cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermal activation parameters for large strain deformation of polyethylene and polycarbonate

Experiments were performed to determine the effects of strain rate, temperature, and pressure on the flow stress of polyethylene and Lexan polycarbonate deformed in shear. The results were analyzed to determine the activation enthalpy and the shear and dilatation activation volumes of the rate-limiting mechanism of the deformation process. Results show that the activation event involves a volume containing several monomer units and that this volume must dilate by as much as 7% during the activation event. The activation enthalpy was approximately 2.5 × 10−12 erg for polyethylene and 1.1 × 10−12 erg for polycarbonate. The rate-limiting mechanism for polyethylene seemed to be unchanged by plastic strains of up to 250%.
bFGF and its low affinity receptors in the pathogenesis of HIV-associated nephropathy in transgenic mice

bFGF and its low affinity receptors in the pathogenesis of HIV-associated nephropathy in transgenic mice. HIV-associated nephropathy is characterized by extensive tubulointerstitial disease with epithelial cell injury, microcystic proliferation, and tubular regeneration with glomerulosclerosis. To explore the role of bFGF as a mediator of HIV-induced interstitial disease, we utilized an HIV transgenic mouse model that manifests clinical and histological features observed in patients. In transgenic mice, simultaneous renal epithelial cell proliferation and injury were detected in vivo . In areas of microcystic proliferation, immunoreactive bFGF colocalized with extracellular matrix. Kidneys from transgenic mice had increased bFGF low affinity binding sites, particularly in the renal interstitium. In vitro , transgenic renal tubular epithelial cells proliferated more rapidly and generated tubular structures spontaneously, in marked contrast to nontransgenic renal cells where these pathologic features could be mimicked by exogenous bFGF. These studies suggest that renal bFGF and its receptors play an important role in the pathogenesis of HIV-associated nephropathy.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE ACCURACY OF ALTERNATIVE DATA‐COLLECTION METHODS FOR MULTIDIMENSIONAL SCALING

Nonmetric multidimensional scaling procedures are becoming increasingly popular in educational research for representing graphically the network of relationships within a set of data (Subkoviak, 1975). Given a measure of proximity (similarity or dissimilarity) between each pair of n objects or variables, these procedures represent the objects as points in multidimensional space, so that similar objects are close together and dissimilar objects are far apart, or to be specific, so that the rank order of input proximities is the same as the rank order of corresponding interpoint distances (Kruskal, 1964a, 1964b; Shepard, 1962a, 1962b). While the mathematical algorithms for locating points in space have been widely discussed and compared (Lingoes & Roskam, 1973; Spaeth & Guthery, 1969; Spence, 1972; Young & Applebaum, 1968), relatively little empirical work has been done to contrast alternative methods of collecting interobject proximities, particularly in regard to the accuracy of resulting multidimensional representations. Coombs (1964), Torgerson (1958), and Wish (1972) have compiled taxonomies of commonly used procedures for collecting proximity data, and Taylor (1969) has discussed the issues involved in selecting among these alternatives. Taylor and Kinnear (1971) also published an empirical comparison of six methods for determining proximities among seven automobiles, as perceived by 14 college students. The students judged proximities in each of the following ways. 1. Dyads. All possible pairs of object pairs [(Oi,Oj), (Ok, 0)] were presented, and subjects picked the most similar pair in each case. 2. Triad I. All possible triples (Oi, j, k) were presented, and subjects chose the object most similar to the first object Oi. Each object in turn filled the first position. 3. Triad II. All possible triples (Oi, Oj, Ok) were presented, and subjects selected the most similar and least similar pairs of the three objects.
Out of the textbook and into the world : student projects in the radiochemistry laboratory

A major objective of any laboratory course should be to stimulate students to extend their knowledge of the subject to specific problems. In the radiochemistry laboratory course at the University of Kentucky, we encourage students to make the transition from the textbook or laboratory manual to the “real” world through the use of a special project. This project, which typically replaces two normal laboratory exercises, is a short research problem that the student independently develops and executes. An overview of the incorporation of special projects into our radiochemistry laboratory course is presented.
Embryogenesis and ribosomal DNA in carrot cell suspensions cultured in vitro

Abstract The contents of nucleic acids and rDNA were estimated during the development of carrot cell suspensions cultured under two different conditions. The cells transferred from stock culture to the medium without 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) induced the embryogenesis (embryogenic culture), while the cells inoculated to the medium with 0.2 mg/l 2,4-D did not form any embryos (non-embryogenic culture). The ratio of RNA to DNA of both cultures increased in the early stage of the culture. The rise of the ratio in embryogenic culture was much higher than that in non-embryogenic culture, which showed that embryogenic culture accumulated RNA prior to the formation of embryos. The rDNA amount of non-embryogenic culture remained constant throughout the culture period. Although embryogenic culture showed a slight change in rDNA amount, the differences were at most 12% and the quantitative stability of the rDNA was demonstrated during the development of carrot cell suspension cultures.
A cross‐national study of work beliefs in three countries: the People's Republic of China, Venezuela and the USA

Examines work beliefs across three nations (The People's Republic of China (PRC), the USA and Venezuela) using Buchholz's work belief scales. Finds strong support for the proposition that work belief systems vary across cultures. Specifically, the work ethic was found to be strongest in the PRC and weaker in the USA and Venezuela. Venezuelans were the strongest in organizational belief system scores. Indicates fundamental differences in motivation to work in the three countries. Discusses specific results and provides conclusions.
Immune response to herpes simplex virus in patients with recurrent herpes labialis. II. Relationship between interferon production and cytotoxic responses.

ABSTRACT. The relationship between the development of cytotoxic cellular immune response to herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1)-infected autologous cells and the production of interferon (IFN) was studied using in vitro secondary sensitization of peripheral blood leukocytes in subjects with recurrent herpes labialis (RHL) and in normal controls without any history of recurrent herpes labialis. There was a significant discordance between optimal HSV-1 antigen dose required for induction of peak cytotoxic responses and for maximal activity of IFN. Moderate IFN activity (6–100 U/ml) was demonstrated in all HSV-1 antigen-stimulated peripheral blood leukocytes collected from subjects during both acute and convalescent phase of RHL. However, only 50% of seropositive controls and no seronegative controls exhibited detectable IFN activity, when stimulated with HSV-1 antigen, although such in vitro stimulation resulted in maximal virus-specific cell-mediated cytotoxicity. A correlation of virus specific cytotoxic activity to HSV-1 and IFN production (r = 0.38, p < 0.05) was less marked than that of cytotoxic activity to K562 (natural killer-sensitive target cells) and IFN titer (r = 0.48, p < 0.01). Furthermore significant reverse correlations between cytotoxicity against HSV-1-infected autologous cells and a titer of γ-IFN was observed in samples with high cytotoxic activity. These observations suggest that γ-IFN produced by HSV immune T cell may also act as an autoregulatory factor against the production of cytotoxic cellular activity against HSV-1-infected autologous cells.
Narcissistic personality disorder: a current review.

The diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder in the DSM-IV has been criticized foremost for its limitations in capturing the range and complexity of narcissistic pathology. The attention to the narcissistic individual’s external, symptomatic, or social interpersonal patterns—at the expense of his or her internal complexity and individual suffering—has also added to the diagnosis’ low clinical utility and limited guidance for treatment. Recent studies and reviews have pointed to the need for change in the diagnostic approach to and formulation of narcissism. This review focuses specifically on studies of features that add to the identification, understanding, and treatment of patients with pathological narcissistic functioning and narcissistic personality disorder. They have been integrated into a regulatory model that includes the functions and fluctuations of internal control, self-esteem, perfectionism with accompanying self-criticism, shame, and empathic ability and functioning.
High rural population density Africa – What are the growth requirements and who participates?

Abstract A large and increasing proportion of agricultural growth in Africa must come from continuous gains in land productivity in areas of high population density and hence with already relatively high yields. What that requires is analogous to the green revolution in Asia. Several features differentiate the African situation. Those include greater diversity in cropping pattern including a historically larger and more widespread tropical commodity export sector. The physical infrastructure in rural Africa is far inferior to that of most Asian countries. While the greater diversity of agriculture calls for a larger and more diverse institutional structure the reality is that the research systems, the ancillary education systems to spread innovation and the rural financial systems are generally greatly inferior to those of Asia at the beginning of the green revolution. Ethiopia’s record of a steady six to seven percent growth for agriculture and nearly halving of rural poverty demonstrates that with the right policies and investments a very poor country starting with poor physical and institutional infrastructure can bring a major contribution from agriculture growth to increased GDP and reduced poverty. As in Asia, the bulk of accelerated agricultural growth will come from small commercial farmers. They have sufficient farm income to reach or exceed the poverty level. Those are farms with, depending on the country, as little as 0.75 hectares to a few tens of hectares of land. They comprise up to half the rural population and produce on the order of 70–80 percent of agricultural output. They are in general not poor. The poor have inadequate land to reach the poverty level, initially with much underemployment, and with substantial non-farm employment. The primary driver of poverty reduction is the small commercial farmer spending on the order of half of increased income on nontradable, employment intensive goods and services from the rural non-farm sector.
ALTA 4700 system mask patterning performance improvements for X-architecture and wafer electrical performance interchangeability with 50kV E-beam

The capability and performance of the production-proven DUV ALTA 4300 system has been extended by the development of two new optical subsystems: a 0.9 NA, 42X reduction lens and a high-bandwidth acousto-optic deflector based beam position and intensity correction servo. The PSM overlay performance has been improved by modifications to the software algorithms. The enhanced performance, delivered by these subsystem improvements, has been introduced as a new product-the ALTA 4700. Characterization data show improved resolution performance in line end shortening, through pitch CD bias and feature corner acuity. The AOD subsystem reduces stripe beam placement errors and random and systematic beam intensity errors. This has enabled local CD uniformity to be reduced to 4.3 nm (3σ) and global CD uniformity to be reduced to 6 nm (3σ). Second layer overlay performance is now 20 nm (max error). This paper also demonstrates superior X-Architecture performance delivered by the ALTA 4700. Characterization data show global CD uniformity in 0°, 45°, 90°, and 135° orientations better than 6.5nm (3σ); mean CD control in all 4 orientations less than 3.6nm; and smooth angled lines through a wide range of angles. A split lot wafer evaluation demonstrates the equivalence of wafers produced DUV ALTA system reticles vs. those produced with reticles from a 50kV electron beam system. The evaluation shows the interchangeability of these two systems for 90nm Metal 1 applications-with no changes to the wafer OPC (originally optimized for the 50kV system). Characterization data focus on final wafer electrical performance-the performance characteristic that determines ultimate integrated circuit device yield.
A graph-theoretic algorithm for localization of forced harmonic oscillation inputs in power system networks

In this paper we consider the problem of localizing inputs in swing dynamic models of large power system networks in the form of forced oscillations with unknown amplitude and frequency. Such harmonic oscillations commonly result from internal failures of control actuators in synchronous machines, and are particularly dangerous because their frequency often lies in the range of the inter-area oscillation modes of the system, resulting in an unwanted sub-synchronous resonance phenomena. We first develop the concept of discrete nodal domains for second-order network dynamic systems, and relate these nodal domains to the residues of the system transfer function. Thereafter, we develop a graph-theoretic algorithm based on the magnitude as well as the sign of these residues that detects the location of the forced oscillation input. We simulate a 60-generator 4-area power system to illustrate the different steps of our algorithm.
Antimalarial Iron Chelator FBS0701 Blocks Transmission by Plasmodium falciparum Gametocyte Activation Inhibition

Reducing the transmission of the malarial parasite by Anopheles mosquitoes using drugs or vaccines remains a main focus in the efforts to control malaria. Iron chelators have been studied as potential antimalarial drugs due to their activities against different stages of the parasite. The iron chelator FBS0701 affects the development of Plasmodium falciparum early gametocytes and lowers blood-stage parasitemia. Here, we tested the effect of FBS0701 on stage V gametocyte infectivity for mosquitoes. The incubation of stage V gametocytes for up to 3 days with increasing concentrations of FBS0701 resulted in a significant dose-related reduction in mosquito infectivity, as measured by the numbers of oocysts per mosquito. The reduction in mosquito infectivity was due to the inhibition of male and female gametocyte activation. The preincubation of FBS0701 with ferric chloride restored gametocyte infectivity, showing that the inhibitory effect of FBS0701 was quenched by iron. Deferoxamine, another iron chelator, also reduced gametocyte infectivity but to a lesser extent. Finally, the simultaneous administration of drug and gametocytes to mosquitoes without previous incubation did not significantly reduce the numbers of oocysts. These results show the importance of gametocyte iron metabolism as a potential target for new transmission-blocking strategies.
Integrity and security standards based on cryptography

Abstract Since the Data Encryption Standard (DES) was published in January, 1977, as a Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS), it has become the basis for the development of several security and integrity standards. Seven DES based security standards have already been approved, and several others are in development. Five standards making organizations are now involved with DES based standards: the American Bankers Association (ABA), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the General Services Administration (GSA), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and the National Bureau of Standards (NBS). While these standards are all based on the DES, future standards may make provision for using other cryptographic algorithms. For example, public key cryptographic algorithms could offer some advantages over the traditional, secret key cryptographic algorithms in certain applications. In anticipation of this future requirement NBS has published a Solicitation for Public Key Cryptography Algorithms to be used in special application standards.
Integrable relativistic models and the generalized Chazy equation

The equation y´´ = f(x)y2 arises in the study of a class of fluid models in relativity and possesses the Painleveproperty (closely connected with integrability) if and only if f satisfies a certain sixth-order ODE which admits GL(2,) as its symmetry group. Using differential invariants of this non-solvable group, the general solution is obtained. A special case of the sixth-order equation is equivalent to the generalized Chazy equation with parameter n = (6/7). All known explicit choices for f considered in the literature arise in a natural way in this framework. Generalizations of the techniques described here lead to a novel class of integrable equations.
Intentional signal in prefrontal cortex generalizes across different sensory modalities

Biofeedback-EEG training to learn the mental control of an external device (e.g., a cursor on the screen) has been an important paradigm to attempt to understand the involvements of various areas of the brain in the volitional control and the modulation of intentional thought processes. Often the areas to adapt and to monitor progress are selected a priori. Less explored, however, has been the notion of automatically emerging activation in a particular area or subregions within that area recruited above and beyond the rest of the brain. Likewise, the notion of evoking such a signal as an amodal, abstract one remaining robust across different sensory modalities could afford some exploration. Here we develop a simple binary control task in the context of brain-computer interface (BCI) and use a Bayesian sparse probit classification algorithm to automatically uncover brain regional activity that maximizes task performance. We trained and tested 19 participants using the visual modality for instructions and feedback. Across training blocks we quantified coupling of the frontoparietal nodes and selective involvement of visual and auditory regions as a function of the real-time sensory feedback. The testing phase under both forms of sensory feedback revealed automatic recruitment of the prefrontal cortex with a parcellation of higher strength levels in Brodmann's areas 9, 10, and 11 significantly above those in other brain areas. We propose that the prefrontal signal may be a neural correlate of externally driven intended direction and discuss our results in the context of various aspects involved in the cognitive control of our thoughts.
Massachusetts: more mirage than miracle.

Enactment of the Massachusetts health reform plan stemmed primarily from several factors unique to the state. They were augmented by a questionable rationale that this latest version of health reform would forestall even greater threats ahead to the interests of the state’s business community, private insurance policyholders, and taxpayers. The plan’s foremost achievement involves development of a “Connector” mechanism to facilitate pooling and purchasing beyond the workplace. However, its successful implementation will be challenged by the complexities of enforcing an individual mandate and changing the long-standing course of an overregulated and high-cost health market.
Abnormalities in IgA and IgM are associated with treatment-resistant ITP

We hypothesized that immune dysregulation, as represented by abnormal immunoglobulin (Ig) levels, may increase immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) severity. A cross-sectional analysis was performed encompassing patients with ITP seen at the New York Presbyterian Platelet Disorder Center in the past 10 years. The subjects' Ig levels were measured, and subjects were analyzed for differences in treatment response. Subjects with an IgA level greater than median had a significantly increased chance of failing to respond to standard treatment (steroids, intravenous Ig, and intravenous anti-D) than did subjects with an IgA level lower than median (37 of 271, 14%; vs 22 of 281, 8%; P = .03) and an increased risk for bleeding (36 of 378, 10%; vs 19 of 386, 5%; P = .02). Subjects with an IgM less than 56 (lower limit of normal) failed to respond to standard treatment more often than patients with a normal IgM (12 of 67, 18%; vs 44 of 467, 9%; P = .05) with a trend toward worsened response to splenectomy (3 of 18, 17%; vs 36 of 86, 42%; P = .06). These observations suggest that immune dysregulation, as represented by elevations in IgA or decreased levels of IgM, are associated with ITP that is more resistant to treatment.
Can Psychological Questions Help Predict Managed Lane Use

Managed lanes (MLs) are being used in many congested cities across the United States. While the socioeconomic characteristics of travelers, along with their trip characteristics, are commonly used to model ML choice behavior, other variables—such as psychological characteristics of travelers—may be beneficial in improving the understanding of travel behavior on MLs. Preliminary research on this possibility collected psychological data from ML users and determined that, in their psychological-construct form, psychological traits provided little benefit in creating models that accurately predicted ML use. This paper uses those data to consider further their impact on discrete choice modeling when individual psychological variables are considered in a more disaggregate fashion, thus helping to uncover the information that may be masked when these data are considered only in the psychological-construct form. Among the important conclusions are that some of the psychological questions, working in tandem with t...
Input–Output Analysis: The First Fifty Years

‘Input–Output economics is that rara avis in economics, a genuinely new and origznal idea. It was not without precursors and Leontief has always been at least adequately generous in acknowleding them…. The fundamental discovery that distinguished Leon- tiefs work from that of all his predecessors is that it was practical to calculate the input–output coefficients from recorded data, to perform the necessary algebraic manipu- lations, and to use the results to answer a wide variety of practical economic questions’ (Dorfman, 1973; pp. 430–31).
Modal analysis of IncGaAsP-InP, GaAs/AlGaAs-GaAs, and InGaAsP/AlGaAs-GaAs MIS heterostructure lasers

The transverse modal behavior of Metal-Insulator (Oxide)-Semiconductor (MIS) heterostructure injection lasers is analyzed. MIS structures have been proposed by Jain and Marciniec as an alternate approach to p-n heterojunctions to obtain minority carrier injection and subsequent lasing action. In the modal analysis the MIS structure is treated as an asymmetrical three-layer slab waveguide with appropriate boundary conditions. Numerical computations of electric field strength, intensity and confinement factor P are presented for various GaAs and InP based MIS structures. A comparison of the output characteristics of a GaAs MIS laser with a conventional GaAs p-n double heterostructure laser is also reported.
Morphological abnormalities, neonatal mortality, and reproductive abnormalities in mice transgenic for diphtheria toxin genes that are driven by the promoter for adipocyte lipid binding protein

Transgenic mice were used in an experiment that was designed to serve as a model of a possible approach to reducing the amount of carcass fat in meat animals. The objective was to reduce the number of adipocytes in transgenic mice thereby restricting the capacity to accumulate lipid. Our approach employed the technique of genetic ablation. The promoter for the adipocyte lipid binding protein gene was used in an attempt to direct expression of diphtheria toxin genes specifically to adipocytes. Three diphtheria toxin genes were used; they encode, respectively, an extremely cytotoxic wild type toxin, a less toxic attenuated toxin, and a nonfunctional toxin. While it was not possible to accurately assess effects of the transgenes on lipid accumulation, several informative observations were noted. A large percentage of transgenic founder mice that harbor either wild type or attenuated toxin genes are morphologically abnormal, die as neonates, or exhibit reproductive abnormalities including sterility or failure to transmit the transgene to offspring. In contrast, mice that harbor the nonfunctional toxin gene or are nontransgenic rarely have these same abnormalities. These results suggest that the trans-genic mice are expressing the transgenes in cells other than adipocytes and that the aberrant production of functional toxin is responsible for the congenital abnormalities. The production of morphological and reproductive abnormalities in transgenic animals should be useful for investigating normal developmental processes.
By the numbers: a quantitative content analysis of children's picturebooks

Children’s picturebooks are a distinctive art form and draw on a variety of storytelling and pictorial traditions; they are vibrant, everyday elements in the lives of many children. The dominant approach for researching picturebook content— stemming largely from the traditions in education and literary studies that have been most concerned with it—has been a qualitative one that focuses on detailed explorations of targeted books and a small number of children. This qualitative work has yielded (and continues to find) important insights. The current work, however, adopts a different approach and aims to a provide quantitative analysis of picturebooks.
Stem cell dynamics in the hair follicle niche

Hair follicles are appendages of the mammalian skin that have the ability to periodically and stereotypically regenerate in order to continuously produce new hair over our lifetime. The ability of the hair follicle to regenerate is due to the presence of stem cells that along with other cell populations and non-cellular components, including molecular signals and extracellular material, make up a niche microenvironment. Mounting evidence suggests that the niche is critical for regulating stem cell behavior and thus the process of regeneration. Here, we review the literature concerning past and current studies that have utilized mouse genetic models, combined with other approaches to dissect the molecular and cellular composition of the hair follicle niche. We also discuss our current understanding of how stem cells operate within the niche during the process of tissue regeneration and the factors that regulate their behavior.
Minicircle DNA Vectors Devoid of Bacterial DNA Result in Persistent and High-Level Transgene Expression in Vivo

The loss of transgene expression has been a major obstacle to the development of nonviral vectors for the treatment of human diseases. We previously demonstrated that bacterial DNA linked to a mammalian expression cassette resulted in transcriptional silencing of the transgene in vivo. To confirm these studies and develop a means to produce a robust DNA vector that is not silenced in vivo, we developed a phage phiC31 integrase-mediated intramolecular recombination technology to prepare minicircle vector DNA devoid of the bacterial backbone and then compared the transgene expression profile of the minicircle with different molecular forms of plasmid DNAs in mice. We demonstrate that minicircular DNAs devoid of bacterial sequences expressed 45- and 560-fold more serum human factor IX and alpha1-antitrypsin, respectively, compared to standard plasmid DNAs transfected into mouse liver. Our data suggest that minicircles are capable of expressing high and persistent levels of therapeutic products in vivo and have a great potential to serve as episomal vectors for the treatment of a wide variety of diseases.
Fine Structure in Manhattan's Daytime Urban Heat Island: A New Dataset

A street-level temperature and humidity dataset with high resolution spatial and temporal components has been created for the island of Manhattan, suitable for use by the urban health and modelling communities. It consists of a set of pedestrian measurements over the course of two summers converted into anomaly maps, and a set of ten light-post mounted installations measuring temperature, relative humidity, and illumination at three minute intervals over three months. The quality control and data reduction used to produce the anomaly maps is described, and the relationships between spatial and temporal variability are investigated. The data sets are available for download via the project website.
Fundamental Clinical Dilemmas in Contemporary Group Psychotherapy

Time-limited and problem-focused trends in mental health services from contemporary economic forces in both managed care and institutional settings have had a direct effect on the clinical decision-making of group psychotherapists. This article outlines five dilemmas that are examined in the light of the current milieu. These include the varying degrees of homogeneity versus heterogeneity in patient selection, the integration of psychoeducational methods with interpersonal processes in group therapy, the effects of time limitations on the collective therapeutic focus of the group, the balance between support and confrontation in time-limited group treatment and the dilemmas surrounding the therapist’s relative degree of transparency versus opaqueness in the group.
ASYMPTOTIC ANALYSIS OF A HERMITIAN MATRIX INTEGRAL

The asymptotic expansion of a Hermitian matrix integral known as the Penner model is rigorously calculated.
A Sciadotenia (Menispermaceae) from the Brazilian Planalto

A xeromorphic member of the mesophytic genus Sciadotenia (S. campestris Barneby) is described from transfranciscan Bahia, Brazil.
Rubber‐modified epoxies. II. Morphology and mechanical properties

A wide range in morphology paralleling a spectrum of phase separated and dissolved rubber, can be developed in rubber-modified epoxies through control of rubber-epoxy compatibility and cure conditions. These morphologies result in different stress response mechanisms. Dissolved rubber promotes plastic deformation and necking at low strain rates that provide large increases in the elongation to break. Dissolved rubber is ineffective in providing improvement at impact rates. Phase separated rubber domains can also increase the elongation to break since cavitation is promoted at the interfacial boundary. The elongation is limited to the extent of cavitation and therefore large increases in the energy to break are not found. The presence of rubber domains was found to be a necessary but not sufficient condition for impact energy improvement. Optimum materials contained a relatively large amount of dissolved rubber and a low volume fraction of phase separated rubber. These combine high elongations at low strain rates with improved impact properties.
Endoscopic ablation of distal tracheal lesions using Nd:YAG contact laser

Surgical lasers are an excellent tool for the treatment of airway lesions. Distal tracheal lesions offer a greater challenge in that they are less accessible to laser treatment relative to upper airway lesions yet retain the propensity to cause complete airway obstruction. The ideal treatment modality for the endoscopic ablation of distal tracheal lesions provides secure airway protection, excellent visualization of the lesion in question, and delivery of a safe and effective method of treatment. We have found that the use of a contact Nd:YAG fiberoptic delivery system through a rigid bronchoscope has performed very well in meeting these criteria.
How Do I Remember Thee? The Role of Encoding Set and Delay in Reconstructive Memory Processes

Abstract Two studies investigated the role of initial encoding in the relative weighting of the memory trace versus expectancy information in reconstructive memory. S s were given a hypothetical student′s midterm grade report under either impression set, recall set, or comprehension set instructions. After a retention interval, S s′ expectancies about the student′s future performance (improve vs decline) were manipulated. S s then received outcome information, half consistent and half inconsistent with their expectancy. In both studies, impression set and comprehension set subjects gave significant weight to the expectancy information, recalling consistent information relatively accurately but displaying expectancy-congruent distortion of inconsistent information. Recall set subjects were unaffected by their expectancies and accurately recalled both consistent and inconsistent information. Additionally, the results of delay manipulation used in Study 2 indicated that longer retention intervals accentuated differences between encoding set conditions. Implications for the process by which expectancy information and the memory trace are integrated to determine recall are discussed.
Rotational spectra of NH3 and ND3 in the 0.5-mm wavelength region☆

Abstract Rotational transitions of NH3 and ND3 in the 0.5-mm wavelength region have been observed and measured by microwave techniques. For ND3 the two inversion components of the J = 1 → 2 transitions of 14ND3 and 15ND3 at 0.49-mm wavelength have been measured, and for NH3 the J = 0 → 1 transitions of 14NH3 and 15NH3 at 0.52-mm wavelength have been remeasured with higher precision. With J = 0 → 1 transition frequencies for ND3 from previous microwave measurements and with the centrifugal stretching constant DJ for NH3 measured in the infrared region, these frequencies yield the following spectral constants (in Mc/sec): for 14ND3, B0 = 154 173.38, DJ = 5.91, DJK = −10.49; for 15ND3, B0 = 153 600.97, DJ = 5.92, DJK = −10.54; for 14NH3, B0 = 298 115.37; and for 15NH3, B0 = 297 388.12. The effective ground-state structural dimensions for NH3 are d NH = 1.0156 A and d ND = 1.0143 A and
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging during Urodynamic Testing Identifies Brain Structures Initiating Micturition

Purpose: Normal voiding in neurologically intact patients is triggered by the release of tonic inhibition from suprapontine centers, allowing the pontine micturition center to trigger the voiding reflex. Supraspinal mechanisms of voluntary voiding in humans are just beginning to be described via functional neuroimaging. We further elucidated brain activity processes during voiding using functional magnetic resonance imaging in normal females to gain better understanding of normal voiding as well as changes that may occur in voiding dysfunction.Materials and Methods: We screened 13 healthy premenopausal female volunteers using baseline clinic urodynamics to document normal voiding parameters. We then recorded brain activity via functional magnetic resonance imaging and simultaneous urodynamics, including the pressure flow voiding phase. After motion correction of functional magnetic resonance images we performed activation and connectivity analyses in 10 subjects.Results: Group analysis revealed consistent...
Symmetry detection across the visual field.

Humans are extremely sensitive to symmetry when it is foveated but sensitivity drops as a symmetrical region of a fixed size is moved into the periphery. A psychophysical study was undertaken to determine if eccentricity dependent sensitivity loss could be overcome by magnifying stimuli at each eccentricity ( E ) by a factor F = 1 + E/E2 , where E 2 indicates the eccentricity at which the size of a stimulus must be doubled, relative to a foveal standard, to achieve equivalent performance. The psychophysical task required subjects to decide on each trial in which of two intervals a symmetrical stimulus had been presented. Stimuli were presented at a range of sizes and eccentricities (0 to 8°) and the probability of a correct discrimination was computed for each condition. In Experiment 1, thresholds were measured with stimuli set to maximum available contrast and, in Experiment 2, stimuli were presented at a constant multiple of contrast detection threshold. In both experiments, a single scaling function removed most of the eccentricity dependent variation from the data. However, the E 2 value recovered for one subject tested in both experiments was larger by about 65% when stimuli were not equated for visibility. We conclude that symmetry detection can be equated across a range of eccentricities by scaling stimuli with an E 2 in the range of 0.88 to 1.38°. Failure to equate for visibility across all viewing conditions may result in an inflated estimate of E 2 .
Playing Mastermind optimally

There have been several recent articles in the SIGART Newsletter about the game of Mastermind (T. M. Rao, #82, E. Shapiro, #85, P. Koppstein, #88). This note describes an algorithm that is different from the others in that it is specifically designed to be an approximation to the optimal strategy.
How Could I Fall for That? Exploring Phishing Victimization with the Heuristic-Systematic Model

To the extent that phishing has become a serious threat to information security, there has been rather limited theory-grounded research on this burgeoning phenomenon. In this paper, we propose a study on victimization by phishing based on the Heuristic-Systematic Model of information processing. We argue that the Heuristic-Systematic Model offers an ideal theoretical framework for investigating the psychological mechanism underlying the effectiveness of phishing attacks, and present a preliminary research model based on the theory.
Comparison of two methods for proteolytic enzyme detection in snake venom

An acrylamide gel system containing fibrinogen was used to detect proteolytic enzymes in snake venoms. Proteolytic activity was observed as a clear on a blue background after electrophoresis and overnight incubation in Tris buffer, prior to staining with Coomassie blue. Venoms from eastern and western diamonback and west coast Mexican rattlesnakes, Crotalus adamantus, C. atrox and C. basiliscus basiliscus, respectively, and southern copperhead, Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix, were analyzed at the level of 1 mg of venom. The effect of the serine proteinase inhibitor diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) and the metalloproteinase inhibitors tetrathylenepentamine (TEP) or EDTA on fibrinogen and normal gel profiles were evaluated. Normal gels (without fibrinogen) were Coomassie stained to visualized migration of 250 μg of venom proteins on the gels. Several proteolytic enzymes detected in C. atrox and C. b. basiliscus venoms were inhibited by TEP, whereas DFP had no effect on activity. The fibrinogen gels detected no protease activity in C. adamanteus venom, although it is known from other studies that there are several proteolytic enzymes in this venom. Several proteases were detected in A. c contortrix venom, one of which was inhibited by TEP. By comparison, proteolytic activity in 5 – 10 μg of all venoms was readily detected using the mammalian plasma kallikrein specific chromogenic substrate, S2302 (H-d-Pro-Phe-Arg-p-nitroanilide). The fibrinogen gel method does not appear to have the specificity nor the sensitivity of the recently developed chromogenic substrates for detection of proteolytic enzymes in snake venom.
Torsion impregnated cloth analysis for resin rheological studies

This paper describes the utility of Torsion Impregnated Cloth Analysis, a very versatile technique to characterize resin behavior during cure or after repeated thermal and environmental treatment. Multi-frequency scan data have been shown to help tremendously in interpreting the behavior during experimentation. The technique is also very useful in defining the cure conditions for new resin chemistry/systems.
The Clinical Application of Radiopharmaceuticals

This article highlights the choices and the arguments in the selection of appropriate contrast materials in radiological examinations--nonionic versus ionic contrast material--and aims to assist the physician in decision-making. Various authors have raised questions concerning the proposed advantages of nonionic contrast material. However, studies in low risk patients have shown more complications with the use of ionic contrast than nonionic contrast materials; this is the important group of patients since in high risk patients nonionics are used almost exclusively. The important factor that increases the controversy is cost, which is significant since nonionic agents cost 10 to 15 times more than ionic agents in the USA. Thus, cost-benefit considerations are important because price sensitivity and cost may determine fund availability for equipment or materials that also may be necessary or important in improving patient care. In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as in computed tomography (CT), the use of contrast material has improved diagnostic accuracy and the ability to reveal lesions not otherwise easily detected in brain and spinal cord imaging. These include separating scan from disc, meningitis, meningeal spread of tumour, tumour seeding, small metastases, intracanalicular tumours, separating major mass from oedema, determining bulk tumour size and ability to demonstrate blood vessels so dynamic circulatory changes may be revealed.
Interested Experts, Confused Novices: Art Expertise and the Knowledge Emotions:

Experts and novices differ in how they experience and understand art, and expertise in the arts moderates a wide range of aesthetic processes. The present research examined the role of expertise in the experience of interest and confusion, two knowledge emotions, particularly whether expertise moderated the cognitive appraisals that bring about the emotions. A sample of 174 people viewed and rated a series of abstract images taken from small-press publications. Expertise was measured with the aesthetic fluency scale (Smith & Smith, 2006), and multivariate multilevel models were used to estimate the effects of expertise and appraisals. As expected, people high in expertise found the images significantly more interesting and less confusing. The main effects of appraisals on interest and confusion replicated past work, and expertise interacted with most of the appraisals—the cognitive foundations of interest and confusion have different weights for experts and novices.
Community-Wide Discount Programs for Older Persons: A Review and Evaluation

An evaluation of a community-wide discount program for elderly people in Richmond, Virginia is reported. The costs and benefits to both the elderly card holders and participating merchants were examined. While some elderly shoppers reported significant savings, many realized little benefit from the program. Most merchants did not vigorously promote the program, and experienced little impact on sales and profits. Implications for program management are explored.
Individual differences in perceptual space for tactile textures: evidence from multidimensional scaling

Ratio scaling was used to obtain from 5 subjects estimates of the subjective dissimilarity between the members of all possible pairs of 17 tactile surfaces. The stimuli were a diverse array of everyday surfaces, such as corduroy, sandpaper, and synthetic fur. The results were analyzed using the multidimensional scaling (MDS) program ALSCAL. There was substantial, but not complete, agreement across subjects in the spatial arrangement of perceived textures. Scree plots and multivariate analysis suggested that, for some subjects, a two-dimensional space was the optimal MDS solution, whereas for other subjects, a three-dimensional space was indicated. Subsequent to their dissimilarity scaling, subjects rated each stimulus on each of five adjective scales. Consistent with earlier research, two of these (rough/smooth and soft/hard) were robustly related to the space for all subjects. A third scale, sticky/slippery, was more variably related to the dissimilarity data: regressed into three-dimensional MDS space, it was angled steeply into the third dimension only for subjects whose scree plots favored a nonplanar solution. We conclude that the sticky/slippery dimension is perceptually weighted less than the rough/smooth and soft/hard dimensions, materially contributing to the structure of perceptual space only in some individuals.
Ca2+ release from caged-Ca2+ alters the FTIR spectrum of sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Light-induced Ca2+ release from the Ca2+ complex of Nitr-5 altered the FTIR spectra of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles and purified Ca(2+)-ATPase preparations. The principal changes seen in difference spectra obtained after and before illumination in the presence of Nitr-5.Ca2+ consisted of an increase in absorbance at 1663 and 1676 cm-1 and a decrease in absorbance at 1653 cm-1. The light-induced changes in FTIR spectra were prevented by vanadate or EGTA, indicating that they were associated with the formation of Ca2E1 enzyme intermediate. Other light-induced changes in the FTIR spectra at 1600-1250 cm-1 were not clearly related to the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and were attributed to photolysis of Nitr-5. The difference absorbance bands are narrow, suggesting that they originate from changes in side chain vibrations, although some changes in secondary structures may also contribute.
Mass Transfer With Flow Through an Array of Rectangular Cylinders

The mass transfer from an array of naphthalene-coated parallel rectangular cylinders, through which air passes in a slitlike flow, has been measured. The local Sherwood numbers indicate that the flow pattern is asymmetric in spite of using an array of two-dimensional, equally spaced identical cylinders. Smoke-wire flow visualization verifies this asymmetry, showing alternate short and long wakes around the cylinders, due probably to the instability of vortex shedding. On the side surfaces of the cylinders with the short wakes, the airflow deflects and reattaches, resulting in a high mass transfer. Also, a strong impinging effect is observed on the leeward (back) surface of these cylinders at high Reynolds numbers. Reattachment is not observed on the side surface for cylinders with the long wakes. On these, however, the mass transfer on the leeward surface is higher than on the short wake cylinders. This may be due to the relatively low naphthalene vapor concentration in the long wakes. The distribution of the short wakes (and the long wakes) is periodic and relatively stable. However, their position can be changed from one cylinder to the adjacent one by a disturbance. Measurements were taken over a moderate Reynolds number range of 300 to 3000 (based on the cylinder-to-cylinder pitch and approaching velocity). The laminar, transition, and turbulent nature in the wake flows can be inferred from the results.
Evaluation of gas-liquid chromatography for the rapid diagnosis of amniotic fluid infection. A preliminary report

Gas-liquid chromatography has been proposed as a possible tool in the rapid diagnosis of amniotic fluid infections. The analysis is based on the identification of specific organic acids derived from bacterial metabolism when organisms are present within the amniotic fluid. We retrospectively subjected 69 samples of amniotic fluid which had been obtained by transabdominal amniocentesis to analysis by gasliquid chromatography. Forty-seven, samples were derived from patients who either were in premature labor or had premature rupture of membranes with associated premature labor. Twenty-two specimens which served as a comparison group were obtained from patients who underwent amniocentesis for assessment of fetal maturity. The results obtained from chromatographic analysis are presented, and the possible applications of this technique to the clinical situation are discussed.