cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Birth of Biomolecules from the Warm Wet Sheets of Clays Near Spreading Centers

The role of clay minerals in the abiotic synthesis of organic molecules near seafloor spreading centers was simulated experimentally. Clays are common hydrothermal alteration products of volcanic glass and due to their nano-scale crystal size, provide extensive and variably charged surfaces that interact with aqueous organic species. Volcanic gases H2and CO2have been shown to react on magnetite surfaces to form methanol, a primary organic molecule, under hydrothermal conditions. Therefore, our experiments simulated the temperature and pressure conditions (300°C, 100 MPa) that exist beneath hydrothermal vents, in stockwork fractures through which hydrothermal fluids interact with fresh basalt. We examined the products of reactions between aqueous methanol and three common clay minerals found in those environments (montmorillonite, saponite, illite).
Neighborhood structural characteristics and Mexican-origin adolescents’ development

Ethnic-racial and socioeconomic residential segregation are endemic in the United States, representing societal-level sociocultural processes that likely shape development. Considered alongside communities' abilities to respond to external forces, like stratification, in ways that promote youth adaptive functioning and mitigate maladaptive functioning, it is likely that residence in segregated neighborhoods during adolescence has both costs and benefits. We examined the influences that early adolescents' neighborhood structural characteristics, including Latino concentration and concentrated poverty, had on a range of developmentally salient downstream outcomes (i.e., internalizing, externalizing, prosocial behaviors, and ethnic-racial identity resolution) via implications for intermediate aspects of adolescents' community participation and engagement (i.e., ethnic-racial identity exploration, ethnic-racial discrimination from peers, and school attachment). These mediational mechanisms were tested prospectively across three waves (Mage w1-w3 = 12.79, 15.83, 17.37 years, respectively) in a sample of 733 Mexican-origin adolescents (48.8% female). We found higher neighborhood Latino concentration during early adolescence predicted greater school attachment and ethnic-racial identity exploration and lower discrimination from peers in middle adolescence. These benefits, in turn, were associated with lower externalizing and internalizing and higher ethnic-racial identity resolution and prosocial behaviors in late adolescence. Findings are discussed relative to major guidelines for integrating culture into development and psychopathology.
Executive Functioning Correlates With Communication Ability in Youth With Histories of Heavy Prenatal Alcohol Exposure.

Objectives: Caregivers of youth with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure report impaired communication, which can significantly impact quality of life. Using data collected as part of the Collaborative Initiative on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (CIFASD), we examined whether cognitive variables predict communication ability of youth with histories of heavy prenatal alcohol exposure. Methods: Subjects (ages 10–16 years) comprised two groups: adolescents with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure (AE) and non-exposed controls (CON). Selected measures of executive function (NEPSY, Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System), working memory (CANTAB), and language were tested in the child, while parents completed communication ratings (Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales – Second Edition). Separate multiple regression analyses determined which cognitive domains predicted communication ability. A final, global model of communication comprised the three cognitive models. Results: Spatial Working Memory and Inhibition significantly contributed to communication ability across groups. Twenty Questions performance related to communication ability in the CON group only while Word Generation performance related to communication ability in the AE group only. Effects remained significant in the global model, with the exception of Spatial Working Memory. Conclusions: Both groups displayed a relation between communication and Spatial Working Memory and Inhibition. Stronger communication ability related to stronger verbal fluency in the AE group and Twenty Questions performance in the CON group. These findings suggest that alcohol-exposed adolescents may rely more heavily on learned verbal storage or fluency for daily communication while non-exposed adolescents may rely more heavily on abstract thinking and verbal efficiency. Interventions aimed at aspects of executive function may be most effective at improving communication ability of these individuals. (JINS, 2018, 24, 1026–1037)
Comparative reproductive output of two cellar spiders (Pholcidae) that coexist in southwest Ohio

Species differ in their reproductive abilities, which may affect their success. In southwest Ohio, populations of Pholcus phalangioides (Fuesslin, 1775) (Araneae: Pholcidae) have largely been replaced by Pholcus manueli Gertsch, 1937 (Araneae: Pholcidae). We suspected that differences in reproductive output underpinned the success of P. manueli. We documented the reproductive success of both species in the laboratory. Female P. phalangioides mated more readily and were more likely to produce eggsacs than P. manueli, but the timing of eggsac production and spiderling emergence were similar. The eggsacs of P. phalangioides contained smaller numbers of larger eggs but similar numbers of spiderlings emerged from the sacs of both species. We uncovered a negative relationship between egg size and number for P. phalangioides, but not for P. manueli. Our results do not explain the relative success of P. manueli, however, we have uncovered differences in the reproductive strategies utilized by these ecologically-similar congeners.
Metastatic prostate cancer

For decades the palliation of prostate cancer has centered around hormonal manipulation using orchiectomy or estrogen administration. Newer modalities, such as LHRH agonists and nonsteroidal antiandrogens, are now available. Patients receiving combination therapy enjoy superior progression-free and median survival rates.
From Midshipmen to Cyber Pros: Training Minority Naval Reserve Officer Training Corp Students for Cybersecurity

Computing is not only a fundamental part of our daily lives - our national security depends on it. It is essential that members of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) be well-versed in computing techniques designed to combat cyber-attacks that continually improve in sophistication and frequency levels. Through computer science education, prospective military leaders are being taught the critical and analytical thinking skills necessary to address these threats. This paper outlines and discusses how underrepresented minority Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) midshipmen, with the majority having little-to-no programming skills or background, were taught the foundational aspects of computer science and exposed to specific cybersecurity concepts in a 15-week program. The program produced many insightful outcomes, one being the development of a tool that collected and analyzed publicly available social media data through the application of data mining algorithms and techniques. Additionally, interviews, which were conducted upon the completion of the program, documented notable findings on the program's effectiveness and on key concepts for teaching computer science to minority beginners.
Implementation of an Accessible Gas Chromatography Laboratory Experiment for High School Students

We describe a novel experiment for high school students that uses gas chromatography (GC) equipment to demonstrate the principles of chemical quantitation in the context of fragrant compounds. A hi...
Weigh-in-Motion-Based Fatigue Damage Assessment:

Weigh-in-motion (WIM) data provide an excellent opportunity to study the effects of actual traffic loads on bridges. Here procedures are presented for using WIM data to quantify the fatigue damage ...
An adenosine triphosphate-dependent stabilization of proteolytic activity in heterolysosomes. Evidence for a proton pump

1. Homogenization of mouse kidneys or livers in 0.25m-sucrose buffered with tris–acetate, pH7.3, resulted in a decreased rate of proteolysis within isolated heterolysosomes containing injected 125I-labelled albumin when these particles were incubated at 35°C. Proteolysis in mouse kidney or liver heterolysosomes isolated from homogenates made in 0.25m-sucrose buffered at pH7.3 was stimulated by pH5 buffer or by additions of ATP. 2. A greater inhibition of proteolysis was produced by including bicarbonate or pH8 borate buffers in the incubation media, and this inhibition was also reversed by ATP. 3. Other nucleoside triphosphates were not as effective as ATP, but GTP and ITP were more effective than CTP or UTP. ADP, AMP, or adenosine 3′:5′-cyclic monophosphate were completely without effect. 4. Although ATP prevented some heterolysosome breakage in media containing bicarbonate, the primary effect appeared to be to promote proteolytic activity. 5. These observations are consistent with the presence of a proton pump in the heterolysosome membrane, which functions to maintain intralysosomal pH in alkaline media.
MgrA activates staphylococcal capsule via SigA-dependent promoter

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus capsule polysaccharide is an important antiphagocytic virulence factor. The cap genes are regulated at the promoter element (Pcap) upstream of the cap operon. Pcap, which consists of a dominant SigB-dependent promoter and a weaker upstream SigA-dependent promoter, is activated by global regulator MgrA. How MgrA activates capsule is unclear. Here, we showed that MgrA directly bound to the Pcap region and affected the SigA-dependent promoter. Interestingly, an electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that MgrA bound to a large region of Pcap, mainly downstream of the SigA-dependent promoter. We further showed that the ArlRS two-component system and the Agr quorum sensing system activated capsule primarily through MgrA in the early growth phases. IMPORTANCE The virulence of Staphylococcus aureus depends on the expression of various virulence factors, which is governed by a complex regulatory network. We have been using capsule as a model virulence factor to study virulence gene regulation in S. aureus. MgrA is one of the regulators of capsule and has a major effect on capsule production. However, how MgrA regulates capsule genes is not understood. In this study, we were able to define the mechanism involving MgrA regulation of capsule. In addition, we also delineated the role of MgrA in capsule regulatory pathways involving the key virulence regulators Agr and Arl. This study further advances our understanding of virulence gene regulation in S. aureus, an important human pathogen.
Surgical techniques of phalloplasty in transgender patients: a systematic review

Gender confirmation surgery has a crucial role among transgender individuals. Phalloplasty is a procedure that uses flaps for phallic shaft creation. Flaps can be classified in free flaps or pedicle flaps and can be obtained from different donor sites such as forearm, thigh, abdomen, groin, and leg, and upper back. We conducted a systematic review about surgical flaps for phallic shaft creation in transgender patients. A systematic review was conducted on PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Clinical Answers, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases without timeframe limitations. Exclusion criteria included articles that reported phalloplasty on patients other than transgender, as well as other surgical techniques such as urethroplasty, vaginectomy, hysterectomy and studies focused on psychosocial outcomes. Two hundred twenty-eight potential articles were identified in the initial search. Forty-one studies fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Surgical flaps for phallic shaft creation in transgender patients were reported on 1,391 cases. Microsurgical flaps were the most common (24 of 33). The flap technique most frequently described was radial forearm flap (15 of 33) followed by Anterolateral thigh flap (7 of 33), Latissimus dorsi flap (5 of 33), abdominal flap (4 of 33), fibular flap (3 of 33), and groin flaps (3 of 33). The literature on surgical flaps for phallic shaft creation in transgender patients reflected how challenging the reconstruction of the phallus is. In summary, there is no universal choice of flap that could be applied to every patient. Therefore, the surgical approach must be chosen considering surgeon experience, physical examination, and patient desire. We hope this review supports future studies on surgical flaps for phallic shaft creation in transgender patients.
Refining a numerical model for device-induced thrombosis and investigating the effects of non-Newtonian blood models

Thrombosis is one of the main causes of failure in device implantation. Computational thrombosis simulation is a convenient approach to evaluate the risk of thrombosis for a device. However, thrombosis is a complicated process involving multiple species and reactions. Application of a macroscopic, single-scale computational model for device-induced thrombosis is a cost-effective approach. The current study has refined an existing thrombosis model, which simulated thrombosis by tracing four species in blood: non-activated platelets, activated platelets, surface adherent platelets, and ADP. Platelets are activated mechanically by shear stress, and chemically by ADP. Platelet adhesion occurs on surfaces with low wall shear stress with platelet aggregation inhibited in regions of high shear stress. The study improves the existing thrombosis model by: 1) Modifying the chemical platelet activation function so that ADP activates platelets; 2) Modifying the function describing thrombus deposition and growth to distinguish between thrombus deposition on wall surfaces and thrombus growth on existing thrombus surfaces; 3) Modifying the thrombus breakdown function to allow for thrombus breakdown by shear stress; 4) Modeling blood flow as non-Newtonian. The results show that the inclusion of ADP and the use of a non-Newtonian model improve agreement with experimental data.
Quantum interference of electromechanically stabilized emitters in nanophotonic devices

We present a nano-electromechanical platform for controlling optical transitions from spatially separated color centers in diamond waveguides. We use this technology to greatly suppress spectral diffusion and demonstrate strain induced quantum interference between separate emitters.
Analysis of sister chromatid exchange and chromosome replication kinetics using BrdU-dye techniques

The basis of BrdU-dye techniques for detecting DNA synthesis in cytological preparations is reviewed. General procedural modifications are described for applying this approach for the study of chromosome replication kinetics and sister chromatid exchange formation. Implications of sister chromatid exchange analysis for detecting mutagen-carcinogens and for differentiating human chromosome fragility diseases predisposing to neoplasia are discussed.
Towards all-optical ultra-high-speed transmission systems

Numerical simulations predict the generation of a 50 GHz train of optical dark soliton pulses at 1553 nm. The generated pulses have a full width at half maximum of 4.7 ps and continuous background power of 70 mW.
Acoustic and thermal simulations of tcMRgFUS in patient specific models: validation with experiments

In tcMRgFUS, acoustic and spatial heterogeneities of the skull cause reflection, attenuation, and phase aberrations of the acoustic beams, which may cause patient-specific thermal responses to the same transducer power. In this work, we use acoustic and thermal simulations based on patient-specific 3D heterogeneous tissue models to predict heating at the center of the brain. We validate the model through comparison of the simulated temperature rises to experimentally derived energies for five patients treated using tcMRgFUS. Further, we separate the components of energy loss in the acoustic simulations into reflection-only, attenuation-only, phase aberration-only, and reflection and attenuation both to understand the cause of potential inter-patient variability in these treatments.
Selecting Nonpharmaceutical Interventions for Influenza

Models of influenza transmission have focused on the ability of vaccination, antiviral therapy, and social distancing strategies to mitigate epidemics. Influenza transmission, however, may also be interrupted by hygiene interventions such as frequent hand washing and wearing masks or respirators. We apply a model of influenza disease transmission that incorporates hygiene and social distancing interventions. The model describes population mixing as a Poisson process, and the probability of infection upon contact between an infectious and susceptible person is parameterized by p. While social distancing interventions modify contact rates in the population, hygiene interventions modify p. Public health decision making involves tradeoffs, and we introduce an objective function that considers the direct costs of interventions and new infections to determine the optimum intervention type (social distancing versus hygiene intervention) and population compliance for epidemic mitigation. Significant simplifications have been made in these models. However, we demonstrate that the method is feasible, provides plausible results, and is sensitive to the selection of model parameters. Specifically, we show that the optimum combination of nonpharmaceutical interventions depends upon the probability of infection, intervention compliance, and duration of infectiousness. Means by which realism can be increased in the method are discussed.
Milites and Warfare in Pre-Crusade Germany

Despite considerable scholarly attention to the issue, there remains considerable controversy regarding the meaning of the term miles in pre-Crusade Europe, with many historians asserting that milites were knights, who dominated warfare through the practice of equestrian combat. This study seeks to examine the ways in which the main narrative sources for the German kingdom in the second half of the eleventh century use the term miles (plural milites). The two goals of this study are to determine the meaning that authors assign to the term, and the role that these authors attribute to milites in the conduct of war during this half-century.
Experimental evaluation of fishhook maneuver performance of a kinetic suspension system

Kinetic Pty Ltd and Tenneco Automotive have developed a passive suspension system called a Kinetic system. The motivation for the design of the system is discussed, and the function of the system is explained. The system improves handling, stability, and ride by passively decoupling roll stiffness from articulation stiffness and roll damping from bounce damping. Improved stability is evaluated by conducting NHTSA's Roll Rate Feedback Fishhook tests on a small SUV equipped with the Kinetic system. Results of the testing are presented, and benefits to rollover are discussed.
Technology Mentoring: Research Results across Seven Campuses

Representatives from seven community college campuses throughout Hawaii were designated to coordinate the creation of Technology Intensive (TI) courses using a model developed at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Data collection focused on qualitative measures: written narratives, pre and post surveys, and samples of technology products and curriculum changes. This approach allowed for the detection of subtle changes in faculty growth with regard to technology. Findings suggest that a strong mentoring program promoted substantial progress among study participants to model technology for students. Many faculty members quickly incorporated technologies into courses and promoted student use of technology in a short period of time. Participants transferred the technologies they learned with their mentor into classroom instruction and modeled the use of these technologies for their students. Technology mentoring transformed faculty into able technology users, diversifying their use of technology to accomplish specific teaching objectives.
Data visualization at the US census bureau – an American tradition

Recent developments in data visualization, developer Application Program Interfaces (APIs), and web services reinforce a long American tradition of statistical mapping and innovation at the US Cens...
21st Century Pong

Cornell University students built a system that tracks a Ping-Pong ball in real time and keeps score. The Web extra at https://youtu.be/r7VtgzPPYy4 is a video demonstration in which Cornell students Pol Rosello (CS), Taylor Pritchard (ECE), and Frank Xie (ECE), describe and demonstrate their Table Tennis Tracker system. The system analyzes a video stream to track the location of the ball and to automatically keep score. Video provided by Dr. Bruce Land.
American Eve: Evelyn Nesbit, Stanford White, the Birth of the “It” Girl, and the Crime of the Century – By Paula Uruburu

In this study, the author stylishly tells the intriguing story of Florence Mary “Evelyn” Nesbit and her role in what was known at the time as “the crime of the century”: Harry Kendall Thaw's murder...
Circumventing security toolbars and phishing filters via rogue wireless access points

One of the solutions that has been widely used by naive users to protect against phishing attacks is security toolbars or phishing filters in web browsers. The present study proposes a new attack to bypass security toolbars and phishing filters via local DNS poisoning without the need of an infection vector. A rogue wireless access point (AP) is set up, poisoned DNS cache entries are used to forge the results provided to security toolbars, and thus misleading information is displayed to the victim. Although there are several studies that demonstrate DNS poisoning attacks, none to our best knowledge investigate whether such attacks can circumvent security toolbars or phishing filters. Five well-known security toolbars and three reputable browser built-in phishing filters are scrutinized, and none of them detect the attack. So ineptly, security toolbars provide the victim with false confirmative indicators that the phishing site is legitimate. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. A rogue wireless access point is set up and poisoned DNS cache entries are used in a local DNS poisoning attack to bypass five well-known security toolbars and three reputable browser built-in phishing filters.
Evidence for limb-independent control of locomotor trajectory

After stepping in place on a rotating treadmill, individuals exhibit involuntary turning in the direction opposite treadmill rotation when stepping in place on a stationary surface without vision. This response is called podokinetic after-rotation (PKAR). It remains unclear where the control center for PKAR is located and whether separate, independent podokinetic control centers exist for each lower limb. To better understand neural mechanisms underlying locomotor trajectory adaptation, this study asked whether PKAR transfers between lower limbs. Thirteen healthy adults underwent separate 15-min sessions where one (trained) leg or both legs stepped on the rotating surface. Afterward, all subjects exhibited PKAR during one-legged hopping on a stationary surface, whether hopping on the trained or untrained limb. There were no significant differences in mean turning velocity across conditions. Our results support the absence of independent podokinetic control centers for lower limbs, indicating that a single center may control locomotor trajectory.
Ionic Binding of Na+ versus K+ to the Carboxylic Acid Headgroup of Palmitic Acid Monolayers Studied by Vibrational Sum Frequency Generation Spectroscopy†

Ionic binding of alkali ions Na+ and K+ to the carboxylic acid headgroups of fatty acid monolayers is studied as a proxy toward understanding the fundamental chemistry in cell biology. In this study, we used broad-bandwidth sum frequency generation (BBSFG) vibrational spectroscopy to investigate the ionic binding event that leads to deprotonation and complex formation of fatty acid headgroups. Palmitic acid (C15H31COOH) exists as a monolayer on aqueous surfaces. Surface vibrational stretch modes of palmitic acid from 1400 cm−1 to 3700 cm−1 were observed (νs-COO−, ν-C═O, ν-C—H, ν-O—H of —COOH, free OH). Palmitic acid is mostly protonated at the aqueous surface at neutral pH (∼6). However, various degrees of deprotonation are initiated by the introduction of Na+ and K+ that results in the complexation of K+:COO− and solvent separated Na+:COO−. Evidence in several spectral regions indicates that K+ exhibits stronger ionic binding affinity to the carboxylate anion relative to Na+.
Synchronously pumped H2 Raman laser

A Raman laser based on rotational scattering in molecular hydrogen is pumped by a short train of pulses from a Nd:YAG laser. Efficient energy conversion into the first and second Stokes is observed depending on the outcoupler losses at pump levels well below the threshold for extracavity scattering. The features of this synchronously pumped laser are compared to a theoretical model of Raman scattering that takes into account higher order Stokes and anti-Stokes waves in the transient regime.
Andness and orness as a mean of overall importance

This paper investigates basic semantic aspects of evaluation logic. We propose a verbalized approach to the design and use of the Generalized Conjunction/disjunction (GCD) aggregators. The main goals of verbalized approach are to help in specifying semantic components of GCD, and to facilitate the use of soft computing evaluation logic and corresponding evaluation methods (such as LSP), making those more accessible to general nonprofessional decision makers.
Corn and Soybean Tissue Potassium Content Responses to Potassium Fertilization and Relationships with Grain Yield

Research on relationships between K fertilization, crop yield, and tissue K concentration is needed for modern corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids and soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) varieties. Twenty 2-yr trials with these crops in Iowa evaluated K effects on plant dry weight (DW), K concentration, and accumulation at the V5-V6 stage; leaf K concentration (R1 stage in corn and R2 in soybean); and grain yield, K concentration, and K removal. Five K rates (0–168 kg K ha⁻¹) were broadcast the first year (10 sites for each crop). Potassium increased corn or soybean yield at 16 site-years, which had soil K ≤ 173 mg K kg⁻¹ (15-cm depth, CH₃COONH₄ test). On average across first-year responsive crops, 91 and 103 kg K ha⁻¹ maximized corn and soybean yield, respectively, and across second-year crops the response was linear. Potassium fertilization increased grain K concentration and K removal to a greater extent and more frequently in soybean than in corn (10 vs. 5 site-years, respectively, for concentration and 11 vs. 3 site-years, respectively, for removal). The magnitude and frequency of responses for both crops were greatest for vegetative tissue K concentration and smaller (in decreasing order) for grain yield and K removal, grain K concentration, and early DW. There was large luxury K accumulation in vegetative tissues. Critical tissue K concentration ranges defined by two models were 20.2 to 25.1, 10.2 to 11.0, and 17.6 to 20.0 g K kg⁻¹ for corn plants, corn leaves, and soybean leaves, respectively, and could not be determined for soybean plants.
Reliability analysis of deep excavation based on a semi-empirical approach

The design and construction of deep excavations in urban environment is often governed by serviceability limit state related to the risk of damage to adjacent buildings. In current practice, the assessment of excavation-induced building damage has focused on a deterministic approach. This paper presents a component/system reliability analysis framework to assess the probability that specified threshold design criteria for multiple serviceability limit states are exceeded. A recently developed Bayesian probabilistic framework is used to update the predictions of ground movements in the later stages of excavation based on the recorded deformation measurements. An example is presented to show how the serviceability performance for excavation problems can be assessed based on the component/system reliability analysis. © 2011 ASCE.
Design Methodology for Throughput Optimum Architectures of Hash Algorithms of the MD4-class

In this paper we propose an architecture design methodology to optimize the throughput of MD4-based hash algorithms. The proposed methodology includes an iteration bound analysis of hash algorithms, which is the theoretical delay limit, and Data Flow Graph transformations to achieve the iteration bound. We applied the methodology to some MD4-based hash algorithms such as SHA1, MD5 and RIPEMD-160. Since SHA1 is the algorithm which requires all the techniques we show, we also synthesized the transformed SHA1 algorithm in a 0.18 μm CMOS technology in order to verify its correctness and its achievement of high throughput. To the best of our knowledge, the proposed SHA1 architecture is the first to achieve the theoretical throughput optimum beating all previously published results. Though we demonstrate a limited number of examples, this design methodology can be applied to any other MD4-based hash algorithm.
TREND SURFACE ANALYSIS OF GLACIALLY BURIED PLEISTOCENE ORGANIC DEPOSITS IN CENTRAL MICHIGAN

Trend surfaces were determined and compared for the bedrock surface, two characteristics of the present topography, and 42 water well log reports of glacially buried carbonaceous horizons within drift from an area in central Michigan. Data almost certainly indicate that the glacially buried Pleistocene organic deposits represent two or more pre-Woodfordian paleosurfaces. Trend surface analysis of buried organic horizons may be useful for recognizing paleosurfaces and separating drift sheets in other areas with limited subsurface data.
Cryopreservation evaluated with mitochondrial and Z line ultrastructure in striated muscle

SUMMARY Single, intact, frog skeletal muscle fibres and whole frog hearts were quick-frozen on a polished, liquid-He-cooled copper block and examined in the electron microscope after freeze-substitution and freeze-fracture. In both kinds of striated muscle, collapse of the peripheral and intracristal membrane spaces in mitochondria was found to increase with increasing distance from the point of first impact (PFI) of the muscle cells on the cold copper block. The changes correlated with a previously described gradient of Z line and A band cryodamage occurring with distance from the PFI. The findings in thin sections from freeze-substituted preparations were confirmed by freeze-fracture preparations. It is concluded that, since the mitochondrial membrane changes are concurrent with, and follow the same spatial distribution of, other manifest cryoarte-facts, the cryoartefactual nature of the mitochondrial changes must be excluded before functional significance is attributed to them. The collapse of mitochondrial membrane spaces as a sensitive indicator of quality of cryopreservation may apply to non-muscle cells as well.
Sorption and permeation in elastic solids: applicability to gas transport in glassy polymeric materials

A thermodynamic analysis of sorption and transport in elastic solids is presented. The penetrant's chemical potential in the solid is calculated from the free energy changes that accompany deformation of the solid to accommodate the penetrant and mixing of the deformed solid and penetrant. Sorption isotherms are obtained by equating this chemical potential to that of that of the gas phase. The penetrant diffusivity is determined from a statistical mechanical analysis described in the literature. Both pure and mixed gas solubility, diffusivity and permeability are predicted. Mixed gas behavior is predicted using material parameters obtained from pure gas data only. The results suggest certain relationships between the dual mode model parameters that are found experimentally. Comparison with several experimental gas–polymer systems indicate the elastic solid analysis can reproduce pure gas data and predict mixed gas data well with physically realistic material parameters. The results provide a basis for investigating the relationships between the mechanical, volumetric, gravimetric and thermodynamic processes that give rise to transport.
Oxidation behavior and protection of carbon/carbon composites

Abstract The oxidation behavior of C/C composite sheet materials in air has been studied over a wide range of temperature. Gasification was detectable at around 500°C and above about 900°C, under the flow conditions used in the experiments, the overall rates of gasification were controlled by gas phase diffusion. The presence of catalysts reduced the temperature for the onset of gasification but had no effect on the kinetics in the diffusion-controlled region. Borate-based coatings containing refractory particulates and silicon carbide coatings sealed with borates have been found capable of protecting C/C composites against air oxidation for extended periods to temperatures of at least 1200°C.
How the Insanity Acquittal Retards Treatment

In the continuing social debate about the insanity defense, little attention has been paid to the effects of the insanity acquittal on treatment. This article suggests that the insanity acquittal may retard treatment of mentally disordered and violent offenders. Failure to assign responsibility to a mentally disordered offender may lessen his/her initiative and emotional opportunity to make needed changes in perceptions and functioning. Three case studies illustrate the argument.
Property and morphology relationships for ternary blends of polycarbonate, brittle polymers and an impact modifier

Abstract Mechanical properties and the morphology of ternary blends of polycarbonate (PC) with a methacrylated butadiene-styrene (MBS) impact modifier and various brittle polymers (BP), like polystyrene (PS), styrene/acrylontrile (SAN) copolymers, and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), have been investigated. Component pair miscibility, interfacial energies and mixing sequence influence phase morphology and blend properties. Blends prepared by a two-step mixing sequence usually exhibited better properties than those prepared by mixing all components simultaneously. A surface energy analysis is developed for predicting the locus of the MBS particles in the two-phase matrix. This scheme combined with knowledge of pair miscibility proved to be a useful predictive method. It was predicted and found that MBS particles often become trapped at the PC-BP interface by surface forces. Significant toughening of PC blends with PMMA and SAN, but not with PS, was obtained by addition of the MBS impact modifier. For some of the ternary blends, high levels of toughness and reduced notched sensitivity were achieved without any loss of modulus relative to polycarbonate.
Predictive value of proximal femoral bone densitometry in determining local orthogonal material properties

Models which are based on non-invasive bone measurements may in the future be able to successfully identify individual subjects at an increased risk for hip fracture; thus, we designed a study to determine the usefulness of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and quantitative computed tomography (QCT) in predicting the local material properties of human proximal femoral cancellous bone. There has been some disagreement in the scientific literature regarding appropriate predictive models for local material properties of cancellous bone. We sought to confirm that density-mechanical property relationships were consistent from subject to subject, and that three-dimensional QCT measurements were stronger predictors of mechanical properties than two-dimensional DXA results. Linear and power fit relationships between these densitometric measures and material properties were also examined to determine which were more appropriate. Bone cubes from specific regions of highly oriented trabeculae were analyzed separately to determine if cube orientation had an effect on mechanical properties independent of bone density. Ten pairs of ex vivo femurs (five male, five female; age 30–93, mean age 62) were prepared such that specific anatomic planes were visible radiographically. Both QCT and DXA measurements were made on all 20 femurs. Cancellous bone cubes were obtained proceeding along two distinct directions from the proximal end of each femur pair. Unexpectedly, the density-modulus relationships among these ten donors were found to be significantly different at p < 0.01 (83% of the tests were different at p < 0.0001). Density-strength regressions were also significantly different at p < 0.01, but this effect was not as consistent nor as statistically significant. In general, the QCT method did not produce predictions of local cancellous bone material properties superior to the DXA method. The linear and power fit models appeared to produce consistent results, with neither being obviously more advantageous. These density measurements explained at best 30–40% of the variance in modulus and 50–60% of the variance in ultimate stress. The orientation of cancellous cubes in the principal compressive trabeculae region was a significant contributor to mechanical properties (p = 0.0001) independent of bone density. This finding was not as dramatic in the femoral neck cancellous bone region.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR): A critical life or death choice

Abstract Extracorporeal support such as traditional extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for patients failing to revive from in-hospital CPR with chest compressions shows promise for the future. However, a specific extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) strategy that addresses the issue of reperfusion injury is needed. While the implementation of traditional ECMO may have its good intentions, in reality, it may be the patient's engine of destruction if it does not address the morbid ramifications of reperfusion injury. This article discusses a specific extracorporeal strategy designed to address the various aspects of reperfusion injury when a patient undergoing chest compressions is placed on extracorporeal support.
Analysis of Attention and Analogical Reasoning in Children of Poverty.

This study examined the relationship between specific attentional aspects of processing capacity and analogical reasoning in children from low-income families. 77 children aged 48–77 (M = 56.7) months were assessed on an analogical reasoning task (matrices subtest of the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test) and on computerized attention tasks designed to assess orienting, vigilance, and executive attention abilities [Posner, M.I., and Petersen, S.E. (1990). The attention system of the human brain. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 13, 25–42]. Results showed that analogical reasoning abilities were associated with the executive attention network abilities, suggesting that skills associated with this network, such as the resolution of conflicts between competing demands on attention, may be particularly important for relational mapping. This was evident in girls only. Implications for understanding how attentional components of processing capacity can affect children's academic success in impoverished environments are discussed.
A Multiple-Criterion Model for Machine Scheduling

We consider a scheduling problem involving a single processor being utilized by two or more customers. Traditionally, such scenarios are modeled by assuming that each customer has the same criterion. In practice, this assumption may not hold. Instead of using a single criterion, we examine the implications of minimizing an aggregate scheduling objective function in which jobs belonging to different customers are evaluated based on their individual criteria. We examine three basic scheduling criteria: minimizing makespan, minimizing maximum lateness, and minimizing total weighted completion time. Although determining a minimum-cost schedule according to any one of these criteria is polynomially solvable, we demonstrate that when minimizing a mix of these criteria, the problem becomes NP-hard.
Feedback on Ability in Counseling, Self-Efficacy, and Persistence on Task:

Self-efficacy in counseling varied with randomly manipulated feedback on ability, such that the 29 college students who received negative feedback on their ability reported lower self-efficacy than those 16 who received positive feedback. Persistence on task, however, was not related to the type of feedback received.
A model for the evolution of the on-orbit man-made debris environment

Abstract A model for the evolution of the low Earth orbit man-made debris population is presented and the results of several test cases discussed. Debris sources include normal operations in space, explosions occurring on spacecraft in orbit, and collisions between objects in orbit; the stochastic occurrence of these deposition events is modeled using Monte Carlo techniques. A technique for discriminating between objects populating long-life vs rapid-decay orbits is discussed and applied to the analysis of debris contributions from collisions of comparable sized objects. In varying degrees, each of the cases presented indicate there is cause for concern for spacecraft and space operations from the 1990s onward-man-made debris will play a role which may vary from presenting a considerable hazard to certain operations or certain spacecraft to effectively prohibiting the use of certain spaceccraft or space operations.
Use of computational fluid dynamics in the design of dynamic contrast enhanced imaging phantoms

Phantoms for dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) imaging modalities such as DCE computed tomography (DCE-CT) and DCE magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) are valuable tools for evaluating and comparing imaging systems. It is important for the contrast-agent distribution within the phantom to possess a time dependence that replicates a curve observed clinically, known as the 'tumor-enhancement curve'. It is also important for the concentration field within the lesion to be as uniform as possible. This study demonstrates how computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can be applied to achieve these goals within design constraints. The distribution of the contrast agent within the simulated phantoms was investigated in relation to the influence of three factors of the phantom design. First, the interaction between the inlets and the uniformity of the contrast agent within the phantom was modeled. Second, pumps were programmed using a variety of schemes and the resultant dynamic uptake curves were compared to tumor-enhancement curves obtained from clinical data. Third, the effectiveness of pulsing the inlet flow rate to produce faster equilibration of the contrast-agent distribution was quantified. The models employed a spherical lesion and design constraints (lesion diameter, inlet-tube size and orientation, contrast-agent flow rates and fluid properties) taken from a recently published DCE-MRI phantom study. For DCE-MRI in breast cancer detection, where the target tumor-enhancement curve varies on the scale of hundreds of seconds, optimizing the number of inlet tubes and their orientation was found to be adequate for attaining concentration uniformity and reproducing the target tumor-enhancement curve. For DCE-CT in liver tumor detection, where the tumor-enhancement curve varies on a scale of tens of seconds, the use of an iterated inlet condition (programmed into the pump) enabled the phantom to reproduce the target tumor-enhancement curve within a few per cent beyond about 6 s of wash-in. This time was cut in half by the final CFD-derived strategy of flow pulsing. Driving the pump with a 25% duty cycle pulsatile waveform produced a nearly uniform concentration in the phantom in just a few seconds under typical conditions. Comparisons with published x-ray measurements using tumor-enhancement curves for both benign and malignant breast lesions showed a difference of approximately 4% between the CFD predictions and measurements of the contrast-agent concentration averaged over the lesion volume. The techniques derived using CFD optimization can be used in future phantom designs, including as starting points for future CFD phantom studies employing new lesion geometries and tumor-enhancement curves.
Hatching Time and Hatchability in the Fowl

Abstract HATCHABILITY of eggs as a trait of the fowl has been intensely studied. The scientific interest in this trait is a result of its great economic importance and its extreme biological complexity, which challenges the curiosity of investigators. Many factors, both genetic and environmental have been found to affect hatchability, although in many cases the results are not consistent, and in others the nature of the effect on hatchability is not clearly evident. The resulting voluminous literature from this work has been reviewed and interpreted by Landauer (1948), Taylor (1949) and Bernier, Taylor and Gunns (1951). A number of factors, both genetic and environmental, which have been shown to affect hatchability, have also been shown to affect the required hatching time of the embryo. Apparently, however, no workers have attempted to consider the relationship between hatching time itself and hatchability. The purpose of this paper is to present some preliminary…
Breit-Pauli R-Matrix Calculation for Electron Collision Rates in O IV

Electron collision excitation strengths and rates for infrared and ultraviolet lines arising from transitions between the fine-structure levels of the 2s22p, 2s2p2, 2p3, 2s23s, 2s23p, 2s23d, 2s2p3s, 2s2p3p, 2s2p3d, 2s24s, and 2s24p configurations of O IV have been calculated using Breit-Pauli R-matrix approach. Configuration-interaction wave functions have been used for an accurate representation of target levels. These wave functions give excitation energies that are in close agreement with experiment. Oscillator strengths and transition probabilities for UV and EUV lines compare very well with previous calculations. The Rydberg series of resonances converging to the excited levels are explicitly included in the scattering calculation and are found to make substantial contribution to collision strengths. The effective collision strengths are obtained by integrating total collision strengths over a Maxwellian distribution of electron energies, and these are presented over a wide temperature range suitable for modeling of astrophysical plasmas. Significant qualitative and quantitative differences with earlier results of effective collision strengths are noted.
A radioreagent method of analysis of boron in sub-microgram range

A radioreagent method for the determination of boron in submicrogram range is described. This method is based on the reaction of boric acid with hydrofluoric acid labeled with18F and the measurement of the activity of the product, HBF4*, which is isolated by complexation with methylene blue and extraction with 1,2-dichloroethane. The 0.51 Mev gamma ray activity resulting from18F of an aliquot of the extract is found to be proportional to the amount of boron in the sample. It was found that at least 0.1 μg of boron can be measured by this method with an accuracy of about 5% error. The short-lived nature of18F makes it necessary that the analysis be performed as soon as the isotope is available. The sample to be analyzed should be freed from hydrofluoric acid as well as other species which form precipitate or complexes with Hf. The method was applied successfully to the analysis of one of the Netional Bureau of Standards reference samples.
The testing and evaluation of non-toxic antifouling coatings.

Field testing of non‐toxic antifouling coatings has required the development of test protocols that can quantify their performance. This includes the evaluation of the biofouling communities, the measurement of biofouling adhesion using a calibrated water jet and the measurement of barnacle adhesion in shear. Data are presented for several test surfaces, and the results are discussed with respect to the coating characteristics.