cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adverse perioperative outcomes among patients undergoing gastrointestinal cancer surgery: Quantifying attributable risk from malnutrition.

BACKGROUND Preoperative malnutrition adversely impacts perioperative outcomes among patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer. The attributable risk (AR) that nutrition status contributes towards negative outcomes is poorly understood. METHODS Adults undergoing GI cancer surgeries were identified within the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (2005-2017). Emergency surgeries, outpatients, and cases with an American Society of Anesthesiologists status above III were excluded. Adjusted multivariable models were constructed to determine the associations between markers of nutrition status (body mass index, >10% weight loss in last 6 months, functional status, and serum albumin level) and adverse perioperative outcomes (presence and number of complications, death, 30-day readmission, and length of stay). Predictive accuracy statistics and population AR (PAR) were determined. RESULTS The final sample included 78,662 cases. Patients with >10% weight loss 6 months preceding surgery (compared with those who did not), had a significantly increased risk of complications (Relative Risk = 1.28; 95% CI, 1.20-1.37) and odds of death (odds ratio [OR] = 1.37; 95% CI, 1.18-1.59). A totally dependent functional status (compared with independent status) was associated with a 3.3-times higher odds of death (OR = 3.30; 95% CI, 1.53-7.15). Multivariable models were not predictive of adverse outcomes; PAR from the markers ranged 1%-2%. CONCLUSION Ten percent weight loss in preceding 6 months was associated with increased risk of adverse perioperative outcomes among adults undergoing GI cancer surgery. The contribution of nutrition status markers to surgical outcomes as assessed by PAR was small (1%-2%), a finding not previously reported. Future intervention studies should include validated nutrition risk markers, control for effects of perioperative variables, and evaluate PAR within the immediate/long-term postoperative periods.
HIV knowledge and attitudes among minority pregnant patients and their non-pregnant partners in an urban hospital clinic.

Abstract Objective HIV seroconversion during pregnancy disproportionately affects urban, minority pregnant individuals. In order to prevent perinatal HIV transmission, it is essential that individuals are aware of HIV risk factors and effective transmission prevention strategies are employed. Thus, we aimed to examine knowledge about HIV transmission and attitudes about HIV among low-income, minority pregnant individuals and their partners living in a high HIV prevalence area. Methods In this qualitative study, pregnant participants were HIV-seronegative individuals receiving publicly-funded prenatal care in an urban academic center in the United States. Pregnant individuals and their partners were recruited to participate in a quality improvement program offering HIV testing to partners of pregnant people. Semi-structured guides were used to conduct individual interviews about participant sources of information about HIV, knowledge about transmission, and attitudes regarding those living with HIV. Transcripts were analyzed using the constant comparative method to determine themes and subthemes. Results Of 51 participants, 29 were pregnant individuals and 22 were non-pregnant partners. We found that inaccurate knowledge about perinatal HIV transmission was prevalent. Sources of information about HIV included reputable literary information or educational experiences, broadcast media, and word-of-mouth sources. Participants held dichotomous perceptions of people living with HIV. Conclusions Among low-income, minority pregnant people and their partners in a high HIV prevalence area, inaccuracies and lack of knowledge about HIV transmission were common. Efforts to educate pregnant individuals and their partners about HIV and perinatal HIV transmission should address common misconceptions and use popular sources of information.
Fine-scale morphological, genomic, reproductive, and symbiont differences delimit the Caribbean octocorals Plexaura homomalla and P. kükenthali

Octocorals are conspicuous members of coral reefs and deep-sea ecosystems. Yet, species boundaries and taxonomic relationships within this group remain poorly understood, hindering our understanding of this essential component of the marine fauna. We used a multifaceted approach to revisit the systematics of the Caribbean octocorals Plexaura homomalla and Plexaura kukenthali, two taxa that have a long history of taxonomic revisions. We integrated morphological and reproductive analyses with high-throughput sequencing technology to clarify the relationship between these common gorgonians. Although size and shape of the sclerites are significantly different, there is overlap in the distributions making identification based on sclerites alone difficult. Differences in reproductive timing and mode of larval development were detected, suggesting possible mechanisms of pre-zygotic isolation. Furthermore, there are substantial genetic differences and clear separation of the two species in nuclear introns and single-nucleotide polymorphisms obtained from de novo assembled transcriptomes. Despite these differences, analyses with SNPs suggest that hybridization is still possible between the two groups. The two nascent species also differed in their symbiont communities (genus Breviolum) across multiple sampling sites in the Caribbean. Despite a complicated history of taxonomic revisions, our results support the differentiation of P. homomalla and P. kukenthali, emphasizing that integrative approaches are essential for Anthozoan systematics.
US Emergency Department Visits Attributed to Medication Harms, 2017-2019.

Importance Assessing the scope of acute medication harms to patients should include both therapeutic and nontherapeutic medication use. Objective To describe the characteristics of emergency department (ED) visits for acute harms from both therapeutic and nontherapeutic medication use in the US. Design, Setting, and Participants Active, nationally representative, public health surveillance based on patient visits to 60 EDs in the US participating in the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System–Cooperative Adverse Drug Event Surveillance Project from 2017 through 2019. Exposures Medications implicated in ED visits, with visits attributed to medication harms (adverse events) based on the clinicians’ diagnoses and supporting data documented in the medical record. Main Outcomes and Measures Nationally weighted estimates of ED visits and subsequent hospitalizations for medication harms. Results Based on 96 925 cases (mean patient age, 49 years; 55% female), there were an estimated 6.1 (95% CI, 4.8-7.5) ED visits for medication harms per 1000 population annually and 38.6% (95% CI, 35.2%-41.9%) resulted in hospitalization. Population rates of ED visits for medication harms were higher for patients aged 65 years or older than for those younger than 65 years (12.1 vs 5.0 [95% CI, 7.4-16.8 vs 4.1-5.8] per 1000 population). Overall, an estimated 69.1% (95% CI, 63.6%-74.7%) of ED visits for medication harms involved therapeutic medication use, but among patients younger than 45 years, an estimated 52.5% (95% CI, 48.1%-56.8%) of visits for medication harms involved nontherapeutic use. The proportions of ED visits for medication harms involving therapeutic use were lowest for barbiturates (6.3%), benzodiazepines (11.1%), nonopioid analgesics (15.7%), and antihistamines (21.8%). By age group, the most frequent medication types and intents of use associated with ED visits for medication harms were therapeutic use of anticoagulants (4.5 [95% CI, 2.3-6.7] per 1000 population) and diabetes agents (1.8 [95% CI, 1.3-2.3] per 1000 population) for patients aged 65 years and older; therapeutic use of diabetes agents (0.8 [95% CI, 0.5-1.0] per 1000 population) for patients aged 45 to 64 years; nontherapeutic use of benzodiazepines (1.0 [95% CI, 0.7-1.3] per 1000 population) for patients aged 25 to 44 years; and unsupervised medication exposures (2.2 [95% CI, 1.8-2.7] per 1000 population) and therapeutic use of antibiotics (1.4 [95% CI, 1.0-1.8] per 1000 population) for children younger than 5 years. Conclusions and Relevance According to data from 60 nationally representative US emergency departments, visits attributed to medication harms in 2017-2019 were frequent, with variation in products and intent of use by age.
Urea Denaturation, Zinc Binding, and DNA Binding Assays of Mutant p53 DNA-binding Domains and Full-length Proteins

In the cell, the thermodynamic stability of a protein - and hence its biological activity - can change dramatically as a result of perturbations in its amino acid sequence and the concentration of stabilizing ligands. This interplay is particularly evident in zinc-binding transcription factors such as the p53 tumor suppressor, whose DNA-binding activity can critically depend on levels of intracellular zinc as well as point mutations that alter either metal binding or folding stability. Separate protocols exist for determining a protein's metal affinity and its folding free energy. These properties, however, are intimately connected, and a technique is needed to integrate these measurements. Our protocols employ common non-fluorescent and fluorescent zinc chelators to control and report on free Zn2+ concentration, respectively, combined with biophysical assays of full-length human p53 and its DNA-binding domain. Fitting the data to equations that contain stability and metal-binding terms results in a more complete picture of how metal-dependent proteins can lose and gain DNA-binding function in a range of physiological conditions. Graphic abstract: Figure 1.Raising intracellular zinc can restore tumor-suppressing function to p53 that has been unfolded by missense mutation or cellular conditions.
Contribution of Hydration to Protein Folding Thermodynamics: II. The Entropy and Gibbs Energy of Hydration

The entropy of hydration of non-polar and polar groups upon protein unfolding has been estimated for four globular proteins in the temperature range 5 to 125 degrees C, using structural information on the groups of these proteins exposed to water in the native and unfolded states and the entropies of transfer of various model compounds from the gaseous phase to water. The latter was calculated using the molar scale. It is shown that the entropies of hydration of non-polar and polar groups are both negative, but change in different directions with increasing temperature: the entropy of hydration of polar groups increases in absolute magnitude, while the entropy of hydration of non-polar groups decreases and becomes zero at 122 degrees C for aliphatic groups and at 104 degrees C for aromatic groups, with a change in sign at higher temperature. The configurational entropy was estimated by comparing the entropy of overall hydration with the total entropy of protein unfolding. Using previously determined enthalpies of hydration of polar and non-polar groups and disruption of the internal bonds, the Gibbs energies of hydration of protein groups and breaking of the hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions have been estimated. It was shown that hydration of the polar groups and aromatic non-polar groups destabilizes the native protein structure, while hydration of aliphatic non-polar groups (hydrophobic hydration) stabilizes it; however, the main stabilization effect comes from the internal van der Waals interactions and hydrogen bonding. Analysis of the factors contributing to the stability of the folded protein conformation shows that it is the hydration of polar groups that is mainly responsible for the cold denaturation of proteins.
Reaction Centric Layout for Metabolic Networks

The challenge is to understand and visualize large networks with many elements while at the same time give the biologist enough of an overview of the whole network to see and understand relationships between subnets. Classical biological visualization systems like Cytoscape use standard graph layout algorithms based on the molecules (DNA, RNA, proteins, metabolites) involved in the processes. We propose a new approach that instead focuses on the reactions that transform molecules, using higher-level macro-glyphs that summarize a large number of molecules in a compact unit, thus forming very natural and automatic clusters. We also employ natural clustering approaches to other areas of typical metabolic networks. The result is a graph with about 50-60% of the original node and 20-30% of the original edge count, which simplifies efficient layout and interaction significantly.
Effects of switching from sevelamer hydrochloride to bixalomer on laboratory parameters in hemodialysis patients.

In Japan, the clinical use of bixalomer, a new polymer preparation like sevelamer hydrochloride, became possible from 2012. In our study, in order to investigate the clinical characteristics of this new phosphorus (P) binder, bixalomer in a clinical practice, for 18 cases of hemodialysis patients at our hospital being treated with sevelamer hydrochloride, we switched the P binder to bixalomer, and compared the laboratory parameters before and after switching. Subjects used for analysis were nine cases in which it was possible to use bixalomer continuously for 10 months. The laboratory parameters measured were the concentrations of serum P, corrected calcium (Ca), whole parathyroid hormone (PTH), albumin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as indicators of mineral and bone disorder, and serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) as indicators of lipid metabolism. Regarding the results after switching to bixalomer and starting treatment using the same dosage as the dosage previously used for sevelamer hydrochloride, there were many cases that showed increasing P concentrations that required increasing the dosage of bixalomer, the dosage after switching was increased significantly (P = 0.002). In the comparison of laboratory parameters before and after switching, the concentrations of serum P and albumin decreased significantly (P = 0.035 and 0.033). From these results, it was considered that the decreases in serum P concentrations were due not only to the effects of bixalomer, but that suppression of food intake by patients was another reason. There were no significant changes in corrected Ca, whole PTH or ALP. In addition, after changing the P binder, serum HDL-C concentration decreased significantly (P = 0.015) and LDL-C increased significantly (P < 0.001), and serum TG concentration showed no significant changes. This indicated that the beneficial effects of bixalomer on lipid metabolism may be less than those of sevelamer hydrochloride.
Conversion Between the Open Document Architecture ODA and Proprietary Architectures- A case study

One of the main aims of the Open Document Architecture (ODA) is to support the interchange of documents in open networks. In this paper the authors describe main concepts of their prototype converting documents between ODA and proprietary information architectures of IBM. This converter enables document interchange from and to the DisplayWrite editor family. Additionally, general insights into the use of ODA as an intermediate architecture in a heterogeneous environment are described.
WAVE ATTENUATION AND WAVE SET-UP ON A COASTAL REEF

In attempting to specify criteria for the design of structures on coastal reefs, it was found that no adequate method existed to derive those criteria from the deep water wave conditions. In order to fill the gap, a program of measurements and analysis was initiated at the University of Hawaii. The program consisted of prototype and laboratory measurements. Great emphasis was placed on reliable field data, which were collected on Ala Moana Reef, in Honolulu. Laboratory investigations on the behavior of waves on shallow reefs are subject to scale effects; verification from field observations is required to obtain reliable results. As a result of this study, a mathematical model was developed for the calculation of wave attenuation and wave set-up on a shallow reef, using the incident waves in the ocean as boundary conditions. This paper discusses the general behavior of waves approaching a shallow reef and presents some essential characteristics of the mathematical model. The study is limited to waves approaching the shoreline at right angles. The results of this study can be extended to breakwaters with wide, submerged berms.
Adenosine triphosphate sulfurylase from Penicillium chrysogenum. II. Physical, kinetic, and regulatory properties.

Abstract The molecular weight of Penicillium chrysogenum ATP-sulfurylase (ATP-sulfate adenylyl transferase, EC 2.7.7.4) has been shown to be between 425,000 and 440,000. Other physical parameters determined were: s20,w = 13.0, Stokes' radius = 72 A, D20,w = 2.94 x 10-7 cm3·sec-1, and v = 0.733 cm3·g-1. The carboxymethylated enzyme breaks down to subunits having a molecular weight of approximately 56,000 in the presence of 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate. Titration of the enzyme with 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) reveals that there are eight reactive sulfhydryl equivalents per 440,000 g. This, together with the molecular weight of the subunit and amino acid analysis, suggests that the enzyme is an octamer containing one free sulfhydryl and four disulfides per protomer. Kinetic studies have shown that the actual substrate for the reaction is the ATP-Mg2- complex and that free ATP is a competitive inhibitor with respect to both ATP-Mg2- and MoO42- (Ki = 0.6 to 1.25 mm). The Km for ATP-Mg2- at saturating MoO42- is 4.6 x 10-5 m. The Km for MoO42- at saturating ATP-Mg2- is 1.5 x 10-4 m. In the reverse direction, the Km values for adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate and PPi are 7.1 x 10-6 and 7.7 x 10-5 m, respectively. Initial velocity studies and isotope exchange experiments show that the mechanism of the reaction is of the sequential type. The enzyme is inhibited by adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (Ki = 4 x 10-5 m) and by sulfide. The inhibition by sulfide is sigmoidal. Sulfide also changes the molybdate concentration dependence from a hyperbolic to a sigmoidal form. The changes in the level of ATP-sulfurylase when mycelia are grown on different sulfur sources suggest that the synthesis of the enzyme is repressed by methionine, or some close metabolite of methionine.
Heritable syndromes with hypothalamic hamartoma and seizures: using rare syndromes to understand more common disorders

Manifestations of non-syndromic hypothalamic hamartomas are different from those of the syndromic hamartomas, and the syndromic ones are rare. In spite of the rarity of the syndromic hamartomas, they can be a powerful biological tool to help us understand the pathophysiology of these heritable disorders. Several disorders that include hypothalamic hamartomas are reviewed here and the current understanding of the biology of the lesions is summarized.
Defining the problem for Experimental Research

The word “problem,” in the context of research, defies the dictionary definition that connotes difficulty, doubt, and hindrance. While engaged in searching in new territory, that is, researching, a struggle involving difficulty, doubt, and hindrance is to be expected. Instead, the word serves as a loose definition to indicate a certain subject area or topic of intellectual interest with implied (but shifting) boundaries within which an exploration of, or cause–effect relation in, nature is expected. On the other hand, many of the problems of pure science, aimed at the confirmation of hypothetical answers, as well as almost all problems of applied science and technology, are experimental in nature. It is very important for the experimenter presented with a problem to know what kinds of qualities or properties he is expected to deal with. If they are measurable qualities, his task is reduced to one of identifying the procedure and equipment needed for measurement.
Time-of-flight MR angiography†

Time-of-flight effects depend on the displacement of blood with respect to a region of excitation. When combined with static material suppression and projection imaging, time-of-flight effects provide a flexible means of flow sensitization for magnetic resonance (MR) angiography. Bolus tracking, flow enhancement by spin replacement, and selective tagging are three classes of methods being pursued for MR angiography.
Perceived Expectations Related to Promotion and Tenure: A National Survey of CACREP Program Liaisons

The purpose of the present study was to determine the perceptions of expectations and practices that contribute to decisions regarding promotion and tenure for counselor educators. Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs liaisons for 74 counselor education programs responded to an Internet-based survey about perceptions of promotion and tenure practices in their programs and institutions. The responses indicate that relatively equal emphasis is placed on teaching, scholarship, and service. Implications for defining promotion and tenure criteria are discussed, and recommendations for further research are provided.
On the Neyman–Pearson Theory of Testing

4 Likelihoods. 5 Summary. I INTRODUCTION Spielman [1973] presents 'A Refutation of the Neyman-Pearson Theory of Testing'. He states at the outset [p. 202],1 'I intend to show that NPT is inadequate on its own terms'. We have had great difficulty in following his argument because he never quite states exactly what Neyman-Pearson Theory (NPT) is to him, and because his objections are not relevant to our conception of NPT. As we understand Spielman's criticism, it amounts to saying that NPT is inadequate because it is neither Bayesian nor reasoning based on the likelihood principle. We find this roughly equivalent to saying he is going to criticise Hebrew theology on its own terms, and then basing his entire argument on the New Testament. We hope to establish below that (i) Neyman and Pearson considered a Bayesian approach and reasoning based directly on likelihoods, and deliberately excluded both from their theory giving reasons for this exclusion and (2) the procedure Spielman would employ in any of the examples he discussed or cited--given the constraints of the problem-is exactly the one that Neyman and Pearson would recommend. There are differences between Neyman-Pearson and Bayesian Theory, but these differences are not relevant to the examples and the issues Spielman discusses.
Outcome comparisons by prescribable treatment options

Outcome comparisons by prescribable treatment options. Mortality and morbidity of hemodialysis patients results from a number of factors, some of which are potentially under the control of the nephrologist. Dialysis dose is the most important of these factors, but other comorbid factors have been identified. These include attainment of appropriate hemoglobin concentrations, good nutrition, control of calcium and phosphorus metabolism, lipids, and blood pressure, as well as less quantitative factors such as psychological well-being and patient-physician contact. However, other factors outside the nephrologist's control also affect morbidity and mortality, particularly with respect to multi-organ damage that can occur if renal replacement therapy is not started early in the course of renal disease. This paper seeks to outline many of the factors that affect morbidity and mortality.
Wipe and flexion withdrawal reflexes display different EMG patterns prior to movement onset in the spinalized frog.

We investigated the hypotheses (1) that the initial flexion part of the wipe reflex elicited in the spinalized frog has the same EMG pattern for wipes to different target locations (Berkinblit et al. 1986), thereby reducing the complexity of the control of this task, and (2) that this initial flexion is the same as occurs in the flexion withdrawal reflex (Easton 1972). The activities of seven muscles of the hindlimb of the spinal frog were recorded via intramuscular electromyograms (EMGs) during the wipe reflex to two target locations and during the flexion withdrawal reflex. The EMGs were analyzed during the interval between stimulus placement and movement onset for mean integrated EMG and duration from EMG onset to movement onset. This analysis revealed significant differences (p<0.0001) in the EMG patterns that preceded the initial flexion posture for all three movements. These findings suggest that the spinal circuitry coordinating the initial flexion part of the wipe reflex to different target locations and the flexion withdrawal reflex may not be uniformly shared.
Photoionization and Compton double ionization of helium from threshold to 20 keV.

We report new measurements of He{sup ++}/He{sup +} ratios in three energy ranges. Near threshold, where only photoionization contributes, we find a ratio systematically lower than previously published measurements. From 2 to 6 keV, where Compton ionization gradually supplants photoionization as the dominant ionization mechanism, theory and experiment are in substantial agreement. Far above threshold where Compton ionization dominates, theories diverge markedly. Comparison with present results indicates asymptotic values have been established for photoionization but not Compton ionization. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
Plasma deposition of silicon nitride films in a radial‐flow reactor

Experimental data on silicon nitride film growth have been obtained from a radial-flow, plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition reactor. A nonisothermal mathematical model has been developed consisting of Navier-Stokes, energy, and species balance equations taking into account the temperature dependence of physical properties. The model is predictive at various power input levels for film compositions and growth rates.
Successful long-term fixation and progression of osteolysis associated with first-generation cementless acetabular components retrieved post mortem.

Background: Primary cementless acetabular reconstruction has shown durable long-term fixation. Late failures secondary to aseptic loosening are rare but may occur in patients with previously well-fixed components. In the present study, the histopathological characteristics of postmortem specimens were correlated with wear damage and radiographic data in an attempt to better understand the long-term events in the periacetabular tissue around well-functioning devices. Methods: Seventeen primary cementless Harris-Galante I acetabular components with adjacent tissues were harvested after a mean of eleven years (range, four to twenty-five years) from patients whose implants were well functioning at the time of death. Undecalcified and paraffin sections were used to quantify the extent of bone and soft tissues within the porous coating and at the interface between the coating and the surrounding bone. Wear particles were identified with use of polarized light microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray analysis. Bearing-surface volumetric wear and backside wear damage of the polyethylene liner were assessed. Results: All of the components were fixed by bone ingrowth (mean extent, 33% ± 21%). Particle-induced granulomas were present in the porous coating and along the interface and progressed through screw holes, ballooning into the retroacetabular bone in the longer-term specimens. Particles of femoral and acetabular origin were identified in the granulomas. Bearing-surface volumetric wear (mean, 41.6 mm3/year) increased with duration and correlated with increasing extent of granuloma in the porous coating and the increasing size of pelvic granulomas. Radiolucencies on radiographs correlated with the extent of bone and fibrous tissue ingrowth. Of the six pelvic granulomas that were identified histologically, only one was apparent on routine radiographs. Conclusions: Acetabular fixation by bone ingrowth can be successful into the third decade after implantation. Osteolysis and secondary replacement of bone with particle-induced granuloma are commonly seen in the presence of excellent clinical function. Strategies designed to minimize bearing-surface wear and backside damage are important to maintain long-term bone ingrowth fixation. Clinical Relevance: There remains a large patient population with clinically successful implants at potential risk of late failure secondary to progressive osteolysis.
A Low‐Cost, High‐Throughput Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis System for Genotyping with Microsatellite DNA Markers

Microsatellite DNA markers are widely used in genetic research. Their use, however, can be costly and throughput is sometimes limited. The objective of this paper is to introduce a simple, low-cost, high-throughput system that detects amplification products from microsatellite markers by nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This system is capable of separating DNA fragments that differ by as little as two base pairs. The electrophoresis unit holds two vertical 100-sample gels allowing standards and samples from a 96-well plate to be analyzed on a single gel. DNA samples are stained during electrophoresis by ethildium bromide in the running buffer. In addition, one of the gel plates is UV-transparent so that gels can be photographed immediately after electrophoresis without disassembling the get-plate sandwich. Electrophoresis runs are generally less than two hours. The cost per gel, excluding PCR cost, is currently estimated at about $2.60, or less than $0.03 per data point. This system has been used successfully with soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) microsatellite markers and could be a valuable tool for researchers employing markers in other species.
Computer assisted land use planning for a state park

This paper describes a project presently underway utilizing remotely sensed data and computer assisted procedures for the location and planning of a new state park. Data was collected on an initial study area of 128,620 acres from which several possible park sites were outlined. After a site was selected, similar procedures were used to outline possible locations for various elements within the park. An iterative design procedure will be used to develop an optimum final design for the park. Included is a detailed discussion of the CAGUP (computer assisted land use planning) package developed to support the planning procedure.
Correlation between former alpha boundary growth kinetics and superplastic flow in Zn-22 pct Al

Former α boundaries (FαBs) are residual grain boundaries that develop in Zn-22 pct Al during a heat treatment, which is normally applied to produce the fine structure necessary for micrograin superplasticity. They represent domains consisting of fine elongated α grains, which encompass groups of fine α (Al-rich) and β (Zn-rich) phases (the superplastic microstructure). The results of a detailed investigation conducted on FαB growth kinetics in five grades of Zn-22 pct Al with various impurity contents reveal a direct correspondence between the level of impurities in the alloy and the characteristics associated with FαBs (average size of FαBs and the value of the FαB growth exponent). This correspondence, which, according to available evidence, is the result of impurity segregation at FαBs, lends strong support to the interpretation of superplastic behavior at low stresses in terms of phenomena arising from boundary segregation. It is suggested that information on FαB growth kinetics in Zn-22 pct Al can be utilized to predict the low-stress superplastic characteristics of the alloy, such as the existence of region I or the occurrence of extensive cavitation.
OPERATIONAL CONDITIONS AND THE STRESS‐STRAIN RELATIONSHIP OF SOLID FOODS—THEORETICAL EVALUATION1

Many textural evaluation techniques are based on test procedures that involve large compressive deformations and constant deformation rates. These imply that the specimen undergoes a straining history which depends on the specimen length and in which the true strain rate increases progressively. Mathematical simulation of the real conditions in simplified rheological models indicated that single stress-strain curves may provide misleading information on the true characteristics of the material. I t is shown that the stress-strain curves of different materials can cross one another a t stmin levels that depend on test conditions. Any comparison under such circumstances may result in inconsistent conclusions. It is suggested that relaxation data may provide the complementary information for the comprehensive characterization of the mechanical properties of foods.
Two-dimensional Kerr-Fourier imaging of translucent phantoms in thick turbid media.

Translucent scattering phantoms hidden inside a 5.5-cm-thick Intralipid solution were imaged as a function of phantom scattering coefficients by the use of a picosecond time-and space-gated Kerr–Fourier imaging system. A 2-mm-thick translucent phantom with a 0.1% concentration (scattering coefficient) difference from the 55-mm-thick surrounding scattering host can be distinguished at a signal level of ~10−10 of the incidence illumination intensity.
Reproduction in the slow loris (Nycticebus coucang)

The reproductive biology of the slow loris (Nycticebus coucang) is poorly documented because of infrequent captive breeding success and the absence of field studies of this species. Reproductive data were collected from a breeding colony of slow lorises held at the Duke University Primate Center for the past 10 years. Nineteen infants were born, with a sex ratio of 1:1 and a neonatal mortality rate of 15.8%. In all cases, litter size was one. Females born in the colony copulated for the first time between 18 and 24 months of age. A male that reached sexual maturity in the colony sired his first offspring at the age of 17 months. Estrous cycles ranged in duration from 29-45 days, with copulations usually occurring for 1 day of estrus. Gestation length averaged 192.2 days. Although a postpartum estrus was observed in three cases of infant death, no conceptions resulted. Lactation lasted approximately 6 months. A clear birth peak was observed, with 12 out of 19 births occurring in March, April, and May. The comparatively low basal metabolic rate of this species may account for the unusually low reproductive rate of the slow loris in comparison with other prosimian primates.
Visualizing the motion of a unicycle on a sphere

The kinematics, dynamics, and control of a unicycle (with yaw and roll inputs) moving without slip on a planar surface has been studied extensively in the geometric mechanics and nonholonomic literature. This paper considers the kinematic extension to the case of a unicycle moving on a nonplanar surface: specifically, a spherical surface and the associated visualization, including use of computer-aided design (CAD) software packages (e.g., SolidWorks® & MATLAB®). Such a scenario allows one to move closer to an understanding of the motion of an actual multiwheeled vehicle traversing nonplanar surfaces that may be approximated as spherical surface patches as well the realistic portrayal of virtual vehicles in computer graphics environments, in addition to other applications, such as those that employ kinematic inversion (e.g., industrial web handling). Differential equations of motion are derived based on the nonholonomic no-slip constraint and spherical trigonometry from which the associated Lie algebra is revealed and a related example foliation formulation is illustrated that ofers further generalization. For a fixed body yaw rate it is shown that a circular trajectory of a specific radius results--this can also form the basis of an instantaneous centre integration (ICI) algorithm. Numerical studies designed to exercise the equations of motion (using MATLAB® and SIMULINK®) were performed based on combinations of several different types of input trajectories: constant, non-infinitesimal Lie bracket manoeuvres, sinusoidal, and that induced by a prescribed contact point trajectory. Finally, the resulting interesting motions were plotted in 2D and 3D and provide a source of qualitative corroboration of the equations in addition to computer-generated artwork.
Observations of thermal diffusivity and a relation to the porosity of tidal flat sediments

[1] Time series observations of vertical profiles of sediment temperature are presented for several locations at two distinct tidal flats. Surface sediment temperatures are shown to be strongly dependent on solar insolation during low-tide exposure, and that signal is communicated to the subsurface sediment temperatures. A vertical diffusion balance explains the observations well (up to 97% of the observed variance at some locations and 76% on average), and an estimate of thermal diffusivity is obtained for each location. A theoretical model relating sediment porosity to thermal diffusivity is presented and shown to agree with independent estimates of porosity. In addition, thermal diffusivity is shown to correlate with direct observations of sediment composition (percent sand) and surface strength. Results are suggested for application to remote classification of sediments using infrared time series images.
Increased cycling efficiency and rate capability of copper-coated silicon anodes in lithium-ion batteries

Cycling efficiency and rate capability of porous copper-coated, amorphous silicon thin-film negative electrodes are compared to equivalent silicon thin-film electrodes in lithium-ion batteries. The presence of a copper layer coated on the active material plays a beneficial role in increasing the cycling efficiency and the rate capability of silicon thin-film electrodes. Between 3C and C/8 discharge rates, the available cell energy decreased by 8% and 18% for 40 nm copper-coated silicon and equivalent silicon thin-film electrodes, respectively. Copper-coated silicon thin-film electrodes also show higher cycling efficiency, resulting in lower capacity fade, than equivalent silicon thin-film electrodes. We believe that copper appears to act as a glue that binds the electrode together and prevents the electronic isolation of silicon particles, thereby decreasing capacity loss. Rate capability decreases significantly at higher copper coating thicknesses as the silicon active material is not accessed, suggesting that the thickness and porosity of the copper coating need to be optimized for enhanced capacity retention and rate capability in this system.
Long-range atomic order in GaxIn1-xAsyP1-y epitaxial layers

Transmission-electron microscopy and selected-area diffraction have been used to study ${\mathrm{Ga}}_{\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{In}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{As}}_{\mathrm{y}}$${\mathrm{P}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{y}}$ [(x,y)=(0.47,1), (0.37,0.82), (0.34,0.71), and (0.27,0.64)] alloy semiconductors. A systematic analysis of edge-on and plane-view samples has shown that an ordered phase closely related to the CuPt-type structure exists in these materials. Only two of the possible four {111}-ordered variants are observed. An attempt is made to rationalize this observation and a detailed account of atomic ordering in these alloys (for a range of values of x and y) is presented.
Repair of x-ray multilayer optics by use of overcoating techniques

In an era of rigid budget controls and limited resources, the efficiency of coating operations is of great concern. With expenditure reduction in mind, an investigation was initiated into the costly materials and procedures necessary in the production of X-ray optics. The expense of certain specialty substrates required us to evaluate the feasibility of a substrate recycling program. Substrate reuse could reduce initial cost and save acquisition time. Past research in this area centered mainly on stripping or resurfacing optics. Although this has been proven to be successful, it is time consuming and unsatisfactory for figured optics. One solution to this problem is to simply overcoat the optic with a new multilayer coating. If it could be demonstrated that there were no adverse effects to the performance of the optic, then the efficiency gains to both time and budget would be evident. Also worth of investigation, would be to explore the minimum thicknesses that are needed for proper masking of past multilayer coatings. In this paper we seek to examine these points and to determine which parameters of the x-ray overcoatings could adversely effect the performance. By exchanging coating elements, their thickness, and their composition we will demonstrate that there is not degradation of reflectivity. Included will be research substantiated by scanning electro microscope, and Mg-K(alpha) X-ray diffraction.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Viewing the Bilayer Hydrocarbon Core Using Neutron Diffraction

Membrane proteins fold, assemble and function within their native fluid lipid environment. Structural studies of fluid lipid bilayers are thus critically important for understanding processes in membranes. Here, we propose a simple approach to visualize the hydrocarbon core using neutron diffraction and deuterated lipids that are commercially available. This method should have broad utility in structural studies of the bilayer response to protein insertion and folding in membranes.
10 nm filaments in normal and transformed cells

An antibody was raised against an electrophoretically homogeneous protein from cultured fibroblasts and shown to be directed against 10 nm filaments. The antiserum did not stain microtubules or actin microfilaments. The distribution of 10 nm filaments in normal cells was studied during growth, spreading, locomotion, mitosis, and after treatment with colchicine and cytochalasin B. The 58,000 dalton subunit protein is apparently all polymerized in the filaments which are insoluble in nonionic detergent. The distribution of 10 nm filaments is altered by colchicine treatments which disrupt microtubules. The organization of 10 nm filaments is altered in transformed cells.
A canonical model for identification of multivariable linear systems

The existence and uniqueness of a model, specified by its "output structure," for a multivariable linear system with a rational transfer function and noise having a rational spectral density matrix, is established and its use for identification discussed.
Imperialism, nationalism and missionaries: Lessons from Sudan for the twenty-first century

Abstract Muslim‐Christian relations in modem Sudanese history involve the tensions created by the transition from imperial rule to independence and by the impact of contemporary processes of globalization. The conflicts between Christian missionaries and the newly‐independent government of Sudan in the early 1960s reflected the tensions between old mission‐station style Christian activities and attempts by a military regime to impose measures of ‘national’ unification. Opportunities for creating institutions for constructive interactions were missed or not even conceived. Lessons from the experiences of the early 1960s emphasize the importance of viewing Muslim‐Christian relations in the 1990s in the context of the actual current conditions rather than imposing out‐of‐date images on existing realities.
UNIDIRECTIONAL CHANNELING AND BLOCKING: A NEW TECHNIQUE FOR DEFECT STUDIES

This letter reports measurements of a new type of double alignment channeling process which simultaneously uses the ``channeling effect'' and ``blocking effect'' in a relatively simple geometry. Results for the case of 500‐keV He ions impinging on ZnO single crystals are shown to be in fair agreement with a calculation of the magnitude of this effect based on the Lindhard model of particle channeling. It is shown that the sensitivity of this measurement to the detection of atoms not on normal lattice sites is a factor of 10–50 greater than in the usual channeling experiment.
A Research Note concerning Practical Problem‐Solving Ability as a Predictor of Performance in Auditing Tasks

The ability to recognize when there is a variety of solutions to a particular situation has been shown to be important to success in the accounting profession (Baril et al. 1998). Recently, a measure of ability has been developed in psychology that focuses on “practical” problemsolving ability (PPSA) (Devolder 1993). From a theoretical standpoint, relatively little is known about the association between ability and performance in accounting tasks. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate if PPSA predicts performance on two important auditing tasks, internal‐control‐evaluation and analytical procedures. Participants in this study (66 auditors and 78 accounting students) assessed vignettes of real‐world financial problems and provided solutions to these problems. Participants also solved an analytical procedures and internal‐control‐evaluation task. The results suggest that PPSA was useful in predicting the performance of both accounting students and experienced auditors on both analytical procedur...
Calculation of the Energy Band Structures of the Diamond and Germanium Crystals by the Method of Orthogonalized Plane Waves

The mathematical procedure employed in recent exploratory calculations of the energy band structures of the diamond and germanium crystals is described. Some of the symmetry properties of the eigensolutions of diamond-type lattices and the construction of an approximate potential for the diamond crystal are reviewed.The relative order of the crystal eigenvalues ${E}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}(\mathrm{k})$ for a particular k was found to depend more upon the symmetry of the crystal potential than upon the detailed nature of this potential. On the other hand, the curvatures of the energy surfaces calculated by perturbation theory were found to depend in a rather critical manner upon the exact form of the crystal potential.It would appear that more reliable estimates of the energy band structures of actual crystals can be obtained with the aid of Herring's method of orthogonalized plane waves than by means of other approximational methods requiring comparable effort provided (1) reliable crystal potentials are employed, (2) calculations are carried to the point where the eigensolutions are satisfactorily "convergent," and (3) eigensolutions for more than just the points of high symmetry in the reduced zone are investigated.A more elaborate calculation of the energy band structure of the germanium crystal has been undertaken; the work is now in progress.