cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanical Properties and Stacking Fault Energies of NiFeCrCoMn High-Entropy Alloy

Materials with low stacking fault energies have been long sought for their many desirable mechanical attributes. Although there have been many successful reports of low stacking fault alloys (for example Cu-based and Mg-based), many have lacked sufficient strength to be relevant for structural applications. The recent discovery and development of multicomponent equiatomic alloys (or high-entropy alloys) that form as simple solid solutions on ideal lattices has opened the door to investigate changes in stacking fault energy in materials that naturally exhibit high mechanical strength. We report in this article our efforts to determine the stacking fault energies of two- to five-component alloys. A range of methods that include ball milling, arc melting, and casting, is used to synthesize the alloys. The resulting structure of the alloys is determined from x-ray diffraction measurements. First-principles electronic structure calculations are employed to determine elastic constants, lattice parameters, and Poisson’s ratios for the same alloys. These values are then used in conjunction with x-ray diffraction measurements to quantify stacking fault energies as a function of the number of components in the equiatomic alloys. We show that the stacking fault energies decrease with the number of components. Nonequiatomic alloys are also explored as a means to further reduce stacking fault energy. We show that this strategy leads to a means to further reduce the stacking fault energy in this class of alloys.
Early history of mammalian nerve regeneration

Abstract The history of mammalian nerve regeneration research was reviewed up until the time of Ramon y Cajal. Progress in both peripheral and CNS regeneration was discussed in relation to advances in neurobiology and histology and to the auto-regeneration controversy which persisted throughout the latter half of the nineteenth century. The positions of the monogenists and polygenists were presented and the contributions which sprang from attempts to resolve the controversy were explored. The early investigators developed basic concepts and defined the problems of regeneration research. Their efforts contributed significantly to our understanding of the behavior of neurons following axotomy and laid the foundation for modern investigators in morphological plasticity of neurons.
Secondary buckling and tertiary states of a beam on a non-linear elastic foundation

Abstract An axially compressed beam resting on a non-linear foundation undergoes a loss of stability (buckling) via a supercritical pitchfork bifurcation. In the post-buckled regime, it has been shown that under certain circumstances the system may experience a secondary bifurcation. This second bifurcation destablizes the primary buckling mode and the system “jumps” to a higher mode; for this reason, this phenomenon is often referred to as mode jumping. This work investigates two new aspects related to the problem of mode jumping. First, a three mode analysis is conducted. This analysis shows the usual primary and secondary buckling events. But it also shows stable solutions involving the third mode. However, for the cases studied here, there is no natural loading path that leads to this solution branch, i.e. only a contrived loading history would result in this solution. Second, the effect of an initial geometric imperfection is considered. This breaks the symmetry of the system and significantly complicates the bifurcation diagram.
p-Version hierarchical two dimensional curved beam element for elastostatics

Abstract This paper presents a completely hierarchical two dimensional curved beam element formulation where the element displacement field can be of arbitrary polynomial orders pξ and pη in the axial and the transverse directions of the element. The approximation functions and the corresponding nodal variables for the beam element are derived by first constructing the hierarchical one dimensional approximation functions of orders pξ and pη, and the corresponding hierarchical nodal variable operators for each of the two directions ξ and η and then taking their product. This procedure yields approximation functions and nodal variables for the curved beam element that correspond to polynomial orders pξ and pη in ξ and η directions. The element approximation is hierarchical, i.e. the approximation functions and the nodal variables are both hierarchical. Thus, the element matrix and the load vectors corresponding to the polynomial orders pξ and pη are a subset of those corresponding to the polynomial orders (pξ + 1) and (pη + 1). The element formulation ensures C0 continuity. The element properties are derived using the principle of virtual work and the hierarchical element displacement approximation. The element geometry is constructed using the coordinates of the nodes located on the elastic axis of the element and the node point vectors indicating nodal depths and the element width at the nodes. The orders of approximation along the length of the element as well as in the transverse direction can be chosen independently to obtain optimum (maximum) rate of convergence. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the accuracy, simplicity of modeling, effectiveness, faster rate of convergence and overall superiority of the present formulation. Results obtained from the present formulation are also compared with h-approximation models and available analytical solutions.
Statistical Power in Experimental Audit Studies: Cautions and Calculations for Matched Tests With Nominal Outcomes

Given their capacity to identify causal relationships, experimental audit studies have grown increasingly popular in the social sciences. Typically, investigators send fictitious auditors who diffe...
Risk factors associated with epidural use.

Background: Identify variables associated with intrapartum epidural use. Methods: Odds ratios were calculated to quantify associations between selected variables and epidural use using a population-based case-control study of Washington State birth certificate data from 2009. Results: Non-Whites had 10 - 45% lower odds of epidural use relative to Whites. Foreign-born women had 25 - 45% lower odds of epidural use compared to their US-born counterparts, except for Asians. Women who smoked or induced labor had higher roughly 2-fold higher odds of epidural use compared with non-smokers or women giving birth spontaneously, respectively. Women without a high school diploma or equivalent had lower odds of epidural use relative to those who graduated. Delivering at perinatal units, rural hospitals, or non-profit hospitals had ~ 50% lower odds of epidural use compared with secondary / teritiary perinatal units, urban hospitals or for-profit hospitals, respectively. Conclusion: Several individual and health service-related variables were associated with epidural use. These findings elucidate the clinical relevance of epidural use, and dispariaties in its utilization and in quality of care during delivery. doi:10.4021/jocmr810w Correction in J Clin Med Res. 2016;8(8):623-623, http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jocmr810wc1
Glycosaminoglycans in corneal regeneration.

The quantitative and qualitative changes of the glycosaminoglycans in perforating corneal wounds have been investigated. The concentration of the glycosaminoglycans in the wound area decreases quite rapidly during the healing process. After 90 days of healing the amounts of keratan sulphate of high molecular weight and galactosaminoglycans with a low sulphate content are markedly reduoed, but galactosaminoglycans with a high sulphate content seem to accumulate in the wound area.
Benzoato[hydridotris(3,5‐methyl­phenyl­pyrazol­yl)borato‐κ3N,N′,N′′]zinc(II)

In the title compound, [Zn(C7H5O2)(C30H28BN6)], the Zn atom is coordinated by three N atoms of the tridentate pyrazolyl groups and the carboxyl­ate O atoms of the benzoate ligand in an isobidentate manner due to a short-range inter­action between the Zn atom and the carbonyl O atom [2.593 (2) A], giving a distorted trigonal–bipyrimidal environment.
Rate of water exchange between Al(C2O4)(H2O)4+(aq) complexes and aqueous solutions determined by 17O-NMR spectroscopy

Abstract Substitution of an oxalate molecule for two inner-coordination-sphere waters of Al(H2O)63+(aq) enhances, by a factor of ≈ 102, the rate of exchange of water molecules from the innercoordination sphere to the bulk solution. The rate parameters for chemical exchange are: kex298 = 109 s−1, ΔH‡ = 68.9 ± 2.4 kJ/mol, and ΔS‡ = 25.3 ± 6.7 J/mol/K, measured via dynamic 17O-NMR. This reactivity enhancement of coordinated waters by oxalate results from a change in bonding between Al(III) and oxygens throughout the complex upon ligation by oxalate. A similar process has been proposed to explain ligand-enhanced dissolution of oxide minerals (e.g., Stumm, 1991; Casey and Ludwig, 1995; Phillips et al., 1997) where a stable adsorbate increases the flux of metals from a surface. These new rate coefficients for aluminum-oxalate complexes, along with previous work on aluminum-fluoride complexes, show a correlation with the respective equilibrium constants similar to that obtained by Ludwig et al. (1995, 1996).
Toward a political model of dementia: Power as compassionate care

Abstract During the last twenty years, a person-centered model of dementia has effectively challenged the biomedical model and has revolutionized caregiving practices to be more compassionate. Yet this focus on personhood has not dislodged the biomedical model from its influential place within law, and has instead reinforced the importance of legal personhood—a concept that is dependent on mental capacity. This article is an attempt to shift the discourse away from personhood to power. It uses Rollo May's theory of power as a lens through which to critique the biomedical, social constructionist, and phenomenological models of dementia, and then builds on political approaches to dementia to argue the merits of a political model of dementia based on compassionate power.
Dual State-Mechanism Adjustment Adaptive Filtering to Improve Accuracy of Subsurface Transport Models

This study proposes a state-updating scheme and a mechanism-updating scheme for a subsurface contaminant model so as to compose a dual state-mechanism adjustment adaptive filter (DAAF) to improve t...
Phase transitions in multilayer films

Abstract Lattice gas models are constructed for multilayer physisorption and solved using Migdal-Kadanoff renormalization group transformations. The Ising lattice gas and solid-on-solid models as well as a more realistic case modeling Kr on graphite are treated. Wetting, roughening, and second-order solid-gas transitions are found and discussed. The effects of further-neighbor interactions in adsorbates are analyzed at zero temperature and are found to play a crucial role in certain situations. Contact is made with experiment, and new experiments are proposed.
Selecting the best choice in the weighted secretary problem

Abstract In the sequential evaluation and selection problem with n applicants, we assume that a decision maker has some prior information about each applicant so that unequal weights may be assigned to each applicant according to his or her likelihood of being the best among all applicants. Assuming that the pre-assigned weights are available in advance, we derive the optimal selection strategy that maximizes the probability of selecting the best among all applicants. For the case where the decision maker is permitted to rearrange the sequence in which applicants are evaluated, we further propose a simple heuristic procedure to the problem of optimally ordering the sequence of evaluations. Based on a pairwise comparison matrix and a goal programming procedure, we also propose a method that easily computes the weights in a practical situation.
Academic engaged time of students with low-incidence disabilities in general education classes

Academic engaged time of 6 students with low-incidence disabilities enrolled in a general elementary classrooms for reading or math and at least one other subject was compared to that of 6 students without disabilities from the same classes and 6 students without disabilities from different classes that were not inclusive. Three dependent measures used were frequency of observation intervals that students were engaged in academic responding, task management, and competing behaviors. Results showed no significant differences in academic responding and task management behaviors of students with and without disabilities enrolled in general education classes, significant differences between these groups on frequency of competing behaviors, no significant differences between students without disabilities on academic responding and task management, and significant differences between students without disabilities on frequency of competing behaviors.
436 THE ROLE OF ADRENAL STEROIDS IN PSEUDOPRECOCIOUS PUBERTY DUE TO LARGE OVARIAN FOLLICULAR CYSTS

Ovarian secretion of trophic steroids, or their precursors, such as 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17P), increases during puberty. Many of these steroids are also secreted by the adrenal. We have shown that girls with premature adrenarche have increased 17P levels after ACTH stimulation. In order to study the role of adrenal androgens in other forms of precocious puberty, we measured 17P after dexamethasone (DEX) suppression (lmg) and an IV bolus of ACTH (0.25 mg) in 5 girls with premature thelarche who also had small ovarian cysts documented by ultrasound (PT) and 2 girls with pseudoprecocious puberty due to a large follicular ovarian cyst (PP). The girls with PT had normal 17P levels which were suppressed completely after DEX and increased to 61±16(X±SD) ng/dl after ACTH (normal 71±20ng/dl). Although basal 17P levels were normal in the girls with PP, they were not completely suppressed by DEX and increased to levels over 3-times normal after ACTH (360, 540, ng/dl). Excision of the cysts abolished pubertal progression and restored DEX suppressibility of 17P. Although the 17P responses to ACTH were substantially decreased (160, 350 ng/dl), they were still supranormal. Suggestion: Excess steroid production by the adrenal may stimulate development of small ovarian cysts into large cysts and thus cause PP.
Metropolitan delusions in the twenty-first century: Mohamed Hmoudane's French Dream

French Dream, published in 2005 by the francophone Moroccan poet and writer Mohamed Hmoudane, exemplifies the break with more traditional representations of exile. With a sharp sense of humour, the author draws on his own experiences and those of his two brothers in both Morocco and France, to explore the intricacies and the ambivalences of exile. Hmoudane raises existential questions related to the dilemmas and traumas associated with expatriation. The author shifts between two time registers while probing the challenges of living between two cultures. After many years in France, he continues to reflect on his previous experiences back home. This strategic endeavour helps him to embrace otherness while building a confrontation between his poetic imagination and his multifaceted world.
A Mycotic Pulmonary Artery Aneurysm Presenting as an Endobronchial Mass

We report the case of a 49-year-old woman who developed an endobronchial mycotic pulmonary artery aneurysm (PAA) as a complication of pneumonia. After presenting with patchy infiltrates, she developed right lung atelectasis. A noncontrast chest CT scan revealed a mass in the right hilum, and bronchoscopy identified an obstructing lesion in the right mainstem bronchus. Unfortunately, biopsy caused massive hemorrhage, and the patient died. An autopsy identified a mycotic PAA that had invaded the right mainstem. The case suggests that a contrasted CT scan should be included in the evaluation of endobronchial masses and that PAA should be included in the differential diagnosis of such lesions.
Graphite intercalation compound with iodine as the major intercalate

Halogenated graphite CBr(x)I(y) (I less than y/x less than 10) was made by exposing graphite materials to either pure Br2 or an I2/Br2/HBr mixture to initiate the reaction, and then to iodine vapor containing a small amount of Br2/HBr/IBr to complete the intercalation reaction. Wetting of the graphite materials by the I2/Br2/HBr mixture is needed to start the reaction, and a small amount of Br2/HBr/IBr is needed to complete the charge transfer between iodine and carbon. The interplanar spacings for the graphite materials need to be in the 3.35 to 3.41 A range. The X-ray diffraction data obtained from the halogenated HOPG indicate that the distance between the two carbon layers containing intercalate is 7.25 A. Electrical resistivity of the fiber product is from 3 to 6.5 times the pristine value, The presence of a small amount of isoprene rubber in the reaction significantly increased the iodine-to-bromine ratio in the product. In this reaction, rubber is known to generate HBr and to slowly remove bromine from the vapor. The halogenation generally caused a 22 percent to 25 percent weight increase. The halogens were found uniformly distributed in the product interior. However, although the surface contains very little iodine, it has high concentrations of bromine and oxygen. It is believed that the high concentrations of bromine and oxygen in this surface cause the halogenated fiber to be more resistant to structural damage during subsequent fluorination to fabricate graphite fluoride fibers.
You can go home again

In the late 1970s, I was studying to be an actor at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. Edith Skinner was one of the many remarkable faculty members of the professional actor-traini...
Control of Branching in Ni3C1–x Nanoparticles and Their Conversion into Ni12P5 Nanoparticles

Dendritic Ni3C1–x nanoparticles (NPs) with controlled branching have been synthesized through the thermolysis (230 °C) of nickel acetylacetonate using oleylamine as a reducing agent and 1-octadecene (ODE) as the solvent. Addition of trioctylphosphine (TOP) as a ligand inhibits formation of dendritic shapes and prevents incorporation of C, resulting in spherical Ni NPs. In comparison, when using octadecane (ODA) or trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) as the solvent, Ni NPs are obtained at 230 °C that have fewer, larger branches than when using ODE. Higher temperatures are required for incorporation of C from ODA or TOPO into Ni NPs, resulting in Ni3C1–x NPs. Therefore, the allyl group in ODE facilitates formation of Ni3C1–x NPs at lower temperatures. Conversion of dendritic Ni3C1–x NPs into Ni12P5 NPs after adding TOP and heating to 300 °C results in the formation of multiple voids in the branches, rather than yolk-in-shell structures or unfilled single voids observed for spherical NPs.
Pulmonary cement embolization after kyphoplasty: a case report and review of the literature.

Abstract Background context Kyphoplasty is performed for the treatment of osteoporotic compression fractures. A theoretical advantage of this technique is the reduced risk of embolization of cement. Study design/setting Case report of an incidental finding of cement pulmonary embolization after kyphoplasty of an osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. Methods/results Here we report a patient who presented with an incidental finding of pulmonary embolization after kyphoplasty and review the relevant literature. Conclusions Patients who present with symptoms of respiratory distress after kyphoplasty should undergo workup for pulmonary embolism. Clinicians may consider routine postoperative chest radiographs after kyphoplasty to screen for embolic disease. Further research is necessary to identify the risk factors and possible long-term sequelae of cement embolization.
Experimental pathogenicity of Aeromonas spp. for the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha

Experiments were conducted to determine whether species of Aeromonas were pathogenic to the zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha. A. jandaei, A. veronii, and A. media, identified with Biolog, were originally isolated from dead zebra mussels. When inoculated into living mussels, these bacteria resulted in the mortality of the bivalves. Two additional species, A. salmonicida salmonicida (ATCC 33678) and A. hydrophila (ATCC 7966), were also demonstrated to be pathogenic to the mussels. In addition to the pathogenicity, the data also suggest that the zebra mussels may be an important reservoir for these bacteria in freshwater environments.
Effect of temperature on the CO2 sensitivity of avian intrapulmonary chemoreceptors

Abstract We determined linear regressions of discharge frequency on In PCO2 of 23 intrapulmonary chemoreceptors (IPC) from eight hyperthermic, adult cockerels. At low PCO2, IPC in hyperthermic cockerels discharged slower than IPC measured in euthermic cockerels; above 25 torr PCo2, however, they discharged faster than euthermic IPC. Thus, IPC were less sensitive to PCO2 during hyperthermia. We calculate that a 1°C increase in the temperature of the lung (T L ) causes the slope of the linear regression of discharge frequency on In PCO2 to be less negative by 1.5 ± 0.5 imp (sec·In PCO2)−1 and that, for any increase in T L above normal (41.5°C), the average IPC discharge frequency equals (−10.7+1.5 (T L −41.5)). (In ( P CO2 25.0 )) + 3.7. This relationship may be partly responsible for the increased tidal volume and decreased respiratory frequency observed when body temperature increases during constant PaCO2.
A Genetic Neural Network Model of Flowering Time Control in Arabidopsis thaliana

Crop simulation models incorporate many physiological processes within sophisticated mathematical frameworks. However, the control mechanisms for these processes tend to be ad hoc, empirical, and indirectly inferred from data and may lack realistic plasticity. Using model organisms like Arabidopsis thaliana, genomic scientists are rapidly disentangling the networks of genes that exert physiological control. As yet, however, these networks are qualitative in nature, depicting promotion and inhibition pathways but not supporting quantitative predictions of overall integrated effects. We believe (i) that neural networks can provide the quantification that current genetic networks lack and (ii) that taxonomic conservation of central genetic mechanisms will make networks developed for model plants also useful in crops. This paper presents evidence supporting the first point based on a neural network with eight nodes corresponding to A. thaliana genes controlling inflorescence timing. The nodes were linked into photoperiod and autonomous pathways abstracted from an existing qualitative genetic network model. Growth chamber data on transition timing were collected at 16 and 24°C for seven A. thaliana strains possessing loss-of-function mutations at the network loci. An eighth strain served as a common wild-type control. The neural network model reproduced the time course of the transition at both temperatures for all eight genotypes. Results included tracking a novel, temperature-dependent exchange in transition order exhibited by two mutants whose duplication is not possible by usual crop simulation methods. Furthermore, the ability to imitate the data appeared to have a desirable sensitivity to assumed network structure.
THE SUGARS OF SOME FLORIDA NECTARS

A B S T R A C T The quantitative composition of major sugars in the nectars of 35 plant species was compared with that of 12 fruit juices. The use of specific quantitative assays for glucose, fructose, and sucrose made it possible to analyze large samples without quantitative chromatographic separations. Sucrose ranged from 0-99%. In most nectars, glucose and fructose were present in approximately equal amounts. No evidence was found for the presence of maltose, raffinose, and other oligosaccharides. LITTLE INFORMATION is available on the sugar composition of nectars. This may be due to the small size of the samples usually available and the lack of specific microanalytical techniques. Wykes (1952) used paper chromatography to separate the main sugars from nectars. Fructose and glucose were eluted from the paper and quantitated by reduction of copper. Maltose was claimed to be present in a few samples. The nonreducing sucrose was not determined. Furgala, Gochnauer, and Holdaway (1958) used a similar method to separate the sugars of some northern clover nectars but assayed the eluates with a phenol sulfuric acid reagent, which reacts also with sucrose. Their results suggest that maltose comprises 3-10 % of the total sugars present. Percival (1961) separated a large number of nectars by paper chromatography and estimated the preponderance of glucose, fructose, and sucrose after spraying with anisidine. Small amounts of material with RF values corresponding with maltose, melibiose, or raffinose were found in several species, but these oligosaccharides were not further
STRUCT programming analysis system

The STRUCT system utilizes the flexibility of a powerful graphics display system to provide a set of tools for program analysis. These tools allow the analysis of the static program structure and the dynamic execution behaviour of programs within the entire operating system user program environment of the Brown University Graphics System (BUGS). Information is collected and presented in a manner which fully exploits two aspects of this environment. First, the operating system has been developed in a well-structured hierarchical manner following principles laid down by other researchers. Second the programs under analysis have been written in a structured programming language following coding conventions which make available, at the source code level, valuable program control information. This system is currently being used to predict and analyze the performance advantages available through the migration of function between levels of software and between software and firmware within the BUGS.
Toward Continuous State–Space Regulation of Coupled Cyber–Physical Systems

Cyber-physical system (CPS) research aims to integrate physical and computational models in a manner that outperforms a system in which the two models are kept separate. CPSs can be generated by either folding properties of the physics-based system into a discrete modeling paradigm or vice versa. This paper studies the latter by abstracting execution rate of a real-time feedback control task into a continuous state-space form traditionally employed for physics-based systems. We propose coupling the two models in a linear systems framework and study the impact of this coupling applied to a single degree of freedom second-order oscillator as well as an unstable inverted pendulum, both regulated with an appropriately designed linear quadratic regulator (LQR). Our results illustrate the utility of the proposed abstraction and controller design as a means of coregulating cyber and physical states in real time.
Fluorimetric Estimation of Aliphatic Hydrocarbons in Airborne Particulates

Abstract A thin-layer chromatographic method is presented that allows determination of long-chain aliphatic hydrocarbons in the benzene-soluble fraction of airborne particulate extracts by direct scanning in a spectrophotofluorimeter. Silica-gel plates were impregnated with rhodamine 6G, and after development the separated aliphatic hydrocarbon spot was scanned on a scanning spectrophotofluorimeter and measured. The area under the peak was concentration-dependent, with a useful range of analysis from 0.1 meg to at least 10 meg of aliphatics in terms of n-docosane. Urban air samples contained 1.6 to 2.7 meg of ali-phatics per cubic meter; nonurban samples had 0.12 to 0.24 meg. Since hydrocarbon carcinogens are ubiquitous, it is suggested that their concentration is of secondary importance in many cases, whereas the much higher concentrations of the cocarcinogens (such as large aliphatic hydrocarbons) and prolonged exposure to them are probably of prime importance. A number of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarb...
Introduction to Implementation and Usage of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Minitrack

Today many organizations are investigating whether Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) can add value to their operations, supply chain partnerships, and customer service relationships. This list includes manufacturers, retailers, third party logistics providers, hospitals, and a variety of other organizations that provide services to customers. Some organizations are in the investigation stage and are concerned about the costs, benefits, and risks associated with RFID. Others have implemented pilots to test the technology and have learned some valuable lessons along the way. A few others have moved into full-scale production mode with RFID. While many companies understand the benefits from better real-time tracking of important mobile items, they are cautious due to the potential costs of developing the infrastructure required to perform these tracking activities.
Analytical theory of the shear Alfvén continuum in the presence of a magnetic island

The effect of a magnetic island chain on the shear Alfven continuum is calculated analytically. Using a WKB approximation of the linearized ideal MHD equations, the island is shown to cause an upshift in the continuum accumulation point frequency. This minimum of the frequency spectrum is shifted from the rational surface to the island separatrix. The structure of the eigenmodes is also presented.
Liquid Ventilation: An Alternative Ventilation Strategy for Management of Neonatal Respiratory Distress

Perfluorochemical (PFC) liquids have great potential for biomedical use and the support of respiration. Currently, there are several commercially available PFC fluids which meet the physiochemical property requirements as well as purity specifications necessary to perform many of the discussed biomedical applications. Moreover, state-of-the-art fluorine chemistry should enable production of new PFC liquids uniquely sculptured relative to the proposed specific application (ie. vehicle for pulmonary delivery of drugs, a diluent for pulmonary lavage, a medium for respiratory gas exchange). In addition to PFC fluid requirements, there have been several techniques reported for liquid assisted ventilation. These methods include total liquid ventilation, liquid lavage, and partial liquid ventilation. The efficacy of these various techniques is under extensive investigation with respect to specific types of lung dysfunction. Liquid ventilation (LV) techniques have the potential to treat lung disease with less risk of barotrauma and provide the means for direct and uniform delivery of pulmonary agents to injured or dysfunctional sites in the lung. For LV to assume a role in clinical medicine it must be shown to be safe and effective with respect to other therapies or in combination with current therapies. Although the use of LV in animal and initial clinical studies has been impressive to date, better documentation of efficacy in human disease will be required. Further controlled multi-center clinical trials are warranted and are currently in progress.
Retiree Health Benefit Coverage and Retirement

Labor markets and health insurance are closely linked in the United States because many employers provide health insurance to both current and retired workers. Economists and policy analysts have paid much attention to the reasons for and consequences of employer provision of health insurance (HI) to current employees — see, for example, Rosen (2000) for a review and discussion — but retiree health benefits (RHB) have received far less attention, at least in part because data on them have been scarce.
Congenital Malformations of the Skull and Meninges

The surgery and management of children who have congenital malformations of the skull and meninges require multidisciplinary care and long-term follow-up by multiple specialists in birth defects. The high definition of three-dimensional CT and MRI allows precise surgery planning of reconstruction and management of associated malformations. The reconstruction of meningoencephaloceles and craniosynostosis are challenging procedures that transform the child's appearance. The embryology, clinical presentation, and surgical management of these malformations are reviewed.
Microbiological profile of haematogenous osteoarticular infections in children.

Summary Introduction Staphylococcus aureus, Kingella kingae and β-hemolytic streptococcus are presently the most frequently identified bacteria in child haematogenous osteoarticular infection. Objective To determine the microbiological profile (bacteria and antibiotic susceptibility) of osteoarticular infections in a paediatric hospital, so as to adapt treatment protocols to the ecology of the bacteria isolated. Patients and methods Prospective descriptive study, including children admitted for acute osteomyelitis or septic arthritis. A series of blood cultures was performed systematically on admission. In case of surgery, local samples were taken for bacteriology. Antibiotherapy was initiated and subsequently adapted to the bacteriological findings. Results One hundred and six children were included. Thirty-five were under (Group 1) and 71 over 3 years of age (Group 2). Ninety-five underwent surgery. Peroperative samples were positive in 61 cases and blood culture in 23. Bacteria were isolated in 22 patients in G1. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated in five neonates who had passed through intensive care. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated bacterium in G2 (n = 40), and was methicillin-resistant (MRSA) in six children. Discussion Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated microorganism. Other than neonates who had passed through intensive care and the six patients with community-acquired MRSA infection, all isolated bacteria were susceptible to second-generation cephalosporins. Level of evidence II, prospective descriptive prognostic study.
TRANSVAGINAL REPAIR OF VESICOVAGINAL FISTULAS AFTER HYSTERECTOMY BY VAGINAL CUFF EXCISION

AbstractPurpose: When repairing vesicovaginal fistulas after hysterectomy there is often reluctance to excise totally the fistula tract for fear of enlarging the tissue defect. It has been suggested that consequent tension on suture lines may cause recurrence of an even larger fistula. On the other hand, a basic surgical principle is that scar tissue margins will not heal as quickly or at all compared to fresh viable margins. We reviewed whether our technique of total excision of the fistula tract and vaginal cuff scar provides an efficient cure rate.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 20 women who underwent vaginal cuff excision repairs of a vesicovaginal fistula after total hysterectomy. Women who had complex fistulas and/or prior radiation therapy were excluded from study.Results: Of the 20 patients 3 (15%) sustained a bladder lesion that was repaired intraoperatively and 7 (35%) underwent 1 or more attempts at secondary repair. All fistulas were at the vaginal cuff. Mean...
World-Systems Analysis, Globalization, and Incorporated Comparison*

When Immanuel Wallerstein (1974) subverted the mid-1970s social science scene with his concept of the world-system, development, the master concept of social theory, suffered a fatal blow. Wallersteins critique of development emphasized its misapplication as a national strategy in a hierarchical world where only some states can succeed. Wallersteins path-breaking epistemological challenge to the modernization paradigm reformulated the unit of analysis of development from the nation-state to the world-system. To be sure, the past three decades have seen reformulations, coined to address the failures of the development enterprise: frombasic needs, through participation in the world market, globalization, to local sustainability. But development, the organizing myth of our age, has never recovered.
MATING BEHAVIOR IN RHAGOLETIS POMONELLA (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE): III. MALE AGGREGATION IN RESPONSE TO AN ARRESTANT

Male apple maggot flies, Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh), were present on ceresin wax domes (the site of oviposition and the site of assembly for mating) in much greater relative frequency when caged with 1 or more females or with several other males than when caged alone. Field and laboratory experiments subsequently revealed that a principal stimulus eliciting this greater degree of male assembly was an unidentified chemical(s) deposited on the surface of apples and ceresin domes by both sexes (but in greater amount by mature females) causing arriving males to spend up to twice as much time there as on untreated fruit. The presence of the chemical did not elicit any greater attraction of males to the fruit. The consequence of the longer male residency on domes with the chemical was male aggregation and an ensuant higher frequency of mutual encounter and attempted copulation than on untreated domes. While the chemical acts to arrest males, we theorize that mere detection of its presence may be sufficient to cause males to remain in the vicinity and watch for females.
Quantitative Correlation between HLA Class I Allele Expression and Recognition of Melanoma Cells by Antigen-specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes

MHC class I antigen expression is necessary for CD8+ T-cell-mediated recognition of tumors. Recently, several mechanisms leading to loss or decreased expression of MHC antigens on the tumor cell surface have been described that may account for tumor escape from immune recognition. It is yet unknown whether tumor recognition by CTL occurs at a threshold amount of MHC molecules or correlates with the level of HLA-allele expression. In this study, a model was developed in which clones derived from the 624-MEL melanoma cell line and expressing varying amounts of HLA-A2 molecules were lysed in a standard 51Cr release assay by an HLA-A2-restricted CTL clone (A42) or a bulk culture of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. The A42 clone and the tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte culture were characterized previously as specifically recognizing the melanoma antigen MART-1(27-35) peptide. A marked heterogeneity in the susceptibility to lysis by A42 was observed in tumor clones and was not due to heterogeneous expression of MART-1 by the clones or loss of accessory molecules involved in the lymphocyte-target interaction. Lysis by A42 and by the tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte culture significantly correlated with the level of HLA-A2 expression, evaluated as mean channel number of fluorescence by flow cytometry (P < 0.001). Transfection of an HLA-A2-negative clone (624.28) with the HLA-A2.1 gene produced a panel of clones expressing different levels of HLA-A2, the lysis of which was highly correlated with the expression of HLA-A2 (P < 0.001). The addition of exogenous MART-1(27-35) peptide enhanced lysis of clones expressing intermediate amounts of HLA-A2 but did not affect clones with high expression. These data suggest that the number of HLA molecules present on the surface of tumor cells can quantitatively affect their lysis by CTL in situations with borderline amounts of peptide and/or MHC.
Electron charge distribution of chromium

Abstract A critical review of all the X-ray crystal structure factors of chromium has been performed. This showed that the low-angle X-ray atomie scattering (form) factors have been most accurately measured by electron diffraction and that, with correct choice of Debye temperature and analysis procedure, these are in excellent agreement with the best theoretical calculations. These aceurate form factors were found to be considerably less than those obtained from free atom calculations and the implications of these differences for bonding in chromium was investigated by generating a (110) deformation electron density distribution. This showed that bonding in chromium is achieved by the close-to-spherical depletion of electrons from atomie sites with redistribution such that there is a build-up of electrons in 〈100〉 and 〈110〉 between second and third nearest neighbour atoms with apparently very little charge density between nearest neighbour atoms in 〈111〉. These observations are consistent with the fact th...
Patterns of tobacco exposure before and during pregnancy

Objectives. To describe maternal exposure to tobacco in the three months before conception and throughout pregnancy, examine risk factors associated with tobacco exposure in pregnancy and smoking cessation, assess use of pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation and evaluate birth outcomes by smoking status. Design. A cohort of women from a multi-site United States study were asked retrospectively about their exposure to tobacco. Population. The study population was comprised of 4,667 mothers of non-malformed control infants who participated in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study from 1997 to 2003. Methods. Using computer-assisted telephone interview responses from this population-based sample, we assessed patterns of maternal smoking and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) as well as use of pharmacotherapy for quitting smoking during pregnancy. Results. Overall, 961 (20.6%) mothers reported any smoking and 1,401 (30.0%) reported any exposure to ETS at home or work during the three months before conception through pregnancy. Of the 961 smokers, 512 (53.3%) reportedly quit smoking before or during pregnancy, including 379 (74% of quitters) in the first trimester, and 420 (43.7%) continued to smoke throughout the pregnancy. Only 2.1% of smokers reportedly used pharmacotherapy to quit smoking anytime from three months before conception through pregnancy. Low birthweight and preterm delivery rates were lowest among offspring of non-smokers and highest in offspring of those who continued to smoke throughout pregnancy. Conclusions. About one-half of mothers who reported preconceptional smoking quit before or during pregnancy. Use of pharmacotherapy to quit smoking during pregnancy was not common.
Thinking small, but with big league consequences: procoagulant microparticles in the alveolar space.

pulmonary edema fluid is not just water but is instead a complex biological medium. The daedal nature and variability of its makeup are particularly apparent when samples of alveolar edema or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome
People Skills: Developing Soft Skills-A Change Management Perspective

This is another in a series of articles about some of the most effective models, methods, and processes of organization development OD, also known as change management, a discipline that offers much to professionals intent on solving real-world problems. Because it is based on a systemic view of organizations, OD includes the whole universe of fuzzy people issues that increasingly determine the success or failure of efforts to implement otherwise flawless technical solutions. This article examines the increasingly important set of personal abilities known as soft skills. The primary focus is on how modern change management principles and practices can facilitate the development of soft skills, such as self-awareness, communication, collaboration, and leadership.
Serial concatenated TCM with an inner accumulate code - part II: density-evolution analysis

In a companion paper, we showed the existence of decoding thresholds for maximum-likelihood (ML) decoding of a serial concatenated trellis-coded modulation (SCTCM) system with one or more inner accumulate codes. In this paper, we compute the decoding thresholds for an iterative, non-ML decoder by density evolution (DE), assuming infinite blocklengths. We also derive a stability condition for the particular case of an outer parity-check code and a single inner accumulate code. We show that, for equiprobable signaling, the bit-wise log-likelihood ratio densities for higher order constellations are symmetric. Furthermore, when used in DE, these densities can be averaged without significantly affecting the resulting threshold values. For an outer single parity-check code, the lowest decoding thresholds are achieved with two inner accumulate codes. For an outer repeat code, a single inner accumulate code gives the lowest thresholds. At code rates r/sub c/>2/3, the decoding thresholds for the SCTCM system are within 1 dB of the constellation-constrained channel capacity for additive white Gaussian noise channels, and within 1.5 dB for independent, identically distributed Rayleigh channels. Simulation results verify the computed thresholds.
Discrete mathematic analysis of the Dravnieks and Flavornet data bases

Odor Spaces to a flavor chemist are constructs represented by collections of chemicals with perceptual qualities. Their analytical procedures use chemistry to study the substances that generate Odor Spaces: foods, fragrances, and air quality. Psychologists view the same Odor Spaces as the sensations and perceptions invoked by chemicals and study these using the psychophysics of detection and the discrete mathematics of semantic memory. Neurobiologists, primarily using non-human models, study Odor Spaces by manipulating and measuring the physiology and genetics of the olfactory system. They have mostly focused on signal processing, however, “To understand the determinants of post-signal processing one needs to go beyond the bounds of olfactory research into the realm of cognitive theory.” (W.S Cain). Those who study the synaptic organization of the brain and the psychology of perception are leading this effort. This presentation will begin the Odor Spaces workshop with a discussion of the 1985 Dravnieks database compared to the 1997-2013 Flavornet database of odorants and their semantic descriptors. These and similar databases arise from a lifetime of experiences that give meaning to the Odor Spaces of the individuals, i.e. subjects, that generated them. Using elements of Graph theory both databases could be partitioned into a small subset of words that were associated with a large number of different chemicals indicating an odor class. A larger group of words each associated with a very small number of chemicals indicated a more specific relationship between chemical and sensation. That the class words were almost the same from the two different databases reveals a common process of classification used by two vastly different populations. This is likely a cogitative process; however, the very specific pairing of a majority of the chemicals to a few words may indicate a more peripheral mechanism. A broad goal of the study of Odor Spaces is to find patterns or relationships within these databases common to groups and ultimately to understand the biology that generated them. A narrower but more interesting pursuit is to understand how patterns of sensation and experience create memories and how these memories modify the experience of future sensations We wish to understand how odor gives meaning to our lives.
The Evolution of Workforce Baccalaureate Degrees in Florida

This chapter highlights the history of workforce baccalaureate degrees in Florida, documents the growth of these programs across the state, and provides a framework for the designation of various degree types and academic requirements. Florida's new College System is described as one of the largest and most innovative systems of higher education for increasing access to four-year workforce baccalaureates.
Design and evaluation of a window-consistent replication service

Real-time applications typically operate under strict timing and dependability constraints. Although traditional data replication protocols provide fault tolerance, real-time guarantees require bounded overhead for managing this redundancy. This paper presents the design and evaluation of a window-consistent primary-backup replication service that provides timely availability of the repository by relaxing the consistency of the replicated data. The service guarantees controlled inconsistency by scheduling update transmissions from the primary to the backup(s); this ensures that client applications interact with a window-consistent repository when a backup must supplant a failed primary. Experiments on our prototype implementation show that the service handles a range of client loads while maintaining bounds on temporal inconsistency.