cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Beyond the numbers: a critique of quantitative multi-criteria decision analysis

When setting priorities for health, there is broad agreement that a range of social values and ethical principles beyond clinical and cost-effectiveness matter, but exactly how health technology assessment (HTA) should account for a broader set of criteria remains an area of ongoing debate. In light of this, we welcome a recent review paper by Baltussen et al. evaluating the potential of different multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approaches to enable HTA agencies to incorporate a broader set of values in their appraisals. The authors describe three approaches to MCDA-qualitative MCDA, quantitative MCDA, and MCDA with decision rules-laying out their relative advantages and disadvantages and providing recommendations for how they can best be implemented. While we endorse many of the authors' assessments and conclusions, including the critical role of deliberation in any MCDA approach and the undertaking of qualitative MCDA at a minimum, we take a stronger position regarding the flaws of quantitative MCDA and strongly caution against it. We find quantitative MCDA antithetical to at least two of the ways MCDA is intended to improve HTA recommendations: (i) enhancing quality and (ii) promoting transparency. Quantitative MCDA may mask the complex tradeoffs that exist within and between decision criteria and remain generally inaccessible to those who are not well-versed in its technical methods of appraisal. We advocate for a predominantly qualitative approach to MCDA appraisal centered around deliberation and supplemented with decision aids to help account for health opportunity costs.
Perceptual timing precision with vibrotactile, auditory, and multisensory stimuli.

The growing use of vibrotactile signaling devices makes it important to understand the perceptual limits on vibrotactile information processing. To promote that understanding, we carried out a pair of experiments on vibrotactile, auditory, and bimodal (synchronous vibrotactile and auditory) temporal acuity. On each trial, subjects experienced a set of isochronous, standard intervals (400 ms each), followed by one interval of variable duration (400 ± 1–80 ms). Intervals were demarcated by short vibrotactile, auditory, or bimodal pulses. Subjects categorized the timing of the last interval by describing the final pulse as either “early” or “late” relative to its predecessors. In Experiment 1, each trial contained three isochronous standard intervals, followed by an interval of variable length. In Experiment 2, the number of isochronous standard intervals per trial varied, from one to four. Psychometric modeling revealed that vibrotactile stimulation produced poorer temporal discrimination than either auditory or bimodal stimulation. Moreover, auditory signals dominated bimodal sensitivity, and inter-individual differences in temporal discriminability were reduced with bimodal stimulation. Additionally, varying the number of isochronous intervals in a trial failed to improve temporal sensitivity in either modality, suggesting that memory played a key role in judgments of interval duration.
Modelling future changes to the hydrological and thermal regime of unaltered streams using projected changes in climate to support planning for sensitive species management

Author(s): Rogers, Jennifer; Stein, Eric; Beck, Marcus; Flint, Kelly; Kinoshita, Alicia; Ambrose, Richard
Monte Carlo Simulations for Spinodal Decomposition

This paper addresses the phenomenon of spinodal decomposition for the Cahn–Hilliard equation. Namely, we are interested in why most solutions to the Cahn–Hilliard equation which start near a homogeneous equilibrium u 0≡μ in the spinodal interval exhibit phase separation with a characteristic wavelength when exiting a ball of radius R in a Hilbert space centered at u 0. There are two mathematical explanations for spinodal decomposition, due to Grant and to Maier-Paape and Wanner. In this paper, we numerically compare these two mathematical approaches. In fact, we are able to synthesize the understanding we gain from our numerics with the approach of Maier-Paape and Wanner, leading to a better understanding of the underlying mechanism for this behavior. With this new approach, we can explain spinodal decomposition for a longer time and larger radius than either of the previous two approaches. A rigorous mathematical explanation is contained in a separate paper. Our approach is to use Monte Carlo simulations to examine the dependence of R, the radius to which spinodal decomposition occurs, as a function of the parameter e of the governing equation. We give a description of the dominating regions on the surface of the ball by estimating certain densities of the distributions of the exit points. We observe, and can show rigorously, that the behavior of most solutions originating near the equilibrium is determined completely by the linearization for an unexpectedly long time. We explain the mechanism for this unexpectedly linear behavior, and show that for some exceptional solutions this cannot be observed. We also describe the dynamics of these exceptional solutions.
Cord formation in BACTEC 7H12 medium for rapid, presumptive identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex.

We evaluated cord formation in BACTEC 7H12 medium as a criterion for rapid identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Kinyoun-stained smears, prepared from 270 radiometrically positive BACTEC 7H12 bottles, were examined independently by three observers. Smears from 93.2, 88.6, and 83.0% of the M. tuberculosis complex cultures were read as cord positive, and smears from 97.3, 97.8, and 99.5% of the mycobacteria other than M. tuberculosis cultures were read as cord negative by the three observers, respectively. There was 93.3% agreement between the observers. The presence of cords in BACTEC 7H12 medium can be a reliable criterion for rapid, presumptive identification of M. tuberculosis complex. Images
Design, Simulation, And Testing Of A Pulse Forming Network- Transformer Power Supply For The Texas Tech Railgun

A pulse forming network (PFN) has been designed and built to supply tunable, pulsed, high current waveforms to the railgun at Texas Tech University. The system uses a 11 kV, 500 kJ capacitor bank with a pulsed coulomb transformer to provide up to 1 MA of current. The transformer allows for lower voltage operation and higher coulomb transfer at the railgun load. The waveform may be tuned over a limited range to optimize the power supply output to the time varying railgun load. Design and computer simulation results will be provided along with limited performance results.
Single-layer CNN simulator

An efficient behavioral simulator for Cellular Neural Networks (CNN) is presented in this paper. The simulator is capable of performing Single-Layer CNN simulations for any size of input image, thus a powerful tool for researchers investigating potential applications of CNN. This paper reports an efficient algorithm exploiting the latency properties of Cellular Neural Networks along with numerical integration techniques; simulation results and comparisons are also presented. >
Right in Front of Us: Taking Everyday Life Seriously in the Study of Human Development

The need to pay attention to context has been a prominent theme in research on human development. Nevertheless, the empirical reality of the immediate context within which individuals develop has been largely ignored in research on human development. Therefore, my “one wish” is that the field begin to take seriously the processes that operate in the everyday social world. Doing so will help clarify three key principles: advance understanding: 1) diversity in developmental outcomes is largely socially organized; 2) “bi-directional” individual-context interactions are generally asymmetrical; 3) individuals are producers not only of themselves but also of the social world. While it shapes the development of individuals, the social world is also a human creation. These insights can assist developmental research in efforts to broaden its concern to focus on issues of social justice and the analysis of science itself as part of the social world, with cultural, political and ideological dimensions.
Spatial distribution of brominated very short-lived substances in the eastern Pacific

[1] Seawater concentrations and distributions of brominated very short-lived substances (BrVSLS), including bromoform (CHBr3), dibromomethane (CH2Br2), bromodichloromethane (CHBrCl2), chlorodibromomethane (CHClBr2), were measured in the upper water column (5–750 m) in the eastern Pacific. Inorganic nutrient, pigment concentrations, and picoplankton cell counts were measured to determine biogeochemical factors that affect the production and distribution of these BrVSLS. Elevated concentrations of BrVSLS were observed in coastal and tropical seawater. Concentration maxima for CHBr3, CH2Br2, and CHClBr2 were observed below the mixed layer, near the subsurface chlorophyll a maxima, which suggest BrVSLS production may be related to photosynthetic biomass production. Our results also suggest that heterotrophic bacteria may also contribute to CH2Br2 and CHBrCl2 production in the water column. The maximum CHBrCl2 concentration was observed at a depth much deeper than the euphotic zone, which suggests sources other than photosynthetic biomass. Elevated CHBrCl2 concentrations in deeper waters were coincident with elevated CHCl3 concentrations, which may be an evidence for successive chlorine substitution of CHBr3 in deeper and older water masses.
Galactosyl Diglycerides: Their Possible Function in Euglena Chloroplasts

Illumination of euglenas grown in the dark induces the formation of chloroplasts characterized by the simultaneous appearance of chlorophyll and galactosyl diglycerides in a relatively fixed ratio. The fatty acyl chains of the galactosyl diglycerides are constructed so that they can provide a stable lock-and-key fit with the phytol chains of chlorophyll in such a way as to localize the porphyrin structures of chlorophyll and space them for efficient photoreception. Light-starved photobiotic euglenas show chloroplast shrinkage with a concurrent partial loss of galactosyl diglycerides.
Resealability as evidence that the functional complement and osmotic membrane lesions are distinct.

Abstract The recovery of selective solute permeability on the part of damaged membranes, known as resealing, was investigated for sheep erythrocyte membranes. Incubation at 37°C for 45 minutes causes osmotically damaged membranes to reseal but cannot induce resealing of any membranes damaged by complement. This indicates that the functional membrane lesion produced by complement is distinct from the osmotic lesion.
TH‐D‐201B‐03: A Comparison of Protons versus Gamma X‐Rays in Producing Patient Radiographs: A Monte Carlo Study

Purpose: To assess the imaging properties of protonradiography against X‐ray radiography for both a phantom and an actual patient lungcancer case using Monte Carlo simulations.Methods and Materials: The GEANT4 Monte Carlo toolkit was used to simulate radiographs with a pure 230‐MeV proton beam as well as a pure 100‐keV X‐ray beam both with similar dose equivalent. For those simulations a phantom was designed using a water cube in which different tissues (low density lung high density lung adipose soft tissuemuscle cartilage bone) were implemented each within 10 cylinders of different sizes. The simulations were run for different phantom and tissue thicknesses. For each material spatial resolution signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) were compared for the two modalities. Using an actual CT a protonradiograph of a lungcancer patient was then simulated and compared to the actual portal X‐ray image. The contrast of soft‐to‐soft tissue (S2S) soft‐to‐bone tissue (S2B) and bone‐to‐bone (B2B) were evaluated for both radiographs.Results: X‐ray radiographs present a 1‐mm spatial resolution;protonradiographs show a larger 3‐mm spatial resolution due to multiple coulomb scattering and halo effect of the proton beam. SNR and CNR of a radiograph using X‐rays stay constant versus tissue area size (20dB). For a radiograph using protons both SNR and CNR increase from 2dB to 30dB. Protonradiographs present much better S2S and B2B contrasts but poorer S2B contrasts than X‐ray radiographs.Conclusion: Preliminary results show that protonradiography presents lower spatial resolution than X‐ray radiography. Conversely protonradiography is more sensitive to tissue density variations it offers better soft‐to‐soft and bone‐to‐bone tissue contrasts hence allowing for sharper edge detection and better tumor localization for specific tumor cases such as lungcancer. Furthermore protonradiography would significantly reduce the dose to the patient.
Induced Obsidian Hydration Experiments: An Investigation in Relative Dating

Induced obsidian hydration experiments have been conducted over the last six months at Sonoma State University. Our initial focus has been to assess the influence of experimental conditions on hydration development within a thermally controlled pressure reaction vessel. Although an ultimate goal is to calculate source-specific rates for local obsidians, given current uncertainties regarding the ability to reliably express hydration widths as calendar years, a more immediate goal is to develop a means to compare hydration rim measurements of samples from one obsidian source relative to another so that archaeological assemblages containing obsidians from two or more sources can be placed into a time series. Induced hydration experiments are expected to provide data that illustrate the relationship between hydration measurements of different obsidians with temporal equivalency. Results and implications of initial experiments are discussed.
Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), a novel mitochondrial cholesterol transporter.

Cholesterol is a vital component of cellular membranes, and is the substrate for biosynthesis of steroids, oxysterols and bile acids. The mechanisms directing the intracellular trafficking of this nearly insoluble molecule have received increased attention through the discovery of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and similar proteins containing StAR-related lipid transfer (START) domains. StAR can transfer cholesterol between synthetic liposomes in vitro, an activity which appears to correspond to the trans-cytoplasmic transport of cholesterol to mitochondria. However, trans-cytoplasmic cholesterol transport in vivo appears to involve the recently-described protein StarD4, which is expressed in most cells. Steroidogenic cells must also move large amounts of cholesterol from the outer mitochondrial membrane to the first steroidogenic enzyme, which lies on the matrix side of the inner membrane; this action requires StAR. Congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia, a rare and severe disorder of human steroidogenesis, results from mutations in StAR, providing a StAR knockout of nature that has provided key insights into its activity. Cell biology experiments show that StAR moves large amounts of cholesterol from the outer to inner mitochondrial membrane, but acts exclusively on the outer membrane. Biophysical data show that only the carboxyl-terminal α-helix of StAR interacts with the outer membrane. Spectroscopic data and molecular dynamics simulations show that StAR's interactions with protonated phospholipid head groups on the outer mitochondrial membrane induce a conformational change (molten globule transition) needed for StAR's activity. StAR appears to act in concert with the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor, but the precise itinerary of a cholesterol molecule entering the mitochondrion remains unclear.
The Mitogenic and Myogenic Actions of Insulin-like Growth Factors Utilize Distinct Signaling Pathways

It is well established that mitogens inhibit differentiation of skeletal muscle cells, but the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), acting through a single receptor, stimulate both proliferation and differentiation of myoblasts. Although the IGF-I mitogenic signaling pathway has been extensively studied in other cell types, little is known about the signaling pathway leading to differentiation in skeletal muscle. By using specific inhibitors of the IGF signal transduction pathway, we have begun to define the signaling intermediates mediating the two responses to IGFs. We found that PD098059, an inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase activation, inhibited IGF-stimulated proliferation of L6A1 myoblasts and the events associated with it, such as phosphorylation of the MAP kinases and elevation of c-fos mRNA and cyclin D protein. Surprisingly, PD098059 caused a dramatic enhancement of differentiation, evident both at a morphological (fusion of myoblasts into myotubes) and biochemical level (elevation of myogenin and p21 cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor expression, as well as creatine kinase activity). In sharp contrast, LY294002, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and rapamycin, an inhibitor of the activation of p70 S6 kinase (p70(S6k)), completely abolished IGF stimulation of L6A1 differentiation. We found that p70(S6k) activity increased substantially during differentiation, and this increase was further enhanced by PD098059. Our results demonstrate that the MAP kinase pathway plays a primary role in the mitogenic response and is inhibitory to the myogenic response in L6A1 myoblasts, while activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/p70(S6k) pathway is essential for IGF-stimulated differentiation. Thus, it appears that signaling from the IGF-I receptor utilizes two distinct pathways leading either to proliferation or differentiation.
Language and the cognitive subject: Heymann Steinthal (1823¿1899) and Friedrich Nietzsche (1844¿1900)

Abstract How did different concepts of language influence the way Heymann Steinthal and Friedrich Nietzsche regarded the cognitive subject? This paper historicizes an element of the recent ‘linguistic turn’ in the humanities by analyzing how two predecessors to Michel Foucault undermined the idealist assumption that concepts originate in the activity of a sovereign consciousness. Applying psychology to linguistics, Steinthal insisted that language originated in the unconscious and therefore limited man’s epistemological autonomy. Nietzsche further destabilized conceptual thought as the product of instinct and aesthetic impulses. For him, the cognitive subject was a linguistic fiction – a grammatical convention that had assumed unwarranted philosophical authority.
A method for the characterization of sub-pixel response of near-infrared detectors

Many future space telescope missions are designed as wide-field surveys. The increased area of the survey is often achieved by increasing the plate scale of the detectors. This can result in under-sampled instruments. Under these conditions response variations within an individual pixel degrade photometric and shape information of observed astronomical sources. These effects can be corrected for by mapping the sub-pixel response of all pixels on a detector. Measuring sub-pixel sensitivity by projecting a single, micron-size spot is effective in understanding intrapixel response variations, but the time required to create a detector-wide map is prohibitive. The existing Spot-O-Matic single spot projector concept, has been extended to the design of a multi-spot projector, the Spots-O-Matic, enabling the mapping of an entire detector. This new projector is under development to achieve the small spot size required for pixel characterization over the field of view of an entire detector.
Nuclear γ-rays produced by 200 MeV (π+, π0) charge exchange on Cr and Ni☆

Abstract Spectra of deexcitation γ-rays from 200 MeV π + on natural Cr and Ni targets were searched for indications of transitions in 52 Mn and 58, 60 Cu, respectively, produced by ( π + , π 0 ) charge exchange. Observed were weak transitions from the 52 Mn 2923 keV IAS, 52 Mn 870 keV state, 58 Cu 203 keV IAS, and a tentative transition from the 58 Cu 1428 keV state with cross sections of 3.7 ±1, 3.4±2, 3.1 ±3 and 3.4±3 mb, respectively. The peak at 870 keV may have arisen from a transition in 45 Sc rather than 52 Mn.
Four Factors that Affect Group Performance in Business-Policy Simulations

(1989). Four Factors that Affect Group Performance in Business-Policy Simulations. Journal of Education for Business: Vol. 64, No. 4, pp. 174-178.
The Social Organization of Physician-Managers in a Changing HMO

This study examines identity and solidarity among 22 physician-managers working in a changing health maintenance organization. It describes two distinct identities among these professionals and the...
Ventricular assist devices: is destination therapy a viable alternative in the non-transplant candidate?

The topic of this article, stated a more familiar way, is whether left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are ready for ‘Primetime’ as a therapeutic option in and of themselves. In order to provide an update and insight on this question, we briefly review from where the field has come, and in more detail describe its current state and where we are heading. We believe the short answer to this question is ‘Yes’, but like many things, a short answer is not adequate. Here we attempt to deliver a more comprehensive answer, providing some historical context, outlining the great achievements that have been made, as well as the many challenges that still remain before LVADs become a truly mainstream therapy.
Mechanistic insights on the hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated ketones and aldehydes to unsaturated alcohols over metal catalysts

The selective hydrogenation of unsaturated ketones (methyl vinyl ketone and benzalacetone) and unsaturated aldehydes (crotonaldehyde and cinnamaldehyde) was carried out with H2 at 2 bar absolute over Pd/C, Pt/C, Ru/C, Au/C, Au/TiO2, or Au/Fe2O3 catalysts in ethanol or water solvent at 333 K. Comparison of the turnover frequencies revealed Pd/C to be the most active hydrogenation catalyst, but the catalyst failed to produce unsaturated alcohols, indicating hydrogenation of the C═C bond was highly preferred over the C═O bond on Pd. The Pt and Ru catalysts were able to produce unsaturated alcohols from unsaturated aldehydes, but not from unsaturated ketones. Although Au/Fe2O3 was able to partially hydrogenate unsaturated ketones to unsaturated alcohols, the overall hydrogenation rate over gold was the lowest of all of the metals examined. First-principles density functional theory calculations were therefore used to explore the reactivity trends of methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) and benzalacetone (BA) hydrogenati...
Intravenous Self-Administration of Metallic Mercury in Attempted Suicide: Report of a Case with Serial Roentgenographic and Physiologic Studies over an 18-Month Period

This report describes a 23-year-old white man who injected metallic mercury from a thermometer into his antecubital vein in an attempt at suicide. Despite the persistence of mercury throughout both pulmonary fields on chest x-ray films over an 18-month period of observation, no clinical or physiologic derangement of pulmonary function has developed. In addition, no clinical or biochemical evidence of acute or chronic mercury poisoning in any other organ has appeared during these 18 months, even though metallic mercury is seen in the abdominal viscera on roentgenographic examination. The literature on suicidal and accidental poisoning with metallic mercury is reviewed.
A possible role of Glutamate in the aging process

Glutamate (Glu) is considered here for its possible role as a naturally occurring mammalian 'age inducing' substance. The existence of 'Glu elicited headaches', may serve as an indication that Glu could negatively affect the human adult CNS. The prevalence of Glu induced headaches was found to be 28.8% in a study population of 201 subjects. Circumstantial similarities between brain aging and Glu toxicity are presented in the paper. Finally, it is mentioned that Vitamin E is partially effective in blocking Glu induced headaches.
CONVEX MODEL FOR SEISMIC DESIGN OF STRUCTURES—II: DESIGN OF CONVENTIONAL AND ACTIVE STRUCTURES

The optimal design of the members of conventional structures or structures equipped with active bracing systems, known as active structures, is presented for uncertain excitations. Three approaches are used for obtaining the optimal structural design: (1) the time-history analysis of an actual earthquake record (AR), (2) the global energy-bound convex model adjusted with an excitation-specific reduction factor (RGEB), and (3) the global energy-bound convex model adjusted with an average reduction factor (ARGEB) for a set of excitations with common characteristics. The optimal structures obtained using the RGEB and ARGEB convex models have different sizes for their conventional members from the designs based on a time-history analysis of the actual earthquake (AR). The optimal design of the structure is carried out using a modified annealing algorithm. The advantage of using convex models to perform the optimization is that they represent a more general excitation than a single earthquake record. In addition, the RGEB and ARGEB convex models require considerably less computational effort since the constraints of the optimization become time-independent. A comparison between optimal designs of structures with conventional members only, and active structures indicates that the latter are more efficient by combining the conventional and active members.
Antimicrobial Properties of Natural Phenols and Related Compounds: Obtusastyrene and Dihydro-Obtusastyrene

Abstract Factors influencing the antimicrobial properties of obtusastyrene and dihydro-obtusastyrene were studied. Both of these compounds were soluble in acetone, alcohol, and olive oil. In water, they were soluble at concentrations of 34 and 53 μg/ml, respectively. The minimal inhibitory concentrations against gram-positive bacteria and yeast were below 100 μg/ml. The compounds were not effective against gram-negative bacteria at 200 μg/ml or lower concentrations. With initial populations of cells greater than 106/ml, the concentrations of these compounds required to prevent growth were greater than with lower cell populations. Changing the pH of the growth medium did not decrease the effectiveness of these two compounds in the pH range of 3 through 8. Both obtusastyrene and dihydro-obtusastyrene were rapidly bactericidal to Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus at 25 μg/ml.
CONTENT ANALYSIS IN NEGOTIATION RESEARCH : A REVIEW AND GUIDE

Content analysis, a technique in which inferences are derived from the communication of interacting parties, is not utilized enough in mainstream negotiation research. The purpose of the present article is to outline the benefits and limitations inherent in the content analysis technique, to provide a comprehensive review of content analysis systems that have been used in the past, and to evaluate the existing systems in an effort to guide readers in the decision process. This article aids the potential consumer—any person considering the use of content analysis in negotiation research—in making informed choices regarding this technique. Choice among existing systems should be based upon one’s research question and upon accepted standards of quality. A system that is relatively comprehensive, well grounded in theory, and demonstrates acceptable levels of reliability is advocated. Specific recommendations regarding quality systems are provided.
Extending the concept of awareness to include static and dynamic person information

One of the goals of my work is to build Web spaces that promote collaborative activities among people who meet in online environments. In this endeavor, conventional concepts of awareness that stress presence and activity information are critical to informing the design of environments to support interactions among strangers. Knowing that people are around and what they are doing helps set the stage for social interaction. However, the task confronting strangers is to identify the "right" people to interact with. By this I mean, the ones who have the skills, knowledge, interests and motivation to provide value to the other party. Systems that are informed by current concepts of awareness do not help an individual address the selection question.In this position paper, I argue that the current concepts of awareness need to be extended to provide descriptive information about people to support the selection task. The descriptive information is of two types: dynamic and static. Static information is a priori collected characterizations of a person. Such descriptions might include a person's skills, interests, goals and any other data that would enable others to judge whether an interaction with a specific purpose might be of interest. Dynamic data is emergent. It is based on observation of a person's activities and is the by-product of such activity. Participants can use data from these two sources to select people with whom to interact and to guide their interactions.I am applying these notions to a system called ePlace with which I have been working for the past year. ePlace is a 2-D visualization environment that provides visitors to a Web site with awareness of other visitors to that site. It does this through the use of an abstract graphical representation of people and activities [for a detailed description see 8].
A post-baccalaureate undergraduate-level program in computer science

A one-year pilot education, tuition-free, that could be shared under an open-source license with the rest of the world.
Teaching group dynamics: An interdisciplinary model

Abstract A model for teaching group dynamics to interdisciplinary graduate students is described. The model enhances the generalization of learning from classroom to workplace by encouraging cooperation and collaboration. It can be used by schools of education as a foundational group dynamics course for teachers, counselors, and other administrative personnel. Through the use of five active learning processes—viewing and critiquing videotapes of classroom interaction, maintaining a process and content journal, participating in an outdoor experiential course, role playing in simulation games for team building, and applying sociodramatic techniques for learning integration—students demonstrate adaptive behavior and critical thinking skills that will enable them to be more productive team members in the classroom and workplace.
General analysis of receptor-mediated viral attachment to cell surfaces.

Viruses are multivalent particles that attach to cells through one or more bonds between viral attachment proteins (VAP) and specific cellular receptors. Three modes of virus binding are presented that can explain the diversity in binding data observed among viruses. They are based on multivalency of attachment and spatial versus receptor saturation effects which are easily distinguished based upon simple criteria. Mode 1 involves only monovalent virus/receptor binding. Modes 2 and 3 involve multivalent bonds between the virus and cell; however, in mode 3 space on the cell surface becomes saturated before receptors. A model is developed for viral attachment that accounts for nonspecific binding, receptor/virus interactions, and spatial saturation effects. The model can describe each mode in different limits and can be applied to virus binding data to extract key physical information such as receptor number and affinity. These values are used to postulate the type of VAP/receptor interaction involved and to predict binding at different parameter values. For the mode 2 binding of Adenovirus 2, the model predicts a receptor number of 4–15 x 10(3) on HeLa cells and an affinity of 2–6 x 10(7) M-1 which closely approximate experimental estimates. For the binding of three, broad-host-range, enveloped viruses, Semliki Forest virus, Vesicular Stomatitis virus, and the baculovirus, Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus, the model predicts receptor numbers of 10(5) or greater and affinities in the range of 10(4) to 10(5) M-1. These values are indicative of a VAP/oligosaccharide interaction which has been documented for a number of other viruses. Experimental evidence is presented that is the first to demonstrate that baculovirus binding is mediated by a cell surface receptor.
Response to Contributors

To begin, I would like to thank the editor of the Atlantic Journal of Communication, Gary Radford, for devoting this issue to the relevance of my work for the study of communication, and special th...
What’s So Funny About That?

This paper argues that it is impossible to know why we laugh. There are a number of theories that attempt to explain why we laugh but they all have limitations. It is possible, however, to know what makes us laugh and 45 techniques that inform humor are listed and used to analyze a number of humorous texts. These techniques can also be used to study the humor of different nations to determine which they favor and which they neglect, thus offering insights into national character.
Total internal reflection photoacoustic detection spectroscopy

Total Internal Reflection Photoacoustic Spectroscopy (TIRPAS) is a method that exploits the evanescent field of a nanosecond duration laser pulse reflecting off a glass/water interface to generate photoacoustic responses. These photoacoustic events are generated in light absorbing analytes suspended in the fluid medium in contact with the glass that are within the penetration depth of the evanescent wave. This method has been employed in previous studies by Hinoue et al. Hinoue et al. used an optically chopped HeNe laser at 632.8 nm to detect Brilliant Blue FCF dye at different angles of incidence. In recent years, the advent of high power nanosecond pulsed tunable lasers has allowed for the re-visitation of the TIRPAS idea under stress confinement and orders of magnitude larger peak energy conditions. Compared to conventional detection methods, this approach has the potential to detect much smaller quantities of disease indicators, such as circulating tumor cells and hemazoin crystals in malaria, than other optical methods. The detection limit of the TIRPAS system was quantified using chlorazol black solution with an absorption coefficient of 55 cm -1 at 532 nm. Interaction with the evanescent field was verified by varying the angle of incidence of the probe laser beam that generated the photoacoustic waves, thereby changing the penetration depth of the evanescent field as well as the photoacoustic spectroscopy effect from angled excitation.
Properties and Formability of an Aligned Discontinuous Fiber Thermoplastic Composite Sheet

A thermoformable thermoplastic composite sheet product is described. The sheet consists of aligned discontinuous reinforcing fibers in a thermoplastic resin. It is drawable to 50 % or more axial draw ratio and has mechanical properties close to those of straight continuous fiber composite sheets. Development and preservation of fiber alignment enables the achievement of high fiber volume fraction (FVF) and mechanical properties. In general, tensile modulus and strength are 90% or better of continous fiber composites at the same FVF. Fatigue and creep properties are also comparable. This paper details the mechanical and formability characteristics of the sheets and presents various applications that show the processing advantages of this advanced composite sheet concept over straight continuous fiber or woven fabric sheets.
959-101 Antioxidant Enzymes Attenuate Free Radical Generation After Direct Current Countershocks

Previous work in our lab has shown that direct current (DC) shocks generate free radicals, which may be toxic to the myocardium. We hypothesized that administration of free radical scavenging enzymes prior to shock delivery would attenuate the generation of free radicals. We used a newly developed and validated technique for real time quantitation of free radical production: ascorbyl free radical (AFR) concentration in coronary sinus blood, measured by electron paramagnetic resonance. In 10 open-chest dogs, 75J and 100J epicardial shocks were administered during NSR. Then superoxide dismutase (SOD, 15,000 μ/kg).and catalase (CAT. 55,000 u/kg) were given as a continuous infusion. Ten mins. after initiating the SOD/CAT infusion, 75J and 100J shocks were repeated. Four control dogs received normal saline instead of SOD/CAT. Results % Δ AFR Area AFR Energy Pre SOD Post SOD Pre SOD Post SOD 75 J 17 ± 4 5 ± 2 * 150 ± 39 37 ± 8 * 100 J 20 ± 5 6 ± 2 * 184 ± 26 53 ± 17 * x ± SO. * p l 0,05 post vs. pre. Area = integrated area under AFR concentration vs. time curve The 4 control dogs showed no significant differences in AFR generation when comparing shocks administered before and after saline infusion rather than SOD/CAT. Conclusion antioxidant enzymes markedly attenuate free radical generation by DC shocks. If free radicals are a mechanism of defibrillation injury in patients, drugs with free radical inhibiting or scavenging properties may prevent such injury.
Screening adolescents for nicotine dependence: The hooked on nicotine checklist

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the Hooked On Nicotine Checklist's (HONC) internal consistency, reliability over time, correlation with self-described smoking behavior, and to compare the results with previous studies of the onset of nicotine dependence in youths. Methods Ninth-grade students were recruited from a regional school district. Subjects (Ss; n=371; 91% of the 9th-grade class) were 48.8% male, 97% white, aged 13.8–15.6 years. Ss self-administered a questionnaire on smoking experiences. The HONC was completed by 88 (23.7%) who had puffed on a cigarette at least once; 74 were retested 2 weeks later. Responding "yes" to any of the 10 HONC items indicates nicotine dependence (ND); the number of items endorsed indicates the degree of its severity. Results The internal consistency of the HONC is high overall (α = 0.90; n=88), and test-retest reliability for the entire HONC is excellent (intraclass correlation=0.88, p r = 0.70, p Conclusions Adding the HONC to routine adolescent health examinations, health classes, and prevention programs may make adolescents more aware of their symptoms of ND and enable intervention before ND progresses.
Ethanol-induced alterations in the morphology and function of the rat ovary

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of different dosages of ethanol on ovarian morphology and function. Holtzman rats, 20 days old, were divided into groups as follows: The rats in Group I were autopsied at 20 days of age, and those in Group II were placed on ad libitum chow and water diet; the rats in Groups III and V were fed on a liquid diet containing 2.5% or 5% ethanol respectively; Groups IV and VI were pair-fed controls to Groups III and V, respectively. Rats in Groups II, III, IV, and VI were maintained on the diets for 50–55 days and killed at late proestrus-estrus, while the animals in Group V did not exhibit estrous cycles and were killed on day 55 of treatment. The average increase in body weights of rats in Groups II, III, and IV was significantly greater than the increase in body weights of rats given 5% ethanol or their pair-fed controls. In the rats treated with 5% ethanol, vaginal opening was significantly delayed from the controls, estrous cycles were absent, ovarian weights were similar to those of the 20-day-old rats, ovaries contained corpora lutea of only one estrus, uteri weighed less than controls, and histologically, the uteri and vaginae were similar to those of 20-day-old rats. However, in the rats treated with 2.5% ethanol, all of the parameters were similar to those of the controls. The average serum alcohol level for the rats on the 5% ethanol diet was 249 mg%; the serum alcohol levels were at the lower limit of detection for the rats on the 2.5% ethanol diet. The data show that ovarian function was suppressed in the rats that received the 5% ethanol but not in rats on the 2.5% ethanol diet.
Regulation of ROS signal transduction by NADPH oxidase 4 localization

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) function as intracellular signaling molecules in a diverse range of biological processes. However, it is unclear how freely diffusible ROS dictate specific cellular responses. In this study, we demonstrate that nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate reduced oxidase 4 (Nox4), a major Nox isoform expressed in nonphagocytic cells, including vascular endothelium, is localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). ER localization of Nox4 is critical for the regulation of protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) 1B, also an ER resident, through redox-mediated signaling. Nox4-mediated oxidation and inactivation of PTP1B in the ER serves as a regulatory switch for epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor trafficking and specifically acts to terminate EGF signaling. Consistent with this notion, PTP1B oxidation could also be modulated by ER targeting of antioxidant enzymes but not their untargeted counterparts. These data indicate that the specificity of intracellular ROS-mediated signal transduction may be modulated by the localization of Nox isoforms within specific subcellular compartments.
Geometry Rearrangement Technique - A New Method to Minimize Reflection from Absorbing Boundaries in the FDTD Analysis of Planar Transmission Line Components

Residual reflection from absorbing boundaries introduces significant error in the frequency-domain parameters of plannar transmission line components, derived by Fourier transformation of the time-domain data obtained using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. A new computationally-efficient FDTD implementation, called the geometry rearrangement technique (GRT) and based on the solution-of two auxiliary problems using the simple first-order Mur boundary condition, is proposed to cancel the dominant contribution to the reflection from absorbing boundaries. GRT is applied to compute the dispersion characteristics of microstrip and coplanar transmission lines, and corroborated with published results. GRT has been used also to minimize the influence of reflection from absorbing boundary in the computation of scattering parameters of microstrip discontinuities.
Bovine Gingiva: II. Proteins of the Insoluble Matrix,

PERIODONTAL DISEASE IS a major cause of loss of teeth. Tooth mobility is a result of changes in the supporting structures of the periodontium. Morphological changes in the intercellular components of the gingiva and peri­ odontal membrane were shown to occur in patients with periodontal disease. Collagen, the principal structural protein which is essential for the integrity of the periodontal connective tissue, was shown to be altered in histological sections of inflamed gingiva. 4 , 6 Although various tissue collagens have been under extensive study in several laboratories, periodontal tis­ sue collagen has received only limited attention. The structural components of the gingival matrix are being investigated in our laboratory and in this paper we report the nature of proteins of the insoluble matrix of bovine gingiva. Since most of gingival tissue collagen is insoluble, the technique of CNBr cleavage was applied to solubilize collagen peptides. Limited proteolysis with pepsin was also used to solubilize collagenous compo­ nents.
Looking in the Old Testament for the Epic Genre

This article considers the question of what may qualify as “epic” in the Hebrew Bible. Against Cross, we argue that certain prose narratives can be termed epic in themselves, although Judges 5 and Exodus 15 show that Israel could produce epic poetry. Hector and Nora Chadwick claimed that epic is a cultural rather than literary phenomenon and does not demand poetic form. For Parry and Lord, epic poetry has its origin in oral singing of tales, with no Urtext ever existing since every performance was a new creation. Israel’s epic must be considered secondary, in C. S. Lewis’s terminology, because it does not look back to a heroic past, but assumes a progression in history.
Evaluation of Parametric Vibration and Stability of Flexible Cam-Follower Systems

A method to study parametric stability of flexible cam-follower systems is developed. This method is applied to an automotive valve train which is modeled as a single-degree-of-freedom vibration system. The inclusion of the transverse and rotational flexibilities of the camshaft results in a system governed by a second-order, linear, ordinary differential equation with time-dependent coefficients. This class of equations, known as Hill’s equations, merits special notice in determination of the system response and stability. The analysis includes development of the equivalent model of the system, derivation of its equation of motion, and a method to evaluate its parametric stability based on Floquet theory. A closed-form numerical algorithm, developed to compute the periodic response of systems governed by second-order, linear, ordinary differential equations of motion with time-dependent coefficients, is utilized. The results of this study are presented in a companion paper in the forms of parametric stability charts and three-dimensional stability and response charts.
Lunar ilmenite (Refinement of the crystal structure)

The crystal structure of ilmenites from Mare Tranquillitatis and terrestrial basaltic rocks have been refined from X-ray data using least squares methods. The two structures are virtuallly identical both in structural parameters and relative degree of order. Occupation of Fe and Ti sites is highly ordered. The metal ions have low apparent charges (near 0.3) and formal oxidation states of Fe (II) and Ti (IV).
Skepticism and Political Participation

Introduction 1. A Neopragmatist Defense of Democratic Participation 2. The Political Implications of Wittgenstein's Skepticism 3. Participation and Tacit Knowledge in Plato, Machiavelli, and Hobbes 4. The Role of Tacit Knowledge in the Argument of Federalist Number Ten 5. Leadership, Knowledge, and Truth in Gramsci's Political Thought 6. Nietzsche, Foucault, and the Prospects of Postmodern Political Philosophy 7. Maimonides and Lyotard: Convergences between the Premodern and the Postmodern Notes Index
Methylphenidate treatment of Neuropsychiatric symptoms of central and extrapontine myelinolysis

Objective: Previous reports describe the presentation and course of the neurobehavioral manifestations of central and extrapontine myelinolysis; as of yet, however, there are no specific recommendations for treatment of these problems. We offer the first report of successful treatment. Method: We describe a 55-year-old man with chronic alcoholism who developed central and extrapontine myelinolysis following an episode of heavy drinking and rapid correction of hyponatremia. The patient acutely developed motor, cognitive, emotional and behavioral problems best accounted for by central pontine and bilateral striatal myelinolysis. These neuropsychiatric symptoms were treated with methylphenidate over the course of 1 month in an off-on-off-on fashion. The Neuropsychiatric Inventory and other tests were used to assess treatment response. Results: Marked improvements in the patient's neuropsychiatric status were noted only during treatment with methylphenidate. Conclusions: Methylphenidate effectively reversed t...