cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Knowing Nature in Childhood: Learning and Well-Being Through Engagement with the Natural World

The burgeoning study of access to nature for public health and well-being is currently seeking to find doses of nature needed for different health benefits, including efficient cognitive processing. This information is important to guide clinical practice and the greening of schools and neighborhoods. Yet with children in particular, more is lost than gained by narrowing cognition to tests of attention, memory, and problem-solving, important as these dimensions of functioning may be. Given freedom in natural areas, children know nature with full-bodied physicality and emotion, often within social relationships. Using the framework of ecological psychology and supplementing it with other research perspectives, this chapter outlines different dimensions of knowing nature that can contribute to healthy development in childhood and adolescence. It suggests benefits that the natural world affords beyond opportunities that built environments provide, using the capabilities approach to human development, which includes having an influence over one’s environment and living in relationship with plants, animals, and the world of nature as dimensions of a fully realized life. The chapter concludes with examples of local and regional partnerships that give young people roles in regenerating natural areas and helping to define the types of nature spaces that meet their needs at different ages.
The effects of continuous oromotor activity on speech motor learning: speech biomechanics and neurophysiologic correlates

Sustained limb motor activity has been used as a therapeutic tool for improving rehabilitation outcomes and is thought to be mediated by neuroplastic changes associated with activity-induced cortical excitability. Although prior research has reported enhancing effects of continuous chewing and swallowing activity on learning, the potential beneficial effects of sustained oromotor activity on speech improvements is not well-documented. This exploratory study was designed to examine the effects of continuous oromotor activity on subsequent speech learning. Twenty neurologically healthy young adults engaged in periods of continuous chewing and speech after which they completed a novel speech motor learning task. The motor learning task was designed to elicit improvements in accuracy and efficiency of speech performance across repetitions of eight-syllable nonwords. In addition, transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to measure the cortical silent period (cSP) of the lip motor cortex before and after the periods of continuous oromotor behaviors. All repetitions of the nonword task were recorded acoustically and kinematically using a three-dimensional motion capture system. Productions were analyzed for accuracy and duration, as well as lip movement distance and speed. A control condition estimated baseline improvement rates in speech performance. Results revealed improved speech performance following 10 min of chewing. In contrast, speech performance following 10 min of continuous speech was degraded. There was no change in the cSP as a result of either oromotor activity. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed in the context of speech rehabilitation and neuromodulation.
COVID-19 Attitude Correction: Rather than crash in the crisis, the author corrected attitude and began to fly

Abstract: The author, an Assistant Professor in an Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) program, teaches future aviation maintenance technicians at a university in Alaska. Certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the AMT program is a pathway to becoming a licensed Aviation Maintenance Technician and offers an AMT degree. FAA certification requires FAA-approved curriculum (subjects and learning objectives) as well as adherence to regulatory standards for teacher-student contact hours. The university AMT program consists of a combination of didactic and hands-on teaching/learning styles, including student performance of aviation maintenance tasks (e.g., aircraft inspections and engine overhaul). The COVID-19 pandemic required faculty to convert courses to a suitable online delivery format and change the curriculum of an entire semester of courses. The author’s initial response: It would be impossible to accomplish the conversion and still maintain FAA requirements. Cancelling the program until after the pandemic was discussed. This was not an option, as current students would lose FAA-mandated credits and hours, and the AMT program could be closed permanently due to state funding issues. So, the complicated conversion began and online learning commenced mid-semester. As the semester progressed, the author began to embrace the online modality and champion an effort to complete conversion of the entire program. Through this experience, the author realized the tremendous benefits of online teaching: a greatly improved learning and lifestyle experience for the students as well as economic benefits to a financially challenged institution. The online program creates a learning environment which more closely matches the students’ future technology-driven careers and increases the knowledge and skills they will gain. Pandemic gathering restrictions limit the number of students allowed in labs and field activities. Though initially a concern, students will benefit through increased student-teacher contact and learning opportunity during these activities.
Vibration of Continuous Systems

Mechanical systems in general consist of structural components which have distributed mass and elasticity. Examples of these structural components are rods, beams, plates, and shells. Our study of vibration thus far has been limited to discrete systems which have a finite number of degrees of freedom. As has been shown in the preceding chapters, the vibration of mechanical systems with lumped masses and discrete elastic elements is governed by a set of second-order ordinary differential equations. Rods, beams, and other structural components on the other hand are considered as continuous systems which have an infinite number of degrees of freedom. The vibration of such systems is governed by partial differential equations which involve variables that depend on time as well as the spatial coordinates.
Network Security Policy Models

This paper considers the development of security policy models for networks which can operate in a multilevel security environment. We outline an abstract security policy model which addresses the access control and information flow requirements in a multilevel network. The network security policy is formulated by drawing as much parallel as possible with the computer security policy. The model is defined and the associated security requirements are given and the model is used to prove that the security conditions are not violated by the defined network operations. In developing network security policies, it is necessary to relate them to specific layers of the network architecture. We conclude this paper by outlining another network security policy model with different network subjects and objects supported by different layers in the architecture.
Accessing the Internal Organization of Data Structures in the JDSL Library

Many applications require data structures that allow efficient access to their internal organization and to their elements. This feature has been implemented in some libraries with iterators or items. We present an alternative implementation, used in the Library of Data Structures for Java (JDSL). We refine the notion of an item and split it into two related concepts: position and locator. Positions are an abstraction of a pointer to a node or an index into an array; they provide direct access to the in-memory structure of the container. Locators add a level of indirection and allow the user to find a specific element even if the position holding the element changes.
The mechanics of nanoscale suspensions

Abstract The mechanical behavior of suspensions containing particles in the nanoscale (or sub-100 nm) size region is important in many processing operations. In this chapter, we discuss the similarities and differences between the properties of suspensions containing these particles and those composed of larger particles. While the same underlying interparticle forces govern the microstructure and flow behavior of suspensions of nanoscale and conventionally sized particles, the magnitudes of these forces, which include thermal, hydrodynamic, van der Waals, electrostatic, steric, and solvation/structural forces, have different dependencies upon particle size. As a result, suspensions of nanoscale particles may have properties which are unexpected when one's intuition is based upon suspensions of larger particles. Here the basic concepts governing suspension mechanics are described, and examples of the trends which are seen as the particle size shrinks toward the molecular level are provided.
Trend Analysis of Nutrient Concentrations and Loads in Selected Canals of the Southern Indian River Lagoon, Florida

Long-term nutrient concentration trends and load variations at six monitoring stations on four canals in the Southern Indian River Lagoon (Florida, USA) were evaluated using the Estimate Trend (Estrend) and Load Estimator (Loadest) programs. The results of trend analysis on nutrient concentrations suggested that the nutrient trend patterns were spatially variable. Increasing trends were most often observed in orthophosphate and/or total phosphorus at five stations. Significantly increased annual loads were observed for orthophosphate at four stations from 1979 through 2004. The median concentrations of ammonia (0.05 to 0.10 mg l−1) were greater than the State of Florida surface water quality criteria of class III freshwater body for ammonia. The median concentrations of total phosphorus (138 to 376 μg l−1) were greater than the USEPA ambient water quality criteria recommendation for the study area (Nutrient Ecoregion XIII). Nutrient (phosphorus and nitrogen) loads observed in this study are likely to impair the water quality in the Southern Indian River Lagoon.
NK Cells Lose Their Inhibition

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects more than 180 million people worldwide and can lead to liver failure or liver cancer later in life. As Parham discusses in his thought-provoking Perspective, a step toward understanding how the human immune system resolves HCV infection and to developing a vaccine has been made with the finding that infected individuals of a particular genotype more readily resolve HCV infection than infected individuals of other genotypes ( Khakoo et al.).
Paternalism and the doctor-patient relationship in general practice

This paper is a brief introduction to the subject of paternalism as it occurs in general practice. A definition of paternalism is provided and the four main types of doctor-patient relationship within the paternalistic spectrum are described. These relationships are illustrated with examples from general practice. Some of the extensive literature on paternalism is reviewed. It is concluded that paternalism is rarely justified when treating patients of sound mind and then only where restoration of the patients' autonomy is the main aim.
Activity of Trovafloxacin (with or without Ampicillin-Sulbactam) against Enterococci in an In Vitro Dynamic Model of Infection

Antibiotic-resistant enterococci are being increasingly identified as causal agents of infection. Trovafloxacin is a new fluoronaphthyridone with enhanced activity against gram-positive cocci and variable activity reported against Enterococcus spp. Twenty-one strains of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium and two strains of Enterococcus faecalis (one vancomycin resistant) were studied at an initial inoculum of 106 CFU/ml in time-kill assays with trovafloxacin (3 mg/liter), ampicillin-sulbactam (100/50 mg/liter), and the combination. Six strains of E. faecium (five vancomycin resistant) also were studied in an in vitro two-compartment dynamic model that mimics human pharmacokinetics with trovafloxacin simulated at 300 mg every 12 h (q12h), ampicillin-sulbactam at 2/1 g q6h, and the combination. Peripheral compartments were sampled q2h for 30 h for bacterial counts. Trovafloxacin MICs ranged from 0.5 to 32 mg/liter, and the nine strains of vancomycin-resistant E. faecium for which MICs were ≤2 mg/liter were more likely to show a reduction of 2 log units or more in viable counts in time-kill assays than were strains for which MICs were higher. Synergism with ampicillin-sulbactam was found for only one strain (trovafloxacin MIC, 16 mg/liter). Similar results were obtained in the pharmacokinetic model, with 2- to 4-log-unit reductions in viable bacteria for trovafloxacin-susceptible strains. Although no convincing evidence of synergism was found, ampicillin-sulbactam in combination minimized late bacterial regrowth of two trovafloxacin-susceptible strains. These data suggest that this high dose of trovafloxacin (with or without ampicillin-sulbactam) might be useful against strains of vancomycin-resistant E. faecium for which MICs were ≤2 mg/liter.
Zona pellucida glycoprotein mZP3 bioactivity is not dependent on the extent of glycosylation of its polypeptide or on sulfation and sialylation of its oligosaccharides.

During fertilization in mice, free-swimming sperm bind to mZP3, one of three egg zona pellucida glycoproteins. Sperm recognize and bind to specific serine/threonine-linked (O-linked) oligosaccharides located at the mZP3 combining site for sperm. Shortly after binding to mZP3, sperm undergo the acrosome reaction, a form of cellular exocytosis. Here, we examined the influence of extent of glycosylation, sulfation, and sialylation of mZP3 (M(r) approximately 65,000-100,000) on its bioactivity; i.e. its ability to inhibit binding of sperm to eggs and to induce the acrosome reaction in vitro. Low (av. M(r) approximately 70,000), medium (av. M(r) approximately 82,000), and high (av. M(r) approximately 94,000) M(r) fractions of mZP3 were purified and shown to vary in extent of asparagine-linked (N-linked) glycosylation. All three size-fractions exhibited bioactivity, suggesting that the ability of mZP3 to inhibit binding of sperm to eggs is not related to the extent of glycosylation of its polypeptide (M(r) approximately 44,000). Digestion of mZP3 by neuraminidase decreased its average M(r) from approximately 83,000 to approximately 77,000 and increased its average pI from approximately 4.7 to approximately 6.0, but did not significantly affect mZP3 bioactivity. Terminal sialic acid largely accounts for the glycoprotein's acidic nature, but is not an essential element of the mZP3 combining site for sperm. Experiments with stably transfected embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells that secrete bioactive EC-mZP3 revealed that, of the sulfate present, approximately 70-75% was located on N-linked and approximately 25-30% on O-linked oligosaccharides. EC-mZP3 devoid of sulfate inhibited binding of sperm to eggs and induced the acrosome reaction to the same extent as sulfated EC-mZP3. These results suggest that sulfation of EC-mZP3 oligosaccharides is not essential for bioactivity. Overall, these findings contrast with those reported for certain other glycoproteins involved in cellular adhesion that require sulfate and/or sialic acid for bioactivity.
Magnetic fields and dynamics of the Sun's interior

Advances in helioseismology provide new knowledge about the origin of solar magnetic activity. The key questions addressed by helioseismology are: what is the physical mechanism of the solar dynamo, how deep inside the Sun are the magnetic fields generated, how are they transported to the surface and form sunspots? Direct helioseismic signatures of the internal magnetic fields are weak and difficult to detect. Therefore, most of the information comes from observations of dynamical effects caused by the magnetic fields. I review results of recent helioseismic observations of the magnetohydrodynamics of the solar interior on various scales, including global dynamics associated with the dynamo processes, and formation of sunspots and active regions.
High‐temperature elastomers: A systematic series of linear poly(carborane‐siloxane)s containing icosahedral ( ? CB10H10C ? ) cages. III. Spectroscopic identification

Documentation and preliminary analysis of the infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of a systematic series of poly(carborane-siloxane)s containing CB10H10C cages are reported. Inconsistencies in the spectra are interpreted in terms of complications in the syntheses.
The origins of research and patterns of authorship in the International Journal of Production Research

This paper evaluates the origins of the research that has been published in the International Journal of Production Research (IJPR) for the time period 1985–2010, which includes approximately 77% of all articles that have been published in IJPR since its inception. We assess the productivity of individual authors, the author’s affiliation at the time each article was published, the country the author’s affiliation is located, and the institution where the author was granted a Ph.D. degree. By analysing the countries in which author affiliations are located, we can determine which countries are having the greatest impact on defining the research published in IJPR. For international journals, it is important to publish research from an international constituency, thus maintaining one of its purposes. By analysing the affiliations of the authors as well as where the authors received their Ph.D. training, we can determine which institutions are having the greatest contributions to the research published in IJ...
Integrating problem-based learning in a nursing informatics curriculum

In recent years employers in health care organizations have been recognizing the need for nurses to enter the workforce with a set of informatics competencies. Numerous nursing informatics programs have been established worldwide. The challenge becomes to explore innovative tools that will equip nurses with the appropriate skills to utilize information technology to improve health care quality and patient safety and redesign health care services. This paper presents the introduction of problem-based learning (PBL) modules into an existing nursing informatics curriculum, the Clinical Informatics and Patient Centered Technologies Master program at the School of Nursing, University of Washington. Additionally, we discuss recommendations and challenges associated with the integration of PBL in nursing informatics graduate education including the need for facilitators, flexible technology platforms, promotion and documentation of group work, faculty training and supervision by a program committee.
Sensitivity analysis of North American bird population estimates

Abstract The Partners in Flight North American Landbird Conservation Plan provided estimates of population sizes for 448 landbird species using a multiplicative model. Input parameters in this calculation included the area of state × Bird Conservation Region polygons, area-specific mean Breeding Bird Survey counts circa 1995, and adjustment factors for the distance over which species may presumably be correctly counted, the assumed pairing of singing males with non-singing females, and variability in the propensity of birds to sing over the course of the survey day. I assessed the sensitivity of this population calculation to changes in the input parameters. I assessed both local and global sensitivity of the model to changes in the parameters with Monte Carlo one-at-a-time simulations and the Fourier amplitude sensitivity test (FAST). Monte Carlo simulations were an estimate of local model sensitivity whereas FAST estimated global model sensitivity, accommodating the potential shared variance between model parameters. Monte Carlo simulations suggested population estimates were 39% more sensitive to changes in the detection distance adjustment than to the other parameters; the other parameters were nearly equal in their contribution to model sensitivity. Conversely, FAST analysis determined that each of the input variables aside from the pair adjustment provided roughly equal contributions to variability in population estimates. The most efficient means for improving continental population estimates for birds surveyed by the Breeding Bird Survey will be through increased scrutiny of the species-specific distance detection and time-of-day adjustments and improved understanding in the spatial and temporal variability in the mean Breeding Bird Survey count.
Perceptual Filtering in L2 Lexical Memory: A Neural Network Approach to Second Language Acquisition.

A number of asymmetries in lexical memory emerge when monolinguals and early bilinguals are compared to (relatively) late second language (L2) learners. Their study promises to provide insight into the internal processes that both support and ultimately limit L2 learner achievement. Generally, theory building in L2 and bilingual lexical memory has relied on ontological models: models that posit that lexical access involves inferences made about representations. This article contrasts ontological models of bilingual and L2 lexical memory with a neural network model, the ART2-IN. Testing an ART2-IN after training it on real language samples shows that asymmetries in lexical access may have roots in the effects that different paths to bilingualism have on perceptual memory systems. The ART2-IN models both early Spanish-English bilingualism and the adult acquisition of English by a native Spanish speaker, and makes direct contact with important characteristics of L2 learning. The ART2-IN is different from ontological models in assigning causation: Ontological models assign the cause of learner asymmetries to internal structures and mechanisms, while the ART2-IN distributes cause over the learner and the learning environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Microstructural development in NiAl/Ni-Si-B/Ni transient liquid phase bonds

A transmission electron microscopy (TEM) based investigation of microstructural development during transient liquid phase bonding of near-stoichiometric NiAl to commercial purity nickel is presented in this article. The work described employed Ni-4.5 wt pct Si-3.2 wt pct B (BNi-3) melt-spun interlayers. The precipitation of both Ni-Al based phases and borides within the joint and adjacent substrate regions is discussed. The article considers martensite formation (within the NiAl substrate) and the precipitation of Ll2 type phases (both within the joint and at the interface with the NiAl substrate). The relative roles of the two substrate materials (NiAl and Ni) in the isothermal resolidification process are identified. The preferential formation of Ni3B boride phases in the Ni substrate near the original location of the Ni substrate-joint interface is discussed and contrasted with the absence of similar events in the NiAl substrate.
Phospshoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) dual inhibitors: discovery and structure-activity relationships of a series of quinoline and quinoxaline derivatives.

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) family catalyzes the ATP-dependent phosphorylation of the 3′-hydroxyl group of phosphatidylinositols and plays an important role in cell growth and survival. There is abundant evidence demonstrating that PI3K signaling is dysregulated in many human cancers, suggesting that therapeutics targeting the PI3K pathway may have utility for the treatment of cancer. Our efforts to identify potent, efficacious, and orally available PI3K/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) dual inhibitors resulted in the discovery of a series of substituted quinolines and quinoxalines derivatives. In this report, we describe the structure–activity relationships, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic data of this series and illustrate the in vivo pharmacodynamic and efficacy data for a representative compound.
Verification of Mondex electronic purses with KIV: from transactions to a security protocol

The Mondex case study about the specification and refinement of an electronic purse as defined in the Oxford Technical Monograph PRG-126 has recently been proposed as a challenge for formal system-supported verification. In this paper we report on two results. First, on the successful verification of the full case study using the KIV specification and verification system. We demonstrate that even though the hand-made proofs were elaborated to an enormous level of detail we still could find small errors in the underlying data refinement theory, as well as the formal proofs of the case study. Second, the original Mondex case study verifies functional correctness assuming a suitable security protocol. We extend the case study here with a refinement to a suitable security protocol that uses symmetric cryptography to achieve the necessary properties of the security-relevant messages. The definition is based on a generic framework for defining such protocols based on abstract state machines (ASMs). We prove the refinement using a forward simulation.
Survival benefit of hyperthermia in a prospective randomized trial of brachytherapy boost +/- hyperthermia for glioblastoma multiforme.

PURPOSE To determine if adjuvant interstitial hyperthermia (HT) significantly improves survival of patients with glioblastoma undergoing brachytherapy boost after conventional radiotherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS Adults with newly-diagnosed, focal, supratentorial glioblastoma < or = 5 cm in diameter were registered postoperatively on a Phase II/III randomized trial and treated with partial brain radiotherapy to 59.4 Gy with oral hydroxyurea. Those patients whose tumor was still implantable after teletherapy were randomized to brachytherapy boost (60 Gy at 0.40-0.60 Gy/h) +/- HT for 30 min immediately before and after brachytherapy. Time to progression (TTP) and survival from date of diagnosis were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS From 1990 to 1995, 112 eligible patients were entered in the trial. Patient ages ranged from 21-78 years (median, 54 years) and KPS ranged from 70-100 (median, 90). Most commonly due to tumor progression or patient refusal, 33 patients were never randomized. Of the patients, 39 were randomized to brachytherapy ("no heat") and 40 to brachytherapy + HT ("heat"). By intent to treat, TTP and survival were significantly longer for "heat" than "no heat" (p = 0.04 and p = 0.04). For the 33 "no heat" patients and 35 "heat" patients who underwent brachytherapy boost, TTP and survival were significantly longer for "heat" than "no heat" (p = 0.045 and p = 0.02, respectively; median survival 85 weeks vs. 76 weeks; 2-year survival 31% vs. 15%). A multivariate analysis for these 68 patients adjusting for age and KPS showed that improved survival was significantly associated with randomization to "heat" (p = 0.008; hazard ratio 0.51). There were no Grade 5 toxicities, 2 Grade 4 toxicities (1 on each arm), and 7 Grade 3 toxicities (1 on "no heat" and 6 on the "heat" arm). CONCLUSION Adjuvant interstitial brain HT, given before and after brachytherapy boost, after conventional radiotherapy significantly improves survival of patients with focal glioblastoma, with acceptable toxicity.
Electrolytic loading of hydrogen in metals studied by PAC

In previous work, we introduced hydrogen (H) into Ni and Pt metals at room temperature by electrolysis. To study H-vacancy interactions on an atomic scale, trapping of diffusing H atoms at impurity-vancancy complexes was detected using perturbed γ-γ angular correlations. Two new results are reported here: (1) Transformation rules are clarified between undecorated and H-decorated complexes which are detected after annealing Pt at 323 K. In addition, non-cubic In sites were observed to form by chargingannealed, Pt, which are attiributed either to H atoms at random in the lattice or to precursor nuclei of a Pt hydride. (2) NiH is observed to form under cathodic charging of Ni at high current densities, and detected by growth of a nonmagnetic, cubic metastable phase.
Polyglots in Medieval German Literature: Outsiders, Critics, or Revolutionaries? Gottfried von Straßburg’s Tristan, Wernher the Gardener’s Meier Helmbrecht, and Oswald von Wolkenstein

Whereas the ability to speak different languages has always been regarded as a amajor intellectual accomplishment and a key tool in building bridges between cultures, the polyglot might also be in a dangerous position of belonging to no language group and being left outside of all communities. Medieval German poets were quite aware of this phenomenon, as illustrated by Gottfried of Strasbourg’s Tristan, Wernher the Gardener’s Helmbrecht, and Oswald of Wolkenstein’s maccaronic poems. Tristan knows many languages, but he does not acquire friends with his miraculous linguistic skill, and soon enough the entire court seems to hate him and makes every effort to betray this god-like but adulterous protagonist to the king. Young Helmbrecht tries to assume the posture of a polyglot, but the more he employs foreign language phrases in the exchange with his family, the more he becomes isolated and is in danger of being excluded from his old community. Oswald, on the other hand, playfully included many different language phrases in his poetry, but met with little interest among posterity. Languages are extremely important, but those who are fluent in many might find themselves without an identity and hence without a community.
Re-energizing CO2 to fuels with the sun: Issues of efficiency, scale, and economics

Abstract The interconnected challenges posed by the strategic and economic importance of petroleum and the increasing concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide are now widely recognized. A transition away from the fossil fuel dominated global economy toward a system with ever-lower carbon intensity but commensurate with energy demand is necessary. Addressing these challenges requires thinking differently, beginning with recognizing that from a technological point of view, liquid hydrocarbon fuels remain an ideal transportable energy storage medium, and that CO 2 and H 2 O are simply the energy-depleted, oxidized form of hydrocarbons. Further, it is instructive to acknowledge that conventional fossil fuels are in fact “stored sunlight”. This perspective suggests searching for large-scale options that convert and store sunlight via reactions of carbon dioxide and water to more usable and transportable forms as nature did, but do so as efficiently, effectively, affordably, and sustainably as possible. Conversion of solar energy to reduce CO 2 into hydrocarbon fuels is an attractive option, but it is not without significant resource, economic, and technical challenges. Herein we present a general examination of resource and economic considerations and conclude that solar-to-fuel efficiency is a key metric that drives not only the potential impact (scalability) of a technology for storing (contemporary) sunlight and sequestering carbon above ground as energy dense fuels, but also the economics. We show that given high enough efficiency (>10%) energy conversion routes, supplanting a large fraction of global petroleum-derived liquid fuels with synthetic solar-fuels is challenging but nonetheless possible; indeed it is quite plausible.
In the outpost trenches: bridging physical gaps in customer service

This paper discusses challenges involved in providing customer service when the main group of service providers is distant from the customer, the limitations of phone support and the communication and cooperation.
Muscle mass determination by isotopic dilution of creatine-14C

Abstract Because of the localization of creatine in muscle, the feasibility of using isotopic dilution of 14C-creatine to estimate muscle mass in vivo was investigated. Rats were sacrificed at daily intervals following the administration of 1–2 μc. of 1-14C-creatine I.V. Urine and stool were the major routes of 14C excretion. 14C calculated to be remaining in the body (“14C injected minus 14C excreted”) was 100 ± 2 per cent of that found by carcass analysis. By 144 hours, 94 per cent of body 14C was in carcass muscle, 4 per cent in skin and 2 per cent in gut, kidney and liver. Although not all 14C was in muscle, the discrepancy was accepted since only a 6–7 per cent overestimate of muscle mass could be introduced. The mean 14C concentration in four muscle pieces was considered to be representative of the concentration in the muscle compartment. Paired comparison revealed that there was no significant difference between muscle mass values determined by isotopic dilution (14C remaining in the body divided by 14C/Gm. fat free muscle) and the anatomic muscle mass (obtained by dissection) in 24 rats weighing 200–400 Gm. These results indicate that dilution of 14C-creatine can be used to measure muscle mass in vivo in rats and suggest that with appropriate modification this method may be applicable to man and other large animals.
NEW NATURAL LAW THEORY AND FOUNDATIONAL SEXUAL ETHICAL PRINCIPLES: A CRITIQUE AND A PROPOSAL

The New Natural Law Theory (NNLT) argues against the morality (and legality) of same sex-unions on the basis that homosexual (and non-reproductive heterosexual) acts are unnatural, unreasonable, and therefore immoral. In this paper, we explore and critique the foundational principles – biological and personal complementarity, their subcategories, and the interrelationship between them – that the NNLT uses to justify its claim. We propose alternative principles – orientation, personal, and genital-biological complementarity, with a distinct interrelationship – to argue that homosexual couples can engage in sexual acts that are natural, reasonable, and therefore moral. Our study clearly demonstrates that for the NNLT genital complementarity, a subcategory of biological complementarity, is the sine qua non for personal complementarity. In other words, personal complementarity within a sexual act is only possible if there is genital complementarity between male and female. We believe that the NNLT's foundational principles reflect too narrow an understanding of the human person and human sexuality. Instead, we propose “holistic complementarity” as the fully human integration of orientation, personal, and genital-biological complementarity. What defines a natural, reasonable, and moral sexual act is not genital complementarity as the foundational principle, but a dialectic between these three principles of complementarity.
A computer program for simulating a network of interacting neurons. II. Programming aspects.

Abstract PABLO, the simulation program for networks of synaptically interacting neurons, incorporates a variety of special programming features designed to achieve maximum capacity and wide versatility, without unduly increasing operating costs. Internal data organization, search procedures, and special storage and retrieval schemes used in PABLO are described. An extensive package for generating pseudo-random numbers from a variety of distributions is also described; it includes a new recursive scheme whereby parameters of distributions may themselves be random variables, to an arbitrary depth of recursion. Finally, root-searching methods are described that enable the program to predict the times of impulse emission in simulated neurons.
The integration of polydnavirus genomes in parasitoid genomes: Implications for biocontrol and genetic analyses of parasitoid wasps

Abstract Polydnaviruses appear to be essential for the establishment of compatible interactions between lepidopteran hosts and a select group of ichneumonid or braconid parasitoids. The symbiotic association of the wasps and viruses is efficiently maintained between wasp generations. Molecular analyses of the polydnavirus Campoletis sonorensis virus (CsV) and its parasitoid wasp host indicate that the CsV genome is integrated in the wasp's chromosomal DNA, suggesting that polydnaviruses like CsV probably are transmitted through the wasp germline and can be expected to follow Mendelian patterns of inheritance. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms have been detected in the genomes of polydnaviruses from many wasp species, including C. sonorensis , and are potentially useful as genetic markers that can be used to monitor inheritance patterns or populations within a wasp species. The implications of integrated polydnaviral DNAs for biocontrol are discussed with reference to the species specificity of the viruses and their potential for genetic mapping.
Chaos, fractals, and inflation.

In order to draw out the essential behavior of the universe, investigations of early universe cosmology often reduce the complex system to a simple integrable system. Inflationary models are of this kind as they focus on simple scalar field scenarios with correspondingly simple dynamics. However, we can be assured that the universe is crowded with many interacting fields of which the inflaton is but one. As we describe, the nonlinear nature of these interactions can result in a complex, chaotic evolution of the universe. Here we illustrate how chaotic effects can arise even in basic models such as homogeneous, isotropic universes with two scalar fields. We find inflating universes which act as attractors in the space of initial conditions. These universes display chaotic transients in their early evolution. The chaotic character is reflected by the fractal border to the basin of attraction. The broader implications are likely to be felt in the process of reheating as well as in the nature of the cosmic background radiation.
Infrequent Triggering of Tremor along the San Jacinto Fault near Anza, California

We examine the conditions necessary to trigger tremor along the San Jacinto fault (SJF) near Anza, California, where previous studies suggest triggered tremor occurs, but observations are sparse. We investigate the stress required to trigger tremor using continuous broadband seismograms from 11 stations located near Anza, California. We examine 44 Mw ≥7:4 teleseismic events between 2001 and 2011; these events occur at a wide range of back azimuths and hypocentral distances. In addition, we included one smaller-magnitude, regional event, the 2009 Mw 6.5 Gulf of California earthquake, because it induced extremely high strains at Anza. We find the only episode of triggered tremor occurred during the 3 November 2002 Mw 7.8 Denali earthquake. The tremor episode lasted 300 s, was composed of 12 tremor bursts, and was located along SJF at the northwestern edge of the Anza gap at approximately 13 km depth. The tremor episode started at the Love-wave arrival, when surface-wave particle motions are primarily in the transverse direction. We find that the Denali earthquake induced the second highest stress (∼35 kPa) among the 44 teleseismic events and 1 regional event. The dominant period of the Denali surface wave was 22.8 s, at the lower end of the range observed for all events (20-40 s), similar to periods shown to trigger tremor in other locations. The surface waves from the 2009 Mw 6.5 Gulf of California earthquake had the highest observed strain, yet a much shorter dominant period of 10 s and did not trigger tremor. This result suggests that not only the amplitude of the induced strain, but also the period of the incoming surface wave, may control triggering of tremors near Anza. In addition, we find that the transient-shear stress (17-35 kPa) required to trigger tremor along the SJF at Anza is distinctly higher than what has been reported for the well-studied San Andreas fault.
V p / V s in Saturated Granodiorite Loaded to Failure

Ultrasonic compressional and shear travel times have been measured simultaneously along the direction of maximum compression for granodiorite loaded in uniaxial stress. Excess pore fluid (kerosene) is available during the deformations which are performed under light confinement (2.5 MPa) at an average strain rate of about 5 × 10−6 s−1. V P /V S increases monotonically with shear stress (∼13%) until failure. These data are consistent with either: 1) a high rate of fluid flow of the same order as the increase in dilatant volume with time; or 2) an increase in total porosity with a decrease in mean aspect ratio of the pores (MPa = 106 N/m2 − 10 bars).
Justice, Human Rights, and Reconciliation in Postconflict Cambodia

Retribution? Restitution? Reconciliation? “Justice” comes in many forms as witnessed by the spike in war crimes tribunals, Truth & Reconciliation Commissions, hybrid tribunals and genocide trials. Which, if any form is appropriate should be influenced by the culture of the people affected. It took Cambodia over three decades to finally address the ghosts of its Khmer Rouge past with the creation of a hybrid Khmer Rouge Tribunal. But how meaningful is justice to the majority of survivors of the Khmer Rouge auto-genocide when only a handful of top officials are tried? Further, given the persistent abuse of political and economic rights in post-conflict Cambodia, we are skeptical that justice or reconciliation is presently possible.
Crystal Engineered Acid−Base Complexes with 2D and 3D Hydrogen Bonding Systems Using a Bisphosphonic Acid as the Building Block

The phosphonic acid iminobis(methylene phosphonic acid), NDP, [NH2(CH2PO3H)2][H3O], exists as a zwitterion and can act as both a hydrogen bond donor and acceptor. NDP synthon was reacted with three organic bases, 2,2‘-bipyridine, 4,4‘-trimethylene-dipyridine, and a hexaazamacrocyclic crown ether, to construct highly stable hydrogen bonded structures. The 2,2‘-bipyridine complex 2 is layered, the layers being formed through hydrogen bonding of the phosphonic acid groups. The layers are largely formed by strong PO−H···-O−P type hydrogen bonds (2.49−2.62 A) with the protonated bipyridyls held between the layers by strong NH+···O−P hydrogen bonds. In complex 3, each amino-nitrogen atom is protonated leaving each phosphonic acid group negatively charged. The NDP molecules align in hydrogen bonded rows in which the molecules are bonded together by quadruple hydrogen bonds: two P−O-···HO−P and two NH2+···O−P. The rows are then connected to each other by the NH2+···O−P hydrogen bonds between the pyridyl and the ...
Operative balloon angioplasty in the treatment of internal carotid artery fibromuscular dysplasia.

Abstract Seven patients with symptomatic fibromuscular dysplasia have had eight internal carotid arteries treated by operative balloon dilatation. This technique is described in detail and provides three distinct advantages over conventional graduated intraluminal dilatation—atraumatic passage of the catheter through the affected vessel with fluoroscopic guidance; precise dilatation of the involved segment of the internal carotid artery; and the application of a radial force against the arterial wall rather than a longitudinal shear force, thereby making intimal damage less likely. There were no treatment complications in this group of patients. This technique of balloon angioplasty is compared with the results of treatment in eight patients with fibromuscular dysplasia of the internal carotid artery, who had percutaneous transfemoral angioplasty. Long-term follow-up revealed the resolution of symptoms in all patients. (J VASC SURG 1987;6:482-7.)
If We Build It (and Promote It) They Will Come: History of Analog and Digital Exhibits in Archival Repositories

Exhibits are a popular educational, promotional, and outreach tool that became widespread within the archival community following the end of World War II. Over the past two decades digital exhibits have been increasingly used by large and small institutions alike. This article looks at the history of how exhibits became popular within the archival field in the United States, with additional perspectives from Canada, England, and Russia. It then examines how digital exhibits evolved from their analog counterparts and the trends that accompanied these changes.
Fluid Flow Analysis in a Pebble Bed Modular Reactor Using RANS Turbulence Models

The computational fluid dynamics code FLUENT has been used to analyze turbulent fluid flow over pebbles in a pebble bed modular reactor. The objective of the analysis is to evaluate the capability of the various RANS turbulence models to predict mean velocities, turbulent kinetic energy, and turbulence intensity inside the bed. The code was run using three RANS turbulence models: standard k-e, standard k-ω and the Reynolds stress turbulence models at turbulent Reynolds numbers, corresponding to normal operation of the reactor. For the k-e turbulence model, the analyses were performed at a range of Reynolds numbers between 1300 and 22 000 based on the approach velocity and the sphere diameter of 6 cm. Predictions of the mean velocities, turbulent kinetic energy, and turbulence intensity for the three models are compared at the Reynolds number of 5500 for all the RANS models analyzed. A unit-cell approach is used and the fluid flow domain consists of three unit cells. The packing of the pebbles is an orthorhombic arrangement consisting of seven layers of pebbles with the mean flow parallel to the z-axis. For each Reynolds number analyzed, the velocity is observed to accelerate to twice the inlet velocity within the pebble bed. From the velocity contours, it can be seen that the flow appears to have reached an asymptotic behavior by the end of the first unit cell. The velocity vectors for the standard k-e and the Reynolds stress model show similar patterns for the Reynolds number analyzed. For the standard k-ω, the vectors are different from the other two. Secondary flow structures are observed for the standard k-ω after the flow passes through the gap between spheres. This feature is not observable in the case of both the standard k-e and the RSM. Analysis of the turbulent kinetic energy contours shows that there is higher turbulence kinetic energy near the inlet than inside the bed. As the Reynolds number increases, kinetic energy inside the bed increases. The turbulent kinetic energy values obtained for the standard k-e and the RSM are similar, showing maximum turbulence kinetic energy of 7.5 m2 ·s−2 , whereas the standard k-ω shows a maximum of about 20 m2 ·s−2 . Another observation is that the turbulence intensity is spread throughout the flow domain for the k-e and RSM whereas for the k-ω, the intensity is concentrated at the front of the second sphere. Preliminary analysis performed for the pressure drop using the standard k-e model for various velocities show that the dependence of pressure on velocity varies as V1.76 .Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Waveform relaxation analysis of RLCG transmission lines

F.H. Branin's method of characteristics (1967) has been extended for the transient analysis of transmission lines with constant RLCG parameters. It has been further generalized for iterative waveform relaxation analysis. The sequence of waveforms relaxation generated by the iteration process has been identified as the series expansion of the transmission-line response functions. By incorporating the fast Fourier transform in the waveform analysis, a phenomenal two-order reduction of CPU time and one-order savings in computer memory have been achieved. Examples of RLCG lines driven by bipolar logic gates are given to illustrate the advantage of waveform relaxation over the discrete time simulation. >