cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Global and caregiving mastery as moderators in the caregiving stress process.

Objectives: The study tests the circumstances under which global mastery and caregiving mastery moderate the impact of objective and subjective stressors on depressive and anxious symptoms among Alzheimer's caregivers. Methods: Data from a sample of 200 spousal caregivers to people with Alzheimer's disease were examined. Sixteen separate models were tested with depression and anxiety regressed on two measures of objective demand (activities of daily living and problem behaviors) and two measures of subjective demand (role overload and role captivity) matched with each of the two mastery measures and their relevant interaction terms. Results: Caregiving mastery functions as a moderator in the relationship between subjective demands and depression and anxiety, that is, at higher levels of caregiving mastery, the positive association between role overload and role captivity on depression and anxiety was weaker. Although there is a strong main effect of global mastery on mental health, it was not found to act...
Quasineutral hybrid simulation of macroscopic plasma phenomena

A method for solving the quasineutral hybrid plasma equations in two dimensions is presented, using full ion dynamics and inertialess electrons. The method uses a predictor-corrector field solver and is extended to allow plasma-vacuum interfaces of arbitrary shape. A three-region method for treating the plasma-vacuum interfaces makes possible the simulation of slowly evolving phenomena over time scales much longer than the ion cyclotron period. The algorithm is applied to the study of rotational instabilities in theta pinch Vlasov equilibria.
GaN MODFET microwave power technology for future generation radar and communications systems

Abstract In order to gain a better understanding of the role that GaN MODFET technology will play in future generation radar and communications systems, a comparison of the state-of-the-art performance of alternative microwave power technologies will be reviewed. The relative advantages and limitations of each technology will be discussed in relation to system needs. Device results from recent MBE-grown GaN MODFETs will also be presented. In particular, 0.25 μm gate GaN MODFETs grown by MBE have been shown to exhibit less than 5% variation in maximum drain current density (Idmax) from the center to the edge of a 2 inch wafer. This level of uniformity is a substantially higher than that normally found in MOCVD-grown GaN devices (∼28% variation). In addition, evidence is also presented to demonstrate the excellent reproducibility of MBE-grown GaN MODFETs.
Value of Adult Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Population Estimates in Pest Management Decision Making

Corn root worm adult densities were monitored in 31, 43, and 44 Iowa cornfields in 1979, 1980, and 1981, respectively. The season after monitoring, plots with no soil insecticide were left in most fields. Root worm larval damage was measured in untreated areas, and yield was estimated in both treated and untreated areas of each field. Linear regressions indicated significant relationships between adult densities and larval damage and yield loss, but much of the variation in damage or yield loss was not explained by the model. Current economic thresholds did not accurately predict economic damage or appreciable yield loss >50% of the time. Addition of edaphic and agronomic variables improved the models, but 60% of the variation in yield loss was still unexplained. Value of adult sample information was determined by Bayesian analysis to be zero. A 6-fold increase in ability to predict when economic loss would not occur would be necessary for sampling to be worthwhile. The optimal strategy for managing corn root worms in Iowa in our study was not to sample for adults and always to treat corn following corn with a soil insecticide at planting time.
Physical matrices stabilized by enzymatically sensitive covalent crosslinks.

Abstract This work describes a unique system of gel and gel-like materials formed from physical bonds between heparin and heparin binding peptides (dG-PBD) coupled to multivalent poly(ethylene glycol) vinyl sulfone star polymers (PEGVS) and formed from covalent bonds between an enzymatically sensitive crosslinker and PEGVS. Dynamic mechanical testing revealed that the viscoelastic behavior and gelation kinetics of 10% (w/v) gels formed from 2:1 dG-PBD:PEGVS, heparin, and crosslinker (2:1 gels) and from 3:1 dG-PBD:PEGVS, heparin, and crosslinker (3:1 materials) were significantly influenced by the presence of both physical and covalent bonds. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of both compositions were thermally responsive and reversible. At 4 °C, the storage modulus, G′, for 2:1 gels (5005.3 ± 592.0 Pa) and 3:1 materials (5512.0 ± 272.7 Pa) were statistically similar; however, at 45 °C, G′ of 2:1 gels decreased to 477.9 ± 150.4 Pa, and the viscoelastic behavior of 3:1 materials was dominated by viscous behavior. In addition, the mechanical properties of 2:1 gels and 3:1 materials were sensitive to the frequency of the applied stress at 4 °C, 20 °C, and at 37 °C. Although the covalent bonds within the materials provided mechanical stability, the overall viscoelastic response of this system could be dominated by physical crosslinks under certain conditions. Results from degradation studies indicated that the crosslinker was sensitive to collagenase type I but not to thrombin or heparinase I, and a hemolysis assay suggested that the 2:1 gels and 3:1 materials might be biocompatible. These materials could be useful to study the role of physical interactions within networks that mimic the extracellular matrix.
The influence of domain knowledge and task complexity on tax professionals' compliance recommendations

Abstract This study examined how procedural knowledge and outcome expectations interact with task complexity when tax professionals develop recommendations for clients. Practicing tax professionals participated in two experiments. Results suggest that outcome expectations about whether a position can be defended are positively associated with aggressive recommendations. As complexity increases, professionals with more procedural knowledge (a) favor less aggressive recommendations and (b) rely more heavily on their outcome expectations. These findings illustrate the importance of accounting for knowledge as a two-dimensional construct.
Effect of heating time on the thermal stress resistance of a soda-lime-silica glass

A model study was conducted of the thermal fatigue and single-cycle thermal shock resistance of indented soda-lime-glass rods heated over durations sufficiently short that thermal equilibrium was not reached prior to quenching into a water bath. The experimental results indicate that for short heating periods thermal fatigue life at fixed ΔT and the critical quenching temperature difference (Δ7c) for a single-cycle quench significantly exceed the corresponding values obtained for specimens heated for sufficiently long periods that conditions of final thermal equilibrium were obtained prior to quenching. The implications of these results for single-cycle and multicycle thermal shock testing are discussed.
The effect of tailpipe friction on pressure and velocity oscillations in a nonlinear, lumped parameter, pulse combustor model

Abstract A lumped parameter model of pulse combustor behavior is formulated which takes into account the effect of tailpipe friction. The model is analyzed by employing asymptotic expansions of the pressure in the chamber and the velocity of the combustion products in the tailpipe and invoking the Poincare–Lindstedt methodology. It is shown that the presence of frictional damping in the tailpipe can lead to situations where periodic pressure and velocity oscillations occur with periods so large that they would, in effect, not be physically observable.
Effects of carpal tunnel syndrome on reach-to-pinch performance.

Background Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) compromises fine sensorimotor function during activities of daily living. Reach-to-pinch for a small object requires not only dexterity of the grasping digits, but also coordinated transport of the hand to the target. This study examined the effects of CTS on the kinematic performance of reach-to-pinch maneuver. Methods Eleven CTS subjects and 11 able-bodied (ABL) controls donned markers for motion capture of the hand, thumb and index finger during reach-to-pinch. Subjects were presented with a virtual target they could see without seeing their reaching upper-extremity. Subjects were instructed to reach to and grasp a virtual object as accurately and precisely as possible. Performance was assessed by variability of the movement trajectories of the digits and hand, the accuracy relative to the target, and precision of pinch contact over repetitive trials. Findings The CTS group demonstrated significantly increased movement variability in inter-pad distance, joint angles, and transport of the hand compared to ABL controls (p<0.01). CTS subjects also exhibited reductions in accuracy (41%) and precision (33%) of their pinch contact location (p<0.05). Interpretation CTS adversely affects the ability to execute the reach-to-pinch maneuver. Reduced performance was shown in terms of increased variability for both grasp and transport and the ability to locate the grasping digits relative to a target-object. These performance indices could be used for diagnostic and evaluative purposes of CTS.
Current applications of clinical electrophysiologic study in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias

Abstract Electrophysiologic study has evolved from an elaborate research tool to a mclinical test that is the basis of an entire approach to the management of patients with cardiac arrhythmias. Despite the time and cost involved, 1 centers equipped to perform clinical electrophysiologic studies are proliferating. The rapid pace of progress and the technical nature of the field make it difficult for the cardiologist to stay abreast of the clinically relevant advances. The purpose of this report is to focus attention on the practical applications of clinical electrophysiology. Hence, mechanisms are not discussed in detail and the literature is not reviewed exhaustively. When further studies are necessary to better define the value of the electrophysiologic approach, this is noted.
Superlinear convergence of a class of θ-bounded rank-one update methods

Abstract In this paper, we propose a new class of single-rank Quasi-Newton methods, called the class A of θ-bounded rank-one updates, which are affine combinations of Pearson's method and a modified McCormick method, and prove the local superlinear convergence of this class of methods.
Code size minimization and retargetable assembly for custom EPIC and VLIW instruction formats

PICO is a fully automated system for designing the architecture and the microarchitecture of VLIW and EPIC processors. A serious concern with this class of processors, due to their very long instructions, is their code size. One focus of this paper is to describe a series of code size minimization techniques used within PICO, some of which are applied during the automatic design of the instruction format, while others are applied during program assembly. The design of a retargetable assembler to support these techniques also poses certain novel challenges, which constitute the second focus of this paper. Contrary to widely held perceptions, we demonstrate that it is entirely possible to design VLIW and EPIC processors that are capable of issuing large numbers of operational per cycle, but whose code size is only moderately larger than that for a sequential CISC processor.
Substitution of the sixth axial ligand of Rhodobacter capsulatus cytochrome c1 heme yields novel cytochrome c1 variants with unusual properties.

The cytochrome (cyt) c1 heme of the ubihydroquinone:cytochrome c oxidoreductase (bc1 complex) is covalently attached to two cysteine residues of the cyt c1 polypeptide chain via two thioether bonds, and the fifth and sixth axial ligands of its iron atom are histidine (H) and methionine (M), respectively. The latter residue is M183 in Rhodobacter capsulatus cyt c1, and previous mutagenesis studies revealed its critical role for the physicochemical properties of cyt c1 [Gray, K. A., Davidson, E., and Daldal, F. (1992) Biochemistry 31, 11864−11873]. In the homologous chloroplast b6f complex, the sixth axial ligand is provided by the amino group of the amino terminal tyrosine residue. To further pursue our investigation on the role played by the sixth axial ligand in heme−protein interactions, novel cyt c1 variants with histidine−lysine (K) and histidine−histidine axial coordination were sought. Using a R. capsulatus genetic system, the cyt c1 mutants M183K and M183H were constructed by site-directed mutagene...
High-Speed Hover-Capable Morphing Micro Air Vehicle

The design, fabrication, and testing of a hybrid micro air vehicle capable of morphing between a high-hover-endurance rotary-wing mode and a high-cruise-speed fixed-wing mode is described. The micro air vehicle can efficiently perform a mission comprising outdoor flight to a target, followed by indoor surveillance and a return to the launch point. In addition, the micro air vehicle can function as a multirole platform, capable of flying exclusively as a fixed-wing or a rotary-wing vehicle. The key design drivers were 1) minimizing power required to hover, 2) ensuring static longitudinal stability in fixed-wing mode, and 3) minimizing the change in geometry between flight modes. Configuration trade studies were performed using blade element momentum theory for the rotary-wing mode and modified lifting-line theory for the fixed-wing mode. Design drivers for the rotary-wing mode and fixed-wing mode were often conflicting, and the selection of the final vehicle planform was primarily based on longitudinal sta...
Making and reading microarrays

There are a variety of options for making microarrays and obtaining microarray data. Here, we describe the building and use of two microarray facilities in academic settings. In addition to specifying technical detail, we comment on the advantages and disadvantages of components and approaches, and provide a protocol for hybridization. The fact that we are now making and using microarrays to answer biological questions demonstrates that the technology can be implemented in a university environment.
Development and application of magnetic resonance elastography of the normal and pathological thyroid gland in vivo.

Purpose To noninvasively assess the shear stiffness of the thyroid gland in vivo in order to determine whether magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) might hold clinical utility in the diagnosis of thyroid disease. Materials and methods Quantitative parametric images of thyroid stiffness in normal volunteers and patients were produced and quantitative stiffness values measured. Average gland stiffness was determined by region of interest analysis of the parametric images. This technique was used to assess stiffness of the thyroid in normal individuals (n = 12), patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT; n = 5), and patients with a solitary benign (n = 8) or malignant (n = 2) thyroid nodule. Results Mean shear modulus of normal thyroid glands was 1.9 +/- 0.6 kPa at 100 Hz and 1.3 +/- 0.5 kPa at 80 Hz, while that of HT glands was 2.8 +/- 0.6 kPa and 1.8 +/- 0.6 kPa at 80 Hz, respectively (P = 0.004 at 100 Hz). Elastographic parameters could not differentiate benign from malignant thyroid nodules in these small sample sizes. Conclusion We developed a method for the application of MRE to the study of thyroid gland pathology. The results show that the HT gland can be differentiated from normal thyroid. The clinical utility of this imaging modality in the diagnosis and management of thyroid disease awaits further study.
Analysis of catechins from milk-tea beverages by enzyme assisted extraction followed by high performance liquid chromatography

Abstract Extraction and analysis of physiologically significant tea catechins from complex food matrices is complicated by strong association of tea catechins with macronutrients such as proteins. Dependable extraction methods are required to accurately assess and validate levels of bioactive tea catechins in new products. The objective of this work was to investigate recovery of tea catechins from dairy matrices and evaluate pepsin treatment as an enzymatic step to enhance catechin recovery from milk and other protein rich formulations. Brewed green tea was combined with skim milk to produce test solutions ranging from 10% to 50% milk. Samples were treated by either acid (0.1 N HCl), methanol, or by pepsin (40.0 mg/mL). Following treatments, samples were centrifuged and supernatants analyzed for tea catechins by reversed phase C18 HPLC with photodiode array detection. Recovery of total catechins was highest for pepsin treated samples (89–102%), followed by methanol deproteination (78–87%) and acid precipitation (20–74%) with values decreasing with increased milk content. Individual recovery of gallated catechins, namely epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG) and epicatechin-gallate (ECG), was most affected by the presence and level of milk. The usefulness of pepsin treatment for enhancing recovery of tea catechins was further demonstrated in analysis of commercial soy and milk–tea beverages.
Inotropic effects of ionic contrast media: The role of calcium binding additives

Renografin-76 (RG76) regularly depresses myocardial contractility during coronary angiography. Angiovist-370 (AV370) is a contrast medium similar to RG76 except the calcium sequestering agents sodium citrate and EDTA in RG76 have been replaced by calcium EDTA (an additive that does not bind additional calcium). To determine if the calcium sequestering agents contribute to the mechanical depression produced by ionic contrast media, this study compared the inotropic response of RG76 to that of AV370. Additionally, saline solutions containing sodium citrate + EDTA and calcium EDTA at concentrations found in the respective contrast media were also compared. In 10 open chest dogs the percent change and duration of the inotropic response following intracoronary injections of RG76 and AV370, as well as solutions of sodium citrate + EDTA and calcium EDTA were compared using Walton-Brodie strain gauges. Injections, 2 cc, of RG76 and AV370 produced a biphasic response characterized by an initial negative inotropic response followed by a more prolonged positive inotropic response. The magnitude (67 ± 3% vs 59 ± 2%; p 0.3). This positive response was not affected by b-adrenergic blockage with 0.2 mg/kg of timolol. Similarly, 4 cc of sodium citrate + EDTA produced a significantly greater magnitude (56 ± 5%) and longer (42 ± 7 sec) negative inotropic response than calcium EDTA (17 ± 2% and 15 ± 3 sec) or 0.9% saline (18 ± 8% and 13 ± 2 sec; p < 0.001). The results suggest that the calcium sequestering agents sodium citrate + EDTA produce significant negative inotropic effects contributing to the mechanical depression produced by RG76. However, the calcium binding additives are not solely responsible for the depression in contractility produced by ionic contrast media. Contrast media lacking calcium binding additives may be preferable for coronary angiography.
Anorectal dysfunction after surgical treatment for cervical cancer.

Abstract Background Although bowel symptoms and complaints are common after radical hysterectomy, the effects of operation on anorectal function are incompletely understood. In this prospective pilot study we evaluated the incidence of bowel symptoms, changes in anorectal physiology, and quality of life after radical hysterectomy. Study design Eleven women undergoing radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer completed bowel function symptom surveys and cancer-specific quality-of-life scales before operation and at 6 weeks and 6 months after operation. The bowel function symptom survey was also repeated at 18 months postoperation. Anorectal manometry, balloon defecation, and pudendal nerve latency tests were performed before the operation and 6 months postoperatively. Results The mean age was 45.3 years (range 34 to 56 years), and four of the patients were postmenopausal. Resting and squeeze sphincter pressures, volume of saline infused at first leak, total volume retained, and threshold volume for maximum tolerable volume were all decreased significantly (p Conclusions Bowel dysfunction is common after radical hysterectomy. Many women exhibit manometric and subjective changes compatible with fecal incontinence.
Aging and deffective lymphoid cell activation

Activation of lymphocytes for proliferation is a crucial process in the immune response. Age-related deficiencies in this cellular response strongly correlate with deficiencies in the immune system response, with concomitant increase in disease severity and mortality. Defects associated with the transmission of the initial activation signal and with IL-2 production contribute to the depressed response, but defects in the IL-2 response mechanism also play important roles. A major factor in this area is the inability of the nuclei of these cells to respond to the intracellular factor ADR, which plays a crucial role in the initiation of DNA replication. These cells produce normal levels of ADR; thus, either the nuclei cannot bind ADR in a productive manner or the defect lies beyond the point of ADR binding, perhaps in one of the other proteins of the initiation complex. An interesting contrast to the age-related failure of nuclei to respond to ADR is the failure of neoplastic nuclei to respond to the ADR inhibitor. This inhibitor, found in the cytoplasm of quiescent cells, suppresses both the activation of quiescent nuclei by ADR and the ongoing DNA synthesis in isolated nuclei from activated cells. Nuclei from spontaneous proliferating cell lines were not affected by this inhibitor, which may be an important factor in the uncontrolled growth seen in neoplastic cells. The investigation of ADR has given hints that perhaps two of the fundamental questions in biology, namely why some cells don't proliferate and why some others won't stop proliferating, may be two sides of the same coin.
Spreading kinetics of a drop on a rough solid surface

Abstract The effect of surface roughness on spreading rates has been analyzed using a model in which a liquid drop spreads over the surface of a porous medium filled with the same liquid. The equations of motion in the drop are simplified with the lubrication theory approximation and then solved for both zero and small but nonzero contact angles by the method of matched asymptotic expansions. Although the largest pressure gradients and velocity gradients occur near the contact line at the drop periphery, behavior in this region is not singular as found in previous analysis of spreading on perfectly smooth surfaces. The reason no singularities exist is that flow occurs in the “porous medium” underlying the drop, i.e., the region of surface irregularities which is present for all real surfaces. Because the solution is not valid in the initial stages of spreading where experimental data on spreading rates are available, a quantitative comparison of theory and experiment cannot be made at present. The theory does, however, explain all qualitative features observed for spreading drops, e.g., the increase in spreading rate with increasing roughness and the frequent appearance of apparent contact angles significantly different from equilibrium contact angles.
Civil Service Reform in Action The Case of the Personnel Board of Jefferson County, Alabama

Civil service reform interventions are designed to address institutional weaknesses associated with human resource management (HRM) and processes. This article discusses the case of a federal court order reform of a HRM system. More specifically, the article offers a firsthand look at efforts to reform the Personnel Board of Jefferson County, Alabama, following the imposition of a receivership.
3-D Blood Flow Imaging of Breast Tumor Using Noncontact Diffuse Correlation Tomography: Computer Simulations

Computer simulations with different tissue geometries were conducted to investigate the potential of a novel noncontact diffuse correlation tomography (NC-DCT) system for 3-D imaging of blood flow contrast in breast tumors.
Persistent Homology for Path Planning in Uncertain Environments

We address the fundamental problem of goal-directed path planning in an uncertain environment represented as a probability (of occupancy) map. Most methods generally use a threshold to reduce the grayscale map to a binary map before applying off-the-shelf techniques to find the best path. This raises the somewhat ill-posed question, what is the right (optimal) value to threshold the map? We instead suggest a persistent homology approach to the problem—a topological approach in which we seek the homology class of trajectories that is most persistent for the given probability map. In other words, we want the class of trajectories that is free of obstacles over the largest range of threshold values. In order to make this problem tractable, we use homology in $\mathbb {Z}_2$ coefficients (instead of the standard $\mathbb {Z}$ coefficients), and describe how graph search-based algorithms can be used to find trajectories in different homology classes. Our simulation results demonstrate the efficiency and practical applicability of the algorithm proposed in this paper.
Multiple Quantum Well Spatial Light Modulators For Optical Processing Applications

In this paper recent theoretical and experimental work in the area of multiple quantum well (MQW) modulators for optical processing applications is presented. The theoretical work includes the application of the effective mass approximation to compositional MQW structures and the use of a two-band tight-binding approximation to doping-modulated nipi structures. The theoretical calculations are used to obtain electric-field-dependent absorption and refractive index in the above MQW structures. The experimental results of a 4µm thick GaAs/GaAIAs MQW modulator show an ~ 10:1 on/off ratio with an applied voltage of ~ 20 V (absorption change ~ 6000 cm-1 at E ~ 50 kV/cm) and ~0.4 rad of phase shift with an applied voltage of 10 V (~0.04 at E ~25 kV/cm). Such high electro-optical modulations have previously been reported only in the MQW optical waveguide modulator. Concepts of photoactivated, electrically addressed MQW spatial light modulators and IR-to-visible MQW spatial light modulators are presented. Finally, theoretical evaluation of quantum dot arrays and their potential use in spatial light modulators are discussed.
Quantifying second best effects in grossly distorted markets : the case of the butter market in Poland

Abstract We develop and empirically implement a model to examine a market in a centrally planned economy characterized by a complicated maze of interrelated and offsetting distortions: the butter market in Poland. Eliminating all distortions in the butter market results in substantial structural changes and benefits to Poland. However, we find one case in which removing a distortion while others distortions remain in place results in substantial welfare losses, in classic second best fashion Moreover, piecemeal reduction of some of the distortions results in much smaller benefits due to the offsetting effects.
Randomized trial of McRoberts versus lithotomy positioning to decrease the force that is applied to the fetus during delivery

Objective In an effort to reduce shoulder dystocia incidence and morbidity, some obstetricians use prophylactic maternal hip hyperflexion (McRoberts maneuver), with the hope of facilitating delivery and decreasing the traction needed for delivery. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the delivery force is reduced with the prophylactic McRoberts maneuver in a prospective, objective manner. Study design Between April 2002 and July 2003, we randomly assigned multiparous women with term, cephalic singleton gestations to delivery in the lithotomy or McRoberts position. A single physician used a force-measuring system that consisted of a custom glove with force sensors to record the amount of force that was exerted on the fetal head. The primary outcomes of the study were peak force (pounds; highest force needed to accomplish entire delivery), peak force for delivery of anterior shoulder (pounds), and peak force rate (pounds per second; the duration required to reach the peak force). Results The peak force was not different between the patients in the lithotomy position (n=13) versus the McRoberts position (n=14; 7.2 ± 0.8 lbs vs 8.0 ± 0.7 lbs; P =.5). The peak force for delivery of the anterior shoulder (6.7 ± 0.8 lbs vs 7.1 ± 0.7 lbs; P =.7) and peak force rate (32.3 ± 7.0 lbs/sec vs 29.1 ± 3.5 lbs/sec; P =.7) were not different between the patients in the lithotomy position versus the McRoberts position, respectively. There was no difference between the groups for gestational age, birth weight, incidence of diabetes mellitus, or operative vaginal delivery. The subjective degree of difficulty of the delivery correlated with the peak force ( R 2 =0.53; P =.001). Conclusion The use of the McRoberts maneuver before clinical diagnosis of shoulder dystocia provides no reduction in the force that is used in traction on the fetal head during vaginal delivery in multiparous patients. The acceptance of this maneuver to be used prophylactically requires re-evaluation.
Impacts of heterogeneous organic matter on phenanthrene sorption : Different aquifer depths

Alluvial aquifer samples from the same depth but different locations and from different depths at the same location were characterized and evaluated both for the nature of their organic matter and their sorption properties. Both equilibrium and kinetic sorption were evaluated using batch studies with phenanthrene. Organic petrology was used both qualitatively and quantitatively to explain and predict the patterns of sorption for each sample. Organic carbon content values varied by 1 order of magnitude, and sorption capacities varied by 2 orders of magnitude within a given depth and location for these samples. The sorption isotherms ranged from nonlinear to virtually linear. The organic content-normalized distribution coefficients (Koc) varied significantly between organic matter subgroups as did the time to reach equilibrium. We were able to correlate these variations in sorption behavior with the organic matter type in subgroups. Koc values were assigned to each organic matter subgroup and were used alon...
Uncovering Hidden Collections of Alternative Serials on Microfilm

Many libraries have significant backlogs of uncataloged microforms. As attention has shifted toward digitized serials in recent years, unique holdings with high research value may be languishing untapped in the older, often overlooked formats of microfilm and microfiche. Libraries that devote resources to surveying and cataloging hidden collections of microforms greatly facilitate discovery of valuable resources for research. The current effort to survey, organize, process, and catalog more than 10,000 reels of microfilm in the Tamiment Library at New York University has vastly improved access to a multitude of uncommon serials that have been used by researchers, both onsite and via interlibrary loan.
Elevated cortisol levels and changes in thymus metabolism in burn trauma

Abstract Burns greater than 15–30 per cent body surface area (BSA) are associated both with an acquired immunologic deficiency in the cell-mediated thymus-regulated immunity and a significant increase in the glucocorticoid levels. Since the majority of thymus lymphocytes undergoing maturation are cortisol-sensitive, we have investigated the synthesis of nucleic acid and proteins in the thymus in relation to cortisol elevation during the first week following a 30 per cent third-degree scald burn in young guinea-pigs. At various times post burn thymus cell suspensions from burn and control animals were incubated in vitro with [3H]-thymidine, [3H]-uridine or [3H]-amino acid mixture to assess the synthesis of DNA, RNA or proteins respectively. The synthesis of macromolecules was measured in terms of radioactivity incorporated into acid-insoluble material and normalized to the DNA content. Parallel measurements of 24 h urinary ‘free’ cortisol levels were performed by radioimmunoassay. Observed decreases to 64 and 83 per cent of the control values in DNA and RNA synthesis respectively, at 6 days post burn, are independent of the changes in the precursor uptake. The decrease in nucleic acid synthesis is associated with significant elevation in both urinary 24 h ‘free’ cortisol levels (185 per cent control) and cortisol levels in thymus (approx. 300 per cent control). These results suggest that changes in thymus metabolism associated with elevated cortisol levels could contribute to suppression of T lymphocyte production or maturation and result in a relative immunodeficient state.
Induction of decision trees using fuzzy partitions

A new method for the induction of fuzzy decision trees is introduced. The fuzzy decision tree classifier improves prediction accuracy using smaller models by locating more robust splitting regions. The proposed method also provides a measure of confidence for sample classification by propagating partition memberships into all leaf nodes, thereby relaxing local subspace restrictions. The fuzzy decision tree algorithm is presented and compared against standard and bagged decision tree classifiers. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Computerized analysis of radiographic bone patterns: Effect of imaging conditions on performance

We are developing computerized methods for characterizing the bone texture pattern from digitized skeletal radiographs. For this method to be useful clinically, it must be able to distinguish between weak and strong bone under the range of exposure conditions potentially encountered in the clinical setting. In this study, we examined the effect of exposure conditions on Fourier-based texture features. Thirty-four femoral specimens from total hip arthroplasties were radiographed multiple times under different exposure conditions. The specimens underwent mechanical strength testing from which load to failure values were obtained. The performance of the texture features were investigated in the task of distinguishing between strong and weak bone as characterized by the load to failure values. The texture features showed no dependence upon focal spot size of the x-ray tube or magnification. The texture features did show a dependence with relative exposure, peak kilovoltage, and amount of scatteringmaterial.
Intra- and Intermonolayer Hydrogen Bonding in Amide-Functionalized Alkanethiol Self-Assembled Monolayers on Gold Nanoparticles

We have synthesized a series of monolayer-protected gold clusters (gold MPCs) featuring amide functionality within the monolayer chains. Spectroscopic investigation of these MPCs using IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy reveal that intramonolayer hydrogen bonding is highly dependent on the distance of the amide from the nanoparticle core. Additionally, intermonolayer hydrogen bonding with concomitant nanoparticle aggregation was observed when the amide functionality was placed near the monolayer surface.
RATIONAL SYNTHESIS OF METASTABLE SKUTTERUDITE COMPOUNDS USING MULTILAYER PRECURSORS

A new metastable binary compound and a series of new, metastable ternary crystalline compounds with the skutterudite crystal structure have been prepared through controlled crystallization of amorphous reaction intermediates formed by low-temperature interdiffusion of modulated elemental reactants. Discussed in this paper are La{sub 1-x}Fe{sub 4}Sb{sub 12}, FeSb{sub 3}, Hf{sub 1-x}Fe{sub 4}Sb{sub 12}, and Y{sub 1-x}Fe{sub 4}Sb{sub 12}. The amorphous reaction intermediate for each system crystallizes exothermically near 200 {degree}C forming the desired skutterudite structure. At temperatures above 500 {degree}C, they decompose exothermically forming a thermodynamically more stable mixture of binary compounds and elemental components. We propose that the desired compounds nucleate from the amorphous precursor because slow solid state diffusion rates hinder disproportionation into the more stable mix of binary compounds and elements. This general synthetic approach to prepare new metastable compounds give control of both the composition and structure of the product compounds. 15 refs., 6 figs., 2 tabs.
On the Political Economy of Public Good Inputs in Agriculture

The paper analyzes two elements in explaining and prescribing the level of costreducing "public good" inputs in agriculture: the distribution of political influence and the economic properties of markets. The incidence of costs/benefits of alternative costsharing arrangements between taxpayers and producers is compared to the social optimal and competitive outcomes. Although one group could lose, we focus only on situations of a Pareto improvement. The model predicts why some sectors have relatively more public versus private research funding and why the degree of underinvestment varies across sectors. The observed underinvestment in agriculture may be due to the political power of farmers, inelastic demand, and highly productive public good inputs.
Procedure for Soluble Collagen in Thermally Processed Meat Products

Methods to determine the extent of collagen solubilization during thermal processing in a product such as frankfurters may not be accurate. We modified existing procedures to separate soluble collagen from thermally processed meat samples without solubilizing more collagen. Water bath temperatures (36, 40, 44, 48, 52 and 56°C) and times (5, 10 and 15 min) were studied in a complete factorial design. Soluble collagen increased up to 48°C and 10 min, leveling off beyond that. In a 48–52°C water bath 10–15 min was sufficient to separate soluble collagen from thermally processed meat products without solubilizing more.
The Rotating Credit Association: An Adaptation to Poverty.

Rotating credit associations are curious economic institutions which have been reported in many areas of the world. Most frequently they have been analyzed with reference to peasant and urbanizing populations. It has been argued that they serve as "middle rung" economic institutions which promote modernization and train individuals to participate in the economic institutions of modernizing nations. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a hitherto unreported association, the cundina, and to analyze it in terms of a different conceptual framework. It has been argued that if poverty is to be fully understood, the life ways of poor people must be viewed and analyzed as adaptations to the conditions which create poverty. In this paper poverty is explained in terms of the concept of relative deprivation and the concept of adaptation is defined with relevance to this phenomenon. Based upon the cundina as well as a reassessment of the ethnographic literature, this paper suggests that rotating credit associati...
Diagnostic role of fine-needle aspiration of pancreatic allograft to detect rejection

The purpose of this study was to assess whether the same principles to evaluate renal transplant by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) for rejection could be applied to pancreatic allograft. Between 1996–1998, 25 ultrasound-guided FNAs on 13 patients with pancreatic allograft were performed and ThinPrep® made. The percentage of lymphocytes, lymphoblasts, monocytes, eosinophils, plasma cells, immunoblasts, and macrophages were calculated. Simultaneous peripheral smear was obtained and “total corrected increment” score calculated. Subsequent core biopsy was available in six patients. A total of seven FNAs on three patients were inadequate because of insufficient epithelial cells. No evidence of rejection reported in nine patients was confirmed on biopsy in five patients. One patient reported as suspicious later showed rejection on biopsy. Thus, FNA may be used to monitor the graft status with faster turnaround times. Rejection may be a focal process and FNA may be used for sampling multiple sites. Cytologic diagnosis fairly accurately detects early rejection. Core biopsies are warranted in unsatisfactory specimens and when FNA is suspicious for rejection. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2002;27:266–270. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Acetylcholine Recognition by an Aromatic Host: the Role of an All‐Hydrogen Topology in Simulations of the Cation‐π Interaction

The contribution of cation-π interactions to the affinity of a synthetic aromatic host for acetylcholine in a molecular mechanics simulation was estimated using a thermodynamic cycle-free energy perturbation approach. Compared to a host in which aromatic dipole ring charges were set to zero, the affinity of the host for acetylcholine is greater by 1.8 kcal/mole when using a set of typical simulation parameters. The role of four ether oxygens in the host is probably negligible. Although acetylcholine binding may be driven in large part by hydrophobic effects, cation-π interactions most likely make a significant contribution to the selectivity of this host for quaternary ammonium cations.
ACTIVE LINEAR DC CIRCUIT MODELS FOR POWER SYSTEM ANALYSIS.

Abstract The nonlinear equations encountered in steady state and transient analysis of power systems are often linearized for use in iterative methods or small change sensitivity studies such as dynamic stability. In this work, the standard constant power constraints are linearized and represented as active linear DC electronic circuits. The model is an exact small signal representation and maintains the fundamental voltage/current variables in the original nonlinear circuit model. The circuits can be reduced using standard Norton/Thevenin equivalent techniques.
Regulation of muscle regulatory factors by DNA-binding, interacting proteins, and post-transcriptional modifications.

Skeletal muscle differentiation is influenced by multiple pathways, which regulate the activity of myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs)—the myogenic basic helix-loop-helix proteins and the MEF2-family members—in positive or negative ways. Here we will review and discuss the network of signals that regulate MRF function during myocyte proliferation, differentiation, and post-mitotic growth. Elucidating the mechanisms governing muscle-specific transcription will provide important insight in better understanding the embryonic development of muscle at the molecular level and will have important implications in setting out strategies aimed at muscle regeneration. Since the activity of MRFs are compromised in tumors of myogenic derivation—the rhabdomyosarcomas—the studies summarized in this review can provide a useful tool to uncover the molecular basis underlying the formation of these tumors. J. Cell. Physiol. 185:155–173, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Successful execution of product development projects: Balancing firmness and flexibility in the innovation process

Abstract This paper investigates project management methods used during the execution phase of new product development projects. Based on prior field observations, organizational theory and product development literature, we pose hypotheses regarding the effectiveness of the project execution methods of formality, project management autonomy and resource flexibility. A cross-sectional survey sample of 120 completed new product development projects from a variety of assembled products industries is analyzed via hierarchical moderated regression. We find that the project execution methods are positively associated with project execution success. Further, these methods are effective singly and collectively, suggesting that firms can “balance firmness and flexibility” in product development via appropriate execution methods. Surprisingly, the effectiveness of these methods is not contingent on the product or process technology novelty inherent in a given development project. The findings suggest that firms should adopt high levels of these approaches, and that a variety of projects can be managed using broadly similar project execution methods. The findings also suggest limitations on the application of organizational information processing theory to the context of product development projects. Directions for additional theory development are outlined.
Response and Failure of Internally Pressurized Elliptical Composite Cylinders

The responses of a quasi-isotropic elliptical cylinder evaluated using a geometrically linear analysis are compared to the responses evaluated using a geometrically nonlinear analysis. It is shown that geometric nonlinearities tend to flatten certain responses in the crown region and reduce the magnitude of certain responses in the boundary region. An evaluation of failure using the Hashin and maximum stress failure criteria and geometrically linear and nonlinear analyses is presented. The failure criteria are used to assess the mode of failure, the location of failure, and the pressure at failure. Both criteria predict first failure to occur at the clamped boundaries because of matrix cracking due to stresses in the plane of the cylinder wall. The predicted failure pressures and circumferential locations are very similar for the two criteria, and the nonlinear analyses predict slightly higher pressures at somewhat different circumferential locations.
Characterizing “Nonresponsive” Methadone Patients

A review of records at a large urban methadone clinic revealed a substantial group of patients with treatment tenures of at least 6 months whose urinalysis results indicated continued regular use of opiates. In an attempt to characterize these "nonresponsive" patients and to identify their specific treatment needs, we compared them to a group of patients with comparable treatment tenures but whose urinalysis results indicated little or no recent illicit opiate use. Contrary to expectations, opiate use itself was virtually the only feature that clearly distinguished the two groups. "Responders" and "nonresponders" did not differ significantly on measures of psychosocial problem severity in any other area, nor did they differ in their treatment service utilization. Moreover, examination of admission data indicated that the two groups showed similar rates of improvement in the severity of their psychosocial problems in all seven measured areas. The implications of these results for treatment and clinic administration are discussed.
Magnetic Relaxation in Coaxial Helicity Injection Discharges in the HIT-II Spherical Torus

Recent Coaxial Helicity Injection (CHI) studies using the Helicity Injected Torus device (HIT-II) have produced discharges with toroidal plasma currents up to 350 kA. Direct measurements using an internal magnetic probe array show a total poloidal flux in the confined plasma significantly greater than the vacuum injector flux, confirming both the unambiguous presence of a closed-flux core region and the generation of poloidal flux through magnetic relaxation. The key innovation for producing these discharges is a sufficiently high ratio of CHI injector current to toroidal field current, quantified as the dimensionless product λINJd greater than 0.3, where d is the effective distance between the electrodes and λINJ is the inverse magnetic scale length associated with the CHI injector (defined as μ0IINJ/ψINJ, where IINJ is the injector current and ψINJ is the poloidal injector flux connecting the electrodes). This critical value of λINJ d is understood as a balance between two competing processes: reconnection in the injector generating closed poloidal flux, and resistive decay of the closed flux and current. A value of λINJd > 0.3 corresponds to a rate of relaxation greater than the rate of resistive decay, allowing the build-up of poloidal flux and toroidal current.