cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modified Chain-code Computer Vision Techniques For Interrogation Of Vibration Signatures For Structural Fault Detection

Abstract Vibration testing is a viable method for structural fault diagnosis. Different structural dynamic response variables and parameters that may be considered as candidate objects of interrogation are briefly reviewed. The fault diagnosis process is broken down into three parts, and only the detection process is addressed in this paper. The frequency response function obtained by exciting the structure at a selected reference point is utilized as the preferred form of vibration signature to be used for interrogation. The chain code computer vision technique is modified to evaluate the frequency response function signature as a waveform. Signatures are obtained from a laboratory structure in the form of a ribbed plate, similar to a highway bridge. Cracks are simulated in the structure by cutting through splice plates with a jigsaw. By applying the computer vision technique on the signatures and comparing inspection signatures with benchmark signatures, small cracks are detected consistently. Results of the interrogation are interpreted in a graphical manner. In addition, an automated evaluation technique is presented. The robustness of the technique is verified by contaminating signals with synthetic noise. Successful performance of the technique in the presence of noise indicates the potential for fault diagnosis of large outdoor structures.
Images of Liminality in Book VI of The Aeneid

In her paper "Images of Liminality in Book VI of The Aeneid" Pouneh Saeedi discusses the concept of "liminality" in Virgil's The Aeneid and its potential in defying designated boundaries. The concept of liminality undercuts binarisms such as those separating winners and losers as well as heroes and monsters. In addition, an investigation of liminality as a zone of constant becoming continues to shed light on a vast array of new transitions. Aeneas's future success in the construction of a new empire and the rebuilding of a Roman nation, to a large extent, is indebted to his having ventured onto the thresholds and fought the monstra. Being the embodiment of the earthly and the divine, hence liminal, he is naturally predisposed to grand possibilities. His encounter with liminal entities such as the Sibyl and Charon, along with his appreciation for the function of the "golden bough" and all the monsters emerging from the interstices of in-between-ness, in the end, empower Aeneas in conquering the hurdles placed against him in Latium, the destined terrain of the Roman race. Such are the potentialities offered by liminality and Book VI of The Aeneid is just one of many examples thereof.
Tautomerism in malonic ester derivatives of s-triazine

Pmr and uv spectra of tris-, bis- and monomalonic ester derivatives of s-triazine were studied in chloroform, dioxane, methanol, water, acetonitrile, dimethylsulfoxide, dimethylformamide, and cyclohexylamine. The results indicate that the enaminic structures (I, II and III) predominate in chloroform, dioxane, methanol and water. A small amount of enolate is present in acetonitrile and a larger amount of enolate is present in dimethylsulfoxide, dimethylformamide and cyclohexylamine in the case of the tris- and bismalonic ester derivatives of s-triazine. The conclusion is reached that for these latter compounds in basic solvent, a tautomeric equilibrium exists between the enaminic form and resonance-stabilized enolate ions.
n-Doping of thermally polymerizable fullerenes as an electron transporting layer for inverted polymer solar cells

A novel [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl styryl ester (PCBM-S) was synthesized and employed as an electron transporting interfacial layer for bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells with an inverted device configuration. After the deposition of PCBM-S film from solution, the styryl groups of PCBM-S were polymerized by post-thermal treatment to form a robust film which is resistive to common organic solvents. This allows the solution processing of upper bulk heterojunction film without eroding the PCBM-S layer. Additionally, the PCBM-S was n-doped with decamethylcobaltocene (DMC) to increase the conductivity of the film, which resulted in a significantly improved power conversion efficiency from 1.24% to 2.33%. The improved device performance is due to the decrease of series resistance and improved electron extraction property of the n-doped PCBM-S film.
A retrospective on constraint databases

In this paper we give a review of constraint databases, a field that was started by Paris Kanellakis, Gabriel Kuper and the author. The review includes basic concepts of data representation, constraint query languages, and query evaluation. We also illustrate applications of constraint databases in the areas of model checking, data mining, trust management, Diophantine polynomial equations, and moving objects.
Comparison between Water Contents Reported and Actual Water Contents in High Speed Diesel Used for Industrial Power Generation in Pakistan to Establish Relationship between NOx Reported and NOx Observed in Industrial Emissions

Environmental pollution due to industrial emission is becoming a growing problem day by day and Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) are one of the contributing factors in it. Researchers are in continuous efforts for finding out ways to control these NOx. Out of many, one of the ways to control these NOx is by controlling the volume of water in High Speed Diesel (HSD) used for power generation in Diesel generators (DGs). Water content in HSD provides oxygen for the formation of NOx. Research presented in this paper also revolves around the relation ship between the water contents of HSD and NOx emitted by the DGs. Relevant industrial data of water contents in HSD and NOx percentage in emissions has been collected from selected Industry in Pakistan the largest consumer good manufacturer in Pakistan and one of the largest Multi-national consumer goods manufacturer.
Effect of glutathione depletion on tissue deposition of methylmercury in rats.

Diethylmaleate and other compounds capable of being metabolized to mercapturic acid derivatives were administered to rats in order to deplete tissue stores of glutathione (GSH). Deposition of mercury was significantly decreased in kidney and erythrocytes of depleted animals when [203Hg]methylmercuric chloride was administered during the period of maximal depletion of GSH. Increasing doses of diethylmaleate resulted in steadily decreasing GSH concentrations in brain, kidney, erythrocytes, and liver which were accompanied by decreases in mercury deposition in kidney and brain. Increasing the time interval between diethylmaleate and subsequent methylmercury administration resulted in correspondingly greater concentrations of mercury in kidney that were associated with recovery of renal GSH concentrations. Disodium maleate was also effective in lowering GSH values and reducing mercury deposition in kidney and erythrocytes. A second dose of disodium maleate, administered 24 hr after the first, was less effective than the first in depleting renal GSH and reducing mercury deposition. However, a second dose of diethylmaleate was equally as effective as the first. A high degree of correlation (r = 0.85) was found between renal mercury accumulation and renal GSH concentration when data from all depletion experiments were considered. The results suggest that renal GSH may be a determinant in the deposition of mercury in the kidney.
Influence of breathing frequency and the tidal volume on cardiac output

Abstract The aim of our experiment was to investigate the influence of increasing either breathing frequency or tidal volume on cardiac output (Q), in normocapnia. We measured Q with a CO 2 rebreathing method in 6 men and 6 women in the sitting and the supine position, imposing different breathing patterns: in one set of experimental tidal volume was kept constant at 1 L while breathing frequency was randomly changed between 20, 30 and 40 breaths/min; in another breathing frequency was kept constant at 30 breaths/min while tidal volume was randomly altered between 1, 1.5 and 2 L. Switching from open circuit breathing to rebreathing (for measurement of Q) required no change in breathing pattern. From the beginning, CO 2 was added to the inspired gas to maintain end-tidal F CO 2 at 0.054, so as to obtain steady state conditions throughout the measurements. Q rose significantly when tidal volume was increased (938 ml/L rise in tidal volume when sitting, and 743 ml/L when supine). Breathing frequency had an insignificant effect (213 ml/10 breaths frequency increase when sitting and 142 ml/10 breaths when supine). The greater influence of ventilation on Q when sitting than when supine is best explained by the fact in the latter position venous return is already high. There are no demonstrable differences in this effect between males and females.
A study of temporomandibular joint morphology and its relationship to the dentition

Abstract The evaluation of the temporomandibular joint is often attempted on the basis of morphology as viewed through x-ray projections. However, the normal morphologic range of asymptomatic temporomandibular joints has had little investigation. This study has determined to what extent development, maturity, advanced age, and occlusal relationships influence the articular parts of the temporal bone and the mandible and has established laminagraphic cephalometric norms for a given population (child, young adult, and aged). The findings are useful criteria for comparison with symptomatic joints.
A model for vertical diffusion coefficients in a growing urban boundary layer

Concentrations of carbon monoxide and methane, observed during the Los Angeles Reactive Pollution Program (LARPP) have been used to infer the behavior of vertical diffusion coefficients as a function of height and time. Computations were made for a sunny period with little wind, between about 8 a.m. and noon. During this period, the height of the mixed layer grew approximately linearly as function of time.
Characteristics of upper limb movements in a sample of meningomyelocele children.

This study examined the movement characteristics of 41 children diagnosed as having meningomyelocele to whom 13 items from the Southern California Sensory Integration Test were administered. From factor analysis three factors of movement ability emerged. The first factor accounted for 40.1% of the variance and described a pattern representing both constructional and gestural apraxia. Factor II accounted for 16.2% of the variance and was indicative of bilateral coordination. The third factor accounted for 8.2% of the variance where it was observed that some subjects had ataxic-like movements which affected fine motor performance.
Suppose Yalcin is wrong about epistemic modals

In “Epistemic Modals,” Seth Yalcin argues that what explains the deficiency of sentences containing epistemic modals of the form ‘p and it might be that not-p’ is that sentences of this sort are strictly contradictory, and thus are not instances of a Moore-paradox as has been previous suggested. Benjamin Schnieder, however, argues in his Yalcin’s explanation of these sentences’ deficiency turns out to be insufficiently general, as it cannot account for less complex but still defective sentences, such as ‘Suppose it might be raining.’ Consequently, Schnieder proposes his own, expressivist treatment of epistemic modals which he thinks can explain the deficiency of both the original sentence type as well as more complex cases of embedded sentences containing epistemic modals. In this study, I argue that although Schnieder is right to draw our attention to the explanatory failure of Yalcin’s account, we aren’t forced to adopt Schnieder’s expressivist account of epistemic modals. I defend instead a contextualist-friendly alternative which explains the deficiencies of all the relevant sentence types, while avoiding both the defects of Yalcin’s account and the intuitive costs of expressivism.
Recurrent aphthous stomatitis: clinical characteristics and associated systemic disorders.

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), commonly known as canker sores, has been reported as recurrent oral ulcers, recurrent aphthous ulcers, or simple or complex aphthosis. RAS is the most common inflammatory ulcerative condition of the oral mucosa in North American patients. One of its variants is the most painful condition of the oral mucosa. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis has been the subject of active investigation along multiple lines of research, including epidemiology, immunology, clinical correlations, and therapy. Clinical evaluation of the patient requires correct diagnosis of RAS and classification of the disease based on morphology (MiAU, MjAU, HU) and severity (simple versus complex). The natural history of individual lesions of RAS is important, because it is the bench mark against which treatment benefits are measured. The lesions of RAS are not caused by a single factor but occur in an environment that is permissive for development of lesions. These factors include trauma, smoking, stress, hormonal state, family history, food hypersensitivity and infectious or immunologic factors. The clinician should consider these elements of a multifactorial process leading to the development of lesions of RAS. To properly diagnose and treat a patient with lesions of RAS, the clinician must identify or exclude associated systemic disorders or "correctable causes." Behcet's disease and complex aphthosis variants, such as ulcus vulvae acutum, mouth and genital ulcers with inflamed cartilage (MAGIC) syndrome, fever, aphthosis, pharyngitis, and adenitis (FAPA) syndrome, and cyclic neutropenia, should be considered. The aphthous-like oral ulcerations of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease represent a challenging differential diagnosis. The association of lesions of RAS with hematinic deficiencies and gastrointestinal diseases provides an opportunity to identify a "correctable cause," which, with appropriate treatment, can result in a remission or substantial lessening of disease activity.
On linear transformations of stress tensors for the description of plastic anisotropy

Abstract The derivation of anisotropic yield functions based on the approach of linear transformations of a stress tensor is investigated for general and plane stress states. The number of coefficients available for the description of plastic anisotropy is discussed. A few specific yield functions are given to illustrate the concept. Among these examples, a plane stress formulation is described in more detail, namely, Yld2000-2d [Barlat, F., Brem, J.C., Yoon, J.W., Dick, R.E., Choi, S.H., Chung, K., Lege, D.J., 2000. Constitutive modeling for aluminum sheet forming simulations. In: Khan, A.S, Zhang, H., Yuan, Y. (Eds.), Plastic and Viscoplastic Response of Materials and Metal Forming, Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on Plasticity and its Current Applications, Whistler, Canada, July 2000. Neat Press, Fulton, MD, pp. 591–593; Barlat, F., Brem, J.C., Yoon, J.W., Chung, K., Dick, R.E., Lege, D.J., Pourboghrat, F., Choi, S.-H., Chu, E., 2003. Plane stress yield function for aluminum alloy sheets – Part I: theory. Int. J. Plasticity 19, 1297–1319; Yoon, J.W., Barlat, F., Dick, R.E., 2000. Sheet metal forming simulation for aluminum alloy sheets. In: Sheet Metal Forming Simulation: Sing-Tang 65th Anniversary Volume, SAE paper 2000-01-0774, Society of Automotive Engineer, SAE, pp. 67–72]. It is shown that other recently published anisotropic yield functions are, in fact, Yld2000-2d presented in different forms.
On the mechanism by which chloride corrects metabolic alkalosis in man

To determine whether administration of chloride corrects chloride-depletion metabolic alkalosis (CDA) by correction of plasma volume contraction and restoration of glomerular filtration rate or by an independent effect of chloride repletion, CDA was produced in normal men by the administration of furosemide and maintained by restriction of dietary sodium chloride intake. Negative sodium balance (-112 +/- 16 meq) and reduced plasma volume (2.53 versus 2.93 liters, p less than 0.05) developed. The cumulative chloride deficit of 271 +/- 16 meq was then repleted by oral potassium chloride (267 +/- 19 meq) over 36 hours with continued serial measurements of glomerular filtration rate, effective renal plasma flow, plasma volume, body weight, and plasma renin and aldosterone levels. CDA was corrected, even though body weight, plasma volume, glomerular filtration rate, and renal plasma flow all remained reduced and plasma aldosterone was elevated; urinary bicarbonate excretion increased during correction. Administration of an identical potassium chloride load to similarly sodium-depleted but not chloride-depleted normal subjects produced no change in acid-base status. It is concluded that chloride repletion can correct CDA by a renal mechanism without restoring plasma volume or glomerular filtration rate or by altering sodium avidity.
Real time analysis of ultra-thin CIGS thin film deposition

Thin films of Cu(In,Ga)Se 2 with various copper contents as functions of the copper and gallium contents were deposited by co-evaporation onto thermally oxidized silicon wafer (100). In-situ Real Time Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (RTSE) is used to understand the effect of the Ga/(In+Ga) ratio and the Cu atomic % on the growth and optical properties of ultra -thin CIGS films. We have demonstrated that RTSE can be used effectively to identify the growth process and to distinguish the effects of copper from those of gallium on the surface roughness evolution and dielectric functions.
Health of white sucker within the St. Louis River area of concern associated with habitat usage as assessed using stable isotopes

In Spring 2011, 200 adult white sucker were collected in four areas of the St. Louis River area of concern (AOC), located in Minnesota and Wisconsin, USA. The areas included the upper AOC as a reference area, the upper estuary, St. Louis Bay and Superior Bay. Grossly visible abnormalities were documented and preserved for microscopic analyses, as were five to eight representative pieces of liver tissue. A piece of dorsal muscle was preserved for stable isotope analyses and otoliths removed for age determination. The incidence of raised skin lesions (mucoid plaques) was high (31 %), however, microscopically only 4.5 % of the white suckers had neoplasia (papillomas). The remaining lesions were epidermal hyperplasia. Superior Bay had the lowest percentage of skin/lip lesions (10 %), while St. Louis Bay had the highest (44 %). St. Louis Bay also had the highest incidence of skin neoplasms (12 %). No hepatocellular neoplasms were documented, however bile duct tumors were observed in 4.5 % of the suckers. Foci of cellular alteration were observed in fish from all sites except the upper AOC. Stable isotope data indicated that most of the suckers relied on the St. Louis River AOC for the majority (>75 %) of their diet, indicating they were resident within the AOC and not in Lake Superior. The amount of diet obtained from the upper estuary was a significant predictor of skin lesion incidence. Hence, habitat use within the AOC appears to be an important risk factor for skin and possibly, liver lesions.
Advanced computer applications in radiology: clinical applications.

Computers play a major role in bridging the gap between image generation and patient care by providing enhanced images that better meet the needs of referring physicians. Spiral computed tomography allows generation of three-dimensional images that are not affected by motion artifact. Volume rendering, a three-dimensional reconstruction algorithm, yields images free of computer-generated artifacts and superior in quality. Currently, technologic computer advances play an important role in three clinical areas: orthopedic applications, oncologic applications, and prosthetic design. Three-dimensional imaging is especially valuable in fracture assessment because it allows exploration of image data to define the location of fracture fragments, the integrity of the joint space, and any possible displacement. With three-dimensional imaging, the extent of tumor spread into adjacent soft tissue or involvement of blood vessels can be determined, even in difficult anatomic areas. Volume rendering and increased compu...
The ANT*ILL: using Perl to automate the ILL lending process

Describes the ANT*ILL software system, developed at the University of California, Irvine′s Library, to search incoming OCLC interlibrary loan requests automatically against the local Innovative Interfaces Online Public Access Catalog (III OPAC). There are three steps involved with the ANT*ILL programs: downloading the “pending” file from OCLC via the Internet; searching those downloaded records on the UCI III OPAC to extract the call number and circulation status; and outputing the results. The ANT*ILL programs are written in the Perl programming language and run under the UNIX operating system. Discusses the system′s design, its implementation, and its performance. The ANT*ILL source code is available free of charge.
Imaged-based verification of as-built documentation of operational buildings

Abstract As-built models and drawings are essential documents used during the operations and maintenance (O&M) of buildings for a variety of purposes including the management of facility spaces, equipment, and energy systems. These documents undergo continuous verification and updating procedures both immediately after construction during the initial handover process to reflect construction changes and during occupancy stage for the changes that occur throughout the building's lifespan. Current as-built verification and updating procedures involve largely time consuming on-site surveys, where measurements are taken and recorded manually. In an attempt to streamline this process, the paper investigates the advantages and limitations of using photogrammetric image processing to document and verify actual as-built conditions. A test bed of both the interior and exterior of a university building is used to compare the dimensions generated by automated image processing to dimensions gathered through the manual survey process currently employed by facilities management and strategies for improved accuracy are investigated. Both manual and image-based dimensions are then used to verify dimensions of an existing as-built Building Information Model (BIM). Finally, the potential of the image-based spatial data is assessed for accurately generating 3D models.
Cubic Ramanujan graphs

A fimily of cubic Ramanujan graph is explicitly constructed. They are realized as Cayley graphs of a certain free group acting on the 3-regular tree; this group is obtained from a definite quaternion algebra that splits at the prime 2 and has a maximal order of class number 1.
Quantitative broadband near-infrared spectroscopy of tissue-simulating phantoms containing erythrocytes

We report the use of steady-state diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (SSDRS) to measure the near-infrared absorption spectrum of liquid phantoms containing human erythrocytes in aqueous suspensions of polystyrene spheres which simulate the scattering properties of tissue. The absorption spectra obtained from these SSDRS measurements of intact red cells under oxygenated and deoxygenated conditions are compared with several published spectra of `stripped' haemoglobin prepared from lysed cells. Two fitting algorithms (nonlinear least squares and singular value decomposition) which exploit the broad spectral range provided by these measurements (170 data points spanning 164 nm in a single acquisition) are used to determine haemoglobin oxygen saturation from SSDR spectra collected over a wide range of measured oxygen partial pressures. The validity of these algorithms is assessed by comparing literature values of (the oxygen tension at which haemoglobin is 50% saturated) and the Hill coefficient to values of these parameters determined from the estimates. The singular value decomposition algorithm can also be used to reconstruct the non-haemoglobin background absorption spectrum without a priori assumptions regarding its constituent chromophores or their concentrations. Using this technique, the absorption spectrum of a small amount of India ink (maximum absorption coefficient added to a phantom containing red cells was reconstructed over a full range of oxygen saturations. The implications of these measurements for detection of weakly absorbing chromophores (such as cytochrome ) in the presence of haemoglobin are discussed.
Benzene-Associated Myelofibrosis

Excerpt To the editor: A patient was recently seen in our occupational medicine clinic whose case illustrates a little-known effect of chronic benzene poisoning and emphasizes the continuing need f...
Microwave spectroscopy of high-L, n=10 Rydberg states of helium.

Intervals between the 10{ital G}, {ital H}, {ital I}, {ital K}, and {ital L} ({ital L}=4--8) states of helium have been measured with high precision using a fast-beam microwave-laser technique. The uncertainties in the measured intervals are less than 1 kHz (or about 10{sup {minus}13} a.u.) for each of the 16 intervals. The measurements are compared with precise theoretical predictions and are used to test relativistic, QED, and retardation effects in these states. The measurements confirm the contributions from retardation forces'' to better than 10%.
Automatic segmentation of gadolinium-enhanced multiple sclerosis lesions

Automatic detection and quantitation of contrast-enhanced lesions on MRI is expected to be useful in characterizing the disease state in multiple sclerosis (MS). The enhancing structures such as cerebral vasculature and regions with no blood-brain barrier complicate automated analysis of lesion enhancement. A pulse sequence that incorporates both stationary and marching saturation bands and gradient dephasing is described for suppressing the enhancements within the cerebral vasculature. A postprocessing technique based on automatic image segmentation is implemented for eliminating enhancing structures such as choroid plexus. All MS lesions larger than 5 mm3 have been successfully identified. The automated analysis produced no false-positives or false-negative lesions above this volume in 13 patients with MS who were evaluated using the acquisition and evaluation techniques described.
Scanning tunneling spectroscopy of methyl- and ethyl-terminated Si(111) surfaces

Methyl- and ethyl-terminated Si(111) surfaces prepared by a two-step chlorination/alkylation method were characterized by low temperature scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS). The STS data showed remarkably low levels of midgap states on the CH3- and C2H5-terminated Si surfaces. A large conductance gap relative to the Si band gap was observed for both surfaces as well as for the hydrogen-terminated Si(111) surface. This large gap is ascribed to scanning tunneling microscope tip-induced band bending resulting from a low density of midgap states which avoid pinning of the Fermi levels on these passivated surfaces.
Pelvic floor disorders and sexual function in gynecologic cancer survivors: a cohort study

Objective The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of pelvic floor disorders and sexual function in survivors of gynecologic cancer. Study Design We surveyed survivors of gynecologic cancer (survivors) and women seeking gynecologic care (control patients) who were >30 years old. All survivors were disease- and treatment-free for ≥1 year. Validated questionnaires were used to evaluate pelvic floor disorders. Results One hundred eight control patient and 260 survivor questionnaires were completed. A high prevalence of pelvic floor disorders was observed in both groups; 56% of control subjects and 70% of survivors reported moderate to severe urinary incontinence ( P > .05). Survivors were more likely to experience fecal incontinence (42% vs 32%; P = .02). Survivors reported less sexual desire ( P = .04) and less ability to climax ( P = .04), despite no difference in dyspareunia. Conclusion Fecal incontinence and sexual dysfunction are significant problems in survivors of gynecologic cancer.
Nitazoxanide Disrupts Membrane Potential and Intrabacterial pH Homeostasis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Nitazoxanide (Alinia), a nitro-thiazolyl antiparasitic drug, kills diverse microorganisms by unknown mechanisms. Here we identified two actions of nitazoxanide against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb): disruption of Mtb’s membrane potential and pH homeostasis. Both actions were shared by a structurally related antimycobacterial compound, niclosamide. Reactive nitrogen intermediates were reported to synergize with nitazoxanide and its deacetylated derivative tizoxanide in killing Mtb. Herein, however, we could not attribute this to increased uptake of nitazoxanide or tizoxanide as monitored by targeted metabolomics, nor to increased impact of nitazoxanide on Mtb’s membrane potential or intrabacterial pH. Thus, further mechanisms of action of nitazoxanide or tizoxanide may await discovery. The multiple mechanisms of action may contribute to Mtb’s ultralow frequency of resistance against nitazoxanide.
The Relational-Interdependent Self-Construal and Positive Illusions in Friendship

Three studies investigated whether the tendency to define the self in terms of close relationships moderates positive illusions in friendship (i.e., operationalized as the better-than-average effect). High scorers on the Relational-Interdependent Self-Construal (RISC) Scale were more likely to enhance a close/best friend over an acquaintance (Study 1), were more likely to exploit attribute ambiguity to favor their friends (Study 2), and were more likely to enhance their friends on communal over agentic attributes (Study 3) than low-RISCs. High-RISCs reported satisfying friendships and perceived their friendships to be better than average, compared to moderate- and low-RISCs. Also, friend enhancement on communal over agentic attributes predicted friendship satisfaction and friendship enhancement, but only for high-RISCs. These effects remained when controlling for personal self-esteem. We conclude by discussing directions for future research.
Effects of Hypnosis on the Immune Response: B-Cells, T-Cells, Helper and Suppressor Cells

This study tested the effects of hypnosis on the immune response. High and low hypnotizable Ss were exposed to hypnosis, relaxation or control conditions. Blood samples obtained before treatment and twice thereafter were subjected to flow cytometry analysis. Significant alteration of the immune response as measured by B-cells and helper T-cells was shown only for highly hypnotizable Ss exposed to hypnosis.
Castor oil based UV‐curable polyurethane‐acrylate interpenetrating networks

Castor oil was reacted in varying ratios with β-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate to form a liquid urethane–methacrylate prepolymer. This prepolymer was then cured using ultraviolet radiation to form a series of base polymer networks or using various methacrylates to form conetworks. By swelling the base networks with the appropriate methacrylate monomers, semi- and full interpenetrating networks (IPNs) were prepared with similar compositions. All of the materials formed transparent films. Results of swelling experiments, dynamic mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and small angle x-ray scattering are discussed.
The United Nations Security Council and the Rally 'Round the Flag Effect

A principal agent model is used to test the hypothesis that when proposed uses of force attract the support of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, the rally in support of the American president increases significantly. Regression analysis is applied to rallies during all militarized interstate disputes from 1945 to 2001. Results show that UN Security Council support significantly increases the rally behind the president (by as many as 9 points in presidential approval), even after including an array of control variables. This finding is generally robust across most model specifications. This effect is unique among international institutions because other actions by the UN or regional security organizations do not significantly affect rallies. These findings provide new insight into how international institutions can matter and influence the foreign policies of states by affecting public opinion.
6-DOF probe tracking via skin mapping for freehand 3D ultrasound

Three-dimensional ultrasound (3D US) is widely useful in clinical diagnosis and therapy monitoring. However, the existing methods for 3D US are generally expensive and physically constraining. This paper describes a low-cost and unobtrusive method for 3D US, which spatially registers 2D US scans in six degrees of freedom (6 DoF). In this method, artificial skin features are created in the scan region of the body for robust feature tracking. A lightweight camera is mounted on the US probe to track the features for probe motion recovery and skin surface mapping. This algorithm does not rely on any assumption on the scene, so this system is suitable for scan regions of any size and any surface shape. In this paper, the system design and the preparation of artificial skin features are described. Performance of this method in 3D volume reconstruction is examined quantitatively through in-vitro experiments and qualitatively through in-vivo experiments.
Spelunking in La Cueva Grande

La Cueva Grande is the 5-sided immersive facility put into place at Los Alamos National Laboratory. It was the highest-resolution stereo immersive facility in the world at the time of first use in 2005. The design and common use cases of LCG are presented, and lessons learned are discussed in retrospect.
Hydrogen-fuel-powered bell segments of biomimetic jellyfish

Artificial muscles powered by a renewable energy source are desired for joint articulation in bio-inspired autonomous systems. In this study, a robotic underwater vehicle, inspired by jellyfish, was designed to be actuated by a chemical fuel source. The fuel-powered muscles presented in this work comprise nano-platinum catalyst-coated multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) sheets, wrapped on the surface of nickel–titanium (NiTi) shape memory alloy (SMA). As a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen gases makes contact with the platinum, the resulting exothermic reaction activates the nickel–titanium (NiTi)-based SMA. The MWCNT sheets serve as a support for the platinum particles and enhance the heat transfer due to the high thermal conductivity between the composite and the SMA. A hydrogen and oxygen fuel source could potentially provide higher power density than electrical sources. Several vehicle designs were considered and a peripheral SMA configuration under the robotic bell was chosen as the best arrangement. Constitutive equations combined with thermodynamic modeling were developed to understand the influence of system parameters that affect the overall actuation behavior of the fuel-powered SMA. The model is based on the changes in entropy of the hydrogen and oxygen fuel on the composite actuator within a channel. The specific heat capacity is the dominant factor controlling the width of the strain for various pulse widths of fuel delivery. Both theoretical and experimental strains for different diameter (100 and 150 µm) SMA/MWCNT/Pt fuel-powered muscles with dead weight attached at the end exhibited the highest magnitude under 450 ms of fuel delivery within 1.6 mm diameter conduit size. Fuel-powered bell deformation of 13.5% was found to be comparable to that of electrically powered (29%) and natural jellyfish (42%).
The Great Urban Transformation. Politics of Land and Property in China

The Great Urban Transformation. Politics of Land and Property in China, You-Tien Hsing, Oxford University Press, Oxford (2010). xiv + 258 pp. US$80.00 (hbk). ISBN 978 0 19 956804 8. China's stunnin...
Obesity and preterm birth: additive risks in the progression of kidney disease in children

Preterm birth is associated with decreased nephron mass and obesity that may impact on kidney disease progression in later life. Our objectives were to examine the relative risks of obesity and preterm birth on the progression of kidney disease in children. In a retrospective cohort study, 80 (44 obese and 36 non-obese) patients with proteinuric kidney disease were studied for disease progression and glomerular histomorphometry. Of the obese, 22 had been born at term (Obese-T) and 22 had been preterm (Obese-PT). Seventeen non-obese children with focal glomerular sclerosis, born at term (NO-FSGS), and 19 non-obese preterm (NO-PT) children, served as controls. Insulin resistance as measured by the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR) was elevated in all obese children. Obese-PT patients had increased risk of renal demise during childhood when compared with Obese-T children [hazard ratio 2.4; 95% Confidence interval (95% CI) 1.1 to 7.1; P = 0.04]. In obese children, although proteinuria often exceeded nephrotic range, average levels of serum albumin remained normal. Preterm patients were more likely to have reduced renal mass (odds ratio 4.7; P = 0.006), but obesity was not a factor. Renal histomorphometry showed glomerulomegaly in obese patients, regardless of birth weight. Obesity and preterm birth appear to impose additive risks for progression of kidney disease in childhood.
Alimentary Tract Duplications in Children Case and Literature Review

This report reviews 11 alimentary tract duplications over a 25-year experience at Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron, Ohio. The cases are compared and contrasted to the literature with respect to lesion, location, and patient presentation. There were no multiple duplications in this series. Clinical presentations were related to obstruction, abdominal pain, and/or hemorrhage. There were four foregut duplications, five midgut duplications, and two hindgut lesions. All patients were treated by surgical removal and all survived. One case was an incidental finding at appendectomy. Pooled data from five large series of duplications revealed the ileal region to be involved in 41 percent of all duplications, followed by esophageal (21%), gastroduodenal (12%), and jejunal (8%). Diverticular, recanalization, and split notochord theories of pathogenesis are discussed. The curious association between duplications and gastric mucosa is explored.
The “Efficient” Public Administrator: Pareto and a Well-Rounded Approach to Public Administration

The New Public Management movement was only the latest demand that public organizations promote efficiency by adopting business methods. There again followed reactions from those arguing that other values, such as equity, citizen participation, and democracy, are as important as efficiency. This article suggests that an economic rather than business perspective on efficiency may usefully contribute to the scholarly conversation. It also suggests that it is “efficient” to identify the public values in play within any given situation.
Origin of the Quaternary Basalts from the Black Rock Desert Region, Utah: Strontium Isotopic Evidence

The basalts of the Black Rock Desert region in Utah have Sr 87 /Sr 86 ratios that vary from 0.7044 to 0.7059. Although this variation may be explained by derivation from inhomogenous mantle, it is also broadly compatible with a fractionation-assimilation model proposed for these basalts. Basalts of the Ice Spring field show an increase in Sr 87 /Sr 86 with decreasing Rb and Rb/Sr as a function of eruptive age. Such a trend may be explained by mixing of magmas having different differentiation-assimilation histories.
Simulation of single and multi-layer graphene field-effect devices

Building on previous work, we discuss a diffusion-drift description of electron and hole transport in both single and multi-layer graphene that includes the possibility of a small bandgap. To illustrate the theory, the effects of these new features on field-effect device characteristics are exhibited.
A Behavioral-Economics View of Poverty

Standard theorizing about poverty falls into two camps. Social scientists regard the behaviors of the economically disadvantaged either as calculated adaptations to prevailing circumstances or as emanating from a unique "culture of poverty," rife with deviant values. The first camp presumes that people are highly rational, that they hold coherent and justified beliefs and pursue their goals effectively, without mistakes, and with no need for help. The second camp attributes to the poor a variety of psychological and attitudinal short-fallings that render their views often misguided and their choices fallible, leaving them in need of paternalistic guidance. We propose a third view. The behavioral patterns of the poor, we argue, may be neither perfectly calculating nor especially deviant. Rather, the poor may exhibit the same basic weaknesses and biases as do people from other walks of life, except that in poverty, with its narrow margins for error, the same behaviors often manifest themselves in more pronounced ways and can lead to worse outcomes. In what follows, we illustrate the kinds of insights that might be gained from a behaviorally more realistic analysis of the economic conditions of the poor, and we propose that alternative policies for alleviating poverty be considered.
Analysis of the Arabinose-5-Phosphate Isomerase of Bacteroides fragilis Provides Insight into Regulation of Single-Domain Arabinose Phosphate Isomerases

Arabinose-5-phosphate isomerases (APIs) catalyze the interconversion of d-ribulose-5-phosphate and d-arabinose-5-phosphate, the first step in the biosynthesis of 3-deoxy-d-manno-octulosonic acid (Kdo), an essential component of the lipopolysaccharide in Gram-negative bacteria. Classical APIs, such as Escherichia coli KdsD, contain a sugar isomerase domain and a tandem cystathionine beta-synthase domain. Despite substantial effort, little is known about structure-function relationships in these APIs. We recently reported an API containing only a sugar isomerase domain. This protein, c3406 from E. coli CFT073, has no known physiological function. In this study, we investigated a putative single-domain API from the anaerobic Gram-negative bacterium Bacteroides fragilis. This putative API (UniProt ID {"type":"entrez-protein","attrs":{"text":"Q5LIW1","term_id":"81317194","term_text":"Q5LIW1"}}Q5LIW1) is the only protein encoded by the B. fragilis genome with significant identity to any known API, suggesting that it is responsible for lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis in B. fragilis. We tested this hypothesis by preparing recombinant {"type":"entrez-protein","attrs":{"text":"Q5LIW1","term_id":"81317194","term_text":"Q5LIW1"}}Q5LIW1 protein (here referred to by the UniProt ID {"type":"entrez-protein","attrs":{"text":"Q5LIW1","term_id":"81317194","term_text":"Q5LIW1"}}Q5LIW1), characterizing its API activity in vitro, and demonstrating that the gene encoding {"type":"entrez-protein","attrs":{"text":"Q5LIW1","term_id":"81317194","term_text":"Q5LIW1"}}Q5LIW1 (GenBank ID {"type":"entrez-protein","attrs":{"text":"YP_209877.1","term_id":"60679733","term_text":"YP_209877.1"}}YP_209877.1) was able to complement an API-deficient E. coli strain. We demonstrated that {"type":"entrez-protein","attrs":{"text":"Q5LIW1","term_id":"81317194","term_text":"Q5LIW1"}}Q5LIW1 is inhibited by cytidine 5′-monophospho-3-deoxy-d-manno-2-octulosonic acid, the final product of the Kdo biosynthesis pathway, with a Ki of 1.91 μM. These results support the assertion that {"type":"entrez-protein","attrs":{"text":"Q5LIW1","term_id":"81317194","term_text":"Q5LIW1"}}Q5LIW1 is the API that supports lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis in B. fragilis and is subject to feedback regulation by CMP-Kdo. The sugar isomerase domain of E. coli KdsD, lacking the two cystathionine beta-synthase domains, demonstrated API activity and was further characterized. These results suggest that {"type":"entrez-protein","attrs":{"text":"Q5LIW1","term_id":"81317194","term_text":"Q5LIW1"}}Q5LIW1 may be a suitable system to study API structure-function relationships.
The formulation of powder coatings using solid state shear extrusion

The feasibility of producing homogeneous powder coating formulations without melting is investigated using Solid State Shear Extrusion (SSSE). A detailed comparison between conventional melt extrusion and SSSE processing conditions of identical formulations is accomplished by following the behavior and degree of polymerization during curing. Commercially available polyester and epoxide powder coating premix formulations were processed by SSSE using a Brabender® laboratory-scale twin-screw extruder and further pulverized in a ball mill. Calculations based on particle size before and after comminution in single batch ball mill studies indicate a reduction in energy requirements for SSSE during pulverization. Metal coupons were coated with dry pulverized formulations using an electrostatic fluidized bed coating system. The dynamics of curing were followed for a series of bake time exposures. The sol was separated from the gel using Soxhlet methods and characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). A comparison of experimentally determined gel points and gelation dynamics showed general agreement between both processing methods. The critical yield stress, determined from preliminary mechanical testing of modified thick adherend specimens crack-line-loaded in compression, was also determined. Results showed the SSSE process to be equivalent to melt extrusion.
Large object support in POSTGRES

Four implementations that support large objects in the POSTGRES database system are presented. The four implementations offer varying levels of support for security, transactions, compression, and time travel. All are implemented using the POSTGRES abstract data type paradigm, support user-defined operators and functions, and allow file-oriented access to large objects in the database. The support for user-defined storage managers available in POSTGRES is also detailed. The performance of all four large object implementations on two different storage devices is described. >
Biometric Technologies and Ethics

This chapter starts off by discussing. Biometric technologies as access and identification processes. Biometric technologies confirm a person’s identity by scanning physical characteristics such as a fingerprint, voice, eye movement, and facial recognition. We discuss how a typical biometric system operates in two distinct stages: the enrollment stage and the authentication stage. We also discuss biometric technologies traits used to confirm a person’s identity that include fingerprint, voice, eye movement, facial recognition, and a few others. Finally in discussing the ethical issues faced in the use of biometric technologies, we pose the following questions to the reader: For respect for human dignity—In substituting names with codes, might biometrics degrade the human condition to that of animals or things? For “informatization” of the human body—Is there any risk linked to the digitalization of human attributes and their distribution across the global information network? For data protection and Privacy—What level of protection do biometric data deserve? Is there any risk related to the possible linkage of several biometric databases? For respect for intimacy and body integrity—Is there any risk that biometrics may be felt as heavily intrusive technologies? Biases based on human attributes: Can ethnicity be derived from biometric data? Do different ethnic types find it more or less difficult to use a particular biometric technique? Is there any risk of discrimination based on ethnicity? Is there any risk of categorization through profiling groups of people? The answers to these questions inform our discussion.