cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Critical Entropy Threshold: An Irreversible Thermodynamic Theory of Fatigue

A theoretical model for material fatigue is described using irreversible thermodynamics to quantify fatigue damage by the generation of microplastic entropy. The microplastic entropy generated quantifies the microplastic deformation, commonly accepted as the mechanism of fatigue damage in polycrystalline materials. A stochastic model for microplastic deformation is utilized to calculate the expected values of tensile stress–strain, cyclic stress–strain, microplastic strain energy density and the microplastic entropy generated. When the cumulative microplastic entropy generated in cyclic loading exceeds the critical microplastic entropy threshold calculated from tensile tests, failure occurs. Calculated fatigue life with 99% tolerance limits (99% confidence) compares favorably to data for 6061-T6 aluminum rod and sheet specimens. Model parameters are determined from tensile tests and simple cyclic tests, decreasing the high cost of fatigue testing for parameter identification. This new theory has the potential to significantly decrease the cost of characterizing the fatigue properties of new materials.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Thrombolytic Therapy for Superior Vena Caval Thrombosis Following Superior Vena Cava–Pulmonary Artery Anastomosis

Immediate postoperative thrombosis of left superior vena cava-left pulmonary artery anastomosis in a modified Fontan procedure for single ventricle and pulmonary artery stenosis is described. Before thrombolytic therapy with streptokinase is initiated, confirmation of thrombosis by venography is mandatory to lessen the risk of cardiac tamponade or hemothorax. By this technique major surgical intervention is avoided, but close attention to the dose of streptokinase and the coagulation profile is essential. Measures to be taken if bleeding occurs with streptokinase therapy are described.
Increased Synthetic Phenotype Behavior of Smooth Muscle Cells in Response to In Vitro Balloon Angioplasty Injury Model

Restenosis remains a common problem following balloon angioplasty, and it has been speculated that changes in the mechanical environment due to endovascular interventions are correlated with shifts in smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotype. In order to study SMC response to forces similar to those exerted during balloon angioplasty, an in vitro concurrent shear and tensile forces simulator has been developed. After 24 hr of exposure to cyclic tension (5%) and shear (0.1-0.5 dynes/cm 2 ) following simulated angioplasty injury (12% stretch), rat aortic SMCs exhibited significant synthetic behavior. These responses included increased cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell hypertrophy compared to cells exposed to strain alone. While all SMCs exposed to dynamic stimuli (strain, strain+balloon injury, strain+balloon injury+shear) demonstrated a decrease in contractile protein expression, the injury group also exhibited significantly greater expression of the synthetic marker vimentin. These in vitro findings agree with in vivo events following balloon angioplasty and present a refined dynamic model to be implemented for better understanding of SMC activation and prevention of responses through pharmacological treatment.
Control/structure optimization approach for minimum-time reconfiguration of tensegrity systems

For a new class of tendon-driven robotic systems that is generalized to include tensegrity structures, this paper focuses on a method to jointly optimize the control law and the structural complexity for a given point-to-point maneuvering task. By fixing external geometry, the number of identical stages within the domain is varied until a minimal mass design is achieved. For the deployment phase, a new method is introduced which determines the tendon force inputs from a set of admissible, non-saturating inputs, that will reconfigure each kinematically invertible unit along its own path in minimum time. The approach utilizes the existence conditions and solution of a linear algebra problem that describe how the set of admissible tendon forces is mapped onto the set of path-dependent torques. Since this mapping is not one-to-one, free parameters in the control law always exist. An infinity-norm minimization with respect to these free parameters is responsible for saturation avoidance. In addition to the required time to deploy, the expended control energy during the post-movement phase is also minimized with respect to the total number of stages. Conditions under which these independent minimizations yield the same robot illustrate the importance of considering control/structure interaction within this new robotics paradigm.
Frequency of anti‐nuclear antibodies in multiple sclerosis

Article abstract—We found anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) in 26.7% of 150 relapsing-remitting and in 30.4% of 23 chronic progressive definite multiple sclerosis (MS) patients bv retromective chart review. These Datients did not have systemic hpus emhemato&. Since ANA are not pathogenically relevant in MS, they are false-positive, and likely reflect systemic immune dys-regulation in MS.
The role of cesium suboxides in low‐work‐function surface layers studied by x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy: Ag‐O‐Cs

The oxidation of cesium on silver substrates has been studied using photoyield measurements and x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The occurrence of two O1s peaks in the core‐level spectrum at 527.5 and 531.5‐eV binding energy for cesium and oxygen exposures giving the optimum photoyield proves that two oxides of cesium exist in high‐photoyield surfaces, and not Cs2O alone as previously thought. From the shape and position of the cesium peaks and the Auger parameter, the assignment of the O1s peaks at 527.5‐ and 531.5‐eV binding energies to oxygen in Cs2O and Cs11O3, respectively, can be made. Hence the total cesium‐oxygen layer is a mixed phase consisting of Cs2O+Cs11O3, approximately 20–40 A thick.
Structure of the RNA-Binding Domain of Telomerase: Implications for RNA Recognition and Binding.

Telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein complex, replicates the linear ends of eukaryotic chromosomes, thus taking care of the "end of replication problem." TERT contains an essential and universally conserved domain (TRBD) that makes extensive contacts with the RNA (TER) component of the holoenzyme, and this interaction is thought to facilitate TERT/TER assembly and repeat-addition processivity. Here, we present a high-resolution structure of TRBD from Tetrahymena thermophila. The nearly all-helical structure comprises a nucleic acid-binding fold suitable for TER binding. An extended pocket on the surface of the protein, formed by two conserved motifs (CP and T motifs) comprises TRBD's RNA-binding pocket. The width and the chemical nature of this pocket suggest that it binds both single- and double-stranded RNA, possibly stem I, and the template boundary element (TBE). Moreover, the structure provides clues into the role of this domain in TERT/TER stabilization and telomerase repeat-addition processivity.
The Putative C2H2 Transcription Factor MtfA Is a Novel Regulator of Secondary Metabolism and Morphogenesis in Aspergillus nidulans

Secondary metabolism in the model fungus Aspergillus nidulans is controlled by the conserved global regulator VeA, which also governs morphological differentiation. Among the secondary metabolites regulated by VeA is the mycotoxin sterigmatocystin (ST). The presence of VeA is necessary for the biosynthesis of this carcinogenic compound. We identified a revertant mutant able to synthesize ST intermediates in the absence of VeA. The point mutation occurred at the coding region of a gene encoding a novel putative C2H2 zinc finger domain transcription factor that we denominated mtfA. The A. nidulans mtfA gene product localizes at nuclei independently of the illumination regime. Deletion of the mtfA gene restores mycotoxin biosynthesis in the absence of veA, but drastically reduced mycotoxin production when mtfA gene expression was altered, by deletion or overexpression, in A. nidulans strains with a veA wild-type allele. Our study revealed that mtfA regulates ST production by affecting the expression of the specific ST gene cluster activator aflR. Importantly, mtfA is also a regulator of other secondary metabolism gene clusters, such as genes responsible for the synthesis of terrequinone and penicillin. As in the case of ST, deletion or overexpression of mtfA was also detrimental for the expression of terrequinone genes. Deletion of mtfA also decreased the expression of the genes in the penicillin gene cluster, reducing penicillin production. However, in this case, over-expression of mtfA enhanced the transcription of penicillin genes, increasing penicillin production more than 5 fold with respect to the control. Importantly, in addition to its effect on secondary metabolism, mtfA also affects asexual and sexual development in A. nidulans. Deletion of mtfA results in a reduction of conidiation and sexual stage. We found mtfA putative orthologs conserved in other fungal species.
The effects of age and death awareness on intentions for healthy behaviours

Terror management theory (TMT) suggests that people are motivated to distance themselves from death. One way of doing this is to report greater intentions to engage in health-promoting behaviours following increased awareness of mortality, also referred to as a proximal defense. Older adults' comparatively fewer remaining years and greater likelihood of having significant health problems may result in greater intentions to promote health following mortality reminders, but little is known about their proximal defenses and existing results are inconsistent. The current study examined how older (60-89 years) and younger (18-30 years) adults' intentions for future healthy behaviours were influenced by a death reminder (immediately and after a delay) compared to a control condition. Older adults (60-89 years) indicated greater overall intention to engage in healthy behaviours than younger adults (18-30 years). A two-way interaction revealed that regardless of age, participants engaged in proximal defenses immediately following a death reminder by distancing themselves from death via greater healthy intentions. After a period of delay, participants exhibited a reversal of this pattern, indicating lower intention to engage in healthy behaviours in the mortality condition compared to control. Results are discussed from the perspectives of TMT and terror management health model.
Whey-based bacteriophage inhibitory Italian bulk starter medium

Abstract Six commercially available bulk starter media used for growing rod-coccus thermophilic lactic acid bacteria (e.g., Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus ) were compared. The media were inoculated at the manufacturer's recommended rate with freshly thawed frozen concentrated thermophilic bulk set cultures obtained from two culture supply houses. Media were tested for bacteriophage inhibition and acid-producing activity of the cells grown in each medium. Cells from the media were rated for thermophilic acid-producing activity by summing the differences between the pH of an uninoculated and 1 and 2% inoculated NDM over a temperature profile simulating Mozzarella cheese manufacture. An experimental whey-based thermophilic bulk starter medium also was evaluated in comparison with those commercially available.
Non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of poly(p-phenylene sulphide)

Abstract The non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of poly( p -phenylene sulphide) (PPS) were studied. Linear PPS of selected molecular weights and branched PPS were investigated. The theory of Ozawa for non-isothermal crystallization was used to analyse the differential scanning calorimetry data. All the samples studied followed this theory and allowed the calculation of the Avrami exponent under non-isothermal conditions. The values of the Avrami exponent determined by the Ozawa equation were in good agreement with our earlier reported values obtained by means of isothermal methods.
Inhibition of [3H]quinpirole binding by a monoamine oxidase inhibitor in subcellular fractions of rat striatum.

[3H]Quinpirole is a dopamine agonist with high affinity for D2-like dopamine receptors. A number of non-dopaminergic compounds, most notably monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), inhibit the binding of [3H]quinpirole, but not other D2-like agonists and antagonists, in rat striatal membranes by a mechanism that does not involve the enzymatic activity of MAO. To further characterize this novel interaction, the subcellular distribution of spiperone-displaceable, “D2-like” [3H]quinpirole-labeled sites in rat striatum was assessed and compared with the distribution of MAOI-displaceable [3H]quinpirole binding (MQB). “D2-like” [3H]quinpirole binding exhibited similar nanomolar affinity in the crude synaptosomal (P2), crude microsomal (P3), and ribosomal, post-microsomal (P4) fractions. Total binding activity (fmol boundfraction) of “D2-like” [3H]quinpirole binding was concentrated in the synaptosomal fraction (P2B.) The subcellular distribution of MQB paralleled that of “D2-like” [3H]quinpirole binding. This suggests that “D2-like” [3H]quinpirole binding and MQB occur at a common membrane-bound binding site.
Two-switch flyback PWM DC–DC converter in discontinuous-conduction mode

The two-switch flyback DC–DC converter is an extended version of the conventional single-switch flyback converter. An additional switch and two clamping diodes serve as a simple, but an effective way to limit the switch overvoltages, which occur in the conventional single-switch flyback converter due to the ringing of the resonant circuit formed by the transformer leakage inductance and the transistor output capacitance. The clamping diodes in the two-switch flyback topology clamp the maximum voltage across each switch equal to the DC input voltage. This paper presents a detailed analysis and design procedure of the diode-clamped two-switch flyback converter operated in discontinuous-conduction mode (DCM). A comparison of power losses of the two-switch and the single-switch flyback converters is given. The two-switch flyback converter was bread-boarded to validate the theoretical analysis. Experimental results from a 20-V/30-W, 100-kHz laboratory prototype verified that the maximum switch voltage is limited to the DC input voltage. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perspectives: For the Money? For the Love? Reconsidering the “Worth” of a College Major

Students and their parents certainly deserve to know the worth of their investment in education. In defining worth, social scientists and policymakers typically use economic yardsticks, evaluating ...
LACTIC ACIDEMIA IN SICK NEONATES

163 blood lactic acid (LA) determinations were performed on 42 infants admitted to the Newborn Special Care Unit. Mean values: In the RDS group, all patients with LA >50mg% developed intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). IVH appeared to be more closely correlated to periods of increasing LA rather than decreased PaO2 or NaHCO3 therapy. No infant with LA>70mg% survived. All with >20mg% required assisted ventilation. Patients with rising LA had a poor prognosis. In cyanotic heart disease, a rise in LA was an early sign of decompensation and proved a valuable parameter for the timing of surgery. In general, increased LA was associated with increased serum osmolality, Na+ and glucose, but this relationship was not absolute. PaO2 could not be used as an index of LA. While increases in LA did not occur in some patients with PaO2≤40mm Hg, others with PaO2>50mm Hg developed severe lactic acidemia. Our data suggest that serial LA's provide both useful prognostic information and a more valid means of determining FiO2. LA determinations can be performed in 30 minutes. *CHD = Cyanotic Heart Disease, *RDS = Respiratory Distress Syndrome.
Optical gating techniques for material inspection

Optical gating techniques provide an important method for the non-destructive evaluation of a number of different transparent, translucent, and even highly scattering materials. We have used optical coherence tomography with 1.3 micrometers wavelength light to probe the subsurface region of ceramic, diamond film, single crystal silicon carbide, and other samples. We have demonstrated sample penetration depths of 100 to 1300 micrometers . We have achieved lateral spatial resolutions of 5 micrometers and depth resolutions of 10 micrometers . We have developed scanning techniques that allow planes in the sample to be imaged in less than 1 second and we have extended the scanning capabilities to allow for scanning over spherical convex or concave surfaces.
Variant dsRNAs associated with transmission-defective isolates of wound tumor virus represent terminally conserved remnants of genome segments.

Abstract Variant double-stranded RNAs are often associated with the genome of transmission-defective isolates of wound tumor virus. These RNAs are replicated and packaged into virus particles in systemically infected plants and are transcribed in vitro by the virion-associated transcriptase. Direct physical evidence that the variant RNAs are remnants of particular WTV genome segments was provided by molecular hybridization studies. Subsequently, ribonuclease T1 digestion products of 3′-end-labeled genome and remnant RNAs were analyzed by one- and two-dimensional electrophoretic techniques. One-dimensional partial and complete digestion patterns were indistinguishable, indicating that the guanosine positions relative to the 3′ terminus of the corresponding strands of a particular genome segment and its remnant RNA are the same for at least 40 nucleotides from each end. Fingerprints of the 3′ terminal ribonuclease T1-resistant fragments were identical, showing that the nucleotide composition of the 3′ terminal ends of the corresponding strands of a particular genome segment and its remnant RNA are also identical. These results indicate that variant RNAs associated with transmission-defective WTV isolates are formed by deletion of an internal portion (as much as 85%) of genomic RNA segments yielding terminally conserved genomic remnants that are functional with respect to transcription, replication, and packaging.
Managing From the Middle: Integrating Midlife Challenges of Children, Elder Parents, and Career

As oncology nurses, we know the importance of a life lived fully. Anna Quindlen (2000) advised, "Think of life as a terminal illness, because, if you do, you will live it with joy and passion, as it ought to be lived" (p. 45). The Rhymes With Orange comic strip captured this sentiment. A midlife woman is sitting on her couch with her cat and eating ice cream. The caption says, "Realizing that 'stressed' spelled backwards was 'desserts,' Bette knew that the only way to turn her lousy day around was to eat the entire pint of mocha chip." As advocates for patients with cancer, we must possess the skills that we teach when we counsel them about living the quality of life they desire. If we are preoccupied, stressed, and fatigued from being in the middle, our ability to listen will be compromised. Our quality of life then becomes a hindrance to facilitating our patients' ability to deal with their quality of life. We can help each other as colleagues recognize when we are in need of quality of life counseling, but understand that we cannot change someone else. Each of us has the power to make the change we want to see in our lives. The conditions of being in the middle may not be changeable, but how we deal with them is.
PhyloChip™ microarray comparison of sampling methods used for coral microbial ecology

Interest in coral microbial ecology has been increasing steadily over the last decade, yet standardized methods of sample collection still have not been defined. Two methods were compared for their ability to sample coral-associated microbial communities: tissue punches and foam swabs, the latter being less invasive and preferred by reef managers. Four colonies of star coral, Montastraea annularis, were sampled in the Dry Tortugas National Park (two healthy and two with white plague disease). The PhyloChip™ G3 microarray was used to assess microbial community structure of amplified 16S rRNA gene sequences. Samples clustered based on methodology rather than coral colony. Punch samples from healthy and diseased corals were distinct. All swab samples clustered closely together with the seawater control and did not group according to the health state of the corals. Although more microbial taxa were detected by the swab method, there is a much larger overlap between the water control and swab samples than punch samples, suggesting some of the additional diversity is due to contamination from water absorbed by the swab. While swabs are useful for noninvasive studies of the coral surface mucus layer, these results show that they are not optimal for studies of coral disease.
Integral equations of Volterra type

Abstract The behavior of exact solutions to Volterra linear and non-linear integral equations with negative or positive, monotone kernels is studied. It includes properties such as the number of zeroes, boundedness and monotonicity of the solutions on the infinite interval.
Letter to the Editor-Another Formulation of the Inventory Problem

The past decade has given rise to a considerable amount of research in the fields of inventory control and production planning. One of the most useful mathematical models originated with the paper of K. D. Arrow, T. E. Harris, and J. Marschak, "Optimal Inventory Policy," Econometrica 19, 250-272 1951. This model was further improved in Richard Bellman's book, Dynamic Programming, pp. 152-182, Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey, 1957. In the present paper, another formulation of the same problem is exhibited. The attentive reader will observe many similarities to the dynamic programming formulation.
Bullying of youth with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, or typical development: victim and parent perspectives

In-depth interviews conducted separately with 13-year-olds with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability (ID), or typical development (TD) and their mothers investigated the experiences of victimization in the form of bullying. Coded constructs from the interviews were utilized to compare groups on the frequency, type, and impact of victimization. Youth with ASD were victimized more frequently than their ID or TD peers, and the groups differed with regard to the type of bullying and the impact it had, with ASD youth faring the worst. Higher internalizing problems and conflict in friendships were found to be significant predictors of victimization, according to both youth- and mother-reports. These predictors were found to be more salient than ASD status alone. Implications for practice are discussed.
THE TWO FACES OF STOICISM: ROUSSEAU AND FREUD

The Stoics are a weighty embarrassment to their friends who, like myself, want to defend them from the charges that their views are at best vague or ludicrous, perhaps offensive or inconsistent. There is no doubt that some of their pronouncements seem material for Aristophanic comedy, others callous and yet others incoherent. And there is also no doubt that they openly defy common sense and deliberately change the terminology they inherit, introducing neologisms ad hoc. And yet, and yet — it is no accident that they continue, rightly continue, to have a powerful hold on ordinary belief and acute philosophical reflection.
Do Alliances Deter Aggression? The Influence of Military Alliances on the Initiation of Militarized Interstate Disputes

Scholars have long debated the effects of military alliances on the likelihood of war, and no clear support has emerged for the argument that alliances improve the prospects for peace through effective deterrence nor that they kindle the flames of war. In this study, I argue that alliance commitments affect the probability that a potential challenger will initiate a militarized interstate dispute because alliances provide information about the likelihood that others will intervene in a potential conflict. Yet, different agreements provide different information. Alliance commitments that would require allies to intervene on behalf of potential target states reduce the probability that a militarized dispute will emerge, but alliance commitments promising offensive support to a potential challenger and alliances that promise nonintervention by outside powers increase the likelihood that a challenger will initiate a crisis. As diplomats have long understood, the specific content of international agreements helps to determine their effects.
Allylglycine: intranigral effects and reappraisal of actions on the GABA system.

Abstract The interaction of allylglycine (administered intraperitoneally, intraventricularly and intranigrally) with the γ-aminobutyric acid system was studied in a number of rat brain regions. The effects of allylglycine appeared to result from reduced availability of brain γ-aminobutyric acid through inhibition of glutamate decarboxylase activity. Allylglycine was a more effective inhibitor of glutamate decarboxylase in vivo than in vitro , and could be metabolized to 2-keto-pent-4-enoic acid. Sublethal doses of intraventricular allylglycine had no effect on γ-aminobutyric acid metabolism. Intranigral allylglycine initially produced contralateral circling behaviour accompanied by elevated dopamine turnover in the ipsilateral striatum— seizure activity was subsequently noted. Observed actions of allylglycine probably result from the combined actions of the parent amino acid and the keto-acid metabolite.
Evidence of a reproductive barrier between two forms of the marine periwinkle Littorina fabalis (Gastropoda)

Studies of allozyme variation may reveal unexpected patterns of genetic variation which challenge earlier conclusions of species delimitations based on morphological data. However, allozyme variation alone may not be sufficient to resolve this kind of problem. For example, populations of the marine intertidal snailLittorina fabalis(=Littorina mariae) from wave exposed parts and from protected parts of the same shores are distinguished by different alleles of arginine kinase (Ark) while indifferent, or very nearly so, in another 29 loci. Intermediate populations have large deficiencies of exposed/sheltered heterozygote classes ofArkand we have earlier suggested habitat-related selection in this locus as the explanation. In this study we estimated growth rate of individual snails of differentArk-genotypes in three different habitats (exposed, sheltered and intermediate). In all habitats the snails homozygous for alleles of ‘exposed’ type grew faster and matured at a larger size than did snails homozygous for alleles of ‘sheltered’ types. This relationship was indirectly confirmed in three additional sites of intermediate exposure where exposedArk-genotypes dominated among large (>8 mm) snails while the sheltered genotypes dominated among small (<5 mm) snails of truly sympatric samples. We furthermore found small differences in allele frequencies of two other loci (PgiandPgm-2) and in shell colour frequencies, comparing sympatric snails of exposed and shelteredArk-homozygotes. Although we found no signs of habitat-related selection among snails of differentArk-genotype, or selection against heterozygotes, we cannot reject selection inArk, as our experiments only covered one island, one season and grown-up snails. The coupling between allozyme and phenotypic characters in strictly sympatric samples of snails suggests the presence of two gene pools. Perhaps the large and small forms ofL. fabalisrepresent very closely related cryptic taxa. However, introgression between them seems a possible explanation for the striking similarities in the vast majority of morphological and allozyme characters.
A simplified method for 226Ra determinations in natural waters

Abstract We have developed a simple method for 226 Ra determinations in natural waters that employs the pre-concentration of water samples onto Mn-fiber and alpha scintillation counting techniques. By directly transferring a known fraction of ingrown 222 Rn from a sample equilibrator to a scintillation cell, we eliminate the use of 222 Rn extraction and transfer boards, and reduce the sample processing time from 35 to 5 min per analysis. We describe the new transfer technique and compare these results with the standard oceanographic method.
Enhanced PNA detection sensitivity based on polymer-cladded porous silicon waveguide

In this work, we theoretically and experimentally demonstrate a highly sensitive polymer-cladded porous silicon (PSi) membrane waveguide based on a ~1.55 μm thick porous silicon membrane coated on one side with a low loss polymer. The sensor operates in the Kretschmann configuration, which is amenable to microfluidics integration, with a high index cubic zirconium prism. The sensitivity of the sensor is investigated through PNA hybridization in the PSi membrane. We demonstrate that higher angle resonances and a proper ratio of PNA length to PSi pore diameter lead to significantly improved detection sensitivity. A detection sensitivity below 0.1°/μM is reported for 16mer target PNA. Calculations and complimentary experiments show that careful tuning of the polymer cladding thickness can further improve the detection performance.
Reagan's "Gender Gap" Strategy and the Limitations of Free-Market Feminism

In late November 1982, presidential aide Lee Atwater forwarded to chief of staff James Baker a report warning about “one of the most severe challenges facing the [Reagan] administration” in the coming year, one that “could lock the GOP into permanent minority status.” He was referring to the “gender gap”: 1 women had voted for Reagan in signifi cantly lower proportions than men, Reagan’s approval lagged among women, and pundits credited women voters with several Democratic victories in the 1982 midterm elections. Polls also showed potential presidential contenders for 1984 running “substantially better among women than men in trial heats with President Reagan.” Pollster Ronald Hinckley counseled that “continued growth of the gender gap . . . could cause serious trouble for Republicans in 1984,” while California congresswoman Bobbie Felder warned that the gender gap could prove “disastrous.” Media analysts contributed to Republican alarm. Adam Clymer speculated in the New York Times that the gender gap “may infl uence American life in the 1980s as much as the civil rights revolution did in the 1960s.” 2 Th e gender gap off ered feminists and Democrats as much hope as it caused Republicans worries. Former New York congresswoman Bella Abzug
The effect of metal colloid morphology on catalytic activity: Further proof of the intermediacy of colloids in the rhodium-catalyzed hydrosilylation reaction

Abstract The relative activity of different morphological forms of Rh colloids were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) or high resolution electron microscopy (HREM). The degree of agglomeration of the Rh colloid was affected by either its storage history (e.g. refrigerator or bench top) or by the use of a vinyl silicone stabilizer. The smaller particle size (higher surface area) yellow Rh colloid was more active than the larger particle size red Rh colloid. A black Rh colloid, which contained no stabilizer, was more active than both the yellow and red forms. The heterogeneous nature of both Pt and Rh catalyzed reactions was further confirmed by inhibition studies with mercury.
The effects of non-binding price announcements on posted-offer markets

Abstract We report four posted-offer triopolies which examine the effects of ‘trade-press’ style price announcements. Although the injection of announcements increases prices initially, sellers uniformly defect from announced intentions, and prices tend toward pre-announcement levels.
Assessing patients' utilities. Can the ends justify the means?

Each of the elements of a utility assessment strategy—defining and describing health states of interest, identifying subjects, choosing a scaling task, aggregating across subjects, determining reliability and validity—is controversial. The controversy is in part explained by the interdisciplinary na
Relationship of argumentativeness to age and higher education

Communication traits comprise an important part of communication theory, yet, little is known about either their longitudinal stability over the life course or their cross‐sectional uniformity in t...
Iodo-α-conotoxin MI selectively binds the α/δ subunit interface of muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

The embryonic mouse muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is a ligand-gated ion channel formed by alpha1, beta1, delta, and gamma subunits. The receptor contains two ligand binding sites at alpha/delta and alpha/gamma subunit interfaces. [(3)H]Curare preferentially binds the alpha/gamma interface. We describe the synthesis and properties of a high-affinity iodinated ligand that selectively binds the alpha/delta interface. An analogue of alpha-conotoxin MI was synthesized with an iodine attached to Tyr-12 (iodo-alpha-MI). The analogue potently blocks the fetal mouse muscle subtype of nAChR expressed in Xenopus oocytes. It failed, however, to block alpha3beta4, alpha4beta2, or alpha7 nAChRs. Iodo-alpha-MI potently blocks the alpha1beta1delta but not the alpha1beta1gamma subunit combination expressed in Xenopus oocytes indicating selectivity for the alpha/delta subunit interface. Alpha-conotoxin MI was subsequently radioiodinated, and its properties were further evaluated. Saturation experiments indicate that radioiodinated alpha-conotoxin MI binds to TE671 cell homogenates with a Hill slope of 0.95 +/- 0.0094. Kinetic studies indicate that the binding of [(125)I]alpha-conotoxin MI is reversible (k(off) = 0.084 +/- 0.0045 min(-1)); k(on) is 8.5 x 10(7) min(-1) M(-1). The calculated k(d) is 0.98 nM. This potency is approximately 20-fold higher than the unmodified alpha-MI peptide. Unlike [(125)I]alpha-bungarotoxin, [(125)I]alpha-conotoxin MI binding to TE671 cell homogenates is fully displaceable by the small molecule antagonist d-tubocurarine.
A VXI message based communications driver and resource manager for EPICS

Abstract The VXI specification describes an open architecture instrumentation bus based on extensions of existing VME bus standards. The VXI system architecture provides for a central resource manager that identifies all VXI devices in the system, manages the system self-test and diagnostic sequence, configures the system's A24 and A32 address maps, configures the system's commander/servant hierarchies, allocates the system's interrupt request lines and initiates normal system operation. The VXI system architecture also provides for a standard set of communication protocols for use with a special class of message-based devices. A message-based communication library and resource manager were developed for use with the Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS) in compliance with the VXI specification. The portability, performance and completeness of the author's implementation are discussed.
Vibration in offshore structures- part II

Abstract The response of offshore structures to random wave excitation is studied for general nonstationary stochastic excitation, constant, time-dependent, or stochastic coefficients, and nonlinear forces without linearization, or averaging methods and closure approximation, or numerical methods. The method used yields physically realistic analytic solutions.
Shape sensitivity analysis for the compressible Navier–Stokes equations via discontinuous Galerkin methods

Abstract This paper describes the formulation of adjoint-based sensitivity analysis and optimization techniques for high-order discontinuous Galerkin discretizations applied to viscous compressible flow. The flow is modeled by the compressible Navier–Stokes equations and the discretization of the viscous flux terms is based on an explicit symmetric interior penalty method. The discrete adjoint equation arising from the sensitivity derivative calculation is formulated consistently with the analysis problem, including the treatment of boundary conditions. In this regard, the influence on the sensitivity derivatives resulting from the deformation of curved boundary elements must be taken into account. Several numerical examples are used to examine the order of accuracy (up to p = 4 ) achieved by the current DG discretizations, to verify the derived adjoint sensitivity formulations, and to demonstrate the effectiveness of the discrete adjoint algorithm in steady and unsteady design optimization for both two- and three-dimensional viscous design problems.
Choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase in the developing rat spinal cord.

Abstract Microchemical procedures were employed for the quantitative assay of choline acetyltransferase (ChAc; EC 2.3.1.6) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE; EC 3.1.1.7) activity in the lumbar spinal cord of the rat during late fetal and early postnatal development. ChAc activity remained low from the 13th to the 17th day of gestation, increased five-fold from the 17th day of gestation through the end of the second postnatal week, and changed little thereafter. AChE activity increased 19-fold from the 13th day of gestation through the end of the second postanatal week. The ontogenetic patterns for the two enzymes were identical after the 16th day of gestation. When these changes in enzyme activity were correlated with morphological and functional differentiation, the relationships were similar to those previously described for the chick.
Anterior Approach Total Hip Arthroplasty: The Heuter Interval

The authors report on outcomes from a consecutive series of 450 total hip arthroplasty patients who underwent surgery with a single-incision anterior approach to the hip joint. This approach is relevant to minimally invasive two-incision total hip arthroplasty, since the anterior portion of the two-incision technique is identical to that described here. Complications with the single incision technique, including thigh sensory changes and periprosthetic femur fractures, are reported, and the authors discuss how these may be avoided. In the authors' experience with total hip arthroplasty through the anterior approach, patients report reduced postoperative pain and experience more rapid recovery, with less surgical scarring.
New Approaches to the Management of Atrial Fibrillation The Role of the Atrial Defibrillator

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia for which patients are hospitalized.1 It imposes important morbidity and mortality on patients’ lives, engendering enormous expenditures for its management. The frequency of AF increases with age (10% in patients >70 years old) and with the presence of congestive heart failure (up to 25%). Clinically, the appearance of AF may be associated with a variety of symptoms, including palpitations, heart failure, syncope, and chest pain, which occur primarily because of the heart rate. In addition, AF imposes an important risk of thromboembolism and the potential for the development of tachycardia-mediated cardiomyopathy. It has been estimated by some that nearly 40% of strokes in patients >70 years old may be a result of AF.2 Whereas the financial burden imposed by AF itself is enormous, the added cost of caring for its sequelae, particularly cerebrovascular accidents, makes successful management of AF imperative.3 4 Heretofore, the management of AF has been empirical and not very effective. Physicians are divided as to whether it is more important to maintain sinus rhythm or control the heart rate. The choice of therapy is dependent on the physician caring for the patient: internists, cardiologists, and electrophysiologists may choose different regimens. Studies evaluating rate control by use of drugs singularly or in combination have shown that 50% of patients demonstrate adequate rate control with pharmacological therapy. Use of antiarrhythmic agents to prevent AF and maintain sinus rhythm is fraught with lack of efficacy, intolerance, and potentially lethal side effects. Although many studies have demonstrated that anticoagulation with coumarin can reduce the risk of thromboembolic phenomena, that risk is only reduced to perhaps 1% per year, approximately the same as the risks of coumarin.5 Thus, in my opinion, the most desirable therapy would be the use of …
Comparison of methods for removal of ectopy in measurement of heart rate variability

Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis uses variations in heart rate to assess activity of the autonomic nervous system. Ectopic beats can affect HRV by introducing mathematical artifact into the computations of time- and frequency-domain measures. Exclusion of ectopy-containing segments of data from analysis has been used to correct for ectopy, but this technique eliminates data and may bias HRV measurements if ectopic beats are causally associated with changes in autonomic tone. We have assessed algorithms for correcting for ectopy: deletion, in which ectopic beats are removed from the R-R sequence; linear and cubic spline interpolation; and nonlinear predictive interpolation, in which ectopy-free R-R sequences are used as templates for replacing ectopic beats. The null method (no ectopy correction) was evaluated to determine the importance of ectopy correction. These methods were applied to computer-generated sequences created by adding simulated ventricular premature depolarizations to 5-min ectopy-free R-R sequences. The null method resulted in significant alterations in HRV. Deletion and nonlinear predictive interpolation performed superiorly to linear or cubic spline interpolation, which overestimated low-frequency power and underestimated high-frequency power. Thus ectopy correction is necessary for HRV analysis; deletion of ectopic beats performs as well as or better than more complicated methods for these relatively short data samples.
A VLSI architecture for 2D object classification based on tree matching

This paper presents a real-time classification algorithm for 2D object contours using a multi-resolution tree model which is implemented in a modular VLSI architecture. The hardware implementation takes advantage of pipelining, parallelism, and the speed of VLSI technology to perform real-time object classification. Using the multi-resolution tree model, the classification algorithm is invariant under 2D similarity transformations and recognizes the visible portions of occluded objects. The VLSI classification system is implemented in 0.8 /spl mu/m CMOS and is capable of performing 34000 matchings per second.
Integrated Knowledge Base for Environmental Research

This paper deals with networking and knowledge base design to support researchers from various fields. The project is been implemented as a working prototype for investigating an integrated model for environmental research, which concentrates on the application spatial, and temporal analysis techniques to large-scale ecological data sets and includes satellite imagery and ground-based sensor data. The primary objective of the paper is to present the current state of the art for capturing and displaying live location information of a moving target in a wildlife environment as well as environmental parameters from static monitoring stations
Similarity and Uniqueness Focus: A Paper Tiger and a Surprise

Two studies examined self-defensiveness as a result of thinking about one's intimate relationship in terms of self-partner similarity or uniqueness. Fifty married couples (Study 1) and 106 single women who were involved in romantic relationships (Study 2) wrote essays on self-partner similarities or uniqueness or on movies (control). All participants were then given threatening information-spouse outperformed self on a novel task (Study 1)-or negative feedback on desirable attributes (Study 2). Defensiveness was measured. Content analysis revealed that relationship-similarity essays were associated with good feelings, a "we" focus, and limited cognitive processing. Relationship-uniqueness essays were associated with a self-focus, negative feelings, and substantial cognitive processing in terms of understanding and assimilation. In neither study did relationship-similarity essays reduce defensiveness; in both studies, relationship-uniqueness reduced defensiveness. Results are discussed in terms of the synd...
Flexible and Wearable Devices based on Transferred Aligned Carbon Nanotube Arrays

The assembly of carbon nanotubes into aligned arrays on various substrates, including plastics and fabrics, is highly desired for new applications such as flexible electronics and smart textiles. Thus, we report our recent advance on transfer printing of aligned nanotubes from the original sapphire/quartz substrates to virtually any other substrates, including glass, silicon, polymer sheets, and even fabrics. Nanotube networks transferred to PET substrates were observed to be highly conductive, transparent, and flexible as well. In addition, based on transferred nanotube arrays on various substrates, we have successfully demonstrated nanotube transistors with on/off ratios -103.
Aromatic polythiourea with ultrahigh breakdown strength for high energy density and low loss capacitor applications

Dielectric capacitors for energy storage are of great importance in modern electronics and electric systems. It is a challenge to realize the high energy density while maintain the low dielectric loss. We investigated an ultra high breakdown electric field of 1.1 GV/m, which is approaching the intrinsic breakdown, in aromatic polythiourea, a new dielectric material that serves a high energy density of 23 J/cm3 as well as high charge-discharge efficiency above 90%. The molecular structure and film surface morphology were also studied, it was proved a polar amorphous phase and glass state material could significantly suppress the high field conduction to several orders smaller compared with regular polymer dielectric materials, which are usually semi-crystalline and in rubber phase.
Sweeping Six Percent Philanthropy Away: The New Deal in Sunnyside Gardens

Built in the 1920s, Sunnyside Gardens, Queens, New York, was a model modern community meant to exemplify best practices in land development, home design, and housing finance. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, many homeowners who had been drawn to the attractive neighborhood faced losing their homes to mortgage foreclosure. Rather than go quietly, they formed a committee, gathered economic survey data, and lobbied federal and state officials, ultimately affecting New Deal legislation. When their lobbying yielded little increased security, they adopted the methods of their rent striking forebears in Manhattan tenements, declared solidarity, and struck for lower mortgage payments. Although hundreds ultimately lost their homes, their example stands as a reminder of the promise of democratic participation in times of crisis.
Tem Structure Investigations of Low-Temperature MBE Grown Inalas Layers on INP Substrate

The real crystal structure of In0.52A10.48As layers grown on InP substrate as a function of the growth temperature (between 150°C and 450°C) was investigated. The following structural / electrical analyses were applied to the samples: transmission electron microscopy (TEM), x-ray diffraction and particle induced x-ray emission (PIXE). In the temperature range between 200°C and 450°C good epitaxial growth of InAlAs layers can be achieved with a low density of dislocations and stacking faults. Ordering of group-III elements on {111} planes was observed for these layers. Structure models of such ordered domains are discussed. At growth temperatures below 300 °C additional As (≈2%) is incorporated in the lattice. Growth at temperatures below 200°C leads to the formation of pyramidal defects with As grains in their cores. As-grown as well as annealed InAlAs layers show a nearly constant, high electrical resistance (106-107Ωcm) in the whole temperature range.