cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sedentary behavior and metabolic syndrome in physically active adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2006.

Objectives The detrimental associations of sedentary behavior (SB) with metabolic syndrome have been shown to be independent of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA). Therefore, researchers, in addition to promoting MVPA, are calling attention to the need to reduce SB. However, there has been limited research on the association of SB with metabolic syndrome among those who already meet the PA guidelines. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between objectively measured SB and metabolic syndrome among those who meet the PA guideline. Methods A total of 1613 adults (>17 years) who met the PA guideline of 150 minutes/week of MVPA from the 2003 to 2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were included in the analysis. For analytical purposes, four sub-groups of SB were created based on quartiles of SB minutes. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the ATP III guidelines. Results When controlling for covariates, participants in the fourth quartile of SB time (≥539 minutes/day) were more likely to report metabolic syndrome (OR = 3.16; 95% CI: 1.47, 6.80) compared to those in the first quartile of SB time (≤380 minutes/day). Also, participants in the third quartile of SB time (454-539 minutes/day) were more likely to report metabolic syndrome (OR = 2.11; 95% CI: 1.25, 3.56) compared to those in the first quartile of SB time. Conclusion This finding suggests that, even in those who meet the PA guidelines, detrimental associations with metabolic syndrome are observed with increasing SB time.
Xenobiotic transporter activity in zebrafish embryo ionocytes

Ionocytes are specialized cells in the epidermis of embryonic zebrafish (Danio rerio) that play important roles in ion homeostasis and have functional similarities to mammalian renal cells. Here, we examined whether these cells might also share another functional similarity with renal cells, which is the presence of efflux transporter activities useful for elimination of toxic small molecules. Xenobiotic transporters (XTs), including the ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC) family, are a major defense mechanism against diffusible toxic molecules in aquatic embryos, including zebrafish, but their activity in the ionocytes has not previously been studied. Using fluorescent small molecule substrates of XT, we observed that specific populations of ionocytes uptake and efflux fluorescent small molecules in a manner consistent with active transport. We specifically identified a P-gp/ABCB1 inhibitor-sensitive efflux activity in the H+-ATPase-rich (HR) ionocytes, and show that these cells exhibit enriched expression of the ABCB gene, abcb5. The results extend our understanding of the functional significance of zebrafish ionocytes and indicate that these cells could play an important role in protection of the fish embryo from harmful small molecules.
Methane Leak Detection Using Chirped Laser Dispersion Spectroscopy

We present a real-time chirped laser dispersion spectrometer capable of distinguishing path-averaged methane leaks 0 to 8 ppm above the ∼ppm background methane level using low reflectivity (down to 0.01%) surfaces 50 m away. © 2019 The Author(s)
Improvements for absolute quantitation using electrochemical mass spectrometry

Abstract We recently reported a new quantitation method using mass spectrometry (MS) in combination with electrochemistry (EC, J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom., 2019, 30, 685). The strength of this method is that no reference standard or isotope-labeled compound is required for absolute quantitation. The method relies on electrochemical oxidation of an electrochemically active target compound to determine the amount of the oxidized compound using Faraday's Law. On the other hand, the oxidation reaction yield can be determined based on the MS signal change following electrolysis. Therefore, the absolute amount of the analyte can be calculated. Our experiment is carried out using a coupled liquid chromatography/electrochemistry/mass spectrometry (LC/EC/MS) apparatus. In this study, the method is further optimized. First, quantifying the compounds in a mixture is possible after the chromatographic separation. Gradient elution is used for separation and each compound can be quantified using the electrochemical mass spectrometry method. Second, for compounds that are already purified, LC column is not necessary and can be removed (i.e., flow-through analysis), thus shortening the analysis time for each injected sample from 10 min to 2 min. With using an LC auto-sampler, multiple samples can be injected sequentially. All the quantitation errors shown in this study are within 5%, indicating a good accuracy of our method.
Introduction to the Special Section on Clinical Approaches to Adolescents with Gender Dysphoria

Transgender development in adolescents often occurs in the context of diverse psychiatric symptoms or diagnoses preceding, co-occurring with, or following the onset of the atypical gender identity variations. In addition, it tends to upset the prevailing binary gender ideology and, thereby, strain intra-family relationships as well as elicit stigma in other social contexts. The purpose of this Special Section is to describe clinical approaches to assessment and treatment of patients presenting with such challenging combinations of problems, before the background of societal changes that are affecting the traditional binary gender ideology.
Propagation of Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Variegatus’ by Stem Cuttings

Abstract Nontreated softwood cuttings of Variegatus' osmanthus [Osmanthus heterophyllus (G. Don) P.S. Green ‘Variegatus’] collected in early June 2009 and late May 2010 rooted at > 70%. Treatment o...
Biofabrication for 3D tissue test systems

Abstract Scientific modeling can be used to conceptualize, test, understand, and direct complex natural systems. The ability to create accurate models of three-dimensional (3D), functioning tissues is a growing reality. Benchtop tissue models, that is, tissue test systems, have many potential advantages over current modeling technologies, including two-dimensional (2D) cell culture and animal models, for biomedical research. Three-dimensional fabricated tissues are more representative of natural tissues than 2D cell cultures; are easier to control, replicate, and discern than animal models; and are potentially cost saving for biomedical research. Tissue models can be used to investigate tissue function and disease progression, discover new pharmaceuticals, teach, and personalize treatments for patients. Biofabrication is an additive manufacturing process offering control over cell distribution, biomolecule deposition, and biomaterial geometries and surfaces. At the confluence of tissue modeling and tissue fabrication is the design process for creating 3D tissue test systems to support biological discovery, personalized medicine, teaching, and in vitro testing.
Empirical Findings Relating to Psychopathy

“Successful” or “Corporate” psychopaths are arguably unlikely to engage in overt acts of violence or antisocial conduct, and yet a question of fundamental importance is whether the core personality, affective and interpersonal traits of psychopathy are in fact present to a meaningful extent within this high-functioning group. The chapter examines research conducted on psychopathic personality as measured by psychometrically valid instruments and how this relates to corporate populations. Issues relating to the inherent structure of the PPI-R and its relationship to the conceptualisation of psychopathy in non-forensic populations are discussed, including the implications for measuring psychopathy with this tool in order to expand our discussion of psychopathy. Additionally, the connection between the PPI-R and other assessment instruments provides comparison and contrast between the options available in assessing psychopathy.
Carbon Monoxide Activation by Organoactinides. Catalytic Hydrogenation of Inserted CO

This paper reports that homogeneous hydrogenation of the eta/sup 2/-acyls to the corresponding alkoxide derivatives (M(eta/sup 2/-COR) ..-->.. M-OCH/sub 2/R) can be readily effected at room temperature and less than 1 atm of H/sub 2/ pressure by using the hydride (Th((CH/sub 3/)/sub 5/C/sub 5/)/sub 2/H/sub 2/)/sub 2/ as a catalyst (M = Th or U).
Zone 2 Flexor Tendon Repair Location and Risk of Catching on the A2 Pulley

Purpose To determine the region of the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) and flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) tendons in zone 2 that, when involved by a laceration repair, will reliably catch on the A2 pulley after surgery. Methods Using fresh-frozen cadavers (5 hands, 20 digits), excursions of the FDP and FDS tendons were measured in relation to the A2 pulley. The C1, A3, and C2 pulleys were resected. The digit was maximally flexed by applying traction to the flexor tendon in the forearm. An 8-0 suture tag was placed in the flexor tendons immediately distal to the A2 pulley. The digit was then passively fully extended to measure tendon excursion. Measurements were repeated with 50% venting and 100% release of the A4 pulley. Reference points such as tendon insertions and flexion creases were obtained. This protocol was repeated sequentially for the index, middle, ring, and little fingers. Results For all 20 fingers, the suture placed into the FDP just distal to the A2 pulley with the finger fully flexed traveled 1.6 ± 1.9 mm distal to the proximal edge of the A4 pulley with passive extension of the finger. The mean excursion for the FDP was 24.6 ± 3.2 mm, and 16.9 ± 3.1 mm for the FDS. The mean A2 pulley length was 16.2 ± 3.5 mm, and the mean distance between the distal edge of the A2 pulley and the proximal edge of the A4 pulley was 23.0 ± 3.3 mm. Venting the A4 pulley 50% and 100% increased FDP excursion a maximum of 0.9 and 1.9 mm, respectively. Conclusions An FDP repair proximal to the A4 pulley will slide under the A2 pulley with full active digital flexion after surgery. If the distal FDP stump lies underneath the A4 pulley with the digit fully extended, the FDP repair will not likely engage the A2 pulley with full flexion after surgery. The FDP excursion can be reliably predicted as a percentage of the A2 (distal) to the A4 (distal) pulley distance. Most importantly, the distance between the repair site and the A4 pulley approximately equals the length of the A2 pulley that requires release to avoid postoperative triggering. Clinical relevance Knowledge of this high-risk region of flexor tendon repair will guide surgeons regarding the potential need for partial release of the A2 pulley.
Combined phaco-vitrectomy provides lower costs and greater area under the curve vision gains than sequential vitrectomy and phacoemulsification

A majority of phakic patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane or macular hole require subsequent cataract surgery within 1–2 years. Combined phaco-vitrectomy eliminates the need for a second surgery and may enable patients to attain their best vision sooner. This study aims to compare the visual outcomes, complication rates, and costs of combined phaco-vitrectomy versus sequential vitrectomy followed by cataract surgery. Records were searched by CPT® codes to identify patients with both cataract and vitrectomy surgery at our institution over a 5-year period (2013–2018). Chart review included medical history, demographics, exam findings, operating room records, visual acuity (VA), and clinical outcomes. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS v19 (IBM). Area under the curve for visual acuity was calculated as the trapezoidal mean of the change in Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters. After exclusion, 81 eyes of 78 patients underwent both cataract and vitrectomy surgeries at our institution. Thirty-four eyes underwent separate, sequential vitrectomy then phacoemulsification surgery, and 47 eyes had combined phaco-vitrectomy surgery. Total operating room times (120.81 ± 3.41 vs 161.03 ± 5.45 min; p < 0.0001) and associated costs were significantly lower in the combined surgery compared with those in the sequential surgery group. Baseline and final visual acuity were similar between the two groups. Baseline VA was 35.53 letters (~ 20/200) and 32.81 letters (~ 20/220) and increased to final VA of 63.74 (~ 20/53) and 60.91 letters (~ 20/61), in the sequential and combined groups respectively. Area under the curve for vision was greater in the combined surgery group, with subjects gaining an average of + 9.11 ± 3.32 letters from sequential surgery, and + 19.53 ± 3.53 letters in the combined surgery group (p = 0.04). Additionally, patients in the combined group attained their best visual acuity 449 days (15 months) sooner than those receiving sequential surgery. Combined phaco-vitrectomy surgery resulted in greater area under the curve visual acuity benefit and attainment of best visual acuity 15 months sooner compared with conventional sequential surgeries. There were no significant differences in complication rates or clinical outcomes between the groups, but operative times and costs were lower for combined surgery, supporting a favorable cost-benefit ratio.
Walking the line: Unfaith in the Middle Ages

The paper explores the author’s continued love for medieval mystical texts that blur the boundaries between the creaturely and the divine ways of thinking a Christianity at odds with itself, undoing itself, arguably annihilating itself at the heart of the Middle Ages.
From the Inside Out: Thinking through the Archaeology of Japanese American Confinement

For better or for worse, the archaeology of the Japanese diaspora has been dominated by the study of sites of WWII-era incarceration. For all its considerable merits, such research focuses on a brief, and in many ways unrepresentative, slice of the Nikkei experience. This article leverages the results of six years of field research at one of those sites—Amache, Colorado—to create working hypotheses for linking Nikkei experiences before, during, and after incarceration. To do so the Amache data set is framed by findings from earlier sites, other confinement camps, and an informal survey of Amache survivors.
Working to learn

Abstract We study the joint determination of wages, effort, and training in “apprenticeships” where novices must work in order to learn. We introduce the idea of learning-by-doing as an inequality constraint, which allows masters to strategically slow training down. Every Pareto-efficient contract has an initial phase where the novice learns as fast as technologically feasible, followed by a phase where their master constrains how fast they learn. This latter phase mitigates the novice's commitment problem, and thus lets the novice consume more than they produce early on in the relationship. Our model has novel implications for optimal regulation.
The Teacher’s Gift of Sacrifice as the Art of the Self

INTRODUCTION One of the great discoveries that Michel Foucault makes in his later work — the work that reflects his turn to ethics — is that the precept of “care of the self” maintained a privileged status over the Delphic principle of “know thyself” in ancient Greek philosophy. He thus interprets ancient philosophy as an “aesthetics of existence” and a mode of self-formation, rather than what we have come to know philosophy as, mainly through its modern incarnation: theoretical systematizing. The figure of Socrates plays an important role in Foucault’s development of this interpretation. Primarily through his reading of both the Apology and the Alcibiades Major of Plato, Foucault presents Socrates as the master of the “care of the self” — the exemplary teacher who calls upon his fellow citizens to concern themselves with themselves.
The Tax Consequences of Pension Trusts and Employer Purchased Annuities to Employee or Beneficiary

F OR MANY YEARS Congress has sought to encourage the establishment of retirement benefit plans in industry by special tax legislation.' Although such laws were enacted as early as 1926,2 the present tax treatment of pension benefits evolved with the Revenue Act of 1942.1 The pension legislation was just one manifestation of this "most ambitious Act in its attempt to raise revenue, close loopholes and adjust inequities among taxpayers."4 Prior to 1942 an employer was able to set up a pension plan primarily for the benefit of highly paid executives and other key men, taking a deduction in the years payments were made under the plan.' Benefits were not taxed until the time of distribution to the executive after retirement.6
Forces of Change: Mechanics Underlying Formation of Functional 3D Organ Buds.

3D organ buds that can recapitulate organ function have myriad applications for regenerative and personalized medicine. Here, Takebe et al. (2015) describe a generalized method for organ bud formation, demonstrating that mechanosensitive mesenchymal stem cells drive condensation of heterotypic cell mixtures to create buds from diverse organs.
Advancing Frontiers and the Economic Take-Off in China and the United States

This article compares the economic take-offs in China and the United States from a macro and historical perspective by applying institutional analysis. It finds that exploration and promotion of the economic frontier were crucial drivers of economic growth and shaped social transitions in both countries, although the connotation of "frontier" varied over time and changed across national boundaries. The study also illustrates how the government in each country played an important role in driving the frontier expansion and economic growth.
A methodology to eliminate snow- and ice-contaminated solutions from GPS coordinate time series

[1] Positions derived from continuously operating GPS sites are used throughout the world for geophysical research. These positions are estimated assuming that the GPS signals have not been obstructed by either snow or ice on the GPS antenna. Unfortunately, in many regions of the world, this assumption is not correct. Snow and ice attenuate and scatter the GPS signal in a way that leads to significant positioning errors. These positioning outliers are typically removed by assuming geophysical models of displacement. In this study an algorithm is developed that uses signal strength data to determine when the GPS signal has been impacted by snow or ice. This information is then used to remove outliers in GPS coordinate time series. The signal strength-based algorithm was tested on 6 years of data from the EarthScope Plate Boundary Observatory network. The algorithm improves the precision of ~10% of these coordinate time series, with most of the improvement found for sites operating in Alaska.
High dielectric constant polymer nano-composites actuator materials

Charge transport plays very important role in many electronic materials. Recently, making use of the delocalized electrons in conjugated /spl pi/-electrons in organics, several all-polymer composites have been developed which exhibited dielectric constant higher than 1,000 and high electromechanical responses with much reduced electric field (for example, 14% strain induced under 25 MV/m with an elastic energy density of 0.85 J/cm/sup 3/). This talk will discuss these developments, including the significant enhancement of the dielectric and electromechanical responses in these composites when the inclusion size is reduced from sub-microns to nanometers. The interfacial polarization exchange effect and local field fluctuations in these nano-composites play very important role in enhancing the dielectric and electromechanical responses.
A guide to mackey functors

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of Mackey functors. A Mackey functor is an algebraic structure possessing operations which behave in a similar manner as the induction, restriction, and conjugation mappings in group representation theory. Such operations appear in a variety of diverse contexts, such as group cohomology, the algebraic K-theory of group rings, and algebraic number theory. The method of stable elements formulated for all Mackey functors are described in the chapter. Induction theorems are the most important methods of computation. They have a very well-developed and well-known theory, in the context of group representations. The technical machinery is developed to present the applications, which they necessitate, and is carried in an order, which to a large extent reflects chronology. The theory of Mackey functors became more elaborate as it is apparent that they are algebraic structures in their own right, with a theory that fits in the framework of representations of algebras. A new notion of Mackey functor—namely, that of a globally-defined Mackey functor—are structures which have a definition on all finite groups. The uses for these functors discussed are: a method of computing group cohomology, an approach to the stable decomposition of classifying spaces BG, and a framework in which Dade's group of endopermutation modules plays a fundamental role.
Lineage of neurons and glia in chick dorsal root ganglia: analysis in vivo with a recombinant retrovirus.

We used retrovirus-mediated gene transfer to study the lineage of neural crest cells in chick embryos. Individual crest cells were infected before they migrated from the neural tube, and their clonal progeny were subsequently revealed in sensory ganglia and associated structures by a histochemical stain for the viral gene product (lacZ). We found that crest cells were multipotential in several respects. (1) Many clones contained both ventrolateral (VL) and dorsomedial (DM) neurons, which had been suggested to be lineally distinct. (2) Many clones contained both large and small neurons, which are known to innervate distinct targets. (3) Many clones contained multiple glial subtypes, e.g. both Schwann cells, which ensheath axons, and satellite cells, which ensheath neuronal somata. (4) Many clones contained both neurons and glial cells. On the other hand, a sizeable minority of clones was homogenous, e.g. they contained only neurons or only glial cells—suggesting that some progenitors may be, or become, restricted in potential. Finally, this study provides the first opportunity to compare directly the two methods currently available for tracing cell lineage in vertebrate embryos, retroviral infection and tracer injection: our results and those of Bronner-Fraser and Fraser (1989), who used the latter method, provide complementary but consistent views of crest lineage.
Postsynaptic Complex Spike Bursting Enables the Induction of LTP by Theta Frequency Synaptic Stimulation

Long-term potentiation (LTP), a persistent enhancement of synaptic transmission that may be involved in some forms of learning and memory, is induced at excitatory synapses in the CA1 region of the hippocampus by coincident presynaptic and postsynaptic activity. Although action potentials back-propagating into dendrites of hippocampal pyramidal cells provide sufficient postsynaptic activity to induce LTP under some in vitro conditions, it is not known whether LTP can be induced by patterns of postsynaptic action potential firing that occur in these cells in vivo . Here we report that a characteristic in vivo pattern of action potential generation in CA1 pyramidal cells known as the complex spike burst enables the induction of LTP during theta frequency synaptic stimulation in the CA1 region of hippocampal slices maintained in vitro . Our results suggest that complex spike bursting may have an important role in synaptic processes involved in learning and memory formation, perhaps by producing a highly sensitive postsynaptic state during which even low frequencies of presynaptic activity can induce LTP.
Mathematics and Physics in Engineering

MANY definitions are given of an engineer. For the purpose of this discussion I would define an engineer as a scientist who uses physics and mathematics to promote the welfare of mankind. His use of physics and mathematics presupposes a thorough knowledge of them and demands that he be capable of:
Interpretation of microbial bioassays using kinetic parameters.

Abstract A method analogous to that used for enzyme kinetics was applied to estimate maximum growth rates and oxygen depletion rates as measures of microbial toxicity. Selected toxicants including phenol, formalin and CuSO4 were tested against an axenic culture of E. coli and a mixed culture derived from soil to determine reproducibility of the test procedures. Optical density was used as a measure of growth over time. Oxygen uptake over a short term (20 min.) and over extended time (>4 hrs.) was also monitored. Microbial growth rate constants (g) and oxygen depletion rate constants (k) were calculated and the EC50 values for toxicity were taken as one half the maximum growth rate or oxygen depletion rates, respectively. The method proved a reasonable and reliable measure of toxicity.
On D-C electrical conductivity in a partially ionized solar magnetoplasma

A numerical application to the extreme cases of high and low degree of ionization of the binary collision theory of Burgers (1960) and the multiple collision theory of Shkarofsky (1960) shows very good agreement in the values of the magnetic tensor components for solar electrical conductivity. It is pointed out that the inclusion of ion motions in Burgers theory favors its use in the future evaluation of the solar thermal conductivity tensor.
Environmental education research news Environmental education research notes (USA)

Summary note These selections were chosen as representative and reflective of the varieties of environmental education research currently reported in the literature. No selection bias was intended, other than for the purpose of providing a representative variety. In most cases, abstracts printed in Current Index to Journals in Education, Resources in Education , or Dissertation Abstracts International were used in preparing these notes. The papers cited above were selected from three sources: Current Index to Journals in Education , the ERIC system's monthly compilation of citations of literature reported in educational and education-related journals; Resources in Education , ERIC's monthly compilation of abstracts of non-journal educational literature; and Dissertation Abstracts International , a monthly compilation of abstracts of doctoral dissertations reported by universities in the United States and Canada and published by University Microfilms International (UMI). Papers from journals are referenced in the normal manner, with notation of reprint availability from UMI as appropriate. Papers cited in Resources in Education are referenced by ED numbers, and may be located in ERIC microfiche collections or ordered from ERIC Document Reproduction Service. Papers cited in Dissertation Abstracts International are referenced by volume, number, and page; copies may be secured from UMI in most cases.
Use of Balloon-Tipped Catheters in the Critically Ill Child

A retrospective study of our experience in the placement of 19 consecutive balloon-tipped catheters in the pulmonary artery of 18 children disclosed that the procedure can be performed with relative ease in the intensive care unit without the aid of fluoroscopy. Insertion of the catheters was not associated with any serious complications. Catheter malfunction, however, occurred in 9 of 18 patients: balloon rupture in 6 and clot formation in 3. Comparison of pulmonary capillary pressure through a balloon-tipped catheter and venous pressure through a central venous line indicates that, in the absence of significant pulmonary disease requiring high positive end expiratory pressure, or significant left heart dysfunction, a central venous pressure line is frequently adequate for monitoring right heart pressures and as a guidance to fluid therapy.
Treatment of Graves' orbitopathy in 1990.

In summary, the first step in managing Graves' orbit-opathy rests with establishing a correct diagnosis. The evaluation does not stop at this point, however. A thorough ophthalmic examination to identify the patient's areas of concern and to evaluate the status of the visual acuity, eyelids, cornea, ocular motility and optic nerve is done. A general medical evaluation determines the status of the thyroid gland and any other medical problems which threaten the patient's health.The surgical management of Graves' orbitopathy as described above at first glance might seem to be ag-gressive therapy. In many patients, especially those with severe or sight threatening orbitopathy, this type of therapy may prove to represent conservative therapy in the long-term as patients generally tend to be rehabi-litated sooner and can be spared untoward effects of prolonged high dose corticosteroids. It has been our belief that surgical management of severe orbitopathy is more predictable than medical management and that surgery is associated with an acceptable rate of compli-cations. While long-term follow-up has been provided for some patients treated by transantral orbital decom-pression, 37 a larger group with longer follow-up is cur-rently being evaluated at our institution in order to further assess late results, detail any late complications, assess patient satisfaction and to review the status of thyroid function before and after decompression.
Toughening behavior in ceramics associated with the transformation of tetragonal ZrO2

The contribution of the stress-induced phase transformation ZrO/sub 2/ to the fracture toughness of ceramics is described in terms of the zone size, the critical transformation stress and the influence of these parameters on the tetragonal to monoclinic transformation. For example in partially stabilized zirconia (PSZ), the ..delta..K/sub lC//sup T/ is shown to depend upon the martensite start (M/sub s/) temperature, which can be altered by the solute content and the particle or precipitate size. This behavior is consistent with the thermodynamics of the transformation. Experimental data correspond to the behavior predicted for various systems toughened by the addition of tetragonal ZrO/sub 2/ (e.g. PSZ and Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/-Z/sub 4/O/sub 2/(Y/sub 2/O/sub 3/). The stress required to transform the ZrO/sub 2/ is also modified by residual stresses due to the mismatch in matrix and particle (esp. thermal expansion) properties in the composite systems. The total residual stress acting on a particle is the sum of the particle's internal stress and the stress field of neighboring particles, and as a result, the total residual stress increases with volume fraction of ZrO/sub 2/ (V/sub f/). In the case of the Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/-ZrO/sub 2/ composites the pertinent stresses are tensile in charactermore » and thus promote the ZrO/sub 2/ transformation as V/sub f/ increases) For each level of Y/sub 2/O/sub 3/ in the ZrO/sub 2/, ..delta..K/sub lc//sup T/ then goes through a maximum with increase in V/sub f/ at a value of V/sub f/ where sigma/sub R//sup T/ - sigma/sub C//sup T/. The critical transformation stress is thus described for different levels of solute (e.g. Y/sub 2/O/sub 3/) in the ZrO/sub 2/. The dependence of ..delta..K/sub lc//sup T/ upon (sigma/sub C//sup T/ - sigma/sub R//sup T/) obtained is found to agree with the predicted behavior.« less
Molecular typing of coagulase-negative staphylococci from blood cultures does not correlate with clinical criteria for true bacteremia.

Abstract PURPOSE: Determining whether a blood culture that contains coagulase-negative staphylococci represents bacteremia or contamination is a clinical dilemma. We compared molecular-typing results of coagulase-negative staphylococcal blood culture isolates with clinical criteria for true bacteremia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and arbitrary primed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to determine whether patients with two or more blood cultures with coagulase-negative staphylococcal isolates had the same strain of organism in each culture (same strain bacteremia). We evaluated three different clinical criteria for bacteremia: whether the patient received more than 4 days of antibiotics, whether there was an explicit note in the medical chart in which the physician diagnosed a true bacteremia, and the Centers for Disease Control surveillance criteria for primary bloodstream infection. Agreement between same-strain bacteremia and each definition was examined, based on the assumption that most true infections should be the result of a single strain. RESULTS: The study sample consisted of 42 patients and 106 isolates. Nineteen of the 42 bacteremias (45%) were the same strain. Classification of bacteremias as same–strain correlated poorly with all three clinical assessments (range of percent agreement, 50% to 57%; range of kappa statistic, 0.01 to 0.15). There were both false-positive and false-negative errors. Patients with three or more positive blood cultures were more likely to have same-strain bacteremia than those with only two positive cultures [11 of 15 (73%) vs 8 of 27 (30%), P = 0.006]. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was more discriminating than arbitrary primed PCR (percent agreement, 83%; kappa, 0.67). CONCLUSION: Molecular typing correlated poorly with clinical criteria for true bacteremia, suggesting either that true bacteremias are frequently the result of multiple strains or that the commonly used clinical criteria are not accurate for distinguishing contamination from true bacteremia. Vancomycin treatment of clinically defined coagulase-negative staphylococcal bacteremia may frequently be unnecessary.
Improving recall using database management systems: A learning strategy

AbstractThis article describes the use of microcomputer database management systems for facilitating the instructional uses of learning strategies. Two learning strategies (cross classification matrixing and node acquisition and integration) and the proceses of using database systems to mediate them are described. Database systems should make the use of these strategies easier as well as opening up sorting, searching and reporting options not available in normal print form. The intellectual processes involved in defining a data structure and setting up a database are also described. The technique represents a tool or skill application of microcomputers.
Maximum Likelihood Estimators of Binomial Parameters under an Order Restriction

Abstract An elementary method for finding a restricted maximum likelihood estimator of a sequence of k + 1 binomial parameters p 1,p 2, …, pk , q is presented. The order restriction, Pi ≥ q (i = 1, …, k), arises in comparing k treatment groups with a control group. An algorithm to find these estimators is also given.
Accuracy limits of ultrasonographic estimation of human fetal urinary flow rate.

Abstract Objective: Our purpose was to define the accuracy of currently available methods of ultrasonographically estimating human fetal urinary flow rate in a controlled setting. Study Design: Eleven fetal cadavers were studied in a water bath. Saline solution was incrementally infused into the bladder to simulate a rate of 1 ml/min. Serial fetal bladder volumes were calculated from ultrasonographic measurements by means of the ovoid volume formula (ovoid volume=4/3 · π · (D 1 · D 2 · D 3 )/8 and ellipse sagittal-area and coronal-area volume formulas that we previously reported (Sagittal-area volume=0.46323 + 1.39394 · Sagittal area and Coronal-area volume=1.20640 + 1.07603 · Coronal area). Fetal urinary flow rate was determined by (1) subtracting the mean of two fetal bladder volumes at the start and end of a simulated 30-minute bladder filling or (2) linear regression of three, four, five, and six fetal bladder volume observations against time. The means of fetal urinary flow rate estimates and errors derived with each method were compared to the actual rate of 1 ml/min by means of the Student t test. Results: The volume subtraction technique with ovoid volume yielded a fetal urinary flow rate of 1.68 ml/min (95% confidence interval 0.86 to 2.50 ml/min). Similar overprediction of fetal urinary flow rate occurred with regression with ovoid volume (1.45 ml/min, 95% confidence interval 0.61 to 2.29 ml/min). Estimated fetal urinary flow rates (from sagittal-area volume and coronal-area volume (0.99 ml/min, 95% confidence interval 0.64 to 1.34 ml/min) were significantly more accurate than those from ovoid volume ( p p = 0.02). Conclusions: Ultrasonographic estimates of fetal urinary flow rate based on the ovoid volume formula overestimate the true rate by 40% to 70%. Fetal urinary flow rate calculated by regression of three to six sagittal or coronal bladder area measurements is a better estimate of true rate with a satisfactory margin of uncertainty. This technique can be used to predict human fetal urinary flow rate with an expected accuracy of ±35%.
Co-simulation framework for design of time-triggered cyber physical systems

Designing cyber-physical systems (CPS) is challenging due to the tight interactions between software, network/platform, and physical components. A co-simulation method is valuable to enable early system evaluation. In this paper, a cosimulation framework that considers interacting CPS components for design of time-triggered (TT) CPS is proposed. Virtual prototyping of CPS is the core of the proposed frame-work. A network/platform model in SystemC forms the backbone of the virtual prototyping, which bridges control software and physical environment. The network/platform model consists of processing elements abstracted by real-time operating systems, communication systems, sensors, and actuators. The framework is also integrated with a model-based design tool to enable rapid prototyping. The framework is validated by comparing simulation results with the results from a hardware-in-the-loop automotive simulator.
The Use of Exile: The Revaluation of Power Between the Ancients and Modernity

In the midst of the Peloponnesian War the city of Athens held its last ostrakaphoria, the ritualized ostracism that served to thwart the ambitions of potential tyrants. Now, in the arena of contemporary politics, a new form of exile has emerged, the so-called residency ban enacted against individuals categorized as sex offenders that effectively prohibits them from maintaining domicile within participating municipalities. It is at the site of exile, perhaps more than at the site of even death itself, that the state reveals its failure. The exile is the actor beyond compliance, insufficiently disciplined and improperly socialized. In this paper, I examine the revaluation of power as represented in the comparison of ancient and modern exile. I argue that the futile effort to control sexual predation through the use of exile succeeds in inadvertently creating a new kind of political resistance. Through the lens of exile a notion of modern power emerges that is inverted from its ancient antecedent.
Can Presidents Pack the Supreme Court? A Micro- and Macrolevel Look at FDR

The question of whether presidents can "pack" the Supreme Court has long concerned political scientists and historians. This paper examines the extent to which Franklin Roosevelt succeeded in appoi...
Meeting NASA's Mission Through Commercial Partnerships

This paper examines novel approaches to furthering NASA's missions through the use of commercial partnerships. The exploration of space ha proven to be a costly endeavor requiring the development of new technologies at significant expense. One of the prime factors holding bac the robust development of space is insufficient investment in the technologies necessary to make it a reality. The key to success in bringin needed space development technologies to maturation lies in bringing technology investors together from government, industry and academia. aggressive road map for developing space will require a diverse set of interest to industry or other government agencies. By having each invest( contributing to the part of the technology development of interest to them development of space systems can be put together at a cost far below wl would be required to develop for a stand-alone effort. The NASA Space Partnership Division has been employing this technique to leverage a 30 million dollar NASA investment into at 100 million dollar advanced technology development effort focused on meeting NASA's mission needs.
Single molecule conformational dynamics of adenylate kinase: energy landscape, structural correlations, and transition state ensembles.

We developed a coarse grained two-well model to study the single molecule protein conformational dynamics in microscopic detail at the residue level, overcoming the often encountered computational bottleneck. In particular, we explored the underlying conformational energy landscape of adenylate kinase, a crucial protein for signal transduction in the cell, and identified two major kinetic pathways for the conformational switch between open and closed states through either the intermediate state or the transient state. Based on the parameters fitted to the room-temperature experimental data, we predicted open and closed kinetic rates at the whole temperature ranges from 10 to 50 °C, which agree well with the experimental turnover numbers. After uncovering the underlying mechanism for conformational dynamics and exploring the structural correlations, we found the crucial dynamical interplay between the nucleoside monophosphate binding domain (NMP) and the ATP-binding domain (LID) in controlling the conforma...
Particle sizing in two-layer turbid media using polarized light

Tissue-like phantom experiments were performed in order to investigate the possibility of using the polarized light scattering spectroscopy for skin cancer diagnosis. Using a two-layer model, particle size distribution (PSD) was analyzed for a thin layer of latex spheres on top of 1% Intralipid. The results show that PSD of the latex spheres in the top layer can be extracted with and without a priori information about the shape of the particle size distribution.
A diffusion problem involving two free boundaries

Existence of a weak solution is established for the first boundary value problem for the equation (c(u)) t =(φ(u x ) x in the case wherec′(x), φ′(x) may oscillate near zero,c′(x), φ′(x) may be unbounded above, andc′(x), φ′(x) may not be bounded away from zero asx→0. Some regularity properties of the wea, solution are also obtained.
Microseisms, microbaroms, storms, and waves in western North America

Microseisms with periods from five to eight seconds recorded by long-period instruments at stations near the Pacific coast from November 29, 1951 to January 4, 1952 are discussed in their relation to meteorological conditions, ocean waves, and microbaroms.
Read noise for a 2.5μm cutoff Teledyne H2RG at 1-1000Hz frame rates

A camera operating a Teledyne H2RG in H and Ks bands is under construction at Caltech to serve as a near-infrared tip-tilt sensor for the Keck-1 Laser Guide Star Adaptive Optics system. After imaging the full field for acquisition, small readout windows are placed around one or more natural guide stars anywhere in the AO corrected field of view. Windowed data may be streamed to RAM in the host for a limited time then written to disk as a single file, analogous to a “film strip”, or be transmitted indefinitely via a second fiber optic output to a dedicated computer providing real time control of the AO system. The various windows can be visited at differing cadences, depending on signal levels. We describe a readout algorithm that maximizes exposure duty cycle, minimizes latency, and achieves very low noise by resetting infrequently then synthesizing exposures from Sample Up The Ramp data. To illustrate which noise sources dominate under various conditions, noise measurements are presented as a function of synthesized frame rate and window sizes for a range of detector temperatures. The consequences of spatial variation in noise properties, and dependence on frame rate and temperature are discussed, together with probable causes of statistical outliers.
Multimodal Treatment of Pain

Chronic pain is a complex disorder with extensive overlap in sensory and limbic pathways. It needs systemic therapy in addition to focused local treatment. This article discusses treatment modalities other than surgical and interventional approaches and also discusses the literature regarding these treatment modalities, including pharmacotherapy, physical and occupational therapy, psychological approaches including cognitive behavior therapy, and other adjunctive treatments like yoga and tai chi.
Gauss, dirichlet, and the law of biquadratic reciprocity

Gauss and Dirichlet are two of the most influential figures in the history of number theory. Gauss’s monumental Disquisitiones Arithmeticae, first published in 1801, synthesized many earlier results and served as a point of departure for the modern approach to the subject (Goldstein et al. 2007). The three principal sections of the book were devoted to the theory of congruences (where Gauss introduced the still standard notation a ≡ b(mod m)), the classical subject of quadratic forms that had been studied by Fermat, Euler, Lagrange, and even Diophantos, and the theory of cyclotomic equations. Although the appearance of this masterpiece did much to establish Gauss’s early mathematical fame, the sheer novelty of the work together with its rigidly formal exposition made it difficult for all but the greatest of his contemporaries to appreciate it fully. One of those who did was Lagrange, the aged giant who, along with Euler, stood at the pinnacle of eighteenth-century mathematics. In 1804, he wrote the young protege of the Duke of Brunswick, “With your Disquisitiones you have at once arrayed yourself among the mathematicians of the first rank, and I see that your last section on cyclotomic equations contains the most beautiful analytic discoveries that have been made for a long time.” (Wussing 1974, 32) (Fig. 3.1).
Structural relaxation and magnetism in amorphous alloys

Abstract Structural relaxation phenomena in amorphous alloys caused by post-quenching heat treatments are discussed in relation to the magnetic properties. It is pointed out that both microscopically irreversible and reversible relaxation processes exist, and are related to the changes in the atomic level density fluctuation and shear fluctuation, respectively. The importance of the microscopic variables in determining the kinetics of the reversible relaxation process is emphasized.