cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multimodal Trajectory Analysis of Visitor Engagement with Interactive Science Museum Exhibits

Recent years have seen a growing interest in investigating visitor engagement in science museums with multimodal learning analytics. Visitor engagement is a multidimensional process that unfolds temporally over the course of a museum visit. In this paper, we introduce a multimodal trajectory analysis framework for modeling visitor engagement with an interactive science exhibit for environmental sustainability. We investigate trajectories of multimodal data captured during visitor interactions with the exhibit through slope-based time series analysis. Utilizing the slopes of the time series representations for each multimodal data channel, we conduct an ablation study to investigate how additional modalities lead to improved accuracy while modeling visitor engagement. We are able to enhance visitor engagement models by accounting for varying levels of visitors’ science fascination, a construct integrating science interest, curiosity, and mastery goals. The results suggest that trajectory-based representations of the multimodal visitor data can serve as the foundation for visitor engagement modeling to enhance museum learning experiences.
Student-Initiated Human Factors Research at Michigan: A Guide for Research on a Shoestring

This paper describes how and why an undergraduate student might go about conducting an independent research project, citing a study conducted by the authors as an example. Specifically, this paper discusses the benefits of such an effort, how to find an advisor, what might be expected of a student, and how long it might take. For each of these issues, likely problems are discussed as well as possible solutions. Based upon their experience, the authors believe that the critical factors are the perseverance of the student and advisor, and the quality of the project planning.
Macular pigment optical density before and after cataract extraction

PURPOSE. Psychophysical methods of measuring macular pigment (MP) use comparisons of short- and midwave light in the fovea and parafovea to derive optical density estimates. This light must pass through the crystalline lens before absorption by the MPs can occur. The effect of lens absorption on these measures has not been adequately determined. The present study assesses the influence of lens absorption on MP measurements by comparing MP optical density (MPOD) measured before and after cataract extraction. METHODS. MPOD was measured using flicker photometry in free view at 458 nm with a 1° stimulus. Twenty-nine eyes from 24 patients with cataracts sufficiently severe to require cataract extraction were evaluated. RESULTS. In the entire group of 24 patients, the mean (6SD) age measured 68.7 6 9.5 years, and the mean MPOD measured 0.19 6 0.11. For all 29 eyes measured, MPOD averaged 0.206 6 0.13 before and 0.18 6 0.12 after cataract extraction. MPOD measurements at the two time points (mean 8.1 6 4.7 weeks after surgery) were highly correlated (r 51 0.58), suggesting that a cataractous lens does not influence the MP measurement technique. CONCLUSIONS. Psychophysical techniques can be used to obtain reliable measurements of MP in elderly subjects, even in those with cataracts. Moreover, differences in retinal illuminance due to varying opaqueness of the crystalline lens do not seem to have a measurable influence on MPOD. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2001;42:1338 ‐1341)
Sustaining dietary ketosis to improve blood flow and wound healing in young and aged Fisher rats (734.7)

Increasing evidence shows that limited energy and nutrient exchange is associated with age-related impairment of wound healing. Ketone bodies, including β-Hydroxybutyrate (βHB), are naturally occur...
Perceptions of the US National Tobacco Quitline Among Adolescents and Adults: A Qualitative Study, 2012-2013.

Introduction Tobacco quitlines are critical components of comprehensive tobacco control programs. However, use of the US National Tobacco Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW) is low. Promoting quitlines on cigarette warning labels may increase call volume and smoking cessation rates but only if smokers are aware of, and receptive to, quitline services. Methods We conducted qualitative interviews with a diverse subset (n = 159) of adolescent (14-17 y) and adult (≥18 y) participants of a larger quantitative survey about graphic cigarette warning labels (N = 1,590). A convenience sample was recruited from schools and community organizations in 6 states. Interviews lasted 30 to 45 minutes and included questions to assess basic knowledge and perceptions of the quitline number printed on the warning labels. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Results Four themes were identified: available services, caller characteristics, quitline service provider characteristics, and logistics. Participants were generally knowledgeable about quitline services, including the provision of telephone-based counseling. However, some adolescents believed that quitlines provide referrals to "rehab." Quitline callers are perceived as highly motivated - even desperate - to quit. Few smokers were interested in calling the quitline, but some indicated that they might call if they were unable to quit independently. It was generally recognized that quitline services are or should be free, confidential, and operated by governmental or nonprofit agencies, possibly using tobacco settlement funds. Conclusion Future marketing efforts should raise awareness of the nature and benefits of quitline services to increase use of these services and, consequently, reduce tobacco use, improve public health, and reduce tobacco-related health disparities.
Purification, Characterization, and Attempts at Isotopic Labeling of Mouse Interferon

Abstract Under optimal conditions which minimized the accumulation of extraneous proteins, interferon preparations were obtained in L cells containing from 2 × 104 to 5 × 104 units/mg of protein. The radiolabeled proteins were liberated simultaneously with interferon from cultures exposed to tritiated amino acids after viral stimulation and from corresponding controls, and were subsequently purified with the following results. Chromatography of interferon on carboxymethyl-Sephadex C-25 eliminated selectively unlabeled or poorly labeled proteins, resulting in a greater than sixfold increase in counts per minute per milligram of protein. Similarly purified control material harbored at least 12 times less tritium per milligram of protein than interferon, and the label was more diversely distributed among proteins of different molecular weights. On electrophoresis of interferon in polyacrylamide gels, labeled proteins were reduced further by a factor of at least 10 without loss in titer. Final purification was estimated at greater than 280-fold, representing a calculated specific activity of at least 1.4 × 107 units of interferon per milligram of protein.
Regulation of Rat Liver Branched-Chain α-Keto Acid Dehydrogenase Activity by Meal Frequency and Dietary Protein

Effects of feeding frequency on liver branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKAD) activity are unknown. In the present study, rats were trained to consume their daily allotment of food in 6 h (meal-feeding). Rats were fed diets containing 0, 9, 25 or 50% casein and after 10 d were killed before or 3 h after the meal. The enzyme in rats fed diets containing 0, 9 and 25% casein was activated three- to sixfold after meal consumption. Previous studies showed that the liver enzyme is essentially fully activated in post-absorptive rats fed an adequate protein diet ad libitum. Meal-feeding an adequate protein (25% casein) diet resulted in a marked decrease in the postabsorptive percentage of active complex compared to ad libitum feeding of the same diet (29 +/- 6% vs. 93 +/- 6% active). Administration of alpha-ketoisocaproate (200 mumol/100 g body weight, an inhibitor of BCKAD kinase) reversed the meal-feeding-induced inactivation of the complex within 10 min. We conclude that the frequency of food intake, in addition to the level of dietary protein, influences the proportion of liver BCKAD in the active state. Inactivation of hepatic BCKAD in rats trained to feed once a day may be an adaptive mechanism that results in increased efficiency of branched-chain amino acid utilization between meals.
Evaluation of pulse detonation engine modeling using laser-based temperature and OH concentration measurements

Abstract Two novel, laser-based sensors employing ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths are developed and applied to measure time-resolved temperature and OH concentration in a pulse detonation tube. These results, along with pressure data, are employed to evaluate two computational simulations utilizing different chemistry and heat transfer models to predict pulse detonation engine (PDE) flowfields. The first sensor applies 266 and 306 nm UV laser absorption to infer temperature from 2000 to 4000 K because of broadband CO 2 absorption. These results represent the first thermometry based on line-of-sight, cw UV laser absorption by CO 2 . The second sensor utilizes a single 306 nm UV laser to probe an individual OH absorption feature. Time-resolved OH concentration is inferred from the measured absorption, temperature, and pressure. These two sensors provide microsecond time-resolved measurements, over a dynamic range of temperatures and pressures (2000–4000 K and 0.5–30 atm), of two important parameters needed for evaluation of PDE computational models. The first computational model evaluated utilizes a frozen gas composition assumption; the second model incorporates finite-rate chemistry and includes losses due to heat transfer and friction. The results show that the frozen gas composition simulation can successfully predict temperature and pressure profiles, although the agreement is artificial in that inclusion of heat transfer effects would negate this agreement. The simulation including finite-rate chemistry and no heat transfer overpredicts the measured temperature and OH concentration. However, with the proper inclusion of losses due to heat transfer, the finite-rate chemistry code accurately predicts all three measured parameters. We conclude that both finite-rate chemistry and heat transfer are important for correct modeling of PDE flowfields.
A PGC-1α-O-GlcNAc Transferase Complex Regulates FoxO Transcription Factor Activity in Response to Glucose

Metabolic and stress response gene regulation is crucial for the survival of an organism to a changing environment. Three key molecules that sense nutrients and broadly affect gene expression are the FoxO transcription factors, the transcriptional co-activator PGC-1α, and the dynamic post-translational modification, O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc). Here we identify novel post-translational modifications of PGC-1α, including O-GlcNAc, and describe a novel mechanism for how PGC-1α co-activates transcription by FoxOs. In liver, in cultured cells, and in vitro with recombinant proteins, PGC-1α binds to O-GlcNAc transferase and targets the enzyme to FoxOs, resulting in their increased GlcNAcylation and increased transcriptional activity. Furthermore, glucose-enhanced activation of FoxO1 occurs via this PGC-1α-O-GlcNAc transferase-mediated GlcNAcylation. Therefore, one mechanism by which PGC-1α can serve as a co-activator of transcription is by targeting the O-GlcNAc transferase to increase GlcNAcylation of specific transcription factors important to nutrient/stress sensing and energy metabolism.
Protection of ischemic myocardium from metabolic products.

Myocardial ischemia results in two major alterations in cellular metabolism that eventually may affect every cellular function. The primary and major alteration is a decrease in oxidative production of ATP and consequently a decrease in all ATP dependent processes as cellular ATP declines to very low levels. The second alteration is accumulation of metabolic products secondary to both decreased coronary flow (washout) and decreased oxidative metabolism. High levels of metabolic products result in inhibition of several enzymatic reactions. Glycolytic inhibition by high NADH results in the loss of anaerobic ATP production. Inhibition of β-oxidation by high levels of NADH and FADH2 results in a accumulation of long-chain acyl CoA and acylcarnitine esters and free fatty acids. These compounds are very active detergents and may alter several membrane functions such as Na+ K+ ATPase, and sarcoplasmic reticular, Ca++-stimulated ATPase. Inaddition, the structure and function of mitochondria may be disrupted. Long-chain acyl CoA is an effective inhibitor of lipolysis which may contribute to triglyceride accumulation in ischemic hearts. It is well known that K+ arrest and hypothermia prevents many of the detrimental effects of ischemia. Tissue levels of high energy phosphates and the ability of the heart to recover mechanical function with reperfusion are preserved for much longer periods during hypothermic than during normothermic, hypoxic arrest. Other metabolic consequences of hypothermia and K+ arrest were studied in isolated rat hearts. Hypothermia (10°C) without ischemia completely inhibited glycolysis and reduced fatty acid oxidation to about 7% of the normothermic rate. This suggests that attempts to improve energy production by ischemic tissue during hypothermia will not be successful. Hypothermia (10°C) with ischemia not only preserved ATP levels but reduced tissue levels of lactate, acyl CoA and acylcarnitine and increased tissue glycogen. These observations suggest that hypothermia decreases energy production to the same extent as energy utilization and tissue stores of high-energy phosphates are preserved. In addition, the lack of accumulation of metabolic products decreases the potential for damage to membranes and metabolic pathways. Low levels of lactate and NADH coupled with high levels of glycogen provides a condition for rapid glycolytic rates with reperfusion and rewarming.
Atomic fluorescence spectroscopy of beryllium

Abstract The atomic fluorescence of beryllium has been observed. A high-intensity beryllium hollow-cathode lamp was used as the source. Oxy-acetylene and nitrous oxide-acetylene flames were studied. A newly designed burner assembly for nitrous oxide-acetylene flames used for atomic fluorescence studies is described. The sensitivity for beryllium at 2349 A was 10 p.p.m. in the oxy-acetylene flame and 0.5 p.p.m. in the nitrous oxide-acetylene flame. The analytical calibration curves for both flames are presented. No significant interference was found from the cations studied. Some anionic interferences were removed by EDTA. The effects of some organic solvents were investigated.
Targeting the mechanisms of tumoral immune tolerance with small-molecule inhibitors

Cancer immunotherapy has been predominantly focused on biologically based intervention strategies. However, recent advances in the understanding of tumour-host interactions at the molecular level have revealed targets that might be amenable to intervention with small-molecule inhibitors. In particular, key effectors of tumoral immune escape have been identified that contribute to a dominant toleragenic state that is suspected of limiting the successful implementation of treatment strategies that rely on boosting immune function. Within the context of the pathophysiology of cancer-associated immune tolerance, this Review delineates potential molecular targets for therapeutic intervention and the progress that has been made in developing small-molecule inhibitors.
Laser-excited fluorescence detection of SiH2 produced in IR MPD of organosilanes

Abstract SiH 2 has been identified as a photolysis product in the infrared multiple-photon dissociation of RSiH 3 (R = n -butyl, phenyl), arising from secondary IR MPD of the silane produced in the initial four-center elimination step. The radiative lifetimes of Ā 1 B 1 levels show a strong rotational-state dependence.
Borges and Company: The Corporate Body in ‘La lotería en Babilonia’

It is often alleged that Borges is a politically unsophisticated writer. While there may be a grain of truth to this claim, it is none the less the case that some of his individual texts lend themselves to politically nuanced readings. In the present study I develop just such an interpretation of ‘La loteria en Babilonia’, arguing that the text gains immeasurably when read against not only its material backdrop in historical Babylon, but against recent developments in political theory. Indeed, I suggest that we may in a sense regard Borges as an able interlocutor of figures such as Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri as we read his story as a kind of allegory of the evolution of Empire and its relation to the workings of chance.
Genetic Dissection of Acute Ethanol Responsive Gene Networks in Prefrontal Cortex: Functional and Mechanistic Implications

Background Individual differences in initial sensitivity to ethanol are strongly related to the heritable risk of alcoholism in humans. To elucidate key molecular networks that modulate ethanol sensitivity we performed the first systems genetics analysis of ethanol-responsive gene expression in brain regions of the mesocorticolimbic reward circuit (prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, and ventral midbrain) across a highly diverse family of 27 isogenic mouse strains (BXD panel) before and after treatment with ethanol.
Automation technologies for the industrialized housing manufacturing industry

Abstract Automation technologies are widespread within many manufacturing sectors today. It is widely accepted that some of these technologies can be implemented in the industrialized housing industry. The efficiency and productivity of this industry can be improved by employing existing as well as emerging automation technologies available on the market today. This paper presents current technologies already being used in other areas of construction as well as those under research and development. Finally, a concept for the 21st century industrialized housing manufacturing facility is presented, depicting advanced automation and information technologies including computer aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM), material requirements planning (MRP), automated material handling and control systems. In addition, a conceptual layout of this facility is presented.
The mechanics of vertical moving liquid-liquid fluidized systems: II. Countercurrent flow

In a previous publication it has been shown that for the case of liquid droplets moving through a second quiescent liquid the holdup vs. slip-velocity ratio could be predicted on the basis of analogous rigid sphere fluidization data. The present paper extends these results to cover the countercurrent flow of both liquid phases. As long as the system is operated below the flooding point, the behavior of the spray column can be predicted from the corresponding solids fluidized data.
Burkitt's and Other Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas in Adults Exposed to a Visitor from Africa

DISEASE clustering, the occurrence of cases that are close together in time and space, is often believed to suggest an infectious cause.1 , 2 Despite numerous anecdotal reports of cancer clusters, Burkitt's lymphoma is the only human cancer for which there is clear-cut statistical evidence of time—space clustering.2 3 4 In general, reports of cancer clusters are uninformative, since most cancers have long, variable, or unknown latency periods between etiologic exposure and manifestation of the disease.2 , 4 , 5 A typical reported cluster is characterized by proximity in the time of diagnosis and in the residence of patients at diagnosis. However, the etiologic exposure may have occurred . . .
Sequence-space selection of cooperative model proteins

We introduce a cooperative lattice model to account for specific many-body effects in protein folding. Cooperativity arises as local solvent environments are determined by the large-scale organization of the chain. In contrast to an uncorrelated lattice, a selection pressure in sequence space arises: foldable sequences endowed with sharp equilibrium conformation ensembles are scarce, indicating that a few sequences are able to exclude the solvent where it matters to warrant the integrity of the structures they form in solution.
Theory of high-pressure phases of hydrogen.

The electronic structure and enthalpy are calculated as a function of pressure for several phases of molecular and metallic hydrogen. For the molecular solid we offer an alternative interpretation of the recently observed transition at 1.5 Mbar. For the intermediate-pressure range from 3.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5 to 8.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1 Mbar, the most stable structures have low coordination numbers and are anisotropic. Among them a metallic filamentary primitive hexagonal phase is particularly stable. For higher pressures, the bcc structure is the most stable.
Adaptive Solid Lubricant Transfer Films for Conductivity and Oxidation Control

The success of solid lubricants to exhibit ultra-low friction and wear behaviors in oil-prohibiting environments, has led to a major effort to optimize their performance and enhance their applicability. Depending on the operating conditions, solid lubricants may take on a plethora of forms including fabricated composite coatings, thick-film powder lubricants, nano-particle additives for hard surfaces or liquid lubricants, and self-replenishing transfer films. One of the benefits of transfer films are their freedom from the complex deposition techniques required for most other solid lubricant systems. In this work, the potential for adaptive self-replenishing transfer films was explored by creating composite powders of well-known powder lubricants and electrically conductive or anti-oxidation materials. MoS2, WS2, and Graphite Powders were mixed in varying composition with Cu, Sb2O3, and BO3 additives and compacted to form “tuned” or adaptive powder pellets. Relationships between friction, wear, electrical resistance, tribo-induced oxidation and powder composition, will be presented in order to investigate the potential of composite property optimization for lubricious, highly conductive, and oxidation resistant transfer films.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Structure of nonasymptotic stability sets of families of linear differential systems with a multiplying parameter

We consider families of linear differential systems depending on a real parameter that occurs only as a factor multiplying the matrix of the system. The stability (respectively, asymptotic stability) set of such a family is defined as the set of parameter values for which the corresponding systems in the family are stable (respectively, asymptotically stable). We show that a pair (P,Q) of sets on the real line is a pair consisting of the stability set P and the asymptotic stability set Q of some family if and only if the following conditions are satisfied: 0 ∈ P; if Q ≠ ∅, then P and Q are Fσ- and Fσδ-sets, respectively, lie on one of the closed rays issuing from zero, and satisfy Q ⊂ P\{0}; if Q = ∅, then P is an Fσ-set on the real line. In addition, for any pair (P,Q) of sets with these properties, the coefficient matrix of a family with multiplying parameter whose stability and asymptotic stability sets coincide with P and Q, respectively, can be chosen to be infinitely differentiable and uniformly bounded on the time half-line. The same problem of complete description of pairs consisting of stability and asymptotic stability sets is also solved for general one-parameter families of linear differential systems whose solutions continuously depend on a parameter.
The use of the Jew in West Indian novels

(1986). The use of the Jew in West Indian novels. World Literature Written in English: Vol. 26, No. 1, pp. 150-169.
Vetancurt's Nahuatl Primer

Dauster explores "Arte de lengua mexicana" (1673) of Father Augustin de Vetancurt, a systematic grammar of Nahuatl, the language spoken by the Aztecs, and related to those languages spoken across most of northern Mexico and a large part of the southwestern United States.
Countercultural Values at a Catholic University.

The end of the 60's witnessed the growth of a “youth counterculture” manifested in alternative life styles and political protests. Although the actual participants may have been a minority, the influence of this minority has extended to a wide sector of youth. This study shows that “countercultural” values have diffused from affluent middle-class students at “prestige” universities to “lower-middle” class students at a Catholic university. In the sample, variables such as parental income and education did not act as antecedents; rather, parent-child conflict seems to have reduced the degree of identification with parental values and created subsequent predisposition for alternative values regarding politics, work, religion, and life style. Espousal of countercultural values by “ethnic Catholics” may be the final stage of acculturation in America.
Enzymatic formation of a photoresponsive supramolecular hydrogel

This paper reports the first example of the use of an enzymatic reaction to generate a photoresponsive hydrogelator, which represents a convenient route to expand the scope of optically controlled molecular self-assembly in water.
Solar System: Ring in the new

Planets are no longer the only Solar System bodies sporting ring systems. Two dense rings have been detected encircling a Centaur object — a relatively small, icy interloper from the distant reaches of the Solar System. See Letter p.72 Observations of a stellar occultation by (10199) Chariklo, a Centaur-class outer-system asteroid orbiting between Saturn and Uranus, reveal that it has a ring system, a feature previously observed only for the four giant planets. Chariklo, with a diameter of about 250 km, has two narrow and dense rings separated by a small gap, probably due to the presence of a (yet-to-be-found) kilometre-sized satellite. The discovery of these rings raises questions about the formation and dynamical evolution of planetary rings. For one thing, it seems likely that planetary rings are much more common than previously thought.
Earth limb infrared clutter model from measurements

ABSTRACT Mid-Course Space Experiment (MSX) infrared (IR) observations in the earth limb were used to obtain spatial power spectral densities (PSDs) for five sensor bands over a wide range of earth limb background clutter conditions. These backgrounds include daytime, nighttime, terminator, aurora, polar mesospheric cloud, atmospheric gravity wave, stratospheric warming, airglow, and other observations collected over approximately 100 episodic data collection events. Using a subset of detectors and restric ting detector tangent altitude variations, a total of more than 33,000 high-quality PSDs were generated. For infrared detection of unresolved objects where the solid angle of the object is much smaller than the instantaneous field-of-view of a sensor element, the spectral component at high spatial frequencies is a critical metric. PSDs were therefore constructed in the spatial dom ain using one minute data segments, which allowed spatial scale assessment from 0.01-10 cycles/km. PSDs that met the clutter model selection criteria were identified, accumulated, and processed to obtain a small set of empirical, altitude-based model parameters. We describe the MSX sensor bands, data and data processing employed for PSD generation and final reduction to obtain model parameters. Key model features are discussed with emphasis on object detection against stressing limb backgrounds. The model was constructed in a way that facilitates optical design and system engineering application. In particular, it may be used to address Space Situational Awareness (SSA) questions. Keywords: clutter model, power spectral densities, infrared, Midcourse Space Experiment, MSX
Strain-dependent high-level expression of a transgene for manganese superoxide dismutase is associated with growth retardation and decreased fertility.

Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is essential in protecting mitochondria against the damaging effects of superoxide radicals (O2•−), and increased expression of MnSOD protects cells and transgenic animals from various forms of oxidative stress. In addition, increased levels of MnSOD have been shown to slow down cell growth and induce differentiation. To study the effects of high MnSOD levels in vivo, we generated a series of transgenic mice using a mouse genomic sequence under control of the endogenous promoter. Four transgenic lines produced by pronuclear DNA injection exhibited up to 2-fold elevated MnSOD levels in brain and heart. However, using an embryonic stem cell approach, a line having 10-fold elevated MnSOD levels in the brain and 6- to 7-fold elevated levels in the heart and kidney was generated. Surprisingly, the genetic background of this transgenic line influenced the expression level of the transgene, with DBA/2 (D2) and C57BL/6 (B6) mice exhibiting low- and high-level transgene expression, respectively. This difference was the result of an increased transcription rate of the transgene. High-level MnSOD expression in B6 animals was associated with small size, male infertility, and decreased female fertility. These features are absent on the D2 background and indicate that high levels of MnSOD activity may interfere with normal growth and fertility.
Characterization of piezoelectrically induced actuation of Ni-Mn-Ga single crystals

Single crystal Ni-Mn-Ga ferromagnetic shape memory alloys (FSMAs) are active materials that produce strain when a magnetic field is applied. The large saturation strain (6%) of Ni-Mn-Ga and material energy density comparable to piezoelectric ceramics make tetragonal Ni-Mn-Ga an interesting active material. However, the usefulness of the material is limited by the need for electromagnets to produce a magnetic actuation field. In this paper, an actuation method for shape memory alloys in the martensitic phase is described, in which asymmetric acoustic pulses are used to drive twin boundary motion. Experimental actuators were developed using a combination of Ni-Mn-Ga FSMA single crystals and a piezoelectric stack actuator. In bidirectional actuation without load, strains of over 3% were achieved using repeated pulses (at 100 Hz) over a 30 s interval, while 1% strain was achieved in under 1 s. The maximum strains achieved are comparable to the strains achieved using bidirectional magnetic actuation, although the time required for actuation is longer. No-load actuation also showed a nearly linear relationship between the magnitude of the asymmetric stress pulse and the strain achieved during actuation, and a positive correlation between pulse repetition rate and output strain rate, up to a pulse repetition rate of at least 100 Hz. Acoustic actuation against a spring load showed a maximum output energy density for the actuator of about 1000 J/m 3 , with a peak-to-peak stress and strain of 100 kPa and 2%, respectively.
Calculation of the degree of blood mixing by the Davis and Miller transfusion technique

Abstract Formulas are derived for determining the amount of blood mixing that occurs when blood transfusions using the Davis and Miller technique are carried out. These formulas indicate that the degree of mixing depends on the blood volumes of the donor and recipient animals, the amount of blood that is withdrawn and injected with each crossing and the total number of crosses that are carried out. It is also shown that the maximum amount of foreign blood that can be transferred from one animal to another depends only on the blood volumes of the two animals.
Managerial Efficiency: A Study of Management Buyouts*

. Aggregate measures of firm performance such as market value and net income are less informative about the operating performance of a firm because they incorporate many other factors in addition to the direct outcomes of operating decisions. This study develops and uses a more direct measure of operating performance that is based on the total factor productivity of the firm. This measure is used to test for the presence of real gains in efficiency for management buyouts. Results for a sample of MBO firms in the manufacturing sector do not support the hypotheses of enhanced managerial efficiency. Relative productivity one and two years after the MBO is below the level one year before the MBO. Furthermore, relative changes in productivity for the MBO sample of firms are less than the average for the industry. These results are contrary to earlier results, which were based on profit margins alone. Resume. Les mesures combinees de la performance des entreprises telles que la valeur marchande et le benefice net livrent moins d'information au sujet du rendement de l'exploitation de l'entreprise parce qu'elles incorporent de nombreux autres facteurs, outre les resultats directs des decisions d'exploitation. L'auteur a elabore une mesure plus directe du rendement de l'exploitation reposant sur la productivite totale des facteurs de l'entreprise, dont il se sert pour verifier la presence de gains reels d'efficience a la suite de rachats d'actions par les cadres. Les resultats obtenus pour un echantillon d'entreprises du secteur manufacturier dont les actions ont ete rachetees par les cadres ne confirment pas l'hypothese d'une efficience accrue de la gestion. La productivite relative, un an et deux ans apres le rachat, est inferieure a la productivite observee un an avant le rachat. Plus encore, les variations relatives de la productivite des entreprises, constituant l'echantillon, dont les actions ont ete rachetees par les cadres sont inferieures a la moyenne du secteur. Ces resultats sont en contradiction avec ceux de travaux anterieurs fondes strictement sur les marges beneficiaires.
Innovative and Community-Guided Evaluation and Dissemination of a Prostate Cancer Education Program for African-American Men and Women

African Americans (AA) are more likely to develop and die from cancer than any other racial or ethnic group. The aims of this research were to (1) evaluate current education materials being implemented in a community-based prostate cancer education program for AA communities, (2) refine materials based on findings from aim 1, (3) share updated materials with participants from aim 1 for additional improvements, and (4) disseminate and evaluate the improved education program through a statewide videoconference with AA men and women. AA individuals evaluated the current education program through a mail survey (n = 32) and community forum (n = 38). Participants reported that the existing prostate cancer education program content could be understood by lay persons, but recommendations for improvement were identified. They included the following: defining unknown and/or scientific terminology, increasing readability by increasing font size and enlarging images, and including more recent and relevant statistics. Following refinement of the education materials based on survey and forum feedback, a statewide videoconference was implemented. Following the videoconference, participants (25 men; 3 women) reported that they would encourage others to learn more about prostate cancer, talk to their doctor about whether or not to get screened for prostate cancer, and recommend the conference to others. There is great potential for using this type of iterative approach to education program development with community and clinical partners for others conducting similar work.
Making Algeria French and Unmaking French Algeria

Where the French tended to view the historical saga of Algerie Jrancaise through such categories as colonisation and raise en valeur, here the making of colonial Algeria is viewed as a classic case of settler colonialism, and the formation of a distinctive colonial society and culture by the First World War is stressed. Where the Algerians tend to view Algerie algerienne as the successful result of an unbroken tradition of resistance to the French throughout the colonial period, here the unmaking of Algerie Jrancaise is presented in a manner which illuminates the historically contingent nature of Algerian nationalism by tracing over time the multiple and divergent strands of which it was composed. In telling this colonial tale from a postcolonial perspective, description is privileged as much as analysis, individuals as much as issues, by scrutinizing the inhabitants of the latter-day Hippo of Augustine, a town the French called Bone and the Algerians call Annaba, and beginning with a young Albert Camus…
Growth hormone therapy in a poorly growing child with hypophosphatemic rickets

We treated a 10 6/12 year old prepubertal male with hypophosphatemic rickets, who was growing poorly despite appropriate treatment with calcitriol and phosphate, with exogenous growth hormone (for an initial trial period of 4 months, followed by 14 months of continuous treatment at a dose of 4 IU three times weekly) even though his growth hormone testing proved to be normal. His growth rate increased significantly during treatment with synthetic growth hormone (from a basal rate of 3.9 cm/yr to 9 cm/yr during the first 4 months of therapy and from 2.7 cm/yr to 6.0 cm/yr during next 14 months of treatment) and his predicted adult height increased as well. Slight metabolic changes were detected in this patient during treatment, with an increase in serum phosphorus and a decrease in twenty-four hour urine calcium concentrations. It would seem reasonable to evaluate the growth hormone status of children with hypophosphatemic rickets who are growing poorly despite appropriate therapy with calcitriol and phosphate and to consider a trial period of therapy with growth hormone in some of them.
Perceptions of family values and roles among Japanese Americans: clinical considerations

A follow-up study of intact families in Hawaii found that Japanese Americans' perceptions of family values and roles were more likely than those of European Americans to reflect a hierarchical family status with greater role differentiation and the male role as central. Additionally, Japanese Americans emphasized collective harmony, cooperation, interpersonal acceptance, and positive mutual social interactions. Clinical implications of the findings are discussed.
The endocrine basis for developmentally stationary prepupae in larvae ofTrichoplusia ni pseudoparasitized byChelonus insularis

Larvae of the cabbage looper,Trichoplusia ni, precociously initiate metamorphosis in the penultimate instar when parasitized byChelonus insularis. Some larvae developing from stung eggs precociously spin cocoons, but upon dissection contain no live or obvious parasites. Such ‘pseudoparasitized’ larvae greatly slow down in development as prepupae, due to a suppressed ecdysteroid titer which in turn may be caused by a suppressed juvenile hormone titer.
Rigid‐drift magnetohydrodynamic equilibria for cylindrical screw pinches

The rigid-drift equations of MHD equilibria in cylindrical geometry are solved analytically in terms of an infinite series of hypergeometric functions for the case where the pressure is proportional to the square of number density and the current density is arbitrarily pitched. Solutions are obtained for a pure Z pinch, a pure theta pinch, and a general screw pinch. It is found that the shapes of the pressure and magnetic-field profiles are completely determined by the model once two parameters are specified: the local plasma beta on the axis and a quantity related to the pitch of the current density. A set of profiles that resemble those observed experimentally in reversed-field pinches is presented. The results also indicate that hollow pressure profiles and reversed Bz profiles can occur either simultaneously or independently and that the pressure always falls to zero at a finite value of the radius.
Advantages of Thermococcus kodakaraenis (KOD) DNA Polymerase for PCR-mass spectrometry based analyses

The advantages of the thermostable DNA polymerase from Thermococcus kodakaraensis (KOD) are demonstrated for PCR amplification with subsequent detection by mass spectrometry. Commonly used DNA polymerases for PCR amplification include those from Thermus aquaticus (Taq) and Pyrococcus furiosus (Pfu). A 116 base-pair PCR product derived from a vWA locus was amplified by Taq, Pfu, or KOD DNA polymerase and compared by agarose gel electrophoresis and electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI-FTICR-MS). KOD DNA polymerase demonstrated a 2- to 3-fold increase in PCR product formation compared to Pfu or Taq, respectively, and generated blunt-ended PCR product which allows facile interpretation of the mass spectrum. Additionally, we demonstrate the advantage of using high magnetic fields to obtain unit resolution of the same 116 base pair (∼72 kDa) PCR product at high m/z.
Impulse response of a density contrast wedge: Practical implementation and some aspects of its diffracted component

Abstract Davis and Scharstein have recently derived a complete solution for the impulse response of a density contrast wedge (Davis AMJ, Scharstein RW. J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 1997, 101, 2821–1835). However, the general solution given as a sum of residues, reduces to a closed form only for a discrete set of wedge angles. To circumvent this limitation and make the solution available for arbitrary angles, the explicit form for the residues is provided and the numerical implementation of the solution is discussed. The solution is then applied to the analysis of the diffracted field and physical aspects are analyzed. ©
Auto-identification of positive feedback loops in multi-state vulnerable circuits

A systematic method is proposed for automatically identifying positive feedback loops (PFLs) in analog/mixed-signal circuits. The method first converts the netlist of a circuit into a directed dependency graph (DDG) which captures the critical relationships among branch currents and node voltages. It then utilizes graph theory techniques to find all feedback loops from the DDG and finally, criterion are developed to determine the PFLs. Since multiple states is caused by the PFLs, this method could identify the circuit's vulnerability to undesigned operating points only by its structure without the computation of DC solutions. The proposed approach is implemented in program and simulation results show it could identify all the PFLs very robustly.
Adult's failures on euclidean and projective spatial tasks: Implications for characterizing spatial cognition

In their initial study of the development of children's spatial concepts, Piaget and Inhelder (1956) designed the “water-level” and “plumb-line” tasks to assess children's Euclidean abilities to perceive and represent horizontals and verticals. Surprisingly, subsequent research has shown that many adults perform badly on these tasks designed for children. Here we studied whether adults (N=160) would also have difficulty on a shadow projection task developed to assess theoretically related projective spatial concepts. The data showed that some adults had difficulty on the shadow task, whether tested by a drawing or by a selection task, and whether scored with respect to qualitative shape or metric accuracy. Performance was significantly worse on complex than simple forms, and when sex differences emerged, they favored males. As hypothesized, the best predictor of shadow performance was performance on the Euclidean tasks. Scores on the Embedded Figures Test and participant sex accounted for small (but significant) additional variance on shadow performance. Implications for theories of spatial development and for modeling individual differences in spatial cognition are discussed.
Secretagogues cause ubiquitination and down-regulation of inositol 1, 4,5-trisphosphate receptors in rat pancreatic acinar cells.

Abstract Background & Aims: The action of several exocrine pancreas secretagogues depends on the second messenger inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP 3 ), which, via endoplasmic reticulum–located IP 3 receptors, mobilizes intracellular Ca 2+ stores. Signaling pathways like this one are regulated at multiple loci. To determine whether IP 3 receptors are one of these loci, we measured IP 3 receptor concentration, distribution, and modification in secretagogue-stimulated rat pancreatic acinar cells. Methods: Isolated rat pancreatic acinar cells were exposed to cholecystokinin and other secretagogues, or rats were injected intraperitoneally with cerulein. Then samples of cells or pancreata were probed for IP 3 receptor content and distribution as well as for ubiquitin association with IP 3 receptors. Results: Secretagogues rapidly down-regulated acinar cell IP 3 receptors both in vitro and in vivo. They also elicited receptor redistribution and caused receptors to become ubiquitinated, indicating that the ubiquitin/proteasome proteolytic pathway contributes to the down-regulation. Surprisingly, however, proteasome inhibitors did not block IP 3 receptor down-regulation, and phospholipase Cβ1 and protein kinase Cϵ also were down-regulated. Thus, secretagogues simultaneously activate an additional proteolytic pathway. Conclusions: Secretagogues rapidly down-regulate IP 3 receptors and other proteins involved in intracellular signaling by a mechanism that involves, but is not limited to, the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway. Loss of these proteins may account for the disruption of Ca 2+ mobilization that occurs in models of acute pancreatitis, and may contribute to cell adaptation under physiological conditions. GASTROENTEROLOGY 1999;116:1194-1201
Transition phenomena in cellular automata rule space

Abstract We define several qualitative classes of cellular automata (CA) behavior, based on various statistical measures, and describe how the space of all cellular automata is organized. As a cellular automaton is changed by varying entries in its rule table, abrupt changes in qualitative behavior may occur. These abrupt changes have the character of bifurcations in smooth dynamical systems, or of phase transitions in statistical mechanical systems. The most complex CA rules exhibit many of the characteristics of second-order transitions, suggesting an association between computation, complexity, and critical phenomena.
Smoking and quality of life among female survivors of breast, colorectal and endometrial cancers in a prospective cohort study

Purpose To examine the association of smoking and quality of life (QOL) among survivors of breast, colorectal, or endometrial cancers.
A symbolic test for (i,j)-uniformity in reduced zero-dimensional schemes

Let Z denote a finite collection of reduced points in projective n-space and let I denote the homogeneous ideal of Z. The points in Z are said to be in (i,j)-uniform position if every cardinality i subset of Z imposes the same number of conditions on forms of degree j. The points are in uniform position if they are in (i,j)-uniform position for all values of i and j. We present a symbolic algorithm that, given I, can be used to determine whether the points in Z are in (i,j)-uniform position. In addition it can be used to determine whether the points in Z are in uniform position, in linearly general position and in general position. The algorithm uses the Chow form of various d-uple embeddings of Z and derivatives of these forms. The existence of the algorithm provides an answer to a question of Kreuzer.
Defense of cutaneous cells against UV irradiation. I. Photomediated binding of trimethyl psoralen to DNA of melanoma cells in culture.

Pigmented and nonpigmented murine melanoma cells in culture were irradiated with ultraviolet light (365 nm) in the presence of tritiated trimethyl psoralen ( 3 H TMP) and cellular DNA was extracted. For each cell type, regardless of the presence of pigment, the rates of covalent binding of 3 H TMP to DNA and the saturation points reached were the same. The formation by irradiation of both monofunctional and bifunctional (cross-linking) adducts of TMP with cellular DNA was demonstrated by the resistance to enzymic and chemical hydrolysis of the DNA- 3 H TMP complex and by the pattern of elution of extracted DNA from hydroxyapatite columns. These studies suggest that packaged intracellular melanin pigment has limited ability to protect cellular DNA from this type of photomediated injury.