cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Observer Based Iterative Learning Controller Design for MIMO Systems in Discrete Time

Observer based learning control algorithms, to synthesize a controller that would make a dynamical system track an a priori known sequence of output vectors, for linear time invariant systems in discrete time, is revisited. For multi input multi output systems, we show that the associated pole placement problem leads to an asymptotically stable iterative scheme, a result that is not trivial in the case of a non-square system. We introduce an obvious block structure implementation of the ILC algorithm that requires only the first Markov parameter matrix of the system. The closed loop pole locations, we observe through simulations, dictate the transient response of the system during learning process. Large values of the transient response is undesirable, and we show how to clip off such responses, while maintaining eventual convergence of the iteration.
An Attempt Toward a Natural/Unnatural History of The Lay-Scientific Interface or How Walker Percy Got on the Way to Becoming a Radical (Anthropologist)

Walker Percy was singularly focused on understanding the structure of symbolic behavior, what he called one of the “essential features of symbolic knowing.” Percy sought understanding of the nature of the symbol in linguistics, sociology, philosophy, theology, and anthropology, but to no avail.
Fully automated and comprehensive MRI-based left-ventricular contractility analysis in post-chemotherapy breast cancer patients

Objective:This study investigated the occurrence of cardiotoxicity-related left-ventricular (LV) contractile dysfunction in breast cancer patients following treatment with antineoplastic chemothera...
Synthetic Chemical Trade as a Potential Driver of Global Health Disparities and Data Gaps on Synthetic Chemicals in Vulnerable Populations

Most research on toxic exposures in vulnerable populations focuses on air pollution. Synthetic chemical production, however, is a multi-billion-dollar industry that lacks appropriate international regulation to protect those exposed to toxic chemicals. This paper aims to describe the country-level import and export of key groups of synthetic chemicals using data from the United Nations Comtrade Database and provide a narrative review of the evidence from January 2018 to August 2019 on exposure to, health effects of, and interventions to reduce synthetic chemicals in vulnerable populations around the world. Generally, a small number of high-income countries export the majority of synthetic chemicals, while most low-income countries import more chemicals than they export, which may contribute to higher levels of synthetic chemicals in those settings. However, few studies have quantified exposures to synthetic chemicals in low- and middle-income countries, the health effects of such exposures, or interventions to mitigate exposures. Synthetic chemicals continue to enter markets despite our limited knowledge of their effects on human health, particularly in the most vulnerable populations. We need more research to understand the health impacts of these pervasive exposures.
Removal of Antiscatter Grids for Spinal Digital Subtraction Angiography: Dose Reduction without Loss of Diagnostic Value

Background Spinal digital subtraction angiography (DSA) exposes patients and operators to substantial amounts of radiation. Antiscatter grid (ASG) removal is used to decrease radiation exposure but may reduce image quality. Purpose To determine whether ASG removal during spinal DSA in adults reduces radiation dose while maintaining diagnostic image quality and whether dose reduction is related to body mass index (BMI). Materials and Methods This Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant prospective study included adults undergoing spinal DSA between January and December 2016. Each procedure included an additional angiographic acquisition performed twice, once with and once without ASG, either documenting the artery of Adamkiewicz (no pathology group) or the condition leading to the procedure (pathology group). Dose differences between study acquisitions and the influence of BMI were evaluated via paired t test. Two neurointerventionalists blinded to acquisition protocols were asked to independently evaluate a sample of 40 study acquisitions (20 with ASG, 20 without ASG) from 20 randomly selected participants to (a) rate image quality, (b) categorize findings, and (c) determine whether images had been obtained with or without ASG. Percentage agreement on image quality, findings categorization, and ability to correctly identify the acquisition protocol was calculated for both readers. Results Fifty-three participants (mean age ± standard deviation, 51 years ± 15.2; 32 men) were evaluated. ASG removal reduced the mean dose per acquisition by approximately 33% (mean dose-area product and air kerma decreased from 202 to 135.6 µGy/m2 and from 35.3 to 24 mGy, respectively; P < .001) independently of BMI (P = .3). Both readers evaluated all images (40 of 40) as being of diagnostic quality and correctly categorized findings in 19 of 20 (95%) cases. Overall percentage agreement for correct protocol identification was 60% (12 of 20) for grid-in and 45% (nine of 20) for grid-out images. Conclusion Antiscatter grid removal during spinal digital subtraction angiography decreased participants' radiation exposure while preserving diagnostic image quality. © RSNA, 2020.
The Taxation of Retirement Saving: Choosing Between Front-Loaded and Back-Loaded Options

[© Brookings Institution] We examine retirement savers' choices between front- and back-loaded tax incentives, such as traditional and Roth IRAs, respectively. With equal dollar contribution limits, back-loaded plans shelter more funds than front-loaded plans. This implies that Roth IRAs can be the preferred choice even for investors who expect their tax rates to fall in retirement. Empirically, we examine how marginal tax rates have varied between 1982 and 1995 for a sample of taxpayers and calculate both ex ante and ex post effective tax rates on front-loaded IRAs. The average effective tax rate on traditional IRA contributions made in 1982 and withdrawn in 1995 was negative 30 percent. Changes in tax law after 1982 reduced tax rates considerably. Holding tax law constant, the average effective tax rate on IRAs was about negative 11 percent. These results occur because the tax rate in retirement is lower for most people than the rate while working. In contrast, the effective tax rate on Roth IRAs is always zero. Despite the lower average effective tax rate on traditional IRAs, many taxpayers in the sample would have benefited from contributing to a Roth IRA instead of a traditional IRA, due to the difference in effective contribution limits.
Implementation of an Inpatient IBD Service Is Associated with Improvement in Quality of Care and Long-Term Outcomes.

There is wide variation in the quality of care of hospitalized patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Prior studies have demonstrated that a specialized inpatient IBD service improves short-term outcomes. In this study, we assessed the impact of a dedicated IBD service on the quality of care and long-term outcomes. This retrospective cohort study included adult patients admitted for a complication of IBD between March 2017 and February 2019 to a tertiary referral center. In March 2018, a dedicated inpatient IBD service co-managed by IBD gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons was implemented. Quality of care outcomes included C. difficile stool testing, confirmed VTE prophylaxis administration and opiate avoidance. Long-term outcomes were clinical remission, IBD-related surgery, ED visits, and hospital readmissions at 90 days and 12 months. In total, 143 patients were included; 66 pre- and 77 post-implementation of the IBD service. Fifty-two percent had ulcerative colitis and 48% had Crohn’s disease. After implementation, there was improvement in C.difficile testing (90% vs. 76%, P = 0.04), early VTE prophylaxis (92% vs. 77%, P = 0.01) and decreases in narcotic use (14% vs. 30%, P = 0.02), IBD-related ED visits at 90 days (7% vs 18%, P = 0.03) and 12 months (16% vs 30%, P = 0.04), and IBD readmissions at 90 days (16% vs. 30%, P = 0.04). There were no differences in rates of clinical remission or surgery. The creation of a dedicated inpatient IBD service improved quality of IBD care and reduced post-discharge ED visits and readmissions and broader implementation of this strategy may help optimize care of hospitalized IBD patients.
Comments on one- versus two-stage procedure for transposed brachio-basilic arteriovenous fistulae.

The maturation and long-term patency of transposed brachio-basilic arteriovenous fistulae can best be achieved not by adopting a two-stage construction procedure, but by using a loop configuration ...
Von Der Unmöglichkeit, Kein Unternehmer Zu Sein Soziale Kooperation Prägt Den Prozess Der Wirtschaftlichen Entwicklung

Unternehmer zeichnen sich dadurch aus, dass sie die Gewinnmoglichkeiten ergreifen, die sich ihnen bieten. Der Autor des folgenden Beitrags zeigt auf, dass Menschen immer und uberall unternehmerisch tatig sind. Es hangt jedoch von den gesellschaftlichen Spielregeln ab, ob die unternehmerischen Krafte fur mehr Wohlstand oder fur das Ausnutzen von politischen und wirtschaftlichen Monopolen genutzt werden.
Temporal variation of crude and refined oil biodegradation rates and microbial community composition in freshwater systems

Abstract Freshwater systems are vulnerable to contamination by oil extraction and transportation. Thus, it is critical to understand how large freshwater ecosystems such as the Great Lakes will respond to released oil. In this study, we investigated differences in the microbial response to oil in the Straits of Mackinac at different times throughout the year and if crude (Bakken) and refined (non-highway diesel) oil exposure differentially altered the microbial community composition and hydrocarbon biodegradation rates. We also investigated the impact of temperature on the microbial response to oil by incubating samples collected in October of 2018 at 23 °C and at 4 °C. Ambient microbial communities differed between sample collection times, with significantly enriched microbial groups present between most sample types. We found significantly different microbial communities between control and oil-amended samples, but no significant differences between either oil type. We found that the bacterial family Solimonadaceae were significantly enriched in all oil-amended microcosms compared to the control microcosms across sampling times. We assessed oil biodegradation using CO2 production as a proxy for hydrocarbon metabolism. We observed a general trend of increased respiration rates with oil amendment compared to the control. No statistically significant differences in daily CO2 production rates existed between the two oil types. These findings suggest that microbial community in the Straits of Mackinac shifts over time even without oil amendment, and that the microbial communities in the Straits of Mackinac are compositionally and metabolically responsive to the presence of varying oil types throughout the year.
GHTnet: Tri-Branch deep learning network for real-time electricity price forecasting

Abstract A highly accurate electricity price prediction model is of the utmost importance for multiple power systems tasks, such as generation dispatch and bidding. Due to the liberalization of the electricity market, as well as high renewable penetration, the properties of electricity price time series are becoming more stochastic and complex. Traditional statistical methods and machine learning algorithms cannot model such volatile market conditions with high fidelity. In this paper, we propose a data-driven deep learning network (GHTnet) to capture the temporal distribution of real-time price data. A new CNN module, based on GoogLeNet, is developed to capture the high-frequency features of this data, while inclusion of time series summary statistics is shown to improve the forecasting of volatile price spikes. The deep learning model is developed and validated on real-time price time series from 49 generators in the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), achieving significant performance improvements over that of state-of-the-art benchmark methods, with an average 17.34% improvement in MAPE.
Targeted Activation of GPCR-Mediated Ca 2+ Signaling Drives Enhanced Cartilage-Like Matrix Formation

Intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) signaling is a critical regulator of chondrogenesis, chondrocyte differentiation, and cartilage development. Calcium (Ca2+) signaling is known to direct processes that govern chondrocyte gene expression, protein synthesis, cytoskeletal remodeling, and cell fate. Control of chondrocyte/chondroprogenitor Ca2+ signaling has been attempted through mechanical and/or pharmacological activation of endogenous Ca2+ signaling transducers; however, such approaches can lack specificity and/or precision regarding Ca2+ activation mechanisms. Synthetic signaling platforms permitting precise and selective Ca2+ signal transduction can improve dissection of the roles that [Ca2+]i signaling play in chondrocyte behavior. One such platform is the chemogenetic hM3Dq DREADD (designer receptor exclusively activated by designer drugs) that activates [Ca2+]i signaling via the Gαq-PLCβ-IP3-ER pathway upon clozapine N-oxide (CNO) administration. We previously demonstrated hM3Dq's ability to precisely and synthetically initiate robust [Ca2+]i transients and oscillatory [Ca2+]i signaling in chondrocyte-like ATDC5 cells. Here, we investigate the effects that long-term CNO stimulatory culture have on hM3Dq [Ca2+]i signaling dynamics, proliferation, and protein deposition in 2D ATDC5 cultures. Long-term culturing under repeated CNO stimulation modified the temporal dynamics of hM3Dq [Ca2+]i signaling, increased cell proliferation, and enhanced matrix production in a CNO dose- and frequency-dependent manner, and triggered the formation of cell condensations that developed aligned, anisotropic neotissue structures rich in cartilaginous proteoglycans and collagens, all in the absence of differentiation inducers. This study demonstrated Gαq-GPCR-mediated [Ca2+]i signaling involvement in chondroprogenitor proliferation and cartilage-like matrix production, and established hM3Dq as a powerful tool for elucidating the role of GPCR-mediated Ca2+ signaling in chondrogenesis and chondrocyte differentiation.
Sale of development rights to fund public transportation projects: Insights from Rajkot, India, BRTS project

Local governments throughout the world are facing fiscal constraints. At the same time, they face strong opposition to tax increases from their residents, who demand an increasingly higher quality of public infrastructure and services. The situation is further exacerbated in rapidly urbanizing developing countries that need to provide urban infrastructure at a fast pace. Such a situation has led many countries to actively seek new sources of local non-tax-based revenue such as the sale of development rights. This paper analyzes the sale of development rights to fund Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in Rajkot, India; highlights the key success factors; suggests reforms that would increase the tools' effectiveness; and identifies the lessons learned from Rajkot's experience. Specific lessons include the following: the sale of development rights must be calibrated to the existing or planned capacity of infrastructure and services; the majority of revenues from such a sale are likely to accrue after the infrastructure project has been developed, while funds are needed beforehand to develop the project, therefore, this revenue-expenditure mismatch needs to be addressed; and the development rights' sale price must be indexed to inflation.
The presence of angiographic collaterals in non-ST elevation myocardial infarction is a predictor of long-term clinical outcomes.

Objectives To determine whether the presence of angiographic coronary collaterals is a predictor of long-term clinical outcomes in patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).
Media Industries in India: An Emerging Regional Framework

This paper critically evaluates how recent industry reports have explained the rapid growth of regional media in India. In these reports, regionalization is described — often in euphoric terms — as the result of a unique historical conjuncture where the rise of digital technologies of production, distribution, and consumption and the rapid privatization of public infrastructure have created avenues for both big and small media players to expand their reach into regional markets and rural hinterlands. However, a more interesting story is emerging alongside the celebratory narratives of digitization and media conglomeration in India. It is the story of how key players in the industry are turning to regional media to redefine their organizational identities in new ways that are simultaneously national, subnational, and transnational. At the same time, regionalization is also being embraced in the media industries to reimagine audiences in new terms that at once connect national and diasporic audiences with subnational or regional audiences in smaller cities, towns, and villages. In this context, regionalization has emerged as the framework for understanding the globalization of media industries and audiences in India.
Brain Mechanisms for Making, Breaking, and Changing Rules

Individuals differ widely, and the same person varies over time, in their tendency to seek maximum information versus their tendency to follow the simplest heuristics. Neuroimaging studies suggest which brain regions might mediate the balance between knowledge maximization and heuristic simplification. The amygdala is more activated in individuals who use primitive heuristics, whereas two areas of the frontal lobes are more activated in individuals with a strong knowledge drive: one area involved in detecting risk or conflict, and another involved in choosing task-appropriate responses. Both of these motivations have engineering uses. There is benefit to understanding a situation at a high enough level to respond in a flexible manner when the context is complex and time allows detailed consideration. Yet simplifying heuristics can yield benefits when the context is routine or when time is limited.
Towards a Framework for Observing Artificial Evolutionary Systems

Establishing the emergence of evolutionary behavior as a defining characteristic of 'life' is a major step in the Artificial life (ALife) studies. We present here an abstract formal framework for this aim based upon the notion of high-level observations made on the ALife model at hand during its simulations. An observation process is defined as a computable transformation from the underlying dynamic structure of the model universe to a tuple consisting of abstract components needed to establish the evolutionary processes in the model. Starting with defining entities and their evolutionary relationships observed during the simulations of the model, the framework prescribes a series of definitions, followed by the axioms (conditions) that must be met in order to establish the level of evolutionary behavior in the model. The examples of Cellular Automata based Langton Loops and Lambda calculus based Algorithmic Chemistry are used to illustrate the framework. Generic design suggestions for the ALife research are also drawn based upon the framework design and case study analysis.
1563PCLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND OUTCOMES FOR 61 PATIENTS WITH METASTATIC PULMONARY CARCINOIDS

ABSTRACT Aim: Pulmonary carcinoids are rare cancers with limited data regarding treatment and outcomes, particularly for those patients (pts) with metastatic disease. Methods: Pts with metastatic pulmonary carcinoids diagnosed between 2006-2013 were identified using institutional databases. Data on pt characteristics, response to chemotherapy by RECIST 1.1, progression free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were determined using the Kaplan-Meier Method. Results: Sixty one pts were included in this series; of these, 32 pts had atypical carcinoid (AC), 23 had typical carcinoid (TC), and 6 had carcinoid NOS. There was no significant difference in sex, avidity of octreotide scan, or smoking status between patients with AC versus TC. Pts with AC were more likely to be younger (median age of 59.5 versus 68.0, p=0.016) and develop brain metastasis during their treatment course as compared to pts with TC (41% versus 13%, p=0.036). Median OS was 59.1 mths and was not significantly better for TC versus AC (p=0.91). Among the varied systemic therapies used, partial response occurred in 2 of 25 patients (8%) who received platinum based therapies with a median overall survival of 47.6 mths from start of therapy, and in 2 of 15 pts (13%) who received temozolomide with a median PFS of 2.5 mths. Conclusions: This is the largest review of the clinical features of pts with metastatic pulmonary carcinoids. Brain metastases occur commonly in patients with AC. If validated, screening MRIs and prophylactic whole brain radiation therapy may be warranted. Although platinum based therapies and temozolomide show some activity in metastatic pulmonary carcinoids, novel treatment approaches are needed. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Comparison of Methods for Calculating Serum Osmolality from Chemical Concentrations, and the Prognostic Value of Such Calculations

Sodium, potassium, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, and osmolality were determined for 715 hospital-patient sera. The chemical concentrations were used to calculate osmolalities according to 13 different methods taken from the literature. The goodness of the comparison between calculated and measured osmolality was quite similar for several of the better methods. The aggreement was unimproved when molal chemical concentrations were used instead of molar values. The difference between measured and calculated osmolality was unrelated to whether a patient was discharged from the hospital after a short or long period or ultimately died. The equation we found to yield the most accurately calculated osmolalities is Osmolality = 1.86 Na + (Glu/18) + - (BUN/2.8) + 9.
Molecular n-Type Doping of 1,4,5,8-Naphthalene Tetracarboxylic Dianhydride by Pyronin B Studied Using Direct and Inverse Photoelectron Spectroscopies†

Molecular n-type doping of 1,4,5,8-naphthalene tetracarboxylic dianhydride (NTCDA) by pyronin B (PyB) is investigated using ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), inverse photoelectron spectroscopy (IPES), and current–voltage (I–V) measurements. Deposition of small amounts (< 2 A) of PyB on pristine NTCDA films leads to a shift of all the molecular levels away from the Fermi level by nearly 0.20 eV, indicative of n-type doping of NTCDA by PyB. Interface and bulk energy levels of films formed by co-evaporation of host and dopant show similarly efficient n-doping. The spectroscopic measurements are confirmed by I–V measurements, which show a four-orders-of-magnitude increase in current in doped films. The comparison of data obtained from UPS of the neat PyB film with the results of density functional theory calculations confirm that two species of PyB are evaporated and condensed into the solid state, with one species primarily responsible for doping.
An information theoretic approach to RF fingerprinting

RF fingerprinting exploits the variations in the RF chain of radios to uniquely identify transmitters, and distinguish adversarial transmissions from legitimate nodes. We provide a systematic approach rooted from information theory to understand basic performance limits of RF fingerprinting. We develop a novel channel model to cover RF fingerprinting systems, where the imperfections in the RF chain are modeled as a fingerprint channel, cascaded to the physical channel. We analyze authentication problem in the presence of an adversary, where both the legitimate transmitter and the adversary are equipped with unique fingerprint channels. We provide bounds for the error exponents of the legitimate nodes, and the success exponent of the adversary, as a function of their fingerprints. We illustrate that concepts analogous to Maurer's simulatability are necessary to guarantee authentication via RF fingerprints.
Introduction to the 2005 Electronic Government Cluster of Minitracks

Government at all levels (federal, state, and local) and branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) is the biggest single investor in and user of Information Technology. Given its enormously varied missions, government employs a vast range of information technology applications which have dramatically changed the way government is conducted and will continue to affect the way citizens and businesses expect government to function in the 21
p4est : Scalable Algorithms for Parallel Adaptive Mesh Refinement on Forests of Octrees

We present scalable algorithms for parallel adaptive mesh refinement and coarsening (AMR), partitioning, and 2:1 balancing on computational domains composed of multiple connected two-dimensional quadtrees or three-dimensional octrees, referred to as a forest of octrees. By distributing the union of octants from all octrees in parallel, we combine the high scalability proven previously for adaptive single-octree algorithms with the geometric flexibility that can be achieved by arbitrarily connected hexahedral macromeshes, in which each macroelement is the root of an adapted octree. A key concept of our approach is an encoding scheme of the interoctree connectivity that permits arbitrary relative orientations between octrees. Based on this encoding we develop interoctree transformations of octants. These form the basis for high-level parallel octree algorithms, which are designed to interact with an application code such as a numerical solver for partial differential equations. We have implemented and tested these algorithms in the p4est software library. We demonstrate the parallel scalability of p4est on its own and in combination with two geophysics codes. Using p4est we generate and adapt multioctree meshes with up to $5.13\times10^{11}$ octants on as many as 220,320 CPU cores and execute the 2:1 balance algorithm in less than 10 seconds per million octants per process.
Insulin-like growth factor-I treatment of growth disorders, diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) has many potential therapeutic uses because of its varied effects – growth promotion, insulin-like influence on glucose metabolism, and neuroprotection resulting from cell-proliferative and antiapoptotic properties – but they have not been investigated systematically in clinical situations. The growth-promoting effect of recombinant human IGF-I (rhIGF-I) in the extensively studied growth hormone insensitivity syndrome (GHIS; Laron syndrome) signifies an endocrine role for the GH–IGF system. The metabolism of (adult) patients with severe insulin resistance is improved by rhIGF-I, which – together with insulin therapy – also improves metabolic control in type 1 and 2 diabetes. Further studies on IGF-I metabolic effects and growing understanding of the IGF-I–IGF-binding protein system could open new therapeutic avenues.
On the development of a supervisory sequencing routine

This paper describes a self-scheduling routine which can be incorporated into the supervisory system of a computer. The problem of scheduling a number of tasks on an overloaded computer can be formulated as a linear programming problem and then solved by means of the transportation method. Priorities for both jobs and customers, as well as a nonlinear loss function for late completion, form the basis of the model.
Invertibility of matrices with almost-commuting entries

In this article, formal determinants of matrices over noncommnutative rings are examined for information about matrix invertibility. In this situation determinants are of course no longer multiplicative functions. The model to be generalized is the classical theorem of Schar for matrices in block form whose blocks below the first row commute. It will be seen that Schur's theorem holds over a very wide class of rings for matrices of arbitrary size. Additionally, the results provide a test for a matrix to be a non zero divisor; and by symmetry a permanental condition for invertibility of certain matrices is obtained.
An Autonomic Nervous System Response Inventory (ANSRI): scaling, reliability, and cross-validation

The Autonomic Nervous System Response Inventory (ANSRI) was designed to elicit individuals' self-reported patterns of peripheral physiological response to emotion-provoking stimuli. Fifty-one items reflecting such responses were rated as having been present (1=absent to 5 =intense) during prototypical emotional situations drawn from experience, which were reconstructed and imagined by a subject. Items were rated for each of five conditions, four of which were emotions (fear, anger, sadness, joy) and one of which was an activation control condition (physical activity). Scales were developed to describe the relative activity of different physiological response systems: P scales based on physiological coherence of items and F scales based on factor analytic item clusters. The derivation and contents of the scales are described, and the following psychometric data are reported: test-retest reliabilities and internal consistency coefficients (original and cross-validation samples), factor analyses, and cross-validation of factors. Data indicate that the ANSRI and most of its scales are sufficiently reliable and replicable to warrant validity research.
Diurnal variation in corneal thickness.

Abstract Corneal thickness was measured at three different times of day in rabbits. The rabbit cornea showed a significant diurnal variation regarding thickness. In most cases, the cornea was thickest in the forenoon, and then thinning followed. It usually became thinnest in the afternoon, but sometimes at about noon. The decrease in thickness was reversed during the night. The amount of the diurnal change was inconsistent. The average value was 0·014 mm. The maximum and minimum values of the corneal thickness that occurred in the course of long-term measurements of diurnal variation are considered to represent the upper and lower limits of normal thickness. No relation was found between the diurnal variation and the presence of dellen on the corneal surface. Diurnal variation in corneal thickness was also found when the eye lids were kept closed to prevent evaporation. Overnight experiments showed that, in general, the relative corneal dehydration occurred while the rabbit was active, and the corneal hydration occurred during periods of relaxation or drowsiness, independent of closure of the lids. In an extremely humid atmosphere, the rabbit showed a daytime corneal thinning of the same order as that in the normal environment.
The influence of parenteral RNA and DNA on the growth of Sarcoma 180 and Ehrlich's ascites tumor in Swiss mice

Summary The parenteral administration of heterologous RNA (125 mg./kg. body weight per day; 2 gm./kg. body weight in 14 days) was found to increase the incidence of tumors from inoculated free mouse Sarcoma 180 and Ehrlich's ascites tumor cells by 30 per cent over the control group. Similar results were obtained with the hydrolyzed RNA. DNA produced a similar effect only with the Ehrlich's ascites tumor. The prior incubation in vitro of RNA with these tumor cells did not produce an increase in “takes” on subsequent inoculation in mice, suggesting that RNA did not act directly upon the tumor cell. Further, if a reduced number of cells was inoculated into the mice, the incidence of tumor development fell to the same number in both treated and control groups. It is suggested that the effect of RNA on tumor “takes” is more likely to be due to an RNA:host interaction than an RNA:cancer cell effect. But it is felt that the effect of RNA on tumor growth is more likely to be due to an effect on both the cancer cell and the host.
Particle Mixing and Diffusion in the Turbulent Wake of a Single Cylinder

Particle mixing and turbulent diffusion from a dilute monodisperse aerosol stream into the turbulent wake of a single cylinder was studied over a velocity range of 6.1, 12.2, and 18.3 m/sec. Dioctyl phthalate droplets with diameters of 4, 8, and 15 μm were used resulting in effective Stokes numbers ranging from 0.18 to 5.11. Particle velocity and concentration data in the aerosol stream around the cylinder was taken with a laser doppler anemometer. The velocity and concentration data were analyzed empirically, examining diffusivities via the particles' rms velocity, and also using a model from a similarity solution to the equation of motion, assuming a constant diffusivity in the wake. The experimental data showed good agreement between the models and the air and particle momentum data. The concentration data contained more scatter, but was consistent with the air and particle momentum data. The air momentum Peclet numbers agreed with literature values for cylinder wakes. Diffusivity ratios, em/emp, and e...
Oxidation energies of transition metal oxides within the GGA+U framework

The energy of a large number of oxidation reactions of $3d$ transition metal oxides is computed using the generalized gradient approach (GGA) and $\mathrm{GGA}+\mathrm{U}$ methods. Two substantial contributions to the error in GGA oxidation energies are identified. The first contribution originates from the overbinding of GGA in the ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ molecule and only occurs when the oxidant is ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$. The second error occurs in all oxidation reactions and is related to the correlation error in $3d$ orbitals in GGA. Strong self-interaction in GGA systematically penalizes a reduced state (with more $d$ electrons) over an oxidized state, resulting in an overestimation of oxidation energies. The constant error in the oxidation energy from the ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ binding error can be corrected by fitting the formation enthalpy of simple nontransition metal oxides. Removal of the ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ binding error makes it possible to address the correlation effects in $3d$ transition metal oxides with the $\mathrm{GGA}+\mathrm{U}$ method. Calculated oxidation energies agree well with experimental data for reasonable and consistent values of U.
The Effect of Station Radio Noise Sources on Transmission-Line Noise Levels

A method is presented for calculating the radio noise level of a transmission line where the radio noise generation is produced by corona on station apparatus. Propagation of the radio noise energy is described by a set of noninteracting transmission modes. Field factors which transfer line voltages to electric-field values at the ground level are presented as modal quantities. Two specific examples are computed for an extra-high-voltage line and station arrangement.
Effect of tap-water iontophoresis on sweat gland recruitment, skin temperature and skin blood flow

Abstract Our interest was to quantify the role of sweat gland activation on the maintenance of skin temperature during mild exercise in the heat. Seven days of tap-water iontophoresis decreased the number of active sweat glands by 72% which significantly increased forearm skin temperature and blood flow during mild exercise (70 W) in the heat (32 °C). Skin temperature of the treated forearm was 0.5 °C warmer ( P =0.049); skin blood flow in the treated forearm was 13% higher than the control arm ( P =0.021). These results illustrate the importance of sweat evaporation on skin temperature and blood flow during exercise.
The Effects of Immediate Context on Auditors' Judgments of Loan Quality

This study examines whether auditors, when making a series of similar, independent judgments are non‐normatively influenced by their earlier judgments. Two judgment biases are considered: contrast effect and assimilation effect. We conducted an experiment where experienced auditors classified a number of commercial loans based on collection risk. The auditors' judgments displayed a significant contrast effect, and range‐frequency theory explains a significant portion of the variance in their judgments (Parducci 1965). The results suggest that auditors tended to use the range principle more than the frequency principle to classify loans. This bias has potential implications for audit practice. By comparing auditors to graduate accounting students we find evidence that task experience moderates the magnitude of the judgment bias.
A Comparison of Lipstick Smears by High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Part II. The Effects of Wear-Time and Subject on the Chromatograms

Abstract Although HPLC is capable of great discrimination in the comparison of lipstick smears, care must be exercised in the interpretation of these chromatograms. Some of the difficulties result from the disappearance of component peaks on the chromatograms of worn lipstick smears and the occasional appearance of spurious peaks.
On dollarization and currency boards: Error and deception

A diagnosis of the laws and balance sheets of the monetary authorities in Argentina, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Estonia, Hong Kong and Lithuania is presented. With the exception of Bosnia, all employ active monetary policies and engage in sterilization. Accordingly, they are not currency boards. The methods used to dismantle the Argentine system in 2001, prior to its eventual abandonment, are presented. An evaluation of the Hong Kong system (1997-1998) suggests that its so-called currency board was not a party to counter-speculation in the stock market. Evidence is presented to show how deception was employed by the US and the IMF during the Indonesian currency board debate (1998) as a means to engineer a political regime change.
Most vital links and nodes in weighted networks

The n most vital links (or nodes) in a weighted network are those n links (nodes) whose removal from the network results in the greatest increase in shortest distance between two specified nodes. Preliminary results are presented for obtaining these entities.
A Science Data System approach for the DESDynI mission

Amongst the many key challenges to the Science Data System (SDS) for the DESDynI (Deformation, Eco-system Structure, and Dynamics of Ice) mission is the exceptionally large data volume (on the order of 5 tera-byte per day) acquired by the radar and the consequent huge volume of data products produced (on the order of 16 peta-bytes per year). This paper presents an SDS conceptual approach to effectively and efficiently support the mission. The features of this SDS approach include: 1) A modular functional architecture that is based on the proven Object Oriented Data Technology (OODT) based framework, 2) the application of a Testbed Concept that facilitates the morphing of scientific algorithms to operational codes, and 3) innovative data staging, storage and backup strategies. This SDS approach is expected to form a strong basis for helping DESDynI achieve its many science goals and objectives.
Relationships Among Liquid–Vapor Interfacial Region Properties: Predictions of a Thermodynamic Model

In theoretical models and molecular dynamics simulations of the interfacial region between a liquid and vapor phase, three properties are usually of primary interest: the interfacial tension, the interfacial region thickness, and the density gradient in the interfacial region. While these properties can be determined from molecular dynamics simulations by collecting appropriate statistics, such results do not explicitly provide an indication of the interrelationship among these characteristics. This paper presents theoretical predictions of the relationships among interfacial tension, the interfacial region thickness, and the density gradient in the interfacial region that are derived from a theoretical model of the thermodynamic properties of the interfacial region. Explicit relations among interfacial region properties are obtained from a modified version of the classical mean field model that incorporates Redlich-Kwong fluid properties. Comparisons are presented that indicate that the theoretical relations among the interfacial region properties are consistent with trends indicated by experimental data. Use of the theoretical model relations to determine the interfacial tension using the mean density profile obtained from a molecular dynamics simulation is also explored. This method is shown to predict values comparable to traditional methods for determining interfacial tension in molecular dynamics simulations while requiring significantly less computational effort.
Characterization of dermal structural assembly in normal and pathological connective tissues by intrinsic signal multiphoton optical microscopy

Employing a reflectance multi-photon microscopy (MPM) technique, we developed novel method to quantitatively study the three-dimensional assembly of structural proteins within bulk of dermal ECMs. Using a structurally simplified model of skin with enzymatically dissected epidermis, we find that low resolution MPM clearly discriminates between normal and pathological dermis. High-resolution images revealed that the backscattered MPM signals are affected by the assembly of collagen fibrils and fibers within this system. Exposure of tissues to high concentrations of potentially denaturing chemicals also resulted in the reduction of SHG signals from structural proteins which coincided with the appearance of aggregated fluorescent structures.
Possible Salt Domes in the Deep Atlantic off North-west Africa

The presence of diapirs under the lower continental rise and abyssal plain off north-west Africa indicates that the salt basins of the continental margin may have extended seaward during the Late Triassic and Early Jurassic periods.
COBALT EXTRACTION BY HDNNS IN THE PRESENCE OF AN ALPHA-HYDROXYOXIME

ABSTRACT The method of slope analysis has been used to analyze cobalt extraction by dlnonylnapthalene sulfonic acid (HDNNS) in hexane/ aqueous nitrate systems in the absence and presence of 0·01 mol dm-35,8-diethy1-7-hydroxy-6-dodecanone oxime (H2Ox; the active extractant in the commercial reagent, LLX63, a product of Henkel Corp.). In the absence of H2Ox, cobalt is extracted by HDNNS micelles and the log D versus log [HDNNS] plot gives a slope of unity. In the presence of 0·01 mol-dm-3H2Ox, the corresponding plot shows a maximum at 5·6×l0-3mol dm-3HDNNS and a minimum at 3×l0-2mol dm-3HDNNS. At low HDNNS concentrations (≤ 5·6×l0-3mol dm-3), the log D versus log [HDNNS] plot has a slope of 1·0 while at high HDNNS concentrations (≥ 3×l0-2mol dm-3) Cobalt distribution approaches that of the HDNNS-alone system. The HDNNS behavior in the presence of H2OX is explained in terms of the presence of a mixed oxime-sulfonate micelle whose concentration goes through a maximum as HDNNS concentration Is increased. The p...
Excretion of tritiated 3–2′ dimethyl‐4‐diphenylamine

Tritiated 3–2′Dimethyl-4-diphenylamine was prepared by catalytic exchange and studies were carried out in Wistar-Furth rats following subcutaneous injection. Blood levels reached their peak in 12 hours and this correlated closely with the peak levels of label in the urine and bile. Ninety per cent of labelled compound was excreted within 5 days, less than 3% of the tritium excreted was in the form of tritiated water. Sixty-five per cent of excreted label appeared in the stools, and 35% in the urine of intact animals. In animals with bile fistula, 85% of the label appeared in the bile and 15% appeared in the urine. This data suggested recirculation of the compound and radioautographs were done at 10 and 20 hours after injection of labelled carcinogen, to see if there was any preferred site of absorption in the G.I. tract. None was found. Radioautographs failed to show any preferred localization of the label in the cells of the G.I. tract, liver, kidney, or bladder.
Radiative heavy quark energy loss in a dynamical QCD medium

The computation of radiative energy loss in a dynamically screened QCD medium is a key ingredient in obtaining reliable predictions for jet quenching in ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions. We calculate, to first order in the opacity, the energy loss suffered by a heavy quark traveling through an infinite and time-independent QCD medium and show that the result for a dynamical medium is almost twice that obtained previously for a medium consisting of randomly distributed static scattering centers. A quantitative description of jet suppression in experiments conducted at the BNL Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider and CERN Large Hadron Collider thus must correctly account for the dynamics of the medium's constituents.
Comparative chronic effects of buspirone or neuroleptics on rat brain dopaminergic neurotransmission

Buspirone is a novel anti-anxiety drug which has neither a benzodiazepine structure nor any other benzodiazepine-like properties. Since buspirone is known to block dopamine autoreceptors and increase dopamine metabolism, it was compared to classical antipsychotic drugs for subchronic and chronic effects on dopaminergic function. When continuously infused into rats at 1.0 mg/kg/day s.c. for 2 weeks there was a small diminution of striatal dopamine metabolism response to acute injection of buspirone, but haloperidol produced a normal increase in DOPAC concentrations. In contrast, infusion of 0.3 mg/kg/day of haloperidol caused a marked subsensitivity to both acute buspirone and haloperidol challenge. The data from 3 months of treatment with buspirone or trifluoperazine (3.0 or 1.0 mg/kg/day, respectively) added to the rats' drinking water yielded similar results. Also, there was no alteration of dopamine autoreceptor sensitivity or postsynaptic D2 receptor sensitivity in 3 month buspirone treated rats. Three months of trifluoperazine produced a 45% increase in striatal binding of 3H-spiperone, which was reversed by simultaneous administration of buspirone during the final 2 weeks of trifluoperazine treatment. These data indicate that buspirone in moderate doses, such as used for treating anxiety, should be free of extrapyramidal side-effects. The modulation of neuroleptic-induced increased D2 receptor binding reinforces the hypothesis that buspirone has a modulatory effect at an unknown site within the extrapyramidal system.
Heterogenous demand for public goods: Behavior in the voluntary contributions mechanism*

Numerous laboratory experiments have investigated the performance of several processes for providing public goods through voluntary contributions. This research has been able to identify features of the institution or environment which are reliably likely to produce outcomes “close” to the free riding outcome or “substantially” greater than the pessimistic prediction of standard models. One such feature is the “marginal per-capita return” (MPCR) from the public good. Various authors have altered MPCR between groups or for an entire group at the same time. The experiments reported here address a different question, “What would happen if, within a group, some persons faced a ‘high’ MPCR while others faced a ‘low’ MPCR?”