cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cost-Effective Lifetime Structural Health Monitoring Based on Availability

The state of a structural system subjected to deterioration processes is changing continuously. This state cannot be reliably predicted without considering both aleatory and epistemic uncertainties. To reduce the epistemic uncertainty, inspection and structural health monitoring (SHM) should be performed, and the performance prediction model should be updated periodically. Continuous monitoring is needed to reliably assess and predict the performance of structures. However, due to limited financial resources, continuous monitoring is not practical. Therefore, a cost-effective SHM strategy is necessary. In this paper, the probability that the performance prediction model based on monitoring data is usable in the future is computed by using the statistics of extremes and availability theory. This probability represents the availability of the monitoring data over nonmonitoring periods. The monitoring cost and availability can be found by solving a biobjective optimization problem. This problem consists in simultaneously minimizing the total monitoring cost and maximizing the availability of the monitoring data for performance prediction. Pareto solutions associated with monitoring duration and prediction duration are obtained. The proposed approach is applied to an existing bridge.
Fluid Flow Behavior in the Curved Annular Sector Duct

A numerical analysis of the axial and secondary flow behavior in a curved annular sector duct is presented in the paper. The flow is considered to be fully developed laminar flow with constant physical properties. Five parameters have been identified as major variables in controlling the flow behavior. The study indicates that with a moderate Dean number and when the sector angle is smaller than [pi]/2, only two vortices will appear in the cross section of the curved annular sector duct. When the sector angle is larger than [pi]/2, the vortex structure can be very complex, and is often determined by other parameters, especially by the angle between the annular sector duct centerline and the curvature radius direction. The friction coefficient of the curved annular sector duct is affected mainly by the radius ratio, curvature, and axial pressure gradient. The radius ratio of the inner/outer walls can affect the vortex structure only when the radius ratio is very small. When the radius ratio is larger than 0.6, the friction coefficient is only slightly higher than that of a straight annular sector duct. Nevertheless, for the small radius ratio duct, the friction coefficient can be tripled, as compared with a straightmore » annular sector duct. Although the holding pipe curvature and the axial pressure gradient cannot significantly change the vortex structure of the secondary flow, they can however, remarkably increase the friction coefficient by increasing the velocity gradient near the solid boundary.« less
Immune interactions at the maternal-fetal interface: a focus on antigen presentation.

Problem: Viruses and fetuses face similar immunologic challenges. Each must evade immune detection and destruction. The virus must avoid host recognition of intracellular infection; the fetus allogenic recognition. Each has manipulated the process of antigen presentation to allow survival in an immunologic environment otherwise predictably hostile. How have these approaches co-evolved? What can they teach us about viral pathogenesis and immunologic interactions at the maternal-fetal interface? Method of study: Review of relevant literature. Results: Special classical and non-classical MHC class I products are spared from downregulation in the placenta and from viral immunoevasive strategies. Conclusions: Viruses rely upon some of the same strategies to avoid immune detection as do trophoblast cells. In the future, viral infections may prove a useful tool for studies of immunology at the maternal-fetal interface.
Are self reports of memory failure accurate

Previous research with memory questionnaires has been interpreted as showing that people do not recall their memory failures accurately. The present research consisted of three investigations that examined whether participants' reports of memory failures were corroborated by their spouses. These investigations used a greater variety of statistical and survey methods than were used in previous investigations. The results demonstrated that people are able to recall memory failures more accurately than previous research indicated. These results have important methodological and theoretical implications for basic and applied assumptions about what people know about their memory failures. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Language: en
ZebraNet and beyond: applications and systems support for mobile, dynamic networks

Mobile and wireless computing has the potential to offer the next big revolution in how we relate to and make use of our computing devices. In addition to untethered operation, mobile and distributed systems offer the opportunity to consider new computational models in which dynamic, sparsely-connected confederations of embedded computing devices collaborate across wide areas to gather information and solve problems. These systems, however, face significant energy, form-factor and connectivity constraints that influence how they should be designed. In this talk, I will describe our experiences building the ZebraNet system for wildlife tracking, based on sparse, mobile collections of GPS-based sensing devices. Drawing from ZebraNet and other systems experiences, my most recent work seeks to provide dynamic, optimizable systems layers for expressing mobile node relationships and for allowing distributed confederations of nodes to collaborate. I will discuss both the technical challenges of dynamic networks, as well as the broader opportunities for deploying such networks, particularly in low-infrastructure developing regions.
Skill acquisition in the bookkeeping task

Skill acquisition in a domain is the acquisition of appropriate problem solving schemes, as determined by experts. This paper extends previous research in the accounting domain by investigating skill acquisition. It does so by a series of protocol analyses of a single subject as she progressed through an intermediate accounting course. These findings are compared with the behavior of a skilled subject. Our results suggest that the strategy transformation of unit-building is utilized in the bookkeeping task environment.
Regimes of Ethical Value? Landscape, Race and Representation in the Canadian Diamond Industry

: Canadian diamonds are marketed as “ethical” alternatives to notorious “blood diamonds”. This paper analyzes the specific matrices through which ethical consumption as a discourse is being mobilized to sell diamonds. I argue that consumption operates as a system of social signification in which consuming subjects are positioned as moral subjects. Moreover, I argue that historically accumulated symbolic power, in the form of imagined geographies of benevolent colonialism in the Canadian North versus the exploitation of “dark” Africa, pristine, “white” northern landscapes, modernization via commodity production, and national identity, creates the very field of meaning within which the consuming subject is positioned. The ethicalization of Canadian diamonds also has important normative implications both in terms of the cultural politics of ethical consumption and social and environmental justice in the Canadian North.
Glycine–nitrate synthesis of Sr doped La2Zr2O7 pyrochlore powder

Abstract Materials with A2B2O7 (pyrochlore) structure have received significant attention for their applications as new protonic conductors and materials used in electronic devices. One of the unique synthesis routes for La2Zr2O7 (pyrochlore) powders is the glycine–nitrate combustion method, which shows superior properties of the synthesised powder using glycine as a complexing agent. The Sr doped La2Zr2O7 powders in pure pyrochlore structure were produced using this approach. Selected characteristics of the synthesised powders, such as crystal structure, lattice parameters, crystallite size, the vibrational properties, the morphology of the particles, along with the specific surface area and particle size, have been investigated. The dependence of some properties on annealing temperatures of the powders has been studied.
Skeletal Muscle Damage and Recovery

Muscular strength is essential for recovery after an acute illness. Disuse atrophy of muscle begins within 4 hours of the start of bed rest resulting in decreases in muscle mass, muscle cell diameter, and the number of muscle fibers. Strenuous exercise of atrophic muscle can lead to muscle damage including sarcolemmal disruption, distortion of the myofibrils' contractile components, and cytoskeletal damage. Assessment of skeletal muscle for disuse atrophy is done clinically at the bedside through strength assessment. Examination of the muscle itself can be conducted through the use of nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, whereas muscle strength can be quantified with a computerized dynamometer. Biochemical markers, including creatine kinase and troponin, also are available for the assessment of skeletal muscle damage. Activity management in the critical care environment focuses on an individualized plan, developed in cooperation with the recovering patient, with the goal of preserving and improving atrophic skeletal muscle.
Pharmacologic Treatments for Pediatric Bipolar Disorder: A Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective A growing body of literature has documented pediatric bipolar disorder to be a severely impairing form of psychopathology. However, concerns remain as to the inadequacy of the extant literature on its pharmacotherapy. Furthermore, treatment studies have not been systematically reviewed for treatment effects on core and associated symptoms. Thus, a systematic evaluation and synthesis of the available literature on the efficacy of antimanic pharmacotherapy for pediatric bipolar disorder on symptoms of mania, depression, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder was undertaken. Method A systematic search was conducted through PubMed from 1989 through 2010 for open-label and randomized controlled trials published in English on the pharmacotherapy of pediatric mania. Results There have been 46 open-label ( n = 29) and randomized ( n = 17) clinical trials of antimanic agents in pediatric bipolar disorder encompassing 2,666 subjects that evaluated a range of therapeutic agents, including traditional mood stabilizers, other anticonvulsants, second-generation antipsychotics, and naturopathic compounds. This literature has documented that the available armamentarium has different levels of efficacy in the treatment of pediatric mania. Because all psychotropic classes are associated with important adverse effects, a careful risk-benefit analysis is warranted when initiating pharmacologic treatment with any of these compounds. In the limited data available, the effects of antimanic agents on depression and symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder have been, in general, modest. Few studies have evaluated the effects of antimanic agents in children younger than 10 years. Conclusions A substantial body of scientific literature has evaluated the safety and efficacy of various medicines and drug classes in the treatment of mania in pediatric bipolar disorder. More work is needed to assess the safety and efficacy of psychotropic drugs in children younger than 10 years, to further evaluate the efficacy of naturopathic compounds, and to further evaluate the effects of antimanic treatments for the management of depression and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Smoking influences the association between apolipoprotein E and lipids: the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Family Heart Study.

Apolipoprotein E allele 4 (apo ɛ4) and smoking each have been associated with an unfavorable lipid profile. We used data collected on 1,472 subjects in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Family Heart Study to assess whether smoking interacts with apo ɛ4 to influence the levels of plasma lipids. We dichotomized smoking and apo ɛ4 and used analysis of covariance to estimate the means of lipids. Smokers had lower body mass index, were younger, and consumed less fruits and vegetables. Among individuals without apo ɛ4, comparing nonsmokers with smokers, mean low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) was 129.3 and 134.4 mg/dL, respectively, for women and 126.1 and 127.6 mg/dL, respectively, for men. Among subjects with an apo ɛ4 allele, corresponding means were 132.0, and 152.9 mg/dL, respectively, for women and 131.3 and 137.3 mg/dL, respectively, for men (P for interaction <0.001 for women and 0.11 for men). A similar interaction was observed for total cholesterol among women (P=0.02). This study shows a statistically significant effect modification of the relation of apo ɛ4 to LDL and total cholesterol by smoking among women. Smoking may enhance genetic susceptibility to an unfavorable lipid profile among subjects with apo ɛ4.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for carcinogen risk assessment: Past and future

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) recently proposed new guidelines to update and replace the 1986 USEPA Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment. Today, there is a better understanding of the variety of modes by which carcinogens can operate that did not exist when the 1986 USEPA guidelines were published. Many laboratories are adding new test protocols in their programs directed at questions concerning the mechanisms of action of carcinogens. In response to the evolving science of carcinogenesis, the new guidelines provide an analytical framework for incorporating all relevant biological information and recognizing a variety of situations regarding cancer risk. In addition, the guidelines are flexible enough to allow consideration of future scientific advances.
Aldosterone and cardiovascular disease.

Purpose of reviewThe renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is a co-ordinated hormonal cascade of major importance in the control of fluid and electrolyte homeostasis and blood pressure. During the past decade, the scientific community has realized that this system is also of paramount importance in p
Small primary de novo adenocarcinoma of the colon with mesenteric lymphatic metastasis

It is felt that the majority of colorectal carcinomas develop by malignant degeneration of previously benign adenomatous polyps. A small primary colon carcinoma, thought to have developed de novo directly from the colonic mucosa without the usual polyp-cancer sequence, is reported. This small nonulcerated lesion did not have the gross endoscopic appearance of a carcinoma and was associated with lymphatic metastasis. The need to include fiber-optic colonoscopy as part of the routine preoperative work-up and postoperative follow-up to rule out synchronous and metachronous lesions not detected by barium contrast x-ray studies is stressed.
On the origin of the high coarsening resistance of Ω plates in Al–Cu–Mg–Ag Alloys

The thickening kinetics of Ω plates in an Al–4Cu–0.3Mg–0.2Ag (wt. %) alloy have been measured at 200, 250 and 300°C using conventional transmission electron microscopy techniques. At all temperatures examined the thickening showed a linear dependence on time. At 200°C the plates remained less than 6 nm in thickness after 1000 h exposure. At temperatures above 200°C the thickening kinetics are greatly increased. Atomic resolution Z-contrast microscopy has been used to examine the structure and chemistry of the (001)Ω‖(111)α interphase boundary in samples treated at each temperature. In all cases, two atomic layers of Ag and Mg segregation were found at the broad face of the plate. The risers of the thickening ledges and the ends of the plates were free of Ag segregation. The necessary redistribution of Ag and Mg accompanying a migrating thickening ledge occurs at all temperatures and is not considered to play a decisive role in the excellent coarsening resistance exhibited by the Ω plates at temperatures up to 200°C. Plates transformed at 200°C rarely contained ledges and usually exhibited a strong vacancy misfit normal to the plate. A large increase in ledge density was observed on plates transformed at 300°C, concomitant with accelerated plate thickening kinetics. The high resistance to plate coarsening exhibited by Ω plates at temperatures up to 200°C, is due to a prohibitively high barrier to ledge nucleation in the strong vacancy field normal to the broad face of the plate. Results also suggest that accommodation of the large misfit that exists normal to the broad face of the plate is unlikely to provide the driving force for Ag and Mg segregation.
Motion and vision. IV. Isotropic and anisotropic spatial responses

When the thresholds for periodic spatial patterns containing two or more differently oriented components (e.g., crossed gratings) are measured under normal, unstabilized conditions, each component seems to be detected almost independently of the others if their angular orientations are sufficiently different. This psychophysical behavior has been attributed to anisotropic or orientation-tuned units in the visual cortex. Here we report that when the image of such a multicomponent pattern is stabilized on the retina, the independent-detection behavior vanishes. Under stabilized-image conditions, the contrast sensitivity is governed by the maximum local contrast at the retina. The number and relative contrast of individual components, even orthogonal ones, behave almost additively in making up the threshold contrast. We confirmed this conclusion with a variety of patterns that give orientation-tuning effects in unstabilized viewing. Controlled image motion (resembling the effect of the natural drifts of the eye) restores the independent-detection behavior in every case, as do other forms of temporal modulation (e.g., flicker or flash presentations). We infer (1) that orientation-tuned units in man do not respond to unchanging stimuli—they cannot function unless the pattern on the retina is temporally modulated, and (2) in the absence of temporal modulation, spatial patterns are detected by isotropic units of relatively low sensitivity.
Recombinant gp160 vaccination schedule and MHC HLA type as factors influencing cellular responses to HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein

Abstract This study assessed (1) T-cell responses following vaccination of HIV-1 negative volunteers with HIV-1 LAI recombinant gp160 (rgp160) vaccine, and (2) effects of vaccine injection schedule and MHC HLA type on those responses. In one trial, volunteers received rgp160 in two accelerated schedules (Groups 1 and 2). In the other trial, volunteers received rgp160 vaccine at 0, 1, 6, and 12 months and some received vaccine at 18 months (Groups 3 and 4). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from vaccinees in Groups 3 and 4 were stimulated by more peptides representing envelope glycoprotein T-cell epitopes than Groups 1 and 2 ( p =0.01). Transient anti-envelope glycoprotein CTL activity was more frequently detectable in Groups 1 and 2 ( p =0.03). MHC HLA-Cw7, DR1 and DQw1 alleles appeared to be associated with PBMC responses to envelope glycoprotein.
Innervation of the Medial Rectus Muscle in the Ratfish, Hydrolagus Colliei

Oculomotor organization in elasmobranch fish (sharks, skates, and rays) differs from that in other vertebrates in that the medial rectus muscle is innervated by contralateral rather than ipsilateral motoneurons. Distinguishing whether this innervation pattern is unique to the elasmobranchs, or is the ancestral pattern for cartilaginous fishes, requires examination of a representative of the sister group to the elasmobranchs, the holocephalans (ratfish). In the present study, the innervation pattern of the medial rectus was examined in a ratfish, Hydrolagus colliei, by using biotinylated dextran amines (BDA, 3,000 MW). Labeled cells were revealed in the contralateral oculomotor nucleus. Therefore, an innervation pattern in which the medial rectus muscle is innervated by contralateral motoneurons is the primitive condition for cartilaginous fishes.
Long-term Evaluation of Radiation-Induced Optic Neuropathy After Single-Fraction Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Purpose To determine the long-term risk of radiation-induced optic neuropathy (RION) in patients having single-fraction stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for benign skull base tumors. Methods and materials Retrospective review of 222 patients having Gamma Knife radiosurgery for benign tumors adjacent to the anterior visual pathway (AVP) between 1991 and 1999. Excluded were patients with prior or concurrent external beam radiation therapy or SRS. One hundred twenty-nine patients (58%) had undergone previous surgery. Tumor types included confirmed World Health Organization grade 1 or presumed cavernous sinus meningioma (n=143), pituitary adenoma (n=72), and craniopharyngioma (n=7). The maximum dose to the AVP was ≤8.0 Gy (n=126), 8.1-10.0 Gy (n=39), 10.1-12.0 Gy (n=47), and >12 Gy (n=10). Results The mean clinical and imaging follow-up periods were 83 and 123 months, respectively. One patient (0.5%) who received a maximum radiation dose of 12.8 Gy to the AVP developed unilateral blindness 18 months after SRS. The chance of RION according to the maximum radiation dose received by the AVP was 0 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0-3.6%), 0 (95% CI 0-10.7%), 0 (95% CI 0-9.0%), and 10% (95% CI 0-43.0%) for patients receiving ≤8 Gy, 8.1-10.0 Gy, 10.1-12.0 Gy, and >12 Gy, respectively. The overall risk of RION in patients receiving >8 Gy to the AVP was 1.0% (95% CI 0-6.2%). Conclusions The risk of RION after single-fraction SRS in patients with benign skull base tumors who have no prior radiation exposure is very low if the maximum dose to the AVP is ≤12 Gy. Physicians performing single-fraction SRS should remain cautious when treating lesions adjacent to the AVP, especially when the maximum dose exceeds 10 Gy.
Ab‐Initio MRD‐CI calculations for breaking a chemical bond in a molecule in a crystal or other solid environment. II.H3C—NO2 decomposition of nitromethane in a nitromethane crystal with voids

Recently we extended our strategy for MRD-CI (multireference double excitation-configuration interaction) calculations based on localized/local orbitals and an “effective” CI Hamiltonian for molecular decompositions of large molecules to breaking a chemical bond in a molecule in a crystal or other solid environment. Our technique involves solving a quantum chemical ab-initio SCF explicitly for a system of a reference molecule surrounded by a number of other molecules in the multipole environment of more distant neighbors. The resulting canonical molecular orbitals are then localized and the localized occupied and virtual orbitals in the region of interest are included explicitly in the MRD-CI with the remainder of the occupied localized orbitals being folded into an “effective” CI Hamiltonian. The MRD-CI calculations are carried out for breaking a bond in the reference molecule. This method is completely general. The space treated explicitly quantum chemically and the surrounding space can have voids, defects, deformations, dislocations, impurities, dopants, edges and surfaces, boundaries, etc. We previously applied this procedure successfully to the H3CNO2 bond dissociation of nitromethane in a nitromethane crystal with extensive testing of the number of molecules that have to be included explicitly in the SCF and how many molecules have to be represented by more distant multipoles. The results indicated that it took more energy to dissociate the H3CNO2 bond when the nitromethane molecule was in the crystal than it did to dissociate that bond in the free nitromethane molecule. In this present study we have investigated the effect of voids (both in the nitromethane molecules treated explicitly in the SCF and those in the environment represented by multipoles) on the calculated H3CNO2 bond dissociation energies.
Combined AGE inhibition and ACEi decreases the progression of established diabetic nephropathy in B6 db/db mice

The accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGE) is a key factor in diabetic nephropathy (DN). Pyridoxamine inhibits AGE formation and protects against type I DN. Herein we tested: (1) whether C57BL6 db/db mice as a model of established type II DN resembled patients treated with drugs which inhibit angiotensin II action; (2) whether pyridoxamine was effective as a single therapy; and (3) whether pyridoxamine would add to the benefit of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition (ACEi) by enalapril. In first set of experiments mice were treated with ACEi (benazepril) and an angiotensin II receptor blocker (valsartan) combination for 16 weeks after the onset of diabetes. In second group, mice with established DN were treated with pyridoxamine for 8 weeks. In a third set, mice with established DN were treated with pyridoxamine and enalapril combination for 16 weeks. Benazepril and valsartan combination partially prevented the development and progression of DN. Pyridoxamine treatment, as single therapy, decreased the progression of albuminuria and glomerular lesions. The combination of pyridoxamine with enalapril reduced both mortality and the progression of DN. In conclusion, (1) C57 BL6 db/db mice are a model of progressive type II DN; (2) The combination of pyridoxamine with enalapril decreased progression of type 2 DN and overall mortality. Thus, pyridoxamine could be a valuable adjunct to the current treatment of established type II DN.
Hardened Portland cement pastes of low porosity V. Compressive strength

Abstract The compressive strengths of low-porosity pastes made from a Type I and a Type II clinker were investigated. Besides the effect of the type of cement, the effects of different grinding aids, surface of the cement, water-cement ratio (0.2 and 0.3), temperature of hydration (5°, 25°, and 50°), and the age of the paste on compressive strength were determined. By and large, the strength results correlated well with degree of hydration and total porosity, but there was definite indication of at least one other factor. The distribution of pore volume in pores different sizes is suggested as a third factor influencing compressive strength.
Varicella complicated with acute thrombocytopenic purpura and gangrene

Summary A case of varicella complicated with acute thrombocytopenic purpuraand gangrene is presented. This is a very rare combination. The lower extremities were chiefly involved. Blood transfusionscontrolled the purpura, but the necrotic inflammation or gangrene spread quite extensively before it stopped spontaneously. Amputation of a portion of each leg was necessary. This complication involving blood and vascular changes and destruction of tissue may be due to a marked individual sensitivity to the virus of varicella.
Finite Difference Elastic Wave Modeling Including Surface Topography

Surface topography and the weathered zone (i.e., heterogeneity near the earth’s surface) have great effects on elastic wave propagation. Both surface waves and body waves are contaminated by scattering and conversion by the irregular surface topographic features. In this paper, we present a 2D numerical solver for the elastic wave equation that combines a 4thorder ADER scheme (Arbitrary high-order accuracy using DERivatives) with the characteristic variable method at the free surface boundary. The method is based on the velocity-stress formulation. We demonstrate the method by calculating synthetic seismograms for simple features.
Inhibitory effect of lead acetate on contractility of longitudinal smooth muscle from rat ileum.

Abstract The effect of lead acetate on contractility of ileal longitudinal smooth muscle was determined in vitro. Strips, removed from the ileum of male Wistar rats, were suspended in Tris buffer and isometric tension was recorded. Responses to muscarinic receptor activation with methacholine and membrane depolarization with KCl were measured before and after addition of lead acetate to the tissue bath. Lead concentrations of 1 and 3.2 μ m had no effect on methacholine (0.45 μ m ) or KCl (80 m m ) induced contractions. However, at concentrations of 10 to 32 μ m , lead produced a concentration-dependent decline in the response to both these agonists. Both the receptor affinity and intrinsic activity of methacholine were reduced by 160 μ m lead. This concentration of lead also inhibited the contractions induced by cumulative addition of calcium chloride (0.18–4.5 m m ) to calcium-depleted, KCl-depolarized tissue. This inhibition could be overcome by increased concentrations of calcium. The decreased response to muscarinic receptor activation by methacholine and to membrane depolarization by KCl could result from the impairment of calcium influx or intracellular function.
Total synthesis of the Lycopodium alkaloid serratezomine A using free radical-mediated vinyl amination to prepare a β-stannyl enamine linchpin.

Serratezomine A is a member of the structurally diverse class of compounds known as the Lycopodium alkaloids. The key supporting studies and successful total synthesis of serratezomine A are described in this account. Significant features of the synthesis include the first application of free radical mediated vinyl amination and Hwu’s oxidative allylation in a total synthesis and an intramolecular lactonization via a transannular SNi reaction. Minimal use of protecting groups and the highly diastereoselective formation of a hindered, quaternary stereocenter using an umpolung allylation are also highlights from a strategy perspective. Observation of quaternary carbon epimerization via a retro-Mannich/Mannich sequence highlights the additional challenge presented by the axial alcohol at C8 in serratezomine A.
Athletes as Entertainers: A Comparative Study of Earnings Profiles

In recent years, one of the most widely discussed social issues in American sports has been the compensation of professional athletes. Public perceptions tend to view athletes as overpaid. This article offers empirical evidence based on a representative sample of athletes taken from the U.S. Census. Comparing athletes with other professional entertainers, regression analysis indicates that athletes are relatively low paid and that their earnings deficiencies cannot be fully explained by differences in personal characteristics between them and other entertainers.
Limiting concentration of hydrogen in an electrochromic tungsten trioxide film

Abstract The electrochromic phenomena in tungsten trioxide (WO3) films involve the formation of HxWO3. The maximum value of x in HxWO3 is found to be 0.4 from EMF measurements of the WO3 films during electrochemical reduction. The optical absorbance of HxWO3 increases linearly with the increase of x up to x = 0.4. Further injection of catholic charge results in the evolution of hydrogen. Absorbance data also indicate the existence of HxWO3 in a single phase.
Who's afraid of the dentate line? The Whitehead hemorrhoidectomy

Between January 1, 1970 and January 1, 1980 1,002 hemorrhoidectomies, of which 356 were modified Whitehead procedures, were performed at a University of Illinois-affiliated hospital. Follow-up data were obtained from 295 of these patients, with times ranging from 5 to 12 years. Five patients experienced postoperative contractures. Of these, three required a second procedure and one required a third. There were no cases of fecal incontinence or rectal seepage. After review of the literature, I concluded that (1) the poor record, of the Whitehead hemorrhoidectomy is due to the confusing and oftentimes misleading terminology of the anorectal anatomy found in early texts, and (2) this technique, or one of its modifications, is a viable treatment option for patients with circumferential, prolapsing, mixed hemorhoids.
Lightning protection on the stevens point ¿ Wisconsin rapids intercity telephone cable

It has been a common assumption that buried telephone cables are practically free from the destructive effects of lightning, particularly intercity cables which have no intermediate terminals or connections to local subscriber installations along the route of the buried section. Such cables in some areas, however, have been found to be relatively vulnerable to damage from lightning strokes occurring along the route of cables. To avoid such damage various methods have been employed. One method has been to plow shield wires in the ground above the location of the cables. Whether or not such protection is provided is customarily based on balancing the cost of such measures against the expectancy of lightning strokes per year along the respective route, and the anticipated cost of repairs and interruptions entailed. This paper describes a situation where the anticipated troubles did not appear to warrant the cost of the initial installation of shield wires, but later experience indicated the need for some remedial measures. The measure adopted consisted of the installations of full-count carbon gap protection at various intervals along the cable route.
Nicotine accumulation in callus and small plants of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) grown in media supplemented with nicotine

Abstract Callus of Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Burley 21 was grown on Murashige-Skoog medium with 0.03 mg/l kinetin and 2.0 mg/l β-indoleacetic acid and nicotine levels of 0–32 mM. With increased nicotine concentrations in the medium, callus nicotine accumulation increased from nearly zero as fresh weight decreased. Nicotine accumulation was as great as 6.2% with 60% of the dry weight accumulation compared with the control to which no nicotine was added. Burley 21 callus accumulated only nornicotine if nornicotine was the sole supplemental alkaloid in the mediu. Callus of Robinson Medium Broadleaf accumulated only nicotine when grown on a medium supplemented only with nicotine, although both green and cured leaves of this cultivar demethylate nicotine to nornicotine. Burley 21 plants at the 6–8-leaf stage grown hydroponically with 8 mM nicotine accumulated 2.4% nicotine in 10 days compared with 0.3% in the controls.
Work in progress: The effects of mobile learning on inquiry-based instruction

Recently, inquiry-based learning has been used to enable students to ask scientific questions and come to objective conclusions based on observation and experimentation. Within this context, we have been exploring the impact of mobile devices upon different modes of learning including inquiry-based instruction. While much attention has been on the acquisition of mobile devices for the classroom, mobile learning has the ability to facilitate education beyond the confines of the brick and mortar to improve information retention and student engagement. This paper describes research being performed at Miami University which explores best practices in engaging students in inquiry-based learning experiences using a suite of technological tools (including a mobile app) being developed to support citizen science and research data collection.
Do genes influence exposure to trauma? A twin study of combat

Data from 4,029 male-male twin pairs who served in the United States military during the Vietnam era (1965-1975) were used to examine genetic and non-genetic factors that influence wartime exposure to traumatic events. Specific events examined were volunteering for service in Vietnam, actual service in Southeast Asia, a composite index of 18 combat experiences, and information from military records about being awarded combat decorations. Correlations within monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs for volunteering for service in Vietnam were 0.40 and 0.22, respectively. For actually serving in Southeast Asia, the MZ correlation was 0.41 and the DZ correlation was 0.24. Analysis of twin pairs in which both siblings served in Southeast Asia (n = 820) demonstrated a correlation for self-reported combat experiences within MZ and DZ pairs of 0.53 and 0.30, respectively. Heritability estimates ranged from 35 to 47%. The family environment did not have a significant effect on any of the variables. Analyses of data from military records regarding being awarded a combat decoration provided very similar results to those found for self-reported combat experiences.
Effect of capsaicin upon fluoride sensitive acid phosphatases in selected ganglia and spinal cord and upon neuronal size and number in dorsal root ganglion.

Abstract A quantitative method for the analytical separation of the fluoride sensitive acid phosphatases of rat spinal cord and peripheral nervous tissues into tartrate-sensitive and tartrate-resistant forms (TSAP and TRAP, respectively) is described. Evidence supporting the use of l -(+)-tartrate rather than fluoride as an inhibitor is presented. The method is used for the quantitative description of the consequences of neonatal capsaicin treatment, and the results appear to justify the attribution of the TRAP activity to the capsaicin sensitive neurons. In the first experiment, rats were killed at weekly intervals after neonatal capsaicin treatment. In controls, both TRAP and TSAP activities in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) increased during the second postnatal week and remained constant thereafter. At all ages (1–4 weeks) TRAP activity was reduced 50–60% in capsaicin-treated DRG. Reduction of TSAP activity was much less. In a second experiment, rats were treated neonatally with capsaicin or vehicle (control) and allowed to grow to adulthood (4 months). TRAP activity was found to be decreased 38% in the dorsal half of the lumbar spinal cord (L3–L5), decreased 33% in nodose ganglion, and unchanged in superior cervical ganglion of the capsaicin treated animals. TSAP activity was unchanged in dorsal spinal cord and superior cervical ganglion and decreased 33% in nodose ganglion. The number of neurons in C8 DRG was found to be reduced 28% in capsaicin treated animal. The loss appeared to be among the small neurons. The number of large neurons was actually increased in ganglia from capsaicin-treated animals. We postulate that the increased size of the larger neurons is a consequence of increased availability of nerve growth factor (NGF) or other trophic factor(s) resulting from a reduction in the number of sensory neurons competing for it. In a third experiment, neonatal rats were treated with daily injections of NGF for 7 days. The TRAP activity per unit weight was increased 19% in dorsal root ganglia, but not in nodose or superior cervical ganglion, indicating a selective induction of TRAP by NGF in DRG neurons.
Ultraviolet Wave-Length Standards of N, C, and O, λ2300 to λ1080

Wave-lengths of N, C and O lines in the spectral range λ2317 to λ1080 have been determined with an accuracy of 0.01A to serve as wave-length standards in this region. A ten-foot focus normal incidence vacuum spectrograph having a dispersion of 5.5A/mm was used to compare second order N and C lines with first order Cu and Fe interferometer-measured standards. The results are compared with values given by Boyce and Rieke. The mean deviation from their values is 0.009A, the mean systematic deviation 0.001A. The use of the method of coincidences in determining tertiary standards is discussed.
Recent sedimentation rates and 210Pb fluxes in Georgian Bay and Lake Huron

Abstract The 210 Pb and 137 Cs profiles are determined at five locations in Georgian Bay and Lake Huron. Compaction-corrected recent sedimentation rates are derived for all locations using the 210 Pb data. The rates range from 0.13 ± 0.03 mm y −1 (2.2 ± 0.4 mg cm −2 y −1 ) to 0.78 ± 0.06 mm y −1 (14.5 ± 1.1 mg cm −2 y −1 ). Except for one location, the rates show marginal to good agreement with those estimated from palynological measurements at four of the five study locations. 137 Cs profiles at study locations suggest that the top portions of the sediment cores were satisfactorily retrieved during coring and sectioning operations. However, considerable downward migration of 13 Cs is noted at three locations. The fluxes of excess 210 Pb vary between 0.06 and 0.27 pCi cm −2 y −1 . The average depositional flux is found to be considerably lower than the flux of atmospheric 210 Pb. It is postulated that the deposition of atmospheric 210 Pb in Lake Huron and Georgian Bay sediments is limited by the supply of scavenging particulates.
Repetitive activity and hopf bifurcation under point-stimulation for a simple FitzHugh-Nagumo nerve conduction model

In response to point-stimulation with a constant current, a neuron may propagate a repetitive train of action potentials along its axon. For maintained repetitive activity, the current strength I must be, typically, neither too small nor too large. For I outside some range, time independent steady behavior is observed following a transient phase just after the current is applied. We present analytical results for a piecewise linear FitzHugh-Nagumo model for a point-stimulated (non-space-clamped) nerve which are consistent with this qualitative experimental picture. For each value of I there is a unique, spatially nonuniform, steady state solution. We show that this solution is stable except for an interval (I*, I*) of I values. Stability for I too small or too large corresponds to experiments with sub-threshold I or with excessive I which leads to ‘nerve block’. For I = I*, I* we find Hopf bifurcation of spatially nonuniform, time periodic solutions. We conclude that (I*, I*) lies interior to the range of I values for repetitive activity. The values of I* and I* and their dependence on the model parameters are determined. Qualitative differences between results for the point-stimulated configuration and the space-clamped case are discussed.
Does cue context matter? Examining the specificity of cue-related activation of positive and negative alcohol expectancies.

Consistent with the Encoding Specificity principle, positive alcohol expectancies may be activated by cues in drinking contexts because they are more closely associated with these cues in memory than are negative expectancies. However, there is little research examining the specificity of cue-induced alcohol expectancy activation. This study investigated the relative activation of positive and negative expectancies in response to positive and negative cue contexts. We also examined whether these effects were stronger for heavier and more problematic drinkers. College student drinkers were randomly assigned to listen to vignettes describing either positive or negative drinking scenarios (cue exposure). Participants also completed an implicit measure of alcohol expectancy activation (modified Stroop task) both before and after the cue exposure, as well as self-report measures of alcohol use and alcohol-related problems. We found that alcohol-related problems moderated the effects of cue condition on expectancy activation, such that specific activation of positive relative to negative expectancies in response to positive cues was observed only for drinkers with higher levels of alcohol problems. No differences in activation of positive versus negative expectancies were observed for more problematic drinkers in the negative cue condition or for less problematic drinkers in either cue condition. The results are partially consistent with the Encoding Specificity principle, showing that positive contextual cues can selectively activate positive alcohol expectancies for more problematic drinkers. Findings may have implications for interventions that target automatic expectancy processes, suggesting potential utility in targeting specific expectancies in specific contexts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved). Language: en
Design of a radiant "Strip" heater for simulating liquid fuel flows in flame spreading

In order to create and to study the effects of liquid surface motion, a radiant strip heater which consisted of a heated rod at the focal point of a parabolic mirror was designed. Several configurations were analyzed to determine the appropriate design for a heater and it was experimentally proven that a heater with eight heated rods placed in an encasement can provide a nearly uniform heat flux on a fuel surface with magnitude varying with vertical distance. Using a heat flux gauge at various horizontal locations at a specific vertical location, the ratio of measured heat flux between the center and the outer edge of the heater was found not to exceed 1.10.
Theoretical resolution limitations of electrooptic spatial light modulators. II. Effects of crystallographic orientation

The point-spread function (PSF) of an electrooptic spatial light modulator (ESLM), such as the Pockels Readout Optical Modulator (PROM) or the PRIZ, is derived for various electrooptic crystal orientations and for charge distributions consisting of one or two point charges located in the electrooptic-crystal bulk. It is shown that phase modulation occurs for crystallographic orientations other than 〈001〉, resulting in signal-dependent phase distortions in the image plane and increased harmonic distortion in the Fourier plane. By utilizing linear systems theory, ESLM sensitivity and resolution are analyzed by means of generalized voltage transfer functions. Strikingly strong dependences on crystallographic orientation and charge position are shown. The effects of readout polarization on the angular dependence of the phase and amplitude of the PSF for various crystallographic orientations are also derived.
A gendered look at Mexico's health-sector reform.

The strong links between health and development have been increasingly articulated by leaders in health policy and economic development: investments in health systems help to reduce poverty and promote sustainable development while national development contributes to improved public health. The connection between health and development is clearly articulated in the Millennium Development Goals which provide a global framework for current development efforts. Gender--the social cultural and political constructs that prescribe feminine and masculine roles and which often lead to power imbalances between women and men--also strongly affects health and development. Gender-related disadvantages in addition to undermining human rights and social justice contribute to poverty and poor health. Health policies and social systems that ensure womens equal access to information and services not only contribute to their well-being but also affect economic growth and reduction of poverty by raising productivity improving efficiency and enabling the female half of the population to reach its full potential. (excerpt)