cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Direct measure of crystalline domain size, distribution, and orientation in polyethylene fibers

Abstract High performance ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers are primarily composed of extended chain (shish) and lamellae (kebab) crystalline domains. Characterization of these architectures commonly utilizes x-ray scattering techniques, which rely upon models to transform from inverse scattering space to real space. Scattering models for lamellae and straight chain crystalline domains were developed and intended for use in ideal scattering scenarios; ie. purely extended chain or purely lamellae. Simultaneous implementation of both models with real (non-ideal) fibers takes for granted the validity of either model in the presence of the other crystalline feature. In this work, we utilize atomic force microscopy (AFM) to directly couple real space stiffness measurements to the analysis of scattering data. The validity of scattering models is tested against real space image analysis and conclusions are drawn regarding the analysis of scattering data to quantify crystalline domain sizes. We find that the lamellae long spacing estimated from scattering data is consistent with real space image analysis. Whereas significant differences are observed for the analysis of lamellae diameter. The characteristic size of extended chain crystalline domains is measured via the streak analysis method on both SAXS 2D scattering data and the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) of AFM stiffness maps. The streak analysis results in comparable length scales when applied to SAXS and FFT AFM images. A comparison of the streak analysis with novel filtered AFM images suggest that the streak analysis is capturing continuity of straight chain crystalline domains.
Methodology for Load Rating of Damaged Double-Tee Girder Bridges

Abstract The most common type of bridge on South Dakota local roads is a precast prestressed double-tee (DT) girder bridge. For old and/or deteriorated bridges, the estimation of the bridge safe li...
RewardRating: A Mechanism Design Approach to Improve Rating Systems.

Nowadays, rating systems play a crucial role in the attraction of customers for different services. However, as it is difficult to detect a fake rating, attackers can potentially impact the rating's aggregated score unfairly. This malicious behavior can negatively affect users and businesses. To overcome this problem, we take a mechanism-design approach to increase the cost of fake ratings while providing incentives for honest ratings. Our proposed mechanism \textit{RewardRating} is inspired by the stock market model in which users can invest in their ratings for services and receive a reward based on future ratings. First, we formally model the problem and discuss budget-balanced and incentive-compatibility specifications. Then, we suggest a profit-sharing scheme to cover the rating system's requirements. Finally, we analyze the performance of our proposed mechanism.
Vaginal Hysterectomy for the Treatment of Endometrial Cancer and Endometrial Intraepithelial Hyperplasia in Superobese Patients

Objective: Given the increasing prevalence of obesity, the incidence of endometrial cancer and endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN) could increase twofold within the next 2 decades. Although...
Influenza Forecasting

In the 2018-19 influenza season, between 37.4 and 42.9 million people in the United States experienced flu like symptoms. From that number, 431 to 647 thousand were hospitalized and 36400 to 61200 (most of them children and seniors) succumbed to the disease. Due to the annual mutation of the very many strands of the flu virus, new vaccines must be developed and administered every flu season. Therefore, the prediction of the rate of growth in reported infection cases of each strand of the flu is paramount to ensuring the correct supply of vaccines per strand. A great tool for making future predictions using existing data is Machine learning - specifically Neural Networks. eVision (Epidemic Vision) is a software using Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural networks under research and development by Santa Clara University's EPIC (Ethical, Pragmatic, and Intelligent Computing) and Bioinnovation & Design labs to predict the trend of influenza cases throughout the flu season using data from the CDC, WHO, and Google Trends in order to help pharmaceuticals decide on the ramping up or down of their development of tester kits, vaccines, and medicines weeks in advance.
Group-Based Exercise in CKD Stage 3b to 4: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract Rationale & objective We aimed to test interventions to improve physical activity in persons with advanced chronic kidney disease not yet on dialysis. Study Design Randomized controlled trial with parallel group design Setting & Participants We embedded a pragmatic referral to exercise programming in high-volume kidney clinics servicing diverse populations in San Jose, California and Atlanta, Georgia. We recruited 56 participants with eGFR Interventions We randomized participants to a mobile health (mHealth) group—wearable activity trackers and fitness professional counseling, or an EIM group—mHealth components plus twice weekly small-group, directed exercise sessions customized to persons with kidney disease. We performed assessments at baseline, at eight weeks at the end of active intervention, and at 16 weeks after passive follow-up, and used multilevel mixed models to assess between group differences. Outcomes Activity tracker total daily step count Results Of 56 participants, 86% belonged to a racial/ethnic minority group; randomized groups were well-balanced on baseline step count. In intention-to-treat analyses, the EIM and mHealth groups both experienced declines in daily step counts, but there was an attenuated reduction in light intensity physical activity (0.2 [5.8] vs. -8.5 [5.4] min/day, p=0.08) in the EIM compared to the mHealth group at eight weeks. In as-treated analyses, total daily step count, distance covered, and light and moderate-vigorous activity minutes/day improved in the EIM group and declined in the mHealth group at eight weeks (+335 [506] vs -884 [340] steps/day p=0.05, p Limitations Small sample size, limited duration of study, assessment of intermediate outcomes (steps/day). Conclusions A clinic-integrated referral to small-group exercise sessions is feasible, safe, and moderately effective in improving physical activity in an underserved population with high comorbidities.
The strategic surprise of Russian information operations on social media in 2016 in the United States: mapping a blind spot

Despite many years of preparation for cyber conflict against US critical infrastructure and military forces, the US government and cybersecurity industry were unprepared for Russian information ope...
USE OF 8-AZAGUANINE FOR THE ISOLATION OF AUXOTROPHIC MUTANTS OF BACILLUS MEGATERIUM

Wachsman, J. T. (University of Illinois, Urbana) and R. Mangalo. Use of 8-azaguanine for the isolation of auxotrophic mutants of Bacillus megaterium. J. Bacteriol. 83:35–37. 1962.—8-Azaguanine is bactericidal for Bacillus megaterium strain KM, primarily under conditions where growth is possible. This analogue has been used to enrich for auxotrophic mutants in ultraviolet-irradiated populations. The survivors were found to contain from 1.6 to 33.0% amino acid auxotrophs and from 19 to 29% pyrimidine nucleoside auxotrophs. Since many different biological systems are sensitive to 8-azaguanine, the use of this analogue to enrich for auxotrophic mutants may have a more general application than techniques currently employed.
Nonparametric Partial Identification of Causal Net and Mechanism Average Treatment Effects

When analyzing the causal e§ect of a treatment on an outcome it is important to un- derstand the mechanisms or channels through which the treatment works. In this paper we study net and mechanism average treatment e§ects (NATE and MATE, respectively), which provide an intuitive decomposition of the total average treatment e§ect (ATE) that enables learning about how the treatment a§ects the outcome. We derive informative non- parametric bounds for these two e§ects allowing for heterogeneous e§ects and without re- quiring the use of an instrumental variable or having an outcome with bounded support. We employ assumptions requiring weak monotonicity of mean potential outcomes within or across subpopulations deOned by the potential values of the mechanism variable under each treatment arm. We illustrate the identifying power of our bounds by analyzing what part of the ATE of a training program on weekly earnings and employment is due to the obtainment of a GED, high school, or vocational degree.
A Linear Programming Approach to Constrained Multivariable Control

Efficient operation of a process often means operation at or near constraints on the process inputs and/or outputs. At a constraint there is a loss in degrees of freedom which can cause serious degradation in the performance of control systems designed by classical single-loop or non-interacting design methods. We present a linear programming approach for dealing with linear inequality constraints on combinations of the process inputs and outputs. The approach is based on the strategy of estimating the effect of disturbances on the process outputs by subtracting from the measured outputs the effect of the control effort on the outputs. This is done with the aid of a process model. The inevitable mismatch between the process model and the real plant is accounted for by limiting the desired speed of response of the control system in a manner similar to that used by Model Algorithmic Control. Control system performance is demonstrated with the aid of several examples including multivariable systems with significant dead times and modeling errors.
A Poly(A) Polymerase from Calf Thymus CHARACTERIZATION OF THE REACTION PRODUCT AND THE PRIMER REQUIREMENT

Abstract Polyadenylate sequences of 100 to 200 AMP residues can be covalently attached to the 3' hydroxyl group of several polyribonucleotides, but not to deoxypolyribonucleotides, with a magnesium-activated poly(A) polymerase from calf thymus nuclei. Examination of a limited number of well defined RNAs indicates that the reaction is relatively non-specific for small RNAs, since poly(A)'s of 50 to 100 AMPs, transfer RNAs, and RNA fragments from extracts of the enzyme were effective primers. In the latter case, no specificity could be detected for the nucleotide at the 3' end, but the nucleotides of all four bases were used as sites of initiation of poly(A) chains. Size and shape appear to be important, however, as short AMP oligomers were far less effective on a molar basis than (Ap)40A, while poly(A) sequences could not be attached to native 28 S RNA or the MS-2 phage RNA, but only to fragments derived from them. Available data on this polymerase and the reaction it catalyzes are compatible with a role for it in the post-transcriptional addition of poly(A) sequences to the heterogeneous RNA of eucaryotic nuclei.
Exploring privacy versus data quality trade-offs in anonymization techniques using multi-objective optimization

Data anonymization techniques have received extensive attention in the privacy research community over the past several years. Various models of privacy preservation have been proposed: k-anonymity, l-diversity and t-closeness, to name a few. An oft-cited drawback of these models is that there is considerable loss in data quality arising from the use of generalization and suppression techniques. Optimization attempts in this context have so far focused on maximizing the data utility for a pre-specified level of privacy. To determine if better privacy levels are obtainable with the same level of data utility, majority of the existing formulations require exhaustive analysis. Further, the data publisher's perspective is often missed in the process. The publisher wishes to maintain a given level of data utility since the data utility is the revenue earner and then maximize the level of privacy within acceptable limits. In this paper, we explore this privacy versus data quality trade-off as a multi-objective optimization problem. Our goal is to provide substantial information to a data publisher about the trade-offs available between the privacy level and the information content of an anonymized data set.
Nanophotonics: Technology and application

Dense photonic integration requires miniaturization of materials, devices and subsystems, including passive components (e.g., engineered composite metamaterials, filters, etc.) and active components (e.g., lasers, modulators, detectors). This paper discusses passive and active devices that recently have been demonstrated in our laboratory for chip-scale integration.
Continuous Video Electroencephalographic (EEG) Monitoring for Electrographic Seizure Diagnosis in Neonates A Single-Center Study

The objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic yield of continuous video electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring in critically ill neonates in the setting of a novel, university-based Neonatal Neurocritical Care Service. Patient demographic characteristics, indication for seizure monitoring, and presence of electrographic seizures were obtained by chart review. Among 595 patients cared for by the Neonatal Neurocritical Care Service, 400 (67%) received continuous video EEG. The median duration of continuous video EEG monitoring was 49 (interquartile range = 22-87) hours. Electrographic seizures were captured in 105 of 400 (26% of monitored patients) and of those, 25 of 105 (24%) had no clinical correlate. In addition, 52 of 400 subjects (13%) were monitored due to paroxysmal events concerning for seizures, but never had electrographic seizures. Continuous video EEG monitoring helped confirm or rule out ongoing seizures in more than one-third of the cases. This finding helps to support the use of continuous video EEG in critically ill neonates.
Utility of Continuous EEG Monitoring in Pediatric Man in the Barrel Syndrome: A Case Report (P1.346)

OBJECTIVE: To describe a pediatric case of man in the barrel syndrome illustrative of the utility of continuous electroencephalogram (cEEG) monitoring in neuro-critical care. BACKGROUND: Systemic hypoperfusion leading to bilateral watershed infarction has been described as a cause of man in the barrel syndrome, a phenotype of proximal muscle weakness preferentially involving the upper extremities. Often seen in critically ill patients, hemodynamic instability may limit ability to obtain neuroimaging. cEEG is frequently employed in intensive care settings for investigation of nonconvulsive seizures. cEEG can also be used to monitor evolving cerebral ischemia due to alterations in cerebral metabolism secondary to diminished blood flow. DESIGN/METHODS: A case of a toddler with man in the barrel syndrome in which cEEG was the sole neurodiagnostic test available to monitor progression of neurological disease is described. RESULTS: A 14-month-old presented with severe dehydration and systemic hypoperfusion. Over two days, cEEG provided a physiologic picture of progressive cerebral dysfunction initially showing generalized high amplitude slowing evolving to attenuation isolated to the parasagittal leads, eventually deteriorating into generalized attenuation preceding clinical signs of herniation. Examination prior to herniation demonstrated absent proximal movement in the bilateral upper and lower extremities, consistent with man in the barrel syndrome. CT scan obtained at the time of clinical herniation revealed bilateral hypodensities in the anterior and posterior watershed areas of the cortex. Due to the severity of injury, the family elected to withdraw care and the patient expired. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic hypoperfusion secondary to severe dehydration resulting in man in the barrel syndrome is a recognized clinical entity, however not well described in the pediatric population. Our case suggests that cEEG in intensive care settings can provide critical neurophysiological monitoring in the setting of cerebral ischemia and evolving edema, in particular when neuroimaging and examination are limited secondary to patient condition. Study Supported by: not applicable Disclosure: Dr. Goldstein has nothing to disclose. Dr. Zonjy has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tuxhorn has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bangert has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bass has nothing to disclose.
What Is a Macrostate? Subjective Observations and Objective Dynamics

We consider the question of whether thermodynamic macrostates are objective consequences of dynamics, or subjective reflections of our ignorance of a physical system. We argue that they are both; more specifically, that the set of macrostates forms the unique maximal partition of phase space which 1) is consistent with our observations (a subjective fact about our ability to observe the system) and 2) obeys a Markov process (an objective fact about the system's dynamics). We review the ideas of computational mechanics, an information-theoretic method for finding optimal causal models of stochastic processes, and argue that macrostates coincide with the ``causal states'' of computational mechanics. Defining a set of macrostates thus consists of an inductive process where we start with a given set of observables, and then refine our partition of phase space until we reach a set of states which predict their own future, i.e. which are Markovian. Macrostates arrived at in this way are provably optimal statistical predictors of the future values of our observables.
Separating quasiconvex subgroups of right-angled Artin groups

A graph group, or right-angled Artin group, is a group given by a presentation where the only relators are commutators of the generators. A graph group presentation corresponds in a natural way to a simplicial graph, with each generator corresponding to a vertex, and each commutator relator corresponding to an edge. Suppose that G is a graph group whose corresponding graph is a tree and H is a subgroup of G. We show that if H is quasiconvex with respect to either the word metric on G or the CAT(0) metric on the universal cover of the standard complex for G, then H is separable, that is, H is the intersection of finite index subgroups of G. We also discuss some consequences relating to certain 3-manifold groups.
A familial defect of neutrophil chemotaxis with asthma, eczema, and recurrent skin infections.

Summary: A defect in chemotaxis of peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN's) was demonstrated in both parents and three of four children in a single family afflicted with varying degrees of respiratory allergy, unusual onset of severe eczema in the first month of life, and recurrent bacterial skin infections. Of great interest was the identification of HLA-B12 at the B locus in all affected members but not in the unaffected child. The two children known since infancy to be most severely affected with eczema and recurrent infections are HLA identical and homozygous for HLA-B12. The child without eczema and infections had an intermediate cellular chemotactic defect most apparent on kinetic studies. Speculation: Recently, several familial defects of neutrophil chemotaxis have been reported in association with syndromes of recurrent bacterial infections, reaginic hypersensitivity, and/or clinical atopy. Our studies extend these observations by describing the possible genetic relationships between atopy (e.g., eczema) chemotactic defects, and the HLA system. Future studies in this field should examine the association between chemotactic defects and the HLA system, and the requirements of both atopy and chemotactic defects to produce recurrent infections.
The justifiability of racial classification and generalizations in contemporary clinical and research practice

This paper argues that racial classification and generalization may sometimes be justified in clinical treatment and research, in part to ensure better outcomes for the individual patients subject to such classification and generalization; in part to enable medicine to eliminate the need for racial categories. But race must be used carefully and sparingly because of the risk to the individual patient of overgeneralization, and the risk to society of reinforcing a false understanding of race as a biological category. Even if the use of racial categories in biomedical research subverts rather than reinforces those categories, that research may well lead to the recognition of non-racial, genetically based groups, which will be susceptible to harmful, if less invidious, stereotyping.
Vasodilator therapy for congestive heart failure

Six patients with severe congestive heart failure were treated with nitroprusside intravenously. Four of the six patients showed salutary responses and were successfully weaned from the NP with marked resolution of symptoms. No adverse side effects were observed. These four patients and one additional child (who did not receive NP) were treated with prazosin by mouth in addition to digoxin and diuretics daily. Two of these patients are entirely symptom free, and additional child is moderately improved, and the fourth patient has shown minimal symptomatic improvement. Despite the severity of their pretherapy symptomis, only one patient has died while receriving oral vasodilator therapy. This preliminary study suggests that afterload reduction may be life-saving in chilren who are virtually moribund because of congestive heart failure. This improvement can be maintained with oral vasodilator therapy and continuation of classic anticongestive therapy. However, afterload reduction has no effect on the underlying disease. Confirmatory studies are essential before this experimental mode of therapy is accepted for routine use in infants and children.
Successful self-management among non-insulin-treated adults with Type 2 diabetes: a self-regulation perspective.

Aims To clarify the role of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in the self-management of Type 2 diabetes from the patient's perspective, using in-depth interviews with non-insulin-treated adults to investigate how they learned to manage their diabetes effectively and whether SMBG played a significant role in this process. Methods Individual interviews were conducted with 14 non-insulin-treated adults with Type 2 diabetes who had significantly improved their glycaemic control [64% women; 50% black; 21% Hispanic; mean age 60 years; mean HbA1c concentration 43 mmol/mol (6.1%)]. Interviews were transcribed and analysed by a coding team, applying the concept of illness coherence from the Common Sense Model of Self-Regulation. Results The majority of participants relied on SMBG to evaluate their self-management efforts. Key themes included: adopting an experimental approach; experiencing ‘a-ha’ moments; provider-assisted problem-solving; using SMBG and other feedback to evaluate when their efforts were working; and normalizing diabetes-specific behaviour changes as being healthy for everyone. Conclusions Our qualitative data are consistent with the argument that SMBG, if implemented appropriately with enough education and provider access, can be a powerful tool for non-insulin-treated adults with Type 2 diabetes to monitor their self-management. Establishing sufficient conditions for illness coherence to develop while individuals are learning to use SMBG could increase their sense of personal control in managing a complex and demanding illness.
Self-Doped Polyaniline/Poly(diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride) Complex: N-Type Doping with High Stability

The negatively charged oxygen donates an electron pair to the hydrogen, and the hydrogen attached to the nitrogen accordingly weakly bonds with oxygen. The nitrogen in the polyaniline backbone finally possesses extra negative charge due to the donation of electron density by the oxygen.
Twist-mediated Activation of the NK-4 Homeobox Gene in the Visceral Mesoderm of Drosophila Requires Two Distinct Clusters of E-box Regulatory Elements *

NK-4, also called msh2and tinman, encodes a homeodomain transcription factor that is required for the development of the dorsal mesoderm and its derivatives in the Drosophila embryo. Genetic analyses indicate that NK-4 resides downstream of the mesodermal determinant twist, which encodes a basic helix-loop-helix-type transcription factor. However, the regulation ofNK-4 by twist remains poorly understood. Using expression assays in cultured cells and transgenic flies, we show that two distinct clusters of E-box regulatory sequences, present upstream of the NK-4 gene, mediate NK-4 expression in the visceral mesoderm. These elements are conserved between the Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila virilis NK-4 genes and serve as binding sites for Twist (E1 cluster) and NK-4 (E2 cluster) proteins. In cultured cells, Twist and NK-4 binding results in activation of NK-4 gene expression. In transgenic animals, the E1 and E2 clusters are functionally connected, and both elements are required for NK-4 activation in cells of the visceral mesoderm and also for NK-4 repression in cells of the somatic musculature. These results demonstrate that NK-4 is a direct transcriptional target for Twist and its own gene product in visceral mesodermal cells, supporting the idea that twistand NK-4 function in the subdivision of the mesoderm duringDrosophila embryogenesis.
Orthogonal hypercubes and related designs

We provide a brief survey of activity related to higher-dimensional hypercubes, with the main focus on sets of mutually orthogonal hypercubes and related designs. We also discuss a number of open problems and conjectures.
Using Social Stories to Teach Social and Behavioral Skills to Children with Autism

This article describes the use of social-story intervention programs to teach appropriate social behavior to 3 children with autism. The procedures used in these interventions combined social-story methodology with a more traditional behavioral social-skills training strategy. Procedures and suggestions for successfully developing, implementing, and evaluating social-story intervention programs are also provided.
In vivo label-free monitoring microvascular and lymphatic vessel changes and dynamics during wound healing in mouse ear pinna using optical microangiography

Cutaneous wound healing consists of multiple overlapping phases starting with blood coagulation following incision of blood vessels. In this paper, we briefly review wound healing phases that were observed by utilizing optical microangiography (OMAG) to monitor healing process and dynamics of microcirculation system in a mouse ear pinna wound model. Mouse ear pinna is composed of two layers of skin separated by a layer of cartilage and because its total thickness is around 500 μm, can be utilized as an ideal model for optical imaging techniques. These skin layers are identical to human skin structure except for sweat ducts and glands. Microcirculatory system responds to the wound injury by recruiting collateral vessels to supply blood flow to hypoxic area. Also, lymphatic vessels play an important role in the immune response of the tissue and clearing waste from interstitial fluid.
Improved rigorous upper bounds for transport due to passive advection described by simple models of bounded systems

The work of J. A. Krommes and R. A. Smith on rigorous upper bounds for the turbulent transport of a passively advected scalar is extended in two directions: (1) For their “reference model,” improved upper bounds are obtained by utilizing more sophisticated two-time constraints which include the effects of cross-correlations up to fourth order. Numerical solutions of the model stochastic differential equation are also obtained; they show that the new bounds compare quite favorably with the exact results, even at large Reynolds and Kubo numbers. (2) The theory is extended to take account of afinite spatial autocorrelation lengthLc. As a reasonably generic example, the problem of particle transport due to statistically specified stochastic magnetic fields in a collisionless turbulent plasma is revisited. A bound is obtained which reduces for smallLc to the quasilinear limit and for largeLc to the strong turbulence limit, and which provides a reasonable and rigorous interpolation for intermediate values ofLc.
DRIVING WHILE BLACK IN SUBURBAN DETROIT

One objective of this study is to investigate whether Black drivers are more likely than White motorists to receive traffic tickets and to be arrested following routine traffic stops in the Detroit suburb of Eastpointe, Michigan. Compared to White drivers, Blacks were more likely to be arrested and ticketed when police officer discretion was most pronounced. My broader objective is to explore police enforcement of racialized space in suburban Detroit. Outcomes of routine traffic stops were analyzed to determine whether enforcement of racialized space could be detected by comparing how drivers were treated on Eastpointe streets that were more, opposed to less, White. Black motorists driving on internal streets were more likely to attract police attention than those driving along Eastpointe's border street with Detroit, Eight Mile Road, which is interpreted as evidence that Black drivers are more likely to be ticketed, searched, and arrested when they were “out of place”.
Climate factors related to intention to leave in administrators and clinical professionals

Abstract This study seeks to identify the best-fitting model to determine which organizational factors relate to the various dimensions of not-for-profit administrators or clinicians' intention to leave their jobs. A structural equation model (SEM) analyzed data on 318 administrators and clinical professionals. Based on this analysis, the best-fitting model was comprised of three factors consisting of three latent variables, and four exogenous variables regressed on them. Model fit statistics indicated the data fit the model well. The Comparative Fit Index (CFI) values was 0.99. The Tucker–Lewis Index (TLI) assessed the model's goodness-of-fit excellent at 0.99. The model indicates that administrators and clinicians experiencing certain factors, specifically organizational support, role clarity, and manageable workloads, showed significantly reduced thinking about and looking for another job. Administrators experiencing job autonomy and organizational support decreased looking for and actively finding a new job. This study located organizational climate factors that are most important for administrators and clinicians, thus identifying potential approaches for retention.
Professor Eisner: Performing Ways of Seeing and Thinking

In 1969, with only a Masters Degree in Art Studio in hand, I qualified to teach for two years in a secondary school on a partial fulfillment waiver and to continue toward tenure on the condition th...
Micromechanics of coalescence : Synergism between elasticity, plastic yielding and multi-size scale voids

Void growth and coalescence under physical states similar to those found in highly stressed regions ahead of a crack is investigated. The analysis introduces a representative material volume containing several large voids and a population of microvoids present from the very beginning, all of which are modeled as discrete entities. Plastic yielding has pervaded the material volume of interest. The underlying micromechanics of final rupture is dominated by a succession of rapidly growing microvoids. This involves the synergistic interaction between elasticity associated with high stress triaxiality, stiffness softening caused by plastic yielding and a rich supply of length scales arising from voids of vastly different sizes.
Neutron irradiation of gray tin

Abstract Gray tin was irradiated at 0°C in a reactor in an effort to produce white tin as a result of localized heating caused by thermal spikes. The irradiated powder was compared to an unirradiated specimen by means of X-ray studies at low temperatures. No significant change was found in the amount of white tin present as a result of irradiation. The implications of this result for the thermal-spike concept are discussed and various explanations for the experimental results are offered.
Improved methods for the detection of Bacillus anthracis spores by the polymerase chain reaction

Polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) for the capsule and oedema factor genes of Bacillus anthracis were used to assess methods for detecting B. anthracis spores. Untreated spore preparations were found to contain significant amounts of extracellular template DNA which probably accounted for observed amplification from these preparations without spore lysis. Germination of spores with suitable media allowed the detection of less than 10 spores in a PCR test. Mechanical disruption of spores with glass or zirconia beads yielded similar results to germination but in a much shorter time. The techniques described should improve the detection by PCR of B. anthracis and other sporulating bacteria.
Behavioral and Emotional Symptoms of Children and Adolescents with Prader-Willi Syndrome

To examine the behavioral and emotional difficulties of 73 children and adolescents with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS), mental retardation-only, and dual diagnosis (i.e., mental retardation and psychiatrically disordered) on the Devereux Scales of Mental Disorders (DSMD: Naglieri, LeBuffe, & Pfeiffer, Devereux Scales of Mental Disorders (DSMD) San Antonio, TX: PsychCorp 1994). Multivariate analyses and "Italic">d-ratios were computed to assess the statistical and clinically meaningful differences between pairs of samples. The PWS sample exhibited statistically significant higher levels of psychopathology than the mentally-retarded-only sample on the Total, Externalizing, Internalizing, Attention/Delinquency, Conduct, Anxiety, and Acute Problems Scales. When compared to the dually-diagnosed sample, children with PWS Syndrome had comparable levels of psychopathology, but lower levels of depression. Results revealed that PWS represents a highly unique and complex psychological disorder with multiple areas of disturbances.
Patterns of access and circulation in a depository document collection under full bibliographic control

Abstract A study of federal depository documents circulation was undertaken at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a library with a recently centralized SuDocs collection, most of which is fully cataloged. The study consisted of two parts: In the first phase, a survey was administered to users who circulated documents during a 2 1 2 -month period in the spring of 1983. The second phase involved the analysis of actual machine-generated circulation records for documents during the survey period. Data are presented on documents users, their reasons for using documents and the means they employed to identify relevant materials. Findings indicate that the publications of the various agencies are circulated in rough proportion to their numbers in the collection, and that a sizable percentage of users relies on bibliographic records in the card catalog or in the online circulation system to identify documents of interest. Cataloging depository items appears likely to facilitate their use by undergraduates, the largest segment of the university user population. It is also shown that the level of use of recent federal government publications is not dramatically different from the level of use for other research materials. Suggestions are made for future research on the impact on documents use of an online public catalog with highly flexible access capabilities.
An electron microscopic method for studying and mapping the region of weak sequence homology between simian virus 40 and polyoma DNAs

Abstract A procedure for investigating the possibility of small amounts of partial DNA sequence homology between two defined DNA molecules has been developed and used to test for sequence homology between simian virus 40 and polyoma DNAs. This procedure, which does not necessitate the use of separated viral DNA strands, involves the construction of hybrid DNA molecules containing a simian virus 40 DNA molecule covalently joined to a polyoma DNA molecule, using the sequential action of Eco RI restriction endonuclease and Escherichia coli DNA ligase. Denaturation of such hybrid DNA molecules then makes it possible to examine intra molecularly rather than inter molecularly renatured molecules. Visualization of these intramolecularly renatured “snapback” molecules with duplex regions of homology by electron microscopy reveals a 15% region of weak sequence homology. This region is denatured at about 35 °C below the melting temperature of simian virus 40 DNA and therefore corresponds to about 75% homology. This region was mapped on both the simian virus 40 and polyoma genomes by the use of Hemophilus parainfluenzae II restriction endonuclease cleavage of the simian virus 40 DNA prior to Eco RI cleavage and construction of the hybrid molecule. The 15% region of weak homology maps immediately to the left of the Eco RI restriction endonuclease cleavage site in the simian virus 40 genome and halfway around from the Eco RI restriction endonuclease cleavage site in the polyoma genome.
The effect of thermal boundary conditions on cylindrical thermal switching devices

Thermal boundary conditions influencing the electrical behavior of ferrite thermal-switching devices are determined by comparing experimental results with cylindrical model calculations. The results show that in these devices, radial heat flux in the pre-threshold region is controlled by radiation boundary cooling, but that the post-threshold flux is governed by current channelling (filament formation) and leads to a source-limited flow condition. The results serve to emphasize the importance of using realistic boundary conditions in the analysis of thermal switching devices. Es werden die thermischen Grenzbedingungen, die das elektrische Verhalten von thermischen Ferrit-Schaltelementen beeinflussen, durch Vergleich der experimentellen Ergebnisse mit Rechnungen eines Zylindermodells bestimmt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, das in diesen Elementen der radiale Warmeflus im Vor-Schwellenbereich durch Strahlungskuhlung der Begrenzung gesteuert wird, das jedoch der Flus nach der Schwelle durch Stromkanalisierung (Fadenbildung) bestimmt wird und zu einer quellenbestimmten Flusbedingung fuhrt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen die Bedeutung realistischer Grenzbedingungen bei der Analyse von thermischen Schaltelementen.
Synthesis and conformational analysis of cyclo-TRI[l-valyl-d-hexahydromandelyl]

Abstract The synthesis of the cyclo-hexadepsipeptide [ l -valyl- d -hexahydromandelyl] 3 is described. Examination of this macrocyclic compound by 220-MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy shows that symmetrical conformations are stabilized in strongly polar solvents (trifluoroacetic acid, acetonitrile), whereas asymmetric conformations are preferred in nonpolar or slightly polar media such as carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, cyclohexane, and benzene. From analysis of the temperature dependence of the chemical shift and of the coupling constants, together with conformational energy calculations, a model is proposed for the preferred conformation of this molecule in nonpolar solvents.
A managerial tool for process capability analysis

Measures of process capability are usually presented in straight numerical form. In this paper we present a technique which displays process capability measures graphically. We call this technique a Z-Cp chart. It is a very simple and practical descriptive statistics tool which allows managers to see graphically how the different product lines are performing or how a given process is doing over time.
Determination of Ce4+/Ce3+ in electron-beam-damaged CeO2 by electron energy-loss spectroscopy

Abstract We followed the reduction of Ce 4+ in CeO 2 by observing changes in the shape of the Ce M 4,5 edge by parallel electron energy-loss spectroscopy with a transmission electron microscope. The energy-loss near-edge structure of the beam-damaged CeO 2 exhibits Ce M 4,5 and O K-edge shapes that are consistent with reduction to a Ce 3+ oxide. During the damage process the spectrum of CeO 2 changes as follows: (a) decreases in energies of the M 5 and M 4 maxima; (b) changes in shape of the near-edge structure; (c) inversion of the M 5 to M 4 branching ratio; and (d) increase in the M 5 to M 4 area ratio. We simulated M 4,5 edges of damaged CeO 2 with a linear combination of Ce 4+ and Ce 3+ spectra and observed no intermediate oxidation states.
Some effects of 5-bromodeoxyuridine on polyoma-transformed mouse cells.

Abstract The tumor-forming potential of polyoma-transformed mouse cells was found to be diminished but not eliminated after growth in the presence of 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR). Several in vitro characteristics of the cells were also investigated and those which best correlated with the tumor studies were the ability to form colonies either in agar suspension or on monolayers of non-transformed cells. Transformed cells treated with BUdR grew well in culture when plated above a certain critical number of cells per unit area and poorly when plated at lower densities. Non-transformed cells exposed to BUdR for two or three passages were unable to divide.
Teacher-Selected Strategies for Improving Homework Completion

Three studies are reported in which we worked collaboratively with teachers across a 2-year period to systematically assess strategies to improve spelling and math homework completion and weekly quiz performance. Eleven elementary and special education teachers sorted 123 students into four groups: (a) students with learning disabilities and homework problems, (b) students with learning disabilities and no homework problems, (c) average-achieving students with homework problems, and (d) average-achieving students without homework problems. Teachers reviewed the extant research on homework, selected homework strategies, designed the methods by which they would implement and evaluate the effects of introducing the strategies to students, and evaluated the results. Three strategies resulted in significant increases in homework completion: (a) giving students real-life assignments (i.e., assignments that connected homework to events or activities in the home) plus reinforcements, (b) using homework planners, ...
The effects of a “distinct window” screen design on computer-mediated group decision making

An experiment was performed to test a “distinct-window” conferencing screen design as an electronic cue of social status differences in computer-mediated group decision-making. The screen design included one “distinct” window to symbolize high-status, and two “nondistinct” windows to symbolize low-status. The results indicated that the distinct-window screen design did produce status affects in groups of peers making decisions on judgmental problems. Randomly assigned occupants of the distinct window had greater influence on group decisions and member's attitudes than occupants of nondistinct windows.
On automatic knowledge validation for Bayesian knowledge bases

Knowledge validation, as part of knowledge base verification and validation, is a critical process in knowledge engineering. The ultimate goal of this process is to make the knowledge base satisfy all test cases given by human experts. This is further complicated by factors such as uncertainty and incompleteness. Our paper covers theoretical results in knowledge validation for Bayesian Knowledge Bases (BKBs), a probabilistic model extended from Bayesian Networks for representing knowledge in uncertain domains. First, we study the consistency of test case sets by identifying the necessary and sufficient conditions for a test case set such that there exists a knowledge base satisfying all of its test cases. Second, we analyze the thrashing problem which is the interminable oscillation of the knowledge base's state when validating by parameter refinement. We propose an approach to validating BKBs that effectively eliminates thrashing under certain conditions of the original knowledge base and the test case set.
Race/ethnicity, language, and asthma care: findings from a 4-state survey.

Background Latino and African American children have poorer asthma control than non-Latino white children, but few studies examine the association among race/ethnicity, language, and specific processes of asthma care. Objective To evaluate the association of race/ethnicity and language with the quality of asthma care. Methods A random sample of children from birth to the age of 17 years with asthma within 4 states (California, Texas, Illinois, and Alabama) was selected for the National Asthma Survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics from March 1, 2003, to March 10, 2004. Parents completed a telephone survey that included measures of asthma care quality. The final sample was 1,517 children. Results According to parental report, only 41.4% of children had an asthma management plan and 48.5% were ever advised by a clinician to control asthma by changing the child’s home and school environment. African American and Latino children with persistent asthma had lower odds of taking controller medication than non-Latino white children. In multivariate analysis adjusting for annual income, insurance, and age, Latino children with Spanish parental interview, but not African American and Latino children with English parental interview, had poorer experiences with care than white children (ever taught what to do during an attack: odds ratio, 0.4 [95% confidence interval, 0.2-0.6]; and ever advised to change child’s home and school environment: odds ratio, 0.5 [95% confidence interval, 0.3-0.8]). Conclusions Differences in asthma care quality and controller use persist among racial/ethnic and language groups despite similar rates of planned encounters for asthma. Improving use of controller medications and counseling on environmental modifications are important for reducing asthma disparities.
A variable time-resolution MCS for kinetic studies

The design and operation of an inexpensive multichannel scaler (MCS) having an adjustable time resolution between 100 ns/channel and 12.8 mu s/channel is described. The device is installed in one of the peripheral expansion slots of a microcomputer and utilises a total of 2048 channels. Software control provided by a user interface program allows convenient device configuration and data manipulation, display and storage. Two applications are discussed.
Constructive thinking as a mediator of the relationship between extraversion, neuroticism, and subjective well-being

Mechanisms by which personality affects well‐being are not well understood. Following recommendations to examine intermediate process variables that may help explain the personality–subjective well...
Validity Issues in Computer-Based Testing

Advances in technology are stimulating the development of complex, computerized assessments. The prevailing rationales for developing computer-based assessments are improved measurement and increased efficiency. In the midst of this measurement revolution, test developers and evaluators must revisit the notion of validity. In this article, we discuss the potential positive and negative effects computer-based testing could have on validity, review the literature regarding validation perspectives in computer-based testing, and provide suggestions regarding how to evaluate the contributions of computer-based testing to more valid measurement practices. We conclude that computer-based testing shows great promise for enhancing validity, but at this juncture, it remains equivocal whether technological innovations in assessment have led to more valid measurement.
Towards a Framework for Development of Courses of Study in Meetings, Expositions, Events and Conventions (MICE)

The MICE industry continues to grow in the United States. Further, the popular media has helped to increase awareness among millennials of opportunities in this field. Subsequently, there has been increased demand for curricula in MICE. However, little scientific research has been done to determine what specific courses are being offered at the baccalaureate level in this field. The research at hand undertakes an assessment of programs in the United States offering study in MICE and the courses they offer. From this data, a framework is developed to help guide program development based upon whether one, two, or more courses in MICE can be offered.