cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Confidence regions for two proportions from independent negative binomial distributions

The negative binomial distribution offers an alternative view to the binomial distribution for modeling count data. This alternative view is particularly useful when the probability of success is very small, because, unlike the fixed sampling scheme of the binomial distribution, the inverse sampling approach allows one to collect enough data in order to adequately estimate the proportion of success. However, despite work that has been done on the joint estimation of two binomial proportions from independent samples, there is little, if any, similar work for negative binomial proportions. In this paper, we construct and investigate three confidence regions for two negative binomial proportions based on three statistics: the Wald (W), score (S) and likelihood ratio (LR) statistics. For large-to-moderate sample sizes, this paper finds that all three regions have good coverage properties, with comparable average areas for large sample sizes but with the S method producing the smaller regions for moderate samp...
Robust and Resilient Finite-Time Control of a Class of Continuous-Time Nonlinear Systems

Abstract Finite-time state-feedback stabilization of a class of continuous-time nonlinear systems with conic type nonlinearities, bounded feedback control gain perturbations, and additive disturbances is presented. Sufficient conditions for the existence of a robust and resilient linear finite-time state-feedback controller for this class of systems are derived. Then, using linear matrix inequality techniques, solutions for the controller gain and the upper bound on the gain perturbations are obtained. The developed controller is robust for all unknown nonlinearities lying in a hyper-sphere and all admissible disturbances. Furthermore, it is resilient against any bounded perturbations that may modify the controller's gain by at most a prescribed amount. We conclude the paper with a numerical example illustrating the applicability of the main result.
Elastodynamics on clustered vector multiprocessors

We present the parallelization of an elastodynamic code on a firmly coupled configuration consisting of two IBM 3090-600 VF, a total of 12 processors, joined with a connection facility. The programming environment used is Clustered FORTRAN which is a facility for writing and executing parallel programs on two coupled IBM 3090 vector multiprocessors (VMP). Clustered FORTRAN provides extensions to FORTRAN so that a single application program can execute across multiple 3090 systems as well as across the processors of a single 3090 system. To exploit parallelism on each VMP, we used the parallel DO LOOP construct and to exploit parallelism across VMP we used the SCHEDULE statement allowing concurrent execution of subprograms. It is shown that such a problem, characterized by sufficiently large amounts of arithmetic operations within the parallel tasks, can be efficiently parallelized obtaining average speed-ups of more than five on one 3090-600 VF and nearly ten on a two 3090-600 VF cluster with a small programming effort.
Osteochondromas and growth retardation secondary to externally or internally administered radiation in childhood

For over five decades, osteochondromas (exostoses) and associated growth retardation have been known to be caused by radiation damage to the growing skeleton.Patients can be divided into three exposure groups. Group I received external beam radiation therapy primarily for the treatment of childhood cancers (typical dose 3,500 cGy), and 6–20% developed osteochondromas and growth retardation within the radiation portal. Group II consists of recently described patients who received total body irradiation in preparation for bone marrow transplant (typical dose: 800–1,200 cGy), and about 20% developed osteochondromas and growth retardation. Group III consists of 206 German children who in the 1940s and early 1950s received intravenous radioactive Peteosthor (Ra-224) to treat bone tuberculosis (estimated typical dose: 1,000–2,000 cGy), and 14% developed osteochondromas and growth retardation, among other benign and malignant sequelae. Combining these three exposure groups, osteochondromas and growth retardation develop in at least 6–20% of children who receive therapeutic radiation to their growing skeletons.
On asymptotic summation of potentially oscillatory difference systems

A new technique for the asymptotic summation of linear systems of difference equations Y(t+1)=(D(t)+R(t))Y(t) is derived. A fundamental solution Y(t)=Φ(t)(I+P(t)) is constructed in terms of a product of two matrix functions. The first function Φ(t) is a product of the diagonal part D(t). The second matrix I+P(t), is a perturbation of the identity matrix I. Conditions are given on the matrix D(t)+R(t) that allow us to represent I+P(t) as an absolutely convergent resolvent series without imposing stringent conditions on R(t). Our method could be applied to discretized version of singularly perturbed differential equations Y′(t)=A(t)Y(t) that fit the setting of quantum mechanics.
Solubility and diffusion of sulfur in polymeric materials

Radiotracer techniques were used to study the sorption of sulfur vapor by silicone and epoxy polymers and to obtain information on the diffusion of sulfur in these materials. Sulfur was found to enter silicone polymers solely by a physical solution process which obeys Henry's law. The heat of solution is large (-0.43 eV) and at room temperature the solubility coefficient is at least five orders of magnitude greater than for many fully gaseous solutes, a result which fits an empirical rule relating the solubility coefficient of a given solute to its boiling point. Sorption of sulfur by a flexibilized anhydride-cured diglycidyletherbisphenol-A (DGEBA) epoxy is somewhat more complicated and appears to involve a double process of physical solution and chemical reaction. The rapid diffusion of sulfur in silicone rubber necessitated measurements of the diffusion coefficient D by a vacuum desorption technique. The activation energy Q and pre-exponential constant D0 are found to be 0.74 eV and 4 × 105 cm2/s, respectively. Corresponding values for the epoxy, as determined by a steady state permeation method, are 1.06 eV and 3 × 105 cm2/s. These relatively large activation energies and pre-exponential factors are thought to reflect the large size of the S8 molecule. Near room temperature, the difference in the activation energies causes sulfur diffusion to occur at least four orders of magnitude more slowly in the epoxy, which makes this material much more attractive for encapsulation applications requiring an effective diffusion barrier to elemental sulfur present as a pollutant of the atmosphere.
Molecular oxygen ions confirm exosphere at Saturn's moon Dione

The Cassini spacecraft flew by Dione, one of Saturn's icy moons, on 7 April 2010. During that flyby, instruments detected molecular oxygen ions around the moon.Tokar et al. used those measurements to estimate the density of the molecular oxygen ions to be in the range of 0.01–0.09 ion per cubic centimeter. These molecular oxygen ions are produced when neutral molecules are ionized; the measurements confirm that a neutral exosphere surrounds Dione. (Geophysical Research Letters, doi:10.1029/2011GL050452, 2012
A Radial Basis Function and Semantic Learning Space Based Composite Learning Approach to Image Retrieval

This paper introduces a composite learning approach for image retrieval with relevance feedback. The proposed system combines the radial basis function (RBF) based low-level learning and the semantic learning space (SLS) based high-level learning to retrieve the desired images with fewer than 3 feedback steps. User's relevance feedback is utilized for updating both low-level and high-level features of the query image. Specifically, the RBF-based learning captures the non-linear relationship between the low-level features and the semantic meaning of an image. The SLS-based learning stores semantic features of each database image using randomly chosen semantic basis images. The similarity score is computed as the weighted combination of normalized similarity scores yielded from both RBF and SLS learning. Extensive experiments evaluate the performance of the proposed approach and demonstrate our system achieves higher retrieval accuracy than peer systems.
Talking Politics and Engaging Politics: An Examination of the Interactive Relationships Between Structural Features of Political Talk and Discussion Engagement

This study takes a process-oriented approach to understand the current status of political discussion research and identifies discussion engagement—discussion attention and integrative discussion—as an unexplored but important facet of political discussion. As a block, these two variables of discussion engagement independently accounted for significant variance in two criterion variables of political engagement, political knowledge and political participation, after controlling for not only a host of demographic, attitudinal, and media use variables but also three most researched structural features of political discussion—network size, discussion frequency, and network heterogeneity. In addition, the study analyzes the interplay between various attributes of political discussion in an attempt to untangle the dynamic relationships among features of political discussion in politics. Findings suggest that whether network size and heterogeneity mobilize or demobilize citizens may depend on whether they are a...
Aging and lung injury repair: A role for bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells

The incidence of lung fibrosis increases with age. Aging is associated with modifications in the intracellular and extracellular environment including alteration of the extracellular matrix, imbalance of the redox state, accumulation of senescent cells and potential alteration of the recruitment of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. The combination of these senescence-related alterations in the lung and in bone marrow progenitor cells might be responsible of the higher susceptibility to lung fibrosis in elderly individuals. The understanding of these age related changes must be considered in the rationale for the development of therapeutic interventions to control lung injury and fibrosis.
Prediction of anthracene solubility in alcohol + alkane solvent mixtures using binary alcohol + alkane VLE data. Comparison of Kretschmer-Wiebe and mobile order models

Abstract The abilities of two association models to predict anthracene solubilities in a number of binary alkane + alcohol solvent mixtures are compared. For each alkane + alcohol system, parameters in the Kretschmer-Wiebe and mobile order models were obtained from binary vapor-liquid equilibrium data. These parameters were then used, along with measured solubilities of anthracene in the pure alcohol and pure alkane, to predict solubilities of anthracene in the alkane + alcohol mixtures. To increase the number of systems available for analysis, new solubility data were measured at 298.15 K for anthracene in mixtures of n-heptane with 1-pentanol, 2-pentanol, and 2-methyl-2-butanol and for mixtures of n-hexane with 1-pentanol. New total pressure data at 303.15 K were obtained for n-heptane + 1-butanol and n-heptane + 2-butanol. Combining literature data with those reported here results in twenty binary alkane + alcohol systems for which both VLE data and anthracene solubilities are available. Upon fitting to the VLE data, the Kretschmer-Wiebe and mobile order models were found to represent equilibrium pressures with root mean square deviations of 0.13 and 0.19 kPa, respectively. Solubilities of anthracene in alkane + alcohol mixtures were predicted with average deviations of 2.8% and 4.7%, respectively.
Induction preheating of electrolytic tin plate (or flow brightening with high-frequency rotating equipment

MANY producers of tin plate, due to its large demand, are considering new or additional equipment. In order to flow brighten tin plate at high speeds, it is necessary to use high-frequency induction heating equipment. The other methods for producing tin plate, using combustible gases as a source of heat supply or resistance heating, are at present impractical at high speeds. To the author's knowledge to date, a maximum line speed of approximately 600 feet per minute has been attained by resistance heating. Current is the limitation for obtaining high speeds by this method. By gas heating the maximum speed that has been attained is below that of resistance heating. Space is the speed limitation for gas heating.
Austin Scott and the "Seminary in History"

Austin Scott (1848-1922) was a professor of History, Political Economy, and Constitutional Law at Rutgers and its president (1891-1906). This article describes the history of the German seminar in higher education in the US and especially its introduction at Rutgers by Scott .
Diasporic Conditions: Mapping the Discourses of Race and Criminality in Italy

Through a discussion of "diasporic conditions" this article examines the conditions of possibility of discursive formations of an African criminal-other that has a long and silent history in the African Diaspora. 1 explore how race, gender, and national origin figure into the ways the Italian state and its citizens construct African immigrant women as criminals. I map the significance of race and gender as it is grounded in criminological debates during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. I demonstrate how early criminological scholarship shapes contemporary notions of criminals in Italy and in Europe. Rather than discuss immigrants in Italy's social landscape generally, I focus my attention on immigration policies and forms of racism and racialized violence that have been on the rise as immigrant populations in Italy increase in numbers and become more visible.
Gazing into the Crystal Ball: Health Care, Health Policy, and Rehabilitation for Spinal Cord Injury

The US Congress faces a host of health issues that demand immediate attention. Many of these issues are of considerable importance to those persons with spinal cord injury (SCI), including the rising cost of health care and health insurance, the current budget shortfalls facing state governments, and the need for a Medicare prescription drug program. Persons with disabilities are becoming increasingly dependent on public forms of insurance, like Medicare and Medicaid, and are bearing a disproportionate share of service curtailment. Other issues relevant to persons with disabilities and health care providers are prospective payment reimbursement implementation for rehabilitation, the reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act, and the New Freedom Initiative. Considering the political climate and the importance of such issues, the need for advocacy among professionals and consumers is greater than ever.
Use of bipolar electrocautery during laparoscopic donor nephrectomy.

Purpose: We describe a technique enabling easier placement of the endoscopic linear stapling device on the renal vein during laparoscopic nephrectomy.Materials and Methods: Bipolar electrocautery rather than a clip applier was used in 20 laparoscopic donor nephrectomy cases to coagulate the renal vein branches before transection. Warm ischemia time of the specimens and the number of surgical clip applier devices used were compared with those in the 20 immediate preceding cases in which bipolar electrocautery was not used.Results: Using bipolar electrocautery no clips were placed on the specimen side of the renal vein before stapling. Average warm ischemia time for the 20 kidneys in which bipolar electrocautery was performed was 2 minutes 13 seconds compared with 3 minutes 1 second for the previous 20 (p = 0.157). Significantly fewer clip applying devices were used in the 20 bipolar electrocautery cases (p = 0.005).Conclusions: Bipolar electrocautery of the renal vein branches enables easier placement of t...
Impact modification of poly(ethylene terephthalate)

The tensile and impact resistance of impact-modified poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is investigated. The impact modifiers are polyolefin-based elastomers or elastomer blends containing glycidyl methacrylate moieties to improve the adhesion with the polyester. The tensile properties are measured on injection molded specimens at room temperature while the Izod impact strength is measured from −40 to 20°C. The blend morphology is observed by scanning electron microscopy and the dispersed phase average diameter is determined by image analysis. The relation between the impact resistance and the phase morphology is discussed, and the critical ligament size for PET is determined. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2919–2932, 2003
Activity-Based Therapy for Recovery of Walking in Individuals With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury: Results From a Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract Objective To examine the effects of activity-based therapy (ABT) on neurologic function, walking ability, functional independence, metabolic health, and community participation. Design Randomized controlled trial with delayed treatment design. Setting Outpatient program in a private, nonprofit rehabilitation hospital. Participants Volunteer sample of adults (N=48; 37 men and 11 women; age, 18–66y) with chronic (≥12mo postinjury), motor-incomplete (ASIA Impairment Scale grade C or D) spinal cord injury (SCI). Interventions A total of 9h/wk of ABT for 24 weeks including developmental sequencing; resistance training; repetitive, patterned motor activity; and task-specific locomotor training. Algorithms were used to guide group allocation, functional electrical stimulation utilization, and locomotor training progression. Main Outcome Measures Neurologic function (International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury); walking speed and endurance (10-meter walk test, 6-minute walk test, and Timed Up and Go test); community participation (Spinal Cord Independence Measure, version III, and Reintegration to Normal Living Index); and metabolic function (weight, body mass index, and Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check). Results Significant improvements in neurologic function were noted for experimental versus control groups (International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury total motor score [5.1±6.3 vs 0.9±5.0; P =.024] and lower extremity motor score [4.2±5.2 vs −0.6±4.2; P =.004]). Significant differences between experimental and control groups were observed for 10-meter walk test speed (0.096±0.14m/s vs 0.027±0.10m/s; P =.036) and 6-minute walk test total distance (35.97±48.2m vs 3.0±25.5m; P =.002). Conclusions ABT has the potential to promote neurologic recovery and enhance walking ability in individuals with chronic, motor-incomplete SCI. However, further analysis is needed to determine for whom ABT is going to lead to meaningful clinical benefits.
Flecainide-induced QT prolongation and ventricular tachycardia

located in the anterior cardiophrenic angle with a density different from the heart itself, failing to enhance with intravenous contrast administration and with an attenuation value compatible with a cystic lesion. These findings are characteristic of pericardial cysts. This case demonstrates that CT scanning of the thorax is the test of choice in patients suspected of having pericardial cyst on routine radiographic examination of the chest; invasive procedures such as puncture and thoracotomy should be avoided.
COMMON INTERFACE MODELS FOR REUSABLE SOFTWARE

Related reusable components are often based on different conceptual models of behavior. This may unduly restrict the ways in which they can be composed. The conceptual model underlying the specification of one module’s parameter requirements may differ significantly from the model underlying the specification of another module’s exported features, even if the two modules intuitively seem compatible. There is no well understood groundwork of common models for component interaction, and the lack of guidance for applying these models exacerbates the composability problem. This article describes how varying interface models and techniques for describing a component’s interface requirements affect composability. These problems are illustrated in the context of common interface properties that are exhibited even in simple ADT components.
Trace contaminant concentration affects mineral transformation and pollutant fate in hydroxide-weathered Hanford sediments.

Abstract Prior work has shown that when silicaceous sediments are infused with caustic radioactive waste, contaminant fate is tightly coupled to ensuing mineral weathering reactions. However, the effects of local aqueous geochemical conditions on these reactions are poorly studied. Thus, we varied contaminant concentration and p CO 2 during the weathering of previously uncontaminated Hanford sediments over 6 months and 1 year in a solution of caustic waste (pH 13, high ionic strength). Co-contaminants Sr, Cs and I were added at “low” (Cs/Sr: 10 −5 m; I: 10 −7 m) and “high” (Cs/Sr: 10 −3 m; I: 10 −5 m) concentrations, and headspace was held at atmospheric or undetectable ( 2 partial pressure. Solid phase characterization revealed the formation of the zeolite chabazite in “high” samples, whereas feldspathoids, sodalite and cancrinite, were formed preferentially in “low” samples. Sr, Cs and I were sequestered in all reacted sediments. Native calcite dissolution in the CO 2 -free treatment drove the formation of stratlingite (Ca 2 Al 2 SiO 7 ·8H 2 O) and diminished availability of Si and Al for feldspathoid formation. Results indicate that p CO 2 and contaminant concentrations strongly affect contaminant speciation in waste-weathered sediments, and are therefore likely to impact reaction product stability under any remediation scenario.
Characterization of gastric mucosal membranes. IX. Fractionation and purification of K+-ATPase-containing vesicles by zonal centrifugation and free-flow electrophoresis technique.

Abstract Methods are described for purification of a vesicular membrane fraction of hog gastric mucosa using differential centrifugation, density gradient separation on zonal rotors and free-flow electrophoresis. As a result a fraction is obtained enriched 40-fold in terms of K+-ATPase and free of any other enzyme marker other than K+-activated p- nitrophenyl phosphatase. the 5′-nucleotidase and basal Mg2+-ATPase are clearly separated from the latter enzymes. Osmotic shock, Triton X-100 treatment or K+ ionophores increased the K+-ATPase activity in isotonic conditions, but K + -p- nitrophenyl phosphatase is not affected by these treatments, nor is the ATPase activity in the presence of NH4+. The results suggest that the electrophoretic fraction contains a major population of tight vesicles, whose permeability to K+ is rate limiting for the ATPase activity but not for the p- nitrophenyl phosphatase activity. It is concluded that K+ site for the ATPase is internal whereas the K+ site for the p- nitrophenyl phosphatase is external, hence, the K+ site must be mobile across the membrane.
Biochemical and immunological characterization of pea nuclear intermediate filament proteins

In immunoblot assays, at least three putative nuclear intermediate filament (NIF) proteins were detected in nuclear envelope-matrix (NEM) and lamin (L1) fractions of nuclei from plumules of dark-grown pea (Pisum sativum L.) seedlings. These NIF proteins had apparent molecular masses of ca. 65, 60, and 54 kDa (also referred to as p65, p60, and p54), and appeared as multiple isoelectric forms, with pIs ranging from ca. 4.8 to 6.0. Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies were raised to the 65-kDa NIF protein bands excised from gels after electrophoresis. These anti-pea antibodies were specifically cross-reactive with the pea nuclear p65, p60, and p54 proteins and also with chicken lamins. Sequence alignment of peptide fragments obtained from the 65- and 60-kDa pea NIF proteins showed similarity with animal intermediate filament proteins such as lamins and keratins and with certain plant proteins predicted to have long coiled-coil domains. These pea NIF proteins were further purified and enriched from the NEM fraction using methods similar to those used for isolating animal lamins. When negatively stained and viewed by transmission electron microscopy, the filaments in the pea lamin (L1) fraction appeared to be 6-12 nm in diameter. As assayed by immunofluorescence cytochemistry using a confocal laser-scanning microscope, fixed pea plumule cells displayed uniform as opposed to peripheral nuclear staining by several of the antibody preparations, both polyclonal and monoclonal. This report describes the biochemical and immunological properties of these pea NIF proteins.
Transient Solution of the Inhomogeneous Thermoelastic Contact Problem Using Fast Speed Expansion

Numerical integration has been widely used in commercial FEA software to solve transient problems. However, for the large-scale inhomogeneous thermoelastic contact problem (ITEC), this method is found to be extremely computation-intensive. This paper introduces a new approach to solve the ITEC transient problem with much lower computational complexity. The method is based on the transient modal analysis (TMA) method in conjunction with the fast speed expansion (FSE) method. The TMA method is used to obtain the inhomogeneous transient solution by expressing the solution in modal coordinates, corresponding to eigenfunctions of the homogeneous (unloaded) problem. If the sliding speed is constant, the eigenfunctions can be found by one run of the commercial software program ‘HotSpotter’. However, if the speed varies, the eigenfunctions change and numerous runs of HotSpotter are needed, making the method computationally inefficient. However, the FSE method employs an efficient algorithm to interpolate and expand the eigenfunctions and eigenvalues over a range of speeds. This reduces the number of eigenvalue solutions required and results in a significant reduction in computation time. The method is illustrated with application to an axisymmetric transmission clutch problem.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Comparison of Systemic Absorption of Insulin via Conjunctiva with Punctum Sealed and via Normal Eye with Punctum Opened

AbstractIt has been reported that insulin eyedrops are useful preparations for delivering insulin systemically. In order to determine the individual contribution of insulin absorption through the conjunctiva and nasal mucosa, experiments were carried out with and without the puncta occluded, while insulin plus absorption enhancer was instilled into the eye. Blood samples were collected at various time points for blood glucose and plasma insulin determinations. It was found that approximately 28–34% of insulin was absorbed via the conjunctiva and 66–72% through nasal mucosa. The blood glucose was lowered significantly more in rabbits with the puncta opened than in those with the puncta occluded.
Design, Model, and Virtually Fly: Investigation of the B-1A Cruise Performance With F101 Engines Compared With Its Re-Engined Performance Using F119 Engines

This paper examines application of AEDSYS and MATLAB design tools to virtually fly an engine in a platform through a mission. The primary objective of this effort was to develop the procedures for this process as an instructional tool. The secondary objective was application of the process to an actual case study, the re-engine of the B-1A. The resulting modular software uses performance data from engine models for the F101, F119, and a cadet designed engine built in AEDSYS; a B-1A drag polar model; as well as atmospheric and geospatial mapping tools available in MATLAB. The resulting simulation provides a relatable means of presenting this complicated information. This tool gives the cadets the opportunity to virtually fly their engine. This visualization gives them full insight into how the integrated system performs. Aside from providing a great means of discussing many aspects for consideration in engine design, it also provides an incentive to develop a higher performance engine through competition.
Asymptotic analysis of a coupled system of kinetic equations

Abstract In this Note we introduce a coupled system of kinetic equations for the linearized Carleman model. We then study the asymptotic behaviour of the resulting coupled problem.
Religio-Nationalist Subcultures under the Communists: Comparisons from the Baltics, Transcaucasia and Ukraine

La dissolution de l'Union Sovietique s'est accompagnee d'un renouveau religieux et d'un renforcement du role des institutions religieuses dans le domaine social et politique, en Russie et dans les Republiques a nationalites minoritaires. L'A. etudie l'association qui se fait jour entre religion et nationalisme dans les Republiques peripheriques : les Etats Baltiques, l'Ukraine, la Georgie et l'Armenie. Il analyse le phenomene de l'emergence conjointe du mouvement religieux et des oppositions nationalistes, dans un contexte de campagne antireligieuse et atheiste menee par le parti communiste
Deficiency of monogalactosyl diglyceride β-galactosidase activity in Krabbe's disease

Abstract Monogalactosyl diglyceride has previously been demonstrated to be intimately associated with brain white matter, especially myelin. Enzymes responsible for its biosynthesis and degradation have been reported to be present in rat and mouse brain. In the present study, the β-galactosidase responsible for the degradation of this brain specific compound was demonstrated to be extremely deficient in brain, liver and skin fibroblasts from patients who died of Krabbe's disease. This deficiency is the third enzymatic block demonstrated in this disorder. The β-galactosidase activity toward galactocerebroside and psychosine is also extremely deficient. This finding provides new information about the substrate recognition pattern of this enzyme and about the possible etiology of globoid cell leukodystrophy.
Attributional Style and the Components of Hardiness

Recent research has suggested that individual differences in the personality variable of hardiness are related to health and illness. Although these studies suggest a connection between hardiness and health, they do not provide evidence of specific mediators of this effect. This study tested the hypothesis that attributional style is a potential mediator of hardiness effects. Specifically, it was predicted that compared to nonhardy individuals, hardy individuals would be more likely to make internal, stable, global attributions for positive events and external, unstable, specific attributions for negative events. In addition, it was predicted that this pattern would be most characteristic of the hardiness subcomponents of commitment and control. The pattern of attributions for the subcomponent of commitment provided strong support for the predictions. Similar, but weaker, effects were found for the subcomponent of control. Challenge yielded only one effect and that was in the opposite direction of the oth...
A detailed analysis of Mariner nine TV navigation data.

Mariner 9 data analysis showed a good performance of the Mars probe planetary approach navigation systems and a good agreement between measured and predicted probe-approach characteristics. It was found that all operations were completed on time and that the calibration of the instruments and the observation of a greater-than-planned number of stars resulted in a higher-than-expected measurement accuracy. The key instruments of the Mariner were TV cameras taking pictures of Phobos and Deimos against a background of stars, calibrated sun and star sensors, and a scan platform. The error models used for optical navigation system elements, the calibration of the scan platform and of the TV cameras, and the image detection and location techniques are discussed in detail.
A Kinetic Study of NO Removal from Combustion Gases by Injection of NHi-Containing Compounds

Abstract Detailed kinetic calculations have been carried out to evaluate candidate schemes for the removal of NO from combustion gases by injection of compounds leading to homogeneous NHi-NO reactions (i = 2, 1, 0). NO removal is calculated as a function of temperature and reaction time for prescribed initial levels of NO in otherwise equilibrated fuel lean combustion gases. Four different compositions are considered, chosen to include mixtures representative of the Thermal DeNOx Process (injection of NH3 or NH3/H2), as well as alternative mixtures (NH3/H2O2 and NH2/CO, the latter chosen to simulate urea) which may have advantages for particular applications, for example in shifting the temperature for optimum NO conversion or in reducing the required reaction time.
Robust control of discretized continuous systems using the theory of sliding modes

The idea of sliding mode control (SMC) as a robust control technique is utilized to control systems where the dynamics can be described by [xdot](t) = (A + ΔA)x(t) + (B + ΔB)u(t) + d(t) where ΔA, ΔB and d(t) characterize unknown plant parameters and unexpected disturbances, respectively. The analysis is described in the discrete form using the Euler operator. The proposed controller regards the influence of unknown disturbances and parameter uncertainties as an equivalent disturbance and generates a control function (estimate) to cancel their influence by the mechanism of time delay, The states of the uncertain plant are steered from an arbitrary initial state to a stable surface, s = 0, and the plant output is subsequently regulated. One feature of the control is that the sliding conditions are satisfied without the discontinuous control action used in classical SMC. It therefore retains the positive features of SMC without the disadvantage of control chattering. The controller has been studied through s...
Genetics of Darwinian fitness. III. A generalized approach to age structured selection and life history.

Most models in life history assume that maximization of λ holds. Demographic genetic theory supports this assumption provided (i) the fecundity of each mating is determined solely by the age and genotype of the female, (ii) the two sexes experience the exact same selection intensities, and (iii) the two sexes are equal in their age specific schedules of survival and fecundity. But these assumptions will often not hold in nature: thus a more general means of analysis closely integrated with a broader genetic treatment is attempted here. First, operators are derived to map sex specific non-overlapping generation models into the more general case in which generations can overlap. Application of such operators then suggests a broader representation of age structured selection in which evolution acts according to a single composite Wrightian topography whose gradient is a weighted mean taken over selective gradients in all of the age classes. Application of this view is straightforward, showing, for example, that (i) the evolutionary maximization of λ, which is the basis of present optimization theories for life history, is extremely fragile with biological deviation from mathematical assumptions used in its derivation, (ii) the cost of meiosis argument is shown not to conflict with traditional life history theory, although its correct application will depend critically and subtly upon how genic effects on fertility are measured, and (iii) correct weightings for age specific selection converge to those of Hamilton (1966) and Schaffer (1974) only when sex specific differences in fertility and survival are nonexistent or when selection occurs only in the demographically dominant sex. For life history problems beyond assumptions underlying tradition approaches the composite adaptive topography seems to provide a suitable alternate means for analysis.
Towards the volumetricardiogram: volume determination of cardiac chambers using 3D matrix-array ultrasound

Matrix-array ultrasound is a new medical imaging modality that steers an ultrasound beam electronically in three dimensions. It is the first imaging modality that can view the heart in 3D in real time, making possible the `volumetricardiogram,' i.e., continuous beat to beat measurement of cardiac chamber volume. To create a fully automatic real-time volumetricardiogram, we have developed the flow integration transform (FIT), which operates on 2D images produced by slicing through the 3D ultrasound data. Although lacking rotational or scale invariance, the FIT is designed to operate eventually in dedicated hardware at very high speed, permitting the application of a large battery of test shapes within the period of a single ultrasound frame (approximately 45 milliseconds). To test the FIT, we have volumetrically scanned a series of 21 fluid-filled balloons. We used the FIT to detect circular cross-sections of the balloons by applying a battery of circles over a range of radii. The detected circles were used to compute volumes, which were then compared to volumes determined independently by weight. Our results are encouraging towards further development of this completely automated method of volume determination.
Attenuation of DNA polymerase β-dependent base excision repair and increased DMS-induced mutagenicity in aged mice

The biological mechanisms responsible for aging remain poorly understood. We propose that increases in DNA damage and mutations that occur with age result from a reduced ability to repair DNA damage. To test this hypothesis, we have measured the ability to repair DNA damage in vitro by the base excision repair (BER) pathway in tissues of young (4-month-old) and old (24-month-old) C57BL/6 mice. We find in all tissues tested (brain, liver, spleen and testes), the ability to repair damage is significantly reduced (50-75%; P<0.01) with age, and that the reduction in repair capacity seen with age correlates with decreased levels of DNA polymerase beta (beta-pol) enzymatic activity, protein and mRNA. To determine the biological relevance of this age-related decline in BER, we measured spontaneous and chemically induced lacI mutation frequency in young and old animals. In line with previous findings, we observed a three-fold increase in spontaneous mutation frequency in aged animals. Interestingly, lacI mutation frequency in response to dimethyl sulfate (DMS) does not significantly increase in young animals whereas identical exposure in aged animals results in a five-fold increase in mutation frequency. Because DMS induces DNA damage processed by the BER pathway, it is suggested that the increased mutagenicity of DMS with age is related to the decline in BER capacity that occurs with age. The inability of the BER pathway to repair damages that accumulate with age may provide a mechanistic explanation for the well-established phenotype of DNA damage accumulation with age.
Parenting Beliefs and Locus of Control Orientation

Abstract Parenting beliefs and parents' perceptions of locus of control (LOC) were investigated. Parents (n = 167 dyads) of first-born children, ages 3 months (n = 80) and 3 years (n = 87), representing rural (n = 60) and urban (n = 107) families, completed LOC measure and sorted behavioral statements for actual and ideal parenting beliefs using Q-sort methodology. Factor analysis determined LOC factors for fathers and mothers. Q-sort responses factored into four profiles, each containing four subgroups of parents based on type of sort (actual/ideal) and sex of parent (mother/father). An analysis of variance investigated the relationships between profiles and LOC factors. Mothers who believed in fate stressed educational materials and good nutrition as behaviors of the ideal parent but stressed sharing and educational toys in actual interaction with their children. Mothers who believed they had control over event outcomes emphasized affection and verbal interaction as behaviors of the ideal parent. Father...
New theory of partial coherence in the space-frequency domain. Part II: Steady-state fields and higher-order correlations

In Part I of this investigation [ WolfE., J. Opt. Soc. Am.72. 343 ( 1982)] new representations were introduced for the cross-spectral density of a steady-state source of any state of coherence. The central concept in that formulation was the notion of a coherent source mode (a natural mode of oscillation). In the present paper the theory is developed further and new representations are obtained for the cross-spectral densities of all orders, both of the source and of the field that the source generates. These representations involve only the previously introduced coherent source modes and the moments of certain random coefficients that characterize the statistical properties of the source. The results provide a new mathematical framework for analyzing coherence properties of all orders of stationary sources and of stationary fields. Some potential applications of the theory are mentioned.
Prevalence of Self-Reported Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing Among a Population-Based Sample of Urban African-American Adolescents

We explored the prevalence of gender differences in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing among a household sample of sexually active African-American adolescents. Females disproportionately self-report being tested for HIV more than males. This difference was not explained by age or receipt of services for sexually transmitted infection but was partially attributable to history of pregnancy.
Intradermal Anti-Prostaglandin Agents and Sunburn

Inhibitors of prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis, indomethacin and aspirin, decrease and delay ultraviolet light-induced erythema when injected intradermally in humans and guinea pigs. Increasing amounts of inhibitor cause a more intense blanch with a longer duration demonstrating a dose response. Indomethacin was approximately 45 times more effective than aspirin. Indomethacin can cause blanching of UV redness if injected at any time from the period of irradiation to 18 hr after UV exposure. Triamcinolone acetonide was effective in preventing erythema in humans, but not in guinea pigs. The ability of anti-PG agents to decrease and delay UV-induced redness lends further support to a role for PG in the mediation of sunburn.
Microbial treatment of sulfide-laden water

Abstract Water containing up to 25 mM soluble sulfide has been successfully treated microbially in an upflow bubble column. Sulfides were completely oxidized to sulfate by a sulfide-tolerant strain of the chemoautotroph, Thiobacillus denitrificans , flocculated by co-culture with floc-forming heterotrophs. The sulfide-active floc was shown to be stable for 9 months of continuous operation with no external organic carbon required to support the growth of the heterotrophs. The floc exhibited excellent settling properties throughout the experiment.
Hyaluronan: from extracellular glue to pericellular cue

Hyaluronan is an extracellular and cell-surface-associated polysaccharide that is traditionally regarded as a biological 'goo' that participates in lubricating joints or holding together gel-like connective tissues. Although these are common physiological roles of hyaluronan in adult organisms, hyaluronan also functions as a microenvironmental cue that co-regulates cell behaviour during embryonic development, healing processes, inflammation and tumour development. Recent work highlights a key role for interactions between hyaluronan and tumour cells in several aspects of malignancy and indicates the possibility of new therapeutic strategies.
Patterns of regional variation in the vertebral column of terrestrial salamanders.

Regional variation in the vertebral column of several species of salamanders (families Ambystomatidae, Salamandridae and Plethodontidae) is analyzed. Measurements of three dimensions, centrum length, prezygapophyseal width, and transverse process length, provide the data. Ontogenetic, interspecific, intergeneric and interfamilial patterns of positional variation are diagrammed and discussed. Distinctive patterns of variation characterize the families, genera, and to a lesser extent, the species. The patterns of ambystomatid salamanders are the most generalized, and probably reflect derivation from a primitive ancestral stock. The most specialized conditions occur in the fully terrestrial plethodontids, a group generally considered to be highly derived. Data such as those presented here will aid in the identification of fossils. The patterns described have functional significance. For example, species which have an aquatic larval stage and which return to aquatic breeding sites have vertebrae which taper in length and width behind the pelvis. This is a feature associated with production of a traveling wave in the tail which is necessary for propulsion in water. Fully terrestrial species do not have a tapering column. In them, standing waves, such as occur in the trunk region of all species, typically occur in the tail. The caudal vertebrae of terrestrial species are rather uniform in dimensions for some distance, and the tail is cylindrical in form. Other functionally important features include the narrowing and shortening of some anterior vertebrae, associated with the development of a neck in some species with tongue feeding mechanisms. In contrast, species which use their heads as wedges during locomotion have broadened anterior vertebrae which serve as sites of origin for hypertrophied neck muscles.
Keeping a good Wo/man down: Normalizing Deborah Sampson Gannett

Deborah Sampson Gannett's 1802 lecture tour has been hailed as an important beginning for feminist public address. Previous critics have approached Sampson Gannett's lecture too narrowly, offering a “celebratory” reading that does not fully address the contradictions raised by her anti‐feminist statements. My analysis illuminates those contradictions through an alternative reading based in theories of gender performance. I conclude that attention to the performative aspects of Sampson Gannett's discourse allows critics to understand the feminist potential of her ultimate disruption of the rigid confines of True Womanhood.
Nuclear Spin Relaxation of Hydrogen in a Solid Argon Matrix

${T}_{1}$ and ${T}_{2}$ data at 5.5 K measured at 33 MHz are reported for solid matrices of normal hydrogen in argon with hydrogen mole fraction $0.004lxl0.33$. The results are interpreted in terms of a theory developed by Ebner and Myles in their study of solid ortho-para hydrogen mixtures. The crystal field consistent with the data is estimated to be 0.2 K. The ${T}_{2}$'s, taken from the far-infrared detectors, are smaller than those predicted.
Maternal nutritional status during pregnancy and surma use determine cord lead levels in Karachi, Pakistan.

Objectives To estimate the umbilical cord blood lead levels (BLLs) of Pakistani neonates and to identify determinants for umbilical BLLs.
Leucine disposal and oxidation rates in the fetal lamb

Abstract To verify previous indirect evidence suggesting an important role of amino acids as substrates of fetal oxidative metabolism, leucine disposal and oxidation rates were measured in chronically catheterized fetal lambs during the last month of gestation. Under normal physiologic conditions the leucine oxidation rates were 6.43 ± 1.02 μmol min −1 for fetuses with an average weight of 3.22 ± 0.07 kg and comparable in magnitude to the fetal rate of leucine accretion. In seven animals studied before and during fasting, the fetal leucine oxidation rate increased with fasting from 5.8 ± 1.0 to 10.8 ± 1.3 μmol min −1 . These data demonstrate that there is rapid oxidative degradation of leucine by the fetus and that the rate of this process increases in response to maternal fasting.
Application of the relevance vector machine to canal flow prediction in the Sevier River Basin.

This work addresses management of water for irrigation in arid regions where significant delays between the time of order and the time of delivery present major difficulties. Motivated by improvements to water management that will be facilitated by an ability to predict water demand, it employs a data-driven approach to developing canal flow prediction models using the relevance vector machine (RVM), a probabilistic kernel-based learning machine. A search is performed across model attributes including input set, kernel scale parameter and model update scheme for models providing superior prediction capability using the RVM. Models are developed for two canals in the Sevier River Basin of southern Utah for prediction horizons of up to 5 days.