cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neurocognitive subprocesses of working memory performance

Working memory (WM) has been defined as the active maintenance and flexible updating of goal-relevant information in a form that has limited capacity and resists interference. Complex measures of WM recruit multiple subprocesses, making it difficult to isolate specific contributions of putatively independent subsystems. The present study was designed to determine whether neurophysiological indicators of proposed subprocesses of WM predict WM performance. We recruited 200 individuals defined by care-seeking status and measured neural responses using electroencephalography (EEG), while participants performed four WM tasks. We extracted spectral and time-domain EEG features from each task to quantify each of the hypothesized WM subprocesses: maintenance (storage of content), goal maintenance, and updating. We then used EEG measures of each subprocess as predictors of task performance to evaluate their contribution to WM. Significant predictors of WM capacity included contralateral delay activity and frontal theta, features typically associated with maintenance (storage of content) processes. In contrast, significant predictors of reaction time and its variability included contingent negative variation and the P3b, features typically associated with goal maintenance and updating. Broadly, these results suggest two principal dimensions that contribute to WM performance, tonic processes during maintenance contributing to capacity, and phasic processes during stimulus processing that contribute to response speed and variability. The analyses additionally highlight that reliability of features across tasks was greater (and comparable to that of WM performance) for features associated with stimulus processing (P3b and alpha), than with maintenance (gamma, theta and cross-frequency coupling).
18-FDG PET/CT findings in hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: a pictorial review.

1140 Objectives: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare, but life-threatening, multi-organ disorder caused by immune system dysregulation. Diagnosis is challenging due to relatively nonspecific clinical and imaging findings. The goal of this exhibit is to demonstrate the most common imaging findings of HLH on 18-FDG PET/CT. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 38 adult patients with a diagnosis of HLH by HLH-2004 criteria who had 18-F FDG PET/CT studies. The proposed etiology for the development of HLH was determined in each case, followed by qualitative analysis of the 18-FDG PET/CT studies to evaluate the most common imaging findings. Results: The most common findings included splenomegaly with and without increased FDG activity, diffuse bone marrow uptake in the axial and appendicular skeleton, and lymphadenopathy with increased FDG activity. While these were the most common findings, they could not be considered specific for the diagnosis of HLH, as the patients presented in wide range of clinical settings including infection, autoimmune disease, malignancy, and immunosuppressed states such as with HIV. We will present a case based pictorial review of a select number of interesting cases and associated 18-FDG PET/CT findings, including HLH associated with malignancy, HIV, rare infection, and drug-related. Conclusions: HLH is a rare and challenging disease to diagnose. While the 18-FDG PET/CT findings may not be specific, it is important to keep a high index of suspicion for HLH when any of the above imaging findings are encountered in the appropriate clinical context, given the high rate of mortality associated with the disease.
Asymmetry in scales enhances learning of new musical structures.

Despite the remarkable variability music displays across cultures, certain recurrent musical features motivate the hypothesis that fundamental cognitive principles constrain the way music is produced. One such feature concerns the structure of musical scales. The vast majority of musical cultures use scales that are not uniformly symmetric—that is, scales that contain notes spread unevenly across the octave. Here we present evidence that the structure of musical scales has a substantial impact on how listeners learn new musical systems. Three experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that nonuniformity facilitates the processing of melodies. Novel melodic stimuli were composed based on artificial grammars using scales with different levels of symmetry. Experiment 1 tested the acquisition of tonal hierarchies and melodic regularities on three different 12-tone equal-tempered scales using a finite-state grammar. Experiments 2 and 3 used more flexible Markov-chain grammars and were designed to generalize the effect to 14-tone and 16-tone equal-tempered scales. The results showed that performance was significantly enhanced by scale structures that specified the tonal space by providing unique intervallic relations between notes. These results suggest that the learning of novel musical systems is modulated by the symmetry of scales, which in turn may explain the prevalence of nonuniform scales across musical cultures.
Calcium Regulates the Differentiation of Vitamin A-Responsive Human Papillomavirus-Immortalized Cervical Keratinocytes, But Not the Expression of the Papillomavirus E6 and E7 Oncogenes

Transcription of the papillomavirus virus open reading frame encoding oncogenes E6 and E7 is necessary for cell immortalization and is known to be regulated as a function of cell differentiation in cervical tumors in vivo. Thus, it is important to understand how exogenous factors regulate transcription from the HPV P97 promoter. Vitamin A and other retinoids are important dietary agents that regulate normal ectocervical epithelial cell differentiation. Moreover, these agents have also been shown to be clinically useful in reducing the mass of cervical tumors. In a previous study supported by the AICR, we examined the effects of vitamin A and other retinoids on the differentiation of an HPV16-immortalized cervical cell line, ECE16-1. We showed that HPV16-immortalization sensitizes HPV16 transformed cells to the effects of retinoids [Agarwal et al., Cancer Res 51: 3982–3989 (1991)].
The Advancement of Computing

Associate editor in chief Jim Chen describes the effects Moore's law has had on scientific computing and future directions in which it could lead the field.
Methodological Advances and Empirical Legal Scholarship: A Note on the Cox and Miles' Voting Rights Act Study

In this Response, we use Professors Cox and Miles’ recent study of judicial decision-making to explore what is at stake when legal scholars present empirical findings without fully investigating the structural relationships of their data or without explicitly stating the assumptions being made to draw causal inferences. We then introduce a new methodology that is intuitive, easy to use, and, most importantly, allows scholars systematically to assess problems of bias and confounding. This methodology - known as causal directed acyclic graphs - will help empirical researchers to identify true cause and effect relationships when they exist and, at the same time, posit statistical models with appropriate controls, in order to better justify causal claims. While this methodology has become popular in a number of disciplines - including statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, and computer science - and is widely believed to be a valuable tool for empirical research, it has yet to appear in the empirical law literature. Accordingly, our goal is to offer a brief introduction of the method and to initiate discussion as to its worth in empirical legal studies.
Training of stream weights for the decoding of speech using parallel feature streams

In speech recognition systems, information from multiple sources such as different feature streams can be combined in many different ways to yield better recognition accuracy. In general, information may be combined at the level of the incoming feature vectors, at the level of the decoding process, or after hypothesis generation. We focus on the specific case where parallel streams of features are used simultaneously during search to generate a hypothesis, or a set of hypotheses. In this case the contributions of the individual features to the score associated with a frame of speech must be weighted appropriately during search. We present an offline data-driven algorithm for determining the weights to be associated with each feature stream for combining acoustic likelihoods for each frame. Experimental results show that the word error rates (WERs) obtained using the proposed algorithm are lower than those obtained using conventional schemes for parallel feature combination.
Giant Cell Tumor of Tendon Sheath

Background: Giant cell tumor of tendon sheath (GCTTS) is often thought of as a volar finger mass. We hypothesized that GCTTS are equally common on the dorsal and volar aspects of the hand. In addition, we hypothesized that there are no factors associated with the location (volar versus dorsal) and largest measured dimension of a GCTTS. Methods: A total of 126 patients with a pathological diagnosis of a GCTTS of the hand or finger were reviewed. Basic emographic and GCTTS specific information was obtained. Bivariable analyses were used to assess predicting factors for location (volar or dorsal side) and largest measured diameter of a GCTTS. Results: Seventy-two tumors (57%) were on the volar side of the hand, 47 (37%) were dorsal, 6 (4.8%) were both dorsal and volar, and one was midaxial (0.79%). The most common site of a GCTTS was the index finger (30%). There were no factors significantly associated with the location (volar or dorsal, n=119) of the GCTTS. There were also no factors significantly associated with a larger diameter of a GCTTS. Conclusions: A GCTTS was more frequently seen on the volar aspect of the hand. No significant factors associated with the location or an increased size of a GCTTS were found in this study.
A φ80 function inhibitory for growth of lambdoid phage in him mutants of Escherichia coli deficient in integration host factor I. Genetic Analysis of the Rha phenotype

Abstract Bacteriophage φ80 and λ-φ80 hybrid phage of the type λ(QSR)80, in which the rightmost 10% of the λ genome is replaced by corresponding φ80 material, are unable to grow lytically in himA and hip/himD mutants of Escherichia coli K12 at 32°. The genetic element responsible for the growth defect, rha, has been mapped to the (QSR)80 region and was located more precisely by restriction enzyme and DNA heteroduplex analysis of mutations that result in loss of the Rha phenotype. Such an Rha mutant carrying a 1.5-kb deletion beginning 0.58 kb from the right end of the chromosome and extending leftward locates the rha locus at least in part within this region of (QSR)80. In addition, a substitution derivative of λ(QSR)80 was isolated which does not exhibit the Rha phenotype. In this phage, λ-80hy95, the right half of the (QSR)80 region is replaced by DNA homologous to the 95–100% segment of λ. In mixed infections in the himA42 host at 32°, λ+ does not complement λ(QSR)80 for growth and the burst size of the coinfecting λ+ is reduced in comparison to that in a single infection. Deletion mutants of λ(QSR)80 that grow normally in himA42 at 32° in single infections are inhibited for growth in mixed infections with λ(QSR)80. These results suggest the existence of a trans-acting function which inhibits phage growth in the absence of HimA or Hip/HimD function. It is likely that the rha gene either encodes that function or indirectly controls its action.
A field ion microscope study of microstructural features of solar collector coatings

Abstract The nucleation and growth characteristics of the systems electroplated nickel on stainless steel and black chrome on nickel were investigated for thin coverages and for thick coverages utilizing the techniques of field ion microscopy (FIM) and s scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM study shows that increasing the plating voltage and/or decreasing the nickel concentration in the plating bath produces finer overgrowths in the nickel/stainless steel system, whereas this trend is reversed for black chrome electroplatings on nickel field emission end forms. FIM analysis of the plated growths shows an epitaxial attachment at thin coverages (less than 50 atomic layers), whilst at thicker deposits (greater than 50 atomic layers) the overgrowth goes through a zone of excessive defect structure to a polycrystalline layer of the plated material with its own lattice structure. These results are consistent with earlier studies of Cu/W systems utilizing the deposition of copper through cementation, electroplating and flash evaporation.
An application of computer graphics to three dimensional finite element analyses

Abstract An interactive computer program PLANIT is described which is useful in detecting anomalies in a finite element idealization of a three dimensional structure. Intersections of a sequence of planes with a catenation of brick elements are constructed and scanned with the aid of a graphics terminal.
Beam rotation and shear in a large electron beam diode

The time-averaged electron-beam current distribution of one of the electron guns of the large Aperture Module (LAM) of the Aurora laser was measured as part of a larger set of experiments designed to study the electron beam transport to and energy deposition in the LAM laser chamber. The radiograms made on the center line of the LAM laser chamber while the laser chamber was at vacuum pressure demonstrated several of the expected results. The beam was relatively uniform over the aperture, with the exception of shadows cast by the diode anode wires, the Hibachi ribs, and the Hibachi support structure. At a depth of 50 cm into the laser chamber, the self-magnetic field of the beam produced a shear in the top and bottom edges of 15 cm. At the same depth the applied magnetic field caused a rotation of the entire beam profile of about 3 degrees . >
Synthesis and Biochemical Evaluation of Bis(6,7-dimethyl-8-d-ribityllumazines) as Potential Bisubstrate Analogue Inhibitors of Riboflavin Synthase

The reaction catalyzed by riboflavin synthase utilizes two identical 6,7-dimethyl-8-d-ribityllumazine substrate molecules. Three bis(6,7-dimethyl-8-d-ribityllumazines) were, therefore, synthesized in which the two lumazine moieties were connected through their N-3 nitrogen atoms by polymethylene linker chains containing three, four, and five carbon atoms. The compounds with three and five carbon linkers were found to be very weak inhibitors of riboflavin synthase, having inhibition constants of 320 and >1000 μM, respectively. In contrast, the bis(lumazine) with a four-carbon linker was much more potent, with an inhibition constant of 37 μM. These results have potential implications for understanding the distance between the donor and acceptor sites of riboflavin synthase and the orientations of the two 6,7-dimethyl-8-d-ribityllumazine substrate molecules which occupy these two sites.
Sustained mass culture of Amphiascoides atopus a marine harpacticoid copepod in a recirculating system

Abstract A sustainable mass-culture system (4 m2 basal surface area) of the meiobenthic harpacticoid copepod Amphiascoides atopus, capable of producing in excess of one million individuals and over 5 g dry weight biomass per day, was successfully designed and implemented. The system consists of culture tanks containing a shallow layer of limestone cobble facilitating naupliar and juvenile copepodite development. Adults and older copepodites swim into the overlying water which is recirculated and filtered, expediting their clean capture. A. atopus ranges in length from 0.19 mm (for Nauplius I) to 0.92 mm in the adult, and up to 5 μg dry weight. Copepods were fed either cultured algae (Chaetocerous muelleri, strain Chaet 10) or commercial fish-flake food, and grew well on each diet or a mixture. Amphiascoides atopus life history patterns are favorable for mass culture. Clutch size averages 24 eggs per ovigerous female, and new egg clutches are produced every 3–4 days. When cultured at 23 °C, life expectancy is about 3 mo, and generation time is less than one month. Preliminary laboratory feeding experiments with various shrimp and fishes and suggest that A. atopus may prove to be an excellent food source for larvae, post-larvae and juveniles and may serve as an alternative live prey to brine shrimp in mariculture applications.Key words: harpacticoid copepod culture, meiobenthos, fish and shellfish mariculture.
Islamic fundamentalism and the intellectuals: the case of Naguib Mahfouz

Abstract Naguib Mahfouz, the Egyptian Nobel Laureate in literature, was stabbed by Muslim militants in October 1994. After the publication of his novel ‘Awlad Haratina’ radical Islamists accused him of apostasy and blasphemy. In this novel Mahfouz set out to write an allegory of human history in which the principal characters paralleled the main biblical figures, but the book angered the Islamists. Most literary figures support Mahfouz in arguing that the novel is a piece of literature or art, and not a theological treatise. It deals with problems of social justice, the abuse of power by rulers, and the exploitation of the weak by the strong. It shows that reforms by various prophets have failed to ameliorate the human condition and suggests that science seems to offer a greater promise. But the metaphysical (religious) framework within which issues of social justice, science and socialism are discussed remains the most problematic and controversial aspect of this literary work, and draws attention, there...
Development of a Stable Episomal Shuttle Vector for Toxoplasma gondii

The rapid developments in the molecular genetics of Toxoplasma gondii have far reaching implications in treatment and vaccination strategies for this as well as closely related pathogens such as Plasmodium. Although stable transformation of this parasite through homologous and illegitimate genomic integration has provided many of the tools necessary for genetic analysis, subsequent manipulations of the DNA have proven laborious. This report describes the selection and subsequent characterization of a Toxoplasma sequence that permits the episomal maintenance of bacterial plasmids in this parasite. This sequence was isolated from the Toxoplasma genome through selection for episomal stability of a pUC19-based library in the absence of a selectable marker. A 500-base pair fragment was determined to possess the stabilization activity. Transformations of Toxoplasma using vectors possessing this fragment, referred to as EMS (episomal maintenance sequence), demonstrated an elevated stable transformation frequency compared with the vector alone. Mutants deficient in hypoxanthine-xanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase activity were used as a test to see if this gene could be selected from a genomic library using a vector containing the EMS. The success of this test demonstrates the utility of EMS-containing vectors in complementation strategies and the ability of such constructs bearing large fragments of the Toxoplasma genome to be maintained episomally.
Identification and Specification of the Mouse Skeletal Stem Cell

How are skeletal tissues derived from skeletal stem cells? Here, we map bone, cartilage, and stromal development from a population of highly pure, postnatal skeletal stem cells (mouse skeletal stem cells, mSSCs) to their downstream progenitors of bone, cartilage, and stromal tissue. We then investigated the transcriptome of the stem/progenitor cells for unique gene-expression patterns that would indicate potential regulators of mSSC lineage commitment. We demonstrate that mSSC niche factors can be potent inducers of osteogenesis, and several specific combinations of recombinant mSSC niche factors can activate mSSC genetic programs in situ, even in nonskeletal tissues, resulting in de novo formation of cartilage or bone and bone marrow stroma. Inducing mSSC formation with soluble factors and subsequently regulating the mSSC niche to specify its differentiation toward bone, cartilage, or stromal cells could represent a paradigm shift in the therapeutic regeneration of skeletal tissues.
Modular synthesis of bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate for convenient access to analogues bearing hydrocarbon and perdeuterated acyl chains of varying length

Abstract Bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate is an important phospholipid that controls the structure of late endosomes as well as biological activities that occur there. The study of this lipid is complicated by the fact that acyl migrations are known to generate different regioisomers. Herein, we describe a modular synthesis of 3,3′-BMP derivatives that allows for the incorporation of a range of different acyl chains at a late stage. This approach was exploited to produce eight BMP analogues bearing normal saturated and perdeuterated acyl chains of varying length.
Are Female Executives More Risk-Averse than Male Executives?

It is often argued that women are more risk averse than men. This paper provides additional evidence on this issue by examining the stock selling behavior of male and female executives in response to stock option awards. When corporate executives sell shares of their firm upon new stock option awards, it is an indication that they are attempting to reduce risk through diversification of their personal portfolio. More rigorous stock sales by female executives would indicate that they are more risk averse than their male counterparts. However, this paper finds that male executives are more risk averse by engaging in higher diversification-related stock sales than the female executives. It is also found that the stock sales by male executives approximate the optimal hedge ratio.
The Brucella abortus xthA-1 Gene Product Participates in Base Excision Repair and Resistance to Oxidative Killing but Is Not Required for Wild-Type Virulence in the Mouse Model

Exonuclease III, encoded by the xthA gene, plays a central role in the base excision pathway of DNA repair in bacteria. Studies with Escherichia coli xthA mutants have also shown that exonuclease III participates in the repair of oxidative damage to DNA. An isogenic xthA-1 mutant (designated CAM220) derived from virulent Brucella abortus 2308 exhibited increased sensitivity to the alkylating agent methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) compared to the parent strain. In contrast, 2308 and the isogenic xthA-1 mutant displayed similar levels of resistance to the DNA cross-linker mitomycin C. These phenotypic properties are those that would be predicted for a strain defective in base excision repair. The B. abortus xthA-1 mutant also displayed reduced resistance to killing by H2O2 and the ONOO−-generating compound 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1) compared to strain 2308, indicating that the xthA-1 gene product participates in protecting B. abortus 2308 from oxidative damage. Introducing a plasmid-borne copy of the parental xthA-1 gene into CAM220 restored wild-type resistance of this mutant to MMS, H2O2, and SIN-1. Although the B. abortus xthA-1 mutant exhibited increased sensitivity to oxidative killing compared to the parental strain in laboratory assays, CAM220 and 2308 displayed equivalent spleen colonization profiles in BALB/c mice through 8 weeks postinfection and equivalent intracellular survival and replication profiles in cultured murine macrophages. Thus, although the xthA-1 gene product participates in base excision repair and resistance to oxidative killing in B. abortus 2308, XthA-1 is not required for wild-type virulence of this strain in the mouse model.
A QUEST FOR THE GENERALIZED CONDITIONED REINFORCER

In recent years the problem domain relating to the development and behavioral consequences of learned rewards and drives has become of critical importance to contemporary learning theories (2 , 5) . The purpose of the present studies is to determine the effects of a type of learned reward which Skinner ( 7 ) has termed a "generalized conditioned reinforcer." Such a token reward is established when a pattern of cues is correlated repeatedly with more than one type of primary reinforcement (7, p. 77), while a simple learned reward is conditioned by being associated with one kind of drive reduction. It has been hypothesized that generalized conditioned reinforcers are more potent sources of acquired reward than simple conditioned reinforcing cues, that their effectiveness is less dependent upon the momentary state of the organism (7, p. 77) , and that they possess greater resistance to experimental extinction ( 1 7 ~ . 96) . In brief, the investigation of these proposals regarding the generalized conditioned reinforcer necessitates two steps: first, a cue-conditioning stage; and second, a test stage in which the effectiveness of the learned rewards is assessed. In the first stage of Experiment I a distinctive set of cues, a gray goal box, is present when hungry and thirsty rats ( H T group) eat wet mash. Control Ss undergo the same feeding experiences except that one group (H group) is hungry but not thirsty, and the other ( T group) is thirsty but not hungry. Accordingly, in the H T condition two drives are simultaneously reduced in the presence of the goal box cues, while in the H and T groups only one drive is diminished. In view of the known interdependence between states of hunger and thirst it is quite possible that the control animals are motivated to a low degree in the case of the "satiated" drive and therefore experience multiple drive reduction, but to a lesser extent than Ss in the H T group. In the second stage of the experiment the acquired reward value of the goal box must be determined. This is done by placing the empty goal box at the end of an alley straightaway and observing the speed with which the runway is traversed. If a generalized conditioned reinforcer acquires greater reward, then we would anticipate that the H T Ss would have shorter running times than Ss in the H and T groups. One obvious limitation in the design of Experiment I should be pointed
Economic support and the dilemma of teen fathers.

Abstract For the past decade our nation has turned its focus to personal responsibility and has subsequently formulated polices that have reformed welfare and strengthened child support enforcement. Parents are held more accountable for the support of their children, regardless of their income levels or age. Teen fathers continue to present dilemmas for policymakers because of their status as minors, lack of understanding of the policy implications for parenthood, lack of skills, and high unemployment rates. Alternative services and policies need to be developed to involve teen fathers with their children, both socially and financially.
Weak-Axis Behavior of Wide Flange Columns Subjected to Blast

Much of past research in the civilian area on the response of civil structures to explosive loading has focused on large detonations in the far field that result in relatively uniform pressure distribution over the structure and specific structural elements. A paucity of research has been conducted that investigates the effect of explosive loading in close proximity to key structural elements. The studies that have been conducted focused primarily on loading perpendicular to the strong axis of bending that result in global deformation, but no rupture or loss of material. Through experimental testing and finite-element simulation, the present study investigates the effect of blast loading on wide flange columns loaded perpendicular to the weak axis of bending. This loading scenario is critical for such columns because the near field shock wave can rupture the web, and in some cases, lead to material loss; both conditions can potentially jeopardize the axial load carrying capacity of the column as a result of increased demands on flanges and possible local buckling of the unrestrained flanges. Therefore, this critical scenario needs to be considered for developing blast resistant measures or assessing the remaining axial and bending capacity of the column. Finite-element simulation can be used for this purpose; the analyses conducted as part of this study replicate, with reasonable accuracy, the experimentally obtained localized deformation, ruptures, and loss of material as a result of blast load, although the finite-element simulation is less successful at replicating the global deformation of the column.
Does milk between meals hamper the appetite or foodintake of the child

Summary For nearly five months, 59 convalescent children in a rheumatic fever rest home were given a 7 ounce glass of milk twice daily, one hour before meals, homogenized and pasteurized milk being served in alternate months. These before-meal feedings failed to elicit in any child any undesirable symptoms of anorexia, gastrointestinal distress, or descreased consumption of food attributable to either type of milk. Eighteen of these children were later subjected to a more quantitative 3-week diet-intake study. Extra milk, pasteurized or homogenized, was given in 7 ounce quantities three times a day, one hour before each meal, for two of the three weeks, and the amounts of food taken spontaneously during mealtimes were carefully measured. It was found that the amounts taken at mealtimes of calories, minerals, protein, and all other nutrients were approximately equal, both in the control week and when milk, whether pasteurized or homogenized, was fed before meals. The added milk proved a true dietary supplement, well taken, and both forms appeared to be equally well metabolized. No evidence was found in these experiments to warrant advising the discontinuanceof drinking milk between meals. The data indicated, on the contrary, that it is wise to make available such extra servings whenever there is need for improving a child's nutritional status or food intake.
The Health Impact Fund: boosting pharmaceutical innovation without obstructing free access.

In an earlier piece in these pages,1 I described the health effects of the still massive problem of global poverty: The poor worldwide face greater environmental hazards than the rest of us, from contaminated water, filth, pollution, worms, and insects. They are exposed to greater dangers from people around them, through traffic, crime, communicable diseases, sexual violence, and potential exploitation by the more affluent. They lack means to protect themselves and their families against such hazards, through clean water, nutritious food, satisfactory hygiene, necessary rest, adequate clothing, and safe shelter. They lack the means to enforce their legal rights or to press for political reform.
Modeling DO conditions in streams using Lagrangian advection method

Advection, dispersion, and kinetics govern the transport of biochemical oxygen demand and dissolved oxygen in streams. Analytical solutions of the governing equations are scarce; numerical methods ...
Exact Solution of Heat Conduction in a Two-Domain Parallelepiped With an Orthotropic Layer and Its Application to the Estimation of the Three-Dimensional Thermal Conductivity Tensor and Volumetric Heat Capacity of the Orthotropic Layer

The three-dimensional exact solution of heat conduction in a two-layer composite is found applying the method of separation of variables. One layer is orthotropic and the other layer is isotropic. This solution is used to calculate sensitivity coefficients with respect to the thermophysical properties of the orthotropic layer at fourteen thermocouple locations. Numerical experiments are carried out to solve a parameter estimation problem that involves the estimation of the thermal conductivities in the x-, y-, and z-directions, the volumetric heat capacity of the orthotropic layer, the effective thermal conductivity of the isotropic layer, and the heat flux input. The exact solution is used to generate temperature readings at fourteen thermocouple locations. First, the parameter estimation problem is solved using the exact temperatures and a hybrid algorithm to estimate the thermal properties and the heat flux. Second, random noise is added to the exact temperatures and the thermal properties and heat flux are estimated using the same hybrid algorithm. It is found that when using the exact temperatures, the minimized quadratic functional has a value of 2.4×10−16 (°C)2 and the estimated properties agree to the ninth decimal place with the “exact” properties.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Surface Changes in the Epicardium of Chickens Fed Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Abstract An experiment was conducted to study the epicardial lesion produced by feeding PCB’s (Aroclor 1254) to growing chicks. The lesion was examined with the scanning electron microscope. Fenestration and fibrous degeneration were apparent in the epicardium of birds that consumed PCB’s and showed signs of toxicity and hydropericardium. Birds fed a ration unsupplemented with PCB’s had epicardial surfaces that appeared relatively smooth and somewhat continuous.
Processing of visual information in the distal neurons of the vertebrate retina

A mathematical model of the distal portion of the vertebrate retina has been developed and implemented on a digital computer. With this model, the processing of spatiotemporal visual information through the first layers of retinal neurons can be studied and the functional role of the various cells and intercellular connections discerned. The model, which includes receptor, horizontal, and bipolar cells, summarizes the knowledge obtained from electrophysiological and histological data published in the open literature during the last ten years. Linear and nonlinear characteristics have been incorporated in the form of differential equations and functional expansions (Volterra-Wiener functionals), whichever is deemed preferable in each case. The spatial organization of the neuronal networks is also taken into account. The model duplicates with sufficient accuracy the experimental results obtained by a variety of investigators through stimulus-response data. The study of the functional aspects of this model gives some first suggestions for the development of a rational theory of visual information processing.
Mass transfer in horizontally moving stable aqueous foams

An efficient gas absorption device has been developed based on a stable aqueous foam moving in a horizontal duct, with a gas-liquid interaction that causes only negligible pressure drops. The study of a liquid-phase and a mostly gas-phase-controlled system has indicated that their mass transfer performance can be predicted. This is based on hydrodynamic data for flowing foams, obtained in a preliminary study published elsewhere. The influence of geometry, foaming solution properties, and surfactant-caused interfacial resistance are included in the analysis.
Fixation and embedding of mammalian brain and spinal cord for electron microscopy

White matter of the brain was fixed in 1 % osmium tetroxide (Dalton's fixative) to which was added saponin. It was found that adding saponin to the fixative, and following the gradual dehydration by a toluene step greatly improved preservation of myelin of the central nervous system.
Temporal scaling analysis: Linear and crosslinked polymers

An ansatz that predicts the frequency dependence of viscoelastic moduli of polymer solutions was tested against literature data on linear polymers and polymer microgels. Excellent agreement was uniformly found between the ansatz and the experiment. The ansatz does not give a simple reduction scheme or a master plot; it systematizes large amounts of data to a few parameters. The dependence of these parameters on polymer concentration and solvent quality was examined. The ansatz satisfies Kronig-Kramer's relations; transformations of G'(ω) and G(ω) for a given system lead to the same G(t).
Generalized canonical correlation analysis for classification

For multiple multivariate datasets, we derive conditions under which Generalized Canonical Correlation Analysis improves classification performance of the projected datasets, compared to standard Canonical Correlation Analysis using only two data sets. We illustrate our theoretical results with simulations and a real data experiment.
Non-daily smoking predicts hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorders in young adults in a longitudinal U.S. sample

Abstract Background It is known that daily smoking is associated with the development of alcohol use disorders. However, non-daily smoking is prevalent in young adults and is associated with increased rates of problematic alcohol use in cross-sectional data. It is unknown whether non-daily smoking is predictive of hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorders using longitudinal data. The primary aim of the present investigation was to explore the temporal relationship between non-daily smoking and drinking in young adults, and secondarily, whether college status modified this relationship. Methods Using Waves 1 (2001–2002) and 2 (2004–2005) of the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), we examined the predictive relationship of smoking status at Wave 1 and change in college status between Waves on alcohol drinking, hazardous drinking, and alcohol abuse and dependence disorders at Wave 2. The sample was restricted to individuals aged 18–25 years at Wave 1. Findings Daily and non-daily smokers at Wave 1, compared to nonsmokers, were at a greater risk for hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorders at Wave 2, after controlling for Wave 1 drinking. College status did not modify smoking and drinking interactions. Conclusions The findings indicate non-daily smoking is predictive of increased, problematic alcohol use among young adults longitudinally and they support increasing evidence that non-daily smokers represent an important population. Future research should be conducted to continue developing targeted interventions. Early treatments for smoking behavior might have a beneficial effect on reducing the development of problematic patterns of alcohol use and alcohol use disorders.
Effects on labile metabolites of temporal delay in freezing biopsy samples of dog myocardium in liquid nitrogen

Sudden hypothermia utilising liquid nitrogen has been used for immediate inhibition of metabolic reactions and preservation of labile compounds in heart muscle. It has been suggested that this rapid transfer of tissue into liquid nitrogen, within 1 to 2 s, is essential for accurate assessment of internal milieu conditions. We tested this hypothesis in normal dogs by measuring phosphocreatine, ATP, glycogen, and lactate concentrations in transmural layers of a core biopsy taken from the posterolateral wall of the left ventricle frozen immediately in liquid nitrogen or held at room temperature for varying times up to 300 s before freezing the tissue. The earliest significant change occurred in phosphocreatine levels after 60s; only phosphocreatine demonstrated any changes within the first 120 s. These studies indicate that a delay of up to 30 s may be tolerated before freezing tissue without any change occurring in these labile metabolites.
Substance Use Disorder Prevalence among Female State Prison Inmates

Background: Substance use disorders (SUDs) are prevalent among female inmates. As the female state prison population continues to increase, describing the specific clinical and demographic characteristics of female prisoners remains of paramount importance to better define women’s needs in the state prison system. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and patterns of current DSM-IV SUDs and explore whether particular demographic characteristics are more strongly associated with specific SUD categories. Methods: Data were derived from routine clinical assessments of 801 female inmates incarcerated in the Minnesota Department of Corrections state prison system. The Substance Use Disorder Diagnostic Schedule-IV (Hoffmann NG, Harrison PA. SUDDS-IV: Substance Use Disorder Diagnostic Schedule-IV. Smithfield, RI: Evince Clinical Assessments, 1995) was administered to all inmates as a computer-prompted interview on admission to the prison. Results: Of the inmates, 70.0% were dependent on at least one substance,...
Cerebrovascular autoregulation and neurologic injury in neonatal hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy

Neonates with hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) are at risk of cerebral blood flow dysregulation. Our objective was to describe the relationship between autoregulation and neurologic injury in HIE. Neonates with HIE had autoregulation monitoring with the hemoglobin volume index (HVx) during therapeutic hypothermia, rewarming, and the first 6 h of normothermia. The 5-mm Hg range of mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) with best vasoreactivity (MAPOPT) was identified. The percentage of time spent with MAP below MAPOPT and deviation in MAP from MAPOPT were measured. Neonates received brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 3–7 d after treatment. MRIs were coded as no, mild, or moderate/severe injury in five regions. HVx identified MAPOPT in 79% (19/24), 77% (17/22), and 86% (18/21) of the neonates during hypothermia, rewarming, and normothermia, respectively. Neonates with moderate/severe injury in paracentral gyri, white matter, basal ganglia, and thalamus spent a greater proportion of time with MAP below MAPOPT during rewarming than neonates with no or mild injury. Neonates with moderate/severe injury in paracentral gyri, basal ganglia, and thalamus had greater MAP deviation below MAPOPT during rewarming than neonates without injury. Maintaining MAP within or above MAPOPT may reduce the risk of neurologic injuries in neonatal HIE.
Planetary Protection Issues for Mars Sample Acquisition Flight Projects

The planned NASA sample acquisition flight missions to Mars pose several interesting planetary protection issues. In addition to the usual forward contamination procedures for the adequate protection of Mars for the sake of future missions, there are reasons to ensure that the sample is not contaminated by terrestrial microbes from the acquisition mission. Recent recommendations by the Space Studies Board (SSB) of the National Research Council (United States), would indicate that the scientific integrity of the sample is a planetary protection concern (SSB, 1997). Also, as a practical matter, a contaminated sample would interfere with the process for its release from quarantine after return for distribution to the interested scientists. These matters are discussed in terms of the first planned acquisition mission.
Tipping customs and status seeking: a cross-country study

Abstract Tipping is a widespread custom in which service patrons give voluntary payments of money to the workers who have served them. This study found that tipping is more prevalent in countries the greater the value their citizens place on status/prestige. This finding suggests that tipping functions (in part) as a status display for consumers. Hospitality managers should keep this and other functions of tipping in mind when considering whether or not to permit tipping of their employees.
Influence of excessive amounts of vit. D3 on strontium-89 metabolism in the rat.

The experiments demonstrated that vitamin D/sub 3/ exented an effect on excretion of strontium-89 by increasing absorption of strontium-89 from the gut, by decreasing fecal and increasing urinary strontium-89 providing either calcium or strontium is present in the diet. The efficiency with which vitamin D/sub 3/ exerted this effect was governed by its concentration in the diet and by length of time it was fed before administration of strontium-89. (auth)
Electrophoretic Separation of Bovine Sarcoplasmic Proteins Fractionated by DEAE-Cellulose Chromatography

Abstract Heterogeneity of bovine sarcoplasmic protein fractions obtained by DEAE-cellulose ion exchange chromatography was investigated by vertical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Results of these electrophoretic analyses indicated that the five major chromatographic fractions were quite heterogeneous. Fraction areas I and III, which appeared as single chromatographic peaks, showed five and six distinct bands, respectively, when subjected to gel electrophoresis. The other chromatographic groups, fraction areas II, IV and V, were separated into five, eight and three electrophoretically different bands, respectively. Some possible reasons for the apparent chromatographic heterogeneity are discussed.
Effects of a Phenolic Ether, Su-13437, on Serum Cholesterol, Triglyceride, and Transaminase Levels of Human Subjects

The hypolipidemic activity of the phenolic ether, 2-methyl-2-[p-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthyl)-phenoxy]-propionic acid (Su-13437, Ciba) has been studied in 10 hypercholesterolemic patients. The patients were studied at 3-week intervals during 30 weeks of placebo administration and a 30-week period of treatment with Su-13437, 400 mg daily. Individual mean serum total cholesterol during administration of placebo ranged from 255 to 609 mg/100 ml and during treatment from 187 to 493, the mean reduction being 22%. Five of the subjects were also hypertriglyceridemic, with individual mean levels of triglycerides during placebo periods ranging from 159 to 1247 mg/100 ml. During treatment with Su-13437 mean triglyceride levels of these five patients ranged from 81 to 314 mg/100 ml, a mean reduction of 51%. The drug was well tolerated and its only effect on the hematologic and biochemical tests for possible toxicity was an increase in SGOT and SGPT levels in two patients, the levels being maximal between the sixth and ninth weeks of drug administration and returning later toward pretreatment values despite continuation of Su-13437.
A survey of factors influencing the engagement of two professional groups in informal workplace learning activities

A survey was conducted to describe the informal workplace learning experiences of 318 public school teachers and HRD professionals. Analysis of the data found that teachers rely to a greater extent on interactive learning activities while HRD professionals rely to a greater extent on independent learning activities. Both professional groups reported that two environmental factors frequently inhibit their engagement in informal learning activities: a lack of time and a lack of proximity to colleagues' work areas. Three additional environmental factors were found to inhibit HRD professionals from engaging in informal learning: an unsupportive organizational culture, the unwillingness of others to participate in informal learning activities, and the inaccessibility of subject matter experts. One additional environmental inhibitor was found for teachers: a lack of funds. Seven personal characteristics were found to enhance the motivation of both professional groups to engage in informal learning: initiative, self-efficacy, love of learning, interest in the profession, commitment to professional development, a nurturing personality, and an outgoing personality. Implications of these findings for HRD theory, research, and practice are discussed.
Training evaluators in the third world: Implementation of the Action Training Model (ATM) in Kenya

Abstract Training evaluators presents a challenge under any circumstances. In nonacademic settings in the Third World, evaluation training is specially problematic. Methods and models of evaluation training, currently in use, are found wanting in one way or another. The participatory training model, for example, is viewed as overly ideological. UNESCO's Operational Seminar is seen as over-emphasizing the experiential but de-emphasizing the conceptual. Other available models and approaches to evaluation training in Third World countries are also considered inadequate. The Action Training Model (ATM) was developed to overcome many of the problems identified in currently available approaches to evaluation training. The ATM focuses on internal evaluation, validates curriculum choices in each specific training context and has a built-in transfer of responsibility to local educational institutions. This paper describes the development and testing of the ATM within a project of evaluation training in Kenya, East Africa, covering 1979-89. The possibilities of ATM's adaptation and transfer to both academic and nonacademic settings in the U.S. and abroad are indicated.