cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Edge Weld Penetration Assessment via Electric Current Deflection Measurements

Because of the awkward and somewhat irregular shape of the weldment, conventional methods [1] could not be adapted to the nondestructive measurement of GTAW edge weld penetration on clamshell-style catalytic converters and a special inspection system based on the electric current deflection method was developed. DC or low-frequency AC electric resistance measurements, also known as the Potential Drop Method (PDM), are well-developed for plate thickness assessment and crack detection [2–6]. The operating principle of these methods is that, under certain arrangement of the electrodes, the defect or crack in a conducting specimen will cause a measurable increase in resistance between given points compared to the situation without the defect or crack. In recent years, this simple contact technique was largely obscured by more sophisticated noncontacting eddy-current techniques especially in industrial applications. In this article, we demonstrate the distinct advantages of the Potential Drop Method through the example of GTAW edge welds where the awkward shape of the specimens and the required large penetration depth render the eddy-current method less feasible.
Provider bias as a function of patient genotype: polygenic score analysis among diabetics from the Health and Retirement Study.

Objective Poor patient-provider interactions due to provider bias are associated with worse physiological and behavioural health outcomes for patients. Prior research has shown that patients with obesity perceive less favourable interactions compared with those with lower weights. This paper explores whether this association depends on patients' cumulative polygenic score with respect to genes linked to obesity (i.e. a single variable quantifying the individual's genome-wide risk factors for high body mass index [BMI] or genetic liability) and whether providers react differentially to patients whose obesity is more genetic in nature compared with patients with diabetes caused by environmental factors. Methods The association between patients' BMI category, their polygenic score for high BMI and their interaction was assessed for two measures of the patient-provider interaction within a sample of 521 older patients with diabetes from the Health and Retirement Study. Results Particularly for patients with obesity, the quality of the patient-provider interaction depended on genetic liability for high BMI controlling for demographic and clinical covariates. Providers responded less favourably to patients with diabetes influenced by environmental factors compared with individuals with high genetic liability. Conclusions Results of this study suggest that a patient's genotype may elicit particular responses from their healthcare provider. When a provider judges a patient's high BMI to be environmentally driven rather than genetically oriented, patients receive reduced quality of care.
Destructive actions and productivity: Experimental evidence on interpersonal comparisons among dairy farmers in Bolivia

Abstract Interpersonal comparisons can lead individuals to improve their relative position by "catching up" to their peers through increased effort, or by "pulling down" others through harmful actions. To empirically examine how interpersonal comparisons affect productivity, this study utilizes a lab-in-the-field experiment that was conducted in Bolivia among 285 dairy farmers. The experiment consists of a baseline effort-elicitation and three treatments. The first treatment reveals to participants their baseline rankings; the second treatment allows participants to pay to destroy the output of others in their group; and the third treatment introduces inequity by placing a randomly-chosen group member into a more favorable production setting. This paper reports three main findings. First, in the absence of destructive actions, low-productivity participants increase their productivity whereas high-productivity participants decrease their productivity. Second, more than half of the participants are willing to give up their earnings to destroy the output of their peers. Finally, those who were placed into a more favorable production setting have a 29% higher probability of being destroyed by somebody in their group, showing evidence of destructive actions being motivated by a sense of fairness.
Impact of Heat Dissipation Profiles on Power Electronics Packaging Design

This paper focuses on understanding the thermal impacts of using discrete power devices and limitations of applying conventional thermal design methods. Empirically, a thermal system is designed based on selecting a heat sink with the required thermal resistance from the manufacturer datasheet. This method, as an approximate estimation, has been proven effective as a rough design of Si-based power module. However, wide bandgap (WBG) bare dies bring additional thermal design concerns that have been overlooked. The benefits of WBG devices, such as smaller chip sizes and higher power ratings, on the other hand, lead to thermal concentration issues. Detailed analyses and impacts of the thermal concentration are presented in this paper. A more accurate model involving Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Genetic Algorithm optimization is also proposed for a more accurate thermal design.
Predictors of Clostridium difficile infection and predictive impact of probiotic use in a diverse hospital-wide cohort

Background Hospital-based predictive models for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) may aid with surveillance efforts. Methods A retrospective cohort of adult hospitalized patients who were tested for CDI between May 1, 2011, and August 31, 2016, was formed. Proposed clinical and sociodemographic predictors of CDI were evaluated using multivariable predictive logistic regression modeling. Results In a cohort of 5,209 patients, including 1,092 CDI cases, emergency department location (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.51, 2.41; compared with an intensive care unit reference category, which had the lowest observed odds in the study) and prior exposure to a statin (aOR, 1.26, 95% CI, 1.06, 1.51), probiotic (aOR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.08, 1.80), or high-risk antibiotic (aOR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.29, 1.84), such as a cephalosporin, a quinolone, or clindamycin, were independent predictors of CDI. Probiotic use did not appear to attenuate the odds of CDI in patients exposed to high-risk antibiotics, but moderate-risk antibiotics appeared to significantly attenuate the odds of CDI in patients who received probiotics. Conclusions Emergency department location, high-risk antibiotics, probiotics, and statins were independently predictive of CDI. Further exploration of the relationship between probiotics and CDI, especially in diverse patient populations, is warranted.
Modifiable Intuitive Robot Controller: Computer Vision-Based Controller for Various Robotic Designs

This paper describes the Modifiable Intuitive Robot Controller (MIRC) framework, a vision-based remote controller for robotic systems. The MIRC system integrates a modern controller interface known as the Leap Motion, which uses multiple vision sensors to gather three-dimensional anatomical arm and hand data points in the form of numerical coordinates. The MIRC system publishes this data in the form of ROS pose messages and transforms, and converts these numerical coordinates into goals or motion commands for the robots. Complex robot designs, such as robotic arms, are controlled using MoveIt's motion planning algorithms and robot configuration package. By using MoveIt's library, the framework can accommodate an ever increasing number of complex robotic arm designs. Simpler rover based designs are controlled through a custom function that interprets the operator's hand position into speed and rotation for motion. The integrated system is demonstrated in both simulation and hardware using the Kinova MICO arm and TurtleBot 2 mobile robot.
Polyoxometalate Catalyst Precursors. Improved Synthesis, H+-Titration Procedure, and Evidence for 31P NMR as a Highly Sensitive Support-Site Indicator for the Prototype Polyoxoanion−Organometallic-Support System [(n-C4H9)4N]9P2W15Nb3O62

An improved synthesis of the prototype polyoxoanion−organometallic-support system, P2W15Nb3O629-, as its organic solvent-soluble all-[(n-C4H9)4N]+ salt is described. The improvements result in a 30% faster procedure which also provides a 60% increase in yield of [(n-C4H9)4N]9P2W15Nb3O62, 2. One key improvement in this synthesis is a pH titration of protonated [(n-C4H9)4N]5H4P2W15Nb3O62, 1, using [(n-C4H9)4N]OH and phenolpthalein indicator, which leads to fully deprotonated 2the key synthon required for clean support of organometallic cations onto the P2W15Nb3O629- polyoxoanion's “Nb3O93-” cap. The material obtained from this procedure is of the highest purity (≥95%) seen to date as judged by 31P NMR spectroscopy. [(n-C4H9)4N]9P2W15Nb3O62 has been further characterized by 1H, 13C, 17O, and 183W NMR spectroscopy as well as IR spectroscopy and complete elemental analysis. Also reported are control experiments that (i) confirm the identical reactivity of 2, obtained by either the procedure reported herein or ...
Incremental Utility of Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Patients With Myeloproliferative Neoplasm-Associated Pulmonary Hypertension.

Background Myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) has been associated with pulmonary hypertension (PH) on the basis of small observational studies, but the mechanism and clinical significance of PH in MPN are not well established. The aims of this study were to expand understanding of PH in a well-characterized MPN cohort via study of PH-related symptoms, mortality risk, and cardiac remodeling sequalae of PH using quantitative echocardiographic methods. Methods The population comprised a retrospective cohort of patients with MPN who underwent transthoracic echocardiography: Doppler-derived pulmonary arterial systolic pressure applied established cutoffs for PH (≥35 mm Hg) and advanced PH (≥50 mm Hg); right ventricular (RV) performance was assessed via conventional indices (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion [TAPSE], S′) and global longitudinal strain. Symptoms and mortality were discerned via standardized review. Results Three hundred one patients were studied; 56% had echocardiography-demonstrated PH (20% advanced) paralleling a high prevalence (67%) among patients with invasively quantified PASP. PH was associated with adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling indices, including increased myocardial mass and diastolic dysfunction (P ≤ .001 for all): LV mass and filling pressure (P Conclusions PH is highly prevalent in patients with MPN and is linked to LV diastolic dysfunction; echocardiography-quantified RV dysfunction augments risk for mortality independent of PH.
The Political Economy of Hybrid Approaches to a U.S. Carbon Tax: A Perspective from the Policy World

AbstractWhile market-based climate policy in the United States has been dominated by emissions trading, including policies at the state level and in proposed major federal legislation, a number of ...
The accuracy of central blood pressure obtained by oscillometric noninvasive method using Mobil-O-Graph in children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVES Central blood pressure (CBP) can now be reliably measured noninvasively with a number of devices in adult; however, noninvasive assessment of CBP has not been validated in children and adolescents. The purpose of this study was to clarify the accuracy of noninvasive oscillometric CBP measurements in children and adolescents. METHODS This study included 60 patients with an average age of 7.9 ± 4.4 years (range 1-18 years) who underwent a cardiac catheterization. We compared CBP, estimated with a noninvasive oscillometric method using a Mobil-O-Graph, with simultaneous invasive recordings using a catheter in children and adolescents. RESULTS Comparison of the SBP values measured by the two methods, showing a linear correlation (r = 0.85; P < 0.0001) with the mean difference aortic SBP minus estimated central SBP of 2.0 ± 5.6 mmHg (95% limits of agreement = -9.0-13.1). In DBP values, there was a correlation (r = 0.72; P < 0.0001) with the mean difference aortic DBP minus estimated central DBP of -0.1 ± 6.4 mmHg (95% limits of agreement = -12.6-12.4). Sex and cardiac function did not affect central SBP estimation; however, the correlation between aortic and estimated central SBP in adolescents was better than that in children (r = 0.93, P < 0.0001 vs. r = 0.77, P < 0.0001), though the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.483). CONCLUSION Estimated CBP using Mobil-O-Graph in children and adolescents shows a certain degree of accuracy, which will be helpful in future for evaluating CBP in children and adolescents.
Vision based Autonomous QuadCopter Navigation through Narrow Gaps using Visual Servoing and Monocular SLAM

In this paper we show a vision based autonomous quad-copter navigation through a narrow gap or window. The goal is to provide an effective solution to a problem of urban UAV search and rescue mission scenario, such as, fire detection and quenching situation in a high rise building. Such scenario may demand a GPS denied navigation and requires extensive use of on-board vision sensors and processors. In this paper, using on-board vision sensor based localization and visual servoing, we show a method to demonstrate a UAV autonomous navigation to enter a building through a narrow window. The entire mission scenario is divided into two phases, where the first phase comprises an effective visual servoing based approach trajectory generation and execution. In the terminal phase, the vision sensors may fail to locate the desired target features due to the constraints in view angle geometry. To compensate that a non-linear guidance law based trajectory following method is used which generates a monocular SLAM based phantom target locus and provides a consistent homing control. We have experimentally demonstrated and evaluated the method in a real world scenario with substantial success rate.
Cervical cancer recurrence presenting as abdominal wall mass and accompanying cellulitis.

Abstract Background Most recurrences of early stage cervical cancer occur in the pelvis or lymphatic system. Distant metastases occur in a minority of patients. Large abdominal wall recurrence presenting as cellulitis and intra-abdominal mass is unusual and presents diagnostic as well as treatment challenges. Case A 46-year-old woman with a history of stage 1B1 poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix 2 years earlier presented with infraumbilical abdominal wall erythema, tenderness and warmth to the touch. She had a subcutaneous mass in that area with associated abdominopelvic pain. Imaging showed a 9.5 × 11 cm lobulated mass in the anterior lower abdominal wall, encompassing the width of the lower rectus muscles also invading the small bowel and the bladder. Superimposed cellulitis led to the symptoms with which she presented. She was treated with intravenous antibiotics, and biopsy of the mass revealed squamous cell carcinoma consistent with her prior cervical cancer. She was treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgical debulking with negative margins and adjuvant chemotherapy. Three months after completing treatment she recurred in the inguinal lymph nodes and restarted multimodality treatment. She was without evidence of disease for the entire 18 months of follow up following treatment to the lymph nodes. Conclusion Cervical cancer recurrence patterns can be unique. Surveillance for recurrence may also include consideration of these unusual patterns of recurrence.
Tranexamic Acid Use in Knee and Shoulder Arthroscopy Leads to Improved Outcomes and Fewer Hemarthrosis-Related Complications: A Systematic Review of Level I and II Studies.

Purpose To systematically review the literature to compare the efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid (TXA) as a means to minimize hemarthrosis-related complications after arthroscopic procedures of the knee, hip, and shoulder. Methods A systematic review according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was performed by searching PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases to locate randomized controlled trials comparing the clinical outcomes and postoperative complications of patients undergoing arthroscopy with and without TXA. Search terms used were “tranexamic acid,” “arthroscopy,” “knee,” “hip,” and “shoulder.” Patients were evaluated based on early ( Results Five studies (2 level I and 3 level II) met inclusion criteria, including a total of 299 patients undergoing arthroscopy with TXA and 299 patients without TXA. The average follow-up duration for all patients was 43.9 days. Procedures performed were partial meniscectomy, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and rotator cuff repair. No studies evaluating TXA use in hip arthroscopy were identified. Coupens-Yates hemarthrosis grades significantly improved in the TXA groups across all studies. Three studies found TXA patients to experience significantly less postoperative pain at latest follow-up, 1 study found TXA patients to have significantly better postoperative Lysholm scores, and 1 study found TXA patients to have significantly more ROM at latest follow-up compared with non-TXA patients (P Conclusion Patients undergoing arthroscopy, particularly arthroscopic meniscectomy, arthroscopic-assisted anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, with TXA can be expected to experience improved outcomes and less hemarthrosis-related complications in the early postoperative period compared with non-TXA patients. Level of Evidence II, systematic review of level I and II studies.
Teacher Professional Learning During the Global Pandemic: Five Critical Areas to Address

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted educational activities and forced schools to close It also required teachers to shift to remote teaching and learning with inadequate training, preparation, and support that would enable them to operate in an online teaching model Consequently, school reopening calls for consideration of teacher professional learning (TPL) as a way to empower teachers with the knowledge and skills they need to cope with unprecedented challenges and provide effective instruction Therefore, the aim of this essay is to discuss five key areas that school leaders need to address in the TPL organization in order to best prepare teachers to fulfill their duties successfully during the pandemic © 2020 All Rights Reserved
Pediatric coping during venipuncture with virtual reality: Pilot randomized controlled trial

Background Virtual reality (VR) has shown promise in reducing children's pain and anxiety during venipuncture, but studies on VR lack objective observations of pediatric coping. Notably, the process of capturing objective behavioral coping data can be labor- and personnel-intensive. Objective The primary aims of this pilot trial were to assess the feasibility of conducting a trial of VR in a pediatric emergency department and the feasibility of documenting observed coping behaviors during pediatric procedures. Secondarily, this study examined whether VR affects child and caregiver coping and distress during venipuncture in the pediatric emergency department. Methods This stratified, randomized, controlled pilot trial compared coping and distress between child life-supported VR engagement and child life specialist support without VR during painful procedures in children aged 7-22 years in the pediatric emergency department. An external control (reference group) received no standardized support. Primary feasibility outcomes included rates of recruitment, rates of withdrawal from VR, and rates of completed Child Adult Medical Procedure Interaction Scale-Short Form (CAMPIS-SF) observations. Secondary clinical outcomes were applied to venipuncture procedures and included CAMPIS-SF coping and distress (range 0-1.0), pain and anxiety on a visual analog scale (range 0-10), and cybersickness symptoms. Results Overall recruitment was 93% (66/71), VR withdrawal rate was 27% (4/15), and of the completed procedures, 100% (63/63) CAMPIS-SF observations were completed. A total of 55 patients undergoing venipuncture in the pediatric emergency department were included in the analyses of clinical outcomes: 15 patients (15 caregivers) randomized to VR, 20 patients (15 caregivers) randomized to child life specialist support, and 20 patients (17 caregivers) in the reference group. Patient coping differed across groups with higher coping in the VR group and child life specialist group than in the reference group (P=.046). There were no significant differences in the distress and pain ratings for patients and caregivers between the groups. Caregivers rated the lowest perceived anxiety in the child life specialist group (P=.03). There was no apparent change in cybersickness symptoms before and after VR use (P=.37). Conclusions Real-time documentation of observed behaviors in patients and caregivers was feasible during medical procedures in which VR was utilized, particularly with the availability of research staff. VR and child life specialists improved coping in children during venipuncture procedures. Given the high participation rate, future studies to evaluate the efficacy of VR are recommended to determine whether an off-the-shelf VR headset can be a low-cost and low-risk tool to improve children's coping during venipuncture or other related procedures. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03686176; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03686176.
The Design of Numerical Models of the Ocean Circulation

The design of numerical models is introduced through an analysis of the stability of finite difference approximations of the shallow-water equations. An outline of nonlinear instability, and methods to control it, is followed by a discussion of vertical coordinate systems, and examples of the application of models of various design to the investigation of the large scale potential vorticity pattern in the main thermocline.
The Fringes of Empires: Recent Scholarship on Colonial Frontiers and Borderlands in Latin America

This article examines recent historical literature on colonial frontiers and borderlands in Latin America. The article explores definitions and subtleties related to the translation of the terms frontier and borderlands from Spanish/Portuguese into English. Moreover, special attention is paid the scholarship on African and Indigenous slavery in frontiers, the interaction between indigenous groups and colonists, the social importance of mestizos and go betweens, and the relationship between social groups and the environment. Most of the works reviewed present interdisciplinary approaches, including but not limited to ethnohistory, environmental studies, anthropology, sociology, cartography, humans geography, Atlantic World history.
The prostate apoptosis response-4 protein participates in motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Prostate apoptosis response-4 (Par-4), a protein containing a leucine zipper domain within a death domain, is up-regulated in prostate cancer cells and hippocampal neurons induced to undergo apoptosis. Here, we report higher Par-4 levels in lumbar spinal cord samples from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) than in lumbar spinal cord samples from neurologically normal patients. We also compared the levels of Par-4 in lumbar spinal cord samples from wild-type and transgenic mice expressing the human Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase gene with a familial ALS mutation. Relative to control samples, higher Par-4 levels were observed in lumbar spinal cord samples prepared from the transgenic mice at a time when they had hind-limb paralysis. Immunohistochemical analyses of human and mouse lumbar spinal cord sections revealed that Par-4 is localized to motor neurons in the ventral horn region. In culture studies, exposure of primary mouse spinal cord motor neurons or NSC-19 motor neuron cells to oxidative ...
Resolution of Syntactic Ambiguity: the Case of New Subjects.

I review evidence for the claim that syntactic ambiguities are resolved on the basis of the meaning of the competing analyses, not their structure. I identify a collection of ambiguities that do not yet have a meaning-based account and propose one which is based on the interaction of discourse and grammatical function. I provide evidence for my proposal by examining statistical properties of the Penn Treebank of syntactically annotated text.
Cutting Edge: Developmental Stage-Specific Recruitment of Cohesin to CTCF Sites throughout Immunoglobulin Loci during B Lymphocyte Development

Contraction of the large Igh and Igkappa loci brings all V genes, spanning >2.5 Mb in each locus, in proximity to DJ(H) or J(kappa) genes. CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) is a transcription factor that regulates gene expression by long-range chromosomal looping. We therefore hypothesized that CTCF may be crucial for the contraction of the Ig loci, but no CTCF sites have been described in any V loci. Using ChIP-chip, we demonstrated many CTCF sites in the V(H) and V(kappa) regions. However, CTCF enrichment in the Igh locus, but not the Igkappa locus, was largely unchanged throughout differentiation, suggesting that CTCF binding alone cannot be responsible for stage-specific looping. Because cohesin can colocalize with CTCF, we performed chromatin immunoprecipitation for the cohesin subunit Rad21 and found lineage and stage-specific Rad21 recruitment to CTCF in all Ig loci. The differential binding of cohesin to CTCF sites may promote multiple loop formation and thus effective V(D)J recombination.
Progressive Damage and Fracture of Unstiffened and Stiffened Composite Pressure Vessels

Structural durability and damage tolerance characteristics of pressurized graphite/epoxy laminated thin composite cylinders are investigated via computational simulation. Both unstiffened and integral hoop stiffened cylinders are considered. A computer code is utilized for the simulation of composite structural degradation under loading. Damage initiation, growth, accumulation, and propagation to structural fracture are included in the simulation. The increase of burst pressure due to hoop stiffening is quantified. Results demonstrate the significance of the type and size of local defects on the structural durability of pressurized composite cylindrical shells.
Choice-based discrimination

Do perceptions of controllability and choice affect the nature and magnitude of discrimination? Many groups of people, who hold seemingly controllable devalued traits, including gay men, the obese and mothers, are discriminated against both in the labor force and in other areas of life. In this dissertation, I show that perceptions of choice and controllability generate discrimination against individuals with seemingly controllable stigmatized traits. I use a hiring experiment in a highly controlled setting to assess this argument. The results provide strong evidence for a causal relationship between perceptions of choice and labor force type discrimination against gay men, obese men and mothers. When the traits were presented as voluntary, gay men, obese men and mothers were penalized when compared to their equally qualified counterparts in terms of hiring, salary recommendations and competence evaluations. To further evaluate the argument that the degree to which motherhood is conceptualized as a choice, affects the penalties associated with making this choice, I analyze the state differences in the wage penalties for motherhood. I use hierarchical linear modeling with data from the 1988-2004 Current Population Survey. The wage analysis shows that net of the usual individual and state level factors that affect wages, mothers are penalized more in states in which motherhood is perceived to be a choice women have. Drawing on moral philosophy literature and the debate around 'luck egalitarianism', the dissertation them discusses the moral acceptability of inequalities that are based on choices. Following this discussion, two main arguments regarding the appropriateness of legal protection from choice-based discrimination are developed. First, in some cases, choice-based discrimination infringes individuals' personhood and human dignity. Second, at times, choice-based discrimination generates inequality based on socially desirable behaviors. The dissertation proceeds to evaluate the differences among seemingly controllable traits, both in terms of their centrality to one's personhood and in terms of their perceived social desirability. The prevailing civil rights laws concerning discrimination based on motherhood, sexual orientation and weight are then reviewed. The dissertation ends with criteria for determining which forms of choice-based discrimination call for legal protection.
Design Hydraulic Loading Rates for Onsite Wastewater Systems

Design hydraulic loading rates (HLRD) are used in specifying the area of the bottom of drainfield trenches required for onsite wastewater systems (OWSs). Our objective was to develop a method for estimating the HLRD based on soil and biomat hydraulic properties. We used a two-dimensional computer model to determine the steady flux through the trench bottom for the 12 USDA soil textural classes with 5 cm of wastewater ponded in the trench as an estimate of the performance under normal operating conditions. We used two sets of boundary conditions at the bottom of the soil profile: a deep water table and a shallow water table. We also tested how well the simple Bouma equation estimated the bottom flux. To estimate the HLRD, we took 50% of the steady trench bottom flux as a safety factor. Despite the wide range in saturated hydraulic conductivities of the soil textural classes (8.18–642.98 cm d−1), the steady flow through the bottom of the trench in these soils fell in a narrow range of 2.92 to 10.43 cm d−1. With a modification to account for unsaturated flow within the biomat, the Bouma equation produced remarkably accurate estimates of trench bottom flux for all soil textural classes. Based on our estimates of HLRD, we divided the soil textural classes into four groups. Our results show that medium-textured soils should have higher HLRD than has been assumed in some systems for estimating HLRD due to the importance of unsaturated flow in OWS hydraulic performance.
A Computer Controlled Step-Scanning Vacuum Ultraviolet Spectrometer for Beam Foil Spectroscopy

A McPherson 225 vacuum uv spectrometer has been interfaced with an IBM 1130 computer. The electronic interface, consisting mainly of integrated circuits, translates computer commands for a dc synchronous stepping motor which controls the grating position. Intensity information is recorded in digital form on a magnetic disk and may be plotted on a Calcomp plotter. A strip chart recorder is operated simultaneously. Reproducibility of the grating position as determined with a mercury source is within 0.03 A on the average.
Dietary Calcium Consumption is Better Among Female High School Students who are Athletes

Abstract Gaining optimal bone mass in childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood is believed to be the best protection against bone loss and osteoporosis. Women in teen and early adult years need to consume more dietary calcium in order to build bone mass. In addition, weight bearing activity enhances bone mineralization which promotes and protects bone mass density. A thirty-three item Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was designed to estimate dietary calcium consumption habits. Foods included in the questionnaire included those commonly consumed by the teenage population. A typical portion size was listed to facilitate accurate estimations of the number of servings consumed. Incomplete surveys were not included in the data analysis. One hundred thirty-five females attending three suburban high schools in New Jersey were surveyed. Dietary and demographic data were complete for 67 athletes and 56 non-athletes. The respondents were predominately Caucasian (92% of the athletes and 86% of the non-athletes). Female athletes consumed significantly more calcium (P High school female athletes reported having dietary habits that, when combined with activity, should reduce their risk of developing osteoporosis. Future studies need to look at racial and cultural factors that might impact calcium intake in this age group.
Pleuropneumonia in Missouri Swine

clinical considerations.Rev Infect Dis 12(Suppl):S243-S250.3. Ehrich M, Perry BD, Troutt HF, et al.: 1984, Acute diarrheain horses of the Potomac River area: examination for clostridialtoxins. J Am Vet Med Assoc 185:433-435.4. Jones, RL: 1989, Diagnostic procedures for isolation and char-acterization of
Structurally characterized carboxylic acid modified zirconium alkoxides for the production of zirconium oxide thin films

Abstract A series of carboxylic acid (H-ORc) modified zirconium alkoxides (Zr(OR)4) were synthesized through the reaction of the commercially available [Zr(μ-OPri)(OPri)3(H-OPri)]2 (1, OPri = OCH(CH3)2) with a series of sterically varied H-ORc, including: formic acid (H-O2CH or H-OFc), acetic acid (H-O2CCH3 or H-OAc), isobutyric acid (H-O2CCH(CH3)2 or H-OPc), trimethyl acetic acid (H-O2C(CH3)3 or H-OBc), and t-butyl acetic acid (H-O2CCH2C(CH3)3 or H-ONc) which yielded the following products: Zr4(μ4-O)(μ-O)(μ-OFc)2(μ-OPri)4(OPri)6 (2), Zr3(μ3-O)(μ-OAc)3(OAc)2(μ-OPri)2(OPri)3 (3), [Zr2(μ-OPc)2(μ-OPri)2(OPri)4]2 (4), Zr2(μ-OBc)(μ-OPri)2(OPri)5(H-OPri) · (H-OPri) (5), Zr2(μ-ONc)(ONc)(μ-OPri)2(OPri)4(H-OPri) (6).To increase the structural variability of these precursors, we also investigated the H-ORc modifications of the novel Zr3(μ3-O)(μ3-ONep)(μ-ONep)3(ONep)6 (7) which was isolated from the reaction between Zr(NMe2)4 and 4 H-OCH2C(CH3)3 (H-ONep).The ORc-modified 7 species were isolated as: Zr3(μ3-O)(μ-OAc)3(μ-ONep)2(ONep)5 (8), Zr5(μ-O)3(μ-OPc)6(μ-ONep)2(ONep)6 (9), [Zr(μ-OPc)(μ-ONep)(ONep)2]2 (10), Zr5(μ-O)3(μ-ONc)6(μ-ONep)2(ONep)6 · (H-ONep) · 1/2(C7H8) (11). Once fully characterized, these compounds were used to generate thin films of ZrO2 to investigate the optimal structural aspects that dictate thin film density. It was determined that the majority of these compounds did not yield high quality films; however, the non-condensed species (3–5) did produce clear and continuous ZrO2 films. From this very limited set of useful precursors, the larger nuclearity species (3) led to films of higher densification.
Autoxidation of Methyl Linoleate in Freeze‐Dried Model Systems. 4. Effects of Metals and of Histidine in the Absence of Water

SUMMARY: Autoxidation of methyl linoleate dispersed on filter paper was studied in the dry state in the presence and absence of additives. Oxidation was followed volumetrically and by measuring the increase in conjugated dienes. Evaluation of the rate data indicates that added histidine is antioxidant in the very early stages of the oxidation and becomes prooxidant in the later stages. Increasing the concentration of histidine promoted an earlier appearance of its prooxidant effect. Cobalt chloride and manganese sulfate had a pronounced catalytic effect on the oxidation reaction in the model systems buffered to a high (8.0 and 9.0) but not to a low (4.0) pH. Histidine increased the catalytic activity of manganese but eliminated that of cobalt. Thin-layer chromatography showed that conditions under which histidine increased the prooxidant effect of manganese also resulted in the appearance of some decomposition products of histidine. These decomposition products may have catalytic activity.
Quantification of left ventricular volume in gated equilibrium radioventriculography

We have developed a simple method for measuring left ventricular volume based on semi-automated analysis of 40° left anterior oblique images obtained with a standard scintillation camera after equilibrium of an intravenous injection of 20 mCi of technetium-99m in vivo labeled red blood cells. The essence of the method is the use of the dimensions and radioactivity within a segment of aorta to convert observed left ventricular count rates to volume. Four assumptions were made: 1) the aortic arch is nearly parallel to the collimator face when a patient is in the proper left anterior oblique position; 2) a segment at the top of the aortic arch, approximately 1 cm wide, is a right cylinder, 3) the edges of the aorta can be delineated as the lines where the second derivative of a cross sectional profile equals zero; 4) left ventricular and aortic arch counts undergo the same attenuation because they are nearly the same distance from the chest wall in the proper left anterior oblique position. By measuring the counts and volumes of two regions of known shape, one in the middle, the other at the edge of the aortic arch, and calculating their differences a background-independent volume count ratio (Δv/ΔC) can be obtained. The left ventricular and diastolic volume (LVEDV) is calculated with the equation: LVEDV=(Δ/ΔC) LVEDC, where LVEDC represents left ventricular end diastolic counts. Twenty-six patients were evaluated by equilibrium radio- and contrast-ventriculography, the latter analyzed by planimetry. The radionuclide method yielded an end diastolic volume that correlated well with contrast ventriculography (r=0.96, Y=0.91 X+21 ml). In addition to its simplicity and objectivity, a major advantage of this method of determining ventricular volume is that it does not require a blood sample.
When is It Acceptable to Make Prescriptive Statements in Educational Research Articles? Commentary on the Special Issue Papers

The commentary considers when it is acceptable to make prescriptive statements in educational research articles. It begins with a consensus view, agreeing with the analysis offered by Marley and Levin (Educational Psychology Review, 2011), that experimental evidence is necessary. Other forms of evidence are considered (e.g., observational, case-based, qualitative); these are described as correlational in nature and considered to be of uncertain value for making causal, prescriptive statements. The essay further considers whether theory is necessary for prescriptive statements, notes the philosophical divide between those who embrace experimental methods and those who do not, and considers both contemporary policies and specific publication strategies that can create a priority for the use of experimental evidence in support of prescriptive statements.
Microscopic theory of single-electron tunneling through molecular-assembled metallic nanoparticles

We present a microscopic theory of single-electron tunneling through metallic nanoparticles connected to the electrodes through molecular bridges. It combines the theory of electron transport through molecular junctions with the description of the charging dynamics on the nanoparticles. We apply the theory to study single-electron tunneling through a gold nanoparticle connected to the gold electrodes through two representative benzene-based molecules. We calculate the background charge on the nanoparticle induced by the charge transfer between the nanoparticle and linker molecules, the capacitance and resistance of molecular junction using a first-principles based nonequilibrium Green's-function theory. We demonstrate the variety of transport characteristics that can be achieved through ``engineering'' of the metal-molecule interaction.
Particle Engineering and Intelligent Processing of Piezo Ceramics

The sequence of reactions and morphological changes during the calcination of lead magnesium niobate titanate solid solution (PMNT) from a variety of reactant mixtures were studied. As predicted, the formation of the perovskite phase occurs with an expansion of the compact of the mixture and is accompanied by drastic changes in the microstructure. Reactive calcining of the mix to the point of maximum expansion (750°-800°C) results in ultrafine sinteractive powder and this facilitates the fabrication of dense, high performance PMNT ceramics at temperatures as low as 1150°C.
Transfusion pattern of fresh frozen plasma in a medical school hospital.

. 364 units of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) used at the Medical College of Ohio Hospital between April and July 1982 were analyzed for their pattern of use. According to the criteria developed for the survey, 33% of the units were used for blood pressure support, 34% were used for clotting support, 14% were used for the combined reasons of blood pressure and clotting support, 11% of the units were used during therapeutic pheresis, and the remaining 7% were used for unidentified reasons. 39% of the FFP were given with red blood cells. Since FFP transfusions carry potentially more serious adverse effects than albumin/plasma protein fractions, their use as volume expanders, or to reconstitute whole blood, should be discouraged.
Controlling the density of amine sites on silica surfaces using benzyl spacers.

The synthesis and characterization of benzyl-spaced aminopropyl-functionalized mesoporous silica is reported by a method designed to reduce silanol−amine and amine−amine interactions. The new material is characterized by N2 physisorption, thermogravimetric analysis, potentiometric titration, X-ray diffraction, FT-Raman spectroscopy, and 13C and 29Si solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The degree of clustering of the amines is studied by solid-state fluorescence spectroscopy of 1-pyrenecarboxylic acid bound to the deprotected benzyl-spaced aminosilica. The results obtained provide evidence of an amine loading comparable to traditional dense amine grafting approaches on SBA-15. Thermogravimetric analysis, FT-Raman spectroscopy, and 13C solid-state NMR spectroscopy results show evidence that the protected imine can be quantitatively cleaved to yield the corresponding amine. As evidenced by fluorescence spectroscopy, the benzyl-spaced material is isolated enough to prevent excimer formation of the probe molecule, u...
Target duration effects on iconic memory: the confounding role of changing stimulus dimensions

Observers' accuracy in detecting a narrow spatial gap between two brief, luminous rectangles presented successively was determined within a two-alternative, forced-choice procedure. This successive-field task requires iconic memory, because the information (rectangle position) in the two presentations must be combined for successful gap detection. On this task, the effect of varying the duration of the first rectangle was systematically investigated over several target luminance levels and for several ISI conditions between rectangles. At the long ISI conditions (100 and 300 ms), the effects of increasing stimulus duration was to improve performance. However, at the brief ISI condition (20 ms), increasing stimulus duration initially depressed task performance. It was found that, with practice, this initial performance drop largely disappeared, and the beneficial influence of increasing target duration was again obtained. These results are discussed in terms of (a) a proposed retinal locus for the iconic m...
Characterization of oxide scales formed on HVOF NiCrAlY coatings with various oxygen contents introduced during thermal spraying

Abstract NiCrAlY coatings with oxygen contents ranging from 3 to 21 at.% introduced during HVOF spraying were prepared. Oxidation tests at 1000 °C for up to 1000 h showed that the composition and microstructure of the oxide scale formed on the coatings were significantly affected by the oxygen content in the coatings.
Administration of nicotine to adolescent rats evokes regionally selective upregulation of CNS α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

Abstract α7 Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play a role in axonogenesis, synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity, and are therefore targets for developmental neurotoxicants. We administered nicotine to adolescent rats and evaluated the effects on α7 nAChRs in the striatum, brainstem and cerebellum. During the period of nicotine administration (30–47.5 days of age), nicotine elicited α7 nAChR upregulation with a regional hierarchy of striatum>brainstem>cerebellum. Values returned to normal or became slightly subnormal almost immediately after the cessation of treatment (50 days of age) with no further changes through 75 days of age. The temporal and regional patterns of the effects on α7 nAChRs were distinct from those reported earlier for the α4β2 subtype, and neither adult nor fetal/neonatal administration upregulates the α7 subtype in the striatum. Targeting of the striatum is thus unique to nicotine exposure during adolescence and parallels earlier work showing regionally selective effects of this treatment on synaptic signaling. We obtained preliminary evidence for nicotine-induced oxidative stress as a potential contributory mechanism. The present findings reinforce the concept of biologically distinct effects of nicotine in the adolescent brain and provide evidence for a mechanistic involvement of α7 nAChRs in its unique effects during this developmental period.
Study of Mushy-Zone Development in Dendritic Microstructures with Glass-Forming Eutectic Matrices Using Electrostatic Levitation

The coarsening of dendrites in two bulk metallic glass matrix composites was investigated using noncontact techniques in a high vacuum electrostatic levitator. Progressive degrees of coarsening were observed after isothermal holds of varying duration. Specific volume and surface tension during heating and cooling were measured. Hysteresis in specific volume was observed.
Physical-chemical properties of stable yeast ribosomes and ribosomal subunits☆

Abstract Stable ribosomes, of low ribonuclease content, were isolated from yeast by a procedure that included deoxycholate treatment and DEAE chromatography. The 82.0-S monosome was reversibly dissociated to 60.7-S and 37.8-S subunits by reducing the buffer Mg2+ concentration and by treatment with 2.0 M urea. Extraction of Mg2+ with EDTA caused irreversible dissociation to 45-S and 26-S subunits and the loss of the 5-S RNA. The RNA contents of the monosome and the large and small subunits are 53 %, 50 %, and 57.5 %. The monosome has a molecular weight of 3.60 · 106 and a partial specific volume of 0.630 cm3/g, by pycnometry; the reciprocal of its buoyant density in CsCl is 0.626 cm3/g. The molecular weights of the large and small subunits are 2.57 · 106 and 1.01 · 106, and the reciprocals of their densities are 0.635 cm3/g and 0.620 cm3/g, respectively. The frictional ratio for the whole ribosome is 1.48; for the 60.7 S large subunit, 1.57; and for the 37.8 S small subunit, 1.42. If the large subunit is spherical, it should have a diameter of 268 A and a hydration of 1.82 g/g of nucleoprotein. The best model for the small subunit is an oblate ellipsoid 242 A × 62 A , with a hydration of only 0.50 g/g. The monosome would then be a prolate ellipsoid 268 A wide × 330 A long with a hydration of 1.34 g/g. These axial ratios were confirmed by electron microscopy of negatively stained monosomes. The extensive hydration of the large subunit suggests that it may contain a solvent-filled central core or channel.