cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differences in breast cancer outcomes amongst Black United States-born and Caribbean-born immigrants.

1088Background: The Black population in the US constitutes of 4 million immigrants, with 50% from the Caribbean. It has been shown that breast cancer is responsible for 14%-30% of cancer deaths in ...
Social and Pharmacological Influences on the Nonverbal Communication of Monkeys and of Man

Nonverbal behavior is a pervasive aspect of the daily lives of animals and man (Argyle, 1969; Bonner, 1955). Yet we are but rarely and fleetingly aware of others’ subtle signs of eye contact, facial expression, or posture in a social transaction that convey the important messages of attention, interest, affection, annoyance, etc. Even less do we attend to the nonverbal cues that we transmit during an exchange unless there is some special reason to impress or deceive the other. In a sense, nonverbal behavior is like the atmosphere around us. We depend on air for life but, for the most part, use it unthinkingly. It is only when one encounters some difficulty in breathing, say at high altitudes or in respiratory illness, or when some odorous contaminant is mixed with air, that we begin to attend to the atmosphere in which we swim.
A test of the light attraction hypothesis in camel spiders of the Mojave Desert (Arachnida: Solifugae)

Research progress on the order Solifugae, commonly known as camel spiders, has been hindered by challenges inherent in collecting these fast-moving, nocturnal predators. Recently, pitfall trapping combined with artificial light lures showed promise for improving capture rates, but the hypothesis that camel spiders are attracted to light traps (positive phototaxis) has never been tested. We constructed short pitfall trap arrays with and without lights across the Mojave Desert to test the light attraction hypothesis. Nearly all camel spiders we collected were found in traps with suspended lights, lending strong support for positive phototaxis. Distance from the lights within trap arrays does not appear to be correlated with the success of individual pitfall traps. Excitingly, our short pitfall light arrays, or Caterpillar light traps, were relatively easy to install and yielded an order of magnitude more camel spiders per effort hour than previously reported techniques.
The polymorphism rs975484 in the protein arginine methyltransferase-1 gene modulates expression of immune checkpoint genes in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) is a key regulator of hepatic immune responses. Recently, we reported that PRMT1 regulates the tumor immune response in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here we found that PRMT1 expression in human HCC correlates with that of programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1), PD-L2, and other checkpoint genes. PRMT1 deletion in mice reduced PD-L1 and PD-L2 expression in tumors and reduced the efficiency of PD-1 antibody treatment in a diethylnitrosamine-induced HCC mouse model, suggesting that PRMT1 regulates the hepatic immune checkpoint. Mice had reduced PD-L1 and PD-L2 expression when PRMT1 was specifically deleted in tumor cells or macrophages, but PRMT1 deletion in dendritic cells did not alter PD-L1 and PD-L2 expression. rs975484 is a common polymorphism in the human PRMT1 gene promoter, and we found that it alters PRMT1 expression in blood monocytes and tumor-associated macrophages in human HCC. PRMT1 expression was higher in individuals with a GG genotype than in individuals with a CC genotype, and heterozygous carriers had intermediate expression. Luciferase reporter assays indicated that this differential expression is due to an extra C/EBPβ-binding site in the PRMT1 promoter of individuals carrying the minor G allele. The rs975484 genotype also correlated with PRMT1 target expression in HCC. Individuals with the GG genotype had significantly higher levels of the PRMT1 targets PD-L1, PD-L2, and VISTA than those with the CC genotype. We conclude that PRMT1 critically controls immune checkpoints in mice and humans and that the PRMT1 polymorphism rs975484 affects checkpoint gene expression in HCC.
Chapter 2 – Deformation and Fracture of Ceramic Materials

AWhen a load is applied to a material, deformation occurs because of a slight change in the atomic spacing. The load is defined as stress (σ), and it is typically measured in units of pounds per square inch (psi) or megapascals (Mpa). The deformation is defined as strain (e): measured in inches (or centimeters) of deformation per inches (or centimeters) of the initial length or in percent. The mechanism of plastic deformation involves movement of dislocations. A dislocation is a defect in the way planes of atoms are stacked in a crystal structure. There are two types of dislocation: Edge Dislocation and Screw Dislocation.
Vibrational assignment and force constants of S8O[1]

Abstract A frequency assignment and force constant calculation for S 12 have been made using a modified Urey—Bradley force field with six force constants. Satisfactory agreement between observed and calculated frequencies is obtained, and the valence force constants calculated from the UB values are similar to those of S 8 .
3D - Navigated percutaneous screw fixation of pelvic ring injuries - a pilot study.

Abstract Introduction Screw fixation of pelvic ring fractures is a common, but demanding procedure and navigation techniques were introduced to increase the precision of screw placement. The purpose of this case series is to demonstrate a lower screw malposition rate using percutaneous fixation of pelvic ring fractures and sacroiliac dislocations guided by navigation system based on 3D-fluoroscopic images compared to traditional imaging techniques and to evaluate the functional outcomes of this innovative procedure. Patient and Methods 10 cases of disrupted pelvic ring lesions treated in our hospital from February 2018 to December 2018 were included for closed reduction and percutaneous screw fixation of using with O-Arm and the acquisition by the Navigator. Preoperative assessment was performed on the patients by means of X Ray imaging and CT scan. Routine CT was carried out on third postoperative day to evaluate screw placement. Measures of radiation exposure were extracted directly from reports provided by system. Quality of life was evaluated by SF 36-questionnaire 6 months after surgery. Results 12 iliosacral- and 2 ramus pubic-screws were inserted. In post-operative CT-scans the screw position was assessed and graded using the score described by Smith. No wound infection or iatrogenic neurovascular damage were observed. No re-operations were performed. The exposure to radiation is, for the patient, slightly greater than that resulting from the use of traditional fluoroscopic systems, while it is naught for the surgical team, which at the time of image acquisition is located outside the room. Discussion and Conclusion The execution of an intraoperative 3D-fluoroscopic scan can on its own suffice as a post-operative control examination since its accuracy is similar to that of the post-operative CT. The use of a navigated 3d fluoroscopy exposes the patient to an amount of radiation slightly greater than that of traditional fluoroscopy, but the dose is lower than a CT examination. For the operating team, exposure to radiation is naught. 3D-fluoroscopic navigation is a safe tool providing high accuracy of percutaneous screw placement for pelvic ring fractures. Finally, despite the small cohort of patients studied, the excellent results obtained regarding the patients' quality of life and the absence of complications allow us to look positively at the future of this technique, which needs further studies and improvement.
Self-efficacy and ethical decision-making

Self-efficacy is the assessment of one’s capacity to perform tasks. Previous research has demonstrated that self-efficacy impacts ethical behavior and attitudes but its effect on ethical cognition ...
Adhesives and Coatings

As well as being used as thermoplastic and thermosetting working materials, fibers, and elastomers, polymers are also used in very large quantities as adhesives and coatings. For example, the commercial value of thermoplasts and thermosets was 4.5 G$/annum, of synthetic fibers, 4.0 G$/annum, of coatings, 3.5 G$/annum, of synthetic rubbers, 1.3 G$/annum, and of adhesives, 1.0 G$/annum in the United States in 1972.
Cancerphobia: Electromagnetic Fields and Their Impact on Residential Loan Values

This article examines the issue of cancerphobia or public fear that has been used in recent court cases as the basis for damages to residential and loan value. Special attention is given to methodology used by the appraiser to estimate the damages from electromagnetic fields and the residential property adjacent to the lines. All commonly used research tools suffer from measurement bias from the difficulty of statistical specification. Matched pair analysis will remain as the predominate tool of choice as it accurately reflects the public's opinion of value. The appraiser will need to be more careful to extract an accurate time adjustment to make older comparable sales useable in the current market. All users of comparable sales for property that is stigmatized will need to devote more resources to collection and sharing.
Epidemiologic and Public Health Significance of Toxoplasma gondii Infections in Bears (Ursus spp.): A 50 Year Review Including Recent Genetic Evidence

Toxoplasma gondii infections are common in humans and animals worldwide. The present review summarizes worldwide information on the prevalence of clinical and subclinical infections, epidemiology, and genetic diversity of T. gondii infections in bears. Seroprevalence estimates of T. gondii in black bears (Ursus americanus) are one of the highest of all animals. In Pennsylvania, seroprevalence is around 80% and has remained stable for the past 4 decades. Approximately 3,500 bears are hunted yearly in Pennsylvania alone. The validity of different serological tests is discussed based on bioassay and serological comparisons. Seroprevalence in grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) is lower than that in black bears. Even polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are infected; infections in these animals are ecologically interesting because of the absence of felids in the Arctic. Clinical toxoplasmosis in bears is rare and not documented in adult animals. The few reports of fatal toxoplasmosis in young bears need confirmation. Viable T. gondii has been isolated from black bears and a grizzly bear. The genetic diversity of isolates based on DNA from viable T. gondii isolates is discussed. Genetic typing of a total of 26 T. gondii samples from bears using 10 PCR-RFLP markers revealed 8 PCR-RFLP ToxoDB genotypes: #1 (clonal type II) in 3 samples, #2 (clonal type III) in 8 samples, #4 (haplogroup 12) in 3 samples, #5 (haplogroup 12) in 3 samples, #74 in 5 samples, #90 in 1 sample, #147 in 1 sample, and #216 in 2 samples. These results suggest relatively high genetic diversity of T. gondii in bears. Overall, T. gondii isolates in bears range from those circulating in a domestic cycle (genotypes #1 and #2) to those mainly associated with wildlife (such as genotypes #4 and #5, together known as haplogroup 12). A patient who acquired clinical Trichinella spiralis infection after eating undercooked bear meat also acquired T. gondii infection. Freezing of infected meat kills T. gondii, including the strains isolated from bears.
Interventional sialendoscopy after sialadenectomy.

Objectives/Hypothesis To evaluate the use of diagnostic and interventional sialendoscopy in patients with prior parotidectomy or submandibular gland excision and persistent sialadenitis and/or sialolithiasis. Study Design Retrospective case series. Methods Retrospective review of medical records, including demographic data, clinical presentation and exam, radiologic studies, and operative reports. Results Five patients, who had undergone prior sialadenectomy for sialadenitis and/or sialolithiasis, underwent sialendoscopy for persistent symptoms during the study period. Three patients were female and two were male, with ages ranging from 39 to 63 years (median, 47 years). Three patients had prior parotidectomy, and two had prior submandibular gland excision. The duration of time from sialadenectomy to sialendoscopy was 3.25 months to 6 years (median, 26 months). Four of the five patients had successful interventional sialendoscopy, with resolution of their symptoms. These four patients underwent extraction of stones, one of which was previously unrecognized. In one patient, duct cannulation and subsequent sialendoscopy could not be performed owing to scarring at the Stensen's papilla; the patient's symptoms initially persisted after the attempted procedure with gradual improvement. No complications occurred in any patients. Importantly, no sequelae resulted from endoscopic instrumentation and irrigation of salivary ducts that ended in blind pouches. Conclusions Sialendoscopy is a safe and frequently effective intervention for persistent sialolithiasis and sialadenitis after salivary gland excision. Level of Evidence 4.
Emergency Department Visits Involving Misuse and Abuse of the Antipsychotic Quetiapine: Results from the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN)

Case reports in medical literature suggest that the atypical antipsychotic quetiapine, a medication not previously considered to have abuse potential, is now being subject to misuse and abuse (MUA; ie, taken when not prescribed for them or used in a way other than instructed by their health professional). Here we present systematic, nationally representative data from the 2005 to 2011 Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) for prevalence of emergency department (ED) visits among the U.S. general population involving quetiapine and related to MUA, suicide attempts, and adverse reactions. Nationally, quetiapine-related ED visits increased 90% between 2005 and 2011, from 35,581 ED visits to 67,497. DAWN data indicate that when used without medical supervision for recreational/self-medication purposes, quetiapine poses health risks for its users, especially among polydrug users and women. These findings suggest that the medical and public health communities should increase vigilance concerning this drug and its potential for MUA.
Consensus of multi-agent systems with state constraints: a unified view of opinion dynamics and containment control

This paper focuses on the study of consensus for a team of agents with continuous dynamics in the presence of state constraints. Due to the existence of state constraints, most existing consensus algorithms cannot be applied directly and thus a novel consensus algorithm is proposed to deal with state constraints. The novel consensus algorithm is shown to guarantee consensus when a few conditions are satisfied. Then we study opinion dynamics for a team of stubborn agents. By introducing virtual agents appropriately, it is shown that the study of opinion dynamics for stubborn agents can be reformulated as consensus for cooperative agents in the presence of state constraints. Such a formulation is similar to the existing study on containment control with stationary leaders. Based on the existing results from containment control literature, the final team opinions can be derived efficiently. Finally, a generalized opinion evolution problem is considered when agents are stubborn and have state constraints. Some upper and lower bounds of the team's final opinions are obtained by using the comparison lemma.
The simple duality: Humean passions

Hume views the passions as having both intentionality and qualitative character, which, in light of his Separability Principle, seemingly contradicts their simplicity. I reject the dominant solution to this puzzle of claiming that intentionality is an extrinsic property of the passions, arguing that a number of Hume's claims regarding the intentionality of the passions (pride and humility in particular) provide reasons for thinking an intrinsic account of the intentionality of the passions to be required. Instead, I propose to resolve this tension by appealing to Hume's treatment of the ‘distinctions of reason’, as explained by Garrett (Cognition and Commitment in Hume's Philosophy, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997).
Quasi-one-dimensional systems

The free energy of a Ginzburg-Landau field describing a system of weakly coupled chains in a plane is identified with the ground-state energy of a linear array of quantum anharmonic oscillators. The equivalent Hamiltonian is simplified for both the real and complex fields using a truncated basis of states. Results for both the real and complex fields will be discussed. In addition, the behavior of the specific heat and inverse correlation length for finite numbers of weakly coupled chains will be discussed.
Membranes: Phosphorus‐31 NMR

The sections in this article are 1 Introduction 2 31P NMR in the Asymmetric Environment of Model and Biological Membranes 3 Membrane Asymmetry 4 Phospholipid Headgroup Conformation and Dynamics 5 Phospholipid–Protein Interactions in Membranes 6 Membrane Morphology 7 Membrane Protein Phosphorylation 8 Biographical Sketch Related Articles
Danionella translucida, a new genus and species of cyprinid fish from Burma, one of the smallest living vertebrates

Danionella translucida, a new genus and species of danioin cyprinid fishes, is described from Burma. Females are mature at 10–11 mm standard length, and the largest known specimen is only 12 mm. Ripe eggs are few in number and relatively large, 0.4–0.6 mm in diameter. Adults are scaleless and largely transparent, with a complex pattern of large melanophores on the ventral surface of the abdomen. Specializations observed in skeletal preparations include the ‘danioin notch’ in the medial surface of the mandibles; a large maxillo-mandibulary cartilage; a cartilage (epibranchial 5?) uniting the branchial arches 4 and 5; pharyngeal bones with a single row of 4 tricuspid teeth; and pectoral, pelvic, and caudal fins with fewer rays than reported or observed in any other members of the family Cyprinidae.
The dimensions and correlates of systems development quality

The need to improve systems development quality is increasingly felt by information systems departments in organizations. A clear definition of systems development quality is required to focus quality management efforts. We develop a broader definition of quality by identifying product and process dimensions of quality that systems development should ensure, and present a framework to classify systems development quality metrics.We then go on to develop, a theoretical model to explain the correlates of systems development quality, by integrating related research in the areas of total quality management, systems development, management of the IS function, and IS implementation. Five factors (top management support, development methodology characteristics, project management characteristics, task structure of IS teams and control structure of IS teams) were identified. Implications for theory, future research and practice are discussed.
Task-set inhibition in chunked task sequences.

Exploring the hierarchical control relationship between different levels of representation and processing is important for understanding how the mind controls itself. In the present study, the relationship between chunking (a sequence-level process) and task-set inhibition (a task-level process) in the performance of task sequences was investigated to evaluate the hypothesis that within-chunk facilitation reduces then−2 repetition cost (slower performance forn−2 task repetitions than forn−2 task switches) attributed to task-set inhibition. An experiment is reported in which subjects were induced to chunk sequences such thatn−2 repetitions occurred within or between chunks. Direct evidence of chunking was obtained, andn−2 repetition cost was smaller whenn−2 repetitions occurred within chunks than between chunks. These findings are consistent with an elaborated hypothesis that attributes the reduction inn−2 repetition cost to priming of task goals rather than direct modulation of task-set inhibition.
Soil Carbon, Nitrogen, and Aggregation in Response to Type and Frequency of Tillage

Little information exists on the biogeochemical effects of combining no-tillage planting with paraplowing (to improve deep water penetration) or with secondary tillage (to control weeds). We determined surface residue and soil C and N pools (total, particulate, microbial biomass, and mineralizable) and water-stable aggregation at depths of 0 to 25, 25 to 75, and 75 to 150 mm from a Cecil sandy loam (fine, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kanhapludults) in Georgia, Soil tillage treatments were a factorial arrangement of tillage type [(i) minimal disturbance with in-row chisel at planting, (ii) no-tillage planting with autumn paraplow, and (iii) no-tillage planting with secondary tillage during the summer] and tillage frequency [(i) every year, (ii) every second year, and (iii) every fourth year I. No-tillage planting without further disturbance occurred in remaining years. At a depth of 0 to 25 mm, basal soil respiration averaged 9 mg kg -1 d -1 with conventional tillage, 27 mg kg -1 d -1 with no-tillage planting and soil disturbance every year, and 36 mg kg -1 d -1 with no-tillage planting and soil disturbance every fourth year. At a depth of 0 to 150 mm, mean-weight diameter averaged 1.03 mm with conventional tillage, 1.12 mm with paraplow, 1.17 mm with secondary tillage, and 1.23 mm with in-row chisel. No-tillage planting with alternative tillage types and frequencies not only improved surface soil properties compared with conventional tillage, but also improved seed cotton yield an average of 19%, Biophysical improvement of surface soil structure would presumably lead to greater water infiltration and improved water use efficiency in the long term.
Spatial autoregressive structure in meander evolution

The migration of a river bend depends in part on the high flow velocities that characteristically impinge on its outside bank. Recent models have treated this in terms of a spatial convolution, whereby local bend migration is mathematically a weighted aggregate of up-stream curvature and bed topography. The convolution model can be tested using river migration data after it is discretized and recast into a finite autoregressive form. Published isochrones marking former positions of bends on the Beatton River, Canada, support the hypothesis that rates of bend migration follow a convolutional relation. In addition, a comparison of the underlying flow model with published flume experiments involving constant-curvature bends illustrates how it predicts the near-bank depth-averaged velocity associated with a forced-bar topography in absence of free bars. The autoregressive form of the model is equivalent to a stochastic linear-difference equation; this allows bend curvature to be treated as a random process. Cast in the frequency domain, the convolution model predicts that big bends tend to grow at the expense of little bends and curvature irregularities in complex trains; there exists no tendency for preferential growth of an intermediate bend size. The model also predicts the well-known shift of maximum migration rates to positions down-stream of curvature apexes and implies that the magnitude of this shift increases with decreasing bend size. Predicted shifts compare well with published, measured shifts on the Nishnabotna River, Iowa. The sensitivity of the meandering process to initial bend geometries and entrance flow conditions ensures that diverse bend shapes arise along freely migrating rivers independently of factors such as unsteady flow and nonuniform erodibility. No single geometrical form serves as an asymptotic, evolutionary state for individual bends.
Two-dot alignment across the physiological blind spot

Three competing hypotheses have been proposed for the cortical representation of the blind spot. These are: (i) the regions surrounding the blind spot maintain their spatial values; (ii) the opposite sides of the blind spot are represented adjacently at the cortex, so that the blind spot is "sewn-up"; and (iii) the blind spot is sewn-up with compensation occurring in the immediate surround of the blind spot, so that spatial values are distorted only in the immediate surround of the blind spot. To distinguish between these hypotheses we used a two-dot alignment task, with the two dots straddling the blind spot at varying dot separations. Thresholds in the two-dot alignment task are limited by the cortical separation of the two dots. When thresholds for alignment across the blind spot are compared with thresholds over intact retina at the same eccentricity, the three hypotheses predict: (i) no change in thresholds; (ii) a lowering of thresholds; and (iii) a lowering of thresholds but only at separations slightly greater than the diameter of the blind spot. Thresholds across the blind spot were closely similar to thresholds across intact retina. The results do not support a sewing-up (with or without compensation) of the blind spot. Rather, our results are consistent with a preservation of spatial values around the blind spot.
Endoscopic Gastrocnemius Recession

The isolated contracture of the gastrocnemius muscle has been recognized since 1913. Initially, it was associated with neurological disorders; but recently, this contracture has been associated with common problems of the foot and ankle, such as bunions, plantar fasciitis, and the acquired flat foot. Strayer, in 1950, modified the Vulpius procedure, but it was not used widely until Hansen popularized a modification of the Strayer procedure. The Strayer procedure was complicated by poor cosmesis, large incision, potential damage to the sural nerve, and skin contractures. Recently, the endoscopic gastrocnemius recession has addressed all of these problems and now offers a simple, minimally invasive procedure with consistent results.
Disappearing acts: The social networks of formerly homeless individuals with co-occurring disorders

Studies of the social lives of men and women living with co-occurring disorders (substance abuse and serious mental illness) suggest that social networks critically influence recovery. In this paper, we examine some of the reasons that the social networks of individuals with co-occurring disorders are small, and the impact of small networks for this population. Using a social capital framework with cross-case analysis, we analyze 72 in-depth qualitative interviews with 39 formerly homeless mentally ill men and women who were substance abusers. All were participants in the New York Services Study (NYSS), a federally funded study of mentally ill adults in New York City. The patterns suggest that networks shrunk because (1) social network members died prematurely, (2) study participants withdrew or pushed others away, and (3) friends and family members faced so many obstacles of their own that they could not provide resources for the study participants. We suggest that as networks diminished, some participants responded by attempting to rebuild their networks, even if the networks provided negative social capital, and others isolated themselves socially to escape the pressures and disappointments of interaction.
Influence of Hexetidine Upon Plaque and Gingivitis in the Beagle Dog

Two studies were performed in beagle dogs to determine the effect of 0.2% hexetidine upon plaque and gingivitis. In both instances, hexetidine exerted no significant effect while 0.2% chlorhexidine resulted in reductions in both plaque and gingivitis of about 45 and 50%, respectively.
Figured world of eating disorders: occupations of illness.

Background. The biomedical diagnosis of eating disorders signifies a mental illness with complex physical symptomology. The socio-cultural determinants and impact of eating disorders on daily occupations are not adequately addressed in this classification. Purpose. This paper introduces the concept of a figured world as a framework for how eating disorders exist in daily activity and social discourse. How occupations become ascribed with meaning generated by an eating disorder will be proposed through the voice of a composite character in the figured world. Key Issues. Central elements to contextualizing figured worlds include positional identity, self-authoring, and semiotic mediation. The generation of meaning in illness arises from the integration of these elements into this specific figured world. Implications. The competing agendas of the biomedical model and figured world permit a new understanding of the challenges associated with recovery. For occupational therapists, these challenges require the reattribution of meaning of daily occupations.
On the numerical evaluation of the singular integrals of scattering theory

In a previous work, the authors introduced a scheme for the numerical evaluation of the singular integrals which arise in the discretization of certain weakly singular integral operators of acoustic and electromagnetic scattering. That scheme is designed to achieve high-order algebraic convergence and high-accuracy when applied to operators given on smoothly parameterized surfaces. This paper generalizes the approach to a wider class of integral operators including many defined via the Cauchy principal value. Operators of this type frequently occur in the course of solving scattering problems involving boundary conditions on tangential derivatives. The resulting scheme achieves high-order algebraic convergence and approximately 12 digits of accuracy.
Assessing mental health in clinical study on qigong: between scientific investigation and holistic perspectives

Abstract This article emphasizes the importance of assessing mental health status in clinical research on Qigong effects, including both positive and rare but potential negative aspects. To elaborate upon this point, this article first described the underlying philosophy and spiritual view of Qigong, Daoism, which links body with mind dialectically. Then, the insufficient clinical investigation on mental health in research on the therapeutic role of Qigong was summarized with some major studies. Next, the under-documented, potential side effect induced by malpractice will be also introduced. Finally, suggestions are provided for improving clinical assessment of Qigong and other forms of energy healing.
A new component mode synthesis method: quasi-static mode compensation

A new component mode synthesis method is presented in this paper that combines the computational efficiency of the well-known constraint mode approach with the dynamic compensation accuracy obtained by higher-order expansion methods. Instead of employing static constraint modes, quasi-static modes are used to capture inertial effects of the truncated modes. The method is ideally suited for mid-band frequency analysis in which both high-frequency and low-frequency modes may be omitted. A tuning parameter, designated as the centering frequency, controls the dynamic range of the quasi-static modes. Numerical examples are provided which demonstrate the improved accuracy of the proposed method.
Characterization of exposures among cemented tungsten carbide workers. Part II: Assessment of surface contamination and skin exposures to cobalt, chromium and nickel

Cobalt, chromium and nickel are among the most commonly encountered contact allergens in the workplace, all used in the production of cemented tungsten carbides (CTC). Exposures to these metal-containing dusts are frequently associated with skin sensitization and/or development of occupational asthma. The objectives of this study were to assess the levels of cobalt, chromium and nickel on work surfaces and on workers’ skin in three CTC production facilities. At least one worker in each of 26 work areas (among all facilities) provided hand and neck wipe samples. Wipe samples were also collected from work surfaces frequently contacted by the 41 participating workers. Results indicated that all surfaces in all work areas were contaminated with cobalt and nickel, with geometric means (GMs) ranging from 4.1 to 3057 μg/100 cm2 and 1.1–185 μg/100 cm2, respectively; most surfaces were contaminated with chromium (GM=0.36–67 μg/100 cm2). The highest GM levels of all metals were found on control panels, containers and hand tools, whereas lowest levels were on office and telecommunication equipment. The highest GM levels of cobalt and nickel on skin were observed among workers in the powder-handling facility (hands: 388 and 24 μg; necks: 55 and 6 μg, respectively). Levels of chromium on workers’ skin were generally low among all facilities. Geometric standard deviations associated with surface and skin wipe measurements among work areas were highly variable. Exposure assessment indicated widespread contamination of multiple sensitizing metals in these three facilities, suggesting potential transfer of contaminants from surfaces to skin. Specific action, including improved housekeeping and training workers on appropriate use and care of personal protective equipment, should be implemented to reduce pathways of skin exposure. Epidemiologic studies of associated adverse health effects will likely require more biologically relevant exposure metrics to improve the ability to detect exposure–response relationships.
Do Alcohol Consumption Patterns of Adolescents Differ by Beverage Type

ABSTRACT The overall purpose of this study was to explore the alcohol consumption patterns of adolescents by beverage type. A total of 705 primarily 9th grade students were recruited to participate in this study in the spring of 2002. Alcoholic beverage use differed significantly across gender and ethnicity on a number of beverage-specific drinking measures, including initiation, quantity and frequency, binge drinking, chugging, and alcohol problems (p's<.05). Stepwise discriminant analyses indicated that drug use and social beliefs were notably important in discriminating adolescent drinkers from non-drinkers of specific alcoholic beverages. This study's results indicate the need for testing interventions tailored to alcohol consumption patterns including beverage type.
Strategic planning and individual temporal orientation

This paper examines the role of future orientation of organizational members in the strategic planning enterprise. It explores, conceptually and empirically, the relationship between the future time perspectives of individuals and their preferences for short and long planning horizons. Research with 207 corporate executives confirms the relevance of this individual future orientation. Implications of the temporal perspective for research and managerial practice are discussed.
Work of Breathing After Extubation

Recently we showed that work of breathing was higher in the immediate period after extubation as compared with spontaneous breathing through an endotracheal tube. In this study, we evaluated the glottis and trachea as potential sites of increased airway resistance after extubation. We measured breathing pattern, work of breathing, and pressure time product in eight patients during weaning from mechanical ventilation. We acquired data during pressure support ventilation and spontaneous breathing via the ventilator, with the endotracheal tube in place, and after extubation. During bronchoscopy at the time of extubation, we examined the trachea and measured the cross-sectional area of the glottis. Work of breathing and pressure time product were significantly lower during pressure support ventilation as compared with spontaneous breathing after extubation (0.43±0.10 vs 1.49±0.10 J/L and 101±22 vs 299±30 cm H 2 O·s/min, respectively; p 2 0·s/min respectively; p 2 . This value was larger than the mean cross-sectional area of the endotracheal tubes used in these patients (50 mm 2 ). We conclude that neither tracheal nor laryngeal disease caused the increase in work of breathing after extubation. Our data suggest that upper airway narrowing at a more proximal site, such as the oropharynx or velopharynx may be the cause of the increase in respiratory work.
Typological variations of head-internal relatives in Japanese

This paper proposes that the head-internal relative clause (HIRC) in Japanese materializes in several significantly distinct typological variants, and that these typological variations reflect different ways that syntactic and semantic mechanisms are employed to protect HIRCs from the Condition C effects that could disengage the relationship between the clause-internal lexical semantic head and whatever occurs in the external head position taking the lexical semantic head as its antecedent. Thus, with the most representative type of HIRCs in Japanese referred to in this paper as Standard HIRCs, the clause-internal semantic head is identified as referential NP, the external head as pro, and the HIRC itself as nonrestrictive relative, which as is well known is impervious to Condition C. Some other HIRC variant types in Japanese are compared with HIRCs in Yuman languages and with those in Korean to elucidate the nature of significant similarities between them in terms of the grammatical apparatus employed for the HIRC formation. The analysis of HIRCs presented here provides, it is hoped, a significantly deeper account than heretofore available of the kinds of constraints that govern the formation of HIRCs.
Great Lakes Storm Surge of April 6, 1979

Abstract Storm surges were observed at a number of locations in the Great Lakes on the morning of April 6, 1979, in response to a severe storm. Winds gusting up to speeds of 28 m/s and aligned along the axis of the lake generated extreme water level excursions and set-up at a number of locations on Lake Erie. A set-up of 4.5 m between Buffalo and Toledo may be the largest recorded water level set-up on Lake Erie. Simulation of the storm surge on Lake Erie by a dynamical method yielded water level hindcasts within 15% of the observed water levels.
A meteor-ablation model of the sodium and potassium layers

Recent results on meteor ablation are used as input to a model in which ablation (or evaporation) is the source and deposition on dust particles is the sink. The dust comes from recondensation of the rest of the meteor vapor. An excellent match is found to the observed characteristics of the sodium layer. It is argued that the high-latitude winter maximum of abundance (and layer height) is due to the much lower rate of ionization there and over the polar cap. The computations show the required factor of 4-5 and also match the height variation. To keep the ion density from being too large, downward electrodynamic transport at about 50 cm/sec must be invoked. The different behavior and low abundance of potassium require an additional sink. The one proposed is Penning ionization by metastable excited O2. Inherent in the model is that sodium and its compounds reside almost entirely on dust particles below 80 km. Large abundances in the free form at stratospheric heights are very unlikely and are not a good explanation of observed ambient ions.
Neutron spectral measurement of the Ohio state research reactor pneumatic tube

Pneumatic irradiation facilities are used for neutron activation analysis, materials testing, electronics hardening, and radioisotope production. The application of these facilities can benefit from a greater understanding of the neutron energy profile inside the irradiation cavities as often only the cadmium ratio is known. A program to measure the energy-dependent neutron fields inside the pneumatic tube at the Ohio State University Research Reactor was undertaken using wires consisting of thermal activation materials and threshold reaction materials with and without thermal and resonance absorbers surrounding them. The measured activities were unfolded using the MAXED unfolding code to reconstruct the neutron energy spectra and compared to the MCNP-calculated flux.
A neurological integrator for the oculomotor control system

Abstract This paper describes a mathematical model of a neurological integrator that has been developed to provide the very long leakage time constant required of the intgrator in the oculomotor system. The Gaussian distribution of cell thresholds and the eye-position- related discharge of the individual cells of the integrator model, and the highly specialized short-duration, high-frequency burst required of the input, have been modeled after the single-cell behavior actually observed in the oculomotor control areas of the brain stem of an alert primate.
Immunosenescence and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Does Telomere Shortening Predict Impending Disease?

The pathogenesis of RA, a disabling autoimmune disease, is incompletely understood. Early in the development of RA there appears to be loss of immune homeostasis and regulation, and premature immunosenescence. While identification of risk factors and understanding of the phases of RA pathogenesis are advancing, means of accurately predicting an individual's risk of developing RA are currently lacking. Telomere length has been proposed as a potential new biomarker for the development of RA that could enhance prediction of this serious disease. Studies examining telomere length in relation to RA have found that telomere erosion appears to proceed more rapidly in subjects with RA than in healthy controls, and that telomere lengths are shorter in those with the RA-risk HLA-shared epitope genes. These studies have been small, however, with retrospective or cross-sectional designs. The potential role of telomere shortening as an independent biomarker for future RA risk, perhaps strongly genetically determined by HLA-SE genes, after controlling for known risk factors such as smoking, body mass index and immunosuppressant medication use, as well as systemic inflammation, is an unanswered question.
Decreased lung clearance of inhaled 99mTc-DTPA aerosols after NO2 exposure: Indication of lung epithelial permeability change?

Aerosolized 99mTc-labelled DTPA (diethylentetraamine-pentaacetic acid) is widely used to measure an index of lung epithelial permeability (Rinderknecht et at., 1980; Jones et al., 1982; Mason et al., 1983). This method is based on the assumption that DTPA inhaled as submicronic particles deposits on the alveolar surface and then slowly permeates through the intercellular junctions into the interstitium. From here it is taken up by the blood circulation and rapidly excreted through the kidney. Under normal circumstances, the alveolar epithelial layer forms a tight barrier against hydrophilic substances of higher molecular weights (Jones et al., 1982) and only substances with molecular weights (MW) less than about 1000 penetrate with an easily measurable rate. From DTPA with MW of 492 this rate is in the order of 1 °/o min~. Damage of epithelial cells by toxic agents will result in a more 'leaky' membrane, i.e. measured absorption rates of DTPA from the alveolar space will increase. This has been demonstrated in smokers and in patients with chronic interstitial lung diseases (Mason et al., 1983; Chopra et al., 1979). Our present studies in dogs were designed to measure the acute effect of exposure to NO2 on the clearance of 99mTc-DTPA from the lung determined noninvasively with a gamma camera.
BiFocus: using radio-optical beacons for an augmented reality search application

Augmented Reality (AR) applications benefit from accurate detection of the objects that are within a person's view. Typically, it is not only desirable to identify what is currently within view, but also to navigate the users view to the item of interest - for example, finding a misplaced object. In this paper we demonstrate a low-power hybrid radio-optical beaconing system, where objects of interest are tagged with battery-powered RFID-like tags equipped with infrared light emitting diodes (LED) that emit periodic infrared beacons. These beacons are used for accurately estimating the angle and distance from the object to the receiver so as to locate it. The beacons are synchronized using the radio link that is also used to convey the object's unique ID.
Rock varnish microlamination dating of late Quaternary geomorphic features in the drylands of western USA

Abstract Varnish microlamination (VML) dating is a correlative age determination technique that can be used to date and correlate various geomorphic features in deserts. In this study, we establish a generalized late Quaternary (i.e., 0–300 ka) varnish layering sequence for the drylands of western USA and tentatively correlate it with the SPECMAP oxygen isotope record. We then use this climatically correlated varnish layering sequence as a correlative dating tool to determine surface exposure ages for late Quaternary geomorphic features in the study region. VML dating of alluvial fan deposits in Death Valley of eastern California indicates that, during the mid to late Pleistocene, 5–15 ky long aggradation events occurred during either wet or dry climatic periods and that major climate shifts between glacial and interglacial conditions may be the pacemaker for alteration of major episodes of fan aggradation. During the Holocene interglacial time, however, 0.5–1 ky long brief episodes of fan deposition may be linked to short periods of relatively wet climate. VML dating of alluvial desert pavements in Death Valley and the Mojave Desert reveals that pavements can be developed rapidly (
Oxygen reduction on poly(4-vinylpyridine)-modified ordinary pyrolytic graphite electrodes with adsorbed cobalt tetra-sulphonated phthalocyanine in acid solutions

Poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PVP) has been used to modify ordinary pyrolytic graphite (OPG) electrodes with adsorbed cobalt tetra-sulphonated phthalocyanine (CoTsPc) in acid solutions. These modified electrodes were prepared in different manners and characterized by cyclic voltammetry. Their electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction and stability in 0.05M H2SO4 solutions was examined at room temperature. The OPG/CoTsPc/PVP modified electrodes were found to be more active for oxygen reduction in 0.05M H2SO4 solutions as compared to the electrode with adsorbed CoTsPc on OPG without PVP. The increase in activity is due to the formation of an adduct between PVP and CoTsPc. U.v.-visible and FTIR studies provide evidence for such adduct formation. Over a 10 h period the activity of the OPG/CoTsPc/PVP system was essentially constant while that of OPG/CoTsPc without polymer decreased by a substantial amount (about 37%). The PVP layer inhibits the diffusion of the CoTsPc and/or Co out of the complex into the solution phase. The stability of the OPG/CoTsPc/PVP system may also be due to low solubility of the adduct between PVP and CoTsPc in a 0.05M H2SO4 solution. Thicker films of PVP decreased the diffusion limiting oxygen reduction current. The effect of pH of the electrolyte solution on the activity of such PVP-modified electrodes for oxygen reduction has also been investigated.
Electronic structures of iron and cobalt pyrites

We report self-consistent, all-electron, local-spin-density calculations of energy bands of iron and cobalt pyrites (${\mathrm{FeS}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{CoS}}_{2}$). We find ${\mathrm{FeS}}_{2}$ to be a moderately small-band-gap semiconductor and ${\mathrm{CoS}}_{2}$ to be an almost half-metallic ferromagnet. The predicted Fermi surface of ${\mathrm{CoS}}_{2}$ is described.