cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Tunnel Walls on Vortex Breakdown Location over Delta Wings

Vortex breakdown has been the subject of many investigations during the past few decades. Many of the investigations were performed by visualizing the vortical flowfield above delta wings in water or wind tunnels. In spite of the extensive use of this technique, little attention has been paid to the possible influence of the test section walls on the measured location of the vortex breakdown. The present work suggests a possible model by which the walls may affect the vortex breakdown location. The suggested model is associated with the upwash induced on the wing surface due to the presence of the walls. This upwash was found to be relatively small near the wing's apex and larger on the trailing edge, thus creating an effectively cambered wing. The effective camber tends to shift the vortex breakdown location downstream as compared to a flat wing with the same projected geometry. The influence of the walls was tested in a series of experiments in a water tunnel using delta wings with different sizes, relative to the test section dimensions. The anticipated trend was observed in the experimental results. Nomenclature Cr = wing root chord length H = test section height V = undisturbed velocity S =wing span W = test section width Xbd - vortex breakdown location along the wing root chord a = angle of attack ALE = leading-edge sweep angle
Van der Waals interactions between surfaces of biological interest

Microscopic and macroscopic approaches to calculations of long-range Van der Waals interactions between bodies are reviewed. Expressions are presented for various geometries, including planar-layered structures, sheathed spheres and rods. Retardation effects are shown to reduce dispersion interactions in a similar fashion in both approaches. Pair summation procedure gives 10–25% greater values of dispersion interactions than the macroscopic approach. Orientation effects, previously neglected in microscopic approaches are strongly dependent on many-body effects. When orientation effects are included in a pair summation procedure, its calculated values are close to those calculated with the macroscopic approach. Experimentally determined force values are in agreement with calculated ones for distances of separation above 15 A in vacuum. In general, the theory is insufficient for yielding forces at distances of separation below 20 A in water. Determination of Van der Waals parameters from refractive indices of pure liquids and solutions is described. Within 5%, dispersion coefficients are independent of concentration of solution, and isotropic electronic polarizabilities agree with those obtained by the addition of bond polarizabilities. Van der Waals parameters of several major components of cellular surfaces and intercellular media are arranged according to an ascending sequence: water<alkanes<phospholipids<proteins and cholesterol<sugars. Variations in compositions, distances of separation, and layer thicknesses are considered in the calculation of the interactions between cellular surfaces, both in planar and spherical systems, including phospholipid vesicles. In planar-cellular systems, Hamaker coefficients vary between 4 x 10-15 and 6 x 10-14 erg; at 50 A distance of separation the free energies and forces are 210 to 1600 kT/μm2, and 4 x 10-5 to 3 x 10-4 dynes/μm2 respectively. The total potential curve, including electrostatic interactions, is calculated and the questions of cellular adhesion and fusion of phospholipid vesicles are discussed.
PARTICLE DEPOSITION BY DIFFUSION IN THE LOWER LUNG: APPLICATION OF DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS.

Abstract Using dimensional analysis, an expression is derived for the dependence of the particle removal efficiency of the lower lung on the particle diffusion coefficient, the time per breath and parameters related to the structure of the lung. The analysis is limited to particles smaller than a few tenths of a micron in diameter, for which diffusion is the controlling mechanism of removal. It is not necessary to assume a special model for the structure of the lung. The analysis can be used to correlate and extrapolate experimental data; it can also be used to predict the size of the largest particle which is (almost) completely removed in the respiratory region.
Inhibition of rat spinothalamic tract neuronal responses to noxious skin heating by stimulation in midbrain periaqueductal gray or lateral reticular formation

The descending inhibitory effects of electrical midbrain stimulation on identified lumbar spinothalamic tract (STT) neurons were investigated in rats anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital. STT units were identified by their antidromic response to stimulation in the contralateral ventrobasal thalamus or medial lemniscus (mean conduction velocity: 18-20 m/sec). Thirty-two of 43 dorsal horn multireceptive STT units gave reproducible responses to noxious heat stimuli (42-56 degrees C, 10 sec) applied to the ventral hind paw. All STT units' responses were suppressed during stimulation (100 msec trains at 100 Hz, 3/sec, 15-300 microA) in PAG or LRF bilaterally. On- and offset of inhibition was rapid (less than 1 sec). STT unit responses to noxious heat were more effectively suppressed by LRF than PAG stimulation, based on statistically significant differences in mean thresholds for inhibition, slopes of current-inhibition plots, and mean current intensities evoking 50% inhibition. Mapping experiments revealed lowest-threshold (less than 25 microA) sites for inhibition to be in ventral PAG, subjacent tegmentum, and LRF bilaterally. STT unit responses increased with graded increases in stimulus temperature from threshold (mean: 46 degrees C) to 56 degrees C. Slopes of temperature-response functions were significantly reduced with little change in threshold during PAG stimulation, whereas these functions were shifted in a parallel manner toward higher temperatures during LRF stimulation. The serotonin antagonist methysergide reduced or blocked PAG- or LRF-evoked inhibition in 3/5 and 5/12 STT units, respectively. These results indicate that STT units are subject to different inhibitory controls from PAG and LRF.
Structural Characterization of Plasma-Polymerized Hydrocarbons

Abstract Oils and films were produced by passage of ethylene, acetylene, and butadiene gases as well as benzene vapor through a radio-frequency electric discharge. The hydrocarbon oils produced in the plasma were dissolved in carbon tetrachloride and were analyzed by infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Based on these analyses, concentrations of characteristic functional groups were determined and used to propose molecular structures. The hydrocarbon oils are postulated to consist of irregular sequences of highly branched and incompletely crosslinked aliphatic backbone chains with pendant aromatic rings. Double bonds are interspersed along the chains. Hydrogen/carbon ratios in the proposed structures are consistent with the results from elemental analyses. Products from py-rolysis mass spectrometry can also be interpreted on the basis of the proposed structures. Similar techniques are used to analyze the structures of insoluble plasma polymerized films obtained from the same hydrocarbons....
Hypolipidaemic activity in rodents of boron analogs of phosphonoacetates and cyanoborane adducts of dialkyl aminomethylphosphonates

Boron analogues of phosphonoacetates proved to be potent hypolipidaemic agents in rodents, lowering both serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. (C2H5O)3PBH2COOCH3 proved to be the most effective agent in mice, lowering serum cholesterol 46% and serum triglycerides 54% after 16 days. (C2H5O)3PBH2COOH and Na+H+(C2H5O)2(-O)PBH2COO- caused greater than a 40% reduction in lipids. The cyanoborane adducts of aminomethylphosphonates were generally less effective; (C6H5O)2P(O)CH2NH2BH2CN was the most effective, lowering serum cholesterol 32% and serum triglycerides 43% after 16 days. The phosphonoacetates appeared to lower lipid concentrations by several mechanisms. First, they lowered the de novo synthesis of cholesterol and triglycerides in the liver. Second, they accelerated the excretion of lipids into the bile and faeces. Thirdly, they modulated LDL and HDL-cholesterol contents in a manner which suggests they reduced the deposition of lipids in peripheral tissues, and accelerated the movement of cholesterol from tissues (e.g. plaques) to the liver for excretion into the bile.
How reliable is nighttime blood pressure dipping

This report examines the reliability of nighttime blood pressure dipping. Twenty-one individuals were studied twice with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. On one occasion they were studied as outpatients, and on the other as inpatients on a clinical research ward. Blood pressure monitoring revealed the expected dip in blood pressure at nighttime. However, there was little test-retest reliability across the two settings. The test-retest correlations for the dip in blood pressure across the two settings were nonsignificant for systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure. Caution is advised before diagnosing dipping or nondipping on the basis of one 24-h ambulatory blood pressure recording.
The Importance of Medical Innovation in an Investigator's Decision to Take Part in Clinical Trials

The study draws upon a mail survey of 762 US investigators. Investigators provide a number of reasons for their participation in clinical trials, but this study underscores medical innovation as the most important stimulus. Among other reasons for participating in clinical trials, the prospect of additional financial remuneration plays an important role, especially for office-based investigators. Clinical investigators may be tempted to provide socially valued responses, such as those relating to medical innovation, over more mundane considerations such as finances, as the reason for their taking part in clinical trials. Still, medical innovation figures prominently as a reason why investigators of all types participate in phase 3 clinical trials. This is important in understanding how to recruit experienced investigators, as well as physicians who may be potentially new clinical investigators.
Hankel operator and H∞ distance problem over a simply-connected domain

The basic theory of Hankel operators is developed over a planar domain Q. Among the potential applications are H∞ control when the closed-loop system is required to be analytic in a planar domain Q rather than the right half-plane, and more selective model reduction methods when the signals passing through the system have limited bandwidth.
Rational orthogonal similarity of rational symmetric matrices

Abstract In this paper the Hasse-Minkowski theorem is used over a number field to give necessary and sufficient conditions for the orthogonal similarity of two symmetric matrices over the field of rational numbers.
Circadian rhythms in neurospora crassa on a microfluidic device for real-time gas perturbations

Racetubes, conventional system employing hollow glass tubes, are typically used for monitoring circadian rhythms from a model filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa. However, a major technical limitation in using the conventional system is that this racetube is not amenable for real-time gas perturbations. In this work, a simple yet efficient microfluidic device with real-time gas perturbations has been proposed and developed for monitoring the variations of circadian rhythms for Neurospora crassa using bioluminescence assays. The developed platform is a useful toolbox for the investigation of molecular responses under various gas conditions for Neurospora and also can be applied to other microorganisms.
Pulsed far-infrared spectroscopy of GaAs:Cr at high magnetic fields in the field-modulation mode

Abstract A magnetic field-modulation technique has been developed for sensitive far infrared electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy on Cr2+ centers in GaAs. A hundred-fold improvement in signal-to-noise ratio relative to non-modulation techniques was obtained. The results of this experiment have been analyzed and agree well with a spin Hamiltonian and parameters obtained from microwave EPR studies of Cr2+ in GaAs. No evidence could be found to support the view that this ground state is the terminal level of the finely structured 0.839 eV luminescence line reported in earlier high resolution absorption and luminescence studies.
An evaluation of the role of oxidative enzymes in Colorado potato beetle resistance to carbamate insecticides

Abstract Carbofuran and carbaryl LD50 values were determined with and without piperonyl butoxide pretreatment for a resistant (New Jersey) and two susceptible (Utah and Netherland) populations of Colorado potato beetle larvae. Similar bioassays were conducted with carbofuran for resistant (Rutgers) and susceptible (NAIDM) adult house flies. The degree of resistance development by New Jersey Colorado potato beetles (RR = 848) was greater than that of the laboratory-selected colony of Rutgers house flies (RR = 583). Comparisons of synergist difference calculations including “percentage synergism” (%S), “log percentage synergism” (L%S), and “relative percentage synergism (R%S) for the resistant (R) and the susceptible (S) populations indicated the possibility that monooxygenases and other resistance mechanisms may be involved in Colorado potato beetle resistance to these carbamates. Monooxygenase involvement in resistance of Rutgers house flies was demonstrated in vitro by a 4-fold enhancement of p-nitroanisole O-demethylation over that of NAIDM house flies. O-demethylation of p-nitroanisole could not be demonstrated for potato beetle larvae. Colorado potato beetle resistance was associated with increases in microsomal levels of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase (ca. 2-fold) and NADPH oxidation (1.2-fold). The inability to measure O-demethylation in Colorado potato beetles may have been due to the solubilization of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase during microsomal preparation. Significant differences between resistant and susceptible Colorado potato beetle larvae were not observed in the penetration of [14C]carbaryl. Excretion of the radiocarbon may have been significantly greater in the resistant New Jersey population, but some of the insecticide may have also rubbed off the cuticle. This increased capacity for excretion, combined with increased levels of monooxygenase enzymes, could account for the high resistance level of this population.
Food puzzle for singly caged primates

To enhance environmental complexity for singly caged pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina), we designed a food puzzle to promote foraging. The puzzles, made of clear plastic tubing and loaded with peanuts in the shell, were suspended from linked chains and attached to the fronts of the cages. Animals manipulated the puzzles by reaching through a cage opening. Upon presentation of loaded puzzles, most animals attempted to remove the peanuts. More peanuts were removed within an hour after the puzzle was loaded than at any other time during the day. Young adult animals showed no sex differences in number of peanuts removed and were more proficient than middle-aged animals in removing peanuts during the first hour of testing. Middle-aged females were more proficient than middle-aged males. The food puzzle enhanced the animals' cage environment by providing a goal-oriented activity that they could control. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Development of Logistic Fuel Desulfurizers Endowed With Nanoartifacts

Sulfur content in the logitstic fuels such as diesel, jet fuel and coal poses great challenge, as it leads to severe deactivation and poisioning of the reforming catalysts. The utilization of logistic fuel in high efficiency fuel cells as hydrogen-rich reformates, therefore, necessitates that the sulfur (mostly present as organosulfur species) be either eliminated totally, or its level be reduced below such levels as not to mitigate the long-term sustained performance of the reforming catalysts. Besides, SOFC anodes are also quickly poisoned by sulfur present even in trace amounts (1–2 ppm). Thus, desulfurization becomes an important and integral component in harnessing clean power from these abundunt fuel resources. Recently, we have developed a series of novel sulfur sorbents with agile scavengers dispersed thoroughly and uniformly on lightweight, highly periodic nanoporous biomimetic or zeolitic inert matrices. These formulations have been tested in a range of temperatures for durations ranging from 12 to 100 hours in sulfur-bearing gas streams. In this presentation, their synthesis, characterization (before and after sulfidation) by XRD, SEM/EDS, RBSE imaging, on-line real-time quantification in gas chromatography in conjunction with systematic chemical analyses to gauge their efficacy in sulfur removal will be discussed.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Contextual Interference Effect: Elaborative Processing or Forgetting—Reconstruction? A Post Hoc Analysis of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation—Induced Effects on Motor Learning

The elaborative-processing and forgetting-reconstruction hypotheses are the 2 principal explanations for the contextual interference (CI) effect. The present authors' purpose was to identify which of these 2 hypotheses better accounts for the CI effect. They synchronized single transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) pulses to each intertrial interval to modulate information processing during Blocked and Random Practice conditions. Participants practiced 3 arm tasks with either a Blocked or Random Practice order. The 3 stimulation conditions (No TMS, TMS, Sham TMS) by 2-practice order (Blocked, Random) between-participant design resulted in 6 experimental groups. Without TMS, motor learning increased under Random Practice. With TMS, this learning benefit diminished. These results support the elaborative-processing hypothesis by showing that perturbing information processing, evoked by Random Practice, deteriorates the learning benefit. Unlike the prediction of the forgetting-reconstruction hypothesis, adding perturbation during Blocked Practice did not significantly enhance motor learning.
NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE CHYTRID KARLINGIA ASTEROCYSTA, AN OBLIGATE CHITINOPHILE'

A B S T R A C T The nonfilamentous chytrid, Karlingia asterocysta, has been isolated in pure culture on chitin media and the nutritional requirements of a single-spore clone investigated. The fungus displayed an absolute requirement for chitin or preformed N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. This requirement could only be relieved partially by glucose in the presence of limiting acetyl glucosamine concentrations. Under similar conditions other carbohydrates were not utilized. Sulfate was used as a sulfur source and either nitrate or ammonium ion served as nitrogen sources, though growth was better with amino acids. The organism had a very low phosphate optimum (5 X 10-5 M) and was inhibited by concentrations at or above 1 X 10-3 M. The optimal pH range extended from 6.0 to 7.5 and growth decreased rapidly at higher or lower pH values. Thiamine was required at a very low concentration; only 2 ,g thiamine-HCl/liter were required for optimal growth. In a rich, agitated medium K. asterocysta completed a single growth cycle (i.e., plant generation) in 70 hr at 25 C. KARLINGIA ASTEROCYSTA (Karlingiomyces asterocystis [Karling]; Sparrow, 1960) is a simple, monocentric, nonfilamentous watermold in the order Chytridiales. The strain used for the study
Causes and consequences of inflammation on anemia management in hemodialysis patients

Inflammation is common among hemodialysis patients, and evidence is accumulating to suggest that inflammation is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality. Several factors have been suggested as potential causes of inflammation, including infections and the atherosclerosis process, as well as etiologies directly related to kidney disease such as reduced renal function and dialysis. Among several inflammatory biomarkers investigated, serum C-reactive protein (CRP) is the most widely used. In hemodialysis patients, raised CRP levels have been shown to be predictive of cardiovascular events, hospitalization, and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Elevated CRP levels may correlate with comorbidities and intercurrent events, all of which may impact the response to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) and lead to higher ESA doses. Most dialysis facilities do not routinely measure CRP, despite recommendations by the National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative. Regular measurement of CRP levels may help providers to understand change in ESA dosing and identify patients at risk for cardiovascular events. This review explores the inter-relationships between inflammation, CRP levels, and anemia management in patients receiving hemodialysis.
Propagation of viruses on micropatterned host cells.

We have developed a technique to characterize the in vitro propagation of viruses. Microcontact printing was used to generate linear arrays of alkanethiols on gold surfaces, which served as substrates for the pat- terned culture of baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) cells. Ve- sicular stomatitis virus (VSV) was added to unpatterned cell reservoirs adjacent to the patterned cells and incu- bated, setting in motion a continuously advancing viral infection into the patterned cells. At different incubation times, multiple arrays were chemically fixed to stop the viral propagation. Viral propagation distances into the patterned cells were determined by indirect immunoflu- orescent labeling and visualization of the VSV surface glycoprotein (G). The infection spread at approximately 50 µm/h in the 140-µm lines. Moreover, different tempo- ral stages of the infection process were simultaneously visualized along individual lines. These stages included initiation of infection, based on G protein expression; cell-cell fusion, based on virus-induced clustering of cell nuclei; and cytoskeletal degradation, based on localized release of cells from the surface. This work sets a foun- dation for parallel, high-throughput characterization of viral and cellular processes. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 81: 719-725, 2003.
Security properties of ring brackets

A model is presented for the ring bracket mechanism, and its security properties, particularly in relation to the Bell and La Padula secrecy model and the Biba integrity model, are examined. It is found that if privilege, secrecy, and integrity are related to each other in a natural manner, then: (1) the ring bracket mechanism can be used to enforce either the Bell and La Padula secrecy policy or the Biba integrity policy, but not both in a nontrivial way; (2) the ring bracket mechanism for SCOMP, the Honeywell secure communications processor, cannot be used to enforce either policy in a reasonable way. The ring bracket mechanism for SCOMP satisfies a variant of the Biba integrity policy oriented toward program execution. A ring bracket mechanism similar to that of SCOMP can be reconstructed from a general ring bracket mechanism by requiring the following conditions: (1) program execution version of the Biba integrity policy; (2) reduction of redundancy between execute access mode and call access mode: and (3) consistent privilege. >
Simulation programming languages: an abridged history

Knowing history can be protective; we have all heard that those who do not are doomed to repeat it. Considering one well regarded expert's estimate of 137 simulation programming languages (SPLs) created by 1981, many perhaps have already duplicated the numerous mistakes of their predecessors. History can also be informative, instructive and entertaining as hopefully this abridged and differently focused approach can illustrate. Questions concerning the causes for so many SPLs, the remarkably similar parallel developments, and the role of the SPLs versus programming languages in general might admit to historical answers. At the least, sharing speculations could prove enlightening and amusing.
Threshold for inhibition of Na, K-ATPase by ELF alternating currents

Alternating currents can increase or decrease the ATP-splitting activity of the membrane enzyme Na,K-ATPase. Either change depends on the AC frequency, and the greatest effect appears to be in the ELF range at about 100 Hz. The threshold for enzyme inhibition by AC was determined, and it is estimated to be an internal electric field circa 5 μV/cm. The corresponding current-density threshold approximates 8 nA/cm2. 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Characteristics of High-Resolution Queue Discharge and the Effect on Signal Timing:

It is asserted that minimum green time, passage time, and detection parameters must be considered jointly with traffic flow characteristics from the queue discharge process if efficient signalized intersection operation is to result. Data are presented from the new high-resolution traffic flow data sets produced through the Federal Highway Administration's Next Generation Simulation Model (NGSIM) project to show a fundamentally new way of looking at the queue discharge process. The characteristics of this process are related to a time—distance domain map showing the basic timing parameters and detection zone length. A new way of computing passage time is suggested, based on actual travel speeds through the detection zone area and a clearer relationship between passage time, minimum green time, and detection zone length.
Analyzing static and dynamic write margin for nanometer SRAMs

This paper analyzes write ability for SRAM cells in deeply scaled technologies, focusing on the relationship between static and dynamic write margin metrics. Reliability has become a major concern for SRAM designs in modern technologies. Both local mismatch and scaled VDD degrade read stability and write ability. Several static approaches, including traditional SNM, BL margin, and the N-curve method, can be used to measure static write margin. However, static approaches cannot indicate the impact of dynamic dependencies on cell stability. We propose to analyze dynamic write ability by considering the write operation as a noise event that we analyze using dynamic stability criteria. We also define dynamic write ability as the critical pulse width for a write. By using this dynamic criterion, we evaluate the existing static write margin metrics at normal and scaled supply voltages and assess their limitations. The dynamic write time metric can also be used to improve the accuracy of VCCmin estimation for active VDD scaling designs.
Chemical evaluation of electronic cigarettes

Objective To review the available evidence evaluating the chemicals in refill solutions, cartridges, aerosols and environmental emissions of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). Methods Systematic literature searches were conducted to identify research related to e-cigarettes and chemistry using 5 reference databases and 11 search terms. The search date range was January 2007 to September 2013. The search yielded 36 articles, of which 29 were deemed relevant for analysis. Results The levels of nicotine, tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), aldehydes, metals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), flavours, solvent carriers and tobacco alkaloids in e-cigarette refill solutions, cartridges, aerosols and environmental emissions vary considerably. The delivery of nicotine and the release of TSNAs, aldehydes and metals are not consistent across products. Furthermore, the nicotine level listed on the labels of e-cigarette cartridges and refill solutions is often significantly different from measured values. Phenolic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and drugs have also been reported in e-cigarette refill solutions, cartridges and aerosols. Varying results in particle size distributions of particular matter emissions from e-cigarettes across studies have been observed. Methods applied for the generation and chemical analyses of aerosols differ across studies. Performance characteristics of e-cigarette devices also vary across and within brands. Conclusions Additional studies based on knowledge of e-cigarette user behaviours and scientifically validated aerosol generation and chemical analysis methods would be helpful in generating reliable measures of chemical quantities. This would allow comparisons of e-cigarette aerosol and traditional smoke constituent levels and would inform an evaluation of the toxicity potential of e-cigarettes.
Design study of a high-resolution breast-dedicated PET system built from cadmium zinc telluride detectors

We studied the performance of a dual-panel positron emission tomography (PET) camera dedicated to breast cancer imaging using Monte Carlo simulation. The proposed system consists of two 4 cm thick 12 × 15 cm2 area cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) panels with adjustable separation, which can be put in close proximity to the breast and/or axillary nodes. Unique characteristics distinguishing the proposed system from previous efforts in breast-dedicated PET instrumentation are the deployment of CZT detectors with superior spatial and energy resolution, using a cross-strip electrode readout scheme to enable 3D positioning of individual photon interaction coordinates in the CZT, which includes directly measured photon depth-of-interaction (DOI), and arranging the detector slabs edge-on with respect to incoming 511 keV photons for high photon sensitivity. The simulation results show that the proposed CZT dual-panel PET system is able to achieve superior performance in terms of photon sensitivity, noise equivalent count rate, spatial resolution and lesion visualization. The proposed system is expected to achieve ~32% photon sensitivity for a point source at the center and a 4 cm panel separation. For a simplified breast phantom adjacent to heart and torso compartments, the peak noise equivalent count (NEC) rate is predicted to be ~94.2 kcts s−1 (breast volume: 720 cm3 and activity concentration: 3.7 kBq cm−3) for a ~10% energy window around 511 keV and ~8 ns coincidence time window. The system achieves 1 mm intrinsic spatial resolution anywhere between the two panels with a 4 cm panel separation if the detectors have DOI resolution less than 2 mm. For a 3 mm DOI resolution, the system exhibits excellent sphere resolution uniformity (σrms/mean) ≤ 10%) across a 4 cm width FOV. Simulation results indicate that the system exhibits superior hot sphere visualization and is expected to visualize 2 mm diameter spheres with a 5:1 activity concentration ratio within roughly 7 min imaging time. Furthermore, we observe that the degree of spatial resolution degradation along the direction orthogonal to the two panels that is typical of a limited angle tomography configuration is mitigated by having high-resolution DOI capabilities that enable more accurate positioning of oblique response lines.
Patients with mild Alzheimer's disease attribute conceptual fluency to prior experience

Patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have been found to be relatively dependent on familiarity in their recognition memory judgments. Conceptual fluency has been argued to be an important basis of familiarity. This study investigated the extent to which patients with mild AD use conceptual fluency cues in their recognition decisions. While no evidence of recognition memory was found in the patients with AD, enhanced conceptual fluency was associated with a higher rate of “Old” responses (items endorsed as having been studied) compared to when fluency was not enhanced. The magnitude of this effect was similar for patients with AD and healthy control participants. Additionally, ERP recordings time-locked to test item presentation revealed preserved modulations thought critical to the effect of conceptual fluency on test performance (N400 and late frontal components) in the patients with AD, consistent with the behavioral results. These findings suggest that patients with mild AD are able to use conceptual fluency in their recognition judgments and the neural mechanisms supporting such processing is maintained. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Infotropism: living and robotic plants as interactive displays

Designers often borrow from the natural world to achieve pleasing, unobtrusive designs. We have extended this practice by combining living plants with sensors and lights in an interactive display, and by creating a robotic analogue that mimics phototropic behavior. In this paper, we document our design process and report the results of a 2-week field study. We put our living plant display, and its robotic counterpart, in a cafeteria between pairs of trash and recycling containers. Contributions of recyclables or trash triggered directional bursts of light that gradually induced the plant displays to lean toward the more active container. In interviews, people offered explanations for the displays and spoke of caring for the plants. A marginally significant increase in recycling behavior (p=.08) occurred at the display with living plants. Apparent increases also occurred at the robotic display and a unit with only lights. Our findings indicate value in exploring the use of living material and biomimetic forms in displays, and in using lightweight robotics to deliver simple rewards.
Uranium abundances and distribution in associated glassy and crystalline rhyolites of the western United States

The abundance and distribution of uranium have been determined in 11 units of rhyolitic lava and ash-flow tuff of calc-alkaline and transitional composition from the western United States in order to further evaluate the potential of rhyolitic glass as a source of uranium ores. Samples consist of coexisting obsidians, perlites, and felsites that range in age from Pleistocene to Oligocene. Uranium abundances in analyzed obsidians are 5 to 46 ppM. Obsidians and coexisting perlites have identical (+-5 percent) uranium concentrations, which confirms that little or no uranium is lost during hydration. Felsites show uranium depletions as high as 80 percent relative to coexisting obsidians and perlites. Combination of this data with the results of earlier work on peralkaline rhyolites indicates that uranium depletion seems to increase with age, with different rates of depletion for calc-alkaline (slowest) and peralkaline (fastest) compositions. Uranium distribution is homogeneous in obsidians, perlites, and spherulites, but inhomogeneous in felsites. Electron microprobe analyses of the least-depleted felsites indicate that uranium is associated with concentrations of Fe--Ti--Mn oxides or is in accompanying accessory minerals. Secondary Fe--Mn oxides in older, depleted felsites are uranium-bearing, especially along fractures or flow layers. Uranium loss from felsites seems to be largely controlledmore » by low-temperature solution over long time periods, with some precipitation in secondary phases.« less
Low target prevalence is a stubborn source of errors in visual search tasks

In visual search tasks, observers look for targets in displays containing distractors. Likelihood that targets will be missed varies with target prevalence, the frequency with which targets are presented across trials. Miss error rates are much higher at low target prevalence (1%-2%) than at high prevalence (50%). Unfortunately, low prevalence is characteristic of important search tasks such as airport security and medical screening where miss errors are dangerous. A series of experiments show this prevalence effect is very robust. In signal detection terms, the prevalence effect can be explained as a criterion shift and not a change in sensitivity. Several efforts to induce observers to adopt a better criterion fail. However, a regime of brief retraining periods with high prevalence and full feedback allows observers to hold a good criterion during periods of low prevalence with no feedback.
MOTOR VEHICLE OCCUPANT INJURIES IN NONCRASH EVENTS

Data on injuries sustained by child occupants in motor vehicles occurring in noncrash events are generally unrecorded. This study was undertaken to ascertain the occurrence of medically confirmed injuries sustained by child occupants in motor vehicles as a result of noncrash events. Seventy-nine children were seen in the emergency room for evaluation of injuries that they incurred as occupants in motor vehicle incidents over a period of 18 months. The majority of injuries occurred in crash events. However, 18 (23%) were injured in noncrash events. These events included sudden stops, swerves, turns, and movement of an unrestrained child within the vehicle. The mechanism of injury was either ejection from the vehicle or impact with an interior area of the vehicle. In five of the 18 cases safety restraint use could not be established. Of the 13 cases in which information was obtained, no child was restrained. Although the injuries were predominantly minor (Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) 1), two children sustained moderate injury (AIS 2), and one child sustained severe injury (AIS 3). These results need to be confirmed by a larger study and if confirmed, the additional hazard of injury from noncrash events should be incorporated into health education messages that currently place primary emphasis on the potential for injury in crash events.
Large-scale sources of neural stem cells

Large-scale sources of neural stem cells are crucial for both basic research and novel approaches toward treating neurological disorders. Three sources that produce neural cells closely resembling their normal counterparts are now available: oncogene immortalized stem cells, neurospheres, and embryonic stem cell (ES)-derived neural cells. Cells including multiple subtypes of CNS and PNS neurons, as well as oligodendrocytes, Schwann cells, and astrocytes, are modeled by these large-scale sources. Although most cell lines were originally from rodents, their human counterparts are being discovered and characterized.
Time Used for Household Work A Study of School-Age Children from Single-Parent, Two-Parent, One-Earner, and Two-Earner Families

The purpose of this study was to compare the time-use of school-age children in single-parent/one-earner, two-parent/one-earner, and two-parent/two-earner families to determine whether or not there were differences in actual and relative amounts of time used for household work. The sample consisted of 170 households with school-age children. Two instruments were used: a time use chart and a nine-page survey questionnaire. Findings were that employment of the homemaker did not appear to contribute to differences in children's actual time spent on individual household tasks, but it did seem to contribute to differences in the children's share of the total work load. When total time for all tasks was compared, children in two-parent families were found to spend less actual and relative amounts of time on all household work than children in single-parent families. It was concluded that while children from single-parent families spent only a little more actual time than children from two-parent families on ind...
Multi-track low-loss SAW tags with flexible impedance matching for passive wireless sensor applications

This paper presents recent results on a NASA program to build a low-loss, multi-sensor, SAW temperature sensor system. Multi-track CDMA tags have been previously studied, which helps to balance the tag reflectivity from chip-to- chip. Normally the IDT's beam extends over all tracks and the bandwidth is the same for all tracks, and there is no significant advantage over a single-track using this approach. Wideband tags using orthogonal frequency coding (OFC) can use multi-frequency chips subdivided into multi-tracks with low loss operation. Each track has one or more chips, with each chip having a different chip frequency. The track-transducer is then designed to operate only over the required frequency bands; making each non-interacting track low loss. The overall transducer embodiment is now tailored for optimum performance for loss, coding and chip reflectivity. If all tracks are electrically in parallel, the overall transducer Q remains the same as a short wideband IDT, but the electrical reflection coefficient is chosen for minimum loss or matching. Measured parallel track OFC S 11 response was measured where the reflection coefficient is nearly optimized for minimum unmatched loss. In comparison, for a short wideband transducer of equivalent bandwidth, the reflection coefficient is close to unity with large unmatched loss.
Student Research in an Introductory Psychology Course: Outcomes of Two Experiential Learning Projects and Implications for Instruction of Human Subjects Research

The present study describes student learning and pe rsonal outcomes associated with learning research methods in introductory psycholog y, via one of two semester-long projects: one involving performing naturalistic observ ation of the behavior of community members, and the other involving performing a 60-minute interview of local veterans regarding a psychological concept (incorporating feat ures of service-learning). Both projects taught the same basic research concepts. Amo ng students completing the observational project ( n = 38), strong Time 1 scores on a research methods quiz declined slightly by Time 2 assessment; interest in aggregating and i nterpreting data declined; and personal attitudes about community service did not cha nge over the course of the semester. Among students completing the service-learning proj ect ( n = 41), quiz scores and interest in research did not change, and attitudes about com munity service changed in some ways over time (depending on student age). It is conclu ded that encouraging original scholarly inquiry among introductory-level students can have various academic and personal benefits to students, but that service-learning element s in such projects may increase their attractiveness to students. Limitations and recommen dations for future research are discussed.
Annual Research Review: Discovery science strategies in studies of the pathophysiology of child and adolescent psychiatric disorders - promises and limitations

Background and Scope Psychiatric science remains descriptive, with a categorical nosology intended to enhance interobserver reliability. Increased awareness of the mismatch between categorical classifications and the complexity of biological systems drives the search for novel frameworks including discovery science in Big Data. In this review, we provide an overview of incipient approaches, primarily focused on classically categorical diagnoses such as schizophrenia (SZ), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but also reference convincing, if focal, advances in cancer biology, to describe the challenges of Big Data and discovery science, and outline approaches being formulated to overcome existing obstacles. Findings A paradigm shift from categorical diagnoses to a domain/structure-based nosology and from linear causal chains to complex causal network models of brain–behavior relationship is ongoing. This (r)evolution involves appreciating the complexity, dimensionality, and heterogeneity of neuropsychiatric data collected from multiple sources (‘broad’ data) along with data obtained at multiple levels of analysis, ranging from genes to molecules, cells, circuits, and behaviors (‘deep’ data). Both of these types of Big Data landscapes require the use and development of robust and powerful informatics and statistical approaches. Thus, we describe Big Data analysis pipelines and the promise and potential limitations in using Big Data approaches to study psychiatric disorders. Conclusion We highlight key resources available for psychopathological studies and call for the application and development of Big Data approaches to dissect the causes and mechanisms of neuropsychiatric disorders and identify corresponding biomarkers for early diagnosis.
Flourishing via Workplace Relationships: Moving Beyond Instrumental Support

In a series of qualitative and quantitative studies, we developed a model of the functions of positive work relationships, with an explicit focus on the role that these relationships play in employ...
An intelligent tutoring framework for simulation-based training

Truly generic, reusable intelligent tutoring software frameworks remain elusive. As part of our effort to develop ITSs for simulations, a software framework with minimal dependencies on domain specifics has emerged. Herein, we describe this framework, its functionality, components, configurability, and use of natural language generation.
Navier-Stokes Modeling of Gas Flows in a De-Laval Micronozzle

A numerical study has been conducted to understand the gas flows in a De-Laval micronozzles using 2D continuum axisymmetric model, which solves the governing equations by a control volume method. The numerical model was validated with existing experimental data employing slip and no-slip boundary conditions at the wall. The numerical results showed good agreement with experimental data on exit thrust values except at low Reynolds number. For parametric studies on the effect of geometric scaling, the nozzle throat diameter was scaled from 10 mm to 0.1 mm and the throat Reynolds number was varied from 5 to 100. A correlation was developed to predict the specific impulse for any given throat diameter and throat Reynolds number. To understand the effect of chemical propellants on nozzle performance, propellants like helium, nitrogen, argon and carbon dioxide were selected for simulations at throat diameter equal to 0.1, 1 and 10 mm respectively for Rethroat varying from 5 to 2000.
A Nitrate Ester of Sedative Alkyl Alcohol Improves Muscle Function and Structure in a Murine Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Nitric oxide (NO) has major physiological and cellular effects on muscle growth, repair, and function. In most muscle biopsies from humans with myopathies, sarcolemma-localized neuronal nitric oxid...
The Grand Deception: Post-Soviet Russia and the Wars in the Former Yugoslavia

It has long been widely assumed that Russia has been an ally of the Serbs and that it was in particular an anti-Western supporter of Belgrade during the wars of the 1990s. In fact, Russia, in cahoots with the Western powers and NATO, played a game of deception to make it appear that it was ‘anti-Serbian’ when in reality it acted as ‘errand boy’ in order to fulfill the West's objectives in the former Yugoslavia.
Expressions of ICOS and trascription factors on mononucleatex cells in neonatal cord blood induced by house dust mites

To investigate the effects of house dust mites on the percentage of CD3+ICOS+ cells and the expression levels of transcription factors T-bet,GATA-3 and Foxp3 mRNA and cytokines IL-4,IL-10 and IFN-γ in the culture supernatants of mononucleatex cells in neonatal cord blood and adult peripheral blood,the percentages of CD3+ICOS+ cells from neonatal cord blood and adult peripheral blood before and after stimulations with PHA and house dust mite antigen were determined by flow cytometery,the expression levels of T-bet,GATA-3 and Foxp3 mRNA were analysed by RT-PCR assay and the levels of IL-4,IL-10 and IFN-γ in the culture supernatants were assayed with ELISA.It was demonstrated that the percentage of CD3+ICOS+ cells in neonatal cord blood was significantly reduced after stimulation with PHA in comparision with that before stimulation(P0.05),and the levels of T-bet and Foxp3 mRNA in neonatal cord blood were significantly elevated in comaprison with that before stimulation(P0.01)respectively.High dose of house dust mite antigen augumented the secretion of IFN-γ before PHA stimulation(P0.01),but decreasex the secretion of IL-10 after PHA stimulation(P0.01).It is concluded that the effect induced by high dose of house dust mite antigen on mononucleatex cells in neonatal cord blood is stronger than on adult peripheral blood. In addition,this antigen can down-regulate the expression of CD3+ICOS+ cells,up-regulate the expression of T-bet mRNA,increase the secretion of IFN-γ before PHA stimulation and decrease the secretion of IL-10 after PHA stimulation,thus inducing a Th1 response in neonatal cord blood.