cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of a resilience item bank and short forms.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to develop a publicly available, psychometrically sound item bank and short forms for measuring resilience in any population, but especially resilience in individuals with chronic medical conditions or long-term disability. Research methods A panel of 9 experts including disability researchers, clinical psychologists, and health outcomes researchers developed a definition of resilience that guided item development. The rigorous methodology used focus groups, cognitive interviews, and modern psychometric theory quantitative methods, including item response theory (IRT). Items were administered to a sample of people with chronic medical conditions commonly associated with disability (N = 1,457) and to a general population sample (N = 300) representative of the Unites States general population with respect to age, gender, race, and ethnicity. Results The final item bank includes 28 items calibrated to IRT with the scores on a T-metric. A mean of 50 represents the mean resilience in the general population sample. Four and eight item short forms are available, and their scores are highly correlated with the item bank score (r ≥ .94). Reliability is excellent across most of the resilience continuum. Initial analyses provide strong support for validity of the score. Conclusions The findings support reliability and validity of the University of Washington Resilience Scale (UWRS) for assessing resilience in any population, including individuals with chronic health conditions or disabilities. It can be administered using computerized adaptive testing or by short forms. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Probabilistic Resilience Measurement for Rural Electric Distribution System Affected by Hurricane Events

AbstractThis paper proposes a fully probabilistic and analytical measurement framework for assessing the resilience of linear power-distribution systems affected by hurricane wind. The topology of ...
Noroviruses and Sapoviruses

The noroviruses and sapoviruses belong to the Caliciviridae, a diverse family of positive-strand RNA viruses. This article describes the basic features of these enteric pathogens in relationship to other caliciviruses. The noroviruses are a major cause of epidemic gastroenteritis and outbreaks occur in settings such as communities, nursing homes, schools, hospitals, cruise ships, camps, social gatherings, families, and military personnel. Sapoviruses are most often associated with gastroenteritis in pediatric populations. The absence of efficient cell culture systems for the human calicivirus pathogens has been a major research obstacle for decades. However, recent advances in the development of molecular biologic tools and model systems have led to rapid advances in our understanding of these viruses.
Differential effects of direct and cross examination on mock jurors' perceptions and memory in cases of child sexual abuse.

When children testify in cases of child sexual abuse (CSA), they often provide minimal responses to attorneys’ questions. Thus, how attorneys ask questions may be particularly influential in shapin...
Fourier propagation tool for aberration analysis and a point spread function calculation of systems with curved focal planes

This paper describes a new Fourier propagator for computing the impulse response of an optical system with a curved focal plane array, while including terms ignored in Fresnel and Fraunhofer calculations. The propagator includes a Rayleigh-Sommerfeld diffraction formula calculation from a distant point through the optical system to its image point predicted by geometric optics on a spherical surface. The propagator then approximates the neighboring field points via the traditional binomial approximation of the Taylor series expansion around that field point. This technique results in a propagator that combines the speed of a Fourier transform operation with the accuracy of the Rayleigh-Sommerfeld diffraction formula calculation and extends Fourier optics to cases where the receiver plane is a curved surface. Bounds on the phase error introduced by the approximations are derived, which show it should be more widely applicable than traditional Fresnel propagators. Guidance on how to sample the pupil and detector planes of a simulated imaging system is provided. This report concludes by showing examples of the diffraction patterns computed by the new technique compared to those computed using the Rayleigh-Sommerfeld technique in order to demonstrate the utility of the propagator.
An in silico approach for identification of novel inhibitors as potential therapeutics targeting COVID-19 main protease.

Respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been labeled a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Very little is known about the infection mechanism for this virus. More importantly, there are no drugs or vaccines that can cure or prevent a person from getting COVID-19. In this study, the binding affinity of 2692 protease inhibitor compounds that are known in the protein data bank, are calculated against the main protease of the novel coronavirus with docking and molecular dynamics (MD). Both the docking and MD methods predict the macrocyclic tissue factor-factor VIIa (PubChem ID: 118098670) inhibitor to bind strongly with the main protease with a binding affinity of -10.6 and -10.0 kcal/mol, respectively. The TF-FVIIa inhibitors are known to prevent the coagulation of blood and have antiviral activity as shown in the case of SARS coronavirus. Two more inhibitors, phenyltriazolinones (PubChem ID: 104161460) and allosteric HCV NS5B polymerase thumb pocket 2 (PubChem ID: 163632044) have shown antiviral activity and also have high affinity towards the main protease of COVID-19. Furthermore, these inhibitors interact with the catalytic dyad in the active site of the COVID-19 main protease that is especially important in viral replication. The calculated theoretical dissociation constants of the proposed COVID-19 inhibitors are found to be very similar to the experimental dissociation constant values of similar protease-inhibitor systems.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
SMAD4 mutation and the combined juvenile polyposis and hereditary hemorrhage telangiectasia syndrome: a single center experience.

Mutations of the SMAD4 gene can result in a distinct syndrome with combined clinical features of both juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS) and hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). Even though it is known that patients with the overlap syndrome are at increased risk for colorectal malignancies and bleeding, the outcomes of this patient population have not been extensively studied. Retrospective study aiming to describe the phenotype and clinical outcomes of patients with genetically confirmed JP–HHT combined syndrome in a single large tertiary center in North America. A total of 22 patients were identified, the majority females (59%) with a median age diagnosis at 24 years. Polyps were more commonly seen in the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and tubular adenomas were seen in 50%. Epistaxis and pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (AVM) were the most common manifestations of HHT, with a median Curacao score of 3 [1–4]. Hospitalization for gastrointestinal bleeding and cerebrovascular events occurred at a rate of 28% and 4%, respectively. Two patients had GI malignancies, one rectal and one small bowel adenocarcinoma. Overall mortality was 14%. Patients with the combined JP–HHT syndrome remain at risk for life-threatening vascular complications and gastrointestinal malignancies; close follow-up is necessary to minimize morbidity and mortality in this patient population.
Race/ethnicity, sex and insurance disparities in colorectal cancer screening among individuals with and without cardiovascular disease.

Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) share several risk factors. We examined the relationships between CRC screening and CVD history by race/ethnicity and sex. Data from 15 states across the United States with high age-adjusted CVD rates from the 2012–2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used to examine prevalence of self-reported screening for CRC among 179,276 adults ages 50–75 years with and without history of CVD. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between socio-demographics and CRC screening in the expansion and stable phases of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) era. Prevalence of CRC screening was high among those with history of CVD. After multivariable adjustment, Whites and Hispanics with CVD had 19% (95%[CI]: 1.13–1.26) and 50% (95%[CI]: 1.10–2.06) higher odds for CRC screening, respectively, versus those without CVD. Individuals in both sexes with CVD had higher odds for CRC screening compared those without CVD. Strikingly, the odds for CRC screening in Hispanics with history of CVD were 72% higher in the stable phase of the ACA era for the fully adjusted model. Whites and Hispanics with history of CVD are more likely to undergo CRC screening, perhaps due to greater exposure to the healthcare system due to CVD. This association was not observed in Blacks. Interventions are needed to improve CRC screening rates among Blacks, especially due to their well-documented higher risk of CVD.
Deregulation and the 'Gig Academy'

For decades, colleges and universities in the U.S. have responded to increased competition, shrinking budgets, and other challenges by relying on growing numbers of part-time faculty. Scholars use the phrase “gig academy” to analogize higher education institutions, and their growing reliance on adjunct faculty, to the gig economy. This article examines how the government and higher education accreditors have relaxed full-time faculty requirements at colleges and universities, failing to constrain a drastic increase of gig workers in academia. When evaluating institutional quality, accreditors and the federal government focus less on an institution’s resources (including faculty resources) than on student outcomes (such as graduation and debt default rates). Although holding institutions accountable for student success is often appropriate, a negative consequence of this approach has been a lack of transparency and absence of public accountability regarding a college or university’s investment in its faculty. The ABA, in contrast, maintains relatively strict full-time faculty requirements. But in response to pressure from the federal government, even the ABA has relaxed enforcement of these requirements over time. The article argues that the ABA’s strict rule-based approach may err on the side of raising educational costs but is preferable to reliance on vague standards. It also considers ways to improve public disclosure of higher education institutions’ reliance on adjunct faculty.
Satirical feminism and the Reparative Tweet: a discourse analysis of the gendered language of @manwhohasitall

Researchers have established social media as intrinsic to fourth wave feminism. However, even as social media has created a platform for many feminist theorists to share their work, it has also cre...
Cardiac Tissue Creation with the Kenzan Method

There is currently an increasing demand for tissue-engineered cardiac patch creation. These techniques can be broadly classified into two categories based on the use, or lack thereof, of supporting biomaterials: also known as “scaffolds.” The scaffold-free method uses spheroids as building blocks and depends on the spheroids to produce their own extracellular matrix, which in turn directs the spheroids’ growth and development. This method creates patches with high biocompatibility, low excitability of immune responses, and integrated mechanical contractibility and electrical conductivity, in contrast with the scaffold dependent method. The Kenzan method is the most powerful and versatile technique available to create cardiac patches without scaffolds. In this paper, we reviewed cardiac patch creations with the Kenzan method and compared the patches with scaffold-based ones.
Optical and spin-coherence properties of rubidium atoms trapped in solid neon

In this work, we measure the properties of ensembles of rubidium atoms trapped in solid neon that are relevant for use as quantum sensors of magnetic fields: the spin coherence of the trapped atoms and the ability to optically control and measure their spin state. We use the rubidium atoms as an AC magnetometer---by employing an appropriate dynamical decoupling sequence---and demonstrate NMR detection of $^{21}\mathrm{Ne}$ atoms co-trapped in the neon matrix.
Analyzing a Curvature Scale Space Approach to Dent Counting in Blobs

Shapes arise in image analysis in many domains, and having a shape in hand is often not the end of the story. How do we measure properties of the shape, especially those related to features like indentations? In this article we review existing methods for analyzing simple closed curves, such as the Curvature Scale Space image concept, mean curvature flow, and smoothing filters. We then present a novel application of the Curvature Scale Space method in which we seek to answer two rather subtle questions: what is a dent, and how do we count them? In order to answer these questions, we first demonstrate that indentations are tied to the local curvature along the boundary, so to properly identify them, we need to analyze the sign and magnitude of this local curvature. In this process, the Curvature Scale Space image is very useful because it depicts theses changes in curvature at different scales using Gaussian smoothing functions of increasing widths. To count the dents, we wish to identify the width of the smoothing function below which indicates noise on the boundary and the radius of curvature above which designates larger structural features in the boundary. Removing all of these will leave us with only those areas of curvature that we identify as dents. We then discuss one possible value for each of the above parameters, examine pathological cases, and note areas for further research.
Designing robust, open electronic marketplaces of contract net agents

The creation of open agent-mediated electronic marketplaces requires new architectures, capable of coping with unreliable computational and network infrastructures, limited trust among independently developed agents, and the possibility of systemic failures. In analogy with civil human societies, open marketplaces will benefit from the introduction of appropriate electronic social institutions, whose role will be to help guarantee stability and efficiency in the face of these challenges. This paper presents a research methodology for designing and evaluating such electronic social institutions. It also describes how the methodology is currently being applied in order to design and evaluate robust open architectures for agent-mediated marketplaces based on the contract net protocol.
Physical characterization of and ionophore-mediated europium(III) transport through unilamellar phosphatidylcholine vesicles: A laser-induced europium(III) luminescence spectroscopy study

Abstract A continuation of the study of phospholipid bilayer vesicles as model membrane systems by laser-induced europium(III) luminescence spectroscopy is presented here (B.M. Cader and W. DeW. Horrocks, Jr, Biophys. Chem. 32 (1988) 97). This spectroscopic technique was used to characterize further the physical properties of small and large vesicles composed of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and egg phosphatidylcholine, respectively. Unilamellar preparations were confirmed and internal aqueous volumes were calculated. The calcium-binding carboxylic ionophores, lasalocid A and A23187, were incorporated into the lipid bilayers of these vesicles for the purpose of modeling the mobile carrier mechanism of ion transport across cell membranes. Spectroscopic data implicate the presence of 1:1 and 1:2 europium(III)/lasalocid A complexes within the hydrophobic region, both capable of efficient transport and containing no water molecules in the inner sphere of europium(III). First-order rate constants for lasalocid A-mediated europium(III) transport were determined at 37 and 62°C (0.018 and 0.11 min −1 , respectively) using EGTA as a ‘flag’ to bind and detect the post-transported metal ion.
Development of prototype phased array ultrasound systems for hyperthermia and targeted drug delivery

The development of high power phased array ultrasound (US) systems used to generate and direct both moderate temperature hyperthermia and high temperature thermal ablation is discussed. The effects of hyperthermia and cavitation can also be utilized as activation mechanisms in targeted drug delivery. The one-dimensional prototype arrays are constructed from PZT (Navy Type III) and double-sized copper-clad Pyralux baffles. The system is tested after the ultrasound phased array is mounted in a water tank. It is found that the shape of the measured field in the direction of the array sampling is similar to the results obtained from computer simulations.
Semaphorin III: role in neuronal development and structural plasticity.

Publisher Summary Semaphorins comprise a large family of secreted and transmembrane anchored glycoproteins, several members of which have been implicated in repulsive axon guidance. Members of the semaphorin family display specific patterns of expression and are predominantly found within the developing embryo. This chapter discusses the data indicating that in the developing nervous system Sema III plays a critical role in repulsive axon guidance, nerve fasciculation, and the timing of target innervation of a number of neuropilin-1 positive fibers tracts. In addition, the distribution of Sema III binding sites, as assessed by direct binding of a chimeric Sema III-AP probe to sections, neuropilin-1 protein distribution, and sema III RNA expression are compared to elucidate where in the embryo Sema III is likely to function as a guidance cue. Finally, continued adult expression of sema III and neuropilin-1 in distinct structures of the mammalian nervous system is discussed in the context of the role Sema III might play in structural plasticity.
A high-performance dual domain estimator for time-varying signal analysis

A time-frequency estimator using the Wigner distribution and its derivatives is optimized for implementation on microprocessors with a RISC (reduced instruction set computer) architecture. General optimization considerations are developed at the algorithm level to optimize performance relative to both the RISC architecture and the Wigner estimator. The algorithm implementation is designed for maximum flexibility by allowing transformation to the time-frequency plane of the Wigner estimator given either time or frequency inputs. >
An Introduction to Cosmochemistry

This textbook describes the composition and evolution of material objects in the universe. The survey begins with a discussion of terrestrial materials and ends with the composition of quasars and distant galaxies. There are two main themes: chemical processes responsible for the abundances we observe, and nuclear processes in which the chemical elements originate. The author presents a total pedagogic synthesis of the subject, building on the basic information in the first chapters leading into a fuller explanation of the composition of the planets and stellar and primordial nucleosynthesis. The later chapters treat the analytical methods of stellar and nebular spectra, and move on to the composition of stars and galaxies. The book is fully referenced and includes problem sets.
Why does nuclear power performance differ across Europe

Abstract This paper compares the performance of nuclear power plants in five European countries by estimating a microeconomic model of managerial decision making. The statistical formulation of production as a controlled stochastic process connects economic theory much more closely to actual production events than standard economic production functions. In this application, the structural behavioral model distinguishes variations in economic, regulatory, and cultural environments (different incentives for plant operations) from technical variations (different production functions). It also estimates the weights that management attaches to different aspects of performance, such as reliability (safety) and availability (productivity). While any structural model necessitates debatable assumptions, the approach nevertheless has much to contributes to public policy discussions. The results from 1981–1986 reveal that management attitudes towards the reliability/productivity trade-off differ substantially between European countries. This suggests that the incentives of plant managers differ in ways that may not have been intended or desirable.
INTRODUCTION OF WATCHDOG PROGNOSTICS AGENT AND ITS APPLICATION TO ELEVATOR HOISTWAY PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT

ABSTRACT Today's competition in industry depends not just on lean manufacturing, but also on the ability to provide customers with accountable life-cycle support for sustainable value. To improve customer service responsiveness and aftermarket business efficiency, new service business model for enable products and systems to achieve near-zero unscheduled downtime has been adopted by many companies. This transformation necessitates the depolyment of smart prognsotics tools to predict and prevent possible failures before they occur. This paper introduces an innovative approach in using Watchdog AgentTM for machine degradation and failure prognostics. The methods of Watchdog AgentTM are developed to use multi-sensor information from product for performance degradation assessment and life prediction. Specially, the logistic regression (LR) method is introduced and applied to an elevator hoistway performance aseessment. The logistic regression model is designed for repeatable tracking of motor speed profile of...
Impairment of taste in the Guillain-Barré syndrome

Involvement of those cranial nerves subserving taste is common in the Guillain-Barre syndrome, yet seldom reported are disturbances of taste. This may reflect relative sparing of taste fibers, which are small thinly myelinated fibers. However, the true incidence of taste disturbances in GBS is probably underestimated since formal taste testing is often not performed, particularly in those cases where patients have been intubated. We observed two patients with GBS and abnormalities of taste. Disturbances of taste are often neglected clinically and the clinical evaluation of taste has been hampered by lack of standardization of stimuli and lack of quantification of responses.
Detection of vibrations in sand by tarsal sense organs of the nocturnal scorpion, Paruroctonus mesaensis

The scorpionParuroctonus mesaensis locates prey by orienting to substrate vibrations produced by movements of the prey in sand. At the end of each walking leg of this scorpion there are two sense organs, the basitarsal compound slit sensillum and tarsal sensory hairs (Figs. 1, 3) that are excited by substrate vibrations conducted through sand. The slit sensilla appear to be most sensitive to surface (Rayleigh) waves while the tarsal sensory hairs respond best to compressional waves (Fig. 7). Both mechanoreceptors were activated by nearby disturbances of the substrate (Fig. 6) but only the slit sensilla responded to insects moving more than 15 cm away. Both receptors are highly sensitive to small amplitude (less than 10 A) mechanical stimuli applied to the tarsus (Fig. 5).
Pharmacological Action of Four Garrya Alkaloids

Four Garrya alkaloids, garryine, veatchine, cuauchichicine, and garryfoline, were studied with respect to toxicity and their action on smooth muscle, blood pressure, and respiration. In mice the toxic signs of all four Garrya alkaloids were similar. None of the alkaloids had any significantly potent action on smooth muscle organs. Garryfoline seemed to have a weak antihistaminic and anticholinergic action. In the anesthetized cat the Garrya alkaloids briefly lowered the blood pressure. Large doses caused respiratory failure. No action was observed on the uterus and intestines in situ .
Determining policy-efficient management strategies in fisheries using data envelopment analysis (DEA)

Abstract In this paper, the authors analyze a wide range of recreational management strategies for their impacts on red snapper yield, economic surplus and the fish stock. Simulating a wide range of policies, the authors find Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) inspired policy efficiency frontiers that lead to finding those management strategies that offer the greatest level of economic surplus for any biological target, looking at both the east and west Gulf of Mexico fisheries. Red snapper has been declared overfished since 1988 and the 2005 SEDAR 7 stock assessment declared red snapper were overfished and undergoing overfishing. In November 2009, the update of the assessment declared that overfishing was no longer occurring but that the red snapper stocks needed to be rebuilt. In this analysis, it was found that red snapper are neither overfished or undergoing overfishing. The main difference between the present model and the SEDAR 7 model is that the latest model uses a higher mortality rate for juveniles and a density dependent model. The authors also suggest that the east and west should be managed as separate units.
Composites with symmetry and their extremal properties

Abstract We identify microstructures that extremize sums of strain energy densities. For one energy we exhibit optimal laminar composites that are orthotropic with axes given by the eigenbasis of the homogeneous strain. Some partial results on the uniqueness of the optimal microstructures are obtained.
The effect of self-assembled layers on the release behavior of rifampicin-loaded silicone.

Providing a long period of sustained antibiotic release is one of the important challenges in the development of clinical shunts for long-term implantation. A cast-molding approach was used to load rifampicin into the silicone precursor before curing. Sustained in vitro release from rifampicin-loaded silicone for upwards of 110 days at a level of approximately 2–4 μg/cm2 per day was achieved. Quantitative comparisons of Staphylococcus epidermidis adhesion on untreated and rifampicin-loaded silicone surfaces were carried out to demonstrate the effect of rifampicin to discourage the bacterial adhesion. It was shown that the fresh 8.3% rifampicin-loaded silicone decreased bacterial adherence by 99.8%. Bacterial adherence on rifampicin-loaded silicone surfaces after 90 days release (eluted silicone) was decreased by 94.8%. A new approach was used to tune the initial burst effect and prolong long lasting release by introducing self-assembled perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane (FAS) and octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS...
The saltatory search behavior of larval cod (Gadus morhua)

Abstract Accurate descriptions of larval fish foraging behavior are necessary for modeling energy gain through prey encounter rates. Larval cod use a saltatory foraging strategy; they swim in discrete bursts and search for prey during the periods between bursts when speed is minimal. The goals of this research were: first, to observe the behavior of larval cod in large volumes to reduce confinement effects; second, to observe behavior throughout early development; and third, to observe if larval cod adjust their foraging effort in response to foraging conditions, in this case prey density. An observation system employing stereo-paired video cameras was developed that allowed recording of the behavior of individual larvae throughout a large volume in three dimensions. The observed behavior shows that the burst phase of the foraging cycle remains constant regardless of the presence or absence of prey while the duration of each search event becomes significantly longer when prey are absent, perhaps reflecting either a greater time investment to process each search volume more thoroughly or a response to hunger. Comparison of the behavior of larvae fasted 12 h to those fasted 36 h shows that hunger state has little effect on the burst phase of the foraging cycle, but hunger does have a significant effect on overall activity level and foraging capacity.
Shortest-prediction-horizon non-linear model-predictive control

Abstract This article concerns non-linear control of single-input-single-output processes with input constraints and deadtimes. The problem of input-output linearization in continuous time is formulated as a model-predictive control problem, for processes with full-state measurements and for processes with incomplete state measurements and deadtimes. This model-predictive control formulation allows one (i) to establish the connections between model-predictive and input-output linearizing control methods; and (ii) to solve directly the problems of constraint handling and windup in input-output linearizing control. The derived model-predictive control laws have the shortest possible prediction horizon and explicit analytical form, and thus their implementation does not require on-line optimization. Necessary conditions for stability of the closed-loop system under the constrained dynamic control laws are given. The connections between (a) the developed control laws and (b) the model state feedback control and the modified internal model control are established. The application and performance of the derived controllers are demonstrated by numerical simulations of chemical and biochemical reactor examples.
The Enemies of the Frog

IN connection with this subject the following incident may be of interest to some of your readers. One day, near the kitchen area, an unusual noise was heard: it seemed like the mewing of a cat combined with a well-sustained whistle. On going to the spot, it was found that the noise proceeded from a cat and a frog, but it was difficult to decide from which of the two. Every time the cat touched the frog the sound was produced and the frog hopped away. The cat exhibited in his attitudes and motions a sort of enjoyment mingled with awe. He would just touch the frog very gently with the tips of his paws, then watch it most attentively, and when the frog would emit its peculiar loud squeak—not the usual croak—he would give a sudden bound, as if both surprised and amused; but he never attempted during the whole of the proceedings, which lasted about a quarter of an hour, to bite the frog. The frog was removed quite uninjured, but apparently exhausted either by fear or by muscular exertion.
Empirical assessment of spiegel's hypnotic induction profile and eye-roll hypothesis

Abstract 39 healthy male volunteers were hypnotized twice using Spiegel's (1974) Hypnotic Induction Profile (HIP). Their responses were scored independently by 2 raters who alternated roles as hypnotist and observer. Results indicated: (a) high inter-rater reliability for HIP components and for the Hypnotic Induction Score (HIS); (b) satisfactory test-retest correlations for the eye-roll, up gaze, squint, posthypnotic arm levitation, and control differential; (c) component scores and HIS increased from Session 1 to Session 2; (d) the role of the rater was not influential; (e) inter-item correlations on HIP were similar to those reported by Spiegel; and (f) the analysis does not support the hypothesis that the eye-roll is dependably predictive of hypnotic signs measured by HIP subsequent to measurement of the eye-roll.
Electrical properties of YSZ films prepared by net shape technology

The preparation of dense electrolyte films for most electrochemical devices is a crucial technological process. Net shape technology is a new approach, which uses a combination of colloidal suspensions and polymer precursor techniques, to obtain the dense electrolyte layers. It allows the overlapping of the thickness range from 1 to 10 mm in which other preparation techniques experience difficulties. Net shape processing is a low-temperature technology ~preparation temperature can be as low as 400°C! and it eliminates shrinkage of the film during the densification stage, so chemical reactions between the substrate and the film can be minimized. In this study two types of dense substrates were used to confirm these features of the net shape technology: single-crystal sapphire and platinum foil. It was shown that dense yttria-stabilized zirconia ~YSZ! layers can be obtained on both types of substrates at temperatures as low as 400°C. Moreover, further higher annealing temperature does not produce either shrinkage or cracking of the film. Electrical properties of YSZ films were measured in plane~on sapphire! and through the film~on platinum! using impedance spectroscopy and two-probe dc methods.
Fuel treatment effectiveness in forests of the upper Atlantic Coastal Plain – An evaluation at two spatial scales

Abstract Fuel treatment effectiveness in Southern forests has been demonstrated using fire behavior modeling and observations of reduced wildfire area and tree damage. However, assessments of treatment effectiveness may be improved with a more rigorous accounting of the fuel characteristics. We present two case studies to introduce a relatively new approach to characterizing fuels and predicting potential fire behavior, fuel consumption, and emissions in Southern forests using the Fuel Characteristic Classification System (FCCS) and Consume. The first case study provides fine-scale ( Results from the fine-scale assessment indicate that fuel treatments reduce reaction intensity, rate of spread, and flamelength by up to 58%, 57%, and 63%, respectively. Fuel loading of strata that control surface fire behavior (i.e., shrubs, grasses, fine woody fuels, and litter) range from 32.0 Mg ha−1 in the thinned, untreated unit to 8.5 Mg ha−1 in the unthinned unit treated with herbicides and prescribed fire. Based on model predictions, up to 80% less fuel would be consumed with concomitant reduction in emissions during a wildfire occurring in the treated units compared to the untreated unit. Assessments of potential fire behavior across the study area indicate that overall hazard is low to moderate for this forested landscape. However, localized areas of high surface fire and crown fire potential were identified. Plot- and stand-based modeling both suggest that the potential for high to extreme fire behavior exists for this landscape. Combined, the two case studies highlight the ability of the FCCS to represent measured fuel characteristics and predict differences in potential fire behavior resulting from fuel treatments. Even small differences in fuel characteristics resulting from fuel treatments or site variation could be detected, allowing the effects of both ecological processes and management actions to be quantified.
Survival during prolonged anaerobiosis as a function of an unusual adaptation involving lactate dehydrogenase subunits

Abstract 1. 1. The pond turtle ( Pseudemys scripta elegans ) is able to survive for prolonged periods utilizing anaerobic glycolysis as the sole energy source, with approximately constant blood pyruvate concentrations and increasing blood lactate concentrations. 2. 2. The turtle possesses lactate dehydrogenase tetramers with apparently similar M and H subunit polypeptides. 3. 3. This enzyme may represent an important mechanism permitting survival under anaerobic conditions.
Permeability and wetting properties of four cavity liners.

The permeability and wetting properties (as determined by contact angle values) of four commercial cavity liners were evaluated. Permeability was found to be a function of time and film thickness. The wetting property of the material, asevaluated by contact angle measurements, should indicate the liner to be used either to protect against seepage of harmful stimuli or to prevent leakage at the cavity margins.
Adaptive polarisation diversity receiver configuration for coherent optical fibre communications

We describe an implementation of the polarisation diversity detection technique for coherent heterodyne communications which maintains the total IF amplitude at a constant level, irrespective of fluctuations in the state of polarisation of either the signal or local oscillator optical fields at the output polarisation beam-splitter.
A shift in winter season timing in the Northern Plains of the USA as indicated by temporal analysis of heating degree days

The temporal distribution of monthly heating degree days (HDD) approximates a bell-shaped curve, usually with a January maximum. The first moment, or centroid, of this distribution can be taken as the midpoint of the heating season. Analysis of seasonal HDD centroids reveals significant inter-decadal trends in the Northern Plains. From 1950 to 1990, the timing of the HDD centroid is observed to have advanced at a rate of 1.6 days per decade, a trend largely explained by cooling in October and warming in March and April. A trend of comparable magnitude (2.2 days per decade), but opposite direction, is observed for the period 1925–1950, and is again primarily associated with temperature trends in autumn and spring. The results suggest that changes in seasonal timing could be a feature of natural climate variability, and that it may be premature to infer an unprecedented climate change from a subtle shift in the timing of the winter season. Copyright © 2000 Royal Meteorological Society
Deriving Daily Purpose Through Daily Events and Role Fulfillment Among Asian American Youth

Establishing life purpose is a key developmental task; however, how it is linked to adolescents’ everyday family, school, extracurricular, and leisure experiences remains unclear. Using daily diary data from 180 Asian American ninth and tenth graders (50% ninth; 58% female; 25% first generation), daily purpose was positively related to daily family assistance. Leisure time was negatively associated with purpose, especially for first-generation adolescents. Social role fulfillment (e.g., feeling like a good son or daughter) also contributed to daily purpose. Implications extended into daily affect, with positive associations with happiness, and negative associations with distress and anxiety. Results suggest that promoting social connectedness and activities that allow adolescents to feel like a valued family member may best foster youth purpose development.
The spleen as a diagnostic specimen: a review of 10 years' experience at two tertiary care institutions.

BACKGROUND Few studies have examined the yield of the diagnostic splenectomy, and the relevance of these studies to the management of patients with unexplained splenomegaly or a splenic mass are limited by low number of cases, the use of selection criteria, and the lack of modern terminology and modern ancillary studies. The current study correlates clinical intent with preoperative clinical and radiologic studies and histologic findings in an assessment of the diagnostic yield of splenectomy. METHODS The medical charts, laboratory data, radiologic studies, and pertinent preoperative biopsies on all patients who underwent splenectomy between the years 1986 and 1995 were reviewed, and the clinical intent behind the procedure was correlated with histologic findings. RESULTS One hundred twenty-two of the 1280 patients underwent splenectomy for diagnosis, and in 116 patients a specific disease was identified histologically that explained the splenomegaly/splenic mass; malignancy was the most common cause of unexplained splenomegaly or splenic mass, though benign neoplasms and reactive disorders were documented in 25% of the cases. Primary splenic lymphomas were most commonly of large cell B-cell type. CONCLUSIONS In the setting of splenomegaly or splenic mass, splenectomy has a high diagnostic yield and usually discloses a malignancy. The clinical category of “primary splenic lymphoma” is biologically heterogeneous, and the diagnosis is usually an intermediate grade (not low grade) lymphoma. The range of conditions associated with splenic masses were quite commonly associated with diseases that are amenable to fine-needle aspiration (FNA) diagnosis, whereas those disorders associated only with splenomegaly included a large fraction of diseases for which FNA may yield either incomplete or misleading results. Cancer 2001;91:2001–9. © 2001 American Cancer Society.
The oral formula and anglo-saxon elegy: Some misgivings

L'analyse de la formule orale dans The Wife's Lament et Husband's Message: recherche de la filiation des deux poemes. De l'application de la theorie de la formule orale a la critique d'une poesie non epique.
Effects of long-term high-altitude hypoxia on myocardial protein kinase A activity and troponin I isoforms in fetal and nonpregnant sheep.

In fetal sheep, we found that the augmentation of cardiac contractility by β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) stimulation was reduced after exposure to long-term hypoxia. However, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production after β-AR stimulation was higher in long-term hypoxic fetal sheep than in normoxic ones. Therefore, we studied the potential role of changes in myocardial protein kinase A (PKA) activity and troponin I (TnI) isoforms in fetal nonpregnant sheep exposed to approximately 112 days of hypoxia at high altitude (3820 m). Resting and maximally stimulated (by cAMP) PKA activity was measured by phosphorylation of the artificial peptide, Kemptide. Specificity was confirmed by inhibition with PKI, a specific PKA inhibitor. For TnI isoforms, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to resolve the proteins. We used monoclonal anti-cardiac TnI antibody (clone C5), which also cross-reacted with slow skeletal muscle TnI, to identify TnI isoforms. For the fetal hearts, resting PKA activity was significantly higher in the high-altitude group than the control group, but total PKA activity was not different between the normoxic and hypoxic groups. In the adult hearts, no significant difference was observed in either resting or total PKA activity between normoxic and hypoxic groups. For both the fetal and adult sheep, the predominant TnI was the cardiac isoform, and hypoxic exposure produced no change in the TnI isoform composition. Neither a reduction in PKA activity nor a change in TnI isoforms could explain the reduction in beta-receptor augmentation of cardiac contractility in fetal sheep exposed to long-term hypoxia.
Establishing Minimum Standards for Essays: Blind Versus Informed Reviews.

This study was undertaken to evaluate two procedures for establishing a minimum performance standard for the essay subtest of the National Teacher Examinations (NTE) Communication Skills test. Twenty public school teachers and 20 teacher educators were randomly assigned to either a "blind" or "informed" review panel. Both panels were directed to evaluate the same set of 12 sample essays. Those assigned to the informed panel were apprised of the scores previously awarded to each essay and were asked to decide upon the lowest score they would judge to be acceptable for a beginning teacher. Those assigned to the blind panel were not informed of the scores and were asked to judge whether each essay was at least minimally acceptablefor a beginning teacher. Following their blind reviews, the scores were revealed to this group, and they were also asked to indicate the lowest score they would judge to be acceptable. No significant mean differences were observedfor the standards associated with blind and informed reviews, but a significant mean difference was observed between the standards set by teachers and teacher educators; theformer being more stringent. Based upon criteria other than mean differences, it was concluded that the preferred procedure for setting standards on essays should involve a blind review followed by an informed review. This strategy was subsequently implemented in a state-wide validation study in Virginia, and the results of thisfull-scale study are presented along with results reported for a study using informed reviews in another state. With the nationwide movement toward minimum-competency testing of both students and teachers during the past 10 years, there has been a corresponding increase in the amount written about procedures for establishing minimum performance standards. However, much of what has been written focuses on procedures designed for use with multiple-choice tests, and very little has been written about establishing minimumperformance standards for essays. In some settings, it may be possible to base the
Structural and electronic properties of artificial metallic superlattices

I PREPARATION OF METALLIC SUPERLATTICES Our p r e s e n t d e p o s i t i o n s y s t e m was s p e c i f i c a l l y d e s i g n e d f o r p r e p a r i n g m e t a l l i c s u p e r l a t t i c e s ; w i t h t h r e e m a g n e t i c a l l y c o n f i n e d p l a s m a s p u t t e r g u n s o f v a r i a b l e t a r g e t s i z e c o n t a i n e d i n a d i f f u s i o n pumped vacuum s y s t e m w i t h b a s e p r e s s u r e < 7 x lo-' t o r 1 . A s c h e m a t i c d i a g r a m o f t h e s y s t e m i s shown i n F i g . 1. As w e l l a s u s i n g t a r g e t s o f p u r e e l e m e n t s o r a l l o y s , t h e d e s i g n a l l o w s f o r g e n e r a t i o n o f a l l o y l a y e r s i n situ by c o s p u t t e r i n g f r o m two of t h e g u n s w h i c h a r e c l o s e l y s p a c e d . +work supported by t h e Di rec to r , Of f i ce of Energy Research, Of f i ce of Basic Energy Sciences, Mate r i a l s Sciences Divis ion of t h e U.S. Department of Energy under Contract No. DE-AC02-83ER45025. Article published online by EDP Sciences and available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/jphyscol:1984574
Bloch wave HREM

Abstract An analysis of the effects of beam convergence is carried out for high resolution electron microscope imaging, including the changes in diffraction across the illumination aperture by a Bloch wave approach. It is shown that the effect of a small tilt u is to introduce a perturbation u ·▿ ϱ into the projected 2D Schrodinger equation for the Bloch waves. By using perturbation theory (essentially a k · p analysis), it is shown that the dominant effect is a modification of the non-linear convergence envelope term between different Bloch waves. The effects should be larger for defects than for single crystals, and important for thicknesses of more than ∼ 50 nm, thicknesses similar to those at which non-linear effects are important. The general trends with structure, elemental composition and incident electron voltage are briefly described.
A rapidly mixing stochastic system of finite interacting particles on the circle

Abstract We analyze the speed of convergence to stationarity for a specific stochastic system consisting of a finite number of interacting particles on the circle. We define a coupling and a martingale related to this coupling to show that the time needed to approach stationarity is a polynomial in the number of particles of degree at most 12, and thus prove that the chain is rapidly mixing. This is partly due to the fact that the coupling time happens before the martingale escapes from a certain strip. We use a relaxation time related to Poincare's characterization of the second largest eigenvalue of the chain, to lower bound the time to stationarity by a polynomial of degree 3.