cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of surface treatment on thermal stability of the hemp-PLA composites: Correlation of activation energy with thermal degradation

Abstract The thermal behavior of hemp-poly lactic acid composites with both untreated and chemically surface modified hemp fiber was characterized by means of activation energy of thermal degradation. Three chemical surface modification employed were; alkali, silane and acetic anhydride. Model-free isoconversion Flynn–Wall–Ozawa method was chosen to evaluate the activation energy of composites. The results indicated that composites prepared with acetic anhydride modified hemp had 10–13% higher activation energy compared to other composites. Further, among the three surface modifications, acetic anhydride resulted in higher activation energy (159–163 kJ/mol). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy supported the findings of thermogravimetric analysis results, wherein surface functionalization changes were observed as a result of surface modification of hemp fiber. It was concluded that, higher bond energy results in higher activation energy, which improves thermal stability. The activation energy data can aid in better understanding of the thermal degradation behavior of composites as a function of composite processing.
The Advantages of Labor Turnover an Illustrative Case

The Philadelphia tapestry manufacture, 450.—The mills classed in Groups A, B, C, 452. — Hourly and weekly earnings at different mills compared, 453.—Entrances to Class A mills, 455.—Entrances to Class B mills, 459.—Entrances to Class C mills, 461.—Conclusion, 463.
Reconstruction of the Replaced Right Hepatic Artery at the Time of Pancreaticoduodenectomy

The arterial anatomy supplying the liver is highly variable. One of the most common variants is a completely replaced right hepatic artery which is seen in about 11% of the population. Interruption of arterial flow to the right hepatic artery at the time of pancreaticoduodenectomy has been associated with biliary fistula and the consequent complications, as well as stenosis of the biliary enteric anastomosis. Malignancies of the posterior aspect of the head of the pancreas can encase a replaced right hepatic artery without involvement of other vascular structures. In this situation, it is possible to resect and reconstruct the replaced right hepatic artery to maintain oxygen delivery to the biliary enteric anastomosis. Herein we describe a technique to reconstruct a replaced right hepatic artery following resection of the vessel en bloc with the tumor during a pancreaticoduodenectomy, using inflow from the gastroduodenal artery.
Immune Dysfunction in Autism: A Pathway to Treatment

Autism is a complex and clinically heterogeneous disorder with a spectrum of symptoms. Clinicians, schools, and service agencies worldwide have reported a dramatic increase in the number of children identified with autism. Despite expanding research, the etiology and underlying biological processes of autism remain poorly understood, and the relative contribution from genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors remains unclear. Although autism affects primarily brain function (especially affect, social functioning, and cognition), it is unknown to what extent other organs and systems are disrupted. Published findings have identified widespread changes in the immune systems of children with autism, at both systemic and cellular levels. Brain specimens from autism subjects exhibit signs of active, ongoing inflammation, as well as alterations in gene pathways associated with immune signaling and immune function. Moreover, many genetic studies have indicated a link between autism and genes that are relevant to both the nervous system and the immune system. Alterations in these pathways can affect function in both systems. Together, these reports suggest that autism may in fact be a systemic disorder with connections to abnormal immune responses. Such immune system dysfunction may represent novel targets for treatment. A better understanding of the involvement of the immune response in autism, and of how early brain development is altered, may have important therapeutic implications.
THE COURTS AS A SOURCE OF REGULATORY REVITALIZATION: EXTERNAL AGENDA SETTING AND EQUAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

The authors examine the relationship between the courts and HEW's Office for Civil Rights (OCR), to illustrate the effects of legal efforts to generate more vigorous agency enforcement. Opponents of racial and sex discrimination in public schools won a series of suits against OCR after it had ceased to effectively implement anti-discrimination legislation. As a result of court decisions, OCR has had its discretion over how it will carry out its legislative responsibilities curtailed.
Eigenproblems associated with the discrete LBB condition for incompressible finite elements

Abstract The basic stability condition for mixed/Lagrange multiplier variational principles in incompressible media problems is the LBB condition. It plays an essential role in determining whether or not the problem is well-posed and governs the choice of finite elements in the discretization. This paper examines the discrete eigenstructure of a well-known Lagrange multiplier formulation for linear elasticity or Stokes-flow. It shows how the weak incompressibility constraint is reflected in the elementary divisor structure of the eigenproblem whose solution determines the finite element approximation to the natural modes. In this context the discrete LBB condition can be seen to be a condition determining the limiting disposition, as the mesh parameter decreases, of a matrix pencil with infinite eigenvalues. Pure pressure modes and the load vectors required to transmit them are paired in cyclic subspaces of the infinite eigenspace. This pairing can be related to a well-known heuristic interpretation of the LBB condition. The relationship between the natural mode eigenproblem and the eigenproblems which determine the norm of the inverse of the discrete operator of a static or steady-flow problem is described. Finally, because of the equivalence between classes of mixed and penalty formulations, it is shown that these results apply to penalty/reduced integration finite element methods.
Caller ID: Whose Privacy?

Today, we consider it routine to see the name of the person calling us when our phone rings. When this service was introduced, it was debated: was a telephone caller entitled to anonymity? We opted for disclosure, and we should remember that maximum privacy isn't always the best public policy.
Electronic structure and bonding of allyllithium

Abstract The results of CNDO/2 calculations have been used to determine the equilibrium geometry for allyllithium which is predicted to be a non-planar “bridge” structure. The lowest energy configuration (LEC) is described in molecular orbital terms which stress the importance of the lithium's position in permitting it to utilize all its valence orbitals in bonding with the allyl moiety. Charge densities, the theoretical dipole moment, and variations of configurations are discussed in relation to the spectroscopic measurements of allyllithium. Utilizing the geometry of the allyllithium monomer (LEC), a proposed dimer configuration is reported which is in feasible agreement with the experimental aggregation properties. The solvent interactions were considered by utilizing two molecules of ammonia as the electron donor with allyllithium. The results of the calculations predict that the solvation of the lithium by ammonia increases the allyllithium fragment separation with concomitant changes in the electron densities and bonding populations.
Modeling wire dipoles in an infinite chiral medium and vertically oriented near a chiral half space

Extension and application of the NEC (numerical electromagnetics code) thin-wire model to a wire dipole in an infinite chiral medium and vertically oriented near an interface between a free space and a chiral half space is described. This particular problem was chosen as one in a sequence leading to a capability for modeling wire antennas and scatterers of arbitrary geometry located on either side of, or penetrating such an interface. Results are presented as a function of medium chirality for the dipole in an infinite medium and as a function of chirality and height for the half-space problem. An approximation for the latter problem which uses the reflection-coefficient approximation (RCA) is compared with the rigorous treatment and found to produce acceptable results for the cases studied.
Positron emission tomography in pediatric radiation oncology: integration in the treatment-planning process

The application of PET imaging to pediatric radiation oncology allows new approaches to targeting and selection of radiation dose based not only on the size of a tumor, but also on its metabolic activity. In order to integrate PET into treatment planning for radiation oncology, logistical issues regarding patient setup, image fusion, and target selection must be addressed. Through prospective study, the role of PET in pediatric malignancies will be established for diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance. To explore the potential role of PET and its incorporation into treatment planning in pediatric radiation oncology, an example case of pediatric Hodgkin’s disease is discussed.
Energy-Efficient Distributed Estimation by Utilizing a Nonlinear Amplifier

This paper describes the development of an energy-efficient amplify-and-forward distributed estimation scheme using realistic amplifier models. Specifically, a novel algorithm is presented that enables distributed estimation in the presence of amplifier compression resulting from the energy-efficient but non-linear class AB operation. In this system, a digital predistortion scheme is utilized to fit the amplifier at each sensor to a mathematically tractable, soft compression function that roughly mimics the compression region of the amplifier. It is shown both analytically and via simulation that using this scheme has two benefits over linear amplifier operation: improved transmitter efficiency by operating the amplifier in compression, and reduced sensitivity to heavy-tailed distributions due to the soft saturation.
Improving visualization of digital mammograms on the CRT display system

This paper discusses the subject of display-specific processign for improving visualization of digital mammograms on the CRT softcopy display systems. We designed and implemented an approach to process mammograms before the display to compensate for the Optical Transfer Function of the CRT and for its noise. A subsequent Receiver Operating Characteristics study demonstrated that the display-specific processing led to an increase in the efficiency of the softcopy diagnosis in the clinical environment.
A less expensive Ewald lattice sum

We present a treatment of the Ewald lattice sum which permits 25% or more decrease in program execution cost for the same level of accuracy. This is accomplished by optimizing on additional degrees of freedom introduced into the function that partitions the Coulombic potential between real- and reciprocal-space parts. The technique was tested in simulations of 1 M KCl in water. It is relatively simple to implement in existing codes, including those based on fast-Fourier-transform solutions to the lattice sum.
Modeling and Experimental Testing of a Two-Wheeled Inverted-Pendulum Transporter

In recent years two-wheeled inverted pendulums have been used as personal transporters. Their maneuverability and small footprint give them desirable properties for such function. However, they are intrinscally unstable and their safety as personal transporters has not been carefully assessed. Dynamic models of these transporters should be developed, and used to investigate failure conditions that would be difficult to safely test with a real machine and human operator. This paper describes the process involved in developing and calibrating such a model. A numerical model of one of these transporters (the Segway i2) was formed and its parameters were matched to the dynamic behavior observed in experimental tests.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Global properties of cellular automata

Cellular automata are discrete mathematical systems that generate diverse, often complicated, behavior using simple deterministic rules. Analysis of the local structure of these rules makes possible a description of the global properties of the associated automata. A class of cellular automata that generate infinitely many aperiodic temporal sequences is defined, as is the set of rules for which inverses exist. Necessary and sufficient conditions are derived characterizing the classes of “nearest-neighbor” rules for which arbitrary finite initial conditions (i) evolve to a homogeneous state; (ii) generate at least one constant temporal sequence.
Recombinant goose-type lysozyme in channel catfish: Lysozyme activity and efficacy as plasmid DNA immunostimulant against Aeromonas hydrophila infection

The objectives of this study were: 1) to investigate whether recombinant channel catfish lysozyme-g (CC-Lys-g) produced in Escherichia coli expression system possesses any lysozyme activity; and 2) to evaluate whether channel catfish lysozyme-g plasmid DNA could be used as an immunostimulant to protect channel catfish against Aeromonas hydrophila infection. Recombinant CC-Lys-g produced in E. coli expression system exhibited significant (P < 0.05) lytic activity against Gram-positive Micrococcus lysodeikticus and Gram-negative A. hydrophila. When pcDNA3.2-vectored recombinant channel catfish lysozyme-g (pcDNA-Lys-g) was transfected in channel catfish gill cells G1B, the over-expression of pcDNA-Lys-g offered significant (P < 0.05) protection to G1B cells against A. hydrophila infection. When channel catfish were intraperitoneally injected with pcDNA-Lys-g along with an adjuvant QCDCR, the transcriptional level of Lys-g was significantly (P < 0.05) increased. When pcDNA-Lys-g injected fish was challenged with a highly virulent A. hydrophila strain AL-09-71, pcDNA-Lys-g offered 100% protection to channel catfish at two days post DNA injection. Macrophages of fish injected with pcDNA-Lys-g produced significantly (P < 0.05) higher amounts of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide than that of fish injected with pcDNA vector alone at two days post DNA injection. Taken together, our results suggest that pcDNA-Lys-g could be used as a novel immunostimulant to offer immediate protection to channel catfish against A. hydrophila infection.
Quantum Variance of Maass-Hecke Cusp Forms

In this paper we study quantum variance for the modular surface \({X=\Gamma\backslash\mathbb{H}}\), where \({\Gamma=SL_2(\mathbb{Z})}\) is the full modular group. We evaluate asymptotically the quantum variance, which is introduced by S. Zelditch and describes the fluctuations of a quantum observable. It is shown that the quantum variance is equal to the classical variance of the geodesic flow on S*X, the unit cotangent bundle of X, but twisted by the central value of the Maass-Hecke L-functions.
IBM service oriented technologies and management for smarter enterprise

The paper describes IBM's concepts, methodology, framework and implementing issues addressing trends in the service orientation of enterprises. Related to IT infrastructures of Web Services, the Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) represents a technical architecture, a business modelling concept, a type of infrastructure, an integration source and a new way of viewing units of automation within the enterprise. The product, seen as good by manufacturing resources and as service consumer by information systems, provides consistency between the material and informational flows in manufacturing enterprises. Thus, service orientation in the manufacturing domain is not limited to just Web services, or technology and technical infrastructure either; instead, it reflects a new way of thinking about processes, resources and their information counterparts - the service-oriented agents reinforcing the value of commoditization, reuse, semantics and information, and create business value. IBM's middleware solutions concerning the Service Oriented Enterprise Architecture are given.
IAP-antagonists exhibit non-redundant modes of action through differential DIAP1 binding

The Drosophila inhibitor of apoptosis protein DIAP1 ensures cell viability by directly inhibiting caspases. In cells destined to die this IAP-mediated inhibition of caspases is overcome by IAP-antagonists. Genetic evidence indicates that IAP-antagonists are non-equivalent and function synergistically to promote apoptosis. Here we provide biochemical evidence for the non-equivalent mode of action of Reaper, Grim, Hid and Jafrac2. We find that these IAP-antagonists display differential and selective binding to specific DIAP1 BIR domains. Consistently, we show that each DIAP1 BIR region associates with distinct caspases. The differential DIAP1 BIR interaction seen both between initiator and effector caspases and within IAP-antagonist family members suggests that different IAP-antagonists inhibit distinct caspases from interacting with DIAP1. Surprisingly, we also find that the caspase-binding residues of XIAP predicted to be strictly conserved in caspase-binding IAPs, are absent in DIAP1. In contrast to XIAP, residues C-terminal to the DIAP1 BIR1 domain are indispensable for caspase association. Our studies on DIAP1 and caspases expose significant differences between DIAP1 and XIAP suggesting that DIAP1 and XIAP inhibit caspases in different ways.
Oxidative mutagenesis of doxorubicin-Fe(III) complex

Abstract Doxorubicin has a high affinity for inorganic iron, Fe(III), and has potential to form doxorubicin-Fe(III) complexes in biological systems. Indirect involvement of iron has been substantiated in the oxidative mutagenicity of doxorubicin. In this study, however, direct involvement of Fe(III) was evaluated in mutagenicity studies with the doxorubicin-Fe(III) complex. The Salmonella mutagenicity assay with strain TA102 was used with a pre-incubation step. The highest mutagenicity of doxorubicin-Fe(III) complex was observed at the dose of 2.5 nmol/plate of the complex. The S9-mix decreased this highest mutagenicity but increased the number of revertants at a higher dose of 10 nmol/plate of the complex. On the other hand, the mutagenicity of the doxorubicin-Fe(III) complex at the doses of 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 nmol/plate was enhanced about twice by the addition of glutathione plus H 2 O 2 . This enhanced mutagenicity as well as of the complex itself, the complex plus glutathione, and the complex plus H 2 O 2 were reduced by the addition of ADR-529, an Fe(III) chelator, and potassium iodide, a hydroxyl radical scavenger. These results indicate that doxorubicin-Fe(III) complex exert the mutagenicity through oxidative DNA damage and that Fe(III) is a required element in the mutagenesis of doxorubicin.
Gas emissions from failed and actual eruptions from Cook Inlet Volcanoes, Alaska, 1989–2006

Cook Inlet volcanoes that experienced an eruption between 1989 and 2006 had mean gas emission rates that were roughly an order of magnitude higher than at volcanoes where unrest stalled. For the six events studied, mean emission rates for eruptions were ∼13,000 t/d CO2 and 5200 t/d SO2, but only ∼1200 t/d CO2 and 500 t/d SO2 for non-eruptive events (‘failed eruptions’). Statistical analysis suggests degassing thresholds for eruption on the order of 1500 and 1000 t/d for CO2 and SO2, respectively. Emission rates greater than 4000 and 2000 t/d for CO2 and SO2, respectively, almost exclusively resulted during eruptive events (the only exception being two measurements at Fourpeaked). While this analysis could suggest that unerupted magmas have lower pre-eruptive volatile contents, we favor the explanations that either the amount of magma feeding actual eruptions is larger than that driving failed eruptions, or that magmas from failed eruptions experience less decompression such that the majority of H2O remains dissolved and thus insufficient permeability is produced to release the trapped volatile phase (or both). In the majority of unrest and eruption sequences, increases in CO2 emission relative to SO2 emission were observed early in the sequence. With time, all events converged to a common molar value of C/S between 0.5 and 2. These geochemical trends argue for roughly similar decompression histories until shallow levels are reached beneath the edifice (i.e., from 20–35 to ∼4–6 km) and perhaps roughly similar initial volatile contents in all cases. Early elevated CO2 levels that we find at these high-latitude, andesitic arc volcanoes have also been observed at mid-latitude, relatively snow-free, basaltic volcanoes such as Stromboli and Etna. Typically such patterns are attributed to injection and decompression of deep (CO2-rich) magma into a shallower chamber and open system degassing prior to eruption. Here we argue that the C/S trends probably represent tapping of vapor-saturated regions with high C/S, and then gradual degassing of remaining dissolved volatiles as the magma progresses toward the surface. At these volcanoes, however, C/S is often accentuated due to early preferential scrubbing of sulfur gases. The range of equilibrium degassing is consistent with the bulk degassing of a magma with initial CO2 and S of 0.6 and 0.2 wt.%, respectively, similar to what has been suggested for primitive Redoubt magmas.
The Effect of Frequent Managerial Turnover on Organizational Performance: A Study of Professional Baseball Managers

Abstract This analysis is designed to study the question of a manager's contribution to the organization, particularly in terms of uncertainty related to managerial succession. The theory of managerial succession, which is the replacement of one public manager with another, suggests a negative relationship between change and organizational performance. Organizations’ decision to change managers more often exacerbates the negative effect on performance. The hypotheses are tested using baseball managers as proxies for public managers, as they perform similar duties, have similar goals, and operate under similar constraints. The results suggest that managerial succession has a negative effect on organizational performance. Frequent succession events also have a negative effect on performance, although the relationship is non-linear in nature.
Energy crop evaluation by linear programming

Abstract It is demonstrated how mathematical modelling can be used to evaluate energy crops and to determine optimal production scenarios. A generalized linear programming model is presented which can be used to optimize agricultural production systems by evaluating the time-varying competition between crops for land, labor and machinery. The linear programming model uses a multi-stage structure to force activities such as land preparation, planting and harvesting to occur in the proper sequence. In addition, crop yield reductions for untimely field operations are considered. The model schedules activities and determines the amounts of each crop which maximize profits according to price, time and resource constraints. Also, shadow prices are given for each scarce resource. Shadow prices represent the value of an additional unit of a resource. Shadow prices are effective in identifying critical constraints (i.e. bottlenecks) at various production stages. A case study, based on actual field data, is included to provide an illustration of the analysis procedure.
Outcomes after stereotactic radiosurgery and various adjuvant treatments for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme: a current literature review and comparison of multiple factors that impact outcome.

T g t t r ( f i ( v s S a C i a s m v q T he current article, entitled “Gamma Knife Surgery versus Reoperation for Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme,” by Skeie et al., evaluated 77 patients with lioblastoma multiforme (GBM). All patients had undergone ross total resection (GTR) at the time of the initial treatment nd then received 39 to 60 Gy of fractionated external-beam adiotherapy (FEBRT) within 8 weeks of the initial surgery. hirty patients received FEBRT without, whereas 42 patients nderwent FEBRT with chemotherapy (CTX). Of these 42 atients who received FEBRT with CTX, 13 (31%) who were reated from 1996 to 2004 received an FEBRT dose of 39-54 y and procarbazine, lomustine (CCNU), and vincristine (PCV) nd 29 (69%) patients treated from 2005 onward received a igher FEBRT dose of 60 Gy and Temodar (TMZ). Five patients 6.5%) underwent FEBRT without radiation or CTX. The 77 atients who experienced tumor recurrence were treated as ollows: 32 patients underwent gamma knife radiosurgery GKR), 26 had reoperation, and 19 patients received both eoperation and GKS. The last category of 19 patients included atients with second recurrences, and 13 (68%) of these 19 nderwent surgery for the first recurrence and radiosurgery or the second recurrence. The other 6 underwent both etreatments during the same hospitalization for residual tuor postresection.
Direct Evidence of Two Gaps in Underdoped Bi2212

This short paper summarizes the results we presented at the LEHTSC2007 conference. Recent doping and temperature dependence of angle-resolved photoemission data of underdoped superconducting cuprate Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 (Bi2212) have revealed the presence of two energy scales exhibiting distinct behaviours [1,2]. One, which dominates the antinodal region, increases with underdoping and does not show obvious temperature dependence across Tc. This is a behaviour known for more than a decade and considered as the general gap behaviour in the underdoped regime. The other, which dominates the near-nodal regime, does not increase with less doping and opens near Tc via a BCS-like temperature dependence. This is a behaviour not previously observed in the single particle spectra. We propose a momentum space picture of these two energy scales or energy gaps that could resolve the seemingly contradictory gap measurements among different experimental techniques. Our results have also further constrained the theory for high-Tc superconducting cuprates.
Molecular oncogene markers and their significance in cutaneous malignant melanoma.

Background: Oncogenes and other molecular tumor markers that predict tumor aggressiveness may allow individualization and optimization of surgical therapy of intermediate-thickness malignant melanoma. We examined the expression of selected markers, including the HLA-DR antigen, the heat shock protein-70 (HSP-70), and the c-myc oncogene in primary melanoma and regional nodes and related these findings to metastatic potential and survival. Methods: Forty patients with primary melanoma (1.5–4.0 mm) were studied, all of whom had prophylactic lymph node dissection and were followed for 18 months to 7 years. The primary tissue and nodes were examined using immunohistochemical techniques for the presence of HLA-DR antigen and HSP-70 protein and the expression of the c-myc oncogene. Results: Of 40 patients, there were 23 with lesions 1 to 2.9 mm thick and 17 with lesions 3 to 4 mm thick. Nodal metastases were present in 25 of the 40 patients who had elective node dissection. HLA-DR antibody stained the primary tumor in 10 patients (25%), but there was no correlation with survival in this group. HLA-DR antibody stained the stroma and cellular infiltrates surrounding the primary tumor in 28 of 40 patients; in this group there was a correlation of HLA-DR staining of the peritumoral stroma with improved survival overall. HLA-DR staining of the peritumoral stroma also influenced survival when patients were stratified by tumor thickness groups 1 to 2.9 mm and 3 to 4 mm and presence of nodal metastases. HSP-70 was demonstrated in the primary tumor in 25% of patients, who were also shown to have significantly improved survival when compared with those whose primary tumor did not stain with HSP-70. C-myc was expressed in the primary tumor in 25%, but showed no correlation with survival. None of these proteins correlated with or predicted the presence of nodal metastases. Conclusion: We conclude that the use of specific molecular-oncogene markers in intermediate-thickness primary melanoma may identify patients at high risk for conventional treatment failure and reduced survival who may profit from more aggressive surgery, adjuvant therapy, or both.
Stimulation of α2-adrenergic receptors in nucleus tractus solitarius is required for the baroreceptor reflex

Bilateral injection into the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) of the α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist yohimbine produced a dose-related (10–500 pmol) increase in arterial pressure, with a maximal response of approximately 60 mm Hg. Idazoxan, also an α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist, produced a similar response although idazoxan was less potent than yohimbine. The pressor response elicited by these drugs was attenuated by stimulation of adrenergic receptors in the NTS by local administration of either clonidine or tyramine. Doses of yohimbine (200 pmol) or idazoxan (5 nmol) that maximally increased arterial pressure also completely inhibited the depressor and bradycardic responses to electrical stimulation of the aortic depressor nerve. These results indicate that tonic stimulation of α2-adrenergic receptors in the NTS is required for baroreceptor reflex function.
Vibrotactile spatial summation

By means of a two-interval, forced-choice technique, absolute thresholds were obtained at several sites on the skin for short bursts of mechanical vibration. The difference between the energy required for a single vibrator, in dB, to reach threshold and the energy required for two vibrators presented successively to reach threshold was taken as the measure of probability summation. Spatial summation was computed as the difference between the energies required for threshold for the two vibrators presented successively and simultaneously. Both probability summation, 0.52 dB lowering in threshold, and spatial summation, 1.94 dB lowering in threshold, remained constant as a function of the distance between the two vibrators on the thigh. Similar amounts of summation were obtained unilaterally and bilaterally on the fingers. When the frequency of vibration was lowered to 9 Hz, no spatial summation was found. When the frequencies of vibration at the two test sites were different, 160 Hz at one locus, 360 Hz at the other locus, there was no spatial summation.
Seismic performance-based design optimization considering direct economic loss and direct social loss

Abstract Seismic performance-based design of a steel structure is performed using a multi-objective optimization that considers both direct economic and social losses. Specified performance objectives are considered as constraints and their variance over the obtained Pareto front is investigated. Optimization objectives are selected as the lifetime cost calculated from the initial construction cost and expected annual loss associated with seismic direct economic losses, and direct social loss parameter defined as expected annual social loss. Inelastic time history analysis is used to evaluate structural response under different levels of earthquake hazard to obtain engineering demand parameters. To illustrate the seismic performance-based design procedure, calculations are presented and compared for a sample steel structure located in Los Angeles, CA and Memphis, TN.
Effect of silane coupling agents on the wear resistance of polymer-nanoporous silica gel dental composites

Abstract Particle pre-treatment with a silane coupling agent, γ -methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, increased the wear rate of triethylglycoldimethacrylate (TEGDMA) composites reinforced with HF-catalyzed nanoporous silica gel. The percentage filler porosity appeared to exert the greatest control on the wear properties. Increasing silanation led to a decrease in the surface area and total pore volume, resulting in a linear increase in the wear rate. It is believed that decreasing penetration of crosslinked TEGDMA into the gel particles contained within the composite caused a transition from plastic deformation to brittle fracture during wear. In addition, the presence of the coupling agent had no net effect on wear property preservation.
Academic Achievement and Perceptions of the Learning Environment in Virtual and Traditional Secondary Mathematics Classrooms

This study examined Algebra students' achievement and perceptions of their classroom environments in both online and traditional face-to-face learning contexts using two validated assessments, the Assessment of Algebraic Understanding (AAU) test and the What is Happening in this Class? (WIHIC) classroom perceptions instrument. Three virtual and three traditional schools in three different states participated. Quantitative analysis revealed that online students consistently outperformed traditional students across the AAU subscales despite having lower proportions in a college preparation path. Traditional students were more likely to have significantly higher averages on their perceptions of Student Cohesiveness, Involvement, and Cooperation. Online students were more likely to perceive higher Teacher Support. The study reveals virtual students can access quality mathematics content and skilled teaching while also achieving academically. Increased access to virtual Algebra courses may provide more equitab...
Who Institutionalizes Institutions? The Case of Paternity Establishment in the United States

Objective. Many researchers have cited the importance of institutional legacies to explain why legislators resist transferring tasks from one agency to another but leave undefined exactly what constitutes these legacies. This analysis concretely defines institutional legacies as organized interests who shape the range of options available for programmatic implementation. Methods. Using a pooled, time-series ordered probit model for the U.S. states from 1988 to 1995, this article focuses on the transition from court-based systems to administrative agencies in making paternity determinations. Results. Lawmakers are less likely to move to administrative systems in states where there are family courts, elected judges, and a large number of lawyers organized into the American Bar Association. The presence of women legislators, however, can mitigate these legacy effects and move the process of innovation onward. Conclusions. Institutional legacies are best conceptualized as strong, organized interests who resist relinquishing any part of their authority, even when confronted with more effective ways of achieving policy goals.
MEDS: mockup electronic data sheets for automated testing of cyber-physical systems using digital mockups

Cyber-physical systems have become more difficult to test as hardware and software complexity grows. The increased integration between computing devices and physical phenomena demands new techniques for ensuring correct operation of devices across a broad range of operating conditions. Manual test methods, which involve test personnel, require much effort and expense and lengthen a device's time to market. We describe a method for test automation of devices wherein a device is connected to a digital mockup of the physical environment, where both the device and the digital mockup are managed by PC-based software. A digital mockup consists of a behavioral model of the interacting environment, such as a medical ventilator device connected to a digital mockup of human lungs. We introduce Mockup Electronic Data Sheets (MEDS) as a method for embedding model information into the digital mockup, allowing PC software to automatically detect configurable model parameters and facilitate test automation. We summarize a case study showing the effectiveness of digital mockups and MEDS as a framework for test automation on a medical ventilator, resulting in 5× less time spent testing compared to methods requiring test personnel.
Synthesis and Anticonvulsant Activity of Some Alkyl Esters of 6-Chloro-2-sulfamoylbenzoic Acid

The application of the Rule of Six for the estimation of steric effects to a series of alkyl esters of 4-amino-2-sulfamoylbenzoic acid possessing pronounced anticonvulsant activity shows the highly hindered isopropyl and sec -butyl esters to be much more potent than the less hindered methyl, ethyl, and n -propyl compounds. In order to provide further information concerning steric factors and anticonvulsant properties, four alkyl 6-chloro-2-sulfamoylbenzoates, which contain the chlorine atom in the shielding position adjacent to the alkoxycarbonyl group, were synthesized: the methyl, ethyl, n -propyl, and isopropyl esters. Preliminary pharmacological results indicate that the isopropyl 6-chloro-2-sulfamoylbenzoate produces strong antielectroshock effects in mice which are quite specific, with no other CNS activity except at high doses in the gross observations.
Trotting, pacing and bounding by a quadruped robot

This paper explores the quadruped running gaits that use the legs in pairs: the trot (diagonal pairs), the pace (lateral pairs), and the bound (front and rear pairs). Rather than study these gaits in quadruped animals, we studied them in a quadruped robot. We found that each of the gaits that use the legs in pairs can be transformed into a common underlying gait, a virtual biped gait. Once transformed, a single set of control algorithms produce all three gaits, with modest parameter variations between them. The control algorithms manipulated rebound height, running speed, and body attitude, while a low-level mechanism coordinated the behavior of the legs in each pair. The approach was tested with laboratory experiments on a four-legged robot. Data are presented that show the details of the running motion for the three gaits and for transitions from one gait to another.
Regulation of IGF-I mRNA and Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription-3 and -5 (Stat-3 and -5) by GH in C2C12 Myoblasts

GH and IGF-I are critical hormones for the regulation of longitudinal growth and the maintenance of lean body mass in humans. The regulation of IGF-I expression by GH in hepatocytes is well documented; however less is known about the regulation of IGF-I in peripheral tissues such as muscle. We have examined the regulation of IGF-I mRNA by GH and IGF-I in C2C12 myoblasts. GH stimulated the accumulation of IGF-I mRNA dose- and time-dependently. An elevation of IGF-I mRNA was observed with GH doses as low as 0.75 ng/ml and after exposure to GH for as little as 1 h, and the increase required ongoing transcription and translation. GH applied in a pulsatile fashion for 10 min followed by an 8-h interpulse interval increased IGF-I mRNA to a greater extent than continuous exposure. GH stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of the GH receptor, signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (Stat3), and Stat5. Stat5 was resistant to additional phosphorylation if cells were given a GH pulse within 2 h of a previous GH exposure. The refractory period lasted for 4 h, and cells could be maximally stimulated again after 6 h. Stat3 phosphorylation was also enhanced in cells that were allowed to recover from a previous application of GH. The tyrosine kinase inhibitors, genistein, PP1, and AG-490, and the MAPK kinase inhibitor, PD98059, did not block Stat3 or Stat5 phosphorylation. In contrast, WHI-P154, a Janus kinase-3 inhibitor, dose-dependently prevented Stat3, but not Stat5, phosphorylation. GH-inducible nuclear transport of Stat3 was likewise inhibited by WHI-P154. Most importantly, GH-dependent IGF-I mRNA expression was inhibited by WHI-P154. In contrast, IGF-I mRNA expression was inhibited by IGF-I peptide, and the effect of IGF-I was dominant over that of GH. IGF-I mRNA was regulated by both PI3K and MAPK signal transduction pathways, but IGF-I peptide signaled predominantly through a wortmannin-sensitive pathway to down-regulate its own mRNA. Our data suggest that Janus kinases (Jak2 or Jak3) and their downstream targets (Stat3 and Stat5) may play important roles in the expression of IGF-I mRNA and the myoblast response to GH. In addition, C2C12 cells appear to be a good model system to examine GH regulation of Janus kinase/Stat signaling and the regulation of IGF-I mRNA.
Hydraulic influence of modifications to the san dimas critical‐depth measuring flume

An experimental determination of various factors which affect the rating of critical-depth measuring flumes is presented in this paper. Those factors investigated included entrance conditions, floor slope, wall and floor friction, length of flume, method of measuring the head, and the effect of an idealized obstruction in the entrance channel.
Fabrication of carbon nanotube based transparent conductive thin films using layer-by-layer technology

This paper presents a simple and convenient process for the fabrication of carbon nanotube based optically transparent and electrically conductive thin films. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are chemically treated to introduce negatively charged carboxylic groups on their surfaces, so that a stable SWNT aqueous dispersion can be obtained without any surfactant. The substrate surface is modified by a layer-by-layer nanoassembly technique, in which a positively charged hydrophilic polymer molecular layer is formed on the top of the substrate. This helps the SWNT dispersion to be cast onto the substrate using convenient wet coating techniques and increases the bonding force between the thin films and the substrates. Using the developed process, large sizes of conductive pure SWNT thin films that are uniform and highly transparent have been fabricated.
EFFECT OF SKIN TEMPERATURE ON INFECTIBILITY OF PLASMODIUM GALLINACEUM SPOROZOITES IN THE CHICK.

SummaryThe temperature of the biting site for mosquitoes on the shaved belly of the albino mouse was found to be 3.5°C (6.3°F) lower than that of a comparable plucked area on the chick breast. When the temperature of the chick skin was maintained at or below that of the mouse skin during and for some time after potentially infecting bites of A. aegypti mosquitoes carrying sporozoites of P. gallinaceum, it was found that the procedure did not in any way deter the onset of infection in these chicks.Grateful acknowledgement is made of the technical assistance of Esther W. Nadolny.
THE RECURRENCE FORMULAE FOR MEANS AND VARIANCES

Derivation and illustration is shown of the simple and well-known formulae relating the mean (and variance) of n observations to that of those n plus one more.
Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis of the Temporal Bone

Langerhans cell histiocytosis involving the temporal bone region is uncommon and can resemble malignant neoplasms on imaging due to high cellularity. Although recognizing the presence of sharp margins with beveled-edges can be helpful, tissue sampling is often necessary for confirming the diagnosis. Cytology classically demonstrates kidney-bean shaped nuclei within the Langerhans cells and immunohistochemical staining is positive for S-100, peanut agglutinin (PNA), MHC class II, CD1a, and Langerin (CD 207). These features are exemplified in this sine qua non radiology–pathology correlation article.
Growth of heterotopic LNCaP prostate cancer tumor in nude mice is not affected by dietary calcium.

BACKGROUND We attempted to provide experimental evidence linking increased dietary calcium to progression of prostate cancer, as suggested by some epidemiological studies, using a heterotopic prostate cancer nude mice model. METHODS Twenty heterotopic LNCaP prostate cancer tumor bearing nude mice were randomly assigned to one of the four groups: (I) high fat/low calcium diet, (II) high fat and high calcium diet, (III) high fat diet fortified with Vitamin D3, and (IV) high fat and high calcium diet fortified with Vitamin D3. In addition to weekly animal weights and tumor size measurements, the serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), 25-hydroxy Vitamin D3, calcium, phosphorus, total protein, albumin (to account for bound calcium) [1], and serum alkaline phosphatase (a measure of bone loss) [2] were determined at the termination of experiments. RESULTS Although the serum calcium and 25-hydroxy Vitamin D3 were significantly higher in groups III and IV compared to groups I and II (P < 0.05), there was no significant difference between the tumor growth rates, final tumor weights (P = 0.9), and the serum PSA levels (P = 0.94) between the four groups. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that dietary calcium does not significantly affect the growth of heterotopic LNCaP prostate cancer in nude mice. Prostate 48:265–273, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
LEARNING TO PUT ETHNOGRAPHY TO GOOD USE: THE GAMBIA, WEST AFRICA FIELD STUDY PROGRAM

The St. Mary's College of Maryland Gambia Field Study Program began in 1996 when ten students with a variety of majors, led by Professor Bill Roberts, learned to apply ethnographic research techniques to their service-learning or research projects. A total of four programs have been completed to date, the most recent being the subject of the documentary film, Tubabs in Africa (2002). The course is designed to assist students from any major learn basic language and culture skills to live comfortably in The Gambia for seven weeks and carry out an individual, firsthand research project using ethnographic and other appropriate techniques. All students spend the first two weeks together studying the Mandinka language and learning about Gambian culture. Gambian and expatriate guest speakers and field trips around the Greater Banjul Area provide students with the basic grounding they need for success. The group then travels to various sites “upcountry” for about a week to learn more about country ecology and rural life in Gambia. Another trip to the Senegalese capital city of Dakar provides students with further contrasts between countries with different colonial histories, and an opportunity to visit the World Heritage Site of Goree Island. The final half of the course students are directed on individual research projects they devise with the assistance of the instructor on topics that range from primate studies to fisheries to public health. The course challenges students to be flexible and adaptable, to work in team settings and as individual researchers, and to develop skills for acquiring intercultural competency in Gambia. The next field school for the summer of 2004 will also feature an archaeological component.
New Constraints on Tectonics of Interior Alaska: Earthquake Locations, Source Mechanisms, and Stress Regime

We used the joint hypocenter determination (JHD) method to relocate 3611 crustal earthquakes that occurred from 1988 to 1999 in central Alaska. The new earthquake locations provide more details on the structure of the Kantishna cluster and better locations for the aftershock sequence of the 29 November 2000 M L 5.6 earthquake in the Minto Flats seismic zone. The JHD locations for the aftershocks of the 1995 M W 6.0 Minto Flats earthquake and 22 October 1996 M W 5.8 earthquake near the Denali fault are also available. A catalog of 196 fault-plane solutions consisting of the moment tensor solutions for the earthquakes with magnitude 4.0 or above and P -wave first-motion solutions for the earthquakes with magnitude 3.4 and above that occurred from 1988 to 2000 was composed. Moment tensor solutions were calculated using regional broadband data. This catalog was used to calculate principal stress orientations in the crust. The stress orientations change across central Alaska. In particular, the maximum principal stress orientation rotates clockwise from SE-NW to SSW-NNE direction as one moves from west to east. These stress orientations are consistent with the stress field transferred from the plate convergence in southern Alaska. In addition, we tested different velocity structures in the moment tensor inversion procedure to identify velocity models for calculating the Green's functions. The moment tensor inversion study shows that it is possible to obtain a reliable moment tensor solution for moderate-sized earthquakes ( M L ≥ 4) using three-component records from a single broadband station when the epicentral distances are between 50 and 300 km. Manuscript received 8 June 2001.