Towards finding the best-fit distribution for OSN data

The Journal of Supercomputing - Currently, all online social networks (OSNs) are considered to follow a power-law distribution. In this paper, the degree distribution for multiple OSNs has been...     

Crystallography of fracture facets in a near-alpha titanium alloy

A faceted initiation site is observed in Ti-6242 alloy for both the cyclic and static-loading test conditions. In this experimental study, the crystallographic orientation of the facets has been determined using the electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) technique in conjunction with the quantitative tilt fractography in a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Quantitative tilt fractography analysis has been used to determine the spatial orientation of fracture facets. The results indicate that the normal-fatigue (no-dwell) fracture facets are oriented at ∼5 deg with respect to the basal plane; the dwell-fatigue fracture facets are oriented at ∼10 to 15 deg with respect to the basal plane and the static-loading fracture facets are oriented at ∼20 deg with respect to the basal plane. These crystallographic orientation determinations of the fracture facets at the crack-initiation site can be used to obtain an idea about the type of loading that produced them.     

Synergistic interactions of etoposide and interleukin-1 alpha are not due to DNA damage in human melanoma cells

Family nursing, always a component of nursing, has been recently receiving increased attention through publications, educational programs, clinical practice settings and family nursing research. Nurses are in the best position to assist families experiencing the illness of a loved one, but often lack the skills and confidence necessary to assist with the psychosocial needs. The purpose of this paper is to describe the development and implementation of a family nursing program within a large, tertiary care facility. The program's evaluation is ongoing but early outcomes indicate that day-to-day nursing practice has been positively influenced and improved job satisfaction may result.     

Facial myokymia and spastic paretic facial contracture as the result of anaplastic pontocerebellar glioma

The case of a 36-year-old man who sought treatment of right facial myokymia and spastic paretic facial contracture is reported. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a tumor located in the right cerebellar peduncle and the right dorsal pons bulging into the fourth ventricle. After microsurgical partial resection of the mass, which was verified histologically as an anaplastic glioma, facial myokymia initially ceased. The vermicular rippling movements were less intense upon recurrence and could be controlled by low-dose dexamethasone in the further course, when magnetic resonance imaging showed an interstitial pontine edema after percutaneous radiation therapy. It is assumed that facial myokymia and spastic paretic facial contracture were generated by ectopic activity due to alterations in the microenvironment at the intrapontine portion of the axons of the seventh nerve caused by the compressive effect of the tumor and later by edema.     

Biodegradation of chlorpyrifos by either single or combined cultures of some soilborne plant pathogenic fungi

Biodegradation of chlorpyrifos was studied in liquid culture media amended with either single or combined eight different plant pathogenic fungi isolated from the continuous cropping wheat fields. The average recovery of chlorpyrifos from the liquid media was found to be 86.1%. The detection limit of chlorpyrifos by the analytical method used was 19 ppb. Data showed that the growth of mixed fungi at concentrations up to 200 ppm of chlorpyrifos was higher than in the control treatment. Chlorpyrifos concentrations declined in the medium of combined fungi more than it did in the medium of any single fungus with increase in the incubation period. The amount of chlorpyrifos recovered was 79.8 ppm (39.9%) in the combined fungal cultures after 21 days. However, those recovered from the media of Fusarium graminearum, F. oxysporum, Rhizoctonia solani, Cladosporium cladosporiodes, Cephalosporium sp., Trichoderma viridi, Alternaria alternata, and Cladorrhinum brunnescens, ranged from 48.0 to 74.8%. The half-life value (T1/2) for chlorpyrifos was 15.8 day in the medium amended with mixed fungi. However, for the single cultures it ranged from 19.3 to 33.0 day.