cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Demystifying Ten Big Ideas and Rules Every Fire Scientist & Engineer Should Know About Blackbox, Whitebox & Causal Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is paving the way towards the fourth industrial revolution with the fire domain (Fire 4.0). As a matter of fact, the next few years will be elemental to how this technology will shape our academia, practice, and entrepreneurship. Despite the growing interest between fire research groups, AI remains absent of our curriculum, and we continue to lack a methodical framework to adopt, apply and create AI solutions suitable for our problems. The above is also true for parallel engineering domains (i.e., civil/mechanical engineering), and in order to negate the notion of history repeats itself (e.g., look at the continued debate with regard to modernizing standardized fire testing, etc.), it is the motivation behind this letter to the Editor to demystify some of the big ideas behind AI to jump-start prolific and strategic discussions on the front of AI & Fire. In addition, this letter intends to explain some of the most fundamental concepts and clear common misconceptions specific to the adoption of AI in fire engineering. This short letter is a companion to the Smart Systems in Fire Engineering special issue sponsored by Fire Technology. An in-depth review of AI algorithms [1] and success stories to the proper implementations of such algorithms can be found in the aforenoted special issue and collection of papers. This letter comprises two sections. The first section outlines big ideas pertaining to AI, and answers some of the burning questions with regard to the merit of adopting AI in our domain. The second section presents a set of rules or technical recommendations an AI user may deem helpful to practice whenever AI is used as an investigation methodology. The presented set of rules are complementary to the big ideas.
Missing data and the accuracy of Bayesian phylogenetics

The effect of missing data on phylogenetic methods is a potentially important issue in our attempts to reconstruct the Tree of Life. If missing data are truly problematic, then it may be unwise to include species in an analysis that lack data for some characters (incomplete taxa) or to include characters that lack data for some species. Given the difficulty of obtaining data from all characters for all taxa (e.g., fossils), missing data might seriously impede efforts to reconstruct a comprehensive phylogeny that includes all species. Fortunately, recent simulations and empirical analyses suggest that missing data cells are not themselves problematic, and that in- complete taxa can be accurately placed as long as the overall number of characters in the analysis is large. How- ever, these studies have so far only been conducted on parsimony, likelihood, and neighbor-joining methods. Although Bayesian phylogenetic methods have become widely used in recent years, the effects of missing data on Bayesian analysis have not been adequately studied. Here, we conduct simulations to test whether Bayesian analyses can accurately place incomplete taxa despite extensive missing data. In agreement with previous studies of other methods, we find that Bayesian analyses can accurately reconstruct the position of highly incomplete taxa (i.e., 95% missing data), as long as the overall number of characters in the analysis is large. These results suggest that highly incomplete taxa can be safely included in many Bayesian phylogenetic analyses. The impact of missing data is a potentially im- portant issue in phylogenetic analyses, particularly if the goal is to reconstruct a comprehensive Tree of Life that includes both fossil and living taxa. Missing data are often encountered when combining data from two or more different genes, when some of the taxa have sequence data available for one gene but not the other. If the taxa lacking data for a gene are included in the combined analysis, then the characters associated with this gene are typically coded as missing or unknown (often denoted with a "?"). Similarly, missing data are often encountered in analyses that include fossil taxa, when certain taxa must be scored as unknown for certain characters because the relevant features have not been adequately preserved. Concerns about missing data may often deter- mine what characters and taxa will be included in an analysis (Wiens, 2006), even if this is not always stated explicitly by researchers. For example, if missing data are considered to be problematic, then one should only include species that have complete data for all characters or else only include characters that have complete data for all species. Thus, one may have to reduce the number of taxa or characters in an
Mechanical effects of increased series elasticity: An in vitro model of mitral regurgitation and ventricular aneurysm

Abstract Hill's mechanical model for muscle consists of a contractile element (CE) in series with an elastic element (SE). Mitral regurgitation or ventricular aneurysm in the intact heart may be considered as situations where an abnormally compliant “SE” is in series with the CE. An analog has been studied in vitro by placing external springs in series with each of 13 right ventricular cat papillary muscles. When the overall length of the muscle-spring combination was held constant, that is, “isometric,” the rate of tension development (dp/dt) and developed tension (P) were reduced in proportion to the added compliance, and time to peak tension was slightly prolonged. Maximal developed tension at the apex of the length-active tension curve (P 0 ) was not only reduced, but occurred at lower preloads than with the muscle alone. Thus, without a change in muscle contractility, the reserve provided by the Frank-Starling mechanism was reduced, since the muscle-spring combination was shifted onto a descending limb of the length-active tension curve at a lower resting tension than normal. In another phase of the study, isotonic shortening was modified to simulate the auxotonic ejection phase of the intact heart by placing a spring above the muscle level so that the muscle stretched the spring when it shortened. Between the isometric and auxotonic phases of such a contraction, contractile element velocity had a secondary rise with the instantaneous load and velocity relationship being similar to the intact heart. This experimental model forms an in vitro analog for the manner in which the intact ventricle contracts.
WEIGHT AS A RISK FACTOR FOR CLINICAL DIABETES IN WOMEN

To determine the relation of body mass index (weight/height2) with the risk of clinical non-insulin-dependent diabetes, the authors analyzed data from a cohort of 113,861 US women aged 30-55 years in 1976. During 8 years of follow-up (826,010 person-years), 873 definite cases were identified among women initially free from diagnosed diabetes. Among women of average body mass index, 23-23.9 kg/m2, the relative risk was 3.6 times that of women having a body mass index less than 22 kg/m2. The risk continued to increase above this level of body mass index. The authors observed a much weaker positive association with weight at age 18, and this association was eliminated after adjustment for current body mass index. Thus, weight gain after age 18 was a major determinant of risk. For an increase of 20-35 kg, the relative risk was 11.3, and for an increase of more than 35 kg, the relative risk was 17.3. Adjusting for family history did not appreciably alter the strong relation observed among women at average levels of body mass index. These data indicate that, at even average weight, women are at increased risk of clinical non-insulin-dependent diabetes and that the relation between body mass index and risk of diabetes is continuous.
The Effects of Biochemical Reactions on Investigations and Remediations

Bacteria and biological methods are having a large impact on the soils and groundwater areas. To truly understand a contaminated ground water, and the methods that must be used to clean it up, we must understand the environment in which the contamination occurs. Contaminants do not move through the soil and aquifer at the same rate that the water moves through the contaminated areas. Natural bacteria will degrade the organic compounds found in the soils and aquifer. Due to limitations caused by the lack of nutrients and oxygen, the reaction rate of this natural degradation is slow. The bacteria are present along with the organics in the contamination zone. The main design criteria is movement of the water to the zone, and control of the water after it passes through the zone so that it does not create a secondary plume. Bacteria have also been applied to remediation in aboveground reactors.
Severe right ventricular contusion mimicking cardiac tamponade: The value of transesophageal echocardiography in blunt chest trauma

Clinically, severe right ventricular contusion may mimic cardiac tamponade. We report two cases of suspected cardiac tamponade after blunt chest trauma in which the diagnosis of severe right ventricular contusion was made only by transesophageal echocardiography, avoiding unnecessary and hazardous pericardiocentesis. These cases illustrate the value of transesophageal echocardiography in diagnosing blunt chest trauma.
El espectro clínico de las mutaciones en POLG

Resumen Introduccion Las enfermedades mitocondriales incluyen un amplio espectro de patologias muchas de ellas causadas por el compromiso de la cadena respiratoria mitocondrial y por ende del metabolismo energetico. Objetivo El proposito de este articulo es realizar una revision de los cuadros clinicos causados por mutaciones en los genes implicados en la regulacion y la reparacion de ADN mitocondrial (ADNmt), con especial enfasis en los genes POLG1 y 2. Desarrollo Hasta no hace mucho tiempo, mutaciones en genes nucleares que afectaban indirectamente el ADNmt estaban vinculadas casi exclusivamente a cuadros severos de inicio infantil. Sin embargo, tras la descripcion de casos en adultos con formas de herencia mendeliana o incluso esporadica por mutaciones en genes nucleares implicados en la reparacion y control del ADNmt, se ha abierto un nuevo capitulo en la llamada “medicina mitocondrial”. Las mas destacadas son las producidas en POLG1 dentro de los trastornos debidos a alteracion en la estabilidad mitocondrial. Conclusiones Las mutaciones en el gen POLG1 que codifica para la enzima mitocondrial POLG γ se han convertido en una causa frecuente de mutaciones tanto en ninos como en pacientes adultos, dando lugar al reconocimiento de fenotipos relativamente especificos.
Acquired Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction After Lung Transplantation: Diagnosis by Transesophageal Echocardiography

Acute reduction in pulmonary pressures after lung transplantation for severe chronic pulmonary hypertension may produce a sudden decrease in cavity size of a hypertrophied right ventricle resulting in acquired right ventricular outflow tract obstruction. This case illustrates the utility of transesophageal echocardiography with continuous-wave Doppler to make a morphologic as well as hemodynamic diagnosis of acquired right ventricular outflow tract obstruction in a patient after lung transplantation.
Architectonic studies of the diencephalon of Iguana iguana (Linnaeus)

The normal anatomy of the nuclei and major fiber tracts of the diencephalon and pretectum of the lizard, Iguana iguana, are described and compared to descriptions of the diencephalon of other reptiles. Clarification of variations in the nomenclature has been attempted, based on comparison of normal and experimental material. Experimental studies of afferent and efferent projections of the diencephalon of various reptiles are reviewed and discussed. The earlier literature on thalamic homologies between reptiles and other vertebrates is re-examined, and a new interpretation offered based on these new results.
How Ardula Colaspidis (Allantonematidae) N. Sp., a New Parasite of the Grape Colaspis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Howardula colaspidis, a nematode parasite of the grape colaspis (Colaspis brunnea) is described. This species closely resembles H. dominicki but can be distinguished from the latter by having fewer ovarian cells, a longer uterus, and a shorter vulva to tail tip distance in the infective female. Also, the parasitic female of H. colaspidis is longer and relatively narrower than that of H. dominicki. Juveniles exited from female beetles during oviposition and occasionally from beetle larvae, but not from parasitized male beetles. Parasitism did not appear to reduce the fecundity of the adult. Over a 2-year period, parasitism of the host insect declined from 24 to 3% in corn and soybean fields in northeastern North Carolina.
A study of the direct o-toluidine blood glucose determination

Abstract The acetic acid-o-toluidine method for measuring serum glucose concentration was studied. Changes in concentrations and conditions were performed manually and by continuous variation. Maximum absorbance at 630 nm was produced at concentrations less than 100% acetic acid solvent. The effects of increasing water concentration for a variety of samples and conditions are shown. A wide disparity of patterns was observed when patient and lyophilized control sera were studied. At water concentrations less than 10% (v/v) marked enhancement of color due to borate ion was observed; in glacial acetic acid, borate more than doubles color produced. Addition of trichloroacetic acid showed inhibition of the reaction. Absorbance was found to increase with increasing o-toluidine concentration over the range studied (1 to 11%). At concentrations of water greater than 15% significant serum blanks were observed. This blank was not due solely to protein turbidity, and is dependent upon the presence of both glucose and β-lipoprotein. Effects of other reagent parameters, color development time, and sample constituents were investigated.
Combining Scientific and Information Visualization Artifacts for Complex System Diagnosis

Methodologies for complex systems diagnosis and verification have long been studied as part of systems engineering research. Most techniques involve decomposing the complex system into smaller connected components, and analyzing those. We describe the implementation and evaluation of a visualization tool which enhances drawings of physical components with information visualization artifacts for analyzing complex systems and their operating capability. Our visualization was designed to help users navigate through complex systems composed of multiple layers of components, identify if the system is ready to complete a task based on availability and performance of its components, and efficiently diagnose system malfunctions. A formal evaluation shows that our visualization tool enables users to diagnose complex systems faster than using conventional workflows.
Blood-vitreous barrier to amino acids

Abstract The rate of loss of 14C-labeled cycloleucine (1-aminocyclopentane-1-carboxylic acid) from rabbit eye following intravitreal injection was found to follow a single exponential curve with a half life of 2·2 hr and was significantly reduced by the simultaneous introduction of 5 m m nonlabeled cycloleucine or methionine into the vitreous body. The transport rate was also found to decrease in the presence of 10−4 m ouabain. A similar inhibitory effect on the rate of loss of cycloleucine from the vitreous humor could be produced by a single systemic injection of sodium iodate. The steady state concentration of [14C]cycloleucine and various naturally occurring amino acids in the vitreous humor gradually increased and approached that in the plasma following systemic injection of sodium iodate. Treatment with iodate also resulted in an increased rate of accumulation of [14C]cycloleucine in the vitreous humor following its parenteral administration. The effect of iodate on amino acid transport was seen long before morphological changes in the pigment epithelium of the retina could be observed. It is concluded that the deficiency of amino acids in the vitreous humor, with respect to plasma, under steady state conditions is due to their constant removal from vitreous humor into blood by an active transport mechanism located in the pigment epithelium of the retina.
An Inexpensive Device for Transillumination

Patients with cracked-tooth syndrome often present with a chief complaint of vague pains while eating that they cannot localize, making the diagnosis difficult. Frequently practitioners are unable to discover the cause of their symptoms, so treatment is delayed, which can result in apical propagation of the crack, leading to unrestorable vertical root fracture. Transillumination is a valuable aid to diagnosis, but suitable diagnostic lights are difficult to obtain, most being cumbersome and expensive. A portable inspection/bore light that serves as an ideal device for transillumination is available for approximately $10.
The adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein binds to membranes by electrostatic interactions.

Abstract The adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (AFABP) is believed to transfer unesterified fatty acids (FA) to phospholipid membranes via a collisional mechanism that involves ionic interactions between lysine residues on the protein surface and phospholipid headgroups. This hypothesis is derived largely from kinetic analysis of FA transfer from AFABP to membranes. In this study, we examined directly the binding of AFABP to large unilamellar vesicles (LUV) of differing phospholipid compositions. AFABP bound LUV containing either cardiolipin or phosphatidic acid, and the amount of protein bound depended upon the mol % anionic phospholipid. TheK a for CL or PA in LUV containing 25 mol % of these anionic phospholipids was approximately 2 × 103 m −1. No detectable binding occurred when AFABP was mixed with zwitterionic membranes, nor when acetylated AFABP in which surface lysines had been chemically neutralized was mixed with anionic membranes. The binding of AFABP to acidic membranes depended upon the ionic strength of the incubation buffer: ≥200 mmNaCl reduced protein-lipid complex formation in parallel with a decrease in the rate of FA transfer from AFABP to negatively charged membranes. It was further found that AFABP, but not acetylated AFABP, prevented cytochrome c, a well characterized peripheral membrane protein, from binding to membranes. These results directly demonstrate that AFABP binds to anionic phospholipid membranes and suggest that, although generally described as a cytosolic protein, AFABP may behave as a peripheral membrane protein to help target fatty acids to and/or from intracellular sites of utilization.
Chromatin: Hanging on to histones

Transcriptional control at a number of promoters has been found to involve the highly selective recognition of individual core histones by regulatory proteins, showing how the eukaryotic transcriptional machinery is adapted to function in a chromosomal environment.
The Distribution of Inhaled Particles in Aerosol Measurements of Pulmonary Airspace Size

When the deposition of aerosol boluses is used to estimate mean pulmonary airspace size, an implicit assumption is made that the inhaled particles are distributed uniformly among normal and diseased lung regions. This assumption was examined in a series of dogs in which emphysema was experimentally induced by exposure to papain. After the experimental disease had developed for several weeks, boluses of fluorescent particles were inhaled, using a breathing pattern similar to that used for aerosol measurements of airspace size. The lungs were then excised and 18-20 tissue blocks were obtained from each lung. A section from each tissue block was analyzed to determine the mean liner intercept (Lm), which was considered as an index of lung injury. In the same sections, the density of particles was determined by counting particles in a number of microscopic fields and dividing the particle count by the number of fields sampled. Correlation analysis generally revealed a negative correlation of particle density with Lm, indicating fewer particles being delivered to diseased regions. One lung, however, showed a positive correlation between particle density and Lm. Correction for the fractional deposition of aerosol in the lung regions weakened but did not reverse the relationship between particle density and Lm. A model calculation of the effect of the observed nonuniform distribution of aerosol on the determination of airspace size found a negligible effect of uneven ventilation on mean airspace size determination in this experimental preparation.
Nonterminating Polymerizations in Continuous Flow Systems

The feasibility of manufacturing narrow polydispersity polymers in continuous flow systems is explored. The method of moments is applied to ideal and more realistic kinetic schemes in a variety of reactor types. In most cases, polydispersities approaching those obtained in batch can also be achieved in continuous reactors, but the long-term stability of a tubular reactor with species-dependent, radial diffusion remains in doubt.
High-Frequency Ultrasound-Guided Fluorescence Tomography of Protoporphyrin IX in Subcutaneous Tumors

An automated ultrasound-guided fluorescence tomography system was created to image the Protoporphyrin IX production of subcutaneous tumors in vivo. Negative production and positive production tumors were compared to validate the system capability.
Selected ion accumulation of noncovalent complexes in a fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer

An electrospray ionization-Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (ESI-FTICR) mass spectrometer has been used in conjunction with the technique of selected-ion accumulation (SIA) to investigate its utility for the study of the gas phase behavior of noncovalent complexes from solution. SIA is demonstrated to provide the selective accumulation of weakly hound species, providing a significant enhancement in the attainable signal-to-noise ratio and dynamic range. The frequency response of quadrupole excitation was first determined by selectively accumulating single charge states of large, highly adducted, highly charged molecules such as bovine albumin and bovine albumin dimer. Under the conditions employed, the response (selective accumulation) was found to be as narrow as 500 Hz. Additionally the SIA was found to be sufficiently gentle to allow accumulation of both specific and nonspecific weak noncovalent complexes, such as the myoglobin-heme complex observed in basic solutions and complexes of myoglobin and single amino acids, such as tryptophan. This result is probably due to the continual application of quadrupole excitation during the high pressure accumulation event, preventing any significant growth of magnetron motion, and subsequently, allowing interconversion to form only small cyclotron radii. We also demonstrate the simultaneous application of SIA with dipolar sustained off-resonance irradiation (SORI) during the ion accumulation period so as to allow selective accumulation of dissociation products. The SIA/SORI combination promises to greatly extend (MS) n capabilities by allowing the selective accumulation of any dissociation product in any step along a given dissociation pathway
Current Concepts in Anticoagulant Therapy

An understanding of the international normalized ratio (INR)—which was developed to standardize reporting of the prothrombin time (PT) and provide consistent regulation of anticoagulation—is important. The recommended therapeutic range for the INR (which is calculated from the patient's PT, a mean control PT, and the international sensitivity index) for oral anticoagulant treatment of most conditions is 2.0 to 3.0. In patients with mechanical cardiac valves, the INR should be at least 2.5 to 3.5. A common cause for progression of venous thromboembolic disease and treatment failure is inadequate heparinization during the first day of treatment. Therefore, an intravenous bolus of 5,000 to 10,000 U of heparin should be administered before a maintenance infusion is initiated. Also during the first day of treatment, warfarin therapy can be implemented. Overlap treatment with heparin and warfarin for 4 or 5 days is recommended. Low-molecular-weight heparins, a new class of anticoagulants, have been shown to be more effective than standard heparin in preventing venous thrombosis in orthopedic surgical patients, but at a higher cost. Patients with mechanical cardiac valves who are receiving anticoagulant therapy and are scheduled for noncardiac operations must have a risk-to-benefit assessment of the need for continuous anticoagulation performed preoperatively. Many of these patients can safely discontinue warfarin therapy for several days as outpatients before the surgical procedure. Preoperative heparin therapy and warfarin withdrawal in the hospital are recommended only for those patients with cardiac valves at high risk for systemic embolization (with a mitral valve prosthesis, cardiomyopathy, or previous thromboembolism). The concurrent use of certain drugs or presence of comorbid conditions can predispose to hemorrhagic complications of anticoagulant therapy. Discontinuation of warfarin treatment, administration of vitamin K, or replacement of vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors with transfusion of fresh-frozen plasma will reverse the anticoagulant effects of warfarin.
Mortality variation in U.S. cities in 1900: a two-level explanation by cause of death and underlying factors.

Variations in mortality among U.S. cities for which death registration data were collected in 1900 are examined. The analysis is done in two stages: "first the causes of death which accounted for the different mortality levels are isolated. Second a multivariate analysis of the factors affecting the rates of occurrence of these causes of death is performed." The differences between factors affecting adult and infant mortality are considered. (EXCERPT)
Participatory action research and the quest for teacher educator community solidarity

Abstract Desiring to overcome sharp feelings of disconnection, a year-long participatory action research seminar involving both clinical and tenure-track teacher education faculty was formed. Working in teams with tenure-track faculty support, clinical faculty set research questions but they were reluctant to assume project leadership. In part, because of intensifying pressures associated with impending program accreditation, the projects languished. Nevertheless, the boundaries separating the two faculties and communities of practice softened, and friendships were formed and strengthened. Drawing on insights from positioning theory and Wenger's research on communities of practice, the authors conclude that friendship may be a precondition for re-imagining the established relationships and understandings that currently fragment teacher education
Information transmission and ethos of a speaker using normal and defective speech

This study describes the measurement of information retention, speech “ interestingness,”; speaker character, and speaker authoritativeness of a speaker using “normal”; and defective speech. Support was found for the position that a speech defective speaker is perceived as less authoritative than a “normal”; speaking individual. Support in similar regard for information retention, speech “interestingness,”; and speaker character was not obtained.
Money in occupied New Orleans, 1862–1868: A test of Selgin’s “salvaging” of Gresham’s Law

We examine the monetary experience of New Orleans when it was occupied during and immediately following the Civil War, using newly assembled data regarding the quantity and market value of the city’s municipal notes and the city’s fiscal position. Municipal notes, acceptable for taxes, circulated at face value in retail transactions (and at only a small discount in broker transactions) as long as their supply was sufficiently limited, and they fell out of circulation and were priced at a discount relative to interest-bearing municipal bonds, when concern arose about their overissue. The spontaneous rejection of New Orleans municipal notes exemplifies how choice in currency works when insufficiently backed money is not supported by legal tender laws.
Toxicity study of a Chesapeake Bay tributary - Wicomico River

Abstract The aquatic life in the Chesapeake Bay is being harmed by the inflow of nutrients, sediments and toxic contaminants. Wicomico River is one of the 150 rivers and streams that feed into the Bay. The objective of this study was to use USEPA Toxicity Identification Evaluation (TIE) tests to identify the toxicants in the sediment-porewater of Wicomico River. Samples from three different depths (7.7, 15.4 and 23.1 cm) at four different sites (1.6 km before, adjacent to, 1.6 and 3.2 km after the municipal sewage treatment plant outlet) were collected. The sediment-porewater samples were tested for toxicity (EC50) using the MicrotoxR marine luminescent bacteria (Vibrio fischeri), TOXITRAKTM toxicity test (Inhibition-%I), and Ceriodaphnia dubia (48-hr survival-%S). High toxicity values (Microtox EC50 = 21.3%, Toxitrak % I = 85.6 and Ceriodaphnia dubia % S = 22) were observed for the samples collected adjacent to the sewage treatment plant outlet. Toxicity reduced significantly with depth at every sampling site. Qualitative MetPLATETM analyses showed that toxic forms of heavy metals were present only in the sampling site adjacent to the sewage treatment plant outlet. Phase I TIE tests indicated that the toxicity was due to a pH sensitive toxicant (such as ammonia) and heavy metals and not from organic compounds. Phase II TIE tests identified ammonia, zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) as the toxicants.
Potential effects of gas hydrate on human welfare.

For almost 30 years. serious interest has been directed toward natural gas hydrate, a crystalline solid composed of water and methane, as a potential (i) energy resource, (ii) factor in global climate change, and (iii) submarine geohazard. Although each of these issues can affect human welfare, only (iii) is considered to be of immediate importance. Assessments of gas hydrate as an energy resource have often been overly optimistic, based in part on its very high methane content and on its worldwide occurrence in continental margins. Although these attributes are attractive, geologic settings, reservoir properties, and phase-equilibria considerations diminish the energy resource potential of natural gas hydrate. The possible role of gas hydrate in global climate change has been often overstated. Although methane is a “greenhouse” gas in the atmosphere, much methane from dissociated gas hydrate may never reach the atmosphere, but rather may be converted to carbon dioxide and sequestered by the hydrosphere/biosphere before reaching the atmosphere. Thus, methane from gas hydrate may have little opportunity to affect global climate change. However, submarine geohazards (such as sediment instabilities and slope failures on local and regional scales, leading to debris flows, slumps, slides, and possible tsunamis) caused by gas-hydrate dissociation are of immediate and increasing importance as humankind moves to exploit seabed resources in ever-deepening waters of coastal oceans. The vulnerability of gas hydrate to temperature and sea level changes enhances the instability of deep-water oceanic sediments, and thus human activities and installations in this setting can be affected.
Persistent binocular diplopia after cataract surgery.

We reviewed the records of 38 consecutive patients who had persistent binocular diplopia after cataract surgery. The patients were divided into ten categories based on the suspected conditions underlying the diplopia. of 16 patients who underwent strabismus surgery, five achieved the therapeutic goal of single binocular vision in the primary and reading position, and four attained this with prismatic or botulinum toxin therapy in addition to surgery. Seven patients continued to have diplopia despite strabismus surgery and adjunctive therapy. Even small residual deviations were often intolerable, because of highly diminished fusional amplitudes.
What Makes Students Click: Working Memory and Look-Up Behavior

Abstract Previous research on second language acquisition with multimedia has suggested that individual differences, including working memory capacity, play an important role in L2 vocabulary acquisition and reading comprehension. In this paper, we report on a study of 13 students in a second-year German language course who read a German short story on a multimedia CD-ROM. They had access to multimedia annotations of difficult vocabulary words, and their actions were tracked while they looked up words and completed a vocabulary test and comprehension exercises. In order to assess their working memory capacity, they completed a nonword repetition test and a reading span test. Analyses suggest a relationship between phonological working memory (nonword repetition test) and the number of look-ups, with those individuals with lower verbal WM capacity looking up more words. These results suggest that students use the multimedia look-up features of the CD-ROM to compensate for working memory capacity constraints. To showcase the new multimedia capabilities of System , we created screen capture movies that give readers a taste of the experimental treatment ( CyberBuch ) and the working memory tests (reading span, nonword repetition) administered in the study.
Transition Practices for Handicapped Young Children: What the Experts Say

The transition segment of a discussion by a group of nationally known experts in early childhood handicapped programing is reported. The national panel interviews and symposium were part of a larger study funded to study Illinois and nationally known preschool handicapped programs. Findings indicated that the importance of effective transition was recognized and that transition procedures were written into many programs, but were not followed in practice. The national panel commented extensively on procedures used in moving children from one program to another. Goals, characteristics, and procedures were suggested and recommended for insuring smooth transition. The necessity of planning and implementing careful followup was stressed.
Basal release of Met-enkephalin and neurotensin in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray matter of the rat: a microdialysis study of antinociceptive circuits.

The periaqueductal gray (PAG) contains neural circuits that participate in descending antinociception. Anatomical and electrophysiological evidence suggests that these circuits might employ opioid peptides and GABA in series to remove a tonic inhibition of descending PAG output neurons. The present studies examined the release of the antinociceptive peptides Met-enkephalin and neurotensin in the ventrolateral PAG, and investigated the interaction between GABA and Met-enkephalin release. In awake and freely moving rats the ventrolateral PAG was dialysed using 25 ga. concentric probes. Basal release of peptide in 12 min or 40 min fractions was determined using radioimmunoassays. To establish how the ventrolateral PAG responds to nociception, dialysis was performed following unilateral hindpaw inflammation using Complete Freund's Adjuvant. Twenty-four hours after inflammation was induced, neurotensin release was increased 133% and Met-enkephalin release was increased 353% compared to control animals. Seven days after inflammation was induced, neurotensin release declined precipitously, while basal Met-enkephalin release remained elevated 313% above controls. Thus, unlike enkephalin, increased basal neurotensin release is not sustained with persistent tonic nociception. In addition, we confirmed in normal animals that the ventrolateral PAG is induced to release Met-enkephalin by systemic morphine. A 43% increase in basal Met-enkephalin release was observed immediately following a 12 mg/kg i.p. morphine injection. Morphine should have the opposite effect (inhibit peptide release) if it acts directly on the enkephalinergic neurons. Thus, we examined the hypothesis that GABAergic interneurons in the PAG mediated morphine-stimulated enkephalin release. When the GABAantagonist bicuculline (0.25 μM to 25 μM) was co-infused with the dialysis medium, Met-enkephalin release increased in a dose-dependent fashion and peaked 68% above pre-infusion levels. These data elucidate the reciprocal inhibitory relationship between GABA and enkephalin in the ventrolateral PAG. We hypothesize that, when nociception induces Met-enkephalin release within this region, the tonic GABAergic inhibition is overcome, resulting in greater sensitivity of PAG enkephalinergic neurons. Ultimately, this enhanced enkephalin release should result in greater excitability of the descending PAG output neurons that are responsible for antinociception.
Seeded Magneto-Rayleigh Taylor experiments on planar foils using a 1-MA Linear Transformer Driver

Recent work on the 1-MA Michigan Linear Transformer Driver, MAIZE, has focused on the Magneto Rayleigh-Taylor (MRT) instability and validation of analytic theory, developed at UM (see abstract by Lau et al.). MAIZE is a nominal 1-MA, 100 ns, 100 kV driver, capable of driving 0.1 Ω matched loads. We present here the results of a series of shots using different techniques to seed the MRT instability on planar or pseudo-planar foils. The planar geometry is unique in that it eliminates the complication of the m=0 and m=1 instabilities, allowing extricated analysis of the MRT instability.
Angiogenesis and improved cerebral blood flow in the ischemic boundary area detected by MRI after administration of sildenafil to rats with embolic stroke.

To dynamically investigate the long-term response of an ischemic lesion in rat brain to the administration of sildenafil, male Wistar rats subjected to embolic stroke were treated with sildenafil (n=11) or saline (n=10) at a dose of 10mg/Kg administered subcutaneously 24-hours after stroke and daily for an additional 6-days. Magnetic resonance images were acquired and functional performance was measured in all animals at 1-day, 2-days and weekly for 6-weeks post-stroke. All rats were sacrificed 6-weeks after stroke and endothelial barrier antigen immunostaining was employed for morphological analysis and quantification of cerebral vessels. Map-ISODATA was computed from T1, T2 and T1sat maps. ISODATA derived tissue signatures characterize the degree of ischemic injury. Based on the map-ISODATA calculated at 6-weeks, the ischemic lesion for each animal was divided into two specific regions, the ischemic boundary and ischemic core. The temporal profiles of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and tissue signature were retrospectively tracked in these two regions and were compared with histological evaluation and functional outcome. After 1-week of sildenafil treatment, the ischemic lesion exhibited two significantly different regions, with higher CBF level and correspondingly, lower tissue signature value in the boundary region than in the core region. Sildenafil treatment did not significantly reduce the lesion size, but did enhance angiogenesis. Functional performance was significantly increased after sildenafil treatment compared with the control group. Administration of sildenafil to rats with embolic stroke enhances angiogenesis and selectively increases the CBF level in the ischemic boundary, and improves neurological functional recovery compared to saline-treated rats.
Evolution of giant gaseous protoplanets embedded in the primitive solar nebula

In contrast to earlier evolutionary calculations, which assumed that protoplanets are isolated, the present spherically symmetric approximation for a protoplanet of one Jovian mass during the early phase of quasi-static contraction invokes a time-dependent surface boundary condition that simulates physical conditions in an evolving primitive solar nebula. Assuming in a first set of calculations that the protoplanet is surrounded by a thermal bath whose temperature varies with time, and whose pressure is small and constant, results show evaporation and complete dispersal of the object. A second set of calculations varies both temperature and pressure at the surface with time, according to solar nebula models, and yields an acceleration or retardation of evolution, relative to that of an isolated protoplanet, depending on the relative entropy of the nebula and the protoplanet's outer layers. Processes by which terrestrial planets can form in the cores of giant gaseous protoplanets are discussed.
Power System Model Identification via the Thermodynamic Formalism

Abstract This paper focuses upon the development of a methodology for data–driven construction of mesoscopic models of the T&D system for use in real-time monitoring and control. The system dynamics are lifted to a discrete covering space which provides an encoding of the system dynamics within symbol strings. These symbol strings are treated as Bernoulli shifts and are characterized, via the machinery of information theory and formal language theory, as probabilistic automata. As these automata are fundamentally pattern recognizers, they provide a fundamental basis for event/anomaly detection and thus a basis for critical grid monitoring functions such as security state identification.
Analysis of SOFCs Using Reference Electrodes

Reference electrodes are frequently applied to isolate the performance of one electrode in a solid oxide fuel cell. However, reference electrode simulations raise doubt to veracity of data collected using reference electrodes. The simulations predict that the reported performance for the one electrode will frequently contain performance of both electrodes. Nonetheless, recent reports persistently treat data so collected as ideally isolated. This work confirms the predictions of the reference electrode simulations on two SOFC designs, and to provides a method of validating the data measured in the 3-electrode configuration. Validation is based on the assumption that a change in gas composition to one electrode does not affect the impedance of the other electrode at open circuit voltage. This assumption is supported by a full physics simulation of the SOFC. Three configurations of reference electrode and cell design are experimentally examined using various gas flows and two temperatures. Impedance data are subjected to deconvolution analysis and equivalent circuit fitting and approximate polarization resistances of the cathode and anode are determined. The results demonstrate that the utility of reference electrodes is limited and often wholly inappropriate. Reported impedances and single electrode polarization values must be scrutinized on this basis.
Are Topographic Data Sets Fractal

The scale invariant properties of fractal sets make them attractive models for topographic profiles because those profiles are the end product of a complex system of physical processes operating over many spatial scales. If topographic data sets are fractal, their power spectra will be well represented by lines in log-log space with slopess such that −3≤s<−1. The power spectra from a Digital Elevation Model (30 meter sample spacing) of the Sierra Nevada Batholith and from Seabeam center beam depths (425 meter sample spacing) along a flowline in the South Atlantic are curved. Straight sections in the spectra can be identified but the slopes of those sections are strongly dependent upon the particulars of the data analysis. Fractal geometry must be used with caution in the discussion of topographic data sets.
The effect of temperature and time of oxidation, and of the polyolefin film thickness on its adhesion to metal☆

Abstract The effects of the temperature-time conditions for the formation of unstabilized polyolefin coatings on the degree of oxidation of the boundary layer between polymer and support and on the adhesion to the latter have been studied. The poorer adhesion on prolonging the thermal oxidation time have been found to be linked with the appearance of low mol. wt. oxidation products in the coating, while a temperature elevation reduced the degree of oxidation in the boundary layer and produced low mol. wt. oxidation products in the coating. The correlation between these factors and their effects on adhesion have been determined.
Agency Theory and the Motivational Effect of Management Compensation An Experimental Contingency Study

Agency research has concluded that executive compensation through fixed salary promotes managerial opportunism, whereas equity ownership promotes managers' compliance with stockholders' interests. Using an experimental design, this study examined the extent to which these motivational effects of compensation are conditioned by the level of board control and conditions in the managerial labor market. Participants' opportunistic behavior was negatively affected by the level of board control. This effect was reinforced by high fixed salary compensation and favorable conditions in the managerial labor market.
Hospitality and Tourism Journal Matrix

Ease in locating hospitality and tourism journals is of interest to hospitality and tourism professionals, graduate students, researchers, and scholars. At present, there is no one location with concise information regarding hospitality and tourism journal descriptions, editors, and contact information. The matrix that follows contains a compiled list of hospitality and tourism journals along with pertinent journal information
Biosynthesis of glucose from pyruvate-2-C14 and aspartate-3-C14 in a mollusc☆

Abstract 1. 1. The clam, Rangia cuneata Gray, is capable of synthesizing glucose from aspartate-3-C14 and pyruvate-2-C14 in foot muscle, hepatopancreas and mantle. 2. 2. In muscle and hepatopancreas the isotope distribution in the glucose (from glycogen) with aspartate-3-C14 as the precursor is compatible with a mechanism in which the isotope is completely randomized before formation of phosphoenolpyruvate. In mantle this randomization is incomplete. 3. 3. The isotope distribution in the glucose (from glycogen) with pyruvate-2-C14 as a precursor is compatible with the operation of two pathways, viz. the direct conversion of pyruvate to phosphoenolpyruvate and the carboxylation of pyruvate to oxalacetate prior to phosphoenolpyruvate formation. The latter mechanism was found to be the predominant pathway in the three organs studied. 4. 4. The predominance of the “indirect pathway” for glucose synthesis from pyruvate is correlated with high levels of PEP-carboxykinase activity in these three organs.
Essentially Compact Schemes for Unsteady Viscous Incompressible Flows

A new fourth-order accurate finite difference scheme for the computation of unsteady viscous incompressible flows is introduced. The scheme is based on the vorticity-stream function formulation. It is essentially compact and has the nice features of a compact scheme with regard to the treatment of boundary conditions. It is also very efficient, at every time step or RungeÂ?Kutta stage, only two Poisson-like equations have to be solved. The Poisson-like equations are amenable to standard fast Poisson solvers usually designed for second order schemes. Detailed comparison with the second-order scheme shows the clear superiority of this new fourth-order scheme in resolving both the boundary layers and the gross features of the flow. This efficient fourth-order scheme also made it possible to compute the driven cavity flow at Reynolds number 106on a 10242grid at a reasonable cost. Fourth-order convergence is proved under mild regularity requirements. This is the first such result to our knowledge.