cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In vitro and in vivo assessment of titanium surface modification for coloring the backplate of the Boston keratoprosthesis.

PURPOSE. Recent use of a titanium (Ti) backplate has improved the design and biocompatibility of the Boston Keratoprosthesis (BKpro). Titanium’s shiny metallic appearance, however, makes the cosmetic outcome less favorable. The purpose of this study was to develop and test a coloring surface modification of Ti. METHODS. Ti coloring was achieved using electrochemical anodization. Color assessment included scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), x-ray diffraction crystallography (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Biocompatibility assessment of Ti disks included in vitro proliferation and cytotoxicity in coculture with human corneal limbal epithelial (HCLE) cells, primary human corneal fibroblasts, and immortalized human corneal endothelial cells (HCEnCs), and in vivo intralamellar implantation in rabbit corneas. Histologic appearance (hematoxylin-eosin and trichrome staining) and presence of cell inflammation (CD45), apoptosis (TUNEL), and corneal neovascularization (CD31) were evaluated 27 and 53 days post implantation. RESULTS. Blue and brown coloration of Ti was achieved. Analysis showed the presence of a nanoporous oxide surface with no chemical change of the modified Ti surface. In vitro assessment showed no significant differences in cell proliferation and cytotoxicity between anodized and nonanodized Ti (P > 0.05; ANOVA for all cell types). Analysis of corneal tissues harboring the Ti disks showed normal cellular appearance, and lack of CD45, TUNEL, and CD31-positive cells. CONCLUSIONS. A biocompatible Ti backplate coloring was achieved by electrochemical anodization. In vitro and in vivo results suggest that the anodized Ti is equally biocompatible and as safe as the standard nonanodized Ti. The color modification of the BKpro may improve the cosmesis and acceptance of the BKpro by patients.
The Global Library: Providing Resources and Services to International Sites

As institutions of higher learning focus on positioning strategically in the global and online education market, it is critical for academic libraries to realize their roles in supporting the institutional missions, one of which is to assist scholars, faculty, and students, regardless of location. This responsibility is fulfilled not only through the talents and dedication of librarians and library staff, but also with technology. The Brooklyn Campus Library of Long Island University (LIU) seized the opportunity and took a proactive approach to providing library resources and services to the university's Global College (GC) community. After carefully evaluating the needs of faculty and students across the globe, the authors recount how the library supports the teaching and learning activities of this unique user group. A library portal enables users at various international sites to use the library's abundant resources and customized services with ease, as well as to ensure that the library serves the Glo...
Binding of dimeric aminoglycosides to the HIV-1 rev responsive element (RRE) RNA construct.

Abstract Through a series of elegant fluorescence measurements, particularly through stopped-flow kinetic measurements, it was recently demonstrated that aminoglycoside antibiotics are able to bind to the HIV-1 Rev responsive element (RRE) RNA construct in more than a 1:1 stoichiometry (Lacourciere, K. A.; Stivers, J. T.; Marino, J. P. Biochemistry 2000 , 39 , 5630). Here, we present the binding study results of dimeric neomycin ligands through fluorescence anisotropy studies, to the HIV-1 RRE RNA construct. The dimeric neomycin molecules are observed to be able to bind the HIV-1 RRE RNA construct approximately 17-fold higher when compared to the monomeric neomycin, lending evidence that there are indeed two or more neomycin binding sites within the HIV-1 RRE construct.
Hierarchical optimization: an introduction

Decision problems involving multiple agents invariably lead to conflict and gaming. In recent years, multi-agent systems have been analyzed using approaches that explicitly assign to each agent a unique objective function and set of decision variables; the system is defined by a set of common constraints that affect all agents. The decisions made by each agent in these approaches affect the decisions made by the others and their objectives. When strategies are selected simultaneously, in a noncooperative manner, solutions are defined as equilibrium points [13,51] so that at optimality no player can do better by unilaterally altering his choice. There are other types of noncooperative decision problems, though, where there is a hierarchical ordering of the agents, and one set has the authority to strongly influence the preferences of the other agents. Such situations are analyzed using a concept known as a Stackelberg strategy [13, 14,46]. The hierarchical optimization problem [11, 16, 23] conceptually extends the open-loop Stackelberg model toK players. In this paper, we provide a brief introduction and survey of recent work in the literature, and summarize the contributions of this volume. It should be noted that the survey is not meant to be exhaustive, but rather to place recent papers in context.
Improved estimates of high-temperature fiber bed effective emissivities from variational calculations

Rigorous variational upper bounds are presented for the effective bed emissivity ∈ eff of a model semi-infinite fiber bed made up of long, parallel, randomly placed, freely overlapping cylinders for two possible bed edges-fibers perpendicular and fibers parallel to the bed edge. Calculations of bed emissivity variational results for both cases provide significant improvement over first-order scattering upper bounds given in a previous paper. For high void fraction Φ→1 and fiber surface emissivity values of ∈ s = 0.5, 0.3, and 0.1, respective bed emissivity upper bound reduction improvements of 4.14, 12.2, and 35.8% were generated for the latter bed edge structure, and 4.08, 11.3, and 32.2% were obtained for the former case. Along with the first-order scattering lower bounds on ∈ eff , improved estimates of bed emissivities were calculated for high-temperature, nonmetallic fiber beds with ∈ s > 0.55. Bed emissivity enhancement factors (∈ eff /∈ s ) of 1.27 for fibers parallel to the semi-infinite bed edge and 1.42 for fibers perpendicular to the bed edge were observed for high fiber bed porosity Φ = 0.9 and ∈ s = 0.55. Results compared favorably with an experimental correlation and Monte Carlo simulations.
Visualization of security events using an efficient correlation technique

The timely and reliable data transfer required by many networked applications necessitates the development of comprehensive security solutions to monitor and protect against an increasing number of malicious attacks. However, providing complete cyber space situation awareness is extremely challenging because of the lack of effective translation mechanisms from low-level situation information to high-level human cognition for decision making and action support. We propose an adaptive cyber security monitoring system that integrates a number of component techniques to collect time-series situation information, perform intrusion detection, keep track of event evolution, characterize and identify security events, and present a visual representation in order to provide comprehensive situational view so that corresponding defense actions can be taken in a timely and effective manner. We explore the principles of designing and applying appropriate visualization techniques for situation monitoring by defining graphical representations of security events. This differs from the traditional rule-based pattern matching techniques in that security events in the proposed system are represented as forms of correlation networks using random matrix theory and identified through the computation of network similarity measurement. The events and corresponding event types are visualized using a stemplot to show location and quantity. Extensive simulation results on event identification illustrate the efficacy of the proposed system.
Optimization of a phase change heat sink for extreme environments

Results of numerical optimization are reported for a phase change heat sink used to cool electronic equipment in extreme environments. The heat sink consists of a conventional, extruded aluminum sink embedded in a block of phase change material. This type of heat sink is used in infrared cameras carried by fire fighters into burning buildings. Optimization of the geometry of the heat sink assembly involves determination of the fin length, the fin thickness, and the base thickness that maximizes the time time before the base of the heat sink reaches a critical temperature. The numerical model is briefly described, and representative results of the simulation are presented. The optimum design for a given combination of heat load, conductance to ambient, and phase change material is discussed. The model can easily be applied to other geometries, heat loads, and material properties.
Cumulating Evidence about the Social Animal: Meta-Analysis in Social-Personality Psychology

Like most scientific fields, social-personality psychology has experienced an explosion of research related to such central topics as aggression, attraction, gender, group processes, motivation, personality, and persuasion, to name a few. The proliferation of research can be a monster unless it is tamed with the scientific review strategy of meta-analysis, literally analyses of past analyses that produce a quantitative and empirical history of research on a particular phenomenon. The purpose of this article is to outline the basic process and statistics of meta-analysis, as they pertain to social-personality psychology. Meta-analysis involves: (i) defining the problem under review; (ii) gathering qualified reports and putting their findings and methods into a database, (iii) analyzing that database, and (iv) interpreting the results and reporting them. Use of meta-analytic strategies has paralleled the knowledge explosion in social-personality psychology, but must be used and consumed with careful discernment if the cumulated evidence about the social animal, Homo sapiens, is to have maximal value.
What do we mean? On the importance of not abandoning scientific rigor when talking about science education

Although the “science of science communication” usually refers to the flow of scientific knowledge from scientists to the public, scientists direct most of their communications not to the public, but instead to other scientists in their field. This paper presents a case study on this understudied type of communication: within a discipline, among its practitioners. I argue that many of the contentious disagreements that exist today in the field in which I conduct my research—early science education—derive from a lack of operational definitions, such that when competing claims are made for the efficacy of one type of science instruction vs. another, the arguments are hopelessly disjointed. The aim of the paper is not to resolve the current claims and counterclaims about the most effective pedagogies in science education, but rather to note that the assessment of one approach vs. the other is all too often defended on the basis of strongly held beliefs, rather than on the results of replicable experiments, designed around operational definitions of the teaching methods being investigated. A detailed example of operational definitions from my own research on elementary school science instruction is provided. In addition, the paper addresses the issue of how casual use of labels—both within the discipline and when communicating with the public—may inadvertently “undo” the benefits of operational definitions.
Digital facsimile editions and on-line editing

Digitizing a large collection of books is an expensive and time-consum ing task-but there may be volunteers all over the world who are willing to do a small portion of the task. This poster describes a system for making digital facsimile editions-e-books consisting of page images and OCRed but uncorrected text. The user can choose to view low or high resolution page images or text for each page or search the text. Authenticated users with little or no training can correct the text on-line, and the corrections are incorporated in the document. Source code is available for the described implementation, which is a part of the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (http://www.ccel.org).
High‐Temperature Mechanical Properties of SiC–Mo5(Si,Al)3C Composites

SiC–Mo5(Si,Al)3C composites were fabricated by the melt infiltration process, and the infiltration characteristics were studied in detail. Fracture strength and toughness were measured up to 1600°C using a three-point bending test and indentation strength method, respectively. Both fracture strength and toughness significantly increased at 1400°C with respect to the values at room temperature. These increases were mainly attributed to plastic deformation of the infiltrated Mo5(Si,Al)3C phases at elevated temperatures, which acted as ductile toughening inclusions. Compressive creep tests were used to study the creep behavior of the composite in the range of 1550°–1650°C and 150–200 MPa. The stress exponent and activation energy were 1.3 and 277 kJ/mol, respectively. Preliminary oxidation tests showed that the composites exhibited good oxidation resistance at 1500°C because of the formation of a dense oxide scale.
Influence of representative volume element size on predicted elastic properties of polymer materials

Molecular dynamics simulations and micromechanical modeling are used to predict the bulk-level Young's modulus of polycarbonate and polyimide polymer systems as a function of representative volume element (RVE) size and force field type. The bulk-level moduli are determined using the predicted moduli of individual finite-sized RVEs (microstates) using a simple averaging scheme and an energy-biased micromechanics approach. The predictions are compared with the experimental results. The results indicate that larger RVE sizes result in predicted bulk-level properties that are closer to the experiment than the smaller RVE sizes. Also, the energy-biased micromechanics approach predicts values of bulk-level moduli that are in better agreement with experiment than those predicted with simple microstate averages. Finally, the results indicate that negatively valued microstate Young's moduli are expected due to nanometer-scale material instabilities, as observed previously in the literature.
A novel method for arithmetic operations using complex binary number system and the reconversion of the result to the decimal complex number system

Walter Penney defined a complex number system first by using a base of -4 and later by using (-1+j) [W. Penney, (1964), (1956)]. Other researchers have been working on the representation of complex binary numbers as one unit and perform arithmetic operations [(T.Jamil et al., (2000)]. We discuss a complex binary number system (CBNS) for high-speed arithmetic operations. An algorithm that performs the conversion of the decimal complex numbers to the binary complex number system that treats the complex number as one unit is represented [(T.Jamil (Dec2001)/Jan2002)]. A lookup table is generated to store their equivalent values in the CBNS form. We also present a new method to perform arithmetic operations (+, - , *, /) on operands in the CBNS form. A new algorithm is developed to add two complex numbers (CBNS form) using a modified carry look ahead principle. A block diagram for the adder that uses a new algorithm is presented. The results of the arithmetic operations in the CBNS form are reconverted back to the binary complex number using a new lookup table. This lookup table presents a new method for the reconversion of the CBNS numbers to the complex numbers.
A system design and build course on wearable computers

With the advent of rapid design methodologies and rapid fabrication technologies, it is possible to construct fully customized systems in a matter of months. Carnegie Mellon's innovative course on Rapid Prototyping of Wearable Computers has developed a new class of computing systems with a small footprint that can be carried or worn by a human and be able to interact with computer-augmented environments. This paper describes and compares several generations of CMU wearable computers for speech recognition. A metric for comparison of wearable computers has been introduced, indicating almost five orders of magnitude improvements in performances of our wearable computer running speech recognition applications.
Subterranean ant nests: trace fossils past and future?

Many species of ants excavate complex, species-typical nests in soil. The basic structural units of many nests are descending tunnels connecting flattened, generally horizontal chambers of oval to lobed outline. The species-typical structure of many nests results from variation in the size, shape, number and arrangement of these basic elements. Nest architecture can be rendered by filling subterranean nests with a thin slurry of orthodontal plaster, then excavating and reconstructing the hardened cast. Photographs of such nest casts of nine species of ants from northern Florida show the range and type of variation of architecture. Preservation conditions under which ant nests could form complex trace fossils are discussed, and reports of such traces reviewed. The images presented in this paper will help to alert trace fossil specialists to the potential range of appearance of such nest fossils. - 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Distal radius geometry and skeletal strength indices after peripubertal artistic gymnastics.

Development of optimal skeletal strength should decrease adult bone fragility. Nongymnasts (non) were compared with girls exposed to gymnastics during growth (ex/gym), using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) to evaluate postmenarcheal bone geometry, density, and strength. Pre- and perimenarcheal gymnastic loading yields advantages in indices of postmenarcheal bone geometry and skeletal strength. Two prior studies using pQCT have reported bone density and size advantages in Tanner I/II gymnasts, but none describe gymnasts' bone properties later in adolescence. The current study used pQCT to evaluate whether girls exposed to gymnastics during late childhood growth and perimenarcheal growth exhibited greater indices of distal radius geometry, density, and skeletal strength. Postmenarcheal subjects underwent 4% and 33% distal radius pQCT scans, yielding: 1) vBMD and cross-sectional areas (CSA) (total bone, compartments); 2) polar strength-strain index; 3) index of structural strength in axial compression. Output was compared for ex/gym vs. non, adjusting for gynecological age and stature (maturity and body size), reporting means, standard errors, and significance. Sixteen postmenarcheal ex/gym (age 16.7 years; gynecological age 3.4 years) and 13 non (age 16.2 years; gynecological age 3.6 years) were evaluated. At both diaphysis and metaphysis, ex/gym exhibited greater CSA and bone strength indices than non; ex/gym exhibited 79% larger intramedullary CSA than non (p < 0.05). Ex/gym had significantly higher 4% trabecular vBMD; differences were not detected for 4% total vBMD and 33% cortical vBMD. Following pre-/perimenarcheal gymnastic exposure, relative to nongymnasts, postmenarcheal ex/gym demonstrated greater indices of distal radius geometry and skeletal strength (metaphysis and diaphysis) with greater metaphyseal trabecular vBMD; larger intramedullary cavity size was particularly striking.
An Application-Driven Architecture for Residential Energy Management with Wireless Sensor Networks

This paper presents an application-driven multi-agent architecture to address the evolving use of wireless sensor networks as an enabling technology for autonomous residential energy management. Paradigm shifts in the electrical utility industry are changing the requirements for isolated residential devices. Dynamic electricity pricing rather than static flat rates requires increased automation and awareness to manage occupant comfort and price preferences. Automated load reduction programs, called Demand Response, require asynchronous control of electrical devices in response to signals from a utility provider. The architecture addresses key issues for a scalable, extensible system. A tiered design provides multiple levels of processing and communication performance and allows measurement, data synthesis, and control functionality to exist at various logical and physical locations. A Java environment embodies this architecture with multi-agent concepts to connect wireless sensor nodes, other environments, and the Internet. An implementation and deployment results show feasibility.
Interactions of Transforming Growth Factor-β and Angiotensin II in Renal Fibrosis

Overproduction of transforming growth factor-beta clearly underlies tissue fibrosis in numerous experimental and human diseases. Transforming growth factor-beta's powerful fibrogenic action results from simultaneous stimulation of matrix protein synthesis, inhibition of matrix degradation, and enhanced integrin expression that facilitates matrix assembly. In animals, overexpression of transforming growth factor-beta by intravenous injection, transient gene transfer, or transgene insertion has shown that the kidney is highly susceptible to rapid fibrosis. The same seems true in human disease, where excessive transforming growth factor-beta has been demonstrated in glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, and hypertensive glomerular injury. A possible explanation for the kidney's particular susceptibility to fibrosis may be the recent discovery of biologically complex interactions between the renin-angiotensin system and transforming growth factor-beta. Alterations in glomerular hemodynamics can activate both the renin-angiotensin system and transforming growth factor-beta. Components of the renin-angiotensin system act to further stimulate production of transforming growth factor-beta and plasminogen activator inhibitor leading to rapid matrix accumulation. In volume depletion, transforming growth factor-beta is released from juxtaglomerular cells and may act synergistically with angiotensin II to accentuate vasoconstriction and acute renal failure. Interaction of the renin-angiotensin system and transforming growth factor-beta has important clinical implications. The protective effect of inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system in experimental and human kidney diseases correlates closely with the suppression of transforming growth factor-beta production. This suggests that transforming growth factor-beta, in addition to blood pressure, should be a therapeutic target. Higher doses or different combinations of drugs that block the renin-angiotensin system or entirely new drug strategies may be needed to achieve a greater antifibrotic effect.
Renal cell carcinoma: angiography in the CT era

Accurate preoperative staging of renal cell carcinoma determines which patients may benefit from surgery and influences the surgical approach to potentially curable lesions. Recently, computed tomography has been shown to be as accurate as angiography for staging renal tumors, suggesting that angiography may be limited to those cases where clarification of equivocal computed tomographic findings or additional staging information would alter the therapy. To test this hypothesis, the radiographic evaluation of 42 patients with renal cell carcinoma was reviewed. Of the 42 patients, 24 (57%) were examined by computed tomography alone, while 18 (43%) had angiographic and computed tomographic examinations (nine venograms and 11 arteriograms). Seven of the nine venograms obtained for diagnosis or staging added additional information or clarified an equivocal computed tomographic finding, but none of the 11 arteriograms added significant diagnostic information. Venograms were particularly useful in patients with ...
Decreased severity of ovarian cancer and increased survival in hens fed a flaxseed-enriched diet for 1 year

Abstract Objective With the exception of the laying hen, no other animal model of spontaneous ovarian surface epithelial cancer replicates the human disease. Flaxseed is the richest vegetable source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are chemopreventive in breast cancer and may be important in other cancers. The objective of this study was to determine if a flaxseed-enriched diet had a chemopreventive effect on ovarian cancer in the laying hen. Methods White Leghorn hens were fed with 10% flaxseed-enriched or standard diet for 1 year. The incidence and severity of ovarian cancer were determined by gross pathology and histology in the two groups. General health markers were also measured. Eggs were collected and analyzed by gas chromatography to determine omega-3 fatty acid levels. Results A significant reduction in late stage ovarian tumors was detected in the flaxseed-fed hens. Incidence rates of ovarian cancer were not significantly different between the two groups. The results indicate that a flaxseed diet increases overall survival in the laying hen. Flaxseed-fed hens' eggs incorporated significantly more omega-3 fatty acids compared to control hens. Conclusions These findings show that 10% flaxseed supplementation for 1 year in the laying hen results in a significant reduction in the severity of ovarian cancer, but no change in the incidence of the disease. Hens fed flaxseed had overall better health and reduced mortality. These findings may provide the basis for a clinical trial that evaluates the efficacy of flaxseed as a chemosuppressant of ovarian cancer in women.
Analytical Solutions for Crack Tip Plastic Zone Shape Using the Von Mises and Tresca Yield Criteria: Effects of Crack Mode and Stress Condition

Analytical closed-form solutions for the crack tip plastic zone shape have been derived for a semi-infinite crack in an isotropic elastic-perfectly plastic solid under both plane stress and plane strain conditions. Two yield criteria have been applied: the Von Mises and Tresca yield criteria. The solutions have been developed for crack modes I and III (mode II has been published previously). The results, which favorably compare to a limited number of existing experimental and analytical findings, indicate that the Tresca zone is larger in size than the Von Mises zone. Moreover, an interesting observation is that both zones are generally much larger than the ones predicted by classical Irwin and Dugdale-Barenblatt solutions.
24 MILLION AND COUNTING: REFLECTIONS ON 40 YEARS OF HEAD START RESEARCH IN SUPPORT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES 1

1965. 41 years ago. I suspect many of you were not ready to submit Head Start research grant proposals when the program began! In fact, it’s hard to remember what the world was like 41 years ago, even if you were alive then. I was still a year away from completing my Ph.D. and was narrowly focused on testing Hull-Spence learning theory in an experiment with young children in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Most of you probably know only second hand about events of the mid-1960s: the “British Invasion” of 1964-1966 that found the Dave Clark 5, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones on our shores and airwaves. Bob Dylan penned “Like a Rolling Stone” at the beginning of the summer that Head Start began serving 561,000 children in 2,400 communities, and Sergeant Shriver, the first director of the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO), believed he had found his “direction home.”
Is DNA Really a Double Helix

Abstract Do the two chains of the DNA molecule coil round one another plectonemically ? If so, what is the approximate value of Lk (the linking number) for any closed, circular DNA molecule? Experiments using gel electrophoresis have shown that supercoiled DNA molecules usually migrate in a series of discrete bands. The only tenable explanation for this quantized behavior is that the molecules in one band all have the same value of Lk and that this value differs by unity from that of the adjacent bands. Various experiments in which circular DNA is unwound by known amounts show that (given this assumption) Lk for relaxed DNA is very roughly equal to N 10 (where N is the number of base-pairs), as expected from the classical double helix. The original model for the double helix was right-handed. The experimental evidence for this feature is suggestive but not yet completely compelling.
Accurate calculation of control-augmented structural eigenvalue sensitivities using reduced-order models

A method is presented for generating mode shapes for model order reduction in a way that leads to accurate calculation of eigenvalue derivatives and eigenvalues for a class of control augmented structures. The method is based on treating degrees of freedom where control forces act or masses are changed in a manner analogous to that used for boundary degrees of freedom in component mode synthesis. It is especially suited for structures controlled by a small number of actuators and/or tuned by a small number of concentrated masses whose positions are predetermined. A control augmented multispan beam with closely spaced natural frequencies is used for numerical experimentation. A comparison with reduced-order eigenvalue sensitivity calculations based on the normal modes of the structure shows that the method presented produces significant improvements in accuracy.
Dynamic direction-of-arrival estimation via spatial compressive sensing

This work addresses a problem of dynamic spatial spectrum estimation using linear sensor array via spatial compressive sensing (SCS). Static SCS approach is generalized for scenarios with dynamic far-field sources via Kalman filter, which provides the noncoherent minimum mean squared integration of instantaneous spatial spectrum estimations. The proposed dynamic SCS approach (DSCS) is shown to be efficient in low-SNR scenarios when the spatial spectrum is nonsparse, and therefore, the static SCS-based method cannot be used. Performance of the DSCS was evaluated in bearing-only target tracking scenarios where maneuvering target was considered.
Fast rotational matching of single-particle images

The presence of noise and absence of contrast in electron micrographs lead to a reduced resolution of the final 3D reconstruction, due to the inherent limitations of single-particle image alignment. The fast rotational matching (FRM) algorithm was introduced recently for an accurate alignment of 2D images under such challenging conditions. Here, we implemented this algorithm for the first time in a standard 3D reconstruction package used in electron microscopy. This allowed us to carry out exhaustive tests of the robustness and reliability in iterative orientation determination, classification, and 3D reconstruction on simulated and experimental image data. A classification test on GroEL chaperonin images demonstrates that FRM assigns up to 13% more images to their correct reference orientation, compared to the classical self-correlation function method. Moreover, at sub-nanometer resolution, GroEL and rice dwarf virus reconstructions exhibit a remarkable resolution gain of 10–20% that is attributed to the novel image alignment kernel.
Intrinsic and Extrinsic Religiousness: Genetic and Environmental Influences and Personality Correlates

This report presents findings for the Intrinsic (IR) and Extrinsic (ER) religiousness scales from the Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart. The scales were shown to be internally consistent, sufficiently distinct from the scales of the California Psychological Inventory and the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire and unrelated to a number of measures of response style to justify treating them as distinct traits. The I scales also showed considerable evidence of construct validity in its correlations with religious fundamentalism and authoritarianism as assessed by the MMPI and Altemeyer's Right-Wing Authoritarianism scale. Data on IR and ER from 35 pairs of monozygotic twins reared apart (MZA) and 37 pairs of dizygotic twins reared apart (DZA) were fitted to a biometric model and demonstrated significant heritability (0.43 and 0.39), with a model containing genetic plus environmental factors fitting significantly better than a model containing only an environmental component. Twin similarity could not be explained by placement on a self-reported measure of family Moral Religious Emphasis as measured by the Family Environment Scale.
Breadth-first rollback in spatially explicit simulations

The efficiency of parallel discrete event simulations that use the optimistic protocol is strongly dependent on the overhead incurred by rollbacks. The paper introduces a novel approach to rollback processing which limits the number of events rolled back as a result of a straggler or antimessage. The method, called breadth-first rollback (BFR), is suitable for spatially explicit problems where the space is discretized and distributed among processes and simulation objects move freely in the space. BFR uses incremental state saving, allowing the recovery of causal relationships between events during rollback. These relationships are then used to determine which events need to be rolled back. The results demonstrate an almost linear speedup-a dramatic improvement over the traditional approach to rollback processing.
Single-mode optical fiber coupling of high-power tapered gain region devices

A simple method for collimating the optical output of a tapered gain region amplifier or laser and coupling to a single-mode optical fiber is described, along with a technique for quantitatively assessing the expected coupling efficiency. By using a tapered laser, 840 mW at 980 mm was coupled into single-mode fiber with 44% efficiency measured from fiber input to available internal fiber power, in excellent agreement with the 48% predicted. When transmission losses of the collimating optics are included, the power coupling efficiency referred to the laser facet power is 32%. >
The Quantification of Judgment: Some Methodological Suggestions

Abstract The personalistic theory of probability prescribes that a person should use personal probability assessments in decision-making and that these assessments should correspond with his judgments. Since the judgments exist solely in the assessor's mind, there is no way to prove whether or not this requirement is satisfied. De Finetti has proposed the development of methods which should oblige the assessor to make his assessments correspond with his judgments. An ideal Assessor is hypothesized and his behavior is investigated under a number of such methods (including those suggested by de Finetti and others). The implications of these methods for the theory of personal probability are discussed. Finally, although the present interest is primarily normative, the practicability of the methods is also discussed.
Estimation of the statistical variation of crosstalk in wiring harnesses

Analyzing interference problems in vehicle wiring harnesses requires fast and accurate methods of approximating crosstalk. Worst-case approximations using lumped element models are fast and easy to use, but run the risk of overestimating problems. Statistical methods that account for the random variation of wire position help prevent overdesign, but are often difficult and time-consuming to apply and lack a clear link between problems and their cause. Here we investigate the use of simple lumped-element models to predict the statistical variation of crosstalk in wire harness bundles. Models are based on lumped-element approximations, where inductance and capacitance values are calculated for a single bundle cross-section, and only the circuit position is varied. Accuracy was evaluated by comparing results to numerical simulations. The method does a good job of quickly predicting the reasonable worst-case values of crosstalk due to inductive or capacitive coupling.
Roles of the Sortases of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Assembly of the RlrA Pilus

Pili have been observed on the surface of several gram-positive bacteria, including Streptococcus pneumoniae. The S. pneumoniae strain TIGR4 pilus is composed of three structural subunit proteins encoded in the rlrA pathogenicity islet, RrgA, RrgB, and RrgC. RrgB comprises the pilus backbone, RrgA is observed at intervals along surface pili, while RrgC is found in a loosely defined relationship with RrgA. We investigated the incorporation of each subunit into pili and the reliance of such placement on each of the other subunits. Both accessory subunits RrgA and RrgC are present in similar quantities in pili of all sizes. However, neither protein is required for the polymerization of RrgB, suggesting a nonessential role for RrgA and RrgC in the initiation of pilus assembly. Additionally, the rlrA islet encodes three sortases, SrtC-1, SrtC-2, and SrtC-3 (formerly SrtB, SrtC, and SrtD), which are divergent in sequence from the housekeeping sortase, SrtA. We determined the contributions of these four sortases to pilus assembly and found that SrtA is dispensable for pilus assembly and localization to the cell wall. Instead, SrtC-1, SrtC-2, and SrtC-3 are responsible for pilus assembly and exhibit functional redundancy with respect to backbone assembly and cell wall localization. A level of specificity and coordination among the class C sortases was revealed by the finding that SrtC-1 and SrtC-3 are required for the incorporation of the accessory subunits and by showing a deleterious effect on pilus assembly upon alteration of the cell wall sorting signals of the accessory subunit proteins.
Authenticity in Heidegger: A response to Dreyfus

In his book, Being‐in‐the‐World: A Commentary on Heidegger's Being and Time, Division I, Hubert Dreyfus argues that Heidegger's concept of authenticity is incomprehensible. He maintains that there are two conflicting accounts of inauthenticity in Being and Time. He elucidates what he calls the ‘structural account’ of inauthenticity and being‐in‐the‐world in the main body of his work, and then criticizes what he calls the ‘motivational account’ in an Appendix. Because he overlooks certain textual evidence and underemphasizes fleeing and the role of choice, his interpretation is neither complete nor compelling. I offer an alternative interpretation of authenticity. While Heidegger's notion of authenticity may still be weakened by other flaws, it is not incomprehensible in the sense that Dreyfus contends.
Simplicial calculus with Geometric Algebra

We construct geometric calculus on an oriented k-surface embedded in Euclidean space by utilizing the notion of an oriented k-surface as the limit set of a sequence of k-chains. This method provides insight into the relationship between the vector derivative, and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus and Residue Theorem. It should be of practical value in numerical finite difference calculations with integral and differential equations in Clifford algebra.
Effects of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) on mobility of three native mollusk species

ABSTRACT As invaders to North America, zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) have contributed to the decline of benthic species, the mechanisms of which are poorly understood. In this study, we examined effects of D. polymorpha biofouling on locomotion of one pleurocerid snail (Elimia livescens) and two unionid bivalves (Ligumia nasuta and Anodonta grandis) using observational studies and removal experiments. In field and laboratory experiments, E. livescens without zebra mussels traveled 1.5–1.6 times farther than snails with zebra mussels. In field experiments, unionids without zebra mussels traveled farther and were more likely to move than unionids colonized by zebra mussels. Decreases in travel distance in the snail, but not unionids, were significantly correlated with zebra mussel loading relative to host animal mass. Limited mobility caused by zebra mussels may have consequences for gastropods and unionids by disrupting reproductive habits, predator evasion and avoidance of unbearable environmental ...
Sexuality and aging: a focus on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) needs in palliative and end of life care.

Purpose of reviewSex and sexuality are core components of the human experience. Many older adults and people with terminal illness still consider sexuality important in their lives. The palliative care experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons are unique in a number of im
State observation of nonlinear control systems via the method of Lyapunov

In this chapter we concentrate our attention on the problem of state observation of nonlinear dynamical systems whose nonlinearities/uncertainties are bounded. The main tool used in the design of observers for such systems is the Lyapunov method.
One-Component Heat Curable Urethane Liquid Elastomers

Abstract Quite clearly this study does not fully achieve the objectives stated earlier. The data show that fairly good quality storage stable one-component elastomers may be produced from acrylic modified urethane oligomers thermally cured with polyfunctional mercaptans and peroxide. Unfortunately, some of the advantages of a liquid system are lost because a reinforcing filler must be added in order to achieve acceptable physical properties. At the levels studied in this design, the filler and % hard segment play only a minor role in influencing the physical properties of the system. Those oligomers with low average functionality and low unsaturation appear to give the best physical properties, and further improvements may be achieved by looking at higher molecular weight polyols which, for a given functionality, will produce oligomers with lower unsaturation. Clearly, our screening study was not extensive enough to fully elucidate the utility of this concept. In order to determine what order of propertie...
A First Record for Sorex dispar in New Jersey

While trapping for Neotoma on a talus slope along the east face of the Kitatinny Mountains in Stillwater Township, Sussex County, N. J., I set a series of traps in a small, very cool gully (elevation 1050 ft) formed between the overgrown base of the talus and a rise of about 15 feet, from which the land slopes downward away from the ridge into pasture land. The gully itself, unlike the oak wooded land toward the pasture, is …
Preparation ofc-plane oriented Pb5Ge3O11 film by the sol-gel method

C-plane oriented Pb 5 Ge 3 O 11 films on platinum plate were successfully prepared by the sol-gel method. The degree of c-plane orientation is useful for pyroelectric devices.
Western Bean Cutworm, Loxagrotis albicosta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Female Sex Pheromone Identification

A heptane extract prepared from the ovipositors of four adult western bean cutworm females was found to contain a mixture of (Z)-5-dodecenyl acetate, (Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate, 11-dodencenyl acetate, and dodecyl acetate in a 5: 1 :5:5 proportion, respectively. Field studies using insect traps baited with various combinations of the four compounds showed that a mixture of the three olefinic acetates is the minimum set of compounds required for maximal trap capture of adult western bean cutworm males and that a rubber septum impregnated with 19.8 μg of a mixture of the three ole fins was more effective in causing male capture than one virgin western bean cutworm female. Results indicate that the olefinic compounds identified from the ovipositor extract represent the female sex pheromone complement of the species.
Some consequences of perinatal lesions of the visual cortex in the cat

Kittens with lesions of the visual cortex and their normal littermates were tested on visual placing responses and two measures of activity. These Ss were also compared on a pattern discrimination with normal cats and cats with visual ablations. Ss that had sustained the operation as infants learned the pattern habit as well as normal adult cats, but removal of visual neocortex severely retarded the performance of adult SS.
Creating learner-centered classrooms: use of an audience response system in pediatric dentistry education.

Research suggests that the exclusive use of lecture in the classroom hinders student learning. The advent of compact electronic wireless audience response systems has allowed for increased student participation in the classroom. Such technology is utilized in medical education. This article describes the use of an audience response system in a “quiz bowl” format to facilitate and improve the comprehension of student dentists in core concepts in pulp therapy for the pediatric patient.
On the Relative Unimportance of Human Interests

Ordinary thought includes the evaluation that humans are more worthy than nonhuman animals. Perhaps at the very margins of humanity and animality exceptions loom, and so we can allow that our commonsense judgments have room for permitting that in very extreme cases — say in the case of the human being Hitler and the animal being a good-natured, clever chimpanzee — the usual hierarchy between human and animal significance gets reversed. For the time being, let us bracket these possible outliers, and concentrate on what is undoubtedly accepted as folk wisdom: humans morally matter more than animals.
Age, Sex, and Race Selection at Death from Leukemia and the Lymphomas

Attention has been called to the distinction between "age incidence", which is a measure of risk, and "age distribution" which is not such a measure except under certain unusual circumstances which probably do not exist for any hospital experience in the United States. Examples to illustrate this distinction were drawn from death data for deaths attributed to leukemia and the lymphomas in the United States in 1949. The sex and race selection have been recorded for the types of leukemia and lymphoma separable in the sixth revision of The International List of Causes of Death. The age selection at death attributed to the numerically important of these causes has also been presented. To determine the age, sex, and race selection (incidence) of these diseases, with full confidence in adequacy of their classification, will require a cooperative study designed to apply uniform diagnostic technics to all cases occurring in some definable population such as a large city or a state. Data derived from individual hospitals or from literature summations are generally inadequate for this purpose.
Financial Wellbeing of Asian Americans

The Asian American population in the USA has been increasing. Research on the economic wellbeing of this minority group is far from being adequate. It is generally found that Asian Americans are more highly educated and have more wealth. Although the homeownership rate of this population is lower than the national average rate, the gap is gradually narrowing. Asian Americans are found to have more confidence in their financial future and have better management in their financial lives. In addition, Asian-owned businesses have been an important part of the US economy and, as such, the self-employment status of Asian Americans has stimulated great interest for research. Large differences in financial behaviors exist among different groups in Asian Americans. This chapter serves the purpose to summarize past research on Asian American consumer finances and provide directions for future research.