cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The mechanical properties of a superplastic quasi-single phase copper alloy

Abstract The mechanical properties of a superplastic quasi-single phase copper alloy, containing a cobalt-rich dispersion, are essentially identical to those of superplastic eutectic and eutectoid alloys. Points of similarity include a sigmoidal relationship between stress and strain rate dividing the behavior into three regions, activation energies which are similar to lattice and grain boundary diffusion in the low stress region I and the intermediate stress region II, respectively, and an inverse dependence on grain size raised to the power ~ 2.2–2.6 in regions I and II. In addition, experiments in the high stress region III indicate an approximately inverse dependence on grain size and activation energy which is intermediate between the values obtained in regions I and II. The results suggest that region III is due to an intragranular dislocation process with a concomitant contribution from grain boundary sliding. Identical creep curves are obtained in regions I and II with a very brief primary stage and an extended steady-state behavior, whereas the creep curves in region III exhibit a significantly longer primary stage.
The value of routine right heart catheterization in patients undergoing coronary arteriography.

Apres avoir pratique un catheterisme cardiaque droit chez 219 patients, les auteurs concluent un peu d'utilite de cet examen invasif
Kinetics of PdO formation and CO reduction on Pd(110)

Abstract Recent studies have identified the ‘subsurface’ oxygen on Pd(110) as a nucleation of an oxide phase. This species has been postulated as responsible for oscillations in the catalytic CO oxidation on this surface. We have investigated the kinetics of this oxide formation and its reduction by CO on Pd(110) at temperatures and pressures where oscillations occur, using temperature-programmed desorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The rate of oxide reduction measured was found to agree approximately with previously measured values for chemisorbed oxygen, indicating that the oxide species are weakly bound or unstable. However, we find significant qualitative and quantitative differences in the kinetics of oxide formation and other mechanisms assumed in previous studies.
Do We Need to Go Cellular? Assessing Political Media Consumption Using a Single-Frame Landline/Cellular Survey Design

Much research has been published on cellular phone only households and the challenges posed by cellular phones to traditional survey methodologies that attempt to generate representative samples using only landline telecommunications. This study reports analyses comparing two separate survey strata (N landline = 152, N cellular = 153) collected simultaneously and nested within a single-frame survey of a state in the American Midwest for differences in demographics, political orientations, individual differences, and a variety of political media consumption variables. Focus is also given to differences among audience variables that predict various forms of political media use across the two survey strata.
Thermal analysis of a skidding tire

Abstract Rubber friction varies with temperature and friction energy dissipated in the rubber causes the temperature to increase. A model for frictional heat generation in a tire skidding on a wet pavement is postulated. The resulting internal temperature distribution is computed analytically for uniform boundary conditions and by digital simulation for boundary conditions of prescribed initial temperature distribution and boundary layers at the rubber surfaces. The results show that: 1. (1) For a slider on a half space heat generated at the surface does not raise the slider temperature. 2. (2) Heat generation must be concentrated in a thin layer, otherwise thermal degradation will result. 3. (3) Tire damage may occur whenever, at average travel speeds, the coefficient of bulk friction (hysteresis friction) exceeds about 30% of the total friction.
Calibration calculations of hadronic cascades induced by high-energy muons in iron/plastic calorimeters

Calculations have been performed to determine the response of an iron-plastic calorimeter to muon-induced nuclear interactions. The calculated data include energy resolutions and average pulse-height signals as a function of energy transfer, energy-transfer angle, and spatial-interaction point.
The compositions of some unhydrolyzed naturally occurring waxes, calculated using functional group analysis and fractionation by molecular distillation, with a note on the saponification of carnauba wax and the composition of the resulting fractions

Methods for the determination of acid, ester, hydroxyl, and ketone (or aldehyde) groups and of mean molecular weights of small samples of natural waxes are reported. Complete analyses can be made on 0.5 g. of sample. A simplified procedure for quantitative separation of acid and unsaponifiable fractions of a wax is also reported. Molecular distillations of beeswax, caranda wax, crude and refined candelilla wax, and ouricury wax, have fractionated these complex mixtures into simpler ones. Hydrocarbons and free unsubstituted alcohols and acids, if present, distil readily at 150°C. A pot still suitable for convenient molecular distillation of up to 100-g. charges of waxes or other high melting materials is described. A method for the calculation of composition of unhydrolyzed waxes based upon function group analysis of molecular distillation fractions is described. Results of application of this method to the waxes distilled are reported and show the ubiquitousness of hydroxy acids. All of the above waxes and carnauba wax contain major proportions of esters of the hydroxy acids, and none contains as much as one-half simple esters of unsubstituted acids and alcohols.
Medical science, infectious disease, and the unity of humankind.

The ravaging epidemic of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome has shocked the world. It is still not comprehended widely that it is a natural, almost predictable, phenomenon. We will face similar catastrophes again, and will be ever more confounded in dealing with them, if we do not come to grips with the realities of the place of our species in nature. A large measure of humanistic progress is dedicated to the subordination of human nature to our ideals of individual perfectability and autonomy. Human intelligence, culture, and technology have left all other plant and animal species out of the competition. We also may legislate human behavior. But we have too many illusions that we can, by writ, govern the remaining vital kingdoms, the microbes, that remain our competitors of last resort for dominion of the planet. The bacteria and viruses know nothing of national sovereignties. In that natural evolutionary competition, there is
A Service-Oriented Multimedia Componentization Model

As Web services become more and more popular, how to manage multimedia Web services that can be composed as value-added service solutions remains challenging. This paper presents a service-oriented multimedia componentization model to support Quality of Service (QoS)-centered, device-independent multimedia Web services, which seamlessly incorporates cutting-edge technologies relating to Web services. A multimedia Web service is divided into control flow and data flow. Each can be delivered via different infrastructures and channels. Enhancements are proposed to facilitate Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) and Composite Capability/Preference Profiles (CC/PP) protocols to improve their flexibility to serve multimedia Web services. We present a set of experiments that show the viability of our service-oriented componentization model that can support efficient delivery and management of multimedia Web services.
A systematic approach to open rhinoplasty

With open rhinoplasty techniques, surgery is directed toward establishing a nasal framework that provides a patent nasal airway and an anatomic foundation for aesthetically pleasing results. As with all facial plastic surgery procedures, a systematic approach to open rhinoplasty can ensure consistent aesthetic and functional results. This systematic approach includes not only the operative sequence but also the preoperative analysis and planning. In this article, we present our systematic approach to planning and executing a successful open rhinoplasty.
Electrochemical detection of fatigue cracks in steel

In an earlier study, the current flow during reanodization of fatigued specimens of aluminum was shown to provide a simple method of detecting fatigue cracks. An immersion scanning technique identified the location of the cracks, and the flow of charge was a measure of the crack length. This paper describes the application of a similar technique to SAE 1065 steel. Anodic surface oxide films are formed in a passivating electrolyte of boric acid and sodium borate. These films are ruptured during fatigue of the steel substrate, and the rupture sites are identified by the flow of current during subsequent reanodization. Fatigue cracks as small as 0.9 mm long are detected and the flow of charge during reanodization of a fatigue crack is again a quantitative measure of the total length of the crack.
Frames of reference in virtual object rotation

It is difficult with most current computer interfaces to rotate a virtual object so that it matches the orientation of another virtual object. Times to perform this simple task can exceed 20 seconds whereas the same kind of rotation can be accomplished with real objects and with some VR interfaces in less than two seconds. In many advanced 3D user interfaces, the hand manipulating a virtual object is not in the same place as the object being manipulated. The available evidence suggests that this is not usually a significant problem for manipulations requiring translations of virtual objects, but it is when rotations are required. We hypothesize that the problems may be caused by frame of reference effects---mismatches between the visual frame of reference and the haptic frame of reference. Here we report two experiments designed to study interactions between visual and haptic reference frames space.In our first study we investigated the effect of rotating the frame of the controller with respect to the frame of the object being rotated. We measured a broad U--shaped relationship. Subjects could tolerate quite large mismatches, but when the orientation mismatch approached 90 degrees performance deteriorated rapidly by up to a factor of 5. In our second experiment we manipulated both rotational and translational correspondence between visual and haptic frames of reference. We predicted that the haptic reference frame might rotate in egocentric coordinates when the input device was in a different location than the virtual object. The experimental results showed a change in the direction predicted; they are consistent with a rotation of the haptic frame of reference, although only by about half the magnitude predicted. Implications for the design of control devices are discussed.
Cells of human aminopeptidase N (CD13) transgenic mice are infected by human coronavirus-229E in vitro, but not in vivo

Aminopeptidase N, or CD13, is a receptor for serologically related coronaviruses of humans, pigs, and cats. A mouse line transgenic for the receptor of human coronavirus-229E (HCoV-229E) was created using human APN (hAPN) cDNA driven by a hAPN promoter. hAPN-transgenic mice expressed hAPN mRNA in the kidney, small intestine, liver, and lung. hAPN protein was specifically expressed on epithelial cells of the proximal convoluted renal tubules, bronchi, alveolar sacs, and intestinal villi. The hAPN expression pattern within transgenic mouse tissues matched that of mouse APN and was similar in mice heterozygous or homozygous for the transgene. Primary embryonic cells and bone marrow dendritic cells derived from hAPN-transgenic mice also expressed hAPN protein. Although hAPN-transgenic mice were resistant to HCoV-229E in vivo, primary embryonic cells and bone marrow dendritic cells were infected in vitro. hAPN-transgenic mice are valuable as a source of primary mouse cells expressing hAPN. This hAPN-transgenic line will also be used for crossbreeding experiments with other knockout, immune deficient, or transgenic mice to identify factors, in addition to hAPN, that are required for HCoV-229E infection.
The effect of extracellular pH and lactic acid on pH homeostasis inLactococcus lactis andStreptococcus bovis

WhenStreptococcus bovis JB1 andLactococcus lactis ML3 were grown with an excess of glucose, lactic acid accumulation caused a decrease in extracellular pH;S. bovis grew at extracellular pH values as low as 4.9, butL. lactis was unable to grow below pH 5.3. Because both bacteria maintained a low ΔpH across the cell membrane, it appeared that intracellular pH was controlling their pH sensitivities.S. bovis glycolyzed glucose and maintained high concentrations of ATP at intracellular pH values as low as 5.4.L. lactis could not glycolyze glucose when the intracellular pH was less than 5.6, and ATP declined.L. lactis cells that were washed and incubated in buffers with an excess glucose had higher ΔpH values than growing cells. Lactic acid addition, however, prevented the interconversion of membrane potential (Δψ) and chemical gradient of protons (ZΔpH).
ALTA: Automatic Load-Time Adaptation Technique for Refactoring-Based Evolution of Software Component

Evolution of software components may lead to compatibility problems. State-of-the-art fully-automatic compatibility solutions either require source code, or they fail to support refactorings that may lead to conflict method signatures, such as changing the order of same-typed parameters or changing return types. Moreover, all of them will statically modify source or binary files, which may violate the license agreements of components. In this paper, we propose ALTA, a fully-automatic adaptation technique for refactoring-based evolution of software component. ALTA supports refactorings that may lead to conflict method signatures. In addition, ALTA can perform load-time adaptation, and therefore it can work under all kinds of license agreements. We also present ALTA*, an implementation of ALTA by Java and AspectJ. The evaluation results show that ALTA* effectively solves compatibility problems in real-world components with a performance overhead of load-time adaptation feature (if enabled) at around 11%.
Plasma nonesterified fatty acids in pregnancy. II. Further observations on regulation of plasma NEFA concentration by insulin and glucose.

Abstract 1. The effect of various combinations of glucose and insulin on plasma NEFA concentrations were tested in normal pregnant, early puerperal, and nonpregnant subjects. 2. The responses observed in plasma NEFA were dependent upon the amount of glucose administered as well as the time of glucose loading in relation to that of insulin administration. Small amounts of glucose tended to enhance NEFA falls in plasma, while larger glucose dosages produced smaller changes or stabilized the fatty acid level. 3. The relative amounts of carbohydrate and insulin rather than the degree of hyperglycemia and hypophosphatemia appeared to determine the amount and direction of change in NEFA concentration. The experimental results are discussed in terms of the known factors determining NEFA oxidation, esterification, and release by adipose tissue. 4. Within a few days after the onset of labor the concentration of plasma NEFA is increased and its regulation is extremely labile as indicated by its sensitivity to experimental modification. This lability is not observed in the early puerperium. 5. Intravenous glucose tolerance data are not influenced by pregnancy in metabolically normal patients despite evidence of decreased reactivity to exogenous insulin.
Combinatorial polarization scramblers for many-segment PMD emulator

In this letter, we present a combinatorial approach to build polarization scramblers in a many-segment polarization-mode dispersion (PMD) emulator. This approach significantly reduces the required number of phase plates and their corresponding controls. It exploits the fact that rotation matrices are noncommutative which gives many different ways of building polarization scramblers out of just a few phase plates. Although these polarization scramblers are correlated, we show, numerically and experimentally, that there is sufficient polarization scrambling between segments to achieve the important key properties of a PMD emulator.
Phase Analysis of Plasma‐Sprayed Zirconia‐Yttria Coatings

Phase analysis of plasma-sprayed 8 wt pct-yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) thermal barrier coatings and powders was carried out by X-ray diffraction. Step scanning was used for increased peak resolution. Plasma spraying of the YSZ powder into water or onto a steel substrate to form a coating reduced the cubic and monoclinic phases with a simultaneous increase in the tetragonal phase. Heat treatment of the coating at 1150 C for 10 h in an Ar atmosphere increased the amount of cubic and monoclinic phases. The implications of these transformations on coating performance and integrity are discussed.
Effects of pioglitazone on calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle.

Pioglitazone, an insulin-sensitizing, antidiabetic agent, has blood pressure-lowering effects in insulin-resistant hypertensive rats and attenuates growth factor-induced increases of intracellular Ca2+ in rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells. To determine whether modulation of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels plays a role in this association, we investigated the effects of pioglitazone on voltage-dependent current in cultured rat aortic (a7r5) and freshly dissociated rat tail artery vascular smooth muscle cells. Both cell types were studied with whole-cell patch-clamp techniques. Current through L-type Ca2+ channels was elicited with a voltage ramp in the presence of Ba2+ substituted for Ca2+. T-type Ca2+ current was studied using a two-pulse protocol that enabled the isolation of transient current. In a7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells, 2-minute application of pioglitazone (5 and 10 mumol/L) reduced L-type current by 7.9 +/- 1.0% (n = 8) (mean +/- SEM, number of cells) and 14.5 +/- 3.0% (n = 9) (P < .01, two-tailed paired t test), respectively. In contrast, 2-minute application of pioglitazone had no significant effect on T-type Ca2+ current. In freshly dissociated tail artery vascular smooth muscle cells, 2-minute application of 10 mumol/L pioglitazone had an insignificant effect (4.8 +/- 5.6% reduction); however, 25 mumol/L pioglitazone reduced L-type current by 27.3 +/- 7.2% (n = 5) (P < .01). Two-minute application of 0.1% or 0.2% dimethyl sulfoxide (vehicle) alone had no significant effects on currents in either type of vascular smooth muscle cell.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A living god, a living word: Christian and Muslim revelation in perspective:

Recent discussion concerning the relationship between the god of Islam and the god of Christianity prompted this article, which explores that relationship by looking at the nature of revelation in each religion and how that revelation reflects the nature of each god. This exploration indicates that these gods are not one and the same, because while the revelation found in the Qur’an is transcendent and static, revealing a god who is the same, the revelation found in Jesus Christ is both immanent and living, as is Jesus himself. The effect this has on preaching and missions is discussed in the conclusion.
Embedding conductive patterns of elastomer nanocomposite with the assist of laser ablation

This work introduces a simple and low-cost microfabrication technique utilizing laser ablation to embed conductive elastomer nanocomposite within an insulating bulk elastomer. Nanocomposite consisting of poly(dimethylsiloxane) and a network of carbon nanotubes functions as a piezoresistive sensor material. Microstructures are embedded with the assist of laser ablation which utilizes a focused laser beam to ablate through a thin polymer film following a path programmed via software. This approach eliminates hardware such as photo-mask or stamp, which offers distinct advantages in reducing fabrication time and cost in prototyping of sensor devices. Various patterns of polymer film and embedded nanocomposite are demonstrated with spatial resolution down to 34 μm. To characterize patterning quality, different fabrication conditions are tested and uniformity (width, thickness) data are measured with optical profiling. Sensor prototypes are demonstrated based on the piezoresistive response of nanocomposite under tensile strain. Strain sensors could detect large-range (>45%) tensile strain with sensing a factor of about 4, showing promising feasibility for various sensing applications.
A Loosely Coupled Distributed System for Reliably Storing Data

An algorithm for storing information redundantly on the nodes of a broadcast network is proposed. A voting technique is used to increase reliability. Since multiple votes are cast only when copies of a data item disagree, the algorithm has the property that communication overhead is minimal. In addition, nodes storing erroneous copies are automatically resynchronized. A Markov analysis is performed which relates parameters of the algorithm to the mean time to failure.
CORONARY ARTERY STENT RESTENOSIS RESPONDS FAVORABLY TO REPEAT INTERVENTIONS

One hundred sixty patients who underwent a percutaneous intervention for treatment of in-stent restenosis were evaluated on clinical follow-up to determine the predictors of reintervention, and also to compare rotational atherectomy with repeat percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for this condition. Current smoking and saphenous vein graft location were the independent predictors of target vessel revascularization (TVR), and there was no difference in the rate of TVR between rotational atherectomy and re-PTCA.
Reasoning and the Art of Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury

In this pilot study, qualitative methodology was used to examine the clinical reasoning of four experienced occupational therapists as they presented and modified therapeutic activities to treat patients with spinal cord injuries. The therapists demonstrated the multi-layered thinking discovered in previous research, but hierarchical structuring of knowledge emerged as an unexpectedly dominant theme in their reasoning. Examples of hierarchical thinking about therapeutic activity included creating mental files of therapy tasks and materials sequenced from elementary to advanced and determining the level of difficulty at which to present an activity in order to build the patient's skills in a stepwise manner. The therapists reported that they learned to make decisions about the use of activities in treatment by observing skilled clinicians and by treating patients.
Analysis of Immune Responses Directed toward a Recombinant Early Secretory Antigenic Target Six-Kilodalton Protein-Culture Filtrate Protein 10 Fusion Protein in Mycobacterium bovis-Infected Cattle

Cell-mediated immune responses are critical for protective immunity to mycobacterial infections. Recent progress in defining mycobacterial antigens has determined that region of difference 1 (RD1) gene products induce strong T-cell responses, particularly the early secretory antigenic target 6-kDa (ESAT-6) protein and culture filtrate protein 10 (CFP10). However, comprehensive analysis of the immune response towards these antigens is incompletely characterized. To evaluate recall responses to ESAT-6 and CFP10, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from M. bovis-infected cattle were stimulated in vitro with a recombinant ESAT-6 (rESAT-6)-CFP10 fusion protein and compared to responses induced by M. bovis-derived purified protein derivative. Following antigenic stimulation, activation marker expression was evaluated. Significant proliferative responses (P < 0.05) were evident in CD4(+), CD8(+), immunoglobulin M-positive, and CD172a(+) cell fractions after 6 days of culture. Expression of CD25 and CD26 was increased (P < 0.05) on CD4(+), CD8(+), and gammadelta T-cell-receptor-positive cells. CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells also exhibited significant changes (P < 0.05) in expression of CD45 isoforms. Using a flow cytometry-based proliferation assay, it was determined that CD45R expression is downregulated (P < 0.05) and that CD45RO expression is upregulated (P < 0.05) on proliferating (i.e., activated) CD4(+) cells. Collectively, data indicate that recall immune responses directed toward the rESAT-6-CFP10 fusion protein or purified protein derivative are comparable and that recall to mycobacterial antigens correlates with a CD45RO(+) phenotype.
Approximation of Arbitrary Distributed Lag Structures by a Modified Polynomial Lag: An Extension

Abstract Since a uniform approximation of distributed lag models by representatives of some subfamily of the family of all possible lag structures guarantees neither a reasonable standard error of forecast in large samples nor a good approximation of the true long-run response and mean lag, it is shown that the modified polynomial lags fulfill a stronger approximation property. A possible simplification of the estimation procedure for these models is mentioned.
Informative Precedent and Intrajudicial Communication

olitical scientists have long recognized the importance of courts as political actors. However, while an extensive literature examines the judiciary's strategic interaction with the other branches of government (e.g., Ferejohn and Weingast 1992; Gely and Spiller 1992), less attention has been paid to the effects of the institutional structure of the courts themselves on patterns of judicial decision-making. Yet models of the judiciary's unique institutional dynamics are essential to understanding the courts, just as analyses of congressional committees (e.g., Gilligan and Krehbiel 1990; Shepsle and Weingast 1987) or the bureaucracy (e.g., Moe 1982) are essential to understanding the legislative and executive branches. We develop a formal model that demonstrates how the problem of communication between different levels of a hierarchical court system,
Maize ABI4 Binds Coupling Element1 in Abscisic Acid and Sugar Response Genes

Significant progress has been made in elucidating the mechanism of abscisic acid (ABA)-regulated gene expression, including the characterization of an ABA-responsive element (ABRE), which is regulated by basic domain/Leu zipper transcription factors. In addition to the ABRE, a coupling element (CE1) has been demonstrated to be involved in ABA-induced expression. However, a trans factor that interacts with CE1 has yet to be characterized. We report the isolation of a seed-specific maize ABI4 homolog and demonstrate, using a PCR-based in vitro selection procedure, that the maize ABI4 protein binds to the CE-1 like sequence CACCG. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we demonstrate that recombinant ZmABI4 protein binds to the CE1 element in a number of ABA-related genes. ZmABI4 also binds to the promoter of the sugar-responsive ADH1 gene, demonstrating the ability of this protein to regulate both ABA- and sugar-regulated pathways. ZmABI4 complements Arabidopsis ABI4 function, because abi4 mutant plants transformed with the ZmABI4 gene have an ABA- and sugar-sensitive phenotype. Identification of the maize ABI4 ortholog and the demonstration of its binding to a known ABA response element provide a link between ABA-mediated kernel development and the regulation of ABA response genes.
Hydrogen-deuterium exchange and selective labeling of deprotonated amino acids and peptides in the gas phase.

Hydrogen−deuterium exchange reactions of deprotonated amino acids and small peptides were studied. Selective labeling can be carried out at the α-amino group of lysine (2 of 4 labile hydrogens undergo exchange with CF3CH2OD) and the guanidine side chain of arginine (3 of 6 labile hydrogens undergo exchange with CH3CH2OD and C6H5CH2OD). Differential labeling of peptides also was accomplished, and the extent of H/D exchange is dependent on the amino acids which are present as well as their order in the chain.
The art of the science: climate forecasts for wildfire management in the southeastern United States

This article illustrates how a wildfire risk forecast evolved iteratively based on stakeholder consultations. An assessment based on phone interviews indicates that such forecasts can assist fire management decisions, such as deployment of human, financial, and material resources and management of forest, timber, and habitats, and public safety. But careful attention to communication, collaboration, and capacity building is key to realizing this potential.
The Duke Center for the Study of Aging: One of Our Earliest Roots

The Duke University Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development (Duke CFA) was established by a multidisciplinary group of visionary scientists in 1955. It is the oldest continually operating center or institute dedicated to aging in the United States. This article outlines the origins of the Duke CFA and summarizes the major research initiatives conducted in its early years. The primary focus is on these landmark studies and their legacies. Those studies made important initial contributions to the knowledge base, introduced measurement tools and research designs that became standards in the field, and served as the impetus for later and current research. The hallmarks of these studies are their multidisciplinary foundations and their focus on the health and well-being of older adults. The Duke CFA's current research clearly builds upon the goals, insights, and empirical results of previous research initiatives. Although aging research is and has been the bedrock of the Duke CFA, developing services responsive to the needs of older adults and multidisciplinary training have also been hallmarks of the Duke CFA. Duke's Geriatric Evaluation and Treatment Clinic was established in 1974 and remains a national model for geriatric assessment. Our postdoctoral research training program has graduated more than 200 scholars and our Geriatric Fellowship program has graduated 113 geriatricians. Many of our graduates have exemplary careers in aging, contributing to important research advances, providing care to thousands of older adults, serving as leaders in the field, and training new generations of gerontologists and geriatricians.
The Effects of Media and Task on User Performance: A Test of the Task-Media Fit Hypothesis

This research was designed to examine the task-media fit hypothesis, an extension to media richness theory that predicts the objective performance of various media for a number of task types. To examine this model, dyads communicating through face-to-face, videophone, telephone (i.e., audio-only communication), or synchronous computer-mediated communication worked in a laboratory experiment to address an intellective or negotiation task. The intellective task required that each dyad member effectively share factual information that each individual independently held. The negotiation task required that each dyad member effectively share preferences based on personal values and reach an agreement. The results of the study provide mixed support for the task-media fit hypothesis. In general, the results for the negotiation task largely supported the theory while the results for the intellective task did not support the theory. These results help to clarify limitations and provide extensions to the theory by demonstrating how variations in task processes and communication media act to mediate task performance. The implications of these results for future research and practice are discussed.
Madoff Mess Motivates

Tools of financial engineering, e.g options and backtesting, are challenging to many undergraduates. Those challenged may need more motivation than provided by textbooks. Most students noticed the spectacular media coverage of the Bernard Madoff scandal. Of particular interest to those teaching this material, there were many reports that seemingly sophisticated feeder fund managers were satisfied with Madoff's representations to have produced stellar returns via the options strategy dubbed strike conversion. This seemed particularly egregious once the media spotlight shone on Harry Markopolos, a quant practitioner who revealed, in spectacular congressional testimony, that he had analyzed the purported options strategy years earlier, and had informed SEC officials that it could not possibly have produced the returns reported by Madoff. Markopolos' writings neither described nor included any specific backtests he may have done. Fortunately, a backtest is relatively easy to implement, using just a few, free data series found online, a single spreadsheet, and the Black-Scholes formula. Before hearing anything about Madoff or Markopolos, students conducting this backtest receive a lesson in quant finance and learn the basis for anger expressed by Markopolos and the public.
Normal Flora of the Prepuberal Vagina

Comparatively little work has been done on the bacteriologic examination of the normal vaginal flora before puberty. In 1923, Anderson, Schultz and Stein 1 published a cultural study of the vagina of sixty-six children up to 15 years of age with gonococcic and nonsyphilitic vaginitis. Gram-positive cocci and gonococci were the organisms most frequently found. "Pseudodiphtheroids" were next in order of frequency and then came gram-negative bacilli and cocci other than gonococci. The diphtheroids were the only gram-positive bacilli found, with the exception of Doderlein' s bacillus, which was found three times in smears. No mention is made of this bacillus in the cul-
A Closer Look at Demand Bids in California ISO Energy Market

One year of demand bids in the California energy market are analyzed and observations are reported on type, size, shape, and other characteristics of the bids. The implications of these observations, the underlying causes, and the potentials to improve demand bids by exploiting load flexibility are discussed.
Study on the Optimization of Governance and Energy Effi ciency Control of Power Grid Enterprise Data Center

At present, data center management and energy effi ciency optimization control problem have become hot spots of power grid enterprises concerned. Through building the data center system of optimizing the governance and control system of energy effi ciency, analyzing the situation of data center, this paper proposes a scheme of the grid data center optimization management and control of energy effi ciency, which improves the supporting system of integration of data center management, and enhance the multi-view, multi-level display ability and service ability of data center.
Results of operation for aortic valve stenosis in infants, children, and adolescents.

Surgical procedures for aortic valve stenosis may be considered either corrective or palliative. During a 22-year period from 1962 to 1984, 120 patients required operation for aortic valve stenosis. The operations done included 117 valvotomies and three initial valve replacements. Six patients, five infants and a 7-year-old girl, died at operation. The remaining 114 patients were followed up for 1 to 23 years (mean 8.7 years). Twenty-six patients (23%) required a second operation 1 to 15 years (mean 6.8 years) after initial valvotomy. Six patients (5%) required a third operation 3 months to 8 years (mean 4.4 years) after the second operation. Eighteen of the 26 patients (69%) having second operations required valve replacement All third operations were valve replacements. No perioperative deaths occurred at the second and third operations. There were four sudden late deaths (3.5%). Eighty-four of the 114 patients (74%) followed up for 1 to 23 years (mean 7.7 years) have had a satisfactory result from initial valvotomy, being free of symptoms and major events (stroke, endocarditis, sudden death), and have not required reoperation. Fifty-nine percent of a subgroup of 22 patients followed up for a mean of 17.7 years have had a satisfactory result from initial valvotomy.
A rare case of vulval pilonidal sinus: incidental diagnosis

A 63-year-old woman presented with a 4-week history of vulval bleeding. On examination, an 8 mm fleshy irregular vascular lesion was present on the vulva in the periclitoreal area. This vulval lesion was treated by surgical excision. Histological analysis showed irregular pieces of skin partly covered by hyperplastic squamous epithelium. There were areas of fistulous-like endophytic proliferations lined by hyperplastic squamous epithelial cells. The intervening stroma showed granulation tissue with severe active chronic inflammation. At least five hair follicle shafts surrounded by foreign body type giant cells were also identified within the inflamed area. There was no evidence of dysplasia or malignancy. This chronically inflamed fistulous tract together with hair shafts within the wall of the tract were diagnostic of a pilonidal sinus of the vulva. This case report summarises the importance of diagnosing pilonidal sinus at an unusual location.
Mechanism of the Reactions of Alcohols with o-Benzynes

We have studied reactions of secondary and primary alcohols with benzynes generated by the hexadehydro-Diels–Alder (HDDA) reaction. These alcohols undergo competitive addition vs dihydrogen transfer to produce aryl ethers vs reduced benzenoid products, respectively. During the latter process, an equivalent amount of oxidized ketone (or aldehyde) is formed. Using deuterium labeling studies, we determined that (i) it is the carbinol C–H and adjacent O–H hydrogen atoms that are transferred during this process and (ii) the mechanism is consistent with a hydride-like transfer of the C–H. Substrates bearing an internal trap attached to the reactive, HDDA-derived benzyne intermediate were used to probe the kinetic order of the alcohol trapping agent in the H2-transfer as well as in the alcohol addition process. The H2-transfer reaction is first order in alcohol. Our results are suggestive of a concerted H2-transfer process, which is further supported by density functional theory (DFT) computational studies and r...
Neuroinflammation and Behavior in HIV-1 Transgenic Rats Exposed to Chronic Adolescent Stress

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has improved prognosis for people living with HIV (PLWH) and dramatically reduced the incidence of AIDS. However, even when viral load is controlled, PLWH develop psychiatric and neurological disorders more frequently than those living without HIV. Adolescents with HIV are particularly susceptible to the development of psychiatric illnesses and neurocognitive impairments. While both psychiatric and neurocognitive disorders have been found to be exacerbated by stress, the extent to which chronic stress and HIV-1 viral proteins interact to impact behavior and relevant neuroinflammatory processes is unknown. Determination of the individual contributions of stress and HIV to neuropsychiatric disorders is heavily confounded in humans. In order to isolate the influence of HIV-1 proteins and chronic stress on behavior and neuroinflammation, we employed the HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) rat model, which expresses HIV-1 proteins with a gag and pol deletion, allowing for viral protein expression without viral replication. This Tg line has been characterized as a model of HAART-controlled HIV-1 infection due to the lack of viral replication but continued presence of HIV-1 proteins. We exposed male and female adolescent HIV-1 Tg rats to a mixed-modality chronic stress paradigm consisting of isolation, social defeat and restraint, and assessed behavior, cerebral vascularization, and neuroinflammatory endpoints. Stress, sex, and presence of the HIV-1 transgene impacted weight gain in adolescent rats. Female HIV-1 Tg rats showed decreases in central tendency during the light cycle in the open field regardless of stress exposure. Both male and female HIV-1 Tg rats exhibited decreased investigative behavior in the novel object recognition task, but no memory impairments. Adolescent stress had no effect on the tested behaviors. Microglia in female HIV-1 Tg rats exhibited a hyper-ramified structure, and gene expression of complement factor B was increased in the hippocampus. In addition, adolescent stress exposure increased microglial branching and junctions in female wild-type rats without causing any additional increase in HIV-1 rats. These data suggest that the presence of HIV-1 proteins during development leads to alterations in behavioral and neuroinflammatory endpoints that are not further impacted by concurrent chronic adolescent stress.
Poisson Forecasting Models: An Introduction

This paper presents the use of the Poisson probability distribution for forecasting discrete time series. The properties of the weights using the Poisson distribution are discussed. These weights provide alternatives, not attainable by exponential smoothing models. As an introduction to Poisson smoothing process, a constant and linear trend correction models are presented. For some of the time series tests, the Poisson forecasting models show slightly improved forecast accuracies compared to exponential forecasting models.
Principles of Numerical Simulation of Oil Reservoirs — An Overview

Numerical reservoir simulation is a powerful tool for studying complex reservoir problems (Figure 1). Simulation of petroleum reservoir performance includes the construction and operation of a model whose conduct is similar to the performance of an actual reservoir. A reservoir model can be a physical model or a mathematical model. Physical models are small scale reproductions of the original problem. A mathematical model is simply a set of equations which describe certain assumptions and constraints. The degree to which the model describes the actual reservoir is a function primarily of the input data used, and secondly the adequacy of the model to simulate the physical problem.
Geoparsing text for characterizing urban operational environments through machine learning techniques

Increasing worldwide internet connectivity and access to sources of print and open social media has increased near realtime availability of textual information. Capabilities to structure and integrate textual data streams can contribute to more meaningful representations of operational environment factors (i.e., Political, Military, Economic, Social, Infrastructure, Information, Physical Environment, and Time [PMESII-PT]) and tactical civil considerations (i.e., Areas, Structures, Capabilities, Organizations, People and Events [ASCOPE]). However, relying upon human analysts to encode this information as it arrives quickly proves intractable. While human analysts possess an ability to comprehend context in unstructured text far beyond that of computers, automated geoparsing (the extraction of locations from unstructured text) can empower analysts to automate sifting through datasets for areas of interest. This research evaluates existing approaches to geoprocessing as well as initiating the research and development of locally-improved methods of tagging parts of text as possible locations, resolving possible locations into coordinates, and interfacing such results with human analysts. The objective of this ongoing research is to develop a more contextually-complete picture of an area of interest (AOI) including human-geographic context for events. In particular, our research is working to make improvements to geoparsing (i.e., the extraction of spatial context from documents), which requires development, integration, and validation of named-entity recognition (NER) tools, gazetteers, and entity-attribution. This paper provides an overview of NER models and methodologies as applied to geoparsing, explores several challenges encountered, presents preliminary results from the creation of a flexible geoparsing research pipeline, and introduces ongoing and future work with the intention of contributing to the efficient geocoding of information containing valuable insights into human activities in space.
Potential Effects of Foundation Species Loss on Wetland Communities: A Case Study of Black Ash Wetlands Threatened by Emerald Ash Borer

The emerald ash borer (EAB; Agrilus planipennis) is an invasive beetle that causes almost complete mortality of ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) in North America and Europe. Northern temperate wetlands, where black ash (F. nigra) is a dominant and foundation species, will likely undergo dramatic shifts after EAB invasion. Utilizing published knowledge on amphibian and aquatic invertebrate responses to environmental gradients and the effects of ash loss on forest structure and function, we provide a mechanistic framework to discuss how changes in hydrology, canopy structure, and litter inputs could affect wetland communities. Changes in leaf litter could affect primary production and food web structure in the aquatic environment; overall changes in habitat structure might shift the community to species with longer aquatic stages that prefer open-canopy habitats. Amphibians and aquatic invertebrates serve as linkages between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Therefore, understanding how the abundance and functional diversity of these taxa change in response to EAB is necessary to understand whole ecosystem responses. Using a mechanistic framework to formulate hypotheses and predictions is vital for our ability to manage target systems, retain biodiversity, and sustain ecosystem function.
Photophysics of N , N -dimethyl-3-(1-indolyl)propan-1-ammonium chloride and related derivatives

The photophysical properties of two new indole derivatives have been examined by steady-state and dynamic spectroscopic methods. The ground-state structures and conformations of 3-(1-indolyl)-N,N-dimethylpropan-1-ammonium chloride (InCl) and 3-(1-indolyl)-N,N,N-trimethylpropan-1-ammonium chloride (MeInCl) have been examined through density functional theory calculations. These calculations reveal a preference for a ‘closed’ conformation which places the cationic ammonium group in proximity to the π-electron cloud in low polarity environments. This interaction is best described as an intramolecular hydrogen–π bond in the case of InCl and a cation–π interaction for MeInCl. The ground-state conformational equilibria are influenced by changes in the dielectric constant of the solvent, resulting in a variety of photophysical behaviors. The excitation/emission spectra, fluorescence quantum yields, and excited-state lifetimes, are reported for InCl, MeInCl, and a reference compound, 1-methylindole, in 1,4-dioxane (e = 2), acetonitrile (e = 37), and water (e = 78) where solubility allows. Data from these solvents provide evidence for independent fluorescence quenching pathways for InCl and MeInCl. In addition, they lead to insights into the complexities of indole photophysics by demonstrating the sensitivity of the locally-excited states to changes in charge-density and solvent environment.
Network Design and the Brain

Neural circuits have evolved to accommodate similar information processing challenges as those faced by engineered systems. Here, we compare neural versus engineering strategies for constructing networks. During circuit development, synapses are overproduced and then pruned back over time, whereas in engineered networks, connections are initially sparse and are then added over time. We provide a computational perspective on these two different approaches, including discussion of how and why they are used, insights that one can provide the other, and areas for future joint investigation. By thinking algorithmically about the goals, constraints, and optimization principles used by neural circuits, we can develop brain-derived strategies for enhancing network design, while also stimulating experimental hypotheses about circuit development and function.