread application in the industry. An economical and popular method is to add an inverse deadband function in the controller to cancel or compensate the highly nonlinear behavior of the deadband. However, such a solution requires that the dynamics before the deadband (eg. the valve dynamics) is fast enough to be neglected — a requirement that can not be met in reality unless the closed loop bandwidth of the overall system is limited very low. To raise the achievable closed loop bandwidth for a much improved control performance, it is essential to be able to precisely characterize the effect of this sandwiched deadband on the stability and performance of the overall closed-loop system, which is the main focus of the paper. Specifically, a describing function based nonlinear analysis will be conducted to predict when the instability will occur and how the resulting limit cycle depends on the actuator dynamics and the targeted closed-loop bandwidth. Based on the analysis, the optimal closed-loop bandwidth can be determined to maximize the achievable overall system performance. The technique is applied to an electro-hydraulic system controlled by closed-center valves to optimize the controller design.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Controlled postcardioplegia reperfusionMechanism for attenuation of reperfusion injury

Abstract Objective: Controlled reperfusion and secondary cardioplegia are used to minimize reperfusion injury. The mechanisms for their benefit are incompletely defined and may include attenuation of myocyte sodium uptake. Methods: Pigs had 1 hour of cardioplegic arrest followed by reperfusion with blood (control) or warm cardioplegic solution followed by blood (test). Reperfusion injury in the control and test groups was quantified by measuring changes of intramyocyte ion content with atomic absorption spectrometry and by analyzing electrophysiologic recovery from recordings of reperfusion arrhythmias. Results: Control animals had an increase in intramyocyte sodium content at 5 minutes after initiating reperfusion (+20.2 μmol/g dry weight, P P = .33). The first rhythm after initiating reperfusion was more often ventricular fibrillation in the control group (100% vs 50%, P P Conclusions: Controlled reperfusion eliminated the increase in intramyocyte sodium that was observed in the control group at 5 minutes after cardioplegic arrest. This improvement in myocyte ion homeostasis during postcardioplegia reperfusion was associated with fewer reperfusion arrhythmias. These data support the hypothesis that attenuation of myocyte sodium gain during postischemic reperfusion is a mechanism by which controlled reperfusion and secondary cardioplegia are beneficial. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2000;119:1093-101)
The effect of opioids and their antagonists on the nocifensive response of Caenorhabditis elegans to noxious thermal stimuli.

Opiates modulate nociception in vertebrates. This has also been demonstrated in a number of invertebrate models. Herein, the effect of the opiate morphine and opioid neuropeptides Endomorphin 1 and 2 on the thermal avoidance (Tav) behavior of Caenorhabditis elegans is explored. Adult wild-type C. elegans N2 were collected from NGM plates using M9 buffer and exposed to morphine and endomorphine 1 and 2 in concentrations between 10−8 and 10−4 M (2.5 pmol/mg to 25 nmol/mg) for 30 min and tested for Tav. The opioid receptor antagonists Naloxone and CTOP were tested in combination with the drugs. Forty-seven percentage of the morphine exposed worms exhibited a class I response versus 76% of the control group (P < 0.001). Endomorphin 1 and 2 also caused a statistically significant reduction in class I responses, 36 and 39%, respectively. These effects were reversed with Naloxone and CTOP. Thermonocifensive behavior in C. elegans is modulated by opioids.
The reaction of nitric oxide with glutathionylcobalamin.

UV−vis stopped-flow results show that glutathionylcobalamin can react with nitric oxide at pH 7 to form nitrosylcob(II)alamin in a reaction second-order overall. From kinetic studies we suggest that nitric oxide attacks glutathionylcobalamin to form a caged transition state followed by formation of the nitrosylcob(II)alamin.
The effect of particle size on the surface composition of microcrystalline alloys

Abstract Thin films a Ni−1at%Pd alloy, ranging in thickness from 10 to 100 A were deposited onto alumina substrates by RF sputtering. The films were subsequently heat treated to produce small particles of the alloy with average sizes in the range 300 to 1000 A. The surface composition of aggregates of small particles was determined by Auger electron spectroscopy after equilibration of the samples at 650°C. Average particle sizes were determined by analysis of photomicrographs taken by electron microscopy techniques. The results show a strong dependence of surface composition on particle size. A decrease of a factor of five in surface concentration of palladium is observed over the range of particle sizes studied. The dependence of equilibrium surface composition on particle size has been estimated by means of a mass balance model. While this model accounts qualitatively for the effects of particle size on surface composition, discrepancies between model predictions and the experimental results suggest the intervention of other phenomena, possibly related to capillarity effects.
Isolation and Drainoff: The Case of the American Indian Educational Researcher:

Several factors lead to problems for the American Indian educational researcher that are sometimes similar in magnitude, but different in kind, to the problems of educational researchers of other ethnic groups. The legal relationship of Indian tribes to the Federal government, which has been defined by the Supreme Court as the tribes having the status of "domestic dependent nations" within the Constitutional framework of the U.S., presents the Indian educational researcher with conflicting loyalties. The migration of Indian people to urban areas, which began on a large scale after World War II and was one of the last mass migrations to begin, further presents the Indian researcher with choices of loyalties. The urban migration and competition for jobs led to a strong, perceived need for education. As a result, while approximately 43 percent of all doctorates awarded to Indian people have been in the field of education, only about seven percent of Indians with doctorates in the field are active researchers in education. Real needs brought the majority of Indian educationists into other fields, even though the majority are working in college and university settings.
Re-designing Graduate Education in Composition and Rhetoric: The Use of Remix as Concept, Material, and Method

Abstract Graduate education, in rhetoric and composition as in other fields, often makes changes incrementally. Occasionally, however, programs encounter a different exigence, usually as they initiate a program or rejuvenate one, allowing them to design more globally. Since 2005 at Florida State University, we have been re-developing the graduate program in rhetoric and composition to prepare students for the needs of the 21st century. Key to our program is a remix of technology and of culture—inside and across courses, within the program, and across professional opportunities.
Stress evolution in sputter-deposited Fe-Pd shape-memory thin films

Fe-Pd films with Pd content varying between 26 and 30 at.% have been deposited by means of magnetron sputtering of elemental Fe and Pd targets. As-deposited films are highly supersaturated solid solutions of Pd in Fe that have a body-centered-cubic crystal structure and a very fine grain size. Substrate curvature measurements indicate that the films undergo an irreversible densification when heated above 100 °C. This densification is attributed to a structural change that is also observed in other supersaturated systems with a substantial atomic size difference between the constituents. It is possible to retain the high-temperature austenite phase at low temperature by annealing the films at 900 °C followed by rapid cooling. Depending on film composition, this metastable austenitic phase transforms to either a body-centered tetragonal (bct) or a face-centered tetragonal (fct) martensite around room temperature. Substrate curvature measurements show that formation of the fct martensite is reversible, while that of bct martensite is not. The fct transformation occurs at lower Pd content and higher temperature than reported for bulk materials. Both the fct and the fcc phase show a strong Invar effect at lower temperature and Pd content than observed in the bulk.
Hepatobiliary Infections Caused by Haemophilus Species

Haemophilus species are rarely associated with hepatobiliary infections. We report a case of hepatic abscess caused by Haemophilus paraphrophilus and review the English-language literature for reports of infections of the liver and biliary system caused by Haemophilus species. Most patients identified had predisposing conditions. The pathogenesis of hepatobiliary infections due to Haemophilus species may involve ascending spread from the gastrointestinal tract or hematogenous seeding following oropharyngeal colonization.
Conservative treatment of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma associated with oral anticoagulant therapy in a child

Objective Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) is rare in the pediatric population. This case report reviews the indications and strategies for nonoperative management in selected patients.
Influence of the Human Cohesion Establishment Factor Ctf4/AND-1 on DNA Replication

Ctf4/AND-1 is a highly conserved gene product required for both DNA replication and the establishment of sister chromatid cohesion. In this report, we examined the mechanism of action of human Ctf4 (hCtf4) in DNA replication both in vitro and in vivo. Our findings show that the purified hCtf4 exists as a dimer and that the hCtf4 SepB domain likely plays a primary role determining the dimeric structure. hCtf4 binds preferentially to DNA template-primer structures, interacts directly with the replicative DNA polymerases (α, δ, and ϵ), and markedly stimulates the polymerase activities of DNA polymerases α and ϵ in vitro. Depletion of hCtf4 in HeLa cells by small interfering RNA resulted in G1/S phase arrest. DNA fiber analysis revealed that cells depleted of hCtf4 exhibited a rate of DNA replication slower than cells treated with control small interfering RNA. These findings suggest that in human cells, hCtf4 plays an essential role in DNA replication and its ability to stimulate the replicative DNA polymerases may contribute to this effect.
932 MULTIMODAL TREATMENT OF CHILDHOOD NEUROGENIC SARCOMA (NGS)

24 patients (pts) aged 3 mo.-16 yr. (median, 12 yr.) were treated for NGS at the CHCRC from 1958 through 1984. 16 pts (67%) had neurofibromatosis (NF). The tumors arose in an extremity or the trunk (14 pts), retroperitoneum-pelvis (6 pts), or other sites (4 pts). 13 pts underwent grossly complete excision of localized sarcoma; of them, 7 had no known residual tumor and 6 had microscopic residual. The other 11 pts had visible residual localized (10 pts) or metastatic sarcoma (1 pt). 8 pts were treated on a protocol with radiation therapy (4000-6000 rad) and VAC (vincristine, actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide) ± Adriamycin. The other 16 pts were treated variably. The proportion of pts continuously tumor-free and alive is: Five of 8 protocol pts are tumor-free survivors (TFS), compared to 4 of 16 non-protocol pts. Surgical removal of all gross tumor is important: 8 of 13 pts with excision are TFS compared to 1 of 11 with gross residual sarcoma. Pts with NF fare poorly: only 3 of 16 are TFS compared to 6 of 8 without NF. We conclude that a more effective treatment program is needed for children with NGS, especially for those with NF. Supported in part by USPHS Grants CA-19372 and CA-14489.
A pilot study of ice-slurry application for inducing laparoscopic renal hypothermia.

OBJECTIVE To assess, in a pilot study, the feasibility of delivering a microparticulate ice slurry (MPS) to provide regional hypothermia, as renal cooling during laparoscopic procedures is cumbersome and inefficient. MATERIALS AND METHODS An ex vivo preparation was used to simulate the boundary conditions of a kidney. Four pig kidneys were placed onto a thin membrane overlying a constant temperature bath (37 °C) with parenchymal thermocouples. Renal surfaces were coated with MPS and temperatures recorded. In an in vivo pig model we assessed laparoscopic delivery and cooling ability of the MPS under physiological conditions. Kidneys in two pigs were laparoscopically exposed; thermocouple probes were placed throughout the kidney and the hilum was clamped. MPS was delivered through a modified 5-mm laparoscopic suction/irrigation cannula. Cortical and core body temperatures were measured. RESULTS In the ex vivo study, the mean (sd) initial temperature was 37.1 (0.4) °C; the mean time to reach 15 °C was 10.3 (2.6) min and the mean nadir temperature was 13.0 (1.5) °C. In vivo, the MPS was delivered with no technical difficulty; the mean renal unit starting temperature and core body temperature were 37.2 °C and 37.0 °C, respectively. The mean (range) time to reach 15 °C was 16.5 (5.5–28.6) min. The mean nadir core body temperature was 34.0 °C. CONCLUSION This initial study showed efficient and rapid induction of renal hypothermia using MPS delivered through 5-mm laparoscopic ports, with no technical difficulty. These exploratory pilot findings support further, larger scale, histopathological and renal functional investigations of topical ice slurries as a means of providing renal hypothermia in laparoscopic procedures.
Worldly and Workaday Worries: Contemporary Concerns of Children and Young Adolescents

Top-of-the-head worries were elicited from young people, grades 4 to 8, both before and after they completed quantitative risk assessments of specific health and environmental problems. Results revealed that many students carry a substantial worry burden that includes not only personal matters such as grades and social relations, but also concerns about death and about global issues such as homelessness and environmental degradation. The gender and grade differences that emerged were consistent with a developmental extension from self to societal perspectives. Differences in worry profiles from before to after the risk assessment interviews revealed some impact of recent exposure, as illustrated by a pre—post increase from 7% to 30% in students spontaneously expressing AIDS-related concerns. Implications of the breadth and severity of young people's concerns are discussed, as are the ambiguities inherent in standard assessment approaches.