cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
INTERCONVERSIONS OF VARIOUS TYPES OF SECANT AND INCREMENTAL MODULI FOR SOFT BIOLOGICAL TISSUE

ABSTRACT Elastic behavior of most biological tissue is nonlinear in terms of the usual definitions of stress and strain. Because of the large geometric changes involved, two different types of stress (engineering stress and true stress) and several different types of strain (for example, engineering strain, Green-St. Venant strain and natural strain) can be used to describe uniaxial test data for such materials, with each choice of a stress-strain pair yielding a different curve. Linearizations using secant or incremental moduli of elasticity can be carried out in terms of many alternate definitions. For a choice of two stress and three strain descriptions we may define six sets of secant moduli and nine sets of incremental moduli. Here presented are explicit relationships in tabular form among the different types of secant and incremental moduli at arbitrary levels of deformation. It is hoped that the tables will serve as ready tools to compare and interconvert uniaxial test data presented by different investigators.
Bacterial Detection Using Evanescent Wave-Based Fluorescent Biosensors

Detection and identification of bacteria is an important aspect of our world today. Outbreaks of pathogenic bacteria, either occurring naturally in food or possibly being used as weapons by bioterrorists for contamination of food, air, and water, are constantly in the news. Identifying the specific bacteria responsible for these outbreaks and their potential source is of great importance. Biosensors, specifically evanescent wave-based fluorescence biosensors, are evolving to meet these challenges. In evanescent wave sensors, light is launched into an optical waveguide at such an angle that the light is internally reflected completely at the interface of the waveguide and the surrounding medium. An electromagnetic wave is generated at the surface that penetrates 100–200 nm into the surrounding medium (air, buffer). Fluorophores that are bound within this region by the target bacteria and a recognition molecule are excited. Many different configurations of this method have been developed and will be discussed in this chapter.
Decadal changes in tree range stability across forests of the eastern U.S.

Abstract The monitoring of tree range dynamics has emerged as an important component of adaptive responses of forest management to global change scenarios such as extreme precipitation events and/or invasive species. Comparisons between the locations of adults versus seedlings of individual tree species using contemporary forest inventories is one tool widely used to assess the status of tree ranges in light of these changing conditions. With the consistent remeasurement of standard forest inventory plots across the entire eastern US occurring since the 2000s, the opportunity exists to evaluate the stability of tree ranges of focal species across a decade. Using said inventory, the northern range margins of tree distributions were examined by comparing differences (Holm-Sidak adjusted p-value = 0.2) in the 95th percentile locations of seedlings to adults (i.e., trees) by 0.5 degree longitudinal bands over nearly 10 years and by categories of canopy disturbance (i.e., canopy gap formation) for 20 study species. Our results suggest that range margins are stable for 85% of study species at both time one and at remeasurement regardless of canopy disturbance. For the very few species that had a significant difference in seedlings and adults at their range margins, there was nearly a 0.4 degree difference in latitude with seedlings being farther south irrespective of disturbance. Our findings of tree range stability across forests of the eastern US indicate a general propensity towards range contraction, especially for study species forecasted to lose range and located on disturbed sites, which may present substantial hurdles for adaptive management strategies focused on maintaining and enhancing forest ecosystem resilience in the context of global change and associated rapid climate change.
Context Considerations for Developing the In Defense of Food Nutrition Education Curriculum.

ABSTRACT Objective To examine perceptions of teachers and afterschool program staff related to the positive aspects and challenges of afterschool education for youth to guide the development of the “In Defense of Food” nutrition education curriculum. Methods Semi-structured in-depth interviews with a convenience sample of teachers and afterschool program staff experienced serving at-risk youth were conducted in New York, NY. They were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using inductive summative content analysis to identify, count, and compare themes. Results Interviews (n = 12) generated 2 meta-themes (Pedagogical Elements for Successful Learning and Pragmatic Considerations for hosting health promotion programs in the afterschool context). Learner-centered and tailored approaches and building social connection were considered important for fostering learning in the afterschool context. Conclusions and Implications This study emphasizes the importance of considering pedagogical elements related to delivery that minimizes didactic instruction and focuses on learner-centered approaches. Further research is needed to compare outcomes and process measures common approaches used in designing nutrition education curricula with those that have been described in this study.
ECMO in the Burn Patient: the Time Has Come

The use of extracorporeal life support in the intensive care unit has exponentially increased in the last decade. Initially, its use in the burn population lagged behind the dramatic growth in other patient populations; however, in the last 2–3 years, there has been an increase in the number of publications related to its use in this population. In this article, we review the use of contemporary ECMO in the burn patient population and discuss future trends. Level 1 evidence for the use of ECMO in any patient population is scarce, and there is no level 1 evidence for the use of ECMO in burn patients. Recently, there has been an increase in case series and case reports describing the use of contemporary ECMO in burn patients. In addition, there are two large retrospective reviews of large registries utilizing ECMO in burn patients. The results from these studies all indicate that outcomes using ECMO in this critically ill patient population has survival rates at least comparable to the survival found in other patient populations. There are still many unanswered questions, and future focus needs to address patient selection, timing of initiation, management, and the duration of ECMO therapy.
Targeting prosurvival BCL2 signaling through Akt blockade sensitizes castration‐resistant prostate cancer cells to enzalutamide

Background Prostate cancer that recurs after initial treatment inevitably progresses to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), the lethal stage of the disease. Despite improvements in outcomes from next generation androgen receptor (AR)-axis inhibitors, CRPC remains incurable. Therapeutic strategies to target AR antagonist resistance are urgently needed to improve outcomes for men with this lethal form of prostate cancer. Methods Apoptosis and BCL2 family signaling were characterized in cell line models of CRPC. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis were used to determine BCL2 expression levels. Drug sensitivity was determined by proliferation, survival and apoptosis analysis. Protein-protein interactions were evaluated by coimmunoprecipitation followed by Western blot detection. Results In the present study, we identify antiapoptotic BCL2 protein signaling as a mechanism of resistance to AR antagonist enzalutamide. In CRPC cell line models, we found that BCL-xL and MCL-1 proteins block apoptosis through binding and sequestering proapoptotic proteins BIM and BAX, resulting in cell survival in response to enzalutamide. Treatment with BH3-mimetics targeting BCL-xL or MCL-1 disrupts these interactions and activates apoptosis, sensitizing CRPC cells to enzalutamide. Importantly, we demonstrate that PI3K/Akt signaling is activated in response to enzalutamide and mediates apoptosis evasion through inactivation of BAD, a BH3-only protein that activates proapoptotic signlaing through inhbition of BCL-xL. Inhibition of Akt activates BAD, resulting in increased apoptosis and sensitivity to enzalutamide, demonstrating an alternative therapeutic strategy to target drug resistance. Conclusions These results demonstrate that CRPC cells employ multiple mechanisms to mediate apoptosis evasion through BCL2 signaling, suggesting this pathway is critical for survival. This study provides a strong preclinical rationale for developing therapeutic strategies to target antiapoptotic BCL2 signaling in combination with AR antagonists to improve treatment options for patients with advanced prostate cancer.
16 – chi square

Publisher Summary The testing of hypotheses about frequency data falling in category-sets is similar in strategy to testing differences between an observed sample mean and the hypothesized value of the population mean. A question normally asked by an investigator dealing with frequencies is: Can the differences between the observed frequencies (symbolized as fO) and the frequencies expected if the null hypothesis is true (symbolized as fe) be attributed to random sampling fluctuations, or are the differences likely to be because of non-chance factors—that is, to the falsity of the null hypothesis? The statistic used to test such hypotheses is chi square χ2. If the differences between the observed frequencies and the expected frequencies are small, therefore, χ2 will be small. The greater the difference between the observed frequencies and those expected under the null hypothesis, the larger χ2 will be. If the differences between observed and expected values are so large collectively as to occur by chance only .05 or less of the time when the null hypothesis is true, the null hypothesis is rejected.
The Story of Luckin

In the early 21st century, China is labeled as fake and counterfeit by people around the world. But with the emergence of a series of Chinese companies in the world, people are starting to change their minds about Chinese companies. Although some companies are not very good, some powerful companies such as Alibaba still shock investors in the world. However, Luckin's financial fraud has ignited doubts about the Chinese concept stocks, and this time we mainly analyze the business logic and outlet of the company.
Impact of Bridging Locoregional Therapies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma on Post-transplant Clinical Outcome.

Long waiting times due to ongoing organ shortage have led to increased utilization of locoregional therapies (LRTs) to bridge patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to liver transplantation (LT). We performed this study to evaluate the impact of LRTs on post-LT outcomes. We conducted a retrospective study of patients who were transplanted for HCC at Stanford University Hospital between 2008 and 2018 (n = 302). We found that receipt of ≥5 LRTs was an independent and significant predictor of poor overall 5-year survival (58.3% vs. 83.3%; HR 2.26, p = .03), poor recurrence-free 5-year survival (51.9% vs. 80.4%; HR 2.12, p = .03), and was associated with higher rates of recurrence (25.0% vs. 7.4%, p = .001). Moreover, recurrent HCC was more likely to be the cause of death (58.3% vs. 41.7%, p = .04) in patients who received ≥5 LRTs. Also, patients who required ≥5 LRTs showed an overall lower rate of radiological complete response (46.9% vs. 97.8%, p = .001) and were more likely to have more advanced pathological stage tumors in the explant (65.6% vs. 29.6%, p < .001). In conclusion, receipt of ≥5 bridging LRTs prior to LT is associated with worse post-transplant clinical outcomes.
Automatic Detection of Respiratory Symptoms Using a Low Power Multi-Input CNN Processor

This paper proposes a scalable hardware involving end-to-end multi-input Deep Convolutional Neural Networks (DCNN) for early diagnosis of respiratory symptoms and disease detection. Our analysis provides evidence that detection accuracy improves up to 5% when additional information relating to the demography or physiology of the subject is appended to the deep learning framework. The proposed hardware takes windowed raw audio signals as input and processes them in tandem with the demographic information using 8 processing engines. The hardware is implemented on Artix-7 FPGA and consumes 245 mW with an energy efficiency of 4.9 GOPS/W, which is 1.5× higher than the existing works on FPGA and GPU platforms.
Management of Buffer Systems in Automotive Stabilized Production Networks – A Qualitative Analysis

Automotive manufacturers are operating in global and cross-linked production networks. From a productions and logistics point of view they act as consignors and consignees of material, components and car bodies within these networks. The demand for customized cars, rapidly changing market environments, local market regulations and technology leaps force companies to orient their operational activities towards more flexible and resilient production strategies. One promising method to deal with the evolving complexity, uncertainty and volatility is to establish a stabilized production system. This concept requires several prerequisites, above all a high degree of stability in the production process. Buffers are allocated to perform multiple functions in order to provide stability. Opposing objectives of stakeholders, unfavorable infrastructural settings and the lack of an integral planning process can be an obstruction towards effective buffer allocation in production networks. If not applied in an integrated approach considering all functions buffer capacity can lead to an adverse effect on the overall performance. Misaligned buffers lower the efficiency, reduce the flexibility and increase the complexity of production systems. This article presents trade-off observations and challenges system designers are confronted with during the allocation of buffers in stabilized production networks. The most significant trade-off is between the two competing objectives of stability and throughput. Best practice on how to implement buffers and manage the arising trade-off are presented.
Surface ozone monitoring and policy: A geospatial decision support tool for suitable location of monitoring stations in urban areas

Abstract Fixed site monitoring is the primary method of measuring surface ozone pollution for health advisories and pollutant reduction, but the spatial scale may not reflect the current population distribution or its future growth. Moreover, formal methods for the placement of ozone monitoring sites within populations regions omit important spatial criteria producing monitoring locations that could unintentionally bias the exposure burden. Because ozone pollution endangers human health, triggering shortness of breath, causing asthma attacks and mortality, a need exists for assessing the spatial representativeness and data gaps of existing pollution monitors and to evaluate future placement strategies of additional monitors. A new metric, the potency index, for assessing the placements of monitors in relation to population distribution was developed. This index was used to evaluate the configuration of the ozone pollution monitoring network in relation to the population distribution in Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW). Location-allocation models were used to optimize future sensor quantity and placement. Finally, we propose the development of a decision support system that uses evaluation and optimization methods to improve air pollution monitoring objectives.
Recent Advances in 3D Printing of Biomedical Sensing Devices

Additive manufacturing, also called 3D printing, is a rapidly evolving technique that allows for the fabrication of functional materials with complex architectures, controlled microstructures, and material combinations. This capability has influenced the field of biomedical sensing devices by enabling the trends of device miniaturization, customization, and elasticity (i.e., having mechanical properties that match with the biological tissue). In this paper, the current state‐of‐the‐art knowledge of biomedical sensors with the unique and unusual properties enabled by 3D printing is reviewed. The review encompasses clinically important areas involving the quantification of biomarkers (neurotransmitters, metabolites, and proteins), soft and implantable sensors, microfluidic biosensors, and wearable haptic sensors. In addition, the rapid sensing of pathogens and pathogen biomarkers enabled by 3D printing, an area of significant interest considering the recent worldwide pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus, is also discussed. It is also described how 3D printing enables critical sensor advantages including lower limit‐of‐detection, sensitivity, greater sensing range, and the ability for point‐of‐care diagnostics. Further, manufacturing itself benefits from 3D printing via rapid prototyping, improved resolution, and lower cost. This review provides researchers in academia and industry a comprehensive summary of the novel possibilities opened by the progress in 3D printing technology for a variety of biomedical applications. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Advanced Functional Materials is the property of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
The Suinn-Lew Asian Self-Identity Acculturation Scale (SL-ASIA): Critique and Research Recommendations

This article reviews the conceptual basis and psychometric strengths and limitations of the Suinn-Lew Asian Self-Identity Acculturation Scale (SL-ASIA; Suinn, Ahuna, & Khoo, 1992; Suinn, Khoo, & Ah...
Psychosocial Impact of the Phase of Cancer on the Family

Families of cancer patients can be viewed as experiencing a sequence of problems as they cope with the demands of the patient's illness. This article reviews clinical and research literature on family problems during six phases of cancer: diagnosis, hospital, posthospital, adjuvant treatment, recurrence, and terminal. The author identifies the central issues in current research as well as the synchronies and gaps between clinical and empirical data. Focusing on recent studies, the article extends both the phases and problems that Northouse identified in a review published in 1984. It also identifies necessary areas for future research and suggests the need to help families anticipate and cope with the issues central to them at each phase of thc illness.
Combined statistical and dynamical assessment of simulated vegetation-rainfall interactions in North Africa during the mid-Holocene

A negative feedback of vegetation cover on subsequent annual precipitation is simulated for the mid-Holocene over North Africa using a fully coupled general circulation model with dynamic vegetation, FOAM-LPJ (Fast Ocean Atmosphere Model-Lund Potsdam Jena Model). By computing a vegetation feedback parameter based on lagged auto-covariances, the simulated impact of North African vegetation on precipitation is statistically quantified. The feedback is also dynamically assessed through initial value ensemble experiments, in which North African grass cover is initially reduced and the climatic response analyzed. The statistical and dynamical assessments of the negative vegetation feedback agree in sign and relative magnitude for FOAM-LPJ. The negative feedback on annual precipitation largely results from a competition between bare soil evaporation and plant transpiration, with increases in the former outweighing reductions in the latter given reduced grass cover. This negative feedback weakens and eventually reverses sign over time during a transient simulation from the mid-Holocene to present. A similar, but weaker, negative feedback is identified in Community Climate System Model Version 2 (CCSM2) over North Africa for the mid-Holocene.
Experimental study on compact, high-gain, low SAR single- and dual-band patch antenna for cellular telephones

The presence of the human head and hand significantly alter the performance of cellular telephones. A considerable fraction of the power (30-70 percent) is generally absorbed by the human body, causing SAR concerns and drastic reduction in antenna efficiency. The use of high-gain, broad-band, microstrip patch antenna would alleviate the problem, leading to low SARs without decrease in radiating performance of the cellular telephone. We present experimental and numerical results on one single-band and one dual-band microstrip patch antennas (covering the wireless bands, i.e. 825-895 and 1850-1930 MHz) designed in our laboratory. Results show that these antennas, mounted on a box simulating the handset, are characterized by radiating performance comparable to, or better than, typical cellular telephones. Moreover, the patch antenna handsets induce very low SARs in the human head compared to those of similar handsets equipped with typical whip antennas. Because of the reduced absorption in the head and resulting lower SARs, the patch antennas will require less power leading to longer battery life.
Theory for the fast blowup of particle bunches in accelerators

Abstract A theory for the fast longitudinal blowup of individual bunches (the microwave instability) is given. The predictions of this theory are consistent with experimental observations of the behavior of bunched proton beams. A numerical simulation is used to test the theory. Very good agreement is obtained. It is remarked that since the development of the instability is on a time scale where electrons and protons are equivalent, the theory should be applicable to the bunch lengthening phenomenon in electron storage rings.
Pembroke Breccia: Solution--Collapse of the Lower Windsor Group (Mississippian) in Central Nova Scotia: ABSTRACT

The Pembroke Breccia disconformably overlies the basal limestone of the Mississippian Windsor group in central Nova Scotia and has previously been considered a primary breccia in the Windsor group. The breccia is estimated to be as much as 100 feet thick. It is absent in deep borings; at depth, the basal limestone is apparently conformably overlain by interbedded limestone and anhydrite. The Pembroke typically is a jumbled mass of unsorted angular limestone fragments in a matrix of muddy massive limestone. Most of the fragments are similar to the basal laminated limestone of the Windsor group, although some are of massive limestone and red marl apparently derived from beds higher in the section. Irregular pipes, channels, and masses of sandy breccia containing scattered quartzose pebbles occur within the typical breccia. In a few exposures the breccia contains relict beds; in others, thin graded calcarenite beds appear to fill pockets in the breccia. Late Paleozoic regional deformation extensively folded the Windsor group; the Pembroke Breccia is younger than this deformation. Stratification in floored cavities is virtually horizontal and is independent of the attitude of the adjacent Windsor strata. The deformation produced veins normal to bedding in the Windsor limestone; many rotated fragments within the breccia contain similar veins normal to their bedding. Metamorphic fabric, absent in the breccia matrix, varies in nature and orientation from fragment to fragment. Sand grains, pebbles, and heavy minerals within sandy parts of the breccia appear to have been derived from Triassic rocks, suggesting that the breccia originated in either Triassic or post-Triassic time. It is here proposed that the breccia formed only near an erosion surface by collapse and disintegration following solution of anhydrite interbeds and part of the limestone. The sandy breccia appears to be composed of surficial debris which filled solution channels within the typical breccia. Because the Pembroke Breccia was formed long after the deposition of the Windsor group, it should not be regarded as a stratigraphic unit of the group. The actual depositional sequence of the basal Windsor is (in ascending order): limestone, interbedded limestone and anhydrite, anhydrite, and halite. End_of_Article - Last_Page 521------------
Fixational ocular motor control is plastic despite visual deprivation.

The aim of this study was to assess the plasticity of human voluntary fixational eye movement control in relation to visual experience/chronic visual deprivation. Twelve blind adults participated (self-reported vision ≤ light perception in each eye; age range = 23–56 years; visual experience range = 0–28 years; blindness duration range = 6–55 years). Infrared-based recordings of horizontal eye movements were made before, during, and immediately after three 30-s periods of auditory ocular motor feedback, while participants were instructed to look straight ahead and keep their eyes as steady as possible. Percent change in horizontal displacement of the eye during and after feedback was compared with the no-feedback baseline. Eleven of the 12 individuals demonstrated feedback-mediated increase in eye stability, which improved as a function of visual experience. Improved eye stability was inversely related to duration of blindness. Clearly, blind adults can use nonvisual external feedback to stabilize gaze. Thus, the fixational subsystem can exhibit improved voluntary control despite chronic visual deprivation. Possible cortical and subcortical mechanisms are discussed.
Neurodegeneration: Potential Causes, Prevention, and Future Treatment Options

Here I advance a hypothesis that neurodegeneration is a natural process associated with aging due to the loss of genetic redundancy following a mathematical model R(t) = R0(1-αe(βC+γI+δEt)t), where the calorie intake (C) and immune response (I) play critical roles. The early onset of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease is due to metabolic imbalance or chronic immune reactions to various infections. Therefore, the potential treatment options for neurodegenerative diseases are to modulate metabolism and immune response.
Characteristics of active-region sources of solar wind near solar maximum

Previous studies of the source regions of solar wind sampled by ACE and Ulysses showed that some solar wind originates from open magnetic flux rooted in active regions. These solar wind sources were labeled active-region sources when the open flux was from a strong field region with no corresponding coronal hole in the NSO He 10830 A synoptic coronal-hole maps. Here, we present a detailed investigation of several of these active-region sources using ACE and Ulysses solar wind data, potential field models of the corona, and solar imaging data. We find that the solar wind from these active-region sources has distinct signatures, e.g., it generally has a higher oxygen charge state than wind associated with helium-10830 A coronal-hole sources, indicating a hotter source region, consistent with the active region source interpretation. We compare the magnetic topology of the open field lines of these active-region sources with images of the hot corona to search for corresponding features in EUV and soft X-ray images. In most, but not all, cases, a dark area is seen in the EUV and soft X-ray image as for familiar coronal-hole sources. However, in one case no dark area was evident in the soft X-ray images: the magnetic model showed a double dipole coronal structure consistent with the images, both indicating that the footpoints of the open field lines, rooted deep within the active region, lay near the separatrix between loops connecting to two different opposite polarity regions.
Failures in hypnosis and hypnotherapy: a review.

Abstract Failures in hypnotherapy include failures in the hypnotic experience as well as in the process or outcome of therapy. A review of the literature suggests that failures are likely to result from therapeutic variables such as techniques, strategies or the therapist's reactions that are inappropriate for a particular patient at a particular time and may be prevented by a better understanding of the implications for these therapeutic variables.
Hourly and monthly variations in surface temperature of opaque PVC during exposure under clear skies

To characterize weather as it affects plastics, measurements of surface temperature of opaque PVC panels subjected to outdoor exposure at five orientations in Ottawa, Canada, have been taken hourly for a year. Readings taken during Clear Hour periods, both day and night, have been selected, and for each panel the corresponding average daily surface temperature-time curve for each month was determined. These curves should be generally applicable to other common opaque plastics in service. They provide better appreciation of the temperature conditions to which plastics may be subjected, permit attainment of more realistic laboratory simulation of weathering, and provide input for equations predicting the behaviour of plastics on exterior exposure.
Erythrocyte bisulfite transport.

The wide range of transport rates for anions of differing chemical structure by the human erythrocyte anion transport protein (Band 3 protein) suggests that this protein is highly selective for anions that chemically resemble its natural substrate bicarbonate. To test this hypothesis, the influx of bisulfite (HSO3−1), a bicarbonate analog, was compared to influxes of chloride, sulfate, and bicarbonate, as measured by the technique of colloid osmotic lysis in isotonic ammonium salt solution. The lysis time induced in chloride solution (⪢ 10 min) was markedly accelerated to 0.6 min by the addition of small amounts (5 mM) of bicarbonate, an effect characteristic of colloid osmotic lysis induced by the anion transport pathway. Lysis in bicarbonate solution was extremely rapid (0.09 min), and was markedly inhibited by acetazolamide (2.9 min). Lysis in bisulfite solution occurred spontaneously (2.2 min) but was markedly accelerated to a time similar to that of chloride (0.56 min) by addition of 5 mM bicarbonate. In contrast, sulfate induced lysis was extremely slow (< 10% lysis at 40 min in the presence of bicarbonate). Preincubation of erythrocytes with SITS, an inhibitor of anion exchange, prevented lysis by chloride, but had no effect on lysis by bicarbonate, indicating that lysis by bicarbonate was predominantly through diffusion and not anion transport. SITS treatment of erythrocytes eliminated the catalytic effect of bicarbonate during lysis by bisulfite, indicating that anion transport of bisulfite and diffusion of the conjugate acid in the form of SO2 both contribute to the total membrane flux. When the contribution of diffusion is taken into account, the rate of bisulfite influx through the anion exchange pathway is at least 100-fold faster than that for sulfate.
CMOS operational amplifier performance at cryogenic temperatures

Abstract The performance of three different two-stage CMOS operational amplifiers (op-amps) at temperatures below 100 K was investigated. The open-loop gain and unity-gain frequency increased by at least a factor of 2 and 1.3, respectively, when cooled from room temperature to 50 K. However, because of current kinks in the n-channel output transistors, all of the op-amps developed severe non-linearities in their output characteristics at temperatures below 50 K with ±5 V supplies. Reducing the supply voltages extended the op-amps useful cold temperature operating range. One op-amp was found to operate quite well down to 30 K with the supplies reduced to ±2.5 V. Methods of improving the cold temperature operation of CMOS op-amps are discussed.
VR spray painting for training and design

A system is introduced for the simulation of spray painting. Head mounted display goggles are combined with a tracking system to allow users to paint a virtual surface with a spray gun. Ray tracing is used to simulate droplets landing on the surface of the object, allowing arbitrary shapes and spray gun patterns to be used. This system is combined with previous research on spray gun characteristics to provide a realistic simulation of the spray paint including the effects of viscosity, air pressure, and paint pressure. The simulation provides two different output modes: a non-photorealistic display that gives a visual representation of how much paint has landed on the surface, and a photorealistic simulation of how the paint would actually look on the object once it dried. Useful feedback values such as overspray are given. Experiments were performed to validate the system.
FDG-PET findings in patients with galactosaemia

Despite treatment with a galactose-restricted diet, many galactosaemia patients develop lifelong cognitive impairment, speech abnormalities and a gamut of neurological problems including cognitive impairment and tremors. No study has explored changes in cerebral glucose metabolism in patients with galactosaemia. Five patients with galactosaemia had ages ranging from 20 to 40 years (mean age 28 years) and eight similarly aged controls received brain [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) scans. PET scans were analysed using a previously validated template methodology of regions of interest (ROIs). Count ratios for each anatomical ROI were compared between the galactosaemic patients and the healthy controls. Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) software was also used to further analyse the data. ROI analysis showed that galactosaemic patients had significant bilateral decreases in cerebral glucose metabolism in the superior temporal gyrus, medial occipital lobe, parietal lobe, cerebellum, calcarine cortex, superior frontal cortex, and superior parietal cortex when compared with controls. Significant increases were seen in the cingulate gyrus and temporal poles, bilaterally. SPM analysis revealed foci of decreased glucose metabolism in the caudate, cerebellum, precentral gyrus and cerebellar tonsils of galactosaemic patients. SPM also showed increased glucose metabolism in the subcallosal gyrus and claustrum. The results show significant abnormalities in cerebral function in patients with galactosaemia, particularly with widespread decreases in cortical metabolism. These abnormalities appear to be in brain regions that may be associated with the neuropsychological deficits in these patients. PET brain scans may be of value in galactosaemia patients to evaluate for dysfunction.
Observational equivalence of the overlapping-generations and the cash-in-advance economies

Abstract This paper demonstrates that any equilibrium in an overlapping-generations economy a la Grandmont (1985) can be supported as an equilibrium in a cash-in-advance economy a la Lucas and Stokey (1987), and vice-versa. Thus, business cycles could occur at real-life frequencies.
Mesh size and diffusive characteristics of semicrystalline poly(vinyl alcohol) membranes prepared by freezing/thawing techniques

Abstract Semicrystalline poly(vinyl alcohol) membranes were prepared by freezing/thawing of aqueous PVA solutions at −20°C/+25°C for up to ten cycles. The ensuing membranes were analyzed by swelling, mechanical and thermal studies. During the freezing/thawing process, a crystalline phase was formed by the slow crystallization process. The crystalline PVA fraction was a function of the number of cycles and duration of each cycle. The volume-based crystalline fraction of PVA on a wet basis varied from 0.052 to 0.116. The equilibrium volume swelling ratio varied from 4.48 to 9.58 and was a function of the degree of crystallinity. The approximate mesh size of the amorphous network structure was also determined. Transport of theophylline and FITC-dextran was studied and the solute diffusion coefficients were determined. It was shown that solute transport was a function of the crystalline PVA fraction of the membranes and the mesh size of the networks formed. Comparison of theophylline transport in these films and membranes prepared by conventional annealing showed a significant densification of the membranes processed by freezing/thawing techniques.
Primary Transitional Cell Carcinoma Arising at the Site of Previous Dismembered Pyeloplasty

Dismembered pyeloplasty is a well accepted corrective surgical procedure for symptomatic ureteropelvic junction obstruction. A recognized complication of dismembered pyeloplasty is the development of a stricture at the anastomosis, which is mostly due to scarring. However, obstruction is rarely caused by the development of an intrinsic tumor at this site. We report a case of primary transitional cell carcinoma at the anastomotic site 12 years aRer elective pyeloplasty.
Measuring Stage of Change for Assessing Readiness to Increase Fruit and Vegetable Intake among 18- to 24-Year-Olds:

Abstract Purpose. To examine the appropriateness of the five-stage schema developed for addictive behaviors when applied to nonaddictive behaviors such as fruit and vegetable consumption. Design. A cross-sectional mail survey was conducted. Setting. Self-administered questionnaires were mailed to the home addresses of respondents recruited in 10 states and returned upon completion. Subjects. In all, 116 male and 185 female young adults (response rate = 70%) completed the questionnaires. Most respondents were Caucasian (74.4%) and college students (62.2%). Measures. Statistical analyses included analysis of variance with Scheffe's test, Pearson correlation and Cronbach's α coefficients, factor analysis, and cluster analysis. Results. Staging algorithms for fruits and vegetables were developed according to the five-stage schema, and their construct validity was verified by the incremental trend of food intakes. The algorithms identified more than 80% of the subjects as precontemplators, preparers, or mainta...
Measures of EEG and verbal intelligence: An inverse relationship

An inverse relationship exists between WAIS verbal IQ scores and measures obtained from a commercial EEG device, the neural efficiency analyzer. It is concluded that the relationship is one between psychometric verbal intelligence and spontaneous ongoing EEG frequency. The amount of variance accounted for by the correlation is too small, however, to warrant use of the instrument as a predictor of psychometric intelligence.
Clay Pipes and Smoking Paraphernalia from the Kitten Shipwreck, an Early Nineteenth-Century Black Sea Merchantman

Between 2000 and 2003, the Institute of Nautical Archaeology in collaboration with the Bulgarian Centre for Underwater Archaeology excavated the remains of an Ottoman period shipwreck in the southern bay of the town of Kitten, Bulgaria, dating to the reign of Sultan Selim III (1789–1807). This article discusses the smoking pipes and paraphernalia found on the wreck. The studied material offers a refinement to the dating of Ottoman pipes and proposes a reading of Ottoman pipe stamps from the Balkans that were hitherto considered undecipherable.
Circulating Ki-67 Index in Plasma as a Biomarker and Prognostic Indicator in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Ki-67 is a nuclear antigen that is expressed in all stages of the cell cycle, except G(0), and is widely used as a marker of cellular proliferation in human tumors. We recently showed that elevated levels of Ki-67 circulating in plasma (cKi-67) are associated with shorter survival in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The current study included 194 patients with CLL and 96 healthy control subjects. cKi-67 levels in plasma were determined using an electrochemiluminescent immunoassay. We normalized the cKi-67 level to the absolute number of lymphocytes in the patient's peripheral blood to establish the plasma cKi-67 index. The cKi-67 index showed significant correlation with lymph node involvement and Rai stage (P=0.05). Higher cKi-67 index values were significantly associated with shorter survival. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis demonstrated that the association of the cKi-67 index with shorter survival was independent of IgV(H) mutation status. In a multivariate model incorporating the cKi-67 index with B2M and IgV(H), only cKi-67 index and B2M levels remained as independent predictors of survival. The results of this study suggest that the plasma cKi-67 index, along with B2M level, is a strong predictor of clinical behavior in CLL.
AERODYNAMIC PRIMARY BREAKUP AT THE SURFACE OF NONTURBULENT ROUND LIQUID JETS IN CROSSFLOW

An experimental investigation of nonturbulent round liquid jets in air crossflows at normal temperature and pressure was carried out, using pulsed shadowgraphs to observe jet deformation and breakup. Test liquids included water, ethyl alcohol and glycerol mixtures; liquid jet diameters were in the range 0.8-13 mm; liquid velocities were in the range 0-50 m/s; and air velocities were in the range 0-24 m/s. The corresponding test range involved Weber numbers of 2-200, Ohnesorge numbers of 0.00006-0.3, liquid/gas momentum ratios of 100-8000 and liquid/gas density ratios of 580-1020. The observations suggest qualitative similarities between the surface breakup of nonturbulent round liquid jets in crossflow and the secondary breakup of drops; for example, for Ohnesorge numbers less than 0.1, the onset of breakup occurs as bag breakup beginning at a Weber number of 5, there is a second transition to a bag/shear breakup regime at a Weber number of 60 and a third transition to a shear breakup regime at a Weber number of 110. A long-ligament shear breakup regime appears at Ohnesorge numbers greater than 0.1. At the onset of breakup, the deformation of the liquid column yields a frontal diameter roughly twice the initial jet diameter, relatively independent of the breakup regime. The characteristics of waves associated with the breakup process were also studied, finding that bag and bag/shear breakup involved both liquid column and surface waves while shear breakup involved only surface waves. The results also showed that breakup characteristics were mainly influenced by the Weber number while effects of the liquid/gas momentum ratio are small. Nomenclature
Detection of hidden corrosion in aircraft structures using auralized ultrasonic data

Detection of hidden corrosion on aircraft structures using conventional ultrasonic testing (UT) techniques is difficult because of the thin walls and topography of the corrosion. These characteristics require use of high-frequency, high-spatial-resolution transducers to attempt to detect backwall signal amplitude. It is usually difficult to visually discriminate backwall signals of thin wing structure from the normal ringdown of the initial pulse of the transducer (from the front-surface reflection). A technique was developed that increases the reliability of ultrasonic detection of hidden corrosion. The technique, called aural ultrasonics, involves complete transformation of the ultrasonic information into audible sounds. A trained inspector can listen to the sounds generated by the aural UT equipment and detect the presence of hidden corrosion. The aural ultrasonic technique, associated equipment, and evaluation on hidden-corrosion test samples will be discussed in this paper.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Polymer-based chirped grating lens working at visible wavelengths on a GaAs substrate

We report the formation of a graded index (GRIN, n equals 1.4 - 1.6) single-mode polymer waveguide lens on a GaAs substrate. The physical dimension of the waveguide lens is defined by the pre-designed mask pattern. The photo lime gel we used is extracted from animal tissue. When dried, this biophotopolymer is a rigid glass film that shows very little absorption or optical scattering. It is soluble in aqueous solutions and insoluble in most organic solvents such as benzene, acetone, petroleum ether, and absolute alcohol. As a result of this, negative photoresist was used as a masking layer for emulsion sensitization. The recording of the chirp grating lens can be realized either by lithographic tool or by holographic recording.
Nuclear fuel recycling: National and regional options for the US nuclear energy system

A system dynamics model is applied to study the impact of spent fuel recycling on the US nuclear energy system and the implications of a bilateral hypothetical collaboration between the US and Brazil. In particular, the impact of different options for advanced fuel cycle facilities needed for the US nuclear energy market alone and under a Brazil partnership is studied. Different recycling technology options are considered: (1) thermal recycling of transuranics (TRUs) in Light Water Reactors (LWRs) using Combined Non-Fertile and UO2 Fuel (CONFU); (2) recycling of TRU in fertile-free metallic fuel in fast Actinide Burner Reactors (ABRs); and (3) fast recycling of TRU with UO2 in self-sustaining Gas-cooled Fast Reactors (GFRs). These recycling options are truly advanced and will require significant development, but they allow the evolution of nuclear energy systems with minimum transuranic elements in the nuclear waste, hence reduce the long term environmental burden of the waste. Case studies for different advanced technology introduction dates are examined under a prescribed rate of growth in demand for nuclear electricity. The timing of introduction of recycling is important for proper technology development. In the model, the rate of deployment is restrained by the industrial capacity to build TRU separation plants, as well as the desire for high utilization factor of the deployed facilities over their life time. It is notable that all recycling options result in only modest reductions in total uranium consumption at the end of the century. Due to its unity fissile conversion ratio, early introduction of the self-sustaining GFR recycling scheme leads to the largest reduction in uranium consumption and enrichment requirements, about 20%. On the other hand, the CONFU recycling scheme keeps the TRU inventory in the entire system well below other schemes, and guarantees equilibrium between the generation and consumption of TRU without investments in fast reactors. The three schemes reduce the TRU sent to the repository for disposal by two orders of magnitude, but the ABR and the GFR schemes require the introduction of the more costly fast reactors. The rate of deployment of fast reactors becomes limited by the availability of TRU from LWRs in the last quarter of the century. Moreover, an assessment of the impact on the US nuclear energy system of a major commitment to supply the nuclear fuel cycle needs of other countries, with Brazil as the example, is made. The partnership with Brazil implies that the US recycling facilities would be used at higher utilization factor, and more TRU will be available to start fast reactors in the US. Economic analysis for the US nuclear energy market indicates that the CONFU technology is more attractive at current uranium price level, and that fast recycling becomes as attractive as thermal recycling at much higher uranium prices.