cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Isolation of mycoplasmas and bacteria from the blood of postpartum women

Abstract Mycoplasmas and/or bacteria were recovered from the blood cultures of 26 (20.8%) of 125 febrile postpartum women. Genital mycoplasmas were recovered from 16 (12.8%) of the 125 febrile women and from none of 60 afebrile postpartum women (p
Keynote: Insight, Not (Random) Numbers: An Embedded Perspective

Hamming said that the purpose of computing was “insight, not numbers.” Yet benchmarking embedded systems is today a numbers game. In this talk, I will dissect Hamming’s famous quote and provide some reasons to hope we can making benchmarking of embedded systems into a science. In particular, I will discuss how to model and measure quantities so that one can gain confidence in the results. I will use the industry standard EEMBC benchmark set as an example. Along the way, I will (I hope) give some insight into what the EEMBC benchmarks are trying to test.
USE OF THE NOVEL MARKER BLCA-1 FOR THE DETECTION OF BLADDER CANCER

ABSTRACT Purpose: Bladder cancer specific nuclear structural alterations have been identified. We examined the expression pattern of one of these proteins, BLCA-1, in tissue and urine samples from individuals with bladder cancer as well as in samples from normal controls. Materials and Methods: BLCA-1 sequence data were used to produce antibodies to this protein, which were used in immunoblot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results: BLCA-1 was detectable in tissue from patients with bladder cancer but not in normal adjacent areas of the bladder or in normal donor bladder tissue. This protein was also detectable in the urine of patients with bladder cancer by immunoblot and immunoassay. Using a cutoff of 0.025 optical density units (absorbance value) BLCA-1 was detected in 20 of 25 urine samples from patients with bladder cancer but in only 6 of 46 normal, high risk, prostate or renal cancer samples tested, resulting in a test with 80% sensitivity and 87% specificity. Expression of this protein did not appear to correlate with tumor grade. Conclusions: This research indicates that BLCA-1 is a urine based marker of bladder cancer which may be useful for the detection of this disease.
Training Analogical Reasoning Skills in Children With Language Disorders

The benefit or effects of direct training of analogical reasoning was examined in school-aged children with language disorders. Analogy training was divided into two phases. The first phase consist...
Variations in patient-centered medical home capacity: a linear growth curve analysis.

Increased interest in the patient-centered medical home (PCMH) among policy makers and practitioners has resulted in a growth of research on the factors that influence its adoption and implementation, yet this research often fails to capture the multidimensional nature of the PCMH and the longitudinal nature of the implementation process. This study documented physician practices’ PCMH capacity across 12 different domains (e.g., extended access, specialist referral, use of patient registry) over a 3-year period (2008-2010). Linear growth models indicated that participation through different types of physician organizations and practice size were associated with different baseline levels of capacity and changes in capacity over time; however, the association varied as a function of the different PCMH dimensions. Differences in PCMH capacity across the 12 domains and time suggest that more attention should be paid to the longitudinal nature of PCMH implementation and the differential challenges associated w...
Urticaria and Angioedema

Urticaria and angioedema are commonly encountered complaints in children. Although the diagnosis is clear, establishing an etiology, especially with respect to chronic urticaria, can be challenging. A significant proportion of chronic urticarial cases are now considered to have an autoimmune etiology. This article reviews progress in the field of urticaria and angioedema including developments in pathogenesis, description of laboratory testing, and review of medications. Urticaria and angioedema can usually be controlled by avoidance of triggers, a variety of supportive medications, and reassurance.
Identical Primary Sequence but Different Conformations of the Bioactive Regions of Canine CCK-8 and CCK-58

Abstract The C-terminal bioactive regions of CCK-8 and CCK-58 are identical (DY*MGWMDF-NH 2 , Y* denotes a sulfated tyrosine residue), but these peptides have different patterns of bioactivity. Specifically, CCK-58 binds more avidly to the CCK A receptor while CCK-8 is more potent for stimulation of amylase secretion from pancreatic acini. We postulate that these seemingly contradictory observations reflect a stable conformational change in CCK-58 that enhances binding, but diminishes activation of second messenger. We used CD and NMR spectra to evaluate postulated structural differences between CCK-8 and the carboxy-terminus of synthetic CCK-58. The CD spectra indicate the presence of turns in CCK-8 but a mixture of helical and random coil structures for CCK-58. Comparisons of partial NMR chemical shift assignments of CCK-58 and full assignments for CCK-8 also indicate differences in the backbone conformations for these residues. The data support the hypothesis that these peptides have different, stable, carboxy-terminal structures that may influence bioactivity.
Power and efficiency analysis of a flapping wing wind energy harvester

Energy harvesting from flowing fluids using flapping wings and fluttering aeroelastic structures has recently gained significant research attention as a possible alternative to traditional rotary turbines, especially at and below the centimeter scale. One promising approach uses an aeroelastic flutter instability to drive limit cycle oscillations of a flexible piezoelectric energy harvesting structure. Such a system is well suited to miniaturization and could be used to create self-powered wireless sensors wherever ambient flows are available. In this paper, we examine modeling of the aerodynamic forces, power extraction, and efficiency of such a flapping wing energy harvester at a low Reynolds number on the order of 1000. Two modeling approaches are considered, a quasi-steady method generalized from existing models of insect flight and a modified model that includes terms to account to the effects of dynamic stall. The modified model is shown to provide better agreement with CFD simulations of a flapping energy harvester.
Quantitative Modeling of Sensitization Development in Austenitic Stainless Steel

Abstract Existing capabilities to quantitatively model carbide precipitation and sensitization development in austenitic stainless steels are assessed and critically analyzed. A theoretically based, empirically modified model is described that predicts carbide nucleation kinetics, chromium depletion characteristics, and material degree of sensitization (DOS) as measured by the electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation (EPR) test. Individual model components are validated by correlation to the available database including direct comparisons to grain-boundary chromium depletion. The model is shown to quantitatively predict isothermal sensitization development in a large number of commercial type 304 (UNS S30400) and 316 (UNS S31600) stainless steel (SS) heats. This work represents a first step to evolve methods that realistically assess microstructural characteristics and structural reliability in stainless steel components and weldments.
Crystallographic observation of 'induced fit' in a cryptophane host–guest model system

Cryptophane-A is a prototypical organic host molecule that binds reversibly to neutral guest molecules. Taratula et al. report X-ray structures of cryptophane-A complexed with a range of host molecules to show that the cryptophane host–guest system exhibits ‘induced fit’.
The Validity of the Straightahead Approximation in Space-Vehicle Shielding Studies—Part II

The straightahead approximation, i.e., the approximation that the secondary particles from nucleon-nucleus collisions are emitted in the direction of the incident nucleon, is often used in space-ve...
Dopamine antagonism attenuates the unconditioned incentive value of estrous female cues.

The role of dopaminergic transmission in the incentive-motivational processes involved in the generation of male sexual behavior was examined. Three groups of sexually naive Long-Evans male rats traversed a straight alley for one of three goalbox targets: an empty goalbox, a nonestrous female, or an estrous female. A Plexiglas partition within the goalbox allowed for the perception of visual, auditory, and olfactory cues, but prevented physical contact. Baseline run times revealed that subjects returned to the goalbox significantly faster for an estrous female than for a nonestrous female, replicating our earlier work on the inherent incentive value of primary female cues. When subjects were then pretreated with the dopamine receptor antagonist, haloperidol (0.0, 0.075, or 0.15 mg/kg), they expressed decreased sexual motivation as reflected by increased run times for estrous female targets. Subjects' run times for the empty goalbox condition were unaffected by haloperidol, suggesting that the drug did not reliably impair motoric capacity. Results support the contention that central dopaminergic systems are involved in the regulation of the positive, unconditioned incentive value of estrous female cues.
Harvey H-200 Disposable Blood Oxygenator: Experience in 300 Patients

Abstract During the last few years attempts have been made to design improved disposable oxygenators. One such unit, the Harvey H-200 disposable blood oxygenator, has been evaluated clinically at The Johns Hopkins Hospital during recent months. The unit was used to perfuse 300 patients undergoing open-heart operations. The average Po 2 on bypass was 309 mm. Hg, and the Pco 2 averaged 33 mm. Hg. Acid-base balance remained within normal limits. The hemolysis rate was low, averaging 69.2 mg. per 100 ml. during an average perfusion lasting 1 hour 33 minutes. We have found the H-200 oxygenator to be a dependable unit which is useful in a wide range of operative procedures.
A systems perspective to marriage counseling

The influence of General Systems Theory on mental health disciplines and pastoral care has grown rapidly in recent years. The central concepts of a systems perspective-organization, control, and stability, and energy-provide an effective means to address organic, relational, and wholistic dimensions of marriage and marriage counseling
Strain Measurement Using Grids

Determining strain with grids is one of the oldest and simplest methods of experimental stress analysis. Here, the method is reviewed. Various techniques that are used to print, record, and analyze grids are discussed, and the types of problems to which the grid method has been applied are presented.
Laryngomalacia induced by exercise in a pediatric patient.

Exercise-induced laryngomalacia (EIL) is characterized by inspiratory stridor that is brought on by exercise (i.e. competitive sports) and fails to respond to treatment with bronchodilators (Smith et al., Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1995;104:537-541). During exercise, (1) spirometric flow volume loops show evidence of variable extrathoracic obstruction, and (2) laryngoscopy shows inspiratory prolapse of supraglottic structures with partial glottic obstruction. Only five cases of probable EIL have been reported in the literature (Smith et al., Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1995;104:537-541; Lakin et al., Chest 1984;86:499-501; Bittleman et al., Chest 1994;106:615-616; Bent et al., Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1996;105:169-175; Chemery et al., Rev Mal Respir 2002;19:641-643). Here, a case of laryngomalacia induced by exercise in a previously asymptomatic 10-year-old athlete with a remote history of laryngomalacia in infancy is presented, and a review of previously reported cases is provided.
Terminology change: Effect on index vocabularies

Abstract Changes in the vocabulary of information science over a period of eleven years were studied in order to determine the effect of such change on index vocabularies. The language of the Annual Review of Information Science and Technology was studied; the vocabulary was found to be changing at a rate of about 4% per year, with old terms leaving the vocabulary at about the same rate as new ones enter it. No change of usage among synonyms was found, but trends in the discipline showed up in changes in emphasis of the vocabulary. In particular, hardware-oriented terms seem to be declining in importance; there is some evidence that management and cataloging are becoming more important. Conclusions are: thesauri and other indexing vocabularies must provide for change as expected, with deletion or other provision for terms which pass out of use as important as addition of new terms; change of usage among synonyms is not significant in the short term (eleven years); and vocabulary change indicates the direction of growth in a discipline.
Local contralateral subtraction based on simultaneous segmentation and registration method for computerized detection of pulmonary nodules

Many of the existing computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) schemes for detection of nodules in chest radiographs suffer from a large number of false positives. Previously, we reported a local contralateral subtraction method that removes false positives due to the presence of normal structures effectively. In this approach, registration of the left and right lung regions is performed for extraction of lung nodules while the normal anatomic structures are removed. In this study, we developed a novel method for simultaneous registration and segmentation which registers two similar images while a region with significant difference is adaptively segmented, and incorporated it into the local contralateral subtraction method. In this method, a non- linear functional that models the statistical properties of the subtraction of the two images is formulated, and the function is minimized by a coarse-to-fine approach to yield a mapping that yields the registration and a boundary that yields the segmentation. A preliminary result shows that the new method is effective in segmenting the abnormal structures and removing normal structures. The local contralateral subtraction based on the new segmentation and registration method was shown to be effective in reducing the number of false detections reported by our computer- aided diagnosis scheme for detection of lung nodules in chest radiographs.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Respiration in Exercised Horses Wearing Cold Weather Masks

SUMMARY Tracheal pressures and haematological values for pH, PCV, PCO2, and PO2, were determined in four healthy, trained horses before and immediately after strenuous exercise. Three trials with a cold weather mask, and two trials without a mask were conducted on each horse during periods of ambient temperatures between —23 and —2°C. Values after exercise were not significantly different with the mask on or off. Evidence of restriction of air flow did not occur with the mask on. After exercise mean values for arterial PCV and PO2 increased and for arterial pH and PCO2 decreased. RESUME Les pressions tracheales et les valeurs hematologiques y compris le pH, l'hematocrite, la pression de CO2, la pression d'O2, furent mesurees chez quatre chevaux bien portants avant puis immediatement apres un exercice severe. Sur chaque cheval trois epreuves avec un bonnet ou camail et deux epreuves sans cet equipement furent effectuees a des temperatures ambiantes comprises entre —23 C et —2 C. Les valeurs apres effort ne furent point differentes de maniere significative sans ou avec bonnet. Il n'y eut aucune preuve d'une reduction de l'absorption d'air lorsque le bonnet etait porte. Apres exercice les valeurs moyennes de l'hematocrite arteriel et de la pression O2 s'accrurent, le pH et la pression CO2 arteriels decrurent. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Der Trachealdruck und die Werte des Blut pH, Haematokrit, PCO2 und PO2 wurden bei vier gesunden, trainierten Pferden vor und sofort nach strenger Arbeit bestimmt. Drei Versuche mit Kaltwettermasken und zwei Versuche ohne Maske wurden bei jedem Pferd unternommen bei Aussentemperaturen zwischen —23 und —2°C. Die Werte nach Arbeit erwiesen sich als nicht gesichert abhangig von der Maske. Die Maske beeintrachtigte die Luftzufuhr nicht. Nach der Arbeit stiegen die Durchschnittswerte fur den Haematokriten und den arteriellen PO2 an, wahrend sie fur das arterielle pH und PCO2 sanken.
Goodness of Fit of a Markov Chain Model for Sequences of Wet and Dry Days

Abstract Evidence from locations in the north central region of the United States indicates that a rainy spell is more likely to terminate after at least two wet days than after one wet day during early spring. However, the departure from a first-order Markov chain model has only minor effects when estimating probabilities of specified sequences of wet and dry days.
Microtubule Motor Complexes Moving Membranous Organelles

Cellular polarization depends upon the asymmetric transport of components within the cell, often along microtubule paths. Kinesin and cytoplasmic dynein are the most abundant microtubule motors powering the transport of membranous vesicles. Many additional proteins are needed to control motility and co-ordinate movements with other cellular activities. In this review we will summarize our understanding of the motors, motor associated proteins and their function within cells. We suggest a cyclic model for much of membrane trafficking in which the membrane anchor for the motors, kinectin, plays a central role. In such a model up-regulation of transport results in a faster cycling of kinectin between kinesin and cytoplasmic dynein-dependent transport.
Mono‐ und Polyradikale aus Halogenverbindungen; ein Gasphasen‐Alkalimetall‐Reaktor

Eine Apparatur zur Erzeugung von Mono- und Polyradikalen durch Abspaltung von Halogen aus Halogenverbindungen in der Gasphase durch Alkalimetall-Dampf wird beschrieben.
Circulating Levels of Corticosterone in the Serum of Developing Chick Embryos and Newly Hatched Chicks

Circulating levels of corticosterone were determined in chick embryos from 10 to 21 days of incubation using eggs from a Leghorn breeder flock. In Experiment 1, eggs were incubated from 10 to 20 days for daily embryonic blood collection. To verify stage of development with day of incubation, embryo right middle toe lengths were measured concurrent with blood sampling. Serum from three embryos was pooled into one sample and the corticosterone content of 10 samples per day of incubation was determined using a radioimmunoassay procedure. The levels of corticosterone from day 10 to 14 fluctuated slightly and then increased rapidly until 16 days of incubation. At this time serum corticosterone remained relatively constant through day 18 with an apparent increasing trend up to day 20. The use of toe lengths to assure no day-to-day overlap in embryonic development proved effective. In Experiment 2, newly hatched (day 21) chicks were sorted into four 3-hr periods ranging from early to late hatching. Blood samples were collected from five individual chicks during four 15-min sampling periods for each of the four hatch times. Serum corticosterone levels were not affected by sampling periods or hatch times.
CYTOCHALASIN D REVERSIBLY WEAKENS RETINAL ADHESIVENESS

This study asks whether retinal adhesiveness is affected by cytochalasin D, a drug that is known to alter the apical morphology of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Cytochalasin D was injected intravitreally in Dutch rabbits and retinal adhesiveness measured 0.5 to 72 h later by two methods: in vitro peeling of the retina from retinal pigment epithelium to observe the amount of adherent pigment, and in vivo measurement of the pressure needed to achieve retinal separation. Electroretinograms were recorded, and RPE apical morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy. The injection of 60 microM cytochalasin D caused in vitro retinal adhesiveness to fall within 3 h to 10% of normal although the electroretinogram (a, b, and c-waves) remained normal. Smaller doses of cytochalasin D had a lesser effect. The RPE apical surface at 3 h showed large bullet-like microvilli, swollen cone sheaths, and an absence of filamentous microvilli. The severity of these changes was dose-related. At 72 h after cytochalasin D, retinal adhesiveness had largely recovered, and RPE apical morphology appeared normal again. Thus, cytochalasin D weakens retinal adhesiveness acutely but reversibly, and both the initial effect and recovery correlate with changes in RPE microvillar morphology. This suggests that actin microfilaments may be involved in mechanisms of retinal adhesion.
Local corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) signals to its receptor CRHR1 during postnatal development of the mouse olfactory bulb

Neuropeptides play important physiological functions during distinct behaviors such as arousal, learning, memory, and reproduction. However, the role of local, extrahypothalamic neuropeptide signaling in shaping synapse formation and neuronal plasticity in the brain is not well understood. Here, we characterize the spatiotemporal expression profile of the neuropeptide corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and its receptor CRHR1 in the mouse OB throughout development. We found that CRH-expressing interneurons are present in the external plexiform layer, that its cognate receptor is expressed by granule cells, and show that both CRH and CRHR1 expression enriches in the postnatal period when olfaction becomes important towards olfactory-related behaviors. Further, we provide electrophysiological evidence that CRHR1-expressing granule cells functionally respond to CRH ligand, and that the physiological circuitry of CRHR1 knockout mice is abnormal, leading to impaired olfactory behaviors. Together, these data suggest a physiologically relevant role for local CRH signaling towards shaping the neuronal circuitry within the mouse OB.
Poetry and the Aesthetic of Morality

In his paper "Poetry and the Aesthetic of Morality," Michael McIrvin charts the fall of language from its mythologized acquisition through its use in communal history and ritual to its present diminished function as advertiser's tool and means of control by those in power. The partial exegesis of a poem written in response to the attacks on the World Trade Center and the subsequent U.S. response illustrates that the assignation of otherness on the present grand scale is emblematic of this diminishment. McIrvin argues that President Bush's misspeak leading up to the war and to the last presidential election is really a master propagandist's ploy suited perfectly for our age and our consumer culture. The poet's cultural role, as part of what Michel Foucault called the "search for an aesthetic of existence," can be to counter this diminishment of language and the reader's increasing inability to decode language. Michael McIrvin, "Poetry and the Aesthetic of Morality" page 2 of 11 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 9.1 (2007): Thematic Issue, Representing Humanity in an Age of Terror. Ed. Sophia A. McClennen and Henry James Morello
Low-Impact Sampling Under an Active Solid Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Unit Using Horizontal Drilling Technology

The purpose of this project was to determine the performance of the solid low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) disposal units located on a mesa top at TA-54, Area G, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM, and to provide in-situ (vadose zone) site characterization information to Area G`s Performance Assessment. The vadose zone beneath an active disposal unit (DU 37), was accessed by utilizing low-impact, air-rotary horizontal drilling technology. Core samples were pulled, via wire-line core method, in 3 horizontal holes fanning out below DU 37 at approximately 5 foot intervals depending on recovery percentage. Samples were surveyed and prepared in-field following Environmental Restoration (ER) guidelines. Samples were transferred from the field to the CST-9 Radvan for initial radiological screening. Following screening, samples were delivered to CST-3 analytical lab for analyses including moisture content, 23 inorganics, 60 volatile organic compounds (VOC`s), 68 semivolatile organic compounds (SVOC`s), tritium, lead 210, radium 226 & 228, cesium 137, isotopic plutonium, americium 241, strontium 90, isotopic uranium, and isotopic thorium. Other analyses included matric potential, alpha spectroscopy, gamma spectroscopy, and gross alpha/beta. The overall results of the analysis identified only tritium as having migrated from the DU. Am-241, Eu-152, and Pu-238 were possibly identified above background but the results are not definitive. Of all organics analysed for, only ethyl acetate was tentatively identified slightly above background. All inorganics were found to be well below regulatory limits. Based on the results of the above mentioned analyses, it was determined that Area G`s disposal units are performing well and no significant liquid phase migration of contaminants has occurred.
HUMAN SEX DIFFERENCES IN CARRYING BEHAVIORS: A REPLICATION AND EXTENSION

Sex differences in hand-carrying of books were observed in 253 college students, replicating Jenni's (1976) findings. Higher intetrater reliability was reported with the less complex classification...
Synchronous Resection of Primary and Liver Metastases for Neuroendocrine Tumors

Background Surgical approach is an accepted approach for metastatic neuroendocrine tumors (NET), but the safety and effectiveness of synchronous liver metastases resection with primary and/or locally recurrent NET is unclear.
Vibrational spectrum and structure of dimethylamino-dichloroarsine

Abstract The infrared spectra of solid and gaseous dimethylaminodichloroarsine have been recorded from 4000 to 33 cm−1. The Raman spectra of the liquid and solid phases have also been recorded. A comparison of the Raman spectra of the liquid and solid indicates that there is a change in conformational composition between the two phases. The isomer present at room temperature in the liquid and gas phases is assigned to the trans form. A study of the temperature dependence of the intensities of the Raman spectrum indicates that the trans form is converted to a second isomer which is believed to be the gauche isomer as the temperature is decreased. At −190°C, the Raman intensities indicate that the molecule still exists as a mixture of these two isomers. A vibrational assignment is presented and discussed in detail.
Atmospheric transmission in the far-infrared at the South Pole and astronomical applications

The combination of low atmospheric water vapor, high altitude, and low temperatures makes the South Pole and other high interior parts of the Antarctic continent particularly suitable locations for certain types of infrared or millimeter-wave astronomy. Information available on the atmospheric column density of water at the South Pole and at Vostok, the Soviet station, are surveyed. To illustrate the usefulness of these areas for infrared astronomy, important astronomical lines in the wavelength region 50 to 200 microns are listed. The atmospheric transmission in this wavelength region is also calculated and plotted for 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm of precipitable water along the line of sight through the atmosphere. Such low values of precipitable water occur frequently enough to allow practical astronomical observations from the ground and, for certain cases, this can provide advantages over observations from high-flying aircraft or satellites.
Localized wave functions in the theory of cohesion. I. General formalism

A formalism is developed that displays the energy of a condensed phase in an "atomic" representation. That is, the energy is expressed as a sum of unit-cell terms and interactions among sites. The formalism applies to nonperiodic as well as periodic systems. The formalism is based on localized functions which are constructed from the Schr\"odinger eigenfunctions. They are essentially Wannier-like functions which are orthogonalized by the L\"owdin method and are called Wannier-L\"owdin orbitals (WLO's). These WLO's satisfy a formalism which is a generalization of that satisfied by Wannier functions for perfectly periodic crystals. The cohesive-energy formalism of Brooks is transformed to the "atomic" WLO representation. This enables pairwise interactions and bond strengths to be defined for any systems, including metals, in a form convenient for calculation. The significance of the WLO representation for the theory of the metallic bond is discussed.
Morbidity, Disability, and Health Status of Black American Elderly: A New Look at the Oldest‐Old

There are over 2.5 million black Americans aged 65 and over living in the United States today, including some 258,000 persons aged 85 years and over. The post-World War II baby boom within the US black population should ensure that the numbers of persons aged 65 and over will increase into the 21st Century. If present trends continue, it is projected that the current population of black elders will also age. This means that the numbers of black persons aged 85 and over will also increase. Data from both national surveys and population-based community studies concerning the health and well-being of black elders are now becoming available. This report presents information concerning self-reported health status, chronic disease prevalence, disease-risk-factor prevalence, measures of physical functioning, and nursing home utilization rates for age groups within the black population aged 65 years and over. The availability of such data should lead to the development of targeted interventions designed to lessen impairment and prolong independent living. J Am Geriatr Soc 40:1047–1054, 1992
Raman scattering characterization of titanium silicide formation

Raman scattering is used to probe the reactions at the interface of Ti and Si. Different titanium-silicide and titanium-oxide spectral signatures which can be used to characterize the thin-film are observed. In addition, the Raman spectrum of metallic Ti deposited on Si is detected and is used to monitor the Si interdiffusion. The 40-nm-thick Ti films were evaporated in UHV or high-vacuum environments, and in situ Raman measurements of the Ti film and the Si substrate are tracked as a function of vacuum annealing at temperatures up to 500 degrees C. The results show that extensive Si interdiffusion into the Ti occurs between 300 and 400 degrees C and that the interdiffusion precedes silicide compound formation. The TiSi/sub 2/ formation is discussed in terms of a nucleation model. The silicide formation temperature is related to the nucleation barrier, and it is proposed that impurities increase the nucleation barrier, which results in the observed higher silicide formation temperature. >
Symbols of Collective Memory: The Social Process of Memorializing May 4, 1970, at Kent State University

Monument and memorial building is one of the more dramatic forms of symbolic expression. This form of symbolic expression represents aspects of a community's collective history; and its existence thereby serves to crystallize consensus and solidarity. The building of the memorial is a dialectic of symbolic interaction explicated through use of a social process model. This article will first describe the theoretical issues involved with collective representation and memory. The theoretical base when applied to the activity of memorial building generates a social process model. The model is described by application to the building of various memorials, but particular interest will be focused upon the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D. C. The model suggests how creation of this type of symbolic work involves a complicated organization of social norms or conventions. Part of this organization involves merging norms from a specialized genre of the art world with norms of collective representation residing in the non-professional community. Administrative bureaucracies and political institutions play important roles as well. After the authors explicate the social process model, they apply it to the experience of memorializing students killed and wounded at Kent State University on May 4, 1970. Erection of this memorial involves a process of constructing collective memory in such a way as to create moral unity within the community.
Emulsifying and Foaming Properties of a Derivatized Whey Protein Ingredient

A derivatization procedure for the production of a cold gelling whey protein isolate (WPI) has been identified. The cold gelling derivatized whey protein isolate (dWPI) imparted greater viscosity and water holding ability when rehydrated at room temperature than unmodified whey powders. The objective of this study was to further characterize the foaming and emulsifying functionality of the derivatized ingredient. Samples were prepared by hydrating dWPI and WPI in deionized water and, when needed, adjusting the sample pH from 3.4 to 6.8, with 6M NaOH. Yield stress, drainage, and overrun were measured for 6.5% WPI and dWPI foams. Emulsifying capacity and creaming stability were determined for various WPI and dWPI emulsions. The overrun of dWPI foams was approximately 50% lower than WPI foams at pH 3.4 and 6.8. Foams of the derivatized ingredient were significantly more stable than WPI foams. The derivatized ingredient displayed a similar emulsifying capacity to WPI at pH 3.4 and pH 7.0, and differences were...
The economic cost of firearm-related injuries in the United States from 2006 to 2010.

BACKGROUND: Estimates of the number of firearm-related injuries widely vary. Although focus has been primarily on deaths, the societal cost of caring for victims of these injuries is largely unknown. Our goal was to estimate the economic impact of nonfatal, firearm-related injuries in the United States based on recent, publically available data. METHODS: We queried several national registries for hospital and emergency department (ED) discharges from 2006 to 2010 to estimate the annual incidence of firearm-related injuries. The cost of direct medical services and lost productivity from firearm-related injuries were extrapolated from recently published estimates. To identify potentially important trends, we compared the economic impact and payor mix for firearm-related injuries in 2006 with those in 2010. RESULTS: During the 5-year analytic period, we identified 385,769 (SE = 29,328) firearm-related ED visits resulting in 141,914 (SE = 14,243) hospital admissions, costing more than $88 billion (SE = $8.0 billion). Between 2006 and 2010, there was a decrease in the rate of hospital visits from 6.65 per 10,000 visits in 2006 to 5.76 per 10,000 visits in 2010 (P CONCLUSION: Firearm-related injuries are a major economic burden to not only the American health care system but also to American society. The incidence of these injuries has decreased slightly from 2006 to 2010, with no change in the economic burden. Research aimed at understanding the associated financial, social, health, and disability-related issues related to firearm injuries is necessary and would likely enhance our knowledge of the causes of these events, and may accelerate development of interventions and policies to decrease the staggering medical and societal cost of gun violence. Language: en
Experimental Approach for Finding the Response Time of MR Dampers for Vehicle Applications

This paper offers a method and an experimental example of determining the response time of Magneto-Rheological (MR) dampers. The response time of MR dampers for automotive suspension applications is valuable information because it is one of the key factors that determine the practical effectiveness of the use of MR dampers in vehicles. However, a detailed description of the response time of MR dampers is seldom given in the literature. Furthermore, the methods of computing the response time are not discussed in detail. Therefore, this study intends to develop a method for experimental determination of the response time of MR dampers for automotive suspensions. A triangle wave that maintains a constant velocity across the damper is proposed as the input to use in experiments. This triangle wave ensures a constant velocity across the damper in order to accurately evaluate the response time of the MR damper. The response time was defined as the time required to make the transition from the initial state to 63.2% of the final state, or one time constant. The time constant is a measure of how long it takes a system to respond to a given input. In other words, the response time is the time necessary for the damper to achieve the desired force upon activation. To demonstrate the method, the response time was found for an MR damper particularly designed and fabricated for vehicle applications. Two cases were considered: activation response time of the damper and deactivation response time of the damper. Both cases were studied during the rebound stroke of the damper. It was found that the response time of the MR damper under activation and deactivation was 15.4 ms and 13.9 ms respectively. The results are comparable to those found in the literature.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Analysis of Stationary, Photovoltaic-based Surface Power System Designs at the Lunar South Pole

Combinations of solar arrays and either batteries or regenerative fuel cells are analyzed for a surface power system module at the lunar south pole. The systems are required to produce 5 kW of net electrical power in sunlight and 2 kW of net electrical power during lunar night periods for a 10-year period between 2020 and 2030. Systems-level models for energy conservation, performance, degradation, and mass are used to compare to various systems. The sensitivities of important and/or uncertain variables including battery specific energy, fuel cell operating voltage, and DC-DC converter efficiency are compared to better understand the system. Switching unit efficiency, battery specific energy, and fuel cell operating voltage appear to be important system-level variables for this system. With reasonably sized solar arrays, the regenerative fuel cell system has significantly lower mass than the battery system based on the requirements and assumptions made herein. The total operational time is estimated at about 10,000 hours in battery discharge/fuel cell mode and about 4,000 and 8,000 hours for the battery charge and electrolyzer modes, respectively. The estimated number of significant depth-of-discharge cycles for either energy storage system is less than 100 for the 10-year period.
Nonintrusive Pressure and Temperature Measurements in an Underexpanded Sonic Jet Flowfield

Nonintrusive pressure and temperature measurements are performed in the flowfield of an underexpanded sonic jet using high-resolution nitrogen coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS). The jet is operated with a fully expanded jet Mach number of 1.83. The time-averaged CARS measurements start at the jet exit and are spatially well resolved, elucidating the near-field shock structure of the jet. For example, the location of the Mach disk is resolved to within 350 μm. Downstream of the Mach disk, viscous effects cause the slip line between the inner and outer jet regions to transition to an annular shear layer. The measurements also define the curved outer shear layer bounding the jet. The experimental pressure and temperature data are compared to similar quantities extracted from a Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes computational-fluid-dynamic (RANS CFD) simulation of the flowfield
Effects of route optimization on out-of-order packet delivery in mobile IP networks

Packet sequence disruption caused by route optimization may result in degradation of mobile TCP/IP performance. In this paper, we propose an analytic model to investigate the impact of route optimization on out-of-order packet delivery in Mobile IP networks. When a mobile node (MN) moves to a new location, the packets sent from the corresponding node (CN) to the MN are routed indirectly through the home agent (HA). After route optimization, the subsequent packets will be sent from the CN to the MN directly. Let p be a packet traveling through the triangle path to the MN (via the HA), and q be the first packet sent via the optimized path to the MN. Packet p is sent from the CN earlier than q is. We derive the probability that packet p arrives at the MN later than packet q does, and validate the analytic model by simulation experiments. Our simulation experiments are extended to investigate how the transmission delay distributions affect the probability of out-of-order delivery. The results provide a guideline in adjusting the routing priority of binding updates to improve the end-to-end network performance.
Hybrid bus-invert coding for RLC coupling-aware on-chip buses

As the technology is shrinking, inductance crosstalk dominates the capacitive crosstalk and it is creating a significant bottleneck in high-speed deep sub-micron (DSM) digital circuits. For inductive coupling, worst-case delay occurs when all the bus lines simultaneously switch in the same direction. This switching case is the best case switching pattern for capacitive-dominant on-chip buses. Therefore, various existing coding techniques for capacitive crosstalk reduction are not suitable for high-speed circuits. In this paper, various hybrid bus-invert (BI) coding methods have been proposed for RLC coupling-aware on-chip buses. Simulation results show that simultaneous switching noise (SSN) for inductance-dominant buses can be reduced by roughly 40% and, thereby, worst case coupling delay is also reduced.
The Analyst Community and Why It Matters

As part of my research agenda, I have been examining various non-financial factors that also impact on analysts' decisions. To do so, I reviewed the literatures in several different disciplines, including finance, accounting, public relations/investor relations, and strategic management. I also conducted extensive semi-structured, open-ended interviews with nine analysts. At this point, my findings suggest that in fact, sell-side analysts are heavily influenced by the opinions of other analysts as well as by their close relationships with firms' representatives. I elaborate here on the social context in which analysts operate and discuss its potential impact on their recommendations. I also draw some implications of that social context for firms' investor relations programs.
Automotive electronics; Electronic fuel injection: Diesels are next: Auto producers turn to electronics to meet emission standards for diesel engines. It's tougher going compared with gasoline engines

Mechanical and electronic controls for timing of injection relative to pistion position and the start of combustion are compared with regard to accuracy, resolution, control parameters and interactive capability. Microprocessor controlled systems for diesel engines are illustrated which control both fueling and injection timing and can provide additional functions such as cruise control, diagnostics, display functions and transmission control.
The effect of contaminant source momentum on a worker's breathing zone concentration in a uniform freestream.

Several factors affecting breathing zone concentration were examined in a paint spray booth by using a tracer gas method. The variables in the study include contaminant momentum, the presence of a flat plate downstream of the worker, the distance between the contaminant source and the body, and the worker's motion. A dramatic reduction in breathing zone concentration was observed when the spray gun emitted contaminants with high momentum. Reductions of 30-50% were observed because of the other variables. The source momentum effect was studied, subsequently, in a wind tunnel by measuring the breathing zone concentration of a mannequin with various flows through jets of different diameter, at varying freestream velocities. A functional relationship was determined between nondimensional breathing zone concentration and contaminant source momentum. This relationship is supported by numerical simulations. The effect of contaminant momentum on the near-wake flow field is discussed in conjunction with results fr...
Rethinking the History of the American Civil Liberties Union: Donohue's Politics of the American Civil Liberties Union

In a 1949 Yale Law Journal article, Norman Redlich surveyed the state of private civil rights/civil liberties litigation in the United States.' "Private Attorneys-General" reviewed the past work and future prospects of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the American Jewish Congress (AJc), and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). In the space of 23 pages, he covered virtually the entire subject. No such feat would be possible today. The difference between Redlich's accomplishment in 1949 and what a similar task would require today is an index of one of the most significant developments in American life and law over the past four decades. A "rights revolution"2 has transformed both the formal law and the daily lives of ordinary Americans. To cite only two of the more obvious examples of the dimensions of change, in 1949 the doctrine of "separate but equal" had the sanction of the U.S. Supreme Court and abortions were illegal in all 50 states. The three organizations examined by Redlich have been joined by a vast array of public interest law groups seeking to use the legal system as an instrument of social change. One recent commentator refers to these groups as the "rights industry."3 While politically liberal groups invented the field and still dominate it, they
Ideas, Power, and Multilateral Institutions

Global Institutions and Development: Framing the World? Edited by Morten Boas, Desmond McNeill. New York: Routledge, 2004. 253 pp., $124.95 cloth (ISBN: 0-415-31289-2), $36.95 paper (ISBN 0-415-31290-6). John Maynard Keynes has often been quoted as observing that the ideas of economists and political philosophers, both when they are right and wrong, are more powerful than is commonly understood. This assertion was reiterated by Peter Hall (1989:14), who noted that it is ideas, in the form of economic theories and the policies developed from them, that have enabled “national leaders to chart a course through turbulent economic times, and ideas about what is efficient, expedient, and just that motivate the movement from one line of policy to another.”Hall (1989:9–10) also observed that ideas may have a “persuasiveness, and hence a political dynamism, of their own, and it forces us to ask which ideational qualities make for persuasiveness and which detract from it.” These observations go a long way to confirm the view that the reductionist proposition of materialists, that ideas are part of the superstructure rather than the base of political economy, is no longer tenable. More recently, attention to the paradigmatic importance of ideational factors in determining policy has come to the fore in international relations. Attention has been drawn in particular to the increased role of epistemic communities—expert-based groups referred to by Burhkart Holzner and John Marx (1979) as knowledge-oriented communities that are mostly composed of academics, journalists, and policy analysts associated with think tanks, research centers, and policy institutes (see also Hall 1989; Goldstein and Keohane 1993; Woods 1995; Bokhari 2002:15). Following Peter Haas (1992, 1994), Kamran Bokhari (2002:15) sees epistemic communities as groups that recognize a certain authentication criterion and adhere to a set of conventions of conduct, which they deem indispensable, in order to warrant the accuracy of their inferences. Daniel Drezner (2001:63) sees …