cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measuring internal customer satisfaction

Identifies two empirically derived measures of internal customer support used to assess team effectiveness from the perspective of the team’s internal customers. The measures, personal service and technical competence, are based on analysis of the responses of 465 individuals representing 150 internal customer teams. When compared, the expected (self) ratings of the members of internal intact work teams were more positive than those ratings actually attributed to them by their internal customers. The findings reveal members of work teams tend to over estimate the effectiveness of their team’s performance when compared with the ratings the same teams receive from their internal customers. The measurement of internal customer satisfaction is a tool that can be a useful aid for managers of service quality and their work teams to help them more accurately measure the effectiveness of their units.
CHARLES LYELL, UNIFORMITARIANISM, AND INTERPRETIVE PRINCIPLES

. I examine the development of Charles Lyell's principle of uniformity and its influence on the development of modern geology and biology and argue that distinguishing between philosophical starting points and empirical findings is essential for clarity in the discussion between science and religion. First, I explore Lyell's arguments against catastrophism and how these were both empirically and religiously motivated. I then consider how David Hume's empiricism, theory of causation, and rejection of miracles influenced Lyell. Using these insights, Lyell formulated his principle of uniformity, which he believed was based on current empirical findings, and rejected explanatory hypotheses that used the biblical Flood or other catastrophist accounts as violations of uniform causation and introductions of theological concepts into empirical science. I next examine the influence of Lyell's principle on Charles Darwin. Although Lyell opposed Darwinism for most of his life, Darwin relied heavily on Lyell, as is evidenced by references throughout The Origin of Species. I contend that the most important aspect of Lyell's principle for Darwin is that it makes natural evil (the struggle for survival) a process that has always been occurring rather than something introduced after the Fall as recorded in Genesis. Finally, I discuss the role that uniformity plays for Lyell, Darwin, and modern science as an interpretive principle rather than as an inference from empirical data, and I conclude by noting that keeping the distinction in mind between interpretive principles and empirical findings will help clarify debates between science and religion.
Evidence for an unknown component of pancreatic ascites that induces adult respiratory distress syndrome through an interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-dependent mechanism.

Abstract Background. The development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) during acute pancreatitis is associated with interleukin (IL)-1 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene expression within the pulmonary parenchyma. Although activated pancreatic enzymes have been thought to mediate pancreatitis-induced ARDS, they are not capable of inducing cytokine production in vitro. We hypothesized that IL-1 and TNF production in the lungs is essential to the development of ARDS and is induced by a mediator released from the inflamed pancreas. Methods. Pancreatic ascites was obtained from rats after induction of bile-salt pancreatitis, cultured, and assayed for IL-1, TNF, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, interferon-γ, and endotoxin. Sterile, cytokine-free ascites or saline (control) was subsequently administered intravenously (20 ml/kg) to healthy rats and to IL-1 R1 or TNF R1 knockout mice. Results. Animals administered intravenous ascites had a 30-fold rise in pulmonary IL-1 and TNF mRNA, as well as increased alveolar leukocytes and protein. Knockout animals devoid of active IL-1 or TNF receptors failed to develop increased alveolar protein or leukocytes. Conclusions. A component of pancreatic ascites other than activated enzymes, bacteria, or inflammatory cytokines is capable of inducing ARDS in healthy animals. The mechanism appears to be directly attributable to the activity of pulmonary IL-1 and TNF.
Design Wind Speed Prediction

Structures are designed with the intention of safely withstanding ordinary and extreme loads over the entire intended economic lifetime. Designation of appropriate design levels is especially difficult for natural processes, for which many decades of reliable data are desirable, but is often basically unattainable. One such area of interest is the prediction of extreme wind speeds. Recently, multiyear, mechanically recorded data from 5 sites in the Pacific Northwest were obtained. The data consist of hourly 1-s maximum gust speeds, wind direction, temperature, and barometric pressure. Using these variables, the data are examined by season to determine statistical characteristics, including their dependencies. In particular, histograms of the wind gusts are examined in detail at each location to determine whether they can be modeled by a single probability distribution. Statistical time series analysis is traditionally dependent on the assumption that all observations arise from a single distribution, but recent theoretical advances have been made with mixed distributions in extreme value theory. The suitability of the observed wind data for analysis using mixed distributions is examined, and the peaks-over-threshold technique is applied. The results are compared to those obtained by assuming the data arise from a single distribution. Rather striking results indicate the importance of the mixed distribution approach, including seasonal and direction variations. It was also noted that the theory of mixed distributions in extreme value theory can be applied to any data for which extremal computations are desired.
Genome-wide analysis of the role of copy-number variation in pancreatic cancer risk

Although family history is a risk factor for pancreatic adenocarcinoma, much of the genetic etiology of this disease remains unknown. While genome-wide association studies have identified some common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with pancreatic cancer risk, these SNPs do not explain all the heritability of this disease. We hypothesized that copy number variation (CNVs) in the genome may play a role in genetic predisposition to pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Here, we report a genome-wide analysis of CNVs in a small hospital-based, European ancestry cohort of pancreatic cancer cases and controls. Germline CNV discovery was performed using the Illumina Human CNV370 platform in 223 pancreatic cancer cases (both sporadic and familial) and 169 controls. Following stringent quality control, we asked if global CNV burden was a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. Finally, we performed in silico CNV genotyping and association testing to discover novel CNV risk loci. When we examined the global CNV burden, we found no strong evidence that CNV burden plays a role in pancreatic cancer risk either overall or specifically in individuals with a family history of the disease. Similarly, we saw no significant evidence that any particular CNV is associated with pancreatic cancer risk. Taken together, these data suggest that CNVs do not contribute substantially to the genetic etiology of pancreatic cancer, though the results are tempered by small sample size and large experimental variability inherent in array-based CNV studies
Spondias mombin is Culturally Deprived in Megafauna-Free Forest

In the semi-deciduous forests of Santa Rosa National Park in the Pacific coastal lowlands of northwestern Costa Rica, the large and fast-growing tree Spondias mombin(Anacardiaceae) experiences greater than 95% post-dispersal seed predation by a bruchid beetle (Amblycerus spondiae) on its nuts that have been dispersed to any part of pristine or secondary successional forest. Nuts dispersed (by white-tailed deer) to abandoned pastures immediately adjacent to the forest suffer less than 20% post-dispersal seed predation but seedlings are killed by frequent grass fires. S. mombin displays significant recruitment of saplings and young trees only on forest edges free of fire for long intervals. The very high percent seed predation in the forest and the failure of many nuts to ever be dispersed away from the parent tree is attributed directly and indirectly to the absence of a herbivorous (frugivorous) megafauna that would have been part of the habitat of S. mombin through most of its evolutionary history. These large animals would have consumed large numbers of S. mombin fruits and thereby dispersed the nuts in such a manner as to have both led to more escape from bruchids and an overall reduction in the bruchid population density. By their defecation patterns, these mammals would also have defecated more nuts in sites of high quality for S. mombin sapling survival than is the case at present. In contemporary habitats, S. mombin is culturally deprived in that it can no longer interact with the habitats, animals and densities of animals whose selective pressures were a major force in the evolution of the tree's traits.
High transport critical currents in dense monofilamentary Fe- and Ni-clad MgB/sub 2/ tapes and MgB/sub 2//Fe wires with 7 filaments

Highly dense monofilamentary MgB/sub 2//Ni and MgB/sub 2//Fe tapes and multifilamentary MgB/sub 2//Fe wire with high transport critical current densities have been fabricated using a straightforward powder-in-tube (PIT) process. High density of the MgB/sub 2/ core and a fine starting powder appear to be decisive factors for reaching high critical current densities. After annealing, we measured transport j/sub c/ values up to 2.3/spl times/10/sup 5/ A/cm/sup 2/ at 4.2 K in a field of 1.5 T (corresponding to an I/sub c/ of 300 A) in a MgB/sub 2//Ni tape and up to 10/sup 4/ A/cm/sup 2/ at 4.2 K in 6.5 T in a MgB/sub 2//Fe tape. For higher currents these monofilamentary tapes quenched due to insufficient thermal stability. Thus, j/sub c/ at 4.2 K, 0 T can for instance only be extrapolated, yielding a value close to 1 MA/cm/sup 2/. The recrystallization during annealing leads to a densification and to j/sub c/ values which are more than a factor of /spl sim/10 higher than those measured in the as-deformed tapes. Ni shows a limited reaction with MgB/sub 2/, leading to the formation of Mg/sub 2/Ni reaction layers between the filament and the matrix. On the other hand, Fe stays chemically inert and turns out to be an excellent candidate material for preparation of multifilamentary MgB/sub 2/ tapes. A transport j/sub c/ value of 9/spl times/10/sup 4/ A/cm/sup 2/ at 4.2 K and 0.75 T in MgB/sub 2//Fe wire with 7 filaments produced by groove rolling was obtained.
1H NMR chemical shift studies of pregn-5-ene-3β,20(R)-diol and pregn-5-ene-3β-ol,20-one d-glucopyranoside derivatives

Abstract The 1 H NMR chemical shift and J value data of a series of pregn-5-ene-3β,20( R )-diol/pregn-5-ene-3β-ol, 20-one d -glucopyranosides and d -glucopyranoside derivatives are reported because of their relevance to the structure determination of pregnenediol tri- and diglucosides on tobacco hornworm eggs. Effects of various substituents at the 3β- and 20( R )-positions of the pregn-5-ene nucleus upon chemical shifts of selected protons on the pregn-5-ene nucleus are discussed. Chemical shifts of selected protons on the d -glucopyranoside nucleus/nuclei are also discussed. Differentiation between the pregn-5-ene substitution points, between anomeric glucose configurations and between anomeric protons on β- d -glucosides at 3β and 20( R ) is demonstrated. A COSY NMR analysis of the Manduca peracetylated triglucoside is utilized to show the interaction of the three anomeric β- d -glucoside protons and to distinguish the dissimilar one.
Improved coding strategies for meteor burst communication

The problem of increasing the probability of successfully transmitting a data packet during a meteor burst is considered. It is shown how the ordering of redundant information can be chosen to increase success probability. Two simple rate 1/2 coding schemes amenable to soft decision decoding are introduced. It is found that these codes provide considerable additional improvement in the probability of successful transmission. One of the codes achieves significantly better performance than a hard decision (31, 15) Reed-Solomon code proposed previously. >
Effect of Radiation on Heat Transfer in Open-Cell Foams at High Temperature

There are a variety of foams that can be used in thermal protection and/or thermal insulation systems. At high temperature (> 1000 K) thermal radiation may be important or dominate heat transfer in the foam; however, studies based on more detailed thermal radiation analysis are limited. In this paper foams are considered to be semitransparent, because radiation can penetrate through the pore (or void) space and/or foam skeleton (solid matrix), depending on the materials from which the foams are made. Of particular interest of this study is to understand how the properties such as foam material its density, porosity, etc. affect thermal and radiant energy transfer. Physical and mathematical models are developed to account for conduction and radiation (absorption, emission and scattering) in the porous material. The spectral extinction coefficients of SiC foams are measured experimentally in the laboratory at room temperature, and the radiative transfer equation is solved using the spherical harmonics P1 and the Rosseland diffusion approximations. Parametric calculations have been carried out, and the results are reported in the paper for a range of parameters characterizing heat transfer in SiC foams of different porosities to identify desirable conditions for effectively reducing heat transfer in potential thermal protection concepts.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Turbulent dispersion of aqueous drops in organic liquids

Les etudes sont faites dans trois types d'appareil differents: tubes de faible diametre, unite de melange sans mouvement et un disperseur annulaire rotatif avec ecoulement de Couette. Mise en place de correlations empiriques a partir d'analyse dimensionnelle qui sont appliquees pour les trois types d'appareillage a des procedes gel-spheres. Ces correlations sont etablies pour determiner le diametre moyen des gouttes. Les resultats compares avec la theorie de la dispersion turbulente etablie par Kolmogoroff sont en bon accord pour un taux de dissipation d'energie de l'ordre de 10 4
Temperature and concentration dependence of diffusion coefficient in dilute solutions

Abstract Temperature and molecular weight dependence of kD in D(C) = D(O) [1 + CkD], where D(C) is the diffusion coefficient for the density fluctuations in a dilute polymer solution, is investigated by first expressing D(C) as a function of the static structure factor S(q,C) within the framework of the Kirkwood-Riseman theory. The continuous transition of kD from negative values under theta conditions to positive values in good solvents is calculated using various models for the intermolecular interaction potential and the results are presented graphically as function of a reduced variables S R H that combines both molecular weight and temperature effects. It is shown that the negative value of kD at the theta temperature can be explained at least partially, in terms of an increase in the chain dimensions of two overlapping molecules. The concentration dependence of the self-diffusion coefficient is also discussed.
Analysis and Modeling of Ducted and Evanescent Gravity Waves Observed in the Hawaiian Airglow

Short-period gravity waves of especially-small horizontal scale have been observed in the Maui, Hawaii air- glow. Typical small-scale gravity wave events have been investigated, and intrinsic wave propagation characteristics have been calculated from simultaneous meteor radar wind measurements. Here we report specific cases where wave structure is significantly determined by the local wind struc- ture, and where wave characteristics are consistent with ducted or evanescent waves throughout the mesopause re- gion. Two of the documented events, exhibiting similar air- glow signatures but dramatically different propagation condi- tions, are selected for simple numerical modeling case stud- ies. First, a Doppler-ducted wave trapped within relatively weak wind flow is examined. Model results confirm that the wave is propagating in the 85-95 km region, trapped weakly by evanescence above and below. Second, an evanescent wave in strong wind flow is examined. Model results sug- gest an opposite case from the first case study, where the wave is instead trapped above or below the mesopause re- gion, with strong evanescence arising in the 85-95 km air- glow region. Distinct differences between the characteristics of these visibly-similar wave events demonstrate the need for simultaneous observations of mesopause winds to properly assess local propagation conditions.
Categorization, concept learning, and behavior analysis: An introduction

Categorization and concept learning encompass some of the most important aspects of behavior, but historically they have not been central topics in the experimental analysis of behavior. To introduce this special issue of the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior (JEAB), we define key terms; distinguish between the study of concepts and the study of concept learning; describe three types of concept learning characterized by the stimulus classes they yield; and briefly identify several other themes (e.g., quantitative modeling and ties to language) that appear in the literature. As the special issue demonstrates, a surprising amount and diversity of work is being conducted that either represents a behavior-analytic perspective or can inform or constructively challenge this perspective.
Palatal expansion in adults: the surgical approach.

A The discerning orthodontist has a treatment regimen that preferentially deals with arch deficiencies and might not necessitate extractions. Orthodontic expansion has been shown to be predictably unstable, and interproximal reduction is effective only up to a point, and so most of us use skeletal expansion in some form or another. This article is an effort to gather from the literature and personal experience a strategy for expansion in adults that is workable, predictable, and stable. I intend to demonstrate that there are benefits to expansion through surgery that are not obtainable otherwise. Although nonsurgical expansion is preferred for some adult patients, surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion is the clear choice for others. The discussion should not culminate in yes or no but, rather, an effort to find the tipping point, a point on either side of which a superior result might be achieved. In any effort to find the difference between success and shortcoming, age should be a primary consideration. Haas indicated that orthopedic expansionwould invariably open the midpalatine suture until age 16 or 17. Melsen demonstrated histologically that, after the ages of 15 in girls and 17 in boys, both sutures consist of a narrow sheet of connective tissue with inactive osteoblasts. As the patient matures, increasingly, Sharpey’s fibers could be followed uninterruptedly across the suture. Using metal implants, Krebs showed that orthopedic expansion resulted in a ratio of sutural expansion to dental expansion of about 50% until age 13; this dropped to approximately 30% and progressively less as boys approach age 14 and older. Among girls, the drop occurred earlier and more profoundly. A healthy periodontium might be the ultimate harbinger of a successful dental response. Claffey and Shanley studied gingival thickness (thin vs thick), correlated it with the tendency toward bleeding on
Design of a Facility for Measuring Scintillator Non-Proportionality

While the original Compton coincidence technique provided accurate measurements of electron response in scintillators, the data rate was low and measurements took weeks. We present the conceptual design for a high throughput version that is predicted to collect data at 65 cps, reducing measurement times from weeks to hours. In this design, a collimated 1 mCi 137Cs source will illuminate the scintillator sample from a distance of 18 cm and 5 high-purity germanium (HPGe) detectors placed 10 cm from the scintillator will measure the energy of the scattered gamma ray. The source can be placed in either of two positions spaced 15deg apart, allowing relatively uniform scattering angle coverage from 0deg to 146deg, corresponding to electron energies in the scintillator from 0 to 466 keV. The scintillator will be coupled to a hybrid photodetector (HPD), which has extremely linear response, and the HPD's ability to resolve single photoelectrons provides a built-in calibration mechanism. The output of each HPGe detector and the HPD will be digitized with a free-running 12-bit, 200 MHz ADC, providing accurate measurement of the signal amplitudes and the ability to measure the electron response for different temporal components of the scintillator signals. The facility will be located at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and is intended to be made available to the community at large. The goals are to facilitate scintillator development and to understand the nature of the light-yield non-proportionality and its effect on the energy resolution.
Providing ATM multipoint survivability via disjoint VC mesh backup groups

This paper presents simulation experiments investigating the feasibility and cost of providing survivability to ATM multipoint groups using dedicated bandwidth on disjoint backup groups. Disjoint dedicated backup groups are formed via the VC mesh model by two different approaches. (1) a backup group consisting exclusively of point-to-point circuits (unicast), or (2) a backup group consisting exclusively of point-to-multipoint circuits (multicast). Results for the two networks studied show that although backup groups of point-to-multipoint circuits (multicast) are lower in cost than backup groups of point-to-point circuits (unicast) at a 95% confidence level, the feasibility of providing guaranteed survivability with back-up groups via either approach begins at only about 50% for a group size of three and decreases rapidly for larger group sizes due to multipoint "trap" topologies and hop-limit constraints. The conclusion is that, while use of disjoint dedicated back-up groups for ATM multipoint may be viable in certain dense networks with rich connectivity based on the two networks studied neither approach provides acceptable survivability guarantees for arbitrary networks especially noting that network congestion is not considered.
Expression of the adenovirus E4 34k oncoprotein inhibits repair of double strand breaks in the cellular genome of a 293‐based inducible cell line

The human adenovirus E4 ORF 6 34 kDa oncoprotein (E4 34k), in concert with the 55 kDa product of E1b, prevents concatenation of viral genomes in infected cells, inhibits the repair of double strand breaks (DSBs) in the viral genome, and inhibits V(D)J recombination in a plasmid transfection assay. These activities are consistent with a general inhibition by the E4 34k and E1b 55k proteins of DSB repair by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) on extrachromosomal substrates. To determine whether inhibition of NHEJ extends to repair of DSBs in the cell chromosome, we have examined the effects of E4 34k on repair of chromosomal DSBs induced by ionizing radiation in a cell line in which E4 34k expression and biological activity is inducible and E1b 55k is produced constitutively. We demonstrate that in this cell line, induction of E4 34k inhibits chromosomal DSB repair. Recently, it has been shown that in infected cells, E4 34k and the adenovirus E1b 55k proteins cooperate to destabilize Mre11 and Rad50, components of mammalian NHEJ systems. Consistent with this, induction of expression of E4 34k in the inducible cell line also reduces the steady state level of Mre11 protein.
Sexual health practices of homeless youth.

Purpose: To describe the sexual health practices of homeless adolescents, examine relationships among variables in a conceptual model of sexual health practices, and determine direct and indirect effects of population characteristics, cognitive-perceptual factors, and behavioral factors on sexual health practices among homeless adolescents. Design and Methods: Descriptive exploratory design. A survey was administered to a convenience sample of 414 homeless young men (244) and young women (170) aged 16–20 years, the majority of whom were Anglo American. Findings: Thirty-five percent reported homosexual or bisexual orientation, and sexual orientation was reported as a reason for leaving home. Over half reported a history of sexual abuse and nearly one in four had been treated for gonorrhea. Safe-sex behaviors were related to age, time away from home, assertive communication, social support, future time perspective, connectedness, perceived health status, intentions to use condoms, and condom self-efficacy. A parsimonious model with good fit indicated that the only direct paths to safe-sex behaviors were future time perspective, intentions to use condoms, and self-efficacy to use condoms, and the direct paths to sexual self-care behaviors were from assertive communication, social support, and self-efficacy to use condoms. Conclusions: As in other studies of homeless youth, respondents reported a high incidence of sexual abuse and homosexual and bisexual orientation. Their safe-sex behaviors were surprisingly similar to those of university students, were modestly related to cognitive-perceptual variables in the sexual health model, and might be amenable to brief culturally relevant interventions.
THE DEPENDENCE OF PAY-PERFORMANCE SENSITIVITY ON THE SIZE OF THE FIRM

I analyze the relationship between firm size and the extent to which executive compensation depends on the wealth of the firm's shareholders. I use a simple agency model to motivate an econometric model of this relationship. Estimating this model on chief executive officer (CEO) compensation data using nonlinear least squares, I determine that pay-performance sensitivity (as defined by Jensen and Murphy (1990b)) appears to be approximately inversely proportional to the square root of firm size (however measured). I also analyze the properties of pay- performance sensitivity for “teams” of executives working for the same firm and show it to have similar properties as CEO pay-performance sensitivity.
Geothermal Exploration for Ground Water

Since 1961, precise ground-temperature measurements have been made at shallow depth in a number of geological terranes and climates. The objective has been to investigate the effectiveness of shallow geothermal techniques in geological exploration. The thermal sensors used are thermistors individually calibrated to within .02°C. It was found that shallow-earth temperatures can be related to the occurrence of ground water. Shallow, moving ground water produces low temperatures and low annual drift rates, due to damping of the annual temperature wave. Conversely, dry shallow bedrock, because of higher conductivity and lower specific heat, produces relatively higher temperatures and higher drift rates. Other permutations of observed temperature and drift rate reflect intermediate conditions of bedrock and ground-water distribution. As a case study, the geothermal survey of Johnson Valley is described. This is a closed basin system in southern California, which shows a direct relationship between ground temperature and depth to water as measured in wells.
Common abdominal emergencies in children

Because young children often present to EDs with abdominal complaints, emergency physicians must have a high index of suspicion for the common abdominal emergencies that have serious sequelae. At the same time, they must realize that less serious causes of abdominal symptoms (e.g., constipation or gastroenteritis) are also seen. A gentle yet thorough and complete history and physical examination are the most important diagnostic tools for the emergency physician. Repeated examinations and observation are useful tools. Physicians should listen carefully to parents and their children, respect their concerns, and honor their complaints. Ancillary tests are inconsistent in their value in assessing these complaints. Abdominal radiographs can be normal in children with intussusception and even malrotation and early volvulus. Unlike the classic symptoms seen in adults, young children can display only lethargy or poor feeding in cases of appendicitis or can appear happy and playful between paroxysmal bouts of intussusception. The emergency physician therefore, must maintain a high index of suspicion for serious pathology in pediatric patients with abdominal complaints. Eventually, all significant abdominal emergencies reveal their true nature, and if one can be patient with the child and repeat the examinations when the child is quiet, one will be rewarded with the correct diagnosis.
In vivo gas transfer performance of the intravascular oxygenator in acute respiratory failure.

The intravascular oxygenator (IVOX) has undergone both animal and clinical trials. Data from the animal studies have demonstrated that the device is capable of transferring up to approximately 100 ml/min of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Initial data from the human trials suggest that gas transfer, although approaching these levels, varied widely in patients with respiratory failure. We studied the factors affecting gas exchange in 26 patients with severe acute respiratory failure who underwent intravenacaval support of gas exchange with IVOX. The patients underwent monitoring of IVOX gas transfer rates, hemodynamics, blood gases, and ventilation parameters at scheduled intervals following device insertion. All devices functioned following implantation. The mean value for O2 transfer was 64 +/- 21 SD ml/min (range 15-114 ml/min) and for CO2 transfer was 48 +/- 17 ml.min-1 (range 14-112 ml/min). CO2 transfer correlated positively with device surface area, cardiac output, and mixed venous Pco2 and negatively with duration of implantation. O2 transfer did not correlate with any patient factors probably due to error inherent in the measurement of this variable. Independent measurements of IVOX gas transfer by respiratory gas exchange in a subset of patients with normal values of mixed venous Pco2 were in good agreement with the routine measurements and indicated that the device provided up to 26% of gas exchange requirements in this subset. We conclude that IVOX transfers clinically useful amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide in vivo. Factors that influence gas transfer include device surface area, PvCO2, cardiac output, and duration of implantation. Optimization of these factors (such as with permissive hypercapnea) could result in enhanced performance in vivo.
ANNULAR DEHN FUNCTIONS OF GROUPS

For a finite presentation of a group, or more generally, a two-complex, we define a function analogous to the Dehn function that we call the annular Dehn function. This function measures the combinatorial area of maps of annuli into the complex as a function of the lengths of the boundary curves. A finitely presented group has solvable conjugacy problem iff its annular Dehn function is recursive. As with standard Dehn functions, the annular Dehn function may change with change of presentation. We prove that the type of function obtained is preserved by change of presentation. Further we obtain upper bounds for the annular Dehn functions of free products and, more generally, amalgamations or HNN extensions over finite subgroups.
Improved Cloud Top Height Retrieval under Arbitrary Viewing and Illumination Conditions Using AVHRR Data

Abstract Cloud top height is an important variable for both scientific and operational meteorological applications. Unfortunately, direct observations of cloud top height are generally not routinely made. This article develops a new hybrid method for estimating cloud top height from Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) data to help provide more abundant and accurate cloud top height estimates at low cost. It takes into account arbitrary viewing and illumination conditions which can affect the accuracy of both cloud shadow detection and cloud shadow-based cloud top height retrievals. Results were validated with data taken by NASA's ER-2 Cloud LIDAR System (CLS). The mean differences between the AVHRR-based cloud height estimates and the LIDAR observations for the two validation images analyzed are 0.45 km and 0.67 km. The sensitivity of the results to the parametrizations used by the new algorithm was also evaluated. Parameters can be chosen to minimize their effect on retrieved cloud top heights; the procedure executes quickly. Given the accuracy of the cloud top height retrievals, the method could be used routinely to provide cloud top heights for a wide variety of meteorological and hydrometeorological applications (e.g., numerical weather prediction, drought monitoring). With the improved spatial resolution (and reduced cost) of data from soon to be launched new satellite observing systems, proportionally higher accuracy and resolution for cloud top heights can be achieved economically using this method.
Learning from Invisible Cities: The Interplay and Dialogue of Order and Disorder

Just over forty years ago, Italo Calvino's masterpiece Invisible Cities was published in English. In the book, through a series of prose poems, Marco Polo describes the cities he has explored to Ku...
Glutathione Concentration of White Leghorn and Barred Plymouth Rock Embryos After Fourteen Days of Incubation.

Rhode Island Red embryos, destined to develop into adults of comparatively large size, proliferate cells at a faster rate than White Leghorn embryos, destined to develop into adults of comparatively small size.1 It is known that glutathione (sulphydryl) stimulates cell proliferation, and that rapidly growing rats and rabbits have a greater concentration of glutathione in their body tissues than less rapidly growing controls.2-3 Furthermore, fasted new-born rabbits which are destined to develop into large adults have a greater concentration of glutathione than those destined to develop into small adults.4The following experiment was performed in order to determine the glutathione concentration of White Leghorn and Barred Plymouth Rock embryos, and to ascertain whether or not a difference in concentration exists between the two breeds. Most of the Leghorns, and all of the Barred Plymouth Rocks used in the experiment were descendants of the stocks used by Asmundson and Lerner in studies on the inheritance of...
Parameter Study of Biomechanical Quantities in Analytical Neck Models

A parameter study is performed involving several analytical vehicle occupant models in current use, with investigation of neck representations a primary goal. Side, oblique, and rear impact situations are investigated. Attention is given to the effects of varying head-neck mass and moments of inertia, anthropometry, muscle strength, and location, as well as strength of motion-limiting "stops." A model that replaces the conventional simple ball-joint neck with a two-joint, extensible neck is studied. This model also makes use of joint-stop ellipses to approximate the anatomical range for relatively free angular motion at a joint. Allowance is made for the effect of muscle contraction on occupant dynamics as a function of the degree of voluntary or involuntary tightening of the muscles, based upon experimental findings. A discrete parameter neck model that treats the cervical spine as a linkage of rigid vertebrae and massless, deformable discs is discussed briefly. It is determined that, besides being extensible and having at least two joints, three-dimensional neck representations should account for coupling between the forces resisting the three possible rotational motions~for example, yaw, pitch, and roll~that can occur between the head and the torso.
Genetic variability in the development of pulmonary tolerance to inhaled pollutants in inbred mice.

After repeated exposures, many individuals develop tolerance to the adverse health effects of inhaled pollutants. Pulmonary tolerance can be characterized as the ability of the lung to withstand th...
Neuroscience: Suppressing One Drive for a Chance to Satisfy Another

Food deprivation suppresses sleep, presumably to increase time available for foraging. A new study identifies a conserved gene, Translin, as a modulator of sleep in response to metabolic changes.
Differential Reaction of Clones of Phalaris arundinacea to Oscinella frit

The mean number of frit fly, Oscinella frit (L.), infested stems in field plantings of reed canarygrass, Phalaris arundinacea L., ranged from 11.1 to 39.9% for 16 clones at one site and from 9.7 to 31.2% for 25 clones at another site. The mean number of stems/9.3 dm2 ranged from 31.0 to 101.1 at site 1 and from 56.7 to 148.2 at site 2. Alkaloid contents ranged from 0.075 to 0.617% (d.w.) at site 1 and 0.072 to 0.532% at site 2. Mean percentages of infested stems were negatively correlated with both mean number of stems/9.3 dm2 (r = −0.865) and with total basic alkaloid concentration (r = −0.544). Alkaloid content was positively correlated (r = 0.661) with number of stems/clone. There was a weak negative correlation (r = −0.478) between number of immature frit fly (larvae + pupae)/stem and alkaloids. The mechanism of resistance to the frit fly in reed canarygrass could be nonpreference controlled by stem density or antibiosis controlled by toxic alkaloids, or a combination of both factors. The great variability in frit fly infestation among these clones suggests that selection for resistance to frit fly should be productive.
Seismic Envelope‐Based Detection and Location of Ground‐Coupled Airwaves from Volcanoes in Alaska

Abstract Volcanic explosions and other infrasonic sources frequently produce acoustic waves that are recorded by seismometers. Here we explore multiple techniques to detect, locate, and characterize ground‐coupled airwaves (GCA) on volcano seismic networks in Alaska. GCA waveforms are typically incoherent between stations, thus we use envelope‐based techniques in our analyses. For distant sources and planar waves, we use f ‐ k beamforming to estimate back azimuth and trace velocity parameters. For spherical waves originating within the network, we use two related time difference of arrival (TDOA) methods to detect and localize the source. We investigate a modified envelope function to enhance the signal‐to‐noise ratio and emphasize both high energies and energy contrasts within a spectrogram. We apply these methods to recent eruptions from Cleveland, Veniaminof, and Pavlof Volcanoes, Alaska. Array processing of GCA from Cleveland Volcano on 4 May 2013 produces robust detection and wave characterization. Our modified envelopes substantially improve the short‐term average/long‐term average ratios, enhancing explosion detection. We detect GCA within both the Veniaminof and Pavlof networks from the 2007 and 2013–2014 activity, indicating repeated volcanic explosions. Event clustering and forward modeling suggests that high‐resolution localization is possible for GCA on typical volcano seismic networks. These results indicate that GCA can be used to help detect, locate, characterize, and monitor volcanic eruptions, particularly in difficult‐to‐monitor regions. We have implemented these GCA detection algorithms into our operational volcano‐monitoring algorithms at the Alaska Volcano Observatory.
Limitation of arteriolar myogenic activity by local nitric oxide: segment-specific effect of dietary salt.

The purpose of this study was to determine if local nitric oxide (NO) activity attenuates the arteriolar myogenic response in rat spinotrapezius muscle. We also investigated the possibility that hy...
Efficacy observation of four insecticides against Blattella germanica

Objective To learn the effect of common used four insecticides with different concentration against Blattella germanica and give scientific evidence for the field control. Methods WHO recommend method of residual smearing.Results The results showed that alphacypermethrin,deltamethrin and batacypermethrin were more quick than ordinary concentration on the knock down rate to the testing Blattella germanica when concentration of insecticides was raised,but the killing rate was not noticable changes between high and low concentration of insecticides of the mentioned above.The killing rate of propoxur to cockroach on the high concentration was higher than low one. Conclusion The raise of insecticides concentration can enhance the knock down rate of Blattella germanica,but it can't raise the cockroach killing rate,it isn't a suitable method in the field control.
Health Beliefs and Breast Cancer Screening in Rural Appalachia: An Evaluation of the Health Belief Model

Purpose This study explored the role of the Health Belief Model in predicting breast cancer screening among women in rural Appalachia. Health beliefs (perceived susceptibility to breast cancer, severity of breast cancer, and benefits and barriers to screening) were used to predict health behavior (mammogram frequency). Method A total of 170 women aged 18-78 were recruited at a free health clinic in central Appalachia. Women completed surveys that assessed demographic characteristics, mammogram frequency, and perceived susceptibility, severity, and benefits and barriers to mammography. Findings Consistent with expectations, women with objectively elevated risks for breast cancer (history of abnormal mammograms or family history of breast cancer) perceived themselves to be at higher risk for breast cancer, and those with a history of abnormal mammograms were more likely to receive mammograms regularly. In addition, older women expected their prognosis to be marginally poorer following a diagnosis, perceived greater benefits and fewer barriers to mammography, and were significantly more likely to receive mammograms regularly. Consistent with the Health Belief Model, fewer perceived barriers to mammography predicted greater mammogram frequency. However, the model was not fully supported because perceived susceptibility, severity, and benefits to mammography did not predict mammogram frequency. Conclusions Results highlight the importance of reducing real and perceived barriers to screening in order to improve mammography rates among rural populations.
Functional Dualism of Perinatal Stem Cells

Stem cell-based therapies hold the potential of alleviating the burden of many serious diseases. These promising stem cell-based approaches for patients with unmet medical needs rely mainly on two unique properties of stem cells: their differentiation capability to all three germ layers (pluripotency) and their immunomodulatory function. The pluripotency makes the stem cells able to generate desired types of cells for cell replacement therapies. The immunomodulatory properties can be utilized to control immunoreaction and subsequent pathological events. Traditionally, pluripotency has been considered a character of embryonic stem cells, and immunomodulatory properties one of mesenchymal stem cells from adult somatic tissues. During the last decade, however, many studies revealed that some perinatal stem cells represent a novel class of stem cells with intermediate characteristics of both pluripotent/embryonic and adult stem cells, as they possess the pluripotent stem cell-like differentiation potential and immunomodulatory effects similar to mesenchymal stem cells in vitro and in vivo. In addition, these perinatal stem cells are as genetically stable as adult stem cells. These unique characteristics, together with the absence of ethical issues concerning their procurement, attract many researchers in search of practical stem cells for prompt clinical translation.
The role of minority stress in second-generation Black emerging adult college students' high-risk drinking behaviors.

OBJECTIVE This study used a minority stress framework to investigate the relationships between multiple stressors (e.g., general life stress, race related stress, and acculturative stress) and high-risk drinking behaviors in a sample of second-generation Black emerging adult college students across the United States. METHOD Participants (n = 148) were recruited from U.S. colleges and universities as part of a large, multiwave cross-sectional study. RESULTS Findings from this study mirrored those in the extant literature: the positive relationship between race-related stress and high-risk drinking behaviors found in other marginalized groups. However, when all stressors were entered into the model, acculturative stress accounted for significant variance in high-risk drinking behaviors above and beyond general life and race-related stressors in second generation Black emerging adult college students. CONCLUSION Findings underscore the need to better understand the influence of acculturative stress on high-risk drinking behaviors among second-generation Black emerging adult college students: an understudied population in both the acculturation and alcohol use literatures. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record
Contributions to the taxonomy of Rhizobiaceae

Durch Anwendung der DNA-DNA-Hybridisierungsmethode von McCarthy u. Bolton (1963) werden verwandtschaftliche Beziehungen zwischen der Gattung Agrobacterium und Rhizobium nachgewiesen. Auserdem ergeben sich Hinweise, die taxonomische Affinitaten einiger Blattsymbionten in Rubiaceae zu den Rhizobiaceae vermuten lassen.
Revisiting shape selectivity in liquid chromatography for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) – six-ring and seven-ring Cata-condensed PAH isomers of molecular mass 328 Da and 378 Da

The relationship of reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) retention on a polymeric C18 stationary phase and the shape of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was investigated for three-ring to seven-ring cata-condensed isomers. We report the first RPLC separation for six-ring and seven-ring cata-condensed PAH isomers. Correlations of LC retention and shape parameters (length-to-breath ratio, L/B and thickness, T) were investigated for 2 three-ring isomers (molecular mass 178 Da), 5 four-ring isomers (molecular mass 228 Da), 11 five-ring isomers (molecular mass 278 Da), 17 six-ring isomers (molecular mass 328 Da), and 20 seven-ring isomers (molecular mass 378 Da). Significant linear correlations were found for all isomer groups (r = 0.71 to 0.94). Nonplanarity of the PAH isomers was found to influence retention (i.e., nonplanar isomers eluting earlier than expected based on L/B) and linear correlations of retention vs. T for isomer groups containing nonplanar isomers were significant (r = 0.71 to 0.86).
Critical Issues in Consultation and Liaison

Before about 15 years ago, psychological consultation in medical settings was primarily service-oriented under the aegis of departments of psychiatry. Thus, its main function was seen as providing psychometric services in support of psychiatric interests, both in terms of clinical services and in terms of research. An ancillary service was brief intervention consultation, usually behavioral in nature, designed to alter specific patient or staff behaviors to encourage compliance with varying treatment regimens. The psychologist in such a setting was, by necessity, relegated to such interests, and most effort was directed to issues of psychopathology and interventions with psychiatric patients.