cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association of Diffusion of Information and Communications Technology and Terrorism

Despite the burgeoning literature on the association of the flow of information and terrorism, it has been difficult to establish a convincing relationship between the information and communications technology and terrorism (See Deibert and Stein 2002; Weimann 2004; Stenersen 2008; Jacobson 2010; Theohary 2011). Using data for 199 countries from 1970 to 2014, Mahmood and Jetter (2020) find that the level of communications technology (CT) and terrorism follow inverted U shape, by terrorism first being more attractive with a rise CT, but then decreases. The authors poses predictions on terrorism peaking at the intermediate level of CT and corresponding magnitudes are sizable. This paper replicates the authors findings and provide modest extensions, examining the underlying assumptions on data, methodology, and theory.
Classifying Alzheimer's Disease Using Audio and Text-Based Representations of Speech

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a form of dementia that affects the memory, cognition, and motor skills of patients. Extensive research has been done to develop accessible, cost-effective, and non-invasive techniques for the automatic detection of AD. Previous research has shown that speech can be used to distinguish between healthy patients and afflicted patients. In this paper, the ADReSS dataset, a dataset balanced by gender and age, was used to automatically classify AD from spontaneous speech. The performance of five classifiers, as well as a convolutional neural network and long short-term memory network, was compared when trained on audio features (i-vectors and x-vectors) and text features (word vectors, BERT embeddings, LIWC features, and CLAN features). The same audio and text features were used to train five regression models to predict the Mini-Mental State Examination score for each patient, a score that has a maximum value of 30. The top-performing classification models were the support vector machine and random forest classifiers trained on BERT embeddings, which both achieved an accuracy of 85.4% on the test set. The best-performing regression model was the gradient boosting regression model trained on BERT embeddings and CLAN features, which had a root mean squared error of 4.56 on the test set. The performance on both tasks illustrates the feasibility of using speech to classify AD and predict neuropsychological scores.
Evaluation of the AARP Driver Safety Program in Florida

Older drivers are the fastest growing group of drivers on the road in the United States, both in terms of the number of drivers and annual mileage; also, per-mile-driven, this group has a crash rate nearly equivalent to that of younger drivers. One approach to reducing crash risk in this population has been educational programs aimed at improving driving skills and/or changing driving behaviors. This retrospective cohort study describes the impact of the AARP Driver Safety Program (DSP) in Florida on motor vehicle collisions and violations.
Abdominal Symptoms Are Common and Benefit from Biofeedback Therapy in Patients with Dyssynergic Defecation

Abdominal Symptoms Are Common and Benefit from Biofeedback Therapy in Patients with Dyssynergic Defecation
Interaction of Low Density Lipoproteins with Small and Large Molecules

The metabolic fate and the biological functions of a molecule depend primarily on the interactions it may undergo in the physiological milieu. The plasma concentration of LDL, for example, will depend on its interactions with lipolytic and other enzymes as well as with certain cells. In the plasma compartment, LDL may have a role in carrying certain metal ions, free fatty acids, drugs, and other substances. Within arterial tissue, interaction with connective tissue components may be the initial reaction in atherogenesis. Studies on the interaction of LDL with agents as mentioned above are thus directly relevant to the understanding of the biological role of LDL.
Who Uses Prepared Foods? Psychographic and Demographic Correlates

Consumption of prepared foods is increasing dramatically. A more harried lifestyle, the changing role of women --and men, the advancement of household appliances, and improvements in food processing technology have all played significant roles in this increase. This study identifies prepared food users and non-users and compares their psychographic and demographic profiles. Study results are presented and implications drawn from the results are discussed.
Chaeronea, battle of

The battle of Chaeronea (in Boiotia) was fought between Philip II of Macedon and a coalition of Greek forces, including Athenians and Thebans, in August 338 bce. Keywords: Greek history; military history
New trends in photobiology

Abstract The photodynamic therapy (PDT) of tumors involves illumination of the tumorous area following the administration of a tumor-localizing photodynamic sensitizer. Hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) and Photofrin II (a purified form of HPD), the main sensitizers used clinically for PDT to date, are complex mixtures of porphyrins; furthermore, these preparations absorb light very poorly in the red region of the spectrum (wavelengths greater than 600 nm) where light penetration into mammalian tissues is greatest. Thus there is considerable interest in identifying new sensitizers that localize more effectively in tumors, absorb more strongly at longer wavelengths and can be prepared in high purity. Much of this interest has been directed towards chlorins (reduced porphyrins), which typically absorb strongly in the red. This review summarizes research that has been carried out on selected types of chlorins, some of which may have important applications as sensitizers for PDT.
Machine learning for natural language processing (and vice versa

Over the past 10-15 years, the influence of methods from machine learning has transformed the way that research is done in the field of natural language processing. This talk will begin by covering the history of this transformation. In particular, learning methods have proved successful in producing stand-alone text-processing components to handle a number of linguistic tasks. Moreover, these components can be combined to produce systems that exhibit shallow text-understanding capabilities: they can, for example, extract key facts from unrestricted documents in limited domains or find answers to general-purpose questions from open-domain document collections. I will briefly describe the state of the art for these practical text-processing applications, focusing on the important role that machine learning methods have played in their development. The second part of the talk will explore the role that natural language processing might play in machine learning research. Here, I will explain the kinds of text-based features that are relatively easy to incorporate into machine learning data sets. In addition, I'll outline some problems from natural language processing that require, or could at least benefit from, new machine learning algorithms.
Metabolic costs of the slideboard exercise

Bourque, Dorene M ., M.S. May, 1995 Health and Human Performance: Exercise Science Metabolic Costs of the Slideboard Exercise Director : Lewis A . Curry, Ph . D Research reports of energy costs during the slideboard exercise have varied depending on the slide rate and board length used. Only one study has investigated related variables that may account for the differences in energy costs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the metabolic costs of an athletic stance slide on 2 different board lengths with 3 different slide rates. It also investigated the influence of leg length and body weight on the oxygen costs of the exercise. Fifteen females and nine males (ages 19—46) performed an athletic stance slide for four minutes at 40 spm on a 5 ft. board. Subjects were given a minute rest and trials were repeated in the same manner at 50 and 60 spm. After a four minute break, subjects repeated the same procedure on a 6 ft. board. Volume of oxygen (VOe), heart rate (HR), ventilation (V^) and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) recorded during the fourth minute was used in the analysis. A 2 X 3 repeated measures ANOVA performed on the effect of board length and slide rate showed significant interactions (g. between the light weight and heavy weight group at 6-60. In conclusion, as slide rate and board length increase the metabolic costs increase, however the percent increase in VOe%, may be different among individuals depending on leg length and body weight. i i ACKNOyLEDGMENTS I Mould like to thank Dr. Lew Curry for his all patience and time spent on directing me through this project and for always taking time to listen and offer encouragement. I would also like to thank Dr. Brian Sharkey for encouraging me to further my investigation on this topic and for thoroughly editing this manuscript. I would like to thank Dr. Dona Boggs for her suggestions made regarding the writing of this manuscript. I would like to add special thanks to Dr. Brent Ruby for helping me run the metabolic system and the statistical analysis. Special thanks are owed to Greg Mauer of Training Camp International for providing the slideboards for this study. His advice and information was of great help. I would also like to thank the staff and members of the Lee Memorial WeiIness Center who participated in slide class and the preliminary testing. Many thanks are owed to all the subjects who volunteered for this study especially to the HHP graduate students who participated in the study and who helped me locate subjects. Most of all, I would like to thank my parents for all their patience, support and encouragement throughout
Robotic tactile sensor array fabricated from a piezoelectric polyvinylidene fluoride film

A robotic tactile sensor comprised of 25 discrete sensor electrodes arranged in a 5*5 grid was designed and fabricated from a piezoelectric polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film coupled to an integrated circuit (IC). Each of the 25 sensing electrodes in the IC grid were connected to metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) amplifiers which provided sufficient gain to generate usable response signal levels. Sensors fabricated from varying thicknesses of PVDF film are evaluated. The sensor based on the 25- mu m-thick PVDF film was considered to be the optimal sensor configuration, based on its bias-time performance and its linear response over the loading range tested (0/8 to 76.0 grams). There was no detectable coupling between the nearest-neighbor sensing elements in any of the sensor configurations. As a demonstration, the optimal sensor configuration is used to recognize a toroidal-shaped load. >
Crack Tip Strain—A Comparison of Finite Element Method Calculations and Moiré Measurements

The moire crack tip strain measurements made on double-edge-notched specimens loaded into the region of general yielding are compared with the finite element method (FEM) calculations. If the ratio of specimen thicknessand the total net cross-sectional width, (W-2a)/t, is equal to or more than ten, the bulk of the strain measurements agree well with the results of the plane stress calculations except in the small area close to the crack tip. The crack tip region is stiffened by the triaxial state of stress, and the deformation within the stiffened zone is less than that calculated for the plane stress model. The region affected by the crack tip stiffening extends to a distance from the crack tip equal to specimen thickness. This crack tip stiffened zone is imbedded in the characteristic plane stress zone if (W-2a)/t is larger or equal to ten.
Eating Self-Regulation in Overweight and Obese Adults: A Concept Analysis

Background Poor eating behaviors greatly influence the development of becoming overweight or obese. Learning to better self-regulate eating is one area in which individuals can positively influence their own health. Purpose The purpose of this concept analysis is to provide an in-depth analysis of the concept eating self-regulation as it pertains to overweight and obese adults using Walker and Avant's method. Results The definition for eating self-regulation formulated as a result of this concept analysis and based on the critical attributes is the ability to initiate goal-related behaviors, to consistently self-monitor dietary intake, to regularly apply willpower to resist temptations, to self-evaluate where one stands in relationship to goal attainment, and finally to maintain motivation to positively change eating behaviors. Cognitive restraint, moderation, mindfulness, disinhibition, delayed gratification, emotions and moods, self-efficacy, social support, the environment, and physical activity are the antecedents that may influence eating self-regulation. Conclusion Examining an individual's weight, body mass index, lipid levels, or blood pressure are some ways to determine if self-regulation of eating behavior is achieved. With a consistent definition of self-regulation and a better understanding of the critical factors that influence eating behaviors, research can better explore how to help individuals change their eating behaviors more effectively.
Progesterone Inhibition of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels is a Potential Neuroprotective Mechanism against Excitotoxicity

The therapeutic use of progesterone following traumatic brain injury has recently entered phase III clinical trials as a means of neuroprotection. Although it has been hypothesized that progesterone protects against calcium overload following excitotoxic shock, the exact mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of progesterone have yet to be determined. We found that therapeutic concentrations of progesterone to be neuroprotective against depolarization-induced excitotoxicity in cultured striatal neurons. Through use of calcium imaging, electrophysiology and the measurement of changes in activity-dependent gene expression, progesterone was found to block calcium entry through voltage-gated calcium channels, leading to alterations in the signaling of the activity-dependent transcription factors NFAT and CREB. The effects of progesterone were highly specific to this steroid hormone, although they did not appear to be receptor mediated. In addition, progesterone did not inhibit AMPA or NMDA receptor signaling. This analysis regarding the effect of progesterone on calcium signaling provides both a putative mechanism by which progesterone acts as a neuroprotectant, as well as affords a greater appreciation for its potential far-reaching effects on cellular function.
In vivo and in vitro degradatation of monofilament absorbable sutures, PDS® and Maxon®

Two new absorbable monofilament suture materials polydioxanone and Maxon are being employed increasingly in abdominal surgery because of increased strength retention and decreased tissue reactivity compared with previously available materials. As part of our investigation of the behaviour of suture materials, 3-0 sutures of polydioxanone and Maxon were enclosed in nylon pouches, a technique developed for in vivo experiments to prevent cellular interaction with implanted devices. The pouched sutures were gas sterilized, then implanted in either the extrafascial space or peritoneal cavity for periods of 1-5 wk. Sterilized sutures were also incubated in Ringer's lactate at 37 degrees C. Tensile strength of the exposed sutures was measured. For a given suture material and duration of incubation, there was no significant difference in tensile strength degradation among the three test environments. Although the strength of unexposed Maxon is greater than that of polydioxanone, the residual strength of Maxon decreases more rapidly in use, so that, after 2 wk, the strength of polydioxanone is greater. Scanning electron microscope examination of the suture surfaces reveals that polydioxanone develops surface crazing with time, whereas the surface morphology of Maxon remains relatively unaltered.
Non-Rutherford elastic scattering in fluorine

Abstract Nuclear scattering of protons by light elements may give rise to cross sections that are significantly greater than Rutherford scattering. We present graphical and tabular cross section data for proton scattering from fluorine for proton energies of 0.85 MeV to 1.01 MeV (ΘLAB = 165°) and 1.00 MeV to 1.875 MeV (ΘLAB = 153°).
The first factor extracted is an unreliable estimate of spearman's “g”: The case of discrimination reaction time

Eysenck (1988) based a conclusion about the nature of general intelligence on the size of loadings of a psychomotor test of discrimination reaction time on the first factor extracted from six 8 × 8 matrices in which a 9th test was inserted in each matrix in turn. Tests in the 8 × 8 matrices were almost entirely measures of visual perceptual speed, spatial visualization, and spatial orientation. Loadings on the first factor extracted from any matrix are heavily dependent on the tests included in the R-matrix and can be used as estimates of Spearman's “g” only when test selection is representative of the tests' loadings on a general factor determined by the intercorrelations of group factors lower in the hierarchy. The first factor loadings of the discrimination reaction time test are a combination of a moderate loading on Spearman's “g” and a substantial loading on a visual-spatial group factor. The fundamental property of general intelligence revealed by this pattern of loadings is its generality.
Efficacy of routine bilateral neck dissection in the management of supraglottic cancer

OBJECTIVE: In a previous study, we reported that the contralateral undissected neck was the most common site of failure in patients treated for squa-mous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx. Since then, we have altered our treatment of all patients with T2-T4 supraglottic cancer and selective T1 cases to include routine bilateral neck dissection. In the present study, we compare the long-term efficacy of routine bilateral neck dissections to historic controls in the treatment of patients with supraglottic cancer.STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective chart review on all patients undergoing primary surgery for supraglottic carcinoma between 1989 and 2000 was performed. All had undergone routine bilateral neck dissection. The most proximal area of recurrent disease was identified as the site of recurrence. Rates of recurrence, 2-year overall survival, and 2-year disease-specific survival were calculated. Results were compared to historical data using Fisher's exact test.RESULTS: Of 180 patients ide...
Minimum graphs with complete k-closure

The k-closure of a graph G, as defined by Bondy and Chvatal, is the graph obtained from G by recursively joining pairs of nonadjacent vertices with degree-sum at least k. We determine the number of edges necessary for the k-closure of a graph to be complete.
Intergenerational learning at a nature center: families using prior experiences and participation frameworks to understand raptors

Using a sociocultural framework to approach intergenerational learning, this inquiry examines learning processes used by families during visits to one nature center. Data were collected from videotaped observations of families participating in an environmental education program and a follow-up task to draw the habitat of raptors. Based on a thematic analysis, researchers developed two themes about the learning processes at play in the nature center, related to the use of prior knowledge. First, families’ prior knowledge used at the nature center came from informal education activities: (a) observation in the outdoors and spaces designed to represent an aspect of nature, (b) media (including books and Internet), and (c) experiences at informal education institutions. Second, when sharing prior knowledge, participation frameworks were created through the conversation that leveled the hierarchy between parent and child allowing for negotiation and collaborative idea formation. In the nature center, families ...
UCS effects on ulceration following fear conditioning

Six groups of animals were given fear conditioning trials while immobilized. Conditioning was at three levels of UCS intensity (.5 mA, 1.5 mA and 2.5 mA) and two lengths of duration (.25 sec and.75 sec). Ulceration rate increased as a function of increasing UCS intensity but not UCS duration.
Exothermal Water Release from Pseudoboehmite Gels and Their Mechanically Treated Analogs Caused by Activated Hydrogen

Exothermal differential thermal analysis (DTA) effects for water release have been observed both for mechanically activated alumina gels, which may contain residual nitrate, and for strongly amorphisized AlO(OH) gels at comparably low temperatures (150−350 °C) under hydrogen. The observations are based on an investigation combining thermal analysis (TA), on-line coupled to mass spectrometry (MS), with ESR spectroscopy. This allowed the identification and quantification of trapped NO2 molecules as well as to follow the mechanically and thermally induced changes of the Al−O−H matrix via the contained (or doped) Fe3+ impurities. The appearance of the exothermal DTA effects is related not only to a strong mechanical activation and the access of hydrogen during the thermal treatment but also to the interaction of hydrogen with metallic platinum, for exampel, as crucible material or as metal powder. This interaction is discussed to be the origin of the chain start of the radical reaction between H2 and NO2 yiel...
Distribution of acetylcholine, choline, choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase in regions and single identified axons of the lobster nervous system.

— Acetylcholine, its precursor (choline), and the enzymes of its biosynthesis and degradation (choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase, respectively) have been studied and quantified in extracts of several regions of the nervous system of the lobster and in single, isolated axons of identified efferent excitatory, efferent inhibitory and afferent sensory neurons. The choline acetyltransferase is a soluble enzyme similar to that from other species. The predominant acetylcholine-hydrolysing enzyme is largely membrane-bound and has been characterized as a specific acetylcholinesterase. A single peak of acetylcholinesterase activity can be detected upon velocity sedimentation analysis of Triton X-100-treated extracts of all regions of the nervous system. Choline acetyltransferase distribution parallels that of sensory neural elements, and its specific activity shows nearly a 500-fold difference from the richest to the poorest neural source. Acetylcholinesterase levels span only a 23-fold range, and activity is found in all neural regions, including those free of known sensory components. A radiochemical microassay for choline and acetylcholine in the range of 20–2000 pmol is described in detail. All 3 types of axons contain comparable levels of choline (ca. 2 pmol/μg protein), but acetylcholine is asymmetrically distributed. Efferent axons contain no detectable acetylcholine, while sensory axons from abdominal muscle receptor organs have an average of 1·9 pmol/μg protein. Choline acetyltransferase is similarly distributed; sensory axons show at least 500-fold greater activity than efferent axons. Acetylcholinesterase is nearly uniformly distributed among the three types of fibres. These results are discussed in terms of a general view of transmitter accumulation in single neurons.
Nonlinear Meson Theory of Nuclear Forces. I. Neutral Scalar Mesons with Point-Contact Repulsion

This paper develops an attempt to account for nuclear saturation and shell structure in terms of manybody forces that are derived from mesons that obey a nonlinear wave equation. Classical field theory is used, and in some cases the practical difficulties of obtaining numerical answers are reduced by employing a variation method. Apart from a cutoff, which appears in this particular form of the theory but could be eliminated, there are two parameters in the theory; they can be chosen so that nuclear matter has a stable density equal to the observed value, and a variational binding energy equal to 42 percent of the observed value, thus approximately accounting for saturation. The two-nucleon interaction has the observed order of magnitude in empty space, and is greatly reduced within nuclei. This suppression of two-body interactions in favor of the interaction of each nucleon with the average nucleon density in heavy nuclei may account for the independent-particle model and hence for shell structure. Although the theory does not account for magnetic moments, it indicates that a more realistic version (for example, a nonlinear pseudoscalar theory) may predict a reduction of the anomalous magnetic moments of nucleons within nuclei. According to a recent suggestion of Bloch, this could account for the deviations of the magnetic moments of even-odd nuclei from the Schmidt lines. The nonlinearity also has the consequence that mesons are scattered from nuclei as though by a strong repulsive potential. The relation of this effect to current observations on interactions between mesons and nuclei is briefly discussed.
Isolation, Genomic Structure, and Expression of Human Erythroid Krüppel-Like Factor (EKLF)

ABSTRACT Erythroid Kruppel-like factor (EKLF) is an essential transcriptional activator that directs high-level expression of the adult β-globin promoter by binding to its CACCC element, one of a t...
Temperature-programmed studies of the adsorption of synthesis gas on zirconium dioxide

Abstract The adsorption and reaction of CO and H2 on ZrO2 were studied by the temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and decomposition (TPDE) techniques. A distinctive temperature distribution pattern was found for multiple TPD and TPDE products of the CO/H2/ZrO2 system. Carbonate, bicarbonate, formate, and methoxide intermediates were postulated to form from CO and H2. Carbon dioxide, HCOOH, and CH3OH were also used as chemical probes in TPD/TPDE studies to verify both the temperature distribution patterns and the decomposition patterns of surface intermediates. Labeling experiments were conducted to reveal the role of surface OH groups on ZrO2. A mechanism for CO/H2 interaction on the surface of ZrO2 is proposed.
Physiological, subjective and reinforcing effects of oral and intravenous cocaine in humans

Rationale: There is little comparative infor- mation on the qualitative similarity, relative potency and reinforcing effects of oral cocaine versus cocaine admin- istered via other routes. Methods: The present study used a within-subject, double-blind, double-dummy design to compare the physiological, subjective and reinforcing ef- fects of placebo and oral (62.5, 125, 250 mg/70 kg) and intravenous (IV) (12.5, 25, 50 mg/70 kg) cocaine in vol- unteers with histories of cocaine abuse. Results: Cocaine produced dose-dependent increases on heart rate and blood pressure, with effects lasting longer after oral than IV cocaine. Subjective ratings (e.g., "rush," "drug ef- fect," "liking") were qualitatively similar and dose-de- pendently increased after oral and IV administration, and the duration of effects was similar under both routes. On a money versus drug choice measure of reinforcement, the monetary amounts at which participants chose drug over money increased as a function of cocaine dose un- der both routes of administration. At doses that produced comparable subjective, physiological, and reinforcing ef- fects, oral cocaine was not identified as cocaine as fre- quently as IV cocaine. Across measures, the data sug- gested that IV cocaine was approximately 10 times more potent than oral cocaine. Conclusions: Overall, the re- sults of this study support qualitatively similar effects of oral and IV cocaine and suggest that oral cocaine may be an effective tool for studying cocaine's effects in human laboratory studies.
Domestic Diversity and Foreign Policy Making in Canada

The World in Canada: Diaspora, Demography, and Domestic Politics. Edited by David Carment, David Bercuson. Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press, 2008. 256 pp., $29.95 paperback (ISBN-13: 978-0-7735-3297-7). This is a very interesting and useful collection of essays that summarizes research on the influence of changing demography and domestic interests on the foreign policy making processes in Canada. At the same time, it identifies the key questions for future research in this important area. The editors identify three potentially critical independent variables that influence Canadian foreign policy and provide the raison d’etre for the volume: (1) changes in the ethnic mosaic in Canada; (2) government responsiveness to demographic changes; (3) influences derived from domestic politics. Each of the 10 chapters (plus the introduction and conclusion) responds to one or more of the three basic questions posed in the book about the influence of these variables on foreign policy making. If we had …
Ion beam alignment for liquid crystal display fabrication

The ability to align liquid crystals to a substrate is a critical step in the liquid crystal display (LCD) manufacturing process with the industry standard technique employing a mechanical rubbing technique to accomplish this function. However, mechanical rubbing can result in debris generation contaminating not only the substrate being processed but also the clean room housing the equipment. As such, post-cleaning of the display panels is required to remove the debris from the surface in addition to the physical isolation of the mechanical rubbing equipment within the clean room environment introducing considerable time and expense. In addition, uneven wear of the mechanical roller during the rubbing process may result in localized defects that will not be observed until final inspection of a completely assembled display. We have developed and introduced into LCD manufacturing a non-contact alignment technique utilizing both diamond-like carbon (DLC) and a low energy ion beam (IB). The replacement of the polyimide alignment layer with DLC results in a completely dry processing technique for both the thin film deposition and alignment steps.
Characterization of a Rapidly Solidified Iron-Based Superalloy

Rapidly-solidified powders of an iron-based superalloy were characterized before and after consolidation by hot isostatic pressing. Powders made by inert gas atomization were compared to powders made by centrifugal atomization. Although many of the powder characteristics were similar, the microstructures were not. The inert gas atomized powder structure is cellular while the centrifugally atomized powder structure is dendritic. In general the finer powder particles have the finer micro-structure with the effect more noticeable in centrifugally atomized powders. After consolidation, the differences in microstructure are more dependent on the consolidation temperature and post-consolidation heat treatment than in the powder type or size. Higher consolidation temperatures and/or post-consolidation heat treatment will result in transformation of the as-solidified microstructures. The transformed microstructure and the mechanical properties can in some cases be related to the as-solidified structure. Heat treatment is needed to obtain mechanical properties equivalent to those of ingot metallurgy processed material.
Jarosite, argon diffusion, and dating aqueous mineralization on Earth and Mars

Abstract Jarosite 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages can be used to date surface processes such as weathering and environmental transitions (i.e. aridification) on Earth and Mars. To better interpret jarosite ages from a thermochronological perspective, the diffusion kinetics of argon in jarosite were determined. Incremental fractional loss measurements indicate an activation energy (E) of 37.8 ± 1.5 kcal/mol and a log D o /a 2 of 5.68 ± 0.63 s − 1 corresponding to a closure temperature of 143 ± 28 °C, assuming a cooling rate 100 °C/Ma. Downward extrapolation of these parameters to Martian surface temperatures (≤ 22 °C) predicts 40 Ar/ 39 Ar age spectra using the least retentive E, D o /a 2 pairs predict that if held at 22 °C or less for 4.0 Ga, supergene jarosite would preserve original growth ages manifest as plateau ages consisting of > 95% of the gas release. Because of its susceptibility to mineralogical breakdown, 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages on preserved Martian jarosite will reflect the time since water was present at a location that has since undergone aridification and remained hydrologically inactive and thermally quiescent.
Ionic bases of action potentials in identified flatworm neurones

The ionic bases for generation of action potentials in three types of identified multimodal neurones of the brain ofNotoplana acticola, a polyclad flatworm, were studied. The action potentials were generated spontaneously, in response to water-borne vibrations, or by intracellularly injected current pulses. At least three components comprise the depolarizing excitable phase of the action potentials: (a) a rapidly inactivating TTXsensitive Na+ component (Fig. 2); (b) a Ca++ component that is unmasked by intracellular TEA+ (Figs. 4, 6, 7); (c) a TTX-resistant Na+ component (Fig. 8). Two K+ currents appear to account for the repolarization phase of the action potentials: (a) a rapid K+ current that is blocked by intracellular TEA+ (Figs. 4, 7, 8) and (b) a Ca++ -activated K+ conductance that is blocked by Ca++ and Ba++ (Fig. 6). Ionic mechanisms in the generation of action potentials in the central multimodal neurones ofNotoplana pharmacologically resemble those in higher metazoans.
Successful Bridge to Transplant Using the Berlin Heart Left Ventricular Assist Device in a 3-Month-Old Infant

The EXCOR Berlin Heart (Berlin Heart, Berlin, Germany) was successfully used as a pediatric left ventricular assist device as a bridge to cardiac transplantation. The pneumatically driven paracorporeal device successfully supported a 7 kg patient for 53 days until a suitable heart was obtained for transplantation.
Introductory bioinformatics exercises utilizing hemoglobin and chymotrypsin to reinforce the protein sequence‐structure–function relationship

We describe two bioinformatics exercises intended for use in a computer laboratory setting in an upper-level undergraduate biochemistry course. To introduce students to bioinformatics, the exercises incorporate several commonly used bioinformatics tools, including BLAST, that are freely available online. The exercises build upon the students' background knowledge of hemoglobin and chymotrypsin, and foster a better understanding of how protein sequence relates to structure and function.
Multiphoton optical heterodyne detection

After reviewing recent work on multiphoton direct detection and single-photon heterodyne detection, we examine the behavior of a multiphoton absorption heterodyne receiver. Expressions are obtained for the detector response, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and minimum detectable power for a number of cases of interest. Receiver performance is found to depend on the higher order correlation functions of the radiation field and on the local oscillator (LO) irradiance. Although performance similar to that of the single-photon heterodyne receiver can theoretically be achieved, practical problems would appear to make this difficult. A physical interpretation of the process in terms of the absorption of monochromatic and nonmonochromatic photons is given. The double-quantum case is treated in particular detail; the results of a preliminary experiment are presented and suggestions for future experiments are provided.
Effects of adenosine infusion on renal function, plasma ANP and ADH concentrations and central hemodynamics in anesthetized pigs

Abstract 1. 1. The effect of high-dose adenosine administration on atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and antidiuretic hormone (ADH) release is not completely understood, and data concerning the effect of adenosine on renal and systemic hemodynamics in the pig are lacking. Measurements of central hemodynamics, renal blood flow and urine production were made in anesthetized pigs during infusion of adenosine. The relationship between these parameters and the plasma concentrations of ANP, ADH and renal renin production was examined. 2. 2. Adenosine infusion at the rate of 140 mg/kg per minute resulted in a significant decrease in systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure as well as pulmonary arterial pressure. However, cardiac output and renal blood flow remained unchanged during adenosine infusion. Likewise, heart rate remained unchanged until the end of infusion when it increased significantly. Plasma ANP and ADH concentrations increased significantly within 30 min after adenosine infusion, reaching peak levels at 30 to 60 min. However, despite the significant decrease in arterial blood pressure, renal renin production did not change significantly. 3. 3. The adenosine-induced rise in ANP, which is normally released by atrial stretch, may represent a direct effect of adenosine on the cardiac myocytes. The increase in ADH may be a result of decreased arterial blood pressure triggering stimulatory signals from the aortic arch and carotid body receptors to hypothalamic-pituitary sites of ADH production/release. Urine flow decreased dramatically within 30 min of adenosine infusion. Thus adenosine infusion at the given rate led to marked reduction in systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures without significant change in cardiac output, heart rate and renal blood flow. This was associated with a marked increase in plasma ANP and ADH levels with no significant change in renal renin production despite a marked reduction in arterial blood pressure. 4. 4. Maintenance of renal blood flow despite marked reduction in perfusion pressure suggests that, at high doses, adenosine induces renal vasodilation in pigs as opposed to a combined afferent and efferent vasoconstriction known to occur under different experimental conditions.
Plasma volume expansion in early pregnancy.

Objective: To determine the time course of plasma volume expansion in early pregnancy. Methods: We prospectively measured plasma volume by Evans blue dye dilution during the menstrual (cycle day 2–3), follicular (cycle day 9–10), and luteal phases (cycle day urinary leutinizing hormone [LH] surge plus 9–10) of the menstrual cycle and at three additional time points (LH surge + 16 days, LH surge + 28 days, and LH surge + 70 days) in women achieving pregnancy. Twenty-one subjects were examined during 38 menstrual cycles to establish baseline menstrual cycle data. Ten subjects conceived within 1 year of menstrual cycle studies. All ten pregnancies were viable and reached the third trimester. Analyses used repeated-measures analysis of variance with P < .05 accepted for significance. Results: Mean plasma volume was found to change significantly across the period of observation (P < .008) in those who conceived. Plasma volume at LH surge + 70 days (12 menstrual weeks, 2320 ± 280 mL) was greater than either menstrual cycle estimates or early pregnancy estimates of plasma volume. There was no difference in plasma volume at LH surge + 16 days (2077 ± 288 mL) or LH surge + 28 days (2010 ± 271 mL) compared with menstrual cycle measurements during the menstrual phase (2156 ± 292 mL), follicular phase (2036 ± 280 mL), and luteal phase (2120 ± 425 mL). There was no significant difference between those who conceived and those who did not in their mean menstrual cycle plasma volume. Conclusion: Plasma volume expansion in early human pregnancy cannot be identified until after the sixth menstrual week. By 12 menstrual weeks, plasma volume has expanded by approximately 14% ± 12% (mean ± SD) over follicular phase measurements.
Minimization over randomly selected lines

This paper presents a population-based evolutionary optimization method for minimizing a given cost function. The mutation operator of this method selects randomly oriented lines in the cost function domain, constructs quadratic functions interpolating the cost function at three different points over each line, and uses extrema of the quadratics as mutated points. The crossover operator modifies each mutated point based on components of two points in population, instead of one point as is usually performed in other evolutionary algorithms. The stopping criterion of this method depends on the number of almost degenerate quadratics. We demonstrate that the proposed method with these mutation and crossover operations achieves faster and more robust convergence than the well-known Differential Evolution and Particle Swarm algorithms.
Capacity and price setting for dispersed, time-sensitive customer segments

Abstract We consider joint pricing and capacity decisions for a facility serving heterogeneous consumers that span a continuous range of locations, and are sensitive to time delays. Within this context, we analyze two contrasting service strategies: segmentation and pooling. Consumer segments differ with respect to their reservation prices and time sensitivities, and are dispersed over a single distance dimension. The firm serves these consumers using a process that we initially model as an M/M/1 queuing system. We analyze profit-maximizing price and capacity levels for a monopolist, and contrast the optimal segmentation and pooling policies. We find that when consumers are time sensitive, and can expect queuing delays at the firm’s facility (due to random arrival and service times), then scale economies from pooling can outweigh segmentation benefits. Yet, segmentation outperforms pooling when consumer segments differ substantively, in which case the firm can use capacity as a lever to price discriminate between the segments. Moreover, by contrasting a dedicated-services strategy, which directly targets specific segments and serves them separately, with the alternative of allowing consumers to self-select, we find that self-selection has a moderate negative influence on profits. We also examine the profit impact of employing alternative queuing systems, and find that a hybrid strategy based on a prioritized queuing discipline, that combines elements of segmentation (by offering different waiting times) and pooling (by sharing capacity across consumer segments), can outperform both the pure segmentation and pooling strategies.
Slider dynamic motion during writer-induced head-disk contact

The spatial and temporal characteristics of slider motion resulting from writer-induced pole tip protrusion are studied. Head-disc contact results from protrusion and the amount of contact is varied by varying the steady-state write current, the amount of overshoot, and the write frequency, all of which change the amount of heat dissipated in the writer. We measure the resulting slider motion via three orthogonal LDVs and a position sensitive detector to give five of the six possible degrees of freedom of motion. We compare the relative magnitudes of motion in different directions and we explore how higher power gives more continuous contact. We also investigate the time scales associated with protrusion and with air bearing pitch angle changes. We measure the speed with which the writer protrudes and find that slider pitch angle change increases linearly with the amount of current.
Cavitary Changes in Retinoblastoma: Relationship to Chemoresistance

Objective To describe the clinical features and outcome of treatment of retinoblastomas presenting with ophthalmoscopically visible cavities. Design Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. Participants Sixteen eyes of 15 patients harboring retinoblastomas with ophthalmoscopically visible cavities treated between February 1995 and July 2003. Methods Patient demographics, eye and tumor characteristics, and response to treatment were recorded. Main Outcome Measures Decrease in tumor size and tumor recurrence. Results The mean patient age at diagnosis was 20 months. The mean number of retinoblastomas per eye was 2 (range, 1–6). Associated subretinal fluid was graded as absent in 5 eyes, minimal in 6 eyes, mild in 4 eyes, and severe in 1 eye. None of the tumors had vitreous seeds, and 5 (31%) had subretinal seeds. Ophthalmoscopically visible calcification occupied a mean of only 3% of the tumor (median, 0%; range, 0%–30%). Intratumoral cavities were characteristically visible in the superficial portion of the tumor and had a mean diameter of 2.0 mm (median, 1.5; range, 0.5–5.0). The mean number of cavities per tumor was 2 (median, 1; range, 1–5). Three tumors were treated with enucleation, 1 with observation, and 12 with chemoreduction. Two months after chemoreduction, the mean reduction in tumor base was 19% (median, 16%; range, 0%–42%), and the mean reduction in tumor thickness was 18% (median, 12%; range, 0%–59%). During a mean follow-up of 32 months (median, 23; range, 12–58), none of the cavitary retinoblastomas recurred or gave rise to vitreous or new subretinal seeds. Conclusion Retinoblastomas containing ophthalmoscopically visible cavitary spaces do not show a substantial decrease in size after chemotherapy. Cavitary changes in retinoblastoma may be a sign that the tumor is well differentiated and may impart a better prognosis.
Three dimensional spatial memory and learningin real and virtual environments

Human orientation and spatial cognition partly depends on our ability to remember sets of visual landmarks and imagine their relationship to us from a different viewpoint. We normally make large body rotations only about a single axis which is aligned with gravity. However, astronauts who try to recognize environments rotated in 3 dimensions report that their terrestrial ability to imagine the relative orientation of remembered landmarks does not easily generalize. The ability of human subjects to learn to mentally rotate a simple array of six objects around them was studied in 1-G laboratory experiments. Subjects were tested in a cubic chamber (n e 73) and a equivalent virtual environment (n e 24), analogous to the interior of a space station node module. A picture of an object was presented at the center of each wall. Subjects had to memorize the spatial relationships among the six objects and learn to predict the direction to a specific object if their body were in a specified 3D orientation. Percent correct learning curves and response times were measured. Most subjects achieved high accuracy from a given viewpoint within 20 trials, regardless of roll orientation, and learned a second view direction with equal or greater ease. Performance of the subject group that used a head mounted display/head tracker was qualitatively similar to that of the second group tested in a physical node simulator. Body position with respect to gravity had a significant but minor effect on performance of each group, suggesting that results may also apply to weightless situations. A correlation was found between task performance measures and conventional paper-and-pencil tests of field independence and 2&3 dimensional figure rotation ability.
“I Love You, and I Cheated”: Investigating Disclosures of Infidelity to Primary Romantic Partners

The research presented in this article used a quantitative–qualitative mixed design to investigate components of infidelity. Two studies were completed. The first study compared responses from persons (n = 22, 16 women, 6 men) who, in the context of a romantic relationship, disclosed infidelity to their primary partner, with a matched control sample of persons (n = 22, 16 women, 6 men) who did not report infidelity. Study 2 involved in-depth, bibliographic interviews with those persons disclosing infidelity to primary partners. Study 2 explored how persons defined infidelity and the nature of their disclosure. As predicted, results from Study 1 demonstrated clear differences between persons who did and did not report infidelity on measures of sexual permissiveness and intentions to engage in extradyadic activity, but not on other sexological measures. In Study 2, disclosures of infidelity to primary partners were interrogated using principles of interpretive biography. Qualitative analyses revealed that disclosures of infidelity were embedded with multiple meanings, including transformative moments of self-understanding. Results from the current research add depth to researchers’ and clinicians’ understanding of how infidelity is defined and disclosed to partners.