cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evolution of thermal properties of EB-PVD 7YSZ thermal barrier coatings with thermal cycling

Abstract During high-temperature exposure, the microstructure of thermal barrier coatings evolves, leading to increased thermal conductivity. We describe the evolution in the thermal properties of a 7 wt.% Y2O3 stabilized ZrO2 electron beam-physical vapor deposited (EB-PVD) thermal barrier coating with thermal cycling between room temperature and 1150 °C until failure. The thermal diffusivity and conductivity of the coating were evaluated non-destructively based on the analysis of its photothermal infrared emission. Although the coating density does not increase significantly with thermal cycling, the thermal diffusivity and conductivity of the coating increased substantially, particularly during the first 20 1 h cycles. The values then approach a limiting value. Complementary Raman spectroscopy suggests that the increase is accompanied by a reduction in the defect concentration in the coating and that there is also a correlation between the width of the Raman lines and the thermal conductivity.
THE EFFECT OF ULTRAVIOLET IRRADIATION ON SHELF‐LIFE AND RIPENING OF PEACHES AND APPLES

“Loring” and “Elberta” peaches and “Golden Delicious” apples were irradiated with UV (254nm) to doses of 0.84 × 104 to 40 × 104 erg/mm2 then stored. “Loring” were stored 10 days and “Elberta” 20 days at 12°C. “Golden Delicious” were stored 30 days at 20–25°C in a dark room. Fruit were examined and differences in percentage rot and in physical-chemical properties determined. Percentage rot decreased with increasing UV dose. Fruit were firmer, pH and soluble solids lower and acidity higher for UV-treated than for nontreated peaches; pH was lower and acidity and ascorbic acid higher in UV treated than in nontreated apples. Percentage weight loss was less for UV-treated apples. The results indicated that UV treatment not only reduced storage rots but also delayed ripening of peaches and apples.
Effect of molsidomine on coronary collateral blood flow in acute myocardial ischemia.

Abstract The actions of molsidomine, a new antianginal agent, on coronary collateral blood flow and myocardial oxygen consumption were studied in anesthetized dogs with acute ligation of the distal third of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Molsidomine (50 and 100 μg/kg, i.v.) produced a significant decrease in myocardial oxygen consumption, however no change occurred in collateral blood flow. These results suggest that the beneficial actions of molsidomine in myocardial ischemia are primarily due to a decrease in oxygen demand.
Spirituality and Religiosity in Urban Adolescents with Asthma

Predictors of multiple dimensions of spirituality/religiosity (S/R) and adolescents’ preferences for having S/R (e.g., prayer) addressed in hypothetical medical settings were assessed in a sample of urban adolescents with asthma. Of the 151 adolescents (mean age = 15.8, 60% female, 85% African-American), 81% said that they were religious and spiritual, 58% attended religious services in the past month, and 49% prayed daily. In multivariable models, African-American race/ethnicity and having a religious preference were associated with higher levels of S/R (R2 = 0.07–0.25, P < .05). Adolescents’ preferences for including S/R in the medical setting increased with the severity of the clinical situation (P < .05).
Toward measuring visualization insight

Recent visualization research literature has paid an increasing amount of attention to evaluating visualizations. It seems an appropriate time to reopen the question about what the ultimate purpose of visualization is and how it should be evaluated. One potential claim is: the purpose of visualization is insight. The purpose of visualization evaluation is to determine to what degree visualizations achieve this purpose. If this claim is true, then evaluating visualizations should seek to determine how well visualizations generate insight. Measuring insight would enable the direct comparison of visualization design alternatives, or the comparison against an insight goal. This article examines the capability of the controlled experiment method to measure insight
On the influence of an H-ORC on SERS

Abstract Experiments were conducted in an effort to determine the reason(s) for the increase of SERS caused by hydrogen evolution prior to performing an oxidation-reduction treatment of silver in 1 M KCl. The temporal evolution of SERS of the O-H stretch mode of water and the Ag0-Cl− vibrational mode suggests that hydrogen evolution followed by an ORC (referred to as H-ORC) increases the lifetime of SERS-active sites. Several other effects of H-ORC on SERS are identified. It is concluded that more than one process must be produced by H-ORC in order to account for all of the changes in SERS.
The Hydroxy Amino Acid in an Asn-X-Ser/Thr Sequon Can Influence N-Linked Core Glycosylation Efficiency and the Level of Expression of a Cell Surface Glycoprotein

N-Linked glycosylation usually occurs at the sequon, Asn-X-Ser/Thr. In this sequon, the side chain of the hydroxy amino acid (Ser or Thr) may play a direct catalytic role in the enzymatic transfer of core oligosaccharides to the Asn residue. Using recombinant variants of rabies virus glycoprotein (RGP), we examined the influence of the hydroxy amino acid on core glycosylation efficiency. A variant of RGP containing a single Asn-X-Ser sequon at Asn37 was modified by site-directed mutagenesis to change the sequon to either Asn-X-Cys or Asn-X-Thr. The impact of these changes on core glycosylation efficiency was assessed by expressing the variants in a cell-free transcription/translation/glycosylation system and in transfected tissue culture cells. Substitution of Cys at position 39 blocks glycosylation, whereas substitution of Thr dramatically increases core glycosylation efficiency of Asn37 in both membrane-anchored and secreted forms of RGP. The substitution of Thr for Ser also dramatically enhances the level of expression and cell surface delivery of RGP when the sequon at Asn37 is the only sequon in the protein. Novel forms of membrane-anchored and secreted RGP which are fully glycosylated at all three sequons were also generated by substitution of Thr at position 39.
The effect of herpesvirus infection and 2-deoxy-D-glucose on glycosphingolipids in BHK-21 cells.

Abstract The effect of Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection and 2-deoxy- d -glucose (dGlc) on the content of radiolabeled glycosphingolipids was studied in BHK-21 cells, after a 16 hr pulse with D-[3-3H]serine and [1-14C]palmitate. HSV infection caused a stimulated incorporation of the labeled precursors into total glycosphingolipids. The content of newly synthesized hematosides was reduced by 50% and newly synthesized ceramides, ceramide monohexosides, and ceramide dihexosides was increased two-to-threefold, suggesting a simplification of the glycolipid pattern. Treatment of infected and uninfected cells with 10 mM dGLc decreased radioactivity in all glycosphingolipids, whereas the ratio of cerarnide to its glycosylated derivatives increased. Glycosylation of endogenous ceramide was studied in vitro using microsomal fractions and UDP-[3H]glucose as the sugar donor. UDP-glucose:ceramide-glucosyltransferase activity was higher in microsomal fractions from HSV-infected cells than in preparations from controls, and treated cells had higher activities than untreated controls. Infection and dGlc treatment increased the number or accessibility of glucose acceptor sites. Thus, dGlc inhibits glycolipid synthesis in control and HSV-infected cells by blocking glycosylation of ceramide; the inhibition of glycolipid synthesis may have a role in virion assembly.
What are the consequences of freezing the anomeric effect in nucleosides

The consequences of freezing the orientation of the oxygen's lone pair orbitals--which determines whether the anomeric effect is operative or not--were studied theoretically and experimentally in two oxobicyclo-[3.1.0]hexane nucleosides (1 and 2). The results showed significant differences in the properties of these molecules, which correlated with the magnitude of the n2 --> sigma * delocalization.
Hypnosis and conversion of the breech to the vertex presentation.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of hypnosis to convert a breech presentation to a vertex presentation. Design Prospective case series compared with historical, matched comparison group. Subjects One hundred pregnant women whose fetuses were in breech position at 37 to 40 weeks' gestation and a matched comparison group of women with similar obstetrical and sociodemographic parameters derived from databases for other studies from the same time period and geographical areas. Intervention The intervention group received hypnosis with suggestions for general relaxation with release of fear and anxiety. While in the hypnotic state women were asked for the reasons why their baby was in the breech presentation. As much hypnosis was provided as was convenient and possible for the women until they were delivered of the baby or the baby converted to the vertex position. Main outcome variables A successful conversion for the intervention group was scored when the baby spontaneously converted to the vertex position before delivery or successful external cephalic version. The conversion rate of the intervention group was compared with the comparison group who received standard obstetrical care without the opportunity for hypnosis. Data analysis Parametric testing of statistically significant differences in the rate of conversion between the two groups. Results Eighty-one percent of the fetuses in the intervention group converted to vertex presentation compared with 48% of those in the comparison group. This difference was statistically significant. Conclusions Motivated subjects can be influenced by a skilled hypnotherapist in such a manner that their fetuses have a higher incidence of conversion from breech to vertex presentation. Psychophysiological factors may influence the breech presentation and may explain this increased frequency of conversion to vertex presentation.
Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction in Javelin Throwers at a Minimum 2-Year Follow-up

Background: There are several large series of outcomes after ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction that have 1 or 2 javelin throwers included. To our knowledge, however, there are no reports that focus solely on the results of UCL reconstruction in this group of athletes.Hypothesis/Purpose: We hypothesize that by using modern UCL reconstruction techniques, javelin throwers can reliably expect to return to their sport. Additionally, we review the principles behind postoperative rehabilitation in these athletes, as it differs from the usual approach used with baseball players.Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods: This was a retrospective review of 10 javelin throwers who underwent UCL reconstruction between 2006 and 2009 using the docking technique. There were 5 college and 5 high school javelin throwers. The average age was 18.5 years (range, 18-21 years). All patients, before being indicated for ligament reconstruction, failed a course of nonoperative management that included r...
Liquid structure of titanium and vanadium; VMHNC calculations

The first successful calculations for the liquid structure S(q) of the early 3d transition metals are presented; they use effective pair interionic potentials and an integral equation theory of liquids. The effective pair potentials are obtained from a local form that assumes the superposition of the nearly free electron band, described by the empty-core model, and the d-band contribution, which is calculated by using an inverse scattering approach. The liquid state theory used in the calculations is the variational modified hypernetted chain (VMHNC) approximation. The agreement between the calculated S(q) and the available X-ray diffraction data for vanadium is reasonably good, but for titanium is only fair.
dictyBase update 2011: web 2.0 functionality and the initial steps towards a genome portal for the Amoebozoa

dictyBase (http://www.dictybase.org), the model organism database for Dictyostelium, aims to provide the broad biomedical research community with well integrated, high quality data and tools for Dictyostelium discoideum and related species. dictyBase houses the complete genome sequence, ESTs, and the entire body of literature relevant to Dictyostelium. This information is curated to provide accurate gene models and functional annotations, with the goal of fully annotating the genome to provide a 'reference genome' in the Amoebozoa clade. We highlight several new features in the present update: (i) new annotations; (ii) improved interface with web 2.0 functionality; (iii) the initial steps towards a genome portal for the Amoebozoa; (iv) ortholog display; and (v) the complete integration of the Dicty Stock Center with dictyBase.
Virus-specific early RNA in 3T6 cells infected by a tsA mutant of polyoma virus.

Abstract The accumulation of virus-specific early RNA in mouse 3T6 cells infected by wild type polyoma virus or by a tsA mutant, tsA25E, was measured by hybridizatio of cytoplasmic RNA to radiolabeled “early” strand polyoma DNA. Cells infected by the tsA25E mutant accumulated approximately 20 times more virus-specific early RNA during the early phase of lytic infection than did wild type-infected cells at both the permissive and the nonpermissive temperature under identical conditions of infection and hybridization. Cells infected by the tsA25E mutant at the permissive temperature continued to accumulate virus-specific early RNA during the late phase of infection after being shifted to the nonpermissive temperature to block further viral DNA replication. A mixed infection of cells by wild-type polyoma and tsA25E showed that the overproduction of early RNA by the tsA mutant alone could be suppressed by coinfection with the wild type. The results suggest that the A gene product of polyoma regulates transcriptio of early RNA, as has been suggested for SV40 (Reed et al., 1976) and that the wild-type A-gene product overcomes the effect of the temperature-sensitive A-gene product.
Biological sensors: More than one way to sense oxygen

Abstract Recently determined structures of the oxygen-sensing heme domain of the bacterial protein FixL have revealed a new binding environment and signal transduction mechanism for heme; they have also provided new insights into the diverse ‘PAS' domain superfamily.
Electric power systems for steel plants

In view of the nature of the steel-making process, a high degree of reliability in electrical service is absolutely essential. The problems involved in steel-plant electric systems are discussed.
The Interaction of Dihydrogen-di(1,2,3-benzotriazolatium)-Hexacyanoferrate(II) with Certain Organic amines. II

The chemistry of the interactions of certain organic amines, tetramethylammonium chloride and piperidine with dihydrogen-di(1,2,3-benzotriazolatium)hexacyanoferrate(II) is reported. Es werden die Reaktionsmechanismen der Umsetzungen von Dihydrogen-di(1,2,3-benzotriazol)-hexacyanoferrat(II) mit Aminen, Tetramethylammoniumchlorid und Piperidin, die zu schwerloslichen Niederschlagen fuhren, untersucht.
Pressure-coupled vaporization response of n-pentane fuel droplet at subcritical and supercritical conditions

Abstract The dynamic response of a liquid fuel droplet to externally impressed pressure oscillations is studied comprehensively over a wide range of mean pressures. Both subcritical and supercritical conditions are considered. The formulation treats a complete set of conservation equations and incorporates real fluid thermodynamics and transport theories. As a specific example, the situation with isolated n -pentane droplets in nitrogen is studied at various forcing frequencies. Results are correlated with the liquid thermal inertial time, instantaneous droplet radius, and oscillation frequency. The magnitude of the vaporization response increases with increasing pressure, mainly due to the decreased enthalpy of vaporization at high pressures. The increased sensitivity of droplet thermophysical properties to ambient flow variations at high pressures also plays a role. The phase angle of the vaporization response function, however, appears to be independent of the ambient pressure. An abrupt increase in the response function takes place when the droplet surface reaches its critical mixing state. A major factor contributing to this phenomenon is the abnormal variations of fluid thermophysical properties near the critical mixing point.
Pattern visual evoked potentials in cases of ambiguous acuity loss

Thirty patients were referred to our visual evoked potential laboratory with complaints of profound acuity loss in one or both eyes. However, the objective ophthalmologic findings were normal, including pupillary reaction, and anterior segment and fundus examinations. Transient visual evoked potentials to a 2.3-c/deg sinusoidal grating pattern were found to be present in 26 of these 30 patients. Visual evoked potentials may be used as a measure of afferent pathway integrity.
The effects of Jeopardy as a test preparation strategy for nursing students

As teachers, we strive to motivate and inspire our students to participate actively in the learning process. Gaming is an innovative teaching strategy that is an effective use of active learning pedagogy and should be considered by faculty for test preparation. According to K. Mangold (2007), the millennial generation expects learning to be fun and interactive, which gaming accomplishes. During the evaluation of the game Jeopardy as a test-preparation strategy, the author discovered that students perceive this method is an enjoyable tool to enhance the learning experience.
The Interrelationships of Some General and Specific Preferences

(1940). The Interrelationships of Some General and Specific Preferences. The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 11, No. 2, pp. 275-302.
Cervical spine injury in the very elderly

Background: Elderly patients are known to be at increased risk of cervical spine injuries. This propensity for injury becomes more important as the population of mobile elderly individuals increases. The present study seeks to examine the incidence and spectrum of spine injury among patients aged 80 years or greater, and to examine the efficacy of a decision rule for obtaining cervical spine radiography in this extreme age group. The decision rule would determine whether imaging could be avoided in patients who have none of the following: (1) posterior midline cervical spine tenderness; (2) focal neurological deficit; (3) abnormal level of alertness; (4) evidence of intoxication; or (5) clinically apparent distracting painful injury. Methods: All blunt trauma victims presenting to participating emergency departments underwent clinical evaluation prior to radiographic imaging. The elements of the decision rule were assessed and documented in each patient prior to radiographic imaging. The presence or absence of cervical spine injury was subsequently based on the final interpretation of all radiographic studies supplemented by a review of neurosurgical and risk management logs from each participating hospital. Data on all patients aged 80 years or greater were sequestered from the main database for separate analysis. Results: The study enrolled 34,069 individuals, including 818 patients (2.4 %) with cervical spine injuries. This population contained 1,070 patients (3.1 % of all cases) aged 80 or greater, 50 of whom (4.7 %) sustained cervical spine injuries. Injuries to the craniocervical junction (particularly C2 and the odontoid) accounted for 47.3 % of the injuries in the elderly, but only 28.6 % of injuries in younger patients. Older fracture victims were also likely to have more injuries (2.54 injuries/patient) than their younger counter parts (1.78 injuries/patient). The decision rule correctly identified all very elderly cervical spine injury victims [sensitivity 100.0 %; confidence interval (CI) 92.9–100.0 %], and designated 132 patients as “low-risk,” yielding a negative predictive value of 100.0 % (CI 97.3–100.0 %). Conclusions: The very elderly are at increased risked of cervical spine injury, particularly injury to the craniocervical junction. They also tend to have more extensive injuries than younger patients. Despite the increased risk of injury, the decision rule performed well in the very elderly, and allowed correct identification of all cervical spine injury victims.
Brain Hexokinase I Expression and Function during Development. † 1391

Glucose, an essential substrate for brain growth, cellular maturation, and oxidative metabolism is transported across the blood-brain barrier, into neurons and glial cells. Intracellularly glucose is phosphorylated into glucose-6-phosphate by the hexokinase I (hxl) enzyme. In the adult brain, glucose phosphorylation comprises the rate-limiting step in the process of glucose uptake. To determine the ontogeny of this critical rate limiting step, we examined the brain hxl expression (Northern blots), concentration (Western blots), enzymatic activity (NADPNADPH conversion by spectrophotometric assay) and function (3H-2-deoxy-glucose uptake) in Balb-C mice at 1d(n=6), 14d (n=6), and 35d (n=6) postnatal ages. Hxl mRNA and protein concentrations declined 20-50% (p < 0.05) while activity increased 2-fold between the 1d and 14d or 35d brains. In contrast, a six-fold increase in3 H-2-deoxy-glucose uptake (p < 0.05) which quantitates glucose transport and phosphorylation was noted between the 1d and 14d old mice. Our previous investigation demonstrated a 3-fold increase in brain glucose transporter expression and levels (particularly neuronal Glut 3) between the 1d and 14d mouse brains (Ped Res 39:91A, 1996). We conclude that 1] brain Hxl enzyme activity and function peak by a post-translational mechanism at the 14d postnatal age, 2] the age-related increase in brain Hxl enzyme activity along with the previous observation of a parallel increase in brain glucose transporter concentrations substantiate the age-related increase in brain 2-deoxyglucose uptake with a peak at 14d postnatal age. We speculate that this age-dependent increase in the mechanisms mediating brain glucose uptake 1] may be initiated by the physiological surge in thyroid hormone levels and activity that occurs at 14d of age, and 2] is critical for fueling the process of rapid brain growth and cellular development that occurs at 14d postnatal age in preparation for acquiring the specialized function of neurotransmission.
Bases for a Discrete Special Relativity

Following recent developments in the hypothesis of a discrete space-time lattice, some assumptions are postulated that seem necessary to work out this model in the theory of special relativity. In particular, the assumption of space-time coordinates with integer values requires the translation of relativistic mechanics and electrodynamics into the language of finite difference equations. A special study of the covariance of these equations under the inhomogeneous Lorentz group is carried out. Finally, a stronger assumption is postulated, by which the physical magnitudes derived from the space-time coordinates should take rational values.
Barriers to entry in the U.S. and Japanese titanium industries

The purpose of this paper is to construct and empirically test a model designed to determine the impact of increases in production capacity and any related excess capacity on the probability of entry into the Japanese titanium industry. These results will be compared to those of an earlier study pertaining to the U.S. titanium industry. Relevant predictor variables are employed in a model to obtain estimates of changes in titanium production and capacity. These estimates are then used in a logit analysis to determine their impact on the probability of firm entry into the Japanese titanium industry. The results of this analysis, unlike those from the earlier U.S. study, indicate that predicted capacity expansion by incumbent Japanese firms had no significant impact on the probability of entry.
Discussion of “early childhood development and implications for analytic theory and practice”

Dr. Chess has touched upon most of the issues currently important in child development research. She has also referred to many aspects of analytic theory and practice. En passant she mentioned social policies and research methodology. Were we to do justice to all she said, it would require not only this entire day but a seminar of indefinite duration. Let me begin by recalling one statement our speaker made that is central to the whole of her presentation. She said that no theoretical model that assigns the same life experiences as antecedents for psychopathology in all cases can do justice to the tremendous variations in outcome. No one could disagree with that assertion-not since the number of longitudinal studies of both normal and at-risk populations has become impressive. It was implied that the psychoanalytic model of child development does postulate an invariable link between early life events and later maldevelopment. I wonder whether it is psychoanalytic theory that makes this assumption. It seems to me that certain extensions and also misunderstandings of analytic theory that were rampant in mental health circles and were influential in shaping popular ideas and perceptions may be involved. Anna Freud, surely a spokesman for psychoanalytic views on child development, has been very explicit on this point. She made it clear that a knowledge of early life events of a disturbing and seemingly harmful nature does not tell us whether or not a child has been traumatized, much less the consequences of the event for developmental outcome. Her most recent utterances on this point were published in 1958 (Psychoanal. Study Child,
Effects of progesterone on in vitro sperm capacitation and egg penetration in the golden hamster.

Progesterone (P) is postulated to have a physiological role in vivo during sperm capacitation and/or during sperm-egg interaction as a cofactor for induction of the acrosome reaction. Effects on in vitro fertilization were tested by adding P (0.01-2 micrograms/ml) to sperm during capacitation (4-6 h) or after capacitation during sperm-egg interaction for 1 h. Additionally, to test for acceleration of the onset of capacitation by P, eggs were inseminated with sperm that were incubated with P for 3.5 and 5 h. Neither the solvent dimethyl sulfoxide nor P affected the motility or vigor of treated sperm. The effects of P on egg penetration were dependent on the dose, the temporal sequence of its addition to sperm (i.e., before or after capacitation), and the duration of sperm exposure. Capacitation of sperm with 20 ng/ml P for 5 h, but not 3.5 h, increased the percentage of eggs penetrated by sperm over controls (52.65 +/- 4.01% vs. 39.30 +/- 5.18%, p < 0.05). But P (0.01-2 micrograms/ml), either added after capacitation (4.5 h) during sperm-egg coincubation (1 h) only, or present (1 micrograms/ml) throughout capacitation (4-6 h) and sperm-egg coincubation (1 h), did not increase egg penetration over control levels. In conclusion, the best results occurred with a protocol that mimicked in vivo conditions of capacitation time (5 h) and preovulatory oviductal levels of P (20 ng/ml).
La construcción del espacio urbano en la poesía social de Gabriel Aresti: Bilbao ante la modernidad

Este articulo se centra en la construccion del espacio urbano a traves de la poesia de Gabriel Aresti durante la dictadura franquista. Por un lado, Aresti enfatiza las injusticias sociales de la villa entre la nueva burguesia vasca surgida con la segunda industrializacion y las masas populares de inmigrantes tanto castellanos como de los pueblos vascos. Por otro lado, el poeta ansia recuperar el vasquismo, la lengua y las tradiciones nacionales en reaccion a una temida perdida cultural debido a la presencia de la espanolidad y a los cambios que sufre la ciudad. En este sentido, dicho conflicto genera una experiencia propia y especifica de un Bilbao que ha de negociar esta heterogeneidad cultural y social articulando un nacionalismo popular sin excluir al 'otro'.This essay focuses on the construction of urban space through Gabriel Aresti's poetry during Franco's dictatorship. On the one hand, Aresti emphasizes the social injustices in the city between the new Basque bourgeoisie and the Castilian and rural ...
The Central Role of Self-Esteem for Persons with Psychosis

The overall purpose of this article is to examine the role that self-esteem plays in the lives of individuals experiencing psychotic disorders. Particularly, and following the work of Harry Stack Sullivan, the expression of love as a necessary foundation for self-esteem is explored to assess its significance during and after onset of illness. Initial positive interpersonal relationships and displays of love by the caregiver during infancy may remain embedded within the infant's psyche, thereby having a profound and lasting protective effect during and after onset of illness, contributing to positive internalizations of self-worth and self-esteem in the face of experiences of failure, rejection, and discrimination. When a foundation of love and positive self-regard are not in place, their development may be required as an early step in the process of recovery for individuals with schizophrenia, challenging practitioners to go beyond the formal therapeutic boundaries in which they were trained. An example o...
Universal properties of kernel functions for probabilistic sensitivity analysis

Abstract Development of probabilistic sensitivities is frequently considered an essential component of a probabilistic analysis and often critical towards understanding the physical mechanisms underlying failure and modifying the design to mitigate and manage risk. One useful sensitivity is the partial derivative of the probability-of-failure and/or the system response with respect to the parameters of the independent input random variables. Calculation of these partial derivatives has been established in terms of an expected value operation (sometimes called the score function or likelihood ratio method). The partial derivatives can be computed with typically insignificant additional computational cost given the failure samples and kernel functions — which are the partial derivatives of the log of the probability density function (PDF) with respect to the parameters of the distribution. The formulation is general such that any sampling method can be used for the computation such as Monte Carlo, importance sampling, Latin hypercube, etc. In this paper, useful universal properties of the kernel functions that must be satisfied for all two parameter independent distributions are derived. These properties are then used to develop distribution-free analytical expressions of the partial derivatives of the response moments (mean and standard deviation) with respect to the PDF parameters for linear and quadratic response functions. These universal properties can be used to facilitate development and verification of the required kernel functions and to develop an improved understanding of the model for design considerations.
Fuzzy multi-criteria selection of object-oriented simulation software for production system analysis

Discrete event computer simulation is one of the most widely used modeling tools for production systems. Object-oriented programming is revolutionizing computer simulation software packages. A fuzzy set approach for multi-criteria selection of object-oriented simulation software for analysis of production system is developed in this paper. The approach uses fuzzy set theory and algebraic operations of fuzzy numbers to characterize simulation software so that the strength and weakness of each alternative can be compared. The linguistic input from experts and decision makers are fuzzified and the results of the fuzzy inference are translated back to linguistic explanation. Further, by aggregating decision maker's preference (weighting) to the expert's rating, a single number for each candidate software can be obtained. One can use this number as an index to choose the most suitable simulation software for the specific application. A comparison between evaluations using simple triangular fuzzy numbers and using the real fuzzy set are presented.
The next US president's economic in‐tray

Former Obama adviser Jared Bernstein argues that the biggest economic challenge facing the winner of this year's presidential election will be addressing deep structural problems in the US economy.
An FT-IR Study of the Water Absorbed in Kevlar-49® Fibers:

Diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy has been used in order to detect absorbed water hydrogen-bonded to Kevlar-49® fibers. Varying amounts of KBr overlayers were used on the top of each sample in order to increase the surface selectivity of the technique. Three different O-H stretching vibrations of absorbed water were detected in the fibers exposed to saturated water-vapor atmosphere. Two peaks at 3640 and 3560 cm−1 are attributed to absorbed water that is weakly hydrogen-bonded to amide groups of the polymer. A broad absorption around 3450 cm−1 is characteristic of liquid-like water clustered in microvoids and other sites inside the fibers. The spectra of dried Kevlar-49® fibers show an unbonded amide N-H stretching peak at 3431 cm−1, indicative of regions with less perfect chain packing. At least part of these groups hydrogen-bond with absorbed water, depending on their availability.
Cobalt-Porphyrin Catalyzed Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide in Water. 1. A Density Functional Study of Intermediates

The reduction of carbon dioxide by cobalt porphyrins is thought to be a multistep reaction with several possible intermediates and reaction pathways. We here investigate a number of possible intermediates in this reaction using density functional theory, including both hybrid (B3LYP) and pure (PBE and BP86) functionals. Optimum structures are located, and harmonic vibrational frequencies and thermal corrections are computed for the low-lying electronic states for all intermediates. Free energies of solvation are predicted for all species, providing a reaction profile in the aqueous phase, which enables identification of likely pathways. Finally, the reaction energy for the binding of carbon dioxide to the cobalt porphine cation is determined in the gas phase and in solution.
Els terratrèmols dels segles XIV i XV a Catalunya

Els terratremols dels segles XIV i XV a Catalunya C. OLIVERA, E. REDONDO, J. LAMBERT, A. RIERA MELIS and A. ROCA, 2006 Barcelona: Institut Cartografic de Catalunya 407 pp. ISBN 9788439369615 Betwee...
Equity trends in Ohio school finance, 1976–1984

Abstract From 1976–1984, Ohio moved from a foundation plan in distributing state aid, to a power equalizing approach and back to a modified foundation plan. Equity impacts of these changes are analyzed in this paper. Results show equity improvements from 1976–1980 and then greater inequity from 1980–1984.
Catecholamine storage vesicle protein expression in genetic hypertension.

Chromogranin A expression is heritable in humans, and both plasma chromogranin A concentration and its releasable adrenal and sympathetic neuronal pools are augmented in established essential (hereditary) hypertension. To evaluate chromogranin A further as a simpler or ?intermediate phenotype? in the complex trait of hypertension, we studied chromogranin A expression in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), a rodent model of essential hypertension. Both plasma (p < 0.0001) and adrenal medullary (p = 0.003 to p < 0.0001) chromogranin A were elevated in the SHR, even at the earliest stages (3-4 weeks of age). In the adult adrenal gland, both chromogranin A (p = 0.005) and norepinephrine (p
New York City Restaurants: Vernaculars of Global Designing

Abstract This paper explores some of the unique characteristics that define globalization and global cities through an investigation of recent design trends in New York City restaurants, specifically gentrification, new users of global cities, casualization, and the processes of contestation and absorption of the dominant as well as nondominant cultures and classes in the city as they are played out in the physical, social, and economic morphology of the city over the past fifteen years. I will argue that these features define place in very specific and complex ways. Although locally oriented, restaurants reflect deeper and broader social and economic global forces that help to create the meaning of that space. The importation and exportation of specific restaurants to other existing and emerging global cities is already in progress. As such, restaurants offer a basis for analyzing emerging cities—those that, although not global, have an important relationship to global cities. The findings offered here a...
COMBINATION ANTIVIRAL CHEMOTHERAPY IN A MURINE MODEL OF NEONTAL HERPES

Although therapy with arabinoside (Ara-A) or acyclovir (ACV) has improved outcome in human neonatal herpes, appreciable mortality and morbidity still occur in treated infants. In 3 week old mice inoculated intranasally with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), we compared mortality rates from treatment with a combination of two drugs vs each drug alone by using the combination index (CI) equation. In a representative experiment, the dose of ACV beginning 48 hr after viral challenge which reduced mortality 50% from that of placebo-treated animals (protective dose - 50 or PD-50) was 60 mg/kg/da divided twice daily for 7 days. The PD-50 for recombinant interferon (rIFN) - alpha A/D (a human hybrid active in mouse cells) was over 50,000 units/mouse/da. Using a high, middle, and low dose of ACV (120, 40, and 14 mg/kg/da) in combination with a high, middle and low dose of rIFN (50,000; 10,000; and 2,000 u/mouse/da), the PD-50 for ACV was reduced to 0.02 to 0.3 mg/kg/da with the high and mid IFN doses, and the PD-50 for IFN decreased to 600 to 5,000 u/mouse/da with all 3 doses of ACV. The CI value calculated from these data indicated synergism. Using a similar experimental design, the combination of ara-A and ACV appeared to be synergistic with the mid and low doses of the 2 drugs, but indifferent with the high doses. These results indicate that the combination of two antiviral drugs active in experimental HSV infections can have synergistic therapeutic activity and suggest that this approach should be pursued in the treatment of human HSV disease.
Oral History and the Old Left

On April 12, 1898, Laura Camella Hudson, daughter of a slave and wife of a sharecropper in Wilkes County, Georgia gave birth to a son, Hosea. Two years later and several thousand miles to the East, Joe Rapoport was born in the small Ukranian Jewish shtetl of Stanislavchik. And still another three years later, Stjepan Mesaros (later Steve Nelson) was born in Subocka, a village of fewer than one hundred families in the fertile farming region of Croatia. Few people would be surprised to learn that these three boys from such geographically dispersed preindus trial and rural settings would spend their adult years in American factories. After all, such sagas of the "uprooted" fill high school history textbooks and (with a little sex thrown in) popular paperback novels. What is remarkable here?and perhaps unsettling to those who still adhere to the dominant myths of our past?is that Hudson, Rapoport, and Nelson did not join the American middle class and struggle for social and economic success, but rather joined the American Communist party and struggled for social and economic justice. And what is even more remarkable is that these three fascinating life stories are now available to us in oral autobiogra phies collected and edited by professional historians and published by eminently respectable university presses. Both the lives of Hudson, Rapoport, and Nelson and the form of their presentation?as oral histories?command our attention. For to examine these life stories is to re-examine some of our most common assumptions about the Ameri can Communist party, to recognize that the party's history has been much richer and more complex than we have been led to believe by either the polemics of many anti-Communists or the apologetics of many Communists. Yet, while appre
Aspirin and Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Use and the Risk of Barrett’s Esophagus

Background The use of aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may decrease the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma; however, it is unknown where these agents may act in the proposed pathway from normal mucosa to Barrett’s esophagus to esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Effects of activated carbon surface chemistry and pore structure on the adsorption of organic contaminants from aqueous solution

Abstract The objective of this research was to develop activated carbon selection criteria that assure the effective removal of trace organic contaminants from aqueous solution and to base the selection criteria on physical and chemical adsorbent characteristics. To systematically evaluate pore structure and surface chemistry effects, a matrix of activated carbon fibers (ACFs) with three activation levels and four surface chemistry levels was prepared and characterized. In addition, three granular activated carbons (GACs) were studied. Two common drinking water contaminants, relatively polar methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) and relatively nonpolar trichloroethene (TCE), served as adsorbate probes. TCE adsorbed primarily in micropores in the 7–10 A width range while MTBE adsorbed primarily in micropores in the 8–11 A width range. These results suggest that effective adsorbents should exhibit a large volume of micropores with widths that are about 1.3 to 1.8 times larger than the kinetic diameter of the target adsorbate. Hydrophobic adsorbents more effectively removed both TCE and MTBE from aqueous solution than hydrophilic adsorbents, a result that was explained by enhanced water adsorption on hydrophilic surfaces. To assure sufficient adsorbent hydrophobicity, the oxygen and nitrogen contents of an activated carbon should therefore sum to no more than about 2 to 3 mmol/g.
Fearful imagery in social phobia: generalization, comorbidity, and physiological reactivity.

Background Social phobia has been characterized as a disorder of exaggerated fear of social threat and heightened sensitivity to imagery of social failure. Methods To assess the physiological basis of this description, social phobia patients ( n = 75) and demographically matched control participants ( n = 75) imagined neutral and fearful events while acoustic startle probes were occasionally presented and eye-blink responses (orbicularis occuli) recorded. Changes in heart rate, skin conductance level, and facial expressivity were also indexed. In addition to comparing control participants and social phobia patients, the influences of diagnostic subtype (circumscribed, generalized), comorbid depression, and chronicity were assessed. Results Patients exceeded control participants in startle reflex and autonomic responding during imagery of social threat, whereas the groups evinced commensurate reactivity to contents depicting commonly shared fears (survival threat). Individuals with circumscribed performance phobia were similar to control participants, with the exception of more robust reactions to idiographic, performance fear imagery. In contrast, generalized phobic patients were characterized by longer disorder chronicity and demonstrated heightened sensitivity to a broader range of fear contents. Those with generalized phobia plus comorbid depression showed attenuation of fear-potentiated startle and reported the most protracted social anxiety. Conclusions Subtypes of social phobia can be objectively distinguished in patterns of physiological reactivity. Furthermore, subtypes vary systematically in chronicity and defensive engagement with the shortest disorder duration (circumscribed phobia) associated with the most robust and focal physiological reactivity, followed by broader defensive sensitivity in more chronic generalized phobia, and finally attenuation of the formerly exaggerated fear potentiation in the comorbidly depressed, the most chronic form.
Precise calibration of equilibrium oxygen isotope fractionations between dissolved phosphate and water from 3 to 37 °C

Abstract The stable oxygen isotope composition of orthophosphate (δ18OPO4) is a widely used (paleo)temperature indicator and more recently, a useful tracer of phosphorus-cycling. In natural aqueous systems (e.g., oceans, rivers, soil/ground water) the largest reactive phosphorus pool is dissolved inorganic phosphate. Here, we present a new experimentally-determined equation for thermodynamic equilibrium O-isotope fractionations between dissolved phosphate and water, catalyzed by the enzyme inorganic pyrophosphatase (PPase) between 3 and 37 °C; 1000 ln α ( PO 4 - H 2 O ) = 14.43 ( ± 0.39 ) 1000 / T ( K ) - 26.54 ( ± 1.33 ) r 2 = 0.99 The new equation is slightly offset by +0.5 to +0.7‰ from recent empirically-determined fractionations based on biogenic apatite, with both based on modern cf-irms TC/EA analysis of Ag3PO4. Dissolved phosphate–water fractionations are offset by +0.9 to +2.3‰ from the earlier empirical relation for biogenic phosphate–water fractionation determined using fluorination of BiPO4. The equation presented here is thus, specific to equilibrium fractions between dissolved phosphate and water and appropriate for use in recent/future oxygen isotope studies of dissolved phosphate using similar cf-irms TC/EA analytical methods.
Miracil D: effect on the viscosity of DNA.

Abstract Miracil D caused an increase in the intrinsic and relative viscosities of native calf thymus DNA. This effect was completely reversed by the addition of spermine (5·10−5 M, Mg2+ (5·10−3 M and Na+ (5·10−2 M. Experiments with a series of congeners indicated that alkylation of the proximal side-chain nitrogen of the drug and sulfoxidation of the ring system abolished activity. The effect of the congeners on relative viscosity correlated well with those on the heat denaturation profile of DNA.
Ancestor worship in CS1: on the primacy of arrays

History has given us the array as the fundamental data structure to present to students within the CS1 curriculum. However, with the recent growth in popularity of object-oriented languages for CS1 (C++, Java, C#), and with that, the acceptance of the objects-first or objects-early approach to teaching CS1, it becomes imperative that we re-evaluate our long-held beliefs about what is appropriate to teach. It is our position that the first data structure that students are exposed to should not be arrays, but rather some other form of collection. We will give some examples of how to use java.util.HashMap and some of the other Java Collections classes in substitution of arrays. We also present data concerning the academic performance of students using arrays versus those using Java Collections for CS1 lab exercises.
Effects of magnesium sulfate on electrical ventricular defibrillation of dogs.

Magnesium ion infusion has been reported for treatment of hypomagnesemia often associated with myocardial infarction and with surgeries involving cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Magnesium infusion before CPB has been reported to adversely affect the ability to defibrillate after CPB. However, there are also reports of magnesium ion infusion facilitating defibrillation of refractory ventricular fibrillation. This study evaluated the isolated effect of magnesium ion infusion on the shock intensity requirements for electrical defibrillation. The electric current required to defibrillate with 50% success (the ED50) was estimated in five mongrel dogs at baseline and again after each of four magnesium sulfate (80 mg/kg) infusions. The total serum magnesium level increased from 2.32 ± 0.08 mg/dL (mean ± SD) to 7.92 ± 0.80 mg/dL. The mean estimated ED50 decreased from 12.8 ± 2.9 A at baseline, to 11.1 ± 0.8 A after the fourth infusion (P < .05), decreasing the delivered energy by 25%. Magnesium sulfate infusion was associated with a significant decrease in the electrical requirements for defibrillation.