cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Shear-lag analysis of capped carbon nanotube reinforced composites with interface damage

Abstract A shear-lag model is proposed for stress analysis of carbon nanotube-reinforced composites with interface damage. A cylindrical representative volume element (RVE) is used as a simplified unit cell to study the composite. We first demonstrate using detailed cohesive zone modeling that describing the interface with the bilinear cohesive damage evolution law and replacing the capped nanotube with an effective solid fiber is a reliable strategy for the stress analysis of the RVE. Depending on the fiber-matrix interface damage conditions, the fiber debonding process is divided into three phases in the monotonic stretch of the composites. Governing equations for the fiber stresses are derived and the associated closed-form solutions are obtained in different phases. In particular, our priority lies in dealing with the situation that the fiber ends are adhesive to the matrix. Extensive parametric studies demonstrate that the present model achieves high accuracy in predicting fiber responses in the pre-debonding and debonding phases and qualitatively captures the evolution trend of the fiber stresses in the post-debonding phase. The aspect ratio greatly influences the reinforcing efficiency of the nanotube. However, the presence of the damaged interfaces limits the development of the maximum axial force in the fiber. The present model takes into account the effects of the damaged interfaces and of the adhesive fiber ends, providing a valuable analytical tool for the stress transfer analyses in fiber-matrix composites.
Instrumented immobilizing boot quantifies reduced Achilles tendon loading during gait

ABSTRACT Achilles tendon ruptures are common injuries that lead to functional deficits in two-thirds of patients. Progressively loading the healing tendon has been associated with superior outcomes, but the loading profiles that patients experience throughout rehabilitation have not yet been established. In this study, we developed and calibrated an instrumented immobilizing boot paradigm that is aimed at longitudinally quantifying patient loading biomechanics to develop personalized rehabilitation protocols. We used a 3-part instrumented insole to quantify the ankle loads generated by the Achilles tendon and secured a load cell in-line with the posterior strut of the immobilizing boot to quantify boot loading. We then collected gait data from five healthy young adults to demonstrate the validity of this instrumented immobilizing boot paradigm to assess Achilles tendon loading during ambulation. We developed a simple calibration procedure to improve the measurement fidelity of the instrumented insole needed to quantify Achilles tendon loading while ambulating with an immobilizing boot. By assessing Achilles tendon loading with the ankle constrained to 0 degrees and 30 degrees plantar flexion, we confirmed that walking with the foot supported in plantar flexion decreased Achilles tendon loading by 60% (P
Feasibility, patient compliance and acceptability of ovarian cancer surveillance using two serum biomarkers and Risk of Ovarian Cancer Algorithm compared to standard ultrasound and CA 125 among women with BRCA mutations

Abstract Objective We assessed the feasibility, patient acceptability of and compliance of a new surveillance strategy for ovarian cancer surveillance in women with BRCA mutations, based on assessments of serum CA125 and HE4 every 4 months (Risk of Ovarian Cancer Algorithm (ROCA) arm), compared to Standard of Care (SOC) surveillance with CA125 blood tests and pelvic ultrasounds every 6 months. Methods Women were recruited 6/13/16–9/11/17 from an integrated health care system in California for this non-randomized prospective cohort study. Women were invited to participate in a novel serum biomarker surveillance strategy using ROCA or they could opt to be in the standard of care control arm with ultrasound and CA 125 every 6 months. Outcomes assessed included compliance, self-reported distress using the Impact of Event Scale (IES) and cancer anxiety using the Cancer Worry Scale. Results There were 159 women in the ROCA arm and 43 in the SOC arm. Overall, compliance was higher in the ROCA arm (83.2%) than in SOC (51.9%), p Conclusions This pilot demonstrated that compliance was high with blood tests performed every four months for ovarian cancer surveillance. Moreover, ROCA women had lower stress scores over time than SOC women. Given the lack of clinical utility and poor compliance shown with traditional ultrasound and CA125 tests, further investigation is warranted of longitudinal biomarker surveillance for early detection of ovarian cancer.
SARM1 acts downstream of neuroinflammatory and necroptotic signaling to induce axon degeneration

Neuroinflammation and necroptosis are major contributors to neurodegenerative disease, and axon dysfunction and degeneration is often an initiating event. SARM1 is the central executioner of pathological axon degeneration. Here, we demonstrate functional and mechanistic links among these three pro-degenerative processes. In a neuroinflammatory model of glaucoma, TNF-α induces SARM1-dependent axon degeneration, oligodendrocyte loss, and subsequent retinal ganglion cell death. TNF-α also triggers SARM1-dependent axon degeneration in sensory neurons via a noncanonical necroptotic signaling mechanism. MLKL is the final executioner of canonical necroptosis; however, in axonal necroptosis, MLKL does not directly trigger degeneration. Instead, MLKL induces loss of the axon survival factors NMNAT2 and STMN2 to activate SARM1 NADase activity, which leads to calcium influx and axon degeneration. Hence, these findings define a specialized form of axonal necroptosis. The demonstration that neuroinflammatory signals and necroptosis can act locally in the axon to stimulate SARM1-dependent axon degeneration identifies a therapeutically targetable mechanism by which neuroinflammation can stimulate axon loss in neurodegenerative disease.
KLF2 regulates dental pulp-derived stem cell differentiation through the induction of mitophagy and altering mitochondrial metabolism

Abstract To define the regulatory role of Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) during osteoblast (OB) differentiation of dental pulp-derived stem cell (DPSC)s, herein, we show that the levels of KLF2 and autophagy-related molecules were significantly increased in differentiated cells. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function approaches of KLF2 confirmed that KLF2 modulated autophagic and OB differentiation-related molecules. In addition, knockdown of the autophagic molecule (ATG7 or BECN1) in DPSCs resulted in reduced levels of KLF2 and OB differentiation-related molecules. Conversely, the induction of autophagy increased levels of KLF2 and OB differentiation-related molecules. Moreover, OB differentiation induced mitophagy and mitochondrial membrane potential-related molecules. In addition, OB differentiation reduced the generation of total and mitochondrial ROS productions and induced intracellular Ca2+ production. Measurements of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation simultaneously in live cells revealed that OB differentiation decreased the oxygen consumption rate, which is an indicator of mitochondrial respiration and reduced the level of ATP production. Furthermore, flux analysis also revealed that OB differentiation increased the extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) in the non-glycolytic acidification, and the glycolytic capacity conditions, increasing the lactate production and reducing the metabolic activity of the cells. Thus, a metabolic shift from mitochondrial respiration to the glycolytic pathway was observed during OB differentiation. Finally, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis confirmed that the KLF2 and active epigenetic marks (H3K27Ac and H3K4me3) were upregulated in the promoter region of ATG7 during OB differentiation. These results provide evidence that the mitophagy process is important during OB differentiation, and KLF2 critically regulates it.
Subluminal stochastic gravitational waves in pulsar-timing arrays and astrometry

The detection of a stochastic background of low-frequency gravitational waves by pulsar-timing and astrometric surveys will enable tests of gravitational theories beyond general relativity. These theories generally permit gravitational waves with non-Einsteinian polarization modes, which may propagate slower than the speed of light. We use the total-angular-momentum wave formalism to derive the angular correlation patterns of observables relevant for pulsar timing arrays and astrometry that arise from a background of subluminal gravitational waves with scalar, vector, or tensor polarizations. We find that the pulsar timing observables for the scalar longitudinal mode, which diverge with source distance in the luminal limit, are finite in the subluminal case. Furthermore, we apply our results to $f(R)$ gravity, which contains a massive scalar degree of freedom in addition to the standard transverse-traceless modes. The scalar mode in this $f(R)$ theory is a linear combination of the scalar-longitudinal and scalar-transverse modes, exciting only the monopole and dipole for pulsar timing arrays and only the dipole for astrometric surveys.
Design of a Novel Integrated Switched Reluctance Motor-Compressor

The objective of this paper is to design a switched reluctance-based integrated motor-compressor. The proposed reluctance-based machine is a magnet-less machine which adds to the simplicity of machine and lowers the cost as well as allows for higher operating temperature ranges. The rotor of the proposed integrated machine functions both as a rotor of the motor as well as a rotor of an axial-flow compressor. It can rotate to draw air from the ambiance into the rotor and accelerate the flow through the rotor stage. The high-speed flow provides forced convection to the rotor, stator, windings, and magnets. In this work, electromagnetic performance is verified by finite element analysis.
As Births Diminish and Deaths Increase, Natural Decrease becomes More Widespread in Rural America*

Even before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the U.S. population growth rate last year was the lowest in 100 years. And, from 2010 to 2019 nonmetropolitan America lost population for the first time in history. Diminished natural increase was a major contributor to this and also accelerated the incidence of natural decrease (more deaths than births), particularly in rural America. Deaths exceeded births in 46 percent of all U.S. counties-a near record high. Nearly 79 percent of these natural decrease counties were nonmetropolitan. This research uses recent data and a multivariate spatial regression model to update our understanding of the growing incidence of natural decrease in both rural and urban America. In light of the mortality increase and likely fertility declines stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic, these findings have significant implications for future nonmetropolitan demographic trends.
Important-performance analysis to conceptualize goal priorities in community dwelling stroke survivors.

Background: It is important for clinicians to have a better understanding of stroke survivor’s goals. Important performance analysis (IPA) is a tool that could be utilized to identify goal prioriti...
Air-stable n-type transistors based on assembled aligned carbon nanotube arrays and their application in complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor electronics

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are ideal candidates for beyond-silicon nano-electronics because of their high mobility and low-cost processing. Recently, assembled massively aligned CNTs have emerged as an important platform for semiconductor electronics. However, realizing sophisticated complementary nano-electronics has been challenging due to the p-type nature of carbon nanotubes in air. Fabrication of n-type behavior field effect transistors (FETs) based on assembled aligned CNT arrays is needed for advanced CNT electronics. Here in this paper, we report a scalable process to make n-type behavior FETs based on assembled aligned CNT arrays. Air-stable and high-performance n-type behavior CNT FETs are achieved with high yield by combining the atomic layer deposition dielectric and metal contact engineering. We also systematically studied the contribution of metal contacts and atomic layer deposition passivation in determining the transistor polarity. Based on these experimental results, we report the successful demonstration of complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor inverters with good performance, which paves the way for realizing the promising future of carbon nanotube nano-electronics.
SU-E-T-722: Technical and Clinical Experience with the 1st Single Room Proton Therapy System

Purpose: In December, 2013 we treated our first patient with the Mevion S250 Proton Therapy System. This followed seven months of acceptance testing and commissioning, including; dosimetric data acquisition, safety checks, establishment of QA programs, mechanical and imaging checks, modeling validation, etc. Methods: The Mevion S250 possesses a compact synchrocyclotron attached to a gantry due to its small size (1.8m diameter) and light weight (22 tons). The system includes a 6D robotic couch allowing for any beam trajectory. The system provides 3D-2D imaging via fixed x-rays. Our TPS is Varian Eclipse, for which modeling and validation comprised most of the commissioning. The electronic medical record system is Elekta’s MOSIAQ 2.5, which provides connectivity for setup, imaging and treatment. Results: The modeling and validation met gamma of 3%/1mm for 98% of points. The imaging quality is superior than our other existing systems. Neutron dose was 95%. Over the first 14 months, for our first 150 cases, were predominantly; adult CNS, pediatrics (including CSI), lung, and liver. Thorax patients receive weekly scans for adaptive planning. Conclusion: The Mevion S250 has added a vital option to compliment our other modalities within our NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Enhancing trabecular outflow by disrupting the actin cytoskeleton, increasing uveoscleral outflow with prostaglandins, and understanding the pathophysiology of presbyopia: Interrogating Mother Nature: asking why, asking how, recognizing the signs, following the trail

Abstract Several major areas of work by the author and his international collaborators are reviewed. (1) The ciliary muscle in the non-human primate eye was disinserted at the scleral spur. Pilocarpine was then ineffective in increasing outflow facility, indicating that ciliary muscle contraction mediated the IOP-lowering effect of muscarinic cholinergics. (2) Compounds such as cytochalasins, H-7 and latrunculin A/B, which alter the actin cytoskeleton, cellular contractility and cellular adhesions in cultured trabecular meshwork cells, relaxed trabecular pathway cells and consequently the meshwork itself so as to decrease IOP and enhance trabecular outflow facility in non-human primates. Gene transfer approaches utilizing C3 and caldesmon over-expression by viral vectors to target specific steps in the cellular contractility/cytoskeleton/cell adhesion cascades characteristically altered trabecular meshwork cell morphology and increased outflow facility in organ-cultured anterior segments. (3) Prostaglandin F2α analogues enhanced matrix metalloproteinase production by ciliary muscle cells and scleral fibroblasts, leading to remodeling of the extracellular matrix of the ciliary muscle and sclera and consequently to increased uveoscleral outflow and decreased IOP in primates. (4) The rhesus monkey was an excellent model for human presbyopia, losing the accommodative response to cholinergic stimulation in the same timeframe relative to lifespan. No changes were found in ciliary muscle enzymes involved in acetylcholine biosynthesis or degradation or in muscarinic receptor numbers or affinity. Contractility of isolated ciliary muscle did not diminish with age, but posterior ciliary muscle attachments stiffened, suggesting a possible role in restricting muscle and consequently lens movement during accommodation. A model to reproducibly stimulate accommodation through central stimulation of the Edinger–Westphal nucleus was developed. Goniovideography and ultrasound biomicroscopic techniques allowed real-time recording and analysis of the accommodation-relevant structures. Surgical ablation of the intraocular structures involved in the accommodation response has led to further understanding of their roles and changes with age related to presbyopia. (5) Global collaborations such as those involved in these studies will be essential in the future, as science becomes “bigger”.
Divestiture and regulatory policies

Abstract This article reviews recent changes in the structure of the US telecommunications industry and in public policies following the divestiture of AT & T, and examines their implications for R&D and innovation. A brief review of changes in the organization of R&D in the former Bell system is followed by a consideration of the effects of market structures on R&D incentives and organization. Finally the article examines the effects of the line-of-business restrictions imposed on the regional holding companies by the Modification of Final Judgment, the FCC's requirement for open network architecture, and rate-of-return regulation by state utility commissions. The central conclusion of the article is that US telecommunications policies may undermine incentives for R&D by the Bell operating companies while providing considerable incentives for them to turn to foreign manufacturers for new technology.
Circulation to Male Reproductive Organs

The sections in this article are: 1 Penile Circulation 1.1 Vascular Anatomy 1.2 Pharmacology of Erection 1.3 Vascular Nerves 1.4 Erection Process 2 Testicular Circulation 2.1 Vascular Anatomy 2.2 Vascular Nerves 2.3 Hormones and Drugs 2.4 Effect of Temperature on Testicular Blood Flow 3 Summary
Femtosecond hydrogen bond dynamics by spectrally- and time-resolved vibrational sum frequency generation

Time- and frequency-domain 3-wave mixing spectroscopy is developed as a surface-selective nonlinear technique capable of measuring spectral evolution of vibrational coherences. Hydrogen bond dynamics of interfacial water is observed to proceed on 100 fs timescale.
K-12 teachers provide meaningful technical projects for teams of first-year engineering students

Summary form only provided, as follows. Students enter engineering school with some desire to solve real problems, yet they spend much of their academic career working textbook exercises. Sometimes they get to solve a real problem in their senior design project, sometimes they must wait until they have graduated and obtained a job. They need opportunities to confront real engineering problems, problems that have far more unknowns than equations. In this project K-12 teachers provided problems, usually gadgets they would like to have in their classrooms. These problems had to be solved to the clients' (the teachers') satisfaction by first semester engineering students. Teams were formed by maximizing each team's diversity according to the members' Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Each team got one problem, along with a set of milestones and a $25 budget. The nine projects from six schools in five school districts across southern Maine included: a working model of a MagLev vehicle, a model of the skeleto-muscular structure of the arm, a revised manual for assembling a 12 U long model of a bridge, a wooden timeline with world-wide events 3000 BC-2000 AD. Midway through the 10-week project, we held a design review; all the students critiqued each team's design. This review improved the final products significantly. Throughout the semester teams shared their experiences, so all students saw multiple perspectives on teamwork and on working with clients and real-world problems. At the end of the semester we held an exposition where all the products were displayed and demonstrated. Later teams delivered their products to the clients' classrooms. This project accomplished the following goals: give first-semester engineering students a meaningful design experience and exposure to other team experiences. Introduce teamwork on a technical project early in each engineering students' academic career. Connect the Engineering Department with local K-12 teachers in a useful way.
The Long and Short of the Accrual Anomaly

The paper provides evidence that the relation between accruals and future returns is not symmetric. We find that firms with low accruals generate insignificant abnormal returns in asset pricing regressions that control for either earnings quality or operating volatility. In contrast, we find that accrual hedge returns are driven by firms with large positive accruals and firms with high probabilities of earnings overstatement. This asymmetry is consistent with our view that upwards rather than downwards earnings management is an important contributor to accrual mispricing. We also find that firms with high accruals are smaller and have higher arbitrage risk (residual return volatility), suggesting that short sellers are unlikely to arbitrage away these negative abnormal returns. We conclude that an omitted risk factor explains results for low accruals and that transaction costs/limits to arbitrage explain the persistence of mispricing for high accruals.
Effect of age and parenchymal liver disease on the disposition and elimination of chlordiazepoxide (librium).

Abstract There is an increased incidence of unwanted sedation associated with chlordiazepoxide usage in the elderly and in patients with liver disease. To determine whether pharmacokinetic alterations could account in part for these observations we studied the disposition and elimination of intravenously administered chlordiazepoxide in 27 healthy controls aged 16 to 86 years, 8 patients with cirrhosis, and 5 patients with acute viral hepatitis. Both increasing age and parenchymal liver disease led to similar changes in chlordiazepoxide pharmacokinetics. Over the age range 20 to 80 years, elimination half-life (t12(β)) increased from 7 to 40 hr ( r , 0.67; P r , −0.71; P r , 0.60; P P P
New light on black holes

Discoveries over the past several years have taken the study of classical black holes out of the hands of relativists and into the realm of observational astronomy and astrophysics. We now know, beyond all reasonable doubt, that black holes are usually present in the nuclei of normal galaxies with masses millions to billions that of the sun. Stellar mass black holes, whose births may sometimes be marked by gamma-ray bursts, are also plentiful within our Galaxy and show many similar behaviors to their giant counterparts on correspondingly shorter timescales. These observations are forcing us to re-think how black holes release energy from accreting gas and power their radiant emission and outflowing jets and winds. Black holes also appear to account for a larger fraction of the luminosity budget of the Universe than previously thought and, consequently, are likely to have an important role in the formation of galaxies.
Evaluación de las políticas de fomento de la competencia para el desarrollo

Implementation of competition policies is one of the most recommended strategies to developing countries as a tool for achieving economic development. Using a panel dataset of over 100 countries and 7 years (from 2005-2011), I estimate the effect of competition on economic development, and also determine which of the comprehensive policy factors are the most relevant for increasing competition. A fixed effects instrumental variable approach is used.I find that competition intensity positively impacts economic development. The estimate is highly significant when effectiveness of antimonopoly policy and squared years of experience handling competition law are used as instruments for competition intensity. Political stability is shown to be a determinant for higher achievement in development. Macroeconomic environment and financial market development are also significant factors that contribute to higher economic development. Less developed countries should work intensively to improve their institutional quality and implement pro-competitive policies that are not only related to competition laws.
Hard Times, Elite Structure, and Militarized Interstate Disputes in South America

This paper hypothesizes that the ruling elites’ decision to adopt non-violent means of conflict resolution, to militarize a dispute, or to initiate a war is a function of the domestic political context in a given state. More specifically, the degree to which force will be used internationally depends on two variables: (a) the intensity of intra- and/or inter-elite conflict and (b) the degree of elite cohesiveness. This paper proposes that the ruling elites will initiate a war when cohesive elites engage in highly intense inter-elite conflict. Alternatively, the ruling elites will resort to threats or limited use of force abroad when they are fragmented and are passing through a low-intensity intra-elite conflict. Conversely, fragmented elites passing through highly intense intra-elite conflict and cohesive elites passing through low-intensity inter-elite conflict will adopt domestic solutions (i.e., reform, repression, coup, revolution, etc) to address their problems. This hypothesis is examined in the light of two case studies: Chile during the War of the Pacific (1879-1883) and the Peru-Ecuador rivalry during the twentieth century.
The empire strikes back: War without war and occupation without occupation in the Russian sphere of influence

Russia's recent actions in Ukraine constitute a new form of warfare distinctly suited for a 21st-century battlefield. Through a comparative analysis of the political technologies it has deployed there and in two other conflict zones, Georgia and Moldova, we maintain that Russia is implementing a new political strategy that utilizes fear and intimidation to thwart a further eastward expansion of the European Union and NATO. By masking Russian “occupation without occupation” as humanitarian and as fulfilling a “responsibility to protect,” Vladimir Putin satirizes the moral and legal arguments used by Western states to justify their own international intervention. Ultimately, we argue that the pervasive fear created by Eurasia's frozen conflicts constitutes a new form of post-Soviet liminality that challenges the norms of the international system.
An Empirical Nonlinear Data-Fitting Approach for Transforming Data to Normality

Abstract A general method is proposed by which nonnormally distributed data can be transformed to achieve approximate normality. The method uses an empirical nonlinear data-fitting approach and can be applied to a broad class of transformations including the Box-Cox, arcsine, generalized logit, and Weibull-type transformations. It is easy to implement using standard statistical software packages. Several examples are provided.
Continuous Solution of Partial Differential Equations on Non-Rectangular and Non-Continuous Geometry

A high order continuous solution is obtained for partial differential equations on non-rectangular and non-continuous domain using Bezier functions. This is a mesh free alternative to finite element or finite difference methods that are normally used to solve such problems. The problem is handled without any transformation and the setup is direct, simple, and involves minimizing the error in the residuals of the differential equations along with the error in the boundary conditions over the domain. The solution can be expressed in polynomial form. The effort is same for linear and nonlinear partial differential equations. The procedure is developed as a combination of symbolic and numeric calculation. The solution is obtained through the application of standard unconstrained optimization. A constrained approach is also developed for nonlinear partial differential equations. Examples include linear and nonlinear partial differential equations. The solution for linear partial differential equations is compared to finite element solutions from COMSOL.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Experimental and numerical investigation of the peeling force required for the detachment of fabric from the forming belt in the hydroentanglement process

Hydroentanglement is a fast-growing process for manufacturing non-woven fabrics. In this process, multiple fine jets of highly pressurised water are directed towards a fibreweb composed initially of loose fibres, supported by the forming belt. The impact of the jets causes fibre entanglement in the fibreweb and produces an integrated fabric with desired aesthetics. It is important that, at the end of the process, the fibreweb could be easily separated from the forming wires. In this paper, the peeling force required for the separation of the hydroentangled fabric from the forming wires is measured experimentally. Numerical simulations of the hydroentanglement process are also carried out to predict the probability of fibres to be pushed in the knuckles of the forming wires. The fibres that get caught in the knuckles are mainly responsible for the peeling force of the fabric from the forming wires. The fibreweb is modelled as a porous layer, which is supported by forming wires. By correlating experimental ...
Serum histidine-rich glycoprotein levels are decreased in acquired immune deficiency syndrome and by steroid therapy.

Using radial immunodiffusion serum histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG) levels were measured in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients, in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients after renal transplantation and immunosuppressive steroid therapy, and in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients treated with steroids. Compared with controls (12.5 ± 3.0 mg/dl), HRG levels were significantly decreased in patients with AIDS (5.7 ± 1.8 mg/dl, P < 0.005); in patients with ESRD after renal transplantation with steroid therapy (4.4 ± 1.1 mg/dl, P < 0.005); and in asthmatic and COPD patients receiving steroids in acute (7.6 ± 2.9 mg/dl, P < 0.005) or chronic (7.4 ± 3.0 mg/dl, P < 0.025) high-dose regimens. In contrast, levels of hemopexin, another serum glycoprotein synthesized by the liver, were not lowered in these patients. These results show that serum HRG levels are selectively decreased in AIDS and in patients treated with immunosuppressive steroids.
Towards a regional approach to cell mechanics

Here we review studies of the physical, material properties of animal cells and their cytoskeleton, such as elastic stiffness and fluid viscosity, that determine how they respond to, and are shaped by, forces inside and out. Currently and historically, most such studies have reported a single value for a cell property and/or propose a single broad structural model based on nonliving materials. We believe that such physical studies would be of more interest to most cell biologists if greater emphasis were placed on the well-established regional differences within a cell and the ability of the cell to quickly change its mechanical behaviors
The Graphical Specification of Similarity Queries

Abstract Image databases will require a completely new organization due to the unstructured and ‘perceptual’ structure of the data they contain. We argue that similarity measures, rather than matching, will be the organizing principle of image databases. Similarity is a very elusive and complex judgment, and typical databases will have to rely on a number of different metrics to satisfy the different needs of their users. This poses the problem of how to combine different similarity measures in a coherent and intuitive way. In this paper we propose our solution, which is loosely based on ideas derived from fuzzy logic in that it uses the equivalent in the similarity domain of the and, or and not operations. The approach is much more general than that, however, and can be adapted to work with any operation that combines together similarity judgment. With this approach, a query can be described as a Directional Acyclic graph with certain properties. We analyse briefly the properties of this graph, and we present the interface we are developing to specify these queries.
Death Concerns and Other Adaptive Challenges: The Effects of Coalition-Relevant Challenges on Worldview Defense in the US and Costa Rica

A relational approach to the psychology of coalitions suggests that certain stimuli that index adaptive problems for which marshaling coalitional support is a reliably adaptive response should elicit increased support of ingroup ideology. Studies from two cultures produced results consistent with this perspective. In Study 1, Costa Rican participants contemplating coalition-relevant scenarios (i.e. social isolation or the need to enlist the help of others in a cooperative task) increased support of ingroup ideology, but that participants contemplating a mortality-salient prime did not. Study 2 replicated these results in an American sample, and explored the moderating effects of individual variation in interdependence and chronic dangerous world beliefs on normative bias. These results suggest that the determining factor cross-culturally in the elicitation of worldview defense may not be mortality concerns per se, but rather the need for coalitional support.
Corporate reputation in the age of data nudity

Purpose – The article discusses the ramifications for corporate reputation of the current concerns about consumer data privacy in order to identify potential risks and benefits for corporations in their relations with consumers and other stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach – The article discusses the ramifications for corporate reputation of the current concerns about consumer data privacy in order to identify potential risks and benefits for corporations in their relations with consumers and other stakeholders. Findings – This review suggests that there are indeed significant concerns for corporations about how consumers feel about corporate use of personal and, in particular, behavioral data. However, there are steps that corporations can take to demonstrate their commitment to data privacy that can mitigate potential reputational damage and even strengthen their image with consumers and other stakeholders. Originality/value – Data privacy as a reputation asset has been little discussed in the lit...
Magnetic Field Effect on Triplet Exciton Quenching in Organic Crystals

The rate of quenching of triplet excitons by paramagnetic impurities in anthracene crystals at room temperature is found to be magnetic-field dependent. A theory of the effect is presented.
Analytic structures for subnormal operators

For μ a compactly supported measure on ℂ, we construct a mutually absolutely continuous measure ν so thatP2(ν) has analytic bounded point evaluations, and the operator of multiplication byz onP2(ν) has every invariant subspace hyperinvariant. We also construct an equivalent measure σ so thatR2(K, σ) has as analytic bounded point evaluations precisely the interior of the set of weak-star continuous point evaluations ofR∞(K, μ). In the course of the proof, we classify weak-star closed super-algebras ofR∞(K, μ) whenR(K) is hypo-Dirichlet.
General relativistic corrections in the gamma-ray emission from pulsars

We examine the importance of general relativistic corrections to the production of gamma rays near the surface of a neutron star. Due to the change in the magnetic dipole field in curved spacetime, the polar cap angle decreases by 30% compared to flat spacetime. However, the curved photon trajectories compensate for the decrease in the polar cap angle, and, as a result, the pulse profile of the photons emitted parallel to the field is expected to be very similar in curved spacetime and in flat spacetime. We find that the curved spacetime metric significantly increases the magnitude of the magnetic field and, therefore, the attenuation coefficients of curvature radiation gamma rays for pair production in a magnetic field can be increased by factors as large as 100. As a resutl the survival distance of 1 GeV photons for pair production is decreased by a factor of 2 for B is approximately 10(exp 12) G.
A novel receptor ligand: 1-(1-cyclo­octyl­piperidin-4-yl)­indolin-2-one

The title compound, C21H30N2O, is a member of the family of nociceptin receptor ligands derived from N-(4-piperidinyl)-2-indolinones. Modifications of the piperidine N-substituent can produce both agonists and antagonists, with the title compound being a partial agonist with high affinity. The cyclo­octyl ring is disordered over two positions.
Dinosaur abundance was not declining in a “3 m gap” at the top of the Hell Creek Formation, Montana and North Dakota: Comment and Reply

The study of dinosaur abundance in the Hell Creek Formation by [Sheehan et al. (2000)][1] raises three points that require comment. Additionally, some of their history of the “3 m gap” requires emendation. As the authors correctly state, in the late 1970s and early 1980s various workers observed
Calderas of the Sierra Madre Occidental Volcanic Field western Mexico

The data base on the mineral content, geomorphology, and extent of caldera in the Sierra Madre Occidental volcanic field is surveyed. Caldera identified from Landsat imagery and confirmed by field studies have generally had high structural levels and are therefore the youngest calderas and sometimes overlap. Detectable margins have been vertical and abrupt, while other structures indicate collapse during eruption and accumulation of thick, intracaldera facies. Calderas which collapsed are generally filled with sedimentation. Mineral deposits hosted by the caldera include tin, silver, gold, and iron, and a spatial relationship has been characterized between the Ocampa caldera structure and mineralized precaldera rocks. The survey has confirmed the locations of several dozen caldera, while the volume of silicic rocks surveyed indicates the presence of several hundred caldera in the Sierra Madre.
Water deficit in field-grown Gossypium hirsutum primarily limits net photosynthesis by decreasing stomatal conductance, increasing photorespiration, and increasing the ratio of dark respiration to gross photosynthesis

Much effort has been expended to improve irrigation efficiency and drought tolerance of agronomic crops; however, a clear understanding of the physiological mechanisms that interact to decrease source strength and drive yield loss has not been attained. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms contributing to inhibition of net carbon assimilation under drought stress, three cultivars of Gossypium hirsutum were grown in the field under contrasting irrigation regimes during the 2012 and 2013 growing season near Camilla, Georgia, USA. Physiological measurements were conducted on three sample dates during each growing season (providing a broad range of plant water status) and included, predawn and midday leaf water potential (ΨPD and ΨMD), gross and net photosynthesis, dark respiration, photorespiration, and chlorophyll a fluorescence. End-of-season lint yield was also determined. ΨPD ranged from -0.31 to -0.95MPa, and ΨMD ranged from -1.02 to -2.67MPa, depending upon irrigation regime and sample date. G. hirsutum responded to water deficit by decreasing stomatal conductance, increasing photorespiration, and increasing the ratio of dark respiration to gross photosynthesis, thereby limiting PN and decreasing lint yield (lint yield declines observed during the 2012 growing season only). Conversely, even extreme water deficit, causing a 54% decline in PN, did not negatively affect actual quantum yield, maximum quantum yield, or photosynthetic electron transport. It is concluded that PN is primarily limited in drought-stressed G. hirsutum by decreased stomatal conductance, along with increases in respiratory and photorespiratory carbon losses, not inhibition or down-regulation of electron transport through photosystem II. It is further concluded that ΨPD is a reliable indicator of drought stress and the need for irrigation in field-grown cotton.
Amorphous-crystal interface in silicon: A tight-binding simulation

The structural features of the interface between the cystalline and amorphous phases of Si solid are studied in simulations based on a combination of empirical interatomic potentials and a nonorthogonal tight-binding model. The tight-binding Hamiltonian was created and tested for the types of structures and distortions anticipated to occur at this interface. The simulations indicate the presence of a number of interesting features near the interface. The features that may lead to crystallization upon heating include $〈110〉$ chains with some defects, most prominently dimers similar to those on the Si(001) 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1 reconstructed free surface. Within the amorphous region order is lost over very short distances. By examining six different samples with two interfaces each, we find the energy of the amorphous-crystal interface to be $0.49\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05{\mathrm{J}/\mathrm{m}}^{2}.$
Visual hallucinations in mild dementia. A rare occurrence of Lhermitte's hallucinosis.

Received January 22, 1998; accepted February 5, 1999. From the Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Leo, Erie County Medical Center, 462 Grider St, Buffalo, New York 14215. Copyright 1999 The Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine. The elderly patient, presenting with new-onset visual hallucinations, confronts the consultation-liaison psychiatrist with an array of diagnostic possibilities. A number of psychiatric disorders, along with organic etiologies, must be entertained in the differential diagnosis. We report on a patient with visual hallucinations who was found to have mild cognitive deficits. She did not, however, demonstrate other symptoms or signs suggesting common organic or functional psychiatric disorders. One syndrome appeared to most aptly apply, based upon clinical and laboratory investigations, that is, Lhermitte’s hallucinosis. Originally described in 1922, Lhermitte reported a case of a person experiencing hallucinations of strange animals and costumed humans and children, stemming from lesions affecting the mid-brain and pons.
The rhomb unit structural model of amorphous alloys

Abstract According to both the basic facts of the peak distribution principles in RDF(r) curves and the size of the short-range order (SRO) in amorphous alloys obtained from experiments, the molecular unit that constitutes the metallic glass structure is to be the rhomb unit by calculation within 8 f.c.c. crystalline cells. On the basis of this work, the authors proposed the rhomb unit structural model (RUSM) of amorphous alloys, and assume the structure of amorphous alloys as the random packing of rhomb units. In this paper the peak positions of G(r) and the relative magnitude of these peaks of NiP amorphous alloys are calculated by means of RUSM. The calculated results are consistent with experimental ones.
SERIAL SECTIONS; SIMPLIFIED HANDLING OF PARAFFIN RIBBONS ON A FLOATING-OUT BATH.

Pieces of para & ribbon containing serial sections are arranged in overlapping rows on a microscope slide coated with albumen or glycerol. The assembly of sections is then floated free by immersing the slide in a bath of warm water. The rows of sections forming the assembled unit adhere to each other along their overlapping edges. After the sections have softened and expanded, the unit is picked up on a slide, covered with wet filter paper, rolled flat with a photographic print roller, and allowed to dry.
Leukocyte-depleted blood transfusion is associated with decreased survival in resected early-stage lung cancer

Objectives Blood transfusion has been shown to have deleterious effect on lung cancer survival, but little data are available that assess whether leukocyte-depleted (LD) blood has a similar adverse effect. Our institution has been using LD red cells since 2001. We sought to determine whether LD blood has an effect on survival after resection of early-stage lung cancer. Methods From a prospective database, we evaluated all patients with pathologic stage I non–small cell lung cancer. Patients receiving LD blood were compared with those receiving no transfusion. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log–rank test. Multivariate analysis by Cox regression was used to identify independent risk factors affecting survival. Results From 2001 to 2009, 361 patients were evaluated; 63 received LD red cell cell transfusion and 298 received no transfusion. Median follow-up was 48 months. Disease-free survival ( P P P = .002) and IB ( P = .002). Similarly, overall survival continued to be worse with transfusion for stage IA ( P P Conclusions Our data suggest that transfusion of LD blood is associated with a worse disease-free and overall survival in patients with resected stage I non–small cell lung cancer.
Eigenvalue localization for the tikhonova model of crystal growth

Abstract Matrix A with characteristic polynomial Q(z) is defined positive or negative Hurwitz according to whether Q(z) or Q(-z) is a Hurwitz polynomial. Leading principle sections of the Tikhonova growth matrix have associated characteristic polynomials Pn(-z) which satisfy the recursion P n+1 (z)=zP n (z)+ 1 n(n+1) P n-1 (z),P 0 (z)=1,P 1 (z)=1+z That the Tikhonova growth matrix is negative Hurwitz is established through applying the Wall-Stieltjes theory of continued fraction expansions to show the Pn(-z) are Hurwitz polynomials. The Kayeya-Enestrom theorem and a procedure for refinement of the Gerschgorin estimate are used to obtain analytical bounds on spectral radii for the Tikhonova model, which provides estimates of maximal growth rates. The theory allows generalization to more complicated growth models.
The global distribution of O3 on mars

Abstract Models are developed to describe the photochemistry of ozone on Mars. Catalytic reactions involving H, OH and HO 2 play a major role at low latitudes where they ensure a vertical column density for O 3 of less than 2 × 10 −4 cm atm. The source for odd hydrogen (H + OH + HO 2 ) is relatively smaller at high latitudes in winter due to the small concentrations of H 2 O present there at that time. Odd hydrogen is also efficiently removed from the high-latitude winter atmosphere by condensation of H 2 O 2 . The role of catalytic chemistry is reduced accordingly and the vertical column density of O 3 may be as large as 5.7 × 10 −3 cm atm in accord with earlier observations carried out by Barth and co-workers with instruments on Mariner 9.
Multirate Monochrome Image Compression Based On A Novel Deconvolution Of The Analysis/Synthesis Filter Banks

This paper reports on the authors' recent work in developing a new multirate method for image coding at low bit rates. The method follows the approach which was introduced at ISCAS 89 [1] and is based on a multirate maximally decimated filter bank structure. Difficulties and solutions related to the performance of the system are discussed in this paper. The proposed structure attempts to preserve the perceptually significant characteristics of the reconstructed image in the presence of quantization. Methods for coding the new multirate representation are still under development. However, preliminary coding results are shown in this paper using vector quantization and adaptive differential PCM. Results based on a more efficient contour encoding method will be presented at the conference.
Association mapping: where we've been, where we're going.

This paper provides a review of recent work in the area of marker-phenotype association studies, specifically as used for localizing – or mapping – genes affecting a trait of interest. We describe the basis of association mapping and discuss a number of the commonly used techniques. We have also included references to various papers that have evaluated the use of these methods.