cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Active transition fixing and control of the boundary layer in air

Active transition of flow over an airfoil surface and feedback control by sound is investigated in a wind tunnel at Caltech. Laminar instability forced by localized time dependent nonintrusive narrow heating strip causes abrupt changes in velocity to trigger instant transition at favorable pressure gradient. At zero and adverse pressure gradients these changes are only marginal. Feedback control by sound interaction at nearly normal incidence produces significant reduction in velocity perturbation in regions of transition. This reduction is in part at the expense of an increase in background disturbance since it is not possible to restore the flow to its undisturbed state.
Beam properties in storage rings with heating and cooling

Abstract For a stored ion beam, the interplay between the interaction with the atoms of an internal target and the effects of an electron cooling device is discussed. To this aim, the temporal development of the phase space variables of a limited sample of beam particles is followed in a Monte Carlo computer simulation. Conditions for equilibrium, aspects of transverse and longitudinal equilibrium distributions and the rate of beam loss due to finite ring acceptance and dispersion coupling are investigated. The most striking result is the presence of a narrow spike in the equilibrium momentum distribution whose width is given by the electron temperature and whose relative population is determined by the target thickness.
Sources of Stress and Boredom in Vigilance

Recent studies on vigilance have shown that participants find these tasks to be boring, demanding, and stressful. Although several attempts have been made to isolate the source of workload, stress,...
Ocular Histoplasmosis Syndrome

The Macular Photocoagulation Study (MPS) is a multi-center clinical trial supported by the National Eye Institute whose purpose is to assess argon laser photocoagulation as a treatment for choroidal neovascular membranes (NVMs) that do not involve the fovea. The MPS documented that in patients with ocular histoplasmosis syndrome argon laser photocoagulation in comparison with no treatment can reduce the risk of severe visual loss from 46 to 13% in the first two years. Accordingly, patients with ocular histoplasmosis and NVMs outside the fovea are advised to undergo prompt treatment with argon laser photocoagulation.
Real-time coordinated management of PHEVs at residential level via MDPs and game theory

This paper proposes a novel Markov decision process (MDP) with dynamic transition probabilities for the stochastic modeling of the charging process of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). In the proposed dynamic MDP, PHEVs can be controlled in such a way that the effectiveness of the control strategy is maintained in the presence of uncertainties such as early departure events. Then a game theory based decentralized system is formulated to coordinate the PHEVs fleet in a residential network. The authors also proposed a decentralized coordinated optimization (DCO) algorithm to solve the formulated Nash game. Various simulations are carried out to verify the effectiveness of the proposed DCO approach. The results show that the DCO approach is robust in the face of uncertainties and is effective in enhancing both power quality and economic profits.
Amyloidosis and spontaneous hepatic bleeding, transcatheter therapy for hepatic parenchymal bleeding with massive intraperitoneal hemorrhage: a case report and review of the literature.

Hepatic hemorrhage can be devastating, especially in patients with underlying hepatic pathology. This is a case report of a 50-year-old man who presented to the emergency room with Stage 3 shock as evidenced by a systolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg, a heart rate of 125 beats per minute, respiration of 32, with delayed capillary refill and agitation. At this time, he was found to have a massive spontaneous intra-abdominal hemorrhage with an advanced stage of amyloidosis with multiple organ malfunctions. The initial diagnosis was based on an abdominal computed tomography scan and the patient was taken expeditiously to a hybrid angiography suite for a celiac angiogram. An intraoperative diagnosis of extravasation from amyloid related vasculopathy was made based on the angiographic appearance of hepatic circulation. Coil embolization of the feeding branch of the bleeder was achieved using the interlock coil system and a completion angiogram was done showing complete cessation of active bleeding. The postoperative phase was uneventful and the patient was discharged home on postoperative day three. His postoperative visit at five months later was unremarkable.
Bribery in subsidized credit markets: evidence from Bangladesh

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to study the role of bribery in subsidized credit markets in developing countries. First, the authors use the data to test whether more productive borrowers will pay larger or smaller bribes since the theoretical literature offers conflicting findings regarding the relationship between the size of the bribe and the productivity of borrowers. Second, the authors test whether being eligible to borrow from a microfinance institution affects the frequency or the magnitude of the bribe paid when borrowing from a (non-microfinance) subsidized bank. Design/methodology/approach – The empirical analysis is based on existing theoretical models of bribery. The data set uses publicly available survey data from the Bangladesh Institute for Development Studies. The primary linear model is estimated using OLS. Because left-censoring affects the data, the authors also estimate a Tobit model. Finally, to correct for potential selection bias, the authors also estimate a Heckman selection ...
Morbidity in Childhood — A Longitudinal View

We examined all the morbidity experienced in a six-year period by a total of 2591 children who were continuously enrolled in a prepaid medical plan. The children had received 19,291 diagnoses, each of which was assigned to one of 14 types of morbidity, and the frequency of each type was determined. Although the typical child had at least one problem in 5 of the 14 types of morbidity in the six-year period, over 20 per cent of children had at least 8 different types of problems during that time. Children with a greater variety of acute problems and more frequent acute problems were also more likely to have nonacute problems during the six-year period. Conversely, children with nonacute problems had more acute problems than other children. Our findings indicate that morbidity, like use of health services, occurred in clusters in this population of children. Therefore, an understanding of the cause and projected outcome of morbidity among children will be incomplete if the focus is only on specific diseases or specific types of illnesses.
A Globally Convergent Numerical Method for a Coefficient Inverse Problem with Backscattering Data

A survey of recent results of the authors is presented. This survey is short due to space limitations. A Coefficient Inverse Problem for a hyperbolic PDE with backscattering data is considered. A globally convergent numerical method for this problem is presented. Analytical results are supported by computational ones.
Maser Spot Shape Persistence: Evidence for the Kinematic Interpretation of Proper Motions

Intrinsic morphologies of interstellar OH maser-emitting gas condensations have been measured, for the first time, at two distinct epochs. The shapes and orientations of these maser condensations, in the vicinity of the ultracompact H II region W3(OH), are remarkably persistent from one epoch to the next despite significant position shifts. These observations provide the first direct evidence that the motions measured are due to actual physical movement of discrete clumps of maser-emitting matter, rather than to some sort of nonkinematic effect, such as traveling excitation phenomena or chance realignments of coherency paths through the masing gas. The kinematic assumption is crucial to astrophysical applications of maser proper-motion measurements, including distance determinations and studies of source dynamics. The shapes of the OH maser spots in W3(OH) show a tendency to be elongated in a direction parallel to the shock front delineated by radio continuum maps of the H II region, supporting the picture in which masers are formed in compressed gas behind the shock front.
Integral domains with almost integral proper overrings

Let R be an integral domain with quotient field K. By a proper nontrivial overring of R is meant a ring contained properly between R and K. It is proved that each proper nontrivial overring of R is almost integral over R if and only if either R is pointwise non-Archimedean (also known as anti-Archimedean) or R is a G-domain such that the complete integral closure of R is the unique one-dimensional valuation overring of R. This condition is also characterized in the class of seminormal domains by “R is either pointwise non-Archimedean or a maximized domain”; in the class of conducive domains (where the “maximized” part of the assertion can be replaced by “R is a G-domain”); in the class of Prufer domains (where the “maximized” part of the assertion can be replaced by “Spec (R) is pinched at a height 1 prime”); and in the classes of Archimedean and of Noetherian domains. In particular, each proper nontrivial overring of a valuation domain R is almost integral over R. On the other hand, if R is either Noetherian or one-dimensional, then no proper nontrivial overring of R can be both a ring of fractions of R and an almost integral extension of R.
The first national examination of outcomes and trends in robotic surgery in the United States

Background There are few population-based data describing outcomes of robotic-assisted surgery. We compared outcomes of robotic-assisted, laparoscopic, and open surgery in a nationally representative population database. Study Design A retrospective analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database from October 2008 to December 2009 was performed. We identified the most common robotic procedures by ICD-9 procedure codes and grouped them into categories by procedure type. Multivariate analyses examined mortality, length of stay (LOS), and total hospital charges, adjusting for age, race, sex, Charlson comorbidity index, and teaching hospital status. Results A total of 368,239 patients were identified. On adjusted analysis, compared with open, robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery was associated with decreased odds of mortality (odds ratio=0.1; 95% CI, 0.0–0.2; p Conclusions Data suggest that, compared with open surgery, robotic-assisted surgery results in decreased LOS and diminished likelihood of death. However, these benefits are not as apparent when comparing robotic-assisted laparoscopic with nonrobotic laparoscopic procedures.
Surface reconstruction during the adsorption/desorption of OH species onto Cu(111) and Cu(100) in O. 1 M NaOH solution

The process of adsorption/desorption of OH- species onto Cu( 111) and Cu(100) in 0.1 M NaOH solution has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry and the potentiostatic pulse technique. Investigation of the electrochemicalbehavior of the Cu( 100) face in 0.1 M NaOH solution was performed for the first time in this work. It was shown that the adsorption/desorption of OH - species occurs in the potential range between -1.13 V vs. SHE and 0. 83 V vs. SHE forming an adsorbate of low coverage. It was shown that in 0.1 M NaOH solution irreversible surface reconstruction of the Cu(111) face occurs as a consequence of the adsorption/desorption of OH - species. The original surface cannot be restored even if the electrode is exposed to potentials more positive than - 0.53 V vs. SHE for some time. If this time is, in the case of repetitive pulse experiments, equal or smaller than 10 s reconstruction does not occur. Adsorption of OH- species takes place in the potential range more negative than - 0.6 V vs. SHE only on reconstructed surfaces. For this process to occur onto non-reconstructed, original Cu(111) surfaces, higher overpotentials are needed.
Knowledge of results in visual inspection decisions: Sensitivity or criterion effect?

Whereas knowledge of results (KR), that knowledge received on the outcome of one's responses, has been shown to facilitate learning of visual search in inspection, further research is required to determine its influence upon decision-making, the other aspect of inspection. Twenty subjects, randomly assigned to either a KR or No-KR group, performed a visual inspection task; defect probability and discriminability were manipulated within subjects, and sequence of discriminability levels was manipulated between subjects. Via a signal detection model interpretation, KR increased sensitivity but had mixed effects on response criterion. The sensitivity changes were interpreted via attention theory, and a cognitive model of KR utilization was presented.
Primary processes in the photolysis of propane: the use of HI as a radical scavenger

Abstract The photolysis of C3D8 has been investigated with 8.4, 10.0, and 11.6–11.8 eV photons, using HI to scavenge the radicals through the reaction: RD + HI → RDH + I (where RD is a fully deuterated alkyl or alkenyl radical). Comparison of the results with the results of analogous experiments using H2S as a scavenger leads to the conclusion that HI is a more efficient radical scavenger than H2S. The results are discussed with particular emphasis on determining whether the primary processes include direct C C and C H bond cleavage. An examination of the effects of HI concentration, conversion, and pressure on the yield of ethyl radicals intercepted indicates that the ethyl radicals are formed in the primary process: C3D8* → C2D5 + CD3. It is noted that the relative importances of this process and the other primary processes involving breaking of the C C bond (C3D8* → CD4 + C2D4 and C3D8* → C2D6 + CD2) do not change with energy, and it is thus suggested that they all occur from an excitation in the C C bond, and that RRKM considerations relating to equipartition of energy are not applicable to the dissociations of electronically excited alkanes. It is pointed out that, as in the photolysis of ethane, the dissociation leading to the formation of a molecule of hydrogen (deuterium) (C3D8* → D2 + C3D6), which apparently occurs as a result of an excitation in a C H (C D) bond, predominates in the 8.4 eV photolysis, but diminishes sharply in importance with respect to the C C bond cleavage processes when the energy is increased. The insertion of methylene into a primary C H bond of C3H8 to give n-butane is examined, and information concerning the internal energy of the CH2 species is derived and discussed in terms of the primary dissociation of propane.
A fast simulator for tandem queueing systems

Abstract A simulator based on a recursive expression of the sample path is presented. It can quickly simulate tandem queueing systems with single server stations and finite buffer sizes. We show that the computational cost (simulation run time) is related linearly to the number of stations and the number of customers, while the storage cost (memory space requirement) has a linear relationship with the number of stations and the sum of buffer spaces of all stations. Compared to the event-scheduling based simulator, the fast simulator can save more computational cost in larger systems. This simulator's logic is clear, and it uses only simple data structures and procedures. The simulator is written in only 160 lines of C code which is executable under any operating environment which supports standard C language. Speed, simplicity, and portability are the strengths of the simulator.
Ectopic expression of B7-1 (CD80) on T lymphocytes in autoimmune lpr and gld mice.

Abstract Defective Fas-mediated apoptosis in mice, caused by thegldmutation in thefas ligandgene, results in the development of lupus-like autoantibodies and severe lymphoproliferation. We previously demonstrated ectopic expression of the costimulatory molecule B7-1 (CD80) on T lymphocytes in B6/gldmice. This report extends these observations by demonstrating similar results in B6/lprmice, which possess a mutation in the gene encoding Fas. Additionally, we demonstrate that this phenomenon is age-dependent and occurs on multiple subsets of B6/gldT lymphocytes. B7-1 upregulation is observed on T cells from both conventionally housed and specific-pathogen-free B6/gldmice, suggesting that this is not a consequence of infection by pathogen. T cells fromlprandgldmice show increased binding of CTLA4-Ig fusion protein, suggesting that the upregulated B7-1 is functional. CD28, a receptor for B7-1 which activates T cells, is upregulated in B6/lprand B6/gldmice, while CTLA4, a negative regulator of T cells which binds B7-1, is not. Our results suggest that ectopic expression of B7-1 on T cells oflprandgldmice may be playing a role in exacerbation of lymphoproliferation and/or autoimmunity.
Ecotypic response to ultramafic soils by some plant species of northwestern United States

Soils high in magnesium derived from ultramafic rocks (serpentine, peridotite, and dunite) in northwestern United States support endemic as well as wide-ranging but edaphically indifferent(bodenvag) species. The latter occur widely on diverse rock formations of the region. Severalbodenvag species are shown to respond ecotypically to ultramafic soils. Of 18 species tested, all but three are differentiated into strains either tolerant or intolerant of ultramafic soils. Tests for edaphic preferences were conducted with seedlings and mature transplants on ultramafic soils. Growth performances were determined in greenhouse pot tests, outdoor soil bins, and by transplants in the wild. Herbaceous perennials (e.g.,Achillea millefolium, Fragaria virginiana, Prunella vulgaris, Rumex acetosella) gave the clearest ecotypic differences. Woody species either showed only slight ecotypic response(Spiraea douglasii var.menziesii andGaultheria shallon) or delayed the expression of their genotypic adaptability(Pinus contorta). Where ultramafic abut non-ultramafic soils, those populations ofbodenvag species that grow in non-ultramafic habitats can have a significant proportion of individuals tolerant to ferromagnesian soils (e.g.,Achillea millefolium). This suggests gene flow between populations of contrasting edaphic sites and possibly preadaptedness for the ultramafic habitat. Strains of two introduced weeds(Prunella vulgaris andRumex acetosella) have become ecotypically tolerant to ultramafic soils, probably within the last 75 years.
Why do residential developers prefer large exurban lots? Infrastructure costs and exurban development

It is not yet completely understood how on-site costs for infrastructures in residential developments vary with lot size and how developers respond to this relationship. Utilizing data from public ...
Evaluation of the new beckman electrophoretic method for CK-MB: Comparison with ion exchange chromatography and investigation of a reference outpatient population

We evaluated the performance of a CK isoenzyme kit utilizing agarose electrophoresis with fluorescence scanning of an overlay paper rather than the gel. We compared this method to ion exchange chromatography with mini-columns of DEAE Sephadex using samples from hospitalized patients and from a reference population of ambulatory outpatients with common, chronic medical conditions. The detection limit, precision and linearity of the electrophoretic method were acceptable, but the method overestimated CK-MB, requiring a different reference range for clinical application. There were inter-racial differences within the reference population for total CK and for the percent of CK-MB using either method. We discuss the significance of our findings with respect to clinical decision limits for CK-MB.
Bioremediation of TNT-contaminated soil: A laboratory study

This research presented a bench-scale investigation of an innovative approach to land farming for the bioremediation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT)-contaminated soils. Molasses, which contains sugar, nitrogen, vitamins, and minerals, was used as cosubstrate and this process combines several advantages of conventional land farming with the use of molasses for the biological degradation of TNT and its derivatives. In the optimum treatment, contaminated soil was amended with shredded grass and managed in an operating cycle where it was alternatively flooded with a dilute molasses solution, then drained, passively aerated, and finally tilled when moisture conditions were optimum. Soil TNT concentrations in all treatments receiving molasses were reduced from approximately 4,000-mg/kg levels initially to less than 100 mg/kg in 12 months, and to less than 1 mg/kg in the optimum treatment in this same time. Concentrations of the primary metabolic intermediates and bacterial populations were also tracked. Radiolabeling studies confirmed that the biomass enhanced by the treatments could mineralize approximately 20% of [14C] from a contaminant spike after 22 d. A shredded grass amendment in the optimum treatment was shown to increase moisture retention during aeration phases. The results of this bench-scale study are promising with regard to transferring the process to full-scale applications.
Selective area carburizing of low carbon steel using an Nd: YAG laser

Abstract Selective area laser carburizing of low carbon steel can be performed faster and without any precarburizing treatment. The added advantage of laser carburizing is rapid cooling, which leads to a fine microstructure and high hardness. AISI 1018 steel was selectively carburized using a 400 watt Nd: YAG laser. A maximum hardness of about 1050 Hv was obtained in laser carburized samples, which is comparatively higher than that obtained by conventional carburizing techniques. A wide range of microstructures were achieved under different processing conditions of laser carburizing. The most desirable microstructure was found to be a mixture of eutectic ( α Fe + Fe 3 C) and austenite. Such composite microstructure is ideal for wear-resistant coating, comprising a hard phase (eutectic) and a soft phase (austenite).
Anterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo treatment techniques

Background: Being able to resolve the symptoms associated with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is imperative because of its adverse effect upon an individual's ability to perform normal activities of daily living. Although there are several effective treatments for posterior canal BPPV (PC-BPPV) and for horizontal canal BPPV (HC-BPPV), interventions for anterior canal BPPV (AC-BPPV) are less understood. Objective: The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions that have been specifically designed for the treatment of AC-BPPV. Methods: A literature search in the CINAHL Plus with Full Text, ProQuest Medical Library, and MEDLINE databases was conducted using the search terms ‘positional vertigo’ OR ‘positional nystagmus’ OR ‘positioning vertigo’ OR ‘positioning nystagmus’ AND ‘anterior canal’ OR ‘superior canal’. The evidence level (EL) of each included study was evaluated using the 2011 Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine scale, and the methodologi...
Aggressive multimodality therapy for stage III esophageal cancer: a phase I/II study

Abstract Background . Stage III advanced locoregional esophageal carcinoma is frequently unresectable and inconsistently represented in therapeutic trials of esophageal cancer. Methods . From 1992 to 1998, 34 of 131 total esophageal cancer patients were designated stage III (16 T3N1, 9 T4N0, 9 T4N1) and medically fit to enter a combined modality protocol with continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil (CI5-FU, 300 to 600 mg/m 2 /day), high-dose external beam irradiation (60 Gy), and interval esophagectomy. Staging before and after induction therapy included computed tomography, endoscopy, and endoscopic ultrasound. Results . Significant toxicity from induction therapy included death (5/34; 14.7%), pneumonitis (5/34; 14.7%), mucositis (13/34; 38%), and hand-foot syndrome (3/34; 8.8%). In addition to the five deaths, 11 patients did not proceed to operation because of development of esophagorespiratory fistula in 3, distant disease in 2, persistence of T4 stage in 2, progression of comorbidities in 2, and patient refusal in 2. There was a discrepancy between clinical complete response (cCR) at restaging 56% (19/34) and pathologic CR (pCR) noted at the time of operation (8/34; 23.5%). Complete resections were possible in 16 of 18 patients explored. Complications in 4 patients included: death (1), airway injury (1), chylothorax requiring reoperation (1), anastomotic leak (1), recurrent nerve injury with vocal cord paresis (2), and ascaris infection (1). Actuarial survival analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank testing showed a 36-month survival of 20% for the group as a whole and 27% for patients restaged cCR (cCR vs PR, p = 0.0046). Treatment failure is predominantly distant, with good local control in resected patients. N0 node status was strongly associated with survival (N0 vs N1 p = 0.0024). There is a trend towards improved survival in the resected group (resected 22% vs nonresected 10% at 3 years, p = 0.17). Conclusions . Response rates and survival are commensurate with multiple completed phase II and III trials. These are attained at a higher treatment-related mortality. T4 patients can be successfully resected in selected patients. Even in advanced disease, nodal status is a significant predictor of survival.
A Very Long Early Modern? Asia and Its Oceans, 1000–1850

This article summarizes background changes that shaped interactions in the Pacific and Indian oceans before and during the age of steam; early modern China as an importer of exotic goods and exporter of skillful entrepreneurs; and early European naval competition, exploration, and settlement.
Cyclic AMP released by rat testis during gonadotrophin stimulation in vitro.

THE stimulation of testosterone secretion from testis interstitial cells by luteinizing hormone (LH) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) is believed to depend on cyclic AMP formation, as is the case with other steroidogenic tissues1. Addition of cyclic AMP to slices of rat2 and rabbit testis3 stimulates testosterone production, and LH increases adenylate cyclase activity in the testis of dog4 and rat5. We have observed that the isolated rat testis is extremely sensitive to LH and hCG stimulation in vitro, responding to low levels of hCG (1 ng/ml.) with maximum release of testosterone into the incubation medium6. In contrast, the teased rat testis responds poorly to gonadotrophic stimulation, and adenylate cyclase in testis homogenates is relatively insensitive to large doses of LH or hCG7.
The murine Rb(6.16) translocation: alterations in the proportion of alternate sperm segregants effecting fertilization in vitro and in vivo.

The segregation products of the mouse Rb(6.16)24 Lub male translocation carrier were analyzed at first cleavage metaphase to determine whether the proportion of normal, balanced, and unbalanced sperm segregants differ in fertilizations occurring in vivo and in vitro. From 34 males, the sperm genomes in 268 firstcleavage mouse embryos were analyzed cytogenetically: 137 and 131 following in vivo and in vitro fertilization, respectively. Both systems demonstrated a preponderance of alternate (67.2% and 54.2%) as compared to adjacent segregation (10.2% and 13.7% as estimated). A contingency table showed that the distribution of reciprocal alternate segregants differed significantly between the two fertilization environments (x 2=20.64, P<0.0005). Whereas chromosomally normal sperm were 3.6 times more likely than the balanced reciprocals to fertilize in vivo (78.3% normal:21.7% balanced), 1∶1 ratios were recovered following in vitro fertilization (43.7% normal: 56.3% balanced). The data also showed an excess of Y-bearing sperm with the translocation in both in vivo and in vitro fertilization groups. In the latter these segregants were 3 times more likely than X-bearing ones to effect fertilization. These data suggest a phenotypic disadvantage of translocation-X-bearing sperm, possibly mediated through altered haploid gene expression on chromosome 6 and gene expression on the Y. The results show clear evidence for prezygotic selection in vivo and indicate that the environment in which fertilization occurs significantly affects the transmission frequency of this specific translocation.
Deformation during the 1975-1984 Krafla rifting crisis, NE Iceland, measured from historical optical imagery

We measure the displacement field resulting from the 1975–1984 Krafla rifting crisis, NE Iceland, using optical image correlation. Images are processed using the COSI-Corr software package. Surface extension is accommodated on normal faults and fissures which bound the rift zone, in response to dike injection at depth. Correlation of declassified KH-9 spy and SPOT5 satellite images reveals extension between 1977–2002 (2.5 m average opening over 80 km), while correlation of aerial photos between 1957–1990 provide measurements of the total extension (average 4.3 m opening over 80 km). Our results show ∼8 m of opening immediately north of Krafla caldera, decreasing to 3–4 m at the northern end of the rift. Correlation of aerial photos from 1957–1976 reveal a bi-modal pattern of opening along the rift during the early crisis, which may indicate either two different magma sources located at either end of the rift zone (a similar pattern of opening was observed in the 2005 Afar rift crisis in East Africa), or variations in rock strength along the rift. Our results provide new information on how past dike injection events accommodate long-term plate spreading, as well as providing more details on the Krafla rift crisis. This study also highlights the potential of optical image correlation using inexpensive declassified spy satellite and aerial photos to measure deformation of the Earth's surface going back many decades, thus providing a new tool for measuring Earth surface dynamics, e.g. glaciers, landsliding, coastal erosion, volcano monitoring and earthquake studies, when InSAR and GPS data are not available.
Feeding and attachment in infants with and without orofacial clefts

Do the many feeding problems associated with isolated cleft palate (CP) and cleft lip and palate (CLP) adversely affect the emotional bond between mother and infant? This question was addressed by observing the feeding interactions of 126 mother-infant pairs (57 infants with CLP or CP) at 3 and 12 months of age. Infants with CLP were found to be less communicative during feeding at 3 month than comparison group infants. However, by 12 months, the CLP group had improved to a level indistinguishable from the CP and comparison groups. This change was unrelated to the timing of cleft palate surgery. Although maternal sensitivity during feeding at 3 months did not predict the attachment quality of infants with clefts, maternal sensitivity at 12 months was concurrently related to attachment. Change in maternal sensitivity between 3 and 12 months was also predictive of attachment in the cleft groups, with mothers of avoidant infants showing greater attenuation in maternal sensitivity than the mothers of secure infants.
Use of apparent oceanography, equilibrium constants in chemical geochemistry, and biochemistry

At present there are two types of equilibrium constants in use for chemical reactions in concentrated multi-electrolyte solutions of geochemical and biochemical interest such as seawater, brines, and body fluids; thermodynamic and apparent (quasi-stoichiometric) constants. It will be shown that, in general, there is not enough information available for the application of thermodynamic constants to such media, because of ion association and pH changes, and that apparent constants should be used at present.
Filtering and spectral characteristics of averaged auditory brain‐stem response and background noise in infants

Filtering of electrode‐recorded activity before averaging is used in evoked‐potential measurements to reduce background noise under the assumption that unwanted spectral components will be suppressed without substantially altering neural activity. Desired filter characteristics depend on signal and noise spectra and filter choice can affect the validity and efficiency of ABR measurement. Spectral characteristics of the human auditory brain‐stem response (ABR) change with subject age and state and with the level and spectrum of the stimulus. Brain‐stem evoked potentials from infants comprise greater low‐frequency spectral components than do adult ABRs. Physiologic noise can also change with age of the subject. This study compares the effects of 30‐ and 100‐Hz high‐pass filters on ABR amplitude and response F sp in full‐term infants. Stimuli used to elicit ABRs are moderate‐ and low‐level clicks and 500‐Hz tone bursts. Spectral characteristics of the averaged ABR and the no‐stimulus background noise from full‐term infants are also characterized. Results indicate that (1) energy in the infant ABR is concentrated below 100 Hz and (2) a high‐pass recording filter of 30 Hz reveals a larger‐amplitude ABR and enhances the overall signal‐to‐noise ratio as measured by F sp as compared to a 100‐Hz high pass.
Minimizing downside risks for global sourcing under price-sensitive stochastic demand, exchange rate uncertainties, and supplier capacity constraints

Abstract In this paper, a methodology for minimizing downside risks in relationship to the supplier base, supplier capacities, purchase-order-quantity, purchase-order-time, and selling-price is presented. Specific purchasing and selling strategies to minimize downside risks when suppliers have limited capacities is offered. Numerical analyses are used to demonstrate the profound impact on risks due to the increases in the potential supplier base, together with the effects of purchasing price trends and the impact factor of selling price to the demand. We assume that the retailer stocks a certain quantity of a single product globally during a certain time period and then sells it to the domestic customers during the selling season. As exchange rate fluctuations are involved in the overseas purchasing and because the demand in the domestic selling is random and negatively impacted by the selling price, the retailer needs to combine uncertainties in both purchasing and selling to determine when an order should be placed, what quantity must be ordered, and what the selling price should be in order to minimize its downside risk, i.e., the possibility of missing target expected profits. We then consider multiple supplier candidates from different countries with limited capacity and determine the corresponding purchasing and selling decisions to minimize downside risks. The study is further extended to allow multiple purchasing at any time during the purchasing period from any supplier candidates.
Length mismatch in random semiconductor alloys. III. Crystalline and amorphous SiGe.

In the third paper of this series on the length mismatch problem, we study binary semiconductor alloys in both their crystalline and amorphous forms. We have concentrated on SiGe alloys. Applying the theory developed in paper I, we obtain the mean length for both nearest and next-nearest neighbors as well as the nearest-neighbor length distribution for the crystalline alloy. We show that the theoretical results fall within the limits set by experiment
The anomaly of other-directedness: when normally ethical I.S. personnel are unethical

Despite the existence of laws and much publicity surrounding illegal software copying, it is widely believed that software copying is commonplace. Yet reasons why such illegal behavior continues to occur are lacking. This study used a model of ethical decision making as a guide for research and found the individual factor of other-directedness helped explain IS personnel's intentions toward illegal software copying. No such individual factor was related to judgments concerning right and wrong. These findings suggest that highly other-directed IS personnel may behave against their better judgment, especially in cases where they perceive unethical behavior is commonplace. Implications for management and ethics education are discussed.
The Institutional Context of Irrigation in the Bajo Yaque del Norte Project, Dominican Republic

Work on irrigation water management in the semi-arid, northwest Dominican Republic with agrarian reform growers is described. Irrigation agriculture is presented as an institution where communication between users and suppliers is critical for establishing control over the resource and determining the purpose to which the resource is put. Maintaining communication between users and suppliers serves to realize public and private agent objectives, and avoid system decay to a "tragedy of the commons." The discussion of irrigation water management is placed in the comparative framework of national modernization and development efforts.
Estrogenic antagonism of bone-resorptive action of vitamin D

Metabolic balance data and radiocalcium kinetic studies suggest that increased bone resorption may be partly responsible for the hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria of sarcoidosis, in addition to increased gastrointestinal absorption of calcium. This combination of effects is consistent with the known bone-resorptive effects of large doses of vitamin D and the hypothesized existence of vitamin D hypersensitivity in sarcoidosis. Since estrogen is a known inhibitor of bone resorption, we have administered estrogen to patients with sarcoidosis and abnormal calcium metabolism, and to osteoporotic patients treated with large dosages of vitamin D.
Down-Regulation of IL-4 Gene Transcription and Control of Th2 Cell Differentiation by a Mechanism Involving NFAT1

Abstract Transcription factors of the NFAT family play a critical role in the immune response by activating the expression of cytokines and other inducible genes in antigen-stimulated cells. Here we show that a member of this family, NFAT1, is involved in down-regulating the late phase of IL-4 gene transcription, thus inhibiting T helper 2 responses. Whereas stimulated T cells from wild-type mice show a transient increase and then a rapid decline in the steady-state levels of IL-4 mRNA in vitro, the levels of IL-4 gene transcripts in NFAT1-deficient T cells are maintained at high levels under the same conditions. Consistent with this observation, NFAT1 −/− mice are more susceptible to infection with Leishmania major. This report provides evidence that NFAT proteins regulate not only the initiation but also the termination of gene transcription.
Human pancreatic cancer cells (MPanc-96) recognized by autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes after in vitro as well as in vivo tumor expansion.

A human tumor line designated MPanc-96 has been established from a poorly differentiated primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma. MPanc-96 has a doubling time of 27 hr and grows as a confluent monolayer in various culture media. Cytogenetic analysis of in vitro-cultured tumor cells revealed a large number of clonal chromosomal aberrations, confirming their neoplastic origin. MPanc-96 grows in SCID mice when injected s.c. Xenografts established from the tumor line had a similar histology as the primary tumor. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were isolated from the primary tumor, and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) were generated after activation on immobilized anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (MAb) for 48 hr, expansion in low-dose IL-2 and repeated stimulation with irradiated MPanc-96 tumor cells. The generated CTLs lysed fresh autologous tumor cells as well as in vitro and in vivo expanded tumor cells from passages 9-53, suggesting that one or more tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) are stably expressed. CTLs lysed tumor cells in an HLA-class I-restricted fashion but showed no significant cytotoxicity against autologous fibroblasts, several allogeneic pancreatic cancer cell lines or K562. Our findings may be significant for the design of an animal model for studying the mechanisms of immunotherapy in human pancreatic cancer or for the identification of TAAs in pancreatic cancer.
Minimizing tour operators' exposure to lawsuits

Abstract When tourists are hurt during a package tour, who is liable? Sometimes the tour operator is held responsible, even though it merely packages the tour. Here are some suggestions for safeguarding both tourists and tour operators.
Highlights in clinical autonomic neuroscience: What you might not know about water drinking

Research is advancing our understanding of the importance of water in treating autonomic disorders. Water constitutes approximately 60% of the human body. Its intake, excretion and distribution among intracellular and extracellular compartments are tightly regulated. Whether in systole or diastole, during peristalsis or micturition, with every blush and every tear, virtually every function of the autonomic nervous system involves the flow of fluid within the body. Interestingly, drinking water accomplishes more than hydration. Rapid ingestion of a water bolus has been shown to induce a potent pressor effect in patients with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (Jordan et al., 1999; Mathias and Young, 2004). Accordingly, water boluses are recommended among the current guidelines for the treatment of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (Low and Singer, 2008; Cheshire, 2011).
The Relationship between Achievement and IQ in Students with Learning Disabilities.

To investigate the relationship between achievement and IQ in the learning-disabled (LD) population, changes in the IQ scores of LD students from the early elementary grades to the high school grades were studied. The intercorrelations among those IQ scores and a variety of achievement scores were then explored for the purpose of ascertaining causal relationships. The results were interpreted as support for the contention that the underachievement of LD students (in particular, reading underachievement) plays a predominant causal role in the achievement-IQ relationship in this population.
Mass spectrometric interrogation of thioester-bound intermediates in the initial stages of epothilone biosynthesis

Direct detection of thioester intermediate mixtures bound to EpoC, a 195 kDa polyketide synthase, has been achieved using limited proteolysis and Fourier-transform mass spectrometry (FTMS). Incubation with various N-acetylcysteamine thioester (S-NAC) substrate mimics produced mass shifts on the EpoC ACP domain consistent with their condensation with an enzyme-bound carbanion produced by the decarboxylation of methylmalonyl-S-EpoC. Reconstitution of EpoA-ACP, EpoB, and EpoC gave a +165.0 Da mass shift consistent with the formation of the methylthiazolyl-methacrylyl product by incorporation of acetyl-CoA, cysteine, and methylmalonyl-CoA. Thioester-templated reaction intermediates and products are typically characterized by quantifying radioactive substrates, either enzyme bound or chemically hydrolyzed. In contrast, the MS-based methodology described here provides semiquantifiable ratios of free enzyme, intermediate, and product occupancy and reveals that certain substrates result in a >50% formation of nonproductive intermediates.
Improving patient safety by examining pathology errors

A considerable void exists in the information available regarding anatomic pathology diagnostic errors and their impact on clinical outcomes. To fill this void and improve patient safety, four institutional pathology departments (University of Pittsburgh, Western Pennsylvania Hospital, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and Henry Ford Hospital System) have proposed the development of a voluntary, Web-based, multi-institutional database for the collection and analysis of diagnostic errors. These institutions intend to use these data proactively to implement internal changes in pathology practice and to measure the effect of such changes on errors and clinical outcomes. They believe that the successful implementation of this project will result in the study of other types of diagnostic pathology error and the expansion to national participation. The project will involve the collection of multi-institutional anatomic pathology diagnostic errors in a large database that will facilitate a more detailed analysis of these errors, including their effect on patient outcomes. Participating institutions will perform root cause analysis for diagnostic errors and plan and execute appropriate process changes aimed at error reduction. The success of these interventions will be tracked through analysis of postintervention error data collected in the database. Based on their preliminary studies, these institutions proposed the following specific aims: Specific aim #1: To use a Web-based database to collect diagnostic errors detected by cytologic histologic correlation and by second-pathologist review of conference cases. Specific aim #2: To analyze the collected error data quantitatively and generate quality performance reports that are useful for institutional quality improvement programs. Specific aim #3: To plan and implement interventions to reduce errors and improve clinical outcomes, based on information derived from root cause analysis of diagnostic errors. Specific aim #4: To assess the success of implemented interventions by quantitative measure of postinterventional errors and clinical outcomes and by qualitative assessment by project participants. Funding for this project was approved by the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality in September 2002, and data collection and analysis are ongoing. Over 5000 errors have been collected in the database, and the clinical outcomes of these errors have been tracked. At a national meeting in November 2003, root cause analysis was performed to determine causes of errors. The findings of these root cause analyses have been presented at national pathology meetings and are currently being published.
5α-pregnan-3α,20α-diol behaves like a partial agonist in the modulation of GABA-stimulated chlride ion uptake by synaptoneurosomes

In rat cortical synaptoneurosomes, the maximum potentiation of GABA-stimulated 36Cl uptake produced by 5 α-pregnan-3 α, 20 α-diol (5 α-pregnanediol) is significantly less than that elicited by 5 α-pregnan-3 α-ol-20-one (3 α-OH-DHP). This observation suggests that 5 α-pregnanediol may be a partial agonist whereas 3 α-OH-DHP acts as a full agonist at a common site on or near the GABAA/benzodiazepine in a dose-dependent manner the hypothesis is supported by the finding that 5 α-pregnanediol will antagonize in a dose-dependent manner the enhancement of GABA-stimulated 36Cl uptake produced by 3 α-OH-DHP under certain conditions. Collectively, these findings support the hypothesis that GBRC-active progesterone metabolites with varying degrees of efficacy exist as reflected by their differential ability to potentiate 36Cl uptake in brain synaptoneurosomes.