cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
57884 Fast strain-encoded cardiac magnetic resonance detects immune checkpoint inhibitor associated cardiotoxicity

ABSTRACT IMPACT: Advanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging techniques can help to protect cancer patients from cardiotoxicity from immunotherapy with a more sensitive assessment of cardiac function with strain imaging for detection of abnormal cardiac function in the setting of normal left ventricular ejection fraction. OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are associated with fatal cardiotoxicity. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging can assess ICI-associated cardiotoxicity, but the utility of CMR strain imaging is unknown. We present a study of patients with ICI-associated cardiotoxicity evaluated with fast strain-encoded (fast-SENC) CMR. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: This prospective study was approved by the institutional IRB and informed consent was obtained from 15 patients (5 patients with ICI-associated cardiotoxicity, 10 controls patients) between August 2018 and January 2020. All patients with ICI-associated cardiotoxicity had abnormal troponin values and evidence of cardiotoxicity on T2-weighted and/or delayed enhancement CMR images. All patients underwent standard CMR assessment with steady state free precession cine images, T2-weighted imaging, and delayed gadolinium enhancement imaging. Additionally, free-breathing SENC images were obtained and then processed by a team of blinded cardiovascular imaging specialists using Myostrain software (Morrisville, USA). RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was normal in both groups (i,³53%). Global longitudinal LV strain was significantly depressed in the ICI cardiotoxicity group versus controls (-12.8 ±3.2% vs. -16.6 ±1.9%, p=0.028). The average global circumferential LV strain was mildly abnormal (defined as strain > -17) in the ICI cardiotoxicity group and trended towards a higher value compared with controls (-16.0 ±2.6% vs -17.8 ±1.7%, p=0.103). The average number of dysfunctional segments (defined as strain > -10) was significantly higher in the ICI cardiotoxicity group (6.8 ±4.2 vs. 1.0 ±1.7, p=0.017). The proportion of abnormal myocardium was higher in the ICI cardiotoxicity group (66 ±21% vs. 45 ±18%, p=0.050), as well as the proportion of myocardium found to be dysfunctional (26 ±22% vs. 3.0 ±6.0%, p=0.041). DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF FINDINGS: Despite having preserved LVEF, patients who met criteria for ICI-associated cardiotoxicity had both global and regional abnormal LV strain. Fast-SENC imaging may provide a sensitive tool for detection of early cardiotoxicity in this population. This study is limited by its small cohort and a larger prospective study would be of value.
The relationship between older adult migration and destination characteristics in Georgia

Abstract Older adult migration patterns are shaped by distinct sets of factors for intrastate versus interstate and younger (65–74) versus aged (75+) older migrants. Moving decisions relate to individual factors and the destination's characteristics, including the climate, amenity, and cost of living. Previous studies have rarely integrated destination characteristics such as long-term care (LTC) facilities, affordable housing, or geriatricians. This study addresses this gap by examining older adult migration by age group and migration type. We proposed a variable structure describing six living environment categories of destination counties and further investigated the relationship between migrants and destination characteristics. We identified geographical patterns of migration and used linear regression and decision tree models to analyze migrants' destination variables. Results indicated four subgroups of older migrants have different high-high clusters in or near the Atlanta region and low-low clusters in South Georgia. Linear regression models quantified the relationship and indicated variables such as LTC facility bed and affordable housing availability should be considered in older adult migration analysis. Decision tree models revealed that different variables are associated with certain county groups, such as core Atlanta and rural counties. Our findings highlighted the variety of variables shaping the migration of older adult subgroups.
Implementing a Skills-Based Curriculum with an Outcomes Management Framework

In this chapter, we discuss two major pathways forward: (1) the support of entrepreneurship development programs’ ability to provide a skill development curriculum and learning experiences and (2) encouraging the use of transformational management strategies to enhance the effectiveness of these programs. We describe the RISE and its features as an online platform available to all, and we encourage a collaborative approach to entrepreneurship development across programs using the TCOM conceptual framework. Our message is one of cooperation, with an emphasis on the kind of equitable treatment of entrepreneurs and students of entrepreneurship that our communimetric approach to skills measurement permits.
An Integrated Multilevel Bridge Tapped Resonant Bidirectional AC to DC Converter

Conventionally, an AC to DC isolated converter follows a two-stage design approach, wherein the first stage is a hard switched power factor correction (PFC) converter followed by a soft switched resonant converter stage. In existing single stage two level converter topologies, the two stages are merged resulting in 25% fewer devices. All the switches in these topologies are soft switched leading to a higher switching frequency of operation. However, the voltage stress on the devices are high. Also, this two level topology is not suitable for medium voltage AC applications. Moreover, this single stage converter is an unidirectional with power flow from AC to DC side. The existing multilevel topologies for medium voltage applications have a hard switched PFC stage followed by a soft switched resonant stage. In order to overcome aforementioned shortcomings, this paper presents a novel isolated bidirectional multilevel bridge tapped resonant (MBTR) AC to DC converter. It is based on a multilevel diode clamped topology where PFC stage and resonant stage are merged into single stage with 25% reduction in device count. The switches in the proposed converter are soft switched facilitating higher switching frequency of operation. A new modulation technique is proposed for generating gating pulses for the switches. The preliminary simulation results of the proposed MBTR converter are provided.
Computational Aspects of the International Coal Trade Model

This report describes the International Coal Trade Model (ICTM) as it is currently implemented in the Office of Coal, Nuclear, Electric and Alternative Fuels in the Energy Information Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy.
Dynamic UltraFast 2D EXchange SpectroscopY (UF-EXSY) of hyperpolarized substrates.

In this work, we present a new ultrafast method for acquiring dynamic 2D EXchange SpectroscopY (EXSY) within a single acquisition. This technique reconstructs two-dimensional EXSY spectra from one-dimensional spectra based on the phase accrual during echo times. The Ultrafast-EXSY acquisition overcomes long acquisition times typically needed to acquire 2D NMR data by utilizing sparsity and phase dependence to dramatically undersample in the indirect time dimension. This allows for the acquisition of the 2D spectrum within a single shot. We have validated this method in simulations and hyperpolarized enzyme assay experiments separating the dehydration of pyruvate and lactate-to-pyruvate conversion. In a renal cell carcinoma cell (RCC) line, bidirectional exchange was observed. This new technique revealed decreased conversion of lactate-to-pyruvate with high expression of monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4), known to correlate with aggressive cancer phenotypes. We also showed feasibility of this technique in vivo in a RCC model where bidirectional exchange was observed for pyruvate–lactate, pyruvate–alanine, and pyruvate–hydrate and were resolved in time. Broadly, the technique is well suited to investigate the dynamics of multiple exchange pathways and applicable to hyperpolarized substrates where chemical exchange has shown great promise across a range of disciplines.
The LDS Hospital Laboratory System

LDS Hospital and its managing corporation, IHC, have adopted a unique strategy to solve the problem of laboratory computerization. A scheme has been devised where a single laboratory computer system and sophisticated telecommunications techniques serve the needs of multiple IHC hospitals in the intermountain region. The laboratory computer communicates with HELP systems installed at each of the hospitals to provide the laboratory functions required of a hospital information system. Sections 1 to 6 of this chapter are reprinted from an article appearing in the 1988 SCAMC proceedings that detailed the architecture of the link between the laboratory system and HELP and elaborated on issues related to implementation. A system that alerts for life-threatening laboratory results is in place at LDS Hospital and is discussed in Chapter 17.
Differentiation of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua by 16S rRNA genes and intraspecies discrimination of Listeria monocytogenes strains by random amplified polymorphic DNA polymorphisms

Differences in the 16S rRNA genes (16S rDNA) which can be used to discriminate Listeria monocytogenes from Listeria innocua have been detected. The 16S rDNA were amplified by polymerase chain reaction with a set of oligonucleotide primers which flank a 1.5-kb fragment. Sequence differences were observed in the V2 region of the 16S rDNA both between L. monocytogenes Scott A and L. innocua and between different L. monocytogenes serotypes. Although L. monocytogenes SLCC2371 had the same V2 region sequence as L. innocua, the two species were different within the V9 region at nucleotides 1259 and 1292, in agreement with previous studies (R.-F. Wang, W.-W. Cao, and M.G. Johnson, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 57:3666-3670, 1991). Intraspecies discrimination of L. monocytogenes strains was achieved by using the patterns generated by random amplified polymorphic DNA primers. Although some distinction can be made within the L. monocytogenes species by their 16S rDNA sequence, a far greater discrimination within species could be made by generating random amplified polymorphic DNA patterns from chromosomal DNA. By using a number of 10-bp primers, unique patterns for each isolate which in all cases examined differentiate between various L. monocytogenes serotypes, even though they may have the same 16S rRNA sequences, could be generated. Images
Supporters Are Wrong

Some supporters claim that Friedrich Hayek was more accepting of some aspects of the welfare state than is generally believed. Is that a way to sugarcoat his central laissez-faire message? The authors say there is no disguising his belief that the contemporary welfare state will lead to serfdom.
Isolation and Enzymatic Properties of the Mitochondrial Reduced Diphosphopyridine Nucleotide Dehydrogenase

Abstract The DPNH dehydrogenase of the mitochondrial electron transport system has been obtained in a highly purified, soluble form after resolution of DPNH-coenzyme Q reductase (Complex I) particles by chaotropic agents. The enzyme contains 1 mole of flavin mononucleotide, 4 g atoms of iron, and 4 moles of acid-labile sulfide per 70,000 g. The soluble, but not the particle-bound, enzyme behaves as a diaphorase and catalyzes the unspecific reduction of quinones and ferric compounds such as menadione, 2,6-dichloroindophenol, coenzymes Q, ferricyanide, and cytochrome c. Mercurials inhibit all the reductase activities of the soluble dehydrogenase, and DPNH (g10-4 m) inhibits its menadione and coenzyme Q reductase activities. The structure and function of DPNH dehydrogenase in both the soluble and the particle-bound form are discussed.
Do Elementary Science Methods Textbooks Facilitate the Understanding of Magnet Concepts

The study of magnets is a common physical science topic for elementary students. This study examined elementary science methods textbooks to determine how magnet concepts were presented. Each methods textbook's section relating to magnets was read. Particular attention was paid to the organization, sequence of concepts, potential misconceptions, and types of investigations included. A previously validated magnet concept list was used. A detailed analysis of 11 elementary science methods textbooks found great variation in the magnet concepts presented, general omission of ceramic magnets, frequent misconceptions about poles, and limited investigations that address both attraction and repulsion.
The Need for High Time Resolution Measurements in the Magnetosphere

Magnetospheric phenomena are characterized by the formation of thin boundaries, across which energy is converted from one form to another. These boundaries and energy conversion processes are controlled by non-linear micro-physic s that occur on time scales as fast as 1 to 100 microseconds. The understanding of these phenomena requires measurements of plasma distributions and time domain electric fields with appropriately high time resolutions. Several examples of such measurements are given and some planned satellite experiments are described.
Polymorphism and sequence assembly

DNA sequence information is being deposited into public databases at a rapid rate, largely through worldwide genomic efforts to sequence the human genome as well as the genomes of other species. This information has enabled the identification of over a million of naturally occurring genetic variations in humans, in particular, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). SNPs have become a focal point in the study of the genetic basis of multifactorial diseases and traits and human evolutionary history. In this article, we will outline bioinformatic and molecular approaches for using available sequence information and technology to identify SNPs in the human population. These approaches may be extended to study SNPs in other organisms as well as other types of polymorphisms. Keywords: SNPs; polymorphism discovery; haplotype determination; SNP Databases
Weekly work–school conflict, sleep quality, and fatigue: Recovery self‐efficacy as a cross‐level moderator

Summary This study employed a weekly diary method among a sample of 74 Midwestern college student workers in order to examine the within-person relationships between work–school conflict, sleep quality, and fatigue over five weeks. Further, recovery self-efficacy was proposed as a cross-level moderator of the relation between sleep quality and fatigue. Results from multilevel analyses demonstrated that weekly work–school conflict was negatively related to weekly sleep quality and positively related to end-of-week fatigue, with sleep quality partially mediating the relation between work–school conflict and fatigue. These findings enhance understanding of the process by which work–school conflict contributes to college student workers' strain on a weekly basis. Additionally, student workers with low recovery self-efficacy demonstrated a negative relation between sleep quality and fatigue; however, this relation did not exist for student workers with high recovery self-efficacy. This finding suggests recovery self-efficacy as an important resource that may reduce the association between poor sleep quality (as a result of work–school conflict) and fatigue. The current findings provide important theoretical and practical implications for researchers, organizations, and college institutions as a whole. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Proposed International Hotelkeeper's Contract …Does it Benefit Anyone?

The International Institute for the Unification of Private Law proposed that an International Hotelkeeper's Contract be signed by all nations so that innkeeping laws be consistent throughout the world.The benefit to innkeepers is the right to sue guests who fail to use the agreed upon accommodations for a percentage of the first seven days rent if the innkeeper can prove actual damages. The disadvantage to the innkeeper is the responsibility for all guest property up to 500 to 1, 000 times the daily room rate.Lined up against the proposed contract are both the International Hotel Association and the American Hotel and Motel Association. In favor of the contract are the government representatives who voted for it.The paper discusses the seeming inconsistencies between the groups.
Optimized regional and interannual variability of lightning in a global chemical transport model constrained by LIS/OTD satellite data

[1] Nitrogen oxides (NOx ≡ NO + NO2) produced by lightning make a major contribution to the global production of tropospheric ozone and OH. Lightning distributions inferred from standard convective parameterizations in global chemical transport models (CTMs) fail to reproduce observations from the Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) and the Optical Transient Detector (OTD) satellite instruments. We present an optimal regional scaling algorithm for CTMs to fit the lightning NOxsource to the satellite lightning data in a way that preserves the coupling to deep convective transport. We show that applying monthly scaling factors over ∼37 regions globally significantly improves the tropical ozone simulation in the GEOS-Chem CTM as compared to a simulation unconstrained by the satellite data and performs equally well to a simulation with local scaling. The coarse regional scaling preserves sufficient statistics in the satellite data to constrain the interannual variability (IAV) of lightning. After processing the LIS data to remove their diurnal sampling bias, we construct a monthly time series of lightning flash rates for 1998–2010 and 35°S–35°N. We find a correlation of IAV in total tropical lightning with El Nino but not with the solar cycle or the quasi-biennial oscillation. The global lightning NOxsource ± IAV standard deviation in GEOS-Chem is 6.0 ± 0.5 Tg N yr−1, compared to 5.5 ± 0.8 Tg N yr−1 for the biomass burning source. Lightning NOx could have a large influence on the IAV of tropospheric ozone because it is released in the upper troposphere where ozone production is most efficient.
On the order of processing sensors in sequential implementations of fusion algorithms

We examine the order of sensor processing in the sequential multisensor probabilistic data association (MSPDA) filter for target tracking applications. If two sensors of different qualities are used, simulations and analyses show that the root mean square position error is smaller when the worst sensor is processed first.
Serum brain naturietic peptide measurements reflect fluid balance after pancreatectomy.

Background Overaggressive fluid resuscitation in elderly patients requiring pancreatectomy can delay recovery and increase morbidity. Despite advancements, no accurate and reproducible methods exist to evaluate effective intravascular volume status in the postoperative setting. We hypothesized that sequential measurement of currently available serum proteins will indicate fluid balance. Study Design Clinicopathologic (n = 44) and echocardiogram (echo) data (n = 18) were collected on patients receiving pancreatectomy or diagnostic laparoscopy (n = 5). Measured fluid balance, serum BUN, creatinine (CR), and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels were recorded on postoperative days (POD) 1 to 7 (only POD1 for diagnostic laparoscopy). ANOVA and bivariate random effect models examined the correlation between BNP and BUN/CR and fluid balance. Linear mixed-effect models examined the correlation between factors associated with vascular stiffness and BNP, BUN/CR, and fluid balance. Results On POD1 after diagnostic laparoscopy, the fluid balance was positive by 3,265 mL and was accompanied by a >300-point increase in BNP (p = 0.0083). After pancreatectomy, a similar increase in BNP (250 pg/mL) and fluid balance (4,492 mL) on POD1 was observed. During the return to euvolemia, the change in serum BNP levels correlated with fluid balance changes during POD 1 to 3 (p = 0.039), and BUN/CR levels correlated with fluid balance during POD 4 to 7. Patients with risk factors associated with cardiovascular stiffness or echo evidence of poor compliance experienced higher BNP during the postoperative period. Conclusions Fluid loading at surgery is accompanied by an increase in serum BNP, and return to a balanced fluid state after pancreatectomy is paralleled by changes in BNP and BUN/CR levels.
Relative Contributions of Spectral and Temporal Cues for Speech Recognition in Patients with Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Abstract The present study was designed to examine speech recognition in patients with sensorineural hearing loss when the temporal and spectral information in the speech signals were co–varied. Four subjects with mild to moderate sensorineural hearing loss were recruited to participate in consonant and vowel recognition tests that used speech stimuli processed through a noise–excited vocoder. The number of channels was varied between 2 and 32, which defined spectral information. The lowpass cutoff frequency of the temporal envelope extractor was varied from 1 to 512 Hz, which defined temporal information. Results indicate that performance of subjects with sensorineural hearing loss varied tremendously among the subjects. For consonant recognition, patterns of relative contributions of spectral and temporal information were similar to those in normal–hearing subjects. The utility of temporal envelope information appeared to be normal in the hearing–impaired listeners. For vowel recognition, which depended predominately on spectral information, the performance plateau was achieved with numbers of channels as high as 16–24, much higher than expected, given that the frequency selectivity in patients with sensorineural hearing loss might be compromised. In order to understand the mechanisms on how hearing–impaired listeners utilize spectral and temporal cues for speech recognition, future studies that involve a large sample of patients with sensorineural hearing loss will be necessary to elucidate the relationship between frequency selectivity as well as central processing capability and speech recognition performance using vocoded signals.
THE DNA SYNTHETIC PERIOD DURING EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF THE SEA URCHIN EGG.

Abstract The DNA synthetic period lasts about 13 min (at 15 °C). It begins a few minutes after the start of telophase and ends shortly after the beginning of interphase. At the time synthesis begins telophase chromosome vesicles have formed. Synthesis continues during vesicle fusion and ends shortly after the appearance of a spherical nucleus. The egg has begun to furrow at the start of synthesis and cleavage is complete shortly before synthesis ends. A method is given for determining S period duration in a partially synchronized cell population.
Nuclear data sheets for A = 58*

Abstract Level schemes and decay characteristics are presented for all nuclei with mass number A = 58. Experimental data, adopted values, comparisons with theory, and agurments for spin and parity assignments are given. Emphasis is placed on the presentation of level schemes which seem “best” in the light of the data and theoretical ideas available at this time. Inconsistences and discrepancies in the level schemes are discussed. In 58Fe, recent γγ angular correlation studies following thermal-neutron capture have been combined with previous spectroscopic information from (t,p) and (d,p) reaction studies to provide Jπ-assignments for 17 of the 25 levels below 4.2 MeV. In 58Ni, recent (p,p′γ) and (α,α′) studies have resulted in Jπ-assignments for 18 of the 27 levels below 4.8 MeV. Moreover, the lifetimes of 19 states in 58Ni are known, mostly from the Doppler shift attenuation method. The present detailed compilation should serve as a basis for further experiments and theoretical calculations. The adopted levels and decay properties are based on data received before July 1969. Data received between July and September 1969 have been “Added in Proof”.
Identification of pro-opiomelanocortin-derived peptides in the human adrenal medulla

Extracts from adult human adrenals contained high concentrations of immunoreactive beta-endorphin and alpha-melanotropin. Lower quantities of immunoreactive adrenocorticotropic hormone could also be detected. Distribution studies showed the presence of pro-opiomelanocortin fragments in the adrenal medulla. No alpha-melanotropin, beta-endorphin, or adrenocorticotropic hormone could be found in adrenal extracts from several other mammalian species. Analysis of the beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity using region specific radioimmunoassays interfacing with gel filtration and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography showed the majority of the beta-endorphin-like material to exist as nonacetylated beta-endorphin-(1-31) with a small percentage of lipotropin-sized molecules. The alpha-melanotropin-like immunoreactivity cochromatographed on gel filtration and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with desacetyl alpha-melanotropin. The data suggest that pro-opiomelanocortin is expressed in the adrenal medulla of humans but is not detectable in the adrenal glands of many other mammalian species.
Hybrid laser ablation-single point diamond turning machining process for CVD-silicon carbide ceramics

Silicon carbide (SiC) is an advanced engineered ceramic material appropriate for operation in extreme environments. Manufacture of components from this material is extremely challenging due to its high hardness, brittle characteristics and poor machinability. Severe fracture can result when machining SiC due to its low fracture toughness. However, prior research has shown that ductile regime machining of silicon carbide is possible. This paper reports improvement of the surface quality of a chemically vapour deposited (CVD) polycrystalline SiC (3-C) material by using a hybrid laser ablation – single point diamond turning (SPDT) machining process. This work also emphasised increasing the material removal rate (MRR) and minimising the diamond tool wear. Besides the surface finish analysis, subsurface damage analysis was also done on the laser ablated and single point diamond turned surfaces to compare the nature of these processes in terms of subsurface damage.
Measuring photochemical kinetics in submonolayer films by transient ATR spectroscopy on a multimode planar waveguide.

Understanding the kinetics of reactions in molecular thin films can aid in the molecular engineering of organic photovoltaics and biosensors. We have coupled two analytical methods, transient absor...
Environmental control using multiple-criteria decision making

Various aspects of controlling the environment can be structured in a form of multiple-criteria decision making. The combination ofniathematical modeling, decisioninaking, and the use ofpattern recognition in the environmental modeling and management of complex systems is discussed from a historical perspective. Of particular interest is the use of objective space technology in modeling multiple criteria decisionmaking. This paper presents a model and solution algorithm for such type ofdecision problem using a multiple objective linear program. Several applications for environmental control can be modeled using this methodology.
Ni3Nb alloy species in oxide surfaces of INCONEL 718

INCONEL 718 has been studied by Auger and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to determine the effect on the surface stoichiometry caused by heat treating in argon to 1000 C. Two surface regions are produced, the one closest to the argon-metal oxide interface being rich in O, Ti, Al, and Cr, and the one closest to the alloy being rich in O, Al, and Nb. Profiles show a gradual increase in the Ni and Nb signals as the profiling time increases. It is noted that during the profile, Al remains an oxide, and that the Ni and Nb signals have metal-like character even in the aluminum oxide phase, suggesting that N/sub 3/Nb exists with oxide at the surface. 6 references.
Cost of Space-Based Laser Ballistic Missile Defense

Orbiting platforms carrying infrared lasers have been proposed as weapons forming the first tier of a ballistic missile defense system under the President's Strategic Defense Initiative. As each laser platform can destroy a limited number of missiles, one of several methods of countering such a system is to increase the number of offensive missiles. Hence it is important to know whether the cost-exchange ratio, defined as the ratio of the cost to the defense of destroying a missile to the cost to the offense of deploying an additional missile, is greater or less than 1. Although the technology to be used in a ballistic missile defense system is still extremely uncertain, it is useful to examine methods for calculating the cost-exchange ratio. As an example, the cost of an orbiting infrared laser ballistic missile defense system employed against intercontinental ballistic missiles launched simultaneously from a small area is compared to the cost of additional offensive missiles. If one adopts lower limits to the costs for the defense and upper limits to the costs for the offense, the cost-exchange ratio comes out substantially greater than 1. If these estimates are confirmed, such a ballistic missile defense system would be unable to maintain its effectiveness at less cost than it would take to proliferate the ballistic missiles necessary to overcome it and would therefore not satisfy the President's requirements for an effective strategic defense. Although the method is illustrated by applying it to a space-based infrared laser system, it should be straightforward to apply it to other proposed systems.
Developmental differences at play: Children's selective attention and performance in video games

This study investigated developmental differences in children's performance on a popular video game. Second- and fifth-graders played a video game for ten minutes and then were asked questions about the game features that they paid attention to while playing, and about specific game and attention strategies that they would recommend to a novice player. Older children and children identified as frequent players showed better performance. Post-game responses also indicated developmental differences in references to game features, strategies, and evaluative assessments. Younger children focused more on evaluative assessments. Older children, by comparison, focused more on specific goals for game play, and such a focus predicted better task performance. This study begins to provide additional insight into children's goals and motivation for learning in the context of intrinsically motivating tasks and the implications of that motivation for attention and performance.
COMPUTING STATICALLY COMPLETE FLEXIBILITY FROM DYNAMICALLY MEASURED FLEXIBILITY

Abstract A method is presented for computing a statically complete structural flexibility matrix from a dynamically measured flexibility matrix. When computed from a limited set of measured modal data, dynamically measured flexibility cannot reproduce the correct static force–displacement relations of the structure, i.e., it is not “statically complete.” A previously developed algorithm is used to include the effects of residual flexibility in the dynamically measured flexibility matrix, so that certain entries in the measured flexibility matrix can be considered to be statically complete. The method presented in this paper computes the remainder of the entries in the statically complete flexibility matrix by first forming a static flexibility matrix using assumed stiffness parameters and elemental connectivity, then scaling is such that is approximates the corresponding statically complete entries in the measured flexibility matrix. The method requires the solution of linear systems of equations only. The method is derived and applied to both numerical and experimental measured flexibility matrices, and the improved accuracy of the static flexibility over the dynamically measured flexibility is demonstrated.
Work function measurement of tungsten polycide gate structures

Three MOS gate structures; polysilicon, tungsten silicide and tungsten polycide, were fabricated and their workfunctions measured with the high frequency C-V technique. The work functions were 4.14 ev and 4.82 ev for phosphorus doped polysilicon and silicon-rich tungsten silicide, respectively. The tungsten polycide structure, however, showed a variance between 4.14 ev and 4.38 ev for different experiments. The polycide MOS device threshold was about 0.15 volt higher than that of polysilicon. Phosphorus out-diffusion and tungsten diffusion along polysilicon grain boundaries were postulated to explain this phenomenon.
High temperature behavior of the fermion number breaking condensate around a monopole

We study the J = 0 fermion-monopole system at finite temperature. The finite temperature effect on 〉ƒ(x)ƒ†(y)〈 is examined where ƒ(x) is an operator carrying nonzero fermion number.
Trall-following behaviour in two species of wolf spiders: Sensory and etho-ecological concomitants

Abstract The trail-following behaviour of male Lycosa rabida and L. punctulata (in response to draglines of females) was analysed by high-speed cinematography (36 to 180 frames/s). L. rabida exhibited two modes of following, while L. punctulata showed three modes. One mode, palpal-sliding, was common to both species. During all modes of trail-following both species utilized the medial surface of the palpal tarsus, the surface having the highest concentration of chemosensitive sensilla. Film analyses suggested that male L. rabida used mechanical cues more than did L. punctulata . A significantly higher number of chemosensitive sensilla in male L. punctulata was related to this species's greater reliance on chemical rather than mechanical cues, the reverse being true in L. rabida . Different micro-habitat preferences of the two species may have shaped the differential use of cues for trail-following.
Structure Prediction of an Unusual Protein-DNA Complex Hu with a DNA Four-Way Junction

The prediction of the structure of proteins, DNA, and protein-DNA complexes has long been one of the major challenges to the field of computational biophysics. The Holliday Junction (4WJ) is a four-way junction of DNA strand exchange that is involved in homologous recombination in a wide range of living organisms. Based on experimental data, the junction is observed to be capable of adopting two known forms in particular: an open planar form that accounts for branch migration, and a stationary stacked-X form stabilized by physiological salt conditions. The prokaryotic protein HU (heat unstable) is known to bind damaged, mismatched, or overhanging duplex DNA with high affinity, as well as 4WJs in the stacked-X conformation. FRET data reveal a 2:1 HU:4WJ binding stoichiometry for the complex, but the exact structure and orientation of the HU proteins is unknown. A second series of FRET studies provide some distance information that has been used to guide the construction of possible complexes using the graphics program Pymol. The plausible structures have been evaluated for energetic and dynamic stability using Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations done in explicit solvent. Both modeled DNA and DNA crystal structure coordinates were utilized in the calculations. The MD simulations were carried out using the AMBER suite of programs on the Wesleyan PC cluster.
A shear instability model of sliding wear

Abstract A model is derived to analyze the conditions under which flat pieces of wear debris are formed by ductile metals during sliding wear. The model assumes that the wear piece contains local planar regions of metal that are more prone to yield than the surrounding material. It is shown that shear occurs preferentially below the surface. Increasing the load leads to the critical condition for shear being satisfied throughout an increasingly wider band of material. At the same time the driving force on the shear plane approaches an asymptotic limit as the load increases.
Women leaders: the social world of health care.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to illustrate a microcosm of the complexities that women face in a masculine environment.Design/methodology/approach – Ten women administrators were selected from one Southeastern University in the USA, using criterion sampling. The interviews of five women from male‐dominated colleges (greater than 50 percent male faculty‐MD) and five from female‐dominated fields (FD) were analyzed. For further study, the texts of the four women from healthcare colleges were compared with the six from non‐healthcare fields. Interviewees were asked questions about their background, leadership and power. Confidentiality was adhered to according to the university's IRB guidelines and policies.Findings – The social world of the healthcare Deans was evident and was shaped around a “rigid hierarchy of authority and power” that goes beyond gender and is stratified among health‐related professions.Originality/value – This examination of the hierarchical discourse of power within the social ...
ASIC implementation of the cross frequency coupling algorithm for EEG signal processing

In this paper we present an ASIC implementation of the cross frequency coupling (CFC) algorithm that calculates the modulation index directly from digitized electroencephalograph (EEG) signals. To our knowledge this is the first implementation of the CFC algorithm in hardware. The advantage of directly computing the modulation index on chip is that the raw EEG data does not have to be stored in memory and the mobility of the device will allow for more modulation index data to be recorded. The chip is designed on IBM 0.18 micron process. The chip size is 3mm × 3mm with 191mW power consumption.
The Effect of Histological Cell Type on the Prognosis of Patients with Bronchogenic Carcinoma

Abstract Mediastinal lymph node dissection in conjunction with pulmonary resection was performed in 232 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma at the University of Michigan Medical Center from 1959 to 1965. The mediastinum was irradiated postoperatively in those patients with mediastinal metastases. The absolute five-year survival rate of the patients undergoing resection was 29.2%. Of 110 patients with squamous cell carcinoma, 37.2% lived five years free of disease. The overall five-year survival of those patients undergoing resection who had no hilar lymph node metastases was 45.7%, and it was 45% in those with hilar metastases only. The absolute five-year survival rate of the patients with mediastinal metastases who received radiation therapy was 29.5%. Of 76 patients with adenocarcinoma, 19.7% lived five years free of disease. The overall five-year survival of those patients undergoing resection who had no lymph node metastases was 33%, whereas none of the patients with hilar metastases survived and only 1 of 17 patients with mediastinal metastases survived five years free of disease. The findings suggest that the histological cell type is an important factor in determining the prognosis in bronchogenic carcinoma, especially if there is evidence of lymph node involvement. In addition, this study also suggests that it is the presence, and not necessarily the extent, of lymph node metastases in patients with squamous cell carcinoma that determines the survival rate following pulmonary resection, provided those patients with mediastinal metastases undergo postoperative mediastinal irradiation.
A Holocene record of Neotropical savanna dynamics from El Salvador

The historical ecology of the Ahuachapan savanna is reconstructed from a 4.83-m sediment core from Laguna Llano del Espino, Ahuachapan, western El Salvador. Stable carbon isotopes (δ13C), pollen, and charred grass cuticles indicate Holocene grassland dominance from at least ca. 3300 cal yr B.P. to the present. The role of people in the creation and maintenance of Central American savannas is considered in light of the paleoecological record. The data suggest that pre-Columbian inhabitants of western El Salvador suppressed shrub and tree encroachment via frequent burning from ca. 2500 to 500 cal yr. B.P. A substantial increase in woody taxa (Mimosoideae, Urticales) and a decrease in biomass burning are evident in the pollen and charcoal records beginning around the time of the first European contact (ca 500 cal yr B.P.). Evidence for frequent burning and grassland dominance before the arrival of the Europeans, followed by shrub and tree encroachment amid a near absence of fire after contact, suggests that the openness of the Ahuachapan savanna was maintained by the pre-Columbian inhabitants of the Rio Paz Valley throughout the late Holocene.
Effects of Token Financial Incentives on Response Rates and Item Nonresponse for Mail Surveys

Self-administered mail questionnaire surveys are commonly used by human dimensions of wildlife researchers, but nonresponse error and item nonresponse can decrease questionnaire data quality. By using token financial incentives, researchers can increase response rates and reduce error. We surveyed two random samples of 500 Georgia cattle ranchers to conduct an incentive experiment by giving one group a $1 Jefferson coin and the other nothing. The financial incentive increased the response rate by nine percentage points. The incentive reduced nonresponse error for ethnicity but not other demographic or ranch characteristic variables. Item nonresponse for sensitive questions about income and threatened or endangered species and other more benign questions about demographics, crop damage, songbirds, deer, and turkey were also unaffected by the incentive. Token financial incentives can be a cost-effective way to increase wildlife survey response rates and increase data quantity and quality.
Maximum obtainable specific power of high-temperature waste heat engines

Abstract An endoreversible Carnot cycle is presented in this paper for a heat engine using higt-temperature waste heat. The endoreversible Carnot cycle is a modified Carnot cycle, where the heat-transferred between the heat engine and its surroundings is the only irreversible process. Since the energy input (waste heat) to the heat engine is free, the cost of the output power of the heat engine depends mainly on the size of the heat exchangers. A specific power, power per unit area of heat exchanger surface area, is adopted as the objective function for the performance analysis of the heat engine. The relation between the maximum obtainable specific power and the temperature range in which the high-temperature waste heat engine operates is found.
Competition of viral and satellite RNAs of cucumber mosaic virus for replication in vitro by viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) satellite RNA-induced viral symptom modulation is usually accompanied by a significant reduction of virus accumulation in plant tissue, which has led to the hypothesis that satellite RNA competes with the viral RNAs for replication by the viral replicase and thereby reduces viral RNA synthesis and viral symptoms. In this report, the RNA synthesis of the viral and satellite RNAs of CMV was studied in vitro using an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) purified from CMV-infected plants. Comparison of the kinetics of the CMV RdRp-catalysed RNA synthesis using as templates viral RNAs and satellite RNA, alone or in an appropriate mixture, showed that these RNAs competed with each other for RNA synthesis by the CMV RdRp. Determination of the rates of 32P incorporation into the viral and satellite double-stranded RNA products revealed an apparent replication advantage of the satellite RNA over viral RNAs. The results provide strong support for a previously proposed biochemical mechanism that attributes CMV satellite-induced viral symptom modulation to the replication competition between the satellite and viral RNAs.
Reexamination of the DCAL controller for rigid link robots

In this paper, we present two DCAL-like (Desired Compensation Adaptation Law)' controllers for link position tracking of n-link, rigid, revolute robot manipulators. First, we use a simplified stability analysis to illustrate global asymptotic link position-velocity tracking for a DCAL-like controller with nonlinear feedback. The proof is simplified by employing a different structure for the nonlinear feedback than that originally proposed' and by making use of the nonlinear damping control design tool. 2 We then use the nonlinear damping tool to show that a DCAL-like controller with linear feedback can guarantee semi-global 2 asymptotic link position-velocity tracking. The proposed nonlinear and linear feedback DCAL-like controllers are experimetally tested and compared using the Integrated Motion Inc. 2-link direct drive robot manipulator.
The effect of initial transient on the steady-state simulation harmonic analysis gradient estimators

Abstract Steady-state simulation runs typically contain an initial transient phase that biases output performance measure estimators, unless the simulation observations at the beginning of the simulation runs are discarded. It is useful to understand the effect of this initial transient on output performance estimators, since determining an accurate truncation point is a difficult problem. In this paper, the initial transient effect is measured for harmonic analysis gradient estimators. A comparison with finite differences gradient estimators is provided as a base case. Four additive forms are used to model the initial transient. The effect of these initial transients is evaluated with respect to how they bias the harmonic analysis gradient estimators and the finite differences gradient estimators. In particular, guidelines are given that indicate when each estimator is better designed to mitigate the effect of the initial transient bias. Computations on an M/M/1 queueing system simulation model illustrate these results.
Using vision system technologies to enable operational improvements for low visibility approach and landing operations

Flight deck-based vision systems, such as Synthetic and Enhanced Vision System (SEVS) technologies, have the potential to provide additional margins of safety for aircrew performance and enable the implementation of operational improvements for low visibility surface, arrival, and departure operations in the terminal environment with equivalent efficiency to visual operations. To achieve this potential, research is required for effective technology development and implementation based upon human factors design and regulatory guidance. This research supports the introduction and use of Synthetic Vision Systems and Enhanced Flight Vision Systems (SVS/EFVS) as advanced cockpit vision technologies in Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) operations. Twelve air transport-rated crews participated in a motion-base simulation experiment to evaluate the use of SVS/EFVS in NextGen low visibility approach and landing operations. Three monochromatic, collimated head-up display (HUD) concepts (conventional HUD, SVS HUD, and EFVS HUD) and two color head-down primary flight display (PFD) concepts (conventional PFD, SVS PFD) were evaluated in a simulated NextGen Chicago O'Hare terminal environment. Additionally, the instrument approach type (no offset, 3 degree offset, 15 degree offset) was experimentally varied to test the efficacy of the HUD concepts for offset approach operations. The data showed that touchdown landing performance were excellent regardless of SEVS concept or type of offset instrument approach being flown. Subjective assessments of mental workload and situation awareness indicated that making offset approaches in low visibility conditions with an EFVS HUD or SVS HUD may be feasible.