cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Phase Function Normalization Techniques for Radiative Transfer Analysis Using DOM

Five phase-function (PF) normalization techniques are compared using the discrete-ordinate method (DOM) for modeling diffuse radiation heat transfer in participating media. Both the mathematical formulation and the impact on the conservation of both scattered energy and PF asymmetry factor for both Henyey-Greenstein (HG) and Legendre PF distributions are presented for each technique. DOM radiation transfer predictions generated using the five normalization techniques are compared to high-order finite-volume method, to gauge their accuracy. The commonly implemented scattered energy averaging technique cannot correct asymmetry factor distortion after angular discretization, and thus large errors due to angular false scattering are prevalent. Another three simple techniques via correction of one or two terms in the PF are shown to reduce normalization complexity whilst retaining diffuse radiation computation accuracy for HG PFs. However, for Legendre PFs, such simple normalization is found to result in unphysical negative PF values at one or few correction directions. The relatively complex Hunter and Guo 2012 technique, in which normalization is realized through a correction matrix covering all discrete directions, is shown to be highly applicable for both PF types.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
State-of-the-art review: Active structural control in civil engineering

Abstract The objective of this paper is to provide a state-of-the-art assessment of active control research as applied to civil engineering structures. An attempt is made to present in with less specialized research content suitable for a more general readership. Recent activities in control algorithm development and control system design and practical aspects of their applications are summarized, followed by a discussion on possible future directions.
Practical frequency hopping sequence design for interference avoidance in 802.15.4e TSCH networks

As the popularity of wireless communication increases rapidly, the unlicensed Industrial Scientific and Medical (ISM) band becomes crowded. Interference avoidance thus becomes an important issue when designing wireless communication in the unlicensed ISM band. As shown in related works, channel hopping with blacklisting is a promising mechanism addressing interference in 802.15.4e time slotted channel hopping (TSCH) networks. However, the blacklisting mechanism changes the number of channels used, and thus requiring the frequency hopping sequence (FHS) be regenerated. A time-random channel selection mechanism avoids regeneration overhead; however, it breaks close-to-optimality property of the default FHSs, which in turns leads to high probability of interference. In this paper, we propose a new algorithm that generates FHSs in presence of interference without regeneration overhead, and at the same time maintains the optimality property. With the new proposed mechanism, we can generate FHSs with one designed original sequence. Analysis and simulation results show that optimal/near optimal properties are achieved by these new FHSs.
Deformation twinning as a mode of energy accommodation

The conditions necessary for mechanical twin nucleation are considered. It is concluded that a high elastic strain energy accumulation must precede twin nucleation, and that twin formation provides an efficient means of excess energy accommodation. It is suggested that the significance of the resolved shear stresses present is limited to the slip deformation, which must precede, accompany, and follow twin formation in real crystals. The resultant shear deformation is not inherent in twinning itself, but originates in the associated slip. In the absence of slip, in a perfect crystal, twins can form by atom shuffles requiring no overall shear.
Characterizing the preclinical stages of Alzheimer's disease and the prospect of presymptomatic intervention.

Studies of asymptomatic carriers of genes that are known to predispose to Alzheimer's disease (AD) have facilitated the characterization of preclinical AD. The most prevalent genetic risk factor is the e4 allele of apolipoprotein E (APOE). Neuropathological studies of young deceased e4 carriers have shown modest but abnormal amounts of neocortical amyloid and medial temporal neurofibrillary tangles that is also reflected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers, amyloid-β, and phospho-tau in particular. MRI studies have shown progressive hippocampal and gray matter atrophy with the advent of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and fluorodeoxyglucose PET scans show reduced cerebral metabolism in posterior cingulate and related AD regions evident even in 30 year olds. Cerebral amyloidosis disclosed by more recent amyloid ligand PET studies in asymptomatic 60 year olds increases in parallel with e4 gene dose. Longitudinal neuropsychological studies have revealed accelerated memory decline in e4 carriers beginning around age 55-60 years whose severity again parallels e4 gene dose. The clinico-pathological correlation of declining memory and AD-like neuropathological change defines preclinical AD and has set the stage for the accelerated evaluation of presymptomatic AD treatments. In this article, we briefly consider some of the earliest detectable changes associated with the predisposition to AD, and some of the prevention trial strategies that have been proposed to help find treatments to reduce the risk, postpone the onset of, or completely prevent AD symptoms as soon as possible.
Lipopolysaccharide Inhibits TNF-Induced Apoptosis: Role of Nuclear Factor-κB Activation and Reactive Oxygen Intermediates

LPS, a component of the cell wall in Gram-negative bacteria, induces inflammation and septic shock syndrome by stimulating various inflammatory cytokines including TNF. How LPS affects the TNF-mediated cellular responses, however, is not understood. In this study, the effect of LPS on TNF-mediated apoptosis in human histiocytic lymphoma U-937 cells was investigated. We found that treatment of cells with LPS completely abolished TNF-mediated cytotoxicity and activation of caspase-3. LPS-chelating antibiotic, polymyxin B, suppressed the antiapoptotic activity, indicating the specificity of the effect. Within minutes, LPS through CD14 induced the activation of NF-κB, degradation of IκBα (inhibitory subunit of NF-κB) and IκBβ, and nuclear translocation of p65. An antioxidant, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, which blocked LPS-induced NF-κB activation, also abolished the antiapoptotic effects of LPS at the same time. Besides TNF, the apoptosis induced by taxol and okadaic acid was also sensitive to LPS-induced NF-κB activation, whereas that induced by H2O2, doxorubicin, daunomycin, vincristine, and vinblastine was NF-κB insensitive. Tumor cells that constitutively expressed NF-κB also showed resistance to the apoptotic effects of TNF, taxol, and okadaic acid, but sensitivity to all other agents, indicating the critical role of NF-κB in blocking apoptosis induced by certain agents. Overall, these results indicate that LPS induces resistance to the apoptotic effects of TNF and other agents, and that NF-κB activation, whether induced or constitutive, inhibits this apoptosis.
Applications of the advanced FRP composites to restore and improve urban infrastructure

An engineering grand challenge, identified by the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), is to restore and improve urban infrastructure. It is widely known that the aging and failing urban infrastructure is a worldwide challenge. Most recently, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has assigned a grade of “D+” to the US infrastructure, across sixteen categories. ASCE estimates that it will cost each American family $31,00 annually in personal disposable income unless the backlog of projects and deferred maintenance are duly addressed nationwide. Engineers of 21st century will have the formidable challenge of restoring and improving infrastructure in view of limited resources and funding. Regarding the transportation systems, it has been recognized that innovative design and advanced materials can provide a more sustainable solution. In this paper, the application of the advanced fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite, a novel construction material—christened the material of 21st century—will be...
Evolution: Shifting Balance Theory

The shifting balance is an evolutionary process by which: 1) Drift and selection in small populations drive among-population epistatic differentiation. 2) The epistatic combinations differ in fitness, and their mean fitnesses are dependent on the joint frequencies of the various epistatic combinations. 3) Epistatic differentiation among populations drives among-population selection when migration levels depend on population mean fitness. This leads to the replacement of the ancestral epistatic combination throughout the metapopulation, under some circumstances. Keywords: epistasis; adaptive topography; fitness surface; peak shift; random genetic drift
Evaluation of alternative manufacturing equipment implementation strategies

Summary form only given. A methodology for examining the economic effects of various flexible manufacturing system configurations and implementation schedules has been developed. The methodology is illustrated through the use of a manufacturing area which is subject to variability to product types and machining times while operating in a growth environment. Questions concerning current and future capital expenditures have been considered in the context of future operations being dependent on present decisions. Various implementation schedules and their effects on production costs have been investigated for a product demand growth situation, and a variety of sensitivity analyses have been carried out. >
Disruption of Pheromone Communication in the Angoumois Grain Moth with Synthetic Female Sex Pheromone

Mating of Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) was disrupted by the synthetic sex pheromone, ( Z,E )-7,11-hexadecadien-1-ol acetate, in 3 different enclosed environments. The effectiveness of the pheromone as a disruptant depended on both population and dose. Higher doses were more effective than lower doses over a range of population densities, and all doses were most disruptive at low population densities.
A new highly reactive aluminum hydroxide complex for gastric hyperacidity II. In vitro buffering range and duration of action

A new, highly reactive polymeric aluminum hydroxide hexitol complex has been developed and incorporated into an antacid tablet. When tested in comparison with a liquid aluminum hydroxide gel of proved clinical effectiveness, the new Creamalin tablet has an almost identical duration of action and buffering range. When tested in comparison with ten leading aluminum hydroxide tablets using an in vitro method recognized as having good correlation with in vivo experience, the new Creamalin tablet exerts its buffering activity in the optimal range for much longer periods than the others. Effective antacid therapy has been defined as the elevation of gastric pH to between 3.0 and 5.0 with the optimum being 3.5 to 4.5. The new Creamalin tablet should provide a highly effective and convenient antacid for poising gastric hyperacidity within this optimal range.
A complete analysis of a classical Poisson–Nernst–Planck model for ionic flow

Abstract In this work, we examine the stationary one-dimensional classical Poisson–Nernst–Planck (cPNP) model for ionic flow – a singularly perturbed boundary value problem (BVP). For the case of zero permanent charge, we provide a complete answer concerning the existence and uniqueness of the BVP. The analysis relies on a number of ingredients: a geometric singular perturbation framework for a reduction to a singular BVP, a reduction of the singular BVP to a matrix eigenvalue problem, a relation between the matrix eigenvalues and zeros of a meromorphic function, and an application of the Cauchy Argument Principle for identifying zeros of the meromorphic function. Once the zeros of the meromorphic function in a stripe are determined, an explicit solution of the singular BVP is available. It is expected that this work would be useful for studies of other PNP systems.
Several Fundamentals in Implementing Spatial Statistics in GIS:Using Centrographic Measures as Examples

Abstract Significant research effort has been focusing on using GIS for advanced spatial statistics, modeling, and simulation. This paper argues that even though GIS have great potential to facilitate sophisticated spatial modeling and spatial statistics, the simple but important theme of combining spatial information with statistical analysis has not received enough attention and should not be neglected. This paper discusses how different types of geographic information can be derived from and stored in GIS with special attention on location information. Other types of geographic information such as spatial relationship and connectivity are derivatives of simple location information and are briefly discussed. Using a set of centrographic measures – a subset of spatial statistics, this paper demonstrates how statistical techniques can be combined with geographic information such as longitude and latitude of points in analyses. Some of these techniques also utilize attribute data of the point locations in ...
Intra- and Interspecific Aggression By the Central American Midas Cichlid Fish, Cichlasoma Citrinellum

Intra- and interspecific aggression by the Central American cichlid fish, Cichlasoma citrinellum, was studied to examine the similarity in aggression toward different species and the degree to which interspecific responses depended on intraspecific cucs. One hour encounters were staged between C. citrinellum focal individuals, and subordinate opponents of the same species, C. zaliosum, Pseudotropheus zebra and Haplochromis polystigma. C. zaliosum is a strikingly similar and sympatric species while P. zebra and H. polystigma are morphologically dissimilar allopatric species. Attention was focussed on the effects of species similarity and feeding cues on interspecific aggression. Analyses were based on the relationship between stimuli from opponents and responses by the focal individual. A "conditional chance" technique was developed for this purpose and its reliability was tested against a computerized agonistic exchange with known parameters. The conditional chance method proved to be more accurate than traditional chi-square or information theoretical measures. At least a portion of the causation of interspecific aggressive response depends on the same cues as intraspecific behavior. The intensity of the aggressive response decreased with increasingly dissimilar opponents, but the qualitative response characteristics remained largely the same. Notable exceptions were a failure to honor an apparent appeasement signal, Lateral Roll, when given by another species and a lack of aggressive response when a strongly dissimilar species withdrew or fled. Differences were found in the aggressiveness of response by different focal individuals. However, focal individuals disagreed most strongly in their response to the similar species, C. zaliosum. Two responsed very aggressively and, while support for the hypothesis is weak, they may have perceived their opponents as odd conspecific fish. The others showed less aggression and their response resembled that shown to dissimilar species. Observing the opponent feed acted as an experiential cue and served to increase the aggressiveness of response to all subsequent stimuli from that opponent. While the duration of this increase and the effects of different feeding types are not known, response to ecological cues such as feeding could help to focus "mistaken-identity" aggression on competitors. This could be a first evolutionary step toward minimizing the maladaptive effects of interspecific aggression without forsaking the defense of resources against competitive species.
Polymer phase separation in composite latex particles. 1. Considerations for the nucleation and growth mechanism

Abstract This study addresses the question of how polymer phase separation takes place during polymerization reactions within composite latex particles. Experiments resulted in acrylic/styrene latices with two-phase structures that were analyzed via TEM. Those that resulted from the use of semi-batch reactions allowed us to observe domains that likely did not undergo phase rearrangement after they were formed within the particles. We computed the critical size of the phase-separated domains by assuming that the nucleation and growth mechanism applied to such experiments. We also computed how much these domains would increase in size by subsequent polymerization within those domains. Comparisons of predicted and experimental domain sizes and distributions showed quite reasonable agreement. The domains formed in latex particles of about 350 nm were in the 30–50-nm range. Despite the close agreement between theory and experiment, we are not convinced that phase separation occurs by nucleation and growth, as it appears to us that given the relative rates of reaction and polymer diffusion, phase separation events will often be forced to occur within the spinodal region of the phase diagram. To cite this article: J.M. Stubbs, C. R. Chimie 6 (2003).
In vitro biologic responses to native and surface-modified asbestos.

A comparative study was made of in vitro biologic responses to native chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite and corresponding asbestos fibers whose surfaces were modified by metal oxides. Interferon induction by influenza virus was depressed by approximately 50% by all native asbestos whereas corresponding surface modified asbestos minimally affected this nonspecific cellular defense mechanism. The release of the cytoplasmic enzyme, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and lysosomal enzymes, ..beta..-N-acetylglucosaminidase (..beta..-NAG) and ..beta..-glucuronidase (..beta..-Gluc), by rat alveolar macrophages after exposure to either native or surface-modified asbestos (which is indicative of membrane damage) was monitored. Although both native and surface-modified asbestos induced significant leakage of LDH, generally, lesser amounts of the enzyme were released as a result of exposure to the latter than to native asbestos. Whereas all forms of native asbestos caused significant release of ..beta..-NAG and ..beta..-Gluc, leakage of these enzymes from macrophages exposed to surface-modified asbestos was minimal. In contrast to native asbestos which induced irritation of cell membranes, as indicated by hemolysis of sheep erythrocytes, surface-modified asbestos exhibited minimal hemolytic activity. The findings indicate that surface modification of different asbestos by metal oxides generally lessened the adverse effect of the native mineral on the aforementioned biologic entities.
HIGH-TEMPERATURE INELASTIC ANALYSIS

Abstract Computationally efficient, finite-element methods for accurately predicting small strain, isothermal, three-dimensional, elastic-plastic creep responses of thick and thin shell structures are being developed. This work has been performed, in part, to support Oak Ridge National Laboratory's (ORNL) High-Temperature Structural Design (HTSD) Program. In order to verify the analytic capabilities developed and the constitutive relations used for high-temperature inelastic behavior, a high-temperature creep test of a nuclear reactor inlet nozzle test model was simulated analytically. (The test is being conducted at ORNL as part of the HTSD Program.) The discrepancies between analytic and experimental results are discussed and an explanation is given consistent with previous experimental findings.
RNA-DNA Hybridization: Demonstration in a Mammalian System of Competition by Preincubation

Nonspecific intermolecular interactions obscure the interpretation of competition experiments involving hybridization of DNA and RNA in mammalian systems when the labeled RNA/DNA ratio is low. The effect of these interactions can be minimized by choosing a sufficiently high ratio of labeled RNA/DNA. No serious effect of nonspecific interactions is observed in bacteriophage systems, even at very low labeled RNA/DNA ratios.
Distribution of Ni, Ga, Ge and Ir between metal and silicate portions of H-group chondrites

Abstract Concentrations of Ni, Ga, Ge and Ir have been determined in the metal and silicate portions of 21 chondrites, including 15 H chondrites. The H-group metal shows the following concentration ranges: 7.2–9.4 per cent Ni, 2.4–18 ppm Ga, 61–70 ppm Ge and 1.6–4.6 ppm Ir, and concentrations in H-group silicates are 94–380 ppm Ni, 3.0–9.2 ppm Ga, 0.06–0.66 ppm Ge and 0.03–0.12 ppm Ir. The Ni, Ge and Ir contents in the metal are positively correlated with each other and with the Fe content of olivine, as expected from oxidation-reduction or combined metal-silicate-fractionation/oxidation-reduction models. Metal/silicate concentration ratios for Ir are lower than for Ge and Ni, despite the fact that Ir is more easily reduced to the elemental form. This may indicate that at the formation location of the H-group chondrites in the solar nebula, substantial amounts of Ir were present in condensed form at temperatures which were so high that Fe and Ni were present mainly as vapor. The metal/silicate concentration ratios of Ga and Ge are lower in type-3 ordinary chondrites than in types 4–6. Apparently appreciable fractions of these elements condensed from the nebula in oxidized form and entered the metal during later thermal events. That Ga and Ge were redistributed during recrystallization, whereas appreciable Ir remained in the silicate fraction, probably indicates that Ir faced a substantially greater diffusional barrier than did Ga and Ge.
Obstetric ultrasonographic findings and fetal chromosomal abnormalities : Refining the association

Abstract Objective: In an attempt to refine the role of ultrasonography in screening and identifying fetuses at risk for chromosomal abnormalities, a retrospective review of patients undergoing genetic amniocentesis was undertaken. Study Design: Computer databases from the perinatal biology laboratory and cytogenetics laboratory of our institution were correlated to compare the results of the fetus' ultrasonographic examination with the cytogenetic results from amniocentesis. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to determine the best correlations between ultrasonographic findings and chromosomal abnormalities (study 1). The results were used to construct regression analysis formulas and a Neural Network program to predict the presence or absence of chromosomal abnormalities in a second set of patients (study 2) undergoing genetic amniocentesis. Results: One hundred twenty-five chromosomal abnormalities were found in 3775 fetuses in study 1 (3.3%). Multivariate analysis showed significant correlations between anomalies of the central nervous system, heart, face and neck, and extremities and increased nuchal fold, increased bowel echogenicity, abnormal biparietal diameter–to–femur ratio, and the presence of chromosomal abnormalities. Regression equations and a Neural Network program successfully predicted the presence or absence of fetal chromosomal abnormalities in a second set of 901 at-risk fetuses. Conclusion: A normal ultrasonographic examination result in patients who are at increased risk for fetal chromosomal abnormalities reduces the risk 2- to 3-fold, whereas the presence of any major ultrasonographic abnormality or certain minor abnormalities significantly increases the risk. The application of these results to low-risk patients is still premature. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;184:1414-21.)
What makes targets redundant

Two letter-classification experiments that investigated target-redundancy effects on reaction time (RT) were conducted. Both experiments were replicated with choice reaction time (CRT) and go/no-go (GNG) procedures. In each experiment, there were two single-target conditions, one with a noise letter and one without. In one experiment, the letter classes were two letters that could be of either case. In the second experiment, each class consisted of two different capital letters. In both experiments, there were two redundant-targets conditions, one with identical targets and one with the different members of a class. In both of the GNG experiments, redundancy gains were obtained comparing the different-targets condition with the no-noise, single-target condition. Redundant stimuli are ones that lead to the same response. Visually different stimuli may be processed in parallel and jointly activate a response. GNG procedures are more sensitive than CRT in the investigation of redundancy effects.
OH in naturally occurring corundum

Hydroxide bands arising from intrinsic hydrous defects have been observed in the infrared spectra of 159 corundum crystals from worldwide localities. The OH defects are most prominent in blue sapphire crystals, suggesting an association of OH with redox reactions involving iron. Using a calibration for OH in kyanite, the absolute concentrations for OH in corundum are found to be generally 0.5 wt. ppm or lower. The linear OH absorption coefficient for the most intense band centered at 3310 cm^(−1) never exceeds 0.5 cm^(−1). In addition to the intrinsic OH defects, a number of previously identified hydrous inclusions often contribute to absorptions in the OH stretching region of the corundum infrared spectrum.
The service system is the basic abstraction of service science

Abstraction is a powerful thing. During the nineteenth century, the Industrial Revolution was built on many powerful abstractions, such as mass, energy, work, and power. During the twentieth century, the information revolution was built on many powerful abstractions, such as binary digit or bit, binary coding, and algorithmic complexity. Here, we propose an abstraction for the twenty-first century, in which there is an emerging revolution in thinking about business and economics based on a service-dominant logic. The worldview of service-dominant logic stands in sharp contrast to the worldview of the goods-dominant logic of the past, as it holds service—the application of competences for benefit of others—rather than goods to be the fundamental basis of economic exchange. Within this new worldview, we suggest the basic abstraction is the service system, a configuration of people, technologies, and other resources that interact with other service systems to create mutual value. Many systems can be viewed as service systems, including families, cities, and companies, among many others. In this paper, we show how the service-system abstraction can be used to understand how value is co-created, in the process laying the foundation for an integrated science of service.
Heterologous Expression and Functional Characterization of a Mouse Renal Organic Anion Transporter in Mammalian Cells

Organic anion transporters play an essential role in eliminating a wide range of organic anions including endogenous compounds, xenobiotics, and their metabolites from kidney, thereby preventing their potentially toxic effects within the body. The goal of this study was to extend our previous study on the functional characterization and post-translational modification of a mouse kidney organic anion transporter (mOAT), in a mammalian cell system, COS-7 cells. The transporter-mediated p-aminohippurate (PAH) uptake was saturable, probenecid-sensitive, and inhibited by a wide range of organic anions including vitamins, anti-hypertensive drugs, anti-tumor drugs, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Tunicamycin, an inhibitor of asparagine-linked glycosylation, significantly inhibited the transport activity. Immunofluorescence provided evidence that most of the protein remained in the intracellular compartment in tunicamycin-treated cells. Diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC), a histidine residue-specific reagent, completely blocked PAH transport. The inhibitory effect by DEPC was significantly protected (90%) by pretreating the cells with excess unlabeled PAH, suggesting that the histidine residues may be close to the PAH binding sites. Finally,in situ mRNA localization was studied in postnatal mouse kidney. The expression was observed in proximal tubules throughout development. We conclude that COS-7 cells may be useful in pharmacological and molecular biological studies of this carrier. The carbohydrate moieties are necessary for the proper trafficking of mOAT to the plasma membrane, and histidine residues appear to be important for the transport function.
Family influences on the risk of daily smoking initiation.

Abstract Purpose To examine developmental patterns and family influences on the risk of daily smoking initiation from adolescence to young adulthood. Method A gender-balanced, ethnically diverse urban sample of 808 children aged 10–11 years was surveyed in 1985 and followed prospectively to age 21 in 1996. Discrete-time survival analysis was used to assess the hazard of initiation of daily smoking during this time period, as well as the effects of family factors on the risk of daily smoking initiation. Results Less parental smoking, more strict family monitoring and rules, and stronger family bonding predicted a significantly lower risk of daily smoking initiation controlling for socio-demographic background. The decline in the impact of family bonding over time was marginally significant; however, none of the interactions between family factors and time were significant, indicating generally consistent family influences on daily smoking from age 10 to 21. Conclusions The present findings indicate that parent smoking contributes to the onset of daily smoking in their teenagers even if parents practice good family management, hold norms against teen tobacco use, and do not involve their children in their own tobacco use. Smoking prevention programs should include components focused on parents of adolescents. To reduce risks for daily smoking among adolescents, it is important to encourage parents to stop or reduce their own smoking. In addition, these data indicate that parents can reduce their children's risk of daily smoking initiation by reducing family conflict, by maintaining strong bonds with their children, by setting clear rules, and by closely monitoring their children's behaviors.
Hybrid models for sense guessing of Chinese unknown words

This paper addresses the problem of classifying Chinese unknown words into fine-grained semantic categories defined in a Chinese thesaurus, Cilin (Mei et al. 1984). We present three novel knowledge-based models that capture the relationship between the semantic categories of an unknown word and those of its component characters in three different ways, and combine two of them with a corpus-based model that uses contextual information to classify unknown words. Experiments show that the combined knowledge-based model outperforms previous methods on the same task, but the use of contextual information does not further improve performance.
Applying the crack-layer concept to modeling of slow crack growth in polyethylene

Abstract The crack-layer model provides a framework for modeling fracture growth and lifetime prediction. In the past two decades, it has been applied to model brittle fracture in a number of engineering materials. This paper demonstrates in-detail procedure of implementation of crack-layer framework, on the example of slow crack growth in a commercial high-density polyethylene under creep conditions. First, we compute crack-layer driving forces by finite element method and determine experimentally the basic material parameters entering constitutive equations of the model. Then, we develop a numerical simulator of fracture growth.
FD3: A Program for Measuring Fractal Dimension

Introduced is FD3, a program for estimation of fractal dimensions that may indicate the presence of chaos. The program, written in C computer language, will run on a variety of computers (e.g., Macintosh(r), IBM compatible, Next workstation) as long as they have a C compiler. Specific application is shown with the estimation of the fractal dimension of Bender-Gestalt. Included are the values for capacity, information, and correlation dimension for the nine drawings.
Covalent binding of lactosaminoglycans and heparan sulphate to fibronectin synthesized by a human teratocarcinoma cell line.

Abstract Fibronectin synthesized by the human teratocarcinoma cell line 2102Ep carries covalently bound lactosaminoglycan and heparan sulphate, whereas human fibroblast fibronectin does not. Murine embryonal carcinoma cells synthesize similarly modified fibronectin suggesting that this type of glycosylation may be generally important in early embryogenesis.
Sexual concerns of cardiac patients: predictors and the influence of specific sexual activities.

Background:Addressing sexual concerns of cardiac patients is integral to comprehensive patient-centered nursing care, and instruments for use across cardiac populations are needed to promote this a...
Foraging Location and Site Fidelity of the Double-crested Cormorant on Oneida Lake, New York

Abstract We studied the foraging behavior of the Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) on Oneida Lake, New York, by monitoring the activities of 27 radio-tagged birds in July and August of 1999 and 2000. A total of 224 locations were obtained of cormorants actively diving, and presumed foraging, at the time of detection. A geographic information system was used to examine foraging distances from the nesting island, the water depth and type of substrate at preferred foraging sites, and to estimate kernel home ranges for analysis of individual foraging site fidelity. An explanatory model was developed to determine parameters affecting the distance to cormorant foraging sites. The mean distance to foraging locations of tagged cormorants from the colony site was 2,920 m (SE ± 180 m, max = 14,190 m), and 52% of the locations were within 2,000 m of the nesting island. No cormorant was observed making daily foraging trips to outside water bodies. Mean foraging distance was greater during morning than ...
Graph theoretical analysis of diamagnetic susceptibilities of alkanes and alkenes

Abstract An alternative description of the additivity of diamagnetic susceptibilities of alkanes by Hameka is given. The analysis is based on an examination of molecular graphs and enumeration of selected graph theoretical invariants (subgraphs). The generality of the apporach is illustrated by extending the analysis to alkenes.
Reducing auditory hypersensitivities in autistic spectrum disorder: preliminary findings evaluating the listening project protocol.

Auditory hypersensitivities are a common feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In the present study, the effectiveness of a novel intervention, the listening project protocol (LPP), was evaluated in two trials conducted with children diagnosed with ASD. LPP was developed to reduce auditory hypersensitivities. LPP is based on a theoretical “neural exercise” model that uses computer altered acoustic stimulation to recruit the neural regulation of middle ear muscles. Features of the intervention stimuli were informed by basic research in speech and hearing sciences that has identified the specific acoustic frequencies necessary to understand speech, which must pass through middle ear structures before being processed by other components of the auditory system. LPP was hypothesized to reduce auditory hypersensitivities by increasing the neural tone to the middle ear muscles to functionally dampen competing sounds in frequencies lower than human speech. The trials demonstrated that LPP, when contrasted to control conditions, selectively reduced auditory hypersensitivities. These findings are consistent with the polyvagal theory, which emphasizes the role of the middle ear muscles in social communication.
Inclusion of Women, Minorities, and Children in Clinical Trials: Opinions of Research Ethics Board Administrators

According to the NIH inclusion guidelines, principal investigators (PI) are to propose their plans for the inclusion of women, minorities, and children in their research proposals or justify their exclusion (National Institutes of Health, 1997; National Institutes of Health, 1998; National Institutes of Health, 2001). The NIH inclusion guidelines were adopted to increase the representation of women, minorities, and children in clinical research in order to address potential harms (real and perceived) created by their exclusion or omission. For example, female and pediatric patients can be harmed as a result of the exclusion of women and children from research when their physician is forced to prescribe to them a drug that has been tested only in male subjects. Members of minority groups can be harmed if enrollment in research is perceived as a benefit and members of minority groups are routinely excluded from access to this benefit. It is the responsibility of Research Ethics Boards (REBs), scientific review groups (SRGs), and NIH program staff to evaluate whether the PI has adequately addressed the inclusion of women, minorities, and children and/or the adequacy of their justification for the exclusion of any or all of these populations (National Institutes of Health, 1997; National Institutes of Health, 1998; National Institutes of Health, 2001). Specifically, REBs are instructed to make sure that NIH-sponsored investigators provide adequate details on the composition of their study populations and appropriate justification for the exclusion of any particular sub-population (National Institutes of Health,1997; National Institutes of Health, 1998; National Institutes of Health, 2001). Prior studies have assessed the opinions and attitudes of PIs and SRGs on the NIH guidelines but no study has examined the views and experiences of REB administrators (Corbie-Smith, Durant, & St. George, 2006; Taylor, 2008).
Effect of Russian Wheat Aphid on Yield and Yield Components of Field Grown Susceptible and Resistant Spring Barley

Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko) (RWA), can be devastating to barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in the western USA. RWA-resistant barley germplasm lines have been developed that control RWA without the use of environmentally detrimental and economically expensive insecticides. This study was conducted to determine if seedling RWA resistance ratings, utilized to develop resistant germplasm lines from greenhouse screenings, accurately predict field performance measured as grain yield and to determine the effect of RWA on yield and yield components of RWA-resistant barley germplasm lines and cultivars differing in seedling RWA resistant rating. Resistant lines and susceptible cultivars were planted at two field locations in Wyoming. Plots were artificially infested with RWA while controls were kept aphid free with pesticide application. Highly resistant lines maintained or increased yield components and grain yield (average grain yield increase 5%) under RWA feeding pressure. Susceptible cultivars had a large reduction in yield components and grain yield (average reduction 56%). The response of moderately resistant and moderately susceptible lines was intermediate and continuous between the resistant and susceptible lines with an average reduction of 20% in grain yield. Seedling resistance ratings accurately predict field performance, providing a more economical, timely, and efficient means of selecting RWA-resistant germplasm lines for release.
Experimental study of slurry separators for use in desalination

Abstract An investigation is presented of the characteristics and performance of laboratory scale counterwasher slurry separators. The separators are of a type related to those used for the separation of brine from ice crystals in the freeze-distillation process for sea water conversion. Polyethylene particles are used in the experiments to simulate the ice crystals. One of the main purposes of the experiments is to check out a model and theory of such counterwashers previously derived by the authors l. The experiments do demonstrate the validity of the theoretical conclusions and help to establish the optimal operating conditions for high production rates, sufficiently low salt content in the product, and minimum loss of fresh water. The feasibility of obtaining high rates of crystal washing is demonstrated. The highest steady production rate obtained in the experiments is equivalent to 8000 Ibs/hr · ft2 of brine-free ice in the freeze-distillation process. This rate is shown to be well below the maximum obtainable.
Mirrors in Russian Decadent and Symbolist Prose: Valery Briusov and Dmitry Merezhkovsky

Examining mirror imagery in the prose works “In the Mirror” by Valery Briusov and The Resurrected Gods: Leonardo da Vinci by Dmitry Merezhkovsky, both published in 1902, this article situates the Russian Decadent and Symbolist associations of the mirror in the pan-European literary and philosophical context. The mirror constitutes the threshold of manifold oppositions, including life and art, life and death, and reality and dream or imagination. It is a realm of alternative reality, magical and seductive, as in Briusov’s story, or potentially both demonic and divine, as in Merezhkovsky’s novel. In accordance with the Romantic tradition as well as Decadent and Symbolist iconography, mirror imagery in these two works is inseparable from questions of the nature of art and the power of artistic creation. This article is available in Studies in 20th & 21st Century Literature: http://newprairiepress.org/sttcl/vol34/iss2/4 Mirrors in Russian Decadent and Symbolist Prose: Valery Briusov and Dmitry Merezhkovsky Kirsten Lodge Columbia University
Increased risk of adverse neurological development for late preterm infants.

Objective To assess the risks of moderate prematurity for cerebral palsy (CP), developmental delay/mental retardation (DD/MR), and seizure disorders in early childhood. Study design Retrospective cohort study using hospitalization and outpatient databases from the Northern California Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program. Data covered 141 321 children ≥30 weeks born between Jan 1, 2000, and June 30, 2004, with follow-up through Jun 30, 2005. Presence of CP, DD/MR, and seizures was based on International Classification of Diseases , Ninth Revision codes identified in the encounter data. Separate Cox proportional hazard models were used for each of the outcomes, with crude and adjusted hazard ratios calculated for each gestational age group. Results Decreasing gestational age was associated with increased incidence of CP and DD/MR, even for those born at 34 to 36 weeks gestation. Children born late preterm were >3 times as likely (hazard ratio, 3.39; 95% CI, 2.54-4.52) as children born at term to be diagnosed with CP. A modest association with DD/MR was found for children born at 34 to 36 weeks (hazard ratio, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.01-1.54), but not for children in whom seizures were diagnosed. Conclusions Prematurity is associated with long-term neurodevelopmental consequences, with risks increasing as gestation decreases, even in infants born at 34 to 36 weeks.
A QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF SOURCE CONTRIBUTIONS TO INHALABLE PARTICULATE MATTER POLLUTION IN METROPOLITAN BOSTON

In this paper, source apportionment techniques are employed to identify and quantify the major particle pollution source classes affecting a monitoring site in metropolitan Boston, MA. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of paniculate elemental data allows the estimation of mass contributions for five fine mass panicle source classes (soil, motor vehicle, coal related, oil and salt aerosols), and six coarse panicle source classes (soil, motor vehicle, refuse incineration, residual oil, salt and sulfate aerosols). Also derived are the elemental characteristics of those source aerosols and their contributions to the total recorded elemental concentrations (i.e. an elemental mass balance). These are estimated by applying a new approach to apportioning mass among various PCA source components: the calculation of Absolute Principal Component Scores, and the subsequent regression of daily mass and elemental concentrations on these scores.
Acute mesenteric ischemia after cardiopulmonary bypass

Acute mesenteric ischemia is an uncommon but catastrophic event after cardiopulmonary bypass. From 1980 to 1990, 16,951 cardiac procedures requiring cardiopulmonary bypass were performed at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Ga. Eighteen patients (0.1%) had acute mesenteric ischemia that resulted in intestinal infarction. Emergency cardiac surgery had been performed in 16 of the 18 patients, and all 18 patients were vasopressor dependent for hemodynamic support after surgery. Diagnostic difficulties resulted in the diagnosis of intestinal infarction an average of 9 1/2 days after cardiopulmonary bypass. Nonocclusive mesenteric arterial ischemia was the determined cause in all cases. Statistically significant risk factors associated with acute mesenteric ischemia after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery included (1) emergency cardiac surgery (p less than 0.0001), (2) the use of an intraaortic balloon pump (p less than 0.0001), (3) failed angioplasty requiring emergency surgery (p = 0.0074), (4) prolonged pump time (p = 0.0093), and (5) advanced age (p = 0.0016). A high index of suspicion for mesenteric ischemia after cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with identified risk factors may decrease the diagnostic delay and lead to an improvement in the 67% mortality rate seen in this series.
Resistance exercise performance variability at submaximal intensities in older and younger adults

We assessed the variability in the number of repetitions completed at submaximal loads in three resistance tasks in older (N=32, 16 female, 74.3±5.4 years) and younger (N=16, 8 female, 22.8±1.8 years) men and women. One repetition maximum (1RM) was determined on two separate visits on three tasks: leg press (LP), leg extension (LE), and bicep curl (BC). Subjects then completed repetitions to failure on each of the three tasks during two visits, a minimum of 48 hours apart, at either 60% 1RM or 80% 1RM. High reliability for all 1RM assessments was observed. Greater muscular strength was observed in younger compared to older men and women on all tasks (P<0.05). At both 60% and 80% 1RM, considerable interindividual variability was observed in the number of repetitions completed. However, the average number of repetitions completed by younger and older men and women at 60% and 80% 1RM in each of the three tasks was similar, with the only significant difference occurring between younger and older men at 80% 1RM on the leg press (P=0.0258). We did not observe any abnormal blood pressure responses to either the 1RM testing or maximal repetition testing sessions. Considerable interindividual variability was observed in the number of repetitions completed by younger and older men and women at relative intensities typical of resistance training programs. Practitioners should give consideration to individual variability when attempting to maximize the benefits of resistance training.
Interpretation of the electroglottographic signal

Summary Interpretation of the electroglottographic (EGG) signal involves at least two major stages of investigation, the transduction stage and the modeling stage. This article addresses some aspects of both of these stages. In the transduction stage, it is shown how electrode size and orientation can affect the signal-to-noise ratio and the linearity of the EGG signal. Best results are predicted when interelectrode distance is small, electrode size is on the order of the glottal length, and the electrode angle is small. In the modeling stage, it is shown that pulse widening of the EGG waveshape results from increased adduction, that peak skewing results from glottal convergence (in the presence of vertical phasing), the knee in the EGG waveform results from medial surface bulging, and gradual sloping of the waveform (toward a triangular shape) results from increased vertical phasing.