cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THE ATHENS/JERUSALEM TEMPLATE AND THE TECHNO‐SECULARISM THESIS—KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD

. The publication of my article “Athens, Jerusalem, and the Arrival of Techno-secularism” (2005) in Zygon was followed by twenty-one responses, most of them critical. In this essay I reply by clarifying the earlier one, separating out its two major theses: the Athens/Jerusalem template and the techno-secularism thesis. The Athens/Jerusalem template is a typology that provides a historical basis for understanding why religion/science conflicts persist by showing that the contrasts between intellectual knowledge and revealed knowledge are permanent features of Western cultural history. Postmodern criticisms often have a negative edge, rejecting “canonical” accounts but not presenting alternative explanations. Historical context is helpful in understanding religion/science conflicts, which continue to exist. The present cultural situation is that technology is replacing religion—and science—as the dominant condition and theory of our culture. Evidence for the techno-secularism thesis can be seen in the nature of electronic entertainment, which invades the silence required for religious contemplation and obscures the scientific laws that are the basis for the new technology.
Transitions in ventricular activation revealed by two-dimensional optical mapping

While cardiac function in the mature heart is dependent on a properly functioning His-Purkinje system, the early embryonic tubular heart efficiently pumps blood without a distinct specialized conduction system. Although His-Purkinje system precursors have been identified using immunohistological techniques in the looped heart, little is known whether these precursors function electrically. To address this question, we used high-resolution optical mapping and fluorescent dyes with two CCD cameras to describe the motion-corrected activation patterns of 76 embryonic chick hearts from tubular stages (stage 10) to mature septated hearts (stage 35). Ventricular activation in the tubular looped heart (stages 10-17) using both calcium-sensitive fluo-4 and voltage-sensitive di-4-ANEPPS shows sequentially uniform propagation. In late looped hearts (stages 18-22), domains of the dorsal and lateral ventricle are preferentially activated before spreading to the remaining myocardium and show alternating regions of fast and slow propagation. During stages 22-26, action potentials arise from the dorsal ventricle. By stages 27-29, action potential breakthrough is also observed at the right ventricle apex. By stage 31, activation of the heart proceeds from foci at the apex and dorsal surface of the heart. The breakthrough foci correspond to regions where putative conduction system precursors have been identified immunohistologically. To date, our study represents the most detailed electrophysiological characterization of the embryonic heart between the looped and preseptated stages and suggests that ventricular activation undergoes a gradual transformation from sequential to a mature pattern with right and left epicardial breakthroughs. Our investigation suggests that cardiac conduction system precursors may be electrophysiologically distinct and mature gradually throughout cardiac morphogenesis in the chick.
Three-photon photoemission from Cu(100): observation of an unoccupied surface state near \ ̄gG

Abstract The photon energy dependence has been measured for three-photon photoemission from Cu(100). A narrow resonance (FWHM = 0.02 eV) was observed centered at 2.02 eV photon energy. The resonance can be explained by the presence of an unoccupied surface state near the center of the surface Brillouin zone at Γ and 2.0 eV above E F .
Multiple Layer Series Connected Winding Design for Minimum Losses

The classical one dimensional magnetic field and eddy current distribution ("proximity effect") within a series connected multiple layer coil is reexamined with regard to power losses withinthe windings. When the lengthand number of layers ina coilare fixed, the power dissipation within each layer can be minimized by choosing a specific radial thickness for each layer. Above or below this thickness, the losses within the winding increase. The conductor thickness which results in minimum dissipation depends on the relative position of the layer. When compared to a design having a constant thickness for each layer (chosen for minimum total dissipation), it is found that substantial savings in power consumption can be realized by employing a variable thickness of conductor. The one dimensional solution in cylindrical coordinates for the eddy current and skin effect in amultiple layer series connected coil is alsopresented. By solving the problem n cylindrical coordinates, the effect of curvature on the power consumption within each layer is apparent. This analysis should have application to the design of power transformers, armature windings, and inductors for power transmission lines.
Underwater Mach wave radiation from impact pile driving: Theory and observation

The underwater noise from impact pile driving is studied using a finite element model for the sound generation and parabolic equation model for propagation. Results are compared with measurements using a vertical line array deployed at a marine construction site in Puget Sound. It is shown that the dominant underwater noise from impact driving is from the Mach wave associated with the radial expansion of the pile that propagates down the pile after impact at supersonic speed. The predictions of vertical arrival angle associated with the Mach cone, peak pressure level as function of depth, and dominant features of the pressure time series compare well with corresponding field observations.
Inflation without a beginning: A Null boundary proposal

We develop our recent suggestion that inflation may be made past eternal, so that there is no initial cosmological singularity or ``beginning of time.'' Inflation with multiple vacua generically approaches a steady-state statistical distribution of regions at these vacua, and our model follows directly from making this distribution hold at all times. We find that this corresponds (at the semiclassical level) to particularly simple cosmological boundary conditions on an infinite null surface near which the spacetime looks de Sitter. The model admits an interesting arrow of time that is well defined and consistent for all physical observers that can communicate, even while the statistical description of the entire universe admits a symmetry that includes time reversal. Our model suggests, but does not require, the identification of antipodal points on the manifold. The resulting ``elliptic'' de Sitter spacetime has interesting classical and quantum properties. The proposal may be generalized to other inflationary potentials, or to boundary conditions that give semieternal but nonsingular cosmologies.
The effects of alkali impurities on the superconductivity and powder characteristics of YBa2Cu3O7

Abstract The effects of alkali impurities, Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs, on the superconducting properties and powder characteristics of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 were investigated. The superconducting temperature of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 drops to the 70 K range in the presence of Li (0.2 mole Li/mole 1-2-3 oxide), while samples containing Rb, K, or Cs show little superconductivity deterioration. An intermediate effect between these two extremes was found for Na. The powder characteristics, inlcuding aggregate hardness, particle size, and particle morphology, of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 are also affected by the alkali impurities. In particular, during calcination both Li and Na enhance the intergrain bonding, resulting in increased difficulty in power comminution, while K and particularly Rb have the opposite effect.
Inhaled corticosteroids should be initiated before discharge from the emergency department in patients with persistent asthma

National and International Guidelines concur that inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the preferred long-term maintenance drug therapy for mild persistent asthma for all ages. For moderate and severe persistent asthma, ICS are essential to optimal management, often concurrent with other key therapies. Despite strong evidence and consensus guidelines, ICS are still underused. While some patients who are treated in the emergency department (ED) have intermittent asthma, most have persistent asthma and need ICS for optimum outcomes. Failure to initiate ICS at this critical juncture often results in subsequent lack of ICS therapy. Along with a short course of oral corticosteroids, ICS should be initiated before discharge from the ED in patients with persistent asthma. Although the NIH/NAEPP Expert Panel Report 3 suggests considering the prescription of ICS on discharge from the ED, The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) 2008 guidelines recommend initiation or continuation of ICS before patients are discharged from the ED. The initiation of ICS therapy by ED physicians is also encouraged in the emergency medicine literature over the past decade. Misdiagnosis of intermittent asthma is common; therefore, ICS therapy should be considered for ED patients with this diagnosis with reassessment in follow-up office visits. To help ensure adherence to ICS therapy, patient education regarding both airway inflammation (show airway models/colored pictures) and the strong evidence of efficacy is vital. Teaching ICS inhaler technique, environmental control, and giving a written action plan are essential. Lack of initiation of ICS with appropriate patient education before discharge from the ED in patients with persistent asthma is common but unfortunately associated with continued poor patient outcomes.
Context-Based Testing of COTs Using Petri Nets

The persistent problem with using reusable components is adequate integrations, compositions, and certifications testing that are related to the factors such as the lack of access to source code, lack of composition support, lack of standards and contexts in which Components of the Shelves (COTS) must be deployed. Existing approaches to testing reusable components heavily focus on interface and integration testing of COTS without specifying contexts. The theory of Petri nets has been used in the model-based engineering of software systems to specify dependency, concurrency, conflict, distribute ness, composition, choice, randomness, etc. In this work, we attempt to utilize Petri nets theory to specify and analyze contextual dependency (data, control, etc) among Cots and their environments. A simple case study known as Car Dashboard Control System (DCS) has been used to demonstrate our proposed idea.
Models of HIV-1 protease with peptides representing its natural substrates

Abstract The substrate specificity of HIV-1 protease has been investigated by molecular modeling of HIV-1 protease with seven peptides representing the naturally occurring cleavage sites in the gag and gag–pol polyprotein precursors. These peptides contain a wide range of amino acids, although only hydrophobic residues are found at either side of the scissile peptide bond. Polar amino acid side chains in each substrate may form hydrogen bond interactions with atoms of HIV protease. HIV-1 protease residues Arg 8, Asp 29, Asp 30, Lys 45, Met 46, Gly 49 and Pro 81 were predicted to form hydrogen bond interactions with polar substrate side chains that may provide sequence specific recognition of the substrates. Several of these protease residues are mutated in inhibitor resistant strains of HIV. Residues equivalent to HIV-1 protease Asp 30 and Pro 81 have been shown to be critical components for substrate recognition. The calculated interaction energy betwen HIV protease and the tetrahedral intermediate of the substrates has a correlation coefficient of 71% with the differences in free energy calculated from kinetic measurements. The implications for the reaction pathway are discussed.
Kernel Density and Hazard Rate Estimation for Censored Dependent Data

In some long term studies, a series of dependent and possibly censored failure times may be observed. Suppose that the failure times have a common marginal distribution function having a density, and the nonparametric estimation of density and hazard rate under random censorship is of our interest. In this paper, we establish the asymptotic normality and the uniform consistency (with rates) of the kernel estimators for density and hazard function under a censored dependent model. A numerical study elucidates the behavior of the estimators for moderately large sample sizes.
Evaluation of reproductive and economic outcomes of dairy heifers inseminated at induced estrus or at fixed time after a 5-day or 7-day progesterone insert-based ovulation synchronization protocol.

Abstract The objectives of the current experiment were to evaluate the reproductive performance and economic outcome of 3 synchronization strategies for first artificial insemination (AI) of dairy heifers. Holstein heifers from 2 herds (site A, California, n=415; site B, Idaho, n=425) were assigned to 1 of 3 treatments. Heifers assigned to the AI on estrus (AIE) treatment received an injection of 25mg of PGF 2α at enrollment (d 0) and every 11 d thereafter until AI occurred. Heifers assigned to the CIDR5 treatment received a controlled internal drug release insert (CIDR) containing 1.38g of progesterone, which was removed 5 d later concomitantly with an injection of 25mg of PGF 2α , and received fixed-time AI (TAI) concomitantly with an injection of 100μg of GnRH 53 to 60 h later. Heifers assigned to the CIDR7 treatment received a CIDR insert, which was removed 7 d later concomitantly with an injection of 25mg of PGF 2α , and received TAI concomitantly with an injection of 100μg of GnRH 53 to 60 h later. Heifers were observed for estrus and inseminated up to 98 and 73 d after enrollment in sites A and B, respectively. Thereafter, heifers were moved to pens with bulls and considered failure to conceive to AI if still not pregnant at the end of the observation period. Economic outcomes were based on cost of synchronization protocol (CIDR treatment=$11, PGF 2α or GnRH treatments=$2.5/treatment, estrous detection=$0.80/heifer per day), rearing cost ($2.75/heifer per day), and economic loss if a heifer did not conceive to first AI ($150). Input cost of the reproductive programs=synchronization protocol cost + semen cost + rearing cost + replacement cost. Pregnancy per AI (P/AI) 38±3 d after first AI was greatest for AIE heifers (61.1%) followed by CIDR5 (44.8%) and CIDR7 (35.7%) heifers. Furthermore, P/AI 73±7 d after first AI was greatest for AIE (58.8%) and tended to be greater for CIDR5 (42%) than for CIDR7 (34.1%) heifers. The percentage of heifers that had spontaneous luteolysis from CIDR insertion to CIDR removal was reduced for CIDR5 compared with CIDR7 (13.8 vs 31.8%). Pregnancy rate was greatest for AIE heifers but did not differ between CIDR5 [adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval)=0.75 (0.63, 0.90)] and CIDR7 [adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval)=0.65 (0.54, 0.77)] heifers. Consequently, rearing cost and input cost of AIE heifers ($67.1±4.4 and −$107.1±7.0, respectively) were reduced compared with CIDR5 ($86.9±5.1 and −$143.4±8.1, respectively) and CIDR7 ($98.3±5.1 and −$156.5±8.2, respectively) heifers, but no differences were observed between CIDR5 and CIDR7 heifers.
Picosecond transient thermal phase grating spectroscopy: A new approach to the study of vibrational energy relaxation processes in proteins

Abstract A new technique has been developed to specifically address the problem of vibrational relaxation and dispersion in proteins at short time scales. At longer time scales this technique can be used to study the slower correlated nuclear motions involved in protein structural changes. This spectroscopy is based on the picosecond transient thermal phase grating. A detailed theoretical analysis of this new form of spectroscopy is presented that explains the effects of delayed thermal energy deposition on grating dynamics. In addition, the effects of optical pulse shape and duration are treated. The observable in this technique is not an electronic polarization but is derived from a response of the material fields to changes in the lattice temperature. The theory treats this aspect of the observable directly in the above limits. Experimental results are presented for heme proteins.
Social Aspects of Anti‐Union Prejudice

ALTHOUGH LABOR UNIONS in this country have made phenomenal progress, there is still considerable prejudice against them. Our cultural emphasis on individual initiative, self-reliance, and resourcefulness has contributed to a relative lack of appreciation of the need for collective action. As a result, unions here have encountered greater opposition than in some other countries, and in certain instances they have been slower to recognize their social responsibilities. It is noteworthy, however, that the forms which anti-union sentiment assumes tend to change in response to existing social conditions. Certainly the over-all picture today is vastly different from that of the era of industrial conflict which produced the Homestead steel strike (1892) and the Pullman strike (1894). But hostility to unions is nevertheless in evidence.
Use of the API 20E, Oxi/Ferm, and Minitek systems to identify nonfermentative and oxidase-positive fermentative bacteria: Seven years of experience

Abstract The API 20E (API) system, the Oxi/Ferm (OXF) system, and the Minitek (min) system were used over a seven-year period to identify clinical isolates of nonfermentative bacteria (NFB) and oxidase-positive fermentative bacteria (OPFB). A totol of 742 NFB and OPFB were tested with the API system, 988 with the OXF system, and 918 with the MIN system. The organisms represented 34 recognized species, nine alpha-numeric designates, and three species of unnamed NFB. Results were compared to those obtained with conventional test methods, which were considered correct in all instances. The accuracy of identification of NFB and OPFB was 61% with API, 80% with OXF, and 72% with MIN. Identification was more favorable for all systems with the oxidase-negative bacteria than with the oxidase-positive bacteria. API successfully identified 84% of the oxidase-negative organisms compared to 48% of the oxidase-positive organisms, OXF identified 93% compared to 75%, and MIN identified 96% compared to 61%. Failure of identification was usually a result of failure of the generated codes to appear in the compendia, rather than of misidentification, especially for the oxidase-positive organisms. The OXF system required the greatest number of supplemental test for identification with a ratio of .65 (supplemental tests per isolate) and the API the least (.20). The API system generated the most codes with a ratio of .46 and the OXF system the fewest codes (.16).
Grouping Lactating Cows by Nutritional Requirements for Feeding

Abstract A method (cluster) of grouping cows simultaneously by requirements of crude protein percentage and megacalories net energy per kilogram expected dry matter intake was developed and compared to grouping by test day milk, fat-corrected milk, and dairy merit (fat-corrected milk/body weight .75 ). One year of monthly Dairy Herd Improvement test day records from 80 Holstein herds chosen from four herd sizes yielded 110,264 records from 941 herd test days. Cows in each herd on each test day were ranked and allocated by each of the four methods to two groups of equal size. The cluster method used standardized concentrations of protein and energy to minimize variation within groups. It grouped 25, 22, and 15% of the cows differently from milk, fat-corrected milk, and dairy merit methods. Displacement of cows in rank within herd averaged 17, 15, and 11% of possible misranking. Cows in first lactation less than 46 days were placed in the high group with a frequency of 98, 49, 48, and 64% for cluster, milk, fat-corrected milk, and dairy merit methods. Intraclass correlations among cows in the same group were .66, 49, .54, and .61 for protein percentage and .61, .28, .34, and .42 for net energy concentration. Average variation of net energy concentration in the low cluster groups was half that in the low groups from other methods. The cluster procedure was effective for grouping cows homogeneously by nutritional requirements.
Cathodic disbondment resistance with reactive ethylene terpolymer blends

Adhesion to metallic substrates can be improved through the addition of polar functional groups, which bond with surface groups on the metal substrate. Additionally, polar interactions have been shown to increase adhesive strength even in wet environments (such as in the case for cathodic protection). A polymer blend is proposed as a coating material to provide adequate protection against the diffusion of moisture and air to the metallic surface along with superior adhesion even in the presence of wet and corrosive environments to resist cathodic disbondment. A reactive ethylene terpolymer (RET) of ethylene/n-butyl acrylate/glycidyl methacrylate (E/nBA/GMA) was compounded with HDPE to develop a potential coating material. The HDPE component offers high chemical and moisture resistance to permeation, while the RET component provides the material with high polarity and reactivity, which enhances adhesion to the substrates to be coated. The introduction of the reactive ethylene terpolymer decreases the magnitude of cathodic disbondment area of polyethylene coatings. After applying a cathodic potential to the coating substrate, the adhesive strength was observed to remain the same for silane-pretreated steel dollies. Without silane pretreatment, post-CD adhesive loss resembles that of the open circuit “wet” condition. EDAX data in conjunction with oxygen and water vapor transmission rates suggest an initial stage of disbondment where interfacial oxide is dissolved resulting in the delamination of coating around the initial defect. This initial disbondment zone acts like a moving crack tip creating larger areas of disbondment where interfacial bonds are degraded by the ingress of moisture and ions along the interface.
Traditional risk factors for Helicobacter pylori infection not found among patients undergoing diagnostic upper endoscopy-Republic of Georgia, 2007-2008

Summary Objectives Helicobacter pylori causes gastritis, duodenal ulcers, and gastric cancer. Although household crowding, low socioeconomic status (SES), and poor sanitation are associated with infection elsewhere, risk factors of infection in the Republic of Georgia (ROG), a country with a high prevalence rate (>70%), remain unknown. In this study we explored potential risk factors of infection among symptomatic patients in ROG. Methods During 2007–2008, we prospectively recruited 390 subjects with gastrointestinal symptoms referred to five tertiary care centers for diagnostic upper endoscopy. We administered a questionnaire on potential risk factors and tested patients using three diagnostic tests: gastric biopsies underwent histological evaluation and rapid urease test (CLO test), and an ELISA was used to detect IgG against H. pylori in serum. We defined a case as having two or more positive results from the three available tests. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Results Overall, 217 (56%) patients met the study case definition. Subjects diagnosed with cancer had the highest rate of H. pylori infection (62%), followed by those with gastritis (55%), and ulcer (54%). Age >30 years (adjusted odds ratio (aOR 2.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6–4.3) and residing in the capital city (aOR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4–0.9) were significantly associated with infection. Conclusions In this large cohort with gastrointestinal symptoms, only age >30 years and living in the capital were significant factors associated with infection. Lower SES, less education, and crowding did not confer an increased risk, in contrast to the findings of previous studies. Population-based studies are needed to identify potential routes and risk factors of H. pylori infection in ROG.
Ultrawideband Noise Radar Imaging of Impenetrable Cylindrical Objects Using Diffraction Tomography

Ultrawideband (UWB) waveforms achieve excellent spatial resolution for better characterization of targets in tomographic imaging applications compared to narrowband waveforms. In this paper, two-dimensional tomographic images of multiple scattering objects are successfully obtained using the diffraction tomography approach by transmitting multiple independent and identically distributed (iid) UWB random noise waveforms. The feasibility of using a random noise waveform for tomography is investigated by formulating a white Gaussian noise (WGN) model using spectral estimation. The analytical formulation of object image formation using random noise waveforms is established based on the backward scattering, and several numerical diffraction tomography simulations are performed in the spatial frequency domain to validate the analytical results by reconstructing the tomographic images of scattering objects. The final image of the object based on multiple transmitted noise waveforms is reconstructed by averaging individually formed images which compares very well with the image created using the traditional Gaussian pulse. Pixel difference-based measure is used to analyze and estimate the image quality of the final reconstructed tomographic image under various signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions. Also, preliminary experiment setup and measurement results are presented to assess the validation of simulation results.
Strengthening corporate governance through board‐level consultants

Corporate governance represents a primary leverage point for improving organizational performance. CEOs generally control the information received by the board of directors, and so the board′s functioning may suffer from an information deficit. Offers a potential solution to such dependency through the use of consultants who report directly to the board, thus serving as independent sources of guidance and information. Suggests outside consultants could help board members to meet their fiduciary responsibilities to shareholders by improving corporate governance. They could also define the roles of board members; evaluate CEO performance and rewards; monitor the development of others in senior management; and objectively identify and evaluate key issues which call for a board response. Proposes that using consultants to span the boundaries between the board and the organization offers a key point of leverage in improving corporate performance.
Effects of implementing a protocol for arterial blood gas use on ordering practices and diagnostic yield.

Abstract Background The arterial blood gas (ABG) is a valuable and commonly used laboratory test. This prospective cohort study examined the variability of ABG ordering through the implementation of an evidence - based protocol. Methods The study consisted of two 6-week periods. The protocol consisted of evidence-based and consensus opinion based indications for ABGs. In the first phase (initial 6 weeks), respiratory therapists recorded the indications for ABGs ordered by clinicians. In the second phase, all medical and surgical physicians were trained on the clinical rationale behind the protocol and were instructed to write the indication for each ABG with the order. Rates of ABGs/patient/day were measured in aggregate and per indication. Multivariate regression was used for adjusted comparisons between indications within the protocol. Results After protocol implementation, there was a significant decrease in ABGs from 2158 to 1674 ( p =0.001), and after adjusting for daily census, there was a significant decrease from 35.3 ABGs/100 patients/day to 26.5 ABGs/100 patients/day ( p 2 , and PaO 2 decreased from 13.3% to 9.6% after implementation ( p p =0.001), a 15% decrease in weaning trial ABGs ( p =0.039), and a 15% increase in ABGs ordered following a change in minute ventilation ( p =0.004). Cost minimization analysis estimated annual institutional savings to be $87,565. Conclusions Implementation of an evidence based protocol for ABG use resulted in fewer ABGs/patient/day largely from reduction of routine, daily ABGs. Ordering patterns for ABGs appeared to shift towards more clinically appropriate/relevant indications. Level of evidence 2b.
Effects of high temperature forming gas anneal on the characteristics of metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor with HfO2 gate stack

The effects of high temperature forming gas (N2:H2=96:4) anneal (600 °C) prior to metallization have been evaluated in terms of the improvement in the carrier mobility of HfO2/nitride layer gate stack metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors with TaN gate electrode. The high-temperature forming gas anneal has been found to be effective in improving the interface quality by lowering both interface state density and interface charges. The improvements resulting in decreased Coulombic scattering centers can be attributed to hydrogen atoms that were concentrated near the interface.
Bureaucratic Job Mobility and The Diffusion of Innovations

In studies of innovation, policy entrepreneurs recognize latent demand for new policies and then expend resources to promote them. But studies of policy entrepreneurs have generally focused on the demand for innovation, while neglecting the supply side of policy entrepreneurship. This article argues that bureaucratic labor markets affect the emergence of policy entrepreneurs, and so affect the diffusion of policy innovations across local governments in the United States. Analysis of a survey of municipal police chiefs and water utility managers relates governments' hiring and promotion policies to their adoption of professionally fashionable innovations. Agency heads who advanced to their current positions diagonally (arriving from another organization) are more likely to initiate these innovations than are agency heads who were promoted from within. Bureaucratic policy entrepreneurs emerge where government demand for innovation meets a supply of mobile administrators, who carry the priorities of their professions into the agencies that they serve.
Effects of incubation temperature on hatchling pine snakes: implications for survival

Incubation temperature in ectothermic vertebrates affects incubation periods, and in some reptiles it affects sex ratios and behavior. I present evidence that incubation temperature affects emergence and post-hatching behavior of pine snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus) that could influence survival in the weeks before hibernation. Hatchlings incubated at low temperatures remained in the nest longer, had fewer alternate nest openings, and fewer underground tunnels to hide in than did hatchlings from warmer temperatures. These conditions could render hatchlings from low-temperature nests more vulnerable to predation because, if a nest is opened, they are not inside tunnels where they would be protected. Hatchlings from nests incubated at low temperatures took longer to find shade during a thermoregulation test, and were less likely to move about in search of other cover than were those from higher-incubation-temperature artificial nests. Similarly, hatchlings from nests with low incubation temperatures were less responsive to a predatory stimulus and had a longer latency to strike than other hatchlings. Taken together, hatchlings from nests with low incubation temperatures might be less able to avoid predators and find shade than those from nests incubated at higher temperatures, and thus could be expected to have lower survival in nature.
Analysis of Dielectric Resonator Antenna Arrays with Supporting Perforated Rods

Arrays of dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) elements are formed from one piece of materials. Perforated bonding dielectric rods are are applied to connect the individual DRA elements and completely eliminate all the rest of the dielectric materials between the DRA elements. This technique of fabricating DRAs using perforations eliminates the need to position and bond individual DRA elements in an array. The dielectric rods have low dielectric constant and thin enough to avoid guiding waves around the design frequency of the array itself. A 4-element array is fabricated. The array is excited by narrow slots and designed to operate at 10 GHz. The performance of the 4-element prototype array with bonding rods is compared with a corresponding array without the bonding rods. Measured and simulated return loss and radiation patterns are presented for the array. Also, a larger 4×4 array is fabricated and tested. The results are presented to show the effect of the presence of the bonding rods. Parametric study on DRA height and feeding slot width is performed to achieve better matching. (5 pages)
Current Trends in Geometric Modeling and Selected Computational Applications

Most numerical simulations require techniques for the representation and manipulation of complex, three-dimensional geometries. This paper provides a short historical survey and an overview of state-of-the-art geometric modeling techniques and research issues, and discusses a few selected applications of geometric modeling in computational areas.
Obesity, diabetes and cognitive deficit: The Framingham Heart Study

Objective:: To determine the independent effects of obesity on cognitive performance and to examine interactions between obesity and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Methods:: Using a prospective design, male (n = 551) and female (n = 872) participants of the Framingham Heart Study were classified as obese (yes/no), diabetic (yes/no), and the number of diabetes-years was determined by data collected over an 18-year surveillance period. All subjects were free from dementia, stroke, and clinically diagnosed cardiovascular disease up to the time of cognitive testing. Statistical models were adjusted for age, education, occupation, native language, and cardiovascular disease risk factors. Body mass index status (non-obese or obese) and NIDDM status (diabetic/non-diabetic) were related to cognitive performance on multiple cognitive measures. Results:: Adverse effects of obesity on cognitive performance were observed for men only. Diabetes-years related to poorer cognitive performance, but only when men and women were combined for analyses. Neither diabetes nor diabetes-years by obesity interactions were observed. Conclusions:: The gender-specific results for obesity, but not for diabetes, suggests that the underlying mechanisms linking them to cognition may be different.
5,7-Diphenyl-3-ureidohexahydroazepin-2-ones as Cholecystokinin-B receptor ligands

Abstract A series of 5,7-diphenyl-3-ureidohexahydroazepin-2-one cholecystokinin-B (CCK-B) receptor antagonists was synthesized using Beckmann ring expansion of a suitable 2,4-diphenylcyclohexanone as a key step. SAR studies revealed the importance of the 5-aryl group for high and selective CCK-B receptor affinity, as illustrated in compound (−)- 10i (CCK-B IC 50 = 6.8 nM).
KONDO EFFECT IN SYSTEMS OF REDUCED DIMENSIONALITY

This paper describes a series of experiments concerning the Kondo effect in metal films and wires which have revealed some surprising aspects of the Kondo behavior in quasi-two- and quasi-one-dimensional systems. We have studied two different Kondo alloys, Au(Fe) and Cu(Fe), and found that in both cases the Kondo contribution to the resistivity \ensuremath{\Delta}${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\rho}}}_{\mathit{K}}$ is sensitive to the size of the sample, and is suppressed at length scales below about 1500 \AA{}. This critical length scale is observed in both quasi-two- and quasi-one-dimensional systems. Studies of bilayer samples composed of a Kondo film in contact with a layer of the pure host material [e.g., Cu(Fe) overcoated with Cu] reveal the existence of a Kondo proximity effect, which is also length scale dependent. Results for the spin scattering rate ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\tau}}}_{\mathit{s}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ for conduction electrons, obtained via weak localization measurements, indicate that ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\tau}}}_{\mathit{s}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ is suppressed in quasi-two-dimensional systems in a manner similar to that found for \ensuremath{\Delta}${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\rho}}}_{\mathit{K}}$. Finally, we find that disorder plays a central role; increasing the amount of disorder (i.e., elastic scattering) suppresses \ensuremath{\Delta}${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\rho}}}_{\mathit{K}}$. Surprisingly, the length scale which controls the Kondo behavior seems to be essentially independent of the Kondo temperature ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{K}}$. This implies that physics beyond that contained in the simplest Kondo models is responsible.
The conformational structures of defect-containing chains in the crystalline regions of isotactic polypropylene☆

Abstract Calculations were performed to assign defect-resonance patterns observed in solid-state 13C NMR spectra obtained from the crystalline regions of isotactic polypropylene. The spectral features of interest are associated with stereo, regio, and comonomer-type defects, which can typically be found in metallocene-synthesized polymers. The calculations were carried out as follows: a model of the crystalline region of defect-free isotactic polypropylene was constructed from available X-ray data corresponding to the α-lattice. A series of irregularities including ethylene comonomer, stereo-mrrm, regio 2,1-erythro, and butylene-comonomer defects were introduced one at a time at various positions in a specific stem occupying a central position in the model crystallite. Low-lying conformations were then obtained from simulated annealing calculations that were initiated from these structures. Finally, quantum mechanical calculations were performed on the representative segments of the defect-containing chains excised from the annealed crystallites and the calculated chemical shifts were compared to the observed resonances. The results of the calculations were used as a basis for interpreting the NMR intensities of defect-related resonances in terms of the partitioning of defects and to help establish the conformational structures of the defect-containing stems.
Responses of NFR/N inbred mice to very low-dose infections with Ascaris suum.

Abstract Responses of NFR/N inbred mice to very low-dose infections with Ascaris suum . International Journal for Parasitology 19 : 85–89. Mice were evaluated for immunological responses and resistance to challenge infections after single infections. When given infections simultaneously with thiabendazole, larval migration to the liver and lungs was blocked but not when mice were given infections only. Enlargement of Peyer's patches was observed after infection followed by increased numbers of IgA-containing cells in the lamina propria of the intestines and increased levels of hepatobiliary IgA. Ig-containing cells were variable in the spleens during the early phase of infection. The observed changes quickly returned to normal control levels and did not change throughout the rest of the experiment. Serum Ig levels did not change dramatically. Challenge with high doses of eggs indicated that mice given single very low-dose infections became highly resistant.
Irrational health beliefs and health anxiety

The Irrational Health Belief Scale (IHBS) assesses the tendency to appraise health-related information in an irrational manner. Despite the central role that dysfunctional assumptions about health play in the cognitive-behavioral model of hypochondriasis and health anxiety, researchers have not examined the relation between health anxiety and the types of irrational health beliefs assessed by the IHBS. Two samples (n = 198, n = 295) of students completed the IHBS and measures of anxiety and health anxiety. In both studies, the IHBS was correlated with health anxiety, and this association was mediated by anxiety. These findings suggest that the range of dysfunctional beliefs associated with health anxiety is greater than was initially described by the cognitive-behavioral model.
Self-report of arousal as an indicant of activation level.

Activation level is typically assessed via the measurement of those physiological variables reputed to be activation indicants. To investigate the usefulness of self-reports of arousal level as an alternative means of activation measurement, 51 Ss made hourly reports of their subjective level of arousal while awake, across a four-day span. A circadian rhythm (about 24 hours) was detected by inferential statistical methods. Additionally, while the 24-hour chronogram depicting the self-report time series may be approximated by a cosine function attaining a single maximal value, our analyses indicated a function attaining local maxima at 13:20 and 19:40 to be more accurate. The finding that both self-report and physiological measures of arousal may be approximated by circadian functions which attain maximal levels during the middle of the wakefulness cycle suggests that self-report as an activation indicant has some degree of construct validity and may be useful in the test of hypotheses requiring activation measurement of free ranging humans over temporally extended periods. It was also suggested that oral temperature may be a valuable but neglected activation indicant since the circadian variations in the present self-report data and those in previously published oral temperature time series seem to be approximated by functions which share a 24-hour periodicity and attain a maximal value at about 17:39.
Evidence and implications of crustal magmatism on the flanks of the East Pacific Rise

article i nfo Article history: Formation of oceanic crust along the East Pacific Rise is thought to be complete within a few kilometers of the rise axis. Here, however, we present evidence for magmatism 20 km from the spreading center in 300- ka-old crust. Seismic data reveal an intrusive complex ~2 km beneath the seafloor, which is limited in lateral extent (b5 km) and comprises a melt lens underlain by low-velocity, high-attenuation crust. The crustal magma body overlies a region of off-axis delivery of mantle melt that results from a long-lived skew between the axes of mantle upwelling and plate spreading. Magmatism on the flanks of the EPR may be commonplace, thus affecting the architecture of oceanic crust and providing the necessary conditions to drive off-axis hydrothermal activity.
Digital image enhancement for the visually-impaired: simulations and results

The authors evaluate whether patients demonstrate improved face recognition when viewing enhanced images. Difficulty with face recognition is a frequent, early complaint of many patients with macular disease. Faces can be recognized when low-pass filtered to a large degree or high-pass filtered. To evaluate actual face recognition rather than the ability to discriminate among test faces, the authors tested the patient's ability to recognize celebrities, which is more robust than the recognition of unfamiliar faces. It is shown that all patients demonstrated better face recognition with the enhanced images than with the original, untouched images. Analysis of the difference between the two areas under the receiver operating curves indicated a statistically significant increase in recognition for 8 out of 17 patients. Patients reported that the enhanced images were significantly clearer, sharper, and easier to see. >
Rescue of Rous Sarcoma Virus from Rous Sarcoma Virus-Transformed Mammalian Cells

Rat cells transformed by the B77 strain of avian sarcoma virus produce no virus-like particles, yet B77 virus was rescued from these cells by Sendai virus-mediated fusion with chicken cells. This virus rescue was not affected by treatment of the chicken cells with agents that rendered the cells incapable of dividing, although such treatment greatly reduced the ability of the chicken cells to plate as infectious centers after infection with B77 virus. Fusion of R(B77) cells with chicken erythrocytes also led to virus rescue, although with less efficiency than fusion with chicken fibroblasts. Therefore, virus rescue was probably due to a factor or factors contributed by chicken cells which aid in virus production.
Size dependence of gradient and nongradient optical forces in silver nanoparticles

We examine the size dependence of gradient and nongradient contributions to the optically induced force on single, isolated nanometer-sized silver particles in water under plane-wave illumination. Using a recently developed method based on discrete-dipole approximation (DDA), we find that all contributions scale linearly with volume in this regime. This dependence can be rationalized by using semiempirical considerations based on the Mie-Debye theory. We also comment on a common approach to determining conservative and nonconservative force contributions on a single particle in an externally applied field. Our analysis suggests that the Mie-Debye theory cross sections cannot be used to evaluate conservative and nonconservative contributions to the force. Finally, we comment on aspects of the relationship between DDA and continuum-based treatments of optical force phenomena and find that inclusion of multiple scattering effects are essential to an understanding of the size dependence of the forces on mesoscopic particles.
The DNA data deluge

In June 2000, a press conference was held in the White House to announce an extraordinary feat: the completion of a draft of the human genome. For the first time, researchers had read all 3 billion of the chemical "letters" that make up a human DNA molecule, which would allow geneticists to investigate how that chemical sequence codes for a human being. In his remarks, President Bill Clinton recalled the moment nearly 50 years prior when Francis Crick and James Watson first discovered the double-helix structure of DNA. "How far we have come since that day," Clinton said.
Activity of anidulafungin in a murine model of Candida krusei infection: evaluation of mortality and disease burden by quantitative tissue cultures and measurement of serum (1,3)-β-D-glucan levels.

Experience with anidulafungin against Candida krusei is limited. Immunosuppressed mice were injected with 1.3 x 10(7) to 1.5 x 10(7) CFU of C. krusei. Animals were treated with saline, 40 mg/kg fluconazole, 1 mg/kg amphotericin B, or 10 and 20 mg/kg anidulafungin for 5 days. Anidulafungin improved survival and significantly reduced the number of CFU/g in kidneys and serum beta-glucan levels.
Optimal share contracts with moral hazard on effort and in output reporting: managing the double Laffer curve effect

We explore in this paper the design of optimal share contracts when there is a double moral hazard, one on inputs exclusively provided by the agent (such as effort) and the other in reporting the level of output to be shared with the principal, and when there is a social efficiency cost to under-reporting. The optimal contract is second best in that it allows for residual moral hazard in both effort and output reporting. The model predicts that contract terms will vary with the value to the tenant of unreported output as well as with any capacity of the principal to directly supervise the agent. The model is written for a landlord-tenant share contract but applies as well for tax collection and franchising.