cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF OXYGENATED FUELS ON AMBIENT CARBON MONOXIDE CONCENTRATIONS IN PROVO, UTAH, USA.

Oxygenated gasoline is used to reduce wintertime urban ambient CO concentrations by reducing CO emissions from spark–ignition motor vehicles. Our study was designed to measure background–corrected wintertime ambient CO and CO2 concentrations in Provo before, during, and after oxyfuel periods. Any oxyfuel effect would be manifested as a lower CO/CO2, ratio from spark–ignition vehicles during the oxyfuel period. Salt Lake City, which did not introduce oxyfuels, was used as a control for weather, house heating, and other differences, unrelated to oxyfuel use, between oxyfuel and non–oxyfuel periods. An apparent effect on ambient–air CO/CO2 ratios at traffic sites was invariably observed but proved to be of marginal to low statistical significance; our best estimate of the CO oxyfuels benefit at the traffic sites is 15 ± 20%. In the parking garages, a reduction variously estimated as 11% or 33% was observed, indicating significant CO benefits from oxyfuels during cold–start, however, the random uncertainty in this estimate is not known. A second objective of this study was to see whether this new method is feasible. Our conclusion is that improvements are needed but it was successful enough to warrant evaluation against other methods.
Time-Variant System Approximation via Later-Time Samples

We develop a mathematical framework and efficient computational schemes to obtain an approximate solution of partial differential equations (PDEs) via sampled data. Recently, DeVore and Zuazua revisited the classical problem of inverse heat conduction, and they investigated how to recover the initial temperature distribution of a finite body from temperature measurements made at a fixed number of later times. In this paper, we consider a Laplace equation and a variable coefficient wave equation. We show that only one sensor employed at a crucial location at multiple time instances leads to a sequence of approximate solutions, which converges to the exact solution of these PDEs. This framework can be viewed as an extension of the novel, dynamical sampling techniques.
Let’s find dragons: a quest to create a theoretical theory themed theme park

Twenty-four cartographers. Twenty-four theme park landscape designers. Twenty-four theoreticians-in-training. Twenty-four dragon chasers. Twenty-four undergraduate students ready to slay. Not the d...
Chemistry in Superconductors.

Superconductors with exotic physical properties are critical to current and future technology. In this review, we highlight several important superconducting families and focus on their crystal str...
Adherence to blood product transfusion guidelines-An observational study of the current transfusion practice in a medical intensive care unit.

Background Blood transfusions though life-saving are not entirely benign. They are the most overused procedure in the hospital and have been under scrutiny by the 'Choosing Wisely campaign'. The strict adoption of restrictive transfusion guidelines could improve patient outcomes while reducing cost. Objectives In this study, we evaluate adherence to restrictive transfusion guidelines, along with hospital mortality and length of stay (LOS) in transfusion events with a pre-transfusion haemoglobin (Hb) ≥7 g/dl. Additionally, we evaluated associated costs accrued due to unnecessary transfusions. Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study in a 64-bed medical intensive care unit (MICU) of an academic medical centre involving all adult patients (N = 957) requiring packed red blood cell transfusion between January 2015 and December 2015. Results In total, 3140 units were transfused with a mean pre-transfusion Hb of 6.75 ± 0.86 g/dl. Nine hundred forty-four (30%) transfusion events occurred with a pre-transfusion Hb ≥7 g/dl, and 385 (12.3%) of these occurred in patients without hypotension, tachycardia, use of vasopressors, or coronary artery disease. Forgoing them could have led to a savings of approximately 0.3 million dollars. Transfusion events with pre-transfusion Hb ≥7 g/dl were associated with an increased mortality in patients with acute blood loss (odds ratio [OR] 2.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11-3.88; p = 0.02) and LOS in patients with chronic blood loss (β1 .8.26, 95% CI 4.09-12.43; p Conclusion A subset of anaemic patients in the MICU still receive red blood cell transfusions against restrictive guidelines offering hospitals the potential for effective intervention that has both economic and clinical implications.
Preoperative Considerations for Teenagers Undergoing Orthopaedic Surgery: VTE Prevention, Mental Health Assessment, Vaping, and Drug Addiction.

Introduction Adolescents undergoing pediatric orthopaedic surgery typically experience an uncomplicated postoperative course. However, adolescence represents a unique transition period from pediatric to adult physiology. As a result, the astute pediatric orthopaedic surgeon will be aware of unique medical and social scenarios which are relevant to adolescents during the perioperative course including the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), prevalence of mental health conditions, and rising use of electronic cigarettes or "vaping" to consume nicotine and cannibas. Discussion Adolescents are at a greater risk of VTE after pediatric orthopaedic surgery. In particular, adolescent females with a family history of blood clotting disorders and those with a change in mobility after surgery should be considered for prophylaxis. The prevalence of adolescent mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, and behavioral issues is increasing in the United States. Higher levels of preoperative anxiety and the presence of mental health pathology are associated with slower recovery, higher levels of postoperative pain, and the increased likelihood for chronic pain. Several quick screening instruments are available to assess adolescents for preoperative anxiety risk, including the Visual Analogue Scale for Anxiety or the Amsterdam Perioperative Anxiety Information Scale. Unfortunately, electronic cigarettes have become increasingly popular for the consumption of nicotine and cannabis among adolescents. Preoperative use of combustive cigarettes (nicotine/cannabis) represents perioperative risks for induction/anesthesia, postoperative pain, and analgesia requirements and issues with delayed wound and fracture healing. Conclusions VTE, underlying mental health conditions, and usage of nicotine and cannabis are clear detriments to the recovery and healing of adolescent patients following orthopaedic surgery. Therefore, standardized screening for adolescents before orthopaedic surgery is indicated to identify perioperative risk factors which have negative impacts on functional outcomes.
Impact of Squeezing on the Microstructure of Thermal Interface Materials

Thermal interface materials (TIMs), consisting of high conductivity filler particles dispersed in a polymer matrix, are used in thermal management of electronics to bridge the gap between the heat generating components and the heat spreader or heat sink. Without TIMs, there is imperfect contact at the interface, resulting in detrimental chip performance and elevated temperatures that can ultimately lead to failure of the chip. In commercial applications, TIMs are dispensed on the chip, heat spreader, or the heat sink using a nozzle via an automated process. The TIM is then squeezed into a thin layer over the substrate by the alternate component (i.e., the device, heat spreader, or the heat sink), often followed by curing (e.g., at elevated temperature) to form a rigid bond. During squeezing, the particle-laden TIM generally exhibits non-Newtonian behavior and, after squeezing, the particle spatial distribution may be non-uniform. The flow behavior depends on dispense pattern (e.g., dots, lines, star patterns), parameters of the squeezing process (e.g., force and squeezing rate), and the TIM composition (e.g., particle shape, size distribution, volume fraction, and matrix composition). The velocity and applied pressure during squeezing significantly impacts the achievable bond line thickness (BLT) and the particle spatial distribution, which can cause the thermal performance of the TIM to deviate from the vendor-specified thermal characteristics. In practice, the maximum allowable squeeze pressure, which impacts the final BLT, is limited by potential mechanical failure of packaged electronics. There are open questions regarding the effect of squeezing on particle rearrangement and its effect on thermal conduction within the particle network. In this work, X-ray micro-computed tomography (XRCT) is used to measure the spatial distribution of particles in the TIM after (a) dispensing and (b) squeezing processes. A mock TIM with a target of 30 vol% copper microspheres (median diameter 114 μm) is created by handmixing the particles with a UV-curable epoxy. Microstructural features such as the average particle volume fraction, coordination number and radial distribution function (RDF) are computed to gain insights into the particle spatial arrangement in the TIM.
Challenges and opportunities for alternative fuels in the maritime sector

Abstract Amidst a period of historic transformation, the marine shipping sector faces uncertainty regarding its ability to reliably fuel while remaining compliant with new international environmental regulations and targets. Increasingly stringent environmental standards, and heightened regulatory focus on maritime decarbonization are driving infrastructural and technical development for alternative fuels and mixtures, engine concepts, and operating practices. However, the transition to alternative fueling is highly complex and requires both a global outlook that spans diverse stakeholder demographics and coordination with multiple actors across the value chain. To aid stakeholders involved in decision making and research related to the transition, a scoping study was conducted with the goal of outlining the barriers, uncertainties, and possibilities in the short and long term for the transition. Synthesis of these results provides strategic decision support, technical direction, and a set of R&D priorities for maritime stakeholders and the scientific community.
Mass Appeal: Putting It Together: Walt Disney Introduces the Baby Boom to Television

The movie industry faced a difficult task in the postwar era. It had to keep people interested in what was playing at the local theater while forging a relationship with a growing television industry that was keeping people at home. In this touchy period, no one negotiated the relationship between the movies and television better than Walt Disney. The famous animator and film producer made television shows that promoted movies and movies that were taken directly from television shows. At the same time, he used television to introduce something new – the studio as amusement park – that featured characters from his movies and television shows. In the 1950s, Disney enjoyed such a fine reputation that he made it onto a list of the “world’s 100 most important living persons.” Those who shared the honor with Disney in the arts and letters category included novelists Ernest Hemingway and William Faulkner, poet T. S. Eliot, composer Igor Stravinsky, and painter Pablo Picasso. Such honors came on top of the ones he had earned in the 1930s for creating the Mickey Mouse cartoons and producing the full-length animated feature Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs . Yale University confirmed the world’s admiration for Disney by awarding him an honorary degree in 1938. At the time, Hollywood columnist Hedda Hopper called Disney an “authentic genius” who was nonetheless “the most down-to-earth guy I know.”
Cytomegalovirus and early-life irradiation synergize to erode protective immunity in aging (VIR5P.1034)

Susceptibility to infectious disease increases with age, making it one of the leading causes of death in people over 65. The immune aging process may be accelerated by the presence of life-long latent infections, such as cytomegalovirus, that put a constant burden on the immune system. Theories of biological aging also suggest that immune cells may have defective functions in old age because of a lifetime of self-renewal, and DNA damage related senescence, among other factors. Sub-lethal whole-body irradiation results in dose-dependent death of immune cells throughout the body, forcing some peripheral self-renewal of surviving immune cells. We exposed mice to various sub-lethal irradiation doses (0Gy - 4Gy) in youth, and followed them for life. Some mice were also given life-long murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) to reflect the most common latent virus in human populations. At the end of life, mice were vaccinated against, and then infected with, a potentially lethal dose of West Nile Virus (WNV). Neither MCMV, nor any dose of sub-lethal irradiation, independently altered survival following vaccination and WNV infection. However, mice that received a combination of 4Gy of irradiation in youth, and life-long MCMV infection, were less likely to survive WNV challenge. Mechanisms and implications for radiobiology, immune aging, and vaccine efficacy will be discussed.
Folding of the N-terminal, ligand-binding region of integrin α-subunits into a β-propeller domain

The N-terminal approximately 440 aa of integrin alpha subunits contain seven sequence repeats. These are predicted here to fold into a beta-propeller domain. A homologous domain from the enzyme phosphatidylinositol phospholipase D is predicted to have the same fold. The domains contain seven four-stranded beta-sheets arranged in a torus around a pseudosymmetry axis. The trimeric G-protein beta subunit (G beta) appears to be the most closely related beta-propeller. Integrin ligands and a putative Mg2+ ion are predicted to bind to the upper face of the beta-propeller. This face binds substrates in beta-propeller enzymes and is used by the G protein beta subunit to bind the G protein alpha subunit. The integrin alpha subunit I domain, which is structurally homologous to the G protein alpha subunit, is tethered to the top of the beta-propeller domain by a hinge that may allow movement of the domains relative to one another. The Ca2+-binding motifs in integrin alpha subunits are on the lower face of the beta-propeller.
Measuring EUV Line Emission from the Hot Interstellar Medium

In the local interstellar medium, the presence of hot gas was inferred from measurements of oxygen VI absorption in the ultraviolet, and from diffuse emission in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and soft X-ray regions. A spectrometer that is very sensitive to gas in this temperature range is described. The spectrometer uses an array of plane ruled gratings at grazing incidence in the extreme off plane mount. A set of Kirkpatrick-Baez mirrors focuses the conically diffracted light on to one of two microchannel plate detectors. The field of view of the instrument is 0.2 deg by 12 deg. The predicted sensitivity ranges from 50 to 200 ph/(sq cm sec str) with a resolving power of 15 to 50 over the 50 to 700 angstrom wavelength band.
Orbitally paced climate oscillations across the Oligocene/Miocene boundary

The late Oligocene and early Miocene periods, some 21 to 27 million years ago, have generally been viewed as times of moderate global warmth and ice-free conditions. Yet several lines of evidence suggest that this interval was punctuated by at least one, and possibly several, episodes of high-latitude cooling and continental glaciation1,2,3. Here, we present stable-isotope and per cent coarse-fraction data from an equatorial, western Atlantic deep-sea-sediment core that provide high-resolution records of the climate variability across the Oligocene/Miocene transition (22.5–25.7 million years ago). A strong 40-kyr periodicity in the oxygen isotope record is consistent with a high-latitude orbital (obliquity) control on ice-volume and temperature. Orbital influences are also apparent at precession and eccentricity frequencies, including a series of ∼400-kyr oscillations that culminate in distinct maxima at the Oligocene/Miocene boundary, about 23.7 million years ago. Covariance between the carbon and oxygen isotope records suggests that the oceanic carbon cycle may have contributed to global cooling during the ∼400-kyr cycles, particularly at the Oligocene/Miocene boundary.
Fenestration of intraventricular cysts using a flexible, steerable endoscope.

Multiloculated hydrocephalus with multiple intraventricular septae due to meningitis associated with ventriculitis and other CSF containing intraventricular cysts can be treated by endoscopic fenestration. Seven patients with various CSF containing intraventricular cysts were treated using a flexible steerable endoscope and the argon laser. The experience using several currently available steerable endoscopes for treatment of this neurosurgical problem is reviewed. Emphasis is placed on the use of the laser for cyst fenestration. Successful decompression of the ventricular cyst(s) was accomplished in five cases with the endoscope alone. Craniotomy was required in two patients in order to complete cyst fenestration. It is the author’s impression that laser assisted ventriculoscopy with steerable flexible endoscopes is an alternative and oftentimes superior method of treating CSF containing cysts within the lateral ventricles of hydrocephalic patients. Steerable flexible endoscopes designed specifically for neurosurgical use are needed.
Colorimetric determination of hydroxyproline as measure of collagen content in meat and meat products NMKL collaborative study

A colorimetric method for the determination of hydroxyproline as a measure of collagen in meat and meat products has been collaboratively studied in 18 laboratories. The method includes hydrolysis with sulfuric acid, oxidation with chloramine-T, and formation of a reddish purple complex with 4-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde. Five frozen and 3 freeze-dried samples were tested, ranging in content from 0.11 to 0.88% and from 0.39 to 4.0% hydroxyproline, respectively. The mean values of 2 identical samples were 0.245 and 0.251%. The average recovery from a spiked sample was 96.1%. The hydroxyproline content of a known sample (a mixture of 2 samples in the ratio 5:2) was calculated to 1.42%, which agrees well with the analytical result, 1.40%. In comparison with other collaborative studies, based on the ISO analytical method, the repeatability and reproducibility of this method agree well with the other results. This method was accepted as an official NMKL method by all national Committees, and has been adopted official first action by AOAC as an NMKL-AOAC method.
Active muscle regeneration following eccentric contraction-induced injury is similar between healthy young and older adults

Repair of skeletal muscle after injury is a key aspect of maintaining proper musculoskeletal function. Studies have suggested that regenerative processes, including myogenesis and angiogenesis, are...
A Parametric Geometry Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Study Utilizing Design of Experiments (DOE)

Design of Experiments (DOE) techniques were applied to the Launch Abort System (LAS) of the NASA Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) parametric geometry Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) study to efficiently identify and rank the primary contributors to the integrated drag over the vehicles ascent trajectory. Typical approaches to these types of activities involve developing all possible combinations of geometries changing one variable at a time, analyzing them with CFD, and predicting the main effects on an aerodynamic parameter, which in this application is integrated drag. The original plan for the LAS study team was to generate and analyze more than1000 geometry configurations to study 7 geometric parameters. By utilizing DOE techniques the number of geometries was strategically reduced to 84. In addition, critical information on interaction effects among the geometric factors were identified that would not have been possible with the traditional technique. Therefore, the study was performed in less time and provided more information on the geometric main effects and interactions impacting drag generated by the LAS. This paper discusses the methods utilized to develop the experimental design, execution, and data analysis.
Market impacts of hypothetical fuel treatment thinning programs on federal lands in the western United States

This paper addresses the economics of forest fuel thinning programs on federal lands in the U.S. West, and presents a model of regional timber and product market impacts. The issue of economics is vital to the debate about fire management, and this paper presents market implications of two alternative silvicultural strategies, even-aged and uneven-aged thinning. Projections are based on are regional market model called FTM—West (Fuel Treatment Market model—West), which uses the method of price-endogenous linear programming to project annual market equilibria for softwood timber and wood products in the western United States from1997 to 2020. The model takes into account variability in tree and log size, as well as economic effects of variable size class on harvest costs, log value, product recovery and mill capacity. Results show large potential market impacts from expanded thinning on federal lands, but impacts vary by silvicultural regime due to differences in size–class distributions of trees available under different thinning regimes. A hypothetical even-aged thinning program (“thin-from-below” strategy) results in net negative market welfare over the projection period (2005–2020), while a hypothetical uneven-aged thinning program (thinning based on stand density index) results in positive net market welfare. Net welfare results are the same over a range of different subsidy and administrative fee assumptions. An implication is that even-aged thinning regimes on federal lands in the U.S. West are less economical and therefore will be less effective.
AGENTS AND IPOS : A RETROSPECTIVE OF MY ACADEMIC CAREER (2000-2050)

Earlier this year Science asked readers to imagine what life would be like in the year 2050. As described in the editorial on page [1851][1], we now present the first of four installments of these fictional essays. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/286/5446/1851
Overcoming the Tragedy of the Commons: Alternative Lake Management Institutions at the Community Level

ABSTRACT Public lakes are classic candidates for the “tragedy of the commons”: use by everybody, management by no one. In a state with many such lakes, only the care and concern of local communities can overcome this syndrome. This paper summarizes the legal basis and functional role of the institutions involved with lake management in Wisconsin. Within that context, the activities and finances of sanitary districts, lake districts, and lake associations are compared. Among 36 activities, lake districts are most active in 26, lake associations are most active in 9, and sanitary districts are most active only in the provision of public sewers. Among all lake organizations, monitoring activities are most common, followed by newsletter publishing, fish management, support for local ordinances, and weed harvesting. Sanitary districts and lake districts are primarily funded through their taxing powers, while lake associations depend on dues and fundraisers.
Human X-box-binding protein 1 is required for the transcription of a subset of human class II major histocompatibility genes and forms a heterodimer with c-fos.

Abstract A complementary DNA encoding a member of the leucine-zipper class of proteins (human X-box-binding protein, hXBP-1) that binds to the 3' end of the conserved X box (X2) of the HLA-DRA major histocompatibility complex gene was recently described. Further gel-retardation analysis has demonstrated that hXBP-1 also binds to HLA-DPB X2 but not to other X2 sequences. Transient transfection of a mammalian expression vector with the hXBP-1 cDNA inserted in the antisense orientation represses the surface expression of HLA-DR and HLA-DP in Raji cells. Cotransfection of the antisense hXBP-1 vector with a HLA-DRA/chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (but not a HLA-DQB/chloramphenicol acetyltransferase) reporter plasmid decreases chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity in Raji cells and in gamma-interferon-treated HeLa cells relative to cells cotransfected with a control antisense vector. Moreover, hXBP-1 is shown to form a stable heterodimer with the product of the c-fos protooncogene. These data suggest that the hXBP-1 c-fos heterodimer is critical for the transcription of a subset of the human class II major histocompatibility complex genes and that the regulatory mechanisms for the different class II genes are distinct.
Effects of ammonium sulfate aerosols on vegetation—I. Chamber design for long duration exposures

Abstract A plant growth chamber has been constructed to expose a large number of plants to a uniformly distributed concentration of submicrometer aerosols of known particle size distribution and chemistry for periods up to 3 weeks. The chamber design with features controlled externally provides regulation of wind velocity, temperature, relative humidity, air exchange, lighting, irrigation and aerosol injection. This facility provides adequate plant growth in the presence and absence of submicrometer ammonium sulfate aerosols of known particle size distribution in order to determine deposition rates, mode of entry and effects of submicrometer aerosols on vegetation.
Quality of service for tactical wireless networks

Applications resident on tactical wireless networks are levying increasing offered loads. Tradeoffs can be made between range and throughput, but the wireless network is destined to be considered a limitation in information transfer. If managed correctly, the network can be an intelligent aid in ensuring the right information gets to the right place at the right time. Over the last 5 years, SAIC has worked with Natick Soldier Center (NSRDEC) to provide reliable communication with guaranteed service quality for the dismounted soldier. The effort utilizes a series of tools to mark, shape, condense, fragment and persist information for congestion and corruption control. The critical aspect of the congestion control solution is accomplished by adaptively throttling lower priority information at the sending node before it gets pushed to the wireless realm. Of note is that the solution adapts through passive processes without control messages. The solution also implements compression of messages and images, along with fragmentation techniques to alleviate congestion. Information corruption is purely a radio phenomenon and cannot be overcome through cognitive solutions. However, the solution mitigates corruption through information persistence and reliable retransmission. The implemented solution, unlike Transport Control Protocol, is optimized for wireless networks and demonstrates reduction of added signaling traffic. Combined congestion and corruption techniques have demonstrated how soldiers can get the right information at the right time during high traffic loads or network segmentation.
WORKUP AND MANAGEMENT OF TRAUMATIC HEMATURIA

Hematuria is a hallmark sign of genitourinary injury, and its swift evaluation and diagnosis may prevent serious complications. This article proposes guidelines for evaluating and managing patients who present with traumatic hematuria.
Platelets, complement and tissue inflammation

The release of immunoregulatory and inflammatory molecules following platelet activation has been invariably associated with the expression of tissue injury in several clinical conditions including trauma, organ transplantation, inflammatory bowel diseases and autoimmune diseases. We present a thorough review of the available information on the role of platelets and their interaction with complement cascade on the expression of tissue inflammation and organ damage. We propose that in autoimmune diseases and conditions associated with ischemia/reperfusion, platelets are decorated with complement, become activated and lodge tissues inappropriately to spread the inflammatory process. Interventions such as limiting complement decoration and suppression of signaling processes leading to platelet activation should be met with clinical benefit.
Effect of milk preacidification on low fat mozzarella cheese: III. Post-melt chewiness and whiteness.

The effect of calcium reduction (as a result of milk preacidification) on post-melt chewiness and whiteness of low fat Mozzarella cheese was determined. Four vats (230 kg of milk per vat) of cheese were made in 1 d using no preacidification (control), preacidification pH 6.0 and pH 5.8 with acetic acid, and preacidification to pH 5.8 with citric acid. Cheese manufacture was repeated on four different days using a randomized complete block design. The total calcium content and the water-insoluble calcium content of the cheese were lower in the cheeses made from preacidified milks. The amount of water-soluble and water-insoluble calcium changed during refrigerated storage, as did pH. The post-melt chewiness and whiteness of low fat Mozzarella cheese were affected by milk preacidification. The largest level of calcium reduction and modification in post-melt chewiness and whiteness occurred in the pH 5.8 citric treatment. Multiple regression analysis of post-melt chewiness and cheese whiteness at 38°C after heating and cooling indicated that both water-insoluble calcium and proteolysis were strongly associated with changes in the post-melt chewiness and whiteness of low fat Mozzarella cheese. High levels of proteolysis and low levels of water-insoluble calcium were associated with decreased post-melt chewiness and whiteness of low fat Mozzarella cheese.
General Mass Capture Model for Swiftly Opening Parachutes

This paper presents a new parachute inflation model that applies to canopies that open very quickly and expand mostly transversely in basically just one inflation stage. Opening swiftness is defined as a process that takes place within the interval t inf1 ∼ D/V(0), where D is a characteristic parachute size scale and V(0) is the fall speed of the parachute payload at the beginning of inflation. This particular inflation mode motivates the use of total and instantaneous capture of the incoming air mass as the dominant fluid flow pattern from which parachute drag is calculated. Together with the use of fixed inflation distance theory, this so-called general mass capture model allows the complete calculation of the evolution of canopy drag and surface area growth as well as ofpayload-parachute fall rates. As such, this general mass capture scheme should be applicable to unreefed parafoils or to low-porosity hemispherical canopies that are spread over a larger-than-usual initial unfolded area after extraction from the container bag. A comparison with experimental data shows that the general mass capture model can indeed satisfactorily reproduce the drag evolution of both canopy types without involved parameter tuning or curve-fitting. It is noted, however, that such matches do not occur with all drops of canopies deployed repeatedly over the same conditions, thereby suggesting the sporadic, rather than recurrent, character of total mass capture even during swift inflation. Finally, the paper presents several important predictions based on general mass capture, including the value of the opening shock factor C k being at 2.0 (parafoils) and 2.8 (hemispherical canopies) when the mass of the captured air is much smaller than that of the payload.
Simulating sterilization, vaccination, and test-and-remove as brucellosis control measures in bison

Brucella abortus, the causative agent of bovine brucellosis, infects wildlife, cattle, and humans worldwide, but management of the disease is often hindered by the logistics of controlling its prevalence in wildlife reservoirs. We used an individually based epidemiological model to assess the relative efficacies of three management interventions (sterilization, vaccination, and test-and-remove). The model was parameterized with demographic and epidemiological data from bison in Yellowstone National Park, USA. Sterilization and test-and-remove were most successful at reducing seroprevalence when they were targeted at young seropositive animals, which are the most likely age and sex category to be infectious. However, these approaches also required the most effort to implement. Vaccination was less effective (even with a perfect vaccine) but also required less effort to implement. For the treatment efforts we explored (50-100 individuals per year or 2.5-5% of the female population), sterilization had little impact upon the bison population growth rate when selectively applied. The population growth rate usually increased by year 25 due to the reduced number of Brucella-induced abortions. Initial declines in seroprevalence followed by rapid increases (.15% increase in 5 years) occurred in 3-13% of simulations with sterilization and test-and-remove, but not vaccination. We believe this is due to the interaction of superspreading events and the loss of herd immunity in the later stages of control efforts as disease prevalence declines. Sterilization provided a mechanism for achieving large disease reductions while simultaneously limiting population growth, which may be advantageous in some management scenarios. However, the field effort required to find the small segment of the population that is infectious rather than susceptible or recovered will likely limit the utility of this approach in many free-ranging wildlife populations. Nevertheless, we encourage scientists and policy makers to consider sterilization as part of a suite of available brucellosis management tools.
Thermodynamic linked-function analysis of Mg(2+)-activated yeast pyruvate kinase.

Yeast pyruvate kinase (YPK) is regulated by intermediates of the glycolytic pathway [e.g., phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (FBP), and citrate] and by the ATP charge of the cell...
Aortomyoplasty: hemodynamics and comparison to the intraaortic balloon pump,

Abstract Background. Aortomyoplasty (AMP), a procedure in which the latissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) is wrapped around the aorta and stimulated during diastole, is a potential method of chronic counterpulsation. Counterpulsation by the intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) is a proven treatment for ischemic coronary syndrome and heart failure but cannot be used chronically. This study examined the long-term potential of a unique AMP configuration and compared its performance to the IABP. Materials and methods. AMP was done using a wringer configuration (AMP-W) in nine dogs. Six and 12 months later, acute hemodynamic augmentation was evaluated by measuring differences in mean diastolic aortic pressure (mDAP), peak left ventricular pressure (pLVP), and the endocardial viability ratio (EVR) between stimulated and unstimulated beats. Results. The diastolic augmentation obtained by AMP-W at 6 months and by AMP-W and IABP at 12 months was statistically significant. Additionally, the enhancements in EVR (16.1 ± 4.3%), mDAP (8.6 ± 2.5%), and pLVP (−1.8 ± 1.0%) at 6 months were similar to those in EVR (19.1 ± 5.2%), mDAP (13.1 ± 3.6%), and pLVP (−0.8 ± 1.3%) at 12 months. Most importantly, the augmentation obtained by AMP-W at 12 months was similar to that of the IABP: EVR (17.1 ± 5.9%), mDAP (13.4 ± 6.7%), and pLVP (−1.5 ± 0.8%). Conclusions. AMP-W is a safe, robust procedure, capable of providing counterpulsation equivalent to the IABP, 12 months following surgery. The potential for AMP-W to offer chronic counterpulsation and to benefit the ischemic heart should be investigated further.
Six-dimensional Methods for Four-dimensional Conformal Field Theories

The calculation of both spinor and tensor Green's functions in four-dimensional conformally-invariant field theories can be greatly simplified by six-dimensional methods. For this purpose, four-dimensional fields are constructed as projections of fields on the hypercone in six-dimensional projective space, satisfying certain transversality conditions. In this way some Green's functions in conformal field theories are shown to have structures more general than those commonly found by use of the inversion operator. These methods fit in well with the assumption of AdS/CFT duality. In particular, it is transparent that if fields on ${\mathrm{AdS}}_{5}$ approach finite limits on the boundary of ${\mathrm{AdS}}_{5}$, then in the conformal field theory on this boundary these limits transform with conformal dimensionality zero if they are tensors (of any rank), but with conformal dimension $1/2$ if they are spinors or spinor-tensors.
Biomarkers in Psychiatry Methodological Issues

Particularly in psychiatry, biological measures are increasingly sought to detect exposure to toxic agents, to assist in early identification of illness, and to enhance diagnostic certainty, provide prognostic information, and permit the mapping of outcome in a variety of disorders. The authors explore the fundamental criteria necessary to designate a biological measure as a "biomarker" and discuss the potential applications, limitations, and hazards of such markers. Authors discuss methods for establishing the validity of a biomarker. Finally, they convey a word of caution about overinterpreting the clinical or scientific value of any biological measure.
The Effects of Non-CAS Graphing Calculators on Student Achievement and Attitude Levels in Mathematics: A Meta-Analysis.

Forty-two studies comparing students with access to graphing calculators during instruction to students who did not have access to graphing calculators during instruction are the subject of this meta-analysis. The results on the achievement and attitude levels of students are presented. The studies evaluated cover middle and high school mathematics courses, as well as college courses through first semester calculus. When calculators were part of instruction but not testing, students' benefited from using calculators while developing the skills necessary to understand mathematics concepts. When calculators were included in testing and instruction, the procedural, conceptual, and overall achievement skills of students improved.
Changes in health care: challenges for information system design

It is widely recognized that the systematic availability of medical care services is a vital component of the social network. Although particular political, cultural and economic factors lead to different strategic approaches in different countries, all are faced with balancing resource allocation against the perceived desirability of the results. In many countries the social urgency to address this issue has reached a critical status. All of the current changes and challenges in health care delivery are to a large extent being driven by these considerations. Information systems consisting of telecommunication and computing technologies will play a key role in supporting emerging delivery systems. The purpose of this brief paper is to identify the major themes within this complex network of considerations and to serve perhaps as a road map in on-going system design and evaluation efforts.
Effect of Pure and Crossed Dextrality on Marksmanship Skill

This research examined the effects of pure and crossed dextrality on the marksmanship scores of cadets in the Reserve Officers Training Corps at their respective institutions. 34 male, right-handed...
Mineralogy of the MSL Curiosity landing site in Gale crater as observed by MRO/CRISM

Orbital data acquired by the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) and High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment instruments on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) provide a synoptic view of compositional stratigraphy on the floor of Gale crater surrounding the area where the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity landed. Fractured, light-toned material exhibits a 2.2 µm absorption consistent with enrichment in hydroxylated silica. This material may be distal sediment from the Peace Vallis fan, with cement and fracture fill containing the silica. This unit is overlain by more basaltic material, which has 1 µm and 2 µm absorptions due to pyroxene that are typical of Martian basaltic materials. Both materials are partially obscured by aeolian dust and basaltic sand. Dunes to the southeast exhibit differences in mafic mineral signatures, with barchan dunes enhanced in olivine relative to pyroxene-containing longitudinal dunes. This compositional difference may be related to aeolian grain sorting.
The Vancouver 'big six' gender-framed: NBC's prime-time coverage of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

This study represents the first attempt to content-analyse on-air commentary surrounding the six ‘major’ Winter Olympic sports, operationalized as any event receiving at least three hours of aggregate prime-time coverage on the NBC broadcast network. Analysis of all 64 hours of NBC's prime-time coverage of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games revealed 26 significantly different dialogue trends between male and female athletes. Gendered differences in the attribution of athletic success and failure were found in figure skating, alpine skiing and short-track speed skating, but not in bobsledding, freestyle skiing and snowboarding. Gendered differences in personality/physicality descriptors were found in alpine skiing, bobsled, figure skating, freestyle skiing and snowboarding, but not in short-track speed skating. Overall, figure skating generated the most gendered differences in commentary, while snowboarding and freestyle skiing had the fewest differences.
Using speech recognition technology in the classroom: an experiment in computer-supported collaborative learning

This paper will report on a design and development project that aims to enrich face-to-face classroom contexts using the latest developments in information and communications technology. The Meety project, when used by students in a classroom with laptop computers, captures the verbal utterances of the classroom context and uses it to supply real-time information resources to the students in the classroom. Students have the option of contributing to the information resources and rating the utility of the resources supplied. This project discusses the design and development of the project as well as a simulated trial to test its efficacy.
Evaluation of Gambierdiscus survival after exposure to ballast water

Abstract The dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus was exposed to ballast water from a trans-oceanic vessel, and maintained at a variety of temperatures in the dark to determine if viability would be maintained. Logarithmically growing Gambierdiscus inocula were admixed (1:6, vol:vol) with ballast water, maintained in the dark at 22.6 °C, 24.6 °C, 26.8 °C and 29.0 °C and assessed for numerical abundance over six days. Calculated growth rates from the biomass time series showed no indication that ballast water negatively impacted Gambierdiscus viability; accompanying microscopic inspections supported this conclusion. Filtration of large volumes of collected ballast water failed to show the presence of any Gambierdiscus cells contained therein. Recovery and microscopic examination of the experimental inocula after 10 weeks in the dark, failed to show cyst development at any temperature regime. This examination of ballast water showed no evidence of cytotoxicity to Gambierdiscus spp.
The Spider Fauna of Alfalfa Fields in Northern California

Thirty-six species of spiders (Araneida) were collected by various methods in representative alfalfa fields in Northern California, June 1971 through October 1973. The most abundant species was Pardosa ramulosa McCook (Lycosidae), which comprised ca. 60% of the 14,522 specimens collected with the D-Vac®. Other abundant species were Erigone dentosa O. Picard-Cambridge and Collinsia plumosa (Emerton) (Erigonidae) and Linyphantes aeronauticus (Petrunkevitch) (Linyphiidae).
A Fuzzy Set Model of Search and Consideration with an Application to an Online Market

Several two-stage choice models (consideration stage plus choice stage) have been proposed in the marketing literature. We extend this literature by developing a more general model that incorporates how consumer search influences the degree to which they consider various brands. To test the validity and value of our model, we operationalized it with data obtained from Peapod, an online grocer, where we tracked consumers' search processes. We demonstrate that our model performs better than competing models on all the key criteria. New choice models, such as the ones proposed here, are necessary for deriving managerially relevant understanding of choice behavior in online markets. Our empirical results suggest that consumers search both their internal memory and external information at the store to determine the degree to which they consider various brands. Consumers are also heterogeneous with respect to their capability to process external information. For some consumers, external information search dramatically increases the degree to which they consider various brands; but, for others, it has little impact on their consideration. We also find that certain features (e.g., personal lists) reduce consideration set sizes, whereas other features (e.g., sort) increase consideration set sizes.
Structural Characterization of Langmuir−Blodgett Films Derived from Multisulfur Heterocycles

A novel multisulfur heterocyclic compound with alkyl chains, C3S5(C18H37)2 (4,5-bis(octadecylthio)-1,3-dithiole-2-thione), has been synthesized and fabricated into Langmuir−Blodgett (LB) films. The structure of this film on SiO2 slides has been studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and IR and UV transmission linear dichroism (LD) measurements. From the isotherm, it is known that the Langmuir film at the air−water interface is a bilayer. Angle-resolved XPS of films transferred to SiO2 show that the alkyl chains of the molecule form the topmost layer of the film, with the C3S5 ring underneath the alkyl layer. Electronic structure calculations indicate that the transition moment associated with the observed UV band lies coincident with the C2 axis of the C3S5 ring group. In order to properly interpret the polarized absorption data, a simple model addressing the local field effect in LD measurements was developed. Incorporating measured information on the polarizability of the chromophore, UV a...
A multi-objective optimization model for aquifer management under transient and steady-state conditions

Abstract A multiple objective waste-disposal model is developed and analysed. The model is a modification of the single objective waste-disposal model of Alley, Aguado and Remson. The solution structure is obtained using the method of constraints so that dual variables (shadow prices) are available with the solutions.