cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In Vitro-Induced High Sugar Environments Deteriorate Human Cortical Bone Elastic Modulus and Fracture Toughness.

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) have been suggested to contribute to bone fragility in type 2 diabetes (T2D). AGEs can be induced through in vitro sugar incubations but there is limited data on the effect of total fluorescent AGEs on mechanical properties of human cortical bone, which may have altered characteristics in T2D. Thus, to examine the effect of AGEs on bone directly in T2D patients with uncontrolled sugar levels, it is essential to first understand the fundamental mechanisms by studying the effects of controlled in vitro-induced AGEs on cortical bone mechanical behavior. Here, human cortical bone specimens from female cadaveric tibias (ages 57-87) were incubated in an in vitro 0.6 M ribose or vehicle solution (n = 20/group) for 10 days at 37°C, their mechanical properties were assessed by microindentation and fracture toughness tests, and induced AGE levels were quantified through a fluorometric assay. Results indicated that ribose-incubated bone had significantly more AGEs (+81%, p ≤ 0.005), lower elastic modulus assessed by traditional microindentation, and lower fracture toughness compared with vehicle controls. Furthermore, based on pooled data, increased AGEs were significantly correlated with deteriorated mechanical properties. The findings presented here show that the accumulation of AGEs allows for lower stiffness and increased ability to initiate a crack in human cortical bone. Statement of clinical significance: High sugar levels as in T2D results in deteriorated bone quality via AGE accumulation with a consequent weakening in bone's mechanical integrity. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:972-983, 2020.
A 0.44- μ J/dec, 39.9- μ s/dec, Recurrent Attention In-Memory Processor for Keyword Spotting

This article presents a deep learning-based classifier IC for keyword spotting (KWS) in 65-nm CMOS designed using an algorithm-hardware co-design approach. First, a recurrent attention model (RAM) algorithm for the KWS task (the KeyRAM algorithm) is proposed. The KeyRAM algorithm enables accuracy versus energy scalability via a confidence-based computation (CC) scheme, leading to a $2.5\times $ reduction in computational complexity compared to state-of-the-art (SOTA) neural networks, and is well-suited for in-memory computing (IMC) since the bulk (89%) of its computations are 4-b matrix-vector multiplies. The KeyRAM IC comprises a multi-bit multi-bank IMC architecture with a digital co-processor. A sparsity-aware summation scheme is proposed to alleviate the challenge faced by IMCs when summing sparse activations. The digital co-processor employs diagonal major weight storage to compute without any stalls. This combination of the IMC and digital processors enables a balanced tradeoff between energy efficiency and high accuracy computation. The resultant KWS IC achieves SOTA decision latency of 39.9 $\mu \text{s}$ with a decision energy $\mu \text{J}$ /dec which translates to more than 24 $\times $ savings in the energy-delay product (EDP) of decisions over existing KWS ICs.
Diffusion of Environmentally-Friendly Energy Technologies: Buy vs. Lease Differences in Residential PV Markets

Diffusion of microgeneration technologies, particularly rooftop photovoltaic (PV), represents a key option in reducing emissions in the residential sector. We use a uniquely rich dataset from the burgeoning residential PV market in Texas to study the nature of the consumer’s decision-making process in the adoption of these technologies. In particular, focusing on the financial metrics and the information decision makers use to base their decisions upon, we study how the leasing and buying models affect individual choices and, thereby, the adoption of capital-intensive energy technologies. Overall, our findings suggest that the leasing model more effectively addresses consumers’ informational requirements and, contrary to some other studies, that buyers and lessees of PV do not necessarily differ significantly along socio-demographic variables. Instead, we find that the leasing model has opened up the residential PV market to a new, and potentially very large, consumer segment — those with a tight cash flow situation.
Perioperative complications of deep brain stimulation among patients with advanced age: a single-institution retrospective analysis

OBJECTIVE Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an elective procedure that can dramatically enhance quality of life. Because DBS is not considered lifesaving, it is important that providers produce consistently good outcomes, and one factor they usually consider is patient age. While older age may be a relative contraindication for some elective surgeries, the progressive nature of movement disorders treated with DBS may suggest that older patients stand to benefit substantially from surgery. To better understand the risks of treating patients of advanced age with DBS, this study compares perioperative complication rates in patients ≥ 75 to those < 75 years old. METHODS Patients undergoing DBS surgery for various indications by a single surgeon (May 2013-July 2019) were stratified into elderly (age ≥ 75 years) and younger (age < 75 years) cohorts. The risks of common perioperative complications and various outcome measures were compared between the two age groups using risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS A total of 861 patients were available for analysis: 179 (21%) were ≥ 75 years old and 682 (79%) were < 75 years old (p < 0.001). Patients ≥ 75 years old, compared with those < 75 years old, did not have significantly different RRs (95% CIs) of seizure (RR 0.4, 95% CI 0.1-3.3), cerebrovascular accident (RR 1.9, 95% CI 0.4-10.3), readmission within 90 days of discharge (RR 1.22, 95% CI 0.8-1.8), explantation due to infection (RR 2.5, 95% CI 0.4-15.1), or surgical revision (for lead, RR 2.5, 95% CI 0.4-15.1; for internal pulse generator, RR 3.8, 95% CI 0.2-61.7). Although the risk of postoperative intracranial bleeding was higher in the elderly group (6.1%) than in the younger group (3.1%), this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.06). However, patients ≥ 75 years old did have significantly increased risk of altered mental status (RR 2.5, 95% CI 1.6-4.0), experiencing more than a 1-night stay (RR 1.7, 95% CI 1.4-2.0), and urinary retention (RR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2-4.2; p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS Although elderly patients had higher risks of certain outcome measures than younger patients, this study showed that elderly patients undergoing DBS for movement disorders did not have an increased risk of more serious complications, such as intracranial hemorrhage, infection, or readmission. Advanced age alone should not be considered a contraindication for DBS.
Mortality and health care burden of Budd Chiari syndrome in the United States: A nationwide analysis (1998-2017).

Mortality and health care burden of Budd Chiari syndrome in the United States: A nationwide analysis (1998-2017)
Reconsidering the American Joint Committee on Cancer Eighth Edition TNM Staging Manual Classifications for T2b and T3 NSCLC

Abstract Introduction The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) eighth edition TNM staging manual for NSCLC, derived from the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) Staging Project, designates tumors with additional nodule(s) in the same lobe as T3. This study sought to externally validate the results of the IASLC, which showed a trend in improved survival for such tumors, but excluded treatment-based adjustment, by assessing whether these tumors have worse survival than T2b NSCLC. Methods Overall survival of patients with T2b-T3, N0-3, M0 NSCLC (satisfying a single T descriptor of tumors >4 cm but ≤5 cm in greatest dimension [“T2b”], tumors >5 cm but ≤7 cm in greatest dimension [“T3-Size”], or tumors with additional nodule(s) in the same lobe [“T3-Add”]), according to the AJCC eighth edition, in the National Cancer Database (2010–2015), was evaluated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards modeling and propensity score matching. Results 31,563 patients with T2b-T3, N0-3, M0 NSCLC met the study inclusion criteria. In multivariable-adjusted analysis, T3-Add tumors had improved overall survival compared with T3-Size tumors (Hazard Ratio = 0.86, 95% Confidence Interval: 0.82–0.89, p Conclusions In this national analysis, T3-Add tumors had better survival than other T3 tumors and similar survival to T2b tumors. These findings may be taken into consideration for the AJCC ninth edition staging classifications.
The roles of stress, coping, and parental support in adolescent psychological well-being in the context of COVID-19: A daily-diary study.

Abstract Background COVID-19 has introduced novel stressors into American adolescents’ lives. Studies have shown that adolescents adopt an array of coping mechanisms and social supports when contending with stress. It is unclear, though, which strategies are most effective in mitigating daily pandemic-related stress, as few micro-longitudinal studies have explored adolescents’ daily affect during COVID-19. Parental support may also be a critical component of adolescents’ pandemic-related coping, as adolescents’ peer networks have been limited by public health measures. Methods This longitudinal study examined links between stress, coping, parental support, and affect across 14 consecutive days and 6216 assessments from a national sample of adolescents (N=444; Mage=15.0; 60% female; 44% Black/African American, 39% White/Europen American, 9% Latinx, 6% Asian American, 2% Native American) during school closures and state-mandated stay-at-home orders between April 8 and April 21, 2021. Results Adolescents’ health and financial stress predicted increases in same-day (health stress’ effect size = .16; financial stress’ effect size = .11) and next-day negative affect (health stress’ effect size = .05; financial stress’ effect size = .08). Adolescents’ secondary control engagement coping predicted increases in same-day (effect size = .10) and next-day (effect size = .04) positive affect and moderated the link between health stress and negative affect. Parental social support predicted increases in same-day (effect size = .26) and next-day (effect size = .06) positive affect and decreases in same-day (effect size = .17) negative affect and moderated the link between financial stress and negative affect. Limitations Results are indicative of conditions at the immediate onset of COVID-19 and should be interpreted as such. Conclusions Findings provide information as to how health providers and parents can help adolescents mitigate the impact of COVID-19-related health and economic stressors on their psychological well-being. It remains critical to monitor the psychosocial impact of the pandemic on adolescents’ affect while continuing to identify personal and environmental protective factors for reducing harm and maximizing resilience.
Poor Sleep in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Is Reflective of Distinct Sleep Disorders.

Poor sleep is common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), predicting increased risk of flares, surgery, and/or hospitalization and reducing quality of life. To profile specific sleep disorder symptoms in IBD, informing intervention efforts. 312 adults with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis were recruited from an academic medical center in New Hampshire, USA. Participants completed online surveys about sleep including well-validated measures of sleep quality, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea, and circadian rhythms. Participants also answered questions about IBD-related problems that could interfere with sleep. 69.4% of participants reported experiencing poor sleep and 50% reported clinically significant insomnia. Participants with active IBD symptoms were more likely to have poor sleep and insomnia. Of those with poor sleep, 67.8% met the clinical threshold for insomnia disorder and 31.3% met criteria for two or more sleep disorders. IBD-related sleep disruptions (e.g., nighttime awakenings due to bowel movements) were not significantly related to poor sleep quality, but significantly related to insomnia severity for participants with active Crohn’s disease. While poor sleep in IBD is reflective of a number of different sleep problems, it is most frequently related to insomnia. IBD symptom severity contributes to insomnia, but insomnia is also distinct from IBD-related sleep disruptions. Future research on the treatment of insomnia disorder in particular in individuals with IBD is warranted.
Performance Characteristics of Analog-to-Digital Converters

Analog-to-digital conversion is the process by which a continuous-time, continuous-amplitude signal is converted to a discrete-time, discrete-amplitude or digital signal. This process can be generally characterized by the four distinct functions shown in Fig. 2.1.
Sports-Related Concussion

Sports-related concussions (SRC) are common in all ages and occur in all sports. The diagnosis based on clinical suspicion after more serious injury is ruled out. Symptoms of concussion are due to a temporary and reversible neurometabolic cascade resulting in blood flow changes, neuronal excitotoxicity, ionic shifts, and mitochondrial changes. Symptoms are nonspecific, and commonly include headache, cognitive complaints, photophobia, and phonophobia. Loss of consciousness is rare in SRC and has limited influence on recovery and prognosis. Imaging has a limited role in the management of concussion and should be used to evaluate for more serious intracranial pathology. Treatment is based on symptoms and an understanding of the typical, rapid (7–10 days) recovery. No athlete should return to play until their symptoms have resolved and they have completed a supervised, step-wise return to play protocol. The article covers the most recent literature on the diagnosis and management of SRC, including evidence-based recommendations and expert-based consensus opinion. The article will also discuss issues regarding medical retirement, legislation, and future concepts in concussion diagnosis and management.
Delivering a projectile component to the vestan regolith

Abstract Dark material on Vesta may consist of carbonaceous chondrite-like material delivered by impact events. This study uses hypervelocity impact experiments to assess the viability of the impact delivery hypothesis. Experiments reveal that impact events deliver significant fractions of the projectile to the target during impacts at average vestan speeds. Hence, dark material can plausibly be delivered to Vesta by impacts, with the projectile component accumulating in the regolith with time. Projectile retention is sensitive to impact angle, ranging from 7% for 30° impacts (measured from horizontal) to 72% for vertical impacts. Averaged over the probability distribution of impact angles, 17% of the projectile’s mass remains in or near the crater. Projectile-contaminated breccias largely remain inside the crater for vertical impacts. In oblique impacts, projectile-contaminated pieces concentrate downrange beyond the crater rim. Based on experiments, projectile delivery is expected for typical vestan impact conditions, not only for extraordinary events such as low-probability and very low-speed (e.g.,
Solving the Drug Settlement Problem: The Legislative Approach

This short symposium article examines proposed congressional legislation addressing settlements in the pharmaceutical industry. Brand-name drug companies have paid generic firms to settle patent litigation and delay entering the market. In recent years, appellate courts have blessed these agreements. And as the Supreme Court has sat on the sidelines, it is becoming ever more apparent that Congress will play a crucial role in addressing this problem. This article explores the three pieces of legislation that have been introduced to address this problem. The first targets payments from brands to generics in exchange for delayed entry into the market. A strong version of such "reverse-payments" legislation would reach the most egregiously anticompetitive agreements, those in which the brand pays millions (if not hundreds of millions) of dollars to the generic to delay entering the market. The second addresses the introduction of authorized generics within the exclusivity period reserved for the first generic that challenges a brand firm’s patent. Prohibiting authorized generics during the exclusivity period would prevent brands from employing this tool to block patent challenges by generics. The third expands the exclusivity period from the first firm to challenge the patent to embrace other parties. Such a change would recalibrate Hatch Waxman to encourage market entry and the litigation - rather than settlement - of patent challenges. Although it is not perfect, it would encourage patent challenges more than any other potential mechanism. In sum, the three bills offer discrete, non-overlapping attempts to address some of the most glaring deficiencies with drug patent settlements today. To be sure, factors of political economy make it unlikely that all three bills would be enacted. Each nonetheless offers benefits in addressing a crucial antitrust problem with dramatic consequences for the U.S. health-care system.
A frequency domain approach to lane detection in roadway images

This paper introduces a new algorithm for detecting lane markers in images acquired from a forward-looking vehicle-mounted camera. The method is based on a novel set of frequency domain features that capture relevant information concerning the strength and orientation of spatial edges. The frequency domain features are combined with a deformable template prior, in order to detect the lane markers of interest. Experimental results that illustrate the performance of this algorithm on images with varying lighting and environmental conditions, shadowing, lane occlusion(s), solid and dashed lines, etc. are presented. The algorithm seems to detect lane markers remarkably well under a very large and varied collection of roadway images. An experimental comparison is drawn between this frequency feature-based algorithm and the spatial feature-based LOIS lane detection algorithm.
Effects of Domestic Livestock and Native Wildlife Grazing in Grand Teton National Park

The Snake River plains and foothill areas of Jackson Hole have been grazed by domestic livestock since settlement of the area. Wildlife populations, including elk (Cervus elaphus), buffalo (Bison bison), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and antelope (Antilocapra americana) have historically used the area. Moose (Alces alces) are currently relatively abundant. Currently, livestock continue to use part of the area contained in Grand Teton National Park either as a concession or due to authorization by Park enabling legislation. Large grazing wildlife also inhabit the Park area. Park managers need information concerning the effects of grazing by large ungulates on vegetation resources, to achieve desired plant community goals by effectively managing grazing.
Principles and methods for measurement of electron impact excitation cross sections for atoms and molecules by optical techniques

In a collision between an electron and an atom or an electron and a molecule, the internal energy (rotational, vibrational, and electronic) of the atom or molecule as well as the linear momentum of the colliding objects, may be altered. Two routes are open for the experimental study of such electron impact excitation of atoms and molecules. One can measure the flux and angular distribution of those scattered electrons that have lost an amount of energy corresponding to some particular internal excitation of the target atom or molecule. This energy loss method is used to study vibrational excitations of molecules and sometimes electronic state excitation in atoms and molecules. It is discussed more fully in this volume by Trajmar and McConkey. If, however, one is interested primarily in the excitation of the target rather than the angular distribution of the scattered electrons, one uses the other, complementary, approach and measures the density or number of atoms or molecules produced in the excited state of interest by the collision. For those cases in which the excited state can radiatively decay by means of short-lived (dipole-allowed) transitions, the optical method may be used to study the collision process and to determine themore » corresponding collision cross section. The optical method is so named because it relates the intensity of the decay radiation to the cross section for production of the excited state by the collision process. 111 refs., 8 figs.« less
Principal interval decomposition framework for POD reduced‐order modeling of convective Boussinesq flows

Summary A principal interval decomposition (PID) approach is presented for the reduced-order modeling of unsteady Boussinesq equations. The PID method optimizes the lengths of the time windows over which proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) is performed and can be highly effective in building reduced-order models for convective problems. The performance of these POD models with and without using the PID approach is investigated by applying these methods to the unsteady lock-exchange flow problem. This benchmark problem exhibits a strong shear flow induced by a temperature jump and results in the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability. This problem is considered a challenging benchmark problem for the development of reduced-order models. The reference solutions are obtained by direct numerical simulations of the vorticity and temperature transport equations using a compact fourth-order-accurate scheme. We compare the accuracy of reduced-order models developed with different numbers of POD basis functions and different numbers of principal intervals. A linear interpolation model is constructed to obtain basis functions when varying physical parameters. The predictive performance of our models is then analyzed over a wide range of Reynolds numbers. It is shown that the PID approach provides a significant improvement in accuracy over the standard Galerkin POD reduced-order model. This numerical assessment of the PID shows that it may represent a reliable model reduction tool for convection-dominated, unsteady-flow problems. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Task reallocation for fault tolerance in multiprocessor systems

A simple, yet effective, method to improve multicomputer/multiprocessor system reliability via redundant allocation of tasks to computers (processors) is described. Given any known (nonredundant) scheduling strategy, tasks are allocated to processors statically and redundantly using the k-circular shifting algorithm, so that if some processors fail during the execution all tasks can be completed on the remaining processors (but in a longer time). Due to static preallocation of tasks this method is simpler and thus more practical than well-known dynamic reconfiguration and roll-back recovery techniques in multiprocessor systems. The authors discuss in detail the redundant allocation of independent tasks to identical processors, subject to real-time constraints on total execution time, and derive analytic reliability estimates for this case. The longest processing time (LPT) scheduling is given as an example of nonredundant deterministic scheduling for independent tasks. The authors discuss processor utilization for redundant task allocation, and compare it with the standby redundancy technique. This comparison shows that the proposed method achieves much higher processor utilization than standby redundancy. >
Intercostal nerve block with thoracoabdominal and flank incisions

A double-blind study was done in 90 patients undergoing a rib-resecting thoracoabdominal incision for testicular cancer or a flank incision for renal surgery to determine the effect of intraoperative intercostal nerve block with bupivacaine hydrochloride on postoperative pain and complications, day of ambulation, and day of oral fluid intake. In the patients treated with bupivacaine, we found a significant reduction in the amount of postoperative analgesia required, but no difference in the day of ambulation or fluid intake. Ten of 45 patients given a placebo nerve block experienced postoperative atelectasis, whereas only 4 of 45 patients in the treated group experienced this complication. We believe that intercostal nerve block is a valuable postoperative adjuvant in patients undergoing flank surgery to reduce the postoperative analgesic requirements and incidence of atelectasis.
An Examination of the Effect of Perceived Risk on Preparedness Behavior

This article explores and specifies the impact of risk perception on household preparedness for terrorism based on a representative sample of households in the United States. This was done by constructing a path model, which included factors that both predict risk perception and others that mediate its effect on preparedness behaviors. An unweighted sample of the nation was randomly split to allow a path model to be developed on a calibration sample, confirmed on a cross-validation sample, and rerun on the full sample using Mplus. Analyses were conducted on the unweighted samples. Results led to the conclusion that risk perception does not have a significant direct effect on preparedness behavior and that its effect is largely meditated by knowledge, perceived efficacy, and milling behavior. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed and recommendations are offered for future research.
Generation of 1500-tone, 120nm-wide ultraflat frequency comb by single CW source

Dense 1500-tone frequency comb is derived from a single CW laser. Sub-2dB flatness was measured over 120 nm, with 40 dB optical signal-to-noise-ratio. The new generator uses regenerative shock formation prior to parametric mixing process.
Influence of high-temperature exposure on mechanical properties of zircon-silicon carbide composites

Thermal stability of zircon matrix composites uniaxially reinforced with either uncoated or BN-coated silicon carbide monofilaments was determined by measuring mechanical properties and fibre-matrix interfacial characteristics in the as-fabricated state and after annealing treatments between 25 and 1430 °C for times up to 100 h. Composites reinforced with uncoated silicon carbide filaments retained their mechanical properties and fibre-matrix interfacial characteristics up to 1350 °C for 100 h. In contrast, composites reinforced with BN-coated silicon carbide filaments displayed changes in mechanical properties and fibre-matrix interfacial characteristics when annealed beyond 1300 °C for 100 h. Both types of composite displayed a significant reduction in strength and toughness after annealing at 1430 °C for 20 h. These results are consistent with changes in fibre-matrix interfacial properties, and with changes in mechanical characteristics of zircon matrix and silicon carbide filament as a result of the high-temperature annealing treatments.
Cardiac Rupture in the Thrombolytic Era: Is it Time to Revise the Textbooks?

Cardiac rupture, while a relatively uncommon occurrence, remains a prevalent cause of death in patients with acute myocardial infarction, accounting for 1015% of all early deaths. The broad category of cardiac rupture can be subdivided into ventricular free wall rupture, ventricular septal rupture, ventricular septal aneurysm formation, atrial free wall rupture, and papillary muscle rupture. Not unexpectedly, myocardial free wall rupture is almost always fatal, while ventricular septal and papillary muscle ruptures are both associated with significant morbidity and mortality in the absence of prompt intervention. Cardiac rupture is not a new phenomenon and has been cited in the medical literature for decades [1-6]. Indeed, it is well known to most clinicians and students of medicine, as are the common patient characteristics, natural history, and symptomology (Table 1).
Culture, demographics, and critical care issues: an overview

The population dynamic and the immigration trends in the United States continue to challenge health care professionals who each day must serve an increasingly diverse population. Today's physicians must not only have a solid background in medical sciences but they must also have knowledge of how culture, race, and ethnicity impact how patients view and accept traditional Western practices. Whether doctors and patients are close in the "context spectrum" will often determine their ability to communicate beyond the spoken language. According to a report of the American Medical Association, by the year 2000, out of a total 812,770 physicians, only 2.5% were Black, 3.5% Hispanic, and 8.9% Asian. Only a fraction of a percent was American Native/Alaskan Native. Therefore, the majority of the physicians are Caucasian, and it could be assumed that they would likely be accustomed to high-context communication styles. The gross of the demographic changes and population increases in the United States during the past 10 years can be attributed to immigration from regions of the world where low-context communication styles are prevalent. Such differences between physicians and patients can create difficult, tense situations in an already charged atmosphere as can be that of a critical care unit.
An evaluation of some myths concerning the culture of daphnids

Abstract Contrary to established beliefs, this paper indicates: (1) that daphnids can, without suffering damage, be dropped through the surface film of water, (2) that an increase in the hardness of culture water does not result in healthier daphnids as measured by body growth, survival or reproduction and (3) that the fecundity of healthy female daphnids does not decrease with age. Finally, it is pointed out that there has never been a demonstration of a Lansing effect for any species in the genus Daphnia and, therefore, there is no reason to believe that the vitality of neonates decreases as the age of their mother increases.
Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol-induced changes in prenatal growth and development of mice

Abstract Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) administered ip in 10% Tween 80 and saline to pregnant Swiss-Webster mice produced a significant incidence of in utero deaths, reduction of body size, and offspring with cleft palate. The embryocidal and fetocidal effects are related to both dosage and day of administration. THC, 50 mg/kg, administered during early organogenesis produced 49% resorptions, while the same dosage administered during late organogenesis produced no significant increase in fetal resorptions. This gestational period susceptibility can be obviated if the in utero organism is exposed acutely on individual gestational days, or chronically during the entire period of organogenesis. Single dosages of THC, 300 mg/kg, produced 77 and 78% fetal resorptions when administered on gestational Days 8 or 16, respectively. THC administered to pregnant mice significantly reduced the body weight of surviving fetuses. THC, 50 mg/kg, administered on gestational Days 10 and 11 reduced the mean fetal body weight by about 15% when compared to corresponding controls. The period of greater susceptibility to growth retardation actions was during gestational Days 10–16. Variations of female percentage of body weight gains were not significantly different from control groups. Examination of skeletal development showed no anomalies. THC produced offspring with cleft palate. Single dosages of THC, 300 mg/kg, produced 50 and 30% incidence of cleft palate when administered on gestational Days 12 or 14, respectively. Cleft palate occurred after multiple dosages of THC at 75, 80, and 100 mg/kg.
On dynamics with time-to-build investment technology and non-time-separable leisure☆

We display a continuous-time version of the Kydland-Prescott time-to-build model and analyze its dynamic behavior, applying techniques of independent interest. We work out the local dynamics of a double Cobb-Douglas example. All key features of the model, and in particular time-to-build and non-time-separable leisure, are represented by means of simple parameters whose impact on the dynamics is examined analytically.
Gatekeepers: A Missed Opportunity for Safe Transport

Objective: To assess whether contact with a health care provider or gatekeeper increases the use of an ambulance for patients with acute chest pain. Methods: A convenience sample of adults 240 years of age presenting with a chief complaint of chest pain were interviewed by trained personnel re- garding transport used to come to the ED. The study was performed at the ED of an urban university hos- pital. Patients with hemodynamic instability and those receiving thrombolytics or emergency angio- plasty were excluded. Patients were asked about ac- cess to a primary health care provider and contact with a provider regarding this ED visit, including in- structions given for transportation. Results: Of the 450 interviewed patients, 42% arrived by ambulance. Those who had contact with a health care provider prior to the ED visit were less likely to come by am- bulance than those without contact, 31% vs 51% (p < 0.001). Of the patients who had cardiac enzymes ob- tained to work up for their chest pain, 34% with health provider contact vs 57% without health pro-' vider contact arrived by ambulance (p c 0.001). Of those with acute myocardial infarction, 30% with health provider contact vs 66% without health pro- vider contact came by ambulance (p < 0.03). Patients who recalled transport instructions from their provid- ers tended to follow those instructions. The majority of patients who recalled no specific transport instruc- tions arrived by personal automobile. Conclusion: Of patients presenting to an ED for evaluation of chest pain, those who made contact with a health care pro- vider were less likely to arrive via ambulance. Key words: emergency medical services; EMS; ambu- lance; managed care organization; gatekeeper. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 1998; 5: 587-592 ORE THAN 50% of all deaths due to ische- M mic myocardial disease occur before the pa- tient reaches the h~spital.l-~ Most of these deaths are due to ventricular fibrillati~n.~ The risk of ven- tricular fibrillation is highest immediately after the myocardial infarction (MI) and decreases with time.6-g Between 15% and 17% of patients with acute MI (AMI) sder a cardiac arrest before or during transportation by an ambulance.6J0 In one study, 20% of patients with MI who were seen within the first hour had an episode of ventricular fibrillation." Hence, early access to defibrillation is effective in reducing the mortality of patients with AMI.5 In our community, patients are instructed to call their physician or their insurance gatekeeper prior to an evaluation at the ED. Our hypothesis was that contact with a health care professional would increase the use of ambulance transporta- tion by the adult patient coming to the ED for chest pain.
Separation and comparison of human TL-like antigens and HLA(A, B, C) antigens expressed on cultured T cells.

Beta2-microglobulin-bound T-cell membrane components containing both human TL-like antigens and HLA(A, B, C) antigens were partially purified from Renex 30-solubilized membrane material of cells of a human T-cell-type leukemia cell line, HPB-ALL. The radioiodinated preparation was subjected to limited papain digestion; the HLA(A, B, C) antigens split, whereas a large portion of the human TL-like antigens remained intact. The antigen molecules were recovered by lentil-lectin affinity chromatography and separated by gel filtration on the basis of the induced difference in molecular size. The human TL-like-antigen preparation thus obtained was essentially free of HLA(A, B, C) antigens. The human TL-like antigens were immunospecifically precipitated and the component polypeptide, heavy and light, chains were separated by acid dissociation followed by gel filtration. The component chains were compared with the corresponding chains of HLA(A, B, C) antigens obtained similarly from the same HPB-ALL cells with respect to their fragmentation patterns on chemical or enzymatic cleavage. The results provided convincing evidence for the identity of the light chains of human TL-like antigens and HLA(A, B, C) antigens, and also evidence suggesting the presence of substantial differences in the fundamental structure of the heavy chains of human TL-like antigens and HLA(A, B, C) antigens.
Uncontrollable Stress, Coping, and Subjective Well-Being in Urban Adolescents.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether uncontrollable stress related to levels of subjective well-being (SWB) in a group of ethnically diverse urban adolescents. Additionally, the researchers examined what types of coping skills were utilized in the face of high levels of uncontrollable stress. Finally, a moderation model was proposed, wherein active coping was hypothesized to exacerbate the inverse relationship between uncontrollable stress and SWB. A group of 147 diverse, urban adolescents were surveyed. Data were analyzed using correlational analysis, hierarchical multiple regression, and stepwise multiple regression. Results revealed that uncontrollable stress was significantly related to negative affect (NA) and active coping strategies were associated with positive affect (PA) and NA. Active coping did serve as a moderator of the relationship between NA and uncontrollable stress, but in an unpredicted direction. Higher levels of uncontrollable stress were related to higher levels of NA a...
Studies on the chemistry, antitumor activity, and pharmacology of ethyl di-(2,2-dimethyl)ethylenamido phosphate (AB-163).

AB-163, a new alkylating agent containing the 2,2-dimethylaziridine moiety, was found to be active against a number of transplanted and virus-induced tumor systems in mice. This compound hydrolyzes in water at 37 C. The hydrolysis product was isolated and identified as ethanol and amino-tert-butyl phosphate. The compound was shown to react with the model nucleophile 4-(p-nitrobenzyl) pyridine (NBP) comparably to previously studied alkylating agents. The intravenous LD50 was 198 mg/kg and the intraperitoneal LD50 was 159 mg/kg in ICR/Ha male mice. In mice carrying Ehrlich ascites tumor (E-2), 30 mg/kg of AB-163 resulted in 95% tumor inhibition. In Sarcoma-180 inoculated mice, 15 mg/kg caused a 20–30% apparent cure rate and a 62% tumor inhibition of the animals having tumors. Against Adenocarcinoma 755, 40 mg/kg exhibited a 60% cure rate and 50% tumor inhibition of the animals with tumors. Leukemia L1210 treated on days 1–11 was cured in 20–30% of the animals receiving 30 mg/kg of AB-163 and there was a 76–170% increase in survival time in the remaining animals. In animals infected with Friend virus, a 40 mg/kg dose resulted in 65% reduction of splenic weight as compared to controls. Studies in dogs indicated that the main toxicity is hematopoietic depression. Terminally, depression of liver functions was observed. High doses produced central nervous system effects which manifested themselves in loss of appetite, vomiting, increased salivation, lethargy, and convulsions.
Mechanically programmable bend radius for fiber-reinforced soft actuators

Established design and fabrication guidelines exist for achieving a variety of motions with soft actuators such as bending, contraction, extension, and twisting. These guidelines typically involve multi-step molding of composite materials (elastomers, paper, fiber, etc.) along with specially designed geometry. In this paper we present the design and fabrication of a robust, fiber-reinforced soft bending actuator where its bend radius and bending axis can be mechanically-programed with a flexible, selectively-placed conformal covering that acts to mechanically constrain motion. Several soft actuators were fabricated and their displacement and force capabilities were measured experimentally and compared to demonstrate the utility of this approach. Finally, a prototype two-digit end-effector was designed and programmed with the conformal covering to shape match a rectangular object. We demonstrated improved gripping force compared to a pure bending actuator. We envision this approach enabling rapid customization of soft actuator function for grasping applications where the geometry of the task is known a priori.
The Anxiety of Inheritance: Reinhold Niebuhr and the Literal Truth of Original Sin

Widely regarded as the most influential proponent of the truth of original sin in the twentieth century, Reinhold Niebuhr worked hard to excise any “literalistic” element from his interpretation of the doctrine. In his attempt to “correct” the Augustinian tradition on original sin by purging it of all “literalistic errors,” however, Niebuhr assumed as his starting point the most characteristically modern objection to the doctrine: that birth is a thoroughly natural, animal, and morally meaningless event. As a result, Niebuhr unnecessarily constrained his vision of the dimensions of human freedom, and hence his description of the dynamic of anxiety and freedom that energizes sin. Through a careful reading of Reinhold Niebuhr's writings on original sin, in light of the truth that the end of human life is inseparable from its origins, a reappraisal and recovery of the meaningfulness of the assertion of original sin as a literal inheritance is possible. The result of such a reappraisal and recovery is an amplified insight into the existential anxiety that Niebuhr otherwise described so convincingly.
Voltage-Induced Nonlinear Characteristics of Arrays of Metallic Quantum Dots

We show by computations that even low voltages can significantly modify the electronic states of a small compressed array of metallic quantum dots. This is because the voltage counteracts the effec...
The Theory-Ladenness of Observation and the Theory-Ladenness of the Rest of the Scientific Process

We use evidence from cognitive psychology and the history of science to examine the issue of the theory-ladenness of perceptual observation. This evidence shows that perception is theory-laden, but that it is only strongly theory-laden when the perceptual evidence is ambiguous or degraded, or when it requires a difficult perceptual judgment. We argue that debates about the theory-ladenness issue have focused too narrowly on the issue of perceptual experience, and that a full account of the scientific process requires an examination of theory-ladenness in attention, perception, data interpretation, data production, memory, and scientific communication. We conclude that the evidence for theory-ladenness does not lead to a relativist account of scientific knowledge.
Dislocation reactions and networks in anisotropic b.c.c. crystals

Abstract Dislocation reactions and networks on the {110} plane of b.c.c. crystals are analyzed using the theory of anisotropic elasticity. The elastic anisotropy critically affects the stability condition for dislocation reactions. It also affects the shape of dislocation networks. The theoretical results are tabulated and compared with the available experimental data measured in metal thin foils.
Computational fluid dynamics analysis of solid oxide electrolysis cells with delaminations

Due to thermal expansion mismatch, the electrode layer of SOECs might be detached from the electrolyte layer, leading to delamination phenomenon. While this phenomenon is observed in post-test stacks, quantitative understanding of delamination effects may facilitate to evaluate SOEC performance tolerance on such failures. In this research, a 2-D CFD SOEC model is developed and is utilized to investigate the sensitivity of electrolysis performance to deliminations occurred at oxygen electrode/electrolyte interface. Results indicate that delaminations significantly influence local charge current density distributions since the charge transport path is cutoff. In both parallel flow and counter flow settings, electrolysis performance is more sensitive to the delamination occurred at the center of the cell than those occurred at the edges of the cell.
Experiments in combining intensity and range edge maps.

With a laser sensor it is possible to obtain registered range and intensity data for a scene. The problem of combining range and intensity data for segmentation is addressed. Although both sources of information describe the same scene, they are very dissimilar. To place both sources of information in the same form, the edge maps of the range image and of the intensity image are derived. Then, the problem of combining the two images is reduced to combining their edge maps. An initial step in examining the edge maps is to observe which edges they have in common. Two procedures for extracting the edges common to the range image and the intensity image are presented.
Phylogenetic affiliation of BEV, a bacterial parasite of the leafhopper Euscelidius variegatus, on the basis of 16S rDNA sequences.

The phylogenetic relationship of a nonflagellated, Gram-negative, rod-shaped intracellular bacterial parasite (BEV) of the leafhopperEuscelidius variegatus to other bacteria within the classProteobacteria was determined by sequence analysis of 16S rDNAs. The presence of specific signature nucleotides showed this bacterium to be a member of the γ-3 subdivision of theProteobacteria. Phylogenetic analysis based on maximum parsimony placed BEV within a clade in theEnterobacteriaceae, which includes a number of bacteria that are facultative symbiotes of insects and have a common ancestor withProteus vulgaris. Within this clade, BEV is most closely related to a bacterium identified as the secondary endosymbiote of another homopteran, the pea aphid,Acyrthosiphon pisum.
Binary image operations using non-coherent optical techniques

Abstract Information can be extracted from two valued images (binary images) by performing logical operations in which a new image is created which is a function of the original image. To form this new image, shifting, storage, and logical operations are required. Cross-correlating an image with a “transfer function image” and thresholding the resultant cross-correlation image will perform the equivalent operations in a single step. Experiments demonstrating the technique have been performed.
A model for diurnal variation in soil and air temperature

Abstract A model for predicting diurnal changes in soil and air temperatures given the maximum and minimum temperatures has been developed. The model uses a truncated sine wave to predict daytime temperature changes and an exponential function to predict nighttime temperatures. The model is based upon hourly soil and air temperatures for 1977 at a shortgrass prairie site and is parameterized for 150-cm and 10-cm air temperatures and for soil-surface and 10-cm soil temperatures. The absolute mean error for the model ranged from a maximum of 2.64°C for the 10-cm air temperature to a minimum of 1.20°C for the 10-cm soil temperature. The model was also parameterized for hourly air temperature data for Denver, Colorado. Comparison of the model with other models showed that it did a superior job of fitting the data with a smaller number of parameters.