cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Visiting theories that predict college students' self-disclosure on Facebook

This study explores factors that may explain information disclosure behavior on Facebook and provides understanding of each factor's contribution in explaining such behavior. Factors tested in this study are drawn from theories (e.g., social contract theory and uses and gratification theory) and constructs (e.g., trust/self-disclosure relationships, time spent on Facebook, number of Facebook friends, and gender difference). Findings suggest the potential of all the factors examined in this study as frameworks to explain self-disclosure behavior on Facebook. This social media-specific study offers evidence that these theories may have implications that are different from the current e-commerce literature on self-disclosure. Both theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Performance of K-distribution GLRT SAR target detector

A new polarimetric subspace target detector based on the dihedral signal model for bight peaks within a spatially extended SAR target signature has previously been developed. This new polarimetric subspace target detector uses a very general spherically invariant random vector (SIRV) model with additive clutter for the SAR data. The SIRV model includes both the Gaussian and K-distributions which are commonly used to model SAR data. In this paper, we present performance results for several versions of this new target detector against real and simulated SAR data. We show that the Gaussian dihedral detector does a better job of separating a set of tactical military targets from natural clutter compared to detectors that assume no knowledge about the polarimetric structure of the target signal including the PWF detector. We show that the K-distribution version of the dihedral detector performs very poorly against real SAR data. The GLRT used to develop the dihedral detector has no guarantee of optimality. We explore the accuracy of our signal model, and the accuracy and robustness of our parameter estimators to reveal the limitations of the GLRT approach for non-Gaussian approaches to this problem.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Relative importance of local and landscape variables on site occupancy by avian species in a pine forest, urban, and agriculture matrix

Abstract In the Southeastern USA, planted pine forests are increasingly embedded in a matrix of urban and/or agricultural land. Most avian conservation management in these forests has primarily focused on local (stand) characteristics and less attention has been given to landscape characteristics. We investigated the relative influences of local and landscape variables on site occupancy of 17 avian species in pine forests in urban and agricultural matrices. During May–August 2010 and 2011, we conducted bird surveys and vegetation surveys in stands dominated by loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) in the Sandhills Ecoregion of Georgia, USA. We developed 8 single-season occupancy models. An autocovariate was also incorporated to account for spatial autocorrelation. We used three principal components summarizing environmental characteristics at each of three spatial extents (one local and two landscape scales, 500 m-radius circle and 1 km-radius circle surrounding a point) as covariates. Of 17 species, occupancy by 5 species was associated with local vegetation variables and by 8 species with variables at 500 m and/or 1 km landscape scale. Occupancy by forest interior species had a greater association with landscape variables, whereas occupancy by pine–grassland species was related to local variables. Urban development and agricultural land use positively influenced the occupancy of species associated with landscape variables. To improve overall avian diversity, our results suggest that forest management needs to consider both local vegetation characteristics and landscape characteristics, and that the potential habitat value of pine forests in the urban/agricultural matrix should not be ignored.
Headache in United States Emergency Departments: demographics, work‐up and frequency of pathological diagnoses

Headache is a common complaint in the emergency department (ED). In order to examine headache work-ups and diagnoses across the USA, we queried a representative sample of adult ED visits (the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey) for the years 1992-2001. Headache accounted for 2.1 million ED visits per year (2.2% of visits). Of the 14% of patients who underwent neuroimaging, 5.5% received a pathological diagnosis. Of the 2% of patients who underwent lumbar puncture, 11% received a pathological diagnosis. On multivariable analysis, a decreased rate of imaging was noted for patients without private insurance [odds ratio (OR) 0.61, confidence interval (CI) 0.44, 0.86] and for those presenting off-hours (OR 0.55, CI 0.39, 0.77). Patients over 50 were more likely to receive a pathological diagnosis (OR 3.3, CI 1.2, 9.3). In conclusion, clinicians should ensure that appropriate work-ups are performed regardless of presentation time or insurance status, and be vigilant in the evaluation of older patients.
Cloning, sequencing, overproduction, and purification of M CviBI (GANTC) methyltransferase from Chlorella virus NC-1A

We have cloned and sequenced the cvibIM gene from Chlorella virus NC-1A by selecting for the modification phenotype. The modification gene was cloned on a 7-kb BamHI fragment inserted into the BamHI site of the pUC13 plasmid. The cvibIM gene was localized at the 3' end of this fragment. Sequencing of this region revealed a large open reading frame that codes for methyltransferase (MTase; symbol M.) (predicting 260 amino acids). M.CviBI (GANTC) aa sequence is homologous to M.Dam(GATC), M.DpnII(GATC), and M.T4 (GATC), and not so to M.HinfI(GANTC), M.HhaII (GANTC), and M.DpnA(GATC). We also describe the use of the polymerase chain reaction technique to alter transcriptional and translational signals surrounding this gene so as to achieve overexpression in Escherichia coli. This construct yields M.CviBI at 2-3% of the total cellular protein. The MTase was purified by phosphocellulose, DEAE, and gel filtration chromatography. Its size by SDS-PAGE is approx. 28 kDa, in good agreement with that predicted from the nucleotide sequence.
Nonlinear evolution equations with almost periodic time dependence

. We give conditions under which solutions of the equation $u'(t) = Au(t) + f(t)$ are asymptotically almost periodic; here $u(t)$ and $f(t)$ are functions on the reals with values in a real Banach space X, $f(t)$ is almost periodic in the sense of Bohr and A is a function on a subset $D(A)$ of X, to X. We apply the result to a nonlinear one-dimensional heat equation with an almost periodic time-dependent heat supply.
The role of microtubules and microfilaments in neurulation in Xenopus

Abstract The proposed roles of microtubules and microfilaments in bringing about neurulation have been experimentally tested. New descriptive information on the presence and orientation of microtubules and microfilaments during the various stages of neurulation has been presented. Vinblastine sulfate, which disrupts both microtubules and microfilaments, prevents neurulation from proceeding and reverses the changes in cell shape associated with neurulation that had occurred prior to its administration. These results are discussed in relation to the current hypotheses of the mechanism of neurulation; they are cited as evidence in support of parts of the model of Schroeder (1970) . The possibility that microtubules are broken down and their components are used again when microfilamentous bands contract has been reported and discussed.
Precise Characterization of the B (1/2) and C (3/2) States of XeF from a Deperturbation Analysis of the B → X Spectrum of 136XeF†

The B (½) and C (3/2) ion-pair excited states of XeF are coupled by the rotational Hamiltonian, producing perturbations in the rotational structure of B → X( 2 Σ + ) transitions involving v' levels <5. Five v' -v'' bands in the B → X emission spectrum of the single isotopomer 1 3 6 Xe 1 9 F are analyzed by a deperturbation model to yield improved spectroscopic parameters (cm - 1 ) for the low-v regions of the B and C states: For B, ω e = 308.09, ω e x e = 1.480, Be = 0.145 29, and α e = 0.000 675; for C, ω e = 345.1, ω e x e = 2.10, Be = 0.165 42, and α e = 0.001 48. The C state lies 797 cm - 1 below the B state, with R e = 2.473 A. The electronic perturbative coupling element for B-C interactions is 1.632, which is 6% below the simple Hund's case c-based prediction () and just 3% greater than an estimate obtained from a more elaborate case a approach.
Evidence for a two-electron transfer using the all-ferrous Fe protein during nitrogenase catalysis.

The nitrogenase-catalyzed H2 evolution and acetylene-reduction reactions using Ti(III) and dithionite (DT) as reductants were examined and compared under a variety of conditions. Ti(III) is known to make the all-ferrous Fe protein ([Fe4S4]0) and lowers the amount of ATP hydrolyzed during nitrogenase catalysis by approximately 2-fold. Here we further investigate this behavior and present results consistent with the Fe protein in the [Fe4S4]0 redox state transferring two electrons ([Fe4S4]2+/[Fe4S4]0) per MoFe protein interaction using Ti(III) but transferring only one electron ([Fe4S4]2+/[Fe4S4]1+) using DT. MoFe protein specific activity was measured as a function of Fe:MoFe protein ratio for both a one- and a two-electron transfer reaction, and nearly identical curves were obtained. However, Fe protein specific activity curves as a function of MoFe:Fe protein ratio showed two distinct reactivity patterns. With DT as reductant, typical MoFe inhibition curves were obtained for operation of the [Fe4S4]2+/[Fe4S4]1+redox couple, but with Ti(III) as reductant the [Fe4S4]2+/[Fe4S4]0redox couple was functional and MoFe inhibition was not observed at high MoFe:Fe protein ratios. With Ti(III) as reductant, nitrogenase catalysis produced hyperbolic curves, yielding aVmax for the Fe protein specific activity of about 3200 nmol of H2 min−1 mg−1Fe protein, significantly higher than for reactions conducted with DT as reductant. Lag phase experiments (Hageman, R. V., and Burris, R. H. (1978) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 75, 2699–2702) were carried out at MoFe:Fe protein ratios of 100 and 300 using both DT and Ti(III). A lag phase was observed for DT but, with Ti(III) product formation, began immediately and remained linear for over 30 min. Activity measurements using Av-Cp heterologous crosses were examined using both DT and Ti(III) as reductants to compare the reactivity of the [Fe4S4]2+/[Fe4S4]1+and [Fe4S4]2+/[Fe4S4]0redox couples and both were inactive. The results are discussed in terms of the Fe protein transferring two electrons per MoFe protein encounter using the [Fe4S4]2+/[Fe4S4]0redox couple with Ti(III) as reductant.
Raptorial jaws in the throat help moray eels swallow large prey

Most fish capture their prey by opening their mouths, sucking them in and then processing them with 'pharyngeal' jaws, a second set of jaws, derived from the gill skeleton, that lies deep within the throat. Moray eels, though, have a problem. Despite being rapacious predators, they are too long and narrow for conventional suction mechanisms to work. So instead of sucking food down to the pharyngeal jaws, these jaws project forward into the mouth cavity and seize the prey — an innovation that may have contributed to the success of morays as reef predators. It all sounds rather spectacular, so it's worth watching the movie on http://tinyurl.com/2ybys3 . Moray eels, despite being rapacious predators, are too long and narrow for conventional fish suction mechanisms to work for ingesting prey. So instead of sucking food down to the pharyngeal jaws, these jaws project forward into the mouth cavity and seize the prey - a remarkable innovation which may have contributed to the success of morays as reef predators. Most bony fishes rely on suction mechanisms to capture and transport prey1. Once captured, prey are carried by water movement inside the oral cavity to a second set of jaws in the throat, the pharyngeal jaws, which manipulate the prey and assist in swallowing1,2. Moray eels display much less effective suction-feeding abilities3. Given this reduction in a feeding mechanism that is widespread and highly conserved in aquatic vertebrates, it is not known how moray eels swallow large fish and cephalopods4,5,6,7. Here we show that the moray eel (Muraena retifera) overcomes reduced suction capacity by launching raptorial pharyngeal jaws out of its throat and into its oral cavity, where the jaws grasp the struggling prey animal and transport it back to the throat and into the oesophagus. This is the first described case of a vertebrate using a second set of jaws to both restrain and transport prey, and is the only alternative to the hydraulic prey transport reported in teleost fishes. The extreme mobility of the moray pharyngeal jaws is made possible by elongation of the muscles that control the jaws8, coupled with reduction of adjacent gill-arch structures9. The discovery that pharyngeal jaws can reach up from behind the skull to grasp prey in the oral jaws reveals a major innovation that may have contributed to the success of moray eels as apex predators hunting within the complex matrix of coral reefs10,11. This alternative prey transport mode is mechanically similar to the ratcheting mechanisms used in snakes12,13—a group of terrestrial vertebrates that share striking morphological, behavioural14 and ecological convergence with moray eels.
Antagonism of d-amphetamine by alpha-methyl-l-tyrosine: Behavioral evidence for the participation of catecholamine stores and synthesis in the amphetamine stimulant response

Abstract The ability of α-methyl- l -tyrosine to antagonize the locomotor stimulant effects of d -amphetamine was tested in rats pretreated with saline pheniprazine or reserpine. Dose α-methyl- l -tyrosine-antagonism curves in saline-pretreated rats were shown to be dependent upon the challenging dose of amphetamine employed. After 1 mg kg of the stimulant no antagonism of the evoked locomotor stimulation was observed at doses of the amino acid below 25 mg kg . Stimulation to 2 and 4 mg kg amphetamine on the other hand was significantly antagonized by much lower doses of α-methyltyrosine. Pheniprazine-pretreated rats were more sensitive to the effects of amphetamine but less prone to antagonism by the amino acid. The locomotor stimulation to the sympathomimetic amine in the reserpine-pretreated rats was inhibited by very low doses of α-methyl- l -tyrosine. These data are interpreted to reveal a participation of both endogenous catecholamine stores and biosynthesis in the amphetamine response in saline-pretreated rats. Pheniprazine increases the relative importance of stores whereas reserpine pretreatment leaves the animals completely dependent upon catecholamine biosynthesis for realization of amphetamine-induced locomotor stimulation.
Phase II trial of anastrozole in women with asymptomatic müllerian cancer.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the selective aromatase inhibitor anastrozole (Arimidex), we conducted a phase II trial in 53 women with asymptomatic recurrent/persistent mullerian cancer. Methods Patients with ovarian, peritoneal, or fallopian tube carcinoma were eligible for enrollment. Eligible patients had an ECOG PS ≤ 1 and no clinical indication for immediate systemic chemotherapy. Patients were assigned to measurable (cohort 1) or evaluable disease (cohort 2) cohorts, respectively. Patients were treated with anastrozole 1 mg po daily. Monthly follow-up included interim history, physical exam, and CA-125 with radiologic evaluation every 3 months. Estrogen, progesterone, and Her-2/neu receptor status was also evaluated in archived tumor samples. Results Fifty-three women with a median age of 63 (range, 46–86) years were enrolled. Twenty-nine women enrolled in cohort 1 and 24 in cohort 2. Included were 43, 7, and 3 women with ovarian, primary peritoneal, and fallopian tube carcinoma, respectively. All 53 patients were evaluable for treatment toxicity and response. The median time to disease progression was 85 days (85 days for cohort 1 and 82 days for cohort 2). A partial response was documented in a single patient with measurable disease. Forty-two percent of patients had stable disease (measured as time to treatment termination) for >90 days, 15% for >180 days, 7% for >270 days, and 4% for >360 days. One patient remained on anastrozole at 15 months. Toxicity was modest (grade I) and infrequent, with the most common toxicities being fatigue and hot flashes. There were no thrombotic complications. Median time to progression for patients with estrogen receptor-positive tumors was 72 days as compared to 125 days for those with tumors negative for the estrogen receptor ( P = 0.95, log-rank test). The median time to progression in patients with progesterone-positive tumors was 77 days and 91 days for patients with progesterone-negative tumors. Conclusion In summary, anastrozole is a well-tolerated oral agent but with minimal tumoricidal activity in women with recurrent/persistent mullerian cancers. A minority of patients demonstrated prolonged stable disease while on this agent.
Quantitative blood flow measurements in the small animal cardiopulmonary system using digital subtraction angiography.

Purpose: The use of preclinical rodent models of disease continues to grow because these models help elucidate pathogenic mechanisms and provide robust test beds for drug development. Among the major anatomic and physiologic indicators of disease progression and genetic or drug modification of responses are measurements of blood vessel caliber and flow. Moreover, cardiopulmonary blood flow is a critical indicator of gas exchange. Current methods of measuring cardiopulmonary blood flow suffer from some or all of the following limitations—they produce relative values, are limited to global measurements, do not provide vasculature visualization, are not able to measure acute changes, are invasive, or require euthanasia. Methods: In this study, high-spatial and high-temporal resolution x-ray digital subtraction angiography(DSA) was used to obtain vasculature visualization, quantitative blood flow in absolute metrics (ml/min instead of arbitrary units or velocity), and relative blood volume dynamics fromdiscrete regions of interest on a pixel-by-pixel basis ( 100 × 100 μ m 2 ) . Results: A series of calibrations linked the DSA flow measurements to standard physiological measurement using thermodilution and Fick’s method for cardiac output (CO), which in eight anesthetized Fischer-344 rats was found to be 37.0 ± 5.1 ml / min . Phantom experiments were conducted to calibrate the radiographic density to vessel thickness, allowing a link of DSAcardiac output measurements to cardiopulmonary blood flow measurements in discrete regions of interest. The scaling factor linking relative DSAcardiac output measurements to the Fick’s absolute measurements was found to be 18.90 × CO DSA = CO Fick . Conclusions: This calibrated DSA approach allows repeated simultaneous visualization of vasculature and measurement of blood flow dynamics on a regional level in the living rat.
Improving Medication Calculations of Nursing Students through Simulation: An Integrative Review

Abstract Medication errors represent a leading medical cause of patient mortality. Consequently, accurate medication administration is a primary focus of nursing education curricula. Nursing students have difficulty learning math calculation skills related to medications, which indicates a need to change educational strategies in nursing curricula. Evidence-based modifications of a nursing curriculum can improve student nurses' ability to think critically and conceptualize medication dosage problems. The current body of evidence was reviewed and found to include valuable nursing education strategies that improve the accuracy of math calculations related to medication administration by student nurses. Nursing students must be taught math calculation skills for medication administration early in the curriculum and often. Sufficient practice in realistic, simulated settings can effectively reinforce these skills. Four teaching strategies are supported by the literature: (a) math skills must be taught early and reinforced often throughout the nursing curriculum; (b) simulation with real, practical problem solving provided the best learning outcomes; (c) accurate ways to assess math competency must be developed; and (d) nursing students' confidence can be increased by improving math calculation skills.
Phytoplankton photosynthesis in the subsurface chlorophyll-maximum layer of the tropical North Pacific Ocean

Abstract Maximum quantum yield (φmB) and maximum photosynthetic rate (PmB) of light-saturation curves of phytoplankton photosynthesis were determined for nannoplankton ( 20 μm) from the subsurface chlorophyll-maximum layer at 14 stations in the tropical North Pacific Ocean in the spring of 1976. The maximum quantum yield (φ m B ± s.e. ) was significantly higher for nannoplankton (0.056 ± 0.006 moles CO2·Einstein−1 absorbed) than netplankton (0.039 ± 0.002 moles CO2·Einstein−1 absorbed). The importance of nannoplankton in the maximum photosynthetic rate (PmB) appears to be less consistent. At least 60% of the theoretical maximum quantum yield (0.12 moles CO2·Einstein−1 absorbed) was probably incorporated into the particulate fraction at the subsurface chlorophyll-maximum layer.
Neuromuscular adaptations to concurrent strength and endurance training

McCARTHY, J. P., M. A. POZNIAK, and J. C. AGRE. Neuromuscular adaptations to concurrent strength and endurance training. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 34, No. 3, pp. 511–519, 2002.PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine muscle morphological and neural activation adaptations resulting from th
PRELIMINARY NOTE ON THE CHICO, NEW MEXICO, AEROLITE (CN = 1042,365)*

This paper gives an account of the discovery and identification of the largest aerolite found to date in the State of New Mexico, namely, Chico, Colfax County (CN = 1042,365). The meteorite, which weighs 231 pounds, is a chondrite notable for the extraordinary size of some of the chondri that it contains. The largest of these bodies so far found is in shape approximately an ellipsoid of three unequal axes of dimensions 57 × 44 × 26 mm. Since the density of this metal-rich chondrus is certainly in excess of the average density, S.5, determined for the whole meteorite, its weight exceeds 120 gm., i.e., one-fourth of a pound.
Peptide inhibitors of MK2 show promise for inhibition of abdominal adhesions.

Background Abdominal adhesions are a common side effect of surgical procedures with complications including infertility, chronic pain, and bowel obstruction, which may lead to the need for surgical lyses of the adhesions. Mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2) has been implicated in several diseases, involving inflammation and fibrosis. Thus, the development of a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) that modulates MK2 activity may confer therapeutic benefit after abdominal surgery in general and more specifically after bowel anastomosis. Methods This study evaluated the function of a CPP inhibitor of MK2 in human mesothelial cells and in a rat bowel anastomosis model. To determine IC50 and basic specificity, kinase inhibition was performed using a radiometric assay. Enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) was used to evaluate interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression in response to IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) stimulation in vitro to validate MK2 kinase inhibition. Following bowel anastomosis (10 rats for each control and treatment at 4 and 10 d), the rats were evaluated for weight loss, normal healing (colonic burst strength and hydroxyproline content at the anastomosis), and number and density of adhesions. Results The IC50 of the MK2 inhibitor peptide (22μM) was similar to that of the nonspecific small molecule rottlerin (IC50 = 5 μM). The MK2 inhibitor peptide was effective at suppressing IL-1β and TNF-α stimulated IL-6 expression in mesothelial cells. In vivo, the MK2 inhibitor peptide was effective at suppressing both the density and number of adhesions formed as a result of bowel an anastamosis. Importantly, the peptide had no negative effect on normal healing. Conclusions In conclusion, the peptide inhibitor of MK2, MMI-0100, has the potential to significantly reduce inflammation through suppression of inflammatory cytokine expression and showed promise as a therapeutic for abdominal adhesions.
Vibrational-resonance enhancement of positron annihilation in molecules

The rate of annihilation of low-energy positrons in many molecular gases is orders of magnitude larger than can be explained on the basis of simple collisions. Developments in positron beam technology have enabled the first energy-resolved measurements of this annihilation process. The results of these experiments provide direct evidence that the large observed values of annihilation rate are due to the excitation of long-lived vibrational resonances of the positron-molecule complex. These results are generally consistent with a recent theoretical model of resonant annihilation.
Glass-Like Thermal Conductivity of (010)-Textured Lanthanum-Doped Strontium Niobate Synthesized with Wet Chemical Deposition

We have measured the cross-plane thermal conductivity (κ) of (010)-textured, undoped, and lanthanum-doped strontium niobate (Sr2-xLaxNb2O7-δ) thin films via time-domain thermoreflectance. Then the thin films were deposited on (001)-oriented SrTiO3 substrates via the highly-scalable technique of chemical solution deposition. We find that both film thickness and lanthanum doping have little effect on κ, suggesting that there is a more dominant phonon scattering mechanism present in the system; namely the weak interlayer-bonding along the b-axis in the Sr2Nb2O7 parent structure. We also compare our experimental results with two variations of the minimum-limit model for κ and discuss the nature of transport in material systems with weakly-bonded layers. The low cross-plane κ of these scalably-fabricated films is comparable to that of similarly layered niobate structures grown epitaxially.
Effect of indomethacin on intestinal tumors induced in rats by the acetate derivative of dimethylnitrosamine

Over the course of 20 weeks, Sprague-Dawley rats developed intestinal tumors in response to an intraperitoneal injection of the acetate derivative of dimethylnitrosamine. The same agent did not induce tumors in Lobund-Wistar rats. The number of tumors was significantly smaller in rats given drinking water containing indomethacin (beginning 14 days after the injections) than in control rats given drug-free water.
Fetal hydantoin syndrome: Current status

IN THE 70 YEARS since the introduction of the first anticonvulsant, phenobarbital, a large and diverse group of drugs has been developed to control seizures. Among the most efficacious and widely used of these agents is phenytoin (Dilantin, hydantoin), an agent in clinical use for more than 40 years. It has been estimated that two million patients in the United States receive phenytoin on a long-term basis/ Extensive literature exists regarding the magnitude of risk for fetal abnormality in the offspring of mothers with convulsive disorders. In all of these epidemiologic studies, the frequency of abnormalities in the offspring of treated epileptic women has exceeded that for offspring of normal (nonepileptic) controls (Table). 2~6 In most cases this difference has been statistically significant, with relative risk estimates ranging from 2 to 3. Unfortunately, sample sizes in these studies have been marginal for any reliable conclusions to be madeJ 6 In all studies, sample sizes have been insufficient to allow stratification by more than a few maternal Or paternal variables, and all combinations of drug therapy or convulsive disorders have been analyzed together. Consideration of the dosage and timing of drug exposures has not been specified. Epidemiologic studies have thus far failed to answer the question: Is the risk for congenital abnormalities in the offspring of treated epileptic women related to drug therapy or to the underlying convulsive disorder or genetic factors? Two areas of study suggest that a portion of the increased risk may be attributable to drug therapy. As illustrated in the Table, in retrospective studies the frequency of abnormality in the offspring of treated epileptic women is consistently greater than in the offspring of
B-rep SE: simplicially enhanced boundary representation

Boundary representation (B-rep) is a popular representation scheme for mechanical objects due to its ability to accurately represent piecewise smooth surfaces bounding solids. However, non-trivial topology and geometry of the surface patches hinder point generation, classification, searching, and other algorithms. We propose a new hybrid representation that addresses these shortcomings by imposing on the boundary representation an additional simplicial structure. The simplicial structure applies a triangle-mesh metaphor to the usual boundary representation, allowing access to points on the exact solid boundary or its many approximations. The resulting simplicially enhanced boundary representation (B-rep SE) simplifies and accelerates the usual boundary representation queries. We discuss full implementation of B-rep SE with the Parasolid kernel and demonstrate the advantages of B-rep SE in applications that integrate and visualize arbitrary fields on a solid's boundary.
Evaluation of a clinically relevant target behavior for analog outcome research

To evaluate a measurement procedure for a clinically relevant analog target behavior (social anxiety), college males (23 socially anxious and 23 nonanxious) were exposed to two brief interactions, 3 wk apart, with a female confederate. Half of each anxiety group was given low-demand-for-imporovement posttest instructions, while half was presented high-demand instruction. The procedure validly discriminated the two anxiety groups on several self-report, behavioral, and heart-rate measures. Demand manipulations had no positive effect on any measure. Physiological arousal was substantial and showed no evidence of habituation from pre- to posttest exposures.
The Effect of Neutron Irradiation on the Tensile Properties and Microstructure of Several Vanadium Alloys

Specimens of V-15Cr-5Ti, VANSTAR-7, and V-3Ti-1Si were encapsulated in TZM tubes containing /sup 7/Li to prevent interstitial pickup and irradiated in FFTF (MOTA experiment) to a damage level of 40 dpa. The irradiation temperatures were 420, 520, and 600/sup 0/C. For a better simulation of fusion reactor conditions, helium was preimplanted in some specimens using a modified version of the ''tritium trick.'' The V-15Cr-5Ti alloy was most susceptible to irradiation hardening and helium embrittlement, followed by VANSTAR-7 and V-3Ti-1Si. VANSTAR-7 exhibited a relatively high maximum void swelling of approx.6% at 520/sup 0/C while V-15Cr-5Ti and V-3Ti-1Si had values of less than 0.3% at all three temperatures. The V-3Ti-1Si clearly outperformed the other two vanadium alloys in resisting the effects of neutron irradiation.
Fibronectin inhibits the cytotoxic effect of ricin A chain on endothelial cells

We have previously reported that after in vitro treatment with deglycosylated ricin A chain (dgRTA), human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) undergo changes in morphology including cell rounding and disruption of monolayers. The present studies were carried out to determine whether these changes were related to the disruptions in endothelial cell (EC) interactions with the extracellular matrix. To this end, we examined the effect of dgRTA on HUVECs in the presence of fibronectin (Fn), an extracellular matrix protein, which plays a role in the maintenance of vascular integrity. The addition of exogenous Fn greatly inhibited dgRTA-mediated morphological changes in HUVEC monolayers, dgRTA-mediated inhibition of [3H]thymidine incorporation in HUVECs and the binding of 125I-dgRTA to HUVECs. Should the same phenomenon occur with RTA-based immunotoxins (ITs) in vivo, this might shed light on the development of dgRTA-mediated vascular leak syndrome (VLS) during IT therapy and provide new insights into how to decrease this toxicity in patients.
The development of children's prelife reasoning: evidence from two cultures.

Two studies investigated children's reasoning about their mental and bodily states during the time prior to biological conception—“prelife.” By exploring prelife beliefs in 5- to 12-year-olds (N = 283) from two distinct cultures (urban Ecuadorians, rural indigenous Shuar), the studies aimed to uncover children's untutored intuitions about the essential features of persons. Results showed that with age, children judged fewer mental and bodily states to be functional during prelife. However, children from both cultures continued to privilege the functionality of certain mental states (i.e., emotions, desires) relative to bodily states (i.e., biological, psychobiological, perceptual states). Results converge with afterlife research and suggest that there is an unlearned cognitive tendency to view emotions and desires as the eternal core of personhood.
A note on passivity and losslessness

This note gives new necessary and sufficient conditions for a linear system to be passive or lossless. It will be shown that, by using the theory of operators on an indefinite J(t)-Hilbert space, both the passivity and isometric conditions for an operator to be lossless can be combined into a single condition—namely an operator is lossless if and only if it is J(t)-contractive.
Anaphylactoid purpura: characteristics of 16 patients who progressed to renal failure.

Renal insufficiency occurs in at least 1.5% of children with anaphylactoid purpura (AP). We reviewed the records of 16 children who developed end-stage renal disease (ESRD group) secondary to AP and matched them for age, era of onset, renal histology, and clinical severity at onset with 16 children who has AP but whose creatinine clearance returned to and remained normal (recovery group). We reviewed creatinine clearances at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years after onset. A creatinine clearance >70 ml/min per 1.73 m2 was present in 50% of the patients in the ESRD group at 3 years and in 25% at 5 years after onset. In contrast, all patients in the recovery group had a creatinine clearance >70 ml/min per 1.73 m2 by 3 years (7 of 16 had a creatinine clearance >125 ml/min per 1.73 m2) and all were normal 95–125 ml/min per 1.73 m2) by 5 years. Thus, the presence of an increased creatinine clearance (>125 ml/min per 1.73 m2) at 3 years predicted recovery, while failure to reach a creatinine clearance of >70 ml/min per 1.73 m2 at 3 years predicted progression to ESRD. There was no evidence of recurrent systemic AP or nephritis in the 14 patients who underwent renal allograft transplantation. We conclude that long-term evaluation of patients over many years is required to identify those who will progress to ESRD from AP and that recurrence of AP in the renal transplant is uncommon.
Response-time optimization of rule-based expert systems

Real-time rule-based decision systems are embedded AI systems and must make critical decisions within stringent timing constraints. In the case where the response time of the rule- based system is not acceptable, it has to be optimized to meet both timing and integrity constraints. This paper describes a novel approach to reduce the response time of rule-based expert systems. Our optimization method is twofold: the first phase constructs the reduced cycle-free finite state transition system corresponding to the input rule-based system, and the second phase further refines the constructed transition system using the simulated annealing approach. The method makes use of rule-base system decomposition, concurrency, and state- equivalency. The new and optimized system is synthesized from the derived transition system. Compared with the original system, the synthesized system has fewer number of rule firings to reach the fixed point, is inherently stable, and has no redundant rules.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Enhanced structural controllers for non-collocated systems:

The present work investigates the adverse effects of non-collocated sensors and actuators on the phase characteristics of flexible structures and the ensuing implications on the performance of structural controllers. Two closed-loop systems are considered. The first one consists of a pinned-free flexible beam with the control torque applied at the pinned-end. The second one is a clamped-free deformable beam with the control moment generated by two piezoelectric actuators bonded at the top and bottom surfaces near the clamped-end. The phase angle contours for both systems were generated as functions of the normalized sensor location and the excitation frequency. They illustrate the loci of the imaginary open-loop zeros along with the resulting minimum and non-minimum phase regions of the systems as the sensors sweep the entire span of the beams. Two structural controllers are designed based on the sliding mode methodology and the active damping control strategy to attenuate the undesired in-plane transvers...
Tumors of the glomus jugulare and glomus tympanicum.

Seven patients with tumors of the glomus jugulare and/or glomus tympanicum —6 treated initially by radical endaural mastoidectomy and one by simple excision—are presented. Clinical, pathologic and therapeutic data are compared with cases in the world literature. The cases are divided into 2 groups: (1) extensive lesions in which bone erosion is demonstrated radiographically and/or cranial nerves other than VII are affected and (2) limited lesions where these were not present. Statistical analysis indicated that surgical ablation was significantly superior to irradiation in the limited lesion group; there was no significant difference in the extensive lesion group. The authors conclude that adequate radical surgical removal is the treatment of choice for both the limited and extensive lesions. This usually can be accomplished if appropriate otologic and neurosurgical techniques are employed. Irradiation therapy should be reserved for patients who cannot tolerate radical surgery and to whom only palliation can be offered.
Leadership processes for re‐engineering changes to the health care industry

As health care organizations seek innovative ways to change financing and delivery mechanisms due to escalated health care costs and increased competition, drastic changes are being sought in the form of re‐engineering. This study discusses the leader's role of re‐engineering in health care. It specifically addresses the reasons for failures in re‐engineering and argues that success depends on senior level leaders playing a critical role. Existing studies lack comprehensiveness in establishing models of re‐engineering and management guidelines. This research focuses on integrating re‐engineering and leadership processes in health care by creating a step‐by‐step model. Particularly, it illustrates the four Es: Examination, Establishment, Execution and Evaluation, as a comprehensive re‐engineering process that combines managerial roles and activities to result in successfully changed and reengineered health care organizations.
Why is the Sophist a sequel to the Theaetetus

The Theaetetus and the Sophist both stand in the shadow of the Parmenides, to which they refer. I propose to interpret these two dialogues as Plato's first move in the project of reshaping his metaphysics with the double aim of avoiding problems raised in the Parmenides and applying his general theory to the philosophy of nature. The classical doctrine of Forms is subject to revision, but Plato's fundamental metaphysics is preserved in the Philebus as well as in the Timaeus. The most important change is the explicit enlargement of the notion of Being to include the nature of things that change.This reshaping of the metaphysics is prepared in the Theaetetus and Sophist by an analysis of sensory phenomena in the former and, in the latter, a new account of Forms as a network of mutual connections and exclusions. The division of labor between the two dialogues is symbolized by the role of Heraclitus in the former and that of Parmenides in the latter. Theaetetus asks for a discussion of Parmenides as well, but Socrates will not undertake it. For that we need the visitor from Elea. Hence the Theaetetus deals with becoming and flux but not with being; that topic is reserved for Eleatic treatment in the Sophist. But the problems of falsity and Not-Being, formulated in the first dialogue, cannot be resolved without the considerations of truth and Being, reserved for the later dialogue. That is why there must be a sequel to the Theaetetus.
Effect of peanut tannin extracts on growth of Aspergillus parasiticus and aflatoxin production.

Twenty-three peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) genotypes were evaluated for kernel resistance to Aspergillus parasiticus Spear. colonization and aflatoxin contamination when incubated under high relative humidity. Also, tannin-containing extracts from kernel coats (testae) and cotyledons of these genotypes were prepared and tested for their effect on A. parasiticus growth and aflatoxin production in vitro. The lowest degree of colonization, less than 30% was noted in kernels from the genotypes, Toalson x UF 73-4022 (selections TX-798731 and TX-798736), A72118, SN 55-437, PI337409, and Florunner. Genotypes with low levels of colonization also had the lowest aflatoxin contamination. The coefficient of correlation between infection frequency and aflatoxin contamination was 0.66. Higher levels of tannins were detected in the testae (23.9–97.2 mg g tissue) compared to the cotyledons (0.17–0.82 mg g tissue). Some of the methanol-extracted and water-soluble tannin extracts from testae and cotyledons, when incorporated in yeast extract sucrose liquid medium (100 mg l), significantly inhibited A. parasiticus growth and reduced the levels of aflatoxin produced. There was no overall correlation between the peanut genotypes and the influence of tannin extracts on A. parasiticus growth and aflatoxin production. However, correlations were higher for specific genotypes. For example, the coefficient of correlation between the ability of tannin extracts from testae of genotypes PI337409 and TX-798736 to inhibit aflatoxin production was 0.93 and 0.85 respectively.
Selfaligning demodulator for remotely operated fibre optic magnetic sensor system

A technique for automatic phase alignment and phase sensitive detection for a fibre optic magnetostrictive sensor is described. The technique, which was successfully implemented in an undersea system for making long term measurements, is applicable to a variety of phase sensitive detection problems involving remote sensing.
Societal costs versus savings from wild-card patent extension legislation to spur critically needed antibiotic development.

Over the last two decades, an alarming rise in infections caused by antibiotic-resistant microbes has been paralleled by an equally alarming decline in the development of new antibiotics to deal with the threat. In response to this brewing “perfect storm” of infectious diseases, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has released a white paper that proposes incentives to stimulate critically needed antibiotic development by pharmaceutical companies. A cornerstone of the recommendations is establishment of a “wild-card patent extension” program. This program would allow a company receiving United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for a new anti-infective agent targeting a drug-resistant pathogen to extend the patent on a drug within their active portfolio. However, wild-card patent extension legislation is highly controversial due to concerns regarding its societal cost. We performed a systematic literature review to estimate the societal cost of wild-card patent extension compared to the savings resulting from the availability of one new antibiotic to treat multi-drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We conservatively estimate that wild-card patent extension applied to one new antibiotic would cost $7.7 billion over the first 2 years, and $3.9 billion over the next 18 years. Thus, even if the new antibiotic abrogated only 50% of the annual societal cost of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa (estimated $2.7 billion), wild-card patent extension would be cost neutral by 10 years after approval of the new antibiotic, and would save society approximately $4.6 billion by 20 years after approval. Wild-card patent extension appears to be a cost-effective strategy to spur anti-infective development. Although our analysis is limited by the precision of published data, our model employed conservative assumptions.
Robust multivariate association and dimension reduction using density divergences

In this article, we introduce two new families of multivariate association measures based on power divergence and alpha divergence that recover both linear and nonlinear dependence relationships between multiple sets of random vectors. Importantly, this novel approach not only characterizes independence, but also provides a smooth bridge between well-known distances that are inherently robust against outliers. Algorithmic approaches are developed for dimension reduction and the selection of the optimal robust association index. Extensive simulation studies are performed to assess the robustness of these association measures under different types and proportions of contamination. We illustrate the usefulness of our methods in application by analyzing two socioeconomic datasets that are known to contain outliers or extreme observations. Some theoretical properties, including the consistency of the estimated coefficient vectors, are investigated and computationally efficient algorithms for our nonparametric methods are provided.
Hydrostatic Leveling Systems

The 200-BeV proton synchrotron being proposed by the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory is about 1 mile in diameter. The tolerance for accuracy in vertical placement of magnets is ±0.002 inches. Because conventional high-precision optical leveling to this accuracy is very time consuming, an alternative method using an extended mercury-filled system has been developed at LRL. This permanently installed reference system is expected to be accurate within ±0.001 in. across the 1-mile diameter machine.
The value of computing, ambient data, ubiquitous connectivity for changing the work of communication designers

Our experiences as part of the Writing in Digital Environments (WIDE) Research Center have led to a complete break with the notion that we are concerned with the effective communication of idea to an audience or even with the related idea that we design technologies for that purpose. At least this is the stance that we take in this very short essay.
Chemical bonding and X-Ray emission spectra analysis for niobium carbide, nitride and oxide

Abstract A molecular orbital description of (NbX6)n− clusters with X = C, N and O has been obtained in the Hartree-Fock-Slater model. Effects of spin polarization and self-consistent iterations on energy levels and charge distribution are explored; comparison is made to band structure results. The calculated X-ray emission spectra are in reasonably good agreement with experiment.