cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inhibitor influence on the bistability of a CSTR

Methane combustion in a continuously stirred flow tank reactor (CSTR) in the presence and absence of chemical inhibitors such as CF{sub 3}I, CF{sub 3}Br, CF{sub 3}H, and a chemically inert gas with high heat capacity is simulated with the CHEMKIN program. The aim of the work is to determine the differences in results arising from the use of the various inhibitors with the aim of establishing the capability of CSTR experiments to give a rank ordering of suppressant power. The chemical inhibitors have the general tendency to raise the steady-state temperature. A high heat capacity inert gas leads to the opposite effect. Only near extinction and self-ignition can one obtain a proper scale of flame suppression capability. The curves for combustion efficiency, (CO{sub 2}/[CO + CO{sub 2}]), near the extinction point lead to results where the data for the additives all fall within the envelope for stoichiometric methane/air combustion in the extinction region. For self-ignition, the transition from the mushroom to the isola form of the stability curves appears to be another property that is highly sensitive to suppression power. These observations may serve as a basis for testing inhibition capabilities.
Role of chlorpromazine in maintaining timing behavior in chronic schizophrenics.

Four hospitalized schizophrenics on daily chlorpromazine drug treatment were trained to space their responses to a lever by at least 10 sec in the absence of external timing events. Following stable timing preformance, drug treatment was discontinued. Patients were subsequently returned to previous chlorpromazine dosages and, finally, these dosages were increased by 400 mg. Timing performance indicated a marked deficit during the drug free period as compared to performance during drug treatment.The return to daily chlorpromazine administration improved the patient's timing accuracy and an increase in daily drug amount had a tendency to produce shorter response intervals.
Silicon-Based Sources from the Visible to Mid-Infrared

We describe our recent work in which we use harmonic generation and parametric four-wave mixing in silicon-based nanostructures to generate light from the visible to mid-infrared regimes. Article not available.
Giant planar lipid bilayer. III. Maxwell—Wagner impedance dispersion and anesthetic effects upon interfacial capacitance

Abstract This report describes a facile linear method for estimating the capacitance of the polar head region of planar lipid bilayers from the dependence of the impedance to the applied frequency at an intermediate range. Planar lipid bilayers with a large area (200 mm2) were formed in 30 mM NiCl2 aqueous solution from oleylamine. The capacitance and conductance of the total system, including the water, unstirred layer and membrane phases, were measured in the frequency range between 1 and 10 kHz. In this frequency range, a linear relationship exists between the overall (hydrophobic core plus polar head region) capacitance and conductance. By extrapolating the linear plot between the capacitance and conductance to zero conductance, the capacitance of the overall membrane was estimated. The capacitance of the hydrocarbon region of the membrane was estimated by the do transient method. From the difference in the two sets of data, it is possible to estimate the capacitance of the interfacial polar region. According to the increase of the bulk halothane concentrations, the capacitance of the polar region decreased asymptotically, approaching a limiting value. The decrease was monophasic. On the other hand, the core capacitance increased in a biphasic fashion, as reported previously by T. Yoshida, T. Mori, and I. Ueda (J. Colloid Interface Sci.96, 39, 1983). The initial increase in the core capacitance was attributed to the decrease in the membrane thickness, whereas the secondary rise was attributed to anesthetic penetration into the membrane core. Because the relative electrical permittivity of anesthetics is intermediate between those of the hydrocarbon core and the interface, the anesthetic adsorption to the polar head decreases the mean relative permittivity of this region and decreases the capacitance, whereas penetration into the lipid core increases the core capacitance. The present result shows that the secondary rise of the core capacitance occurred only after polar region capacitance reached a limiting value. Halothane apparently adsorbs to the polar head region at near clincal concentrations. Penetration into the liquid core did not occur until the anesthetic molecules saturated the interfacial binding sites.
Intended effects of cyber resiliency techniques on adversary activities

Evidence and analysis are needed to determine whether, how, and to what extent architectural and operational decisions have an effect on cyber adversary behavior. This is particularly the case for cyber resiliency techniques, which are relatively new compared with conventional perimeter defenses and intrusion detection techniques. In this paper, we propose a vocabulary for describing effects on cyber adversaries. The vocabulary is compatible with existing terminology for Information Operations (IO), as well as for such modeling and analysis techniques as Red Team analysis, game-theoretic modeling, attack tree and attack graph modeling, and analysis based on the cyber attack lifecycle. We use this vocabulary to map cyber resiliency techniques to the different phases of a cyber campaign. This use of the vocabulary enables the identification of measures of effectiveness (MOEs) or metrics for effects on adversary activities. The mapping also illuminates how cyber resiliency techniques apply differently to address various adversary activities, and thus provides a basis for identifying effective combinations of techniques.
Reparation to the Ghostly Mother in Carme Riera's La Mitad Del Alma

Carme Riera's La mitad del alma (2003), whose protagonist recollects images of her dead mother, is part of the current movement in Spanish literature to reactivate memories of the Spanish Civil War and Francisco Franco's dictatorship. Postwar women authors in Spain symbolically demonstrated the repression of females during the dictatorship by eliminating the mother in many of their works. The continued invisibility of mothers in more recent Spanish fiction by women suggests a ghostly apparition—present but unseen. La mitad del alma repeats the thematic search for identity in postwar narratives with young, motherless protagonists, but it centers on a mature woman haunted by the unknown past of her deceased parent. Riera's narrative adds another facet to current fiction that focuses on healing wounds and exorcising ghosts of the past: it calls for reparation of the erasure of matriarchal heritage in postwar Spanish society to recuperate identity.
Mechanism and Kinetics of Growth Termination in Controlled Chemical Vapor Deposition Growth of Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Arrays

We have investigated growth kinetics of multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) arrays produced by catalytic thermal decomposition of ethylene gas in hydrogen, water, and argon mixture. The MWCNT growth rate exhibits a nonmonotonic dependence on total pressure and reaches a maximum at ∼750 Torr of total pressure. Water concentrations in excess of 3000 ppm lead to the decrease in the observed growth rate. Optimal pressure and water concentration combination results in a reliable growth of well-aligned MWCNT arrays at a maximum growth rate of ∼30 μm/min. These MWCNT arrays can reach heights of up to 1 mm with typical standard deviations for the array height of less than 8% over a large number of process runs spread over the time of 8 months. Nanotube growth rate in this optimal growth region remains essentially constant until growth reaches an abrupt and irreversible termination. We present a quantitative model that shows how accumulation of the amorphous carbon patches at the catalyst particle surface and the ca...
Early-onset degeneration of the intervertebral disc and vertebral end plate in mice deficient in type IX collagen.

Objective Type IX collagen is an important component of the intervertebral disc extracellular matrix. Mutations in type IX collagen are associated with premature disc degeneration in mice and a predisposition to disc disorders in humans. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and timeline of intervertebral disc degeneration in mice homozygous for an inactivated Col9a1 gene. Methods Intact spine segments were harvested from wild-type (WT) and type IX collagen–knockout (Col9a1−/−) mice at 3, 6, and 12 months of age. Sagittal spine sections were evaluated for evidence of histologic changes, by 2 blinded graders, using a semiquantitative grading method. Results There was evidence of more degeneration of the disc and end plate in the spines of Col9a1−/− mice compared with those of WT controls, at most time points. These findings were significant for the disc region at 3 and 6 months (P < 0.01) and at 12 months (P < 0.10) and for the end plate region only at 6 months (P < 0.10). Degenerative changes in the disc consisted of cellular changes and mucous degeneration. Degeneration in the end plates was associated with more cell proliferation, cartilage disorganization, and new bone formation. Conclusion A deletion mutation for type IX collagen is associated with connective tissue changes characteristic of musculoskeletal degeneration in bony and cartilaginous tissue regions. Some of the observed changes were similar to cartilage changes in osteoarthritis, while others were more similar to disc degenerative changes in humans. The finding of premature onset of intervertebral disc degeneration in this mouse model may be useful in studies of the pathology and treatment of human disc degeneration.
Resilient system design for Prognosis and Health Monitoring of an ocean power generator

In this paper we introduce a new methodology that integrates system resilience engineering and hazard analysis into complex system design. We then demonstrate its performance by applying it to the design of a Prognosis and Health Monitoring (PHM) system for an ocean current power generator. Three common methodologies for system hazard analysis were tested by applying them to the PHM system's network topology architecture; STAMP-based Process Analysis (STPA), Hazard and Operability Analysis (HAZOP), and a Resilience Engineering, Heuristic-based approach. While all three approaches adequately revealed most PHM system hazards, which assisted in identifying the means with which to mitigate them, none of the approaches fully addressed the multi-state dimensionality of the sub-components of the system, missing risky and hazardous scenarios. We developed the System Hazard Indication and Extraction Learning Diagnosis (SHIELD) methodology for system hazard analysis and resilient design. SHIELD integrates state space analysis into the hazard analysis process in order to facilitate the location of undiscovered hazard scenarios. Our approach uses recursive, top-down system decomposition with subsystem, interface, and process cycle identification. Then, a bottom-up recursive evaluation is completed where we analyze the subsystem state space and state transitions with regard to hazards/failures in process cycles. This yields a comprehensive list of failure states and scenarios. Finally, a top-down prioritized application of resilient engineering heuristics which address hazard scenarios is prescribed. This final phase results in a comprehensive, complete analysis of complex system architectures forcing resilience into the final system design.
A pathway for synapsis initiation during zygotene in Drosophila oocytes.

Summary Formation of the synaptonemal complex (SC), or synapsis, between homologs in meiosis is essential for crossing over and chromosome segregation [1–4]. How SC assembly initiates is poorly understood but may have a critical role in ensuring synapsis between homologs and regulating double-strand break (DSB) and crossover formation. We investigated the genetic requirements for synapsis in Drosophila and found that there are three temporally and genetically distinct stages of synapsis initiation. In "early zygotene" oocytes, synapsis is only observed at the centromeres. We also found that nonhomologous centromeres are clustered during this process. In "mid-zygotene" oocytes, SC initiates at several euchromatic sites. The centromeric and first euchromatic SC initiation sites depend on the cohesion protein ORD. In "late zygotene" oocytes, SC initiates at many more sites that depend on the Kleisin-like protein C(2)M. Surprisingly, late zygotene synapsis initiation events are independent of the earlier mid-zygotene events, whereas both mid and late synapsis initiation events depend on the cohesin subunits SMC1 and SMC3. We propose that the enrichment of cohesion proteins at specific sites promotes homolog interactions and the initiation of euchromatic SC assembly independent of DSBs. Furthermore, the early euchromatic SC initiation events at mid-zygotene may be required for DSBs to be repaired as crossovers.
Knowledge-theoretic methods for certification of cloud-based network systems

A system that is highly dependable under hostile conditions but whose dependability cannot be easily evaluated prior to the deployment of applications is less desirable than a system with lower but predictable dependability. This is because a decision-making on the deployment of high assurance systems is often based on a risk analysis of application failures. For system services implemented on a cloud, system certification assumes added importance because of third-party control of cloud resources and the attendant problems of faults, QoS degradations, and security violations. Our paper focuses on a knowledge-theoretic approach to reason about the dependability of a cloud-based network system using observational agents. Our approach is corroborated by measurements on system-level prototypes and simulation analysis of system models in the face of hostile environment conditions. A case study of content-distribution networks anchored on cloud infrastructures is also described.
FROM MONOPOLY TO MARKET: POLISH URBAN MASS-TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES

In line with new framework laws on decentralization and private-sector activities, several Polish cities have introduced changes to their mass-transportation sectors. Although state-owned companies monopolized the market in the pre-reform period, a greater reliance on market processes and actors has evolved. Major changes include a new legal status for mass-transportation companies that permits stock ownership by public and private partners and is intended to increase the independence of company management, create concession and subcontracting opportunities for private operators, introduce service agreements, and create new sectors reflecting the separation of mass-transportation companies' local regulatory and operational functions.
Molecular structure of the rat vitamin D receptor ligand binding domain complexed with 2-carbon-substituted vitamin D3 hormone analogues and a LXXLL-containing coactivator peptide.

We have determined the crystal structures of the ligand binding domain (LBD) of the rat vitamin D receptor in ternary complexes with a synthetic LXXLL-containing peptide and the following four ligands: 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3; 2-methylene-19-nor-(20S)-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (2MD); 1α-hydroxy-2-methylene-19-nor-(20S)-bishomopregnacalciferol (2MbisP), and 2α-methyl-19-nor-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (2AM20R). The conformation of the LBD is identical in each complex. Binding of the 2-carbon-modified analogues does not change the positions of the amino acids in the ligand binding site and has no effect on the interactions in the coactivator binding pocket. The CD ring of the superpotent analogue, 2MD, is tilted within the binding site relative to the other ligands in this study and to (20S)-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [Tocchini-Valentini et al. (2001) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 98, 5491−5496]. The aliphatic side chain of 2MD follows a different path within the binding site; nevertheless, the 25-hydroxyl ...
Heterozygous Niemann-Pick disease type C presenting with tremor

Tremor is defined as rhythmic oscillation of a body part. The differential diagnosis of tremor is extensive; however, when there is a family history of tremor, the diagnosis most likely will be essential tremor. We describe a woman who sought treatment for tremor, had a family history of tremor, and was found to have a unique diagnosis. A 75-year-old woman was referred to the neurology department with a 10-year history of tremor, initially a side-to-side head tremor. Five years after onset, her tremor had progressed, involving her right hand and 1 year later, the left. The tremor in her upper extremities predominantly occurred at rest; however, she also stated that occasionally she would experience a tremor in her hands while holding a cup of coffee or a deck of cards. She carried a diagnosis of Parkinson disease, but her tremor did not improve with 1,000 mg of l-dopa/carbidopa therapy, which …
Labor Economics and the Psychology of Organizations

This essay is a discussion of how economists are attempting to understand institutions within the organizations of the labor market. The institutions and issues discussed include mandatory retirement; discontinuous jumps in wages; pay compression; rights of tenure; up-or-out hierarchies; timing of raises, promotions and evaluations; the existence of partnerships; the use of bonuses vs. penalties; and pay as a motivator.
A Low Genomic Number of Recessive Lethals in Natural Populations of Bluefin Killifish and Zebrafish

Despite the importance of selection against deleterious mutations in natural populations, reliable estimates of the genomic numbers of mutant alleles in wild populations are scarce. We found that, in wild-caught bluefin killifish Lucania goodei (Fundulidae) and wild-caught zebrafish Danio rerio (Cyprinidae), the average numbers of recessive lethal alleles per individual are 1.9 (95% confidence limits 1.3 to 2.6) and 1.4 (95% confidence limits 1.0 to 2.0), respectively. These results, together with data on several Drosophila species and on Xenopus laevis, show that phylogenetically distant animals with different genome sizes and numbers of genes carry similar numbers of lethal mutations.
Effects of parasitization of Trichoplusia ni by Chelonus sp.

. Parasitization of Trichoplusia ni (Huebner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) by Chelonus sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), an egg-larval parasitoid, leads to precocious cocoon spinning of the host in the fourth (penultimate) stadium followed by parasitoid emergence from the prepupa. We have investigated the mechanism by which Chelonus sp. disrupts host development. The developing larva and fluids injected by the adult female separately from the egg, are not the source of these effects, but it remains a possibility that the teratocytes, originating from the trophamnion of the parasitoid egg, are responsible. The titre of the juvenile hormone esterase activity in the haemolymph of the parasitized fourth instar host is similar to that in the initial period of the final instar of normal T. ni, but lacks the postwandering peak of activity. The increased JHE activity leads to a reduced JH titre early in the fourth stadia. This indicates that disruption of host development occurs within 12h after apolysis to the fourth stadium, if not before. Anti-juvenile hormone activity is not detected in extracts of parasitized T. ni. The morphological and behavioural changes associated with precocious development of the T. ni host are prevented by applications of juvenile hormone I, juvenile hormone II and the juvenoid, Ro 10–3108, but not juvenile hormone III and the juvenoid R 20458. However, these applications fail to prevent the onset of juvenile hormone esterase activity, another marker of precocious development. These observations indicate that simple anti-juvenile hormone activity may not be the mechanism of disruption of host development. Development of the parasitoid is disrupted by application of Ro 10–3108 and juvenile hormones I, II and III, but timing of eclosion is only affected by application of juvenile hormone I, juvenile hormone II and Ro 10–3108. This observation may indicate a discrimination by the parasitoid between its own juvenile hormone III and the host's juvenile hormone II.
Effectiveness of the Rashkind Procedure in Transposition of the Great Arteries in Infants

The immediate and long-term efficacy of the balloon atrial septostomy (BAS) was appraised in a series of 43 patients with transposition of the great arteries. Early effectiveness was gauged by changes in oxygen saturation and atrial pressures, and by balloon catheter measurement of the interatrial opening immediately following BAS. BAS was initially effective in 31 cases. In 20 patients the size of the interatrial opening was measured by balloon catheter from three months to three years after initially successful BAS. In 13 of these the opening was less than 12 mm; 7 subsequently required surgical septectomy, and each of the remaining 6 had a ventricular septal defect. In the other 7, the opening was greater than 12 mm; none have required surgical septectomy. A total of 13 patients required late septectomy, with only one death. In contrast, there was a 40% (17/44) surgical mortality with surgical septectomy in a similar group of patients between 1959 and 1966. It is concluded that balloon atrial septostom...
The "triple-overlay" technique for percutaneous diagnosis and treatment of lesions of the head and neck: combined three-dimensional guidance with magnetic resonance imaging, cone-beam computed tomography, and fluoroscopy.

Objective Accurate image guidance is an essential component of percutaneous procedures in the head and neck. The combination of preprocedural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and real-time fluoroscopy (the “triple-overlay” technique) could be useful in image-guided targeting of lesions in the head and neck. Methods Three patients underwent percutaneous diagnostic or therapeutic procedures of head and neck lesions (mean, 2.3 ± 2.4 cm). One patient presented for biopsy of a small lesion in the infratemporal fossa only visible on MRI, one presented for preoperative embolization of a nasal tumor, and one presented for sclerotherapy of a parotid hemangioma. Preprocedural MRI for each case was merged with CBCT to create a three-dimensional volume for procedural planning. This was then combined with real-time fluoroscopy to create a triple-overlay for needle trajectory and real-time guidance. Results The registration of MRI, CBCT, and fluoroscopy was successful for all three procedures, allowing 3D manipulation of the combined images. Percutaneous procedures were successful in all patients without complications. Conclusions The combination of MRI, CBCT, and real-time fluoroscopy provides detailed anatomical information for 3D image-guided percutaneous procedures of the head and neck, especially for small lesions or lesions with features visible only by MRI.
Contrasting Oligocene and Miocene thermal histories from the hanging wall and footwall of the South Tibetan detachment in the central Himalaya from 40Ar/39Ar thermochronology, Marsyandi Valley, central Nepal

In the Marsyandi valley of central Nepal, a major strand of the South Tibetan detachment system, the 18–22 Ma Chame detachment, places epidote-amphibolite to amphibolite facies calc-silicate rocks and marbles of the Tibetan sedimentary sequence on amphibolite facies pelitic gneisses and calc-silicate rocks of the Greater Himalayan sequence. Although the resulting metamorphic discontinuity is minor and sometimes cryptic, 40Ar/39Ar thermochronologic results from the area reveal that the hanging wall and footwall of the detachment had distinctive thermal histories. Hanging wall phlogopites and biotites yield cooling ages of 27.1 – 29.9 Ma, compared with footwall biotite ages of 14.1 – 16.6 Ma. U-Pb monazite thermochronology demonstrates that the Greater Himalayan sequence experienced peak amphibolite facies conditions at approximately 22 Ma, but the 40Ar/39Ar results require hanging wall metamorphism to be an Oligocene (or older) phenomenon. These events are interpreted as representing the “Neohimalayan” and “Eohimalayan” metamorphic phases proposed by previous workers in the central Himalaya. Some of the dated hanging wall phlogopites grew synchronously with development of SW vergent macroscopic folds in the Tibetan sedimentary sequence, implying that Eohimalayan metamorphism was associated with an important phase of crustal shortening in this sector of the Himalaya. Despite the intensity of Neohimalayan metamorphism below the Chame detachment, evidence for Eohimalayan metamorphism and igneous activity is preserved in the footwall rocks of the Marsyandi drainage. Inherited approximately 35 Ma monazites of either metamorphic or igneous origin have been found in the upper Greater Himalayan sequence in this area, and one hornblende separate from the uppermost footwall yields a 40Ar/39Ar age of 30.0 ± 3.0 Ma. This hornblende date and a similar result from the same structural level in the nearby Kali Gandaki valley, if robust, suggest that the duration of the Neohimalayan event was extremely short, probably less than 1 million years and that peak temperatures in the upper part of the Greater Himalayan sequence were not substantially greater than about 900 K.
"Colored" noise waveforms and quadrupole excitation for the dynamic range expansion of Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry.

Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometry offers unparalleled analytical performance in most regards but has a dynamic range of typically no better than 102−103. This limitation reportedly arises from two opposing constraints, involving the maximum number of ions that can be effectively trapped (106−107) and the minimum number of ions required to produce a detectable signal (102−103). A potential solution to this dynamic range limitation is presented, based on the application of selected-ion accumulation using quadrupole excitation. We show that lower concentration species can be effectively accumulated in the FTICR trapped ion cell, while the more abundant species are continually removed by the application of quadrupolar excitation in the form of band-limited or “colored” noise waveforms. The result is that “room” is made in the cell for lower abundance species, even during extended accumulation periods. This approach was demonstrated with mixtures of the bovine proteins, insuli...
Second-order algorithm for the numerical integration of colored-noise problems.

A second-order algorithm for the numerical integration of colored-noise stochastic processes is presented. It goes beyond recent efforts in this direction that are really only 3/2 order. Generation of the noise for this algorithm requires the generation of two uniformly distributed random numbers at each integration step. Some of the earlier algorithms require four, or if they also only use two, they do so without requiring all cross correlations to hold up to second order as in the algorithm presented here. Several numerical results are presented that demonstrate the improvement over the well-known first-order algorithm.
Mutagenicity of cigarette smoke condensate in Neurospora crassa

Abstract The mutagenicity of cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) was investigated in Neurospora crassa in the presence and absence of S9 mix prepared from Aroclor-1254-induced rat liver. CSC from the University of Kentucky Reference Cigarette 1R1 was assayed in a forward-mutation test at the adenine-3 ( ad-3 ) region in resting conidia of 2-component heterokaryons. In the absence of S9 mix, CSC exhibited direct-acting mutagenicity. CSC was also mutagenic in the presence of S9 mix, but higher doses were required than in the absence of S9 mix. The dose range, survival curves, and mutation-induction curves were not significantly different when CSC was used in the presence of unheated or heat-inactivated S9. There was a positive association between killing and mutagenicity, and CSC killed conidia of N. crassa by a cytoplasmic, rather than by a nuclear, mechanism. The mutagenic potency of CSC was similar in a repair-sufficient and a nucleotide excision repair-deficient heterokarvon of N. crassa . CSC did not exhibit a photodynamic effect for killing, and CSC caused more killing at high pH than at low pH. In addition, CSC caused more killing at 37°C than at 25°C and also caused more killing in higher concentrations (20%) of solvent (DMSO) than in low concentrations (1%). This is the first report of the presence of potent direct-acting mutagens in CSC.
Medicinal use of cocaine: a shifting paradigm over 25 years.

Objectives/Hypothesis: Human cocaine research is predicated on data from the clinical practice of otolaryngology that are more than 25 years old and predate both the cocaine epidemic and the first reported association between cocaine use and myocardial infarction. The authors' objective was to reassess the epidemiology and toxicity of medicinal cocaine use among otolaryngologists and to compare current trends in usage and safety data with previously reported data. Study Design: An anonymous closed-question survey replicating the methodology of a previous study was used. Methods: The survey was mailed to active members of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. The survey used a closed-question format asking about the use of cocaine, safety measures taken, and adverse outcomes and included information about practice type and location. Results were compared with previously published data using a χ2 test with P < .05 considered significant. Results: In all, 7815 surveys were mailed. Four thousand seventeen otolaryngologists returned the survey, representing a 54% response rate. Of the respondents, only 50% had used cocaine in their practice during the previous year. Physicians who had been in practice for less than 10 years were less likely to have used cocaine than those who had been in practice for more than 10 years (78% vs. 93% [P < .001]). Compared with the data reported in 1977, fewer physicians reported ever using cocaine in their practice (88% vs. 92% [P < .001]), fewer physicians had used cocaine in their practice at any time in the previous 10 years (68% vs. 92% [P < .001]), and a greater number of adverse reactions were reported by current respondents (26% vs. 22% [P < .001]). Tachycardia and hypertension were the most commonly reported adverse effects. Other important adverse events included 14 deaths, survivable cardiac arrest, ventricular tachycardia, and seizures. Conclusion: The clinical use of cocaine in otolaryngology has decreased significantly in the past 25 years as a result of discontinuation of use by physicians who had previously used cocaine and an increasing number of otolaryngologists who have never used it. This decline may reflect a better understanding of its potential toxicities, problems associated with storing and dispensing of a tightly controlled substance, increased availability of safer alternative medications, or a combination of these.
A statistical analysis of exploration geochemical data for uranium

This paper describes a statistical analysis of reconnaissance exploration geochemical data for uranium. Three sets of data were analyzed, as they related to: (a) Charlotte-Winston-Salem and (b) Charlotte two-degree NTMS quadrangles of the south-eastern U.S.A. The coefficient of variation for uranium in each of the three sets of data was less than unity and hence no transformation of the original variable was needed. These data were subjected to correlogram analysis. A first-order Markovian model of the type: Y0 exp (-a |p|) was fit by the least-squares method to serial correlation coefficients of these data using the method proposed by Deming (1948). The model was tested by computing the variance-volume relationship for assumed individual blocks of unit length. The noise in the input (record) was eliminated by the application of an optimum bilateral exponential smoothing technique developed by Agterberg. A comparison of spectral density estimates obtained by a maximum entropy method employing Yule-Walker equations and the Burg algorithm was also made. The prediction error coefficients needed to determine the order of the autoregressive process and hence the spectral densities were determined in both cases for the three sets of data.
Excited-state formation as H + and He + ions scatter from metal surfaces

Impact of 10- to 30-keV ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$ or ${\mathrm{He}}^{+}$ ions on polycrystalline metal surfaces causes some projectiles to be backscattered in a neutral excited state. These projectiles subsequently radiatively decay, emitting Doppler-broadened spectral lines. By analysis of the spectral shape of these lines, we are able to determine the probability of radiationless deexcitation of the excited backscattered atoms. Quantitative measurements of spectral intensity indicate that less than 1% of all projectiles are backscattered in an excited state. The relative variation of total spectral line intensity with angle of projectile incidence and with projectile primary energy has been successfully predicted using a model which assumes that the probability for excited-state formation is independent of the scattered projectile's energy and direction. We also predict the variation in total spectral line intensity with target atomic number. Finally, we examine briefly the sputtering and excitation of Al under ${\mathrm{He}}^{+}$ impact.
Generalizing the Posterior Matching Scheme to higher dimensions via optimal transportation

This paper re-visits Shayevitz & Feder's recent ‘Posterior Matching Scheme’, an explicit, dynamical system encoder for communication with feedback that treats the message as a point on the [0,1] line and achieves capacity on memo-ryless channels. It has two key properties that ensure that it maximizes mutual information at each step: (a) the encoder sequentially hands the decoder what is missing; and (b) the next input has the desired statistics. Motivated by brain-machine interface applications and multi-antenna communications, we consider developing dynamical system feedback encoders for scenarios when the message point lies in higher dimensions. We develop a necessary and sufficient condition — the Jacobian equation — for any dynamical system encoder that maximizes mutual information. In general, there are many solutions to this equation. We connect this to the Monge-Kantorovich Optimal Transportation Problem, which provides a framework to identify a unique solution suiting a specific purpose. We provide two examplar capacity-achieving solutions — for different purposes — for the multi-antenna Gaussian channel with feedback. This insight further elucidates an interesting relationship between interactive decision theory problems and the theory of optimal transportation.
Rapid Kinetic Studies of the Light Emitting Protein Aequorin

SHIMUMURA et al.1,2 isolated from luminescent jelly fish (Aequora forskalea) a protein (aequorin) which on addition of Ca2+ emits light. In contrast to other bioluminescent compounds, aequorin luminescence requires neither oxygen nor FMNH2, ATP nor long chain aldehydes, but only Ca2+. Recently, other bioluminescent proteins reacting only with Ca2+ have been isolated and termed Ca2+-activated photoproteins3,4. Since the intensity of the emitted light varies with the Ca2+ concentration, aequorin and related proteins can serve as useful tools for detecting small changes in Ca2+ concentration in biological systems5,6. Little is known, however, about the mechanism of this reaction. Since light emission from aequorin occurs within a few milliseconds of rapid mixing with Ca2+, kinetic studies are possible only with rapid mixing instruments, stopped and continuous flow. Hastings et al. studied the kinetics of aequorin using stopped flow and double stopped flow apparatuses7. Because both have a dead time of about 2 ms, which is in the same range as the rise time of the light emission from aequorin, they were unable to establish a Ca2+ dependence for the rate of rise of the light emission. Ca2+ dependence of this rate might be very important for delineation of the reaction mechanism.
Physical algebras in four dimensions. I. The Clifford algebra in Minkowski spacetime

This paper provides a compact, unified framework for the description of physical fields in spacetime. We combine features of the traditional vector, matrix, tensor, spinor, quaternion, and dyadic methods into a simple easy-to-use scheme. The field description is both matrix free and coordinate free. This construction is achieved by using the differential forms of Minkowski spacetime to realize a Clifford algebra of dimension 16. We should note that this algebra is distinct from either the algebra of Dirac matrices, or the algebra of the Majorana matrices. A novel characteristic of the algebraic structure is that an inverse, and consequently division by a vector or an antisymmetric tensor field of any rank, is perfectly well defined. Products and inverses of all antisymmetric tensor fields in spacetime are worked out in terms of the usual vector notation. Among useful features of this scheme is the description of duals as products by a basis element. Moreover, this field description is intrinsically Lorentz covariant, and the algebraic product preserves the covariance. Many examples are given in order to illustrate the practical value of the formalism presented herein.
Three-dimensional graphic analysis for studies of neural disorders of movement

The analysis of human motion can be advanced by analyzing motion, not only numerically, but also graphically. We present a system for the three-dimensional graphical analysis of human motion. The system involves the integrated operation of an image acquisition unit, a robot arm for 3-D target presentation, an image reconstruction unit, graphic analysis, and animation software. A five degree of freedom robot arm is used to present single targets or target trajectories for subjects to track. All the locations are software generated based on mathematical formulation of the desired sectoring of space. Two optoelectronic cameras are used to directly sense the positions of the diodes. Three-dimensional trajectories of each point are computed from the two sets of 2-D images. The 3-D trajectories of the robot and of the subject are reconstructed and displayed on a Silicon Graphics Iris Workstation. A variety of programs display kinematic features of the hand and joint trajectories synchronized with reconstructed images of the three-dimensional trajectory paths of individual limb segments. The user has real-time interactive control over the viewing angle, size, and screen position of the limb trajectories. Image representing all 3-D target and finger positions and scatterplots of target and finger distance, azimuth, and elevation from the shoulder can also be presented. Finally, software was developed to display the reconstructed motion of the arm by representing the various segments of the arm as surfaced cylinders. Effects of light source, shading and shadowing are used for calculations of brightness over the surface of the various cylinders. The end points of each cylinder are determined by the 3-D locations of infrared diodes which were attached to the subject's limb segments. The arm is animated to reproduce the velocity patterns inherent in the digital trajectory records. There are various interactive options for viewing the moving image of the arm together with representations of the trajectories of the individual joints.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Multiple Pathways to Induction of Virus-Induced Autoimmune Demyelination: Lessons from Theiler's Virus Infection

Infection of SJL mice with wild-type BeAn strain of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) leads to CD4+T cell-mediated CNS demyelination characterized by the development of anti-myelin epitope autoimmune responses via epitope spreading during the chronic stage of disease. To exmine the feasibility of virus-encoded mimic epitopes to initiate CNS autoimmunity, we recently developed a molecular mimicry model of virus-induced demyelinating disease wherein a non-pathogenic variant strain of TMEV was engineered to encode a 30-mer peptide encompassing the immunodominant myelin proteolipid protein, PLP139–151, epitope. SJL mice infected intracerebrally with TMEV encoding either the native PLP139–151 determinant or various peptide mimics of the epitope develop an early onset demyelinating disease mediated by activated PLP139–151-specific Th1 cells. The autoimmune nature of this early-onset demyelinating disease is shown by the fact that induction of tolerance to the PLP139–151 peptide prevents clinical disease and associated PLP139–151-specific T cell responses without affecting T cell reactivity to virus epitopes. Most significantly, TMEV encoding a molecular mimic peptide derived from the Haemophilus influenzae bacteria, homologous at only six out of thirteen of the core amino acids, led to CNS disease. These studies provide conclusive evidence that virus-induced myelin-specific autoreactive T cells can be induced by molecular mimicry and provide a useful model to study the disease inducing ability of viruses encoding human-disease-related mimicry peptides.
Improving the recognition of near-miss events on NASA missions

Organizations that ignore near-miss data may be inappropriately rewarding risky behavior. If managers engage in risky behavior and succeed, research shows that these managers are likely to be promoted without close scrutiny of their risky decisions, even if the success is because of good fortune [1]. Over time such risk taking compounds as similar near-misses are repeatedly observed and the ability to recognize anomalies and document the events decreases (i.e., normalization of deviance [2,3]). History from the shuttle program shows that only the occasional large failure increases attention to anomalies again. This research demonstrates the presence of normalization of deviance in NASA missions and also examines a factor (the significance of the project) that may increase people's awareness of near-misses to counter this trend. Increasing awareness of chance success should increase the likelihood that significant learning can occur from the mission regardless of outcome. We conclude with prescriptions for project managers based on several on-going activities at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) to improve organizational learning. We discuss how these efforts can contribute to reducing near-miss bias and the normalization of deviance. This research should help organizations design learning processes that draw lessons from near-misses.
Testing Social Support Theory: A Multilevel Analysis of Recidivism

Abstract Purpose Tests of social support theory have relied on aggregate crime rates as the outcome of interest, but such a focus ignores the potentially important macro-level processes and effects on individual-level behavior We thus perform the first multi-level investigation of social support theory. Methods Multilevel modeling is used to explore whether the two varieties of county-level social support – the presence of charitable organizations and AFDC expenditures – are associated with recidivism in a sample of Florida prison releasees. Results Results show that while social support explains little variation in individual-level recidivism, a combination of private and public social support may reduce the likelihood of reconviction for drug offenses. Conclusion Findings provide mixed evidence for the prospect that social support—whether governmental or nongovernmental—is associated with recidivism among recently-released inmates.
Special Issue on Emerging Nanoscale Architectures for Hardware Security, Trust, and Reliability: Part 1

There is an increasing concern involving the security, trust, and reliability of the hardware underlying the information systems on which modern society is reliant for mission-critical and safety-critical functions. Secure, trustworthy and reliable hardware components, and platforms and supply chains are vital to all domains, including financial, healthcare, transportation, energy, and the national defense. Traditionally, authenticity, integrity, and confidentiality of information were being protected with security protocols in software with the underlying hardware assumed to be secure, trustworthy, and reliable. However, this assumption is no longer true with an increasing number of attacks being reported on the hardware root of trust. Whereas security, trust, and reliability risks are better understood in software, understanding and addressing threats to the hardware root of trust are a critical emerging challenge and the focus of this special issue.
Social Cognitive Training for Schizophrenia: A Meta-Analytic Investigation of Controlled Research

A wealth of evidence has revealed that deficits in social cognitive skills (including facial affect recognition (FAR), social cue perception, Theory of Mind (ToM), and attributional style) are evident in schizophrenia and are linked to a variety of domains of functional outcome. In light of these associations, a growing number of studies have attempted to ameliorate these deficits as a means of improving outcome in the disorder through the use of structured behavioral training. This study used quantitative methods of meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of behavioral training programs designed to improve social cognitive function. A total of 19 studies consisting of 692 clients were aggregated from relevant databases. Outcome measures were organized according to whether they were social cognitive tests proximal to the intervention or whether they represented measures of treatment generalization (symptoms, observer-rated community, and institutional function). With respect to social cognitive measures, weighted effect-size analysis revealed that there were moderate-large effects of social cognitive training procedures on FAR (identification, d = 0.71 and discrimination, d = 1.01) and small-moderate effects of training on ToM (d = 0.46), while effects on social cue perception and attributional style were not significant. For measures of generalization, weighted effect-size analysis revealed that there were moderate-large effect on total symptoms (d = 0.68) and observer-rated community and institutional function (d = 0.78). Effects of social cognitive training programs on positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia were nonsignificant. Moderating variables and implications for future research and treatment development are discussed.
Effects of Calcium and Phosphorus Levels on Egg Weight and Egg Shell Quality in Laying Hens

Abstract Fourteen hundred caged Leghorn hens were fed 10 dietary treatments formulated at three constant calcium levels, 2.75, 3.75, and 4.75%, and two variable levels, decreasing from 3.75 to 2.75% and increasing from 3.75 to 4.75%, each in .25% steps each 8 wks, with each calcium treatment fed at two phosphorus levels, .35 and .45% available or .56 and .65% total, from 28 weeks to 64 weeks of age. Egg weight was highly significant and inversely related to the dietary calcium level; 1% additional calcium depressed egg weight approximately .4 g. Egg shell weight, shell weight per unit surface area (SWUSA), and specific gravity were highly significantly related to dietary calcium level. SWUSA and specific gravity were significantly inversely related to the phosphorus level. Increases of 1% dietary calcium increased shell weight approximately .05 g, SWUSA 1.25 mg, and specific gravity .0013. Egg production and feed efficiency were not significantly affected by any treatment. It appears feasible to lower calcium levels during the early months of production to maximize early egg weight and then increase the calcium levels as the hen ages to maximize shell quality by increasing shell weight while limiting egg weight increase. Excess dietary phosphorus should be avoided for highest shell quality.