cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the stability of penny-shaped cracks with friction: the five types of brittle behavior

The theory of penny-shaped cracks has been the subject of numerous investigations because of its conceptual simplicity and the feasibility of obtaining mathematical solutions. The simplicity of many of the final results makes the theory useful in many applications. This paper addresses a gap in the theory, the effect of interfacial friction in closed cracks and, in particular, its influence on the most unstable crack orientation and, hence, the compressive strength of materials. When friction is accounted for it is found that five types of brittle behavior are possible: (a) mode-I opening, (b) mixed opening and shear, (c) pure-shear without friction, and (d) shear with interfacial friction. A fifth type of behavior (e) which corresponds to a stable material response occurs when the compressive traction on the crack is so large that friction inhibits crack growth. The first four types, namely, (a), (b), (c), (d) result in incipient material failure. The range of stress states for which each of the failure (incipient) types applies is given explicitly. Failure of a brittle material under triaxial test conditions is considered in detail to illustrate the results. An experiment performed by Howe et al. [Howe, P.M., Gibbons, G.G., Webber, P.E., 1985. An experimental investigation of the role of shearing initiation of detonation. In: Short, J.M. and Deal, W.E. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on Detonation, Albuquerque, NM] showing the response of a brittle material (TNT) to impact illustrates (perhaps surprisingly) behavior of types (c) and (d). The chemical sensitivity of the TNT allows us to observe the effect of friction better than would be possible in a non-reactive material. The conditions that allow crack growth within the crack plane are discussed briefly.
Environmental Factors in the Stress Corrosion Cracking of Type 316L Stainless Steel and Alloy 825 in Chloride Solutions

Abstract This paper describes the experimental studies conducted to date to investigate the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of candidate container materials for the proposed high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. The effects of environmental variables, such as chloride (Cl−) concentration, the addition of thiosulfate (S2O32−), and temperature on the SCC susceptibility of type 316L (UNS S31603) stainless steel (SS) and alloy 825 (UNS N08825, Ni-29% Fe-22% Cr-3.0% Mo-2.0% Cu-1.0% Ti) were studied at temperatures from 95°C to 120°C. Results of slow strain rate tests (SSRT) at various potentials were compared to those obtained under constant deflection conditions using U-bend specimens to determine the existence of a critical potential for SCC. While not conclusive, results generated thus far have been consistent with the hypothesis that the repassivation potential (Erp) for localized corrosion is also the critical potential for SCC in these environments. It was confirmed that alloy 82...
Chronic corticosterone treatment maintains synaptic activity of CA1 hippocampal pyramidal cells: Acute high corticosterone administration increases action potential number

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis controls the levels of plasma corticosterone (CT) in the rat and the levels of cortisol in man. CT is important in maintaining homeostasis and regulating energy production. Homeostasis is maintained by basal activation of the hippocampal-HPA axis. In response to stress CT secretion is increased. CT activation of receptors in the hippocampus provides feedback inhibition of the HPA axis to return the system to basal activity. There are two types of CT receptors: the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). CT has a 10-fold higher affinity for MR than GR. Normal basal levels of CT occupy the majority of the MR. During the diurnal surge of CT and following the presentation of a stressful stimulus, the MR and GR are both maximally occupied. To begin to understand how CT influences the hippocampal-HPA axis, intracellular recording techniques in the hippocampal brain slice preparation were used to determine how high concentrations of CT may alter cell characteristics and/or evoked synaptic activity. Two treatment groups were used, i.e., adrenalectomized (ADX) and ADX with CT pellet replacement (ADX + CT) that produced plasma blood levels equal to that seen in a normal rat in the morning. Acute administration of 100 nM CT decreased action potential threshold and the number of action potentials elicited by a depolarizing current pulse in cells from both the ADX and ADX + CT treated rats. The amplitude of the evoked excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSP) or inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSP) declined in cells recorded from ADX animals and ADX rats acutely treated with high concentrations of CT (ADWCT). The EPSPs and IPSPs were stable in cells from ADX + CT rats exposed to high CT concentrations. We conclude from these data that chronic CT treatment is necessary to maintain EPSP and IPSP amplitude. Also, acute administration of a high concentration of CT alters the output of the CA1 hippocampal pyramidal cells by increasing the number of action potentials elicited by a depolarizing current pulse but does not alter the amplitude of subthreshold EPSPs and IPSPs. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Beyond Volterra and Wiener: some new results and open problems in nonlinear circuits and systems

New developments in nonlinear dynamical systems are permitting Volterra and Wiener nonlinear functional series representations to be optimally approximated by artificial neural networks, which are capable of adaptation, learning and evoluation by training. The enabling framework developed by the author based on a Generalized Fock Space is described. In particular, the realization of a best approximation to Wiener's Laguerre/Hermite representation in terms of a dynamical functional artificial neural network (D-FANN) is presented. Possible impact on new technologies is discussed.
Fertility preservation for female cancer patients: early clinical experience

Objective To characterize the early experience of a clinical program designed to provide strategies for fertility preservation to female cancer patients about to undergo chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Design Retrospective chart review; case–control study. Setting Academic medical center. Patient(s) Sixty-five female cancer patients and 57 age-matched infertility patients. Intervention Enrollment in a program for fertility preservation. Main Outcome Measure(s) Choice of active participation, fertility preservation option selection, clinical outcomes of patients undergoing oocyte retrieval, attitudes regarding embryo disposition. Result(s) Of 65 patients referred to the program, 18 declined to undergo embryo, oocyte, or tissue cryopreservation. Six were found not to be eligible for medical reasons. Of the remaining 41 patients, 35 chose to cryopreserve embryos, four chose to cryopreserve oocytes, and two chose to undergo ovarian tissue freezing. Fewer oocytes were recovered from the embryo cryopreservation group when compared with an age-matched control group, but the mean number of zygotes generated was similar. Attitudes regarding embryo disposition were different between the two groups. No serious clinical sequelae resulted from participation. Conclusion(s) Fertility preservation techniques employing available technology may provide safe and practical options to female cancer patients facing chemotherapy or radiation therapy. A significant number of otherwise appropriate participants decline active management. Cancer patients display different attitudes regarding embryo disposition when compared with infertility patients without cancer.
Release of calcitonin gene-related peptide in guinea pig inferior mesenteric ganglion

Abstract Neurons of the guinea pig IMG are surrounded by nerve fibers containing CGRP-like immunoreactivity (LI). The purpose of this study was to determine whether colonic distension releases CGRP-LI in the IMG and whether opioid peptides and neurotensin(8–13) [NT(8–13)] modulate its release. Colonic distension released CGRP-LI. Methionine-enkephalin acted through mu and/or delta receptors to block release. NT(8–13) had no effect on release of CGRP-LI. Capsaicin pretreatment reduced the content of CGRP-LI in the IMG by 37%. Colonic distension did not release CGRP-LI from capsaicin-insensitive fibers. The data suggest that colonic distension release CGRP-LI material from capsaicin-sensitive nerves and that enkephalins modulate release of CGRP-LI.
Hydrogen movement and the next action : Fossil fuels industry and sustainability economics

Since the hydrogen movement started in 1974, there has been progress in research, development, demonstration and commercialization activities, covering all aspects of the hydrogen energy system. In order to solve the interrelated problems of depletion of fossil fuels and the environmental impact of the combustion products of fossil fuels, it is desirable to speed up the conversion to the hydrogen energy system. Most established industries have joined the hydrogen movement. There is one exception: the fossil fuel industry. A call is made to the fossil fuel industry to join the hydrogen movement. It is also proposed to change the present economic system with a sustainability economics in order to account for environmental damage, recyclability and decommissioning, and thus, ensure a sustainable future.
A cadaver study in preparation for facial allograft transplantation in humans: part I. What are alternative sources for total facial defect coverage?

Results: Themeansurfaceareaforcombinedfacial-scalpflapsandfacialflapswithoutscalpwas1192±38.2cmand675±22.3 cm, respectively. When compared with the total surface area of the facial-scalp flap, it was found that the radial forearm flap covered 13±2.58 percent, the anterolateral thigh flap 19±3.72 percent, the bipedicled deep inferior epigastric perforator flap 35±1.56 percent, and the bipedicled scapular-parascapular flap 48±4.64 percent of the defect, respectively. When measurements were taken for coverage of the facial defect without scalp, it was found that the radial forearm flap covered 24±4.0 percent, the anterolateral thigh flap 34±6.50 percent, the bipedicled deep inferior epigastric perforator flap 62±3.03 percent, and the bipedicled scapular-parascapular flap 84±8.30 percent of the defect, respectively. Conclusions: The authors’ cadaver dissection confirmed that none of the conventional cutaneous autogenous flaps are able to cover total facial defects. Currently, the best option for reconstruction of the full facial defect is the autogenous bipedicled scapular-parascapular flap because of its large size and texture. However, perfect match of facial skin texture, pliability, and color can only be achieved by transplantation of the facial skin allograft from the human donor.
Desmoplastic melanoma – the step-child in the melanoma family?†

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Desmoplastic melanoma (DM) is a rare variant of cutaneous melanoma. Our goal was to study the surgical management of DM, identify prognostic factors, and impact of treatment options. METHODS Patients with DM (n = 1,735) were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (1988-2006). RESULTS The median age of the study population was 69 years and overall survival (OS) at 5 years 65%. DM was more common in males (65%), most commonly found on the head and neck (51%), and had a mean thickness of 2.97 mm. Patients undergoing a wide local excision (WLE; ≥1 cm) had improved 5-year OS compared to a simple excision (<1 cm) or biopsy alone (67% vs. 60% vs. 45%, respectively, P < 0.001). Of 505 patients (29%) undergoing sentinel node biopsy (SLNB), only 14 (2.8%) were positive. Traditional prognostic factors such as Breslow thickness, nodal positivity, and ulceration did not predict survival. On multivariate analysis only adjuvant radiation therapy [HR 1.65 (95% CI 1.17-2.31)] and WLE correlated with survival [HR 0.47 (95% CI 0.32-0.69)]. CONCLUSIONS Desmoplastic melanoma does not share traditional prognostic factors with the melanoma family. Surgical resection with wide margins is needed to optimize survival and routine SLNB may be unnecessary.
Resolving Conflict with Parents: A Guide for Administrators

These writers look at the dynamics of conflict and anger, and offer an overview of a simple but effective methodology to resolve conflict and reduce anger in an integrative fashion. The aim is to satisfy the needs of both school personnel and parents.
Myosin isoforms in anuran skeletal muscle: their influence on contractile properties and in vivo muscle function.

Functional studies on isolated single anuran skeletal muscle cells represent classic experiments from which much of our understanding of muscle contraction mechanisms have been derived. Because of their superb mechanical stability when isolated, single anuran fibers provide a uniquely powerful model system that can be exploited to understand the relationship between myosin heavy chain (MHC) and myosin light chain (MLC) composition and muscle fiber function. In this review, we summarize historic and recent studies of MHC and MLC expression patterns in the fiber types of anuran species. We extend the traditional classification scheme, using data from recent reports in which frog MHCs have been cloned, to reveal the molecular basis of frog muscle fiber types. The influence of MHC and MLC isoforms on contractile kinetics of single intact fibers is reviewed. In addition, we discuss more subtle questions such as variability of myosin coexpres- sion along a single cell, and its potential influence on contractile function. The frog jump is used as a model system to elucidate principles of muscular system design, including the role of MHC isoforms on in vivo muscle function. Sequence information is used from cloned frog MHCs to understand the role of specific regions of the myosin motor domain in regulating contractile function and the evolutionary origins of fast and slow amphibian MHCs. Finally, we offer promising future possibilities that combine molecular methods (such as recombinant gene transfer) with single cell contractile measurements to address questions regarding myosin structure/function and gene regulation. Microsc. Res. Tech. 50:443- 457, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Effects of a Multidisciplinary Care Conference on the Quality and Cost of Care for Lung Cancer Patients

Background A prospective, multidisciplinary care conference (MDC) has been shown to result in measurable benefits for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However whether a MDC also results in a difference in resource utilization and cost as well as whether these benefits persist across a multiinstitutional system has not been reported. This investigation compared propensity-matched patients with NSCLC whose care was coordinated through a MDC to patients without access to an MDC across a geographically diverse system of hospitals. Methods The Premiere database (Premier Inc, Charlotte, NC) for a health system's 70 hospitals was used to identify patients undergoing treatment for NSCLC during a 5-year period. Propensity matching was used to populate an MDC and non-MDC cohort. The two cohorts were compared for the costs of staging and diagnosis as well as the timeliness and quality of care metrics. Results Between 2008 and 2013, 13,254 patients were propensity matched. Patient demographics and Charlson comorbidity scores were comparable after matching. Significant differences were identified in adherence to national guidelines (p Conclusions This investigation found that patients with NSCLC realize improved quality and timeliness of care when that care is coordinated through an MDC. The use of an MDC was also associated with a significant reduction in cost. These differences persisted across a geographically diverse set of hospitals, providers, and patients. Prospective MDCs should be considered integral and compulsory for patients with NSCLC.
The role of ate complexes in the lithium-sulfur, lithium-selenium and lithium-tellurium exchange reactions

Hypervalent ate complexes are presumptive intermediates in the metal-halogen, metal-tellurium, and related exchange reactions. The effect of o,o′-biphenyldiyl vs. diphenyl substitution on formation of tellurium ate complexes was studied by a kinetic technique and by NMR spectroscopy. Only a modest increase in the association constant (Kate) was measured. When Li/M exchanges of o,o′-biphenyldiyl sulfides and selenides were made intramolecular by means of a m-terphenyl framework (12-S, 12-Se, 21), enormous increases (>109) in the rate of Li/S and Li/Se exchange were observed compared to acyclic models. Apparently, these systems are ideally preorganized to favor the T-shaped geometry of the hypervalent intermediates. For the selenium systems, ate complex intermediates (20-Se, 26) were detected spectroscopically in THF- or THF/HMPA-containing solutions. A DNMR study showed that Li/Se exchange was substantially faster than exchange of the lithium reagents with the ate complex. Therefore, these ate complexes are not on the actual Li/Se exchange pathway.
Hospital Provision of Institutional Long-Term Care Pattern and Correlates

Purpose: This study examined the pattern and correlates of institutional long-term care provision among U.S. community hospitals, differentiating two categories of services: (1) skilled nursing and rehabilitation (SN-R) and (2) other long-term care (O-LTC). Design and methods: Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to examine the associations of hospital and community characteristics with the pattern of long-term care provision (SN-R only, O-LTC only, both SN-R and O-LTC, and None) among 3,842 hospitals. Results: The pattern of long-term care provision was significantly associated with hospitals’ mission (for-profit and teaching status) and their internal and external resources. Implications: Results suggest the importance of considering hospital and community characteristics in predicting the impact of policy changes and in envisioning the role of hospitals in long-term care.
Electric launch science and technology in the United States

For electromagnetic launchers, most of the effort is directed toward improved computational tools, exploitation of these tools for detailed understanding of transient electrodynamic phenomena, novel diagnostics, and experiments to resolve remaining critical issues such as transition from solid to arc contacts in railguns, improved computational techniques for pulsed power systems, and application of these tools to design new high-energy pulsed-power sources. New methods of testing and determining the critical properties of advanced materials, such as composites, are being developed to enable these materials to be evaluated in extreme thermal and electromechanical environments. Additionally, the U.S. Navy is also in the process of initiating hypervelocity electromagnetic launch efforts for extremely long-range artillery systems employing high-G novel projectiles. Other applications of electric launch technology, such as hypervelocity powder deposition and electromagnetic gun launch to space, continue to offer new and interesting opportunities.
VISCOSITY AS AFFECTED BY VARIOUS CONSTITUENTS OF TOMATO JUICE

SUMMARY— Degradation of proteins of tomato juice with pronase caused a relatively small loss of viscosity. Commercial cellulase freed of pectolytic activity with 8 M urea greatly decreased the viscosity of washed tomato solids. Further degradation with pectinase was ineffective in reducing viscosity. Cellulase extracted from the tomato lowered viscosity of tomato juice. Enzymatic degradation as indicated by chemical analysis did not always result in a loss of viscosity. By extracting the solids with water, viscosity of tomato juice was lowered drastically. The extent of the reduction was not affected by previous treatment with cellulase or pectinase. Viscosity was not affected by extraction with versene. The greater reduction in viscosity of tomato juice by extraction of the solids with water than with ethanol indicates that the high molecular polymers associated with the insoluble solids contribute greatly to viscosity. The data did not indicate a significant contribution of the uronides to the viscosity of tomato juice.
Heat shock protein and proteasome targeting agents

Proteasome inhibitors such as PS-341 are novel agents with great potential as anticancer drugs. In early clinical studies, PS-341 was tolerated well with promising evidence of antitumor activity in diseases such as multiple myeloma. Studies also are ongoing in solid tumors, as single agent therapy and in combination with standard agents such as carboplatin. Although more research is needed to clarify the precise spectrum of antitumor activity of proteasome inhibitors, this novel approach to targeting human malignancies is highly promising.
Spatial Distribution of the Waterscorpion Ranatra nigra Herrich-Schaeffer (Hemiptera: Nepidae) in the Mobile/Tensaw Delta and the Temporal Distribution of the Associated Water Mite Hydrachna magniscutata Marshall (Acari: Hydrachnidae)

Abstract The spatial distribution of the waterscorpion Ranatra nigra Herrich-Schaeffer (Hemiptera: Nepidae) in the Mobile/Tensaw Delta, Mobile, Alabama, was examined. Twenty-seven sites were sampled once in the fall (10–16 October 2001) and again the following spring (22 May-5 June 2001). A principal component analysis in combination with logistic (presence/absence) and stepwise (abundance) regression was used to associate the distribution of R. nigra with select abiotic variables (pH, conductivity, temperature, oxygen, stream width, GPS coordinates). Both the occurrence (presence/absence) and abundance of R. nigra were significantly (P < 0.001) associated with GPS coordinates, i.e., it was most common closer to the Mobile Bay than further into the Delta. In addition, R. nigra was more likely to occur in smaller, cooler streams, with lower oxygen and pH levels and higher conductivity. The prevalence (percentage of infected host) and abundance (number of mites/infected host) of the parasitic mite Hydrachna...
A Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere System of SST Modulation for the Indian Ocean*

The net heat flux into the northern Indian Ocean is between 75 and 100 W m 22 during the boreal spring and early summer but only 10‐20 W m22 in the western Pacific during the entire year. The differences in the net surface heat fluxes arise from the radiation shielding by deep convective clouds over the western Pacific and the near absence of clouds over the northern Indian Ocean during spring. Despite the strong heat flux during the boreal spring and early summer, the northern Indian Ocean only warms by 38C over a 4-month period, much smaller than the 128C estimated using single ocean column models. Similarly, the cooling of the North Indian Ocean during the boreal winter is less than can be explained from thermodynamic processes. The tropical western Pacific Ocean sea surface temperature (SST), on the other hand, varies by only 18C throughout the year. Despite the different net surface fluxes of heat into the two warm pools, the magnitude of the annual cycle of SST in each basin is very small and is confined to lie between 268 and 308C. It is argued that SST regulation in the Pacific Ocean occurs as a combination of local thermodynamic balance with significant contributions from large-scale atmospheric circulations forced by SST gradients. On the other hand, the northern Indian Ocean SST is regulated by strong oceanic advection across the equator, southward during the boreal spring and early summer and northward during the boreal winter, and by changes in heat storage of the upper ocean. Cross-equatorial transports of heat vary from 0.5 PW southward in spring to 1.5 PW in summer. During the boreal winter, the heat fluxes reverse, averaging about 1 PW toward the north. Large oscillations of ocean heat transport are also noted on timescales of 20‐50 days. It is concluded that ocean heat transports are an essential process in the annual cycle of the Indian Ocean heat balance. Last, the results of the study are used to propose a coupled ocean‐atmosphere dynamic regulatory system for the annual cycle of the monsoon and the SST in the Indian Ocean.
Radioimmunochemical Measurement of Bone Marrow Prostatic Acid Phosphatase

AbstractHuman acid phosphatases are ubiquitous phosphohydrolases that are present in most respiring tissues and cells. Specifically, human prostatic acid phosphatase is a unique enzyme within a vast family of acid phosphatases concerned with catabolic processes in cellular metabolism.The majority of serum and bone marrow acid phosphatases are of non-prostatic origin and are present chiefly in erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets and other maturing cells in the bone marrow. The specific concentration of prostatic acid phosphatase in serum and bone marrow is normally relatively low compared to non-prostatic acid phosphatases. Many falsely positive assays for total serum acid phosphatases and bone marrow acid phosphatase have been reported, particularly after traumatic marrow biopsy procedures and mishandling of blood samples in the clinical laboratory and in hematologic disease states. The disruption and lysis of whole blood and marrow cells can liberate non-specific acid phosphatases into the serum. Since s...
Package Graphics and Consumer Product Beliefs

In recent years, marketers' tactics to increase product sales through health claims have been scrutinized by public policy makers. The culmination of this process was the passage of the National Labeling Education Act, which highly restricts the type, amount, and format of nutritional information conveyed on the package. In this investigation, we examine an under-explored aspect of the package—its colors and pictures—to determine what, if any, impact these aspects have on consumer beliefs regarding important product characteristics. We find that even when very concrete verbal information is used, graphical representations have a significant and long-term effect on product beliefs and purchase intentions.
Marked resistance of normal subjects to tube-feeding-induced diarrhea: the role of magnesium

The tolerance of healthy subjects to increasing rates of tube feeding was studied to better understand the etiology of diarrhea among tube-fed patients. Five volunteers were fed Osmolite HN by continuous duodenal infusion beginning at 314 kJ (75 kcal).kg body wt-1 x d-1 and progressing each 24 h until no longer tolerated. The five subjects were able to tolerate maximum 24-h infusions of 331-511 kJ.kg-1 x d-1 (198-340 mL/h). Diarrhea developed in only three subjects. Compared with nondiarrheal stools, the high-speed supernatant of the diarrheal stools had significantly higher concentrations of magnesium (192 +/- 22 mmol/L vs 139 +/- 17 mmol/L, P = 0.005), lower concentrations of potassium and phosphorus, and similar concentrations of calcium. The mean carbohydrate, fat, and nitrogen contents were not significantly different. We conclude that normal adult males are remarkably tolerant to duodenal infusion of this typical, isotonic tube-feeding product. The diarrhea that occurred in three of the volunteers at very high infusion rates appeared to be osmotic and attributable predominantly to magnesium.
Metrecal-induced changes in human saliva.

SummaryA marked reduction in volume and total protein and amylase content of the secretion from the parotid gland of man occurred when young adult men were maintained for 7 days on a diet consisting exclusively of liquid Metrecal. Restriction of caloric intake (900 calories per day) caused a reduction in body weight of approximately 7 Ib per week when the diet was Metrecal or solid food; however, with the 900 calorie solid food diet, volume, amylase, or total protein of the secretion did not differ from those obtained from men maintained on an ad lib solid food diet. These changes in functional status of the parotid gland in man are attributed to a reduction in masticatory, and therefore, in the reflexly-mediated secretory stimuli to the gland. The submaxillary is not affected by the Metrecal treatment and a tentative explanation for these differences is presented.
Empirical Evaluation of Pervasive Infrastructure Sensor Network Reliability

Unlike the infrastructure it monitors, sensor networks are subject to transient failures including data perturbations and data loss. This paper discusses the evaluation of sensor data using raw continuous readings from sensors that have been distributed pervasively through one academic building for almost 18 months. While the sensors monitor temperature, the results could have been produced by any sensor device. Data loss is due to the sensor device being unable to collect data at the requested frequency. This paper presents an analysis of the data loss to determine cause and identify solutions for mitigation of the problem in future sensor deployment. Primary causes of data loss are necessary reboots from application patches, and security issues.
Risk-based Causal Modeling of Airborne Loss of Separation

Maintaining safe separation between aircraft remains one of the key aviation challenges as the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) emerges. The goals of the NextGen are to increase capacity and reduce flight delays to meet the aviation demand growth through the 2025 time frame while maintaining safety and efficiency. The envisioned NextGen is expected to enable high air traffic density, diverse fleet operations in the airspace, and a decrease in separation distance. All of these factors contribute to the potential for Loss of Separation (LOS) between aircraft. LOS is a precursor to a potential mid-air collision (MAC). The NASA Airspace Operations and Safety Program (AOSP) is committed to developing aircraft separation assurance concepts and technologies to mitigate LOS instances, therefore, preventing MAC. This paper focuses on the analysis of causal and contributing factors of LOS accidents and incidents leading to MAC occurrences. Mid-air collisions among large commercial aircraft are rare in the past decade, therefore, the LOS instances in this study are for general aviation using visual flight rules in the years 2000-2010. The study includes the investigation of causal paths leading to LOS, and the development of the Airborne Loss of Separation Analysis Model (ALOSAM) using Bayesian Belief Networks (BBN) to capture the multi-dependent relations of causal factors. The ALOSAM is currently a qualitative model, although further development could lead to a quantitative model. ALOSAM could then be used to perform impact analysis of concepts and technologies in the AOSP portfolio on the reduction of LOS risk.
Thalassocypridine Ostracoda From Anchialine Habitats of Jamaica

In anchialine cave pools, sinkholes, and wells of Jamaica, three species of the paracypridine tribe Thalassocypridini dominate the podocopid ostracode faunas. Dolerocypria convoluta, new species, Thalassocypria sarbui, new species, and Pontoparta hartmanni Keyser are described. A newly discovered pair of globular organs in T. sarbui may be associated with osmoregulation.
TIME ACCURACY STUDY FOR MULTIPLE MOVING GRIDS

An attempt is made to isolate the error in time accuracy across grid interfaces between multi- ple grids. The chimera grid scheme, a multiple over- set mesh technique, has been coupled with an im- plicit Euler flow solver (ARC3D). When the overset mesh is moved with respect to a stationary global mesh, there is a small error in time on the time- lagged boundary. Several methods are developed to try to reduce the time lag across the moving bound- ary. These methods were tested on both I-D and 3-D configurations. A secondary study was included to see if the newly-developed methods could also be used to maintain time accuracy while reducing the overall CPU requirements of the codes.
Rictal Bristle Function in Willow Flycatcher

-We examined the function of rictal bristles on Willow Flycatchers by testing whether their removal or the placement of small pieces of transparent tape on them would reduce the ability of captive birds to capture live house flies. Neither operation adversely affected the birds' ability to capture prey, indicating that the rictal bristles do not aid in prey capture. Other experiments with bird specimens placed in a wind tunnel demonstrated that rictal bristles may protect the eyes from food items the bird is trying to capture. Particles released in front of the bird's open mouth and blown back towards its head struck an eye more frequently after the rictal bristles had been removed. Much speculation has centered on the function of rictal bristles, stiff whisker-like feathers arising from the rictus and the margin of the feathered skin behind the horny covering of the upper mandible. Some authors have suggested that rictal bristles may serve as mechanoreceptors (Wallace 1955, Pettingill 1970) or chemoreceptors (Jany 1955). Dyer (1976) proposed that in birds that feed on large and potentially dangerous insects, such as bees and acridid grasshoppers, these bristles protect the eyes from the preys' legs and stingers. Other authors, noting that rictal bristles are common among insectivorous birds, have proposed their utility in capturing prey, possibly serving as an insect net or funnel (Welty 1962, Van Tyne and Berger 1976). Even if true, this cannot be their sole function, however, because rictal bristles are also found on many noninsectivorous birds (Stettenheim 1973). Evaluation of these hypotheses has been hampered by the lack of experimental data. Lederer (1972), however, used high speed photography to show that the Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus), Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe), and Eastern Wood Pewee (Contopus virens) usually catch flesh flies (Sarcophaga bullata) with their bill tips. From this, he suggested that rictal bristles perform no function in prey capture. However, when a bird misses its prey with its bill tip, rictal bristles may still serve to deflect the missed prey into the bill. They may also allow the bird a second strike opportunity by impeding the insect's escape or serving as mechanoreceptors that signal the missed prey's new location. Another hypothesis, owing to the rictal bristles' location between the eyes and mouth, is that these feathers may prevent escaping prey or parts of captured prey from hitting the bird's face and eyes. We examined whether rictal bristles aid the Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) in prey capture or help protect the eyes. In our experiments, we manipulated the rictal bristles on specimens and observed whether there was any change in the birds' ability to capture prey or in the number of objects striking the eyes.
Culture of bovine embryos in buffalo rat liver cell-conditioned media or with leukemia inhibitory factor.

Experiments were designed to study development of bovine embryos in TCM-199 medium conditioned by preculture with buffalo rat liver (BRL) cells. Conditioned media were harvested after BRL cells were cultured until confluency (CON), or for an additional 2 d with the same cells but new medium (CON-N) or the same medium (CON-S). Glucose in TCM-199 was depleted by BRL cells to different concentrations depending on coculture procedures: CON = 3.94 mM, CON-N = 1.67 mM, and CON-S = 1.11 mM glucose. In Exp. 1, development of bovine zygotes in CON-S resulted in fewer blastocysts than development in CON (10 vs 28%, P < .05); CON-N was not different from CON (26% blastocysts). Experiment 2 examined effects of moving embryos to a fresh drop of different or identical conditioned medium after culture for 3 d. Initial culture in CON-N and final culture in CON resulted in a greater (P < .01) number of blastocysts compared with the control of CON followed by CON (32 vs 19% blastocysts). This was not entirely due to changing from low to high glucose because adding glucose to CON-N after 3 d yielded only 18% blastocysts. To test the hypothesis that beneficial effects of BRL cell-conditioned media may be due to secretion of leukemia inhibiting factor (LIF), LIF was added to B2, a more appropriate medium than Medium-199 for culturing bovine embryos without conditioning or coculture with BRL cells. In the absence of serum, the percentage of blastocysts per cleaved embryo (17 to 28%) was not improved with LIF; however, the mean number of cells per blastocyst was higher (P < .05) in treatments with LIF (65 to 74 cells) than without LIF (47 cells). In B2 medium + 10% fetal calf serum, LIF was of no benefit; development to blastocysts was good with or without LIF (43% of cleaved).
Learning rate schedules for faster stochastic gradient search

The authors propose a new methodology for creating the first automatically adapting learning rates that achieve the optimal rate of convergence for stochastic gradient descent. Empirical tests agree with theoretical expectations that drift can be used to determine whether the crucial parameter c is large enough. Using this statistic, it will be possible to produce the first adaptive learning rates which converge at optimal speed. >
Word-level traversal of finite state machines using algebraic geometry

Reachability analysis is a tool for formal equivalence and model checking of sequential circuits. Conventional techniques are mostly bit-level, in that the reachable states, transition relations and property predicates are all represented using Boolean variables and functions. The problem suffers from exponential space and time complexities; therefore, some form of abstraction is desirable. This paper introduces a new concept of implicit state enumeration of finite state machines (FSMs) performed at the word-level. Using algebraic geometry, we show that the state-space of a sequential circuit can be encoded, canonically, as the zeros of a word-level polynomial F (S) over the Galois field F2k, where S = {s0, ..., sk-1} is the word-level representation of a k-bit state register. Subsequently, concepts of elimination ideals and Grobner bases can be employed for FSM traversal. The paper describes the complete theory of word-level FSM traversal and demonstrates the feasibility of the approach with experiments over a set of sequential circuit benchmarks.
Differential Effects of Participation in an Outdoor Orientation Program for Incoming Students

In this research, we examine the first-year student participants in a first-year seminar outdoor orientation program (OOP) compared to first-year students who participate in the traditional first-year seminar at a large research institution. The effect of residency status, gender, and ethnicity on the students’ success suggests that OOP participants are 5% more likely to return in their following fall and are over 6% more likely to graduate within 6 years, regardless of residency status or gender. Further results suggest a larger effect on first-year experiences for low Expected Family Contribution (EFC) students, allowing them to achieve student success similar to more financially advantaged peers. As EFC increases, the effect of OOP participation decreases for retention and graduation outcomes. Additionally, retaining an OOP student provides a financial gain in total estimated additional revenue for AY 2004–2013 of $3,902,680. This is associated with a 1-year increase in retention as a result of OOP participation. This article was open access for a limited time. One article per issue is always open access - please see the table of contents to see the current open access article. Subscribe to JOREL .
The Socialist Imperative: From Gotha to Now

We live in a time of increasing peril and dizzying contradiction. Nowhere is this more evident than in the rise of Donald Trump – a billionaire born with a gold-plated silver spoon in his mouth who...
Port function based modeling and control of an autonomously variable spring to suppress self-excited vibrations while drilling

Self-excited vibrations are a major problem for rotary drilling. They may be mitigated by introducing adjustable compliance near the bottom of the drillstring, but it is challenging to identify the appropriate stiffness, particularly in situ and with limited available data on the rapidly-changing overall system dynamics. We describe an approach to modeling and simulating self-excited vibrations in drillstrings. Our approach uses impedance and admittance port functions to represent and systematically combine subsystems, and integrates established models for drillstring vibrations and rock / bit interactions. Simulations predict that intermediate stiffnesses provide better stability than either compliant or stiff extremes, which aligns with results from earlier work. Results also indicate that at least two different mechanisms limit stability in different stiffness regimes, producing significant differences in the relationship between vibration frequency and controlled module stiffness. This suggests a potential means of developing autonomous stiffness controllers that depend only on measurements taken at the variable stiffness module, without requiring a dynamic model of the rest of the drillstring.
A novel role for ceramide synthase 6 in mouse and human alcoholic steatosis

Perilipin 2 (PLIN2) is a lipid-droplet protein that is up-regulated in alcoholic steatosis and associated with hepatic accumulation of ceramides, bioactive lipids implicated in alcoholic liver dise...
Ocean acidification impacts the embryonic development and hatching success of the Florida stone crab, Menippe mercenaria

Abstract The deterioration of coastal habitats due to anthropogenic activities is being caused by nutrient rich runoff which will likely result in more frequent and severe extremes in seawater pH. The embryonic and larval stages of many coastal species may not have the physiological ability to tolerate these extreme shifts in pH forecasted for future oceans. The stone crab, Menippe mercenaria , was used to determine the impact of low seawater pH on embryonic development and hatching success. Ovigerous females were maintained in environments characteristic of both present-day and reduced seawater pH. Lower pH significantly reduced the rate of embryonic development (i.e., time to hatching) by ~ 24%, but had no effect on the size of developing embryos (i.e., embryonic volume). Larvae that successfully hatched were not morphologically different between treatments, although hatching success was reduced by 28% in lower pH seawater. Hatching success was also more variable in the reduced pH treatment indicating that some broods may be more tolerant to changes in seawater acidity. Variable hatching success under acidified conditions suggests that stone crab embryos may have the capacity to acclimatize to future seawater pH conditions.
The Fifty Most Cited Articles on Extra-articular Hip Pathology

The number of times an article has been cited is thought to correspond with its level of academic influence. Within the orthopaedic literature, several citation analyses have been performed, including a recent investigation on the most commonly cited articles on femoroacetabular impingement (FAI); however, no study has determined the most cited investigations on extracapsular hip pathologies, including osteitis pubis, athletic pubalgia, and muscle strains. Such pathologies constitute a significant proportion of lower extremity injuries among athletes. The purpose of this study was to determine the 50 most cited investigations on extra-articular hip injuries by performing a systematic query of the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) Web of Science (Thomson Reuters, Philadelphia, PA). The following characteristics were determined for each article: number of citations, citation density, journal and publication year, country of origin, language, article type, article subtype, and level of evidence. The number of citations ranged from 46 to 202 (mean 84.4), and the citation densities ranged from 1.7 to 28.4 citations per year (mean: 7.9). Sixty-eight percent of the selected articles involved hamstring strains. The majority of articles were published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine (58%), followed by the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy (12%). Most articles were published during the 2000s, originated from the United States, and 100% were written in English. Eighty percent were clinical studies; the majority of which had Level IV evidence. This collection of academic investigations on athletic extra-articular hip injuries can aid in the establishment of a reading curriculum for trainees participating in orthopaedic training programs.
Correlation of Concussion Symptom Profile with Head Impact Biomechanics: A Case for Individual-Specific Injury Tolerance

Concussion is a brain injury induced by biomechanical forces that is broadly defined as a complex pathophysiological process affecting the brain. The intricate link between biomechanical input and concussion injury response is poorly understood. We aimed to test the hypothesis that greater biomechanical forces would result in the presentation of more concussion-related symptoms that would take longer to resolve. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between an array of biomechanical parameters measured for concussive impacts and the presentation and resolution of concussion symptoms. A total of 319 collegiate football players from six universities were recruited to participate in this study. Certified athletic trainers and/or team physicians at each site diagnosed and treated concussions sustained by subjects through participation in football. The subjects' helmets were instrumented with accelerometer arrays that measured linear and rotational head accelerations for each impact experienced during games and practices. Correlations between biomechanical measurements associated with concussion symptom presentation and recovery were quantified. A total of 22 subjects collectively sustained 25 concussions, with three subjects sustaining two concussions each. Biomechanical measures associated with injury were not found to be correlated with number of symptoms, Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 3 Symptom Severity Score, or time to symptom resolution. Linear and rotational accelerations associated with injury were not correlated with symptom severity for any of the 22 individual symptoms evaluated. Further, we found no association between impact location and presence of any individual symptom when ignoring severity grade. While concussive impacts did not stand out relative to impacts that did not result in injury, concussive impacts were among the most severe for each individual player. This suggests tolerance to head acceleration might be individual-specific, meaning similar biomechanical inputs can produce different injury presentations between individuals. Future investigations should consider individual-specific analyses of tolerance to head acceleration and injury response.
Face and Body Association for Video-Based Face Recognition

In recent years face recognition has made extraordinary leaps, yet unconstrained video-based face identification in the wild remains an open and interesting problem. Videos, unlike still-images, offer a myriad of data for face modeling, sampling, and recognition, but, on the other hand, contain low-quality frames and motion blur. A key component in video-based face recognition is the way in which faces are associated through the video sequence before being used for recognition. In this paper, we present a video-based face recognition method taking advantage of face and body association (FBA). To track and associate subjects that appear across frames in multiple shots, we solve a data association problem using both face and body appearance. The final recovered track is then used to build a face representation for recognition. We evaluate our FBA method for video-based face recognition on a challenging dataset. Our experiments show up to 5% improvement in the identification rate over the state-of-the-art.