cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Project Manager Skill Development: A Survey of Programs and Practitioners

Abstract:This article reviews project management education, from graduate and certificate programs to organizational programs. It includes survey results of current practitioners with regard to project management training. It has been found that there are both graduate and certificate programs that cover the recommended project knowledge areas. Less than half of the organizations in the survey had any type of project management training program and 41% of project managers felt their organizations prepared them for their role. From those project managers who had been trained, 73% felt the training prepared them for their role. Recommendations are provided for employees, employers, and academia to help bridge the gap between current training and skills necessary for project managers. An overview of one program that has been developed is provided.
On topographic core-mantle coupling

Abstract The purpose of this note is two-fold: to draw attention to a perplexing difficulty connected with topographic core-mantle coupling, and to suggest tentatively an explanation. The difficulty is an apparent conflict between the most comprehensive theory of the coupling so far attempted (Anufriev and Braginsky, 1975a, b, 1977a, b) and recent explicit calculations based on magnetic and seismic information (Speith et al., 1986). It is argued that asymmetric deviations from Anufriev and Braginsky's basically axisymmetric model of the underlying core flow are capable of resolving the difficulty.
Mapping of the interaction domains of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus nucleocapsid protein.

Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a member of the genus Nairovirus of the family Bunyaviridae, that can cause severe haemorrhagic fever in humans, with mortality rates above 30 %. CCHFV is the most widespread of the tick-borne human viruses and it is endemic in areas of central Asia, the Middle East, Africa and southern Europe. Its viral genome consists of three negative-sense RNA segments. The large segment (L) encodes a viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (L protein), the small segment (S) encodes the nucleocapsid protein (N protein) and the medium segment (M) encodes the envelope proteins. The N protein of bunyaviruses binds genomic RNA, forming the viral ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex. The L protein interacts with these RNP structures, allowing the initiation of viral replication. The N protein also interacts with actin, although the regions and specific residues involved in these interactions have not yet been described. Here, by means of immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence assays, we identified the regions within the CCHFV N protein implicated in homo-oligomerization and actin binding. We describe the interaction of the N protein with the CCHFV L protein, and identify the N- and C-terminal regions within the L protein that might be necessary for the formation of these N–L protein complexes. These results may guide the development of potent inhibitors of these complexes that could potentially block CCHFV replication.
Inefficient skeletal muscle repair in inhibitor of differentiation knockout mice suggests a crucial role for BMP signaling during adult muscle regeneration

The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathway is known to be involved in limb myogenesis during development, but whether it is involved in postnatal muscle regeneration is unclear. We have found tha...
Retinol to retinol-binding protein (RBP) is low in obese adults due to elevated apo-RBP.

Elevated serum retinol-binding protein (RBP) concentration has been associated with obesity and insulin resistance, but accompanying retinol values have not been reported. Assessment of retinol is required to discriminate between apo-RBP, which may act as an adipokine, and holo-RBP, which transports vitamin A. The relations between serum RBP, retinol, retinyl esters, BMI, and measures of insulin resistance were determined in obese adults. Fasting blood (≥8 h) was collected from obese men and women (n = 76) and blood chemistries were obtained. Retinol and retinyl esters were quantified by HPLC and RBP by ELISA. RBP and retinol were determined in age and sex-matched, nonobese individuals (n = 41) for comparison. Serum apo-RBP was two-fold higher in obese (0.90 ± 0.62 μM) than nonobese subjects (0.44 ± 0.56 μM) (P < 0.001). The retinol to RBP ratio (retinol:RBP) was significantly lower in obese (0.73 ± 0.13) than nonobese subjects (0.90 ± 0.22) (P < 0.001) and RBP was strongly associated with retinol in both...
Digital Staining of Confocal Mosaics for Clinical Pathology

Digital staining of multimodal confocal mosaics may be necessary for clinical acceptance. We determined the appropriate color and weight for transformation from grayscale to resemble hematoxylin and Eosin-stained fixed sections.
Interaction and “apparent” reconnection of 3D vortex tubes via direct numerical simulations

Abstract We present evidence of: “binding” of anti-parallel vortex tube segments; strong noncircular core development; evolution of new secondary finger-like vortex structures: and finally “apparent” vortex reconnections due to entanglement. The latter three processes are not present in Biot-Savart filament simulations.
The efficacy of three chlortetracycline regimens in the treatment of persistent Anaplasma marginale infection.

Abstract Chemosterilization is reported in cattle fed chlortetracycline hydrochloride (CTC) at dosages ranging from 1.1 mg/kg for 120 days to 11 mg/kg for 30–60 days. The relationship between plasma CTC drug concentration and carrier clearance has not been described. Chronic carrier status was established in 21 steers with a Virginia isolate of Anaplasma marginale and confirmed by cELISA and an A. marginale -specific RT-PCR. Four negative, splenectomized steers served as active disease transmission sentinels. Steers were randomized to receive 4.4 mg/kg/day (LD); 11 mg/kg/day (MD); or 22 mg/kg/day (HD) of oral chlortetracycline; or placebo (CONTROL) for 80 days. The LD, MD and HD treatment groups consisted of 5 infected steers and 1 splenectomized steer; CONTROL group had six infected steers and 1 splenectomized steer. The daily treatments and ration were divided equally and fed twice daily. Blood samples were collected semi-weekly for determining plasma drug concentration by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry method and assessment of disease status by both cELISA and RT-PCR. Mean (CV%) chlortetracycline plasma drug concentrations in the LD, MD, and HD groups were 85.3 (28%), 214.5 (32%) and 518.9 (40%) ng/mL during days 4 through 53 of treatment. A negative RT-PCR assay result was confirmed in all CTC-treated groups within 49 days of treatment; however, cELISA required an additional 49 to 88 days before similar results. Subinoculation of splenectomized steers confirmed chemosterilization. These results are important for influencing future chemosterilization strategies and impacting free trade policy among countries and regions of contrasting endemicity.
The role of yttrium on the oxide adherence of Fe-24Cr base alloys

A study on isothermal oxidation of Fe-24Cr base alloys containing 0.063 and 0.87 wt pct yttrium has been made to examine the role of yttrium on the improvement of oxide adherence. The isothermal oxidation resistance of the 0.063Y alloy was nearly equal to that of the 0.87Y alloy at 1000 °C and 1100 °C. The oxide scales of the former spalled partially during cooling to room temperature, while the adherence of the oxide on the latter was extremely strong. A morphological observation of the substrate-oxide interface by a scanning electron microscope revealed that cavities developed at the substrate-oxide interface of the 0.063Y alloy caused the partial spallation. No cavities were observed at the substrate-oxide interface of the 0.87Y alloy and voids centered on Y2O3 particles were observed in the substrate of the alloy. Those voids indicated that internal oxide particles had acted as preferential sinks for excess vacancies which would otherwise have condensed to form voids at the substrate-oxide interface. A model is proposed for a diffusional process based on excess vacancy sinks at the boundaries of internal oxide particles dispersed in the matrix of the Fe-24Cr-O.87Y alloy, and the effect of yttrium on the surface oxide adherence of the alloy.
Treatment of Zucker diabetic fatty rats with AVE7688 improves vascular and neural dysfunction.

Aim Vasopeptidase inhibitors are drugs that inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme and neutral endopeptidase (NEP). The latter is a protease that degrades vasoactive peptides and is increased in diabetes. We have previously shown that treating streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, an animal model of type 1 diabetes, with AVE7688, a vasopeptidase inhibitor, improves neurovascular and neural function. In this study, we determined the effect of treating Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats, an animal model of type 2 diabetes, with AVE7688 on vascular and neural function.
Setting an egalitarian social norm in the classroom: improving attitudes towards diversity among male engineering students

This study tested the effect of a message describing a social norm of egalitarian attitudes and behaviors in an engineering college on male students’ attitudes and behavioral intentions surrounding diversity in engineering. Participants were first-semester university students enrolled in four sections of an introductory engineering course in two academic terms (Fall 2009 and Fall 2011). At the beginning of the semester, students in two of the four sections received the egalitarian social norms message in the form of an oral presentation given by a senior White male faculty member (social norms message condition). Students in the other two sections did not receive this presentation (control condition). At the end of the semester, all students were invited to complete a survey. Results from a sample of 129 students showed that compared to the control condition, male students in the social norms message condition had stronger intentions to speak out against racist behaviors in their engineering courses and teams, and (among White compared to racial minority men) more positive attitudes toward diversity in engineering. These results suggest that setting a tone of egalitarianism and intolerance of bias for incoming students could help create a more inclusive environment in a White male-dominated educational setting such as a college of engineering.
Vitamin A: not required for adrenal steroidogenesis in rats

Previous work supporting the vitamin A dependency of adrenal function in rats neglected to take into account a secondary effect of the deficiency, a decrease in hepatic ascorbic acid biosynthesis. Vitamin A-depleted rats maintained on a diet free of ascorbate had a decrease in the activity of adrenal 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and extensive adrenocortical degeneration. The use of an ascorbate supplement prevented the symptoms. The results suggest that previous evidence for direct involvement of vitamin A in steroidogenesis may have been due to the production of a secondary deficiency, a chronic scorbutic condition.
Binding of CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase to lipid vesicles: diacylglycerol and enzyme dephosphorylation increase the affinity for negatively charged membranes.

The regulation of membrane binding and activity of purified CDP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase (CT) by lipid activators and enzyme dephosphorylation was examined. The binding of CT to membranes was analyzed using sucrose-loaded vesicles (SLVs). Binding to phosphatidylcholine vesicles was not detected even at a lipid:protein ratio of ∼2000 (1 mM PC). CT bound to vesicles containing anionic lipids with apparent molar partition coefficients between 2 × 105 and 2 × 106, depending on the vesicle charge. The vesicle binding and activation of CT showed very similar sigmoidal dependencies on the lipid negative charge. In addition, diacylglycerol interacted synergistically with anionic phospholipids to stimulate both binding and activation at lower mole percent anionic lipid. These results demonstrate parallel requirements for binding and activity. Dephosphorylation of CT without destabilization was accomplished using the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 1. Dephosphorylated CT required a lower mole pe...
Clinical presentation of patients with symptomatic anterior hip impingement.

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is considered a cause of labrochondral disease and secondary osteoarthritis. Nevertheless, the clinical syndrome associated with FAI is not fully characterized. We determined the clinical history, functional status, activity status, and physical examination findings that characterize FAI. We prospectively evaluated 51 patients (52 hips) with symptomatic FAI. Evaluation of the clinical history, physical exam, and previous treatments was performed. Patients completed demographic and validated hip questionnaires (Baecke et al., SF-12, Modified Harris hip, and UCLA activity score). The average patient age was 35 years and 57% were male. Symptom onset was commonly insidious (65%) and activity-related. Pain occurred predominantly in the groin (83%). The mean time from symptom onset to definitive diagnosis was 3.1 years. Patients were evaluated by an average 4.2 healthcare providers prior to diagnosis and inaccurate diagnoses were common. Thirteen percent had unsuccessful surgery at another anatomic site. On exam, 88% of the hips were painful with the anterior impingement test. Hip flexion and internal rotation in flexion were limited to an average 97° and 9°, respectively. The patients were relatively active, yet demonstrated restrictions of function and overall health. These data may facilitate diagnosis of this disorder.
Tonally conditioned vowel raising in Shuijingping Mang

In the Mang (Hmongic) dialect of Shuijingping, Guizhou, China, vowels are raised in certain tonal contexts. When a syllable bearing the historical A2 tone occurs in sandhi context, it surfaces with a low tone (historical S) and a raised vowel nucleus. When a syllable bearing the C2 tone occurs out of sandhi context, it also surfaces with a raised vowel. In most other documented cases of tone–vowel quality interactions, there is some factor, such as syllable structure, metrical structure, or vowel duration that mediates between tone and vowel quality. These earlier analyses cannot be straightforwardly extended to Shuijingping Mang since no synchronic mediating factor seems to be present. However, this paper shows that, historically, there was another mediating factor between tone and vowel quality, namely voice quality. It is common for tones in East and Southeast Asian languages to have characteristic phonation types. It is also common for phonation type to affect vowel quality. Comparative evidence shows that the tones that condition the vowel alternation in the present-day language historically underwent a tonally-driven breathy-modal voice alternation. Subsequently, the tonal grammar has changed; however, vowel raising remains as a synchronic alternation.
Fermion-number susceptibility in lattice gauge theory.

We study the response of the quark number density to infinitesimal chemical potentials in quantum chromodynamics with two flavors of light quarks. We find that both the singlet and nonsinglet susceptibilities give clear signals for the chiral-symmetry-restoration phase transition. They are large and approximately equal in the high-temperature phase, which is consistent with a plasma of light-mass quarks. The quark-number susceptibility is consistent with zero in the low-temperature phase as expected from confinement. For U(1) lattice gauge theory with four flavors of fermions we find that the singlet susceptibility is zero in both the chiral-symmetric and broken phases as expected on theoretical grounds, while the nonsinglet susceptibility jumps at the phase transition.
Protein farnesyltransferase and geranylgeranyltransferase share a common α subunit

Abstract Mammalian farnesyltransferase, which attaches a 15 carbon isoprenoid, farnesyl, to a cysteine in p21 ras proteins, contains two subunits, α and β. The β subunit is known to bind p21 ras proteins. We show here that the α subunit is shared with another prenyltransferase that attaches 20 carbon geranylgeranyl to Ras-related proteins. Farnesyltransferase and geranylgeranyltransferase have similar molecular weights on gel filtration, but are separated by ion exchange chromatography. Both enzymes are precipitated and immunoblotted by multiple antibodies directed against the a subunit of farnesyltransferase. The two transferases have different specificities for the protein acceptor; farnesyltransferase prefers methionine or serine at the COOH-terminus and geranylgeranyltransferase prefers leucine. The current data indicate that both prenyltransferases are heterodimers that share a common a subunit with different β subunits.
Air-to-Air Missile Trajectories for Maximization of Launch Range

A simplified two-dimensional (horizontal plane) air-to-air missile intercept problem is formulated and analyzed, using the necessary conditions for an optimal trajectory. To achieve the maximum possible launch range against constant-velocity targets, the missile should turn onto a collision course with the target as soon as possible after launch. These maximum launch range trajectories generally include arcs along which the missile uses an intermediate fuel burning rate to maintain a constant velocity. Although this intermediate fuel burning rate is a function of aerodynamic drag, the resulting constant velocity depends only on the effective exhaust velocity of the missile and the component of target velocity in the direction of the final missile velocity vector. The launch range is not very sensitive to errors in this velocity. The optimal time of switching from the maximum fuelburning rate to the intermediate fuel burning rate is completely determined by the target velocity magnitude and direction. These same general features of the optimal fuel-burning-rate program can be expected to appear in more realistic problem formulations.
In Vivo Selection To Identify Bacterial Strains with Enhanced Ecological Performance in Synbiotic Applications

One strategy for enhancing the establishment of probiotic bacteria in the human intestinal tract is via the parallel administration of a prebiotic, which is referred to as a synbiotic. Here we present a novel method that allows a rational selection of putative probiotic strains to be used in synbiotic applications: in vivo selection (IVS). This method consists of isolating candidate probiotic strains from fecal samples following enrichment with the respective prebiotic. To test the potential of IVS, we isolated bifidobacteria from human subjects who consumed increasing doses of galactooligosaccharides (GOS) for 9 weeks. A retrospective analysis of the fecal microbiota of one subject revealed an 8-fold enrichment in Bifidobacterium adolescentis strain IVS-1 during GOS administration. The functionality of GOS to support the establishment of IVS-1 in the gastrointestinal tract was then evaluated in rats administered the bacterial strain alone, the prebiotic alone, or the synbiotic combination. Strain-specific quantitative real-time PCR showed that the addition of GOS increased B. adolescentis IVS-1 abundance in the distal intestine by nearly 2 logs compared to rats receiving only the probiotic. Illumina 16S rRNA sequencing not only confirmed the increased establishment of IVS-1 in the intestine but also revealed that the strain was able to outcompete the resident Bifidobacterium population when provided with GOS. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that IVS can be used to successfully formulate a synergistic synbiotic that can substantially enhance the establishment and competitiveness of a putative probiotic strain in the gastrointestinal tract.
The Greenland Telescope

In the spring of 2010, the Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics, and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, acquired the ALMA North America prototype antenna – a state-of-the-art 12-m diameter dish designed for submillimeter astronomy. Together with the MIT-Haystack Observatory and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, the plan is to retrofit this antenna for cold-weather operation and equip it with a suite of instruments designed for a variety of scientific experiments and observations. The primary scientific goal is to image the shadow of the Super-Massive Black Hole in M87 in order to test Einstein’s theory of relativity under extreme gravity. This requires the highest angular resolution, which can only be achieved by linking this antenna with others already in place to form a telescope almost the size of the Earth. We are therefore developing plans to install this antenna at the peak of the Greenland ice-sheet. This location will produce an equivalent North-South separation of almost 9,000 km when linked to the ALMA telescope in Northern Chile, and an East-West separation of about 6,000 km when linked to SAO and ASIAA’s Submillimeter Array on Mauna Kea, Hawaii, and will provide an angular resolution almost 1000 times higher than that of the most powerful optical telescopes. Given the quality of the atmosphere at the proposed telescope location, we also plan to make observations in the atmospheric windows at 1.3 and 1.5 THz. We will present plans to retrofit the telescope for cold-weather operation, and discuss potential instrumentation and projected time-line.
Attractant Signaling by an Aspartate Chemoreceptor Dimer with a Single Cytoplasmic Domain

Signal transduction across cell membranes often involves interactions among identical receptor subunits, but the contribution of individual subunits is not well understood. The chemoreceptors of enteric bacteria mediate attractant responses by interrupting a phosphotransfer circuit initiated at receptor complexes with the protein kinase CheA. The aspartate receptor (Tar) is a homodimer, and oligomerized cytoplasmic domains stimulate CheA activity much more than monomers do in vitro. Intragenic complementation was used to show in Escherichia coli that heterodimers containing one full-length and one truncated Tar subunit mediated responses to aspartate in the presence of full-length Tar homodimers that could not bind aspartate. Thus, a Tar dimer containing only one cytoplasmic domain can initiate an attractant (inhibitory) signal, although it may not be able to stimulate kinase activity of CheA.
Antidepressant use and cognitive deficits in older men: addressing confounding by indications with different methods.

Purpose Antidepressant use has been associated with cognitive impairment in older persons. We sought to examine whether this association might reflect an indication bias. Methods A total of 544 community-dwelling hypertensive men aged ≥65 years completed the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test at baseline and 1 year. Antidepressant medications were ascertained by the use of medical records. Potential confounding by indications was examined by adjusting for depression-related diagnoses and severity of depression symptoms using multiple linear regression, a propensity score, and a structural equation model (SEM). Results Before adjusting for the indications, a one unit cumulative exposure to antidepressants was associated with −1.00 (95% confidence interval [CI], −1.94, −0.06) point lower HVLT score. After adjusting for the indications using multiple linear regression or a propensity score, the association diminished to −0.48 (95% CI, −0.62, 1.58) and −0.58 (95% CI, −0.60, 1.58), respectively. The most clinical interpretable empirical SEM with adequate fit involves both direct and indirect paths of the two indications. Depression-related diagnoses and depression symptoms significantly predict antidepressant use (p Conclusion The apparent association between antidepressant use and memory deficit in older persons may be confounded by indications. SEM offers a heuristic empirical method for examining confounding by indications but not quantitatively superior bias reduction compared with conventional methods.
Selection of an articulator and jaw registrations

Abstract No machine is capable of reproducing muscle synergy and proprioception. Articulators can be adjusted to the positional records as secured from the patient, but they can only approximate mandibular movements. Many of the errors incorporated in articulators result from the attempts to use one set of guides for all of the selected articulator movements. Insufficient range of adjustment is allowed in these instruments for the duplication of the mandibular movements. Even when sufficient adjustments are included in the articulator, each adjustment cannot be set by direct, independent measurements of the corresponding value in the head. Instead, articulators are set by indirect measurements which often are composite indications of several dimensions. Hence, the significance of the theoretically increased accuracy of the more adjustable instruments is questionable. The optimal number of adjustments which should be incorporated in an articulator has not yet been determined by clinical evaluation.
Comparison of high-resolution ISAR imagery from measured data and synthetic signatures

In this paper, ISAR images generated from measured data are compared to those from computer simulation in order to evaluate the effectiveness of ISAR-based target identification. Three sets of images are generated including: (1) motion compensated images from measured data using a joint time-frequency technique, (2) reference images from measured data and GPS-derived aircraft attitude data, and (3) synthetic images predicted by Xpatch. Visual examination and correlation analysis are undertaken to compare the three sets of images. In addition, two problem areas including JEM line corruption of the measured images and 3D rotation of the target are identified.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The relationship between cognition and functional independence in adults with traumatic brain injury

This study investigates the relationship between cognitive impairment, as measured by Orientation Group Monitoring System (OGMS) scores, and disability as measured by Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores in a sample of 122 persons with traumatic brain injury admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation unit. The relationships between Aggregate OGMS and FIM Total, FIM Motor, and FIM Cognitive scores were significant (rho = .49, p < .001; .40, p < .001; and .64 p < .001 respectively). Lower cognition was related to greater disability; with this relationship stronger for FIM Cognitive versus FIM Motor scores. Consistent with prior research, time to rehabilitation was significantly related to FIM Total (rho = -.42 p < .001) at admission to rehabilitation, with shorter time to rehabilitation related to greater functional independence. Stepwise regression indicated that the Aggregate OGMS score contributed 24%, and time to rehabilitation 5% unique variance to FIM Total score. These results support previous findings of distinct cognitive and motor subscales of the FIM, and suggest the importance of cognitive impairment to both.
Direct measurements of state-to-state rotational and vibrational energy transfer in highly vibrational excited acetylene: vibrational overtone excitation--LIF detection

Vibrational overtone excitation of single rovibrational eigenstates followed by laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection of the collisionally populated quantum states in single collision conditions provides a method for directly measuring state-to-state rotational and vibrational energy transfer rates in highly vibrationally excited acetylene. There are several advantages in collecting the data in vibrational overtone excitation spectra with LIF detection (scanning excitation laser wavelength with probe laser wavelength fixed) rather than collecting LIF excitation spectra (scanning the probe laser wavelength with the excitation laser wavelength fixed) of the collision-induced transitions. We compare the spectra produced by these two methods and use the technique to acquire a spectrum of state-to-state vibrational energy transfer in single collision conditions as well.
The older person in prison

Abstract Through an extensive review of the literature a profile of the older prisoner is described. Psychologically, the elderly inmate is insecure, fearful, and becomes ‘sedated’ (giving up). Sociologically, the process of prisonization is examined and the concept of institutional neurosis occasionally appears and is manifested in older prisoners not wanting to leave prison. The elderly are also associated with social control as persons not likely to riot and serving as a stabilizing force. The issues of age-integrated versus age-segregated environments are discussed with alternative living patterns suggested. The research methodology in criminal justice studies are critiqued and recommendations are made for more effective study.
Frontiers in Wetland Biogeochemistry

Wetland ecosystems are hotspots of biogeochemical cycling in landscapes, a feature that is recognized worldwide in the form of policies and laws that attempt to protect wetlands against human degra...
Bias in systems of survey and econometric forecasts

Abstract Many studies in recent years have found survey and econometric forecasts to be significantly biased. Typically, this bias has been measured by individual estimation of Theil's U-statistic or ordinary least squares (OLS). The purpose of this paper is to estimate jointly, rather than individually, the bias in survey and econometric forecasts. Specifically, the biases in forecasts of U.S. nominal and real GNP, the GNP deflator, and the unemployment rate are estimated simultaneously by means of Zellner's Seemingly Unrelated Regression procedure. The results from this generalized least squares (GLS) method differ considerably from the OLS results. Specifically, the GLS findings (contrary to the OLS results of this and other studies) indicate that econometric model forecasts are, in general, not significantly biased. The Zellner procedure does find, however, significant bias in the ASA/NBER survey forecasts.
Integral Relations Method Computations of Annular and Asymmetric Plane Nozzle Flowfields

The method of integral relations has been used to compute the flowfield in axisymmetric nozzles. In this paper, the method is extended to include annular nozzles and asymmetric plane nozzles such as used in turbine blading. The results of the flowfield calculations for the annular nozzle are compared to experimentally obtained wall pressure measurements. The results for the turbine nozzle blade are compared to results obtained using the Katsanis method. Both compressible and incompressible flows are considered.
Strengthening Family Practices for Latino Families

This study examined the effectiveness of a culturally adapted Strengthening Families Program (SFP) for Latinos to reduce risks for alcohol and drug use in children. Latino families, predominantly Puerto Rican, with a 9- to 12-year-old child and a parent(s) with a substance abuse problem participated in the study. Pre- and post-tests were conducted with each family. Parental stress, parent-child dysfunctional relations, and child behavior problems were reduced in the families receiving the intervention; family hardiness and family attachment were improved. Findings contribute to the validation of the SFP with Latinos, and can be used to inform social work practice with Puerto Rican families.
Health: A new measure of health effects

It has long been known that temperature extremes are associated with an increased risk of death. Research now directly relates future climate warming to people's lifetime.
LACK OF VALUE OF SERUM SODIUM DETERMINATION IN THE INITIAL EVALUATION OF HOSPITALIZED HEAD INJURED PATIENT

Cerebral edema following head injury may result from water retention secondary to inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone. Most children hospitalized because of head injury are admitted to assess neurologic status and to watch for the development of complications, namely intracranial hemorrhage and cerebral edema. Charts were reviewed on all 155 pediatric pts. (2 mos to 16 yrs) admitted to the Medical Center from 7/1/82 to 9/18/83 under the diagnostic category head injury, to determine the value of the serum sodium (Na) assay as an early marker for inappropriate water retention. Serum Na was measured in 106 pts. upon hospital admission as part of a 6 test chemistry assay. Three pts. had serum Na of 134 mEq/liter (1 with epidural hematoma, 1 with brain contusion, 1 with linear skull fracture), and 2 pts. had serum Na of 133 mEq/liter (1 with epidural hematoma, 1 with minor head trauma). There were 101 pts. with normal serum Na (135-145 mEq/liter): 36 concussions; 21 minor head traumas; 14 basilar linear skull fractures; 14 linear skull fractures; 11 depressed skull fractures; 3 epidural hematomas; 1 subdural hematoma; 1 brain contusion; and 1 cerebral edema. None of the 106 pts. developed water retention with subsequent hyponatremia, nor did any have abnormalities in the other 5 chemistry tests. These data demonstrate that very early measurement of serum Na in children hospitalized following head injury is unnecessary. It is more prudent and more cost effective to monitor such pts. for clinical signs of inappropriate water retention.
3D discrete element models of the hollow cylindrical asphalt concrete specimens subject to the internal pressure

The objective of this paper is to use the discrete element model (DEM) to predict the asphalt mixture dynamic modulus in the hollow cylindrical specimen across a range of test temperatures and load frequencies. The microstructure of the asphalt concrete specimen was captured by X-ray tomography techniques. The hollow circular images were produced from the layer of cylindrical X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT) images. The asphalt concrete images were divided into three phases according to a density index: aggregate, sand mastic and air void phases. The sand mastic phase was composed of fine aggregates (smaller than 2.36 mm) and asphalt binder. The distribution of air void, sand mastic and aggregate were also investigated along with the depth of the hollow cylindrical specimen. In the DEM simulation, the sand mastic's dynamic modulus using different loading frequencies and test temperatures was used to predict the asphalt mixture's dynamic modulus. The predicted dynamic modulus was at that same loading f...
Antiradiation Compounds XVII: Binding Ability of Radiation-Protective N-heterocyclic Aminoethyl Disulfides and Thiosulfates to DNA

Binding parameters for a series of N-heterocyclic aminoethyl disulfides and thiosulfates to DNA were determined at different ionic strengths and pH values. None of the thiosulfates showed any binding ability, but the disulfides revealed DNA binding abilities that were suppressed both by increased ionic strength and hydrogen-ion concentration. No correlation between DNA binding ability and radiation protective activity in mice was evident.
Self-Healing in an Aluminum Alloy Reinforces With Microtubes

For the last decade, many researchers have been working to develop self-healing materials, and have obtained good results in the field of polymers. The research described in this paper applies the concept of self healing to fabricate self healing metal matrix composites, with the aid of models developed by the authors for the manufacturing processes and self-healing behavior. The development of self-healing metals is a novel idea that has not been explored in great detail yet. The concept of self-healing described in this paper consists of controlling a low temperature melting alloy imbedded within a higher temperature alloy to create a self healing composite (SHC). When the SHC is damaged or cracked, heat may be applied to the affected area whereupon the low melting alloy will melt and flow into the crack healing the damage and sealing the crack. This study consists of theoretical analysis, metallurgical design, experimental synthesis and Computational Fluid Dynamics of a self-healing aluminum alloy designed by the authors. The aluminum alloy matrix is reinforced with microtubes of alumina (Al2 O3 ) that are filled with a low melting point solder alloy. The objective of the study reported here was to find the influence and efficiency of the solder in healing an aluminum matrix. To check this effect a crack was created in the metal surface, piercing the microtube(s) filled with solder, and then the SHC was heated above the melting point of the solder alloy.© 2008 ASME
CRITICAL REALISM IN THEORY AND PRACTICE: RESPONSE TO ROBBINS, VAN HUYSSTEEN, AND HEFNER

. I read Robbins's essay as a hermeneutics of suspicion against the claims of critical realism, especially the tendency of critical realism to achieve correspondence with the world rather than participation in changing it. I read van Huyssteen's essay as an application of critical realism which tends toward correspondence in spite of his correct statement of the theory. I read Hefner's paper as an exposition of both claims and methods capable of conveying truth and genuine knowledge. As such, Hefner's paper illustrates an adequate application of the theory of critical realism and overcomes the suspicion suggested by Robbins.
Large Neck and Chest Mass in a Newborn

Large right-sided neck and chest mass in a newborn. A term male newborn is transferred to neonatal intensive care unit a few hours after birth because of a huge cervicothoracic mass. ### Prenatal History ### Birth History There is no history of consanguinity between the parents, and another child is healthy. ### Physical Examination
Comparison of thromboelastography to bleeding time and standard coagulation tests in patients after cardiopulmonary bypass

This prospective study of 36 adult patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was conducted to determine the utility of thromboelastography (TEG) versus platelet studies (bleeding time, platelet count, mean platelet volume) and standard coagulation tests (prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen) to more effectively discriminate patients likely to benefit from platelet or fresh frozen plasma (FFP) transfusion. Although the sensitivities of the bleeding time (71.4%) and platelet count (100%) were similar to the TEG (71.4%), the specificity (89.3%) of the TEG was greater than that of the bleeding time (78.5%) and platelet count (53.6%). Seven patients experienced clinically significant hemorrhage; 5 (71.4%) had an abnormal TEG. Three of 8 (38%) other patients with an abnormal TEG had no abnormal bleeding. Only 2 of 27 (7.4%) patients with a normal TEG had abnormal bleeding requiring platelet or FFP transfusion. Therefore, it is suggested that post-CPB patients with a normal TEG should not receive platelet or FFP transfusions empirically. If excessive bleeding is noted in a patient with a normal TEG, this suggests a surgically correctable etiology. Data from this series suggest that patients displaying an abnormal TEG appear to be at increased risk for hemorrhage; therefore, appropriate blood product support should be initiated at the first sign of accelerated bleeding.
Lithospheric buckling of the Laramide foreland during Late Cretaceous and Paleogene, western United States

Foreland deformation, in the form of arches or uplifts, occurred throughout the eastern Rocky Mountains region during the Laramide orogeny (75–50 Ma). Arches with the same structural style developed in the mid-continent region, east of the Rocky Mountains, although these were subsequently buried by Tertiary sedimentary rocks. We attribute deformation in the Rocky Mountain foreland and continental interior to folding of the entire lithosphere (lithospheric buckling) as a result of horizontal endload on the western edge of North America. The observed wavelength of arches in the western United States is ca. 190 km, a spacing consistent with a lithospheric buckling interpretation. This buckling model provides a mechanical explanation for the distinction between “thin-skinned” Sevier-style and “thick-skinned” Laramide-style deformation, which depends respectively upon the decoupling or coupling of lithospheric layers. Additionally, the buckling model explains concurrent tectonism east of the Rocky Mountains during Late Cretaceous time. Dextral shearing within the block uplifts indicates that the deformation was broadly transpressional during the Laramide orogeny.
Relative lesion detectability in 3D vs. 2D dedicated multi-ring PET

The authors estimated the detectability of spheres of different sizes but equal activity contrast, embedded in a clinically realistic phantom in order to compare two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) whole-body (WB) PET imaging for a relevant diagnostic task. Five plastic spheres with inside diameters of 0.8 to 3.4 cm, containing 74 kBq/ml of Ge-68, were placed in an anthropomorphic torso phantom. The background organs contained F-18 activity concentrations in appropriate physiologic proportions, as did a head phantom positioned outside the field of view (FOV) of the authors' ECAT-HR+ system. The phantom was scanned for 9 hours at 1 bed position as the F-18 decayed from 97 to 3.2 kBq/ml. The authors obtained 10, 1-minute scans for each activity contrast level, alternating among 3 acquisitions: 2D mode with standard maximum ring difference (MRD=7), standard 3D mode (MRD=22), and 3D mode with MRD=13 (3D*). Images from 2D and 3D acquisitions were reconstructed by filtered backprojection and 3D reprojection (3DRP); 3D data were also reconstructed by FBP after Fourier rebinning (FORE+FBP). Sphere detectability was estimated using non-prewhitening (NPW) matched filtering to compute the detection signal-to-noise ratio, NPW SNR. In almost all cases, NPW-SNR was greater for 3D or 3D* than for 2D, although 2D outperformed 3D with 3DRP reconstruction at the earliest time points for 2 spheres located near opposite ends of the axial FOV; FORE+FBP reconstruction significantly improved the detectability of these spheres, compared to 3DRP, and demonstrated the expected near equivalence of 3D and 3D* data from spheres near the ends of the FOV. The authors' results were not predictable from global NEC considerations alone.
Sweet's syndrome and malignancy

Acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweet's syndrome) is characterized by pyrexia, neutrophilia, and the abrupt appearance of erythematous, painful, cutaneous plaques, primarily on the upper extremities, head, and neck. Histologically, the salient feature is a dense dermal infiltrate of neutrophils. Approximately 10 to 15 percent of published cases of Sweet's syndrome occurred in patients with cancer. This report reviews the 39 patients with malignancy-associated Sweet's syndrome described in the world literature and compares Sweet's syndrome in cancer patients with the idiopathic form of the disease. The most common associated malignancy was acute myelogenous leukemia. However, other myeloproliferative disorders, lymphoproliferative disorders, myelodysplastic syndrome, and carcinomas have been observed. Importantly, the diagnosis of Sweet's syndrome was often the presenting sign of a new or recurrent tumor. The presence of anemia, abnormal platelet counts, immature cells in the differential, and/or severe vesiculobullous or ulcerative cutaneous lesions is infrequent in idiopathic Sweet's syndrome and should alert physicians to the possibility of a more serious underlying disease. Extracutaneous manifestations may occur and most often involve the musculoskeletal system. Response to systemic steroids is dramatic in virtually all patients, regardless of the presence of malignancy.
Iterative mean aggregation

We propose an iterative definition of mean aggregation, based on fuzzy bases for n-dimensional positive real vectors. We introduce four fuzzy similarity measures, which are called left similarity, right similarity, relative similarity, and geometrical similarity measures. We define a mean aggregation function of fuzzy bases based on left similarity measure, and then define the Iterative Mean Aggregation (IMA) of fuzzy bases based on the mean aggregation function. We prove some of the properties of IMA and fuzzy similarity measures theoretically, and finally we give some applications and experimental results in agreement with our theoretical results.
Max Weber and the Unity of Normative and Empirical Theory

Although Max Weber is often invoked as an authority to justify the distinction between ‘normative’ and ‘empirical’ theory, both his methodological and theoretical work call into question any such distinction. All specifically social or collective concepts, Weber argued, are derived from the subjective commitments of the researcher. It is impossible for such concepts to be ‘objectively’ valid. In the first part of this essay, Weber's analysis of the role of values in the formation of collective concepts is discussed, as well as the sense in which he believed that social scientific knowledge could be objectively valid in spite of the normative nature of social conceptualization. The second part will demonstrate the normative basis of Weber's own social theory, and its consequent political prescriptions.
Rapid Mixing of Several Markov Chains for a Hard-Core Model

The mixing properties of several Markov chains to sample from configurations of a hard-core model have been examined. The model is familiar in the statistical physics of the liquid state and consists of a set of n nonoverlapping particle balls of radius r * in a d-dimensional hypercube. Starting from an initial configuration, standard Markov chain monte carlo methods may be employed to generate a configuration according to a probability distribution of interest by choosing a trial state and accepting or rejecting the trial state as the next configuration of the Markov chain according to the Metropolis filter. Procedures to generate a trial state include moving a single particle globally within the hypercube, moving a single particle locally, and moving multiple particles at once. We prove that (i) in a d-dimensional system a single-particle global-move Markov chain is rapidly mixing as long as the density is sufficiently low, (ii) in a one-dimensional system a single-particle local-move Markov chain is rapidly mixing for arbitrary density as long as the local moves are in a sufficiently small neighborhood of the original particle, and (iii) the one-dimensional system can be related to a convex body, thus establishing that certain multiple-particle local-move Markov chains mix rapidly. Difficulties extending this work are also discussed.