cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coming-Out Narratives Across Generations

This study is a thematic analysis of narratives about the coming-out process. Participants (N = 30) were part of a stratified random sample of a large data set generated from a research project investigating changes in the coming-out process over time. Participants were 15 women and 15 men from 5 age cohorts (ages 18 to 74) who self-identified as members of the lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) communities. Themes related to the struggles and rewards of going through the coming-out process are explored in these narratives. Organizing themes of those who figured it out in their heads and those who figured it out in their hearts emerged from this analysis and suggest two paths to coming out. Generational themes are also explored in this analysis. This study aims to provide contextualization to the diverse experiences of LGB people in the coming-out experience.
Temperature effects on the infrared spectrum of carbon monoxide adsorbed by supported platinum

Abstract When alumina-supported platinum with adsorbed carbon monoxide is heated to 200°C an infrared band at about 2000 cm − grows in and the main band at 2060 cm −1 decreases in intensity. When the sample is allowed to cool, the 2000 cm −1 band virtually disappears and the 2060 cm −1 band increases in intensity. The main band for CO adsorbed by silica-supported platinum at 2070 cm −1 decreases in intensity on heating and increases on cooling. The 2000 cm −1 band is absent on silica-supported platinum. We tentatively attribute this band to the CO stretching vibration of linearly adsorbed CO which interacts with electron withdrawing sites on the support. The increase in the 2060 cm −1 (2070 cm −1 for Pt/SiO 2 ) band on cooling may be due to increasing dipolar interactions enhancing the intensity of high-frequency absorbers at the expense of low-frequency absorbers.
SU‐E‐T‐733: Effect of IGRT Couch and Alpha‐Cradle on Dose Distributions in the Buildup Region: Comparison of EBT2 Film Data and TPS Calculation

Purpose: To evaluate current treatment planning system (TPS) dose calculation algorithm for radiation fields with normal and oblique incidence through alpha‐cradle and IGRT couch using radiochromic EBT2 film dosimetry. Methods: A polystyrene phantom (25×25×15cm3) with seven EBT2 films separated by polystyrene slabs, at depths of 0, 1, 2, 5, 10, and 14mm, was positioned above an alpha‐cradle (AC), which was ∼1cm thickness. Such phantom and AC assembly were CT scanned and the CT‐images were transferred to the TPS for calculations in three scenarios: (1) ignoring AC and couch, (2) accounting for AC only, (3) accounting for both AC and IGRT couch. A single PA field and two posterior‐oblique fields (6MV photons, 10×10cm2 from a Varian Trilogy) were planned in the TPS. Each beam was delivered to expose a stack of EBT2 films in the phantom. All films were scanned using an Epson 10000XL flatbed scanner with 72 dpi pixel resolution. The pixel values were converted to doses based on an established calibration curve. Point doses and planar distributions generated from the TPS for the three scenarios were compared with the measurements. Results: The EBT2 film data agree with the doses calculated by our TPS for scenario (3), within the uncertainty of the EBT2 data. The TPS generated doses were lower than the EBT2 doses by 34%, 32%, 31%, 12% for scenario (1) and by 26%, 23%, 22%, 7% for scenario (2) at the depths of 0, 1, 2, and 5mm, respectively. There were no significant differences for the depths of 10 and 14mm. Conclusions: TPS calculation of doses in the buildup region accounting for AC and IGRT couch top was validated by EBT2 film data. Ignoring the presence of AC and/or IGRT couch in TPS calculation would significantly underestimate the doses in the buildup region.
X-Ray Production by Protons of 2.5-12-MeV Energy

Characteristic K-shell x -rays produced by proton bombardment of Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Y, Mo, Ag, and Cd targets have been observed for incident energies between 2.5 and 12 MeV. Absolute cross sections for K-shell ionization have been determined and compared to the predictions of the plane-wave Born approximation (PWBA) and binary-encounter approximation (BEA) theories. Finally, the (BEA) theory is found to give better agreement at lower bombarding energies and higher Z, while the PWBA fits the data better at lower Z and higher bombarding energies. Lα, Lβ, and Lγ cross sections for Pb are also presented as a function of energy between 2.5 and 12 MeV.
Catalytic hydroprocessing of aromatic compounds: Effects of nickel and vanadium sulfide deposits on reactivities and reaction networks

Ni-Mo/{gamma}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} hydroprocessing catalysts enriched in nickel and vanadium by contacting with solutions of the respective metal naphthenates were sulfided and tested for hydroprocessing of naphthalene, dibenzothiophene, and quinoline in a batch reactor at 350 C and 165 atm. Approximately reaction networks were determined for each reactant, and the data showed the dependence of the pseudo-first-order rate constants on the catalyst nickel and vanadium contents. The nickel sulfide deposits only slightly affected the rate constants for hydrogenation, but the vanadium sulfide deposits led to decreases in the rate constants for hydrogenation reactions in the naphthalene network and to increases in those for hydrogenation reactions in the dibenzothiophene network. Nickel sulfide deposits led to almost no change in the rate constants for hydrogenolysis of dibenzothiophene, but vanadium sulfide deposits led to decreased rate constant for this reaction. The nickel sulfide deposits have little activity for reactions giving lower-molecular-weight (cracking) products, but the vanadium sulfide deposits have a relatively high activity for cracking, which suggests that they are acidic; the effects are reversed by the presence of the basic quinoline in the reactants. The results indicate a need for representing the nickel and vanadium sulfide deposits separately in process models formore » heavy oil hydroprocessing.« less
Global Relative Prices in the Face of a Pollution Transfer Problem

This study focuses on the relationship between trade and relative prices of pollution intensive goods. Seminal to this idea is the transfer problem. It is based on the idea that environmental quality of two countries that engage in trade could be affected and this could also have possible environmental quality transfer effects in a third country (geographic neighbors or trade partners) and a result, terms of trade effects. The paper makes the case that whether the relative price of a pollutant would suffer during trade will depend on the kind of pollutant it is, distance between the countries involved, countries’ marginal propensity to consume and substitutability of the good. The nature of the pollutant (whether it is spatially separable in production and or consumption) determines whether it can spillover to trade neighbors or whether it is transferable to a trade partner with ramifications to its relative price. The paper uses indirect utility functions and compensated demand functions to analyze the terms of trade effects.
Theoretical modeling of laser-induced explosive pressure generation and vaporization in pigmented cells

Laser energy absorbed in cells can affect the cellular materials through a variety of physical mechanisms. For pulses longer than a microsecond in duration, damage at threshold levels is due to thermal effects. However, for supra-threshold pulses, or for threshold levels at shorter pulse durations, other physical mechanisms may be the source of damage. The most likely mechanisms are the generation of large pressures, and the creation of bubbles. This is especially true for heavily pigmented cells, such as the retinal pigment epithelium, where large energy densities can be attained in the strongly absorbing pigments. We describe how the generation of large pressures depends on laser pulse duration and energy, as well as the properties of the absorbing pigment. Extremely large negative pressures can be generated in the core or the absorber, possibly resulting in the explosion of the absorbing pigment within the cell. We also discuss the conditions for which damaging bubbles are likely to be formed.
Multisensor object segmentation using a neural network

A neural network architecture is presented to segment objects using multiple sensor/feature images. The neural architecture consists of a region growing net to separate an object from the surrounding background based upon local statistical properties. The region growing net consists of a lattice of neural processing elements for propagating a similarity activity between image pixels. A potential function approach is presented to define the neural weights by measuring pixel similarity in multisensor/feature images. The performance of the neural segmenter is demonstrated by comparing its performance to that of an architecture using a statistical decision theoretic technique.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Silicon integrated defected ground structures

In this paper we study the impact of two common defected ground structures fabricated in finite ground coplanar waveguide on silicon and alumina substrates useful for monolithic and hybrid designs. The single defects resonate at 30GHz and have bandwidth differences due to the nature and size of the defect. On-wafer measurements up to 40GHz are included for the silicon designs and show good agreement with simulation.
A Theory of Cyber Attacks: A Step Towards Analyzing MTD Systems

Moving Target Defenses (MTD) have been touted as a game changing approach to computer security that eliminates the static nature of current computer systems -- an attacker's biggest advantage. While promising, the dynamism of MTD introduces challenges related to understanding and quantifying the impact of MTD systems on security, users, and attackers. To analyze this impact, both the concepts of MTD systems and cyber attacks must be formalized. While a theory of MTD systems was proposed in [18], this paper presents a theory of cyber attacks that supports the understanding and analysis of the interaction between MTD systems and the attacks they hope to thwart. The theory defines key concepts that support precise discussion of attacker knowledge, attack types, and attack instances. The paper also presents concrete examples to show how these definitions and concepts can be used in realistic scenarios.
Effect of valproate on hemostatic function in patients with traumatic brain injury

Objectives: To evaluate whether valproate (VPA) resulted in laboratory or clinical evidence of a change in bleeding-related measures associated with VPA therapy in patients sustaining a traumatic brain injury. Methods: Fibrinogen, platelet count and clot elastic shear modulus using the Thrombelastograph® (TEG®) coagulation analyzer were measured at baseline, 4, 14, 30, and 180 days post-injury. Clinically significant events, defined as the trigger for requiring a transfusion, were identified and evaluated as to possible treatment effects. Results: Compared to baseline, the platelet count in the VPA groups was decreased on day 4, increased by 100% on day 14, and returned to baseline levels by day 30. Fibrinogen was significantly increased by day 4 and returned to baseline by day 30. The platelet count was correlated with an increase in the maximum amplitude or width of the TEG® tracing; a measure of strength of the clot, suggesting that valproate did not alter the clot strength contributed by platelets. None of the clinical events requiring transfusions appeared to be treatment related. Conclusions: No serious hemostatic adverse events occurred in the trauma patients receiving VPA or phenytoin that could be attributed to treatment.
American College of Physicians begins planning for physicians network.

In September 1986, the American College of Physicians initiated the planning phase of its Physicians Network, an effort aimed at tapping the resources of the College's membership to collect information on physician practice patterns and their relationship to the outcomes of care. Funding for the planning has been approved by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, Menlo Park, California, and will support the 15 month project.
Potential nighttime contamination of CERES clear‐sky fields of view by optically thin cirrus during the CRYSTAL‐FACE campaign

We investigate the outgoing broadband longwave (LW, 5 to approx. 200 microns) and window (WIN, 8 to approx. 12 microns) channel radiances at the top of atmosphere (TOA) under clear-sky conditions, using data acquired by the Cloud and the Earth s Radiant Energy System (CERES) and Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instruments onboard the NASA Terra satellite platform. In this study, detailed analyses are performed on the CERES Single Scanner Footprint TOA/Surface Fluxes and Clouds product to understand the radiative effect of thin cirrus. The data are acquired over the Florida area during the Cirrus Regional Study of Tropical Anvils and Cirrus Layers Florida Area Cirrus Experiment (CRYSTAL-FACE) field program. Of particular interest is the anisotropy associated with the radiation field. Measured CERES broadband radiances are compared to those obtained from rigorous radiative transfer simulations. Analysis of results from this comparison indicates that the simulated radiances tend to be larger than their measured counterparts, with differences ranging from 2.1% to 8.3% for the LW band and from 1.7% to 10.6% for the WIN band. The averaged difference in radiance is approximately 4% for both the LW and WIN channels. A potential cause for the differences could be the presence of thin cirrus (i.e., optically thin ice clouds with visible optical thicknesses smaller than approximately 0.3). The detection and quantitative analysis of these thin cirrus clouds are challenging even with sophisticated multispectral instruments. While large differences in radiance between the CERES observations and the theoretical calculations are found, the corresponding difference in the anisotropic factors is very small (0.2%). Furthermore, sensitivity studies show that the influence due to a 1 K bias of the surface temperature on the errors of the LW and WIN channel radiances is of the same order as that associated with a 2% bias of the surface emissivity. The LW and WIN errors associated with a 5% bias of water vapor amount in the lower atmosphere in conjunction with a 50% bias of water vapor amount in the upper atmosphere is similar to that of a 1 K bias of the vertical temperature profile. Even with the uncertainties considered for these various factors, the simulated LW and WIN radiances are still larger than the observed radiances if thin cirrus clouds are excluded.
Mitral Valve Prolapse With a Late-Systolic Regurgitant Murmur May Be Associated With Significant Hemodynamic Consequences

Abstract The late-systolic murmur of mitral regurgitation (MR) in degenerative mitral valve disease is widely believed to represent regurgitation of a degree that is not associated with hemodynamic significance. However, the extent of left ventricular (LV) remodeling associated with the late-systolic murmur has not been systematically assessed. Accordingly, we studied 82 patients sent for evaluation of at least moderate isolated MR by echocardiography/Doppler examination. All patients had a physical examination and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to measure LV volumes by summation of serial short-axis slices. Forty-five patients had a pan-systolic murmur and 37 had a late-systolic murmur on auscultation that was verified by timing of onset of regurgitant turbulence by cine magnetic resonance imaging. Systolic blood pressures (124 ± 3 versus 124 ± 3 mm Hg) and LV ejection fraction (61 ± 1% versus 61 ± 1%) did not differ significantly between pan-systolic and late-systolic murmur groups. Although LV end-diastolic volume index was greater in the pan-systolic versus late-systolic murmur (108 ± 4 versus 95 ± 4 mL/m 2 , P = 0.007), both groups were significantly greater than normals (68 ± 2 mL/m 2 , P 2 ) and LV end-systolic dimension (38 ± 1 versus 37 ± 1 mm), critical markers of adverse LV remodeling in isolated MR, did not differ significantly between pan-systolic and late-systolic murmur groups. In conclusion, the late systolic isolated MR murmur may be associated with significant adverse LV remodeling, and should not be considered evidence of hemodynamically unimportant MR.
Shortness of Breath in the Patient with Chronic Liver Disease

Shortness of breath is a common complaint in those with chronic liver disease. The differential diagnosis for this complaint includes primary pulmonary disorders, systemic disorders that affect the liver and lungs, and extrahepatic manifestations of portal hypertension. Orthotopic liver transplant, when appropriate, is the most effective therapy for many patients with dyspnea and chronic liver disease, although therapies to treat the underlying complications of cirrhosis may provide relief. Shortness of breath in patients with cirrhosis often portends a poor prognosis, and these patients should be evaluated for orthotopic liver transplant because this therapy is most likely to provide long-lasting benefit.
Hemodynamic effects of nitroglycerin and long-acting nitrates

Nitroglycerin (NTG) and isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) are potent dilators of vascular smooth muscle. The organic nitrates produce venodilation at very low doses, with little additional vasodilation of the venous circulation with increasing dosage. Nitrates increase arterial diameter and improve arterial conductance at low to moderate doses, and at high doses these agents produce dilation of the arteriolar or resistance vessels of the body. The overall hemodynamic response to nitrate administration will be modulated by the degree of sympathetic reflex discharge, the presence or absence of congestive heart failure, the dosage of administered nitrate, and the presence or absence of nitrate tolerance. Regional circulatory effects of the organic nitrates include a decrease in vascular resistance and an increase in arterial blood flow to the arms and legs. Venodilation also occurs in the extremities. In the splanchnic and mesenteric circulations, nitrates induce an initial vasodilative response followed by reflex vasoconstriction. Hepatic blood flow changes little in the normal state. Pulmonary blood flow decreases and pulmonary artery and venous pressures fall after nitrate administration. Renal blood flow remains essentially unchanged or decreases slightly after NTG administration, although reflex sympathetic activity may cause secondary vasoconstriction. The antianginal effects of nitrates have long been thought to be related to their systemic or peripheral actions, which reduce myocardial oxygen requirements through decreases in left ventricular preload and afterload. There is, however, considerable evidence that nitrates have important direct effects on the coronary circulation in both the normal and the ischemic heart. Such actions include coronary artery dilation, increased collateral blood flow, and enhanced oxygenation and nutrient perfusion to zones of ischemia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Novel Cam Mechanism for Core Sampling of Variable Density Materials

Project critical mission requirements often drive design decisions and processes. This was the case for National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) funded DEep Phreatic THermal eXplorer (DepthX), an underwater robot designed to autonomously map, navigate, and acquire biological samples. Mission requirements led the authors to develop a novel core sampling mechanism for variable density materials. Preliminary testing was conducted on variable density materials simulating real world specimens to identify the series of motions to acquire an acceptable core and optimize the geometry of the coring tube. A geometric modeling approach with configuration functions was employed to design the overall mechanism and establish the cam profile. The design was tested and evaluated during multiple field expeditions to cenotes (sinkholes) in Mexico. The culmination of the preliminary testing and the selected design methodology resulted in a core sampling mechanism that is compact, has minimal operational torque requirements, and utilizes a single motor to complete a series of complex functions. Future applications are envisioned for space expeditions, underwater exploration, and medical sampling.© 2008 ASME
Alignment procedure for a ring resonator cavity

Abstract A simple, yet precise, technique for the alignment of a ring resonator cavity is presented. Two auxiliary HeNe lasers, external to the ring cavity, are used in conjunction with the positional alignments of the mirrors making up the cavity. One of the auxiliary lasers is transmitted into the ring cavity, while the other is reflected into the cavity.
A definition of gas−liquid plug flow in horizontal pipes

Abstract Experiments were performed to define the transition from slug flow to plug flow in a horizontal pipe. In slug flow the front of the gas cavity is a “Benjamin bubble” and the back is a hydraulic jump. At a Froude number [ (C−u L1 ) (gD)] 0.5 ≲2 , a transition is defined whereby the liquid increases in height in stages in the back of the cavity. For low gas throughputs, it is shown that the front of the cavity can still be represented by the Benjamin bubble.
Radical ions as reactive intermediates in oxidation, substitution and electron transfer reactions

Typical reactions of radical cations and anions have been summarized, and specific examples of these general reaction types in oxidation, substitution, and electron transfer reactions have been presented. The mechanism, scope and synthetic utility of the numerous reactions now believed to proceedvia radical ion intermediates have been discussed.
Misrepresentation of left ventricular contractile function by endocardial indexes: clinical implications after coarctation repair.

Abstract Background Endocardial function indexes overestimate myocardial fiber shortening, a geometric effect proportional to wall thickness. We hypothesized that elevated endocardial indexes of left ventricular contractile function after repair of isolated coarctation of the aorta could be related to this effect. Methods Chamber dimensions and wall thickness were measured from 59 echocardiograms in 57 patients aged 1.2 to 32 years, 8.5 ± 5.6 years after coarctation repair, and in 305 normal controls aged 1 to 35 years. Midwall and endocardial shortening indexes and end-systolic fiber stress were calculated. The stress-velocity index (SVI), a load-independent index of contractility, was derived from these variables. All values were expressed as z scores. Results After coarctation repair, the midwall-derived SVI was elevated, but significantly less so than the endocardial-derived SVI (0.6 ± 1.6 vs 1.3 ± 2.6; P = .01). The endocardial-derived SVI correlated with the end-systolic thickness/dimension ratio ( P 15 mm Hg), but this achieved statistical significance only in the latter group (0.5 ± 1.6, P = .08; and 0.8 ± 1.7, P = .03, respectively). Conclusions Endocardial indexes of function and contractility overestimate fiber shortening after coarctation repair. Nevertheless, midwall shortening indexes demonstrate enhanced contractility, particularly in those with residual coarctation.
All-silicon integrated photodetector for near infrared wavelengths based on the internal photoemission effect

We propose a near infrared all-silicon integrated photodetector based on the internal photoemission effect. Device is charactered by a responsivity of 0.08 mA/W at 1550 nm for a reverse bias of 1 V.
Movement ecology and seasonal distribution of mountain yellow-legged frogs, Rana muscosa, in a high-elevation Sierra Nevada basin.

Movement ecology and seasonal distribution of mountain yellow-legged frogs (Rana muscosa) in Dusy Basin (3470 m), Kings Canyon National Park, California, were characterized using passive integrated transponder (PIT) surveys and visual encounter surveys. We individually PIT-tagged 500 frogs during the summers of 1997 and 1998 and monitored these individuals during seven recapture surveys in 1997 and 15 recapture surveys in 1998 from the time they emerged from overwintering in July until the lakes froze for the winter in October. Probability of movement between lakes was associated with abundance of Hyla regilla larvae in the different lakes of origin, activity of the frogs (overwintering, breeding, feeding), and time of year. Overland movements exceeding 66 m were observed in 17% of the tagged frogs. Movement between lakes 1 km apart was detected. Site fidelity from 1997 to 1998 was high, and 97% of the tagged frogs recaptured in October of both years were found in the same overwintering lakes. Frogs were more narrowly distributed in spring and fall than in summer. Summer frog densities (number per meter of shoreline) were positively related to water temperature, air temperature, maximum lake depth, and presence of H. regilla larvae and negatively related to presence of trout. Mountain yellow-legged frogs use a range of aquatic sites throughout their activity period, and basins with a variety of deep lakes and shallow ponds may be the most appropriate reserves for this declining species.
Patterns of nucleotide composition at fourfold degenerate sites of animal mitochondrial genomes

Three statistics (%GC, GC-skew, and AT-skew) can be used to describe the overall patterns of nucleotide composition in DNA sequences. Fourfold degenerate third codon positions from 16 animal mitochondrial genomes were analyzed. The overall composition, as measured by %GC, varies from 3.6 %GC in the honeybee to 47.2 %GC in human mtDNA. Compositional differences between strands of the mitochondrial genome were quantified using the two skew statistics presented in this paper. Strand-specific distribution of bases varies among animal taxa independently of overall %GC. Compositional patterns reflect the substitution process. Description of these patterns may aid in the formation of hypotheses about substitutional mechanisms.
Dynamic Expansion of a Spherical Cavity in an Elastic, Perfectly Plastic Material

Abstract : It was shown that a finite-difference numerical technique can be used to solve mixed initial- and boundary-value problems involving high-speed elastic-plastic flow with spherical symmetry. Numerical solutions for the dynamic expansion of a spherical cavity under a constant pressure are presented to demonstrate the nature and capability of the numerical scheme. The solution for an elastic material agrees closely with the exact solution. The solution for an elastic-perfectly-plastic material confirmed Green's prediction concerning the motion of the elastic-plastic boundary. At large times, the asymptotic solution of the dynamic problem is different from the quasi-static solution. This result indicates that the quasi-static approximation may not hold in dynamic plasticity. A non-linear dependence of the plastic solution on the boundary condition is also observed in the results.
DECONSTRUCTING VIRTUAL CITIES: FROM UNREALITY TO HYPERREALITY

(1998). DECONSTRUCTING VIRTUAL CITIES: FROM UNREALITY TO HYPERREALITY. Urban Geography: Vol. 19, No. 7, pp. 657-676.
Mass transfer with Nth order chemical reaction around spheres in the presence of surfactants

Abstract A numerical technique has been used to solve the nonlinear equation describing the mass transfer taking place for single and multiple particles for N th order chemical reactions in the presence of a surfactant. A generalized form is given for the Sherwood number as a function of the Peclet number for reaction orders of 1/2, 1 and 2 in the presence of surfactants, (Sh = a Pe b ). The parameters (a) and (b) are dependent on the reaction orders and the amount of surfactant present. The coefficient (b) had an average value of 0.46 with the parameter (a) increasing with larger reaction rate constants. The numerical technique involved DISPL, a computer software package for the solution of partial differential equations by the method of lines.
Stripped interstellar gas in cluster cooling flows

It is suggested that nonlinear perturbations which lead to thermal instabilities in cooling flows might start as blobs of interstellar gas which are stipped out of cluster galaxies. Assuming that most of the gas produced by stellar mass loss in cluster galaxies is stripped from the galaxies, the total rate of such stripping is roughly 100 solar masses/yr, which is similar to the rates of cooling in cluster cooling flows. It is possible that a substantial portion of the cooling gas originates as blobs of interstellar gas stripped from galaxies. The magnetic fields within and outside of the low-entropy perturbations may help to maintain their identities by suppressing both thermal conduction and Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities. These density fluctuations may disrupt the propagation of radio jets through the intracluster gas, which may be one mechanism for producing wideangle-tail radio galaxies.
A continuous perfusion microplate for cell culture

We describe a 96-well microplate with fluidically connected wells that enables the continuous fluid perfusion between wells without the need for external pumping. A single unit in such a perfusion microplate consists of three wells: a source well, a sample (cell culture) well in the middle and a waste well. Fluid perfusion is achieved using a combination of the hydrostatic pressure generated by different liquid levels in the wells and the fluid wicking through narrow strips of a cellulose membrane connecting the wells. There is an excellent correspondence between the observed perfusion flow dynamics and the flow simulations based on Darcy's Law. Hepatocytes (C3A cells) cultured for 4 days in the perfusion microplate with no media exchange in the cell culture well had the same viability as hepatocytes exposed to a daily exchange of media. EOC 20 cells that require media conditioned by LADMAC cells were shown to be equally viable in the adjacent cell culture well of the perfusion microplate with LADMAC cells cultured in the source well. Tegafur, a prodrug, when added to primary human hepatocytes in the source well, was metabolized into a cytotoxic metabolite that kills colon cancer cells (HCT 116) cultured in the adjacent cell culture well; no toxicity was observed when only medium was in the source well. These results suggest that the perfusion microplate is a useful tool for a variety of cell culture applications with benefits ranging from labor savings to enabling in vivo-like toxicity studies.
Interaction of Shock Intensity, Age, and Handling Effects on Avoidance Conditioning

180 rats aged 3 or 300 days were either handled for 20 consecutive days or were unhandled. 40 days after treatment, rats learned a discriminated avoidance task, with 1 of 3 UCS (shock) intensities. Handling improved avoidance performance of both 3- and 300-day-old Ss with mild (0.5-ma.) and moderate (1.0-ma.) shock intensities. Avoidance performance of infantile-handled rats was superior to performance of other Ss at lower shock levels but was inferior to other groups with a stronger shock level (2.0 ma.). Performance of older unhandled Ss was very poor with low shock but improved consistently with increases in shock intensity. These findings are interpreted in terms of handling and age effects on responsiveness to painful stimulation.
Terror, oil and repression in Algeria

This paper investigates the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on human rights in Algeria. No direct link is discovered between foreign investment and the repression of human rights. This is largely due to the peculiarities and, in the special case of Algeria, the location of the hydrocarbon sector, which together make repression less necessary. First, since the hydrocarbon sector uses relatively little labour, there are fewer occasions on which labour rights would be suppressed. Second, oil and gas reserves are concentrated in a thinly populated region of Algeria, where there are fewer people to protest the allegedly negative effects of foreign investment and, hence, fewer people to repress. Nevertheless, case study findings indicate that FDI has indirectly sustained repression in Algeria. Explanation is attributed to the centrality of the country's hydrocarbon resources to the global economy. It is suggested that countries in demand of Algeria's oil and gas have exercised restraint in criticising...
Quantitative distribution of presumptive archaeal and bacterial nitrifiers in Monterey Bay and the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre.

Summary The recent isolation of the ammonia-oxidizing crenar- chaeon Nitrosopumilus maritimus has expanded the known phylogenetic distribution of nitrifying pheno- types beyond the domain Bacteria. To further charac- terize nitrification in the marine environment and explore the potential crenarchaeal contribution to this process, we quantified putative nitrifying genes and phylotypes in picoplankton genomic libraries and environmental DNA samples from coastal and open ocean habitats. Betaproteobacteria ammonia monooxygenase subunit A (amoA) gene copy numbers were low or undetectable, in stark contrast to crenarchaeal amoA-like genes that were broadly dis- tributed and reached up to 6 ¥ 10 4 copies ml -1 . Unex- pectedly, in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, a deeply branching crenarchaeal group related to a hot spring clade (pSL12) was at times abundant below the euphotic zone. Quantitative data suggested that the pSL12 relatives also contain archaeal amoA-like genes. In both coastal and open ocean habitats, close relatives of known nitrite-oxidizing Nitrospina species were well represented in genomic DNA libraries and quantitative PCR profiles. PlanktonicNitrospina depth distributions correlated with those of Crenarchaea. Overall, the data suggest that amoA-containing Cre- narchaea are more phylogenetically diverse than pre- viously reported. Additionally, distributional patterns of planktonic Crenarchaea and Nitrospina species suggest potential metabolic interactions between these groups in the ocean's water column.
Managing Threat, Cost, and Incentive to Kill: The Short- and Long-Term Effects of Intervention in Mass Killings.

How do third-party interventions affect the severity of mass killings? The authors theorize that episodes of mass killing are the consequence of two factors: (1) the threat perceptions of the perpe...
Excision of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Horse

A large oral squamous cell carcinoma in a 27-year-old Arabian stallion was removed by partial excision of the incisive bone. There was no gross evidence of recurrence or metastasis 5 months later.
Persistent hypertension after adrenalectomy for an aldosterone-producing adenoma: weight as a critical prognostic factor for aldosterone's lasting effect on the cardiac and vascular systems.

Abstract Background Primary aldosteronism caused by an aldosterone producing adrenal tumor/aldosteronoma (APA), is a potentially curable form of hypertension, via unilateral adrenalectomy. Resolution of hypertension (HTN) is not as prevalent after tumor resection, as are the normalization of aldosterone secretion, hypokalemia, and other metabolic abnormalities. Here, we review the immediate and long-term medical outcomes of laparoscopic adrenalectomy in patients with an APA, and attempt to identify any distinctive sex differences in the management of resistant HTN. Methods We performed a retrospective review of the prospective adrenal database at the University of Wisconsin between January 2001 and October 2010. Of the 165 adrenalectomies performed, 32 were for the resection of an APA. Patients were grouped according to their postoperative HTN status. Those patients with normal blood pressure (≤120/80 mm Hg) and on no antihypertensive medication (CURE) were compared with those who continued to require medication for blood pressure control (HTN). We evaluated sex, age, body mass index, tumor size, duration of time with high blood pressure, and the differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure following adrenalectomy. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test. Statistical significance was defined as a P value of Results We identified 32 patients with an APA based on biochemical and radiographic studies, two patients were excluded, due to missing data. There were 19 males (63%) and 11 (37%) females, with a mean age was 48.3 ± 2.1 y, and mean tumor size was 24 ± 3 mm. Postoperatively, patients required significantly fewer antihypertensive medications (1.5 ± 0.2 versus 3.3 ± 0.3, P Conclusions Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for aldosterone producing adenoma results in the normalization of, or more readily manageable blood pressure in 90% of patients, within 6 mo. Metabolic disturbances are immediately corrected with tumor resection. Weight is an important contributing factor in resolving HTN.
Wind effects on the nonlinear evolution of slowly varying gravity-capillary waves

A train of uniform two-dimensional gravity waves in deep water is known to be unstable to certain sideband disturbances. If the time of propagation is sufficiently long for the fourth-order terms to be important, the sidebands may grow at unequal rates, resulting in a downward shift of peak frequency. But this shift is only a temporary phase of a recurrent evolution process. Recent work by us (Hara & Mei 1991) has shown that wind and dissipation can help maintain this downshift at large time. In this paper we examine a similar two-dimensional problem for capillary-gravity waves. The basic flow in air and water is assumed to be steady, horizontally uniform and turbulent; the wave-induced flow in both media is assumed to be laminar
Computer control of the TFTR motor generator sets

The Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR) electric power systems include two motor generator (MG) sets that supply pulsed power to the TFTR magnetic field coils. The computer system provides control of MG speed and power in a manual mode and an automatic clock-controlled windup mode. Given existing conditions of motor power and excitation, the automatic mode calculates the time required to accelerate from the current MG speed to the speed required at the start of the next TFTR pulse. Commands are then issued to the MG sets to accelerate at the proper time in the TFTR clock cycle, ensuring that they reach the desired speed at the desired time. Monitoring and control of MG circuits is interfaced with the computer control system through CAMAC modules. The authors detail the control loops for the manual and automatic modes of the MG computer control system. >
Motion planning for kinematically overconstrained vehicles using feedback primitives

In this paper we consider motion planning for kinematically overconstrained vehicles. Such vehicles are reasonably common in applications that require many axles for static stability. When a system is kinematically overconstrained, typically some contacts with the environment must slip, violating the constraint. This introduces nonsmooth behavior into the equations of motion, making classical motion planning strategies inapplicable. As an example, we consider a vehicle that has a simplified version of the kinematic structure of the rover from the first Mars mission. We introduce a provably complete motion planner for purposes of illustration. However, the primary purpose of this paper is to clearly identify some of the open problems in motion planning for these mechanisms and to propose a kinematic modeling framework that reveals the underlying complications due to slipping while maintaining the relative simplicity associated with kinematic systems over dynamic ones. The planner we describe has properties that we anticipate would be relevant to a general methodology for motion planning for both kinematically overconstrained systems as well as more general systems that have uncertain dynamics
Calpain Activation Contributes to Dendritic Remodeling after Brief Excitotoxic Injury In Vitro

The calcium-dependent protease calpain may contribute to neuronal death in acute neurological insults and may be activated very early in the neuronal injury cascade. We assessed the role of calpain in a model of rapid, reversible dendritic injury in murine cortical cultures. Brief sublethal NMDA exposure (10-30 microM for 10 min) resulted in focal swellings, or varicosities, along the length of neuronal dendrites as visualized with the lipophilic membrane tracer Dil or with immunostaining using antibodies to the somatodendritic protein MAP2. These varicosities appeared within minutes of NMDA exposure and recovered spontaneously within 2 hr after NMDA removal. Addition of the calpain inhibitors MDL28,170, calpain inhibitors I and II, and leupeptin (all 1-100 microM) had little effect on the development of NMDA-induced dendrite injury. However, the resolution of varicosities was substantially delayed by addition of calpain inhibitors after sublethal excitotoxic exposure. Using Western blots and immunocytochemistry, we observed reactivity for a calpain-specific spectrin proteolytic fragment during the period of recovery from dendritic swelling, but not during its formation. Spectrin breakdown product immunoreactivity could be blocked by the calpain inhibitor MDL28,170 and appeared in neuronal cell bodies and neurites in a time course that paralleled dendritic recovery. These observations suggest that calcium-dependent proteolysis contributes to recovery of dendritic structure after NMDA exposure. Calpain activation is not necessarily detrimental and may play a role in dendritic remodeling after neuronal injury.
Balancing Complex Human Worlds: Mathematics Education as an Emergent Discipline in Its Own Right

I taught a course on informal geometry — a content course — to students at The Florida State University who are prospective high school mathematics teachers. In the first week I asked them to bring or wear to the next class, something which had geometry in it, and to come to class prepared to tell why they had chosen that particular item and to talk about its geometry.
Acute myeloid leukemia in the setting of low dose weekly methotrexate therapy for rheumatoid arthritis

Methotrexate is in widespread use as second-line therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment with methotrexate in this and other settings has not been associated with the development of therapy-related leukemias. Four patients with rheumatoid arthritis are reported who developed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) while receiving low dose weekly methotrexate therapy in the absence of previous or concomitant treatment with known leukemogenic agents. AML in these four patients was of different morphologic subtypes and was associated with heterogeneous cytogenetic abnormalities, cell surface marker expression and multidrug resistance protein expression. None of the recognized features of therapy-related leukemia were present in these four nor in five previously-reported patients. It is likely that the occurrence of AML in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the setting of methotrexate therapy represents the coincidence of these two diseases, and does not reflect a causal relationship.
Strategic social marketing

With the field of social marketing at a crossroads, there is an urgent need for newer paradigms and ways of thinking about marketing solutions to societal problems. Jeff French and Ross Gordon pres...
Shear Characterization of a Thermoplastic Cross-Ply Prepreg

This paper presents the investigation of a thermoplastic cross-ply sheet for use in manufacturing small arms protective helmets. The material system contains four unidirectional layers oriented in a [0°/90°/0°/90°] configuration. This advanced composite is wholly thermoplastic, consisting of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers within a polyurethane matrix. Due to the polymeric nature of the constituent materials, the mechanical behavior of the composite system will have a dependence on forming temperature. The shear characterization of the prepreg and the investigation of the factors influencing the representative shear stiffness including sample geometry, strain rate, conditioning and temperature are discussed.
Long-Term End-Slip Measurements and Corresponding Transfer Lengths in Pretensioned Concrete Railroad Ties Fabricated With 15 Different Reinforcements

Fifteen different reinforcements that are widely employed in manufacturing of railroad ties worldwide were selected for the study presented in this paper. Selected reinforcements include; 12 number of 5.32 mm diameter wires, two 3/8-inch diameter 7 wire strands, and one 5/16-inch diameter 3 wire strand. Twelve wire reinforcements are differed by surface indent geometries with one wire being smooth surfaced profile. Strand reinforcements consisted one smooth and one indented 7 wire strand, and one smooth 3 wire strand.All reinforcements were stored in low-humidity environment to avoid rust. Later, pre-tensioned concrete railroad ties were fabricated at a tie manufacturing plant with the selected 15 different reinforcements in January 2013. Same concrete mix proportions were used during the fabrication of the ties with these 15 reinforcement types. Reinforcement end-slips were measured for each concrete tie at every reinforcement location during August 2014 (after one and half years). Simultaneously, transfer length measurements were measured on all these ties through surface strain measurements.Detailed analysis of the measured end-slips for the ties fabricated with 15 reinforcements is presented. This analysis includes the variation of end-slip measurements at different locations in the cross-section. Variation in end-slip measurements for different types of reinforcements is also discussed. Transfer lengths are compared with end slip measurements and an equation to predict transfer lengths from long term end-slip values is presented.© 2015 ASME
OUTCOMES AFTER IMPLANTABLE CARDIAC DEFIBRILLATOR PLACEMENT IN PATIENTS WITH END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE

There is a paucity of data on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) after implantation of an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) or cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). We enrolled 7,825 Kaiser Permanente members across 6 geographical regions of the United
Analysis on pesticide residues in vegetables in Zhenhai district of Ningbo

Objective:To investigate the conditions of pesticide residues in different seasons in Zhenhai district in order to provide inspection basis for assuring the safety of vegetable intake.Methods: In 2010 year,344 samples of vegetables were randomly collected from vegetable production base,production of vegetables around the famers and vegetables market in Zhenhai district.The vegetables were random sampling in accordance with leafy vegetables,stem vegetables,root vegetables,cauliflower classes and fruit vegetables categories in different seasons,and measured 14 organophosphorus pesticides and 6 pyrethriod pesticides by GC.Results: The detection rate of pesticide residues in all vegetables was 7.85%,and over-standard rate was 3.78%.The detection rate of Vegetable Production Base was 3.27%,which was lower than famers(8.20%) and vegetable market(11.54%),and over-standard rate was 0.65% which also was lower than famers(4.92%) and vegetable market(6.92%).In 20 kinds of pesticides,the detection rate of chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin was higher than other pesticides.The detection rate of leafy vegetables was 11.34%,and over-standard rate was 8.24% which is higher than other vegetables categories.There was no significant difference among different seasons in our research.Conclusion: In order to assuring the safety of vegetable intake,the effective measures should be taken.It is necessary that the inspection and administration should be strengthened,and the use of high toxic pesticides should be prevented from the source,and the monitoring on vegetables between planting and sale links should be enlarged.