cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Top managers’ environmental values, leadership, and stakeholder engagement in promoting environmental sustainability in the restaurant industry

Abstract This study examines the role of top managers’ values and leadership in advancing environmental sustainability. It also investigates the effects of stakeholder engagement on restaurants’ environmental sustainability and assesses the impact of related practices on restaurant performance. A web-based survey was administered to collect data from top-level restaurant managers in the United States. The sample was selected from panels recruited by a research company specializing in panel surveys. Invitation emails were sent to 2500 managers and 240 responses were returned, 218 of which were retained for final analysis (response rate: 8.7%). Structural equation modeling was used for testing hypothetical relationships among key constructs in the proposed research model: environmental values, leadership, stakeholder engagement, environmental sustainability, and restaurant performance. Findings confirmed the significant role of top management values and leadership in advancing environmental commitment. The results also demonstrated the strong impact of stakeholder engagement on restaurants’ commitment to environmental sustainability. Finally, they indicated the positive influence of restaurants’ environmental sustainability performance on both financial and nonfinancial performance. The study presents a theoretical framework, integrating theories or models from extant literature, and contributes to an enhanced understanding of restaurants’ environmental sustainability. The findings suggest several practical implications for managers in the restaurant industry.
Application of the Pentafluorosulfanyl Group as a Bioisosteric Replacement

The success of fluorinated molecules in drug design has led medicinal chemists to search for new fluorine-containing substituents. A major recently developed group is the pentafluorosulfanyl group. This group is stable under physiological conditions and displays unique physical and chemical properties. There are currently few synthetic methods to install the SF5 group, yet efforts to integrate this group into lead optimization continue unabated. Typically, the SF5 group has been used as a replacement for trifluoromethyl, tert-butyl, halogen, or nitro groups. In this review, the use of the SF5 group as a bioisosteric replacement for each of these three functionalities is compared and contrasted across various groups of biologically active molecules. The organization and presentation of these data should be instructive to medicinal chemists considering to design synthetic strategies to access SF5 -substituted molecules.
Effect of Composition and Thickness on the Perpendicular Magnetic Anisotropy of (Co/Pd) Multilayers

Magnetic materials with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) have wide-ranging applications in magnetic recording and sensing devices. Multilayers comprised of ferromagnetic and non-magnetic metals (FM-NM) are interesting materials, as their magnetic anisotropy depends strongly on composition and growth parameters. In this context, (Co/Pd) multilayers have gained huge interest recently due to their robustness and tunable PMA. Here, we report a systematic study of the effect of composition on the magnetic anisotropy of (Co/Pd) multilayers grown by Direct Current (DC) magnetron sputtering. Four different series of (Co/Pd)×10 multilayers with different thicknesses of Co and Pd were examined. Vibrating sample magnetometery was used to determine the magnetic anisotropy of these films. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy experiments were performed to understand the structural morphology of the films. Our results showed that (Co/Pd)×10 multilayers exhibit PMA when the Co to Pd ratio is less than or equal to 1 and the thickness of Co layers is not more than 5 A. Maximum effective anisotropy energy is shown by the films with a Co to Pd ratio of 1/3.
Using Matlab to build simulations and learn from them in the classroom

This presentation shows how to use MATLAB and its simulation tools Simulink and SimEvents to build hybrid simulations, such as a simulation for estimation production throughput and scheduling. Then, we show how to use MATLAB tools for statistics, machine learning, and optimization to understand the model, as well as use the model to make decisions. We show how to use Live Scripts and Apps for interactive lectures. We also show how to access MATLAB Online through a browser or MATLAB Mobile from your phone. Create and grade assignments with Cody Coursework.
Bilateral Renal Infarctions During the Use of Sumatriptan.

Triptans are effective as acute abortive therapy for migraine and cluster headaches by targeting the serotonin 5-HT1B/1D receptors located in the cerebral, coronary, and peripheral arteries. This class of medications inhibits the release of vasoactive peptides and promotes vasoconstriction, combating the pathologic vasodilatation contributing to migraine headaches.1 Potential complications of these vasoconstrictive properties include myocardial infarction,2, 3 cerebrovascular accident,4 ischemic colitis,5 and spinal cord infarction.6 We present a case of bilateral renal infarctions associated with sumatriptan use.
Materials-engineering challenges for the fusion core and lifetime components of the fusion nuclear science facility

Abstract From the perspective of materials research and development (R&D) for the fusion core and near-core lifetime components of deuterium-tritium fusion power systems, the Fusion Neutron Science Facility (FNSF) concept plays a very important function by generating the complete fusion in-service environment and providing a platform for materials component-level testing. The FNSF provides the critical link between the ITER-era and the electricity- producing facilities, DEMO and the commercial power plant. The main features of the FNSF are described and the rationale presented for the selection of structural materials to meet the challenges of the power core components and also for the system lifetime components. The calculated radiation damage parameters and potential operating temperatures requirements for each of the operational phases are presented ranging from nuclear break-in up to DEMO relevant conditions. The interdependence of the FNSF and fusion nuclear materials research are discussed, and examples of near-term materials R&D activities are outlined which could address several current FNSF-related design issues.
Methods of Engagement in Family-Based Preventive Intervention

Family-based prevention programs have shown promise in preventing drug use and antisocial behavior in high-risk youth. Multidimensional family prevention (MDFP) is an intensive, family-based counseling program in which a family-specific prevention agenda is crafted with each family. This collaborative, individualized approach to intervention requires a high degree of engagement on the part of families. The main challenges of engagement are discussed, and the main features of an engagement strategy are described: capturing the interest of the family and assessing risk and protective factors within the specific ecological context of the family in order to create a working agenda for preventive intervention.
Intracellular Calcium and Neuronal Death

The connection between calcium and neuronal death is twofold. On the one hand, neuronal survival and functioning are sustained by synaptic activity and thus glutamate-mediated excitatory neurotransmission and depolarization, which is associated with calcium influx and its functions as a second messenger. On the other hand, calcium is a key contributor to excitotoxic neuronal death, which is supposed to be involved in stroke and a number of chronic neurodegenerative diseases. In this article, we take a closer look at the molecular events in neurons taking place in these scenarios and evaluate the evidence supporting either concept as relevant in the regulation of CNS function in later stages of life.
Solitary ovarian plasmacytoma. A case report and review of literature

•A patient with rare solitary ovarian plasmacytoma is reported•Diagnostic work-up is mandatory to rule out ovarian involvement as part of multiple myeloma.•After complete surgical resection, the prognosis appears to be very favorable.
Global Proteome Remodeling during ER Stress Involves Hac1-Driven Expression of Long Undecoded Transcript Isoforms.

Summary Cellular stress responses often require transcription-based activation of gene expression to promote cellular adaptation. Whether general mechanisms exist for stress-responsive gene downregulation is less clear. A recently defined mechanism enables both up- and downregulation of protein levels for distinct gene sets by the same transcription factor via coordinated induction of canonical mRNAs and long undecoded transcript isoforms (LUTIs). We analyzed parallel gene expression datasets to determine whether this mechanism contributes to the conserved Hac1-driven branch of the unfolded protein response (UPRER), indeed observing Hac1-dependent protein downregulation accompanying the upregulation of ER-related proteins that typifies UPRER activation. Proteins downregulated by Hac1-driven LUTIs include those with electron transport chain (ETC) function. Abrogated ETC function improves the fitness of UPRER-activated cells, suggesting functional importance to this regulation. We conclude that the UPRER drives large-scale proteome remodeling, including coordinated up- and downregulation of distinct protein classes, which is partly mediated by Hac1-induced LUTIs.
LithoROC: lithography hotspot detection with explicit ROC optimization

As modern integrated circuits scale up with escalating complexity of layout design patterns, lithography hotspot detection, a key stage of physical verification to ensure layout finishing and design closure, has raised a higher demand on its efficiency and accuracy. Among all the hotspot detection approaches, machine learning distinguishes itself for achieving high accuracy while maintaining low false alarms. However, due to the class imbalance problem, the conventional practice which uses the accuracy and false alarm metrics to evaluate different machine learning models is becoming less effective. In this work, we propose the use of the area under the ROC curve (AUC), which provides a more holistic measure for imbalanced datasets compared with the previous methods. To systematically handle class imbalance, we further propose the surrogate loss functions for direct AUC maximization as a substitute for the conventional cross-entropy loss. Experimental results demonstrate that the new surrogate loss functions are promising to outperform the cross-entropy loss when applied to the state-of-the-art neural network model for hotspot detection.
Specular Photometric Stereo for Surface Normal Estimation of Dark Surfaces

This paper presents Specular Photometric Stereo (SPS), which is a Photometric Stereo (PS) technique incorporating specular reflection. The proposed SPS uses multiple images of a surface under different lighting conditions to obtain surface normals similarly to the conventional PS, but uniquely utilizes specular components of a dark surface, which reflects little diffuse light. The proposed framework consists of two sequential numerical steps, which are the conversion of a highly non-linear specular reflection model to a non-linear equation with only one non-linear parameter, and then the iterative removal of the diffuse components. The proposed SPS can estimate normals of dark surfaces, which is not possible by the conventional PS. The proposed SPS was examined using synthesized data and then tested with real-world surfaces. The results of surface normal estimation show that the capability of the proposed SPS over the existing PS in both accuracy and computational cost.
Evaluation of optic canal anatomy and symmetry using CT.

Objective We aim to describe the anatomy and symmetry patterns of the optic canal in patients having undergone maxillofacial CT imaging. Methods In this retrospective chart review, we included all patients who received sinus and maxillofacial CT at the University of North Carolina hospitals between 2008 and 2016, without facial or cranial fractures or other medical conditions that would affect optic canal size. We measured the length of ≥75% enclosed canal, minimum cross-sectional area and minimum diameter bilaterally using iNtuition TeraRecon (Durham, North Carolina) and compared bilateral symmetry using a 20 % difference threshold. Each parameter above was compared among white, black, non-white and non-black patients. Results Of 335 patients, the mean canal length was 5.61±2.22 mm. The mean minimum area was 11.84±3.11 mm2. The mean minimum diameter was 3.28±0.55 mm. A total of 39.4% (132/335) of patients had asymmetric canal lengths, 18.8% (63/335) had asymmetric minimum areas, and 12.5% (42/335) had asymmetric minimum diameters. No differences were found between racial groups. The right optic canal was larger than the left (right: 12.12 mm vs left: 11.55 mm, p Conclusion Optic canal asymmetry is not uncommon. It may affect risk of papilloedema severity, explain cases of unilateral or asymmetric papilloedema and possibly asymmetric glaucoma.
Safety of Intradetrusor OnabotulinumtoxinA (BTX-A) Injection in the Asymptomatic Patient With a Positive Urine Dip.

Abstract Objectives To evaluate differences in adverse events (AE) in asymptomatic patients with a positive urine dip (UD) at time of intradetrusor onabotulinumtoxinA (BTX-A) injection versus those with a defined negative UD. Materials & Methods All intradetrusor BTX-A injections were retrospectively reviewed at a single institution between 2016 and 2018. Exclusion criteria included an indwelling catheter, recent positive urine culture, recent antibiotic course, or absence of UD on the day of injection. A positive UD was defined using 7 different definitions with varying combinations of any level of positive blood, leukocyte esterase (LE), or nitrite. Negative UDs were defined those excluded from the positive UD group. We compared multiple positive UD-defined groups to their respective negative UD cohorts with regards to outcomes and demographics. Results A total of 212 patients underwent 335 cycles of BTX-A injections over a two-year period. The average age was 65 years (range: 21-90). The majority received 100 units (73%) of BTX-A for a non-neurogenic diagnosis (73%). The overall rate of AEs, urinary tract infection (UTI), and urinary retention was 14.6%, 9%, and 3%, respectively. In all groups, the most common AE was UTI followed by urinary retention. There were no major Clavien-Dindo-defined complications. There was no statistically significant difference in the total or categorical adverse event rates between positive and negative UD groups using all seven definitions of a positive UD (p=0.05-1.0). Conclusion These data do not support the practice of obtaining a pre-procedure UD in asymptomatic patients undergoing intradetrusor BTX-A injection for any indication; test results are unable to predict outcomes or adverse events.
Simple Processing of Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Tissue for Accurate Testing with the Xpert MTB/RIF Assay.

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a common presentation of TB, accounting for 15% of new TB cases in 2018 ([1][1]). Under routine practice, tissue biopsy specimens are often sent for histopathology without concurrent mycobacterial culture or nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT). This leaves
Isolation of selenate from selenite, carbonate, phosphate, and arsenate solutions for δ18O-selenate determination.

Selenium and oxygen isotope systematics can be useful tools for tracing sources and fate of Se oxyanions in water. In order to measure δ18O values of selenate, SeO4 2– must first be sequestered fro...
⋆This paper has been handled by associate editor Tony Sze.The application of novel connected vehicles emulated data on real-time crash potential prediction for arterials.

Abstract Real-time crash potential prediction could provide valuable information for Active Traffic Management Systems. Fixed infrastructure-based vehicle detection devices were widely used in the previous studies to obtain different types of data for crash potential prediction. However, it was difficult to obtain data in large range through these devices due to the costs of installation and maintenance. This paper introduced a novel connected vehicle (CV) emulated data for real-time crash potential prediction. Different from the fixed devices’ data, CV emulated data have high flexibility and can be obtained continuously with relatively low cost. Crash and CV emulated data were collected from two urban arterials in Orlando, USA. Crash data were archived by the Signal for Analytics system (S4A), while the CV emulated data were obtained through the data collection API with a high frequency. Different data cleaning and preparation techniques were implemented, while various speed-related variables were generated from the CV emulated data. A Long Short-term Memory (LSTM) neural network was trained to predict the crash potential in the next 5−10 min. The results from the model illustrated the feasibility of using a novel CV emulated data to predict real-time crash potential. The average and 50th percentile speed were the two most important variables for the crash potential prediction. In addition, the proposed LSTM outperformed Bayesian logistics regression and XGBoost in terms of sensitivity, Area under Curve (AUC), and false alarm rate. With the rapid development of the connected vehicle systems, the results from this paper can be extended to other types of vehicles and data, which can significantly enhance traffic safety.
Socioeconomic and health care coverage disparities in children, adolescents, and young adults with sarcoma.

BACKGROUND Socioeconomic and health care coverage disparities are established as poor prognostic markers in adults with sarcoma, but few studies examine these differences among pediatric, adolescents and young adults (AYA). This study examines the association between socioeconomic status (SES), insurance status, and disease presentation among children and AYA patients with sarcoma. METHODS This is a retrospective cohort study of patients aged 0-25 years with bone or soft tissue sarcoma from the National Cancer Database. SES assignments were based on estimated median income and education level. Patient demographics and clinical factors were compared by SES and insurance status. Multivariate logistic regression models were fitted to determine adjusted odds ratios of SES and insurance status on metastatic disease or tumor size ≥5 cm at time of presentation. RESULTS In a cohort of 9112 patients, 2932 (32.1%) had low, 2084 (22.8%) middle, and 4096 (44.9%) high SES. For insurance status, 5864 (64.3%) had private, 2737 (30.0%) public, and 511 (5.6%) were uninsured. Compared to high SES, patients with low SES were more likely to have metastatic disease (OR = 1.16, P = .03) and tumors ≥5 cm (OR = 1.29, P < .01). Compared to private insurance, public and no insurance were associated with metastatic disease (OR = 1.35, P < .01 and OR = 1.32, P = .02) and increased tumors ≥5 cm (OR = 1.28, P < .01 and OR = 1.67, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS SES disparities exist among children and AYA patients with sarcoma. Low SES and public or no insurance are associated with advanced disease at presentation. Further studies are needed to identify interventions to improve earlier detection of sarcomas in at-risk children and young adults.
Organizational Agility, Visionary Leadership in the Age of VUCA

We live in a VUCA world with an environment that is volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. The coronavirus pandemic illuminates what happens to a firm or industry that lacks organizational agility and responds slowly to threats. Even before COVID-19, thanks to globalization, the internet, and exponential technological growth, no business was immune from early obsolescence. Organizations need new kinds of leaders, those with vision who can see where technology is going, hire adaptable employees, and can quickly change direction when necessary. This paper provides numerous examples of blunders ranging from missed opportunities to unethical practices.
Development and Scale-Up of a Direct Asymmetric Reductive Amination with Ammonia

Direct asymmetric reductive amination represents an efficient means of converting ketones to α-chiral primary amines, but reported examples are very limited. We describe the development of two sets...
Non-GAAP Disclosures and Investor Uncertainty

We examine the association between I/B/E/S's disclosure of non-GAAP earnings and investor uncertainty around earnings announcements. On one hand, investor uncertainty may decrease with I/B/E/S's non-GAAP disclosure because these disclosures make investors aware of alternative performance measures for firm valuation and reduce the acquisition costs related to them. On the other hand, investor uncertainty may increase with I/B/E/S's non-GAAP disclosure because the opacity in how I/B/E/S determines non-GAAP earnings imposes additional integration costs on investors. Consistent with the latter effect dominating, we find that investor uncertainty is increasing in the amount of I/B/E/S's non-GAAP adjustments. In contrast, managers' non-GAAP adjustments, which are accompanied with a reconciliation to GAAP earnings and are therefore relatively more transparent, are not associated with investor uncertainty around earnings announcements. These results expand our understanding of how different sources of non-GAAP information affect capital markets and highlight the nuanced role of information intermediaries in the non-GAAP disclosure environment.
Novel Antimuscarinic Antidepressant-like Compounds with Reduced Effects on Cognition.

The cholinergic nervous system has been implicated in mood disorders, evident in the fast-onset antidepressant effects of scopolamine, a potent muscarinic antagonist, in clinical studies. One prominent disadvantage to the use of scopolamine in the treatment of depression is its detrimental effects on cognition, especially as such effects might aggravate cognitive deficits that occur with depression itself. Thus, the identification of antimuscarinic drugs that are free of such detrimental effects may provide an important avenue for the development of novel therapeutics for the management of depression. The present data in rats indicate that a historical muscarinic antagonist, L-687,306, and a muscarinic antagonist of our own design, CJ2100, were as effective as scopolamine in antagonizing both the bradycardic effects of the muscarinic agonist arecoline in cardiovascular studies and its discriminative-stimulus and rate-decreasing effects in behavioral studies. Additionally, both novel muscarinic antagonists were as effective as scopolamine in decreasing immobility in the forced swim test (FST), a preclinical indicator of potential antidepressant activity. However, at equi-effective or even higher doses, they were considerably less disruptive than scopolamine in assays of cognition-related behavior. All three drugs displayed high specificity for the mAChRs with few off-target binding sites, and CJ2100 showed modest affinity across the mAChRs when compared to L-687,306 and scopolamine. These data emphasize the dissimilar pharmacological profiles that are evident across antimuscarinic compounds and the potential utility of novel antagonists for the improved treatment of depression. Significance Statement Some clinical studies with the muscarinic antagonist scopolamine document its ability to produce antidepressant effects in patients with mood disorders; however, scopolamine also has well-known adverse effects on both autonomic and centrally-mediated physiological functions that limit its therapeutic use. Here, we characterize the cardiovascular and discriminative stimulus effects of two novel muscarinic antagonists, L-687,306 and CJ2100, that produce antidepressant-like effects in a rodent model (forced swim test), without affecting touchscreen-based cognitive performance (titrating vigilance and delayed matching-to-position).
Revisiting a classic hybrid zone: rapid movement of the northern flicker hybrid zone in contemporary times

Natural hybrid zones have provided important insights into the evolutionary process, and their geographic stability/instability over time can help to disentangle the underlying biological processes that maintain them. Here, we leverage replicated sampling of an identical transect across the hybrid zone between yellow-shafted and red-shafted flickers to assess its stability over ~60 years (1955-1957 to 2016-2018). Using a plumage scoring approach that we validate with independent multispectral photography, we identify a ~73 km westward shift in the hybrid zone center towards the range of the red-shafted flicker but no associated changes in width. By integrating previous work in the same geographic region, it appears likely that this movement has occurred rapidly in the years since the early 1980s, prior to which the hybrid zone had remained stable over the previous century. This recent, rapid movement may be related to changes in climate or land management in contemporary times.
Influence of uranyl complexation on the reaction kinetics of the dodecane radical cation with used nuclear fuel extraction ligands (TBP, DEHBA, and DEHiBA)

Specialized extractant ligands - such as tri-butyl phosphate (TBP), N,N-di-(2-ethylhexyl)butyramide (DEHBA), and N,N-di-2-ethylhexylisobutryamide (DEHiBA) - have been developed for the recovery of uranium from used nuclear fuel by reprocessing solvent extraction technologies. These ligands must function in the presence of an intense multi-component radiation field, and thus it is critical that their radiolytic behaviour be thoroughly evaluated. This is especially true for their metal complexes, where there is negligible information on the influence of complexation on radiolytic reactivity, despite the prevalence of metal complexes in used nuclear fuel reprocessing solvent systems. Here we present a kinetic investigation into the effect of uranyl (UO22+) complexation on the reaction kinetics of the dodecane radical cation (RH˙+) with TBP, DEHBA, and DEHiBA. Complexation had negligible effect on the reaction of RH˙+ with TBP, for which a second-order rate coefficient (k) of (1.3 ± 0.1) × 1010 M-1 s-1 was measured. For DEHBA and DEHiBA, UO22+ complexation afforded an increase in their respective rate coefficients: k(RH˙+ + [UO2(NO3)2(DEHBA)2]) = (2.5 ± 0.1) × 1010 M-1 s-1 and k(RH˙+ + [UO2(NO3)2(DEHiBA)2]) = (1.6 ± 0.1) × 1010 M-1 s-1. This enhancement with complexation is indicative of an alternative RH˙+ reaction pathway, which is more readily accessible for [UO2(NO3)2(DEHBA)2] as it exhibited a much larger kinetic enhancement than [UO2(NO3)2(DEHiBA)2], 2.6× vs. 1.4×, respectively. Complementary quantum mechanical calculations suggests that the difference in reaction kinetic enhancement between TBP and DEHBA/DEHiBA is attributed to a combination of reaction pathway (electron/hole transfer vs. proton transfer) energetics and electron density distribution, wherein attendant nitrate counter anions effectively 'shield' TBP from RH˙+ electron transfer processes.
Corrosion Mechanisms of UNS N04400 in Sea Water

Abstract : Pitting and dealloying were observed when 70Ni/30Cu (UNS N04400) welded plates were exposed to artificial seawater containing sulfate-reducing bacteria. Attempts were made to differentiate biotic and abiotic corrosion mechanisms. Experiments were conducted in alternating aerobic/anaerobic conditions in the presence of inorganic sulfide and sulfate-reducing bacteria over the course of five months.
The European Union's Investment Services Directive

The EU has become the world’s primary actor in accomplishing multinational regulatory harmony in the field of securities regulation. In its recent adoption of the Investment Services Directive, the EU has completed a critical chapter of its evolving regulatory code for the European capital markets. While the Directive’s multistate licensing scheme, critical to the establishment of an internal market for financial services, was from the beginning based on an uncontested conceptual verity, no similar consensus existed on a number of related controversies that emerged. This article describes the EU’s previous achievements in the field of securities regulation, including the policies underlying the proposal and adoption of the Investment Services Directive. It then surveys the scope and major provisions of the Directive and discusses the more controversial issues that divided the Member States into opposing camps. In its analysis of the Directive’s substantive terms, this article notes several of the Directive’s deficiencies, including the failure to establish minimum commonality in the areas of administrative and judicial remedies for investors, conduct-of-business rules and transactional disclosure. The article concludes by noting that the Directive, despite its limited success in achieving an integrated European market system, represents a remarkable advance in the development of the EU’s multinational securities code.
Current distribution in spinvalve multilayer films determined from in-situ conductance measurements

In this paper, the conductance of top pinned spinvalves was measured during deposition using a four point Van Der Pauw geometry. This measurement has submonolayer resolution. The layers in the spinvalve were Ta (5 nm)/NiFe(5 nm)/CoFe(1 nm)/Ru(0.6 nm)/CoFe(1.5 nm)/IrMn(8 nm)/Ta(5 nm). The thickness of the Cu layers were 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 nm thick. The in-situ conductance data is given. The bulk conductivity of each layer in the spin valve was measured by growing a film where the layer was 30 nm thick and measuring the asymptotic conductivity.
Computer generated intelligent companions for distributed virtual environments

The employment of computer generated forces (CGFs) within distributed virtual environments (DVEs) dramatically increases the number of entities in a simulated training environment. However, current CGF limitations produce behaviours that can be defeated using methods ineffective against humans. Our research focuses on developing aircraft CGFs. It is necessary to deal with uncertainty, ambiguity, and approximation. The Fuzzy Wingman (FW) relies on fuzzy logic to provide these abilities. In this manner, the FW presents a reasonable approach to effectively populating the simulated training environment with low cost CGFs while maintaining the realism of training with human controlled entities.
Dependence of uptake of succinate by mitochondria on energy and its relation to potassium retention.

A LONG standing problem in mitochondrial metabolism is the origin of the inhibition of oxidation of anionic substrates which sets in on adding an excess of any agent which uncouples oxidative phosphorylation. It has been noted that the inhibition is moved to higher uncoupler concentrations when the substrate concentration is raised1. This suggests that for some reason the permeation of substrate fails to keep up with the metabolic demand in presence of excess uncoupler. This supposition accords with observations that the respiratory carriers are left in an oxidized condition when inhibition supervenes2.
Scaling of digital shapes with subpixel boundary estimation

Bilevel images consist of a grid of square cells, with side T, which are colored either black or white depending on whether the center of the cell lies in this black or white region of the pre- image. The digitized boundary can be interpreted as a 4-directional chain code. Subpixel accuracy is considered in determining the edge or boundary of the pre-image, and a practical algorithm is given for its implementation. In particular, small curving objects digitized on a coarse grid are considered. Experimental results show a surprisingly high degree of reconstruction, allowing for the upward scaling or enlargement of small objects from their digitized representation.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A new dissipative time-stepping algorithm for frictional contact problems: formulation and analysis

This paper presents a new time-stepping algorithm for frictional contact problems that exhibits unconditional positive energy dissipation. More specifically, the proposed scheme preserves a priori stability estimates of the continuum problem for both frictionless and frictional contact, leading to improved numerical stability properties in particular. For the normal contact component, the algorithm exhibits full energy conservation between released states, while the energy does not increase over its initial value due to the enforcement of the normal contact constraint during persistent contact. A penalty regularization is considered to this purpose. A new regularization of the stick conditions is considered for the frictional part. The new scheme is shown rigorously to exhibit positive energy dissipation like the continuum physical problem in this frictional case. Coulomb friction is assumed. Complete analyses of these considerations, as well as a detailed description of their finite element implementation, are included in the general finite deformation range. Representative numerical simulations are presented to assess the performance of the newly proposed methods.
Effects of work and rest on upper extremity signs and symptoms of workers performing repetitive tasks

The temporal relationship between work and signs and symptoms of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders among workers at risk is relatively unexplored. The study focused on changes in upper extremity circumference, volume, sensory threshold, and reported symptoms after work and rest. All workers (N=50) performed a repetitive poultry processing task and had exhibited upper extremity signs and symptoms in baseline testing prior to this study. These workers manifested significantly increased upper extremity circumference following a period of rest, with circumferences decreasing during work. Upper extremity volume and reported swelling also decreased during work. Reports of tenderness were significantly greater after work than after rest, while reports of pain were greatest after a short rest interval. Results show that the signs and symptoms observed in these workers were manifestations of occupational cumulative trauma and that further study of the relationship between work and signs and symptoms is needed.
Electron shuttle-stimulated RDX mineralization and biological production of 4-nitro-2,4-diazabutanal (NDAB) in RDX-contaminated aquifer material

The potential for extracellular electron shuttles to stimulate RDX biodegradation was investigated with RDX-contaminated aquifer material. Electron shuttling compounds including anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS) and soluble humic substances stimulated RDX mineralization in aquifer sediment. RDX mass-loss was similar in electron shuttle amended and donor-alone treatments; however, the concentrations of nitroso metabolites, in particular TNX, and ring cleavage products (e.g., HCHO, MEDINA, NDAB, and NH4 +) were different in shuttle-amended incubations. Nitroso metabolites accumulated in the absence of electron shuttles (i.e., acetate alone). Most notably, 40–50% of [14C]-RDX was mineralized to 14CO2 in shuttle-amended incubations. Mineralization in acetate amended or unamended incubations was less than 12% within the same time frame. The primary differences in the presence of electron shuttles were the increased production of NDAB and formaldehyde. NDAB did not further degrade, but formaldehyde was not present at final time points, suggesting that it was the mineralization precursor for Fe(III)-reducing microorganisms. RDX was reduced concurrently with Fe(III) reduction rather than nitrate or sulfate reduction. Amplified 16S rDNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) indicated that unique Fe(III)-reducing microbial communities (β- and γ-proteobacteria) predominated in shuttle-amended incubations. These results demonstrate that indigenous Fe(III)-reducing microorganisms in RDX-contaminated environments utilize extracellular electron shuttles to enhance RDX mineralization. Electron shuttle-mediated RDX mineralization may become an effective in situ option for contaminated environments.
The detection of climate change in the Arctic: an updated report

Abstract An air mass-based synoptic climatological approach is used to determine if the frequency of occurrence of the coldest and mildest air masses at seven stations in the Russian Arctic has changed and if the physical character of these air masses have shown signs of modification over the past 40 years. It has been suggested that a detected increase in surface temperatures over the past 40 years within the coldest air masses in the western North American Arctic may be attributed to the shorter residence time of these air masses through the time period. A re-evaluation of the data at two of the stations in the Alaskan and Yukon Arctic indicates that a long-term warming is, in fact, taking place even when residence time is kept constant. Results for seven additional Russian stations are less conclusive, and they do not exhibit a consistent statistically significant warming. It is possible that changes in the physical character of these very cold air masses are due to factors other than residence time, such as anthropogenic influences.
A simple method for preparing homogeneous suspensions of dermatophytes and for estimating the number of viable particles in these suspensions.

Because of the typical morphology of a fungous colony, working with this material presents certain problems which do not usually arise in bacteriological work. Unlike bacterial cells which usually readily disperse when placed in aqueous media, portions of fungous material tend to remain in compact clumps so that comparable samples are difficult to obtain from a single suspension.
The supply and demand for pollution control: Evidence from wastewater treatment

Abstract This paper analyzes the determination of pollution control from wastewater treatment plants as an economic decision facing local or regional regulators. Pollution control is measured by plant design effluent concentration levels and is fully endogenous in a supply- and-demand model of treatment choice. On the supply side, plant costs are a function of the design treatment level of the plant, and on the demand side, treatment level is a function of both the costs of control and the regional or regulatory preferences for control. We find evidence that the economic model of effluent choice by local regulators has a good deal of explanatory power. We find evidence that wastewater treatment plant removal of biological oxygen demand (BOD) is sensitive to many local factors including the size of the treatment plant, the flow rate of the receiving water, the population density of the surrounding area, regional growth, state sensitivity to environmental issues, state income, and the extent to which the damages from pollution fall on other states. We find strong evidence that regulators are sensitive to capital costs in determining the design level of BOD effluent reduction at a plant. Thus, proposed reductions in federal subsidies for wastewater treatment plant construction are likely to have significant adverse effects on water quality.
Multisubstrate flavin-containing monooxygenases: applications of mechanism to specificity

Kinetic studies on mechanism of the flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO1) from pig liver microsomes are described in detail with special emphasis on the interpretation of constants derived from the rate equation. The evidence reviewed indicates that oxidation of xenobiotic substrates by the 4a-hydroperoxyflavin form of the enzyme is a second order reaction not saturable by substrate. Under steady-state conditions decomposition of the hydroxyflavin (an intermediate form of the enzyme that does not require enzyme-substrate or enzyme-product equilibrium complexes) is rate limiting. The lack of detectable equilibrium binding is also consistent with rate constants defining Km deduced from steady-state measurements. A model consistent with all evidence currently available indicates that at saturating concentrations of xenobiotic substrates that catalytic site on the enzyme is unoccupied most of the time. This property may explain why non-substrate analogs of xenobiotic substrates do not inhibit FMO activity. Rate constants for the oxidation of xenobiotics by the enzyme-bound and synthetic 4a-hydroperoxyflavin indicate that while enzyme protein accelerates the reaction with xenobiotics bearing nitrogen, it has only marginal effects on the oxidation of substrates bearing sulfur. Differences in the nucleophilicity of compounds bearing these heteroatoms may be primarily responsible but other, as yet undefined, factors may also contribute. In addition, analysis of rate constants affected by protonated lipophilic amines indicates that these allosteric effectors apparently modify enzyme structure so as to affect two or more rate constants and, depending on the nature and concentration of the xenobiotic substrate, protonated amines can either stimulate or inhibit catalytic activity.
Quantification of Several Atmospheric Gases from High Resolution Infrared Solar Spectra Obtained at the South Pole in 1980 and 1986

High-resolution solar absorption spectra recorded at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station were analyzed to obtain total column amounts of O3, N2O, HNO3, CO2, CH4, and CF2Cl2, and to investigate the differences in the values obtained in December 1980 with those obtained in December 1986. In addition, vertical column amounts for HCl, NO, NO2, and C2H6 were derived for December 1986. One interesting feature of these results is that the total column amounts of HCl measured for several days at the South Pole (/6.4 + or - 0.8/ x 10 to the 15th molecules/sq cm) were high compared with the HCl column amounts reported for lower latitudes.
Prepilin-like molecules in type 4 pilus biogenesis: minor subunits, chaperones or mediators of organelle translocation?

identity across diverse species boundaries, have been proposed to be part of similar apparatuses for extracellular protein localization. These include genes encoding type 4 prepilin-like polypeptides, peptidases responsible for amino-terminal processing of the prepilin homologues, proteins peripherally associated with the cytoplasmic membrane with highly conserved nucleosidetriphosphate-binding (NTP-binding) sites, and outer-membrane proteins. Homologues corresponding to one or more of these families have been implicated in the extracellular localization of toxins and hydrolases by Gram-negative bacteria. Collectively, this has been termed the type II system: the two-step protein-export system or the general secretion pathway (GSP)‘. Related components are also essential for filamentous phage morphogenesis! and for the proper construction, localization and function of a DNAbinding and -uptake apparatus associated with competence for natural transformation in Bacillus subtilis’ and Haemophilus influenzaes. For all of these systems, the goal of research has been to understand how a structure analogous to type 4 pili, or events related to pilus biogenesis, might link these varied processes. I would like to suggest that perhaps we should look at the situation from the other point of view, and examine what studies of the GSP might reveal about type 4 pilus biogenesis.
Inhibition of microtubule nucleation at the neuronal centrosome compromises axon growth

We tested the dependence of axon growth on microtubule (MT) nucleation from the neuronal centrosome. Nocodazole diminished MTs in freshly plated neurons by > 99%. Within 5 min of drug removal, MTs reassembled at the centrosome. This response was inhibited in cells microinjected with gamma-tubulin antibody. Within 2 hr of drug removal, uninjected neurons grew > 500 microns of axon. In roughly half of the antibody-injected cells, axon growth was abolished and MT levels were reduced by approximately 87% compared with uninjected cells. In the other antibody-injected cells, axon growth was compromised but not abolished, and MT levels were reduced by approximately 38%. Thus inhibition of MT nucleation at the centrosome hindered MT reassembly, and depending on the severity of this response, axon growth was either compromised or abolished.
Biological nitrogen fixation under primordial Martian partial pressures of dinitrogen

One of the most striking differences between the conditions on early Mars and earth was a low (18 mb) partial pressure of N2 (pN2) on early Mars, as opposed to 780 mb N2 on earth. To investigate the possibility of biological nitrogen fixation under conditions of early Mars, experiments were carried out on the growth of Azotobacter vinelandii and Azomonas agilis in nitrogen-free synthetic medium under various partial pressures of N2 (ranging from 780 to 0 mb). It was found that, although the biomass, cell number, and growth rate of these bacteria decreased with decreasing pN2 values below pN2 of 400 mb, both microorganisms were capable of growing at pN2 as low as 5 mb (but not at of below 1 mb), indicating that biological fixation of nitrogen could have occurred on primordial Mars.
Comments on Shakir's “zero-area optical pulse processing by degenerate four-wave mixing”

Abstract We disagree with one of the contentions of Shakir's paper, namely that a zero-area pulse can be generated by an unstable phase conjugator. We find, on the contrary, that any unstable conjugator would, if the pumps were not depleted, generate a conjugate wave of infinite area. We show by counterexample that the response generated by Shakir's technique is noncausal if the conjugator is unstable.
Calcium-Dependent Stress Maintenance Without Myosin Phosphorylation in Skinned Smooth Muscle

Stress development depended on calcium-stimulated myosin phosphorylation in an arterial smooth muscle preparation in which the concentration of calcium was controlled. However, developed stress was maintained at a concentration of calcium that did not support phosphorylation. These results, in conjunction with other evidence, suggest that the interaction of two regulatory mechanisms with different calcium sensitivities regulate both stress and the rate and energetics of contraction.
Value of a noninvasively induced ventricular extrasystole during echocardiographic and phonocardiographic assessment of patients with idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis

Fifteen patients with idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis had a ventricular extrasystole induced with a new external mechanical cardiac stimulator during noninvasive evaluation of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Ten patients were monitored with simultaneous echocardiogram, phonocardiogram and indirect carotid pulse tracing; five were monitored with the phonocardiogram and indirect carotid pulse tracing alone. Nine of the 15 patients showed obstruction in the beat after the ventricular extrasystole, as defined by appearance of the characteristic bifid carotid pulse contour and, where recorded, an increase in systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve on echocardiography. Six patients did not show obstruction. All nine patients with obstruction had greater than 20 msec prolongation of uncorrected systolic ejection time in the post-extrasystolic beat of the carotid pulse tracing. Change in the uncorrected ejection time was + 0.038 +/- 0.15 second (mean +/- standard deviation) in these nine patients compared with -0.003 +/- 0.005 second in the six not showing obstruction (P less than 0.01). Six patients underwent cardiac catheterization: Three patients without obstruction after a noninvasively induced ventricular extrasystole had no obstruction at catheterization and three patients with obstruction after noninvasively induced ventricular premature beats demonstrated obstruction at rest or after provocative maneuvers during catheterization. These results indicate that the noninvasive induction of a ventricular extrasystole is a useful and easily performed procedure for both diagnosing and evaluating the dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction of idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis.