cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Accurate quantum dynamics calculations of vibrational spectrum of dideuteromethane CH2D2

We report a rigorous variational study of the infrared (IR) vibrational spectra of both CH2D2 and 13CH2D2 isotopomers using an exact molecular Hamiltonian. Calculations are carried out using a recently developed multi-layer Lanczos algorithm based on the accurate refined Wang and Carrington potential energy surface of methane and the low-order truncated ab initio dipole moment surface of Yurchenko et al. [J. Mol. Spectrosc. 291, 69 (2013)]. All well converged 357 vibrational energy levels up to 6100 cm−1 of CH2D2 are obtained, together with a comparison to previous calculations and 91 experimental bands available. The calculated frequencies are in excellent agreement with the experimental results and give a root-mean-square error of 0.67 cm−1. In particular, we also compute the transition intensities from the vibrational ground state for both isotopomers. Based on the theoretical results, 20 experimental bands are suggested to be re-assigned. Surprisingly, an anomalous C isotopic effect is discovered in t...
A data-mining framework for large scale analysis of dose-outcome relationships in a database of irradiated head and neck cancer patients

Purpose: To develop a hypothesis-generating framework for automatic extraction of dose-outcome relationships from an in-house, analytic oncology database. Methods: Dose–volume histograms (DVH) and clinical outcomes have been routinely stored to the authors’ database for 684 head and neck cancer patients treated from 2007 to 2014. Database queries were developed to extract outcomes that had been assessed for at least 100 patients, as well as DVH curves for organs-at-risk (OAR) that were contoured for at least 100 patients. DVH curves for paired OAR (e.g., left and right parotids) were automatically combined and included as additional structures for analysis. For each OAR-outcome combination, only patients with both OAR and outcome records were analyzed. DVH dose points, , at a given normalized volume threshold Vt were stratified into two groups based on severity of toxicity outcomes after treatment completion. The probability of an outcome was modeled at each Vt = [0%, 1%, …, 100%] by logistic regression. Notable OAR-outcome combinations were defined as having statistically significant regression parameters (p < 0.05) and an odds ratio of at least 1.05 (5% increase in odds per Gy). D V t Results: A total of 57 individual and combined structures and 97 outcomes were queried from the database. Of all possible OAR-outcome combinations, 17% resulted in significant logistic regression fits (p < 0.05) having an odds ratio of at least 1.05. Further manual inspection revealed a number of reasonable models based on either reported literature or proximity between neighboring OARs. The data-mining algorithm confirmed the following well-known OAR-dose/outcome relationships: dysphagia/larynx, voice changes/larynx, esophagitis/esophagus, xerostomia/parotid glands, and mucositis/oral mucosa. Several surrogate relationships, defined as OAR not directly attributed to an outcome, were also observed, including esophagitis/larynx, mucositis/mandible, and xerostomia/mandible. Conclusions: Prospective collection of clinical data has enabled large-scale analysis of dose-outcome relationships. The current data-mining framework revealed both known and novel dosimetric and clinical relationships, underscoring the potential utility of this analytic approach in hypothesis generation. Multivariate models and advanced, 3D dosimetric features may be necessary to further evaluate the complex relationship between neighboring OAR and observed outcomes.
Concrete: Compressive Properties, Flexural and Splitting Strengths, and KIc at Low Temperatures

One important low temperature application for concrete is its use as a structural material for containment vessels for the storage of liquefied natural gas (LNG) at 111 K.1 Other applications of prestressed concrete include floating platforms, underwater structures, floating storage vessels, barges, sailboats, and fishing boats.2, 3 Such structural applications require knowing the material properties of concrete at low temperatures.
Algorithmic aspects and computing trends in computational electromagnetics using massively parallel architectures

Accurate and rapid evaluation of radar signature for alternative aircraft/store configurations would be of substantial benefit in the evolution of integrated designs that meet radar cross section requirements across the threat spectrum. Finite-volume time domain methods offer the possibility of modeling the whole aircraft, including penetrable regions and stores, at longer wavelengths on today's supercomputers and at typical airborne radar wavelengths on the massively parallel teraflop computers of tomorrow. To realize this potential, practical means are being developed for the rapid generation of grids on and around the aircraft, and numerical algorithms that maintain high order accuracy on such grids are being constructed. A structured grid and an unstructured grid based finite-volume, time-domain Maxwell's equation solver has been developed incorporating modeling techniques for general radar absorbing materials. Using this work as a base, the goal of the computational electromagnetics effort is to define, implement, and evaluate rapid prototype signature prediction, addressing many issues related to (1) physics of electromagnetics, (2) efficient and higher-order accurate algorithms, (3) boundary condition procedures, (4) geometry and gridding (structured and unstructured), (5) computer architecture, and (6) validation. >
Electrical Contacts to Individual Colloidal Semiconductor Nanorods

We report the results of charge transport studies on single CdTe nanocrystals contacted via evaporated Pd electrodes. Device charging energy, E{sub c}, monitored as a function of electrode separation drops suddenly at separations below {approx}55 nm. This drop can be explained by chemical changes induced by the metal electrodes. This explanation is corroborated by ensemble X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies of CdTe films as well as single particle measurements by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-Rays (EDX). Similar to robust optical behavior obtained when Nanocrystals are coated with a protective shell, we find that a protective SiO2 layer deposited between the nanocrystal and the electrode prevents interface reactions and an associated drop in E{sub c,max}. This observation of interface reactivity and its effect on electrical properties has important implications for the integration of nanocrystals into conventional fabrication techniques and may enable novel nano-materials.
The Likelihood of Nuclear Terrorism

The implications of the increased opportunity to proliferate arising from the collapse of the Soviet Union are far from clear when it comes to applying them to nuclear terrorism. However, both in terms of intent and capability, any act of nuclear terrorism would be ‘a quantum leap’ from conventional weapons terrorism.’
Abstract #878: Reactive oxygen species in the ability of pro-apoptotic H-Ras to enhance apoptosis induced by histone deacetylase inhibitors

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 18-22, 2009; Denver, CO This study is to understand the role of reactive oxygen species in the ability of pro-apoptotic H-Ras to enhance apoptosis induced by histone deacetylase inhibitors. Oncogenic induction of the ras genes is widely involved in human cancers. Expression of oncogenic H-Ras increases susceptibility of human and mouse cells to histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs), such as FK228 and trichostatin A, for inducing caspase activation and selective apoptosis. HDACIs make up a new class of structurally diverse anticancer agents and have been shown to exhibit antimetastatic and antiangiogenic activities toward malignantly transformed cells. However, the mechanisms behind the proapoptotic ability of oncogenic H-Ras to enhance cell susceptibility to HDACIs still remain unclear. Our recent studies revealed that expression of oncogenic H-Ras potentiated intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human and mouse cells and enhanced HDACI-induced ROS to induce activation of caspase pathways for inducing selective apoptosis of oncogenic H-Ras-expressing cells versus parental cells. Expression of oncogenic H-Ras also increased cell susceptibility to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for inducing apoptosis and caspase activation. By studying IC50 values of FK228 and H2O2 for oncogenic H-Ras-expressing and parental cells and by quantifying cell death and caspase activation induced by FK228 and H2O2, we detected that intracellular ROS was cooperatively up-regulated by oncogenic H-Ras and FK228 treatment to induce apoptosis and caspase activation in a dose-dependent manner. Our results led us to a suggestion that increased ROS played a contributing role in the proapoptotic ability of oncogenic H-Ras to enhance FK228-induced activation of caspases for inducing selective apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. The role of intracellular ROS in the novel proapoptotic activity of oncogenic H-Ras should be seriously considered as a potential target in developing therapeutic strategies to control oncogenic H-Ras-involved human cancers by HDACIs. Citation Information: In: Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res; 2009 Apr 18-22; Denver, CO. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; 2009. Abstract nr 878.
Selective spectroscopic imaging of hyperpolarized pyruvate and its metabolites using a single-echo variable phase advance method in balanced SSFP

Purpose In balanced steady state free precession (bSSFP), the signal intensity has a well-known dependence on the off-resonance frequency, or, equivalently, the phase advance between successive radiofrequency (RF) pulses. The signal profile can be used to resolve the contributions from the spectrally separated metabolites. This work describes a method based on use of a variable RF phase advance to acquire spatial and spectral data in a time-efficient manner for hyperpolarized 13C MRI. Theory and Methods The technique relies on the frequency response from a bSSFP acquisition to acquire relatively rapid, high-resolution images that may be reconstructed to separate contributions from different metabolites. The ability to produce images from spectrally separated metabolites was demonstrated in vitro, as well as in vivo following administration of hyperpolarized 1-13C pyruvate in mice with xenograft tumors. Results In vivo images of pyruvate, alanine, pyruvate hydrate, and lactate were reconstructed from four images acquired in 2 s with an in-plane resolution of 1.25 × 1.25 mm2 and 5 mm slice thickness. Conclusion The phase advance method allowed acquisition of spectroscopically selective images with high spatial and temporal resolution. This method provides an alternative approach to hyperpolarized 13C spectroscopic MRI that can be combined with other techniques such as multiecho or fluctuating equilibrium bSSFP. Magn Reson Med, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Positive hybrid sampling in wavelet subspaces

It is well known that the Shannon sampling theorem can be put into a wavelet context. But it has also been shown that for most wavelets, a non-negative summability function for the associated subspaces exists. Translation of these are used in a series with sampling coefficients to get a "hybrid" series each of whose terms is non-negative. Such series converge, avoid integration, and eliminate the Gibbs phenomenon.
Popular culture and high art in the work of Oscar Niemeyer

In his early domestic architecture, Oscar Niemeyer following the footsteps of Le Corbusier “monumentalized” the modernist and the Brazilian. Niemeyer’s later work is a more aggressive interactive process: the manipulation of popular traditions for the ideological purposes of populist politics. Niemeyer has reshaped the ritual of the carnival festival by creating a unique space for its yearly celebration: the “Sambodromo.” The institutionalization of the samba parade into a fixed architectural contex implies a demagogic (elite-controlled) restructuring of popular ritual.
Channel complexity analysis for reconfigurable VLSI/WSI processor arrays

The authors propose a general method to analyze channel complexity for a 2D array with a given domain constraint. A domain-based reconfiguration scheme can be divided into two phases: assignment and interconnection. In the assignment phase a logical cell is assigned to a fault-free cell under a domain constraint by assignment rules. In the interconnection phase connections between the assigned logical cells are determined. A domain may be decided considering predetermined maximum distance between two logically adjacent cells. Interconnection redundancy, is represented by channel complexity, where channel complexity is measured by the number of tracks and associated switches. The array is partitioned into as small units, called subranges, as possible while preserving the characteristics of array reconfigurability. Channel complexity is analyzed based on subranges. >
The Effect of Systematic Error in Forced Oscillation Testing

One of the fundamental problems in flight dynamics is the formulation of aerodynamic forces and moments acting on an aircraft in arbitrary motion. Classically, conventional stability derivatives are used for the representation of aerodynamic loads in the aircraft equations of motion. However, for modern aircraft with highly nonlinear and unsteady aerodynamic characteristics undergoing maneuvers at high angle of attack and/or angular rates the conventional stability derivative model is no longer valid. Attempts to formulate aerodynamic model equations with unsteady terms are based on several different wind tunnel techniques: for example, captive, wind tunnel single degree-of-freedom, and wind tunnel free-flying techniques. One of the most common techniques is forced oscillation testing. However, the forced oscillation testing method does not address the systematic and systematic correlation errors from the test apparatus that cause inconsistencies in the measured oscillatory stability derivatives. The primary objective of this study is to identify the possible sources and magnitude of systematic error in representative dynamic test apparatuses. Sensitivities of the longitudinal stability derivatives to systematic errors are computed, using a high fidelity simulation of a forced oscillation test rig, and assessed using both Design of Experiments and Monte Carlo methods.
Mathematical topics in combustion

Abstract A number of mathematical approaches that are currently of interest in theoretical combustion are briefly described. These are: (1) activation energy asymptotics — flame-sheets and hot-spots; (2) bifurcations and routes to chaos; (3) turbulent premixed flames — fractals and renormalization; (4) reduced chemistry and rate-ratio asymptotics; (5) nonlinear high-frequency acoustics and combustion.
tau Exon 10 Expression Involves a Bipartite Intron 10 Regulatory Sequence and Weak 5′ and 3′ Splice Sites

tau mutations that deregulate alternative exon 10 (E10) splicing cause frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism chromosome 17-type by several mechanisms. Previously we showed that E10 splicing involved exon splicing enhancer sequences at the 5' and 3' ends of E10, an exon splicing silencer, a weak 5' splice site, and an intron splicing silencer (ISS) within intron 10 (I10). Here, we identify additional regulatory sequences in I10 using both non-neuronal and neuronal cells. The ISS sequence extends from I10 nucleotides 11-18, which is sufficient to inhibit use of a weakened 5' splice site of a heterologous exon. Furthermore, ISS function is location-independent but requires proximity to a weak 5' splice site. Thus, the ISS functions as a linear sequence. A new cis-acting element, the intron splicing modulator (ISM), was identified immediately downstream of the ISS at I10 positions 19-26. The ISM and ISS form a bipartite regulatory element, within which the ISM functions when the ISS is present, mitigating E10 repression by the ISS. Additionally, the 3' splice site of E10 is weak and requires exon splicing enhancer elements for efficient E10 inclusion. Thus far, tau FTDP-17 splicing mutations affect six predicted cis-regulatory sequences.
Effect of membrane thickness on the slip and drift velocity in parallel shear flow

Shear flow past a planar membrane or screen, idealized as an infinite plate perforated by parallel periodic slots, is discussed with emphasis on the effect of the plate thickness on the slip velocity, defined as the displacement of the linear velocity profile on the side of the plate where a shear flow is imposed, and on the drift velocity prevailing on the other side of the membrane. Numerical results based on boundary-element methods for longitudinal and transverse flow show that, while the plate thickness has only a moderate effect on the slip velocity, it has a profound effect on the drift velocity. The structure of the flow near the membrane pores is illustrated in terms of the wall shear stress distribution, the velocity distribution for longitudinal flow, and the streamline pattern for transverse flow. The latter reveals the possible occurrence of counter-rotating eddies inducing a back flow.
The emerging age of cell-free synthetic biology

The engineering of and mastery over biological parts has catalyzed the emergence of synthetic biology. This field has grown exponentially in the past decade. As increasingly more applications of synthetic biology are pursued, more challenges are encountered, such as delivering genetic material into cells and optimizing genetic circuits in vivo. An in vitro or cell-free approach to synthetic biology simplifies and avoids many of the pitfalls of in vivo synthetic biology. In this review, we describe some of the innate features that make cell-free systems compelling platforms for synthetic biology and discuss emerging improvements of cell-free technologies. We also select and highlight recent and emerging applications of cell-free synthetic biology.
Dynamic Sagittal Plane Trunk Control During Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated that trunk control likely plays a role in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Yet, the majority of ACL research remains focused on the lower limb, with limited information on the trunk position at the time of injury.Hypotheses: Athletes experiencing a noncontact ACL injury after a 1-legged landing position their center of mass (COM) more posterior from the base of support (BOS) at initial ground contact in comparison with uninjured athletes. The distance from the COM to the BOS (COM_BOS) is larger in female, as compared with male, athletes during 1-legged landing.Study Design: Case control study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods: Movie captures of 20 athletes performing a 1-legged landing maneuver resulting in a torn ACL were compared with matched (for gender, sport, and activity just before landing) movie captures of 20 athletes performing a similar maneuver that did not result in an ACL disruption (controls). The COM_BOS, trunkG angle, and limbG angle (both ...
Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (FGF23) and Alpha-Klotho Stimulate Osteoblastic MC3T3.E1 Cell Proliferation and Inhibit Mineralization

Elevated serum levels of the phosphate-regulating hormone fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) are found in patients with phosphate wasting diseases and chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD). These diseases are associated with rickets and renal osteodystrophy, respectively. FGF23 is secreted from osteoblastic cells and signals through FGFRs, membrane coreceptor alpha-Klotho (Klotho), and, possibly, a circulating form of Klotho. Despite the absence of detectable Klotho on osteoblastic cells, studies have suggested that forced FGF23 expression in osteoblasts inhibited mineralization. Thus, we examined the effects of exogenously applied FGF23 on osteoblastic MC3T3.E1 cell proliferation and differentiation, with and without soluble Klotho. MC3T3.E1 cells were cultured in osteoblast differentiation medium, supplemented with FGF23 (0.1–1,000 ng/mL), Klotho (50 ng/mL), the combination FGF23 + Klotho, and FGF2 (100 ng/mL) as a control. Neither FGF23 nor Klotho exposure affected proliferation of day 4 growth phase cells or mineralization of day 14 cultures. In contrast, FGF23 + Klotho resulted in inhibition of mineralization and osteoblast activity markers at day 14, and a slight, reproducible induction of proliferation. Inhibition of FGFR1, but not FGFR2 or FGFR3, completely restored FGF23 + Klotho-induced inhibition of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity at day 7. ALP activity was partially restored by the MAPK inhibitor U0126 but not inhibitors p38 and P13K. Thus, soluble Klotho enables FGF23 signaling in MC3T3.E1 cells, likely through FGFR 1(IIIc). Elevated FGF23 actions, in part, appear to parallel FGF2 with lower potency. In addition to affecting bone via indirect phosphate wasting pathways, supraphysiological FGF23 and soluble Klotho may directly impact bone in diseases with elevated FGF23 levels.
Applying best practices from digital control systems to BMI implementation

Many brain-machine interface (BMI) algorithms, such as the population vector decoder, must estimate neural spike rates before transforming this information into an external output signal. Often, rate estimation is performed via the selection of a bin width corresponding to the effective sampling rate of the decoding algorithm. Here, we implement real-time rate estimation by extending prior work on the optimization of Gaussian filters for offline rate estimation. We show that higher sampling rates result in improved spike rate estimation. We further show that the choice of sampling rate need not dictate the number of parameters which must be used in an autoregressive decoding algorithm. Multiple studies in other neural signal processing contexts suggest that BMI performance could be improved substantially via careful choice of smoothing filter, discrete-time decoder representation, and sampling rate. Together, these ensure minimal deviation from the behavior of the modeled continuous-time systems.
Relationships Among Respiratory Infections, Triggers of Attacks, and Asthma Severity in Children

The present study of asthmatic children examined relationships among the frequencies of prior respiratory infections (i.e., those prior to the development of asthma) and recent (past year) respiratory infections, asthma severity, and the impacts of 12 common asthma triggers: air pollution, allergy problems, anger, cigarette smoke, excitement, high humidity, high or low environmental temperature, laughter, nighttime hours, physical activity, respiratory infection, and stress or worry. Data on these variables were obtained through a survey in which 325 families completed questionnaires; 121 families had asthmatic children who were 2-20 years of age. Pearson correlational analyses revealed many significant positive correlations: The frequencies of prior and recent infections were correlated. The frequency of prior infections was correlated with the impacts of all asthma triggers except allergy problems, but the frequency of recent infections was correlated only with the impacts of air pollution, cigarette smoke, respiratory infection, and nighttime hours as triggers of asthma attacks. Asthma severity was correlated with the frequencies of prior and recent respiratory infections and with the impact of respiratory infection as an asthma trigger.
Reading before composition

An experimental teaching method for an introductory programming course is presented and evaluated. The method is based on the observation that program reading skills should preceed program writing skills, and that such reading capability can be self-learned by a careful study of a large number of example programs.
Microstructural and mechanical characterization of various modified 7XXX series spray formed alloys

Abstract Microstructural analysis was conducted on the second phase constituent particles in various modified 7XXX series alloys produced by spray forming. High gas-to-metal ratios of 4.45, as opposed to low gas-to-metal ratios of 1.95, were found to produce a more refined grain structure with an evenly distributed second phase. To elucidate the influence of Zn, Cr, Cu and Zr additions on the microstructure, five different alloy compositions were chosen. The microstructure after extrusion and aging was studied using optical, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The coarse constituent particles were found to be Al 6 (MnFe) and Al 7 Cu 2 Fe. Two different types of dispersoids were identified; fine, of the L1 2 type (Al 3 Zr) and larger dispersoids of the Al 18 Mg 3 Cr 2 compound referred to as the E-Phase. Room temperature mechanical properties of spray formed Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloys were investigated in the T6 and T7 aged condition. Variations in structural particle concentration were found based on aging and composition type.
Effectiveness research in the context of school-based mental health.

There are many challenges to transporting evidence-based treatments from laboratories into real-world settings. However, if we hope to make our evidence-based treatments accessible and available to children and usable by community professionals, effectiveness research is imperative. We argue that schools represent an ideal real world setting in which to conduct such research. The goals of this paper are to present the advantages of conducting effectiveness research in the school setting and to encourage clinical researchers to engage in effectiveness research in this “location,” as there are benefits to children, pre-service professionals, communities, and researchers. We attempt to further advance the literature by discussing the challenges associated with this work and by providing a case example (The Youth Experiencing Success in School [Y.E.S.S.] Program) that demonstrates real world application of our recommendations.
Enregisterment of Pittsburghese and the local African American community

Abstract In Pittsburgh, there is a recognizable, socially meaningful way of speaking, popularly known as Pittsburghese. Through a number of metapragmatic and metadiscursive practices, Pittsburghese has become enregistered ( Agha, 2003 , Agha, 2007 ), and thus ideologically linked to a specific persona, the authentic Pittsburgher ( Johnstone, 2009 , Johnstone, 2011 , Johnstone et al., 2006 ). In this paper, I explore the enregisterment of Pittsburghese in the local African American community, and the ways in which the dialect is a site for the expression and reproduction of cultural values linked to Whites in the city. For African Americans, Pittsburghese is not only indexical of localness but specifically of White localness, which also has the effect of erasing social class distinctions that may otherwise be important to the meanings of Pittsburghese for White residents of the city.
Communicating effectively with regulatory agencies in the licensing process.

Planning, preparing, submitting and tracking license and permit applications through the regulatory process is complex and time consuming. A disciplined approach can make the process easier. This paper discusses practical steps to take and some guidelines to follow in making the licensing or permitting process easier.
Quality of care in bladder cancer: trends in urinary diversion following radical cystectomy

Objective Quality-of-care indicators have not yet been defined for patients with bladder cancer. Nonetheless, certain aspects of bladder cancer care can be evaluated to quantify the quality of care delivered. We sought to determine trends in continent urinary diversion to evaluate the adoption of this more optimal reconstruction.
Complex motion perception and its deficits.

Abstract Within the hierarchy of motion perception, the dorsolateral middle superior temporal area (MSTd) is optimally suited for the analysis of the complex motion patterns that are directly useful for visually guided behaviour (e.g. computation of heading). Recent electrophysiological and psychophysical evidence suggests the existence of ‘detectors’ in MSTd that are specialised for complex motion patterns and advocates the necessity of combining retinal and extraretinal signals received by MSTd neurones for the accurate perception of heading. In some neurological patients, of which only a small number have been reported to date, lesions involving the human homologue of MST have devastating effects on their ability to navigate in their surroundings. It has been reported that these patients have impaired performance of psychophysical tasks of complex motion discrimination.
Bright Future for Fluorescence Blinking in Semiconductor Nanocrystals

This Perspective describes recent progress and current challenges toward achieving a detailed understanding of fluorescence blinking in colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs). Many current mode...
Pulmonary microcirculation following full-thickness burns

Abstract Direct observation, intermittent photographs and cinerecords of the pulmonary microcirculation in rats were made before, immediately after, and from 24 to 72h after thermal injury by using a quartz rod transillumination technique, a dark field illumination method, and a combination of both methods. In the control (unburned) animals rapid and continuous blood flow occurred in arterioles, venules and capillaries with no relationship to the phases of the cardiac cycle; 10 to 60 min after thermal injury severe reduction of flow in capillaries was associated wth microaggregates and, in spite of constriction of most arterioles and venules, rapid and continuous blood flow occurred in these vessels; from 24 to 72 h after injury microaggregates were found in some capillaries with resultant stopped flow, many large shunts from arterioles to venules were observed, and rapid and continuous blood flow occurred in slightly dilated arterioles, venules and many capillaries; in histological sections of lung 72 h after thermal injury, evidence was obtained of interstitial oedema and aggregates of red cells. From our observations an increase in pulmonary vascular resistance occurs following a full-thickness burn of 40 per cent of the body surface. This increase in resistance apparently results from aggregation of formed elements, especially red cells. The increased resistance may be responsible for the opening of shunts and consequent progressive pulmonary insufficiency.
A test of the stability of retail store image mapping based on multientity scaling data

Abstract Multientity scaling is a multiattribute measurement procedure that obtains ratings of two or more entities from a single respondent at the same time. The purpose of this research is to examine experimentally the stability of perceptual maps of retail stores based upon two types of multientity scaling data — data produced by attribute and entity-based scaling procedures. The findings indicate both procedures may produce mapping instability when the comparative retail store context of the ratings is changed, with attribute-based scaling being characterized by more instability than entity-based scaling. Based upon the findings, potential methods of increasing retail store image mapping stability are explored.
A strain-gauge conditioner/analog-to-digital converter for acquisition of multiple analog signals

Circuitry is described that allows the interfacing of a strain-gauge transducer with a labora­ tory microprocessor system. The analog processing system includes a high-stability, low-noise strain-gauge conditioning amplifier, monolithic active filtering, and high-speed analog-to-digital (AID) conversion circuitry with 8-bit resolution and lO-microsec conversion period. A self-test circuit that allows off-line calibration and on-line monitoring of ongoing AID conversion is included. Tristate converter outputs allow paralleled channel sampling without analog multi­ plexing or I/O port redundancy. Usage of the standard configuration in assessment of operant response dynamics in behavioral pharmacology is discussed, as well as modification of the proposed circuitry for generalized processing of psychophysiological and other analog signals found in psychological experimentation. Following the lead of Notterman and Mintz (1965), Fowler (1974) and Fowler and Leberer (1977) have des­ cribed a minicomputer system for recording the "dynamic" properties of ope rant responses. These intensitive response measures are peak force of response, response duration, response effort (the time integral of force), and interresponse time; these measures are recorded in addition to the usual measure of operant response rate. Such multiple measures have been useful in characterizing the effects of both pharmacological agents (Ford, Fowler, & Nail, 1979; Fowler, Filewich, &
A World of financial data at your fingertips, functional, strongly tooled and strongly typed

Modern financial programming and modelling is highly information rich, but our programming tools are often information sparse, especially our strongly typed ones. This leads to an impasse where improvements in programming to aid accuracy and clarity of financial software implementation such as units-of-measure analysis or typed functional programming can't be rolled out to industry. The F# programming language is increasingly used in implementing financial software and models [1]. It includes a feature called “Type Providers” to support the integration of large-scale information sources into a strongly typed functional-first programming environment. In this tutorial, we show that through the use of this simple, intuitive, scalable and on-demand mechanism called "type providers", we can bridge modern strongly-typed languages to the myriad of heterogeneous data services found in the modern financial programming context — for example entity graphs, databases, web services, spreadsheets and even other programming languages. We demonstrate applications using the F# language and the Xenomorph TimeScape time-series database system. • The specific F# 3.0 implementation of the type provider design has the following characteristics: • The mechanism scales to information sources containing extremely large quantities of metadata. • The mechanism can be applied to a myriad of heterogeneous data sources, including databases (SQL, vectored, time-series), web data protocols (WSDL, OData), entity graphs (Freebase), networked data markets and networked information services (World Bank). • The mechanism enables the use of code completion and interactive type checking to increase analyst efficiency when working with rich information sources. • The mechanism interacts with strongly typed tooling such as documentation assistance and completion lists and uses these as the primary way of exploring and understanding the information sources being used. • The programming experience is code focused and integrates well with strongly typed data scripting REPL environments (e.g. F# Interactive). • The programming infrastructure is neutral with regard to the protocol and data formats used. F# itself, as a language, has no specific dependency on external data sources or formats. • The mechanism uses an open architecture, so one can easily add new type providers that consume a different kind of schematized data. • The mechanism integrates technically with advanced features of type systems such as units of measure. Further, it multiplies the value of these features because of the quantity and importance of unitized data available in external in-formation sources. The tutorial will give demonstrations using the F# language. F# is a highly-productive functional-first language for correct, succcinct, robust analytical code in production environments. F# is open source and cross-platform, available under the Apache 2.0 license at http://fsharp.org. The Visual F# Tools are a supported product from Microsoft.
Low Birth Weight Outcomes: Why Better in Cuba Than Alabama?

Reducing the incidence of low birth weight (LBW), a major predictor of infant mortality and morbidity in developed and developing countries, is an important worldwide goal, yet interventions to reduce this incidence have been disappointingly unsuccessful. Despite its low per capita income, Cuba has managed to significantly reduce the prevalence of LBW in recent decades. To date, minimal research has been conducted to comparatively evaluate risk factors associated with birth weight outcomes between countries with significantly differing rates of LBW. For this reason, we traveled to Havana to study the Cuban model of prenatal care and compare risk factors associated with LBW in Cuba, the United States, and, in particular, Alabama. This article describes the community-based approaches to prenatal care provided within the Cuban healthcare system and their influence on rates of LBW. As a result of these successfully integrated health services, the Cuban healthcare model will be used to evaluate and compare Alabama9s current prenatal care system, in particular the implementation of strategies such as community-based clinics and maternity homes for high-risk pregnancies.
Curvature dependence of renormalized coupling constants

The renormalization group is used to analyze the behavior of certain gravitationally significant renormalized coupling constants under a scaling of the spacetime curvature. After discussing a simple example, the results are summarized for a class of grand unified theories.
Why don't emergency department patients have advance directives?

. Objectives: In 1997 the authors determined that only 27% of their adult ED patients had advance directives (ADs). The purpose of this followup study was to determine the reasons why their adult ED patients do not have ADs. Methods: This prospective study enrolled patients from a convenience sample of representative shifts in the ED selected over a three-month period. Survey questions included demographic information, whether the patients had a life-threatening medical problem, whether they had an AD, with whom they had discussed their ADs, and the reasons why they did not have an AD. We excluded those who refused participation or who were incapacitated (i.e., any patient with a condition that precluded him or her from answering the questionnaire himself or herself, such as an altered level of consciousness, dementia, mental retardation, or inability to understand English). Results: Four hundred seventy-six subjects were enrolled during the study period from an ED census of 816 adult patients. Three hundred forty patients were not included in the study for the following reasons: inability to complete the survey, refusal to participate, or not being approached by the interviewers. Of those enrolled, 77% of the patients did not have an AD (females, 73%; males, 80%). The most frequent reasons given for not having an AD were: 40% never thought about it, 24% preferred family to make the decision, and 23% were procrastinating. Factors jointly predictive of having an AD were older age, having a specialist, having a life-threatening medical problem, and not being Catholic. Patients who had ADs were discussing their ADs with their primary care physicians (PCPs) only 5% of the time. Conclusion: Many patients, even when they have life-threatening medical problems, do not have an AD, and several reasons for this have been identified. Few of these ED patients who had ADs had discussed them with their physicians. Further studies should assess whether more physician intervention would increase the percentage of patients who have ADs.
Experimental and FEM study of thermal cycling induced microcracking in carbon/epoxy triaxial braided composites

Abstract The microcrack distribution and mass change in T700s/PR520 and T700s/3502 carbon/epoxy braided composites exposed to thermal cycling was evaluated experimentally. Acoustic emission was utilized to record the crack initiation and propagation under cyclic thermal loading between −55 °C and 120 °C. Transverse microcrack morphology was investigated using X-ray computed tomography. The differing performance of two kinds of composites was discovered and analyzed. Based on the observations of microcrack formation, a meso-mechanical finite element model was developed to obtain the resultant mechanical properties. The simulation results exhibited a decrease in strength and stiffness with increasing crack density. Strength and stiffness reduction versus crack densities in different orientations were compared. The changes of global mechanical behavior in both axial and transverse loading conditions were studied. By accounting for the obtained reduction of mechanical properties, a macro-mechanical finite element model was utilized to investigate the influence of microcracking on the high-speed impact behavior.
Further steps beyond Parkinson's Law: A replication and extension of the excess time effect

Abstract Subjects were “accidentally” allowed either five or fifteen minutes to perform a task which could be completed in five minutes. Subjects who were allowed excess time spent a significantly greater amount of time actually working on the task than those allowed minimum time, thus demonstrating Parkinson's Law—that work expands to fill the time available. Subsequently, subjects were presented with a second task which was either identical to, similar to, or different from the initial task. Of the subjects given the identical task, those who had been allowed excess time on the initial task chose to spend a greater amount of time performing the second task than those initially allowed minimum time. Thus, Aronson and Gerard's 1966 demonstration of the excess time effect was replicated. The design also permitted a test of the extent to which this effect generalized to dissimilar tasks as well as a test of a dissonance interpretation of the effect. Results regarding these last two aims were suggestive but inconclusive.
ULM Implicants for Minimization of Univers Logic Module Circuits

In this paper a method is developed for circuit minimization using the universal logic modules (ULM's) of Yau and Tang. This objective is obtained by using an extension of prime implicants termed ULM implicants. Each ULM implicant implies one possible saving of a module in the tree structure implementing a function. The method is developed for the ULM(l) and an extension to the higher order ULM(p) is discussed.
Head and neck exposures from Panoramix roentgenography.

Abstract Radiation measurements are made with thermoluminescent dosimetry on a Rando phantom and patients during Panoramix radiography.
Patterns of rarity and taxonomic group size in plants

Abstract The objective of this research is to examine the extent to which phylogenetic and geographical drivers of rarity may interact to help us better predict distributions of rare taxa. This information is useful to conservation biologists when considering plans for the effective capture of biological diversity within reserve systems. We use 33 floras, distributed globally among five biomes, to assess pattern of rarity across taxonomic group size for plants. We show that small plant families (1–10 taxa) contain consistently fewer rare taxa than expected, while rare plants are proportionately over-represented in large plant families (>100 taxa). We also examine the distribution of species within families. The degree to which species are inequitably distributed among families varied systematically across floristic biomes. Mediterranean floras, in particular, are characterized by a greater than expected fraction of their species pool concentrated within large families, suggesting a high propensity for rarity simply by virtue of having a higher proportion of their constituent taxa within groups with a high likelihood of rarity. Finally, an analysis of a suite of floras using a common system of identifying rarity shows that the fraction of species within floras that are rare is predicted both by flora size and by a general metric (the Gini coefficient) of inequality among family sizes. Together, these patterns suggest a high degree of predictability in the distribution of rarity in plants that may reflect underlying natural speciation and extinction processes.
Series Synchronous Condensers for Generation of Voltage Consumed by Line Inductance

The factors determining the power-carrying capacity of a transmission system are briefly discussed in this paper. The principal effects obtained by the operation of synchronous condensers used to compensate for the system consumption of lagging reactive kv-a. are pointed out. This method of compensation is contrasted with the direct method of supplying the reactive kv-a. to the line in the manner in which it is consumed, i. e., by the series method. A plan for obtaining direct or series reactive kv-a. compensation by a method employing electric machinery is described. This includes a description of a method for producing the required voltage and inserting it into the system. Some of the characteristics of operation and advantages to be gained by the use of the described method are given.
Formation of amphitheater-headed valleys by waterfall erosion after large-scale slumping on Hawai'i

Amphitheater-headed valleys are common on the surfaces of Earth and Mars. The abrupt terminations of these valleys at their headwalls have been used extensively to argue for valley erosion from springs (i.e., seepage erosion or groundwater sapping) rather than surface runoff. This interpretation has significant implications for Martian hydrology and the associated prospects for life. A connection between channel form and the erosion processes induced by groundwater, however, has not been demonstrated in resistant rock. Perhaps the most widely cited terrestrial analogs for Martian amphitheater-headed valleys in basalt are the spectacular canyons of Kohala, Hawai‘i. Here we present new field observations and topographic analyses of the amphitheater-headed Kohala valleys. We found no evidence for intensively weathered rocks or alcoves around springs at valley headwalls. Instead, valley-head erosion appears to be dominated by waterfall plunge pools. Stream flow from peak annual precipitation events exceeds spring discharge by more than an order of magnitude, and such flow is responsible for evacuation of the coarse sediment that lines the streams. Bathymetric surveys along the Kohala coast have revealed a large submarine landslide, the Polol Slump, directly offshore of the Kohala valleys. We propose that the headscarp of this massive landslide is expressed as the present-day 400 m Kohala sea cliffs. As dominant streams poured over this headscarp as waterfalls, vertical plunge pool erosion and undercutting caused upstream propagation of knickpoints, eventually producing amphitheater-headed valleys. Island subsidence rates and the ages of volcanic eruptions and submarine terraces indicate that the average rate of valley headwall advance is as high as 60 mm/yr. We propose a simple expression for upslope headwall propagation by vertical waterfall erosion based on abrasion by impacting sediment particles in plunge pools. This model indicates that head-wall propagation depends nonlinearly on the sediment flux passing over the waterfall and linearly on the ratio of kinetic versus potential energy of sediment impacts. After the Polol Slump, many streams did not form upslope-propagating waterfalls because they had smaller discharges due to a radial drainage pattern and fault-bounded drainage divides, which prevented runoff from the wetter summit of the volcano. A threshold for headwall propagation due to sediment supply or sediment-transport capacity is consistent with the model. Island subsidence following valley formation has resulted in alluviation of the valley floors, which has created the observed U-shaped valley cross sections. Our interpretation implies that surface runoff can carve amphitheater-headed valleys and that seepage erosion cannot be inferred based solely on valley form on Earth, Mars, or other planets.