cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Test Design, Results, and Archived Database for the OECD Lower Head Failure Program Integral Experiments

In the event of a severe core meltdown accident, core material can relocate to the lower head of a pressurized water reactor (PWR) vessel resulting in significant thermal and pressure loads to the vessel. The potential for failure of the pressure vessel makes possible the release of core material to the containment. The objective of this experimental/analytical program is to characterize the mode, timing, and size of lower head failure (LHF) under severe accident conditions. The OECD Lower Head Failure (OLHF) project investigates lower head failure for conditions of low reactor coolant system (RCS) pressure (2–5 MPa) and prototypic through-wall temperature differential (ΔTW >200K). Low RCS pressure is motivated by the desire to use the data to develop models for assessing accident management strategies involving reactor pressure vessel (RPV) depressurization. Pressure transient is useful in assessing the effect of water injection as part of accident management strategy. Prototypic through-wall temperature differential, ΔTW , is of importance because of the need to provide data where stress redistribution in the vessel wall occurs (as a result of decreasing material strength with temperature). Test design and results for the four OLHF integral tests are reported and summarized in this paper. A short description of the test conduct and heating history is followed by a description of the vessel failure site, the vessel deformation, temperature profiles, stress state, and rupture dynamics for each test. Key observations and conclusions are summarized for each test. The ∼1/5 scale tests are extensively instrumented to provide temperature, pressure, and displacement data. The vessel surfaces are mapped both before and after the test to provide measurements of pre-test thickness, post-test thickness, and cumulative vessel deformation. Data has been assessed and qualified in data reports for each test. The data has been preserved in MSEXCEL™ spreadsheets with macro utilities to facilitate access and analysis of the data. As a result, there exists a well-archived, well-qualified database for model development and validation.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Adherence of ion beam sputter deposited metal films on H‐13 steel

An electron bombardment argon ion source was used to sputter deposit 17 different metal and metal oxide films ranging in thickness from 1 to 8 micrometers on H-13 steel substrates. The film adherence to the substrate surface was measured using a tensile test apparatus. Comparisons in bond strength were made between ion beam, ion plating, and RF deposited films. A protective coating to prevent heat checking in H-13 steel dies used for aluminum die casting was studied. The results of exposing the coated substrates to temperatures up to 700 degrees are presented.
99mTc renal tubular function agents: current status.

Orthoiodohippuric (OIH) acid labeled with 131 I is a widely used renal radiopharmaceutical agent and has been the standard radiopharmaceutical agent for the measurement of effective renal plasma flow (EPRF). Limitations to the routine clinical use of 131 I OIH are related to the suboptimal imaging properties of the 131 I radionuclide and its relatively high radiation dose. 123 I has been substituted for 131 I; however, its high cost and short shelf-life have limited its widespread use. Recent work has centered on the development of a new 99m Tc renal tubular function agent, which would use the optimal radionuclidic properties and availability of 99m Tc and combine the clinical information provided by OIH. The search for a suitable 99m Tc renal tubular function agent has focused on the diamide dithiolate (N 2 S 2 ), the paraaminohippuric iminodiacetic acid (PAHIDA), and the triamide mercaptide (N 3 S) donor ligand systems. To date, the most promising 99m Tc tubular function agent is the N 3 S complex: 99m Tc mercaptoacetyltriglycine ( 99m Tc MAG 3 ). Studies in animal models in diuresis, dehydration, acid or base imbalance, ischemia, and renal artery stenosis demonstrate that 99m Tc MAG 3 behaves similarly to 131 I OIH. A simple kit formulation is available that yields the 99m Tc MAG 3 complex in high radiochemical purity. Studies in normal subjects and patients indicate that 99m Tc MAG 3 is an excellent 99m Tc renal tubular agent, but its plasma clearance is only 50% to 60% that of OIH. In an effort to develop an improved 99m Tc renal tubular function agent, changes have been made in the core N 3 S donor ligand system, but to date no agent has been synthesized that is clinically superior to 99m Tc MAG 3 .
A comparison of position-specific score matrices based on sequence and structure alignments.

Sequence comparison methods based on position-specific score matrices (PSSMs) have proven a useful tool for recognition of the divergent members of a protein family and for annotation of functional sites. Here we investigate one of the factors that affects overall performance of PSSMs in a PSI-BLAST search, the algorithm used to construct the seed alignment upon which the PSSM is based. We compare PSSMs based on alignments constructed by global sequence similarity (ClustalW and ClustalW-pairwise), local sequence similarity (BLAST), and local structure similarity (VAST). To assess performance with respect to identification of conserved functional or structural sites, we examine the accuracy of the three-dimensional molecular models predicted by PSSM-sequence alignments. Using the known structures of those sequences as the standard of truth, we find that model accuracy varies with the algorithm used for seed alignment construction in the pattern local-structure (VAST) > local-sequence (BLAST) > global-sequence (ClustalW). Using structural similarity of query and database proteins as the standard of truth, we find that PSSM recognition sensitivity depends primarily on the diversity of the sequences included in the alignment, with an optimum around 30–50% average pairwise identity. We discuss these observations, and suggest a strategy for constructing seed alignments that optimize PSSM-sequence alignment accuracy and recognition sensitivity.
Vascular lakes after doxorubicin drug eluting beads chemoembolization

Purpose To evaluate the significance of focal contrast extravasation (vascular lakes) in the tumor bed after 100 to 300 μm doxorubicin drug eluting beads (DEB) transarterial chemoembolization. Materials and Methods 72 consecutive patients (47 males, mean age 62 years, range 37 to 52) with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) underwent 90 DEB transarterial chemoembolizations. 69 DEB transarterial chemoembolizations were segmental and 21 were lobar. 13 patients had multifocal, 10 had diffuse/ infiltrative and 49 had focal tumors. The diameter of the treated lesions ranged from 20 to 84 mm (mean 36.1). 58 patients had one chemoembolization, and 14 had two or more chemoembolizations. Final hepatic arteriogram showed forward flow in 86 sessions and stasis in 4. Patients who were found to have vascular lakes after chemoembolization were identified and analyzed. Results In 13% (12/ 90) of DEB transarterial chemoembolizations, vascular lakes were noted on post chemoembolization angiograms. In this group, 3 chemoembolizations were lobar and 9 were segmental to treat diffuse/infiltrative tumors in 2, multifocal in 2 and focal in 8 patients. The mean diameter of the treated tumor in this group was 49 mm, range 25 to 70 mm (p0.0048). In 1 patient the vessel feeding the vascular lake was coil embolized. 10 patients were discharged the next day after chemoembolization. 1 patient was discharged the same day. 1 patient was discharged two days after the procedure. 7 of 12 patients did not have further treatment and 5 patients had follow up treatments with chemoembolization. On follow up chemoembolization, 5 of 5 patients had no vascular lakes on hepatic angiogram. On follow up post treatment MRI, all 12 patients with history of vascular lakes had treatment response with decrease in size and enhancement of the tumor. Conclusion Tumor vascular lakes are a relatively common finding seen on hepatic angiograms after DEB transarterial chemoembolization. These vascular lakes appear to be a transient finding without significant side effects and associated to tumor response.
The use of behavioural couple therapy and couple-based interventions in the treatment of substance use disorders

AbstractThe association between relationship distress and substance use is often described as one of “reciprocal causality”, wherein substance use by one partner appears to contribute to conflict in the relationship, and at the same time, conflict in the relationship is a major contributor to substance use and relapse for the abusing partner. Despite strong research support for the efficacy of using Behavioural Couple Therapy (BCT) for substance use, couple interventions and BCT have limited use in the treatment of substance use disorders. This article outlines the empirical support and clinical rationale for the use of couple interventions like BCT to treat substance use problems.
Relativistic effects in the K -shell ionization of Au and Hg by electron impact

The $K$-shell ionization cross section for Hg by electron impact has been calculated in the nonrelativistic and relativistic plane-wave Born approximations. The latter is calculated both with a Coulomb and a M\o{}ller interaction. The investigation indicates that it is important to incorporate both relativistic dynamics and the M\o{}ller interaction in the treatment at incident energies greater than a few times the ionization energy. In addition, a calculation for Au has been performed to illustrate the difference in the calculation of the cross sections for Au and Hg targets. These calculations have been compared with experimental data for Au.
Pliocene volcano-tectonics and paleogeography of the Turkana Basin, Kenya and Ethiopia

Abstract The distribution of hominin fossil sites in the Turkana Basin, Kenya is intimately linked to the history of the Omo River, which affected the paleogeography and ecology of the basin since the dawn of the Pliocene. We report new geological data concerning the outlet channel of the Omo River between earliest Pliocene and final closure of the Turkana Basin drainage system in the latest Pliocene to earliest Quaternary. Throughout most of the Pliocene the Omo River entered the Turkana Basin from its source in the highlands of Ethiopia and exited the eastern margin of the basin to discharge into the Lamu embayment along the coast of the Indian Ocean. During the earliest Pliocene the river’s outlet was located in the northern part of the basin, where a remnant outlet channel is preserved in basalts that pre-date eruption of the Gombe flood basalt between 4.05 and 3.95 Ma. The outlet channel was faulted down to the west prior to 4.05 Ma, forming a natural dam behind which Lake Lonyumun developed. Lake Lonyumun was drained between 3.95 and 3.9 Ma when a new outlet channel formed north of Loiyangalani in the southeastern margin of the Turkana Basin. That outlet was blocked by Lenderit Basalt lava flows between 2.2 and 2.0 Ma. Faulting that initiated either during or shortly after eruption of the Lenderit Basalt closed the depression that is occupied by modern Lake Turkana to sediment and water. Several large shield volcanoes formed east of the Turkana Basin beginning by 2.5–3.0 Ma, volcanism overlapping in time, but probably migrating eastward from Mount Kulal on the eastern edge of the basin to Mount Marsabit located at the eastern edge of the Chalbi Desert. The mass of the volcanic rocks loaded and depressed the lithosphere, enhancing subsidence in a shallow southeast trending depression that overlay the Cretaceous and Paleogene (?) Anza Rift. Subsidence in this flexural depression guided the course of the Omo River towards the Indian Ocean, and also localized accumulations of lava along the margins of the shield volcanoes. Lava flows at Mount Marsabit extended across the Omo River Valley after 1.8–2.0 Ma based on estimated ages of fossils in lacustrine and terrestrial deposits, and possibly by as early as 2.5 ± 0.3 Ma based on dating of a lava flow. During the enhanced precipitation in latest Pleistocene and earliest Holocene (11–9.5 ka) this flexural depression became the site of Lake Chalbi, which was separated from Lake Turkana by a tectonically controlled drainage divide.
Improving teachers' attitudes through teacher education toward the inclusion of students with disabilities into their classrooms

In recent years research reform and arguments (pro and con) in special education have focused on including all students with disabilities in general educational settings. This movement toward the “...
A zinc transporter gene required for development of the nervous system

The essentiality of zinc for normal brain development is well established. It has been suggested that primary and secondary zinc deficiencies can contribute to the occurrence of numerous human birth defects, including many involving the central nervous system. In a recent study, we searched for zinc transporter genes that were critical for neurodevelopment. We confirmed that ZIP12 is a zinc transporter encoded by the gene slc39a12 that is highly expressed in the central nervous systems of human, mouse, and frog (Xenopus tropicalis).Using loss-of-function methods, we determined that ZIP12 is required for neuronal differentiation and neurite outgrowth and necessary for neurulation and embryonic viability. These results highlight an essential need for zinc regulation during embryogenesis and nervous system development. We suggest that slc39a12 is a candidate gene for inherited neurodevelopmental defects in humans.
Sedimentary development of the Louisiana continental shelf related to sea level cycles: Part I-sedimentary sequences

Cyclic sequences occur worldwide in nearly every stratigraphic sequence; they are particularly well developed in marine deposits associated with large river systems. Superimposed on those cycles attributed to shifting sites of deposition are those related to high-frequency sea level changes. The large data base for this study (including 471 deep foundation borings, thousands of line kilometers of high-resolution seismic, and sedimentological and dating analyses) represents the most complete information on high-resolution chronostratigraphy and lithostratigraphy that is available on any modern continental shelf/upper slope. These data are used to document sedimentological characteristics and spatial depositional patterns during three complete sea level cycles over the entire continental shelf/upper slope of offshore Louisiana.
Evaluation of intra-renal oxygenation by BOLD MRI

This is a review of blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) MRI as applied to the kidney. It has been shown that BOLD MRI measurements reflect changes in renal oxygenation, especially in the medulla. Renal medulla functions in a hypoxic milieu and is extremely sensitive to further decrease in blood flow or increase in oxygen consumption. Availability of a non-invasive technique such as BOLD MRI should allow for better understanding of the factors involved in the maintenance of renal oxygenation status, not only in animal models, but also in humans.
Phospholipid composition and heat sensitivity in a thermophilic bacterium.

Abstract A Gram-negative thermophilic bacterium designated strain LEH-l, survived under non-growth conditions, temperatures 5°C above its maximum for growth when acetate or n -heptadecane served as carbon source, whereas cells grown with glucose or glycerol were markedly more sensitive to elevated temperatures. The total extractable lipids from strain LEH-1 and the concentrations of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidic acid in the cytoplasmic membranes was altered by the growth substrate. Growth with acetate or n -heptadecane as carbon source yielded cells containing more phosphatidic acid than phosphatidylethanolamine. Conversely, more phosphatidylethanolamine was present in cells following growth with glucose or glycerol as carbon source. The relative amount of specific fatty acids and distribution in major phospholipid moieties was also affected by the growth substrate. These differences in composition may reflect an alteration in the physical properties of the cellular membrane and account for the divergence in heat sensitivity.
Comparison of Pleistocene and Holocene barrier island beach-to-offshore sequences, Georgia and northeast Florida coasts, U.S.A.

Abstract Well-exposed vertical sequences of Pleistocene shoreline deposits are rare on the coastal plain of the southeastern United States. An important exception is an exposure along the St. Mary's River on the Georgia-Florida state line. This outcrop contains an excellent depositional strike section of a prograding offshore, shoreface, foreshore and backshore sequence with well-preserved physical and biogenic sedimentary structures. Offshore sediments are composed of highly bioturbated, muddy fine sand. Distinct burrows and bedding become progressively more abundant upward through a transition zone into shoreface deposits. The shoreface is dominated by the trace fossil Ophiomorpha nodosa and physical sedimentary structures are poorly preserved. Foreshore sediments contain low-angle seaward dipping beds, high-angle landward dipping beds and ripple laminae. Heavy-mineral accumulations in the backshore accentuate bedding and biogenic structures such as ghost crab and insect burrows and bioturbation by amphipods. Direct correlation of most primary physical and biogenic sedimentary structures and textures can be made between the Pleistocene and Holocene beach-to-offshore facies assemblages. However, our studies of the Pleistocene indicate that the existing Holocene vertical sequence model for the Georgia coast needs to be modified to account for biogenically produced post-depositional effects.
A review of junction field effect transistors for high-temperature and high-power electronics

Abstract The status of GaAs, SiC and GaN junction field effect transistors (JFETs) is reviewed with a focus on their application to high temperature and high power operation. The advantage of the JFET structure for this operation regime is detailed. Future directions for junction gated transistors are outlined.
Instabilities in biaxially loaded rectangular membranes and spherical balloons made of compressible isotropic hyperelastic materials

We analyze homogeneous deformations of a rectangular rubberlike membrane loaded by equal normal tensile dead loads on the edges, and of a spherical rubber balloon inflated by a constant pressure. The rubber is modeled as an isotropic compressible hyperelastic material. Three material models, namely the harmonic, the generalized Blatz-Ko, and the St Venant-Kirchhoff models, are employed. It is found that Treloar's instability, i.e. the occurrence of unequal principal stretches in a square membrane under equal normal dead loads, is not admissible in the harmonic and the St Venant-Kirchhoff materials, but is admissible in some Blatz-Ko materials. For each one of the three materials, the pressure-radius relation for the inflation of a spherical balloon does not exhibit the non-monotonicity seen for a Mooney-Rivlin material.
Thermochronology of the Grenville Orogeny in west Texas

Abstract The Carrizo Mountain Group (CMG) comprises the westernmost exposures of the metamorphic core of the Grenville Orogen in Texas. Unlike the correlative Llano uplift, 500 km to the east, the CMG underwent one phase of medium P/T metamorphism; peak T was attained during D2 in all CMG exposures. The peak metamorphic paleotemperatures decrease to the northwest, in the overall direction of tectonic transport, from staurolite to biotite grade. Garnet in the southeast Carrizo Mountains grew isothermally and probably during decompression (i.e. part of a clockwise P–T loop) at ca. 520 °C, in between biotite-grade D1 and D3 events. Hornblende in this region cooled below closure T, during D2, at 1057±6 Ma, within error of muscovite closure in the northwest Carrizo Mountains at 1059±2 Ma. Hornblende in higher grade exposures to the southeast cooled through closure T as late as 1002±7 Ma. Muscovite in the garnet-grade and higher exposures closed to Ar diffusion at 992±4 Ma to 981±3 Ma. Biotite and (partially recrystallized) hornblende from the northwest Carrizo Mountains cooled through closure in this same time period. We interpret these data as signifying: (1) Ar loss due to peak metamorphism in hornblende (southeast Carrizo Mountains) and muscovite (northwest Carrizo Mountains) at ca. 1059 Ma; 2) post-Tmax cooling through 500 °C in the higher grade outcrops until ca. 1000 Ma; and (3) cooling of all CMG exposures through 300 °C, due to uplift along the Streeruwitz thrust and erosion, from 1000 to 980 Ma. These ages significantly post-date known tectonism in the Llano uplift and extend the duration of Grenville orogenesis in Texas by ca. 115 million years. The 1000–980 Ma time period is a time of thrusting in frontal regions of the Grenville Province of Canada and the northeastern US, and shearing in the Natal Province, South Africa, suggesting ultimate closure of the Grenville Orogen and supporting recent Rodinia reconstructions.
Infrared spectra of silver ion complexes of metal acetylacetonates

Abstract The infrared spectra of some solid adducts of silver perchlorate and silver nitrate with various metal acetylacetonate chelates are discussed. Systematic frequency shifts and band splittings are interpreted with the help of theoretical assignments and an X-ray structure of one of the adducts. It is suggested that the silver ions form “π-type” complexes with the acetylacetonate ligands but also interact with the carbonyl groups in certain adducts.
Effects of smoking cues on caffeine urges in heavy smokers and caffeine consumers with and without schizophrenia

Cigarette smoking and caffeine use are established and problematic drug-use behaviors in people with schizophrenia. Associative links between drugs of abuse may occur but the relationship between caffeine use and cigarette smoking has received little attention in schizophrenia. In this cross-cue reactivity laboratory study, we examined the effects of neutral and smoking cues on craving for caffeinated beverages in participants with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (SS; n = 15) and non-psychiatric controls (CS; n = 18) all of whom were heavy smokers and daily caffeine users. Participants were tested under non-abstinent and 5-hour abstinent conditions. SS tended to report greater daily levels of caffeine use than CS. Although this difference was not significant, that may be due to the small sample sizes as the size of this effect was large. Daily caffeine intake was significantly correlated with daily smoking rate in SS but not CS. A significant interaction between group and cue type after controlling for caffeine intake indicated that exposure to smoking cues increased urge for caffeinated beverages in SS but not CS. These results indicate support for associative connections between cigarette smoking cues and craving for caffeine in smokers with schizophrenia.
Effect of Multiculturalism and Automation on Public Library Collection Development and Technical Services

SUMMARY The Internet, as well as the proliferation of online resources available for purchase, has significantly changed collection management from selection to acquisitions to cataloging and processing. The nature of this work has become much more complex as our communities have become more culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse, as the number of information delivery mechanisms has increased, and as library consumers' expectations for speed of receipt of information have accelerated.
Quantum theory of nondegenerate multiwave mixing: General formulation

In this first paper of a series on the quantum theory of nondegenerate multiwave mixing applicable to traveling-wave interaction geometries, we describe our problem formulation. We consider the explicit dynamics of a subset of the field quantization modes interacting with a system of stationary two-level atoms contained in a volume much smaller than the field quantization volume. Because we make the realistic assumption of leaving the remaining infinite set of field modes as a common thermal-field reservoir, the resulting Langevin equations contain extra decay terms due to collective spontaneous emission or super-radiance. We show that all but one of these super-radiance terms are negligible in the following two limits: (a) when the number of atoms in a diffraction volume is small; (b) when the atoms are pumped far off resonance. There is, however, an anomalous decay term which does not appear in a classical model of super-radiance based upon coherently phased atomic dipoles. The magnitude of this anomalous term is neither dependent upon the number of atoms nor on the pump-frequency detuning and may not be negligible at a low pump intensity. Neglecting the super-radiance terms, we then present a general Fourier-expansion solution technique for obtaining the atomic polarization in the presence of any number of field modes. The expansion is shown to be convergent in a commonly occurring situation in which all the strong pump modes are frequency degenerate and the remaining nondegenerate modes are all weak compared to the atomic saturation intensity. In subsequent papers of this series, we will present methods to treat, with some rigor, the spatial propagation of an interacting multimode quantum field and apply these methods to traveling-wave squeezed-state generation experiments.
Recurrent Selection for Resistance to Leaf Feeding by Fall Armyworm on Maize

Populations and inbreds of maize, Zea mays L., with effective levels of resistance to damage by fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), are needed to transfer resistance to commercial hybrids for the U.S. Southeast. Recurrent S 1 selection for resistance to leaf feeding by larvae of fall armyworm was conducted with an exotic maize synthetic, FAW-CC (.)
Bacterial expression and purification of Interleukin-2 Tyrosine kinase: Single step separation of the chaperonin impurity

Biochemical and biophysical characterization of kinases requires large quantities of purified protein. Here, we report the bacterial expression and purification of active Itk kinase domain (a Tec family kinase) using ArcticExpress cells that co-express the chaperonin system Cpn60/10 from Oleispira antarctica. We describe a simple one step MgCl2/ATP/KCl incubation procedure to remove the co-purifying chaperonin impurity. Chaperonin co-purification is a common problem encountered during protein purification and the simple incubation step described here completely overcomes this problem. The approach targets the chaperonin system rather than the protein of interest and is therefore widely applicable to other protein targets.
Small-scale analog applications of high-transition-temperature superconductors

The first practical applications of high temperature superconductors are likely to be small-scale electronic devices such as detectors or analog processors. Several types of superconducting quantum interference devices SQUIDs have already been operated successfully as detectors of magnetic fields. But although operation at higher temperatures, say 77 K, will be more convenient, the sensitivity of all detectors inevitably be degraded.
Supercritical fluid extraction with carbon dioxide for the determination of total petroleum hydrocarbons in soil

Abstract Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with CO 2 was used for the determination of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in real-world fuel-spill soil samples containing heavy fuel oil, diesel fuel, light crude oil, gasoline or kerosene (TPH content, mg g −1 , ~ 150, ~ 15, ~ 15, ~ 9 and ~ 1 respectively). Quantitative extraction by SFE was accomplished at 40 MPa CO 2 and 150 °C extractor temperature, and TPH results were comparable (within standard deviations) with those obtained by Freon-113 Soxhlet extraction (4 h) for all samples except the soils containing gasoline and kerosene. SFE of the gasoline-contaminated sample extracted at 40 MPa CO 2 and 65 °C resulted in higher TPH quantities than those obtained from Soxhlet extraction (134% SFE vs. Soxhlet), owing to more efficient collection of BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes) and other volatile components with SFE. Comparable TPH results for the soil extracts were obtained from analyses using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection and infrared spectrometry. Quantitative reproducibility for replicate SFE extracts was good (r.s.d. 2–10%), and the quantity of Freon-113 solvent was reduced from 150ml for Soxhlet to
Dynamics of a cytokine storm.

Six volunteers experienced severe inflammatory response during the Phase I clinical trial of a monoclonal antibody that was designed to stimulate a regulatory T cell response. Soon after the trial began, each volunteer experienced a “cytokine storm”, a dramatic increase in cytokine concentrations. The monoclonal antibody, TGN1412, raised serum concentrations of both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines το very hiγh values during the first day, while lymphocyte and monocyte concentrations plummeted. Because the subjects were healthy and had no prior indications of immune deficiency, this event provided an unusual opportunity to study the dynamic interactions of cytokines and other measured parameters. Here, the response histories of nine cytokines have been modeled by a set of linear ordinary differential equations. A general search procedure identifies parameters of the model, whose response fits the data well during the five-day measurement period. The eighteenth-order model reveals plausible cause-and-effect relationships among the cytokines, showing how each cytokine induces or inhibits other cytokines. It suggests that perturbations in IL2, IL8, and IL10 have the most significant inductive effect, while IFN-γ and IL12 have the greatest inhibiting effect on other cytokine concentrations. Although TNF-α is a major pro-inflammatory factor, IFN-γ and three other cytokines have faster initial and median response to TGN1412 infusion. Principal-component analysis of the data reveals three clusters of similar cytokine responses: [TNF-α, IL1, IL10], [IFN-γ, IL2, IL4, IL8, and IL12], and [IL6]. IL1, IL6, IL10, and TNF-α have the highest degree of variability in response to uncertain initial conditions, exogenous effects, and parameter estimates. This study illuminates details of a cytokine storm event, and it demonstrates the value of linear modeling for interpreting complex, coupled biological system dynamics from empirical data.
Aircraft Maintenance Research: The Nasa Program

Some of the Maintenance Human Factors research activities sponsored by the NASA Aviation Safety Program (AvSP), and their historical precursors are described. With the goal of developing interventi...
Stress and Adaptation in Families of Children with Visual Disabilities

Little research is available on families of children with visual impairments. The authors examined stress and coping in a sample of 130 families (experimental group) of visually impaired children who responded to a parent questionnaire and the Family Environment Scale (FES) . A control group of 78 parents responded to FES only. Findings revealed that the experimental group experienced various stressors such as future concerns, financial concerns, concerns about services, and concerns about the social acceptance of the child. These families were less involved in intellectual and cultural activities and used less structure and organization than did the controls. In coping, many families used various formal and informal sources of support as well as personal coping strategies. Implications for practitioners and social service providers are discussed.
Energy dependence of the density of the generalized oscillator strength of atomic hydrogen.

The density of the generalized oscillator strength per unit energy range of excitation for transitions from the ground state to the continuum of atomic hydrogen is computed beyond the plane-wave Born approximation. We use the Coulomb-Born approximation to compute the density for a variety of energy transfers and impact energies as a function of the momentum transfer. Our results show that the density approaches the standard plane-wave Born approximation and depends only upon the momentum transfer at impact energies as low as 50 eV.
Multidimensional arousal states, diurnal rhythms, cognitive and social processes, and extraversion

Abstract Based on Thayer's two-dimensional arousal model, several questions were investigated, including the relationship between endogenous diurnal rhythms of energetic arousal and various psychological functions. Also investigated were theoretical issues relating to Eysenck's arousal theory of extraversion and neuroticism, and associations involving the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ). Self-reported arousal measurements were taken from 18 participants every hour of the waking day for 6 separate days. Substantial relationships were observed between obtained diurnal cycles of energetic arousal and previous interview estimates by the same individuals of best and worst times for social, mood, and intellectual functions. Eysenck's Neuroticism scores were found to predict overall tension ratings, and tense arousal showed an interaction between Extraversion and time of day similar to Blake's body temperature findings. Moderate support was also found for the validity of the MEQ. Discussed were various possible modifications of Eysenck's arousal theory based on Thayer's two-dimensional model.
Statistical models for target detection in infrared imagery

This paper illustrates a statistical model-based approach to the problem of target detection in a cluttered scene from long-wave infrared images, accommodating both unknown range to the target, unknown target location in the image, and unknown gain control settings on the imaging device. The philosophical perspective adopted emphasizes an iterative process of model creation and refinement and subsequent evaluation. The overarching theme is on the clear statement of all assumptions regarding the relationships between ground truth and corresponding imagery, the assurance that each admits quantifiable refutation, and the opportunity costs associated with their adoption for a particular problem.
Particulate collection in a high temperature cyclone

Abstract A new particle collection technique is analyzed and presented for its potential application in a high temperature, high pressure gas cleaning system. The technique is based on the collision and the aglomeration phenomena among the coal-ash particles when the cyclone is operated near the coal-ash fusion temperature. The percent increase of agglomeration rate is estimated by mathematical modeling for particles smaller than five microns in diameter. Particulate collection efficiency with or without agglomeration is presented. Experimental results in a high temperature cyclone are presented. The output dust loading varied from 0.025 to 5 grains per cubic foot (0.057–11 g/m 3 ) as the input dust loading is increased from 4 to 35 grains per cubic foot (9.2–80g/m 3 ) of gas flow.
Anatomy and pathogenesis of aorticopulmonary septal defect

The pathologic anatomic features and associated cardiac anomalies of 13 patients with aorticopulmonary septal defect (APSD) and of 236 previously reported cases were analyzed. Morphologically, 3 types of APSD were distinguished: a defect with a more or less circular border located about halfway between the arterial valves and the bifurcation of the pulmonary trunk; a similarly located defect in which the border represents a helix; and a usually large defect in which there is no posterior (distal) border. The appearance of these 3 types of defects suggests a different developmental mechanism for each. Approximately half of the cases of APSD are not associated with other cardiovascular anomalies. Of the anomalies that do occur, anomalous origin of a coronary artery from the pulmonary trunk and interruption of the aortic arch (IAA) type A or severe preductal coarctation are seen far more often than expected. An association with DiGeorge syndrome, frequently noted with persistent truncus arteriosus (TA) and IAA type B, was not seen. Certain cardiac anomalies often seen with TA are rarely seen with APSD, and defects often seen with APSD are rarely seen with TA. These observations indicate that APSD and TA are pathogenetically unrelated even though located in the same region of the heart and, unlike TA and IAA type B, APSD is probably not due to a developmental error involving the neural crest.
Atomic plane-selective deposition of gold nanoparticles on metal oxide crystals exploiting preferential adsorption of additives.

A strategy of using preferential adsorption of additives for selectively depositing gold metal particles on specific crystallographic planes of Cu2O and ZnO crystals was demonstrated. Cu2O crystals and ZnO crystals were first electrochemically deposited on a conducting substrate, and gold particles were electrochemically or photochemically deposited on these crystals with the presence of appropriate additives. Preferential adsorption of sodium dodecyl sulfate on {111} planes of Cu2O crystals, which was previously used to form octahedral shapes of Cu2O crystals, effectively inhibited gold deposition on {111} planes of Cu2O, resulting in selective gold deposition on {100} planes. In a similar manner, the use of Cl− ions that adsorb selectively on polar {0001} planes of ZnO resulted in selective deposition of gold particles on the {01−10} planes of ZnO rods. The simple chemical method for selective metal deposition described in this study is based on utilizing preferential adsorption of additives as an in si...
Non-visual functions of visual cortex in the cat

Abstract Cats with restricted lesions placed in the mesial aspect of the lateral and posterolateral gyri (striate cortex) were trained in a Yerkes-Alley on a circle-square pattern discrimination, and then given acquisition and extinction training in a two-way active avoidance response (AAR) task. Additional groups of animals were first trained on the pattern discrimination and then operated and tested on the retention and relearning of the discrimination. The results show that these restricted striate cortical lesions do not disrupt acquisition, retention or the relearning of the visual discrimination, nor other types of observed visually-guided behavior, but do produce a severe acquisition deficit in the avoidance task. The results of this study confirm our previous findings that it is striate cortex and not the cingulate gyrus that produces AAR deficits following ablation. These results along with other recent neurophysiological data reporting that the striate cortex contains units responsive to non-visual stimuli suggest that in the cat visual cortex might mediate non-visual as well as visual functions.
The osteogenic-angiogenic interface: Novel insights into the biology of bone formation and fracture repair

Bone never forms without vascular interactions. Although this is a very simple and obvious statement, the biological, clinical, and pharmacologic implications are incompletely appreciated. The vasculature is not only the conduit for nutrient-metabolite exchange and the rate-limiting “point-of-reference” for Haversian bone formation, but also provides the sustentacular niche for the self-renewing osteoprogenitor. This past year, significant advances have been made in our understanding of the osteogenic-angiogenic interface that are immediately germane to osteoporosis disease biology and fracture management. The critical contributions of the osteoblast oxygen-sensing machinery, paracrine vascular endothelial growth factor and placental growth factor signaling, fracture-mobilized circulating osteoprogenitors, and the osteogenic CD146(+) marrow sinusoid stem cell have been recently discovered. This brief review recounts these revelations, highlighting the potential impact to human bone health and fracture repair.
Shifts in Ownership Composition and Changes in the Implied Cost of Equity Capital for Dividend and Non-Dividend Stocks Following JGTRRA03

ABSTRACT: Prior studies of the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003, which cut individual tax rates on both dividends and capital gains, unexpectedly find that non-dividend firms were more favorably affected by this legislation than dividend firms. We address this apparent inconsistency by extending prior research to account for significant shifts in institutional holdings for non-dividend stocks relative to dividend stocks following the tax change. These clientele shifts were especially concentrated among high-risk firms and provide a plausible explanation for the results reported in prior literature. Specifically, we find that significant increases in institutional ownership for high-risk firms led to larger reductions in the implied cost of equity capital compared to other firms that were more heavily favored by individuals following the reduction in shareholder tax rates.
Periodic flows through curved tubes: the effect of the frequency parameter

In a previous paper we reported on the effect of Dean number, κm, on the fully developed region of periodic flows through curved tubes. In this paper we again consider a sinusoldally varying volumetric flow rate in a curved pipe of arbitrary curvature ratio, δ, and investigate the effect of frequency parameter α, and Reynolds number Rem on the flow. Specifically, we report on the flow-field development for the range 7.5 [les ] α [les ] 25, and 50 [les ] Rem [les ] 450. The results, obtained by numerical integration of the full Navier–Stokes equations, reveal a number of characteristics of the flow previously unreported. For low values of Rem the secondary flow consists of a single vortex (Dean-type motion) in the half-cross-section at all times and for all values of α studied. For higher Rem we observe inward ‘centrifuging’ (Lyne-type motion) at the centre. This motion always occurs during the accelerating period of the volumetric flow rate. It appears at lower α for higher Rem and, for the given Rem at which it appears, it occurs at earlier times in the cycle for lower a. A striking feature is observed for α = 15 for the range 315 [les ] Rem [les ] 400: period tripling. The flow field varies periodically with time for the duration of three volumetric-flow-rate cycles then repeats for the subsequent three cycles, and so on. The computed axial pressure gradient also varies periodically with time but with the same period as the volumetric flow rate.
The Role of Customer Gratitude in Relationship Marketing

Abstract Most theories of relationship marketing emphasize the role of trust and commitment in affecting performance outcomes; however, a recent meta-analysis indicates that other mediating mechanisms are at work. Data from two studies—a laboratory experiment and a dyadic longitudinal field survey—demonstrate that gratitude also mediates the influence of a seller's relationship marketing investments on performance outcomes. Specifically, relationship marketing investments generate short-term feelings of gratitude that drive long-lasting performance benefits based on gratitude-related reciprocal behaviors. The authors identify a set of managerially relevant factors and test their power to alter customer perceptions of relationship marketing investments to increase customer gratitude, which can make relationship marketing programs more effective. Overall, the research empirically demonstrates that gratitude plays an important role in understanding how relationship marketing investments increase purchase int...
Fast optical hazard detection for planetary rovers using multiple spot laser triangulation

A new laser-based optical sensor system that provides hazard detection for planetary rovers is presented. The sensor can support safe travel at speeds up to 12 cm/second for large (1 m) rovers in full sunlight on Earth or Mars. This is at least a 5 times improvement over the sensor aboard NASA's Mars Pathfinder rover. The system overcomes limitations in the older design that require image differencing to detect a laser stripe in full sun. The new system ensures the projected laser light is detectable in a single image, eliminating the requirement for additional difference images. The improvement is significant since any reduction in image gathering or processing time provides for faster rover motion. The savings are even more important in the case of a Mars rover since power and radiation-hardening requirements lead to severely constrained computational resources. The paper includes a thorough discussion of design details and tradeoffs for optical hazard sensing that will benefit future efforts in this area.
SCL 90-R interpretation and brain tumour: a correction factor?

Objective : Determine whether spurious SCL 90 R profiles resulting from endorsement of neurologic treatment items can be corrected and still retain ecological validity. Design : The proportion of subjects item endorsement was compared with the adult non patient norm group. Items with discriminative power chi2 > 25, p < 0.001 and endorsement by at least 25 of subjects underwent principal components analysis with somatic treatment and psychiatric factors identified. Items in the somatic treatment factor were extracted as the corrective factor. The resultant corrected T scores were plotted against original SCL 90 R profiles. Setting : University medical centre. Patients : Thirty community dwelling adults with biopsy confirmed malignant brain tumours referred by their treating physician for evaluation prior to aggressive treatment. Interventions : The SCL 90 R was part of a neuropsychological test battery. Main outcome measure : The SCL 90 R was selected prior to data collection because it is the second...
Weighted L 1-estimates for a VAR(p) time series model

The most common method of estimating the parameters of a vector-valued autoregressive time series model is the method of least squares (LS). However, since LS estimates are sensitive to the presence of outliers, more robust techniques are often useful. This paper investigates one such technique, weighted-L 1 estimates. Following traditional methods of proof, asymptotic uniform linearity and asymptotic uniform quadricity results are established. Additionally, the gradient of the objective function is shown to be asymptotically normal. These results imply that the weighted-L 1 parameter estimates for this model are asymptotically normal at rate n −1/2. The results rely heavily on covariance inequalities for geometric absolutely regular processes and a Martingale central limit theorem. Estimates for the asymptotic variance–covariance matrix are also discussed. A finite-sample efficiency study is presented to examine the performance of the weighted-L 1 estimate in the presence of both innovation and additive ...
Habitat use does not Reflect Habitat Quality for Henslow's Sparrows (Ammodramus henslowii) Wintering in Fire-Managed Longleaf Pine Savannas

ABSTRACT. Interpreting habitat quality requires an understanding of the consequences of habitat use because bird density alone may not reflect habitat quality. Although habitat use can be readily quantified, subsequent effects remain elusive for most species, especially for migrants on the wintering grounds. Wintering Henslow's Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii) densities in Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris) savannas are fire-dependent, with highest bird densities in the first winter after a fire, but reduced density in subsequent winters without fire. We determined habitat characteristics associated with variation in bird density in the first and second winters following fire and then followed birds' diet, condition, and survival in 10 plots over two winters. Habitat structure and seed energy availability, but not plant species composition, were equally important for explaining bird density, except for two outlier plots with extremely high seed production and fewer birds than expected. Henslow's Sparrows consu...