cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unsteady Aerodynamic Modeling in Roll for the NASA Generic Transport Model

Reducing the impact of loss-of-control conditions on commercial transport aircraft is a primary goal of the NASA Aviation Safety Program. One aspect in developing the supporting technologies is to improve the aerodynamic models that represent these adverse conditions. Aerodynamic models appropriate for loss of control conditions require a more general mathematical representation to predict nonlinear unsteady behaviors. In this paper, a more general mathematical model is proposed for the subscale NASA Generic Transport Model (GTM) that covers both low and high angles of attack. Particular attention is devoted to the stall region where full-scale transports have demonstrated a tendency for roll instability. The complete aerodynamic model was estimated from dynamic wind-tunnel data. Advanced computational methods are used to improve understanding and visualize the flow physics within the region where roll instability is a factor.
17-KETOSTEROID AND PITUITARY FOLLICLESTIMULATING HORMONE EXCRETION IN MYXEDEMA, BEFORE AND DURING TREATMENT WITH THYROXINE*

IN PATIENTS with myxedema, a decreased urinary excretion of 17-ketosteroids has been a uniform finding (1–4). Values under 3 mg. per day have been observed in women and under 7 mg. in men. The administration of desiccated thyroid to myxedematous patients has been reported to be ineffectual in restoring the excretion of steroids to normal, even when the clinical response to thyroid, including normalization of the basal metabolic rate and serum cholesterol level, was complete (1, 3, 5). Patients with hypothyroidism but without myxedema apparently have normal levels of urinary 17-ketosteroids (1). Several observers have found that in hyperthyroid persons the decrease in 17-ketosteroid excretion is not striking, the values being usually in the subnormal or low-normal range (1–4, 6). Satisfactory treatment of the hyperthyroidism is accompanied by a rise to normal of the 17-ketosteroids (1). No significant correlation has been noted between the clinical data, such as severity and duration of the thyrotoxic stat...
Correlation of the structure of chiral o,o′-bisphenol-Ti(IV) complexes with ligand electronic effects. A relationship between Lewis acidity and angle strain

Abstract The electron deficiency of Ti(IV) in complexes with chiral o,o′-bisphenols influences the CArOTi angle which, in turn determines the topology of the most stable (or easily formed) cyclic complex.
Isosphaera pallida , gen. and comb. nov., a gliding, budding eubacterium from hot springs

An unusual filamentous, budding bacterium was isolated from several North American hot springs and named Isosphaera pallida. Filaments are composed of spherical cells 2.5–3.0 μm in diameter, with cell growth and division occurring by formation of intercalary buds. These obligately aerobic, heterotrophic isolates closely resemble Isocystis pallida Woronichin, which has been previously described as a cyanobacterium, and later as a yeast, based on collected specimens.
Dirac: An interactive retrieval language with computational interface

Abstract An interactive file-oriented language that allows the user to interface with a text-editor and with his own FORTRAN or assembly language code has been used to illustrate the flexibility of non-procedural techniques in the scientific field. The language is the first in a family of prototypes used to test alternative formulations of file organization problems connected with the storage and retrieval of scientific records, medical data or library documents in an interactive mode. The applications described here use files of research data in astronomical and medical fields. It operates exclusively in a time-sharing environment. The article describes the system and its applications from the point of view of language design, and it gives a detailed discussion of the file organization upon which it relies.
Divergent Selection for Two Measures of Intake Potential in Smooth Bromegrass

Voluntary intake is often the greatest limitation to animal performance. Two different laboratory measures of intake potential were used as selection criteria in four smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss) populations. The objective of this study was to measure the direct and correlated responses to one cycle of divergent selection for neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentration or particle-size reduction index (PSRI). Sixteen progeny populations were created by divergent selection (high or low) for NDF or PSRI of smooth bromegrass leaf blades within four populations. Divergent selection for NDF resulted in changes of 4 to 8 g kg -1 (0.7-1.3% of the mean) for NDF and -2.2 to -3.0% (6.6-9.4% of the mean) for PSRI. Divergent selection for PSRI resulted in changes of 1.9 to 3.9% (5.4-12.9% of the mean) for PSRI and inconsistent changes for NDF. Although realized heritabilities were low, there was additive genetic variation for both traits within each population. Divergent selection for NDF resulted in strong changes in PSRI, in the opposite direction, and largely consistent across populations, suggestive of possible pleiotropic relationships. Conversely, divergent selection for PSRI resulted in weak andlor inconsistent changes in NDF, suggesting that there are multiple mechanisms by which PSRI is regulated in smooth bromegrass leaves. Decreased NDF concentration uniformly results in increased PSRI, but PSRI can probably be increased by alterations to the cell wall or to changes in cell types without changes to NDF concentration of herbage.
Fundamentals of Soil Ecology.

2nd ed. DAVID C. COLEMAN, D.A. CROSSLEY, JR., AND PAUL F. HENDRIX. Elsevier Academic Press, Burlington, MA. 2004. Paperback, 386 pp. $48. ISBN 0-12-179726-0. The second edition of Fundaments of Soil Ecology is a very interesting reference book that examines the functions of soil microbes and fauna
Altered electron flow in a reducing environment inClostridium acetobutylicum

Controlled batch growth ofClostridium acetobutylicum shows that the presence of reducing agents sodium sulfide and cysteine favor the formation of butyrate and hydrogen at near neutral pH. This phenomenon is believed to be caused by the reducing environment resulting in excess electrons being diverted to form increased butyrate and hydrogen.
Locally robust correlation coefficients

Robustness of correlation coefficients is studied in the framework of testing for independence, robustness being measured by the minimum asymptotic power over a suitable class of local alternatives. A minimax result is derived; the robust correlation coefficient is computed from suitably transformed and truncated observations. Moreover, the related approach of Huber (1977) is analyzed, and inadmissibility of his minimax solution is shown.
p Phenotype in an Ecuadorian family.

The red cell phenotype ‘p’ is reported in an Ecuadorian family of Spanish descent. There are no previous confirmed reports of Ecuadorian individuals with this rare allele. The proband was not the product of a consanguineous marriage. This factor together with certain geographical and historical considerations support speculation that there may be a small cohort of homozygous ‘p’ individuals in the region.
Pulse-coupled image fusion

Image fusion is a difficult task due to the large amount of data that needs to be processed and the intricate dispersal of the pertinent information that are within many channels. The pulse-coupled neural network (PCNN) has previously been shown to be a very powerful image processing tool for single channel images. A multichannel PCNN for processing of multichannel images is introduced. Fusion of the pulse images produced by the multichannel PCNN is easily performed by a single channel fractional power filter.
Formation of ion-conducting channels by the membrane attack complex proteins of complement.

The effects of sequential additions of purified human complement proteins C5b-6, C7, C8, and C9 to assemble the C5b-9 membrane attack complex (MAC) of complement on electrical properties of planar lipid bilayers have been analyzed. The high resistance state of such membranes was impaired after assembly of large numbers of C5b-8 complexes as indicated by the appearance of rapidly fluctuating membrane currents. The C5b-8 induced conductance was voltage dependent and rectifying at higher voltages. Addition of C9 to membranes with very few C5b-8 complexes caused appearance of few discrete single channels of low conductance (5–25 pS) but after some time very large (greater than 0.5 nS) jumps in conductance could be monitored. This high macroscopic conductance state was dominated by 125-pS channels having a lifetime of approximately 1 s. The high conductance state was not stable and declined again after a period of 1–3 h. Incorporation of MAC extracted from complement-lysed erythrocytes into liposomes and subsequent transformation of such complexes into planar bilayers via an intermediate monolayer state resulted in channels with characteristics similar to the ones produced by sequential assembly of C5b-9. Comparison of the high-conductance C5b-9 channel characteristics (lifetime, ion preference, ionic-strength dependence) with those produced by poly(C9) (the circular or tubular aggregation product of C9) as published by Young, J.D.-E., Z.A. Cohn, and E.R. Podack. (1986. Science [Wash. DC]. 233:184–190.) indicates that the two are significantly different.
Kaon production in Si+Al and Si+Au collisions at 14.6 A·GeVc

Abstract AGS experiment E859 is a follow-on to experiment E802 that uses a second-level trigger based on particle identification to enhance the collection of rare species. We now have high statistics spectra over a broad range in rapidity and transverse momentum for both positive and negative kaons, allowing a detailed comparison of these particles for the first time in AGS heavy-ion experiments. The K − are seen to have a narrower rapidity distribution than the K + , a difference which may be due to the way in which resonances contribute to the yield of K − and K + .
The problem of the many minds

It is argued that, given certain reasonable premises, an infinite number of qualitatively identical but numerically distinct minds exist per functioning brain. The three main premises are (1) mental properties supervene on brain properties; (2) the universe is composed of particles with nonzero extension; and (3) each particle is composed of continuum many point-sized bits of particle-stuff, and these points of particlestuff persist through time.
Vorticity and isotropic singularities

We prove that if a solution of the Einstein field equations with perfect fluid source and γ law equation of state [p = (γ−1)μ] admits an Isotropic singularity, then necessarily the fluid flow is irrotational. This shows the essential equivalence of the seemingly distinct concepts of quasi-isotropic singularities and Friedrnann-like singularities of Lifshitz and Khalatnikov and Eardley, Liang and Sachs, respectively.
Pyrolytic Carbon Arthroplasty for Posttraumatic Arthritis of the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint

Purpose To prospectively evaluate the subjective and objective functional outcome of patients treated with a pyrolytic carbon proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint arthroplasty for posttraumatic arthritis. Methods Five patients (7 joints) with traumatic injuries to the PIP joint were followed up for more than 1 year after pyrolytic carbon arthroplasty. All patients were treated with surgical reduction and stabilization at the time of the initial injury, but at a minimum of 6 months after the initial injury they had persistent pain, loss of motion, and functional limitations. All patients had a stable PIP joint with a satisfactory extensor mechanism but had radiographic evidence of posttraumatic arthritis. Patients were evaluated before and after arthroplasty with the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire and visual analog scale and by radiographic and physical examination. Results At an average of 17 months, the mean DASH questionnaire score was unchanged. The pain rating on the visual analog scale was 6 out of 10 before surgery and 4 out of 10 after surgery; this change was not statistically significant. The average range of motion of the PIP joint decreased by 10° at the last evaluation. Grip strength improved from an average of 47 lb to 63 lb after surgery. Conclusions The subjective and objective functional outcomes in 5 patients more than 1 year after pyrolytic carbon PIP joint arthroplasty for PIP joint trauma were disappointing. For posttraumatic patients, we no longer use pyrolytic carbon PIP joint arthroplasty. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.
Climate change and the origin of migratory pathways in the Swainson's thrush, Catharus ustulatus

Aim To provide a spatially explicit model of how geographic distributions at the last glacial maximum (LGM) and post-glacial colonization routes shaped current migratory pathways in the Swainson's thrush, Catharus ustulatus, a long-distance migratory bird. Location The Swainson's thrush breeds in boreal forest regions of the United States and Canada as well as in riparian woodlands along the Pacific coast of North America. Methods Palaeodistribution modelling is combined with mtDNA phylogeography to predict the breeding range of the Swainson's thrush at the LGM. Quantitative environmental analysis and bioclimatic modelling are used to reconstruct the most likely post-glacial colonization pathways. A maximum likelihood method for estimating growth rates is used to approximate the relative change in population size since the LGM. Main conclusions The palaeodistribution models are concordant with the Swainson's thrush mtDNA phylogeography, suggesting that the inland and coastal groups were geographically isolated in eastern (inland) and western (coastal) regions at the LGM. Estimates of change in population size based on genetic data are remarkably consistent with estimates of change in range size, suggesting that the coastal group has undergone a 2- to 3-fold demographic and range expansion, while the inland group has undergone a 6- to 12-fold demographic and range expansion since the LGM. Bioclimatic analyses strongly support the hypothesis that populations expanding out of the east into previously glaciated areas in the west were undergoing a natural extension of their range by tracking the changes in climatic conditions. The combination of bioclimatic and molecular analyses is consistent with the idea that coastal and inland groups expanded from separate eastern and western regions after the LGM and that the current migratory pathway of the inland group retraces its post-glacial colonization route.
Menopausal symptoms within a Hispanic cohort: SWAN, the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation

Introduction Since the designation of people as Hispanic involves the amalgamation of a number of different cultures and languages, we sought to test the hypothesis that menopausal symptoms would differ among Hispanic women, based upon country of origin and degree of acculturation.Methods A total of 419 women, aged 42–52 years at baseline, were categorized as: Central American (CA, n = 29) or South American (SA, n = 106), Puerto Rican (PR, n = 56), Dominican (D, n = 42), Cuban (Cu, n = 44) and non-Hispanic Caucasian (n = 142). We assessed vasomotor symptoms, vaginal dryness and trouble in sleeping. Hispanics and non-Hispanic Caucasians were compared using the χ2 test, t test or non-parametric alternatives; ANOVA or Kruskal–Wallis testing examined differences among the five Hispanic sub-groups. Multivariable regression models used PR women as the reference group.Results Hispanic women were overall less educated, less acculturated (p < 0.001 for both) than non-Hispanic Caucasians and more of them reported v...
Learning new words for objects and nonobjects: Theoretical and methodological implications

In this study we compared second language (L2) vocabulary learning with real objects versus nonobjects as referents (a) to test the effects of increased semantic processing (when learning nonobjects) and (b) to assess the viability of using L2 vocabulary learning with nonobjects (which forces learners toward concept mediation) for future studies on the development of conceptual mediation. Native English speakers attempted to learn 24 pseudowords using real objects and nonobjects as referents. After the learning phase, they completed two posttests: picture-to-L2 recall (productive) and word-picture verification (receptive). Scores were submitted to analyses of variance with condition (object, nonobject) as a within-subject independent variable. Other analyses tested whether object familiarity and nonobject similarity ratings had an effect on participants’ ability to learn the words. Regression analyses were used to test whether condition (object, nonobject) affected the participants’ accuracy in learning the words on the word-picture verification task. Additional analyses were also performed on the extent to which the mismatch between learning and testing as objects and nonobjects affected accuracy. The results of the study suggest that (a) the additional semantic processing involved in learning with nonobjects decreases learners’ ability to learn new word forms and that (b) L2 vocabulary learning with objects and nonobjects is a viable experimental paradigm for measuring the extent to which L2 vocabulary learning involves L1 lexical mediation.
Emergency air medical transport of U.S.—Citizen tourists: 1988 to 1990

Study objective: To study the epidemiology of U.S. citzens who become ill or injured while on vacation outside the United States and are transported back to the United States by emergency air medical transports. Design: A retrospective self-reported survey covering a study period of three years (1988–1990) of air medical transport services in the United States. Setting and type of participants: All members of the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) who operate either rotorcraft within range of non-U.S. territories (excluding Canada) or who operate fixed-wing aircraft in the United States. Interventions: None. Results: There were a total of 796 cases reported by AAMS members during the study period. Males comprised 61% of the cases. Unintentional injury accounted for 44% (n=351) of the patients transported. Acute myocardial infarctions, angina and post-cardiac arrest cases comprised 15% (n=141) of the total cases. Infectious diseases other than pneumonia comprised slightly more than 1% (n=11) of the total cases. There were 12 gunshot wounds and one stab wound, comprising 1.6% (n=13) of the total cases. Mexico, the Virgin Islands, and the Bahamas were the top three sites of transport origin, accounting for 59% of the cases. Fixed-wing transport accounted for 90% of the reported flights. Conclusions: This survey reveals a previously undescribed portion of travel-related morbidity and mortality. Injury prevention needs greater emphasis when travel advices is given by physicians and other travel medical services. Air medical transport is an important aspect of the care of acutely injured or ill U.S.-citizen tourists.
Comparing effects in spike-triggered averages of rectified EMG across different behaviors.

Abstract Effects in spike-triggered averages (SpikeTAs) of rectified electromyographic activity (EMG) compiled for the same neuron–muscle pair during various behaviors often appear different. Do these differences represent significant changes in the effect of the neuron on the muscle activity? Quantitative comparison of such differences has been limited by two methodological problems, which we address here. First, although the linear baseline trend of many SpikeTAs can be adjusted with ramp subtraction, the curvilinear baseline trend of other SpikeTAs can not. To address this problem, we estimated baseline trends using a form of moving average. Artificial triggers were created in 1 ms increments from 40 ms before to 40 ms after each spike used to compile the SpikeTA. These 81 triggers were used to compile another average of rectified EMG, which we call a single-spike increment-shifted average (single-spike ISA). Single-spike ISAs were averaged to produce an overall ISA, which captured slow trends in the baseline EMG while distributing any spike-locked features evenly throughout the 80 ms analysis window. The overall ISA then was subtracted from the initial SpikeTA, removing any slow baseline trends for more accurate measurement of SpikeTA effects. Second, the measured amplitude and temporal characteristics of SpikeTA effects produced by the same neuron–muscle pair may vary during different behaviors. But whether or not such variation is significant has been difficult to ascertain. We therefore applied a multiple fragment approach to permit statistical comparison of the measured features of SpikeTA effects for the same neuron–muscle pair during different behavioral epochs. Spike trains recorded in each task were divided into non-overlapping fragments of 100 spikes each, and a separate, ISA-corrected, SpikeTA was compiled for each fragment. Measurements made on these fragment SpikeTAs then were used as test statistics for comparison of peak percent increase, mean percent increase, peak width at half maximum, onset latency, and offset latency. The average of each test statistic measured from the fragment SpikeTAs was well correlated with the single measurement made on the overall SpikeTA. The multiple fragment approach provides a sensitive means of identifying significant changes in SpikeTA effects.
Do imprinted genes have few and small introns

A gene is described as imprinted if its pattern of expression depends on whether it passed the previous generation in a male or female germ line. A recent paper(1) reports that imprinted genes have fewer and smaller introns than a control set of genes. The differences are striking but their interpretation is unclear. The loss of introns after a gene becomes imprinted is not sufficient to explain why imprinted genes have fewer introns than average, because related unimprinted genes also have few introns. Similarly, small introns appear to be a property of chromosomal region rather than of imprinting status itself, because neighboring unimprinted genes also have small introns.
Delayed response deficits in squirrel monkeys with unilateral lesions in the midbrain reticular formation

Abstract Electrophysiological experiments suggest that the midbrain reticular formation plays a role in visual attention. However, behavioral tests of this hypothesis have been few and their results inconsistent. Squirrel monkeys with unilateral lesions in the midbrain reticular formation were compared to control animals in their performance on a delayed-response task and a visual pattern discrimination. Nystagmus, adduction of limbs, and lack of visual responsivity were noted a few days after the lesion was made, but these symptoms were transient and were not seen during delayed response testing. The monkeys with lesions had delayed response deficits when the baited food well was contralateral to the lesion and responses were delayed 10 sec or longer. They did not differ significantly from controls on the delayed response task when the baited food well was ipsilateral to the lesion or in learning the visual pattern discrimination. The delayed response task presumably measures the ability to maintain orienting responses, overtly or covertly, during the delay interval. This experiment suggests that the midbrain reticular formation facilitates orienting responses over long delays.
Initiation of osteoporosis treatment after bone mineral density testing.

The aim of the study was to describe initiation of osteoporosis drug therapy after bone mineral density (BMD) testing and to determine any association with BMD test results obtained, physician factors, or both. The setting was the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan (KFHP), a large health maintenance organization (HMO) in Northern California. Data were collected from bone densitometry centers at four KFHP medical centers sites in Sacramento, San Rafael, Fresno, and Oakland. We identified 17 290 women aged ≥45 years who had BMD testing between January 1, 1997 and June 30, 1999. After excluding those for whom any osteoporosis drugs were prescribed in the year before testing, 8020 women were available for analysis. Using logistic regression, we examined the association between BMD diagnosis (i.e., osteoporosis or osteopenia versus normal) and initiation of drug therapy for osteoporosis (including hormone replacement therapy (HRT), alendronate, etidronate, raloxifene and calcitonin) within 6 months after the test. Among the 8020 women, 1934 (24%) filled a prescription for an osteoporosis drug within 6 months after BMD testing. Compared with women who had a normal BMD test result, women diagnosed with osteopenia were nearly 4 times more likely (OR = 3.7; CI = 3.0–4.4), and women diagnosed with osteoporosis were 15 times more likely (OR = 15.0; CI = 12.5–18.1), to fill a prescription for an osteoporosis drug within 6 months after BMD testing. Women with high exposure to corticosteroid agents were twice as likely (OR = 2.1; CI = 1.7–2.7) to start osteoporosis drug therapy compared with women who were not similarly exposed; women diagnosed with recent osteoporotic fractures were 50% more likely (OR = 1.5; CI = 1.2–1.9) to begin therapy than women without such fractures. Despite the strong association between BMD and initiating treatment, nearly half the osteoporotic women did not initiate treatment. In addition, we found that age strongly influenced choice of osteoporotic drug. Compared with osteoporotic women aged 45–54 years, women aged 55–64 years who started drug therapy were 40% more likely (OR = 1.4; CI = 1.0–2.2) and women aged ≥65 years were twice as likely (OR = 2.0; CI = 1.4–2.8) to start non-HRT drugs. BMD test results indicating osteoporosis were thus strongly associated with increased likelihood of beginning drug therapy, and half of such women initiated therapy. Drug initiation was also associated with other factors, including age, use of corticosteroid agents, recent fracture, and physician characteristics. However, these factors showed much weaker associations than those found for BMD. Health care providers must consider whether test results will influence treatment decisions, and our data indicate that results of BMD testing do influence management decisions regarding osteoporosis drug use for women.
A compositional approach to stochastic optimal control with co-safe temporal logic specifications

We introduce an algorithm for the optimal control of stochastic nonlinear systems subject to temporal logic constraints on their behavior. We compute directly on the state space of the system, avoiding the expensive pre-computation of a discrete abstraction. An automaton that corresponds to the temporal logic specification guides the computation of a control policy that maximizes the probability that the system satisfies the specification. This reduces controller synthesis to solving a sequence of stochastic constrained reachability problems. Each individual reachability problem is solved via the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) partial differential equation of stochastic optimal control theory. To increase the efficiency of our approach, we exploit a class of systems where the HJB equation is linear due to structural assumptions on the noise. The linearity of the partial differential equation allows us to pre-compute control policy primitives and then compose them, at essentially zero cost, to conservatively satisfy a complex temporal logic specification.
Periodic Plasmonic/Dielectric Structures for SERS Applications

We discuss a rational design towards amplifying the local electromagnetic (EM) filed by integrating plasmonic optical antennas with periodic dielectric structures. The radiation process of an excited molecule on such devices is also studied.
Comparison of VIIRS SST fields obtained from differing SST equations applied to a region covering the northern Gulf of Mexico and western North Atlantic

Several groups produce Sea Surface Temperature (SST) retrievals derived from data acquired by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) sensor on-board the S-NPP satellite. Because of varying requirements or history, the groups often use differing SST equations to make their SST retrievals. Here we compare and discuss the equations through an examination of the SST fields. In most cases, the fields are created using the same program but differing equations, while in other cases, such as for the Interface Data Processing Segment (IDPS) Environmental Data Records (EDR), the SST fields are directly produced by other groups. Also discussed is the effect of the equation coefficients because independent groups may use the same equation but with different coefficients The focus of this study is on a region covering the Northern Gulf of Mexico and part of the Western North Atlantic. The comparison to buoys tries to minimize the effect of data contamination such as clouds on the results by matching the best satellite derived SST value in a neighborhood to the value from drifting or moored buoys. Finally we look at the overlap between consecutive passes to evaluate how the various equations perform at higher satellite zenith angles.
Current strategies for the treatment of complicated intraabdominal infections.

Introduction: Complicated intraabdominal infections (cIAIs) are a common cause of infection-related morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients and present many challenges unique from other serious infections. cIAIs are generally polymicrobial in nature; however, controversy exists around the pathogenicity of some of the frequently identified microorganisms. Increasing antibiotic resistance among commonly isolated bacteria poses further challenges for clinicians managing patients with cIAIs. Areas covered: This article highlights the microbiology and recent trends in antibiotic resistance most relevant to cIAIs, provides recommendations for treatment using currently available antimicrobials and introduces antibiotics in development with potential roles in managing cIAIs. Expert opinion: Successful treatment of cIAI requires a combination of timely source control and thorough assessment of patient characteristics to guide selection of an appropriate empiric antimicrobial regimen. Specific consideratio...
Human Strengths, Courageous Actions, and General and Personal Courage

College students (N = 298, 54% female) described a time when they acted courageously, then rated their courageous action on each of 24 Values in Action (VIA) strengths (Peterson & Seligman, 2004), and on general and personal courage (Pury, Kowalski, & Spearman, 2007). Three of the four strengths of courage (persistence, integrity, and bravery) had mean ranks placing them in the top five strengths, along with hope, a strength of transcendence, and kindness, a strength of humanity. Multiple strengths were associated with higher general courage (actions that would be courageous for anyone), lower personal courage (actions that are courageous only in the context of the specific actor's life), or both. Thus, the presence of strengths seems to be more strongly associated with general courage compared to personal courage.
Dry etch damage in III-V semiconductors

Abstract There has been steady progress in understanding the propagation of low energy, ion-induced damage into semiconductor substrates. Specially designed heterostructure (quantum well) substrates allows us to trace the profile of damage into the material. A number of experiments have highlighted the surprisingly deep damage profiles resulting from low energy ion bombardment (e.g. > 1000A deep for incident ions energies ∼ 300 eV). Theoretical simulations have shown the important role played by fortuitous scattering of incident ions into channeling directions, producing the deep damage profiles. Recent experiments have also shown the importance of rapid diffusion of ion-created defects. Using a model that includes the effects of both channeling and defect diffusion, CHANDID (CHanneling ANd Diffusion in Ion Damage), we have deduced a room temperature diffusion constant of D ∼ 1 × 10−15 cm2/sec. One cause of this unusually high value of D may be attributed to radiation enhanced diffusion: the creation of excess electrons and holes during the etch process whose subsequent non-radiative recombination transfers momentum to the defects. Preliminary experiments in both GaAs and InP employing above-band-gap illumination during ion bombardment, validate this picture. Such understanding, of intrinsic importance, can be used to design material and device structures in which the effects of ion damage may be mitigated.
A Continuous-Distillation Apparatus for the Separation of He 3 from He 4

The commercial purification of He3 as well as that of other stable rare-gas isotopes has generally been performed in thermal-diffusion columns since the inception of the USAEC stable-isotopes separation program [1]. While thermal diffusion is a relatively straightforward method of isotope separation, it is inefficient in that it requires large quantities of electrical power. A single thermal-diffusion column may be 8 m long, and several columns must be cascaded in order to produce the desired separation.
FAFSA Filing Among First-Year College Students: Who Files on Time, Who Doesn’t, and Why Does it Matter?

Students who do not file the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA), or who file after the priority application deadline, are at risk of not receiving grant aid that could help them persist and graduate from college. This study used data from the beginning postsecondary student study (BPS:04/06) to examine FAFSA filing behavior (i.e. early, late, did not file) among students attending community colleges, public 4-year, and private non-profit 4-year institutions. Results indicate that later filers, on average, receive less total state and institutional grant aid compared to students who filed earlier. Attending college part-time and delaying enrollment into college after high school were strongly associated with not filing a FAFSA and filing late. There were notable differences in FAFSA filing across institutional sectors as a function of students’ gender, race/ethnicity, income status, high school context, and pre-college academic experiences. These findings serve as the basis for recommendations aimed at increasing the rates of early FAFSA filing among students at the greatest risk of leaving money on the table.
785-5 Color Doppler M-Mode Velocity Propagation: An Index of Early Left Ventricular Filling That Combined with Pulsed Doppler Peak E Velocity may Predict Left Atrial Pressure

The propagation velocity of transmitral flow (MVP). as defined by color Doppler M-mode, has recently been proposed as an index of ventricular relaxation. Left atrial pressure, relaxation and left ventricular contractility are the main determinants of peak E wave To assess the possibility of estimating left atrial pressure using pulsed Doppler peak E wave velocity and color Doppler IMVP). we studied 27 patients in the coronary care unit. Methods Peak early filling velocity IE) was measured using pulsed Doppler, while the slope of the color Doppler M-mode (S)was used to define mitral flow velocity propagation. All patients had a pulmonary artery catheter and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure was measured. Results The dimensionless ratio E/S (range 092–3.74) was significantly related to left atrial pressure (r = 0.74, P l 0.001). and provided a good predictor for left atrial pressure (LAP = 4.4 + 5.3E/S, SEE = 3.7 mmHg). S (37.2 ± 12.2 m/sec) was significantly lower than E(73.5 ± 26.3). p l 0.001, with no correlation between these velocities (r = 0.24). E was weakly correlated with LAP (r = 0.53, P = 0.005), while S showed a negative correlation (r = -0.325, P = NS). Conclusions 1) The ratio of component velocity (E) over propagation velocity (S) of early ventricular filling wave can provide an good estimate of left atrial pressure. 2) Transmitral flow velocity propagation is independent of the component velocities of the E wave, 3) S is not related to LAP. Download : Download high-res image (44KB) Download : Download full-size image
Nafion®/(organically modified silicate) nanocomposites via polymer in situ sol–gel reactions: Mechanical tensile properties

A series of Nafion®/[organically modified silicate (ORMOSIL)] hybrid materials have been created by in situ sol-gel copolymerizations of tetraethylorthosilicate and semiorganic silicon alkoxide monomers. The trends in the mechanical tensile properties of these hybrid materials were largely rationalized in terms of the entrapment of the long sulfonic acid side chains in silicate or ORMOSIL structures. There is a significant increase in the mechanical strength relative to that of unfilled Nafion®, except in one case. Young's modulus is enhanced relative to that of unfilled acid form Nafion® in a number of cases, although the degree of ductility is reduced relative to that of unfilled Nafion®. The filler fractions are beneath a critical value that would reflect percolation of a glassy, direct load-bearing silicate phase.
Deoxycholic acid induces intracellular signaling through membrane perturbations.

Secondary bile acids have long been postulated to be tumor promoters in the colon; however, their mechanism of action remains unclear. In this study, we examined the actions of bile acids at the cell membrane and found that they can perturb membrane structure by alteration of membrane microdomains. Depletion of membrane cholesterol by treating with methyl-β-cyclodextrin suppressed deoxycholic acid (DCA)-induced apoptosis, and staining for cholesterol with filipin showed that DCA caused a marked rearrangement of this lipid in the membrane. Likewise, DCA was found to affect membrane distribution of caveolin-1, a marker protein that is enriched in caveolae membrane microdomains. Additionally, fluorescence anisotropy revealed that DCA causes a decrease in membrane fluidity consistent with the increase in membrane cholesterol content observed after 4 h of DCA treatment of HCT116 cells. Significantly, by using radiolabeled bile acids, we found that bile acids are able to interact with and localize to microdomains differently depending on their physicochemical properties. DCA was also found to induce tyrosine phosphorylation and activate the receptor tyrosine kinase epidermal growth factor receptor in a ligand-independent manner. In contrast, ursodeoxycholic acid did not exhibit any of these effects even though it interacted significantly with the microdomains. Collectively, these data suggest that bile acid-induced signaling is initiated through alterations of the plasma membrane structure and the redistribution of cholesterol.
Searching for You [Book reviews]

Review of "Googling Security: How Much Does Google Know About You?" (by G. Conti; 2008). This book warns readers about the proliferation of data capture and the degree to which we're tracked and traced on the Web. In ten heavily illustrated chapters, the author explains how our data are captured, retained, and shared (often for a price) with third parties. The author dedicates a chapter to ways of addressing the threat. He suggests methods for controlling cookies, diffusing or eliminating disclosures, encrypting important data, protecting a network address, and using policy as well as technical devices to minimize data capture and retention.
Activation of EGFP expression by Cre-mediated excision in a new ROSA26 reporter mouse strain

Reporter mouse strains are important tools for monitoring Cre recombinase-mediated excision in vivo. In practice, excision may be incomplete in a given population due to threshold level or variegated expression of Cre. Hence, it is desirable in many experimental contexts to isolate cells that have undergone excision to assess the consequences of gene ablation. To generate alternative reporter mice, an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene was targeted to the retroviral-trapped ROSA26 locus. Upon Cre-mediated excision of "Stop" sequences, EGFP was expressed ubiquitously during embryogenesis and in adult tissues (including T cells, B cells, and myeloid cells). Using this new reporter strain, separation of excised from nonexcised cells in vitro was achieved in thymocytes in a noninvasive manner based on activated EGFP expression. This new EGFP reporter strain should facilitate a variety of conditional gene-targeting experiments, including the functional studies of hematopoietic cells in lineage-specific knockout mice.
Postprandial hyperglycemia after ingestion of peeled and non-peeled fruits in type-2 diabetics

Should diabetics prefer nonpeeled fruits in their diet? To answer this question 27 type-2 diabetics divided into three groups were examined on two different occasions under the same fasting conditions. The first group of patients received 300g of pears with peel and on another day 300g of peeled pears. The second group ate 300g of pears with peel and 230g of peeled pears (the 70g difference represents the weight of the peel). The third group of diabetics consumed 300g of apples with peel and 300g of apples without peel. Blood samples were collected before and 20,40,60,80,100,120 and 140 min after fruit ingestion. No significant differences were noted in terms of mean blood glucose, serum insulin and serum triglyceride levels among the two meals (fruits with or without peel). This observation was confirmed in all groups studied. Peeled and nonpeeled fruits appear to produce the same hyperglycemia in type-2 diabetics, in spite of the high fiber content of the peel. Therefore, the suggestion of reducing postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetics by eating nonpeeled fruits does not seem to be justified.
Application of the Mandelstam Representation to Photoproduction of Pions from Nucleons

The Mandelstam representation is applied to the invariant amplitudes for photoproduction. By treating gauge invariance as a subsidiary condition, it is shown that the fixed-momentum-transfer dispersion relations of Chew, Goldberger, Low, and Nambu (CGLN) are probably valid without subtractions for the (-) amplitudes while a three-pion resonance would perhaps require a subtraction in the (+) amplitudes. The two-pion resonance will certainly require a subtraction for the (0) amplitudes, but to a good approximation the contribution of the two-pion intermediate state is found to produce a simple additive correction to the CGLN (0) formula. The strength of this new term is determined by a parameter $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$, which has been introduced elsewhere in treating the photon, three-pion problem. Otherwise, the form of the new term can be expressed in terms of nucleon electromagnetic form factors. Finally, the photoproduction amplitudes are calculated in the threshold region, and an estimate of the size of $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ is made.
Educating human nature: ‘nature’ and ‘nurture’ in early Confucian moral education

This study examines early Chinese moral education—its curriculum, objectives and the philosophical assumptions underlying them—in its classical Confucian expression. It analyzes early Confucian debates on moral psychology, the Confucian moral curriculum consisting of model emulation, cultural practices and canonical instruction, and the methods and aims of Confucian statecraft. The study reveals how ancient Confucians integrated these components into a coherent discourse on moral education and its implementation for the related purposes of cultivating virtuous people and benevolent rulers. It explains why different early Confucians argued that ‘nature’ and ‘nurture’ must interrelate suitably not only for people to develop morally and prosper collectively, but also to moderate the ruler’s power by subjecting it to alternative sources of authority. This examination demonstrates that, contrary to modern criticisms of traditional Confucian culture and unlike contemporary uses of moral education in China, clas...
Expanding GeoWeb to an internet of things

Connecting our world with accessible networks is scaling to trillions of everyday objects. The Internet of Things, Pervasive Computing, Sensor Web are research names for this development. Planetary Skin, Smarter Planet and CeNSE are several corporate names. The Internet will be augmented with mobile machine-to-machine communications and ad-hoc local network technologies. At the network nodes, information about objects will come from barcodes, RFIDs, and sensors. The location of all objects will be known.This workshop seeks to explore the role of location in expanding GeoWeb to an Internet of Things. The workshop seeks presentations on functions enabled by geographic location and to location relative to surrounding objects. Most of the objects will be indoor in a 3D setting. The workshop also seeks presentations on relevant technologies such as location determination, geocoding, schemas for points of interest, ad-hoc network formation based on location, processing of information of the objects to detect phenomena of interest and location based services. Technology standards will be important for interoperability at this scale, e.g., OpenLS, CityGML, and Sensor Web Enablement standards from the OGC.
Feasibility of a critical molten salt reactor for waste transmutation

Abstract This study assesses the feasibility of designing a Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) using the salt mixture of LiF (15 mol%), NaF (58 mol%) and BeF2 (27 mol%) to be critical when fuelled with TRU from LWR spent fuel without exceeding the actinides solubility limit and while extracting fission products at realistic rates. The first part of the study investigated the graphite-to-MS volume ratio on the neutron balance, transmutation characteristics and graphite lifetime. It is found that a core without graphite moderator is the preferred design option; it offers the best neutron balance, most compact design and alleviated graphite lifetime problem. The second part of the study investigated sensitivity of the epithermal spectrum core to the feed composition, power density, fission products residence time and actinides loss fraction. It is found that the transmutation effectiveness improves with increasing power density and that the shorter the LWR spent fuel cooling time is, the better becomes the MSR neutron balance. The optimal MSR design offers a remarkably high transmutation capability – fissioning of as high as 99.8% of the TRU fed. The transmutation capability of the MSR is also rated in terms of final waste radiotoxicity, decay heat, spontaneous fission neutrons emission, fissile and 237Np inventory.
The competition for rationed resources

Abstract The paper considers a model in which firms face an output target and can purchase the input on two dates. On the first date, unlimited purchases are possible, but a carrying cost has to be paid. On the second date the input is rationed, but by spending specialized managerial resources, the firm can influence the rationing density to its own advantage. It also faces a quadratic penalty for missing the target and is assumed to minimize expected net costs. In an n-firm industry, a Cournot-Nash equilibrium in expenditures on the specialized managerial labor is defined and the comparative statics of the model are analyzed. We also find that under collusion the firms' expected costs, the total expenditure on the otherwise unproductive managerial labor and the variance of the output are smaller than in the Cournot-Nash equilibrium. This provides an insight into why economic planners have tended to prefer to deal with a few very large firms rather than many small ones.
Miniature ultrasonic transducers with optical strain readout

In this paper we demonstrate the use of diffractive gratings to optically measure strain in miniature ultrasonic transducers. Aluminum diffraction gratings were fabricated on silicon-microfabricated ultrasonic horns and beams which were actuated by bonded piezoelectric PZT (Lead-Zirconate Titanate) plates. A He-Ne laser beam was diffracted from the grating and a knife-edge was used to measure small changes in the diffraction angle as a result of time varying grating space and width. The measured strain and displacement profiles agreed with the expected mode patterns for the silicon resonators.