cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The analytic blossom

Blossoming is a powerful tool for studying and computing with Bzier and B-spline curves and surfaces --- that is, for the investigation and analysis of polynomials and piecewise polynomials in geometric curves. Poisson curves are to analytic functions what Bzier curves are the polynomials --- a representation adapted to geometric design. As in the polynomial setting, the blossom provides a simple, powerful elegant and computationally meaningful way to analyze Poisson curves. Here, we define the analytic blossom and interpret all the known algorithms for Poisson curves --- subdivision, trimming, evaluation of the function and its derivatives, and conversion between the Taylor and the Poisson basis --- in terms of this analytic blossom.
Spatial Timing Analysis With Exact Propagation of Delay and Application to FPGA Performance

This paper introduces a method for delay approximation in timing analysis for spatial variation where the parameters representing the sources of variation are based on a convolution of random variation with a basis function. This results in delay models that need only include nine nonzero random variables for each edge in a typical spatial correlation model, less than previous work. As a result the symbolic representation of all potentially critical delays can be carried through the entire timing analysis without the need for approximate maximum function of statistical delays, producing a conservative but accurate upper bound on timing to meet a specified yield target. The algorithm has been applied to a set of field-programmable gate array designs and used to show that it is computationally efficient even with large designs. Further, because the timing is pessimistic but accurate, it removes the need for guardbanding the timing analysis compared to previous approaches. The representation of all potentially critical paths in a symbolic form also enables fast Monte-Carlo (MC) algorithms to supplement the deterministic ones. We show a combined deterministic and MC algorithm that is on average within 0.35% of ideal, and has a $10^{ \boldsymbol {-6}}$ probability of an optimistic result.
Considerations for Religious Education in Light of White Normativity

Dismantling white normativity is usually not the way I frame my work as a religious educator. In part, this is due to the shock that results from the combination of words such as “dismantle,” “whit...
Design and Intended Use of a Passive Actuation Strategy for a Shoulder Supporting Exoskeleton

The shoulderX actuator is designed to support an operator's arms when performing overhead tasks. The device may be optimized by researchers or end users for a particular task, tool, or user's preference with three adjustable parameters: peak force amplitude, peak force angle, and an “on-off” stiffness adjustment. The basis of the actuation strategy is derived from an iso-elastic torque profile that balances the weight of the arm as a function of the arm angle for a weightless effect. A peak torque angle adjustment shifts the support profile relative to arm angle to accommodate tasks of varying height or force requirements. A peak torque amplitude adjustment varies the support level to accommodate for varying loads, i.e. tool weights or worker size/strength. A variable stiffness force generator transitions between a high and a low state to allow users to turn the exoskeleton support off when on break or performing secondary tasks.
Learning image-based spatial transformations via convolutional neural networks: A review

Recent methodological innovations in deep learning and associated advancements in computational hardware have significantly impacted the various core subfields of quantitative medical image analysis. The generalizability, computational efficiency and open-source availability of deep learning algorithms and related software, particularly those utilizing convolutional neural networks, have produced paradigm shifts within the field. This impact is evident from topical prevalence in the literature, conference and workshop themes and winning methodologies in relevant competitions. In this work, we review the various state-of-the-art approaches to learning and prediction and/or optimizing image transformations using convolutional neural networks. Although of primary importance within the quantitative imaging domain, image registration algorithmic development, in the context of these deep learning strategies, has received comparatively less attention than its counterparts (e.g., image segmentation). Nevertheless, significant progress has been made in this particular subfield which has been presented in various research venues. We contextualize these contributions within the broader scope of deep learning advancements and, in so doing, attempt to facilitate the leveraging and further development of such techniques within the medical imaging research community.
Probing the Optically Clear Atmosphere with Radar

The recent use of high-power radars for lower atmosphere research has shown these radars are capable of yielding information not possible heretofore. Most microwave radars were useful in studying processes associated with precipitation and, to some extent, clouds. With the advent of radars of the class of those at Wallops Island (Katz, 1966) whose minimum detectible signals were perhaps 30 db better than radars in use as weather radars, it became possible to view the optically clear atmosphere in motion, at least under certain conditions. This review will be limited to a discussion of such phenomena visible with radars within the lower, say, 20,000 feet of the earth’s surface. We shall also restrict our discussion to those radar echoes which are of atmospheric origin and omit any mention of the large and interesting class of dot echoes, i.e. echoes from birds or insects. In the following we shall discuss layer type echoes, echoes from convective cells and instrumented aircraft flights into echo regions to find a relationship between echo signal strength and statistical properties of the atmosphere.
Position Paper: Towards Usability as a First-Class Quality of HPC Scientific Software

The modern HPC scientific software ecosystem is instrumental to the practice of science. However, software can only fulfill that role if it is readily usable. In this position paper, we discuss usability in the context of scientific software development, how usability engineering can be incorporated into current practice, and how software engineering research can help satisfy that objective.
Pregnancy Outcomes among Hispanics Stratified by Country of Origin.

Objective This study aimed to compare the perinatal outcomes among U.S.-born and foreign-born Hispanics and Caucasians and ascertain if length of time in the US was associated with the rate of adverse outcomes. Study Design Retrospective cohort analysis of gravidae enrolled in our institutional perinatal database. Women delivering a non-anomalous, singleton, at 24 weeks or more and self-identified as Caucasian or Hispanic were included. Women were stratified by country of birth and ethnicity into U.S.-born Caucasian, U.S.-born Hispanic, and U.S. foreign-born Hispanic. Composite maternal (CMM) and neonatal (CNM) morbidity was assessed. Results Of 20,422 women, 21% were Caucasian, 15% were U.S.-born Hispanics, and 64% were U.S. foreign-born Hispanics. Compared to Caucasians, U.S.-born and foreign-born Hispanic were older, more likely to be a grand multiparous, obese and less likely to be married. Compared to Caucasians, foreign-born Hispanics had a 1.42-fold increased risk of CMM (95% CI 1.26–1.30). Paradoxically, the rate of CNM was 40% lower among neonates born to foreign-born Hispanics (95% CI 0.51–0.74). A significant direct relationship was noted between time in the USA and CMM but not CNM among foreign-born Hispanics. Conclusion Despite less favorable baseline characteristics, U.S. foreign-born Hispanics have 40% less CNM compared to both Caucasians and U.S.-born Hispanics.
Finding the Sweet Spot: Ad Scheduling on Streaming Media

A majority of US households view content on online video streaming services, consuming on demand. Not surprisingly, ad spending on such services is growing rapidly. We develop a three-stage approach to deliver an optimal ad schedule that balances the interests of the viewer (content consumption) with that of the streaming platform (ad exposure). In the first stage, we use theoretical findings to develop two parsimonious metrics – Bingeability and Ad Tolerance – to capture the interplay between content consumption and ad exposure. Bingeability represents the number of completely viewed unique episodes of a show while Ad Tolerance represents the willingness of a viewer to continue watching after ad exposure. The second stage uses detailed data on viewing activity and ad delivery to predict these metrics for a viewing session using causal machine learning methods. This is achieved via tree-based algorithms combined with instrumental variables to accommodate the non-randomness in ad delivery. In the third stage, we use the predicted metrics as inputs to a novel constrained optimization procedure that provides the optimal ad schedule.
Increase in Free and Total Plasma TGF-β1 Following Physical Activity.

ObjectiveTo evaluate effects of physical activity and food consumption on plasma concentrations of free and total transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1), beta-2 (TGF-β2), and beta-3 (TGF-β3) in...
Study on Predicting the Thermal Impedance of Memory Devices based on Database Analysis and Parametric Simulation

Thermal impedance, or thermal resistance, is an important parameter which has been used to evaluate the thermal performance of electronic packages and construct large scale thermal simulation models. The thermal impedance of an electronic package can be affected by almost all construction details, such as thermal properties of Epoxy Molding Compound (EMC), size and thickness of each die, substrate construction, layout and material properties of solder ball, etc. To get a full thermal impedance report, simulations in eight JEDEC environments need to be carried out. The whole simulation process can cost several hours, and it is hard to avoid mistakes when collecting numerous construction details and building complex models. To reduce the simulation cost and minimize the chance of error, a simple but accurate method has been developed. This method can generate a thermal impedance report within several minutes and the results are comparable with simulation outcomes. Finally, we also show how to improve thermal performance of memory packages by reducing thermal resistance and use this as a guideline for future thermal design of any electronic packages.
Powder spreading, densification, and part deformation in binder jetting additive manufacturing

Binder jetting additive manufacturing (AM) can print complex structures in economical and scalable manner. Binder jetting AM comprises of deposition and weak binding of particles, known as green part, at room temperature and subsequent binder removal and sintering densification at high temperatures. However, during the densification (i.e., sintering), the part significantly deforms due to volume shrinkage. The deformation during sintering is difficult to predict, which prevents the widespread application of this technology. In this research, powder spreading simulation using discrete element method (DEM) was performed first to capture local variations in powder bed configuration. Second, finite element method (FEM) with a phenomenological continuum constitutive model was used to predict part shrinkage during the sintering process. DEM simulation showed variations in packing density, particle segregation, formation of uneven powder bed surface, and shift in particle size distribution (PSD). The sintering simulation modeled part deformation with a reasonable accuracy of 3% for solid-state sintering and intermediate liquid phase sintering. A demonstration case with non-uniform initial packing density showed that inhomogeneous green part density and PSD should be accounted for prediction of part deformation in binder jetting AM.
Deeper look at question categories, concepts, and context covered: Modified module analysis of quantum mechanics concept assessment

Modified model analysis is used to understand the structure of the Quantum Mechanics Concept Assessment.
Intracellular Delivery of Virus-Like Particles Using a Sheddable Linker

Intracellular targeting is an important aspect of the efficient delivery of drugs and nanotherapeutics. Cytosolic transport of nanomaterials is often an essential requirement for therapeutic delivery into cells but remains a challenge owing to the endosomal trap and eventual lysosomal degradation of cargo. To address this, we designed a functional carrier that escapes the endosome and delivers biological materials into the cell's cytoplasm. For this purpose, we synthesized a glutathione-sensitive linker that connects the well-known mitochondria targeting lipophilic triphenylphosphonium cation (TPP) to the surface of a proteinaceous nanoparticle based on the engineered virus-like particle (VLP) Qβ. Once in the cytosol, the thiol sensitive linker severs the TPP from the nanoparticle, halting its trafficking to the mitochondria, and marooning it in the cytosol. We demonstrate the successful in vitro cytosolic delivery of a VLP loaded with Green Fluorescent Protein, where evenly distributed fluorescence is observed in A549 lung cancer cells after four hours. We further demonstrate successful cytosolic delivery by showing that encapsulating siRNA inside the VLP promotes luminescence silencing in luciferase expressing HeLa cells more efficiently than VLPs that lack our sheddable TPP linker.
Virtual team member perspectives on personal development: A sequential explanatory study

The use of virtual teams in organizations has shifted upward exponentially since the onset of COVID‐19, yet available research does not include findings based on workplace virtual team members, as opposed to student populations. Research is limited on what virtual workplace team members consider important in the performance coaching and personal development processes. Research on virtual team member perspectives is valuable for human resource professionals and organizational leaders and particularly helpful to organizations struggling to respond to the new work‐at‐home environment. The purpose of the mixed‐methods study was to explore the perspectives of virtual team members about how performance coaching, mentoring, and training contribute to their personal development. Participants for the study were members of social network virtual team groups who have been members of virtual work teams. The sequential explanatory study data was from a sample of 149 virtual team members (12 for the pilot survey and 137 for the full study). The Kruskal–Wallis results led to the rejection of the null hypothesis at an overall significance level of 0.05, with significance levels of 0.014 for coaching and 0.008 for mentoring, indicating a perceived positive contribution from performance development efforts (coaching and mentoring) on the personal development of individual virtual team members. These results on the interpersonal aspects of virtual teams from team members and consideration of perspectives on their personal development provide organizations, leadership, and human resources professionals, valuable information to improve virtual teams and the team member experience in normal and unusual work situations.
Cosmic Challenge: The Ultimate Observing List for Amateurs

1. Meeting the challenge 2. Naked eye challenges 3. Binocular challenges 4. Small scope challenges: giant binoculars, 3- to 5-inch telescopes 5. Medium scope challenges: 6- to 9.25-inch telescopes 6. Large scope challenges: 10- to 14-inch telescopes 7. Monster scope challenges: 15-inch and larger telescopes Appendices.
Preservation of Seed Stocks

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses several methods of preservation of seed stocks. Seed storage is more difficult in warm and humid climates than in the areas of moderate temperatures and low humidity. The type of seed storage depends on the climate of the area, in which the seeds are to be stored. An aerated room suffices in some sections, whereas in others an elaborate, expensive installation is required. The most complicated and expensive method of preserving seeds is one, in which both the temperature and humidity are maintained at low levels. In an installation of this kind, the storage room requires thorough moisture proofing and effective insulation. Seeds may also be preserved satisfactorily at 80°F and at 20 percent relative humidity. This can be accomplished through proper control of humidity. Some seedsmen use hermetically sealed cans and others use envelopes, with moisture-barrier properties. Envelopes of this type are relatively inexpensive, are adaptable to the preservation of valuable seeds, and have the advantage of being reusable that is not the case, with hermetically sealed cans.
Defining pathogenic T cells in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and multiple sclerosis (MS) (HUM1P.318)

The etiology of MS is unclear, but autoimmunity plays a significant role. The autoimmune components are defined in the EAE model yet defining a biomarker remains problematic. We described a cell subset, Th40 cells, which proved highly auto-aggressive in diabetes. We compared Th40 levels in 90 MS subjects including clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), relapsing/remitting (RRMS) and secondary progressive (SPMS) patients to non-autoimmune controls. Diagnosed MS subjects have significantly increased percentages of Th40 cells in PBL compared to controls. Th40 cells produce pro-inflammatory cytokines. HLA haplotypes of MS patients were diverse although many carry DR2 (DR15). Th40 cells were elevated in MS patients regardless of HLA haplotype. Th40 cells responded to CNS antigens in an HLA dependent fashion. TRAV 8.1.3+ cells were expanded within the Th40 population in MS subjects. We used the EAE model to better define Th40 cells. EAE induction drastically expanded Th40 cell levels prior to symptoms. Th40 cells produce IFNg and IL-17 and infiltrate both brain and spinal cord. Th40 cells transfer EAE but surprisingly CD4+CD40- T cells also did but significantly (p < 0.001) more slowly and with less severity. CD4+CD40- cells became CD40+; suggesting the disease process induces CD40 on T cells. CD40flox.CD4.Cre mice did not develop EAE even after multiple disease induction attempts. These data suggest an important role for CD40 in T cell pathogenesis of MS and EAE.
Going ballistic in the plankton: Anisotropic swimming behavior of marine protists

Diel vertical migrations (DVMs) of many plankton species, including single-celled protists, are well documented in the field and form a core component of many large-scale numerical models of plankton transport and ecology. However, the sparse quantitative data available describing motility behaviors of individual protists have frequently indicated that motility exhibits only short-term correlation on the order of a few seconds or hundreds of micrometers, resembling diffusive transport at larger scales—a result incompatible with DVM, which requires ballistic (straight-line) motion. We interrogated an extensive set of three-dimensional protistan movement trajectories in an effort to identify spatial and temporal correlation scales. Whereas the horizontal components of movement were diffusive, the vertical component remained highly correlated (i.e., nonrandom) for nearly all species for the duration of observation (up to 120 s and 6.1 mm) and in the absence of any environmental cues besides gravity. These persistent motility patterns may have been obscured in some previous studies due to the use of restrictive containers, dimensionally lumped, isotropic analyses, and/or an observation bias, inherent to observing free-swimming organisms with stationary cameras, which we accounted for in this study. Extrapolated over a 12-h period, conservative estimates of vertical travel ranges for the protists observed here would be 3‐10 m, while diffusive horizontal motion would result in about 10 cm of travel at most. Hence, these extended observations of phylogenetically diverse swimming protists, coupled with a quantitative analysis that accounts for anisotropy in the data, illustrate the small-scale mechanistic underpinnings of DVM.
Workshops and Tutorials at the UML 2002 Conference

As part of the UML 2002 conference, six tutorials and five workshops were held. In the following, a brief summary of these events is given, including references for further information.
The Isolation and Structure Identification of Uridine 5-(2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranosyluronic Acid Pyrophosphate) from Micrococcus lysodeikticus Cells

Abstract The chemical structure of the major component of the nucleotides isolated from Micrococcus lysodeikticus cells was established as being that of uridine 5-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranosyluronic acid pyrophosphate) by comparison of the products of hydrolysis of the nucleotide and of its reduced derivative with authentic 2-amino-2-deoxy-d-glucuronic acid and with 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-glucose, respectively. The base was identified by examination of the ultraviolet spectra at various wave lengths; the anomeric configuration of the amino sugar residue was established by comparison of the optical rotation with that of other sugar nucleotides; and the ring configuration of the amino sugar residue was determined by periodate oxidation to give glyceric acid.
Differential Cross Sections for Metastable He and Ar

The interaction of metastable rare gas atoms with ground state atoms has been the subject of many theoretical and experimental studies.1,2 Especially the interaction between ground state and metastable He, which seems to be simple enough to be amenable to theoretical calculations, 2 has aroused much interest.
Bayesian extreme components analysis

Extreme Components Analysis (XCA) is a statistical method based on a single eigenvalue decomposition to recover the optimal combination of principal and minor components in the data. Unfortunately, minor components are notoriously sensitive to overfitting when the number of data items is small relative to the number of attributes. We present a Bayesian extension of XCA by introducing a conjugate prior for the parameters of the XCA model. This Bayesian-XCA is shown to outperform plain vanilla XCA as well as Bayesian-PCA and XCA based on a frequentist correction to the sample spectrum. Moreover, we show that minor components are only picked when they represent genuine constraints in the data, even for very small sample sizes. An extension to mixtures of Bayesian XCA models is also explored.
Fanconi anemia manifesting as a squamous cell carcinoma of the hard palate: a case report

Fanconi Anemia is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by various congenital malformations, progressive bone marrow failure at a very young age and of solid tumors development. The authors present a rare case of a squamous cell carcinoma of the hard palate in a Fanconi Anaemia patient. The atypical clinical manifestation rendered the diagnosis more difficult. This case, for age of appearance, sex and localization, is unique in international literature. We recommend a quarterly follow up of the oral-rhino-pharynx complex in FA patients and to consider as carcinomas, all oral lesions that last more than two weeks.
Ethnobotany on a Roll!: Access to Vietnam

This article describes the research and experiences of an ethnobotanist with a physical disability working in Vietnam. Due to a spinal cord injury, the ethnobotanist uses a wheelchair and walking canes to explore the bustling food markets of Vietnam. Information and recommendations are provided for equipment and traveling to and in Vietnam, particularly for those interested in conducting scientific research and for travelers with physical disabilities. Success is largely due to the mutual respect and kindness shared by people along the way, and by accepting and accommodating to given situations. Appendices of resources for travel in Vietnam and educational granting sources for people with disabilities provided.
Simplified specimen preparation for electron microscopic studies of an intra-erythrocytic parasite, Anaplasma marginale.

SummaryA rapid and simple method is described for preparing specimens of an intra-erythrocytic parasite for morphological examination in the electron microscope. The technic includes dehemoglobinization of the erythrocyte by dialysis against a hypotonic solution of a volatile salt. The hemolyzed stromata are transferred to specimen grids by gravity sedimentation. Three principal artifacts associated with the method of preparation are noted. The complex structure of A. marginale as reported by previous workers is confirmed and extended by these results. A possible relationship between certain observed forms and the parasite is suggested.While the National Animal Disease Laboratory was located at Beltsville, Md., blood samples for this work were supplied by Drs. D. W. Gates and T. O. Roby and Mr. James Caudill, of the Beltsville Parasitological Lab., Animal Disease and Parasite Research Division, Agri. Research Service, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. The author gratefully acknowledges their assistance.
The physics of aerobreakup. II. Viscous liquids

We extend the work of Theofanous and Li [“On the physics of aerobreakup,” Phys. Fluids 20, 052103 (2008)] on aerobreakup physics of water-like, low viscosity liquid drops, to Newtonian liquids of any viscosity. The scope includes the full range of aerodynamics from near incompressible to high Mach number flows. The key physics of Rayleigh–Taylor piercing (RTP, first criticality) and of shear-induced entrainment (SIE, second and terminal criticality) are verified and quantified by new viscosity- and capillarity-based scalings for fluids of any viscosity. The relevance and predictive power of linear stability analysis of the Rayleigh–Taylor and Kelvin–Helmholtz problems (both including viscosity) is demonstrated for the RTP and the SIE regimes, respectively. The advanced stages of breakup and of the resulting particle-clouds are observed and clear definition and quantification of breakup times are offered.
On the evaporation kinetics of C60/toluene solutions

The increasing interest in fullerene nanoparticles makes the question regarding their effect on liquid evaporation behavior unavoidable. In this study, we used a gravimetric technique to investigate the effect of C60 fullerene nanospheres on the evaporation kinetics of toluene over their entire range of solubility. Saturated solutions showed the highest evaporation rate. The increase in the evaporation rate as a function of concentration is not monotonic, but rather exhibits a maximum and a minimum. The results strongly support the notion of molecular structuring within the liquid toluene depending on fullerene mole fractions.
Observations on the biology of Boschniakia hookeri (Orobanchaceae)

Observations on Boschniakia hookeri Walp. (Orobanchaceae), a root parasite, have been carried out at locations on the Kitsap Peninsula, Washington State, U.S.A.; Bamfield, British Columbia, Canada; and Sand Lake, Tillamook County, Oregon State, U.S.A. The hosts of B. hookeri, all Ericaceae, identified by excavation of the host root–parasite connection, were Arbutus menziesii Pursh., Gaultheria shallon Pursh., Arctostaphylos uva–ursi (L.) Spreng., and an introduced South American species, Pernettya mucronata Gaud. Seasonal development above ground and recurrence of blooming were monitored. It was shown that the plants are autogamous. Predation plays an important role in the biology of Boschniakia hookeri, including infestation by nematodes, destruction of entire plants by rodents, and attack on the inflorescences by a fly, Pegomya sp. A life history of Boschniakia hookeri was assembled from the data of this study.
Myeloperoxidase in Human Intracranial Aneurysms Preliminary Evidence

Background and Purpose—Noninvasive imaging identifying a predictive biomarker of the bleeding risk of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) is needed. We investigated a potential biomarker of UIA instability, myeloperoxidase, in human aneurysm tissue. Methods—Human brain aneurysms were harvested after clipping and were histologically and biochemically evaluated for the presence of myeloperoxidase. Of the tissue collected, 3 were from ruptured aneurysms and 20 were from UIAs. For each UIA, its 5-year aneurysm rupture risk was determined using the Population, Hypertension, Age, Size of Aneurysm, Earlier Subarachnoid Hemorrhage From Another Aneurysm and Site of Aneurysm (PHASES) model. Results—All ruptured aneurysms were myeloperoxidase positive. Of the UIAs, half were myeloperoxidase positive. The median 5-year aneurysm rupture risk was higher for myeloperoxidase-positive UIA (2.28%) than myeloperoxidase-negative UIA (0.69%), and the distributions were statistically different (P<0.005, Wilcoxon–Mann–Whit...
THEX: Mining metapatterns from java

Design patterns are codified solutions to common object-oriented design (OOD) problems in software development. One of the proclaimed benefits of the use of design patterns is that they decouple functionality and enable different parts of a system to change frequently without undue disruption throughout the system. These OOD patterns have received a wealth of attention in the research community since their introduction; however, identifying them in source code is a difficult problem. In contrast, metapatterns have similar effects on software design by enabling portions of the system to be extended or modified easily, but are purely structural in nature, and thus easier to detect. Our long-term goal is to evaluate the effects of different OOD patterns on coordination in software teams as well as outcomes such as developer productivity and software quality. we present THEX, a metapattern detector that scales to large codebases and works on any Java bytecode. We evaluate THEX by examining its performance on codebases with known design patterns (and therefore metapatterns) and find that it performs quite well, with recall of over 90%.
The ductility in bending of molybdenum alloys irradiated between 425 and 1000°C

Abstract Molybdenum and the alloys Mo-0.5% Ti and TZM were irradiated at four temperatures between 425 and 1000°C to a displacement level of 11 dpa at a fluence of 2.5 × 10 26 n / m 2 (>0.1 MeV ). Vacuum bend tests at elevated temperatures showed the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature (DBTT) to be above room temperature for all irradiation temperatures. Irradiation at 585°C produced the highest DBTT, 550 to 700°C. Differences among the three materials were minor.
Subdivision rules and virtual endomorphisms

Suppose f : S2 → S2 is a postcritically finite branched covering without periodic branch points. If f is the subdivision map of a finite subdivision rule with mesh going to zero combinatorially, then the virtual endomorphism on the orbifold fundamental group associated to f is contracting. This is a first step in a program to clarify the relationships among various notions of expansion for noninvertible dynamical systems with branching behavior.
Patterns and processes

Classification, Evolution and the Nature of Biology. By Alec L. Panchen.Cambridge University Press: 1992. Pp. 403. £45, $80 (hbk); £16.95, $34.95 (pbk).
Joint and Bone Disease in Mucopolysaccharidoses VI and VII: Identification of New Therapeutic Targets and BioMarkers Using Animal Models

The mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are inherited metabolic disorders resulting from the defective catabolism of glycosaminoglycans. In this report, we find that the stimulation of MPS connective tissue cells by the inflammatory cytokines causes enhanced secretion of several matrix-degrading metalloproteinases (MMPs). In addition, expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 was elevated, consistent with the enhanced MMP activity. These findings were not restricted to one particular MPS disorder or species, and are consistent with previous observations in animal models with chemically induced arthritis. Bromodeoxyuridine incorporation studies also revealed that MPS chondrocytes proliferated up to 5-fold faster than normal chondrocytes, and released elevated levels of transforming growth factor-beta, presumably to counteract the marked chondrocyte apoptosis and matrix degradation associated with MMP expression. Despite this compensatory mechanism, studies of endochondral ossification revealed a reduction in chondro-differentiation in the growth plates. Thus, although MPS chondrocytes grew faster, most of the newly formed cells were immature and could not mineralize into bone. Our studies suggest that altered MMP expression, most likely stimulated by inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide, is an important feature of the MPS disorders. These data also identify several proinflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide, and MMPs as novel therapeutic targets and/or biomarkers of MPS joint and bone disease. This information should aid in the evaluation of existing therapies for these disorders, such as enzyme replacement therapy and bone marrow transplantation, and may lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches.
For Better, For Worse: Intrahousehold Risk-Sharing over the Business Cycle

Abstract Marriage allows couples to diversify labor income risks and dynamically coordinate labor supply decisions in response to shocks. This paper argues that these risk-sharing benefits of marriage are countercyclical; husbands' and wives' income changes are more positively correlated when the economy is growing rapidly. As a result, while individuals face more idiosyncratic income risk in bad times than in good, households do not. I exploit variation in the cross-sectional covariance of husbands' and wives' incomes to infer the covariance of past income changes. Couples with marriages spanning periods of greater economic expansion have more positively correlated incomes in the cross-section.
Cooperativity of SNARE Complexes in Membrane Fusion: Mechanisms of SNARE Cluster-Mediated Docking and Fusion

SNARE proteins are the core of the cellular fusion machinery. Vesicle v-SNAREs engage target membrane t-SNAREs and form SNARE complexes thought to pull the membrane surfaces together and drive fusion. Evidence suggests that many SNARE complexes participate in single fusion events and in SNARE-reconstituted vesicle-supported bilayer fusion assays 5-11 complexes were required for fusion [Karatekin et al, PNAS, 2010]. However a mechanistic understanding of this requirement is lacking. We have developed a mathematical model of SNARE cluster-driven docking and fusion which explicitly accounts for interactions between the participating SNARE complexes and the intermembrane forces that must be overcome to trigger fusion. The model is analyzed by a combination of analytical methods and computer simulations. We find that the energetically-favored cluster configuration is a ring of completely assembled SNARE complexes which dock the vesicle to the target membrane. Simulations show that a minimally-sized cluster ring expands outward, driven principally by electrostatic and steric repulsions between the SNARE complexes. Ring expansion thereby pulls the curved vesicle surface toward the target membrane. Addition of new complexes to the cluster further expands the ring, thus reducing the membrane separation and elevating the pressure between the membranes. We find a cluster of ∼5-10 complexes docking a 50-nm vesicle exerts local pressures of tens of atmospheres, similar to the threshold pressures required for fusion measured in planar bilayer systems [Wong et al, Biophys J., 1999]. Thus, the SNARE cluster-generated pressure may be sufficient for fusion. This is consistent with the recently reported 5-11 complex requirement. In addition, our model makes the testable prediction that fusion of smaller (higher curvature) vesicles requires fewer SNAREs.
Assessment of delivery of preventive health services.

Our objective was to design and evaluate an instru ment to assess the performance of a clinic in the deliv ery of preventive health services to a general medical clinic population. The patients were identified prospec tively ; data were obtained retrospectively with review of the charts. The study was conducted in a primary care clinic staffed primarily by internal medicine residents in an urban academic medical center. Patients who were receiving continuity care in the clinic and who were scheduled for an appointment during the 4-week study period were eligible for inclusion. Patients were iden tified by the appointment schedule. Charts were re viewed for the delivery of preventive health services. Data were abstracted utilizing a standard instrument. We found that the rate at which services were provided varied considerably by service and over time. The tech niques used provided some insight into methods for the evaluation of the delivery of preventive services. It should be possible to assess a clinic'...
Within-Subject Measures for the Assessment of Individual Differences in Faking

The more useful methods for assessing the fakeability of self-report measures given in Gordon and Gross (1978) are presented along with descriptions of two alternative measures of faking. These measures all assume that faking is being examined in a repeated measures design where subjects typically are asked to respond honestly on one administration of a scale, and are asked to fake on another administration. Since faking that is due to constant discrepancy over an entire group is of minor importance in most practical situations, the discussion focuses primarily on individual differences in faking. The most useful measure of individual differences in faking was operationalized by the variance of difference scores across subjects. This measure is shown to be less sensitive to detecting forms of individual differences in faking that are measured by the proposed within-subject measures. The proposed methods are described, and empirical support for their sensitivity to individual differences in faking is prese...
Separated flow in a driven trapezoidal cavity

Numerical solutions of the Navier–Stokes equations governing shear flow in a trapezoidal enclosure have been obtained at fine grid resolutions using an efficient multigrid calculation procedure. The effects of flow Reynolds number and wall boundary conditions are studied in detail. Interesting flow patterns are observed to develop, especially at high Reynolds numbers. To the author’s knowledge, such a flow development has not been reported previously.
Thin aerogel films for optical, thermal, acoustic and electronic applications

Aerogels are a special class of continuously porous solid materials which are characterized by nanometer size particles and pores. Typically, aerogels are made using sol-gel chemistry to form a solvent filled, high porosity gel that is dried by removing the solvent without collapsing the tenuous solid phase. As bulk materials, aerogels are known to have many exceptional, and even some unique physical properties. Aerogels provide the highest thermal insulation and lowest dielectric constant of any other material known. However, some important applications require the aerogels in the form of thin films or sheets. For example, electronic applications require micrometer thin aerogel films bonded to a substrate, and others require thicker films, either on a substrate or as free standing sheets. Special methods are required to make aerogel thin films or sheets. In this paper, the authors discuss the special conditions needed to fabricate thin aerogel films and they describe methods to make films and thin sheets. They also give some specific applications for which aerogel films are being developed.
Binuclear oxidative addition—reductive elimination reactions☆

Abstract The mechanistic aspects of oxidative addition and reductive elimination reactions in systems involving binuclear complexes are discussed. A variety of mechanisms are identified. In some cases the reactive species are mononuclear complexes. In others, binuclear species are directly involved but the oxidative addition or reductive elimination step itself occurs at a single metal atom site. The systems examined fail to reveal distinctive reactivity patterns or roles for binuclear complexes in such oxidative addition or reductive elimination reactions beyond those of thermodynamically stable reactant or product reservoirs.
Clinical manifestations of scleroderma.

Scleroderma is a connective tissue disease of unknown etiology. Its most characteristic feature is thickening of the skin due to increased collagen deposition. However, the disease may involve multiple other organ systems. Two broad categories of scleroderma have been defined: localized and systemic. Although all forms of scleroderma are rare, localized scleroderma occurs more frequently than systemic sclerosis and has a more favorable prognosis. Several types of localized scleroderma exist. Morphea is characterized by the presence of one or more patches of hard, ivory-colored skin lesions. They begin with erythema and progress to nonpitting edema before becoming sclerotic. The margins of active lesions often have a violaceous hue. Underlying muscle fibrosis and atrophy may occur.
Eliciting confidence intervals within the context of the revision and weighting model of group consensus judgment

Abstract Previous research by Sniezek and Henry (1989) and Sniezek and Paese (1989) on the performance of groups on quantity estimation tasks has suggested that eliciting confidence intervals from group members can produce effects such as higher group accuracy and lower group confidence compared to groups whose members do not elicit such intervals. Further research by Sniezek and Henry (1990) has indicated where in the group consensus process these effects are likely to occur. An alternative explanation for these effects, however, is that they may have been produced by the way in which the researchers structured the consensus process into separate revision and weighting phases. Using Sniezek and Henry′s (1990) revision and weighting model of group consensus as a prescriptive framework, the present study examined the effects of eliciting point estimates, confidence intervals, or both prior to the revision phase, the weighting phase, or both to untangle the effects of confidence intervals from the effects of separating revision from weighting. The results showed that the use of confidence intervals lowered confidence as expected, albeit marginally. Improvements in accuracy, however, appeared to result from separating the revision and weighting phases, not the use of confidence intervals. Isolating these two phases also appeared to raise or lower confidence, depending on whether or when confidence intervals were elicited.
Organizational Politics, Job Attitudes, and Work Outcomes: Exploration and Implications for the Public Sector.

Abstract The study aimed to promote understanding of employees' reactions to organizational politics. The relationship between perception of organizational politics, job attitudes, and several other work outcomes was examined among 303 public sector employees in Israel. Perception of organizational politics was found to have had a negative relationship with job attitudes (e.g., job satisfaction and organizational commitment), a positive relationship with intention to leave the organization (exit), and a stronger positive relationship with negligent behavior (neglect). It is suggested that public personnel will tend to react to workplace politics with negligent behavior rather than by leaving. A weak negative relationship was found between perception of organizational politics and employees' performance as reported by supervisors. Perception of organizational politics also made a unique contribution to explaining variance among the work outcomes, beyond the variance explained by job attitudes and personal variables. Several implications and recommendations for further inquiry into perception of politics in organizations, particularly in the public sector, are noted.
Semen collection, characterisation and artificial insemination in the beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) using liquid-stored spermatozoa.

Ejaculates were collected from a beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) to gain an understanding of sperm biology and develop a short-term sperm preservation method for use in artificial insemination (AI). Ejaculate parameters and biochemistry, semen production and serum testosterone concentrations of an adult male were characterised for 21 months. Sperm viability, acrosome integrity and morphology did not change (P > 0.05) but ejaculate volume, sperm concentration and total spermatozoa per ejaculate were higher (P < 0.05) from January to June than from July to December. Peak testosterone concentrations (P < 0.05) were observed from October to April (8.0 ± 1.6 ng mL–1). The effects of hyaluronic acid (HA), antioxidants, storage temperature and time on in vitro sperm characteristics were examined. Motility parameters and viability were improved (P < 0.05) when semen was stored at 5°C compared with 21°C. During the first 24 h of storage sperm agglutination was absent only at 5°C in the presence of HA. A nulliparous 28-year-old female was inseminated endoscopically with liquid-stored semen. A pregnancy and birth of a calf was achieved following AI for the first time in this species, thereby validating both the AI technique and the fertility of beluga spermatozoa after chilled storage in a specialised diluent.
A new operator splitting method for the numerical solution of partial differential equations II

Abstract We extend the applications of a new method for splitting operators in partial differential equations introduced by us (A. Rouhi and J. Wright, A new operator splitting method for the numerical solution of partial differential equations, Comput. Phys. Commun. 85 (1995) 18–28, and Spectral implementation of a new operator splitting method for solving partial differential equations, Comput. Phys. (1995), to be published.) to equations in two spatial dimensions, and show how the method allows the use of explicit time stepping methods in some instances when other methods require implicit time stepping. This odd-even splitting method also enables one to increase the order of accuracy of time stepping in a straightforward manner. Our main examples will be the two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations and the shallow water equations. In the first example we show how the pressure term can be dealt with in simple geometries. We will then discuss the treatment of the diffusion term. Next we will discuss how fast waves can be treated by explicit methods using the odd-even splitting, while retaining all stability and accuracy advantages of usual implicit methods. Our example here will be the shallow water equations in two dimensions.
Adherence of “stuck” restorations to demineralized dentin following use of experimental primers

Abstract Purpose. This in vivo study histopathologically evaluated the biocompatibility of four self-conditioning dentinal primer formulas in four bonding systems and evaluated the pulpal responses of the self-conditioning dentinal bonding systems for Class V tooth preparations in primates. Material and methods. The basic formula consisted of proprietary carboxylic diacid monomer, dipentaerythritol pentaacrylate phosphoric acid ester, acetone, and ethanol that was used alone or mixed with other commercial priming agents. After application of primers, Prisma Universal Bond 3 was selected to restore the cavity preparations. Results. All systems were judged histopathologically biocompatible. “Stuck” restorations that were resistant to acid demineralization necessary for processing of histologic slides, occurred more frequently with intact smear layers and increasing use of dehydrating agents. Conclusions. Tests should be performed to determine whether “stuck” restorations in in vivo studies that maintain dentin-pulpal relationships can support in vitro shear bond strength tests.(J Prosthet Dent 1997;78:354-66.)