cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Self‐framing of risky choice

Previous research on framing effects has largely focused on how choice information framed by external sources influences the response of a decision maker. This research examined how decision makers framed choice options and how the hedonic tone of self-framing influenced their risk preference. By using pie charts and a complementary sentence-completion task in Experiment 1, participants were able to interpret and frame the expected choice outcomes themselves before making a choice between a sure option and a gamble in either a life–death or a monetary problem. Each of these self-frames (phrases) was then rated by a group of independent judges in terms of its hedonic tone. The hedonic tone of self-frames was mostly positive and was more positive in the life–death than the monetary context, suggesting a motivational function of self-framing. However, positive outcomes were still more likely to be framed positively than negative outcomes. In Experiment 2, choice outcomes were depicted with a whole-pie chart instead of a pie slice in order to emphasize positive and negative outcomes equally. The results showed that the hedonic tone of self-framing was still largely positive and more positive in the life domain than the monetary domain. However, compared to Experiment 1, the risk preference in the life–death domain was reversed, showing an outcome salience effect: when the pie-slice chart emphasized only survival outcomes, participants were more risk taking under positive hedonic frames whereas when the whole-pie chart depicted both survival and mortality outcomes, they became risk averse under positive frames. In sum, self-framing reflected a positive bias in encoding risk information and affected the risk preference of the decision maker. Like the tone of voice used in communication, the hedonic tone of self-framing, either positive or negative, can affect risk perception of a choice problem. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pseudo-Hermitian Geometry in 3-D

Pseudo-hermitian geometry is the study of contact form in conjunction with an almost complex structure on the contact planes. In this two part survey, we first discuss the theory of surfaces in 3-D pseudo-hermitian manifolds. The local geometry of the surface is governed by the p-mean curvature equation. In analogy with the Gauss and Codazzi equation of a surface in Euclidean three space, we develop their analogue of these two equations. Due to the degeneracy of the p-mean curvature equation, the regularity theory is quite interesting. In the second part of this article, we describe a CR-invariant condition for the embeddability question. In CR geometry in 3-D, there is no local integrability condition for the almost-complex structure, so the condition to impose is global in nature. The condition involves two geometrically defined linear operators which have their counterparts in conformal geometry. We also formulate a notion of CR mass and discuss a positive mass theorem to characterize the Heisenberg space. The solvability of the \({\bar\partial}\) Neumann problem is also a crucial ingredient in the positivity of the CR mass.
Making the Best of a Bad Hand: An Assessment of Current Trends in Russian Foreign Policy

An expert on international relations analyzes current trends in Russian foreign policy drawing on materials from the press and other media as well as current scholarly analysis. Contemporary policies are analyzed to address the question of what policies Moscow is likely to pursue in order to reestablish Russia's great-power status.
Particle simulation of Coulomb collisions

The interactions of charged particles in a plasma are governed by long-range Coulomb collision. We compare two widely used Monte Carlo models for Coulomb collisions. One was developed by Takizuka and Abe in 1977, the other was developed by Nanbu in 1997. We perform deterministic and statistical error analysis with respect to particle number and time step. The two models produce similar stochastic errors, but Nanbu's model gives smaller time step errors. Error comparisons between these two methods are presented.
Cyclic AMP-induced shape changes of astrocytes are accompanied by rapid depolymerization of actin.

Abstract Agents that increase intracellular cyclic AMP produce a process-bearing morphology in astrocytes. We have examined short-term re-arrangements of the astrocyte cytoskeleton during this shape conversion. Primary cultures of astrocytes from neonatal rat forebrain were grown at low density as polygonal shaped cells. Treatment with 1 mM dibutyryl cAMP in the absence of serum produced rapid changes in cell shape (100% of cells as flat to 90% showing cytoplasmic contraction and processes in 60 min). In the presence of serum, similar changes took place, but more slowly. No changes in total cellular levels of GFAP, vimentin, tubulin or actin were observed over a 2-h period of treatment. There was a shift in actin from a Triton X-100-insoluble pool to a soluble pool, with a 40% reduction in insoluble actin. The kinetics of this shift paralleled kinetics of shape change. The shift also corresponded to a loss of stress fibers, visualized with rhodamine-phalloidin. Intermediate stages of stress fiber loss were observed as short, wavy or small ring profiles. Colchicine prevented the dBcAMP-induced changes in shape. If cells were first treated with taxol, however, subsequent exposure to colchicine did not inhibit contraction. Thus, dBcAMP, presumably through a cAMP-dependent kinase, depolymerizes actin in stress fiber forms as cells contract. In addition, an intact microtubule system may be required for the changes in shape. Treatment with dBcAMP also caused the disappearance of vinculin-containing attachment sites, indicating that adhesion plaques, or at least the association of vinculin with them, are lost during the time of microfilament bundle dissociation.
Periaqueductal gray neurons response to microiontophoretically injected morphine in naive and morphine-dependent rats

The attempt of this study was to investigate the direct effects of increasing doses of morphine on the neuronal activity of the periaqueductal gray in morphine-naive and morphine-dependent rats. The microiontophoresis technique was used for this purpose. The four different responses induced by morphine exhibited dose-related patterns. Naloxone antagonized these responses in about 40% of the cases. Differences were found in the sensitivity of the neurons to morphine between naive and morphine-dependent rats. The phenomena of acute tolerance, chronic tolerance and dependence have been found. The results of this study indicate the presence of different neuronal populations in the periaqueductal gray in relation to their response to morphine, supporting the notion that subpopulations of opiate receptors exist within this brain area.
Bayesian synthesis of a pathogen growth model: Listeria monocytogenes under competition ☆

Abstract The Bayesian synthesis method is applied to data from two studies of Listeria monocytogenes grown in broth monocultures to draw inferences about the joint distribution of two Baranyi growth model parameters–lag time and maximum specific growth rate. The resultant joint distribution is then combined with prior distributions for the initial and maximum pathogen density parameters under competitive growth conditions. Finally, the pathogen growth model is updated using the Sampling/Importance Resampling (SIR) algorithm with data on L. monocytogenes growth in competition with natural microflora in fish. Although the latter data provide no information on the stationary phase to directly estimate the maximum pathogen density parameter, combining them with relevant prior information provides a means to characterize L. monocytogenes growth in a food with mixed microbial populations. Based on a specified tolerance for L. monocytogenes growth, the updated model provides a storage time limit for fish held at 5 °C, pH 6.8, 43% CO2, 57% N2.
EQCM investigations of dye-functionalized nanocrystalline titanium dioxide electrode/solution interfaces: Does luminescence report directly on interfacial electron transfer kinetics?

Electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) experiments have been performed on dye-functionalized nanocrystalline titanium dioxide electrode/solution interfaces. The experiments show that reversible, potential-induced dye desorption occurs in both aqueous and nonaqueous environments at potentials close to the conduction band edge. Previous experiments have reported that potentiostatic filling of empty conduction band or near-band-edge surface states has dramatic effects on the corresponding photophysical and photochemical behavior of surface-bound dyes. Most notably, apparent decreases in the efficiencies of charge injection and increases in dye luminescence yield were found to accompany potential changes. Detailed analyses have emphasized the role of surface-state filling in decreasing the driving force for injection processes and thus, increasing the luminescence quantum yield. The electrochemically stimulated dye detachment phenomenon reported here provides a compelling alternative or additional...
Histone acetylation reduces nucleosome core particle linking number change

Nucleosome core particles differing in their levels of histone acetylation have been formed on a closed circular DNA that contains a tandemly repeated 207 bp nucleosome positioning sequence. The effect of acetylation on the linking number per nucleosome particle has been determined. With increasing levels of acetylation, the negative linking number change per nucleosome decreases from -1.04 +/- 0.08 for control to -0.82 +/- 0.05 for highly acetylated nucleosomes. These results indicate that histone acetylation has the ability to release negative supercoils previously constrained by nucleosomes into a closed chromatin loop and in effect function as a eukaryotic gyrase.
Human Behavior Cytogenetics: Review of Psychopathology in Three Syndromes 47,XXY; 47,XYY; and 45,X*

Before the technique of actually visualizing and counting chromosomes in man was established in 1959, no syndrome, endocrine or otherwise, could be identified on the basis of its specific cytogenetic anomaly. Anomalies of the sex chromatin or Barr body (Moore, 1966) had, however, by 1953 established that Klinefelter's syndrome and Turner's syndrome are associated with an anomaly of chromosomal material. Both syndromes had still earlier been among those identifiable on the basis of symptoms of endocrine dysfunction and associated congenital stigmata. By contrast, the 47,XYY syndrome, lacking pathognomonic endocrine or other stigmata, was not recognizable as an entity until after the first XYY karyotype was reported in 1961 by Sandberg and coworkers. The purpose of the present paper is to present a review of the three syndromes, Klinefelter's (47,XXY), 47,XYY, and TurnerSs (45,X), with respect to behavioral disability. The review will draw on published and unpublished material from the psychohormonal research unit at Johns Hopkins, and from the published studies of others.
Women in Engineering: Curriculum, Applications, and Networking (WE CAN)

This paper describes a summer camp during which part of the electrical engineering freshmen class is taught to female high school juniors in an effort to recruit more qualified females into electrical engineering. We will describe the camp format, the course curriculum, and the student feedback obtained from a survey at the end of the camp.
VirtualCase: a tool for online collaborative learning

In this paper we describe the design and use of a web-based tool that enables teachers to create integrated online workspaces for collaborative case-based and problem-based learning. We discuss how this tool has been used in a variety of ways other than those originally intended by the designers. We discuss our classroom-based studies of two of these uses, and describe how these studies are influencing the redesign of the tool.
Addressing equity issue in multi-actor policymaking via a system-of-systems approach: Aviation emissions reduction case study

Finding equitable policy solutions is critical for developing sustainable energy use. This paper presents a system-of-systems (SoS) formalism for addressing the equity issue in multi-actor policymaking. In a SoS, the control of the overall system performance is shared among a network of actors. In contrast to a single optimal solution that aggregates objectives of actors, the solution concept of iso-performance is formulated and employed to illuminate multiple solutions and hence the ‘space’ for actors to compromise. By specifically accounting for the equity issue, the level of sacrifice each actor makes for each iso-performance solution is computed. To demonstrate the approach, a case study is presented about policymaking to reduce fuel life cycle aviation emissions in the United States based on the year 2020 reduction target, involving government, airlines, jet fuel refinery companies, and aircraft and engine manufacturers. A resource allocation mixed integer programming model is employed to calculate carbon emissions resulting from airlines’ deployment of aircraft fleet to meet changing air transport demand. The paper discusses three iso-performance solutions; each of them requires a different level of sacrifice from each actor. Such an insight can inform policymaking in determining the magnitude of compensation required when a particular solution is pursued.
DEPRECIATION, OBSOLESCENCE, AND THE MEASUREMENT OF THE AGGREGATE CAPITAL STOCK OF THE UNITED STATES 1900–1962

This paper is concerned with the sensitivity of estimates of the aggregate capital stock of the United States to the statistician's choice of depreciation method. The usual depreciation charge can be shown to include allowances both for physical deterioration and for obsolescence. If one interprets the gross stock as the stock of surviving assets, then the various net stocks defined by depreciation accounting may be interpreted as a revaluation of these assets by means of an index of embodied technical change. Estimates of the United States capital stock were generated under eight sets of assumptions. These estimates are compared with respect to level, trend, and implications for other aggregate statistical indicators. The conclusion is reached that the assumptions which define a country's stock of tangible capital are of considerably greater importance than has often been supposed.
A note concerning occurrence and mortality of gram-negative bacillary pneumonias at Detroit Receiving Hospital, 1963-1968.

AbstractA continuing incidence of pneumonias caused by gram-negative bacilli other than Klebsiella pneumoniae is noted. Distinguishing characteristics of each of the pneumonias have been confirmed. A mortality of approximately 70% for 50 patients with either Escherichia coli or pseudomonas pneumonias at the Detroit Receiving Hospital from 1963 to 1968 has been defined.
Why does morphine make you itch

Opioids such as morphine numb pain but often concomitantly induce itch. Liu et al. (2011) now separate the sensation of itch from opioid-induced analgesia, showing that in a subset of spinal neurons, morphine directly induces itch by signaling through a heteromer of opioid- and itch-mediating G protein-coupled receptors.
The Relative Importance of Provider, Program, School, and Community Predictors of the Implementation Quality of School-Based Prevention Programs

Previous research has demonstrated the importance of a variety of factors on the implementation of school-based prevention programs, specifically characteristics of program providers, program structure, school climate, and school and community structure. The current study expands this research by examining the potential relationships between all of these factors and implementation quality in a series of multilevel models. Using data from a nationally representative sample of 3,730 program providers surveyed in 544 schools, it was found that program structure characteristics were of greater importance in the prediction of high quality implementation than were characteristics of the program providers, school climate, and school and community structure. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Multifunctional sandwich composites

Sandwich composites find increasing use as flexural load bearing lightweight sub-elements in air/space vehicles, rail/ground transportation, marine and sporting goods. The core in these applications is usually balsa wood, foam or honeycomb with laminated carbon or glass facesheets. A limitation of traditional sandwich onfigurations is that the space in the core becomes inaccessible once the facesheets are bonded in place. Significant multi-functional benefits can be obtained by making either the facesheets or the core, space accessible. Multi-functionality is generally referred to as value added to the structure that enhances functions beyond traditional load bearing. Such functions may include sound/vibration damping, ability to route wires or embed sensors. The present work reviews recent work done in enhancing the functionality of the core by use of the space in the core. The damage created by impact to sandwich constructions is always a limiting issue in design. In the present work, low velocity impact (LVI) response of newer/multi-functional sandwich constructions has been studied. Concepts of increasing sandwich core functionality have been reported.
An Analysis of Scale Dependent and Quantum Effects on Electrical Contact Resistance between Rough Surfaces

The objective of this work is to evaluate the effect of scale dependent mechanical and electrical properties on electrical contact resistance (ECR) between rough surfaces. This work attempts to build on existing ECR models that neglect potentially important quantum- and size-dependent contact and electrical conduction mechanisms of the asperity sizes present on typical surfaces. The electrical conductance at small scales can quantize or show a stepping trend as the contact area is varied in the range of the free electron Fermi wavelength squared. This work then evaluates if these effects remain important for the interface between rough surfaces which may include many small scale contacts of varying sizes. The results suggest that these effects may not always be significant in some cases and macro-scale and continuum mechanics based models may be sufficient.
Fungal-to-Bacterial Ratios in Soils Investigated for Enhanced C Sequestration

Abstract Fungi and bacteria govern most of the transformations and ensuing long-term storage of organic C in soils. We assessed the relative contributions of these two groups of organisms to the microbial biomass and activity of soils from five different ecosystems with treatments hypothesized to enhance soil C sequestration: (1) desert (an elevation gradient allowed comparison of soil developed in a cooler, moister climate with soil developed in a warmer, drier climate), (2) restored tallgrass prairie (land reverted to native prairie in 1979 and neighboring land farmed to row crops for ∼100 year), (3,4) two forest types (Douglas fir and loblolly pine, unfertilized control and N-fertilized plots), and (5) agricultural land (conventional- and no-till management systems). The selective inhibition technique, using captan (fungicide) and oxytetracycline hydrochloride (bactericide), was used to determine the activities (respiration) of fungi and bacteria in each of these soils and substrate-induced respiration was used to measure total active soil microbial biomass C. Phospholipid fatty acid analysis was used to determine the composition of the soil microbial biomass and determine if the activities and structure of the microbial communities were related. Differences in fungal-to-bacterial (F:B) activities between treatments at a site were greatest at the prairie sites. The restored prairie had the highest F:B (13.5) and high total C (49.9 g C kg −1 soil); neighboring soil farmed to corn had an F:B of 0.85 and total C of 36.0 g C kg −1 soil. Within the pairs of study soils, those that were tilled had lower fungal activities and stored C than those that were managed to native or no-till systems. In all pairs of soils, soils that had higher absolute fungal activities also had more total soil C and when two extreme cases were removed fungal activity was correlated with total soil C ( R 2 =0.85). Thus, in this small set of diverse soils, increased fungal activities, more than F:B ratios, were associated with increased soil C. Practices that involved invasive land management decreased fungal activity and stored soil C compared to similar soils that were less intrusively managed.
Pain in language: From sentience to Sapience

Cognitive-behavioral pain psychology views pain as an immediate and private subjective experience. But close examination reveals the notion of a completely private pain sensation to be unintelligible. Using arguments developed by Ludwig Wittgenstein concerning the relation between pain and language, the author contends that pain experience, as well as pain expression, is mediated by the conceptual structure of our common language. As conceptual, pain remains subjective but becomes an essentially social phenomenon. This implies changes in understanding of the relations between respondent and operant pain behavior, pain and pain behavior, and pain and suffering. The author proposes that if we accept that human pain experience occurs within language, then we must reject the “event-interpretation” model of pain experience offered by cognitive-behavioral pain psychology in favor of one that recognizes the primacy of narrative construction.
Modeling and measurements of soot and species in a laminar diffusion flame

A model of laminar, soot-laden ethene diffusion flames has been developed and compared with measurements in nonsooting and sooting flames. Concentrations of stable gas-phase species were measured with mass spectrometry; laser-induced fluorescence was used to measure the OH concentrations. A system of elementary reactions was used to describe the gas-phase chemistry. The model incorporated a simple description of the growth of soot which assumed that acetylene was the only growth species. Soot formation was coupled with the flame chemistry via the loss of acetylene and OH on soot and the production of CO during soot oxidation. The model predicted most of the gas-phase species quite well, with the exception of OH. The loadings of soot in the flames were reproduced adequately, although less success was achieved in predicting the transition from nonsooting to sooting conditions. Details concerning the products of soot oxidation by OH were found to be important with regard to the flame chemistry. The inclusion of soot in the flame model had a significant impact on the predicted structure of the flame as seen in changes to the formation and destruction rates of OH on the fuel side of the flame. The rate of OH reaction with soot in the midregion of the flame was small compared with the rate of reaction of OH with CO. However, the two rates became comparable in the soot burnout zone.
Clinical evolution, management, and resolution of type II necrotizing fasciitis

A 60-year-old woman with a history of pre-diabetes and hyperlipidemia, presented to a local hospital with severe left flank pain and skin discoloration on the same area for 2 days. She had been taking care of her grandson who was diagnosed with streptococcal sore throat. On examination, the patient was hypotensive and tachycardic. There was a large grayish blue area over the left flank, extending to the left lower back (Fig. 1a, b). This area was very tender to palpation. There were no bullae, crepitus, or external drainage. A CT scan of the abdomen revealed a diffuse inflammatory process within the skin and soft tissue without any gas in the adjacent area. A diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis was pursued. Broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics (vancomycin, piperacillin–tazobactam, and clindamycin), and vasopressors were initiated, and she was transferred to our institution for further management. Upon arrival, she was immediately taken to the operating room for surgery. The operative findings showed there were extensive soft tissue necrosis and edematous fascial layers. A full-thickness debridement of skin and subcutaneous tissue of the left flank (24 cm 9 21 cm 9 1.5 cm) was performed (Fig. 1c). The tissue culture was positive for group A b-hemolytic Streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes). The pathogen was sensitive to penicillin (minimal inhibitory concentration, MIC 0.032 mg/L), ceftriaxone (MIC 0.064 mg/L), vancomycin (MIC 1.0 mg/L), and clindamycin (MIC not reported). Blood cultures were negative throughout the admission. Antibiotics were tailored to intravenous penicillin and clindamycin. Despite appropriate antimicrobial therapy, on day 3 of hospitalization, there were new areas of purplish red discoloration changes noted around the edge of the wound (Fig. 1d). She underwent additional debridement of skin and subcutaneous tissues (Fig. 1e). A day later (day 4 of hospitalization), it was again noted that the infection was extending upward to the left axilla at which point further debridement was undertaken (Fig. 1f). On day 6 of admission, extension of bluish gray skin changes occurred medially towards the suprapubic region (Fig. 1g), requiring an additional large area (20 cm 9 11 cm 9 2 cm) of surgical debridement (Fig. 1h). The negative pressure wound therapy devices were applied to the wounds, and the wound dressings were regularly changed under anesthesia. Vasopressors were successfully weaned off, and she continued to improve. On day 20 of hospitalization, the patient was eventually discharged home with negative pressure wound therapy. Approximately 2 months after the initial hospitalization, the abdominal and axillary wounds were found to be sufficiently granulated (Fig. 1i). She underwent definitive wound closure with split-thickness skin grafts harvested from the left thigh. One month post-skin graft follow-up (day 84 from the first hospitalization), skin grafts were taken very well without further complications (Fig. 1j). J. Makadia and Z. Min equally contributed to this manuscript.
Low inferior vena caval catheters for hemodynamic and pulmonary function monitoring in pediatric critical care patients

Objective To assess the value of low inferior vena caval (LIVC) catheters for estimating central venous pressure in pediatric intensive care patients and to assess influences of intra-abdominal pressures and mean airway pressure on these measurements. Design Prospective cohort of consecutive patients. Setting Pediatric intensive care unit. Patients Thirty patients ranging in age (18, 0-1 yrs; four, 1-3 yrs; four, 3-10 yrs; four, > or =10 yrs). Interventions Interventions included catheterizations via internal jugular, subclavian, and common femoral veins, as well as direct right atrial catheterization during surgery; arterial catheter placement; airway pressure monitoring during mechanical ventilation; indirect intra-abdominal pressure monitoring via bladder catheter pressure readings; and arterial and central venous blood gas analysis. LIVC vein catheters were placed below the origin of the renal veins. Measurements and main results LIVC pressure was highly correlated with central venous pressure (n=30, r2=.965, p=.0001). LIVC pressure did not correlate with intra-abdominal pressure (n=18, r2=.000). Mean airway pressure did not correlate with central venous pressure (n=11, r2=.106). The pH of LIVC blood was similar to that of central venous blood (n=18, r2=.941, p=.0001). PCO2 values of inferior vena cava and central venous blood correlated (r2=.945, p=.0001). However, agreement between inferior vena cava and central venous PO2 and oxyhemoglobin saturation was poor (PO2, r2=.066; oxyhemoglobin saturation, r2=.000). Conclusions LIVC catheters whose tips lie below the origin of the renal veins predict central venous pressure in pediatric intensive care unit patients. Intra-abdominal pressure and mean airway pressure do not affect this relationship, within the wide range of values for these variables included in this study. Blood samples drawn from femoral venous catheters can be used to monitor acid-base balance and partial pressure of carbon dioxide.
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) increases cytosolic free calcium in adult rat Leydig cells

Regulation of steroidogenesis by luteinizing hormone is mediated by cAMP and calcium. We have investigated changes in cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) in Leydig cells by using Fura-2 as the fluorescent calcium indicator. Purified Leydig cells were plated on polylysine coated glass coverslips, cultured for 24 h in DMEMF12 and loaded with Fura-2 at 37°C. [Ca2+]i measurements were made fluorometrically by placing coverslips into 3 ml cuvettes with PBS + calcium. Addition of hCG increased [Ca2+]i gradually after a lag of about 2–3 min and plateaued by 5–6 min. The plateau level was sustained for at least 15 min. Absence of external Ca2+ in the medium or presence of diltiazem or nicardipine or cobalt chloride abolished the rise. Addition of BAY K 8644 or KCl caused a small but significant increase of [Ca2+]i. 8-Br-cAMP, forskolin or cholera toxin produced a gradual rise in [Ca2+]i that plateaued after 5–6 min similar to that observed with hCG. The action of hCG was inhibited by protein kinase A inhibitor (20-residues peptide) but not by protein kinase C inhibitor (staurosporine). We conclude that binding of hCG to its receptors would transmit the signal through G proteins to adenylyl cyclase to increase cAMP which would increase Ca2+ influx into cytosol across plasma membrane Ca2+ channels. Therefore, it appears that the primary action of hCG is to increase cytosolic cAMP which would then regulate [Ca2+]i as well as steroidogenesis.
Effects of organization and expectancy on recall and recognition.

In two experiments, organization, test type (recall and recognition), and subjects’ expectancies of the type of test they would receive (recall or recognition) were varied. It was found that organizational effects may be influenced by both subjects’ expectancies of the type of test they will receive and the type of test actually received. Results indicated that subjects’ encoding strategies are sensitive to the relationship between the type of material presented and the type of information that they expect to need for the test.
Effect of local sympathetic blockade on forearm blood flow and glucose uptake during hypoglycemia.

During hypoglycemia, hepatic glucose production increases and peripheral glucose utilization decreases. Systemic β-adrenergic blockade during hypoglycemia increases peripheral glucose utilization. To explore the local effects of increased α- and β-adrenergic activity on skeletal muscle glucose utilization, we measured arterial and venous plasma glucose concentrations, forearm blood flow (FBF), and forearm glucose uptake (FGU) during a hyperinsulinemic (40 mU/m2/min) stepped-hypoglycemic clamp with intrabrachial artery infusion of saline, phentolamine, propranolol, or combined phentolamine and propranolol. A control study was also performed with a euglycemic clamp and intraarterial saline. During hypoglycemia with saline and phentolamine, there were significant increases in FBF (130% ± 38% and 180% ± 35%, respectively) and FGU (120% ± 51% and 230% ± 150%, respectively). During hypoglycemia with propranolol and phentolamine + propranolol, FBF remained constant. FGU during hypoglycemia with propranolol was not different versus hypoglycemia with saline. No differences were found in these studies for forearm lactate output (FLO) or venous free fatty acid concentrations. These results demonstrate that local, as opposed to systemic, blockade during hypoglycemia does not alter peripheral glucose utilization.
Periodicity and Stability of Linear Volterra Difference Systems

Abstract We give sufficient conditions for a system of Volterra difference equations to have a unique periodic solution. Then a criterion for uniform asymptotic stability is established.
Electrohydrodynamic ionization mass spectrometry: Pyrimidines, purines, nucleosides and nucleotides

Electrohydrodynamic ionization mass spectrometry is applied to the analysis to the analysis of one pyrimidine, two purines, one nucleoside and four nucleotides using glycerol as the solvent and hydrochloric acid as the electrolyte. Ions characteristic of the samples are observed. Hydrolyzed products are seen in the nucleoside and a nucleotide, but sample ion fragmentation is not observed. The role of the acid to aid sample dissolution and ionization will be discussed. The previously reported ion beam instability with an HCI electrolyte is found to be due to a low ion concentration in solution. The problem can be overcome by using a mixed LiI/HCI electrolyte. Lithium iodide has been used and the characteristic isotope pattern of the lithium ion aids spectral interpretation. Electrohydrodynamic ionization is shown to be a soft ionization technique and the use of an acidic electrolyte widens the scope of samples that can be analyzed by this technique.
The orientation dependence of the strength of ice single crystals

Single crystals with a wide variety of orientations were cut from large pucks of laboratory-grown ice. Constant-strain-rate compression tests were performed on the crystals either at an axial strain rate of 1 × 10−5 s−1at –20°C or at axial strain rates from 1 × 10−6 s−1 to 1 × 10−4 s−1 at –10°C. In agreement with previous studies of ice flow, the compression tests showed a linearly rising stress with increasing strain, followed by a sharply declining stress after reaching a peak. With further strain, the sharp decline in stress slowed and the flow stress approached a plateau that was only weakly dependent on strain. For all crystallographic orientations, it was found that Schmid’s (critical resolved shear stress) law was obeyed by the peak stress. Slip lines clearly showed that basal slip was the deformation mode.
The role of elastases in the development of emphysema

Enzymes which degrade elastin can disorganize the network of elastic fibers in the lungs of experimental animals and produce emphysema. Two sources of endogenous elastases in the lung are neutrophils and alveolar macrophages. The neutrophil elastase is an intracellular, granule-associated enzyme which is inhibited by α1-antitrypsin and has the capacity to produce emphysema in experimental animals. The recently identified macrophage elastase appears to be a secretory enzyme, not associated with granules and less effectively inhibited by α1-antitrypsin. The demonstration that macrophages from cigarette smokers release elastase in culture, and that cigarette smoke interferes with the action of inhibitors of elastase, suggests that elastases may be involved in the pathogenesis of emphysema in man. Further research is needed to establish whether degradation of elastin occurs in humans developing emphysema.
Orientation effect on the Boussinesq indentation of a transversely isotropic piezoelectric material

Abstract Three-dimensional finite element analysis was used to study the effect of the angle between the loading direction and the axisymmetric direction on the indentation behavior of a transversely isotropic piezoelectric half-space by a cylindrical indenter of flat end. Two cases were considered in the analysis, which included (a) the indentation by an insulating indenter, and (b) the indentation by a conducting indenter. Both the indentation load and the indentation-induced potential were found to be proportional to the indentation depth. Using the simulation results and the analytical relationship for the indentation by a rigid, insulating indenter, semi-analytical relationships were developed between the indentation load and the indentation depth and between the indentation-induced potential on the indenter and the indentation depth for the conducting indenter, respectively. The proportionality between the indentation-induced potential and the indentation depth is only a function of the angle between the loading direction and the poling direction, independent of the type of indenters, which may be used to measure the relative direction of the loading axis to the axisymmetric axis of transversely piezoelectric materials from the indentation test.
Crash test rating and likelihood of major thoracoabdominal injury in motor vehicle crashes: the new car assessment program side-impact crash test, 1998-2010.

BACKGROUND: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) implemented side-impact crash testing on all new vehicles since 1998 to assess the likelihood of major thoracoabdominal injuries during a side-impact crash. Higher crash test rating is intended to indicate a safer car, but the real-world applicability of these ratings is unknown. Our objective was to determine the relationship between a vehicle's NCAP side-impact crash test rating and the risk of major thoracoabdominal injury among the vehicle's occupants in real-world side-impact motor vehicle crashes. METHODS: The National Automotive Sampling System Crashworthiness Data System contains detailed crash and injury data in a sample of major crashes in the United States. For model years 1998 to 2010 and crash years 1999 to 2010, 68,124 occupants were identified in the Crashworthiness Data System database. Because 47% of cases were missing crash severity (ΔV), multiple imputation was used to estimate the missing values. The primary predictor of interest was the occupant vehicle's NCAP side-impact crash test rating, and the outcome of interest was the presence of major (Abbreviated Injury Scale [AIS] score ≥ 3) thoracoabdominal injury. RESULTS: In multivariate analysis, increasing NCAP crash test rating was associated with lower likelihood of major thoracoabdominal injury at high (odds ratio [OR], 0.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.7-0.9; p Language: en
Memory suggestibility as an example of the sleeper effect

This study incorporates findings on both the sleeper effect and the suggestibility of memory and assesses the effect of source credibility and time delay on memory suggestibility. Subjects viewed a sequence of slides with four target items. A narrative followed, containing a misleading description of two target items; the other two items served as controls. The source of the narrative was attributed to either a 4-year-old boy (low-credibility source) or a memory psychologist (high-credibility source) who described the slides. A recognition memory test followed 10 min or 1 month later. The subjects in the low-credibility source condition falsely recognized significantly more misleading items in the delayed condition than in the immediate condition; in the high-credibility condition, the number of falsely recognized misleading items was high and did not differ between the delayed and the immediate conditions. This significant interaction between source credibility, time, and misled/control conditions on the rate of falsely recognizing misled items suggests that, with the passage of time, item and source information become less strongly associated in memory. The cognitive processes underlying the sleeper effect appear to be similar to those underlying memory suggestibility.
Estimation of motion vectors and their application to scene retrieval

This paper describes a method for retrieving scenes from a motion picture database by using motion information as a key. The method has three steps: the automatic estimation of motion vectors in frame sequences, the description of motions in spatio-temporal space, and the retrieval of sequences of images. The motion vectors are estimated by block matching. Estimated motion vectors are mapped in spatio-temporal space (x, y, t). Motion vectors in a scene are aggregated into several representative vectors by statistical analysis. The retrieval of scenes is divided into two parts: the specification of query conditions, and matching between the query conditions and the motion database. Similarity is defined in spatio-temporal space as the distance between the query conditions and the stored motion index. Candidate scenes are ranked in order of distance. Experimental results indicate that the proposed method is effective.
Passive stabilization of temperature dependent polarization errors of a polarization-rotating resonator fiber optic gyroscope

The polarization-rotating resonator was developed to reduce temperature dependent polarization errors of a resonator fiber optic gyroscope for navigation-grade applications. Residual temperature dependent fluctuation of the symmetry of the resonance features limits the gyroscope performance. We present a fabrication technique, involving white-light interferometry, that yields a passive stabilized resonator. Experimental results show greatly improved resonator thermal stability.
A Modeling Study of the Interannual Variability in the Wintertime North Atlantic Ocean

Abstract A new model for the upper North Atlantic Ocean is presented and used to hindcast the SST from 1950 to 1988. The model consists of a matrix of one-dimensional (independent) columns in which a variable-depth, bulk mixed layer overlies a diffusive convective thermocline. The climatological annual cycle of heat flux convergence by the oceanic circulation is implicitly included in the formulation of the forcing. The 39-yr control integration of the model includes as surface forcing the shortwave and net longwave radiation from a control integration of the community climate model. Sensible and latent heat fluxes are determined from instantaneous values of surface temperature, humidity, and wind speed from the atmospheric model, and the SST simulated by the ocean model using the bulk formulae. The hindcast is performed by repeating the control integration, adding the observed, monthly mean surface anomalies in surface temperature, humidity, and wind speed for the period 1950–88. Thus, the simulated SST ...
Effective antimicrobial stewardship in a long-term care facility through an infectious disease consultation service: Keeping a LID on antibiotic use

Design.We introduced a long-term care facility (LTCF) infectious disease (ID) consultation service (LID service) that provides on-site consultations to residents of a Veterans Affairs (VA) LTCF. We determined the impact of the LID service on antimicrobial use and Clostridium difficile infections at the LTCF.Setting.A 160-bed VA LTCF.Methods.Systemic antimicrobial use and positive C. difficile tests at the LTCF were compared for the 36 months before and the 18 months after the initiation of the ID consultation service through segmented regression analysis of an interrupted time series.Results.Relative to that in the preintervention period, total systemic antibiotic administration decreased by 30% (P<.001), with significant reductions in both oral (32%; P<.001) and intravenous (25%; P = .008) agents. The greatest reductions were seen for tetracyclines (64%; P<.001), clindamycin (61%; P<.001), sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (38%; P<.001), fluoroquinolones (38%; P<.001), and β lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations (28%; P<.001). The rate of positive C. difficile tests at the LTCF declined in the postintervention period relative to preintervention rates (P = .04).Conclusions.Implementation of an LTCF ID service led to a significant reduction in total antimicrobial use. Bringing providers with ID expertise to the LTCF represents a new and effective means to achieve antimicrobial stewardship.
Revised standard addresses design requirements for computers used in nuclear power-plant safety systems

The IEEE Nuclear Engineering Committee has standards that address hardware issues. The IEEE Computer Society has standards addressing software. The P-7-4.3.2, IEEE standard criteria for digital computers in safety systems of nuclear power generating stations, which brings together standards from both groups to address the integration of computer hardware and software with noncomputer hardware, is discussed. P-7-4.3.2 is being developed to show the interrelationship of software and hardware requirements as they apply throughout the development process. The influence of system design development on system quality, system qualification, and system integrity, are described. >
Superantigen-induced CD4 Memory T Cell Anergy. I. Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B Induces Fyn-mediated Negative Signaling

Memory CD4 T cells must provide robust protection for an organism while still maintaining self-tolerance. Superantigens reveal a memory cell-specific regulatory pathway, by which signaling through the TCR can lead to clonal tolerance (anergy). Here we show that the src kinase Fyn is a critical regulator of anergy in murine memory CD4 T cells induced by the bacterial superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB). Exposure to SEB results in impaired TCR signaling due to failed CD3/ZAP-70 complex formation. Further, signal transduction through the TCR remains similarly blocked when anergic memory cells are subsequently exposed to agonist peptide antigen. Pharmacological inhibition or genetic elimination of Fyn kinase reverses memory cell anergy, resulting in SEB-induced cell proliferation. The mechanism underlying impaired TCR signaling and subsequent memory cell anergy must involve a Fyn signaling pathway given that the suppression of Fyn activity restores CD3/ZAP-70 complex formation and TCR proximal signaling.
THERAPY WITH AQUEOUS SUSPENSIONS OF TESTOSTERONE

TREATMENT of hypogonadism in males has been carried out with testosterone propionate and with methyl testosterone. The pure steroid, testosterone, has been used also in pellet form by implantation. Recently aqueous suspensions of estrogenic steroids have been employed in treating women in the climacteric. A trial of a similar suspension of pure testosterone was undertaken. The preparation used contained 20 mg. testosterone in 1 cc., and was furnished in sealed glass ampoules.2 Prior to removal into the syringe for intramuscular injection the content of the ampoule was agitated vigorously by hand to assure a uniform suspension. No pain was experienced by the patients, and no local reactions were observed. Patients learned with ease to make their own injections. The results are illustrated herein by reports of a series of five men who were treated for hypogonadism due either to a delayed development or to the climacteric. Case 1, D.F., Wis. Gen. Hosp. No. 126402, aged 18, was referred because of delayed ado...