cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simulating the evolution of localization based on the diffusion of damage

Abstract Based on the failure mechanisms of brittle solids under dynamic loading conditions, a strain-based damage diffusion model is proposed to simulate the evolution of localization due to microcracking. A three-dimensional diffusion equation is formulated with local rate-independent and rate-dependent damage evolution laws, respectively. The diffusion equation governing the evolution of damage is incorporated into the hyperbolic equation governing the wave propagation in a parallel setting. A parametric study is performed to investigate the effects of model parameters on the diffusion of damage. One- and two-dimensional sample problems are considered to illustrate how the dynamic evolution of localization can be simulated without using nonlocal models in the strain–stress space. The relationship between the proposed approach and the existing ones for localization problems is also discussed based on the preliminary results obtained in this paper. It appears that the proposed approach might be an effective numerical procedure to simulate the evolution of localization, with parallel computing, in a single computational domain involving different lower-order governing differential equations.
122 Microvascular Dressing for Burn Applications

Vascular structures are a ubiquitous element of living tissues that allow for efficient mass transfer with the bulk of the tissue. Reasons for the vascularization of tissue include: 1) efficiency of transport over large distances (>1 mm) by convection, 2) spatial control of delivery and evacuation of solute from the tissues, and 3) centralization of the influx and efflux from the tissue; this centralization allows for temporal control and monitoring to be performed. Many of these characteristics would also be valuable in synthetic materials designed for interaction with biological systems. We will present the design and fabrication of a wound dressing that incorporates microvasculature in the form of embedded microchannels. As in living systems, the basic principle behind our design is that active convection is used to carry solute over large distances, while diffusion acts over smaller distances. We will describe the microfabrication procedure, based on soft-lithographic techniques, used to fabricate the microvascular dressing. We will also discuss the design parameters which are important for the optimization of mass transfer and a model of the system will be presented. We will report on the physical characterization of the system, with respect to the mass transport properties. Finally, we will discuss initial considerations about the use of these structures as wound dressings.
(Φ,Φ * ) Image Decomposition Models and Minimization Algorithms

We propose in this paper minimization algorithms for image restoration using dual functionals and dual norms. In order to extract a clean image u from a degraded version f=Ku+n (where f is the observation, K is a blurring operator and n represents additive noise), we impose a standard regularization penalty Φ(u)=∫ φ(|Du|)dx< ∞ on u, where φ is positive, increasing and has at most linear growth at infinity. However, on the residual f?Ku we impose a dual penalty Φ*(f-Ku)< ∞, instead of the more standard $\|f-\mathit{Ku}\|^{2}_{L^{2}}$ fidelity term. In particular, when φ is convex, homogeneous of degree one, and with linear growth (for instance the total variation of u), we recover the (BV,BV *) decomposition of the data f, as suggested by Y. Meyer (Oscillating Patterns in Image Processing and Nonlinear Evolution Equations, University Lecture Series, vol. 22, Am. Math. Soc., Providence, 2001). Practical minimization methods are presented, together with theoretical, experimental results and comparisons to illustrate the validity of the proposed models. Moreover, we also show that by a slight modification of the associated Euler-Lagrange equations, we obtain well-behaved approximations and improved results.
Issues with characterizing transport properties of graphene field effect transistors

Abstract The transport properties of graphene field effect transistors are typically characterized using a conventional test structure consisting of graphene on silicon dioxide with deposited metal contacts. Two of the primary parameters affecting the total resistance of this structure are the channel mobility and contact resistance. A simple model is used to describe the impact of these parameters on total device resistance and experimentally extract them. Important issues related to characterizing the transport properties of graphene field effect transistors are presented and discussed.
Apolipoprotein polymorphisms fail to define risk of coronary artery disease. Results of a prospective, angiographically controlled study.

BACKGROUNDBecause genetic factors are believed to contribute to the etiology of coronary artery disease (CAD), it has been suggested that DNA polymorphisms at candidate loci might identify individuals at high risk for developing disease. In this regard, apolipoprotein genes represent extremely promising loci because levels of apolipoproteins and their associated lipoproteins represent a major risk factor for CAD, and rare dysfunctional mutations in these genes result in a significant risk for CAD. To date, although some reports indicate that DNA polymorphisms at these loci are associated with increased risk of CAD, other reports have failed to find such associations.METHODS AND RESULTSTo resolve the question of whether genetic polymorphisms at apolipoprotein loci can be used to identify individuals at increased risk for CAD, we evaluated the distribution of apolipoprotein genetic polymorphisms in a large series of subjects (n = 848) undergoing coronary angiography. Blinded assessment of angiograms was use...
Murine Thymocytes Mediate a Natural Killer‐Like Activity against Herpes Virus‐Infected Target Cells but Not YAC‐1 Target Cells

In this report, we demonstrated a natural killer (NK)-like activity against HSV-1 infected ceils mediated by CD-1 mouse thymocytes. This cytolytic activity is specific for HSV-1-infected MCN cells, since both uninfected MCN and Y AC-1 target cells are not susceptible to thymocyte lysis. Antibody plus complement depletion experiments indicate that a portion of the activity is associated with the Lyt 2 /L3T4− thymocyte subpopulation. This NK-like activity cannot be enhanced by addition of interleukin 2 in vitro.
Brief Report: Trends in U.S. National Autism Awareness from 2004 to 2014: The Impact of National Autism Awareness Month

We sought to evaluate the potential for using historical web search data on autism spectrum disorders (ASD)-related topics as an indicator of ASD awareness. Analysis of Google Trend data suggested that National Autism Awareness Month and televised reports concerning autism are an effective method of promoting online search interest in autism.
What is the cost of ambulatory education

Medical education is in the midst of fundamental change, not the least of which is the shift from hospital-based education to the outpatient setting. While outpatient experiences form the basis for education in family practice and many pediatrics rotations, the bulk of students’ and residents’ internal medicine teaching has continued to be within the hospital.1 As internal medicine clerkships and residency programs expand toward office-based education, a number of barriers are making the transition to the outpatient setting difficult. In a 1995 Clerkship Directors in Internal Medicine commentary on outpatient education,2 cost was cited as the greatest practical barrier to the implementation of ambulatory education programs. In order for educators, health centers, and payers to understand and facilitate this ongoing change in the teaching setting, the cost of ambulatory education must be known more precisely. Since the first studies to measure ambulatory teaching costs published in the late 1970s,3–5 a number of reports have defined, estimated, and measured costs in this setting. We set out to review the methods of estimating and calculating the costs of teaching in the ambulatory setting, and to synthesize the results of those studies that have measured the cost of teaching outpatient medicine.
Toroid NMR probes for the in situ examination of homogeneous cobalt hydroformylation catalysts at high pressures and temperatures

Abstract Toroid NMR probes can be routinely operated at 300 atm and up to 250°C. Such operating conditions make these probes well suited for the in situ examination of catalytic industrial processes. These probes have been employed to examine phosphine substituted (Shell-type) and unsubstituted cobalt carbonyl oxo catalysts under catalytic and non-catalytic conditions in a variety of solvents. The solvents include cyclohexane, benzene, dioxane, 2-methylpropanol, supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO 2 ), and scCO 2 /toluene mixtures. The high-pressure/high-temperature probes allowed the observation of precatalytic equilibria under high carbon monoxide pressures in the presence and absence of hydrogen and/or free phosphine.
Prenatal ontogeny of the dopamine-dependent neurobehavioral phenotype in Pitx3-deficient mice.

Mouse models with prenatal alterations in dopaminergic functioning can provide new opportunities to identify fetal behavioral abnormalities and the underlying neural substrates dependent on dopamine. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that prenatal loss of nigrostriatal function is associated with fetal akinesia, or difficulty initiating movement. Specific behaviors were analysed in fetal offspring derived from pregnant Pitx3(ak) /2J and C57BL/6J dams on the last 4 days before birth (E15-18 of a 19-day gestation). Using digital videography, we analysed: (i) behavioral state, by quantification of high- and low-amplitude movements, (ii) interlimb movement synchrony, a measure of the temporal relationship between spontaneous movements of limb pairs, (iii) facial wiping, a characteristic response to perioral tactile stimulation similar to the defensive response in human infants, and (iv) oral grasp of a non-nutritive nipple, a component of suckling in the human infant. Pitx3 mutants showed a selective decrease in interlimb movement synchrony rates at the shortest (0.1 s) temporal interval coupled with significantly increased latencies to exhibit facial wiping and oral grasp. Collectively, our findings provide evidence that the primary fetal neurobehavioral deficit of the Pitx3 mutation is akinesia related to nigrostriatal damage. Other findings of particular interest were the differences in neurobehavioral functioning between C57BL/6J and Pitx3 heterozygous subjects, suggesting the two groups are not equivalent controls. These results further suggest that fetal neurobehavioral assessments are sensitive indicators of emerging neural dysfunction, and may have utility for prenatal diagnosis.
Rhetorics of Civility: Theory, Pedagogy, and Practice in Speaking and Writing Textbooks

By exploring two perspectives on civility—the invitational and confrontational approaches—this article argues for revising the neoclassical model of rhetoric commonly found in introductory writing and speaking textbooks. This article further claims that a revised conception of civility—here termed “situated civility”—can help rhetors communicate ethically and practically about and across political, cultural, and personal differences.
Atomic level scanning transmission electron microscopy characterization of GaN/AlN quantum wells

GaN quantum wells in an AlN matrix are characterized using scanning transmission electron microscopy. The width of the quantum wells and sharpness of the interfaces are measured with composition sensitive annular dark field imaging and electron energy-loss spectroscopy. The effects of beam broadening inside the specimen are discussed and mechanisms to minimize it are suggested. The quantitatively measured intensity of the N K-edge versus position is compared with the propagating beam intensity obtained from multislice calculations. Possible effects of strain in the structure on its electronic states and energy-loss spectra are also discussed.
The lipid composition of the wax particles from adult whiteflies, Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum

Abstract Adult whiteflies are characterized by the presence of copious amounts of wax particles covering all surfaces of the body except the eyes. The lipid composition was determined for wax particles removed from the surfaces of the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), and the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood). The lipid components in the wax particles of both species were mostly mixtures of long-chain aldehydes and long-chain primary alcohols. The major wax particle components for B. tabaci were C 34 aldehyde and C 34 alcohol and small amounts of C 32 aldhyde and alcohol. For the wax particles from T. vaporariorum , C 32 aldehyde and C 32 alcohol were the major components with lesser amounts of the C 30 components. These findings were compared to the surface lipids of fully-waxed B. tabaci and T. vaporariorum adults that contained, in addition to the major amounts of long-chain aldehydes and alcohols, quantities of long-chain wax esters. Wax esters were not present in lipid extracts from the surface of B. tabaci whiteflies at the time of adult emergence (prior to deposition of wax particles). Thus, the appearance of wax esters on the cuticular surfaces occurred during the period of deposition of wax particles. The quantities of wax esters in the surface lipid extracts of wing tissues separated from the bodies of adult whiteflies indicated that the wing surfaces were a major site of wax ester deposition.
Modeling of lightning surge protection in branched cable distribution network

A general-purpose computer simulation program was developed to model the behavior of voltage surges traveling on power cable networks with multiple branches. The program is capable of displaying the location and magnitude of the maximum surge voltage seen by the cable. It is also capable of reproducing the voltage variations at any point as a function of time, or the voltage profile along the cable at any given time. The results obtained have not been verified by actual field measurements but are in agreement with the results presented by previous authors. The computer simulation was used to study the effectiveness of different arrester placement schemes for branchless and single-branch systems. It was shown that, with prematurely aged cables whose BIL (basic impulse insulation level) has been considerably reduced, it is necessary to place arresters not only at the riser-pole, but also at all open points. This practice reduces the maximum voltage produced at any point along the cable and can therefore also be used with new cables to retard their aging process caused by exposure to repeated voltage surges. >
Space Planning for Multitouch Workspaces Preliminary Analysis Considering Screen Angle and Scenarios of Use

Shared multitouch workspaces offer interpersonal exchanges similar to whiteboards and chalkboards, with additional benefits such as distributed collaboration and longitudinal data capture. This research investigated the space needed for single person use and prospective multi-person collaborative work on a mock multitouch screen system. Sixteen participants performed simulated movements of multitouch tasks across three screen angles (horizontal/vertical/self-adjusted) and two scenarios of use (single person/mock two-person collaboration). Basic space planning needs were analyzed across screen angles and scenarios of use. Preferred screen tilt angles are discussed and two fixed screen angles are suggested.
Race, gender, and imperial ideology: In the nineteen century

(1989). Race, gender, and imperial ideology: In the nineteen century. Nineteenth-Century Contexts: Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 19-32.
Design criteria and recent developments of optical single particle counters for fossil fuel systems

Optical methods for particle size distribution measurements in practical high temperature environments are approaching feasibility and offer significant advantages over conventional sampling methods. The present paper begins by summarizing user requirements for research and on-line particle measurements in fossil fuel systems. The principles of single particle counter (SPC) design are outlined followed by a discussion of practical instrument design constraints. Three instrument design concepts currently being developed at Sandia are then discussed. An overview of these current methods and other instrument designs is presented with particular emphasis on capabilities to meet user ojectives. Validation and long term testing of these new concepts is considered to be the final important step in achieving user acceptance of in situ optical counters.
Factor Analytic Study of Bales' Interaction Process Analysis

To examine the validity of Bales' Interaction Process Analysis (IPA), a factor analysis was performed on existing data from two independent but similarly designed studies wherein the 12 IPA variables were observed and recorded as groups completed two different tasks. None of the four possible structures imputed to the IPA clearly emerged from the data. The results offer only partial support for collapsing the 12 response categories into four, or for treating the 12 response categories as pairwise opposites. One imputed category, negative social-emotional behavior, was confirmed.
Cascade resulting in the reductive ethynylation of aldehydes: dissection of its components.

A mild and efficient two-carbon homologation of aldehydes exploiting multiple modes of KOt-Bu was developed. This process involves a sequential Peterson allenylation/allene-alkyne isomerization/ protodesilylation in a single-flask operation. The differential roles played by the various elements of the process were demonstrated through dissection experiments.
Testing goodness of fit via nonparametric function estimation techniques

An overview is given of methodology for testing goodness of fit of parametric models using nonparametric function estimation techniques. The ideas are illustrated in two settings: the classical one-sample goodness-of-fit scenario and testing the goodness of fit of a polynomial regression model.
Limitations of student evaluations of curriculum.

Rationale and Objectives. Medical student surveys are used extensively in the development and modification of curriculum. The purpose of this study was to look at medical student surveys of a radiology lecture series, evaluating the accuracy of student perceptions of learning and factors affecting them. Materials and Methods. After a “Case of the Week” lecture series, 156 3rd-year medical students returned a survey evaluating the experience with 10 questions on a four-point scale (1 = disagree, 4 = agree very much) and took a clinical competency assessment (CCA) examination with a radiology substation. Survey responses were compared with actual examination performance, analyzed for how overall learning was characterized in specific educational objectives, and evaluated for factors affecting perceived learning. Results. The mean response for perceived CCA examination preparedness was 1.83. The mean radiology station test score was 90.43%. Correlations between student perception of learning and the scoring of focused learning objectives ranged from 0.33 to 0.48 ( P Conclusion. Student perceptions of the value of curriculum were inaccurate compared with external measures of performance, and students poorly related their general impressions to specific learning objectives. Perceived lecture organization, stimulation to read, and interest in radiology as a specialty affected perceived overall learning and perceived value of the lecture series.
Evaluation of a Smartphone Platform as a Wireless Interface Between Tongue Drive System and Electric-Powered Wheelchairs

Tongue drive system (TDS) is a new wireless assistive technology (AT) for the mobility impaired population. It provides users with the ability to drive powered wheelchairs (PWC) and access computers using their unconstrained tongue motion. Migration of the TDS processing unit and user interface platform from a bulky personal computer to a smartphone (iPhone) has significantly facilitated its usage by turning it into a true wireless and wearable AT. After implementation of the necessary interfacing hardware and software to allow the smartphone to act as a bridge between the TDS and PWC, the wheelchair navigation performance and associated learning was evaluated in nine able-bodied subjects in five sessions over a 5-week period. Subjects wore magnetic tongue studs over the duration of the study and drove the PWC in an obstacle course with their tongue using three different navigation strategies; namely unlatched, latched, and semiproportional. Qualitative aspects of using the TDS-iPhone-PWC interface were also evaluated via a five-point Likert scale questionnaire. Subjects showed more than 20% improvement in the overall completion time between the first and second sessions, and maintained a modest improvement of ~9% per session over the following three sessions.
The nature and origin of the glycosaminoglycans of the embryonic chick vitreous body

Abstract Glycosaminoglycans of the embryonic chicken vitreous were characterized and then were used as markers to establish which tissues synthesize the vitreous humor during development. The glycosaminoglycans are predominantly chondroitin sulfates by several criteria. They are resistant to streptomyces hyaluronidase, an enzyme which degrades only hyaluronate, and are digested by testicular hyaluronidase and chondroitinase AC, enzymes which degrade hyaluronate plus chondroitin 4- and 6-sulfates. On electrophoresis on cellulose acetate in 0.15 M phosphate buffer, pH 6.7, the vitreous glycosaminoglycans migrate slightly slower than authentic chondroitin sulfate, but, in 0.1 N HCl, they migrate very close to chondroitin sulfate standards. Finally, the disaccharides produced by digestion of these radioactively labeled glycosaminoglycans with chondroitinases AC and ABC were identified as Δdi-4S and Δdi-6S, as expected for chondroitin 4- and 6-sulfate. By using incorporation of radioactive precursors into chondroitin sulfates in vitro, we than determined which tissues synthesize the vitreous humor in the developing eye. Late in development, on Day 12–13, the isolated vitreous is very active in chondroitin sulfate synthesis, while the neural retina, the lens, and the pecten are less active and produce a high proportion of enzyme-resistant GAG. The eye tissues isolated from embryos labeled in ovo retain similar amounts and types of glycosaminoglycans, indicating that cells within the vitreous synthesize the vitreous humor glycosaminoglycans at this time. Earlier in development, from Days 6 to 8, the isolated vitreous incorporates very low levels of radioactivity into GAG, but the neural retina incorporates high levels of radioactivity into chondroitin sulfate. When the embryos are labeled in ovo and the same tissues are isolated following incorporation, the vitreous retains more radioactive chondroitin sulfate than does the neural retina. Thus, the vitreous humour glycosaminoglycan is initially synthesized by the neural retina and is secreted into the vitreous space.
Exercise protects against chronic restraint stress-induced oxidative stress in the cortex and hippocampus.

Abstract Chronic stress induces high levels of reactive oxygen species, creating a neurotoxic environment. Because exercise protects against the neurodegenerative effects of oxidative stress, we investigated the protective effects of exercise against chronic restraint stress (CRS)-induced expression of the proapoptotic cortical B-cell associated X protein (Bax) and cyclooxegenase-2 (Cox-2) as well as microglial/macrophage proliferation and co-expression of Cox-2 in the cortex and hippocampus of mice. CRS induced a large, moderately significant increase in protein levels of Bax 1 h following stress. However, exercised mice had significantly lower cortical levels of Bax at both the 1 and 24 h time points. The level of Cox-2 protein was also significantly lower in the cortex of exercised mice. While no significant changes in microglia/macrophage proliferation were observed in either brain region, CRS induced significant increases of Cox-2 labeling on microglia/macrophages in both the hippocampus and cortex of stressed mice. In the cortex, stressed mice showed significantly greater numbers of Iba1/Cox-2 co-labeled cells than non-stressed mice; however, exercise alone did not induce any changes. In the hippocampus, CRS induced significantly greater numbers of Cox-2 labeled microglia/macrophages in stressed sedentary animals as compared to non-stressed controls. However, exercised mice were protected against these increases, as there was no significant difference in the numbers of Iba1/Cox-2 co-labeled cells between stressed and non-stressed exercised mice. Therefore, exercise protects against CRS-induced increases in levels of Bax in the cortex, and microglial/macrophage expression of Cox-2 in the hippocampus. Taken together, these data suggest that exercise may confer neuroprotection by acting to increase the resilience of the brain against CRS-induced oxidative stress.
Visual discrimination and response reversal learning by aphasic subjects.

Nine aphasic and eight nonaphasic hospital patients were presented with a discrimination learning problem in which they had to learn differential motor responses to visual stimuli. Subjects first w...
Gait Initiation With Electromyographically Triggered Electrical Stimulation in People With Partial Paralysis

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) facilitates ambulatory function after paralysis by activating the muscles of the lower extremities. Individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) retain partial volitional control of muscles below the level of injury, necessitating careful integration of FES with intact voluntary motor function for efficient walking. The FES-assisted stepping can be triggered automatically at a fixed rate (autotrigger), by a manual switch (switch-trigger), or by an electromyogram-based gait-event-detector (EMG-trigger). It has been postulated that EMG may be a more natural command source than manual switches, and therefore will enable better coordination of stimulated and volitional motor functions necessary during gait. In this study, the above stated hypothesis was investigated in two volunteers with iSCI during the over-ground FES-assisted gait initiation. Four able-bodied volunteers provided the normative data for comparison. The EMG-triggered FES-assisted gait initiation was found to be more coordinated and dynamically more stable than autotriggered and switch-triggered cases. This highlighted the potential of surface EMG as a natural command interface to better coordinate stimulated and volitional muscle activities during gait.
Progress on the development of luminescent solar concentrators

Various planar configurations of the luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) are discussed including: the uniformly doped, the stacked plate, the thin film, and the multilayered film LSC. Radiation which is lost from the luminescent plate by falling within the critical angle for total internal reflection is examined in terms of the above configurations. A ten parameter efficiency profile has been developed to better evaluate the collector performance and to allow direct comparison with other photovoltaic devices. A collector efficiency of 3.2% is reported and the feasibility of 8-10% efficient devices discussed. Several optical distribution factors have been defined and experimentally evaluated for the luminescent plate and associated photovoltaic cell. These factors have been used to calculate a plate-to-cell optical coupling coefficient for two commercially available solar cells. LSC's based on organic and inorganic phosphor systems are compared and the problem of dye stability discussed.
The Relationship Between Variable Selection and Data Agumentation and a Method for Prediction

We show that data augmentation provides a rather general formulation for the study of biased prediction techniques using multiple linear regression. Variable selection is a limiting case, and Ridge regression is a special case of data augmentation. We propose a way to obtain predictors given a credible criterion of good prediction.
Autoradiographic study of [3H] glucosamine incorporation by the developing retina of the clawed toad, Xenopus laevis.

Abstract The pattern of [3H]glucosamine incorporation during retinal development was studied in cultured eye rudiments from embryos of the clawed toad, Xenopus laevis. During a period of 4 days in hanging drop cultures, retinal histogenesis transforms a simple retinal neuropithelium into a retina with the characteristic nuclear and plexiform strata. Autoradiographs of cultured retinas reveal the localization of label in the inner and outer plexiform layers. Though some labeling of the nuclear layers occurs, grain counts indicate that the plexiform layers contain five to six times more activity than the nuclear strata by the end of the culture period.
Spatial pattern of localized disturbance along a southeastern salt marsh tidal creek

Geomorphology may be an important predictor of vegetation pattern in systems where suceptibility to disturbance is unevenly distributed across the landscape. Salt marsh communities exhibit spatial pattern in vegetation at a variety of spatial scales. In coastal Georgia, the low marsh is a virtual monoculture ofSpartina alterniflora interspersed with patches of species that are more typical of the high marsh. These localized disturbances are most likely created by wrack mats, mats of dead vegetation which can compact and smother underlying vegetation creating bare patches for colonization by high marsh species. We investigated the spatial pattern of disturbed patches along a 2 km section of Dean Creek, a tidal creek at the southwestern end of Sapelo Island, Georgia, U.S. We used a discriminant model to explore the relationship between tidal creek morphology (e.g., the presence of drainage channels and creek bends) and the spatial distribution of disturbed patches. The model predicted vegetation pattern along the creek with relatively high accuracy (>70%). Areas where water movement is slowed or multidirectional (e.g., along creek bends and near drainage channels) were most susceptible to disturbance. Our findings suggest an important functional linkage between geomorphology and vegetation pattern in salt marsh communities.
SURFACE ORIENTATION FROM POLARIZATION IMAGES

It is demonstrated that measurement of local surface orientation for a wide variety of isotropically rough material surfaces can be achieved from knowledge of the polarization states of both incident and reflected light radiation upon and from the surface respectively. The reflection model used is the Torrance-Sparrow model assuming combined specular and diffuse reflection. The specular and diffuse reflection components have distinct polarization states which makes it possible to resolve intersecting specular and diffuse equireflection curves in gradient space thereby measuring surface orientation. The light source incident orientation and the viewer orientation are assumed to be known along with the complex index of refraction of the material surface and the root mean square slope of planar microfacets characterizing surface roughness. The theoretical development is very comprehensive with respect to the nature of the incident and reflected light radiation which is assumed to be quasi-monochromatic having arbitrary degree of polarization. Thus determination of surface orientation is feasible using incident incoherent natural sunlight which is completely unpolarized, using incident partially polarized light such as specularly reflected natural sunlight, or using completely polarized incident light such as light which is elliptically polarized including circular and linear polarizations.
Application of real-time polymerase chain reaction technology to detect prostatic bacteria in patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

To investigate the potential association between prostate infection and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), we used molecular approaches described in previous reports. These methods employed standard polymerase chain (PCR) reaction assays to provide a qualitative evaluation of prostatic bacterial species. Here, we report on the detection of prostatic bacteria using a real-time PCR. Template DNAs were examined from prostatic tissue samples from patients with CP/CPPS. Two PCR primer sets were used: one that amplifies a portion of all known bacterial ribosomal DNAs (16S rDNAs) and one that is specific for Escherichia coli as opposed to related, E. coli-like bacteria. The 16S rDNA real-time PCR assay detected bacterial DNAs in eight (26%) of 31 samples from patients with CP/CPPS, including three samples (10%) that were also positive by the E. coli real-time PCR assay. These E. coli positives were quantified at approximately 10(3) cfu/ml of tissue digested. Quantification, speed and specificity make real-time PCR a promising approach for the quantitative detection and identification of prostatic bacteria from CP/CPPS patients.
A Review of the Effects of Coolant Environments on the Fatigue Life of LWR Structural Materials

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code specifies design curves for the fatigue life of structural materials in nuclear power plants. However, the effects of light water reactor (LWR) coolant environments were not explicitly considered in the development of the design curves. The existing fatigue-strain-versus-life ({var_epsilon}-N) data indicate potentially significant effects of LWR coolant environments on the fatigue resistance of pressure vessel and piping steels. Under certain environmental and loading conditions, fatigue lives in water relative to those in air can be a factor of 15 lower for austenitic stainless steels and a factor of {approx}30 lower for carbon and low-alloy steels. This paper reviews the current technical basis for the understanding of the fatigue of piping and pressure vessel steels in LWR environments. The existing fatigue {var_epsilon}-N data have been evaluated to identify the various material, environmental, and loading parameters that influence fatigue crack initiation and to establish the effects of key parameters on the fatigue life of these steels. Statistical models are presented for estimating fatigue life as a function of material, loading, and environmental conditions. An environmental fatigue correction factor for incorporating the effects of LWR environments into ASME Code fatigue evaluationsmore » is described. This paper also presents a critical review of the ASME Code fatigue design margins of 2 on stress (or strain) and 20 on life and assesses the possible conservatism in the current choice of design margins.« less
Magnetic pair breaking in Y1−xPrxBa2Su3O7

Abstract The upper critical fields, H c2 , for Y 1−x Pr x Ba 2 Cu 3 O 7 are observed to be “bell” shaped for x ≥ 0.3. This provides strong evidence for the importance of magnetic interactions in this system.
High-pressure liquid chromatographic-fluorometric detection of adenosine and adenine nucleotides: application to endogenous content and electrically induced release of adenyl purines in guinea pig vas deferens.

Abstract To avoid some of the disadvantages associated with using radiolabeling to investigate adenyl purine content and release from excitable tissues, a reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatographic method utilizing fluorescence detection for the measurement of picomole amounts of endogenous ATP and its 6-amino purine analogs has been developed. This procedure has been used to determine the content of adenyl purines in the guinea pig vas deferens and that released from the tissue following stimulation of adrenergic nerves. The total tissue content was measured to be 1.6, 0.76, and 0.10 μmol/g of ATP, ADP, and AMP, respectively. However, adenosine could not be detected. Hypoxia caused a significant decrease in ATP content concomitant with an increase in adenosine content to 0.04 μmol/g. Following transmural electrical stimulation of the guinea pig vas deferens, the release of the following purine compounds was detected: ATP (0.106 nmol/g), ADP (0.242 nmol/g), AMP (0.035 nmol/g), and adenosine (0.454 nmol/g).
Feeding of irradiated beef to rats

Summary Irradiated and nonirradiated beef were added to the diet of rats in amounts equal to 35% of the solids fed for a period up to two years. A four-generation reproduction study was conducted simultaneously. No adverse effects were demonstrated, as evidenced by growth, hematologic change, food efficiency, reproduction, mortality, or gross and microscopic pathology. It is felt that the somewhat higher incidence of mammary fibroadenomas and adenomas than reported by some other workers is a reflection of age and strain differences rather than diet.
In vitro activity of Bay y 3118, a new quinolone.

Abstract MICs of Bay y 3118, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, clarithromycin, azithromycin, cefuroxime, amoxicillin-clavulanate, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for 878 recent clinical isolates were determined by broth microdilution methods. Among the three quinolones, Bay y 3118 was the most active against Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Acinetobacter baumannii, Xanthomonas maltophilia, gram-positive cocci, and anaerobes; MICs for 50% of the strains (MIC50s) and MIC90s were < or = 0.015 and < or = 0.015, < or = 0.015 and < or = 0.015, 0.03 and 2, 0.25 and 0.5, 0.06 and 1, and 0.12 and 0.25 micrograms/ml, respectively. For gram-positive cocci and anaerobes, these values were 16- to 32-fold (4 to 5 log2 dilution steps) lower than those for ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin. Bay y 3118 was similar in activity to ciprofloxacin and more active than ofloxacin against members of the family Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Bay y 3118 MIC50s and MIC90s were 0.03 and 0.25 and 0.5 and 8 micrograms/ml, respectively. Scattergrams and regression analyses comparing quinolone MICs indicated that, despite differences in activity, organisms relatively susceptible to one were relatively susceptible to all and organisms relatively resistant to one were relatively resistant to all. However, the greater in vitro activity of Bay y 3118 was most pronounced against relatively resistant organisms. Pending pharmacokinetic and safety data for Bay y 3118, there is reasonable anticipation that its enhanced activity against gram-positive cocci and anaerobes would broaden the clinical utility of the quinolone class of antimicrobial agents.
Educating Rita as a ‘Discourses and Literacies’ Pedagogical Text

This article discusses a project designed to engage preservice teachers in a process of reconceptualizing the traditional, autonomous views of literacy that they held upon entering the teacher preparation program and acquiring a sociocultural view of multi-literacies. The context of this project is that of a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program. Through a series of activities as part of a secondary English theory and methods course, students were introduced to a sociolinguistic theory of “Discourses and Literacies”; they examined their own literacy experiences in terms of primary and secondary discourses and literacies; they analyzed the film Educating Rita in great depth for its representation of the essential elements of a theory of “Discourses and Literacies” (i.e., primary discourses, secondary discourses, learning, acquisition, bi-Discoursal situations, and more); and then over a period of many weeks of observations they analyzed the kind of Literacy Discourse that was constructed in classrooms that they were observing in. Finally, the students critically reflected on the transformation of their views of literacy as a result of the Discourses and Literacies project.
A photonic method for overcoming the mode partition noise contribution in the AM Noise spectra of periodic electrical signals

We measure the AM Noise of periodic electrical signals in the frequency domain. Mode partition noise is found to be detrimental and dependent on the signal's duration. A photonic technique is presented alleviating this ambiguity.
P300 development from auditory stimuli.

Event-related potentials (ERPs) were elicited with an auditory discrimination paradigm in 20 adult subjects. The amplitude and latency of the N1, P2, N2, and P3 (P300) components were measured from each two-trial average and successively after each two-trial block were added to the ERP average. The dual trial-to-trial analysis generally demonstrated consistent component amplitudes and latencies across trials. The successive average analysis found that component amplitudes decreased significantly while their latencies remained relatively constant as additional trials were incorporated into the average. The results suggest that ERP component latencies are stable, while amplitudes decrease with increased numbers of trials. The implications for the application of P3 in the assessment of individual differences are discussed.
The transverse profile of a color flux tube

Abstract The pT spectra of soft mesons produced in high-energy collisions contain information on the transverse motion of quarks and antiquarks which form these mesons. Using these data, we study the transverse profile of the color flux tube in the context of the Schwinger's mechanism for particle production by representing the transverse profile in terms of an effective transverse scalar potential. We find that the classical turning point for the potential is of the order of 0.6 fm. However, the potential flattens out considerably beyond that point. Consequently, the wave function decays surprisingly slowly in the transverse direction as r − 3 2 and extends much beyond the radius of the flux tube.
When votes are words not deeds: Some evidence from the Nuclear Freeze Referendum

According to our empirical results, voting patterns in the NFR were consistent with the central thesis of an expressive model, that moral expression dominates consequentialist behavior when choice is costless. While consequentialist theory would predict that owners of capital would favor nuclear weapons, capital owners could afford to vote contrary to their interests, and in line with common morality, because the costs of moral expression in the NFR were so low. Just as the capital ownership variables do not work in the direction predicted by our consequentialist model, neither does income. Does this mean that wealthy voters cast votes diametrically opposed to their self-interest? Not at all. The expressive model contends that when voting is costless, people do not have interests, but, rather, moral judgments which now cost very little to express. Indeed, when votes involve words, not even individuals' interests in government expenditure can be detected.
Comparison of emulsifying and deflocculating powers of soaps upon oil and carbon black

Comparisons were made of the emulsifying or deflocculating powers of soap solutions as measured by the proportions of (1) mineral oil, (2) oil-soluble color, (3) naked carbon black, and (4) oiled carbon black, carried through filter papers under standard conditions. The results indicate no close parallel between the emulsification of oil, the distribution of oil-soluble color, or the deflocculation of naked carbon black. The use of oiled carbon black as a test object for determining emulsifying power offers some promise provided an appropriate technic can be devised.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and agricultural use of the insecticide lindane

Data from population-based case-control studies of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma among white men from Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota were pooled to evaluate potential risks from environmental exposures in more detail, while controlling for potential confounding factors. These data provided the opportunity to evaluate the risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma from potential exposures to lindane, a pesticide that causes cancer in laboratory animals and has been associated with human cancer in a few epidemiologic investigations. This pooled data set includes 987 individuals with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 2,895 population-based controls. Information was obtained by telephone or in person interviews, which included detailed questions on farm practices and agricultural use of chemicals. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) adjusted for age, state of residence, and subject or proxy interviews. Reported use of lindane significantly increased the risk of non-Hodgkin's's lymphoma by 50%. Some use characteristics were suggestive of an association. ORs were greater among persons who first used the pesticide 20 years before diagnosis (OR = 1.7) than more recently (OR = 1.3), among those who reported more frequent use (OR = 2.0 for use 5 or more days per year versus 1.6 for fewer than five days per year), and from use on crops (OR = 1.9), rather than from use on animals (OR = 1.3), although these differences were not statistically significant. On the other hand, ORs were lower when based on direct interviews (OR = 1.3) than on data from proxy respondents (OR = 2.1) and adjustment for potential confounding by use of 2,4-D and diazinon reduced the ORs associated with lindane use from 1.5 to 1.2 and 1.3, respectively. Lindane does not appear to be a major etiologic factor in the development of non-Hodgkin's's lymphoma, although a small role cannot be ruled out.
The role of cloud-top generating cells and boundary layer circulations in the finescale radar structure of a winter cyclone over the great lakes

AbstractData from airborne W-band radar are used in conjunction with thermodynamic fields from the Weather Research and Forecasting Model and air-parcel back trajectories from the HYSPLIT model to investigate the finescale reflectivity, vertical motion, and airmass structure of the comma head of a winter cyclone in the vicinity of the Great Lakes. Cloud-top generating cells formed along an upper-level frontal boundary vertically separating dry air, which 48 h earlier was located in the upper troposphere over south-central Canada, from moist air, which was located in the lower troposphere over the southeast United States. The stronger updrafts within the generating cells had vertical velocities ranging from 1 to 3 m s−1. The generating cells were important to precipitation production within the comma head. Precipitation trails formed within the generating cells could sometimes be followed to the boundary layer before merging.Boundary layer air beneath the cyclone’s comma head exhibited convective circulati...
Degradation of Thermal Barrier Coatings by Fuel Impurities and CMAS: Thermochemical Interactions and Mitigation Approaches

Degradation of free-standing yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and CoNiCrAlY coatings (300 μm) due to V2O5 and a laboratory-synthesized CMAS was investigated at temperatures up to 1400 °C. Reactions, phase transformations, and microstructural development in coatings were examined by using x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The molten deposits destabilized the YSZ and reacted with the thermally grown oxide with various phase transformations and reaction product formation. A dense, continuous environmental barrier overlay, based on oxides, applied by electrophoretic deposition was effective in mitigating the molten deposit attack. Enriching CMAS composition with Al promoted the crystallization of anorthite platelets and MgAl2O4 spinel, and mitigated CMAS ingression. EPD MgO overlay was also effective in protection against V2O5 melt by formation of magnesium vanadates. EPD alumina overlay deposited on thermal barrier coatings with APS 8YSZ and bond-coated IN939 superalloy retained its adhesion and structural integrity after prolonged furnace thermal cycle test at 1100 °C.