cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evolution of Reading Comprehension and Question Answering Systems

Abstract Natural Language Processing (NLP) has witnessed considerable advances in textual understanding through statistical and rule-based techniques, which have now yielded to developments in the field of neural networks and deep learning. The paper surveys research relevant to the topic of Reading Comprehension and Question Answering (QA) implementations. The initial focus of the paper is on Attention and Transformer models. A brief description of the architectures is presented highlighting the essence of the ‘Attention is all you Need’ paper wherein the authors of Bidirectional Encoding Transformer (BERT) have elucidated the significant departure from the recurrence concept of Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN). Subsequently the trends in Open Domain Question Answering (ODQA) which mark the progression from the passage- based question answering is presented. Of particular interest is Haystack which is an end-to-end open-source framework for Question Answering & Neural search. This field seems a promising avenue for a more intelligent form of ‘search’. In a nutshell, the paper weaves through RNNs, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), and the currently trending Attention based Transformer models in NLP. Finally, we dwell on more contemporary pieces of research such as ODQA, Multi-Hop QA, evaluation using Adversarial Networks.
Ultrafast Laser Enabled Optical Fabrication

This paper presents methods, computational models, physical processes, and demonstrations related to femtosecond laser enabled polishing and micro-joining of optical and optomechanical components.
Active Tapping via Gaussian Process for Efficient Unknown Object Surface Reconstruction.

Object surface reconstruction brings essential benefits to robot grasping, object recognition, and object manipulation. When measuring the surface distribution of an unknown object by tapping, the greatest challenge is to select tapping positions efficiently and accurately without prior knowledge of object region. Given a searching range, we propose an active exploration method, to efficiently and intelligently guide the tapping to learn the object surface without exhaustive and unnecessary off-surface tapping. We analyze the performance of our approach in modeling object surfaces within an exploration range larger than the object using a robot arm equipped with an end-of-arm tapping tool to execute tapping motions. Experimental results show that the approach successfully models the surface of unknown objects with a relative 59% improvement in the proportion of necessary taps among all taps compared with state-of-art performance.
Toward True Cloud Native NFV MANO

The telecommunication industry is making a major shift towards cloud native Network Functions Virtualization. However, being cloud native implies more than just replacing Virtual Machines with containers. The cloud native approach changes the way virtual network functions are being composed, deployed, and configured as network services and how these services are being orchestrated and managed at run time. Traditional Network Management and Orchestration (MANO) frameworks are implemented via specialized engines that have been conceived prior to the cloud native era. Thus, they inherit many traits, which impede pivoting to cloud native. In this paper we focus on some fundamental challenges and propose a novel cloud native MANO architecture that exploits advantages of Kubernetes (K8s) a de facto industry standard for container orchestration.
Measurement and distribution of nitrification rates in the oceans

Nitrification is the process that converts ammonium to nitrate and thus links the regeneration of organic nitrogen to fixed nitrogen loss by denitrification. The first step, oxidation of ammonia to nitrite, is performed by a phylogenetically restricted group of proteobacteria (ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, AOB) and Crenarchaea (ammonia-oxidizing archaea, AOA). The second step is restricted to nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) as far as currently known. All three groups are assumed to be autotrophic and obligately aerobic, but the true extent of autotrophy and potential anaerobic pathways in these organisms is currently under investigation. Here, we describe methods for the measurement of nitrification rates in the marine environment, with a focus on seawater systems and stable isotopic tracer methods. The methods vary in analytical requirements but share the need for incubations, which must be optimized for different environments with different substrate concentrations. Recent advances in mass spectrometry now make it possible to minimize incubation artifacts and to achieve greatly improved sensitivity.
Futures market: Wall Street's thirst for water.

Moves towards a global water commodities market must be stopped. It will push the price of food far beyond the peaks of the past five years, warns Frederick Kaufman.
Strong Fourier Sampling Fails over $G^n$

We present a negative result regarding the hidden subgroup problem on the powers $G^n$ of a fixed group $G$. Under a condition on the base group $G$, we prove that strong Fourier sampling cannot distinguish some subgroups of $G^n$. Since strong sampling is in fact the optimal measurement on a coset state, this shows that we have no hope of efficiently solving the hidden subgroup problem over these groups with separable measurements on coset states (that is, using any polynomial number of single-register coset state experiments). Base groups satisfying our condition include all nonabelian simple groups. We apply our results to show that there exist uniform families of nilpotent groups whose normal series factors have constant size and yet are immune to strong Fourier sampling.
A curious example involving ordered compactifications

For a certain product X x Y where X is compact, connected, totally ordered space, we find that the semilattice K 0 (X x Y) of ordered compactifications of X x Y is isomorphic to a collection of Galois connections and to a collection of functions F which determines a quasi-uniformity on an extended set X U { + ∞}, from which the topology and order on X is easily recovered. It is well-known that each ordered compactification of an ordered space X x Y corresponds to a totally bounded quasi-uniformity on X x Y compatible with the topology and order on X x Y, and thus K 0 (X x Y) may be viewed as a collection of quasi-uniformities on X x Y. By the results here, these quasi-uniformities on X x Y determine a quasi-uniformity on the related space X U { + ∞}.
Afro-diasporic seasonings: Food routes and Dominican place-making in New York City

This paper offers some perspectives concerning the centrality of food for the way Dominican immigrants in New York City negotiate the micro-politics of place and community. It examines how immigrants navigate the urban spaces through food routes, form new social networks and re-imagine places of home in a new society. Using the concept of “Afro-diasporic seasonings” is a way to point to the struggles, movements, and wider contexts of memory-history that made possible the present relations between these people, foods and places. This exploration is approached from three angles. First, I share some findings about how Dominican immigrants season their foods and lives in New York City. Second, I discuss place-seasonings, or how the process of finding housing has a tremendous impact on self-making and community formation. Third, I contextualize Dominican migrants' food practices within Afro-diasporic trajectories.
Polycrystalline thin film CdTe solar cells fabricated by electrodeposition

Several issues regarding the fabrication of CdTe solar cells by electrodeposition have been investigated. The CdTe deposition parameters were optimized as follows: the deposition current density J/sub dep/=0.33-0.40 mA/cm/sup 2/, the anode current ratio R/sub Te/Cd/=2.7, and the deposition potential V/sub dep/=-600 mV against a Ag/AgCl reference electrode. CdCl/sub 2/, treatment and subsequent annealing made a significant change in the composition: the film became Cd-rich throughout its whole thickness, and the concentrations of both Cd and CI increased near the surface. Electron beam-induced current (EBIC) data showed a peak inside the CdTe layer suggesting a buried homojunction. Use of CdS double layers composed of a CdCl/sub 2/-treated, annealed CdS underlayer covered with an as-deposited CdS overlayer resulted in a significant increase in open-circuit voltage V/sub /spl prop// up to 0.78 V. 11.0% CdS/CdTe/Au dot cells (0.033 cm/sup 2/) have been produced in this work.
Environmental Effects of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve Program on Louisiana Continental Shelf Communities

In order to create solution cavities in coastal salt domes to store the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserves, it has been necessary to dispose of up to a million barrels of concentrated brine daily in coastal waters for several years. The natural system receiving this effluent is characterized by a variable hydrographic regime and high but variable standing crops of plankton, benthos and nekton. In the summer months the system is periodically stressed by stratification of the water column and bottom hypoxia. The brine effluent was found to remain near the bottom, achieve very rapid dilution, and impinge upon no more than 40 km2 of bottom. No demonstrable effects were noted on the sediments or phytoplankton populations, but effects were observed on the zooplankton, benthos, and nekton. The benthos displayed long-term cumulative impacts. Results of this study are examined to provide a basis for designing future impact studies in coastal waters.
Study of nonperturbative continuum limits in a lattice Yukawa model

Abstract Using analytic methods and dynamical fermion simulations, we study the properties of two nonperturbative continuum limits of a lattice Yukawa model with a real scalar field, at the (a) ferromagnetic-ferrimagnetic and (b) ferrimagnetic-antiferromagnetic phase boundaries. This work makes use of a new analytic result that the fermion mass vanishes identically in the antiferromagnetic phase.
Correlation between ankle brachial index, symptoms, and health-related quality of life in patients with peripheral vascular disease

Abstract Introduction: In the absence of quality of life measurement, other measures such as ABIs and patient symptoms provide a basis for determining the need for invasive therapy for patients with peripheral vascular disease (PVD). The accuracy of these surrogates in representing HRQL is, however, untested. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation of these measures to HRQL. Methods: 115 PVD patients (114 male:1 female; median-age 64yrs) referred for vascular evaluation, were enrolled in an IRB-approved, prospective study. All patients completed Short Form-36 (SF-36) and Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ- validated, PVD specific HRQL measure). 102 patients had measurement of ABIs and all had documented PVD symptoms. Pearsons correlation and student’s t test were used to examine univariate associations. Linear regression was used to assess the significance of the association of ABIs or symptoms in explaining the variance in HRQL scores. Results: The average ABI was 0.54 (0.00–0.98). The maximal correlation between SF-36 and ABIs was Physical Component Summary score (r = 0.29, p = 0.003). WIQ scores also exhibited modest correlation with ABIs (maximal correlation noted [r = 0.30, p = 0.002] for stair climbing). Both SF-36 and WIQ exhibited a highly significant association with symptoms: in all cases patients with surgical indications (lifestyle-limiting claudication or chronic critical limb-ischemia) had reduced HRQL scores compared with non-surgical patients (non-lifestyle-limiting claudication). Multivariate analysis suggested that in each case, SF-36 and WIQ summary scores were better predicted by symptoms than ABI’s (see table ). TABLE—ABSTRACT 2 . Summary scores Symptoms coefficient ABI coefficient SF36 Physical Component Score −5.8: p = 0.001 5.3: p = 0.13 WIQ Walking Distance −9.0: p = 0.001 1.6: p = 0.77 WIQ Walking Speed −6.3: p = 0.004 6.8: p = 0.14 Conclusions: HRQL in PVD patients correlates weakly with ABIs, but exhibits a closer association with vascular symptoms. This suggests that sole reliance on ABIs may not accurately reflect the impact of PVD on HRQL, or the potential benefit of vascular surgery in improving HRQL.
Turbulence modeling with application to turbomachinery

Abstract The prediction of turbulent flows is a nontrivial problem in internal and external aerodynamics and in many other branches of engineering. The problem appears in perhaps its greatest generality in gas turbines, where predictions of turbine blade temperature are crucial to engine efficiency or life, and predictions of the composition of combustion products is essential in meeting environmental regulations. Therefore it is logical, and hopefully useful, to make turbomachinery problems the theme of a discussion of the current state of turbulence modeling. The present article contains enough background on the physics of turbulence to illuminate the problems of modeling, but it is not a review of turbulence research in general. Topics of current concern which are dealt with in detail include the validity of the ‘law of the wall’, the universal near-wall scaling which is the foundation of prediction methods for attached flows and the effect of compressibility on turbulence.
Influence of Nuclear Spin on Collisional Relaxation within the Alkali-Metal P 3 2 2 Excited State

The effect of the hyperfine interaction on collisional relaxation among Zeeman sublevels is evaluated for a $J=\frac{3}{2}$ state coupled to nuclear spins of $\frac{3}{2}$, $\frac{5}{2}$, and $\frac{7}{2}$. Standard depolarization experiments, performed on atoms with hyperfine structure, are discussed in terms of relaxation-probability matrices parametrized in terms of the relative collisional-transition probabilities for a nuclear-spin-zero atom. Experimental results involving ${D}_{2}$ optical pumping of $^{85}\mathrm{Rb}$ and $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ are shown to support the approximation of nuclear decoupling in collisional relaxation. The cross sections for electronic collisional relaxation, assuming a van der Waals model for the collisional interaction, are, in units of ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}14}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$, 1.19 ($^{85}\mathrm{Rb}$-He), 1.09 ($^{85}\mathrm{Rb}$-Ne), 2.44 ($^{85}\mathrm{Rb}$-Ar), 1.13 ($^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$-He), 1.03 ($^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$-Ne), and 2.26 ($^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$-Ar).
Adaptation of the Cary recording spectrophotometer to circular dichroism measurements.

Abstract A detailed description is presented for adapting the Cary model 14R recording spectrophotometer for measuring circular dichroism. The monochromatic beam from the spectrophotometer was converted into left and right circularly polarized light by a polarizer plus a Pockels cell. Auxiliary electronics was added to the slit-control and wavelength-scan mechanisms and the recording system of the spectrophotometer for processing the circular dichroism signal. Both absorption and circular dichroism can be measured interchangeably in the same instrument. With this instrument, circular dichroism can be measured between 185 and 1100 nm with a sensitivity of 10−5 absorbance unit or better.
Continuing the journey through the FIE bookshelf - 1971-2005

In 1971, about 100 engineering educators from industry and academia gathered in Atlanta for the first Frontiers in Education (FIE) conference. Its leaders had a vision, and moved creatively to implement the vision. The journey through the conferences, which we call FIE, is worth documenting, as the conference has become a premier and often-imitated conference. Some educators have been involved right from the beginning and continue. Others have disembarked, but many new contributors have joined. This paper documented some data and attempts to study the impact of the conference on engineering and computing education over the last 35 years. What issues have been resolved? What new issues have emerged? What issues continue? What might emerge in the future? Of necessity it will contain personal observations. The paper is an update of a similarly named paper published at the 2000 FIE
Bats, in Black and White

Over the years, disease researchers have fingered bats as the reservoir for a series of high-profile lethal agents, including rabies, Ebola, Hendra, Nipah, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) ( 1 ). Predicting when an infectious disease might jump from a host species such as bats to other wildlife or humans, however, has been a tough task. On page 676 of this issue, Streicker et al. draw on a study of rabies in bats to provide some important insights into the complex dynamics of cross-species transmission ( 2 ). Ironically, these bat-inspired insights come as Frick et al. report on page 679 that an emerging fungal disease seriously threatens bat populations in the Northeastern United States ( 3 ). The two studies demonstrate the value and importance of monitoring wildlife diseases, which can have major impacts on both human health and ecosystems.
Phencyclidine-like discriminative stimuli of (+)- and (−)-N-allylnormetazocine in rats

Abstract The phencyclidine(PCP)-like discriminative stimulus properties of the (+)- and (−)-isomers of the prototypic σ-receptor agonist N-allylnormetazocine (NANM) were evaluated in rats trained to discriminate between saline and 3.0 mg/kg of PCP. The rats were trained under a FR5 schedule of stimulus-shock termination. Both (+)- and (−)-NANM produced PCP-like stimuli and were approximately one-half and one-sixth, respectively, as potent as PCP. The two isomers were equipotent in decreasing response rates. None of the effects of either (+)- or (−)-NANM were antagonized by naloxone. These results demonstrate that the PCP-like effects of NANM exhibit stereoselectivity but not stereospecificity and are additional evidence that the common actions of PCP and NANM are mediated by σ-receptors.
Synthesis of (+)-l-[(lα,2α,3β,4α)-2,3-Dihydroxy-4-Hydroxymethyl] -5-Methyl-2,4-(1H, 3H) Pyrimidinedione, the Carbocyclic Analogue of Ara-T

Abstract Abstract-Compound 1, the carbocyclic analogue of Ara-T, was synthesized by a four-step synthesis from (+)-(lα,2α,3β,5β)-3-amino-5-(hydroxymethyl)-l,2,-cyclopemane-diol (2), which was prepared from cyclopentadiene via a eight-step route as a potential antiviral agent.
Kleptomania: A Review of the Research

Research on kleptomania is limited. Earlier views and recent reports of treatment are reviewed in this article. More study is needed to delineate this impulse-control disorder.
Genetics of sexual isolation between two sibling species, Drosophila simulans and Drosophila mauritiana.

Abstract Drosophila simulans and Drosophila mauritiana are sibling species that show substantial sexual isolation in one of their two reciprocal hybridizations. Genetic analysis reveals that in females this isolation is caused by at least one recessive gene on each autosome, while the X chromosome has little or no effect. Our results, combined with those of previous studies, show that in Drosophila the genetics of sexual isolation differs from that of postzygotic reproductive isolation, which invariably involves large effects of the X chromosome.
Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cytoskeleton in vivo and in vitro.

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) constitutes a monolayer of cuboidal cells that interact apically with the interphotoreceptor matrix (IPM) and outer segments of the photoreceptor cells and basally with the subjacent Bruch's membrane. This highly polarized structure is maintained by the cytoskeleton of individual cells and their interactions at the basolateral junctional complexes that stabilize this epithelial structure. This RPE complex network of filaments, tubules and associated proteins is modeled by the cellular environment, the RPE intercellular interactions, and by its interactions with the extracellular matrix. This is a review of the key features of the RPE cytoskeleton in vivo and in vitro.
Amphotericin B: 30 Years of Clinical Experience

Amphotericin B, the first commercially significant antifungal drug, has been available for more than 30 years. This polyene macrolide antifungal agent continues to play a major role in the treatment of systemic fungal infections, despite the introduction of newer agents such as the azoles. Given the proved efficacy of amphotericin B--and the increasing number of indications for antifungal agents--an extensive review of this drug is warranted. This paper discusses the clinical uses of amphotericin B, including its application in AIDS-related fungal infections, in neutropenic cancer patients who are persistently febrile, and in infections of the central nervous system, lung, peritoneum, genitourinary system, eye, and skin. The paper also reviews the drug's adverse reactions, with a discussion of administration techniques that may reduce these reactions, and its spectrum of activity, pharmacokinetics, and dosage and administration.
Anticipatory active-site motions and chromophore distortion prime photoreceptor PYP for light activation.

Anticipatory active-site motions and chromophore distortion prime photoreceptor PYP for light activation
Constructing conceptual models for knowledge capture and delivery systems

Appropriate conceptualization of the nature of entities and relationships in a problem domain is a key prerequisite to the successful design of computerized decision aids for business, especially those developed for more than one idiosyncratic user. The need for a reliable conceptual model is particularly acute in the design of decision support systems that must function in problem‐solving situations with no existing theoretical framework or where theory and practice differ considerably. This paper presents an interative procedure for developing a reliable conceptual model by testing the “fit”; of successive revisions of the model against a collection of “think‐aloud”; verbal problem‐solving protocols of people with experience in the domain. The model is revised each time until it is verifiably and consistently accurate. Such a procedure, it is argued, is more objective and reliable than intuition or traditional knowledge engineering and requires considerably less experimental data collection and analysis...
Association between copayment and adherence to statin treatment initiated after coronary heart disease hospitalization: A longitudinal, retrospective, cohort study

Abstract Background: Despite substantial evidence supporting the effectiveness of statin treatment, when administered regularly for the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD), many patients are not adherent. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between copayment and adherence to statin treatment among patients who initiated statin treatment after discharge from a CHD hospitalization. Methods: Databases containing inpatient admission, outpatient, enrollment, and pharmacy claims from 1999 to 2003 were utilized for this study. The sample consisted of adults who initiated statin treatment after hospitalization directly related to CHD. Adherence to statins was measured by medication possession ratio (MPR), a surrogate marker of adherence calculated as a percentage of days with statins on hand during a 1-year observation period. The relationship between copayment and adherence to statin treatment was examined using multivariate logistic regression models. Demographic and clinical characteristics were selected as control variables based on modified versions of the Andersen health services utilization model as well as previous study findings. Results: A total of 5548 patients met the study entry criteria and were included in the analysis. Of this number, 3404 patients (61.4%) had an MPR of ≥80% and were considered adherent to statins. Compared with those who had a copayment P P P P = 0.010), and concomitant use of nonstatin lipid-lowering drugs ( P Conclusions: Adherence during the 1-year period after statin initiation among CHD hospitalized patients was suboptimal, with more than one third of the patients not adherent to statin treatment. High prescription copayment appeared to be a significant barrier to statin adherence, even after adjusting for demographic and clinical variables.
Systematic risk estimation in the presence of large and many outliers

It is well recognized that the effect of extreme points on systematic risk estimates is not adequately captured through least squares estimation. This article uses the reweighted least median squares (RWLMS) approach, first proposed by Rousseeuw (1984), which accurately detects outlier presence. Using a large sample of 1350 NYSE/AMEX firms, the article demonstrates that least squares does indeed mask several potentially influential points, that this masking is very pervasive over the sample, and that it may persist even after conventional robust estimation techniques are applied. When these masked points are “unmasked” by RWLMS and zero weights assigned to such observations, the resulting RWLMS estimates of beta are on average 10%–15% smaller. However, a Bayesian treatment of such points (assigning a priori nonzero weights) is possible in both one and two factor market models.
Establishment and evaluation of three necrotizing enterocolitis models in premature rats.

Abstract Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a gastrointestinal disease that usually affects premature infants and has high morbidity and mortality rates. Reliable animal models aid further study of the etiological factors, pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of NEC. The present study aimed to establish NEC models in premature rats using three common methods, and to determine the optimal model establishment method. The study consisted of six groups; in group A, rats were raised with simulated milk and subjected to inhalation of 100% nitrogen gas (hypoxia) for 90 sec, followed by exposure to cold ambient conditions (4˚C) for 10 min twice daily for 3 days. In group B, rats were exposed to 100% nitrogen gas for 5 min and 100% oxygen for 5 min twice daily for 3 days. Group C rats were intraperitoneally administered 5 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide. Group D and E rats did not receive any intervention. Group F rats were intraperitoneally administered 1 ml/kg physiological saline. Groups D-F served as the control groups corresponding to groups A-C, respectively. Following hematoxylin and eosin staining, intestinal tract, liver, lung and kidney tissues were observed under optical microscopy and were scored. Successful NEC induction was measured by a score of ≥2. Rats from groups A-C exhibited reduced movement, abdominal distention, diarrhea, intestinal tract expansion, and congestion to varying degrees. The pathological scores of intestinal injury in groups A-F were 3.13±0.64, 1.40±0.52, 2.00±0.42, 0.30±0.48, 0.30±0.48, and 0.40±0.52 points, respectively. Significant differences were found between the model groups and their corresponding control groups (p<0.01). Among the model groups, the histological score of group A was higher than that of groups B (p<0.01) and C (p<0.05). The morbidity rate of NEC in groups A-C was 75, 20 and 50%, respectively. There was no morbidity in groups D-F. Compared with groups A and B, injury to the liver, kidney and lung was more severe in group C. Similar symptoms were not observed in groups D-F. Compared with methods of simple hypoxia-reoxygenation or intraperitoneal administration of lipopolysaccharide, the combination of artificial feeding and hypoxia plus cold stimulation most resembles the pathological causes of neonatal NEC. This method resulted in high morbidity, reproducibility and specificity, and was therefore considered an ideal model for establishing NEC.
Site specific sequestering and stabilization of charge in peptides by supramolecular adduct formation with 18-crown-6 ether by way of electrospray ionization

The binding of 18-crown-6-ether (18C6) to biologically relevant groups is studied by way of electrospray ionization (ESI) quadrupole ion-trap mass spectrometry. Isolated lysine is a special case in which the 18C6 attaches to the N-terminus, deriving stability from the resulting salt-bridge structure. In a peptide, 18C6 forms a stable supramolecular adduct with lysine by way of specific hydrogen bonding with the primary protonated amine on the side chain. 18C6 will bind to adjacent lysines, forming multiply charged complexes. For example, the most intense peak in the spectrum of a mixture of 18C6 and tetralysine is the quadruply charged peptide with four crown ethers attached. Competitive binding of 18C6 by other basic sites such as the n-terminus, histidine, and arginine limits the utility of this technique for the molecular recognition of lysine. Adducts of 18C6 with proteins such as cytochrome-c (CytC) and bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI) reveal structural information relevant to the accessibility of potential binding sites. Adduct formation with 18C6 appears to increase the surface activity of peptides in a charged droplet and inhibits deprotonation during ion desolvation in the ESI process. These effects increase both the primary charge state and ion abundance of the analyte. Sequestering and stabilization of charge provided by 18C6 allows for the detection of species that are normally difficult to observe using ESI, such as glycine. The relationship between the observed behaviors of 18C6 adducts and the proposed ion evaporation mechanism of ESI is discussed.
Applicant Attractiveness as a Perceived Job-Relevant Variable in Selection of Management Trainees.

This experiment manipulated the attractiveness of male applicants and the perceived relevance of attractiveness for managerial job performance in a two-by-two analysis of variance design. An intera...
Mineralogy of suspended sediment in three karst springs

Springs in karstic carbonate rocks frequently carry a sediment load as well as a dissolved load. Analysis of morphology and mineralogy of suspended sediment from three contrasting karst springs reveals a suite of clastic particles that reflect both source areas and processes that take place within the aquifer. Nolte Spring in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA, discharges sediment of apparently precipitated calcite, indicating that at some point in the aquifer or vadose zone, water exceeds saturation with respect to calcite. Sediment morphologies and chemical conditions in the aquifer point to two different scenarios for this precipitation. The other two springs, Arch Spring in Blair County, Pennsylvania and Bushkill Spring in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, show no evidence of calcite precipitation. Arch Spring discharges mainly layer silicates, while Bushkill Spring discharges mainly silica.
Variabilities in the cost equivalency of decentralized treatment units designed to address network-derived water quality degradation

Factors impacting the cost equivalency point for deploying strategically-located treatment units within a distributed optimal technology network (DOT-Net) to manage network-derived water quality degradation are defined and quantified. The cost equivalency point is essentially the 'breakeven' allowable cost for implementing DOT-Net strategy as an alternative to upgrading a central treatment facility to 'pretreat' water sufficiently to manage quality degradation within a potable water distribution network. For the purposes of the analysis presented, water quality is assumed to degrade linearly with time as it flows through the distribution network. Disinfection by-product (DBP) formation, selected as a representative water quality degradation parameter,, was modeled to predict service population DBP exposure and resulting cost of centralized treatment plant upgrades to meet water quality goals. The equivalency point was determined by apportioning the anticipated cost for upgrading the centralized treatment facilities over the fraction of service connections receiving deficient quality water. Both concentration of DBP precursor material and service population size are found to have limited impact on the equivalency point of a distributed treatment unit. The advantages and disadvantages of various treatment methods available for innetwork water treatment are outlined and the ancillary functional requirements of the distributed treatment unit are delineated.
Field measurements of longshore currents on a barred beach

Abstract Measurements from a towed, instrumented sled were used to determine profiles of longshore currents and waves across the surf zone on a steep, barred beach on Lake Michigan during two storms. Quasi-synoptic profiles of the surf zone were determined at about 3-hr intervals during the storms for 24 and 28 hr. Large incident wave angles (≅ 30°) and root-mean-square breaker heights of 1.5 m or less yielded time-averaged longshore currents as large as 1.8 m s −1 . Longshore-current profiles varied throughout the storms and, in many cases, were nearly uniform across the entire surf zone despite the barred topography. Wave heights during such conditions in the surf zone showed little variation shoreward of the bar crest, located typically about 30 m offshore at a depth of roughly 0.75 m under calm conditions. Several factors that might account for the unexpected uniformity of the current profiles are examined with particular attention paid to induced set-up and current due to breaking waves on barred beaches.
Series Study of a Spin-Glass Model in Continuous Dimensionality.

A high-temperature series expansion for the Edwards and Anderson spin-glass order-parameter susceptibility is computed for Ising spins on hypercubic lattices with nearest-neighbor interactions. The series is analyzed by Pade approximants with Rudnick-Nelson-type corrections to scaling. The results agree with the first-order e expansion of Harris, Lubensky, and Chen. The critical exponent γQ increases monotonically with decreasing dimension, d, for d<6, and apparently tends to infinity at d=4; however, the critical temperature does not appear to go to zero at d=4.
Existence of Lindahl equilibria in measure theoretic economies without ordered preferences

Abstract A proof of the existence of Lindahl equilibria is given for a class of measure theoretic economies, possibly atomless, in which consumers' preferences need be neither complete nor transitive. This is done as an application of a nonstandard-analytic technique that allows for the derivation of statements concerning measure theoretic economies from analogous finite economy propositions. This approach to the problem allows use of Foley's method of working with an associated private goods economy without the dimension of the commodity space in the associated economy becoming problematic. Potential extensions of the technique used are also discussed.
The internet religious war

Abstract The explosive growth of the Internet is one of the major developments of recent times, with profound implications for telecommunications policy. Connectivity is now growing by 8% per month as more and more individuals, not content to be dictated to by PTOs, are becoming sophisticated users. Yet little attention has been given to the implications of Internet developments for standards making or network development in mainstream policy debate. This Comment, based on a review of Carl Malamud's book, Exploring the Internet, elaborates some of the issues raised there. At its heart, the debate is not just about the efficacy of two sets of standards (TCP/IP versus OSI) but is about the shift to a new paradigm in standardization and control of network development.
A MAGNETIC SUSPENSION AND EXCITATION SYSTEM FOR SPIN VIBRATION TESTING OF TURBOMACHINERY BLADES

The Dynamic Spin Rig (DSR) is used to perform vibration tests of turbomachinery blades and components under spinning conditions in a vacuum. A heteropolar radial active magnetic bearing was integrated into the DSR to provide non-contact magnetic suspension and mechanical excitation of the rotor to induce turbomachinery blade vibrations. The magnetic bearing replaces one of the two existing conventional radial ball bearings. Prior operation of the DSR used two voice-coil type linear electromagnetic shakers which provided axial excitation of the rotor. The new magnetic suspension and excitation system has provided enhanced testing capabilities. Tests were performed at high rotational speeds for longer duration and higher vibration amplitudes. Some characteristics of the system include magnetic bearing stiffness values up to 60,000 lb./in., closed loop control bandwidth around 500 Hz, and multi-directional radial excitation of the rotor. This paper reports on the implementation and operation of this system and presents some test results using this system.
Optical Properties of Semiconductors

Reflectance data are presented for Si, Ge, GaP, GaAs, InAs, and InSb in the range of photon energies between 1.5 and 25 eV. The real and imaginary parts of the dielectric constant and the function describing the energy loss of fast electrons traversing the materials are deduced from the Kramers-Kronig relations. The results can be described in terms of interband transitions and plasma oscillations. A theory based on the frequency-dependent dielectric constant in the random phase approximation is presented and used to analyze these data above 12 eV, where the oscillator strengths coupling the valence and conduction bands are practically exhausted. The theory predicts and the experiments confirm essentially free electron-like behavior before the onset of $d$-band excitations and a plasma frequency modified from that of free electrons due to oscillator strength coupling between valence and $d$ bands and $d$-band screening effects. These complications are absent in Si. The energy loss functions obtained from optical and characteristic energy loss experiments are also found to be in good agreement. Arguments for interpreting structure in the reflectance curves above 16 eV in terms of $d$-band excitations are given.
Composition of bulk samples and a possible pristine clast from Allan Hills A81005

Abundances of thirty-five elements were determined in two bulk samples and a white clast in the Allan Hills A81005 meteorite. High siderophile element content indicates that the sample is a regolith breccia. An Fe/Mn ratio of 77 in this meteorite eliminates parent bodies of known differentiated meteorites as the source of ALHA 81005. The incompatible elements are very similar to those found in most lunar highlands rocks, and provide very strong evidence that the sample is lunar in origin. The clast sample has the trace element pattern of a lunar anorthosite and is very low in KREEP and siderophile elements. It may be a fragment of a pristine lunar rock.
Thermal and photochemical studies of solar energy absorbers dissolved in heat transfer fluids

Abstract Thermal stability, photochemical stability and optical absorptivity at elevated temperatures of various heat transfer fluids containing chromophoric materials were studied. Eight chromophores, of approximately 20 studied initially, demonstrated short-term photo and thermal stability. Of these eight chromophores, only two did not fully decompose during long-term accelerated thermal stability tests (1000 h at 350°C). Absorptivity and thermal stability data suggest these chromophores may be of value in direct-absorption, solar thermal applications in the mid-temperature range (100–300°C).
Ultramafics and Orogeny, with Models of the US Cordillera and the Tethys

An attempt to synthesize regional and structural geology, particularly in the Alpine and Cordilleran systems, during the whole of Phanerozoic time.
A linkage between DNA markers on the X chromosome and male sexual orientation

The role of genetics in male sexual orientation was investigated by pedigree and linkage analyses on 114 families of homosexual men. Increased rates of same-sex orientation were found in the maternal uncles and male cousins of these subjects, but not in their fathers or paternal relatives, suggesting the possibility of sex-linked transmission in a portion of the population. DNA linkage analysis of a selected group of 40 families in which there were two gay brothers and no indication of nonmaternal transmission revealed a correlation between homosexual orientation and the inheritance of polymorphic markers on the X chromosome in approximately 64 percent of the sib-pairs tested. The linkage to markers on Xq28, the subtelomeric region of the long arm of the sex chromosome, had a multipoint lod score of 4.0 (P = 10(-5), indicating a statistical confidence level of more than 99 percent that at least one subtype of male sexual orientation is genetically influenced.
Bupropion exposures: clinical manifestations and medical outcome.

Bupropion is an antidepressant and smoking cessation aid. Limited toxicological information exists for intentional and unintentional bupropion-only exposures. A retrospective review of all bupropion-only exposures reported to the Toxic Exposure Surveillance System from 1998 through 1999 was conducted. Data for the three bupropion products, Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, and Zyban, included demographics, reason for exposure, clinical effects, therapy, and medical outcome. A total of 7,348 bupropion-only exposures were reported: 56% female and 61% unintentional. The majority of exposures involved Wellbutrin SR; however, Wellbutrin exposures involved a higher percentage of intentional overdoses and serious clinical effects. Clinical effects related to bupropion were noted in 2,247 (31%) exposures; 8% of all children <6-years-old compared to 46% of all teenagers. Seizures developed in 15% of all intentional exposures. Cardiovascular disturbances were extremely uncommon after overdose. The majority of unintentional bupropion-only exposures result in minimal or no clinical toxicity; however, a significant number of intentional overdoses result in seizures.
Standing shocks around black holes and estimation of outflow rates

We self-consistently obtain shock locations in an accretion flow by using an analytical method. One can obtain the spectral properties, quasi-periodic oscillation frequencies and the outflow rates when the inflow parameters are known. Since temperature of the CENBOL decides the spectral states of the black hole, and also the outflow rate, the outflow rate is directly related to the spectral states.
Micro -Logistics Analysis for Human Space Exploration

Traditionally, logistics analysis for space missions has focused on the delivery of elements and goods to a destination. This type of logistics analysis can be referred to as "macro-logistics". While the delivery of goods is a critical component of mission analysis, it captures only a portion of the constraints that logistics planning may impose on a mission scenario. The other component of logistics analysis concerns the local handling of goods at the destination, including storage, usage, and disposal. This type of logistics analysis, referred to as "micro-logistics", may also be a primary driver in the viability of a human lunar exploration scenario. With the rigorous constraints that will be placed upon a human lunar outpost, it is necessary to accurately evaluate micro-logistics operations in order to develop exploration scenarios that will result in an acceptable level of system performance.
Is the use of insulin lispro safe in pregnancy

Objective: To provide a review of the use and safety of insulin lispro during pregnancy. Methods: This is a review of the available literature on the use of insulin lispro in pregnancy. A MEDLINE search was performed which included published manuscripts and abstracts in the English language to June 2001. Results: The extensive search revealed that data on insulin lispro use during pregnancy are limited. Most of the reports on the use of insulin lispro during pregnancy demonstrated improvement of glycemic control, an increase in patient satisfaction, decreased hypoglycemic episodes, improved maternal and neonatal outcomes, and no deterioration in retinal status. However, there were two reports where it was suggested that there was an association with the use of insulin lispro in pregnancy and increased risk for the development of congenital anomalies and/or development or progression of diabetic retinopathy. Conclusions: Preliminary data suggest that insulin lispro does not have adverse maternal or fetal e...
CoQ and succinate dehydrogenase activity of the Keilin-Hartree respiratory particle.

Abstract Beef heart cytochrome-c deficient Keilin-Hartree, pH 5.7, particulate manifests decreased succinate-ferricyanide reductase activity after lyophilization and pentane extraction. Addition of CoQ10 or pentane extract restores activity in a Michaelis-Menten fashion, maximum activity being ≊ 5 × greater than that of extracted particulate. Kinetic relationships, 1 v vs. 1 (S) and 1 v vs. 1/( ferricyanide ) plots, for extracted particulate are different from those of untreated particulate and soluble succinate dehydrogenase. Addition of CoQ10 restores the kinetic relationships to those seen with untreated particulate. It is concluded that CoQ plays an essential role in the succinate-ferricyanide reductase activity of the particulate.
Functions of the activation loop in Csk protein-tyrosine kinase.

Autophosphorylation in the activation loop is a common mechanism regulating the activities of protein-tyrosine kinases (PTKs). PTKs in the Csk family, Csk and Chk, are rare exceptions for lacking Tyr residues in this loop. We probed the function of this loop in Csk by extensive site-specific mutagenesis and kinetic studies using physiological and artificial substrates. These studies led to several surprising conclusions. First, specific residues in Csk activation loop had little discernable functions in phosphorylation of its physiological substrate Src, as Ala scanning and loop replacement mutations decreased Csk activity toward Src less than 40%. Second, some activation loop mutants, such as a single residue deletion or replacing all residues with Gly, exhibited 1–2% of wild type (wt) activity toward artificial substrates, but significantly higher activity toward Src. Third, introduction of a thrombin cleavage site to the activation loop also resulted in loss of 98% of wt activity for poly(E4Y) and loss of 95% of wt activity toward Src, but digestion with thrombin to cut the activation loop, resulted in full recovery of wt activity toward both substrates. This suggested that the catalytic machinery is fully functional without the activation loop, implying an inhibitory role by the activation loop as a regulatory structure. Fourth, Arg313, although universally conserved in protein kinases, and essential for the activity of other PTKs so far tested, is not important for Csk activity. These findings provide new perspectives for understanding autophosphorylation as a regulatory mechanism and imply key differences in Csk recognition of artificial and physiological substrates.
Instability in Half-Bridge Circuits Switched With Wide Band-Gap Transistors

Wide band-gap (WBG) field-effect devices are known to provide a system-level performance benefit compared to silicon devices when integrated into power electronics applications. However, the near-ideal features of these switching devices can also introduce unexpected behavior in practical systems due to the presence of parasitic elements. The occurrence of self-sustained oscillation is one such behavior that has not received adequate study in the literature. This paper provides an analytical treatment of this phenomenon by casting the switching circuit as an unintentional negative resistance oscillator. This treatment utilizes an established procedure from the oscillator design literature and applies it to the problem of power circuit oscillation. A simulation study is provided to identify the sensitivity of the model to various parameters, and the predictive value of the model is confirmed by experiment involving two exemplary WBG devices: a SiC vertical-channel JFET and a SiC lateral-channel MOSFET. The results of this study suggest that susceptibility to self-sustained oscillation is correlated to the available power density of the device relative to the parasitic elements in the circuit, for which wide band-gap devices, to include SiC and GaN transistors, are in a class approaching that of the radio frequency domain.