cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Study of Corrosion Behavior of Laser Induced Surface Improvement (LISI) on Steel and Aluminum Substrates

Laser Induced Surface Improvement (LISI) is a new process developed by University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI) which employs lasers to melt precursor coatings and portions of the substrate to form a durable corrosion resistant surface. The LISI surface can be tailored to yield a composition that provides minimum impact to the base substrate material while giving good corrosion characteristics. The LISI surface treatment of tungsten carbide was applied on 7075 and 6061 aluminum alloys. The LISI treatment uses a chromium/nickel mixture and a stainless steel type mixture (pseudo stainless steel of 18 wt% chromium, 8 wt% nickel and a trace amount of manganese and silicon) on steel alloy 1010. The corrosion characteristics of these samples were determined in 3.5 wt% NaCl aqueous solution using linear polarization resistance technique. Potentiodynamic scans were run to determine the corrosion rates and optical microscopy was used to examine pitting characteristics of the different surface coatings. The effectiveness of the LISI modified surfaces to protect both steel and aluminum substrates is discussed.
A review of gorgonian coral species (Cnidaria, Octocorallia, Alcyonacea) held in the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History research collection: focus on species from Scleraxonia, Holaxonia, Calcaxonia – Part II: Species of Holaxonia, families Gorgoniidae and Plexauridae

Gorgonian coral specimens from the Holaxonia, families Gorgoniidae and Plexauridae held in the collection of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History (SBMNH) were reviewed and evaluated for species identification. The specimens were collected from within, and adjacent areas of, the California Bight. The SBMNH collection has encompassed within it a large percentage of specimens collected by the Allan Hancock Foundation (AHF) 'Velero' Expeditions of 1931-1941 and 1948-1985. This historic collection displays an emphasis on species belonging to the Holaxonia, particularly the gorgoniids and plexaurids; thus, this second part presents a thorough discussion of well-known genera from within the California Bight, with more extensive discussions of several genera that have historically, and currently, led to confusion (and thus, misidentification). A brief discussion of a California Bight grouping, referred to within as the "red whips," is presented; this grouping encompasses several species with very similar colony appearance across a number of genera. Two species, the gorgoniid Leptogorgiachilensis (Verrill, 1868) and the plexaurid Chromoplexauramarki (Kukenthal, 1913) each required the designation of a neotype from within the collection. A new species in the genus Eugorgia Verrill, 1868, a whip or thread-like form belonging to the family Gorgoniidae, is described. One additional plexaurid genus (Placogorgia) is discussed, a genus not commonly reported for the California Bight region. This is the first comprehensive work, in three parts, focusing on all species of gorgonian coral known to inhabit the California Bight. This paper, Part II of the full work, continues the systematic review of all species represented in the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History research collection begun in Part I.
Improvements in coparenting conflict and child adjustment following an online program for relationship distress

Many children never receive treatment for their mental health symptoms-and those that do often receive it only after years of delay. Given that relationship and parenting conflict is an identified mechanism of child mental health symptoms, reducing distress in the parents' romantic relationship may help reduce this unmet need. In the current study, 213 couples with 1 or more children between the ages of 3 and 17 (inclusive) were randomized to receive the web-based OurRelationship program or to a 2-month waitlist condition. Intervention couples were also assessed in the year following the program. Couples in the OurRelationship program experienced a significant decrease in coparenting conflict during the intervention (Cohen's d = -0.27) but also a significant increase in coparenting conflict in the following year, reducing the long-term effects of the intervention (within-group d = -0.20 at 1-year follow-up compared with baseline). Additionally, parent-reported children's externalizing (within-group d = -0.40) and internalizing (within-group d = -0.27) symptoms significantly decreased from baseline to the 1-year follow-up. As hypothesized, improvement in relationship satisfaction during the program was significantly associated with a decrease in coparenting conflict which, in turn, was associated with reduction in both externalizing and internalizing symptoms in the children. These results indicate that online relationship-focused interventions offer an important, adjunctive approach to meet society's need for reducing children's mental health symptoms. Furthermore, the improvements in child functioning strengthen the evidence suggesting the cost-effectiveness of these relationship-focused interventions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Artificial Intelligence and the Academy's Loss of Purpose

This article speculates on the future of higher education as online technology, specifically adaptive learning and analytics as infused by artificial intelligence software, develops and matures. Online and adaptive learning have already advanced within the academy, but the most significant changes are yet to come. These evolving technologies have the potential to change the traditional roles in our colleges and universities to the point that many educators will reconsider their purposes as teachers, researchers and administrators.
Genetic Manipulations of Staphylococcal Chromosomal DNA

Performing genetic manipulation is often key to understanding bacterial gene function. In this chapter, we present the method of allelic exchange using temperature-sensitive plasmids to generate mutations in Staphylococcus, including single-nucleotide mutations, insertions, and gene deletions. In addition, this chapter summarizes other key genetic technologies used for the manipulation of S. aureus, including the CRISPR/Cas9 system and complementation.
Unexpected Formation of Hexasubstituted Arenes through a 2-fold Palladium-Mediated Ligand Arylation.

A rearrangement reaction of biarylphosphine-supported Pd(II) complexes was employed to synthesize 1,3,5-triaryl 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzene compounds, a class of molecules that has not previously bee...
Hate, Conflict, and Public Space: Stand Your Ground Laws and Potential Immunity for Hate Crimes

Statistics reveal that hate crimes in the United States have increased for the past two years in a row. From 2014 to 2016, the number of reported hate crimes has increased from 5,479 in 2014, to 5,850 in 2015, to 6,121 in 2016. These numbers do not include crimes that were not shared with the FBI by local law enforcement, or crimes that were not reported to the police at all. Early indicators reveal that the number of hate crimes in 2017 is expected to further continue this upward trend. The current social and political climate has raised much concern regarding the reported increase in hate crimes, and the safety of persons who may be the targets of bias-motivated crime. One concern that has not received much attention in the scholarly literature or otherwise is the intersection of hate crimes and Stand Your Ground laws. Stand Your Ground laws remove the “duty to retreat” requirement in claims of self-defense, and permit a person to use any force necessary to protect oneself when in a public place that the person has a right to occupy. Empirical research on Stand Your Ground laws indicates that these laws contributed to an increase in homicide rates in states that offer Stand Your Ground as a legal defense, and that these laws have an implicit racial bias that affects the outcome of Stand Your Ground criminal cases. As written, these laws offer much subjectivity to the person employing the Stand Your Ground defense. This study examines the use of Stand Your Ground laws as a legal defense and suggests that, given the current social and political climate, these laws need to be modified to ensure that violence against others because of bias or prejudice cannot be translated into fear for one’s safety, and therefore, a justifiable defense for hate crimes.
The Intersection of Geology, Geochemistry, and Microbiology in Continental Hydrothermal Systems.

Abstract Decompressional boiling of ascending hydrothermal waters and separation into a vapor (gas) and a liquid phase drive extensive variation in the geochemical composition of hot spring waters....
Geometry Optimization of a Phased Array Feed on the Arecibo Telescope for Maximum Survey Efficiency

A wide-field receiver for the Arecibo Telescope is currently in development, the Advanced L band Phased Array Camera for Arecibo (ALPACA). The Arecibo optical system provides a new challenge for design optimization of phased array feeds. We report on results from a simulation and design optimization study aimed at determining the element layout and geometry that maximizes the receiver sensitivity, field of view, and survey speed.
Magnetically active transition metal cation-substituted alumina

Alumina (Al2O3) is one of the most widely used ceramic materials for innumerable applications, due to its unique combination of attractive physical and mechanical properties. These intrinsic properties are dictated by the numerous phases that Al2O3 forms and its related phase transformations. Transition metal (TM) cation dopants (iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni) and manganese (Mn)), even in sparse amounts, have been shown to significantly affect the phase transformation and microstructural evolution of Al2O3. Small concentrations of TM cation dopants have successfully been incorporated to synthesize magnetically active Al2O3, while reducing the θ to α phase transformation temperature by 150 °C, and maintaining the outstanding mechanical properties. In addition, first-principle calculations based on density-functional theory with hybrid functional (HSE06) and the PBE+U methods have provided a mechanistic understanding of the formation energy and magnetism of the TM-doped α and θ phases of Al2O3. The results reveal a potential route for phase transition regulation and external magnetic field-induced texturing of Al2O3 ceramics.
The peculiar institution and the making of modern psychiatry 1840–1880

‘The world owes everything to slaveholders,’ related Doctor John M. Galt in 1848 (p. 35). Galt was a pro-slavery advocate, the antebellum superintendent of the Eastern Lunatic Asylum (ELA) in Willi...
A-Train Data Depot: Bringing Atmospheric Measurements Together

This paper describes the satellite data processing and services that constitute current functionalities of the A-Train Data Depot. We first provide a brief introduction to the original geometrical intricacies of the platforms and instruments of the A-Train constellation and then proceed with a description of our A-Train collocation-processing algorithm that provides subsets that facilitate synergistic use of the various instruments. Finally, we present some sample image products from our web-based Giovanni tool which allows users to display, compare, and download coregistered A-Train-related data.
Collection Development in the Field of Business Communication: Citation Analysis Based Guidance

This study analyzes citations from The International Journal of Business Communication to reveal characteristics of the interdisciplinarity of the field of business communication and provide insigh...
Abnormalities in Reward Processing in Drug Addiction: Lessons from Neuropsychology and Neuroimaging Studies

Drug addiction is characterized by compulsive drug use despite detrimental consequences to the individual’s functioning as associated with increased salience attributed to the drug and drug-related cues at the expense of nondrug-related reinforcers. Underlying mechanisms include neuroadaptations of the dopaminergic striato-prefrontal circuit to intermittent and chronic supraphysiological stimulation by drugs that increase reward thresholds and decrease sensitivity to reward. This chapter summarizes behavioral and neurobiological evidence for decreased valuation of nondrug reinforcers and cues in individuals with chronic drug use or addiction. It is recommended that future research directly compares between responses to drug and nondrug-related stimuli in addicted individuals. The goal is to devise novel strategies to normalize reward processing, thereby decreasing anhedonia and increasing the motivation to attain alternative nondrug reinforcers, in addicted individuals.
Identifying naloxone administrations in electronic health record data using a text-mining tool.

Background: Effective and efficient methods are needed to identify naloxone administrations within electronic health record (EHR) data to conduct overdose surveillance and research. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a text-mining tool to identify naloxone administrations in EHR data. Methods: Clinical notes stored in databases between January 2017 and March 2018 were used to iteratively develop a text-mining tool to identify naloxone administrations. The first iteration of the tool used broad search terms. Then, after reviewing clinical notes of overdose encounters, we developed a list of phrases that described naloxone administrations to inform iteration two. While validating iteration two, additional phrases were found, which were then added to inform the final iteration. The comparator was an administrative code query extracted from the EHR. Medical record review was used to identify true positives. The primary outcome was the positive predictive values (PPV) of the second iteration, final iteration, and administrative code query. Results: Iteration two, the final iteration, and the administrative code had PPVs of 84.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 78.6-89.0%), 83.8% (95% CI 78.6-88.2%), and 57.1% (95% CI 47.1-66.8%), respectively. Both iterations of the tool had a significantly higher PPV than the administrative code (p < 0.001). Conclusions: A text-mining tool improved the identification of naloxone administrations in EHR data from less than 60% with the administrative code to greater than 80% with both versions of the tool. Text-mining tools can inform the use of more sophisticated informatics methods, which often require significant time, resource, and expertise investment.
Riboflavin and Cancer

Animals and humans with tumors may display profound cachexia during the course of illness. In some instances, weight loss may be an initial manifestation of cancer, occurring before the neoplasm is widespread. Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and diminished food intake may be important factors in contributing to the development of cachexia in far advanced cancer. In addition, inanition may arise from diminished intestinal absorption, blood loss, tissue ulceration and necrosis, or infection and other factors.(70) Disturbances in the metabolism of lipids, amino acids, carbohydrates, and electrolytes have all been described in patients with cancer, but the precise mechanisms underlying weight loss and malnutrition remain uncertain.(11,13) Tumors have been referred to as “nitrogen traps” that derive their amino acid supplies at the expense of the animal or human host.(23,44) It appears that, when the supplies of dietary nitrogen are limited, tumor competes for them more successfully than normal host tissues.
Is Digital Animation Superior to Text Resources for Facial Transplantation Education? A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND Facial transplantation is a complex surgical procedure that requires education of medical professionals, patients, and the general public. The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to compare the educational efficacy of facial transplantation digital animation versus text resources for teaching medical students a complex surgical procedure and its applicable anatomical and surgical principles. METHODS Medical student volunteers were recruited and prospectively randomized to an animation or a text group. Students completed preintervention and postintervention assessments of confidence and knowledge of head and neck anatomy and facial transplantation. Student Evaluations of Educational Quality survey assessed student satisfaction with both tools following study crossover. Knowledge assessment was developed using National Board of Medical Examiners guidelines and content validated by four experts. The Cohen d statistic was used to measure the effect size of each intervention. RESULTS Thirty-six students were assigned randomly to the animation group (n = 19) or the text (n = 17) group. Postintervention analysis demonstrated significantly higher performance scores in the animation group compared to the text group (p = 0.029). The animation group had a larger effect size (Cohen d = 1.96 versus 1.27). Only students in the animation group reported significantly improved confidence in head and neck anatomy after the intervention (p = 0.002). Both groups demonstrated significantly increased postintervention confidence in knowledge of facial transplantation (p < 0.001). Satisfaction scores revealed that students significantly favored the animation resource (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Animation can be an effective tool for facial transplantation education and results in improved student knowledge, confidence, and satisfaction compared to text resources. Facial transplantation can also be used as an educational framework for teaching medical students anatomical and surgical principles.
Momentary affective response to bouts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity predicts changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior during behavioral weight loss.

Abstract Background Affective responses are posited to be key predictors of the uptake and maintenance of health behaviors. However, few studies have examined how individuals’ affective response to physical activity, as well as the degree to which their affect response changes, may predict changes in physical activity and sedentary time during behavioral weight loss treatment. Purpose The current study examined how baseline momentary affective response (i.e., stress and anxiety) to moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and the degree of pre--post intervention change in this response predicted change in daily sedentary, light, and MVPA time during a three-month internet-based weight loss program. Methods Women with overweight/obesity (final N = 37) completed 14-day ecological momentary assessment (EMA) protocols with objective measurement of physical activity (i.e., bout-related MVPA time) before and after the intervention. Results Women who had more reinforcing responses to MVPA (i.e., greater reductions in anxiety and stress response following MVPA bouts) at baseline had greater increases in overall MVPA at the end of the intervention. Those who had greater anxiety reductions after MVPA bouts at baseline also evidenced less sedentary time at the end of the intervention. Changes in affective responses across the intervention were not related to changes in physical activity levels. Conclusions Findings suggest initial levels of affective reinforcement from MVPA bouts predict future change in MVPA and sedentary time during behavioral weight loss. Future work is needed to examine the utility of more precisely targeting affective responses to physical activity to optimize intervention approaches.
Relation of serum uric acid to cardiovascular disease

This review summarizes recent published literature on the association between serum uric acid and cardiovascular disease, a relationship which is complex and not fully elucidated. Uric acid may be a marker for risk, a causative agent in cardiovascular disease, or both. Various biologic factors can influence serum uric acid levels, and serum uric acid level itself is closely related to conditions such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and impaired glucose metabolism, that contribute to cardiovascular disease pathophysiology. Serum uric acid levels have been found to be associated with adverse outcomes, including mortality, in the general population. In addition, serum uric acid is associated with increased risk for incident coronary heart disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. In the setting of established systolic heart failure, serum uric acid is positively associated with disease severity and mortality risk. Whether targeting treatment based on uric acid levels might affect clinical outcomes is still being studied.
Prolonged exposure to type-I IFN inhibits IL-10 signaling in memory and regulatory T cells: a new mechanism contributing to the development of autoimmune diseases (BA13P.130)

Interleukin 10 (IL-10) is a fundamental immunoregulatory cytokine. Mice with memory T cells (Tmem)- or regulatory T cells (Treg)-specific depletion of the IL-10 receptor (IL-10R) develop fatal autoimmune diseases. However, no correlation is known between pathological conditions and altered IL-10 signaling in T cells. We investigated the influence of prolonged exposure to the supernatant of mouse maturing dendritic cells, exposed to LPS, on the integrity of the IL-10 signaling pathway in Tmem and Treg. Following 36-48h incubation, a block in phosphorylation of STAT3 in response to IL-10, but not in response to IL-6, was evident. This IL-10-specific unresponsiveness was not associated with lower IL-10R expression. Additionally, this inhibition was not induced by IL-6 or IL-1. Instead, incubation with IFN-β impaired IL-10 signaling in both Tmem and Treg. This effect was not blocked by AKT inhibition, suggesting a role for Jak/STAT or other IFN-β-initiated signaling pathways. In NOD mice, a model of human type-1 diabetes (T1D), diabetes development is linked to high levels of type-I interferons in pancreatic lymph nodes (PNC-LN). We analyzed the IL-10 response in T cells from spleen, PNC-LN, other LNs, and pancreata of NOD mice and discovered that starting at 4 weeks of age, Tmem and Treg in PNC-LN and pancreata display suppressed responses to IL-10. Overall, these data reveal a new molecular mechanism that controls the development of autoimmunity and the pathogenesis of T1D.
Comparison of acetohydroxy-acid synthetases from two extreme thermophilic bacteria.

The acetohydroxy-acid synthetases from two extreme bacterial thermophiles, Thermus aquaticus and Bacillus sp., have been studied. The two enzymes have different pH optima, 8 and 6, respectively, and both are feedback inhibited by valine. The inhibition is of interest because it is not expressed below 60 C, but only at higher temperatures which are optimal for catalytic activity. Valine inhibition in T. aquaticus was noncompetitive, whereas in Bacillus sp., it was competitive. Isoleucine (10−3 M) also inhibited the two enzymes, whereas leucine (10−3 M) did not. There was no concerted feedback when the amino acids were added in together. The sensitivity of the enzymes to valine could not be removed by HgCl2. Both enzymes required Mg2+ and thiamine pyrophosphate for optimal activity, whereas only the enzyme from T. aquaticus required flavine adenine dinucleotide in addition. None of these cofactors was essential for the feedback inhibition caused by valine. The enzymes from both bacteria could be repressed, but only in the presence of all three branched-chain amino acids indicating that, as in Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium, the repression system is multivalent.
Critical Phase Polymerizations

Carbon dioxide is a versatile, environmentally benign solvent for the synthesis of many polymeric materials. This review focuses on recent advances in the utilization of liquid and supercritical CO2 as a reaction medium for polymer synthesis. Polymerization techniques with both chain-growth and step-growth mechanisms are discussed, including free-radical, metal-catalyzed, ionic, and bulk polycondensation processes. Keywords: environmentally benign synthesis; supercritical fluids; carbon dioxide
Simple Random Sampling

When a census of the entire population of interest is difficult to obtain, a sample is often used. There are many sampling designs that can be used to obtain a sample that would hopefully be representative of the population, and among these sampling designs, several allocate the same inclusion probability to each unit in the population. If each unit in the population has the same inclusion probability and all the units are independent, then we have a simple random sample. Another way to formulate this is to state that each sample consisting of a given number of units has the same probability of becoming the selected sample. Keywords: population; sampling design; sampling frame; sampling with replacement; sampling without replacement
Rat liver mitochondrial ATP synthase. Effects of mutations in the glycine-rich region of a beta subunit peptide on its interaction with adenine nucleotides.

Abstract The beta subunit of the rat liver mitochondrial ATP synthase contains a glycine-rich amino acid sequence implicated in binding nucleotides by its similarity to a sequence found in many other nucleotide-binding proteins. A C-terminal three-quarter-length rat liver beta subunit fragment (Glu122 through Ser479), containing this homology region, interacts with adenine nucleotides (Garboczi, D.N., Hullihen, J.H., and Pedersen, P.L. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 15694-15698). Here we directly test the involvement of the glycine-rich region in nucleotide binding by altering its amino acid sequence through mutation or deletion. Twenty-one mutations within the glycine-rich region of the beta subunit cDNA were randomly generated. Wild-type and mutant beta subunit proteins were purified from overexpressing Escherichia coli strains. The mutant proteins were screened for changes in their interaction with 2'(3')-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)adenosine 5'-triphosphate (TNP-ATP), a fluorescent nucleotide analog. Only one mutant protein bearing two amino acid changes (Gly153----Val, Gly156----Arg) exhibited a fluorescence enhancement higher than that of the wild-type "control." Further analysis of this protein revealed a lower affinity for TNP-ATP (Kd = 10 microM) compared with wild type (Kd = 5 microM). In addition, a mutant from which amino acids Gly149-Lys214 had been deleted was prepared. This mutant protein, which lacks the entire glycine-rich region, also displayed a marked reduction in affinity for TNP-ATP (Kd greater than 60 microM). Prior addition of 0.5 mM ATP significantly reduced the binding of TNP-ATP to both the double and deletion mutants. The altered interaction of nucleotide with both glycine-rich region mutants points to the involvement of this region in the binding site. Further, this work shows that a beta subunit protein that lacks the glycine-rich homology region can still interact with nucleotide, indicating that one or more additional regions of this subunit contribute to the nucleotide binding site.
A SITE FOR FRESH EYES

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that at least some portion of the digital ‘gender gap’ is a rhetorical construction that measures digital literacy by possession of legacy knowledge–knowledge co-constructed within the technology field where women are largely absent. This paper describes some culturally situated discourses and practices that shape the development of online spaces in subtly gendered ways. It describes Pinterest, a popular social bookmarking site overwhelmingly populated by women, and its design features that largely do not rely on legacy knowledge for engaged member participation. This paper finds that, first, the culturally situated practices of technologists introduce hegemonic narratives through design features that marginalize some female users. Second, some descriptions of the gender gap are rhetorically constructed, relying on evidence of legacy knowledge rather than examining the outcomes of women's online practices. Third, narrowing the gender gap will require a re-seeing...
Mesoporous iron oxide nanoparticles prepared by polyacrylic acid etching and their application in gene delivery to mesenchymal stem cells

Novel monodisperse mesoporous iron oxide nanoparticles (m-IONPs) were synthesized by a postsynthesis etching approach and characterized by electron microscopy. In this approach, solid iron oxide nanoparticles (s-IONPs) were first prepared following a solvothermal method, and then etched anisotropically by polyacrylic acid to form the mesoporous nanostructures. MTT cytotoxicity assay demonstrated that the m-IONPs have good biocompatibility with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Owing to their mesoporous structure and good biocompatibility, these monodisperse m-IONPs were used as a nonviral vector for the delivery of a gene of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) tagged with a green fluorescence protein (GFP) into the hard-to-transfect stem cells. Successful gene delivery and transfection were verified by detecting the GFP fluorescence from MSCs using fluorescence microscopy. Our results illustrated that the m-IONPs synthesized in this work can serve as a potential nonviral carrier in gene therapy where stem cells should be first transfected and then implanted into disease sites for disease treatment.
Thermo-hydraulic analysis of the TPX superconducting toroidal field magnets

The superconducting magnets in fusion reactors are subjected to heating from the pulsed operation of the poloidal field (PF) magnets, nuclear, eddy-current, and resistive heating. The thermo-hydraulic response of the helium forced-flow cooled conductors to the various heat sources is critical to magnet design and performance. Recently developed computer codes allow accurate modeling of conductor response and have been used as an aid to design of the toroidal field (TF) magnets for the Tokamak Physics Experiment (TPX). We present results of design studies that determine the trade-off between double- and single-pancake helium-flow configurations.
Power and Sample Size Calcu-lation for 2x2 Tables under Multinomial Sampling with Random Loss

Multinomial sampling, in which the total number of sampled subjects is fixed, is probably one of the most commonly used sampling schemes in categorical data analysis. When we apply multinomial sampling to collect subjects who are subject to a random exclusion from our data analysis, the number of subjects falling into each comparison group is random and can be small with a positive probability. Thus, the application of the traditional statistics derived from large sample theory for testing equality between two independent proportions can sometimes be theoretically invalid. On the other hand, using Fisher's exact test can always assure that the true type I error is less than or equal to a nominal \alpha-level. Thus, we discuss here power and sample size calculation based on this exact test. For a desired power at a given \alpha-level, we develop an exact sample size calculation procedure, that accounts for a random loss of sampled subjects, for testing equality between two independent proportions under multinomial sampling. Because the exact sample size calculation procedure requires intensive computations when the underlying required sample size is large, we also present an approximate sample size formula using large sample theory. On the basis of Monte Carlo simulation, we note that the power of using this approximate sample size formula generally agrees well with the desired power on the basis of the exact test. Finally, we propose a trial-and-error procedure using the approximate sample size as an initial estimate and Monte Carlo simulation to expedite the procedure for searching the minimum required sample size.
The Development of Corporate Image: A Historiographic Approach to a Marketing Concept

The concept of corporate image has become a well-known component of most modern corporations. This article traces its development over the past 150 years, beginning in Europe, and then its further development in the United States. Three distinct geographic and temporal eras are identified, each contributing substantially to the current meaning of the term.
Exploratory Syntheses of Polymers Possessing Electrically Conducting, Liquid Crystalline, Piezoelectric, and Nonlinear Optical Activity

Abstract Studies of the synthesis of organic polymers potentially possessing electrically conductive, piezoelectric, and nonlinear optical properties are described. The electrically conducting polymer studies center on polyaromatic quinondiimines, analogs of the known conducting polymer polyaniline. Various polycondensation polymers based on anthraquinone and on heterocyclic quinones were examined. Multiazoarylene polymers were also synthesized by oxidative coupling of aromatic diamines. Their fidms were found to be n-dopable but were not very conductive. Polyesters and polyformals containing multiazoarylene units also were not highly conductive. Liquid crystal properties were observed for multiazobisphenol sebacate polyesters. Toward piezoactive polymers, a polyvinylidene fluoride macromonomer was synthesized via telomerization of vinylidene fluoride with methanol. Films of poly(bicyclobutane-1-carbonitrile) were found to show piezoactivity. 2-Ethyl-2-butylmalonimide was synthesized and subjected to ring...
A public health application of data analysis for homeland security

This presentation follows up the talk last year to WINFORMS (The Washington Institute for Operations Research and The Management Sciences) in which an approach developed for the analysis of military command and control during crises was shown to be relevant to surveillance for an infectious disease outbreak. ProMEDMail is an Internet-based system dedicated to rapid global dis semination of information on outbreaks of infectious diseases and acute exposures to toxins that affect human health. The presentation will demonstrate how the collection, formatting, and analysis of raw data, using ProMED-Mail, can point to emerging biological incidents and allow the real-time dissemination of results to local, regional, and central health facilities.
Approach to Adolescent Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in the Pediatric Endocrine Community in the USA

Objective Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy in adult women, and is emerging as a common cause of menstrual disturbances in the adolescent population. Insulin resistance, which is considered one of its underlying causes, has increased substantially in the past decade, putting more adolescent girls at risk for PCOS and its complications. Our objective was to survey pediatric endocrinologists' approach to diagnosis and treatment of PCOS in the adolescent population, as there is presently no structured recommended approach to this emerging problem. Design/methods A questionnaire survey was sent to 839 members of the Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society (LWPES). A total of 176 (21%) responses was received and analyzed. REDULTS: The majority of the participants would consider initiating work-up in an adolescent with oligomenorrhea or secondary amenorrhea 12-24 months after menarche. The following work-up was selected as a baseline for a teenager with oligomenorrhea or secondary amenorrhea by more than 50% of participants: LH and FSH, total and free testosterone, prolactin, 17-OH-progesterone, DHEAS and glucose/insulin measurements. For treatment of PCOS, the majority of surveyed endocrinologists suggested estrogen/progesterone combination. Metformin was considered appropriate treatment in the general adolescent population with PCOS by 30% and in obese teenagers with PCOS by 68% of surveyed endocrinologists. Conclusions Our findings indicate the trend among pediatric endocrinologists towards earlier work-up of menstrual irregularities in adolescents--unlike the traditional practice of waiting for 2 years after menarche. Most pediatric endocrinologists would consider evaluation for insulin resistance using glucose/insulin measurement, but only a small percentage considers performing OGTT in these patients. Even though using estrogen/progesterone combination is the preferred therapeutic approach, 30% of surveyed endocrinologists consider metformin therapy for the general adolescent population with PCOS, and 68% would consider using it in obese adolescents with PCOS.
Plasma total antioxidant capacity is associated with dietary intake and plasma level of antioxidants in postmenopausal women

Increased plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) has been associated with a high consumption of fruits and vegetables. However, limited information is available on whether plasma TAC reflects the dietary intake of antioxidants and the levels of individual antioxidants in plasma. By using three different assays, the study aimed to determine if plasma TAC can effectively predict dietary intake of antioxidants and plasma antioxidant status. Forty overweight and apparently healthy postmenopausal women were recruited. Seven-day food records and 12-h fasting blood samples were collected for dietary and plasma antioxidant assessments. Plasma TAC was determined by vitamin C equivalent antioxidant capacity (VCEAC), ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays. TAC values determined by VCEAC were highly correlated with FRAP (r=0.79, P<.01) and moderately correlated with ORAC (r=0.34, P<.05). Pearson correlation analyses showed that plasma TAC values by VCEAC and ORAC had positive correlation with plasma uric acid (r=0.56 for VCEAC; r=0.49 for ORAC) and total phenolics (r=0.63 for VCEAC; r=0.36 for ORAC). However, TAC measured by FRAP was correlated only with uric acid (r=0.69). After multivariate adjustment, plasma TAC determined by VCEAC was positively associated with dietary intakes of γ-tocopherol (P<.001), β-carotene (P<.05), anthocyanidins (P<.05), flavones (P<.05), proanthocyanidins (P<.01) and TAC (P<.05), as well as with plasma total phenolics (P<.05), α-tocopherol (P<.001), β-cryptoxanthin (P<.05) and uric acid (P<.05). The findings indicate that plasma TAC measured by VCEAC reflects both dietary and plasma antioxidants and represents more closely the plasma antioxidant levels than ORAC and FRAP.
Coalescent Histories for Caterpillar-Like Families

A coalescent history is an assignment of branches of a gene tree to branches of a species tree on which coalescences in the gene tree occur. The number of coalescent histories for a pair consisting of a labeled gene tree topology and a labeled species tree topology is important in gene tree probability computations, and more generally, in studying evolutionary possibilities for gene trees on species trees. Defining the $(T_r)$-caterpillar-like family as a sequence of $(n)$-taxon trees constructed by replacing the $(r)$-taxon subtree of $(n)$-taxon caterpillars by a specific $(r)$-taxon labeled topology $(T_r)$, we examine the number of coalescent histories for caterpillar-like families with matching gene tree and species tree labeled topologies. For each $(T_r)$ with size $(r\le 8)$, we compute the number of coalescent histories for $(n)$-taxon trees in the $(T_r)$-caterpillar-like family. Next, as $(n\rightarrow \infty)$, we find that the limiting ratio of the numbers of coalescent histories for the $(T_r)$ family and caterpillars themselves is correlated with the number of labeled histories for $(T_r)$. The results support a view that large numbers of coalescent histories occur when a tree has both a relatively balanced subtree and a high tree depth, contributing to deeper understanding of the combinatorics of gene trees and species trees.
Activated clotting times in acute coronary syndromes and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

A discrete fall in the ACT (activated coagulation time) has been observed in patients with known activation of the coagulation cascade. Injury to the coronary artery resulting in thrombin activation, whether spontaneous as in the case of acute myocardial infarction or planned as with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), may there-fore be reflected in a change in ACT values. We reviewed the records of patients under-going PTCA at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital/Texas Heart Institute from January 1990 through December 1992 for information regarding ACT values and clinical events. A total of 469 patients, whose record contained adequate information for study inclusion, were divided into four separate groups: acute myocardial infarction (group I, n = 62), unstable angina with heparin therapy that was withdrawn at least 4 hr prior to PTCA (group II, n = 102), unstable angina with heparin therapy continued until the time of PTCA (group III, n = 154), and stable angina undergoing elective PTCA (group IV, n = 151). Heparin was discontinued 12–15 hr after the procedure in all but group I where anticoagulation was often maintained up to 72 hr. ACT values were measured prior to the PTCA procedure (baseline), after the initial heparin bolus of 10,000 U (postheparin) and ∼ 12–18 hr after the procedure (heparin withdrawal). The “baseline” ACT was significantly lower in patients with unstable angina (93 ± 13 sec) or acute myocardial infarction (78 ± 9 sec) who had their baseline value obtained off of heparin therapy than in patients with stable angina (136 ± 21 sec) or those receiving heparin at the time of baseline measurement (135 ± 14 sec, P < 0.001). All patients with unstable coronary syndromes had a blunted response to heparin (group 1–189 sec, group II-221 sec, group III-248 sec). Although groups I-III were not significantly different compared to one another, each was significantly lower than group IV whose past heparin ACT was 279 sec. Heparin withdrawal ACT values fell within the ranges seen in patients with unstable coronary syndromes untreated with heparin in all but group I (whose heparin therapy was continued through the time of the 12–18-hr postprocedure measurement time). Recurrent ischemic events were seen with increased frequency (16.6%) only in patients with unstable angina whose heparin therapy was interrupted prior to PTCA. In conclusion, low baseline ACT values and a blunted ACT response to heparin are associated with clinical syndromes known to result from thrombus formation. The possibility that the ACT may be of value in reflecting thrombus activity requires prospective evaluation.
The effects of race, optic disc area, age, and disease severity on the diagnostic performance of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of race (African or European descent), age, disc area, and severity of disease on the diagnostic ability of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) imaging of the optic nerve, macula, and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in the detection of glaucomatous injury. METHODS In this cross-sectional observational study, data from SDOCT images of 312 eyes of 167 subjects without ocular disease and 233 eyes of 163 patients with open-angle glaucoma. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) regression modeling technique was used to evaluate the influence of race on the diagnostic accuracy of the ONH, RNFL, and macular parameters in SDOCT in glaucoma, while adjusting and evaluating the possible confounding effects of age, disease severity, and size of the optic disc. RESULTS The optimal performing measurements of the RNFL and macula were more effective than optic nerve (aROC(RNFL) = 0.87, aROC(inner macula) = 0.88, and aROC(rim area) = 0.81) for the overall group. No variation was noted in the diagnostic performance of SDOCT between racial groups nor was there any association of race with differences in disc area for structural parameters of the optic nerve, RNFL, and macula. Advanced disease severity was associated with increased diagnostic accuracy, with improved performance in eyes with more severe visual field loss. CONCLUSIONS The diagnostic ability of ONH, RNFL, and macular measurements in the detection of glaucoma was similar across racial groups, and disc area had a minimal effect on the overall diagnostic efficacy of SDOCT. No significant differences were seen in the diagnostic performance of the SDOCT between these groups when generalized or race-specific normative data were used.
A Tyrian dilemma: Guarantors in peace processes

This article attempts to make sense out of a difficult and, in the author's opinion, understudied concept ‐ that of guarantors in peace agreements. The trials and tribulations of the god Tyr are used as an example of the problems confronting guarantors in peace agreements. The article offers categorizations of the guarantor's relationship with the parties and with the agreement itself. After various classifications have been put forth, examples are employed to exhibit how this has been tried and tested in reality. Finally, some tentative conclusions will be put forth so that more work can be done to understand this complex subject better.
The acoustic response of three species of wood while immersed in three different liquids

The interaction of small, dried samples of pine, redwood and yellow-poplar with toluene, water and formic acid was measured using acoustic emission (AE) sensors. The purpose of these experiments was to determine if the level of acoustic emissions could be correlated with the amount of swelling. The results indicate that acoustic emissions are well correlated with swelling. The level of AE was low when using a non-swelling solvent, toluene, and high with water and the super-swelling solvent, formic acid. Also, it is evident that both a species effect and a solvent effect exists when the solvent/wood interaction is measured using AE.
Formation of Active Nitrogen using Sources of Alternating Current and Direct Current

ACTIVE nitrogen has been generally investigated at pressures of several tenths of an mm. The majority of workers have used either a condensed or electrodeless discharge to produce the active species1. These two methods have been favoured to such an extent that little has been done to investigate other possibilities. However, work on the active gas at pressures above several mm. requires more efficient methods of production.
Down-Regulated Insulin Receptors in HepG2 Cells Have an Altered Intracellular Itinerary

The delivery of insulin and the insulin receptor into an intracellular compartment may be important for eliciting some of the biologic responses of the cell to the hormone. Internalization of insulin-receptor complexes in cells from hyperinsulinemic type II diabetic patients is diminished, suggesting a possible role for this cellular process in insulin resistance. To examine whether hyperinsulinemia contributes to defective insulin-receptor processing in vitro, cultured hepatoma cells (HepG2) were incubated with high concentrations of (500 ng/ml) insulin from 1-3 days. Insulin induced a decrease in the number of total and surface insulin receptors within 24 hours; however, the hormone did not mediate a change in the number of intracellular receptors. The cellular itinerary of control and down-regulated receptors were then compared. Insulin mediated internalization of down-regulated receptors was impaired compared to control receptors; however, the down-regulated receptors that were internalized recycled back to the plasma membrane more efficiently. By covalently labeling the insulin receptor with the photoactive insulin derivative, 125I-NAPA-DP-insulin, it was demonstrated that the rates of receptor degradation of down-regulated and control receptors were similar. These results suggest that incubating HepG2 cells with high concentrations of insulin alters the cellular itinerary of the insulin receptor.
Research in dental materials

Work that will have the greatest impact on the practice of dentistry now and in the future has been chosen for review from the vast field of recent research in dental materials. The research ranges from adhesive restorative materials to resins for prosthetics.