cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using the Internet to Conduct Nutrition Survey Research

Abstract Survey research is a valuable tool to gather information from select populations. The Internet is a feasible and cost-saving medium to conduct such research. The University of Minnesota Cyberspace Cohort Study estimates that providing its survey on the Internet will save over $100,000 in printing, mailing and data entry costs. This session will present the components essential to conduct small- or large-scale surveys on the Web: 1) Designing the survey, using specialized commercial Web authoring programs or Hypertext Markup Language (HTML); 2) Incorporating syntax into survey text to allow automatic transfer of participants' responses to a statistics program; 3) Preparing the statistical analysis package to directly accept submitted data; 4) Maintaining control over who responds to the survey; and, 5) Maintaining confidentiality of submitted responses. When designing a Web-based survey, the researcher should work with computer support personnel to insure that the project is feasible at one's institution, and that the data will be translated appropriately into a statistical analysis package. Pilot testing is critical, especially by people outside of the researcher's computer network. All components (mass e-mail, study information, maintenance of control of both who participates and confidentiality of response, the survey itself, notification of receipt of response, translation into statistical package, and data analysis) must work perfectly on any network. A significant amount of time and attention to detail is required to design an effective survey administered through the Internet, even more so than via the paper and pencil route. However, once the skill has been attained, future surveys, local or national, that can be administered on the Web, will require limited time and money.
Voltammetric measurement of anion adsorption on Ag(111)

Abstract Voltammetric measurement of the oxidative adsorption of 14 anions at Ag(111) is reported. The Ag(111) electrodes are prepared by thermal deposition of Ag onto mica, followed by extensive thermal annealing in vacuum to produce clean, atomically-smooth, (111)-oriented surfaces. These electrodes display unusually well-resolved voltammetric responses towards anion adsorption. Typical cyclic voltammetric responses in aqueous solutions containing halides (F−, Cl−, Br−, I−), hydrosulfide and thiolates (CnH2n+1S−, n=0, 2, 6), and oxyanions (OH−, CO3−2, C2H3O2−, SO4−2, NO3−, H2PO4−, B4O7−2) are presented and discussed in relation to previously published reports documenting anion adsorption at Ag(111).
The stress response in headache sufferers: Physiological and psychological reactivity

When examining headache sufferers' reactivity to stress, few studies attend to differing characteristics of the environment. In this study, we evaluated the influence of the clarity/ambiguity and positive/negative valence of an event on subjects' physiological and psychological reactivity. Migraine (n = 30), tension (n = 39), and control (n = 35) subjects participated in a laboratory experience in which they had to practice and then deliver a news story to a videocamera (similar to a newscaster on television). During this experience, they received performance feedback and were instructed to try to use the information to improve their performance. In reality, this feedback was noncontingent, with subjects semirandomly assigned to either a positive, negative, or ambiguous feedback condition. Physiological and psychological measures were collected prior to this experience, during an anticipation or practice period prior to the newscast, and during a recovery period following the delivery of the news story. Results suggested that tension subjects might not attend to information from their environment when assessing, responding, or reevaluating potentially stressful events: relying instead on more global beliefs or attributions. Results also indicated that migraine might be associated with a prolonged cardiovascular response (i.e., delayed recovery) following a stressful experience.
Some ion probe mass spectrometer observations of nickel activated recrystallization of doped tungsten and TZM

The study was initiated to utilize the elemental imaging capabilities of a secondary ion mass spectrometer to help elucidate the chemically activated recrystallization mechanisms.
Reduced short-term thermic effects of a meal in obese adolescent girls

Post-meal energy expenditure (TEM) was compared for 14 healthy obese (body fat = 45.3%, body mass index, BMI = 35.9 kg m−2) and 9 healthy nonobese (body fat = 20.7010, BMI = 17.8 kg M−2) adolescent girls. The test meal for both groups was a standard 3348.8-kJ, 0.473-1 chocolate milkshake of 15010 protein (casein), 40% fat (polyunsaturated/saturated ratio = 0.05; 75 mg cholesterol) and 45010 carbohydrate (lactose and sucrose). Glucose, insulin and resting energy expenditure (RMR) were measured at rest prior to meal consumption and 20, 40, 60, 90, and 120 min after the meal. Cumulative net TEM was calculated as the integrated area under the TEM curve with RMR as baseline. Reliability was assessed by retesting 4 subjects, and a placebo effect was tested by administering a flavored energy-free drink. Results indicated high reliability and no placebo effect. The meal resulted in a greater rise in insulin and glucose for the obese compared to the nonobese subjects (P⩽;0.05), and a significant TEM for both groups (P⩽0.05). The cumulative TEM (W kg−1) was 61.9% greater for the nonobese (P< 0.01) when expressed relative to body mass, and 33.2010 greater for the nonobese (P⩽0.01) when expressed relative to the fat-free body mass. Expressed relative to the meal, the TEM was 25.5% less for the obese (P<0.01). The data support an energy conservation hypothesis for obese female adolescents.
Detection of air microbubbles in the internal jugular vein after intravenous injection of contrast agent for the diagnosis of patent foramen ovale.

The use of agitated air and saline, injected intravenously, combined with monitoring of the middle cerebral artery using transcranial Doppler sonography, is an effective method for detecting paradoxic cerebral embolism caused by right-to-left intracardiac shunting. This technique is particularly useful in patients with a patent foramen ovale. In patients without temporal acoustic windows, the method can be modified by using sonographic monitoring of the common carotid artery. Observation of saline-contrast microbubbles in the internal jugular vein during this procedure suggests incompetence of the ipsilateral internal jugular valve. This noninvasive method may thus be useful for studying the competence of the internal jugular valve.
Influence of Wood Hardness on Feeding by the Eastern Subterranean Termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitadae)

Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) fed on diffuse porous hardwoods in inverse proportion to their hardness, as measured on the lateral surface. A similar relationship was found between weight loss due to termite feeding and specific gravity of the wood. These results held for one-species tests as well as paired-species tests.
Forecasting using the trend model with autoregressive errors

Abstract This paper is concerned with forecasting time series generated by the linear trend model with autoregressive errors, allowing for a possible unit root (UR). Time series of this sort play an important role in economics, particularly macroeconomics. We consider a variety of estimators of the model and use simulation methods to compare the forecast errors that result from applying each of these estimators. Our main conclusion is that no single estimation procedure emerges as a dominant procedure, but we are able to provide some potentially useful results regarding the circumstances under which certain estimation procedures work better than the alternatives. We then apply the estimators to produce real time, out-of-sample forecasts of six macroeconomic time series. In these applications, the Roy–Fuller bias-corrected Prais–Winsten (PW) estimator emerges as the best procedure in five of the six cases.
Seasonal changes in the isotopic composition of planktonic foraminifera collected in Panama Basin sediment traps

Abstract Isotopic analyses have been made on five species of planktonic foraminifera collected in two deployments of PARFLUX Mark II time-series sediment traps in the Panama Basin. The automated sampling system on the traps provided 4 one-month samples from 29 July to 16 November 1979 and 6 two-month samples from December 1979 to November 1980. The δ18O values of Globigerinoides ruber and Globigerinoides sacculifer in this region are primarily affected by a low-salinity surface layer that forms during the early winter. These species each show a 1‰ total range in δ18O. The δ18O values of the colder-water species Globorotalia menardii, Neogloboquadrina dutertrei, and Globorotalia theyeri show smaller seasonal changes in δ18O. The δ13C values of G. ruber and G. sacculifer exhibit small seasonal changes (0.35 and 0.4‰ respectively) despite large seasonal changes in surface water productivity. The colder-water species exhibit only slightly larger changes in δ13C (up to 0.55‰) throughout the year. All colder-water species exhibit minimum or near minimum δ13C values during February and March, which is the period of maximum upwelling and primary productivity. Seasonal variations in the flux of foraminifera in the water column at this location will have only a small effect on the isotopic composition of the sediment assemblage; extreme values of δ18O and δ13C do not occur during the periods which are associated with the high flux of foraminiferal tests.
Technology hype versus enduring uses: A longitudinal study of Internet use among early adopters in an African city

This paper considers a set of early adopters of the Internet first encountered by the author in the Internet cafes of Accra, Ghana. The analysis draws from long–term ethnographic research and paired interviews with key informants separated by a six–year interval to identify and explain different trajectories of changing use of the Internet over time. Changes in use followed one of three general patterns: (1) intensification, (2) reorientation, or (3) discontinuance. These changes were linked to the life circumstances of individual users, their immediate social context of use, as well as broader societal shifts in the perception of the Internet in Ghana. This article critiques an implicit theory of technology in society in socio–economic development work targeting low–income countries like Ghana by showing how assessments of technology’s efficacy by users are culturally shaped and prone to change over time.
Before the Wall Came Tumbling Down: Urban Planning Paradigm Shifts in a Divided Berlin

Urban planning is conventionally considered to be strongly influenced by the governmental organization and political system within which it operates. Therefore, one would assume that shifts in planning paradigms would spring forth from these areas. Berlin during the years of division (1945–1989) provides a good opportunity for testing this assumption because the diametrically opposed forms of government would have yielded different urban planning outcomes.This study presents preliminary evidence from six public housing projects that throws these assumptions into question. The findings presented here suggest that planning paradigm shifts are more closely related to factors that are external to governance, such as economic prosperity and social unrest.
Electron microscope studies on Leucothrix mucor

Electron microscopic studies of thin sections of filaments, knots, resettes, gonidia, and gonidial-forming filaments of Leucothrix mucor were carried out. The cell wall is typical of gram-negative bacteria, with a double outer layer of variable thickness, a single thin middle layer which is probably peptidoglycan, and a double inner layer which is the cell membrane. The transverse septa of these filaments show two peptidoglycan layers, and no clearly demarked outer layer. During gonidial formation, there is a gradual rounding up of the cells, and the transverse septa become part of the gonidial wall. The cell membrane contains many invaginations, both along the outer wall and along the transverse septa. Thin sections through rosettes show the holdfast as material which is a heavily-staining amorphous material peripheral to the outer wall layer. Sections through knots show highly contorted cell walls, closely appressed. Fibrillar nuclear material, ribosomes, and storage granules can be seen within the cytoplasmic matrix.
Dynamic Stability of an Impact System Connected With Rock Drilling

A THEORETICAL ANALYSIS WAS CONDUCTED OF A SIMPLE MODEL OF ROCK DRILLING BY REPETITIVE CHISEL IMPACT. EQUATIONS ARE DERIVED AND SYNCHRONOUS AND NONSYNCHRONOUS SOLUTIONS OBTAINED. SOLUTIONS ARE EXAMINED FOR ASYMPTOTIC STABILITY, AND REGIONS OF STABILITY ARE DETERMINED. RESULTS ARE VERIFIED BY DIGITAL COMPUTER SIMULATION. THE REVIEWER BELIEVES WORK TO BE SIGNIFICANT IN THE AREA OF ROCK DRILLING, BUT UNFORTUNATELY NO INTERPRETATION OF THE RESULTS IS GIVEN. /AMR/
The Determination of Analgetic Potency by a Quantal Method

A modification of the Hardy-Wolff-Goodell radiant-heat method into a quantal procedure is described. Patterned after ED50 bioassays, this modification determines the fifty per cent analgesic dose (AD50) of an analgetic when groups of white rats are exposed forty minutes after treatment with the analgetic to a selected stimulus (320 millicalories/sec./cm.2) for the standard period of three seconds. Analgesic potency is measured by comaring the AD50 of an analgetic with the AD50 of morphine. The method is rapid and convenient and appears to be well suited for the screening and evaluation of analgetics.
Light Weight Background Blurring for Video Conferencing Applications

Background blurring is an effective way to both preserving privacy and keeping communication effective during video conferencing. This paper proposes a light weight real-time algorithm to perform background blurring using a fast background modeling algorithm combined with a face detector/tracker. A soft decision is made at each pixel whether it belongs to the foreground or the background based on multiple vision features. The classification results are mapped to a per-pixel blurring radius image to blur the background. The algorithm produces satisfactory results under a wide range of conditions, and occupies less than 30% of the CPU cycles on a 3 GHz Pentium 4 machine without further optimization.
Cuticular Hydrocarbon Geographic Variation Among Seven North American Populations of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Cuticular hydrocarbons were used to differentiate among the following North American populations of Aedes albopictus: Chicago, Ill.; Milford, Del.; Jacksonville, Fla.; San Antonio, Tex.; New Orleans, La.; Houston, Tex.; and Lexington, Ky. Forty cuticular hydrocarbon peaks were identified from each population using gas chromatography electron impact-mass spectrometry: 16 n-alkanes, 21 monomethylalkanes, and 3 dimethylalkanes. Fourteen peaks occurred at equivalent chain lengths greater than 38.65 and consisted of complex mixtures of dimethyl- and trimethylalkanes. Quantitative analyses were performed on pooled samples of five females from each population using flame ionization gas chromatography. All populations contained the same cuticular hydrocarbons, but showed differences in percent composition. Five of seven populations were separable by discriminant analysis of hydrocarbon components.
Quality assurance in computer simulations of groundwater contamination

Abstract In the development of policies and regulations for groundwater protection, in permitting, and in planning monitoring and remedial actions, the role of mathematical models is growing rapidly. Because water-resource management decisions should be based on technically and scientifically sound methods, quality assurance (QA) needs to be applied to groundwater modeling, both in model development and field studies, and should also play an important part in model selection. Important aspects of QA in groundwater model development are peer review, and verification and validation of the computer code and its underlying theoretical principles. This paper discusses the role of review and testing as part of an overall QA approach, and addresses QA in model selection and field application.
A Berry-Esseen theorem for the kernel quantile estimator with application to studying the deficiency of quantile estimators

A Berry-Esseen bound is established for the kernel quantile estimator under various conditions. The results improve an earlier result of Falk (1985,Ann. Statist.,13, 428–433) and rely on the local smoothness of the quantile function. This new Berry-Esseen bound is applied to studying the deficiency of the sample quantile estimator with respect to the kernel quantile estimator. A new result is obtained which is an extension of that in Falk (1985).
The requirements discovery process

Cost and schedule overruns are often caused by poor requirements that are produced by people who do not understand the requirement process. This paper provides a high-level overview of the requirements discovery process.
Oxygen -assisted cross-coupling of methanol with alkyl alcohols on metallic gold

We demonstrate for the first time that selective cross-coupling of methanol with either ethanol or n-butanol occurs below room temperature on metallic gold with no metal oxide support in a reaction sequence that occurs entirely on the surface. The esterification proceeds via activation of the alcohols by adsorbed oxygen and a sequence of reactions that involve both surface-bound alkoxys and hemiacetals as intermediates. The reaction selectivity is dictated by competing β-hydride elimination from the alkoxys. Due to the higher activation energy for β-hydride elimination from methoxy, no formate esters are formed. A molecular-scale mechanism constructed using our results is in excellent agreement with studies of heterogeneous catalysts, providing insight into selectivity control under a broad range of conditions.
Quantum simulation of a three-body-interaction Hamiltonian on an NMR quantum computer

Extensions of average Hamiltonian theory to quantum computation permit the design of arbitrary Hamiltonians, allowing rotations throughout a large Hilbert space. In this way, the kinematics and dynamics of any quantum system may be simulated by a quantum computer. A basis mapping between the systems dictates the average Hamiltonian in the quantum computer needed to implement the desired Hamiltonian in the simulated system. The flexibility of the procedure is illustrated with NMR on {sup 13}C labeled alanine by creating the nonphysical Hamiltonian {sigma}{sub z}{sigma}{sub z}{sigma}{sub z} corresponding to a three-body interaction. (c) 1999 The American Physical Society.
Casimir effect in source theory II

Another derivation is presented, one that emphasizes the physical normalization conditions, and employs a mathematical property of a theta function that originated with S. D. Poisson.
Stability and enzyme separation: Integral representation of the solutions

Two enzymes, cross-coupled through their respective products, are membrane-bound and thereby separated from each other. The cross-coupling is of opposite character and diffusion limited, i.e. an activation-inhibition couple with a diffusion-induced time-lag. In this paper an integral representation for the solutions of the dynamic equations is developed using the Green's function technique, and an application to morphological changes in the mitochrondrion is discussed.
Data management for high energy physics experiments — Preliminary proposals☆

Abstract Currently HEP experimental data are reduced as they become available. We propose instead a “demand driven” approach to data analysis. Full analysis will be performed only as needed, in response to user queries which specify the subset of events for which reduced data is needed. To support this approach we propose to partition the datasets on the cross product of several trigger inputs, instead of storing the data in chronological order. Queries will be automatically decomposed into a set of requests against several partitions. Indexing, physically clustering the data on the logical partitions, and caching of partitions will be employed for efficiency.
Malaria: The gorilla connection

Plasmodium falciparum is the agent of the deadliest form of human malaria. A survey of Plasmodium diversity in African apes reveals that western gorillas are the reservoir species for this parasite. See Article p. 420 The evolutionary origin of Plasmodium falciparum, the most prevalent and lethal of the malaria parasites infecting humans, is much debated. Genetic analysis of thousands of fecal samples from wild-living African apes show that the parasites found in the western gorillas — rather than those of chimpanzees or bonobos — are most closely related to the human parasite. The data suggest that all extant human strains of the parasite evolved from a single host transfer event. The new findings are also relevant to the current antimalaria campaign, as they point to potential Plasmodium reservoirs in apes.
Optical Spatially Quantized High Performance Analog-to-digital Conversion

We present an optical spatial quantized analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and experimentally demonstrate 8-level quantization consuming only 7.2 pJ per quantization operation. Measured 8 ps full-width half-maximum photodetector outputs, promises the potential of realizing a 3 bit 125 GS/s ADC.
Photonic density of states in hyperbolic metamaterials with finite feature sizes

We investigate the photonic density of states (PDOS) in indefinite dielectric media metamaterials and specifically in hyperbolic metamaterials (HMMs) taking into account the finite feature sizes of the subwavelength pattern or meta-atoms in those metamaterials. While the PDOS for an ideal and homogeneous HMM diverges, the finite feature sizes imposed by practical constraints limits the highest k vector length k max , which in turn makes the PDOS finite. We derive expressions for the finite PDOS in relation to the smallest feature sizes of the metamaterials. We also discuss the modification to black body radiation in an indefinite medium, which is remarkably different from that in free space since it is largely polarized.
Treatment of Wilms' tumor and factors affecting prognosis.

Forty-nine cases of Wilms' tumor treated at the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology and Children's Hospital, Washington University Medical Center, between 1950 and December 1969, were retrospectively analyzed. The most important prognostic factors were the anatomical stage of the tumor and some pathologic findings such as invasion of the renal capsule, the renal vein or inferior vena cava, and metastases to the regional lymph nodes or to other organs. A histopathologic classification based on differentiation of the tumor is presented and correlated with cure rates. Stage I lesions had a very good prognosis (85% 3-year survival NED), even without high-dose irradiation or prolonged chemotherapy. Triple therapy, involving nephrectomy, irradiation, and prolonged chemotherapy yielded a 55% survival rate in patients with Stage II and 30% in Stage IV (patients with pulmonary metastases). Stage III tumors showed an unsatisfactory response to this comprehensive approach. Patients with bilateral tumors are potentially curable if aggresively treated. From this study it can be concluded that: 1. thorough analysis of the clinical and pathologic characteristics of the tumor should be made in every case and management should be individualized, to avoid excessive treatment in early lesions with favorable prognosis, and 2. carefully administered postoperative irradiation and prolonged chemotherapy may improve the poor results in extensive lesions, even in the presence of distant metastases, with relatively minor sequelae in the surviving children. The late effects of vigorous and prolonged chemotherapy on the bone marrow, the immunologic surveillance system, and the germinal cells of the gonads as well as the repercussion on normal growth of these children remain to be evaluated.
The effects of lesions of the entorhinal cortex and the horizontal nucleus of the diagonal band of broca upon performance of a spatial location recognition task

The effects of lesions of the horizontal nucleus of the diagonal band of Broca (HNDB) and the entorhinal cortex (ENTO) upon performance of a spatial location recognition task were assessed. Two hypotheses of entorhinal cortex function were considered in interpretation of the data. The first hypothesis assumes that the anatomical proximity and interconnections between the hippocampus and the entorhinal cortex are indicative of a functional similarity. The second hypothesis recognizes the interconnections of the hippocampus and the entorhinal cortex, but posits that the two structures have distinct functions. The hippocampus receives input primarily from the medial septum (MS), whereas the entorhinal cortex receives input from the HNDB and the MS. The study attempted to assess the function of the ENTO and the HNDB in a spatial location recognition task with the intent of comparing the findings to previous research of the hippocampus and MS. Performance of animals with HNDB lesions and the ENTO lesions was at chance levels for all serial positions. Results indicated that there are functional differences between the HNDB and other basal forebrain structures. Further, the performance deficit of the ENTO group does not differ from that observed following lesions of the hippocampus.
Glucose variability is associated with high mortality after severe burn.

Background:Hyperglycemia is associated with increased mortality in the severely injured; intensive insulin protocols reduce mortality, improve wound healing, and decrease susceptibility to infection. High glucose variability creates challenges to glycemic control and may be a marker of poor outcome.
Surface melting of multilayer oxygen films on graphite studied by neutron diffraction.

The results of a neutron-diffraction study of the melting properties of multilayer oxygen films are presented. The experiments have been carried out between 30 and 55 K on films ranging from 2 to 8 layers in thickness. A compound solid-liquid film is observed in the range 40--48 K. This composite film results from surface melting of the solid film phase which is present at 40 K. The thickness of its melted component is proportional to ln(${T}_{t}$-T), where ${T}_{t}$ is the melting temperature of bulk oxygen. The structure of its solid component is nearly identical to that of the bulk \ensuremath{\beta} phase. The data suggest that multiple wetting transitions may be present in this system.
Case study to examine the adequacy of symptom-oriented guidelines for pressurized water reactor nuclear power plants subject to a severe earthquake

Abstract Recent probabilistic risk assessment studies indicate that potential accidents initiated by large earthquakes are among the major contributors to public risk from nuclear power plants. During a severe earthquake, the symptoms presented to operators may be unreliabl and may endanger the validity of actions in Emergency Response Guidelines (ERGs). The objective of the present study is to improve the operator capability of responding to seismic damage through the use of ERGs. The methods used are to deterministically identify possible weaknesses of ERGs, given a severe earthquake, and to probabilistically evaluate these identified weaknesses. Several cases are postulated. Each of them contains system failures with or without indicator failures and leads the core to meltdown conditions if the operator follows the ERGs strictly, without any deviation. The likelihood of each case is estimated. Seven cases are examined and some possible remedies for each case are discussed. The likelihood of most cases is estimated to be non-negligible. The identified indicator failures should be considered in future refinement of the ERGs.
Flare activity, sunspot motions, and the evolution of vector magnetic fields in Hale region 17244

The magnetic and dynamical circumstances leading to the 1B/M4 flare of November 5, 1980 are studied, and a strong association is found between the buildup of magnetic shear and the onset of flare activity within the active region. The development of shear, as observed directly in vector magnetograms, is consistent in detail with the dynamical history of the active region and identifies the precise location of the optical and hard-X-ray kernels of the flare emission.
Diameter of haemoglobin S fibres in sickled cells

SICKLE-CELL disease is a manifestation of the assembly of the Hb S variant of human haemoglobin into fibres that alter erythrocyte morphology. Recent studies have focused on two distinct forms of the fibres—a 6-stranded form composed of stacked rings of six Hb S molecules1,2 and a more complex form3–5 which we have recently studied by three-dimensional image reconstruction6: this revealed a 14-stranded structure composed of 4 inner and 10 outer strands in an arrangement with hexagonal packing that produces an elliptical cross-section. A critical issue is the question of the predominant form of the fibres in sickled cells. In commenting on our paper describing the 14-stranded structure, Finch7 focused on the diameter of the fibres observed in sectioned sickled cells and the relationship of this parameter to the diameters observed in negatively stained preparations of isolated 6-stranded and 14-stranded fibres. He concluded that the 6-stranded fibres, with diameters of 16–18 nm (refs 1, 2), were more consistent in size with the diameter of fibres found in sectioned sickled cells. However, this conclusion was based on limited data for sectioned sickled cells and an apparent over-estimation of the diameter for the 14-stranded fibres. We have recently completed extensive measurements on the diameter of fibres in sectioned sickled cells based on centre-to-centre distances between fibres in bundles as well as measurements on the diameter of the 14-stranded fibres in negatively stained preparations that are corrected for flattening. Measurements have also been made on the centre-to-centre distance of fibres in bundles from stirred haemolysates5,8. The results of these measurements are reported here and indicate an agreement in the average diameter observed for the fibres in sickled cells and negatively stained 14-stranded fibres, with values in the range of 20–22 nm obtained in both cases. An average diameter in this range is also found for the fibres in the bundles from stirred haemolysates.
The role of mechanical twinning on microcrack nucleation and crack propagation in a near-γ TiAl alloy

Abstract The role of mechanical twinning on microcrack nucleation and crack propagation in a near-γ TiAl alloy was investigated in 4-point bend specimens using selected area channeling patterns and electron channeling contrast imaging to obtain the true crystal orientation image crystal defects. Two types of bend specimens were used, a conventional specimen that was deformed to a surface strain of about 1.4%, but not fractured, and a bi-layer notched specimen with an aluminum backing that prevented catastrophic fracture so that crack arrest features could be examined. Most grains showed activity of 1–4 twinning systems, and their activity correlated closely with the Schmid factor. Grain boundary microcracks were most frequently found where twins interacted with the grain boundary, and crystallographic analysis indicated that the twinning shear caused these cracks to open. In the crack growth specimen, extensive twinning and dislocation activity occurred in the grain with the arrested crack tip, but with continued straining, these same twins caused grain boundary microcracks to form and link-up to form full intergranular cracks, resulting in renucleation of the primary failure crack.
An Application of Decision Theory to a Medical Diagnosis-Treatment Problem

The decision faced by a physician when confronted by a patient with an undetermined disease may be simply stated as: "What course of action, in the form of diagnostic tests and/or treatments, should be taken?" In most cases, this problem can be characterized as a sequential decision under uncertainty. Since this is a class of problems for which decision theory has proved a useful tool, it appears fruitful to attempt to apply it to the physician's problem. In this paper, this possibility is explored by describing the application of decision theoretic techniques to a specific case. We first comment on why we believe the proposed model is more appropriate than other methods of treating the problem. Then the proposed model is briefly described in the abstract. The main body of the paper describes a specific problem and its solution by decision theoretic techniques. In the final section, some of the shortcomings of the particular analysis and some of the problems that might be encountered in a more general setting are pointed out.
Solid-Solid and Solid-Fluid Phase Transitions in Terms of the Lattice Model

The order-disorder theory of a classical lattice model is used to obtain both the solid-solid phase transition and fluid-solid phase transition in a single system. In this model, the range of the interatomic potential is extended up to the fourth-neighbor distance. If the potential is suitably chosen, it is shown that the phase transitions between the bcc solid and fcc solid, between the bcc solid and fluid, and between the fcc solid and fluid occur within the Bragg-Williams approximation. The results are shown by the phase diagrams.
New evidence that AV node slow pathway conduction directly influences fast pathway function

Interaction Between the Slow and Fast Pathway. Introduction: Shortening of the AV node fast pathway effective refractory period (ERP) following successful slow pathway ablation may be a nonspecific effect of energy application at the AV junction or may be due to elimination of a direct effect of slow pathway conduction on the fast pathway. Methods and Results: Twenty-six consecutive patients (20 women and 6 men; mean age 45 ± 3 years) with typical AV nodal reentrant tachycardia who underwent successful slow pathway ablation (defined as complete elimination of dual AV node physiology) were studied. The fast pathway ERP (at a drive train cycle length of 600 msec) was determined prior to ablation (baseline) and following unsuccessful and successful ablation attempts. Successful slow pathway ablation shortened the fast pathway ERP significantly (317 ± 9 msec; P < 0.001) compared to baseline (386 ± 12 msec), whereas unsuccessful ablations bad no effect (376 ± 11 msec). Sinus cycle length, the AH interval, and blood pressure were unchanged following successful ablation. Shortening of the fast pathway ERP did not correlate with the number of energy applications or with two measures of the proximity between the slow and the fast pathway. Conclusion: These results support the hypothesis that shortening of the fast pathway ERP following slow pathway ablation is due to elimination of a direct effect of slow pathway conduction on fast pathway function rather than a nonspecific effect of repeated energy delivery at the AV junction.
Nonprofit organizations and their local affiliates: A study in organizational forms

Abstract Growth in the nonprofit sector typically occurs through a system of franchises. This paper explores the factors which encourage franchising in the sector. Data are analyzed from a survey by the author which suggest that the choice by nonprofits of the franchise versus branch office form is consistent with the predictions made by agency theory. Mechanisms used by nonprofit franchises to enhance intra-organizational coordination are also explored.
Older adults' medication management in the home: how can robots help?

Successful management of medications is critical to maintaining healthy and independent living for older adults. However, medication non-adherence is a common problem with a high risk for severe consequences [5], which can jeopardize older adults' chances to age in place [1]. Well-designed robots assisting with medication management tasks could support older adults' independence. Design of successful robots will be enhanced through understanding concerns, attitudes, and preferences for medication assistance tasks. We assessed older adults' reactions to medication hand-off from a mobile manipulator with 12 participants (68-79 years). We identified factors that affected their attitudes toward a mobile manipulator for supporting general medication management tasks in the home. The older adults were open to robot assistance; however, their preferences varied depending on the nature of the medication management task. For instance, they preferred a robot (over a human) to remind them to take medications, but preferred human assistance for deciding what medication to take and for administering the medication. Factors such as perceptions of one's own capability and robot reliability ifluenced their attitudes.
A Letter from the Editor

It is with great excitement that I begin my term as Editor of Manufacturing & Service Operations Management (M&SOM). Under the leadership of the founding editor, Professor Leroy Schwarz, and of my predecessor, Professor Garrett van Ryzin, M&SOM has established itself as the flagship journal of operations management by attracting papers from the world’s leading researchers and publishing pathbreaking manuscripts in operations management. It is my goal to build upon these considerable achievements. In this article, I detail what remains the same with the journal and what changes I plan to implement to move the journal forward. For just the highlights, skip to the summary section.
Competing memes propagation on networks: a case study of composite networks

If a false rumor propagates via Twitter, while the truth propagates between friends in Facebook, which one will prevail? This question captures the essence of the problem we address here. We study the intertwined propagation of two competing "memes" (or viruses, rumors, products etc.) in a composite network. A key novelty is the use of a composite network, which in its simplest model is defined as a single set of nodes with two distinct types of edges interconnecting them. Each meme spreads across the composite network in accordance to an SIS-like propagation model (a flu-like infection-recovery). To study the epidemic behavior of our system, we formulate it as a non-linear dynamic system (NLDS). We develop a metric for each meme that is based on the eigenvalue of an appropriately constructed matrix and argue that this metric plays a key role in determining the "winning" meme. First, we prove that our metric determines the tipping point at which both memes become extinct eventually. Second, we conjecture that the meme with the strongest metric will most likely prevail over the other, and we show evidence of that via simulations in both real and synthetic composite networks. Our work is among the first to study the interplay between two competing memes in composite networks.
The Checklist paradigm based non-commutative interval systems of Early Zadeh with their crispness and fuzziness

Five logic systems based on the Checklist paradigm by Bandler and Kohout investigated the systems of connectives that can be generated from the intervals of implication operator by means of group transformations. This paper further studies the relationships of their several fuzzy interval logic systems; in particular, the non-commutative system of Early Zadeh and its relationship with Kleene-Dienes and with the crispness/fuzziness of left/right proposition (i.e. a or b) by means of group transformation. The crispness and fuzziness of propositions play an important role in expressing the dependencies between the logic systems.
Kalman Filtering With Intermittent Observations: Convergence for Semi-Markov Chains and an Intrinsic Performance Measure

This technical note shows that the stationary distribution for the covariance of Kalman filtering with intermittent observations exists under mild conditions for a very general class of packet dropping models (semi-Markov chain). These results are proved using the geometric properties of Riccati recursions with respect to a particular Riemannian distance. Moreover, the Riemannian mean induced by that distance is always bounded, therefore it can be used for characterizing the performance of the system for regimes where the moments of the covariance do not exist. Other interesting properties of that mean include the symmetry between covariance and information matrices (averaging covariances or their inverse gives the same result), and its interpretation in information geometry as the “natural” mean for the manifold of Gaussian distributions.
Directional decisions during neutrophil chemotaxis inside bifurcating channels

The directional migration of human neutrophils in classical chemotaxis assays is often described as a “biased random walk” implying significant randomness in speed and directionality. However, these experiments are inconsistent with in vivo observations, where neutrophils can navigate effectively through complex tissue microenvironments towards their targets. Here, we demonstrate a novel biomimetic assay for neutrophil chemotaxis using enclosed microfluidic channels. Remarkably, under these enclosed conditions, neutrophils recapitulate the highly robust and efficient navigation observed in vivo. In straight channels, neutrophils undergo sustained, unidirectional motion towards a chemoattractant source. In more complex maze-like geometries, neutrophils are able to select the most direct route over 90% of the time. Finally, at symmetric bifurcations, neutrophils split their leading edge into two sections and a “tug of war” ensues. The competition between the two new leading edges is ultimately resolved by stochastic, symmetry-breaking behavior. This behavior is suggestive of directional decision-making localized at the leading edge and a signaling role played by the cellular cytoskeleton.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis:: A Review for the Pediatrician

1. Ellen A. Goldmuntz, MD, PhD* 2. Patience H. White, MD* 1. *Children’s National Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common rheumatic disease of childhood. It also is one of the more common chronic diseases of childhood, occurring as frequently as juvenile diabetes mellitus, four times more frequently than cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia, and 10 times more frequently than acute lymphoblastic leukemia, hemophilia, or muscular dystrophy. JIA is a new classification of juvenile arthritis developed by the International League Against Rheumatism (ILAR) that is used worldwide; it is replacing the previous American classification of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). The cause of JIA is unknown, but substantial evidence suggests that the pathogenesis is autoimmune. The diagnosis of JIA is one of exclusion and is made by using a combination of historical, clinical, and laboratory data. The disease course is highly variable, and in the past, JIA had been viewed as a more benign illness than is recognized currently. Recent data reveal that a substantial number of children diagnosed with JIA have active disease that persists into adulthood and results in functional limitation. Thus, the management of JIA has become more aggressive earlier in the course of disease to limit permanent disability. JIA is defined as the presence of objective signs of arthritis in at least one joint for more than 6 weeks in a child younger than age 16 years after other types of childhood arthritis have been excluded. Arthritis is defined as the presence of swelling of the joint or two or more of the following: limitation of motion, tenderness, pain with motion, or joint warmth. Many causes of arthritis must be excluded before JIA can be diagnosed definitively (Table 1). These causes include, but are not limited to, infectious and postinfectious etiologies (septic arthritis, acute rheumatic fever, Lyme disease), hematologic and neoplastic disease, connective tissue diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, juvenile …
Transfer of Class 1 Integron-Mediated Antibiotic Resistance Genes from Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli to a Susceptible E. coli K-12 Strain in Storm Water and Bovine Feces

Transfer of class 1 integron-mediated antibiotic resistance genes has been demonstrated under laboratory conditions. However, there is no information concerning the transfer of these genes in an agricultural environment. The present study sought to determine if integron-mediated streptomycin and sulfisoxazole resistance genes could be transferred from Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains 6-20 (O157:H7) and 7-63 (O111:H8) to the susceptible strain E. coli K-12 MG1655 in bovine feces (pH 5.5, 6.0, or 6.5) and storm water (pH 5, 6, 7, or 8) at 4, 15, and 28°C, which are average seasonal temperatures for winter, spring-fall, and summer, respectively, in the Griffin, GA, area. The results indicated that at 28°C, the integron-mediated antibiotic resistance genes were transferred from both of the STEC donors in bovine feces. Higher conjugation efficiencies were, however, observed in the conjugation experiments involving STEC strain 6-20. In storm water, the resistance genes were transferred only from STEC strain 6-20. Greater numbers of transconjugants were recovered in the conjugation experiments performed with pH 6.5 bovine feces and with pH 7 storm water. Antibiotic susceptibility tests confirmed the transfer of integron-mediated streptomycin resistance and sulfisoxazole resistance, as well as the transfer of non-integron-mediated oxytetracycline resistance and tetracycline resistance in the transconjugant cells. These results suggest that the antibiotic resistance genes in STEC could serve as a source of antibiotic resistance genes disseminated via conjugation to susceptible cells of other E. coli strains in an agricultural environment.
Successful external cardioversion of atrial fibrillation in patients referred to an electrophysiologist for internal cardioversion.

Background: Internal cardioversion of atrial fibrillation with direct current energy has become an increasingly employed technique for patients who fail external cardioversion. Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to determine whether internal cardioversion could be avoided by careful attention to cardioversion technique in a group of patients referred specifically for internal cardioversion after failed external cardioversion by community cardiologists. Methods: We performed external cardioversion utilizing two operators applying significant pressure to the thorax with up to 360 J prior to the planned internal cardioversion in 20 patients referred for internal cardioversion after failed attempts at external cardioversion. Results: Sixteen patients (80%) were successfully cardioverted and avoided the risk, inconvenience, and cost of internal cardioversion. Conclusion: External cardioversion with significant anterior paddle pressure by two operators can decrease the need for internal cardioversion in a significant portion of patients referred to electrophysiologists for internal cardioversion and should be considered prior to an invasive procedure.
A Psychoanalytic Critique of the Behavioral Contributions

An overview of the four behavioral therapy chapters indicates how far some present-day therapists have moved away from the original models of behavior therapy. All these authors emphasize the importance of the therapist-patient relationship; the search for particular meanings of the behavior in question; the concept of multiple determination of manifest behavior; the concept that there are “causes” that need to be discovered and understood; and the recognition that the manifest behavior of the patient in a therapeutic setting may be contradictory to his consciously avowed purpose in seeking help.