cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Who Trusts Strangers? Findings and Implications from Behavioral Trust Experiments

High levels of general trust are critical to economic growth and the integration of firms into new markets, but what factors influence the willingness to trust strangers? I examine the circumstances under which individuals across different societies are willing to trust in anonymous counterparts by aggregating and systematically analyzing a widely employed and replicated behavioral measure of trust - the Berg, Dickhaut and McCabe (1995) trust game experiments. Findings indicate that situational factors such as the relative value of what is at stake, the relative well-being of the exchange counterpart, as well as broader institutional factors including levels of government corruption influence a the willingness to trust in anonymous others.
Non-SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences identified in clinical samples from COVID-19 infected patients: Evidence for co-infections

Background In December 2019, an ongoing outbreak of pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2/ 2019-nCoV) infection was initially reported in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Early in 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a new name for the 2019-nCoV-caused disease: coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and declared COVID-19 to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Cellular co-infection is a critical determinant of viral fitness and infection outcomes and plays a crucial role in shaping the host immune response to infections. Methods In this study, 68 public next-generation sequencing data from SARS-CoV-2 infected patients were retrieved from the NCBI Sequence Read Archive database using SRA-Toolkit. Data screening was performed using an alignment-free method based on k-mer mapping and extension, fastv. Taxonomic classification was performed using Kraken 2 on all reads containing one or more virus sequences other than SARS-CoV-2. Results SARS-CoV-2 was identified in all except three patients. Influenza type A (H7N9) virus, human immunodeficiency virus, rhabdovirus, human metapneumovirus, Human adenovirus, Human herpesvirus 1, coronavirus NL63, parvovirus, simian virus 40, and hepatitis virus genomes sequences were detected in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. Besides, a very diverse group of bacterial populations were observed in the samples.
Upstaging of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas during definitive surgery: a review of predictive preoperative clinical and histologic features

The incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in the United States is increasing with approximately 3.6 million cases diagnosed per year. The staging and treatment of NMSC is guided by histologic subtype based on skin biopsy, along with other tumor-specific factors. However, a biopsy only represents a portion of the tumor, so there is a risk of upstaging at the time of definitive surgery. We conducted a review of the literature and found that a significant proportion of NMSC were upstaged during surgery. The rate of upstaging of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) was 7–31% and that of squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCCIS) to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was 3–39%. Biopsy sampling error and variability in interpreting and reporting by dermatopathologists contribute to these discrepancies. It is pertinent to consider more comprehensive treatment modalities for tumors at high risk for upstaging. Diligence to identify tumors at higher risk for upstaging will allow clinicians to optimize management.
Genetic influences on externalizing psychopathology overlap with cognitive functioning and show developmental variation.

Background Questions remain regarding whether genetic influences on early life psychopathology overlap with cognition and show developmental variation. Methods Using data from 9,421 individuals aged 8-21 from the Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort, factors of psychopathology were generated using a bifactor model of item-level data from a psychiatric interview. Five orthogonal factors were generated: anxious-misery (mood and anxiety), externalizing (attention deficit hyperactivity and conduct disorder), fear (phobias), psychosis-spectrum, and a general factor. Genetic analyses were conducted on a subsample of 4,662 individuals of European American ancestry. A genetic relatedness matrix was used to estimate heritability of these factors, and genetic correlations with executive function, episodic memory, complex reasoning, social cognition, motor speed, and general cognitive ability. Gene × Age analyses determined whether genetic influences on these factors show developmental variation. Results Externalizing was heritable (h2 = 0.46, p = 1 × 10-6), but not anxious-misery (h2 = 0.09, p = 0.183), fear (h2 = 0.04, p = 0.337), psychosis-spectrum (h2 = 0.00, p = 0.494), or general psychopathology (h2 = 0.21, p = 0.040). Externalizing showed genetic overlap with face memory (ρg = -0.412, p = 0.004), verbal reasoning (ρg = -0.485, p = 0.001), spatial reasoning (ρg = -0.426, p = 0.010), motor speed (ρg = 0.659, p = 1x10-4), verbal knowledge (ρg = -0.314, p = 0.002), and general cognitive ability (g)(ρg = -0.394, p = 0.002). Gene × Age analyses revealed decreasing genetic variance (γg = -0.146, p = 0.004) and increasing environmental variance (γe = 0.059, p = 0.009) on externalizing. Conclusions Cognitive impairment may be a useful endophenotype of externalizing psychopathology and, therefore, help elucidate its pathophysiological underpinnings. Decreasing genetic variance suggests that gene discovery efforts may be more fruitful in children than adolescents or young adults.
Survival benefit of a combined surgical approach in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

BACKGROUND We previously reported survival benefit of surgery in patients with stage IV breast cancer (BC); prospective trials yielded inconclusive results. METHODS We sampled the National Cancer Database (2004-2016) for de novo stage IV BC patients undergoing both primary site resection and metastasectomy. A multivariate Cox-regression survival model investigated the overall survival (OS) of this surgical approach as compared to lumpectomy/mastectomy alone, metastasectomy alone, or no surgery. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to demonstrate the utility of surgery when metastasis were confined to 1 site stratifying by tissue type. RESULTS A total of n = 55,125 patients were included. As compared to lumpectomy/mastectomy alone (43 months), lumpectomy/mastectomy + metastasectomy exhibited the best OS (50 months, p = 0.012), metastasectomy alone showed slightly worse OS (30 months, p < 0.0001), and no surgery had the worst OS (21 months, p < 0.0001). In metastasis confined to 1 site, superior OS with combined lumpectomy/mastectomy and metastasectomy versus lumpectomy/mastectomy alone was observed with liver (72.8 vs. 48.1 months, p < 0.001) or lung (49.2 vs. 36.8 months, p < 0.001) metastasis but not bone (52.2 vs. 49.9 months, p < 0.001) or brain (16.2 vs. 15.5 months, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Patients with metastatic BC undergoing primary site resection and metastasectomy exhibited optimal OS, particularly when metastasis involved only the liver or lung.
E-Cigarette Dependence and Weight-Related Attitudes/Behaviors Associated With Eating Disorders in Adolescent Girls

Background: Although numerous motivations for vaping have been identified in adolescents, no study to date has examined a possible link between vaping and attitudes/behaviors that are associated with eating disorders in adolescent females. Examining this question in adolescent females is especially relevant given the higher prevalence of eating disorders in adolescent girls and women compared to adolescent boys and men. Methods: We recruited 299 girls (between 13 to 17 years old) via Facebook advertisement to complete a REDCap survey, which included the Electronic Cigarette Dependence Index (ECDI), Minnesota Eating Behavior Survey (MEBS), and demographic questions. Data were analyzed using nonparametric Spearman rank correlation test in R. Results: Electronic Cigarette Dependence Index (ECDI) scores were correlated with weight preoccupation (WP), binge eating (BE) and compensatory behavior (CB), but not body dissatisfaction (BD). The following were the results of Spearman correlation tests: (1) WP: rho = 0.13, p = 0.02; (2) BD: rho = 0.06, p = 0.28; (3) BE: rho = 0.15, p = 0.0095; (4) CB: rho = 0.021, p = 0.00027. Conclusion: The present study adds to the current literature examining motivations for e-cigarette use in adolescent girls. As eating disorders and e-cigarette dependence are significant public health concerns, our results highlight the need for intervention development.
High order, semi-implicit, energy stable schemes for gradient flows

Abstract We introduce a class of high order accurate, semi-implicit Runge-Kutta schemes in the general setting of evolution equations that arise as gradient flow for a cost function, possibly with respect to an inner product that depends on the solution, and we establish their energy stability. This class includes as a special case high order, unconditionally stable schemes obtained via convexity splitting. The new schemes are demonstrated on a variety of gradient flows, including partial differential equations that are gradient flow with respect to the Wasserstein (mass transport) distance.
Genome Compartmentalization with Nuclear Landmarks: Random yet Precise

The three-dimensional (3D) organization of eukaryotic genomes plays an important role in genome function. While significant progress has been made in deciphering the folding mechanisms of individual chromosomes, the principles of the dynamic large-scale spatial arrangement of all chromosomes inside the nucleus are poorly understood. We use polymer simulations to model the diploid human genome compartmentalization relative to nuclear bodies such as nuclear lamina, nucleoli, and speckles. We show that a self-organization process based on a co-phase separation between chromosomes and nuclear bodies can capture various features of genome organization, including the formation of chromosome territories, phase separation of A/B compartments, and the liquid property of nuclear bodies. The simulated 3D structures quantitatively reproduce both sequencing-based genomic mapping and imaging assays that probe chromatin interaction with nuclear bodies. Importantly, our model captures the heterogeneous distribution of chromosome positioning across cells, while simultaneously producing well-defined distances between active chromatin and nuclear speckles. Such heterogeneity and preciseness of genome organization can coexist due to the non-specificity of phase separation and the slow chromosome dynamics. Together, our work reveals that the co-phase separation provides a robust mechanism for encoding functionally important 3D contacts without requiring thermodynamic equilibration that can be difficult to achieve.
Development of a Proposed ASTM Standard Test Method for Near-Threshold Fatigue Crack Growth Rate Measurement

Results are summarized which provide the basis for development of the proposed ASTM standard test method for measuring and presenting very slow cyclic rates of fatigue crack propagation. The technique for obtaining very slow rate data as K decreases with crack extension is described. Data are reviewed that show the individual and combined effects of various precracking and testing procedures, loading rates, and other testing parameters. The data are used to demonstrate the utility of the method and its limitations. Guidelines are given for the minimization of transient growth rate processes which can confound interpretation of the data. Analytical procedures for fitting near-threshold data are also discussed.
Evaluation of Antarctic Star Observations

The use of daylight star observations to provide latitude, longitude and azimuth on an Antarctic ice cap is described and evaluated. The field procedures employed are presented and the reductions of the field data by the azimuth, cosine, and line-of-position methods are compared and evaluated.
Computed Speckle Decorrelation (CSD) and Its Application for Fatigue Damage Monitoring

A video-based laser speckle technique has been developed for non-contact surface deformation analysis and mapping at speeds approaching video frame rates. This technique, Computed Speckle Decorrelation (CSD), makes use of the speckle decorrelation associated with surface deformation. In its current application, CSD is a method of full field inspection which has been used both to locate fatigue damage sites and to measure damage severity during fatigue deformation in reverse bending fatigue of a cylindrically notched aluminum specimen. With the development of the CSD method it will now be possible to examine in greater detail the progression of fatigue damage in thick graphite/epoxy composite materials, allowing a much faster and much more quantitative analysis than was previously available through film based techniques[1].
Experimental Simulation of Cryogenic System for a Large Superconducting Rotor

The work reported herein contains the design and construction of an experiment to simulate the cryogenic cooling system and mechanical components of the rotor of a commercially practicable superconducting generator. The objectives of the experiment are (1) to demonstrate a more effective cooling system than has previously been constructed; (2) to collect data to verify the analysis used as the basis for design; (3) to test new instrumentation for cryogenic rotors; and (4) to gain experience in techniques of construction of high-speed cryogenic rotors.
Fast and robust blind-equalization based on cyclic prefix

The cyclic prefix is commonly used in the context of frequency domain equalization in DMT channels. We observe that it can be used in more general contexts and show its advantages in blind equalization, especially for non-minimum phase channels.
Reverse discourse completion task as an assessment tool for intercultural competence

This paper proposes a prototypic assessment tool for intercultural communicative competence. Because traditional discourse completion tasks (DCTs) focus on illocutionary competence rather than sociolinguistic competence, a modified version of a DCT was created to target sociolinguistic competence. The modified DCT employs speech acts as prompts and asks respondents to write about a situation in which a given speech act would be appropriate. This new tool is named a reverse discourse completion task (R-DCT). The task was given to learners of Turkish as a second language. Data from 12 participants were analyzed for their provision of sociopragmatic factors such as power, distance and imposition and also with respect to whether the situation was relevant to a given speech act. Responses from the participants show that R-DCTs can be used to assess intercultural competence as they help reveal respondents’ knowledge of sociolinguistic context in which a given speech act may be appropriate. By removing the need for comparison with native speaker data and the limitations that emerge from the lack of linguistic formula at respondents’ disposal, R-DCT is a promising elicitation task to assess sociolinguistic competence, an integral part of Byram’s (1997) model of intercultural communicative competence.
Event-based study of the effect of execution environments on parallel program performance

In this paper we seek to demonstrate the importance of studying the effect of changes in execution environment parameters, on parallel applications executed on state-of-the-art multiprocessors. A comprehensive methodology for event-based analysis of program behavior is introduced. This methodology is used to study the performance significance of various system parameters such as processor speed, message-buffer size, buffer copy speed, network bandwidth, communication latency, interrupt overheads and other system parameters. With the help of a few CFD examples, we illustrate the use of our technique in determining suitable parameter values of the execution environment for three applications.
Design of LDPC graphs for hardware implementation

A methodology for generating bipartite graphs for LDPC codes which both exhibit good performance under message passing decoding and are amenable to direct hardware implementation is described. To this end, we define a novel quantitative measure of the "loopiness" of a graph, as well as a quantitative measure of the cost of direct hardware implementation, and use the well-known simulated annealing algorithm to simultaneously minimize both quantities. Finally, we simulate the decoding of several rather short codes to show that the performance is indeed predicted by our loopiness measure.
Self-Efficacy and Health-Related Outcomes of Collective Trauma A Systematic Review

The objective of our study was to systematically review research evidence for relationships between self-efficacy beliefs and psychological as well as somatic outcomes of collective traumatic events. Twenty-seven studies enrolling adult and adolescent survivors of acute, escalating, and chronic collective trauma with a total of N = 8011 participants were reviewed. Cross-sectional studies suggest medium to large effects of self-efficacy on general distress, severity and frequency of PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) symptoms (weighted r values range from –.36 to –.77), whereas longitudinal studies indicate large effects on general distress and PTSD symptom severity (weighted r values range: –.55 to –.62). Self-efficacy was also related to better somatic health (self-reported symptoms, i.e., less pain, fatigue, or disability). Studies addressing the relationship between self-efficacy and substance abuse after collective trauma revealed a more complex picture. Some types of pretreatment self-efficacy (e.g...
High Throughput Micropatterning of Optical Oxygen Sensor for Single Cell Analysis

In this paper, we present our results from process development and characterization of optical oxygen sensors that are patterned by traditional UV lithography. An oxygen sensitive luminescent probe, platinum octaethylporphyrin, was encapsulated in commercially purchased photoresist (AZ5214) to form uniform thin sensor films on fused silica substrates. Plasticizer ethoxylated trimethylolpropane triacrylate (SR454) was added to the dye-photoresist sensor mixtures to improve the oxygen sensitivity. The optimum sensor mixture composition that can be patterned with maximum sensitivity was identified. The microfabrication process conditions, cell adherence and oxygen sensitivity results from patterned structures were characterized in detail. Down to 3 μm features have been fabricated on fused silica substrates using the developed techniques. The result implies that the developed methods can provide a feasible way to miniaturize the optical sensor system for single cell analysis with precise control of sensor volume and response.
Trauma During Pregnancy

Traumatic injuries in pregnancy are both common and burdensome. Optimal management includes proper triage, maternal resuscitation, fetal monitoring, and diagnostic imaging.
Improved methods to identify stable, highly heritable subtypes of opioid use and related behaviors

Abstract Although there is evidence that opioid dependence (OD) is heritable, efforts to identify genes contributing to risk for the disorder have been hampered by its complex etiology and variable clinical manifestations. Decomposition of a complex set of opioid users into homogeneous subgroups could enhance genetic analysis. We applied a series of data mining techniques, including multiple correspondence analysis, variable selection and cluster analysis, to 69 opioid-related measures from 5390 subjects aggregated from family-based and case–control genetic studies to identify homogeneous subtypes and estimate their heritability. Novel aspects of this work include our use of 1) heritability estimates of specific clinical features of OD to enhance the heritability of the subtypes and 2) a k-medoids clustering method in combination with hierarchical clustering to yield replicable clusters that are less sensitive to noise than previous methods. We identified five homogeneous groups, including two large groups comprised of 762 and 1353 heavy opioid users, with estimated heritability of 0.69 and 0.76, respectively. These methods represent a promising approach to the identification of highly heritable subtypes in complex, heterogeneous disorders.
METAZOAN PARASITES OF THE EASTERN COTTONTAIL RABBIT IN WESTERN KENTUCKY

Forty-five eastern cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus Allen), collected over a 15 mo period from two areas of western Kentucky, were examined for disease conditions, helminth and arthropod parasites. A single lymphosarcoma, two cutaneous papillomas and the following parasites were identified: Hasstilesia tricolor, Taenia pisiformis, Cittotaenia mriabilis, Raillietina stilesiella, Obeliscoides cuniculi, Trichuris leporis, Longistriata noviberiae, Trichostrongylus calcaratus, Dermatoxys veligera, Odontopsyllus multispinosus, Cediopsylla simplex, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris, Ixodes dentatus, Amblyomma americanum, and Dermacentor variabilis. Simpson's Indices indicated that parasite communities were fairly diverse, with some degree of dominance exhibited by O. cuniculi, T. pisiformis and H. leporispalustris. The parasite faunas of rabbits from the two areas were similar. Hasstilesia tricolor was associated with the absence of kidney fat.
Electrochemical behavior of iron-hexacyanoruthenate(II) thin films in aqueous electrolytes: potential analytical and catalytic applications

Abstract Electrochemically prepared thin films of iron-hexacyanoruthenate(II) KFe x [Ru{CN} 6 ] y or Ruthenium purple (RP) were used as a surface modifier for the glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The redox behavior of the counter/central ions of RP has been investigated in aqueous electrolytes using CV, CC and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The effect of supporting electrolyte components on the electrochemical behavior was also investigated. In aqueous KClO 4 , RP showed three redox waves with E f o ≈0.2, 0.9 and 1.2 V versus Ag/AgCl. RP thin films were found to be either ionic size discriminatory or very sensitive to the level of doping with some organic solvents. Acetonitrile as a solvent and/or Li + have a great distorting effect on these redox waves. The potential analytical application of these films was explored. The EC behavior was compared with that of related HCM (hexacyanometalate) compounds, such as KRu x [Ru{CN} 6 ] y , KRu x [Fe{CN} 6 ] y and KFe x [Fe{CN} 6 ] y . Kinetic studies corresponding to the iron and ruthenium centers in RP have been achieved. Obtained results indicated evidence for catalytic behavior of the RP towards water decomposition.
Progress in the development of laser endarterectomy

Argon ion laser endarterectomy has progressed from the laboratory to a clinical trial for peripheral vascular disease and now to a clinical trial for carotid artery disease. In the first 18 months of clinical trials, 14 peripheral laser enarterectomies and 4 carotid laser endarterectomies were performed. Low power argon ion laser radiation (1.0 W) was used for all operations. The peripheral vascular reconstructions resulted in symptomatic relief and all carotid patients are neurologically intact. There were no arterial injuries from laser radiation and all arteries showed smooth endarterectomy surfaces with welded end points. The initial clinical studies show that laser endarterectomy can be used for carotid artery disease as well as peripheral arterial disease with low power argon ion laser radiation.
Perceptual conditions of association: A possible confounding

Summary Asch, Ceraso, and Heimer (1960) compared the free recall of two types of figures, unitary (U) and non-unitary (NU). The former consisted of a series of single figures drawn with distinctive outlines or modes, while the latter consisted of the same figures except that the shape or form was drawn in continuous line and the pattern of the outline displayed to the side of the figure. The joint recall of form and mode was superior for the U stimuli. The present experiment replicated the U and NU conditions, adding a control group which received the U stimuli and the pattern display to one side of the form. This was done to make the “twoness” of the U and UN stimuli the same. That “twoness” of the NU stimuli appears to be critical in producing the original “unitary effect” was shown by the fact that the U-NU difference disappeared when the control stimuli were recalled. These findings provide an alternative explanation of the findings of Asch et al.
Response of an acetolactate synthase (ALS)‐resistant biotype of Amaranthus rudis to selected ALS‐inhibiting and alternative herbicides

Summary An Amaranthus rudis Saner (common water-hemp) biotype from a field treated for two consecutive years with a mixture of chlorimuron and metribuzin was tested in greenhouse and laboratory studies to assess resistance and cross-resistance to four acetolactale synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides. The biotype demonstrated >1920-fold resistance at the whole plant level, and >850-fold resistance at the ALS enzyme to chlorimuron, compared with a susceptible biotype. This chlorimuron-resistant biotype was also cross-resistant to primisuifu-ron, haiosulfuron and imazethapyr. In greenhouse studies, atrazine alone or in combination with ALS-inhibiting herbicides provided excellent control of the resistant biotype of A. rudis. Combinations of dicamba and ALS-inhibitors also provided adequate control. Additionally, premixtures of flumetsulam and metolachlor and of dicamba and atrazine furnished excellent control of this chlorimuron-resistant A. rudis biotype.
Entropy generation in convective heat transfer and isothermal convective mass transfer

The irreversible generation of entropy for two limiting cases of combined forced-convection heat and mass transfer in a two-dimensional channel are investigated. First, convective heat transfer in a channel with either constant heat flux or constant surface temperature boundary conditions are considered for laminar and turbulent flow. The entropy generation is minimized to yield expressions for optimum plate spacing and optimum Reynolds numbers for both boundary conditions and flow rigimes. Second, isothermal convective mass transfer in a channel is considered, assuming the diffusing substance to be an ideal gas with Lewis number equal to unity. The flow is considered to be either laminar or turbulent with boundary conditions at the channel walls of either constant concentration or constant mass flux. The analogy between heat and mass transfer is used to determine the entropy generation and the relations for optimum plate spacing and Reynolds number. The applicable range of the results for both limiting cases are then investigated by non-dimensionalizing the entropy generation equation.
Marketing communications in nonbusiness situations or why it's so hard to sell brotherhood like soap.

In order to effectively use marketing communications techniques for public and nonprofit sector problems, one must consider the extreme differences between these and private sector problems. Major ...
Highly Sensitive Optical Sensors Using Electrospun Polymeric Nanofibrous Membranes

In recent years, polymer films have found an increasing role in sensors due to their unique characteristics. It is widely accepted that the sensitivity of a film is proportional to the surface area per unit mass. Thin films with very large surface areas can be easily fabricated by electrospinning, wherein a polymer solution is exposed to a high static voltage, creating sub-micron or nanometer scale fibers collected as a non-woven membrane. Electrospun nanofibrous membranes have surface areas approximately one to two orders of the magnitude higher than those found in continuous thin films. It is expected that their sensitivities are potentially as large. In this paper, the first use of an electrospun membrane as a highly responsive fluorescence quenching-based optical sensor is reported. A new fluorescent polymer, polyacrylic acid - poly (pyrene methanol) (PAA-PM), was synthesized via covalent attachment of the fluorescent indicator, pyrene methanol (PM), onto polyacrylic acid (PAA). Optical chemical sensors were then fabricated by electrospinning PAA-PM and thermal crosslinkable polyurethane latex mixture solutions. The synthesis, characterization, electrospinning fabrication, and comparison of the sensitivities to analytes such as ferric ions, mercury, and 2, 4-dinitrotoluene between the electrospun membranes and electrostatically layer-by-layer (ELBL) assembled films are presented.
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Crossover Study of Phenobarbital and Mephobarbital

Some pediatric neurologists maintain that mephobarbital (Mebaral) causes fewer behavioral side effects than phenobarbital. Because this hypothesis has not been previously tested, we conducted a prospective, double-blind, randomized, crossover study of these two anticonvulsants. Both drugs were equally effective in reducing the frequency of seizure, although serum phenobarbital levels were significantly higher when the patients were taking phenobarbital compared to mephobarbital. As measured by the Abbott Parent Questionnaire, there was no significant deterioration of behavior with either phenobarbital or mephobarbital, regardless of which drug was administered first. J Child Neurol 1986;1:361-363)
Compound curvature laser window development

The NASA Lewis Research Center has developed and implemented a unique process for forming flawless compound curvature laser windows. These windows represent a major part of specialized, nonintrusive laser data acquisition systems used in a variety of compressor and turbine research test facilities. This report summarizes the main aspects of compound curvature laser window development. It is an overview of the methodology and the peculiarities associated with the formulation of these windows. Included in this discussion is new information regarding procedures for compound curvature laser window development.
Modeling of deposition and clearance of inhaled Ni compounds in the human lung.

Abstract By extrapolation from the rat study, a mathematical model of deposition, clearance, and retention kinetics for inhaled Ni compounds (high-temperature (green) NiO, Ni 3 S 2 , and NiSO 4 · 6H 2 O) in the alveolar region of the human lung has been developed. For human deposition, an updated version of an earlier model (C. P. Yu and C. K. Diu, 1982, Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. ) was used in this study. Because of the profound differences in physiological and ventilation conditions between humans and rats, humans were found to have a higher alveolar deposition fraction than rats when exposed to the same Ni compounds. However, when normalized to the lung weight, the deposition rate per gram of lung in humans is much smaller than in rats. In the development of a clearance model, a single-compartment model in the lung was used and a general assumption was made that the clearance of the insoluble and moderately soluble nickel compounds (high-temperature (green) NiO and Ni 3 S 2 , respectively) depends highly on the volume of retained particles in the lungs. As for the highly soluble nickel compound (NiSO 4 · 6H 2 O), the clearance rate coefficient was assumed to depend on the retained particle mass and total alveolar surface. These clearance rate coefficients were extrapolated from the rat data. The retention half-times for high temperature (green) NiO and Ni 3 S 2 particles in humans were found to be much longer than in rats, whereas the retention half-time for NiSO 4 · 6H 2 O particles was about the same for both species. The lung burden results in humans for various exposure conditions are predicted and the equivalent exposure concentrations for humans which lead to the same lung burdens found in rats were calculated.
Instructional Applications of Hypermedia: Functional Features, Limitations, and Research Issues

Abstract Hypermedia has enabled us to create a new instructional development and delivery environment. However, there are both theoretical and practical issues to be resolved and technical limitations to be overcome. To clarify the issues and limitations, the basic concept and database structures of hypermedia are briefly reviewed. Second, important functional requirements for the instructional application of hypermedia are described. Finally, several research issues that need to be examined in the application of hypermedia are proposed.
Fabrication of high precision PEFC membrane electrode assemblies

Membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) are commonly prepared in the research laboratory by hand painting liquid catalyst material onto Teflon supports, then transferring the dried catalyst to a membrane separator by hot pressing. This hand application of the catalyst is a time consuming process of modest precision with respect to catalyst loading, producing samples not ideally suited for controlled experimentation. We report the results of a method for preparing MEA catalyst layers in a faster and highly reproducible fashion. This method relies on catalyst inks that have been modified to increase their coating reproducibility, and the use of a support material that improves the hot press transfer of the catalyst to the membrane separator. The result is a process which is not only significantly more precise and faster than hand painting, but which produces cells with nearly 25% higher current density in the critical voltage operating region.
Pattern Recognition Methods for the Classification of Binary Infrared Spectral Data

Five pattern recognition methods are compared for their ability to classify binary infrared spectra. Included is a discussion of the time vs success balance for each of the techniques. Predictive ability decreases in the order maximum likelihood > distance > Tanimoto similarity ~ Hamming distance > dot product. The time required for each prediction after the classifier has been developed increases in order maximum likelihood ~ distance ~ dot product < Tanimoto similarity ~ Hamming distance.
Surrogate Decision Making 2.0: Digital Evidence as Clinical Testimony

Over the last decade there has been a steady stream of literature published on the relationship between digital media and the ethics of clinical practice. The vast majority of it, though, has been ...
Evaluation of multimodal displays for waypoint navigation

Point to point navigation is a critical and demanding task for dismounted operators, especially while traversing hostile terrains. Visual displays such as a compass, maps, and global positioning systems have been the ubiquitous means of navigation and have proven to be effective; however, these tools require visual attention in an already visually demanding environment. Multiple resource theory proposes that time-sharing between two tasks with the same sensory modality can produce interference and the use of separate perceptual channels can be more effective. Since the dismounted operator's visual attention is already engaged in examining their environment for potential threats, the use of auditory and/or tactile displays could supplement the visual display to provide enhanced waypoint information. The reduction of the operator's visual load to allow for undivided attention to their environment could allow for more efficient and secure navigations through novel environments. The study investigated the effectiveness of waypoint navigation with the use of a visual map, spatialized auditory and tactile displays in a virtual environment. In addition to performance data, as measured by root mean squared error and time of completion, the participants completed usability and perceived mental workload questionnaires pertaining to the utility of the different displays.
The Radiation Laboratory, fifty years later (telecom and remote sensing)

The author gives his impressions of the Radiation Laboratory of MIT as it existed from 1940 to 1945. He explores relationships of developments at the lab to present activity in radiowave propagation and remote sensing. His comments relate primarily to telecommunications and nonmilitary applications of remote sensing. >
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Function in Non-AIDS Patients with Advanced HIV Infection

ABSTRACT Patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are reported to have increased basal Cortisol and reduced stimulated Cortisol release, but the dysfunction in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is not yet understood in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection during the advanced stage of disease that precedes the development of AIDS. To understand the status of the HP A axis during this phase of HIV infection, 25 non-AIDS ambulatory patients with advanced HIV infection and without evidence of adrenal or pituitary insufficiency were studied. Ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone was administered (1 μ g/kg BW) intravenously and plasma Cortisol and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) were measured over the following 120 minutes. Based on a standard response curve, obtained from CRH testing of 10 HIV negative volunteers with no HP A abnormalities, 13 patients were found to have normal response (group 1), 6 patients had reduced ACTH and Cortisol response (group 2) and 6 patients had normal ACTH with reduced Cortisol response (group 3). Basal Cortisol and basal ACTH were comparable for control subjects and groups 1, 2, and 3. This suggests that, in advanced non-AIDS HIV patients with no clinical evidence of pituitary or adrenal disease, about 25% (group 2) have reduced pituitary reserve with high basal ACTH and Cortisol, and about 25% (group 3) have reduced adrenal reserve with high basal Cortisol and inappropriately normal basal ACTH, whereas about 50% (group 1) maintain normal HP A axis activity with increased basal Cortisol secretion. The exact Physiopathologie mechanism is not yet known, but an enhanced CRH production by the hypothalamus may explain the alterations in the HPA axis in advanced HIV disease.
Loading of the temporomandibular joint: anatomical and in vivo evidence from the bones.

‘Loading of the TMJ’ is usually understood to mean a compressive force applied to the articular surfaces of the jaw joint. Theoretical models of jaw mechanics can be manipulated to support either the
Variations in Tidal Level in the Gulf of Mexico and Implications for Tidal Wetlands

Abstract Tidal wetland environments have an ecological zonation that corresponds with tide levels, in particular with mean high water. However, mean sea level (MSL), which has shown a persistent rise in the Gulf of Mexico during this century, is the most common reference for water level change. We examine here the relationship between mean sea level and mean high water in describing water level changes in the Gulf of Mexico. The records of monthly mean water level for four stations, Galveston, Pensacola, Cedar Key and Key West, are partitioned into the annual cycle, the long-term trend, and a low-frequency (>10 year period) fluctuation. The trend is the same for MSL and mean higher high water (MHHW) for all stations investigated except Cedar Key, Florida, where MHHW has increased more rapidly than MSL. The low-frequency fluctuations are similar between the stations and the tidal datums. MSL can predict MHHW with discrepancies of up to 5 cm owing to the lunar nodal cycle and an annual tidal signal. Low-frequency climatic fluctuations produce greater variations than the nodal cycle, but the difference in frequency can lead to interference between the two in MHHW. The combination of the two can produce sea-level rises in excess of 1 cm year−1over several year periods, even in areas having long-term trends of 0·2 cm year−1or less.
Frequency Stabilization of Microwave Oscillators

Two electronic circuits for frequency stabilization of electronically tunable microwave oscillators are described and discussed. One of these uses a microwave circuit equivalent to the lowfrequency discriminator, in conjunction with a d.c. amplifier, to control the oscillator frequency at the frequency of a cavity resonator. The other circuit obtains frequency control of the oscillator by the cavity through a circuit operating almost entirely at an intermediate frequency. With both systems, frequency modulation of a highly degenerative type is provided. The resulting stability over long periods is essentially that of the cavity. The stability over short periods is such that the signal obtained occupies a band of less than 1 part in 108in width. The practical limit to the stabilization obtainable with given components is estimated, and several applications are suggested.
Shear flow over a plane wall with an axisymmetric cavity or a circular orifice of finite thickness

Shear flow over a plane wall that contains an axisymmetric depression or pore is studied using a new boundary integral method which is suitable for computing three‐dimensional Stokes flow within axisymmetric domains. Numerical results are presented for cavities in the shape of a section of a sphere or a circular cylinder of finite length, and for a family of pores or orifices with finite thickness. The results illustrate the distribution of shear stresses over the plane wall and inside the cavities or pores. It is found that in most cases, the distribution of shear stresses over the plane wall, around the depressions, is well approximated with that for flow over an orifice of infinitesimal thickness for which an exact solution is available. The kinematic structure of the flow is discussed with reference to eddy formation and three‐dimensional flow reversal. It is shown that the thickness of a circular orifice or depth of a pore play an important role in determining the kinematical structure of the flow underneath the orifice in the lower half‐space.
Two kynurenine aminotransferases in human brain.

Abstract Using Tris-acetate buffer rather than conventional phosphate buffer, it was possible to detect two distinct proteins capable of producing the neuroinhibitory brain metabolite kynurenic acid (KYNA) from l -kynurenine in human brain tissue. The two kynurenine aminotransferases (KATs), arbitrarily termed ‘KAT I’ and ‘KAT II’, could be physically separated by isoelectric focussing on pH 3–10 Ampholine gradient, and, more completely, by differential elution from a DEAE-Sepharose column. KAT I showed a pronounced preference for pyruvate as a co-factor and had a pH optimum of 9.6. In contrast, KAT II was virtually equally active when either pyruvate or 2-oxoglutarate were used as the aminoacceptor, and its pH optimum was 7.4. Moreover, KAT I and KAT II differed with regard to their sensitivity to amino acids and kinetic characteristics. The existence of two separate enzymes capable of producing KYNA in the human brain raises the question if and to what extent each of the enzymes regulates the cerebral synthesis of KYNA and its possible role as a modulator of excitatory amino acid receptor function.
Permeation Pathways of Cations and Anions in the OmpF Porin Channel using Anomalous X-Ray Scattering

The outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria is a highly specialized structure that lies outside the cytoplasmic membrane and peptidoglycan layer and forms the interface between the cell and its external environment. The outer membrane constitutes a physical and functional barrier between the cell body and its surroundings which effectively controls access of solutes and external agents to the cytoplasmic membrane. The main function of OmpF is to facilitate the translocation of hydrophilic solutes with molecular mass upto 600 Da across the outer membrane. Ion selectivity, the property of porins in distinguishing charged ions is greatly affected by the electrostatics due to the presence of acidic and basic amino acid residues in the pore constriction zone. Detailed experimental and theoretical approaches including MD, BD and continuum electrodiffusion modeling revealed the importance of electrostatic interactions on the transport of cations and anions across the channel. Several computational studies have identified separate pathways for the flow of cations and anions along the OmpF pore. To probe this prediction experimentally, we report here the results from anomalous X-ray scattering data from rubidium and bromide revealing the permeation of cations and anions along the entire length of the OmpF channel.
THERMAL CHARACTERIZATION OF DOLOMITE: KINETIC STUDY AND EFFECT OF PROCEDURAL VARIABLES

Dolomite decomposes via a 2-stage mechanism in an atmosphere of CO2. The first stage of the decomposition was analyzed in depth using both isothermal and rising temperature kinetics. It was found that the first stage of decomposition follows the Avrami-Erofeev A2 mechanism for the isothermal experiments. However, for the rising temperature experiment, the reaction follows the Avrami-Erofeev A4 mechanism. The energy of activation (Ea) obtained for the isothermal experiments was determined to be 424.97 kJ/mol, while the value for the rising temperature experiment was 647.20 kJ/mol. Similarly, the ln A-value for the isothermal experiments was found to be 49.22, while the ln A-value for the rising temperature experiment was 74.20. The effect of procedural variables on the thermal behavior of dolomite in a nitrogen atmosphere is investigated. The program design variables include alterations in the flow rate, heating rate, grain size, and sample size. Out of these variables, heating rate, flow rate, and grain s...
Economics of unfractionated heparin: Beyond acquisition cost

Despite numerous clinical trials demonstrating advantages of new anticoagulants, unfractionated heparin (UFH) is still used by a number of clinicians in the United States. The reason for this continued use of UFH is not superior efficacy, improved safety, or convenience, but low acquisition cost. However, several other costs associated with the use of UFH are often not considered. Appropriate economic analysis, which considers both cost and outcomes, has not demonstrated support for continued use of UFH. Its continued use based simply on lower cost is not justified by the literature.
Opposing heart rate reactions associated with behavioral states of excitation and inhibition

Abstract Following the development of an excitatory bradycardia conditioned response (CR) to a CS+ paired with a shock US on Day 1, three groups of rats were given one of three inhibitory training procedures on Day 2 with a different CS (CS−). Then on Day 3 the inhibitory capacity of each CS− was examined on a modified combined cue test in which CS− was given slightly before CS+ and on a reversal conditioning test in which CS− was now paired with the US. The three inhibitory procedures consisted of CS− alone (CSA) trials, explicitly unpaired (EUP) CS− and US trials, and truly random (TR) CS− and US trials. During inhibitory training, the bradycardia CR to CS+ was replaced with a tachycardia reaction to CS− in the EUP group but not in the other groups. Subsequent to inhibitory training the EUP group and to some extent also the TR group showed a decrement in the excitatory bradycardia response to CS+ when compared to the robust HR slowdowns displayed by the CSA group. It was suggested, within the context of opponent process theory, that the separate USs given the EUP and TR groups (especially the former) during inhibitory training may have led to conditioning of inhibitory tendencies to CS− and that these in turn generalized and decremented previous established bradycardia responding to CS+ and the development of a new bradycardia to CS− during reversal conditioning.