cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deep learning based bladder cancer treatment response assessment

We compared the performance of different Deep Learning - Convolutional Neural Network (DL-CNN) models for bladder cancer treatment response assessment based on transfer learning by freezing different DL-CNN layers and variation of the DL-CNN structure. Pre- and post-treatment CT scans of 123 patients (129 cancers, 158 pre- and posttreatment cancer pairs) undergoing chemotherapy were collected. 33% of patients had T0 stage cancer (complete response) after chemotherapy. Regions of interest (ROIs) of pre- and post-treatment scans were extracted from the segmented lesions and combined into hybrid pre-post image pairs. The dataset was split into training (94 pairs and 6209 hybrid ROIs), validation (10 pairs) and test sets (54 pairs). The DL-CNN consists of 2 convolution (C1, C2), 2 locally connected (L1, L2), and 1 fully connected layers, implemented in TensorFlow. The DL-CNN was trained to classify the bladder cancers as fully responding (stage T0) or not fully responding to chemotherapy based on the hybrid ROIs. Two blinded radiologists provided an estimate of the likelihood of the lesion being stage T0 post-treatment by reading the pairs of pre- and post-treatment CT volumes. The test AUC was 0.73 for T0 prediction by the base DL-CNN structure with randomly initialized weights. The base DL-CNN structure with transfer learning pre-trained weights (no frozen layers) achieved a test AUC of 0.79. The test AUCs for 3 modified DL-CNN structures (different C1, C2 max pooling filter sizes, strides, and padding, with transfer learning) were 0.72, 0.86, and 0.69, respectively. For the base DL-CNN with (C1) frozen, (C1, C2) frozen, and (C1, C2, L3) frozen during transfer learning, the test AUCs were 0.81, 0.78, and 0.71, respectively. The radiologists’ AUCs were 0.76 and 0.77. The DL-CNN performed better with pre-trained than randomly initialized weights.
THE WAVE EQUATION ON SOME WARPED PRODUCT MANIFOLDS

In this study we derive solutions to the wave equation on certain types of warped product Lorentzian manifolds. We obtain solutions of the equation in the form of eigenfunctions by imposing the restriction that the solution be square integrable over the entire space-time. We show this is possible for a large class of both, warping factors and noncompact space-like manifolds. We also obtain explicit solutions, with their corresponding eigenvalues, for several of the well-known cosmological models of the universe.
Impending Atypical Femur Fracture Presenting as Painful Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Report of 2 Cases.

Case We report on 2 patients with atypical femur fractures that initially presented as painful total knee arthroplasties. There was a history of long-term bisphosphonate use in each case. Knee radiographs and laboratory studies were normal, and the patients were managed conservatively. Both subsequently sustained atypical femur fractures and underwent surgical stabilization. Conclusions Referred pain from a bisphosphonate-related femoral stress fracture can masquerade as pain about a total knee arthroplasty. This should be included in the differential diagnosis in at-risk patients because it can result in an atypical femoral shaft fracture above the prosthesis if not properly treated.
Nutrient intake, introduction of baby cereals and other complementary foods in the diets of infants and toddlers from birth to 23 months of age.

Introduction: Understanding which foods are introduced in the diet and when provides valuable information on complementary feeding. Fortified baby rice cereal is the most common first solid food given to infants, often followed by other baby cereals. The objective of this study was to examine food patterns among infants and toddlers consuming rice or non-rice baby cereals versus non-consumers. Methods: NHANES 2001–2014 data were used to assess dietary intake, nutrient adequacy, and food specific patterns of infants and toddlers. Groups were: baby cereal non-consumers (n = 3,910), non-rice baby cereal consumers (n = 711), and rice baby cereal consumers (n = 966). Those consuming both non-rice cereal and rice cereal were included in the rice cereal group (n = 9, 48, 61, and 10 for those 0–3, 4–6, 7–11, and 12–23 mos, respectively). Least-square means ± SEs were determined for nutrient intake and food group consumption by using covariate controlled regression analyses (p < 0.01). Results: Baby cereal consumer groups, compared to non-consumers, had higher intakes of carbohydrates, iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and vitamin E, with lower percentage having intakes below the Estimated Average Requirement for iron, calcium, and vitamin E. Infants 0–3 mos and 4–6 mos in both baby cereal consumption groups consumed other solid foods, including baby foods and beverages, sweetened beverages, coffee and tea, 100% juice, vegetables (excluding potatoes), fruit, sugars, milk and yogurt, and mixed dishes. The baby cereal consumers and non-consumers groups had intakes aligned with the “American diet”. Baby cereal non-consumers had a significantly higher percentage of exclusively breast fed at ages 0–3 mos and a lower percentage formula fed. Conclusion: This study provides detailed information on the introduction of baby cereals which was associated with better nutrient intakes and other complementary foods and intakes of nutrients that require special attention during early life. Further, cow’s milk products and solid foods were introduced prior to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ age recommendations.
Inferring Grandiose Narcissism From Text: LIWC Versus Machine Learning:

People have long used language to infer associates’ personality. In quantitative research, the relationship is often analyzed by looking at correlations between a psychological construct and the Li...
Cruising and Clanning: The Motorcycle Tourism Tribal Experience

The motorcycle lifestyle is best conceived as a subculture, and there are a vast number of riding groups and clubs within that subculture that have formed around specific interests. Motorcycle tourists are a neo-tribe within the larger subculture that may or may not be affiliated with clubs or other neo-tribes. Motorcyclists share values, beliefs, symbols, narrative, and common lifestyle aspects. They also engage in common rituals. Among motorcycle tourists, members who form smaller tribal groups enjoy a shared passion and the desire to affiliate with like-minded people. Since all members of such a sub-tribe remain members of more comprehensive neo-tribes, the concept of clan formation is a more apt application. As motorcycle tourists travel, they may ride with their neo-tribe or they may form a new mobile clan for a particular trip or occasion. Furthermore, new clans may form on a temporary basis at a particular event or activity such as the annual ‘Pig Roast’ at Steel Steeds Motorcycle Campground in Pennsylvania (USA). This article challenges traditional notions of clan formation in a mobile society and argues that stability and continuity can be achieved at a temporal event that occurs annually and serves as the nexus for clan formation. Trust forms within the mobile communal relationship where members share experiences and rituals. Members may self-identify and self-segment joining different clans creating a multi-level communal experience. This clanning and neo-tribal behaviour is explored within the context of a motorcycle campground. Businesses that can provide spatial locations and activities for motorcycle tourism sub-tribes can form clan-like relationships within this community.
Stories as Life Performances: Humanizing Research as Honoring, Respecting, Listening to, and Learning With Children, Youth, and Families From Refugee Backgrounds

In this personal perspective piece, I share my own refugee background and experiences, as well as stories about myself in the research context, in juxtaposition with stories about children, youth, ...
Correlation of Computational Instantaneous Wave-Free Ratio With Fractional Flow Reserve for Intermediate Multivessel Coronary Disease.

This study computationally assesses the accuracy of an instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) threshold range compared to standard modalities such as fractional flow reserve (FFR) and coronary flow reserve (CFR) for multiple intermediate lesions near the left main (LM) coronary bifurcation. iFR is an adenosine-independent index encouraged for assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD), but different thresholds are debated. This becomes particularly challenging in cases of multivessel disease when sensitivity to downstream lesions is unclear. Idealized LM coronary arteries with 34 different intermediate stenoses were created and categorized (Medina) as single and multiple lesion groups. Computational fluid dynamics modeling was performed with physiologic boundary conditions using an open-source software (simvascular1) to solve the time-dependent Navier-Stokes equations. A strong linear relationship between iFR and FFR was observed among studied models, indicating computational iFR values of 0.92 and 0.93 are statistically equivalent to an FFR of 0.80 in single and multiple lesion groups, respectively. At the clinical FFR value (i.e., 0.8), a triple-lesion group had smaller CFR compared to the single and double lesion groups (e.g., triple = 3.077 versus single = 3.133 and double = 3.132). In general, the effect of additional intermediate downstream lesions (minimum lumen area > 3 mm2) was not statistically significant for iFR and CFR. A computational iFR of 0.92 best predicts an FFR of 0.80 and may be recommended as threshold criteria for computational assessment of LM stenosis following additional validation using patient-specific models.
Surgical excision of preauricular sinus

Background: Preauricular sinus is a congenital anomaly affecting both sexes. The sinus can be located near the tragus. The main difficulty arising in the treatment is the recurrence. Methods: A simple sinectomy technique along with dye infiltration and guidewire probing was used. Result: None intra-operative, post operative or complication related to local anaesthesia were seen, The surgical site healed well in all except for two patients who had wound infections which were managed by antibiotic therapy. Conclusion: A recurrence-free success rate could be achieved with the combination of dye infiltration, guidewire probing, and en bloc excision of the sinus tract and its branches.
Reasons for Suggesting Group Psychotherapy to Patients

There are many psychotherapy varieties, but all are delivered through two predominant modalities-individual and group. This article outlines differences between individual and group treatment and the advantages and disadvantages of each. The author focuses on psychodynamic treatment, but the differences between the two modalities apply across all theoretical orientations. Human beings are social animals with an innate drive for relationships. With the advent of mass transit and mass communication, many historic bastions of relationships, such as the family, the neighborhood, and religious institutions, have been disrupted, and the roots of relationships have become shallow. As a result, many people seek psychotherapy to help build and sustain more intimate and healthier relationships, a goal for which group therapy is well suited. As relationships develop in group psychotherapy, group members demonstrate the assets and liabilities of their relational styles. Their defenses against intimacy become apparent. For these reasons, group therapy is the treatment of choice for many people. The interpersonal nature of group psychotherapy provides an opportunity to recognize interpersonal behavior patterns and thus may provide tools to allow for more intimate relationships. When meeting a new patient, the therapist seeks not only the theoretical treatment that might be most amenable to the patient's individual needs but also the form of therapy that might work best. The aim of this article is to examine the unique features of group therapy and of the patients this modality may especially help.
Health Equity Within Inequity: Timing of Diagnostic Breast Cancer Care in an Underserved Medical Population.

Background/aim We evaluated timeliness of care at a safety-net hospital after implementation of a multidisciplinary breast program. Patients and methods A prospective database of patients with breast cancer was created after multidisciplinary breast program initiation in 2018. Patients were tracked to obtain time to completion of diagnostic imaging, biopsy, and treatment initiation. Patients with breast cancer diagnosed from 2015-2017 were reviewed for comparison. Results A total of 102 patients were identified. There was no statistical difference in time to completion of imaging, biopsy, and initial treatment between the 2018 and the 2015-2017 cohorts (p>0.05). No statistical difference was observed in time to completion of imaging, biopsy, and initial treatment between different races (p>0.05). Conclusion Within the same socioeconomic status, there was no differential delivery of screening, work-up, and treatment by race. Despite protocol implementations, efficiency of care remained limited in a safety-net hospital with lack of financial resources.
Does resource exchange in ectomycorrhizal symbiosis vary with competitive context and nitrogen addition

Ectomycorrhizal symbiosis is essential for the nutrition of most temperate forest trees and helps regulate the movement of carbon and nitrogen through forested ecosystems. The factors governing the exchange of plant carbon for fungal nitrogen, however, remain obscure. Because competition and soil resources may influence ectomycorrhizal resource movement, we performed a ten month split-root microcosm study using Pinus muricata seedlings with Thelephora terrestris, Suillus pungens, or no ectomycorrhizal fungus, under two nitrogen levels in artificial soil. Fungi competed directly with roots, and indirectly with each other. We used stable isotope enrichment to track plant photosynthate and fungal nitrogen. For Thelephora, plants received N commensurate with the C given to their fungal partners. Thelephora was a superior mutualist under high nitrogen. For Suillus, plant C and fungal N exchange were not coupled. However, in low nitrogen, plants preferentially allocated C to Suillus rather than Thelephora. Our results suggest that ectomycorrhizal resource transfer depends on competitive and nutritional context. Plants can exchange C for fungal N, but coupling of these resources can depend on the fungal species and soil N. Understanding the diversity of fungal strategies, and how they change with environmental context, reveals mechanisms driving this important symbiosis.
Comparison of seriation and multidimensional scaling: two techniques for validating constructs in physical education.

Abstract Several scaling techniques were identified as procedures that might be useful in the statistical validation of constructs in physical education. The purpose of this study was to examine solutions obtained by the techniques of seriation and multidimensional scaling, one- and two-dimensional, as varying degrees of error were introduced into specific data sets. Using a Monte Carlo model, four different sized matrices were selected to represent situations that could be applicable to research problems in physical education, such as ordering developmental sequences, course objectives, and levels of behavior in curriculum hierarchies. Kendall's tau (τ) values were computed between the ordering resulting from the matrix with no error and all other solutions for a particular matrix size in order to compare the solutions utilizing various scaling techniques, matrix sizes, and degrees of error. An analysis of variance of the 4 × 3 × 3 design of the study yielded three significant main effects of matrix size...
Coenzyme interactions. 3. Characteristics of the molecular complexes of thiamine with indole derivatives.

Abstract Proton magnetic resonance and ultraviolet spectroscopic data have shown that the coordination of thiamine and thiamine pyrophosphate with indolyl compounds centers upon the positively charged quaternary nitrogen atom of the thiamine moiety and the benzene ring of the indole moiety. In ultraviolet studies a marked increase in absorbance over the sum of the absorbances of the individual solutions was found when a solution of a thiazolium derivative was mixed with that of an indolyl compound, whereas no interaction was indicated between the indolyl compounds and uncharged thiazole compounds. The proton magnetic resonance signals which show the greatest effect of the interaction are those of the protons which surround the quaternary nitrogen atom of thiamine and those of the protons attached to the benzene ring of the indolyl compounds. The signal of the bridge methylene protons of thiamine in the pure 1:1 complex with indoleacetate appears approximately 2.5 ppm upfield from the signal of the bridge methylene protons of free thiamine. From the magnitude of this change in chemical shift, the distance between the apex of the complexed thiamine molecule and the plane of the indole ring can be estimated as 0.37 nm. This small separation and the relative magnitude of the changes in chemical shift of the various thiamine signals suggest that the average conformation of thiamine in the complex has a large (g90°) inter-ring dihedral angle. Such a conformation places the pyrimidine amino group close to the thiazolium proton.
Constitutionalizing Anarchy: Liberalism, Lynching, and the Law

Overall review of Supreme Court cases regarding racial violence suggests that while the Court did rule in favor of acquitting lynchers of federal prosecution, it did not completely strip all authority for federal rights enforcement. This essay reassesses the Supreme Court’s handling of racial violence and formulates a theory of law that can account for how lynchings could exist as a tacitly accepted practice without being explicitly sanctioned by the law. Rather than cracking down on lynchers and/or the states that failed to deal with lynchers, the Supreme Court decided to create “zones” wherein questionable activities like lynchings could occur unhampered. Lynchings for the most part were situated within a constructed zone of permissiveness that was contingent not upon the sanctioning of political authorities per se, but rather upon political authorities choosing to maintain an active policy of non-interference. Drawing from Ernst Fraenkel’s model of the dual state and Gerald Neuman’s concept of anomalous zones, constitutional anarchy illuminates how the U.S. carved out legally bounded regions of lawlessness. Implications of existentially demarcated spaces can be seen in a variety of arenas and highlight the commensurability of illiberalism and liberalism via the distinction between content and scope of law.
The effect of occupational pesticide exposure on lung function: A systematic review with meta-analysis

Exposure to pesticides has been associated with low lung function. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarise evidence currently available on the effect of occupational pesticide exposure on spirometry Methods : Through electronic searches of MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science we identified 28 papers, reporting on non-specific pesticide exposure, organophosphates or paraquat. Of these, we meta-analysed 14 studies with results available for FVC and FEV 1 , 13 for FEV1/FVC, 10 for FEF 25-75 and fewer for other measures. As spirometry outcomes were reported in different ways, we performed meta-analyses on standardised mean differences between exposed and non-exposed subjects Results : Pesticide exposure had a negative effect on all spirometry measures, but there was extreme heterogeneity across studies. A reason for heterogeneity was differences in the definition of exposure, with lower effect estimates from studies on subjects exposed to lower pesticide levels, or using cruder definitions of exposure with higher measurement error, as one might expect. The type of pesticides evaluated also explained some heterogeneity, with stronger and more consistent effects for organophosphates, in particularly on FEV1, compared with paraquat or non-specific pesticide exposure Summary : Overall there is evidence of a negative effect of occupational pesticide exposure on lung function, with stronger effects for organophosphates. It is difficult to draw firm conclusions on the magnitude of these effects due to the large heterogeneity of findings between studies, which was partly explained by differences in exposure level and type, as well as accuracy in the definition of the exposure.
Chapter 7: Intercellular Calcium Wave Communication via Gap Junction Dependent and Independent Mechanisms

Publisher Summary One of the critical steps taken during the evolution of multicellular organisms was to integrate and coordinate the activity of cells comprising the tissues. Modes of intercellular signaling involved in intercellular communication include paracrine, synaptic, and endocrine pathways, as well as direct signal exchange through intercellular gap junction channels. Although many ions and small molecules may ultimately be involved in relaying intercellular signals, spatial and temporal alterations in the intracellular Ca 2+ levels in the form of Ca 2+ spikes, oscillations, and waves are the major events in signal transduction and communication. This chapter summarizes the results obtained from numerous laboratories indicating the dual contribution of gap junctions and extracellular signals to cell-to-cell communication through propagated Ca 2+ waves. Because most of the studies have primarily concentrated on the properties of such waves in the nervous system astrocytes and airway epithelial cells, this chapter emphasizes these systems in the consideration of wave properties and mechanisms. However, because of the potential implication of such signaling in contracting tissue, where Ca 2+ mobilization plays a fundamental role in tissue function, it has also highlighted recent studies on cardiac muscle and myocytes.
Product Liability Litigation: An Issue of Merck and Lawsuits Over Vioxx - The Short Version

Merck & Co., Inc. pulled Vioxx, a $2.5 billon a year nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, off the shelf in September 2004. The removal followed a study that was published reporting Vioxx increased the risk of cardiovascular events after long-term use. In the years since then, many lawsuits have been filed against Merck. This paper examines the incentive to recall a product and the effects of Merck pulling Vioxx from the shelves. Using the market’s expected internal rate of return for Merck, I calculate the expected profits from future Vioxx sales. I then use data on financial effects to show how the market value of Merck reflects their probability of winning legal cases concerning Vioxx.
AND/OR multi-valued decision diagrams for constraint optimization

We propose a new top down search-based algorithm for compiling AND/OR Multi-Valued Decision Diagrams (AOMDDs), as representations of the optimal set of solutions for constraint optimization problems. The approach is based on AND/OR search spaces for graphical models, state-of-the-art AND/OR Branch-and-Bound search, and on decision diagrams reduction techniques. We extend earlier work on AOMDDs by considering general weighted graphs based on cost functions rather than constraints. An extensive experimental evaluation proves the efficiency of the weighted AOMDD data structure.
A neutral network for isolated-word recognition

Algorithms that are implementable by artificial neural networks show promise of augmenting the field of automatic speech recognition. A specific approach to the problem of isolated-word recognition was initiated by Tank and Hopfield. These ideas were applied to a concatenated systems consisting of a vector quantizer, a time concentrator with vector sequences as input and allophones as output and a final stage with allophone sequence as input and isolated words as output. Improvements in the system are discussed; included are the addition of data-dependent 'phenomenological' rules that yield improved results for a single-speaker 35-word vocabulary isolated-word recognition task. >
Association of seroconversion with isolation of agents in transtracheal wash fluids collected from pneumonic calves less than three months of age.

The potential association between seroconversion to respiratory disease agents and isolation from transtracheal wash fluids (TTW) was investigated in pneumonic dairy calves <3 months of age. Naturally infected calves from 18 commercial dairy farms were used. At least one respiratory pathogen was cultured from the TTW of each calf. Blood samples were collected at the time of diagnosis and 3 weeks later. Most calves had evidence of maternal antibodies at 2 days of age to the same pathogens isolated from the TTW at the time of respiratory disease diagnosis. Evidence of an active immune response (seroconversion) to the organism in the TTW was a specified rise in titre between paired serum samples. False-negative results, i.e. failure to seroconvert to the organism isolated in the TTW, were seen in 8 of 9 (89%) calves with bovine diarrhoea virus in their TTW, 43 of 75 (57%) calves with Mycoplasma spp. in their TTW, 20 of 53 (38%) calves with Pasteurella multocida, 4 of 16 (25%) calves with Pasteurella haemolytica, and 5 of 13 (38%) calves with Haemophilus somnus isolates in their TTW. Reliance on paired-serological testing to identify the respiratory pathogens present in the respiratory tract of clinically pneumonic dairy calves <3 months of age is not recommended.
Chapter 4 Ordering of Retinotectal Connections: A Multivariate Operational Analysis

Publisher Summary This chapter attempts to analyze the retinotectal system in a more empirical and open-ended fashion than that generally associated with past models. The traditional view of the problem is considered to be erroneous—that is, that no single simple explanation can account for all the observations because the task is to integrate a number of interactive processes into a comprehensive understanding. Such an integrative approach offers an alternative to the current wave of numerical modeling and thus skirts thorny theoretical issues that are associated with simulations of poorly described complex systems. Most hypotheses about how optic fibers form a retinotopic projection onto tectum have relied on a single dominant process to generate order. These processes largely fall into one of three categories. In the oldest category are those hypotheses that assume that individual retinal fibers or tectal cells are intrinsically identical with each other. In the latter, fibers were found to grow to abnormal tectal positions following removal of part of retina or tectum. The third category of explanation arose as an answer to the plasticity results. In particular, these hypotheses address the capacity of optic fibers to preserve retinotopography when a whole retina “compresses” onto a surgically formed half tectum or when a half retina expands across a whole tectum.
The physiological effects of electric shock in the pulsed power laboratory

Electrical safety in the pulsed power research laboratory is one of the most important issues in today's emphasis on the environment, safety, health. Despite excellent electrical safety practices accidents still occur. It is necessary to set standards of voltage, current, and energy levels for the purposes hazard definition and injury treatment. Recently, existing values (such as 50 V, or 10 J) have come under question since their origin is somewhat vague. To better define hazard levels and differentiate between dc, ac, and impulse shock it is necessary to review the current state of medical knowledge on the on the physiological effects of variuos classes of shocks. A review and evaluation of the physiological effects of electrical shock has been performed. The physiological differences between injuries caused by ac, dc, and impulse shocks are compared. Based upon updated knowledge current, voltge, and energy thresholds are discussed.
Robust adaptive nonlinear flight control applications using neural networks

Online neural networks are used to enhance feedback linearizing controllers of uncertain nonlinear systems. These systems may be non-affine with respect to the control. The controller architecture is based on inversion of a linearized plant model. A multi-layer perceptron neural network is added to compensate for the inversion error. Online weight update laws are derived from Lyapunov analysis, which guarantees boundedness of all signals. Robustness with respect to unmodeled input dynamics is provided by the addition of a nonlinear damper. The controller is demonstrated using the full, nonlinear models of the XV-15 tilt-rotor and the Caltech ducted fan. Numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the control in response to model inversion error, and degraded actuator performance.
Simulation of Plasma Interaction with Io's Atmosphere

One dimensional Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) simulations are used to examine the interaction of the jovian plasma torus with Io’s sublimation atmosphere. The hot plasma sweeps past Io at ∼57 km/s due to the external Jovian magnetic and corotational electric fields and the resultant energetic collisions both heat and dissociate the neutral gas creating an inflated, mixed atmosphere of SO2 and its daughter products. The vertical structure and composition of the atmosphere is important for understanding Io’s mass loading of the plasma torus, electron excited aurora, and Io’s global gas dynamics. Our 1D simulations above a fixed location on the surface of Io allows the O+ and S+ ions to drift down into the domain where they then undergo elastic and charge exchange collisions with the neutral gas. Each electron’s position is determined by the motion of a corresponding ion; however, the electrons retain their own velocity components which are then used during elastic, ionization, and excitation collisio...
Optimization of the workspace of a three-link turning-pair connected robot arm

The workspace of a three-axis, turning-pair connected robot arm has been optimized using algebraic criteria for extreme axial and radial reach and the elimination of voids (Freuden stein and Primrose 1984). Based on these criteria, an effi cient, systematic search procedure has been developed for maximizing the workspace and the rvorkspace-to-void ratio of the R3 robot arm.
Theoretical study of group transfer from multiply-bonded nickel complexes to ethylene

Abstract The results of density functional theory (DFT) calculations are analyzed to investigate the thermodynamic and kinetic feasibility of nickel-mediated group transfer (E = CH 2 , NH, PH) to ethylene to form three-membered ring products. From the results of DFT geometry optimizations it is concluded that the (dhpe)Ni O congener is unstable, dhpe = 1,2- bis -(dihydrophosphino)ethane, rearranging to a phosphine oxide. With respect to the calculated enthalpies of the individual reaction steps, as well as their enthalpic barriers, the (dhpe)Ni system is a potent system for heterogroup transfer to olefins to synthesize cyclic organics, i.e., aziridines, cyclopropanes and phosphiranes. The individual mechanistic steps and overall reaction are calculated to be highly exothermic for all transfer groups investigated: nitrene, carbene and phosphinidene. Furthermore, the calculated [2 π + 2 π ] transition states entail the dissociation of one of the Ni–P bonds of dhpe; when the [2 + 2] products are subsequently formed, dhpe reverts to η 2 coordination. The calculated results suggest that reductive elimination from the four-membered metallaheterobutane intermediate is the rate-determining step of the group transfer mechanism for all E. The greater kinetic barrier for E–C reductive elimination relative to [2 π + 2 π ] addition correlates with the greater thermodynamic driving force for the latter.
The role of information sharing in cooperative research and development

Abstract This paper develops a model in which R&D cooperation enables firms to increase the probability of discovering a new product by sharing information about research strategies and outcomes. Numerical computations of equilibrium show that cooperation tends to increase in the underlying probability of research success, total surplus generally increases as more firms cooperate, and cooperation in equilibrium never exceeds that which maximizes total surplus. However, when the probability of an innovation's success is relatively low, no cooperation occurs, nor will much be socially desired. Finally, self-imposed limits on membership in the cooperative entity tend to reduce total surplus.
Comparing three numbers: The effect of number of digits, range, and leading zeros

The literature is abundant with results on the cognitive processes involved in determining the larger of two numbers. In the present experiment, range, number of digits, and leading zeros were varied to determine whether some of the major results for comparing two numbers generalize to judgments of the largest of three numbers. There were consistencies as well as inconsistencies between our results and previous two-number comparison data. For example, the distance effect(Moyer & Landauer, 1967) held for three-digit numbers but was not replicated for single-digit numbers. A two-stage process is suggested, with an encoding stage and a comparison stage. At the comparison stage, strategies may vary, depending on the nature of the comparison that is to be made.
Spectral and temperature dependence of two-photon and free-carrier absorption in InSb

The nonlinear absorption spectrum of InSb was measured using a combination of tunable $\ensuremath{\sim}160\text{ }\text{fs}$, $\ensuremath{\sim}10\text{ }\text{ps}$, and $\ensuremath{\sim}150\text{ }\text{ns}$ IR sources along with a cryostat for controlling the sample temperature to vary the band gap energy from 0.17 to 0.23 eV. The measured nonlinear optical properties in InSb are consistent with those predicted by the models which include two- and three-photon absorption (2PA and 3PA), multiphoton generated free-carrier absorption (FCA) and various recombination mechanisms. Temperature-dependent Z-scan and nonlinear transmission measurements yield information on the temperature and spectral dependence of 2PA, FCA, and carrier recombination processes of Shockley-Read-Hall, and Auger mechanisms. We find good agreement between the measured and the modeled nonlinear properties is possible only when the recently predicted temperature dependence of the FCA is considered. The wavelength- and temperature-dependent 2PA and 3PA coefficients in InSb were experimentally obtained. The inferred values of the 2PA and 3PA are consistent with the scaling rules of a simple two-parabolic band model. We further determine recombination rates from nonlinear transmittance of nanosecond pulses of ${\text{CO}}_{2}$ laser.
Crack Detection with Lamb Wave Wavenumber Analysis

In this work, we present our study of Lamb wave crack detection using wavenumber analysis. The aim is to demonstrate the application of wavenumber analysis to 3D Lamb wave data to enable damage detection. The 3D wavefields (including vx, vy and vz components) in time-space domain contain a wealth of information regarding the propagating waves in a damaged plate. For crack detection, three wavenumber analysis techniques are used: (i) two dimensional Fourier transform (2D-FT) which can transform the time-space wavefield into frequency-wavenumber representation while losing the spatial information; (ii) short space 2D-FT which can obtain the frequency-wavenumber spectra at various spatial locations, resulting in a space-frequency-wavenumber representation; (iii) local wavenumber analysis which can provide the distribution of the effective wavenumbers at different locations. All of these concepts are demonstrated through a numerical simulation example of an aluminum plate with a crack. The 3D elastodynamic finite integration technique (EFIT) was used to obtain the 3D wavefields, of which the vz (out-of-plane) wave component is compared with the experimental measurement obtained from a scanning laser Doppler vibrometer (SLDV) for verification purposes. The experimental and simulated results are found to be in close agreement. The application of wavenumber analysis on 3D EFIT simulation data shows the effectiveness of the analysis for crack detection. Keywords: : Lamb wave, crack detection, wavenumber analysis, EFIT modeling
Financial Contagion and International Portfolio Flows

Financial contagion is an issue of interest to policymakers and portfolio managers. In the presence of contagion, the benefits of geographical diversification may be overstated. Contagion is defined independently of changes in macroeconomic fundamentals. It corresponds to a situation in which shocks in one country spread to another country in a significantly more pronounced manner than during quiet times. In the study reported here, I attempted to measure contagion from daily cross-border portfolio flows. Using data from State Street Bank and Trust Company, I constructed three indexes for 1996 through 2000. I found little statistical evidence of contagion, but the weighted index that measured the “contagiousness” of flows reached its four-year low in August 1998, suggesting that the Russian crisis was characterized by both contagion and large aggregate outflows. I also found that contagion appears to be regional and that the developed countries seem to be sheltered from contagion.
Speciation of gold(III)–L-histidine complex: a multi-instrumental approach

The formation and structure of gold (III)–L-histidine complex was investigated with the use of carbon (13C) and proton (1H) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, capillary electrophoresis (CE), capillary electrophoresis-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (CE-ICP-MS), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI), and laser desorption mass spectroscopy (LDMS). It was found that two L-histidine molecules and one gold ion slowly form a complex in acidic solution. Each L-histidine molecule provided two nitrogen ligands; one was the α-amino group and the other from the imidazole ring. The Au(III)–bis-L-histidine complex precipitates after deprotonation of the free carboxylic group, resulting in an increase in the solution acidity. Determination of the exact sequence of events and the identity of the complex was a comprehensive instrumental analysis problem involving the above techniques.
Influence of daylength on male hamster sexual behavior: masking effects of testosterone.

Abstract Exposure of male hamsters to short photoperiods for 6–8 weeks causes deficits in sexual behavior with receptive females. The present experiment tested the hypothesis that short photoperiodic effects on behavior could be masked in the presence of chronic and stable levels of testosterone. Males were castrated and administered Silastic capsules of testosterone while housed in long (16L:8D) or short (8L:16D) photoperiodic conditions for 7 weeks. Sexual behavior tests at this time indicated that the short photoperiod males copulated less well, but group differences were not robust. Testosterone capsules were then removed and half the animals in both 16L:8D and 8L:16D were transferred to the opposite photoperiod. Sexual behavior was tested 18 days later as the effects of this functional castration developed. These tests indicated that photoperiodic effects were much more obvious in the absence of testosterone than they were during week 7 tests when testosterone was still present. The behavior of the males that were transferred from one photoperiod to the other demonstrated that exposure to the short photoperiod for only 18 days was not sufficient to generate short photoperiod-like sexual behavior deficits. In contrast, exposure to the long photoperiod for 18 days was sufficient to reverse short photoperiodic effects that had already developed.
Crystal structure of enolase indicates that enolase and pyruvate kinase evolved from a common ancestor.

Enolase or 2-phospho-D-glycerate hydrolase catalyses the dehydration of 2-phosphoglycerate to phosphoenolpyruvate, which in turn is converted by pyruvate kinase to pyruvate. We describe here the crystallographic determination of the structure of yeast enolase at high resolution (2.25 A) and an analysis of the structural homology between enolase, pyruvate kinase and triose phosphate isomerase. Each of the two subunits of enolase forms two distinctive domains. The larger domain (residues 143–420) is a regular 8-fold β/α-barrel, as first found in triose phosphate isomerase, and later in pyruvate kinase and 11 other functionally different enzymes. An analysis of the molecular geometries of enolase and pyruvate kinase based on the roughly 8-fold symmetry of the barrel showed a structural homology better than expected for proteins related by convergent evolution. We argue that enolase and pyruvate kinase have evolved from a common ancestral multifunctional enzyme which could process phosphoenolpyruvate in both directions along the glycolytic pathway. There is structural and sequence evidence that muconate lactonizing enzyme later evolved from enolase.
arXiv.org: the Los Alamos National Laboratory e‐print server

Since its creation nearly ten years ago, the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) e‐print service (arXiv.org) has revolutionized scholarly communication within many scientific communities. It has also inspired the development of alternatives to conventional and electronic journal publication in a variety of other disciplines. The LANL e‐print database is also serving as the core collection for two major investigations that seek to enhance access and navigation within and between electronic archives and special collections.
An unusually facile dehydroboration of triorganoboranes formed by treatment of alkenyltrialkylborates with hydrochloric acid

Abstract In contrast to the base hydrolysis of alkenyltrialkylborates(I) which involves a straightforward cleavage of the alkenyl carbonboron bond, treatment of I with hydrochloric acid produces predominantly an olefin formed via the migration of an alkyl group from the boron atom to the alkenyl α carbon atom followed by an unprecedentedly facile dehydroboration of the trialkylborane intermediate.
An interdisciplinary approach in applying fundamental concepts

Software applications and music compositions share a similar development process. This paper summarizes the results of a joint effort between faculty in the Department of Information Sciences and Technology and the Department of Music to develop an innovative and interdisciplinary course for non-majors that incorporates music composition, programming, and animation. Active learning exercises using Alice, Flash and Sibelius provide students with an opportunity to express their creativity and enhance fundamental concepts in both disciplines. In addition to the development lifecycles, students learn fundamental programming concepts (variables, control structures, methods and event-handling), animation principles (design, layout, specialized effects, actions, and sounds) and music theory (scales, intervals, chords, scores and digital playback). Our goal is to create a learning environment where students are excited about using technology to create musical animations. We are in the process of having this course approved as a General Education course to recruit non-majors into our program.
Merit scholarships are no quick fix for college quality

Abstract Before college leaders undertake what may be a costly endeavor, they may wish to appraise the likely success of an academic merit scholarship program. This research presents a methodology for assessing the potential success of such a program. We first develop and estimate a model of college choice that specifically accounts for price/quality tradeoffs among the colleges to which an individual has applied and been admitted. The model is then used to simulate the changes in the probability of enrollment at the institute corresponding to changes in merit scholarships. Finally, the costs of a merit program are calculated.
Host-cell reactivation of UV-irradiated and chemically-treated herpes simplex virus-1 by xeroderma pigmentosum, XP heterozygotes and normal skin fibroblasts

Abstract The host-cell reactivation of UV-irradiated and N -acetoxy-2-acetylamino-fluorene-treated herpes simplex virus type 1 strain MP was studied in normal and xeroderma pigmentosum human skin fibroblasts. Virus treated with either agent demonstrated lower survival in XP cells from complementation groups A, B, C and D than in normal fibroblasts. The relative reactivation ability of XP cells from the different genetic complementation groups was found to be the same for both irradiated and chemically treated virus. In addition, the inactivation kinetics for virus treated with either agent in the XP variant were comparable to that seen in normal skin fibroblasts. The addition of 2 or 4 mmoles caffeine to the post-infection assay medium had no effect on the inactivation kinetics of virus treated by either agent in the XP variant or in XP cells from the different genetic complementation groups. Treatment of the virus with nitrogen mustard resulted in equivalent survival in normal and XP genetic complementation group D cells. No apparent defect was observed in the ability of XP heterozygous skin fibroblasts to repair virus damaged with up to 100 μg N -acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene per ml. These findings indicate that the repair of UV-irradiated and N -acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene-treated virus is accomplished by the same pathway or different pathways sharing a common intermediate step and that the excision defect of XP cells plays little if any role in the reactivation of nitrogen mustard treated virus.
Brachydactyly, Type E: Hereditary shortening of digits, metacarpals, metatarsals, and long bones

reaction in urine has been to rule out drug excretion. The list in Table I is a useful starting point, but it is by no means exhaustive in scope. Since it is not always clearly predictable whether a compound of known structure will react, an empiric testing of a suspect compound may be required. However, compounds which react with ninhydrin may be converted to nonreactors by cellular mechanisms, prior to excretion, and the converse may also occur. Structural alterations may be produced after collection during extended storage of unrefrigerated samples or on occasion by the conditions of the chromatographic procedure used. It is recommended that the laboratory be, apprised of the patient's status with respect to drug administration and/or unusual dietary regimens to facilitate interpretation of amino acid excretion patterns.
Effects of green tea polyphenols on murine transplant-reactive T cell immunity

Green tea polyphenols (GrTP), the active ingredient of green tea, may have immunosuppressive properties, but whether and how GrTP affect transplant-reactive T cells is unknown. To address this, we tested the effects of GrTP on in vitro and in vivo transplant-reactive T cell immunity. GrTP inhibited IFNgamma secretion by cultured monoclonal T cells and by alloreactive T cells in mixed lymphocyte reactions. Oral GrTP significantly prolonged minor antigen-disparate skin graft survival and decreased the frequency of donor-reactive interferon gamma-producing T cells in recipient secondary lymphoid organs compared to controls. In contrast to other hypothesized actions, oral GrTP did not alter dendritic cell trafficking to lymph nodes or affect metalloproteinase activity in the graft. This is the first report of an immunosuppressive effect of GrTP on transplant-reactive T cell immunity. The results suggest that oral intake of green tea could act as an adjunctive therapy for prevention of transplant rejection in humans.