cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Defending Science from all of its Enemies and some of its Friends

Recent debates about the values and virtues of the sciences have been marked by philosophical errors and misunderstandings among both the supporters and the critics of the value of science. Some authors, such as Wilson defending the ultimate value of science and Appleyard decrying the influence of scientific modes of thinking, both assume the positivistic stance to understanding science. Others, such as Dawkins, Maddox and Wolpert, come through as scientific realists, celebrating the power of science to reach beyond what can be perceived. Yet all three neglect the role of instruments and apparatus and miss the importance of the part that social forces play in the creation of belief. Finally Maddox slips into assuming that the only truly scientific approach to understanding human life scientifically is to follow the pattern of realism and model making as it is exemplified in the physical sciences. Psychology can be scientific without being reductionist.
A qualitative inquiry into organisational culture's moderating effect on knowledge management projects in the aerospace and defence industry

The management of knowledge permeates the social fabric of business enterprises today. Many suggest that the success of knowledge management is predominately associated with organisational culture. However, while researchers typically conclude that organisational culture affects knowledge management projects, initiatives and organisational effectiveness, there is a lack of research in this regard in the aerospace and defence industry. The research in this manuscript leveraged grounded theory protocols and existing research conducted in other industries to investigate specific cultural implications of organisational knowledge management activities in aerospace and defence companies. A constructivist knowledge claim position yielded theoretical observations about this phenomenon.
New Hobos or Neo-Romantic Fantasy? Urban Ethnography beyond the Neoliberal Disconnect

This article describes an anomalous social space within the field of homelessness in San Francisco, that of “pro” recyclers, homeless men who spend much of their time collecting recyclables for redemption. Unlike the panhandlers, broken shelter-dwellers and small-time hustlers of San Francisco’s Tenderloin and other skid row zones, the recyclers orient much of their existence around work. By working within a unique economic niche provided by the state-supported recycling industry, and by drawing on support from sympathetic residents and advocates, the recyclers create an unusual homeless subculture which, as they themselves argue, has more than a little in common with the hobo jungles of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. To interrogate the sociological (and political) implications of this case study I use Loic Wacquant’s eloquent manifesto against sociological “neo-romanticism.” While agreeing with some of Wacquant’s analysis, I argue that his emphasis on the moralism of contemporary urban ethnographers blinds him to the very real concerns with morality and ethics among poor people themselves. The recyclers’ concerns with mutual respect and the pleasures of labor represent, I believe, not post hoc justifications of desperate survival strategies, but a dogged, often passionate collective effort to create a truly different experience and understanding of homelessness itself.
An Evaluation of an Ambiguous Loss Based Psychoeducational Support Group for Family Members of Persons Who Hoard: A Pilot Study

The current study is a pilot evaluation of a six-week psychoeducational-support group based in an ambiguous loss framework for family members of people who hoard. Findings suggest that participants who completed the six-week intervention group (N = 8) indicated positive results at the two-month follow up interview, reporting an increased understanding of family members’ hoarding behaviors and their own experiences related to the hoarding behavior and its impact on the family system. Participants also reported that having personal and professional support from others who understand hoarding behavior was helpful to them in lowering psychological distress and improving interactions with their family members.
Mechanics of hexagonal atomic lattices

A theoretical framework for describing the kinematics and energetics of hexagonal atomic lattices, including planar carbon graphene sheets and cylindrical nanotubes, is proposed. By analogy with the membrane theory of thin shells, the deformation of the particulate lattice in the neighborhood of each atom is described in terms of a uniquely defined deformation gradient and companion local inner displacement. Expressions for the pointwise tensions developing in the plane of the lattice are developed, and a rational procedure for deriving discrete equilibrium equations is discussed. An alternative formulation involving the second-order deformation gradient that parallels the strain gradient theory of bulk media is proposed, and a tentative analogy with a the theory of micropolar elastic media is outlined.
Near-threshold photodetachment of the Li- ion.

The method of threshold-photodetachment spectroscopy has been used to measure the electron affinity of Li. Changes in the partial cross sections for the resolved h\ensuremath{\nu}+${\mathrm{Li}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$(2 $^{1}$S)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}Li(2 $^{2}$S)+${\mathit{e}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$(\ensuremath{\epsilon}p) ${(}^{2}$S\ensuremath{\epsilon}p) and h\ensuremath{\nu}+${\mathrm{Li}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$(2 $^{1}$S)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}Li(2 $^{2}$P)+${\mathit{e}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$(\ensuremath{\epsilon}s) ${(}^{2}$P\ensuremath{\epsilon}s) channels were separately investigated in the vicinity of the 2 $^{2}$P threshold. The near-threshold data in the $^{2}$P\ensuremath{\epsilon}s channel were fitted to a Wigner law to determine a threshold photon energy of 19 884.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.6 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$. An electron affinity of 4980.9\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.6 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ (617.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2 meV) is obtained upon subtraction of the well-known 2 $^{2}$P excitation energy. The position of the Wigner cusp in the $^{2}$S\ensuremath{\epsilon}p channel was measured to be 19 882.4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}4.0 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$, in agreement with the more precise $^{2}$P\ensuremath{\epsilon}s-channel threshold energy.
Expression of the p53 protein during the cell cycle of human peripheral blood lymphocytes

We have investigated the role of the cellular p53 protein in the induction of growth in size and cell DNA replication in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and in monocyte/macrophage-depleted lymphocyte (MDL) cultures stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Our results show that in human lymphocytes exposed to PHA, the induction of p53 protein synthesis and accumulation correlates with the extent of cellular DNA replication, rather than with growth in size. Moreover, the induction of p53 is dependent on the presence of the T-cell mitogen, Interleukin-2. A monoclonal antibody to Interleukin-2 receptors (anti-Tac) inhibits PHA-stimulated cellular DNA synthesis, and this inhibition is correlated with a reduction in the percentage of p53-positive cells. We conclude from this work that the p53 protein is a cell cycle-dependent gene whose expression can be regulated by different mitogens in different cell types.
Quantitative Assessment of Range Fluctuations in Charged Particle Lung Irradiation

Purpose Water equivalent path length (WEL) variations due to respiration can change the range of a charged particle beam and result in beam overshoot to critical organs or beam undershoot to tumor. We have studied range fluctuations by analyzing four-dimensional computed tomography data and quantitatively assessing potential beam overshoot. Methods and Materials The maximal intensity volume is calculated by combining the gross tumor volume contours at each respiratory phase in the four-dimensional computed tomography study. The first target volume calculates the maximal intensity volume for the entire respiratory cycle (internal target volume [ITV]-radiotherapy [RT]), and the second target volume is the maximal intensity volume corresponding to gated RT (gated-RT, ∼30% phase window around exhalation). A compensator at each respiratory phase is calculated. Two “composite” compensators for ITV-RT and gated-RT are then designed by selecting the minimal compensator depth at the respective respiratory phase. These compensators are then applied to the four-dimensional computed tomography data to estimate beam penetration. Analysis metrics include range fluctuation and overshoot volume, both as a function of gantry angle. We compared WEL fluctuations observed in treating the ITV-RT versus gated-RT in 11 lung patients. Results The WEL fluctuations were Conclusion Time varying range fluctuation analysis provides information useful for determining appropriate patient-specific treatment parameters in charged particle RT. This analysis can also be useful for optimizing planning and delivery.
Scheduling algorithms for broadcasting media with multiple distortion measures

The growing popularity of multimedia streaming applications brings a growth in diversity of media clients (laptops, PDAs, cellphones). Effectively serving this heterogeneous group of users is highly desirable. Scalable media codecs such as H.264/MPEG-4 SVC help make this adaptation possible. To account for the various capabilities and requests of each user, such as varying spatial or temporal resolutions, multiple distortion measures (MDM) are considered. Rather than consider a homogeneity in users, the MDM framework considers multiple different distortion values for each media packet for each user type. We consider the scenario of simultaneously broadcasting a video stream to multiple users over wireless links. The objective is to design a scheduling algorithm which achieves the highest aggregate quality-of-service, measured by distortion and delay, over all different user types. We cast the problem as a stochastic shortest path problem and use dynamic programming to find the optimal policy. For statistically static channels, the optimal policy is shown to be of threshold type. For time-varying channels, a quasi-static policy is introduced. Experimental results show that our policy reduces distortion by up to a factor of 2 over conventional approaches which do not consider MDM.
Minimizing target interference in PK immunoassays: new approaches for low-pH-sample treatment

Background: Quantitating total levels of monoclonal antibody (mAb) biotherapeutics in serum using ELISA may be hindered by soluble targets. Results: We developed two low-pH-sample-pretreatment techniques to minimize target interference. The first procedure involves sample pretreatment at pH 30-fold molar excess. Conclusion: These techniques provide alternatives for quantitating mAb biotherapeutics in the presen...
Is inflammation involved in cervical ripening with a foley catheter

KERI BAACKE, RONALD FERGUSON, RODNEY EDWARDS, University of Florida, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gainesville, Florida OBJECTIVE: The proposed mechanism of action of ‘‘intracervical’’ Foley bulb placement is mechanical dilation. We sought to evaluate whether there was a pro-inflammatory response as a result of a transcervical Foley bulb being used for cervical ripening. STUDY DESIGN: We enrolled 30 term women with a Bishop score !6 undergoing cervical ripening and labor induction. Using 13 ml PBS, Foley catheters were irrigated at 0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 hours after placement or until expulsion. We measured interleukin (IL)-1B, IL-6, and IL-8 in these fluid samples by ELISA and normalized for total protein. Medians for each time point were determined and compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: Median concentrations of each IL increased over time (p!0.001, p!0.001, and p=0.047 for IL-6, 8 and 1B respectively). CONCLUSION: The mechanism of action of cervical ripening with the transcervical Foley bulb, at least in part, is due to inflammation.
The Development of Concrete Operations among the Hausa

To assess the development of concrete operations among the Hausa, seven conservation tasks were individually administered to 449 children between the ages of 5 and 13 years. A 50% rate of conservation responses was achieved on most tests by age 12. Schooled children had significantly higher scores on only a few tasks; schooling did not seem to be a major factor in accelerating the attainment of concrete operations. There were also social class and urbanization effects on several tasks. As a combined test, the Piaget battery seems to be closely related to several intelligence test subtests, particularly those with reasoning components. In addition, the test results of three Piagetian tasks were analyzed to identify the underlying reasoning processes.
A program for population analysis of transient data

Population analysis quantifies the between-subjects variability in dynamic studies such as tracer (kinetics) or drug (pharmacokinetics) administration, We present here a program, POP3CM, which performs both simulation and analysis of population transient data based on a variety of maximum likelihood estimation methods.
Effects of the Antioxidant α-Lipoic Acid on Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Infected with Rickettsia rickettsii

Rickettsia rickettsii infection of endothelial cells is manifested in very distinctive changes in cell morphology, consisting of extensive dilatation of the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum and outer nuclear envelope and blebbing of the plasma membrane, as seen by transmission electron microscopy (D. J. Silverman, Infect. Immun. 44:545-553, 1984). These changes in cellular architecture are thought to be due to oxidant-mediated cell injury, since their occurrence correlates with dramatic alterations in cellular metabolism, particularly with regard to antioxidant systems. In this study, it was shown that R. rickettsii infection of human umbilical vein endothelial cells resulted in a significant depletion of intracellular reduced glutathione (thiol) content at 72 and 96 h and decreased glutathione peroxidase activity at 72 h postinfection. Infected cells displayed a dramatic increase in the concentration of intracellular peroxides by 72 h. Supplementation of the cell culture medium with 100, 200, or 500 microM alpha-lipoic acid, a metabolic antioxidant, after inoculation with R. rickettsii restored the intracellular levels of thiols and glutathione peroxidase and reduced the intracellular peroxide levels in infected cells. These effects were dose dependent. Treated infected monolayers maintained better viability at 96 h after inoculation with R. rickettsii than did untreated infected cells. Moreover, supplementation of the cell culture medium with 100 microM alpha-lipoic acid for 72 h after infection prevented the occurrence of morphological changes in the infected cells. The presence of 100 or 200 microM alpha-lipoic acid did not influence rickettsial growth in endothelial cells, nor did it affect the ability of R. rickettsii to form lytic plaques in Vero cells. Treatment with 500 microM alpha-lipoic acid decreased by 50% both the number and size of lytic plaques in Vero cells, and it also decreased the recovery of viable rickettsiae from endothelial cells. However, under all treatment conditions, a significant number of rickettsiae could be detected microscopically. Furthermore, the rickettsiae apparently retained their capacity for intracellular movement, since they possessed long polymerized actin tails after 72 and 96 h of treatment regardless of the concentration of alpha-lipoic acid used. Since alpha-lipoic acid does not seem to exhibit direct antirickettsial activity except with long-term exposure at very high concentrations, the mechanism of its protective activity for endothelial cells infected with rickettsiae may involve complex changes in cellular metabolism that only indirectly affect rickettsiae.
The Makeup and Breakup of Ethnofederal States: Why Russia Survives Where the USSR Fell

Why do some ethnofederal states survive while others collapse? The puzzle is particularly stark in the case of the former Soviet Union: the multiethnic Russian Federation has managed to survive intact the transition from totalitarian rule, whereas the multiethnic USSR disintegrated. The critical distinction between the USSR and Russia lies in the design of ethnofederal institutions. The USSR contained a core ethnic region, the “Russian Republic,” a single region with a far greater population than any other in the union. This core ethnic region facilitated dual sovereignty, exacerbated the security fears of minority-group regions, and promoted the “imagining” of a Russia independent of the larger Soviet state. In place of a single core ethnic region, the Russian Federation contains 57 separate provinces. This feature of institutional design has given Russia's central government important capacities to thwart the kind of centrifugal forces that brought down the USSR. This holds important lessons for policy makers crafting federal institutions in other multiethnic countries.Henry E. Hale is an assistant professor of political science at Indiana University (hhale@indiana.edu). His book on the development of a national party system in the Russian Federation will be published by Cambridge University Press. The author is indebted to many who provided helpful advice and support, including Andrew Buck, Mikhail Filippov, Edward Gibson, Yoshiko Herrera, Juliet Johnson, Pauline Jones Luong, Daniel Posner, Olga Shvetsova, Jack Snyder, Ashutosh Varshney, the anonymous reviewers of earlier drafts, and participants in the Program on New Approaches to Russian Security workshop and a seminar at the Russian and East European Center, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign.
On the Assessment of Atmospheric Deposition of Sulfur and Nitrogen Species to the Surface of Large Inland Lakes—Lake Champlain

Early work indicated that wet deposition of radioactive fallout to the water surface of a lake greatly exceeded dry, when calculated as annual averages. To test whether this result also applies to the deposition rates of soluble trace gases from the lower atmosphere, data collected at land sites near Lake Champlain have been used to estimate deposition rates to the lake itself, using an analysis of the wind speed-up factor as an intermediate step. The contribution of dry deposition of the major nitrogen and sulfur chemical species is estimated to have been less than 20% of the total atmospheric deposition. However, this result must not be extrapolated to the watershed in which Lake Champlain resides, since evidence obtained elsewhere indicates that the dry deposition contribution over the entire watershed will likely be similar to the wet. The analysis indicates that for the period from 1992 to 1997 the annual total deposition rates of oxidized nitrogen and sulfur ranged from 300 to 500 tonnes per year and 600 to 1,100 tonnes per year, respectively.
The bymoment method for two-dimensional electromagnetic scattering

The bymoment method is presented for analyzing two-dimensional electromagnetic wave scattering in an unbounded region. The method introduces a conforming surface to geometrically decouple the interior region containing the scatterer from the exterior region extending to infinity. The solution in the interior is generated using the standard finite-element solution of an interior Dirichlet boundary-value problem. The interior solution is then coupled to the exterior using Green's theorem in the unbounded exterior region. The validity of the method and the associated computer program is demonstrated by comparing the results to those of other methods for scattering by various cylindrical geometries. >
Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity in peripheral nerve sheath tumors

A spectrum of 24 benign and malignant nerve sheath tumors and 10 non-neural spindle-cell tumors were studied by light microscopy for the presence of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) technique. In 8 cases, these results were compared to their electron microscopic appearances. Seventy percent (7 of 10) of benign schwannomas and 50% (4 of 8) of benign neurofibromas demonstrated focal to diffuse GFAP immunoreactivity. None of the malignant nerve sheath tumors nor any of the non-neural spindle-cell neoplasms contained demonstrable GFAP immunoreactivity. Similarly, no GFAP immunoreactivity could be detected in Schwann cells in normal peripheral nerves. The solitary benign schwannoma available for electron microscopic study demonstrated diffuse and abundant cytoplasmic intermediate filaments, and this tumor displayed diffuse and intense GFAP immunoreactivity. Two benign neurofibromas showed a more variable content of intermediate filaments ultrastructurally, and their GFAP immunoreactivity was variable. All five malignant nerve sheath tumors studied by electron microscopy displayed a variable complement of intermediate filaments; however, none of these tumors possessed GFAP immunoreactivity, suggesting that these intermediate filaments are either members of a different class of intermediate filaments or may perhaps represent "altered" GFAP not recognized by these antisera.
Peak power prediction of a vanadium redox flow battery

Abstract The vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) is a promising grid-scale energy storage technology, but future widespread commercialization requires a considerable reduction in capital costs. Determining the appropriate battery size for the intended power range can help minimize the amount of materials needed, thereby reducing capital costs. A physics-based model is an essential tool for predicting the power range of large scale VRFB systems to aid in the design optimization process. This paper presents a modeling framework that accounts for the effects of flow rate on the pumping losses, local mass transfer rate, and nonuniform vanadium concentration in the cell. The resulting low-order model captures battery performance accurately even at high power densities and remains computationally practical for stack-level optimization and control purposes. We first use the model to devise an optimal control strategy that maximizes battery life during discharge. Assuming optimal control is implemented, we then determine the upper efficiency limits of a given VRFB system and compare the net power and associated overpotential and pumping losses at different operating points. We also investigate the effects of varying the electrode porosity, stack temperature, and total vanadium concentration on the peak power.
Book reading interactions between African American and Puerto Rican Head Start children and their mothers

In keeping with a sociocultural view of children’s literacy development, this study investigated the book reading behaviors of African American and Puerto Rican mothers and their Head Start childre...
Clinical evaluation of inhaled insulin

Diabetes affects over 18.2 million individuals in the United States alone. Current therapy to treat type 1 diabetes relies on subcutaneous insulin administration either by injection or continuous infusion. In addition, patients with type 2 diabetes who fail lifestyle intervention and oral therapy require subcutaneous insulin. Optimal injection protocols to achieve tight metabolic control often prove burdensome to patients. Thus, development of pulmonary insulin delivery to supplement and/or replace subcutaneous insulin injections may be an effective alternative, allowing patients to achieve intensive diabetes management. This review will discuss the devices in development for the delivery of inhaled insulin. In addition, the efficacy of inhaled insulin in both type 1 and type 2 diabetic populations will be discussed. Finally, the available safety data with respect to the unique pulmonary effects of inhaled insulin will be covered.
Best Practices In Asynchronous Online Course Discussions

Along with an increasing number of online courses offered via the Internet, online discussions have become a ubiquitous component in such courses. With the increased use of online discussions comes a corresponding need for the discussions to be of high quality. Online discussions need to be structured so that they are positive communication and learning environments. New online instructors often struggle knowing just what the proper “structure” really is. In order to assist instructors realize what works best in online discussions, this study sought to find best practice suggestions regarding discussions in asynchronous online courses. These best practices were culled from the literature and from the author’s personal experiences in teaching some 60 online courses.
Generation and identification of new Viburnum hybrids

Abstract The controlled crossing of fragrant flowered viburnums (V. carlesii and its hybrids) with the hardier, rugose foliaged V. lantana is unattainable through traditional breeding methods due t...
Biomimetic Surfaces for Cell Engineering

Cell behavior, in particular, migration, proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and activation, is mediated by a multitude of environmental factors: (i) extracellular matrix (ECM) properties including molecular composition, ligand density, ligand gradients, stiffness, topography, and degradability; (ii) soluble factors including type, concentration, and gradients; (iii) cell–cell interactions; and (iv) external forces such as shear stress, material strain, osmotic pressure, and temperature changes. The coordinated influence of these environmental cues regulate embryonic development, tissue function, homeostasis, and wound healing as well as other crucial events in vivo. From a fundamental biology perspective, it is of great interest to understand how these environmental factors regulate cell fate and ultimately cell and tissue function. From an engineering perspective, it is of interest to determine how to present these factors in a well-controlled manner to elicit a desired cell output for cell and tissue engineering applications. Both biophysical and biochemical factors mediate intracellular signaling cascades that influence gene expression and ultimately cell behavior, making it difficult to unravel the hierarchy of cell fate stimuli. Accordingly, much effort has focused on the fabrication of biomimetic surfaces that recapitulate a single or many aspects of the in vivo microenvironment including topography, elasticity, and ligand presentation, and by structured materials that allow for control over cell shape, spreading, and cytoskeletal tension. Controlled presentation of these properties to develop a desired microenvironment can be harnessed to guide cell fate decisions toward chosen paths and has provided a wealth of knowledge concerning which cues regulate apoptosis, proliferation, migration, lineage-specific stem cell differentiation, and immune cell activation to name a few. This chapter focuses on the implementation of biomimetic surfaces that recapitulate and control one or more aspects of the cellular microenvironment to induce a desired cell response. More specifically, biomimetic surfaces that mimic in vivo ECM composition, density, gradients, stiffness, or topography; those that allow for control over cell shape, spreading, or cytoskeletal tension; and those that mimic cell surfaces are discussed.
26.5 Terahertz electrically triggered RF switch on epitaxial VO2-on-Sapphire (VOS) wafer

An electrically triggered VO2 RF switch with a record switching cut off frequency (FCO) of 26.5THz was demonstrated. The switch exhibits an isolation better than 35dB and a low 0.5dB insertion loss up-to 50GHz. The switch features a highly linear response with 1-dB compression point (PidB) better than 12dBm and output third-order intercept point (OIP3) better than 44dBm. The fast insulator to metal-transition (IMT) of the VO2 enables the switch to have an electrical-turn on delay of less than 25ns.
An approach for code generation in the Sparse Polyhedral Framework

Sparse Polyhedral Framework(SPF) to specify loop transformations for irregular codes.We describe a code generator prototype built on SPF.We present experimental results comparing generated code against hand-coded. Applications that manipulate sparse data structures contain memory reference patterns that are unknown at compile time due to indirect accesses such as ABi. To exploit parallelism and improve locality in such applications, prior work has developed a number of Run-Time Reordering Transformations (RTRTs). This paper presents the Sparse Polyhedral Framework (SPF) for specifying RTRTs and compositions thereof and algorithms for automatically generating efficient inspector and executor code to implement such transformations. Experimental results indicate that the performance of automatically generated inspectors and executors competes with the performance of hand-written ones when further optimization is done.
Effect on Cardiac Glycogen of Intravenously Administered Sodium Acetoacetate-3-C14

SummaryThe intravenous injection of large amounts of acetoacetate-3-C14 has been effected under conditions reported to cause a net increase in heart glycogen. Isolation and degradation of the cardiac glycogen failed to divulge any trace of radioactivity. It thus appears that the net increase in heart carbohydrate accompanying ketonemia represents some secondary and yet undetermined influence of ketone bodies.
Plasma Enhanced Combustion using Microwave Energy Coupling in a Re-entrant Cavity Applicator

An atmospheric compact high-Q microwave applicator is used to couple electromagnetic energy directly into the reaction zone of a premixed laminar methane-oxygen flame for energetic enhancement. At low microwave powers (1 to 5 W), the flame is influenced by an electromagnetic field only. As power is increased, the reactive gases in the flame break down and ionize into a plasma plume with significant increase in the flammability limit. 2-D laser induced fluorescence imaging of hydroxyl radicals (OH) is conducted in the reaction zone over this transition, as well as spectrally resolved flame emission measurements to monitor excited state species and derive rotational temperatures using OH chemiluminescence. Measurements are made for two equivalence ratios (φ = 0.9 and 1.1) and two gas flow rates (60 sccm and 100 sccm). In the electromagnetic field only phase (1 to 5 W), flame stability, excited state species, and temperature slightly increased with power while no significant change in OH radicals was detected. With the onset of a plasma plume, a significant rise in both excited state species and OH radical number density was observed.
Enabling Operational Autonomy for UAVs with Robustness

Highly automated mission planning for UAV brings almost proportional amount of error propagation and breaking this proportionality is a puzzling paradox. To prevent the domination of errors in developing fully autonomous UAV systems, accurate investigation of each error source should be performed. This paper inquires into possible error sources in autonomous UAV systems for the simplest mission plan, trajectory generation of a single UAV. This paper gives an idea to UAV system developers to evolve current remote piloted vehicle concept UAV to fully autonomous UAV with robustness.
Activation of NF-κB induced by H2O2 and TNF-α and its effects on ICAM-1 expression in endothelial cells

Reactive oxygen species have been proposed to signal the activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor (NF)-κB in response to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α challenge. In the present study, ...
Glucagonomas and Insulinomas

The clinical features, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment of the glucagonoma and insulinoma syndromes as well as the prevalence, distribution, malignancy, and localization of the two tumors are described.
The Clinical Value of Hip Ultrasound Screening in High Risk Infants with Cerebral Paralysis

Objective To study the clinical value of ultrasound screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip(DDH) in high risk infants with cerebral paralysis followed up,and further to explore the etiology of DDH of the high risk infants with cerebral paralysis.Methods To select high risk infants with cerebral paralysis 98 cases of rehabilitation treatment in Xuzhou children’s hospital and were not lost from 2009 July to 2010 July,who were aged less than 6 months,including 58 male cases,40 female cases,and all of their hips were screened with ultrasound(using static Graf inspection),the abnormal were given clinical intervention,1-2 years old for outpatient follow-up,the results were analyzed.Results There were 40 abnormal cases in 98 cases of high risk infants with cerebral paralysis,the hip joint instability 18 cases,DDH 22 cases(developmental dysplasia of the hip 12 cases,subluxation of the hip 3 cases,hip dislocation 7 cases),to carry on early clinically intervention with hip dysplasia,1 or 2 years later,only 1 case of femoral detorsion is poor,none of them have ischemic necrosis of femoral head.Conclusion The probability of the high risk infants with cerebral paralysis increased than normal infants.Hip ultrasound is a safe,simple,effective screening method for high risk infants with cerebral paralysis,early diagnosis and early treatment of DDH has important clinical significance.
Echocardiographic effects of dexmedetomidine-ketamine in chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera).

Alpha2-agonist anesthetic combinations are often used in rodent anesthesia but no information about their effects on cardiac function in chinchillas exists. The purpose of this study was to utilize echocardiography to evaluate the cardiovascular effects of dexmedetomidine-ketamine anesthesia in chinchillas. Echocardiographic examinations were performed in eight adult chinchillas under manual restraint and following dexmedetomidine (0.015 mg/kg) and ketamine (4 mg/kg) administration. Dexmedetomidine-ketamine anesthesia resulted in a significantly decreased heart rate, fractional shortening, cardiac output, and flow velocity across the aortic and pulmonic valves, and significantly increased left ventricular internal diameter in systole. The observed changes in echocardiographic parameters are similar to those previously reported in chinchillas anesthetized with isoflurane.
Apical Dominance in Pharbitis nil: Effects Induced by Inverting the Apex of the Main Shoot

A shoot inversion method for releasing apical dominance in certain herbaceous plants is described. When the upper portion of the Pharbitis nil stem is inverted so that the terminal bud is lowered 1 5-20 cm below the bend, the highest lateral bud on the upright portion of the stem will begin to grow out within a few days. This response can be caused to occur at any node and is best demonstrated under moderateto low-intensity light. The data suggest that within certain limits the rate of bud outgrowth may be correlated with the vertical distance below the bend by which the terminal bud is lowered. Preliminary data tend to discount the possibility that tension or stress generated in stem tissue due to bending is the cause of the lateral bud growth. Key word : Pharbitis nil , Japanese Morning Glory, apical dominance, gravimorphism, shoot inversion, lateral bud, bud growth.
The initiation of the Young process

The pre-history of the Young plan and the settlement ending the Rhineland occupation, which were both finalised at the first Hague conference in August 1929, has often been portrayed as a history of decline, not only in European politics but also in transatlantic stabilisation efforts. Unavoidably, later interpretations have been coloured by what occurred so shortly thereafter: the outbreak of the Great Depression and the demise of the post-World War I international order. With regard to European diplomacy, an ever sharper deterioration of Locarno politics has been delineated, with all sides becoming ever more uncompromising under mounting domestic pressures. And attention has been drawn to Stresemann's feeling so disappointed in 1929 that at one point, though rescinding it later, he spoke of the western powers' ‘deception’ of Germany and the failure of his own Locarno policy. Is it indeed justified to conclude that the co-operation between the Locarno powers was abandoned long before the World Economic Crisis escalated? Was Locarno diplomacy already degenerating into an ever fiercer Franco-German competition for political and financial preponderance that Britain could no longer mediate? By contrast, American policies in this critical period have been described as ‘old approaches’ in changing times – attempts to repeat the informal strategies adopted in forging the London settlement of 1924, especially in the promotion of the Young plan. A more critical interpretation has placed US and European efforts in 1928 and 1929 in a different, already familiar continuity, that of the ‘misguided’ approaches of the mid-1920s.
Norm Effects on Gender in Social Marketing Advertising Campaigns Promoting Savings Behavior

ABSTRACTAlthough using social norms has been effective in changing behaviors in various areas, including pro-environmental behavior, pro-health behavior, and financial decisions, possible gender differences in response to norm effects have seldom been tested. With an understanding of the orientation differences of genders, this research proposes that men and women will respond differently to social norm information varying in the proximity of reference groups and information valence, which are two core elements of social norm information. Two experiments are conducted to test for this proposition using social marketing advertising campaigns promoting pro-savings behavior. The findings provide theoretical implications for differential norm effects on gender and practical implications for social marketing campaigns that incorporate social norm information.
Induced Hypothermia/Normothermia with General Anesthesia Is Related to Better Outcomes in Children with Acute Encephalopathy Caused by Excitotoxicity (P05.198)

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of hypothermia/normothermia (H/N) with general anesthesia therapy in children with acute encephalopathy caused by excitotoxicity. BACKGROUND: Acute encephalopathy is one of the most important causes of mortality and neurological sequelae in children. There have been no studies on the efficacies of treatments for acute encephalopathy in children, even though hypothermia has been shown to be effective for treating influenza in some children with encephalopathy. DESIGN/METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the clinical courses and outcomes of 57 consecutive children with acute encephalopathy that was caused by excitotoxicity between October 2002 and August 2011. The inclusion criteria consisted of the following: (1) seizure with fever (≥38.0°C) with or without convulsions and (2) refractory status epilepticus (RSE) and/or prolonged neurological abnormalities with Glasgow Coma Scale scores less than 15 or paralysis 6 h after onset. Nine children with acute encephalopathy due to metabolic error or cytokine storm were excluded. We compared the clinical characteristics and neurological outcomes of children treated with H/N therapy and other therapy. H/N therapy was defined as temperature control (34°C–36°C) with the continuous use of anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants within 24 h of onset. Outcome was measured by the Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category (PCPC) Scale with a grade of 1 representing a good clinical outcome and grades of 2–6 considered to represent a poor outcome. RESULTS: Outcomes were good in all 23 children treated with H/N therapy, whereas they were poor in 10 of 34 children treated with other therapies (p = 0.004). There were no significant differences in age, gender, the RSE rate, the prolonged neurologic abnormality rate, the preceding infection rate, and laboratory data between children treated with H/N therapy and those treated with other therapies. CONCLUSIONS: H/N therapy is related to better outcomes in children with acute encephalopathy caused by excitotoxicity. Disclosure: Dr. Nishiyama has nothing to disclose. Dr. Fujita has nothing to disclose. Dr. Maruyama has nothing to disclose. Dr. Nagase has nothing to disclose.
Preschool Policymaking by Stealth: Application of an Alternative Framework for the Policy Process

This study uses the design and passage of universal preschool in two states, Oklahoma and West Virginia, to present an alternative framework for understanding the policy process, Policymaking by St...
In response to: “Loperamide metabolite-induced cardiomyopathy and QTc prolongation”

Sir,We appreciate Bhatti et al.’s [1] thoughtful presentation and discussion of cardiac conduction disturbance and cardiomyopathy after a reported loperamide overdose. We agree that desmethyllopera...
Feasibility of Implementing Group Well Baby/Well Woman Dyad Care at Federally Qualified Health Centers.

Abstract Objective Group care has been shown to be effective for delivery of infant well child care. Centering Parenting (CP) is a model of group dyad care for mothers and infants. CP might improve quality and efficiency of preventive care, particularly for low-income families. Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) might be optimal sites for implementation, however, facilitators and barriers might be unique. The aim of this qualitative study was to assess stakeholder perspectives on the feasibility of implementing CP in FQHCs in Baltimore. Methods Semistructured interviews were conducted with mothers, clinicians, staff, and administrators recruited from 2 FQHCs using purposive sampling. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and uploaded to Atlas.ti version 7.0 (Atlas.ti Scientific Software Development, GmbH Berlin, Germany) for analysis. Using an inductive thematic analysis approach, 2 investigators coded the transcripts. Matrices of key codes were developed to identify themes and patterns across stakeholder groups. Results Interviews were completed with 26 mothers and 16 clinicians, staff, and administrators. Most participants considered CP desirable. Facilitators included: peer support and education, emphasis on maternal wellness, and increased patient and clinician satisfaction. Barriers included: exposure to "others," scheduling and coordination of care, productivity, training requirements, and cost. Parenting experience did not appear to affect perspectives on CP. Conclusions Perceptions regarding facilitators and barriers to CP implementation in FQHCs are similar to existing group well-child care literature. The benefit of emphasis on maternal wellness is a unique finding. Maternal wellness integration might make CP a particularly desirable model for implementation at FQHCs, but potential systems barriers must be addressed.
Measuring short distance dispersal of Alliaria petiolata and determining potential long distance dispersal mechanisms

Introduction Alliaria petiolata, an herbaceous plant, has invaded woodlands in North America. Its ecology has been thoroughly studied, but an overlooked aspect of its biology is seed dispersal distances and mechanisms. We measured seed dispersal distances in the field and tested if epizoochory is a potential mechanism for long-distance seed dispersal. Methods Dispersal distances were measured by placing seed traps in a sector design around three seed point sources, which consisted of 15 second-year plants transplanted within a 0.25 m radius circle. Traps were placed at intervals ranging from 0.25-3.25 m from the point source. Traps remained in the field until a majority of seeds were dispersed. Eight probability density functions were fitted to seed trap counts via maximum likelihood. Epizoochory was tested as a potential seed dispersal mechanism for A. petiolata through a combination of field and laboratory experiments. To test if small mammals transport A. petiolata seeds in their fur, experimental blocks were placed around dense A. petiolata patches. Each block contained a mammal inclusion treatment (MIT) and control. The MIT consisted of a wood-frame (31 × 61× 31 cm) covered in wire mesh, except for the two 31 × 31 cm ends, placed over a germination tray filled with potting soil. A pan filled with bait was placed in the center of the tray. The control frame (11 × 31 × 61 cm) was placed over a germination tray and completely covered in wire mesh to exclude animal activity. Treatments were in the field for peak seed dispersal. In March, trays were moved to a greenhouse and A. petiolata seedlings were counted and then compared between treatments. To determine if A. petiolata seeds attach to raccoon (Procyon lotor) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fur, wet and dry seeds were dropped onto wet and dry fur. Furs were rotated 180 degrees and the seeds that remained attached were counted. To measure seed retention, seeds were dropped on furs and rotated as before, then the furs were agitated for one hour. The seeds retained in the fur were counted. Results For the seed dispersal experiment, the 2Dt function provided the best fit and was the most biologically meaningful. It predicted that seed density rapidly declined with distance from the point source. Mean dispersal distance was 0.52 m and 95% of seeds dispersed within 1.14 m. The epizoochory field experiment showed increased mammal activity and A. petiolata seedlings in germination trays of the MIT compared to control. Laboratory studies showed 3-26% of seeds were attached and retained by raccoon and deer fur. Retention significantly increased if either seed or fur were wet (57-98%). Discussion Without animal seed vectors, most seeds fall within a short distance of the seed source; however, long distance dispersal may be accomplished by epizoochory. Our data are consistent with A. petiolata's widespread distribution and development of dense clusters of the species in invaded areas.
Alternative and renewable gaseous fuels to improve vehicle environmental performance

Abstract: This chapter reviews the different types of gaseous fuel for vehicles, fuel production and distribution processes, engine/fuel systems and on-board storage options. this is followed by a discussion and comparison of life-cycle energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Finally, the advantages and limitations of each fuel are summarized along with a general discussion of future trends.