cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extending overjustification: the effect of perceived reward-giver intention on response to rewards.

The perceived intention model incorporates a new moderator, beliefs about reward-giver intention, into the overjustification paradigm. In 2 simulated shopping studies featuring products paired with promotional rewards, consumers who believed the marketer was promotion focused (reward used to encourage purchase) reported lower purchase intentions and brand attitudes for promoted products after promotion, whereas consumers who believed the marketer was reward focused (promotion used to distribute the reward) showed no attitude change. Promotion-focus beliefs lowered attitudes by heightening the contingency between the promotion and purchase and thereby increasing the perceived causal role of the reward. This effect was contingent on initial behavior--postpromotion attitude change occurred for consumers who actively engaged in product decisions but not for consumers who passively observed the choice sets. Social scientists have long sought to understand the ramifications of externally provided rewards on the rewarded individual's internal beliefs and attitudes. Following the tenets of selfperception theory (Bern, 1967, 1972), researchers have proposed that an individual who participates in an activity when no external rewards are present is likely to infer that he or she must possess some intrinsic interest in the activity, as participation is representative of such interest. However, when participation in the activity will garner the individual some salient external reward, and when the individual knows about this reward contingency prior to participation, he or she will be likely to attribute the cause of his or her behavior to the reward rather than to the activity itself (Deci, 1971, 1972). The activity becomes simply a means to an end rather than an end in itself, and the rewarded individual therefore becomes less likely to engage in the activity again in the absence of a reward.
Increasing the Efficiency of a Gas Turbine Power Plant by Waste Heat Recovery

The objective of this paper is to evaluate methods to increase the efficiency of a gas turbine power plant. Advanced intercooled gas turbine power plants are quite efficient, efficiency reaching about 47%. The efficiency could be further increased by recovering wasted heat. The system under consideration includes an intercooled gas turbine. The heat is being wasted in the intercooler and a temperature drop happens at the exhaust. For the current system it will be shown that combining the gas cycle with steam cycle and removing the intercooler will increase the efficiency of the combined cycle power plant up to 60%. In combined cycles the efficiency depends greatly on the exhaust temperature of the gas turbine and the higher gas temperature leads to the higher efficiency of the steam cycle. The analysis shows that the latest gas turbines with the intercooler can be employed more efficiently in a combined cycle power application if the intercooler is removed from the system.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Rotational molding heat transfer—an update

In earlier works, a complicated circulation model was chosen to describe heat transfer to powder in a rotating mold. In order to satisfy the model, an experimentally-determined empty mold temperature response was used. An alternate heat transfer model, in which the powder is assumed to be in static contact with the mold surface at all times, shows significant temperature deviation from the earlier model. The predicted time for complete sinter-melting is much closer to earlier experimental data than the predicted times from the circulation model. The melting time is seen to follow the form given by the Goodman penetration model. Complete heating and cooling profiles are more easily generated using this static model, and a new interpretation of the air cooling step in the heat transfer cycle results.
Time-dependent probability density of statistical mechanics

Methods based on the density matrix for calculating the time-dependent probability density of a quantum system approaching equilibrium are presented. Explicit expressions are derived for the time-dependent probability density for a double-well potential. The effects of tunneling and transitions between energy levels on the probability density are discussed. For the case of closely spaced energy levels, a partial differential form of the density matrix equation is derived and used to calculate time-dependent probability densities.
Efficient Constraint-Satisfaction in Domains with Time

Satisfiability (SAT) testing methods have been used effectively in many inference, planning and constraint satisfaction tasks and thus have been considered a contribution towards artificial general intelligence. However, since SAT constraints are defined over atomic propositions, domains with state variables that change over time can lead to extremely large search spaces. This poses both memoryand time-efficiency problems for existing SAT algorithms. In this paper, we propose to address these problems by introducing a language that encodes the temporal intervals over which relations occur and an integrated system that satisfies constraints formulated in this language. Temporal intervals are presented as a compressed method of encoding time that results in significantly smaller search spaces. However, intervals cannot be used efficiently without significant modifications to traditional SAT algorithms. Using the Polyscheme cognitive architecture, we created a system that integrates a DPLL-like SATsolving algorithm with a rule matcher in order to support intervals by allowing new constraints and objects to be lazily instantiated throughout inference. Our system also includes constraint graphs to compactly store information about temporal and identity relationships between objects. In addition, a memory retrieval subsystem was utilized to guide inference towards minimal models in common sense reasoning problems involving time and change. We performed two sets of evaluations to isolate the contributions of the system‟s individual components. These tests demonstrate that both the ability to add new objects during inference and the use of smart memory retrieval result in a significant increase in performance over pure satisfiability algorithms alone and offer solutions to some problems on a larger scale than what was possible before.
Heat Rate Predictions in Humid Air-Water Heat Exchangers Using Correlations and Neural Networks

We consider the flow of humid air over fin-tube multi-row multi-column compact heat exchangers with possible condensation. Previously published experimental data are used to show that a regression analysis for the best-fit correlation of a prescribed form does not provide an unique answer, and that there are small but significant differences between the predictions of the different correlations thus obtained. It is also shown that it is more accurate to predict the heat rate directly rather than through intermediate quantities like the j-factors. The artificial neural network technique is offered as an alternative technique. It is trained with experimental values of the humid-air flow rates, dry-bulb and wet-bulb inlet temperatures, fin spacing, and heat transfer rates. The trained network is then used to make predictions of the heat transfer. Comparison of the results demonstrates that the neural network is more accurate than conventional correlations. @DOI: 10.1115/1.1351167#
Modeling of laser damage initiated by surface contamination

We are engaged in a comprehensive effort to understand and model the initiation and growth of laser damage initiated by surface contaminants. This includes, for example, the initial absorption by the contaminant, heating and plasma generation, pressure and thermal loading of the transparent substrate, and subsequent shockwave propagation, 'splashing' of molten material and possible spallation, optical propagation and scattering, and treatment of material fracture. The integration use of large radiation hydrodynamics codes, optical propagation codes and material strength codes enables a comprehensive view of the damage process. On the entrance optical surface, small particles can ablate nearly completely. In this case, only relatively weak shockwaves are launched into the substrate, but some particulate materials may be left on the surface to act as a diffraction mask and cause further absorption. DIffraction by wavelength scale scattering centers can lead to significant intensity modulation. Larger particles will not be completely vaporized. The shockwave generated in this case is larger and can lead to spallation of contaminant material which then may be deposited in the substrate. A gaseous atmosphere can lead to radiation trapping with concomitant increases in temperature and pressure near the surface. In addition, supersonic ionization waves in air may be generated which greatly extend the plasma plume spatially and temporally. Contaminants on the exit optical surface behave differently. They tend to heat and pop off completely in which case significant damage may not occur. Since plasma formed at the interface of the optic and absorbing particle is confined, much stronger pressures are generated in this case. Imaging of contaminants resulting in 'writing' a diffraction pattern on the exit surface due to contamination on the entrance surface has been observed experimentally and predicted theoretically. Such imprinted damage regions can seed damage from subsequent pulses.
The Culinary Walt Whitman

Describes three items owned by the article's author (a respected chef from Chicago) related to both Whitman and food: an engraving of what may be Whitman in a Civil War soup line, a previously known but lost letter from Whitman to his sister-in-law Louisa Orr Whitman, and a dinner menu from the "Complimentary Dinner given in honor of Whitman's 70th birthday"; includes "an authentic recipe for the main entree" at the dinner.
Noncancer Risk Assessment: A Probabilistic Alternative to Current Practice

Abstract Based on imperfect data and theory, agencies such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) currently derive “reference doses” (RfDs) to guide risk managers charged with ensuring that human exposures to chemicals are below population thresholds. The RfD for a chemical is typically reported as a single number, even though it is widely acknowledged that there are significant uncertainties inherent in the derivation of this number. In this article, the authors propose a probabilistic alternative to the EPA's method that expresses the human population threshold as a probability distribution of values (rather than a single RfD value), taking into account the major sources of scientific uncertainty in such estimates. The approach is illustrated using much of the same data that USEPA uses to justify their current RfD procedure. Like the EPA's approach, our approach recognizes the four key extrapolations that are necessary to define the human population threshold based on animal data: ...
Comparison of Baseline Characteristics, Treatment Patterns, and In-Hospital Outcomes of Asian Versus Non-Asian White Americans With Non–ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes from the CRUSADE Quality Improvement Initiative

It has been suggested that Asians may respond differently to antithrombotic therapy, but contemporary management and outcomes of non–ST-segment elevation (NSTE) acute coronary syndromes (ACSs) in Asian patients have not been well characterized. Using data from the CRUSADE initiative, we compared baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and in-hospital outcomes between 1,071 Asian and 72,513 non-Asian white patients hospitalized with NSTE ACS. Asian patients were more likely to have hypertension, diabetes, and renal insufficiency compared with non-Asian whites. Body mass index was lower in Asian patients (24.9 vs 27.8 kg/m 2 , p
Approaching Finite Element Method in Acoustic Analysis

The use of the Finite Element Method in acoustic analysis is a new problem with theoretical and practical interests. Although acoustic analysis is similar to fluid and heat transfer analysis, there are some important differences introduced by compressibility, white noise, echo, and so forth. This paper approaches the problem by combining spectral and cepstral analysis with the Finite Element Method. Starting from the acoustic intensity on the boundary of the ambient space of an acoustic source, a suitable model consisting of discrete frequencies for the Finite Element Method is created.
A new method for distinguishing colony social forms of the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta.

Two distinct forms of colony social organization occur in the fire ant Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): colonies of the monogyne social form are headed by a single egg-laying queen, whereas those of the polygyne social form contain multiple egg-laying queens. This major difference in social organization is associated with genetic variation at a single gene (Gp-9) whereby all polygyne queens possess at least one b-like allele, while monogyne queens lack such b-like alleles and instead harbor B-like alleles only. Further, a recent study of native populations revealed that all b-like alleles in polygyne queens consistently contain three diagnostic amino acid residues: possession of only one or two of these critical residues is not sufficient for polygyny. TaqMan® allelic discrimination assays were developed to survey the variable nucleotide sites associated with these three critical amino acid residues. The assays were validated by surveying nests of known social form from the species' introduced in the USA and from native South American ranges, as well as by comparing the results to Gp-9 sequence data from a subset of samples. The results demonstrate these new molecular assays consistently and accurately identify the variable nucleotides at all three sites characteristic of the B-like and b-like Gp-9 allele classes, allowing for accurate determination of colony social form.
P01.44. In vivo immune modulating effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

Purpose The herb Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera, Dunal), has been used for centuries in Ayurveda as rasayana – promoter of longevity, well-being, and disease prevention. Traditional use combines the herb with a carrier substance called “anupana,” believed to help aid in bioavailability and absorption. To compare the effects of Ashwagandha root extract plus anupana on human immune activation to Ashwagandha extract without anupana, anupana plus sham extract, and sham extract only.
Nanoscale Stratification of Local Field and Related Effects of Giant Resonances, “Magic Numbers” and Hystereses

We predict nanoscale local-field patterns in self-interacting 1-D and 2-D lattices of two-level atoms. They result in giant size-related resonances, low-intensity optical bistability, and self-induced cancellation of resonant local-field suppression.
High-temperature oxidation chemistry of n-butanol--experiments in low-pressure premixed flames and detailed kinetic modeling.

An automated reaction mechanism generator is used to develop a predictive, comprehensive reaction mechanism for the high-temperature oxidation chemistry of n-butanol. This new kinetic model is an advancement of an earlier model, which had been extensively tested against earlier experimental data (Harper et al., Combust. Flame, 2011, 158, 16-41). In this study, the model's predictive capabilities are improved by targeting isomer-resolved quantitative mole fraction profiles of flame species in low-pressure flames. To this end, a total of three burner-stabilized premixed flames are isomer-selectively analyzed by flame-sampling molecular-beam time-of-flight mass spectrometry using photoionization by tunable vacuum-ultraviolet synchrotron radiation. For most species, the newly developed chemical kinetic model is capable of accurately reproducing the experimental trends in these flames. The results clearly indicate that n-butanol is mainly consumed by H-atom abstraction with H, O, and OH, forming predominantly the α-C(4)H(9)O radical (CH(3)CH(2)CH(2)˙CHOH). Fission of C-C bonds in n-butanol is only predicted to be significant in a similar, but hotter flame studied by Oswald et al. (Combust. Flame, 2011, 158, 2-15). The water-elimination reaction to 1-butene is found to be of no importance under the premixed conditions studied here. The initially formed isomeric C(4)H(9)O radicals are predicted to further oxidize by reacting with H and O(2) or to decompose to smaller fragments via β-scission. Enols are detected experimentally, with their importance being overpredicted by the model.
ON THE CRYSTALLINE COMPOUND CONTAINING IODIN WHICH OCCURS IN THE THYROID

IT is well known that desiccated thyroid gland exerts a marked physiologic activity when administered to the normal animal and man, and that the removal of the thyroid is followed by profound changes. The extremes of thyroid disturbance are seen in the two syndromes, exophthalmic goiter and myxedema; and between these are many indefinite or borderline conditions so that thyroid disturbances present a confusing mass of evidence which is not easily classified. Clinically, the cases have been classified and a basis of diagnosis established, and much light has been thrown on the progress of the disease of exophthalmic goitre. From clinical observations the thyroid has been supposed to have a secretion which contains a substance or substances possessing certain physiologic activity; but the acceptance of such a theory in itself erects a barrier beyond which the clinician cannot go. The only passage of that barrier is by a method which will unlock the constituents of the thyroid secretion and separate the activ...
Accumulation of wind-dispersed trash in desert environments

Abstract Detrimental effects of plastic debris and other trash have been well-studied in marine and coastal environments, but the extent and severity of the threat to terrestrial ecosystems are largely unknown. I used distance-sampling methods to quantify density of wind-dispersed trash in two protected areas of the Sonoran Desert in southern Arizona. Densities of plastic bags ranged from 5.6/km2 to 35.4/km2, and densities of balloon clusters ranged from 39.2/km2 to 62.7/km2. Density of balloon clusters was greater than the density of desert tortoises, Gopherus morafkai, and western diamond-backed rattlesnakes, Crotalus atrox, in both study areas. Results of this study provide evidence that wind can disperse substantial amounts of trash >2 km into protected natural areas and suggest that accumulation of trash poses a potential threat to desert ecosystems.
The shoulder extension function of the triceps brachii

Abstract The triceps brachii (TB), the sole muscle of the posterior humerus, acts an extensor of the elbow and shoulder. As a biarticular muscle, the angles of the elbow and shoulder influence its' ability to generate joint moments. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of elbow and shoulder joint angles on the shoulder extension function of the TB. Eighteen subjects were tested on a Biodex dynamometer with the TB selectively stimulated at a standardized level of voltage. The results revealed that the shoulder angle was the most important factor in the extension moment. As the shoulder angle moved from 0° to 80° the shoulder extension moment increased significantly. The increase in the shoulder extension moment between 0° and 80° was possibly due to the lengthening of the moment arm.
Cost-effectiveness of an employer-sponsored recreational program: A case study

Abstract There is currently a marked trend by corporations to provide an increasingly high percentage of an employee's total compensation in the form of tax-free benefits. The cost-effectiveness of such benefits is often based on the notion that they improve morale and retention. However, it is becoming increasingly more important to be able to quantitatively determine if the continuance of such benefits is warranted on an economic basis. In this paper the approach, findings, sensitivity analysis and caveats associated with a large scale economic analysis are presented. The case study examines continuance of access to Navy supported recreational activities, involving annual expenditures of over S100 million. A questionnaire component, involving about 11,000 responses, provided the inputs into a contingency model. Rankings for 14 recreational groupings of activities were derived as well as some bounds on the overall cost-effectiveness of the entire program. The results showed that continuance of the employer-sponsored recreation activities appeared to be economically warranted.
Gradient-based block truncation coding

A new gradient-based block truncation coding (BTC) algorithm is presented. Combined with a simple two-way classification, the algorithm shows a substantial improvement in the visual image quality demonstrated by edge preservation and reduction of the staircase effect. At the same time, significant reduction in bit rate is achieved. A user-defined threshold allows bit rates in the range 0.70-1.5, depending on the quality level desired.
Oxygen adsorption and incorporation at irradiated GaN ( 0001 ) and GaN ( 000 1 ¯ ) surfaces: First-principles density-functional calculations

Density functional theory calculations of oxygen adsorption and incorporation at the polar $\mathrm{GaN}(0001)$ and $\mathrm{GaN}(000\overline{1})$ surfaces have been carried out to explain the experimentally observed reduced oxygen concentration in $\mathrm{GaN}$ samples grown by molecular beam epitaxy in the presence of high energy $(\ensuremath{\sim}10\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{keV})$ electron beam irradiation [Myers et al., J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B 18, 2295 (2000)]. Using a model in which the effect of the irradiation is to excite electrons from the valence to the conduction band, we find that both the energy cost of incorporating oxygen impurities in deeper layers and the oxygen adatom diffusion barriers are significantly reduced in the presence of the excitation. The latter effect leads to a higher probability for two O adatoms to recombine and desorb, and thus to a reduced oxygen concentration in the irradiated samples, consistent with experimental observations.
Emerging Market Spread Compression: Is it Real or is it Liquidity?

Despite recent turmoil, spreads on emerging market countries' sovereign bonds have fallen dramatically since mid-2002. Some have attributed the fall to improved economic fundamentals while others to ample global liquidity. The paper models spreads and attempts to empirically distinguish between the two factors. The results indicate that fundamentals, as embedded in credit ratings, are very important, but that expectations of future U.S. interest rates and volatility in those expectations are also a key determinant of emerging market spreads.
Functional anatomy of the hypoglossal innervated muscles of the rat tongue: a model for elongation and protrusion of the mammalian tongue.

This anatomical investigation in the rat was designed to illustrate the detailed organization of the tongue's muscles and their innervation in order to elucidate the actions of the muscles of the higher mammalian tongue and thereby clarify the protrusor subdivision of the hypoglossal-tongue complex. The hypoglossal innervated, extrinsic styloglossus, hyoglossus, and genioglossus and the intrinsic transversus, verticalis and longitudinalis linguae muscles were observed by microdissection and analysis of serial transverse-sections of the tongue. Sihler's staining technique was applied to whole rat tongues to demonstrate the hypoglossal nerve branching patterns. Dissections of the tongue demonstrate the angles at which the extrinsic muscles act on the base of the tongue. The Sihler stained hypoglossal nerves demonstrate branches to the styloglossus and hyoglossus emanating from its lateral division while branches to the genioglossus muscle exit from its medial division. The largest portions of both XIIth nerve divisions can be seen to enter the body of the tongue to innervate the intrinsic muscles. Transverse sections of the tongue demonstrate the organization of the intrinsic muscle fibers of the tongue. Longitudinal muscle fibers run along the entire circumference of the tongue. Alternating sheets of transverse lingual and vertical lingual muscles can be observed to insert into the circumference of the tongue. Most importantly in clarifying tongue protrusion, we demonstrate the transversus muscle fibers enveloping the most superior and inferior portions of the longitudinalis muscles. Longitudinal muscle fascicles are completely encircled and thus are likely to be compressed by transverse muscle fascicles resulting in elongation of the tongue. We discuss our findings in relation to biomechanical studies, that describe the tongue as a muscular hydrostat and thereby define the "elongation-protrusion apparatus" of the mammalian tongue. In so doing, we clarify the functional organization of the hypoglossal-tongue complex.
STUDENT RESEARCH PAPERS IN FRESHMAN CALCULUS – MODELLING WITH DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS*

ABSTRACT As part of our effort to build understanding of, and the ability to use, Freshman science and engineering calculus, we introduce differential equations early. Midway through the year we ask students (possibly working in groups) to carry out research on differential equation modelling projects of their own devising. * Based on a presentation given at the Conference on the Teaching of Calculus held at Harvard University on 12–13 June 1992.
The isomerization of ClOOCl: high level ab initio and density functional theory analysis

Abstract Density functional theory calculations will be used with high-level ab initio methods (i.e. CBS-Q, G2, CBS-QB3, G3, G3B3) to characterize the isomerization potential energy surface. The validity of the intrinsic reaction coordinate calculations will be discussed. In addition various physical properties of the transition state will be addressed and analyzed.
Nonlinear phase (n2) contrast using a static pulse-train

Femtosecond pulse-shaping is employed to generate an optical pulse-train that achieves background-free nonlinear phase sensitivity for microscopy. The static pulse-train and Fourier-domain detection enable fast acquisition with low powers (~µW).
Comparison of Satisfaction Rates and Erectile Function in Patients Treated with Sildenafil, Intracavernous Prostaglandin E1 and Penile Implant Surgery for Erectile Dysfunction in Urology Practice

ABSTRACTPurpose: We compared erectile function status and satisfaction rates in patients who received treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) with sildenafil, intracavernous prostaglandin E1 (ICI) and penile implant surgery (IPP).Materials and Methods: A total of 138 consecutive patients who received treatment for ED between April 2000 and April 2001 were considered candidates for study. Mean followup was 19.54 months. Of the patients 27 were not available for followup and 26 were not on any form of treatment. Of the patients receiving treatment for ED 85 were administered the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory for Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) questionnaire and the Erectile Function Domain (EFD) of the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire. Three treatment groups were identified, including 31 patients on sildenafil citrate, 22 on ICI and 32 who underwent IPP. Mean total EDITS, EDITS Index and EFD scores in the 3 groups were considered for statistical evaluation.Results: There was no statist...
Observations of change in the Southern Ocean.

The Southern Ocean has been in a state of disequilibrium with its atmosphere and cryosphere during recent decades. Ocean station and drifting float observations have revealed rising temperatures in...
Ultra-compact holographic spectrometers for diffuse source spectroscopy

We present an efficient, low-cost, and compact spectrometer for diffuse source spectroscopy using only a spherical beam volume hologram and a CCD. We show that this spectrometer can operate well under spatially incoherent light illumination
An Adaptive Link Layer for Range Diversity in Multi-Radio Mobile Sensor Networks

An important challenge in mobile sensor networks is to enable energy-efficient communication over a diversity of distances while being robust to wireless effects caused by node mobility. In this paper, we argue that the pairing of two complementary radios with heterogeneous range characteristics enables greater range diversity at lower energy cost than a single radio. We make three contributions towards the design of such multi-radio mobile sensor systems. First, we present the design of a novel reinforcement learning-based link layer algorithm that continually learns channel characteristics and dynamically decides when to switch between radios. Second, we describe a simple protocol that translates the benefits of the adaptive link layer into practice in an energy-efficient manner. Third, we present the design of Arthropod, a mote-class sensor platform that combines two such heterogeneous radios (XE1205 and CC2420) and our implementation of the Q-learning based switching protocol in TinyOS 2.0. Using experiments conducted in a variety of urban and forested environments, we show that our system achieves up to 52% energy gains over a single radio system.
Infinite-dimensional backstepping and applications to flows in electromagnetic fields

Numerous physical processes are modeled by partial differential equations and are often instrumented with boundary actuators and sensors. A major new effort has been underway in recent years to develop constructive designs of boundary control laws for unstable PDE systems. This development draws upon the ideas of "backstepping" synthesis for nonlinear ODEs from the 1990s and is an infinite-dimensional, continuum extension of backstepping. Initial efforts on infinite-dimensional backstepping focused on linear PDEs and produced a set of methodologies, for all of the major classes of PDEs, that results in elegant formulae for the gain functions of the feedback laws, which do not require the solution of operator Riccati equations. The most recent efforts pushed even further, into developing an adaptive control approach for PDEs, with unknown functional parameters and output feedback, and into developing feedback linearizing control designs for nonlinear PDEs. The most significant application-driven results in this expanding area of research have so far been for turbulent and magnetohydrodynamic flows, such as those that arise in aerodynamics applications, and in plasma and liquid metal flow problems in tokamak fusion reactors. This talk will present highlights of various methods and applications of infinite-dimensional backstepping.
Gas-Phase Conformations of Proteolytically Derived Protein Fragments: Influence of Solvent on Peptide Conformation

The structures of 4 tryptic peptides are studied using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization−ion mobility mass spectrometry, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and solution-phase hydrogen−deute...
Quantifying T wave morphology in the digital era.

t i p t d p r a d Since the invention of the electrocardiogram by inthoven a century ago, numerous T wave configurations ave been described in association with various cardiac iseases. The T wave profile was initially described by its ize, shape, and polarity in relation to ventricular depolarzation. Subsequently, vectorcardiography provided threeimensional visualization of the electrical activity of the eart, including ventricular repolarization, but this approach ever gained widespread clinical use. Electrocardiographic atterns of ventricular repolarization, including the duration nd morphologic characteristics of the T wave, have taken n increasing interest in recent years, especially regarding enetic and drug-induced repolarization disorders. As digital electrocardiography became available in the 980s and 1990s, quantitative computerized measurement f ventricular repolarization was used to describe the elecrical signal recorded during the J-T interval. Merri et al ere the first to quantify the accumulated T wave area (mV ms) from the J point to the next P wave involving ndividual heart cycles. The graphical pattern of the timeelated accumulated T wave area has a sigmoid configuraion. The time required to accumulate various percentages f the T wave area can be easily determined. For example, he time to acquire 98% of the T wave area may be a more ccurate reflection of the meaningful physiologic duration f repolarization than the standard QT interval, because the ast 1% to 2% of the T wave area may involve a relatively ong repolarization time interval as the terminal portion of he T wave gradually approaches baseline. Benhorin et al sed this digital approach to characterize the T wave paterns in a group of patients with long QT syndrome (LQTS), nd they compared the findings in LQTS with similar meaurements in normal subjects. In the 1990s, Keating and associates identified mutations n three different genes coding for ion channel proteins that ere responsible for certain forms of LQTS. The associaion of specific genotypes with distinctive phenotypic T ave patterns was reported in 1995. Pattern recognition of ifferent T wave morphologies was used to identify genes ikely to contain mutations in LQTS.
Measurement and analysis of ‘small’ packages in next-day air shipments

Packaged goods are shipped globally using various means of transportation. Over the past two decades, there has been a continuous increase in studies that measure and analyse dynamic events that occur to packages during transportation and handling. These data offer useful information to design and test packages, and provide protection from potential hazards like drops and impacts. However, none of the past studies are directed towards single packages regarded as ‘smalls’. ‘Smalls’ or small-package product systems are defined as those with volume of less than 0.013 m3, a longest dimension of 0.356 m and a weight of 4.54 kg or less. Packages that qualify for these specifications are often mixed together in a large carrying bag and handled with other single parcel shipments. This study measured and analysed the effect of moving this category of single packages through expedited shipments in the USA. The results showed that these packages experienced as many as 27 events comprising of drops or tosses in a one-way shipment, and a maximum of 5.01 m of near-zero G travel distance representing long ‘tosses’. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic Finite Element Analysis of Vessel-Pier-Soil Interaction During Barge Impact Events

Current specifications for highway bridge design provide empirical relationships for computing lateral impact loads generated during barge collisions; however, these relationships are based on limited experimental data. To better understand and characterize such loads, dynamic finite element analysis techniques were employed to simulate vessel impact conditions never before tested experimentally. Descriptions of the methods used to model a hopper barge, bridge piers, and soil-structure interaction are given. Impact simulation results, including time histories of impact loads and barge deformations, are presented and compared with data generated using current bridge design specifications.
Health care spending growth: can we avoid fiscal Armageddon?

Both private and public payers have experienced a persistent rise in health care spending that has exceeded income growth. The issue now transcends the health care system because health care spendi...
Terminal Acetylenes React to Increase Unsaturation in [(tBu2PCH2SiMe2)2N]Re(H)4

(PNPtBu)Re(H)4, where PNPtBu is (tBu2PCH2SiMe2)2N, reacts at 23 °C with RC⋮CH (R = tBu, SiMe3, Ph) to give first H2 and mirror-symmetric (PNPtBu)ReH3(CCR), then H2 and C2ν symmetric (PNPtBu)Re(CCR)...
Histologic evolution of recurrent basal cell carcinoma and treatment implications

The pathologic specimens from forty-seven patients with fifty-one recurrent basal cell carcinomas referred for Mohs' surgery were studied. Specimens from the original tumor and from each subsequent recurrence were reviewed. Of the original tumors, 65% demonstrated an aggressive* histologic picture characterized by poor palisading and an infiltrating and/or micronodular pattern. In twelve cases the recurrent tumor developed a more aggressive histologic picture, but in seven cases the histologic picture became more benign. Electrodesiccation and curettage was the initial treatment for forty-one basal cell carcinomas. Ten tumors had been excised previously, with routine pathologic examination indicating tumor-free margins in six of these lesions. It can be concluded that many recurrent basal cell carcinomas are aggressive from the beginning, and this often can be predicted from the histologic picture. Lesions with an aggressive pathologic picture should not be managed by blind technics such as electrodesiccation and curettage and may defy routine pathologic examination of conventional excision specimens. Mohs' surgery appears to be the treatment of choice for such lesions.
Ototoxicity of Topical Gentamicin in the Cat

In an attempt to find the nontoxic topical dose of gentamicin for the cat, we studied the histological effects of topical gentamicin on the vestibular function and temporal bone and compared them to the effects of neomycin and water. The drug was applied in the bulla, which contains the round window, and thus simulates application to the middle ear in the human. Pilot studies showed that an aqueous solution of gentamicin appeared toxic at concentrations between 3% and 10%. In the definitive series, 0.4 ml of gentamicin was applied daily as a 6% solution for 19 days or less and as a 3% solution for 30 days. This series showed topical gentamicin to be most toxic to the cochlea and saccule. Its ototoxic effects at these doses were local and approximately twice as severe as those of 0.4 ml of 3% neomycin applied topically for 30 days, where a systemic as well as a topical effect was found. Gentamicin interests the otologist because of its broad spectrum of antibacterial activity and its ototoxic effects. It is effective against the predominant organisms present in chronic infections of both the external and middle ear, because it is bactericidal to Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas, Proteus, Escherichia coli and other gramnegative bacilli [1]. It is both an aminoglycoside and an aminocyclitol [2], a chemical group which contains the streptomycins, neomycins, kanamycins and others. These antibiotics, as well as gentamicin, are all ototoxic. The effects of systemic administration of gentamicin in the cat and the preliminary results of its topical application have been previously reported [3]. The aim of this study was to determine the nontoxic concentration for topical application in the middle ear of the cat.
Occupation and three-year incidence of respiratory symptoms and lung function decline: the ARIC Study

Background: Specific occupations are associated with adverse respiratory health. Inhalation exposures encountered in these jobs may place workers at risk of new-onset respiratory disease. Methods: We analyzed data from 8,967 participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, a longitudinal cohort study. Participants included in this analysis were free of chronic cough and phlegm, wheezing, asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and other chronic lung conditions at the baseline examination, when they were aged 45-64 years. Using data collected in the baseline and first follow-up examination, we evaluated associations between occupation and the three-year incidence of cough, phlegm, wheezing, and airway obstruction and changes in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) measured by spirometry. All associations were adjusted for age, cigarettes per day, race, smoking status, and study center. Results: During the approximately three-year follow-up, the percentage of participants developing chronic cough was 3%; chronic phlegm, 3%; wheezing, 3%; and airway obstruction, defined as FEV1 < lower limit of normal (LLN) and FEV1/FVC < LLN, 2%. The average annual declines in FEV1 and FVC were 56 mL and 66 mL, respectively, among men and 40 mL and 52 mL, respectively, among women. Relative to a referent category of managerial and administrative support occupations, elevated risks of new-onset chronic cough and chronic phlegm were observed for mechanics and repairers (chronic cough: RR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.02, 3.21; chronic phlegm: RR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.23, 3.57) and cleaning and building service workers (chronic cough: RR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.01, 3.37; chronic phlegm: RR: 2.28, 95% CI: 1.27, 4.08). Despite the elevated risk of new-onset symptoms, employment in cleaning and building services was associated with attenuated lung function decline, particularly among men, who averaged annual declines in FEV1 and FVC of 14 mL and 23 mL, respectively, less than the declines observed in the referent population. Conclusions: Employment in mechanic and repair jobs and cleaning and building service occupations are associated with increased incidence of respiratory symptoms. Specific occupations affect the respiratory health of adults without pre-existing respiratory health symptoms and conditions, though long-term health consequences of inhalation exposures in these jobs remain largely unexplored.
West Nile Virus Capsid Degradation of Claudin Proteins Disrupts Epithelial Barrier Function

During acute infection, West Nile virus (WNV) has been reported to infect a variety of cell types in various tissues of both experimentally and naturally infected hosts. Virus infects epithelial cells in the skin, kidney, intestine, and testes, although the importance of these findings is unclear. In the current study, we have observed that WNV infection of kidney tubules in mice coincides with the loss of expression of several members of the claudin family. Proteins of this family are often involved in epithelial barrier formation and function. WNV infection of epithelial cells in culture resulted in a decrease in the transepithelial electrical resistance, an increase in the efflux of mannitol across the monolayer, and a loss of intracellular levels of claudin-1 to -4. WNV capsid alone was sufficient for the degradation event, which was mediated through lysosomal proteases. Since epithelial cells are frequent sites of WNV infection, these observations imply a potential mechanism for virus dissemination and extraneural pathogenesis.
Low temperature CMOS experience at IBM

Using as a basis experience gained at IBM, the author discusses how low temperature cooling will take on more focus in the future as the computer industry speeds toward increased chip power levels. The systems that have been designed with low temperature vapor compression cycles have shown that this technology provides a viable cooling technique for the future.
Facultative diazotrophy increases Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii competitiveness under fluctuating nitrogen availability

Relative fitness of three bloom-forming and potentially toxic cyanobacteria from the subtropical St. John's River, Florida was investigated under a range of nutrient conditions, during a bloom dominated by Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii. Nitrogen (N) was the primary nutrient limiting phytoplankton primary productivity and biomass. Phytoplankton biomass was also enhanced by phosphorus (P) added either alone or jointly with N, suggesting different components of the phytoplankton experienced distinct nutrient limitations. Based on quantitative PCR, the diazotrophic cyanobacteria Anabaena sp. and C. raciborskii were responsible for the primary production response to P additions, while the nondiazotrophic Microcystis aeruginosa appeared to benefit from N released from the diazotrophs. Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii maintained high net growth rates under diazotrophic and nondiazotrophic conditions, while Anabaena sp. growth was significantly reduced under DIN enrichment. C. raciborskii appears to be a generalist with regard to N source, a lifestyle traditionally not considered a viable ecological strategy among diazotrophs. Using facultative diazotrophy, C. raciborskii gains a growth advantage under fluctuating DIN conditions, such as systems that are under the influence of anthropogenic N loading events. The described niche differentiation may be a key factor explaining the recent global expansion of C. raciborskii.
Velocity profile for fully developed turbulent flow in a pipe

An equivalent Poiseuille's Law is derived for a homogeneous isotropic turbulent field. The derivation is based on an analogy between momentum transfer and heat and mass transfer, three coefficients being used to characterize the exchange process: (1) the molecular viscosity µ, (2) an intensity parameter to characterize the magnitude of the turbulent velocity fluctuations ν2, and (3) a scale parameter to characterize the scale of the turbulence T.
PPARs and the complex journey to obesity

Obesity and the related disorders of dyslipidemia and diabetes (components of syndrome X) have become global health epidemics. Over the past decade, the elucidation of key regulators of energy balance and insulin signaling have revolutionized our understanding of fat and sugar metabolism and their intimate link. The three 'lipid-sensing' peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR-alpha, PPAR-gamma and PPAR-delta) exemplify this connection, regulating diverse aspects of lipid and glucose homeostasis, and serving as bona fide therapeutic targets. With molecular underpinnings now in place, new pharmacologic approaches to metabolic disease and new questions are emerging.
Development of Biomechanical Knee Force Model for Evaluation of Piezoelectric Sensors for In-Vivo Monitoring

Traditional total knee replacement (TKR) implants have two components: a tibial component consisting of a metal tibial tray with a stem inserted into the tibia and a polyethylene bearing surface inserted into the tray, and a metal femoral component attached to the end of the femur. While these components replicate the functionality of the knee, they are passive and offer no ability to provide data on the status of the knee replacement unit. In this work, piezoelectric materials are considered for both sensing and energy harvesting in TKR implants. This paper focuses on the development of a biomechanical force model that can be used to determine the forces exerted by the human body, which must be endured by the piezoelectric harvester/sensor once it has been implanted in the knee. This model has been developed using OpenSim, an open source software that is used for biomechanical modeling of musculoskeletal systems. The forces calculated in this model are applied directly to the piezoelectric material to determine the power generated during a typical step. Simulation results show that 3–35 mW of average power can be harvested depending on the piezoelectric material used in the stack. Compared to typical low power sensors, which operate in the μW – mW range, the generated power is sufficient to power an embedded sensor in the TKR unit.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Religion in Public Action From Actors to Settings

Contemporary social research often has located religion’s public influence by focusing on individual or collective religious actors. In this unitary actor model, religion is a stable, uniform featu...