cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adsorption of arsenic by natural aquifer material in the San Antonio-El Triunfo mining area, Baja California, Mexico

Several experiments of arsenic (As) adsorption by aquifer material of the San Antonio-El Triunfo (SA-ET) mining area were conducted to test the feasibility of this material acting as a natural control for As concentrations in groundwater. This aquifer material is mineralogically complex, composed of quartz, feldspar, calcite, chlorite, illite, and magnetite/hematite. The total iron content (Fe2O3) in the fine fraction is ∼12%, whereas Fe2O3 in the coarse fraction is <10 wt%. The experimental percent total As adsorbed vs. pH curves obtained match the topology of total As adsorbed onto iron oxi-hydroxides surface (arsenate + arsenite; high adsorption at low pH, low adsorption at high pH). A maximum of about 80% adsorbed in the experiments suggests the presence of arsenite in the experimental solutions. The experimental adsorption isotherm at pH 7 indicates saturation of surface sites at high solute concentrations. Surface titration of the aquifer material indicates a point of zero charge (PZC) for the adsorbent of about 8 to 8.5 (PZC for iron oxyhydroxides =7.9–8.2). Comparison between experimental and modeled results (using the MICROQL and MINTEQA2 geochemical modeling and speciation computer programs) suggests that As is being adsorbed mostly by oxyhydroxides surfaces in the natural environment. Based on an estimated retardation factor (R), the travel time of the As plume from the SA-ET area to La Paz and Los Planes is about 700 to 5000 years.
Meta-analysis: can Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment reduce the risk for gastric cancer?

Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with an increased risk for gastric cancer. Fuccio and coworkers reviewed 7 randomized trials that compared eradication treatment withno treatment in H. p...
Ampullary Pyloric Gland Adenoma with High-grade Dysplasia (Video)

Abstract Background Ampullary adenoma can be incidental or syndromic and is generally tubular, villous, or tubulovillous in histology. Pyloric gland adenoma (PGA) is uncommon, especially at extra-gastric locations. Patient & methods In this video manuscript, we present a case of 2cm ampullary PGA with high-grade dysplasia (HGD), its endoscopic features, and endoscopic ampullectomy for complete resection. Results Under endoscopy, this ampullary PGA displayed a smooth mucosal surface with minimal pit patterns, unlike those pit patterns observed in tubular and villous adenomas. Pathologically, there was complete excision of PGA with HGD. The MUC6 immunostaining performed was positive, confirming the diagnosis of PGA. Conclusions Endoscopists and pathologists should be aware of PGA. Endoscopic resection should be performed for complete removal.
Functional activities of the human T-cell leukemia virus type I Tax oncoprotein: cellular signaling through NF-κB

Abstract Human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) is the etiological agent for adult T-cell leukemia (ATL), as well as for tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP) and HTLV-I associate myelopathy (HAM). A biological understanding of the involvement of HTLV-I and in ATL has focused significantly on the workings of the virally-encoded 40 kDa phospho-oncoprotein, Tax. Tax is a transcriptional activator. Its ability to modulate the expression and function of many cellular genes has been reasoned to be a major contributory mechanism explaining HTLV-I-mediated transformation of cells. In activating cellular gene expression, Tax impinges upon several cellular signal-transduction pathways, including those for CREB/ATF and NF-κB. In this paper, we review aspects of Tax's transcriptional potential with particular focus on recent evidence linking Tax to IKK (IκB-kinase)-complex and MAP3Ks (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinases).
Block-implicit multigrid solution of Navier-Stokes equations in primitive variables

Abstract A calculation procedure for rapid computation of steady multidimensional viscous flows is presented. The method solves the Navier-Stokes equations in primitive variables using a coupled block-implicit multigrid procedure. The procedure is applicable to finite-difference formulations using staggered locations of the flow variables. A smoothing technique called symmetrical coupled Gauss-Seidel (SCGS) is proposed and is empirically observed to provide good smoothing rates. The viscous flow in a square cavity with a moving top wall is calculated for a range of Reynolds numbers. Calculations with finite difference grids as large as 321 × 321 nodes have been made to test the accuracy and efficiency of the calculation scheme. The CPU times for these calculations are observed to be significantly smaller than other solution algorithms with primitive variable formulation. The calculated flow fields in the cavity are in good agreement with earlier studies of the same flow situation.
A statistically accurate modified quasilinear Gaussian closure for uncertainty quantification in turbulent dynamical systems

Abstract We develop a novel second-order closure methodology for uncertainty quantification in damped forced nonlinear systems with high dimensional phase-space that possess a high-dimensional chaotic attractor. We focus on turbulent systems with quadratic nonlinearities where the finite size of the attractor is caused exclusively by the synergistic activity of persistent, linearly unstable directions and a nonlinear energy transfer mechanism. We first illustrate how existing UQ schemes that rely on the Gaussian assumption will fail to perform reliable UQ in the presence of unstable dynamics. To overcome these difficulties, a modified quasilinear Gaussian (MQG) closure is developed in two stages. First we exploit exact statistical relations between second order correlations and third order moments in statistical equilibrium in order to decompose the energy flux at equilibrium into precise additional damping and enhanced noise on suitable modes, while preserving statistical symmetries; in the second stage, we develop a nonlinear MQG dynamical closure which has this statistical equilibrium behavior as a stable fixed point of the dynamics. Our analysis, UQ schemes, and conclusions are illustrated through a specific toy-model, the forty-modes Lorenz 96 system, which despite its simple formulation, presents strongly turbulent behavior with a large number of unstable dynamical components in a variety of chaotic regimes. A suitable version of MQG successfully captures the mean and variance, in transient dynamics with initial data far from equilibrium and with large random fluctuations in forcing, very cheaply at the cost of roughly two ensemble members in a Monte-Carlo simulation.
Systems in Crisis: New Imperatives of High Politics at Century's End

Preface Acknowledgements Introduction: new perspectives on the causes and management of systems crisis Part I. Dynamics of State Power and Role: Systems Structure: 1. What is power cycle theory? Introducing the main concepts 2. Measuring national capability and power 3. The cycle of state power and role Part II. Dynamics of Major War and Systems Transformation: 4. Critical intervals on the power cycle: why wars become major 5. Systemic disequilibrium and world war Part III. Dynamics of General Equilibrium and World Order: 6. Prerequisites of world order: international political equilibrium 7. World order and systems transformation: guidelines for statecraft Part IV. Systems Transformation and World Order at Century's End: 8. Systems change since 1945: instability at critical points and awareness of the power cycle 9. Is decline inevitable? US leadership and the systemic security dilemma 10. Systems transformation and the new imperatives of high politics Appendix: mathematical relations in the power cycle References Index.
Thep-Ranks of Skew Hadamard Designs

We use elementary linear algebra to prove that ifpdividesn, then thep-rank of a skew Hadamard (4n?1, 2n?1,n?1)-design is 2n. Our theorem generalizes and simplifies an extension by Jungnickel of a result of MacWilliams and Mann obtained using character theory.
Oligomerization of the voltage-gated proton channel.

The voltage gated proton channel exists as a dimer, although each protomer has a separate conduction pathway, and when forced to exist as a monomer, most major functions are retained. However, the proton channel protomers appear to interact during gating. Proton channel dimerization is thought to result mainly from coiled-coil interaction of the intracellular C termini. Several types of evidence are discussed that suggest that the dimer conformation may not be static, but is dynamic and can sample different orientations. Zn2+ appears to link the protomers in an orientation from which the channel(s) cannot open. A tandem WT-WT dimer exhibits signs of cooperative gating, indicating that despite the abnormal linkage, the correct orientation for opening can occur. We propose that C terminal interaction functions mainly to tether the protomers together. Comparison of the properties of monomeric and dimeric proton channels speaks against the hypothesis that enhanced gating reflects monomer-dimer interconversion.
Electron-ion interaction effects in attosecond time-resolved photoelectron spectra

Photoionization by attosecond extreme ultraviolet (xuv) pulses into the laser-dressed continuum of the ionized atom is commonly described in strong-field approximation, neglecting the Coulomb interaction between the emitted photoelectron (PE) and the residual ion. By solving the time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation, we identify a temporal shift $\ensuremath{\delta}\ensuremath{\tau}$ in streaked PE spectra, which becomes significant at low PE energies. Within an eikonal approximation, we trace this shift to the combined action of Coulomb and laser forces on the released PE, suggesting the experimental and theoretical scrutiny of their coupling in streaked PE spectra. Further, we examined the effect of initial state polarization by the laser pulse on the xuv streaked spectrum.
High prevalence of leprosy in the Federated States of Micronesia and special project for the elimination

Leprosy in Federated States of Micronesia is still endemic with incidence rate 221/100,000 and prevalence 33/10,000 in 1996. The disease was introduced by the patients from Nauru. Epidemic of the disease was observed in Pingelap during the 1960's and Kpingamarangi since 1966. Special project for the elimination of the disease by the chemoprophylaxis was launched in 1996. The preventive therapy is consist of one dose of an association of 3 antibiotics (rifampicin, ofloxacine and minocyclin) for adults and rifampicin alone for children. The project is completed for two years and followed by evaluation for 6 years. It is expected to reach the elimination level before year 2000.
Gaussian elimination: when is scaling beneficial?

Abstract For the linear system Ax = b , the ordered pair ( D, F ) of nonsingular diagonal matrices determine a scaling of the system through the two equations D ( AF ) y = Db , y = F −1 x . When scaling is implemented along with partial pivoting (PP) to solve Ax = b by Gaussian elimination (GE), it is well known that certain ordered pairs ( D, F ) produce better computed solutions than those obtained in the absence of scaling, while others produce worse solutions. The two most common explanations of this fact are (1) ( D, F ) modifies (magnifies or reduces) the classical condition number of A , and (2) ( D, F ) modifies the magnitudes of the elements of A . In case (2), if a scaling yields entries of approximately the same magnitude, it is called an equilibration. Here, the underlying hyperplane geometry of both the sweepout phase and the back-substitution phase of GE is used to achieve a new level of understanding. We present what we believe to be a better explanation of how scaling or equilibration influences PP in the selection of pivot equations, a process critical to both phases of GE.
Interaction of coumarin with calf thymus DNA: Deciphering the mode of binding by in vitro studies

Abstract DNA is the major target for a wide range of therapeutic substances. Thus, there has been considerable interest in the binding studies of small molecules with DNA. Interaction between small molecules and DNA provides a structural guideline in rational drug designing and in the synthesis of new and improved drugs with enhanced selective activity and greater clinical efficacy. Plant derived polyphenolic compounds have a large number of biological and pharmacological properties. Coumarin is a polyphenolic compound which has been extensively studied for its diverse pharmacological properties. However, its mode of interaction with DNA has not been elucidated. In the present study, we have attempted to ascertain the mode of binding of coumarin with calf thymus DNA (Ct-DNA) through various biophysical techniques. Analysis of UV–visible absorbance spectra and fluorescence spectra indicates the formation of complex between coumarin and Ct-DNA. Several other experiments such as effect of ionic strength, iodide induced quenching, competitive binding assay with ethidium bromide, acridine orange and Hoechst 33258 reflected that coumarin possibly binds to the minor groove of the Ct-DNA. These observations were further supported by CD spectral analysis, viscosity measurements, DNA melting studies and in silico molecular docking.
Temporal and Spatial Epidemiology of Phytophthora Root Rot in Fraser Fir Plantations

Benson, D. M., Grand, L. F., Vernia, C. S., and Gottwald, T. R. 2006. Temporal and spatial epidemiology of Phytophthora root rot in Fraser fir plantations. Plant Dis. 90:1171-1180. In 1999, 19 plots of Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) with a disease focus were established in commercial plantings grown for Christmas tree production in the mountains of five western North Carolina counties. Progress of Phytophthora root rot caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi as estimated by mortality was followed in each plot over 3 to 4 years in an attempt to understand dispersal of inoculum. Slope, aspect, and field production age at the time plots were established were recorded. Rainfall estimated from National Weather Service stations each growing season also was recorded. The relationship of site parameters and rainfall to dispersal and disease was investigated. Disease incidence and mortality were assessed in June and September each year for 3 or 4 years depending on plot. Phytophthora root rot as estimated by mortality counts over time in a logistic regression model progressed in only five of 19 plots over 3 years. None of the site parameters correlated with mortality data, although slightly more disease was found in plots with a north aspect. Rainfall was below normal in the 3 years of the study and did not correlate with mortality in any year. Lack of disease progress in the majority of plots was attributed to drought conditions in the region. In the five plots where mortality increased over time, spatial analysis suggested an aggregated pattern of diseased plants. Aggregation was apparent but not very strong among nearest neighbors, but was considerably stronger among groups of trees within a local area. This aggregation within groups was stronger when larger group sizes were examined by beta-binomial analysis. A spatial analysis by distance indices method (SADIE) indicated the presence of secondary clusters occurring several meters away from the main focus. A stochastic model also was employed that indicated a combination of spatial processes were likely involved, specifically a tendency toward spread within a local area, but not necessarily to the nearest neighboring trees, combined with an influence of background inoculum that could not be accounted for within local areas and may have come from external sources. Thus, all sources of inoculum including infected planting stock, inoculum in soil, infected trees, and contaminated equipment were equally important in epidemics of Phytophthora root rot in Fraser fir and dispersal of P. cinnamomi.
EVALUATING THE COMPARABILITY OF PAPER‐AND‐PENCIL AND COMPUTERIZED VERSIONS OF A LARGE‐SCALE CERTIFICATION TEST

The study evaluated the comparability of two versions of a teacher certification test: a paper-and-pencil test (PPT) and computer-based test (CBT). Standardized mean difference (SMD) and differential item functioning (DIF) analyses were used as measures of comparability at the test and item levels, respectively. Results indicated that effect sizes derived from the SMD were small (d 0.05), suggesting no substantial difference between the two test versions. Moreover, DIF analysis revealed that reading and mathematics items were comparable for both versions. However, five writing items were flagged for DIF. Substantive reviews failed to identify format differences that could explain the performance differences, so the causes of DIF could not be identified.
Markedness and laziness in Spanish obstruents

This paper studies the processes of spirantization and devoicing in Spanish. It argues that the aim of these processes is twofold. Phonologically, they serve to simplify marked linguistic structures, and phonetically, they aid to reduce muscular effort in the articulation of segments intended to have a complete oral closure with simultaneous vocal fold vibration. It is assumed that the phonetic component is part of the grammar and that certain sound patterns are determined at this low level by principles specific to this component that operate on surface phonological representations. Markedness constraints are phonological principles that are phonetically grounded, whereas effort-reduction constraints pertain solely to the phonetic component. At both levels, voiced stops are problematic because they contain a complete oral closure, which is the greatest impediment to voicing. Spanish chooses to either give up their voicing, or keep it but loosen the complete oral closure. Phonologically, both stricture and voicing are lost in non-prominent positions but maintained in prominent ones, so that voiced stops may retain their distinctiveness. Phonetically, the stricture of voiced stops must be loosen in all contexts that do not facilitate articulatory ease, so that the crucial effort threshold enforced by the constraint ranking of the phonetic component may be respected. By allowing co-articulation, speech rate and register to play a role in the sound component of the grammar, this analysis accounts for the gradiency, and great deal of cross dialectal and dialect internal variation exhibited by Spanish spirantization.
Thermomechanical constraints and constitutive formulations in thermoelasticity

We investigate three classes of constraints in a thermoelastic body: (i) a deformation-temperature constraint, (ii) a deformation-entropy constraint, and (iii) a deformation-energy constraint. These constraints are obtained as limits of unconstrained thermoelastic materials and we show that constraints (ii) and (iii) are equivalent. By using a limiting procedure, we show that for the constraint (i), the entropy plays the role of a Lagrange multiplier while for (ii) and (iii), the absolute temperature plays the role of Lagrange multiplier. We further demonstrate that the governing equations for materials subject to constraint (i) are identical to those of an unconstrained material whose internal energy is an affine function of the entropy, while those for materials subject to constraints (ii) and (iii) are identical to those of an unstrained material whose Helmholtz potential is affine in the absolute temperature. Finally, we model the thermoelastic response of a peroxide-cured vulcanizate of natural rubber and show that imposing the constraint in which the volume change depends only on the internal energy leads to very good predictions (compared to experimental results) of the stress and temperature response under isothermal and isentropic conditions.
Leakage-Induced Hot Carrier Instability in Phosphorus-Doped SiO2 Gate IGFET Devices

A reliability study has been performed on discrete n-channel IGFETs having phosphorus-doped SiO2 as a gate dielectric to characterize and determine the extent to which a new type of threshold voltage instability due to the leakage-induced hot carrier injection from the silicon substrate into SiO2 is present. A first-order trapping kinetics model with linearly varying trap centers in oxide layer is used to analyze time and temperature data of this shift. The model predicts that the shift ?V obeys (?V)1/2 lnt law. From the value of the activation energy that was determined, it was found that the diffusion leakage current dominates the induced threshold voltage shift. The capture cross section of the trapping centers is estimated as 2.46 × 10?13 cm2.
Role of Parallelism in Ambulance Dispatching

The demand for emergency medical service (EMS) has been rising over time, leading to the need for efficient yet effective techniques for managing ambulance logistics. Ambulance dispatching decisions in EMS assign ambulances to calls such that the response time is minimized. A notion of parallelism is developed for ambulance dispatching decisions that allows considering both idle and busy ambulances in parallel rather than just idle ones. The parallelism, applied upon the centrality policy found in literature, results in the parallelized centrality policy complementing and enhancing the centrality policy. The experimental analysis evidences that the parallelism significantly reduces response time by up to 43.4% over the existing approaches that only consider idle ambulances.
Population Suppression of Western Corn Rootworm by Adult Control with ULV Malathion

ULV malathion (9.7 oz AI/acre) was applied by air to a 16 square mile area during August of 1968, 1969, 1970. Adult Diabrotica virgifera LeConte populations were reduced the following season by 39, 54, and 72%. No economic infestations occurred in the treated area the year following any application. Postspray migration of beetles was very limited but adult migration during the peak emergence period the following season contributed to repopulation of the treated area. Migration and fecundity appear to be density-dependent factors which favor increases under low populations. Area suppression does not appear economically feasible, but adult control in individual fields may be an acceptable alternative to soil insecticides applied for larval control. A model was developed for timing treatments against adults; treatments between Aug. 1–15 should result in adequate population suppression to prevent damage the following season. Mid-August population levels of 1.0 beetle/plant were an acceptable economic threshold for determining the need for control measures.
What do women want?: an investigation of career anchors among women in the IT workforce

In an attempt to address the underrepresentation of women in the information technology (IT) workforce it is important to understand the values and motivations of female professionals. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to examine career anchors of women in the IT workforce and how these factors are manifested in their careers. In doing so, we examine data from a field study of 92 female IT practitioners. Three important findings resulted from this exploration. First, technical competence and managerial competence are mutually exclusive. Second, a combination of career anchors for a given individual can be found. Third, career anchors vary in terms of temporal characteristics.
Mechanisms of heterogeneous endothelial cytoplasmic calcium increases in venular microvessels.

Objective:Localized inflammatory leaky sites form at regions of the microvessel wall with the largest increase in endothelial cell cytoplasmic calcium concentration, [Ca2+]i. We investigated the mechanisms that modulate localized increases in [Ca2+]iin individual endothelial cells of microvessels after exposure to ATP. Methods:[Ca2+]iwas measured by using digital fluorescence microscopy and fura-2 in the endothelial cells forming the walls of individually perfused frog mesenteric microvessels. The spread of [Ca2+]ifrom a localized mechanical stimulus was also measured. Results:The peak [Ca2+]iafter ATP showed marked heterogeneity, ranging from 227 to 1469 nM from resting values of 69 ± 5 nM. After depolarization with high-potassium solutions, the endothelial cells with the largest peak increase in [Ca2+]ihad the largest fractional reduction. Localized increases in [Ca2+]idue to mechanical stimulus did not spread. Conclusion:The key mechanism regulating the heterogeneity in initial peak increase in [Ca2+]i...
Activation of NADPH oxidase and phospholipase D in permeabilized human neutrophils. Correlation between oxidase activation and phosphatidic acid production.

Abstract A major function of human neutrophils (PMN) during inflammation is formation of oxygen radicals through activation of the respiratory burst enzyme, NADPH oxidase. Stimulus-induced production of both phosphatidic acid (PA) and diglyceride (DG) has been suggested to mediate oxidase activity; however, transductional mechanisms and cofactor requirements necessary for activation are poorly defined. We have utilized PMN permeabilized with Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin to elucidate the signal pathway involved in eliciting oxidase activity and to investigate whether PA or DG act as second messengers. PMN were permeabilized in cytoplasmic buffer supplemented with ATP and EGTA for 15 min before addition of NADPH and various cofactors. Oxidase activation was assessed by superoxide dismutase inhibitable reduction of ferricytochrome C; PA and DG levels were measured by radiolabeled product formation or by metabolite mass formation. Both superoxide (O2-) and PA formation were initiated by 10 microM GTP gamma S; addition of cytosolic levels of calcium ions (Ca2+, 120 nM) enhanced O2- and PA formation 1.5-2 fold. DG levels showed little change during these treatments. PA formation preceded O2- production and varying GTP gamma S levels had parallel effects on O2- and PA formation. However, while PA formation and oxidase activation occurred in tandem at Ca2+ levels of < 1 microM, higher calcium enhanced PA formation but inhibited O2- production. Removal of ATP completely blocked O2- production but had little effect on PA formation; in contrast, if ATP was replaced with ATP gamma S, parallel production of PA and O2- occurred in the absence of other cofactors. Finally, while inhibition of PA production by ethanol pretreatment led to inhibition of O2- formation in PMN treated with GTP gamma S alone, in cells stimulated with a combination of GTP gamma S and Ca2+, ethanol continued to inhibit PA formation but had no effect on O2- production. Our results do not support a role for DG in the signal transduction path leading to oxidase activation and, while we show a close correlation between oxidase activation and PA production under many physiologic conditions, we also demonstrate that PA is not sufficient to induce oxidase activation and O2- formation can occur when PA production is inhibited.
DCT — A testbed approach to distributed systems research

The rationale and conceptual design 1s presented for the Distributed Computer Testbed (DCT), currently being developed at Honeywell's Systems and Research Center. The DCT 1s a highly reconfigurable and Instrumented tool that will allow experimentation 1n a variety of distributed computing areas, ranging from performance evaluation of media access protocols to concept validation of distributed fault-tolerance strategies. Work 1s continuing on the detailed design and Implementation of DCT.
Heritability of Clinical Mastitis Incidence and Relationships with Sire Transmitting Abilities for Somatic Cell Score, Udder Type Traits, Productive Life, and Protein Yield

The objective of this study was to determine the relationships among daughter clinical mastitis during first and second lactations and sire transmitting abilities for somatic cell score, udder type traits, productive life, and protein yield. Data on clinical mastitis during first lactation were available for 1795 daughters (in six Pennsylvania herds, one Minnesota herd, and one Nebraska herd) of 283 Holstein sires. Data on clinical mastitis during second lactation were available for 1055 of these daughters. A total of 479 cows had 864 clinical episodes during first lactation, and 230 cows had 384 clinical episodes during second lactation. Clinical mastitis incidence and the total number of clinical episodes during each lactation were regressed on herd-season of calving (a classification variable), age at first calving, lactation length, and sire transmitting abilities taken one at a time. Linear effects, nonlinear effects, and odds ratios were estimated for sire transmitting abilities. Separate analyses were conducted on dependent variables that considered clinical mastitis from: all organisms, coagulase-negative staphylococci, coliform species, streptococci other than Streptococcus agalactiae, and the most common environmental organisms (coliform species and streptococci other than Streptococcus agalactiae). Heritability of clinical mastitis ranged from 0.01 to 0.42. Daughters of sires that transmit the lowest somatic cell score had the lowest incidence of clinical mastitis and the fewest clinical episodes during first and second lactations. Daughters of sires that transmit longer productive life, shallower udders, deeper udder cleft, and strongly attached fore udders had either fewer clinical episodes or lower clinical mastitis incidence during first and second lactations. The incidence of clinical mastitis and the number of clinical episodes per lactation may be reduced by selection for lower somatic cell score, longer productive life, shallower udders, deeper udder cleft, or strongly attached fore udders.
Whither textile colour application research

Colour and colour application science and technology are widely practised throughout the world today. However, there are questions which are still unresolved, and sometimes this is due to the experimental difficulties involved in pursuit of the answers. In the USA and Western Europe, recent years have seen the added commercial problems of excess global dye and chemical capacity, international sourcing, and pricing pressures. The result has been a complete reorganization of those multinational chemical companies with textile colour related divisions, followed by divestments, mergers, acquisitions, downsizing of services and a broad loss of colour and coloration expertise. Technical and commercial problems both have an impact on the future of textile colour application research, and this paper addresses some of these problems.
Building the service brand by creating and managing an emotional brand experience

Most marketers point to product brands in discussing the use of customer emotions in building strong brands. It is, however, proposed here that emotions play an even more powerful role in the customer's selection, satisfaction and loyalty toward service brands. This paper discusses why marketers of service brands need to understand the emotional dynamics involved when a customer selects and decides to continue to use a service brand. It also provides practical guidance for how marketers can build strong service brands by creating and managing emotional brand experiences. Such brand experiences lead to brand loyalty, active referral of the brand and increased profitability for the brand.
Unintended effects: varying icon spacing changes users' visual search strategy

Users of modern GUIs routinely engage in visual searches for various control items, such as buttons and icons. Because this is so ubiquitous, it is important that the visual properties of user interfaces support such searches. The current research is aimed at deepening our understanding of how the visual spacing between icons affects visual search times. We constructed an experiment based on previous icon sets [8] where spacing between icons was systematically manipulated, and for which we had a computational cognitive model that predicted performance. In particular, the model predicted that larger spacing would lead to slower search times. While this prediction was borne out, there was an unanticipated finding: users in this new experiment were substantially slower than in previous similar experiments with smaller spacing. In fact, results from this new experiment were better fit with a model that employed a fundamentally different, and less efficient, search strategy. A second experiment was conducted to explicitly test the surprising result that this varied and larger icon spacing would lead to increased search times. Results were consistent with this hypothesis. These results imply that while small differences in visual layout may not intrinsically produce large differences in user performance, they may cause users to adopt suboptimal strategies that do produce such differences.
Identity matters: constructing social identities through ontology-based metadata

Students' understanding of history is often shaped by the social identity they bring to the classroom. Presenting history from the perspective of social identity can be an effective way to connect students to the past. Digital libraries are filled with primary sources that could be used to support this type of learning activity. Traditional descriptive metadata assigned to digital objects often fails to capture specific social identity aspects of the content as well as the relationships between objects that are relevant in history teaching and learning. This paper describes the potential of ontology-driven metadata that represent social, familial, spatial, and temporal relationships between learning objects to help students and faculty construct historical meaning.
Radiation pyrometry on semitransparent sheets. I: Gray media

Radiation pyrometry is often used in the measurement of temperature during polymer processing operations such as film blowing. Since polymers are semi-transparent in the infrared, the temperature measured by the pyrometer will correspond to some average of the internal temperature distribution. In the present study, an expression is derived for this average when a sheet with a thermal gradient across its thickness is considered. This expression is used to study the effect of the absorption characteristics of the sheet on this average when the material is a gray medium
A silicone rubber attachment for primary retention of partial dentures

A technique for primary retention of removable partial dentures has been described. A soft-tissue-borne restoration provides an increase in primary retention without an increase in forces to the abutment teeth, and the restoration requires a minimal outlay of time and money.
Frequency Synthesis Approach to Determine Spacecraft Angular Position with Sub-nanoradian Accuracy

This paper describes a possible approach to measuring angular position of a spacecraft with reference to a nearby calibration source (quasar) with an accuracy of a few tenths of a nanoradian using a very long baseline interferometer that measures the interferometer phase with a modest accuracy. It employs (1) radio frequency (RF) phase delay to determine the spacecraft position with a high precision, and (2) multiple group delay measurements using either frequency tones or telemetry signals at different frequency spacing to resolve ambiguity of the fringe (cycle) containing the direction of the spacecraft.
Symptoms and fear in heart failure patients approaching end of life: A mixed methods study

Aims and objectives The purpose of this study was to consider how fear and symptom experience are perceived in patients with heart failure at the end of life. Background Heart failure is a burdensome condition and mortality rates are high globally. There is substantive literature describing suffering and unmet needs but description of the experience of fear and the relationship with symptom burden is limited. Design A convergent mixed methods design was used. Methods Data from the McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire (n = 55) were compared to data from in-depth interviews (n = 5). Results Patients denied fear when asked directly, but frequently referred to moments of being afraid when they were experiencing symptoms. In addition, patients reported few troublesome symptoms on the survey, but mentioned many more symptoms during interviews. Conclusions These data not only identify the relationship between psychological issues and symptom experience but also elucidate the benefit of a mixed method approach in describing such experiences from the perspective of the patient. Future research should examine relationships between and among symptom experience, fear and other psychological constructs across the illness trajectory. Relevance to clinical practice Conversations about the interaction of symptom burden and fear can lead to both a more robust assessment of symptoms and lead to patient centred interventions.
Simultaneous false-colour imaging of birefringence, extinction and transmittance at camera speed.

Summary A polarized light imaging technique is introduced that simultaneously captures and unfolds transmittance, fast/slow axes directions and birefringence or linear dichroism from single camera exposures. The technique, based on the rotating polarizer method, is capable of sampling an object through polarizers at four different angles in a single image with the use of an image multiplexer. The range of possible applications is demonstrated with examples from the fields of biology, medicine, forensics and material sciences.
The riddle of the rotating-tilted-lines illusion

Gori and Hamburger (2006, Perception 35 853-857) devised a new visual illusion of relative motion elicited by the observer's motion. We propose that the systematic error of direction discrimination found by Lorenceau et al (1993, Vision Research 33 1207-1217) can explain this illusion. The neural correlate of such a systematic error with respect to the two types of neurons in the primary visual cortex, namely end-stopped and contour cells, is discussed.
Performance evaluation of vision-based lane sensing: some preliminary tools, metrics, and results

The growth in the number of vision-based lane sensing algorithms in the literature has far outpaced the development of methods for characterizing the limits of performance of such algorithms. The large amounts of data such systems will need to correctly process to be sufficiently reliable for commercial deployment requires that tools be developed for the evaluation process which are almost completely automated. In order to gain some insight into the issues involved, a small pilot study was performed to compare the reliability of two methods used by the YARF road tracking system for locating white painted stripes in small image windows. The evaluation methodology and results are described. In addition, several proposed metrics for measuring road detectability are defined and evaluated.
Enhancement of intervertebral disks with gadolinium complexes: comparison of an ionic and a nonionic medium in an animal model

PURPOSE To compare MR contrast enhancement of intervertebral disk tissue after intravenous administration of equimolar doses of an ionic and of a nonionic gadolinium complex. METHODS Contrast enhancement was measured on MR in lumbar intervertebral disks for 120 minutes after intravenous injection of gadoteridol or gadopentetate dimeglumine, 0.3 mmol/kg. MR studies were performed with each contrast medium in four rabbits. Contrast enhancement was measured in intervertebral disks as a function of time and contrast medium. RESULTS With both contrast media, enhancement of normal intervertebral disks was detected. Enhancement of disks was significantly greater with gadoteridol than with gadopentetate dimeglumine. CONCLUSION The enhancement of cartilage is influenced by the molecular structure of the gadolinium complex. The negative charge of gadopentetate dimeglumine may give it a slower rate of diffusion into disk cartilage than a nonionic complex.
The Remnants of Residual Risk

Despite the success of statin therapy in reducing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), there remains a large residual risk for recurrent events in statin-treated patients [(1)][1]. Although residual risk may be attributable to many factors (i.e., smoking, elevated glucose, or blood
Performance of Natural Ventilation in Deep-plan Educational Buildings: Case Study

This paper discusses the applicability, use and performance of natural ventilation and natural daylight in two educational buildings on two continents. It discusses actual measured data in the buildingcompared with simulations made by the ASHRAE Thermal Comfort Model that was developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). The buildings were the Harm A. Weber Academic Centre completed in July 2007 on the campus of Judson University in suburban Chicago, IL, and, Lanchester Library completed in August 2000 on the campus of Coventry University in Coventry, UK. Three sets of scenarios were used in the building measurements: summer, winter and mixed-mode-season. Both use significant amounts of natural ventilation and high thermal mass. The study had students carrying out their normal activities in studio while wearing regular clothes. A questionnaire and instrumentation were administered to record data on thermal sensation and preferencesof the occupants. Both buildings have significant applications and use of passive design strategies that include natural ventilation, natural daylight and thermal mass. The strategies tackle the limitations of traditional natural ventilation and daylighting strategies and suggest directions for design in complex urban contexts. Computer modeling was used to assess the performance of the strategies in other types of buildings and building forms.
Noninvasive Three-Dimensional Viewing of the Motion and Anatomical Structure of the Heart, Lungs, and Circulatory System by High Speed Computerized X-Ray Tomograph

A new generation X-ray computerized tomography system now under construction, the Dynamic Spatial Reconstructor (DSR), will record 1680 multiple view X-ray video images of the chest or other segments of the body per second. This allows com0utation of stop-action and 60-per-second instant replay motion pictures of the dynamic three-dimensional changes in shape and dimensions of the full anatomic extents of the internal and external surfaces of the heart chambers or the vascular anatomy and circulatory dynamics in any region of the body. Current commercially available scanners require one or more seconds per cross-sectional scan and lack the synchronous volumetric scanning capabilities of the DSR. These capabilities allow nondestructive mathematical selection and removal of any subvolume of interest from a reconstructed volume. The associated abilities to "zoom in" and "section" this subvolume so as to examine its structure and physiologic function in detail allow direct visualization of the internal anatomy and function of organ systems within the body. These capabilities of "noninvasive numerical biopsy" and "vivisection" have heretofore been the preserve of pathologists at autopsy or surgeons at the operating table. Possible future availability of these techniques to the practicing internist carries promise of revolutionary improvements in clinical diagnosis and treatment of the myriad of disease processes, including cancer, which may affect the heart, lungs, vascular anatomy or circulatory dynamics in any region of the body.
Global Defeminization? Industrial Upgrading and Manufacturing Employment in Developing Countries

ABSTRACTGlobalization has for decades been associated with a rise in the female share of employment or feminization. This study finds that since the mid 1980s, export growth in developing countries is associated with feminization in some countries and a defeminization in others. Focusing on Southeast Asia and Latin America, it uses a fixed-effects econometric model to test whether the technological conditions of production (labor or capital intensity) rather than export growth account for shifts in the female share of employment in manufacturing. It finds that the capital intensity of production, evidenced by shifts in labor productivity, is negatively and significantly related to shifts in the female share of employment in manufacturing, while exports are statistically insignificant. The study concludes that an anti-female bias exists in labor demand changes that result from output or employment shifts in developing countries when manufacturing becomes more capital intensive, a process likely related to ...
Bending Strength of Aluminum Formed Sheet Members

An experimental and analytical investigation produced a method of calculating the bending strength of aluminum formed sheet members such as are used for roofing and siding. These members fail by crippling of the flange or web elements at stresses that may be well in excess of the local buckling strength. Specimens (numbering 46) were tested under either uniform bending moment or air pressure loading. Formulas are presented for local buckling and crippling of flange and web elements. Crippling failures occur simultaneously with local buckling in sections with relatively thick plate elements. In other sections, weighted average crippling stresses for the compression elements are used to predict ultimate bending strengths. Agreement with test results is achieved.
Can Dentistry Have Two Contracts with the Public

The social contract is an implicit agreement between parts of society and society as a whole. Since the Middle Ages, the learned professions, recently including dentistry, have had a covenantal relationship with the public based on trust, exchanging monopoly privileges for benefiting the public good. Unlike commercial trade in commodities, professional relationships are grounded in ensuring an adequate level of oral health to all. A second contract is emerging where dentists relate to society as business operators, exchanging commodity services for a price. Recent actions by the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Supreme Court make it unlikely that dentistry will be able to enjoy only selected aspects of each contract while avoiding obligations that it finds unfavorable.
Trimmed T̃2: A robust analog of hotelling's T2

Abstract Hotelling's T2 test for the canonical multivariate problem of testing the significance of a mean vector, and its variations, are known to be variously optimal under the assumption of multivariate normality. However, its shortcomings, when the underlying normality assumption is incorrect, suggest a need for robust procedures. Although, the body of literature on robust estimation is substantial in univariate as well as multivariate settings, the development of robust tests especially in multivariate setting is in relatively rudimentary stages. In this paper, we consider trimming of multivariate samples by coordinates and use the vector of trimmed means so obtained to construct and develop the T 2 test as a robust trimmed means analog of Hotelling's T2. Asymptotic theory in univariate and multivariate settings and Monte Carlo methods are used to construct an approximation for the null distribution of T 2 statistic, and the power function of the test is examined. It is seen that the proposed test provides satisfactory type I error control and substantial gain in power if the underlying population is heavy tailed, and experiences very little loss in power when the population is p-variate normal.
Diurnal Activity of Chrysops atlanticus: Some Questions Concerning Sampling Techniques

Blood-seeking Chrysops atlanticus Pech. females begin to respond to a host shortly after sunrise and will remain at a high level of responsiveness until shortly before sunset. Based upon hourly counts, the largest numbers visit the human host shortly after sunrise and shortly before sunset. When counts begin in the afternoon, however, a peak also occurs at 1300 h. The data suggest that destructive sampling methods may bias the results of studies of saltmarsh deer fly biting cycles and lead to misinterpretations of apparent cyclic patterns. One hour past sunrise appears to be the most favorable time for applying insecticidal sprays.