cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Some Basic Physics Results for Plasma Spectroscopy and Modelling

Spectroscopic diagnostics and modelling of technical or divertor plasmas require many results from basic physics research. Reasonable simplifications must be introduced and information is necessary about atomic and molecular processes in the plasma volume and at the walls. As a first approximation, the corona model is presented, which is applicable for excitation and ionisation at low densities. This model requires cross sections and rate coefficients for electron impact. Many of these can be found in the literature, but it is also shown, how they can be estimated from the optical f-values. Consideration of competing processes is often required, as e.g. dissociative excitation, excitation transfer, charge exchange or quenching. Some examples are reported. At higher electron densities, collisional-radiative models must be used, which are available for electron impact collisions. Redistribution by neutral particles can present a major problem in low density discharges and many questions are still open. Heavy particle reaction rates are published in the literature, but must sometimes be taken with caution. The optical thickness of resonance lines is discussed, which may considerably affect line emission also in the visible spectral range. Models and programs are described for taking into account opacity and the results are shown. In addition to reaction cross sections, the electron energy distribution function must be known, which is often non-Maxwellian. It is demonstrated, how deviations can be recognised in spectroscopic criteria with different energy thresholds and how the high-energy tail may be reconstructed for further use in diagnostics or modelling. Eventually, a self-consistent model of these plasmas is highly desirable calculating electrical and magnetic fields, all chemical reaction rates and the consequent distribution functions.
Right Hemisphere Dominance for the Production of Facial Expression in Monkeys

In humans, the left side of the face (right hemisphere of the brain) is dominant in emotional expression. In rhesus monkeys, the left side of the face begins to display facial expression earlier than the right side and is more expressive. Humans perceive rhesus chimeras created by pairing the left half of the face with its mirror-reversed duplicate as more expressive than chimeras created by right-right pairings. That the right hemisphere determines facial expression, and the left hemisphere processes species-typical vocal signals, suggests that human and nonhuman primates exhibit the same pattern of brain asymmetry for communication.
Chronic and Recurrent Otitis Media: A Genome Scan for Susceptibility Loci

Otitis media (OM) is the most common childhood disease. Almost all children experience at least one episode, but morbidity is greatest in children who experience chronic/recurrent OM (COME/ROM). There is mounting evidence that COME/ROM clusters in families and exhibits substantial heritability. Subjects who had tympanostomy tube surgery for COME/ROM (probands) and their families were recruited for the present study, and an ear examination was performed, without knowledge of the subject's history, to determine presence of OM sequelae. In addition, tympanometric testing was performed at three frequencies (226, 630 or 710, and 1,400 Hz) to detect abnormal middle-ear mechanics, and hearing was screened at 20 dB for the speech frequencies. Of these families, 121 had at least two individuals who had received the diagnosis of COME/ROM (364 affected and genotyped individuals), of whom 238 affected and informative relative pairs were used for analyses. Single-point nonparametric linkage analysis provided evidence of linkage of COME/ROM to chromosome 10q at marker D10S212 (LOD 3.78; P = 3.0 × 10 −5 ) and to chromosome 19q at marker D19S254 (LOD 2.61; P = 5.3 × 10 −4 ). Analyses conditional on support for linkage at chromosomes 10q and 19q resulted in a significant increase in LOD score support on chromosome 3p (between markers D3S4545 and D3S1259 ). These results suggest that risk of COME/ROM is determined by interactions between genes that reside in several candidate regions of the genome and are probably modulated by other environmental risk factors.
Fluorescent architecture, or, Dan Flavin at the supermarket

The architecture of supermarkets. The history of fluorescent lighting. The art of Dan Flavin. When examined independently each tells a distinct story about post-Second World War America. When studied together, however, they reveal important historical relationships between aesthetics, architecture and suburbia. These relationships revolve around a sensibility that is shared by Minimalist art, suburban buildings and everyday technologies; a sensibility that is best described as the banal-spectacle.We tend to think of sensibilities and styles as either superficial or as the result of other cultural forces. They are what covers up or comes after the important stuff. But what if one reverses this sequence and hierarchy? What is to be gained by starting with sensibility and aesthetics when generating and analysing architectural artefacts? Can they provide a robust technique for creating desirable social effects? This essay uses the overlapping histories of the supermarket, fluorescent lighting and the work of ...
On the future infima of some transient processes

Let (X(t), t∈S) be a real-valued stochastic process with ℙ(X(0)=0)=1 and\(\mathbb{P} (\mathop {\lim }\limits_{t \to \infty } X(t) = \infty ) = 1\). In this paper we are interested in the reluctance of such a process to tend to infinity. This entails determining the rate of escape of the associated process\((\mathop {\inf }\limits_{s\underset{\raise0.3em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle-}$}}{ \geqslant } t} X(s), t \in S)\), the so-calledfuture infima process.
The electrochemical investigation of the catalytic power of pyruvate decarboxylase and its coenzyme.

Abstract The change in the energy barriers for the heterogeneous reduction of pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) relative to its coenzyme, thiamin pyrophosphate (ThPP), was determined experimentally using square wave voltammetry (SWV) to be 5.3 kcal/mol. These results are in agreement with those of reaction rate acceleration provided by thiamin-dependent decarboxylases relative to their coenzyme as determined kinetically based on the pKa suppression by the enzyme environment.
Development of a double antibody radioimmunoassay for a catalase inhibitor from maize

Abstract A sensitive radioimmunoassay (RIA) has been developed for a catalase inhibitor isolated from maize. This protein can be detected by its ability to inhibit catalase in vitro, but this inhibition does not provide a suitable means of assaying the protein when catalase levels in the extract vary. We describe a double antibody RIA for the inhibitor protein. The assay is not affected by the presence of catalase in the assay mixture.
Genetic Disorders Affecting Reproduction and Periparturient Care

There are numerous genetic diseases influencing reproduction and periparturient care in dogs including such disorders as anasarca, cleft palate, swimmers, congenital heart disease, and the various conditions that cause excessive bleeding. It is probable that all breeds of dogs are at risk for these or other traits that influence whelping and neonatal care. Therefore, genetic counseling should be considered as an important aspect of prenatal and pediatric veterinary medicine.
GABAA-receptor function in hippocampal cells is maintained by phosphorylation factors

Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) mediates fast synaptic inhibition in the central nervous system by activating the chloride-permeable GABAA channel. The GABAA conductance progressively diminishes with time when the intracellular contents of hippocampal neurons are perfused with a minimal intracellular medium. This "run down" of the GABA-activated conductance can be prevented by the inclusion of magnesium adenosine triphosphate and calcium buffer in the intracellular medium. The amount of chloride conductance that can be activated by GABA is determined by competition between a calcium-dependent process that reduces the conductance and a phosphorylation process that maintains the conductance.
A comparison of trans-RNA splicing in trypanosomes and nematodes.

Many aspects of the biology of kinetoplastids are unique, so it is surprising that they share with nematodes an unusual post-transcriptional process called trans-splicing. During this process, a small conserved RNA sequence is added to the 5' non-translated ends of transcribed RNAs of protein-encoding genes. Trypanosomes and nematodes are the only organisms to date in which these sequences have been described, and the biological significance of trans-splicing remains a mystery but may be of wider occurrence in invertebrates. In this review, John Donelson and Wenlin Zeng compare the process in nematodes and trypanosomes and speculate on its raison d'etre.
Superconductivity in Nb-Mo alloys: Possible influence of a dip in the longitudinal acoustic phonon mode

Abstract Empirically determined 1 2 correlates well with the frequency of a dip in the [00ζ] LA phonon branch in Nb-Mo alloys. This possibly indicates the importance of this dip to their superconductivity.
Particle growth in model supported metal catalysts—I. Theory

Abstract A theoretical study of capillarity driven growth has been performed for several regimes of importance to the ripening of noble metal particles supported on flat, partially wetted, metal oxide substrates. Three related models are presented, and in each case two modes of interparticle transport are considered, namely: vapor phase transport and substrate surface diffusion. The first model is analogous to classical Ostwald ripening. The second is a simple extension of the first but allows for interparticle transport via a volatile oxide species. The third model is applicable to the growth of faceted particles and incorporates the concepts of “pill box” nucleation as a growth inhibiting factor. The growth kinetics predicted by the third model are quite different from those predicted by classical ripening models. In particular, changes in the initial particle size distribution, which cause only short-lived transients in the case of classical ripening, are found to have a profound effect on the growth kinetics as well as other characteristics of nucleation inhibited growth.
Neurotoxic effects of gasoline and gasoline constituents.

This overview was developed as part of a symposium on noncancer end points of gasoline and key gasoline components. The specific components included are methyl tertiary butyl ether, ethyl tertiary ...
Westward Displacement of the Lithosphere

THE peak of the oceanic and solid Earth tidal bulges lead the overhead position of the Moon and the couple is1 −N= 8/5πGMρ41ur d sin 2e (1) where G is the Newtonian constant, M the Moon's mass, ρ1, the radius of the Earth body, c, the distance between centres, ur, the radial displacement, d, the density of the matter in the bulge and e, the phase displacement (Fig. 1). The sum of the couples is known to be between 3.9 and 5.3 × 1023 dyne cm from observations of the acceleration of the Moon in orbit and the reduction of the Earth's rotation rate2.
Simultaneously Observing Concurrently-Available Schedules as a Means to Study the Near Miss Event in Simulated Slot Machine Gambling

Traditionally, near-miss events in games of skill provide feedback to an individual regarding his or her performance. However, in games of chance, like slot machine gambling, the use fails to carry over. A near miss in slot machine gambling may still be endorsed when most of the symbols falling on a payline match, though technically this arrangement provides no real measure of skill or progress. To date, attempts to study the near miss in slot machine gambling have used resistance to extinction and preference assessment preparations, both of which unsuccessfully capture any putative reinforcement properties. The current investigation introduces a new methodology to assess putative conditioned reinforcement properties of stimuli correlated with the near miss in simulated slot machine gambling by incorporating the observing response with concurrently available schedules, termed simultaneous observing. Successful tests of the methodology regarding schedule-correlated stimuli in relation to win rates demonstrate its potential use, and failure to identify a near-miss event as producing reinforcing effects for schedule-correlated stimuli adds credibility to its ability to discriminate between functions.
A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study of a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Approach for Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Abstract The purpose of the present pilot study was to assess the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy. This was a randomized, treatment as usual (TAU), controlled, nonblinded intervention pilot study with a 4-month follow-up conducted in a VA medical center. It was hypothesized that participants who received CBT, as compared to those who received TAU, would report significant decreases on self-report measures of pain severity, interference, and depressive symptoms from pretreatment to 4-month follow-up. Participants meeting inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to 1 of the study conditions. Of the 20 eligible participants, 12 were randomized to CBT and 8 were randomized to TAU. Participants randomized to CBT showed significant decreases on measures of pain severity (B = −.54) and pain interference (B = −.77) from pretreatment to 4-month follow-up. There were no significant changes in the TAU participants' scores on measures of pain severity (B = .00) or pain interference (B = −.09). Neither CBT nor TAU participants showed significant changes in their levels of depressive symptoms from pretreatment to 4-month follow-up. CBT may be an effective treatment approach for reducing pain severity and interference associated with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Perspective The results of this study suggest that engaging patients in CBT for painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy may provide them the skills to become more active and experience less pain.
A left hemispace bias for visualizing emotional situations

Forty-three college-aged subjects posed a series of emotional facial expressions and described their strategies for creating such expressions. The majority of subjects (86%) reported visualizing an image or situation. When asked for the location of the image, the majority (62%) indicated the left hemispace, and only 5% indicated the right.
Theoretical aspects of time reversal symmetry violation in ring current molecules

Abstract Time reversal symmetry violation in certain ring current molecules is postulated for the first time and appropriate experimental tests are suggested for the examination of the time reversal symmetry in these molecules.
Implementation of a Monte Carlo dosimetry method for patient-specific internal emitter therapy.

In internal emitter therapy, an accurate description of the absorbed dose distribution is necessary to establish an administered dose-response relationship, as well as to avoid critical organ toxicity. This work describes the implementation of a dosimetry method that accounts for the radionuclide decay spectrum, and patient-specific activity and density distributions. The dosimetry algorithm is based on a Monte Carlo procedure that simulates photon and electron transport and scores energy depositions within the patient. The necessary input information may be obtained from a registered set of CT and SPECT or PET images. The algorithm provides the absorbed dose rate for the radioactivity distribution provided by the SPECT or PET image. The algorithm was benchmarked by reproducing dosimetric quantities using the Medical Internal Radionuclide Dose (MIRD) Committee’s Standard Man phantom and was used to calculate absorbed dose distributions for representative case studies.
Disseminated Mycobacterium kansasii infection

Abstract A child with the sex-linked form of severe, combined immunodeficiency (SCID) presented with fever, cutaneous lesions and multiple foci of osteomyelitis. He was found to have disseminated mycobacteriosis due to Mycobacterium kansasii. His course was complicated by pancytopenia, pathologic fractures, and drug-induced hepatitis. Despite therapy with isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and streptomycin, he succumbed to progressive cachexia and intercurrent Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, since attempted immunologic reconstitution with fetal liver and thymus was unsuccessful. The clinical aspects of the patient's course and the postmortem findings are presented. The literature on disseminated M. kansasii infections is reviewed and its predilection for immunologically abnormal hosts is discussed.
Differentiation between carbachol and eserine during deprivation-induced drinking in the rat

Direct application of carbachol to various diencephalic or limbic regions of the rat brain enhanced water intake over saline baseline at 0-, 9-, and 23-h deprivation, while at 47 h no differences were seen. Application of eserine produced an increase in water intake at only 0-h deprivation, while norepinephrine had no effect at any level of deprivation. These results would suggest that endogenous cholinergic mechanisms may not mediate natural thirst in the rat.
Hybrid whispering gallery mode/plasmonic chain ring resonators for biosensing

We analyze the physics of hybrid whispering gallery mode resonators formed by arranging a periodic array of epitopes (i.e., gold nano-shells covering silica nano-spheres) around the equator of a silica microsphere. When the epitopes are located at the antinodes of the field of the whispering gallery mode, we find that the field localization properties near the epitopes change drastically as the radius of the epitopes is varied due to the existence of distinct coupling regions of the hybrid resonator. We investigated the application of such resonators for biosensing by calculating the resonance wavelength shift caused by a binding event of a single Thyroglobulin cancer marker protein to the surface of an epitope in the chain.
Reputation's Effect on Pricing Power: The Importance of Strategy

The proposition that good corporate reputation is associated with favorable economic outcomes has enjoyed considerable theoretical and empirical support. Such empirical studies generally have tested reputation's impact on economic performance without regard to strategy. This study controls for strategy while using comparison Web site data to examine online retailer reputation's effect upon pricing power. This study finds good reputation positively associated with pricing power only under a focused, differentiation strategy. Thus to benefit from reputation's effect on pricing power, an online retailer first had to pick the right strategy.
Double-blind, dose-response study of metaproterenol inhalant solution in children with acute asthma

One hundred children, aged 6 to 12 years, with acute asthma received nebulized therapy with saline, 5, 10, or 15 mg of metaproterenol aerosol solution according to a prerandomized, double-blind protocol. Pulmonary function and cardiac function were assessed for 60 minutes. All patients then received 5 mg of metaproterenol aerosol solution, and observation continued for another 30 minutes. The best response to therapy in terms of rise in FEV1, forced expiratory flow rate between 25% and 75% of FVC, and area under the curve (change in lung function with time) occurred with 5 and 10 mg of metaproterenol. The highest dose, 15 mg, produced significantly less bronchodilation. Although there were no electrocardiographic abnormalities, pulse rate was significantly higher with 10 and 15 mg of metaproterenol than with 5 mg. Five milligrams of metaproterenol aerosol solution is the optimal bronchodilating dose for treating acute asthma in children. Repeating this dose provides some additional bronchodilation and is well tolerated.
Whatever Happened To Affirmative Action? Employment of Women in the Los Angeles City Department of Water and Power, 1973-1983

Affirmative action policies have always been controversial This study examines successes and continuing obstacles to implementation Results demonstrate increased employment of women and formal acceptance of affirmative action over the decade However, in spite of structural changes, few women have penetrated traditionally male areas.
Code quality tools: learning from our experience

In this paper we share some of our experiences relating to tools used in coding phase. We primarily focus our discussion on two topics, namely UT (Unit Testing) and Memory related errors.Unit Testing (UT) [1] is a critical early-phase verification activity that ensures the quality of the product soon after the code is ready. Newer paradigms of software development like Extreme Programming [7] have a strong focus on UT. However, UT is very effort-intensive as it involves test harness development and repetitive execution. In Motorola software Group, we evaluated a set of commercial tools and selected a tool for use in our projects. In this paper, we will share the evaluation criteria, which was identified for the tool selection and the various technical challenges encountered in adopting a UT tool solution in a heterogeneous environment along with the associated learning. One of the major challenges encountered, was arriving to a consensus on definition of term 'Unit'. The other issues included handling of complex data structures, event driven code, integration with development environment etc.One of the major categories of errors introduced and found in coding phase relates to memory. As these errors may have security implications, leaving them undetected might be a big risk. For trapping memory related errors, a framework to categorize these errors was created along with the associated code samples. In this paper, two types of memory related errors will be discussed, namely memory leak and buffer overflow. This memory related errors can be exploited to compromise the security of the system. This paper also discusses the causes, types and impact of buffer overflows, as well as the precautions to be taken to prevent buffer overflows.
Stepwise Polymer Surface Modification: ChemistryLayer-by-Layer Deposition

The layer-by-layer assembly of polyelectrolytes (poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(sodium styrenesulfonate) (PSS)) was carried out using poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene) film that had been chemically modified to contain alcohol functionality (PCTFE−OH) as a substrate for the deposition. This neutral surface supports the layer-by-layer assembly when PAH is adsorbed as the first layer. The amount of PAH that adsorbs in the first layer deposition is a function of the pH of the adsorption solution and this was used to control the resulting surface charge density (ammonium ion concentration). Three types of multilayer assemblies were prepared using three experimental protocols. In protocol 1, PAH and PSS were deposited to PCTFE−OH at pH 4. In protocol 2, the first PAH layer was adsorbed at pH 11, and treated with water at pH 4, and subsequent PSS and PAH layers were deposited at pH 4. In protocol 3, the first PAH layer was adsorbed as in protocol 2, and subsequent PSS and PAH layers were deposited at ...
Using a Tangible Versus a Multi-touch Graphical User Interface to Support Data Exploration at a Museum Exhibit

We describe a study comparing the behavior of museum visitors at an interactive exhibit that used physical versus virtual objects to explore a large scientific dataset. The exhibit visualized the distribution of phytoplankton in the world's oceans on a multi-touch table. In one version, visitors used physical rings to look at the type and proportion of phytoplankton in different areas of the oceans, and in the other version they used virtual rings. The findings suggest that the physical rings better afforded touching and manipulations, which were prerequisites to further exploration, and attracted more groups, thereby providing opportunities for people to talk and share. However, the comparison did not detect any measurable differences in the thoroughness of visitors' interactions, the questions they asked, or on-topic talk with others at the exhibit. These results should help museum professionals and interaction designers better weigh the costs and benefits of tangible user interfaces.
The Antarctic achondrite ALHA 76005 - A polymict eucrite

ALHA 76005 is a basaltic achondrite containing few, if any, orthopyroxenes. Its bulk major and trace element composition is like that of a non-cumulate eucrite, and unlike that of a howardite. It contains a variety of igneous clasts which differ in their textures, pyroxene/plagioclase ratios and pyroxene and plagioclase compositions. One clast, No. 4, was found to have the REE pattern of a cumulate eucrite and an oxygen isotopic composition different from that of the bulk meteorite. Both the chemical and oxygen isotopic composition of clast No. 4 suggest that it was derived from a source different from its host. These observations lead to the conclusion that ALHA 76005 is a polymict eucrite.
In vivo neurochemical evaluation of striatal serotonergic hyperinnervation in rats depleted of dopamine at infancy.

Destruction of nigrostriatal dopamine (DA) neurons with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) early in development results in hyperinnervation of striatum by the serotonergic afferents deriving from the dorsal raphe nucleus. We have used in vivo microdialysis to investigate the degree to which serotonergic neurotransmission in striatum is altered by this increase in the density of serotonin (5-HT) terminals. The effects of several manipulations known to influence 5-HT function on extracellular 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in striatum were compared in adult rats treated neonatally with 6-OHDA and in intact adult rats. Basal levels of 5-HT in extracellular fluid (ECF) of striatum were similar in neonatally DA-depleted rats and in intact rats. Perfusion with the 5-HT reuptake blocker, fluoxetine (100 microM), increased 5-HT in striatal ECF of neonatally DA-depleted rats to levels that were threefold greater than those achieved in intact rats. Likewise, K(+)-depolarization of the 5-HT terminals (100 mM in perfusate) or systemic administration of the 5-HT releaser, (+/-)-fenfluramine (10 mg/kg i.p.), increased the concentration of 5-HT in striatal ECF of neonatally DA-depleted rats to levels approximately threefold greater than those observed in striatum of intact rats. These findings indicate that the 5-HT hyperinnervation of striatum that takes place in rats depleted of DA at infancy is associated with an increased capacity for neurotransmitter release in this system. Concomitant increased in high-affinity 5-HT uptake may prevent the occurrence of any measurable changes in the resting concentration of 5-HT in striatal ECF.
The reduction of free gossypol in cottonseed flakes during solvent extraction

Extraction with trichloroethylene was found to be an effective method of reducing the free gossypol content of flaked cottonseed meats. The reduction was found to be a function of both extraction temperature and residual extractables in the extracted meal. Because of the low temperatures involved the meal produced by this method has a higher soluble protein content than a meal in which the free gossypol is reduced by heat treatment.
Extraction of gold and mercury from sea water with bismuth diethyldithiocarbamate prior to neutron activation—γ-spectrometry

Gold and mercury in sea water can be selectively extracted by bismuth diethyldithiocarbamate into chloroform at pH ⩽1. The matrix species and many other trace elements in the system are effectively removed during extraction. When neutron activation—γ-spectrometry is used, the detection limits for gold and mercury are 0.001 and 0.01 μg 1−1, respectively. The relative precision is 9% for gold and 13% for mercury.
Consumption processes and food web structure in the Columbia River Estuary

Abstract Consumption processes at several trophic levels tend to coverage in the central (estuarine-mixing) region of the Columbia River estuary, where living and dentrital food resources are entrained within the energy null of the turbidity maximum zone. Primary consumers in this region are generalist and omnivorous feeders, capable of exploiting both autotrophic and heterotrophic food web pathways. In the presence of higher standing stocks of their prey resources, feeding by secondary and tertiary consumers is also concentrated, or more effective, in the estuarine mixing region of the estuary. During the 1980–1981 studies of the estuary, total consumer (metazoan) production averaged 5.5g C m−2 within the estuary. Of the estimated 15 x 103mt Cyy−1 attributed to primary consumption in the water column, 83% was the result of suspension-feeding pelagic zooplankton. In comparison to grazing on phytoplankton, it was estimated that approximately 84% of primary consumption in the water column was based on suspended detritus and, presumably, associated microbiota. Endemic primary,consumers, principally epibenthic crustaceans such as the calanoid copepod Eurytemora affinis, the harpacticoid copepod Scottolana canadensis, and the crangonid shrimp Crangon franciscorum, accounted for a high proportion of the consumption of suspended particles. Wertland herbivores inhabiting the estuary's extensive marshes, on the other hand, were estimated to account for only 2 to 17% of total estuarine primary consumption. Trophic linkages to secondary and tertiary consumers were more evenly apportioned among pelagic fishes, motile macroinvertebrates, and benthic infauna. High, comparatively unknown fluxes of migratory or wide-ranging tertiary consumers, such as piscivorous birds, seals and sea lions, made estimation of their annual consumption rates in the estuary highly tenuous. The physical processes of mixing and stratification, sediments accretion and erosion, and salinity intrusion appear to be the fundamental determinants of consumption processes in the Columbia River estuary, and perhaps in other similarly energetic estuarine systems, by promoting concentrations of consumers in low-energy habitats such as the turbidity maximum and peripheral bays.
Glossary of terrain-vehicle terms

Abstract This is part of the initial report of the Standardization Committee of the I.S.T.V.S. and consists of a glossary of terms used in two main categories concerned with Terrain Geometry and Vehicle Physical Characteristics. Two further groups involving Vehicle Performance parameters and Test Apparatus are under review. Readers' comments are invited.
Self-efficacy's influence on student academic achievement in the medical anatomy curriculum

Self-efficacy is defined as a person's beliefs in his or her own abilities to successfully complete a task and has been shown to influence student motivation and academic behaviors. More specifically, anatomical self-efficacy is defined as an individual's judgment of his or her ability to successfully complete tasks related to the anatomy curriculum; these include dissecting, learning anatomical concepts, and applying anatomical knowledge to clinical situations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of anatomical self-efficacy on the academic performance of students enrolled in a medical gross anatomy course. To obtain students' anatomical self-efficacy ratings, surveys containing the same anatomical self-efficacy instrument were completed by first-year medical students at a southeastern United States allopathic medical school after each of four gross anatomy assessments. Additional data collected included student demographic information, Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®) scores, and anatomy assessment scores, both written examination and laboratory practical. To investigate the potential predictive nature of self-efficacy for academic performance on both the written examination and the laboratory practical components of medical anatomy assessments, hierarchical linear regression analyses were conducted. For these analyses, academic ability (defined as the sum of the physical sciences and biological sciences MCAT scores) was controlled. The results of the hierarchical linear regressions indicated that all four laboratory practical scores were predicted by the corresponding self-efficacy ratings, while two (i.e., thorax/abdomen and pelvis/lower limb) of the four written examination scores were predicted by the corresponding self-efficacy ratings (P ≤ 0.05). Anat Sci Educ. © 2012 American Association of Anatomists.
Childbirth Education and Birth Plans

Childbirth education is considered a key component to prenatal care, although many women do not receive any formalized preparation. There are multiple models of childbirth education for both within health care settings, including Centering Pregnancy, and external programs, such as Lamaze and Bradley. As a component of childbirth preparation, a birth plan can be a medium to improve patient-provider communication regarding a desired labor and birth experience and improve satisfaction with care.
Coupled G-Mode Intersections and Solar-Cycle Variability

Wolff (Astrophys. J.193, 721, 1974) introduced the concept of g-mode coupling within the solar interior. Subsequently, Wolff developed a more quantitative model invoking a reciprocal interaction between coupled g modes and burning in the solar core. Coupling is proposed to occur for constant values of the spherical harmonic degree [l] creating rigidly rotating structures denoted as sets(l). Power would be concentrated near the core and the top of radiative zone [RZ] in narrow intervals of longitude on opposite sides of the Sun. Sets(l) would migrate retrograde in the RZ as function of l and their intersections would deposit extra energy at the top of the RZ. It is proposed that this enhances sunspot eruptions at particular longitudes and at regular time intervals. Juckett and Wolff (Solar Phys.252, 247, 2008) detected this enhancement by viewing selected spherical harmonics of sunspot patterns within stackplots twisted into the relative rotational frames of various sets(l). In subsequent work, the timings of the set(l) intersections were compared to the sub-decadal variability of the sunspot cycle. Seventeen sub-decadal intersection frequencies (0.63 – 7.0 year) were synchronous with 17 frequencies in the sunspot time-series with a mean correlation of 0.96. Six additional non-11-year frequencies (periods of 8.0 to 28.7 year) are now shown to be nearly synchronous between sunspot variability and the model. Two additional intersections have the same frequency as the solar cycle itself and peak during the rising phase of the solar cycle. This may be partly responsible for cycle asymmetry. These results are evidence that some of the solar-cycle variability may be attributable to deterministic components that are intermixed with a broad-spectrum stochastic and long-term chaotic background.
Hybrid modeling for robust nonlinear multivariable control

Abstract This paper describes a hybrid modeling approach and compares it to classic linear dynamic models and nonlinear models. Particular attention is given to the performance of each type of model when embedded in a multivariable model predictive control system. The hybrid approach combines linear state-space model with a nonlinear neural network correction. Confidence computations are used to determine the amount of correction applied. The combined model is adapted online to address changes in process operating range. The hybrid structure offers several benefits from a control perspective. It is evolutionary, building on the rich theoretical foundation of linear model predictive control. It can model nonlinear processes. It adapts online. When compared to other linear and nonlinear modeling techniques for control purposes, it has several specific advantages that make it ideally suited to particular applications. These applications include modeling and controlling: nonlinear processes, processes with slowly changing inputs, processes with interacting variables, and small systems with fast cycle time requirements.
Low-Speed Wall Interference Assessment/Correction with Vortex Flow Effect

A theoretical method based on the concept of wall pressure signatures for assessment/correction of wind-tunnel wall interference is presented. The effect of the tunnel wall in upflow and blockage corrections is evaluated by using a thin-layer Navier-Stokes solver. The results for a 65-deg delta wing and a wing-body-strake configuration in subsonic flow are presented. The present prediction of the effects of wall interference on the induced aerodynamic twist and the streamline curvature for the delta wing show a larger magnitude than those by a free vortex sheet method. Two correction charts for the upflow and blockage corrections for configurations with vortex flow are derived based on the computed results for the wing-body-strake configuration at a Mach number of 03. The present method shows consistent corrected results for different model sizes. In general, for a model with strong vortex flow, the present method provides larger corrections than the conventional attached flow theory. The present method can also provide guidelines on where the wall static pressures should be measured in the pressure signature method.
High-resolution infrared spectra of the ν1, ν2, and ν3 fundamentals of ON35Cl

Abstract The ν 1 , ν 2 , and ν 3 fundamentals of nitrosyl chloride, ON 35 Cl, have been recorded with a Fourier transform interferometer at an apodized resolution of 0.004 cm −1 . The data have been analyzed together with previous microwave data for the ground vibrational state to yield improved molecular parameters for the (100), (010), and (001) vibrational states. The main results (in cm −1 ) are: v 1 = 1 v 2 = 1 v 3 = 1 A 2.892513(18) 2.941109(9) 2.931514(12) B 0.1922820(7) 0.1906560(8) 0.1904847(9) C 0.1800373(7) 0.1783946(8) 0.1784287(8) ν i 1799.7316(2) 595.8518(2) 331.9707(2) Additionally, the values for a number of the centrifugal distortion constants have been obtained for each of these normal modes.
Behavioral Responses of CEOs to Stock Ownership and Stock Option Pay

Executive stock ownership and stock option pay are often assumed to have congruent incentive effects; however, these incentives have asymmetrical risk properties, and executives may respond to them...
Connections of the corpus cerebelli in the thornback guitarfish, Platyrhinoidis triseriata (Elasmobranchii): A study with WGA‐HRP and extracellular granule cell recording

The neuronal connections of the cerebellar corpus in the guitarfish Platyrhinoidis triseriata were investigated by WGA-HRP injections and extracellular recording of sensory evoked electrical activity. Injections of WGA-HRP into the corpus resulted in retrograde labeling of the following cell groups bilaterally: pretectal and accessory optic nuclei, interstitial nucleus of Cajal, nucleus ruber, oculomotor and possibly trochlear nucleus, central (periaqueductal) gray, nucleus H, reticular formation of the midbrain, cerebellar nucleus, caudal part of nucleus R tentatively locus coeruleus and subcoeruleus field, octaval and trigeminal nuclei, intermediate octavolateralis nucleus, medial inferior reticular formation, lateral reticular nucleus, and spinal cord. Unilaterally labeled cells were seen in the contralateral inferior olive, which was found to project in. sagittal zones onto the molecular layer of the corpus. Terminal fields of efferent Purkinje cell axons were labeled over the ipsilateral cerebellar nucleus exclusively. Purkinje cells in different parts of the corpus project topographically onto subdivisions of the nucleus. Mapping of evoked electrical multiple unit activity recorded from the granule cell layer of the corpus shows separate visual and tactile areas, mostly confined to the anterior and posterior lobes, respectively. Granule cells within the tactile area also responded to lateral line stimuli and, at two distinct medial locations in the caudal and rostral parts of the posterior lobe, to weak electric field stimulation in the bath. The body surface is somatotopically represented in the tactile area, but discontinuities in the map might indicate that the somatotopy is “fractured.”
Aortic pulse wave velocity is associated with measures of subclinical target organ damage.

Objectives Our goal was to evaluate the associations of central arterial stiffness, measured by aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV), with subclinical target organ damage in the coronary, peripheral arterial, cerebral, and renal arterial beds. Background Arterial stiffness is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. We hypothesized that aPWV is associated with subclinical measures of atherosclerosis—coronary artery calcification (CAC) and ankle-brachial index (ABI) and arteriolosclerosis—brain white matter hyperintensity (WMH) and urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR). Methods Participants (n = 812; mean age 58 years; 58% women, 71% hypertensive) belonged to hypertensive sibships and had no history of myocardial infarction or stroke. aPWV was measured by applanation tonometry, CAC by electron beam computed tomography, ABI using a standard protocol, WMH volume by brain magnetic resonance, and UACR by standard methods. WMH was log-transformed, whereas CAC and UACR were log-transformed after adding 1 to reduce skewness. The associations of aPWV with CAC, ABI, WMH, and UACR were assessed by multivariable linear regression using generalized estimating equations to account for the presence of sibships. Covariates included in the models were age, sex, body mass index, history of smoking, hypertension and diabetes, total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, estimated glomerular filtration rate, use of aspirin and statins, and pulse pressure. Results The mean ± SD aPWV was 9.8 ± 2.8 m/s. After adjustment for age, sex, conventional cardiovascular risk factors, and pulse pressure, higher aPWV (1 m/s increase) was significantly associated with higher log (CAC + 1) (β ± SE = 0.14 ± 0.04; p = 0.0003), lower ABI (β ± SE = −0.005 ± 0.002; p = 0.02), and greater log (WMH) (β ± SE = 0.03 ± 0.009; p = 0.002), but not with log (UACR + 1) (p = 0.66). Conclusions Higher aPWV was independently associated with greater burden of subclinical disease in coronary, lower extremity, and cerebral arterial beds, highlighting target organ damage as a potential mechanism underlying the association of arterial stiffness with adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
Nitric oxide suppresses the expression of Bcl-2 binding protein BNIP3 in hepatocytes.

Abstract Nitric oxide (NO) is not only an important signaling molecule, but it also regulates the expression of a number of genes in the liver. We have previously shown that apoptosis in hepatocytes exposed to tumor necrosis factor-α and actinomycin D is prevented by NO derived from the inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS), by mechanisms that are both dependent on and independent of modulation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) subsequent to activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC). We hypothesize that one mechanism by which NO exerts these effects is by regulating the expression of genes involved in apoptosis. We used differential display-polymerase chain reaction to isolate NO-regulated genes in hepatocytes from iNOS knockout mice (to eliminate endogenous inducible NO production). Using this analysis, we identified a NO-suppressed gene fragment homologous with the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 binding protein BNIP3. Northern analysis confirmed the NO-dependent suppression of BNIP3 in cultured cells. Similarly, the NO donorS-nitroso-N-acetyl-dl-penicillamine (1–1000 μm) down-regulated the expression ofBNIP3 in both iNOS knockout and wild-type hepatocytes. This effect of NO was reversed by the sGC inhibitor 1H-(1,2,4)-oxadiazole[4,3-a]quinoxalon-1-one (ODQ),suggesting the involvement of the sGC/cGMP pathway in the modulation of BNIP3 by NO. We propose that suppression of BNIP3 expression is one sGC/cGMP-dependent mechanism by which NO might affect the process of hepatocyte apoptosis.
Observation of bicarbonate in calcite by NMR spectroscopy

We show that the signal observed in 13 C{ 1 H} cross-polarization magic-angle-spinning (CP/MAS) NMR spectra of synthetic calcite precipitated at room temperature arises from bicarbonate ion. Although this peak occurs at the same chemical shift as for the bulk carbonate signal, its observation by CP/MAS indicates that it corresponds to carbonate associated with H. The variation in the CP/MAS intensity with contact time shows oscillations characteristic of C-H pairs separated by 1.9(1) A and remote from other H, consistent with bicarbonate. 13 C{ 1 H} heteronuclear correlation spectra indicate that the hydrogen in the bicarbonate groups gives a relatively narrow 1 H NMR signal at +7.4 ppm. A peak at this chemical shift is also observed in direct-observe 1 H MAS NMR spectra of the synthetic sample, and also in natural biogenic and abiogenic calcite. This 1 H chemical shift indicates a moderate hydrogen bonding interaction d (OH…O) ≈1.85 A, which suggests significant structural relaxation occurs near the bicarbonate.
cAMP, an Activator of Protein Kinase A, Suppresses the Expression of Sonic Hedgehog

In Drosophila, it has been shown that protein kinase A and hedgehog have antagonistic actions during the formation of imaginal disks. In vertebrate skin, sonic hedgehog is expressed specifically in the feather bud epithelia. using an in vitro explant culture model we showed that dibutyryl cAMP, a protein kinase A (PKA) activator, suppresses the expression of Sonic hedgehog, (Shh) and continuous feather growth. The results suggest that Shh and PKA also have antagonistic action during vertebrate skin morphogenesis.
Near-optimal precharging in high-performance nanoscale CMOS caches

High-performance caches statically pull up the bit-lines in all cache subarrays to optimize cache access latency. Unfortunately, such architecture results in a significant waste of energy in nanoscale CMOS implementations due to high leakage and bitline discharge in the unaccessed subarrays. Recent research advocates bitline isolation to control precharging of individual subarrays using bitline precharge devices. In this paper, we carefully evaluate the energy and performance trade-offs of bitline isolation, and propose a technique to exploit nearly its full potential to eliminate discharge and reduce overall energy in level-one caches. Cycle-accurate and circuit simulation results of a wide-issue superscalar processor indicate that: 1) in future CMOS technologies (e.g., 70 nm and beyond), cache architectures that exploit bitline isolation can eliminate up to 90% of the bitline discharge; 2) on-demand precharging (i.e., decoding the address and subsequently precharging the accessed subarrays) is not viable in level-one caches because precharging increases the cache access latency; and 3) our proposal for gated precharging to exploit subarray reference locality and precharging only the recently accessed subarrays eliminates nearly all of bitline discharge in nanoscale CMOS caches with only a 1% of performance degradation.
Double-layer high-gain microstrip array antenna

Novel double-layer microstrip array antennas are introduced for high-gain applications. In the proposed antennas, the complex and lossy feed network is not needed. Rather the double structure provides the field distribution at the aperture for the beam-focusing effect. A relatively simple design method based on a cavity model is presented.
Evaluation of shunt and series power conditioning strategies for feeding sensitive loads

Proliferation of electronic equipment in commercial and industrial processes has resulted in increasingly sensitive electrical loads to be fed from power distribution systems. In this paper, series and shunt compensation schemes for feeding sensitive load centers are studied. The purpose of the system-level study is to reveal insights about these two mitigation strategies so that designers may select an appropriate compensation strategy for a given application. The paper presents analytical models for comparing series and shunt power conditioning approaches on the basis of power converter rating. Operating strategies, computer simulations and experimental verification of a series power conditioning approach are presented.