cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Insight into SPACs and their Valuation Conundrum

There has been a great deal of SPAC activity in the last year and a half, but there are still a lot of unknowns in the dynamics of a SPAC deal. In this paper, I explain Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs), their origins in the 1990s and evolution to current status, celebrity endorsements, and resultant SPAC bubble. A recent SPAC acquisition – ARBE Robotics’ acquisition by ITAC, a publicly-traded SPAC is used as an example of the valuation conundrum faced by SPAC sponsors. The findings summarized in this paper are arrived from analyzing publicly available data. I perform a valuation analysis on the deal above and try to reconcile the values used in the investor presentation to 2 commonly used valuation methodologies that highlight the lack of correlation of valuation to value. It is important to note that the majority of business combinations associated with SPACs have no requirement for independent valuation opinions. My findings indicate that this lack of requirement is going to lead to more failures and losses for investors in SPACs and therefore public investors in SPACs should refrain from investing in their IPOs. Public investors are advised to wait till after the business combination is announced despite the benefits associate with warrants in the IPO units. I analyze recent SEC guidance on warrants and how that will limit future SPAC deals. This paper argues that SPACs have recently lost investor interest as they have come out of the positive feedback cycle due to negative media coverage, SEC focus, expected regulation tightening, and weak returns in the past year.
Ceramic Morphological Organisation in the Southern Caddo Area: The Clarence H. Webb Collections

Analyses of ceramic vessel shape are neither new or novel; however, the relatively recent adoption of geometric morphometric (GM) methods by archaeologists provides a preview of the contribution of GM to the systematic and rigorous study of morphology as applied to material culture. This study is focused upon an analysis of Caddo bottle shapes for Belcher Engraved, Hickory Fine Engraved, Keno Trailed, Smithport Plain, and Taylor Engraved vessels from the Allen Plantation, Belcher Mound, Gahagan Mound, and Smithport Landing sites in the Clarence H. Webb collections from northwest Louisiana. Results indicate some significant relationships between bottle shape and size (allometry), bottle shape and type, and bottle shape and site. A test of morphological integration indicates that the bottles are significantly integrated, meaning that those discrete traits used to characterise their shape (rim, neck, body, and base) vary in a coordinated manner. It also highlights significant integration between the rim and base, and significant integration between the neck and body for this sample. The Smithport Plain and Hickory (Fine) Engraved bottles found at the Belcher Mound, Smithport Landing, and Gahagan Mound sites also provide evidence for two discrete (north-south) base and body shapes.
Development of a Rapid Prototyping COVID-19 Geographic Information System and the Influence of Testing Centers on Data Visualization

Federal, state, and local governments have been tracking the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, an infectious disease caused by a coronavirus. As a result of this pandemic, a consistent stream of health data has been produced that tracks the state of health for the seven billion plus people in the world each day, much of which has been publicly released. This open-source data can be used to analyze, visualize, and explain the spread of COVID-19. Here, a COVID-19 information system was created with the business intelligence software Tableau utilizing big data analysis techniques to contribute to general knowledge about the global pandemic. At a state level, data was collected from the big data initiative, the Covid Tracking Project. At the county level, if not provided in a downloadable format, the data was transcribed into a comma-separated values (CSV) file format and used for analysis. Data collection, cleaning, merging, and filtering was a time consuming and tedious task. The COVID-19 pandemic and increased amount of data collection has highlighted the need to perform rapid data analysis and visualizations. Tableau was used for the rapid prototyping of information system. The available data was decentralized and showed the lack of consistency and lack of nation-wide standardization in collecting COVID-19 data. Uncertainties in the data could be reduced through emphasizing how not all states release the same information, as well as efforts for transparency with how published statistics are calculated. The work aims to draw attention to the need for standardized data collection and the viability of using software such as Tableau for the creation of rapid visualizations.
A Cultural History of the Atlantic World, 1250-1820

A Cultural History of the Atlantic World, 1250–1820 explores the idea that strong links exist in the histories of Africa, Europe and North and South America. John K. Thornton provides a comprehensive overview of the history of the Atlantic Basin before 1830 by describing political, social and cultural interactions between the continents' inhabitants. He traces the backgrounds of the populations on these three continental landmasses brought into contact by European navigation. Thornton then examines the political and social implications of the encounters, tracing the origins of a variety of Atlantic societies and showing how new ways of eating, drinking, speaking and worshipping developed in the newly created Atlantic World. This book uses close readings of original sources to produce new interpretations of its subject.
Atomic short-range order and incipient long-range order in high-entropy alloys

Within density-functional theory, we apply an electronic-structure-based thermodynamic theory to calculate short-ranged order (SRO) in homogeneously disordered substitutional N-component alloys, and its electronic origin. Using the geometric properties of an (N − 1) simplex that describes the Gibbs (compositional) space, we derive the analytic transform of the SRO eigenvectors that provides a unique description of high-temperature SRO in N-component alloys and the incipient low-temperature long-range order. We apply the electronic-based thermodynamic theory and the new general analysis to ternaries (A1 Cu-Ni-Zn and A2 Nb-Al-Ti) for validation, and then to quinary Al-Co-Cr-Fe-Ni high-entropy alloys for predictive assessment.
Speckle reduction in real time ultrasound imaging

An experiment using a commercial ultrasonic imager, sinusoidal motion of frequency 1 Hz, and a phantom tissue sample of width 2 cm was used to study speckle reduction in ultrasound imaging. Theory suggested that if the translation between averaged frames is decorrelated, it could reduce speckle without significant reduction in image quality. Overall, the authors' preliminary experimental result indicated that this arrangement could be utilized to evaluate speckle reduction methodology. >
METHOD FOR MEASURING CO2 ABSORPTION IN CO2 and N2 PACKAGED FRESH MEAT1

Headspace gas composition of meat stored in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) undergoes dynamic changes as a result of packaging film permeability, postmortem metabolic activity, CO 2 absorption in water and lipid, and bacteria growth and respiration. A combined analytical and experimental method was developed to investigate CO 2 absorption by packaged fresh meat in a gas-impermeable environment and during isothermal storage. The ideal gas law was used as a theoretical basis and a gas-impermeable and constant-volume chamber was constructed to evaluate the theoretical derivation. Changes in headspace pressure caused by dynamic interactions between beef and MAP atmospheres were monitored to predict concentration changes of CO 2 within the chamber. The proposed methodology for measuring CO 2 concentration changes was confirmed by gas analysis and proved valid for prediction of headspace CO 2 concentration changes in MAP gas-impermeable systems within the range of initial gas composition 20% to 100% CO 2 balanced with N 2 , at temperatures ranging from 3 to 13C, and an initial headspace pressure of 155 kPa.
Effect of La3+Promotion of Co/SiO2on CO Hydrogenation

A study of CO hydrogenation on La3+-promoted Co/SiO2catalysts (La/Co atomic ratios of 0–0.75) has been performed using both global rate measurements and steady-state isotopic transient kinetic analysis (SSITKA). Aqueous impregnation (the means of adding La3+) of Co/SiO2led to a significant decrease in the number of intermediates leading to methane during CO hydrogenation, but it did not alter the nature of the active sites. In a previous characterization paper (19) La3+promotion of Co/SiO2was shown to moderate the strong Co–support interactions brought about by aqueous impregnation of the Co/SiO2and to enhance the reducibility of the Co oxide. La3+addition to the Co/SiO2catalyst was found to lead to a significant increase in the activity for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (on a per gram Co basis). The SSITKA results showed that the concentration of active intermediates leading to methane increased with increase in La/Co ratio. However, the TOF, the pseudo-first-order rate constant, the reactivity distribution function, and the activation energy were not affected by La3+addition. Thus, it can be concluded that La3+did not change the nature of the active sites, just their concentration. This increase in the concentration of active sites follows exactly the increase in surface Co0. La3+promotion (La/Co ≥ 0.1) also caused the chain growth probability and the olefin/paraffin ratio to increase significantly at 220°C and for H2/CO = 2.
Cell Physician: Reading Cell Motion

Cell motility is an essential phenomenon in almost all living organisms. It is natural to think that behavioral or shape changes of a cell bear information about the underlying mechanisms that generate these changes. Reading cell motion, namely, understanding the underlying biophysical and mechanochemical processes, is of paramount importance. The mathematical model developed in this paper determines some physical features and material properties of the cells locally through analysis of live cell image sequences and uses this information to make further inferences about the molecular structures, dynamics, and processes within the cells, such as the actin network, microdomains, chemotaxis, adhesion, and retrograde flow. The generality of the principals used in formation of the model ensures its wide applicability to different phenomena at various levels. Based on the model outcomes, we hypothesize a novel biological model for collective biomechanical and molecular mechanism of cell motion.
Population Bottlenecks and Pathogen Extinction: “Make this Everyone's Mission to Mars, Including Yours”

Kapusinszky et al. (J Virol 89:8152-8161, 2015, http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/JVI.00671-15) report that host population bottlenecks may result in pathogen extinction, which provides a compelling argument for an alternative approach to vaccination for the control of virus spread. By comparing the prevalence levels of three viral pathogens in two populations of African green monkeys (AGMs) (Chlorocebus sabaeus) from Africa and two Caribbean Islands, they convincingly show that a major host bottleneck resulted in the eradication of select pathogens from a given host.
Are Insider Sales Always Bad News? Evidence On Large Sales By Key Insiders

Investors often scrutinize stock trades by corporate insiders, hoping to infer the nature of any privileged information which may have motivated the trades. Conventional wisdom suggests that sales of stock by insiders reveal negative information; this interpretation is supported by empirical work such as the series of papers by Seyhun. However, this common interpretation fails to distinguish between sales by atomistic insiders and sales by controlling blockholders. In this paper, I present evidence which suggests that sales by controlling insiders should not be considered bad news. Using both a series of logit regressions and traditional event-study tests, I examine the relationship between a firm's performance and the willingness of its controlling shareholder to sell a significant proportion of his shares. I find that firm value is just as likely to rise on the news of large insider sales as it is to fall, so that large sales need not imply negative private information. One possible explanation for a positive response to a controlling blockholder's large sale is that such a sale makes the insider vulnerable to meaningful oversight by outside shareholders. Thus, a large sale may be a signal of the insider's willingness to expose himself to shareholder monitoring and discipline. However, regardless of the interpretation, the empirical evidence presented in the paper forces the conclusion that it is inappropriate to interpret all insider sales as bad news: insider sales occur in a variety of contexts, and creating buy/sell rules which ignore those contexts is simplistic and erroneous.
THE INFLUENCE OF OCCUPANT AND VEHICLE CHARACTERISTICS ON RISK OF PEDIATRIC AIR BAG INJURY

A case-comparison study was conducted of children between one and twelve years of age exposed to passenger air bag (PAB) deployment. Cases were children fatally injured by PAB exposure and were investigated by the Special Crash Investigation Program of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). For comparison, children exposed to PABs, but suffering minor injury were identified through the Partners for Child Passenger Safety (PCPS) study, a system utilizing insurance claims data for crashes involving children. The crash severity as measured by Delta V was not significantly different between the two groups. Restraint status in conjunction with pre-impact braking highly influenced injury outcome indicating the importance of pre-crash positioning as a risk factor in child exposure to PAB deployment. Other related variables such as child size and age reinforced the importance of restraint. No vehicle characteristics or interior vehicle space measurements were significantly different between the two groups. Current vehicle designs cannot be differentiated with respect to their potential for producing serious child injuries due to PAB deployment. Researchers must continue to examine the entire spectrum of occupant injury severity in order to fully understand injury risk and ensure that future design of vehicles considers the safety of all occupants, including children.
Exact algorithms for coupling capacitance minimization by adding one metal layer

Due to the rapid development of manufacturing process technology and tight marketing schedules, chip design and manufacturing always work towards an integrated solution to achieve an enhanced product for fast time-to-market and higher niche profit. For high-end "high-volume" products, one good option for further improving chip performance is to add extra metal layers based on an existing design after all easy circuit fixes and process tricks have been applied. This strategy has been applied by the main integrated device manufacturers. In contrast to most low volume ASIC, the additional metal layer cost is low due to cost averaging over huge volumes. We address the NLM (new layer migration) problem which eliminates coupling capacitance violations for speed push in a given routing solution by migrating some wire segments to a metal layer newly inserted under the commonly used metal filling post process for manufacturability and coupling control. We first propose an exact linear-time algorithm to judge whether a feasible solution exists or not. Then we present a provably optimal algorithm to eliminate as many coupling violations as possible. At the same time, the total coupling capacitance on both metal layers is minimized. For n wire segments, the time complexity of the algorithm is O(n/sup 3/2/log(n)). Finally, an LP approach is presented as post processing to adjust segment positions when the two layers have layer-dependent design spacing rules.
HEART RATE VARIABILITY PREDICTS THE OUTCOME OF HEAD-UP TILT IN SYNCOPAL CHILDREN 213

Neurocardiogenic syncope may be caused by enhanced sympathetic activity evoking a vasodepressor - cardioinhibitory reflex. Heart rate variability(HRV) methods can be used to assess the modulation of sympathetic and parasympathetic activity. To determine whether HRV measurements are related to the outcome of head-up tilt (HUT) we studied 29 syncopal patients aged 7-19y. After 30 min supine. patients were tilted to 80° for 30 min or until syncope occurred. Sequential beats free from ectopy were analyzed. Time domain indices included standard deviation (SDNN), root mean square successive differences (RMSSD), percent excceding 50msec (pNN50). An autoregressive model was used to calculate power spectra. Low frequency power (LFP,.05-.15Hz), high frequency power (HFP,.15-.40Hz), and total power (TP,.01-.40Hz) were compared. Data were obtained supine before tilt (baseline), within 5 min, 5-10 min, and 15 min after HUT or pre-syncope. Seventeen patients fainted (HUT+), and 12 patients did not (HUT-). Variability indices were markedly different for HUT- and HUT+ at baseline: SDNN was 123±17 vs 78±6ms, RMSSD was 127±23 vs 64±6 ms, pNN50 was 51±6 vs 31±4%, respectively. Spectral data demonstrated decreased HFP and TP in HUT+(834±133 and 2855±420 ms2) vs HUT- (3433±840 and 7062±1500). With tilt, SDNN, RMSSD and pNN50 decreased proportionately in HUT- and HUT+. However, sympathovagal balance, measured by the ratio LFP/HFP and by normalized LFP, was markedly increased in HUT+ (2.2±0.7 and 0.43±.03) compared to HUT- (0.8±0.2 and 0.31±.02) at baseline and differences increased with tilt. Data were not different early or late after HUT but with syncope, sympathetic activity decreased and parasympathetic activity increased. Decreased HRV with decreased parasympathetic activity and increased indices of sympathovagal balance prior to HUT predict a positive tilt test in children referred for evaluation of neurocardiogenic syncope.
Molecular characterisation of cyp51A and cyp51B genes coding for P450 14α-lanosterol demethylases A (CYP51Ap) and B (CYP51Bp) from voriconazole-resistant laboratory isolates of Aspergillus flavus

Abstract Aspergillus flavus is the second most common Aspergillus spp. causing invasive infections in immunocompromised patients. Extensive prophylactic use of voriconazole (VCZ) in immunocompromised patients may enhance the selection of VCZ-resistant clinical isolates of A. flavus , compromising the effectiveness of this antifungal drug against A. flavus infection. To study triazole resistance, we selected A. flavus isolates in the laboratory showing reduced in vitro susceptibility to VCZ. The cyp51A and cyp51B genes coding for P450 14α-sterol demethylases A (CYP51Ap) and B (CYP51Bp) were characterised to examine possible drug target modification-dependent resistance to VCZ in this fungus. High-molecular-weight DNA was isolated from 10 A. flavus isolates showing in vitro resistance to VCZ (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) range 4–32μg/mL) as well as from the drug-susceptible parent isolate X26728 (MIC=1μg/mL). The cyp51A and cyp51B genes were cloned and the nucleotide sequences were determined. A comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences of CYP51Ap from 10 VCZ-resistant isolates with that of the drug-susceptible parent showed no amino acid variation in six of the ten isolates. CYP51Ap from isolates Afl -VCZ6 and Afl -VCZ46 showed a K197N change, CYP51Ap from isolate Afl -VCZ114 showed Y132N and T469S changes, whereas that from isolate Afl -VCZ45 showed K197N, D282E and M288L changes. These results suggest that VCZ-resistant A. flavus isolates can be readily isolated in the laboratory under selection pressure. Multiple mechanisms, including drug target modification, may be responsible for the in vitro resistance of A. flavus to VCZ.
The Boomerang Protocol: Tieing Data to Geographic Locations in Mobile Disconnected Networks

We present the novel boomerang protocol to efficiently retain information at a particular geographic location in a sparse network of highly mobile nodes without use of infrastructure networks. Our proof-of-concept implementation revealed the main challenge in implementing the Boomerang protocol is to accurately detect whether a node is divergent from a recorded trajectory and then followed up with a detailed study to address the challenge. Simulation with automotive traffic traces for a southern New Jersey region shows that the protocol improves packet return rate by 70% compared to a baseline implementation using shortest path geographic routing.
Positivism's heir

Several lines of argument support the notion that the legacy of positivism (if cast in terms of the realist/instrumentalist debate) is more realist than not. Work by Joia Lewis and Alberto Coffa on both Schlick and Carnap is cited, and contemporary work from Van Fraassen and Boyd briefly alluded to. Note is made of the differences within contemporary realist theory, and it is included that Carnap's essay “Empiricism, Semantics and Ontology” is crucial for resolution of the debate. In closing it is noted that the spirit of much of the original positivist work reinforced the contention than those who work within the framework of science do in fact accept the reality of key scientific entities.
Pseudopotential calculation of the stacking fault energy in silicon

Abstract A calculation of the intrinsic stacking fault energy in silicon has been carried out to second order perturbation in the pseudopotential formalism. The calculated result is 55 erg/cm2, which is in remarkably good agreement with the experimental value.
Enhanced Boiling Heat Transfer in Second Generation Microchannels: Part B — Sub-Atmospheric Results

Boiling flow of de-ionized water through 227 μm hydraulic diameter microchannels with 7.5 μm wide interconnected reentrant cavities at 47 kPa exit pressure has been investigated. Average two-phase heat transfer coefficients have been obtained over effective heat fluxes ranging from 28 to 445 W/cm2 and mass fluxes from 41 to 302 kg/m2 s. A map is developed that divides the data into two regions where the heat transfer mechanisms are nucleation or convective boiling dominant. The map is compared to similar atmospheric exit pressure data developed in a previous study. A boiling mechanism transition criterion based on the Reynolds number and the Kandlikar k1 number is proposed.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Geochemistry and origin of early Proterozoic supracrustal rocks, Dos Cabezas Mountains, southeastern Arizona

Early Proterozoic supracrustal rocks in the Dos Cabezas Mountains in southeastern Arizona include felsic volcanic and hypabyssal rocks, amphibolite, feldspathic quartzite, arkose and conglomerate, quartzite, and phyllite. Felsic volcanics are chiefly water-laid tuff and associated volcaniclastic sediments. Feldspathic quartzites, arkoses, and conglomerates are derived from granitic and felsic volcanic sources. Felsic and basaltic igneous rocks define a bimodal suite, and felsic rocks can be divided into three populations: rhyodacites, quartz latites, and rhyolites. Volcanics share major- and trace-element distributions in common with modern volcanics from continental rift systems and few in common with arc or oceanic volcanics. Dos Cabezas basalts can be produced by ∼20% melting of an incompatible-element-enriched Iherzolite source in the mantle followed by as much as 40% fractional crystallization of olivine. Rhyodacites can be produced by partial melting of an undepleted granulite source in the middle crust, and quartz latites and rhyolites by fractional crystallization of rhyodacite magma. The Proterozoic succession in the Dos Cabezas Mountains appears to have formed in a continental rift system similar to or part of early Proterozoic rift systems in central and southern New Mexico and, perhaps, in central Arizona.
A Phase II study of St. John's Wort for smoking cessation.

Summary Objectives To examine the feasibility and efficacy of St. John's Wort (SJW) for smoking cessation. Design This one-arm Phase II study utilized an exact two-stage group sequential design with a 1-week run-in period between the start of SJW treatment and the designated quit date. A total of 37 smokers (ages 18–65 years, smoking ≥10 cigarettes/day) were started on SJW. Thirteen failed to make a verified quit attempt on the predesignated date and were taken off study resulting in 24 evaluable subjects. Setting Smokers completed clinic visits at a cancer center with interval telephone calls and mailings. Intervention Standardized SJW, 450 mg capsules taken orally twice daily along with cessation counseling messages. Main outcome measures Subjects completed validated surveys and a focused physical examination at baseline. Evaluable subjects were defined as those subjects who made a confirmed quit attempt on their “quit date” 1 week following initiation of SJW. Smoking status was determined through self-report and bioverification using carbon monoxide (CO) testing. Results Among evaluable subjects, the 12-week quit rate was 37.5% (9/24). Quitters had no significant change in weight from baseline to 12-weeks cessation. Use of SJW was generally well tolerated. Conclusions Based upon these results (which suggest that SJW may be effective in maintaining smoking cessation) and the high compliance and few AEs, we conclude that SJW demonstrates feasibility for use in smoking cessation. If SJW proves to be effective in larger controlled studies, it could represent a less expensive, more readily accessible and well-tolerated agent to promote tobacco cessation.
Applications of wavelength agility in an FEL facility

Abstract In utilizing the optical beam produced by an FEL the ability to change the wavelength rapidly in a controlled manner is highly desirable. A wavelength-agile FEL can be used as a voltage-controlled optical oscillator (VCOO) in which the oscillator frequency (or wavelength) tracks a control voltage at modulation frequencies that range from 10 Hz to 1 kHz. Applications of this operational feature include macropulse wavelength switching and fast wavelength scanning. Preliminary demonstrations of both of these features will be presented.
Covalent modification of microsomal lipids by thiobenzamide metabolites in vivo.

Thiobenzamide (TB) is hepatotoxic in rats causing centrolobular necrosis, steatosis, cholestasis, and hyperbilirubinemia. It serves as a model compound for a number of thiocarbonyl compounds that undergo oxidative bioactivation to chemically reactive metabolites. The hepatotoxicity of TB is strongly dependent on the electronic character of substituents in the meta- and para-positions, with Hammett ρ values ranging from −4 to −2. On the other hand, ortho substituents that hinder nucleophilic addition to the benzylic carbon of S-oxidized TB metabolites abrogate the toxicity and protein covalent binding of TB. This strong linkage between the chemistry of TB and its metabolites and their toxicity suggests that this model is a good one for probing the overall mechanism of chemically induced biological responses. While investigating the protein covalent binding of TB metabolites, we noticed an unusually large amount of radioactivity associated with the lipid fraction of rat liver microsomes. Thin-layer chromato...
Growth rates and mechanism of electrochemical vapor deposited yttria-stabilized zirconia films

Abstract Electrochemical vapor deposition (EVD) is a leading technology to deposit thin gas tight films of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) over porous substrates for solid oxide electrolyte fuel cell or steam electrolyzer applications. EVD occrus via a tarnishing-type process where oxygen is supplied to the growing film face in the form of anions permeating the film while the zirconium and yttrium are supplied as gaseous metal chlorides. Films of YSZ were deposited onto porous substrates; film growth followed a parabolic rate law, indicating a growth mechanism which is limited by charge transport though the film. The activation energy of film growth, 3.9 eV, indicates film growth is limited by electron transport. A model for film growth is presented which is consistent with these observations.
Structure and Synthesis of Milk Fat. V. A Postulated Sequence of Events from Analyses of Mammary Tissue Lipids

Summary To further reveal the structure and synthesis of milk fat, mammary tissue lipids from two goats and two cows, all lactating, were analyzed. In comparison to the composition of milk lipids, the mammary tissue lipids showed elevated levels of all lipid classes excepting triglycerides. The investigation centered on fatty acid composition of the di- and triglycerides of mammary tissue, and milk fat from the section of udder corresponding to the tissue lipid sample. The objective was to shed light on intermediates in triglyceride and fat globule formation. It was found that the substantial levels of diglycerides (2–6%) in the mammary tissue lipids have the 1,2-configuration. These diglycerides are low in short-chain fatty acid content (particularly butyrate) in comparison to the triglycerides of the tissue and to milk fat. The evidence suggests that the diglycerides are intermediates in triglyceride formation rather than artifacts of lipolysis. A consideration of butyrate levels in the various glyceride fractions leads to the conclusion that in the main it occurs only one mole per mole of triglyceride and its incorporation is a completing step in triglyceride formation. The mammary tissue lipids appear to be mainly, if not entirely, milk lipids in process. When the triglycerides of the tissue are considered in this light, and in light of evidence from mammary tissue morphology studies, further refinements in the conception of milk fat synthesis can be made and are presented.
Distortion-Induced Magnetic Field Bias In The Square Ring Laser

The square ring laser, unlike the triangular ring, can exhibit a bias due to the combined effect of slight nonplanar deformations (a reciprocal rotation effect) and an applied magnetic field (a nonreciprocal rotator). In this paper, the bias as a function of net tilt out-of-plane, magnetic field and net mirror retardance is calculated and its importance as an error source in the planar square ring laser gyroscope is discussed.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Sindbis virus infection of chick and hamster cells: Synthesis of virus-specific proteins

In monolayers of chick embryo fibroblasts or BHK cells infected with Sindbis virus in the presence of actinomycin, host protein synthesis is inhibited by at least 80-90% between 2 and 3 hours after infection. Thereafter, Sindbis specified polypeptide chains form 60-70% of total protein synthesis. In particular, synthesis of the membrane protein of the virus constitutes 25% of total protein synthesis. Twelve to 16 polypeptides induced by virus infection have been identified in infected cells by acrylamide gel electrophoresis. The pattern of virus-specified proteins observed depends upon the length of the labeling period, the host cell, and mutations in the virus genome. The molecular weight of the membrane protein of the Sindbis virion has been estimated to be 53,000 and the core protein is estimated to be 30,000 in molecular weight.
Friction and wear of a rubber coating in fretting

The friction characteristic of a rubber coating undergoing fretting-like oscillatory motion against a steel slider is experimentally investigated. The variation of friction coefficient and rubber coating life as a function of load, velocity and displacement amplitude are investigated. Results of experiments on the effect of load, velocity and displacement amplitude on the coating life are presented.
Prediction of Starch Amylose Content Versus Total Grain Amylose Content in Corn by Near-Infrared Transmittance Spectroscopy

ABSTRACT A study was conducted to investigate methods of improving a near-infrared transmittance spectroscopy (NITS) amylose calibration that could serve as a rapid, nondestructive alternative to traditional methods for determining amylose content in corn. Calibrations were developed using a set of genotypes possessing endosperm mutations in single- and double-mutant combinations ranging in starch-amylose content (SAC) from -8.5 to 76%, relative to a standard curve. The influence of three factors were examined including comparing calibrations made against SAC versus grain amylose content (GAC), developing calibrations using partial least squares (PLS) analysis versus artificial neural networking (ANN), and using all samples in the calibrations set versus using progressively narrower ranges of SAC or GAC in the calibration set. Grain samples were divided into calibration and validation sets for PLS analysis while samples used in ANN were assigned to a training set, test set, and validation set. Performance...
Detection of subclinical cardiovascular disease: the emerging role of electron beam computed tomography.

Abstract Background. Although extraordinary advances have been made in the management of advanced coronary artery disease, little progress has been made in its prevention. Traditional screening methods utilizing risk factor profiles and exercise treadmill tests have failed to identify populations who will subsequently have coronary events with a high degree of predictive accuracy. Methods. We review the pathobiologic basis and clinical utility of electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) to detect coronary artery calcium as a screening tool for subclinical coronary artery disease. Because EBCT is able to perform subsecond imaging of the heart, it can detect and quantitate coronary artery calcium with a high degree of precision. Coronary artery calcium is a marker of complex atherosclerosis. Results. Over 4,000 asymptomatic patients in several series have been studied with EBCT and followed prospectively for an average of 42 months (range 37–72 months). A positive scan is associated with a risk ratio for future coronary events of 8.7 (95% confidence interval 2.67 to 28.13). These data indicate that EBCT has the ability to detect subclinical coronary artery disease and predict future coronary events better than any previous existing method or technology. Conclusion. EBCT coronary artery screening may prove to be a valuable adjunct to the traditional methods for the detection of subclinical coronary artery disease and to identify those who would benefit from focused preventive therapies.
NZP: A new family of low-thermal expansion materials

A new structural family of low-expansion materials known as NZP has been recently discovered and has generated great interest for wide-ranging applications such as fast ionic conductors, devices requiring good thermal shock resistance, hosts for nuclear wastes, catalyst supports in automobiles, etc. This family is derived from the prototype composition NaZr2P2O12 in which various ionic substitutions can be made leading to numerous new compositions. The bulk thermal expansion of these materials varies from low negative to low positive values and can be controlled and tailored to suit the needs for specific applications. In general, most of the NZP members demonstrate an anisotropy in their lattice thermal expansions, which is the main cause of the low-thermal expansion behavior of these materials. In CaZr4P6O24 and SrZr4P6O24 an opposite anisotropy has been observed which has led to the development of near-zero expansion crystalline solution composition. On the basis of the coupled rotations of the polyhedral network formed by ZrO6 octahedra and PO4 tetrahedra, a crystal structure model to interpret and explain the thermal expansion behavior has been discussed.
Ovariectomy enhances mechanical load-induced solute transport around osteocytes in rat cancellous bone

Abstract To test if osteoporosis alters mechanical load-induced interstitial fluid flow in bone, this study examined the combined effect of estrogen deficiency and external loading on solute transport around osteocytes. An in vivo tracer, FITC-labeled bovine serum albumin, was injected into anesthetized ovariectomized and control female Sprague–Dawley rats before the right tibia was subjected to a controlled, physiological, non-invasive sinusoidal load to mimic walking. Tracer movement through the lacunar–canalicular system surrounding osteocytes was quantified in cortical and cancellous bone from the proximal tibia using confocal microscopy, with the non-loaded tibia serving as internal control. Overall, the application of mechanical loading increased the percentage of osteocyte lacunae labeled with injected tracer, and ovariectomy further enhanced movement of tracer. An analysis of separate regions demonstrated that ovariectomy enhanced in vivo transport of the injected tracer in the cancellous bone of the tibial epiphysis and metaphysis but not in the cortical bone of the metaphysis. These findings show that bone changes due to reduced estrogen levels alter convectional transport around osteocytes in cancellous bone and demonstrate a functional difference of interstitial fluid flow around osteocytes in estrogen-deficient rats undergoing the same physical activity as controls. The altered interstitial fluid flow around osteocytes is likely related to nanostructural matrix–mineral level differences recently demonstrated at the lacunar–canalicular surface of estrogen-deficient rats, which could affect the transmission of mechanical loads to the osteocyte.
Structures on the antennal flagellum of a caddisfly, frenesia missa (Trichoptera, Limnephilidae)†

Non-innervated macrotrichia and microtrichia, thick-walled chemoreceptors and three kinds of thin-walled chemoreceptors are present on the antennal flagellum of Frenesia missa. One of the thin-walled receptors, the plate organ, is of a type not previously recorded for any insect. About four times as many plate organs are present on the flagellum of the male as on that of the female. They occur also on the maxillary and labial palps.
Dairy farm wells in Southeastern Minnesota: The relation of water source to milk and milk fat production

Abstract Some farmers in Fillmore County, Minnesota, U.S.A., considered that contaminated well water was associated with lowered milk production in their dairy herds. Wells in shallow limestone-dolomite aquifers were easily contaminated by surface water. Fifty Dairy Herd Improvement Association dairies were classified by whether well water originated in deep, protected aquifers or in shallow, easily contaminated aquifers. No statistically significant differences in milk fat production were demonstrated between the two groups before or after the use of linear multiple regression models to control for differences in management practices.
High assurance cybersecurity plan templates for nuclear facilities: Two-dimensional layering of mutually orthogonal security controls for a high-assurance cybersecurity protection of critical computer-based systems in the post-Stuxnet era

In the paper, an insight into two high assurance cybersecurity plan templates for nuclear facilities, namely the templates of the NRC RG 5.71:2010 and NEI 08-09 Rev.6:2010, is provided. The two cybersecurity plan templates were developed to assist nuclear industry to comply with legal requirements of Title 10 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulation §73.54. The Regulation requires an adequate protection of digital computer and communication systems and networks in nuclear facilities. Regarding the compliance with the regulatory requirement, the paper discusses the concept of orthogonality in a two-dimensional layering of security controls as a way to more effectively deal with sophisticated, targeted and persistent threats of the post-Stuxnet era. Selected components of the Stuxnet attack scenario are used to illustrate that two dimensional layering of security controls makes each layer of the defense-in-depth protection more robust against both intentional and unintentional compromise. The paper also illustrates that due to recent changes in the cyber threat environment and advances in security protection, the cybersecurity plan templates of the NRC RG 5.71:2010 and NEI 08-09 Rev.6:2010 can be viewed as templates developed for incomplete initial threat conditions.
Sampled imaging sensor design using the MTF Squeeze model to characterize spurious response

The sampling limitations associated with staring array imagers cause an aliased signal, or spurious response, that corrupts the image. The spurious response is a function of pre-sample blur, sampling frequency, and post-blur or image reconstruction. Based on data from two NVESD perception experiments, the MTF Squeeze model was developed in order to model the effects of sampling artifacts on target recognition and identification performance. This paper uses MTF Squeeze model to evaluate target acquisition sensor design. A sensitivity analysis is performed where various pre-sample blur and post sample blur spots were considered in order to optimize sensor pre-sample MTF and post-sample MTF for the target recognition and target identification tasks. These results are compared to Schade's, Legault's, and Sequinn's criteria and suggestions are provided as guidance in sensor design.
Solution-based aerosol deposition process for synthesis of multilayer structures

Abstract In this paper, we report the progress on 3D aerosol deposition of barium titanate (BTO) based multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC) using an automated process. Solution-based aerosol deposition is a promising direct-write method to produce three-dimensional (3D) structures at low temperatures. We utilize the combination of solution-based aerosol process and selective laser sintering (SLS) to develop 3D structures. The MLCC structure was synthesized on silicon substrate consisting of alternate layers of 0.5–1.0 μm thick silver electrode layer and 0.5–2 μm thick BTO ceramic. The effect of incident laser power subsequent to deposition (in the range of 105 mW and 930 mW) was systematically investigated revealing the changes in grain morphology as a function of local sintering. The results of this study are promising for development of on-substrate thin/thick film MLCCs.
Perihatching behaviour patterns of chick embryos (Gallus domesticus)

Abstract Perihatching behaviour is analysed in terms of changes in the frequency of performance of three behaviours; vocalization, eyelid raising and head raising. Three distinct phases of development are described. Though 79 per cent of the animals displaying phase 1 behaviour do enter phases 2 and 3 of development, we could not predict from phase 1 performance patterns the time at which phase 2 would occur. The manipulations of chorio-allantoic membrane puncture at 432 and 451 hr of incubation, and removal of the chorio-allantoic and amniotic fluids at 451 hr of incubation afforded a greater predictability of hatching times than did the control groups. None of the above experimental groups however differed from one another in their distributions of hatching times. As a result of these experiments we postulate that at a given stage of development, chicks become responsive to some change in function in the chorio-allantoic membrane. A process then is instituted within the animal that continues for a minimum time before hatching can occur. We then suggest possible sources of the chorio-allantoic stimulus to which the animals respond, and sources of the response processes themselves that finally lead to hatching. Finally we suggest experimental approaches that can lead to the identification of these stimuli and response processes.
Effect of Venus surface illumination on photographic image texture

Radar images from Magellan have provided tremendous opportunities to study the geology and bulk dielectric properties of Venus, but many questions can only be addressed through direct photography or imaging spectroscopy of the surface. The thick atmosphere creates a situation of nearly isotropic illumination, so true shadows cannot exist for even very rough terrain. We carried out ray-tracing simulations for synthetic surfaces under both isotropic and directional illumination conditions. Relative to similar surfaces viewed under directional illumination, venusian terrain will exhibit an equal or greater range of mean brightness with changing roughness, but a concurrent reduction in the maximum possible standard deviation of brightness across any region of given roughness. The local variability of an image is often referred to as texture, and these results indicate that Venus geologic units will appear more homogeneous in brightness than the same surfaces viewed under favorable directional illumination. In addition, the lack of a preferred lighting direction makes identification of surface structural patterns difficult. A similar situation may occur on Titan.
Category of Moral Judgment and Attitudes towards Amnesty and the Nixon Pardon

The relationship of assessed category of moral judgment to subjects' attitudes on two socially-relevant moral issues was examined. Using Hogan's Survey of Ethical Attitudes (SEA), the philosophy of moral rationalism was found to be related to positive attitudes towards the pardon of Nixon and negative attitudes towards amnesty for draft evaders. It was argued that these results support an interpretation of the SEA as primarily a measure of political and social preferences rather than as a scale of moral judgment.
Promises of III-V solar cells

Abstract High efficiency solar cells have many practical uses. Concepts for obtaining high-efficiency solar cells using III-V compounds have achieved record efficiencies and are expected to improve even further. Single-junction cells will eventually reach 30% at AM 1.5 at one sun, and two-cell tandem structures will reach 40%. Thin-film III-V cells have now reached efficiencies close to double the efficiencies of thin-film cells using other materials. Inexpensive production techniques are now within reach. The future of III-V cells for both space and terrestrial applications is very bright.
Gadamer: Psychotherapy as conversation

Abstract Outcome research into psychotherapy shows that therapeutic approaches may all be equally valid forms of therapy despite the mutually exclusive theories on which they are based. Reviews of what therapists do in practice suggest a largely atheoretical and eclectic approach in which non-specific factors such as empathy, clinical management and persuasion are prominent. This paper proposes that a hermeneutic approach based on the work of the German philosopher Hans-Georg Gadamer can be useful in providing a non-dogmatic basis for therapy which makes room for these non-specific qualities. It outlines a hermeneutic mode of therapy and shows how this can allow for the rhetorical, interpretative and poetic dimensions of therapy-in-action.
Effect of Mercury Column on the Microdynamics of the Piezo-Driven Pipettes

This study is on an interesting phenomenon concerning cellular microinjection procedures which are used for various biomedical applications, and in particular intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Recent years have brought considerable practical improvements in these operations. One of them suggests aspirating a very small quantity of mercury in the injection pipettes prior to piercing into cells. This process is proven to enhance the rate of success considerably. We present a unique study in determining the influence of mercury on the microdynamics of the pipette. The effort contains both numerical simulations and corresponding experimental verification. Ultimately we offer two critical results: (1) The mercury column increases the mass loading and expectedly decreases the natural frequencies of the pipette and (2) The lateral oscillations, which play a destructive role in piercing, are subdued in amplitude due to the mass loading of mercury. Simulation results are presented, which are also verified experimentally using high-speed digital imaging. As a consequence of these findings we also propose some alternative design directions for future microinjection devices.
PS2-2: Frequency and Results of Glucose Screening in Children and Adolescents 2007–2011

Background/Aims The aim of the study was to ascertain frequency of glucose screening in children and adolescents, in predefined age, gender, BMI, and race strata.