cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How secure is quantum cryptography

In 1991 scientists have for the first time demonstrated practical quantum cryptography (QC) and given a proof of its unconditional security against two most obvious attacking strategies. In the next decade several groups of scientists have made more stringent security proofs and it was soon widely accepted that quantum cryptographic protocol BB84 and its variants are the only known protocols that allow unconditionally secure key growth. Moreover, QC was able to offer unique possibility that any eavesdropping activity could be detected by legitimate parties. In 2004 Swiss spin-off IdQuantique has shown the world's first commercial quantum key distribution system Clavis, followed soon by the QPN system of American start-up Magiq. For almost 7 years nobody suspected that there might be something terribly wrong with these systems. Then, at the end of 2010, a group of Norwegian scientists experimenting with attacks on photon detectors constructed tailored attacks to both commercial systems which were so successful that the plaintext was recovered in full (100%) and moreover the legitimate parties could not detect any suspicious activity ! This raised the question: where does it leave us with quantum cryptography, is it secure or not? What about the security proofs, were they wrong? Our conclusion is that security proofs were correct except that they proved security of something else - not the machines that were cracked. At present state of the art it is not clear how or is it even possible to build a provable QC machine.
“Your friend, the illegal:” Definition and paradox in newspaper accounts of U.S. immigration reform

The U.S. Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) created a new legal category, “illegal immigrant eligible for amnesty.” Media coverage of IRCA provides an opportunity to analyze the connections between the legal and cultural discourses in which identities are created and contested. From our analysis of media images of amnesty applicants, citizens, and illegal alines in 283 news articles, we find that journalists not only debated the categorization of certain individuals belonged, but also the meanings of immigration categories themselves. To clarify the new category created by IRCA, journalists used “legalization narratives:” accounts of immigrants’ geographical, social, and legal journeys from illegal aliens to proto‐citizens. Images of immigrants that journalists constructed were complexly determined, multivocal, sometimes paradoxical, and occasionally subversive.
Combination Glare Screen Pedestrian Fence Using Recycled Plastics

This paper presents the design and construction of an innovative dual-purpose screen that can block headlight glare while having adequate height to deter pedestrian crossover. Glare screens are used to shield drivers from the headlights of opposing traffic, which has been shown to be detrimental when the glare is within an angle of 20°. Review of previous studies indicates that existing systems, such as expanded metal mesh glare screens, require improvements in design to simplify construction and to reduce maintenance cost. On the other hand, pedestrian deaths from highway crossings over barrier and glare screen installation have warranted the construction of pedestrian fencing on highways in urban areas. The proposed system, called combination glare screen pedestrian fence (CGSPF), has the strength and stiffness to satisfy the structural and geometric requirements of a dual system, and its design is such that it is very easy to install and maintain. The proposed design uses recycled plastics, further red...
The influence of industry structure on the entry mode choice of overseas entrants in manufacturing industries

Abstract This study examines the impact of industry structure on the foreign direct investment (FDI) entry mode decisions by multinational enterprises (MNEs) in manufacturing industries. We explore the notion that firms would seek to balance the risks due to industry structural barriers and liabilities of foreignness while seeking entry in international markets. A multinomial logistic regression model is used to test 336 entry decisions from 18 countries entering the United States over the period 1989–1994. Empirical evidence shows that underlying industries' structural characteristics influence a firm's preference for entry mode alternatives such as greenfield investments, acquisitions, and joint ventures. In concentrated and high-growth industries, foreign firms prefer entry by setting up greenfield operations rather than pursuing acquisitions or joint ventures. However, in industries characterized by high gross profits or higher plant scale, the preference is for joint ventures or acquisitions as an entry mode over greenfield operations.
Molecular hybridization with RNA probes in concentrated solutions of guanidine thiocyanate.

Abstract Hybridizations with RNA probes were performed in 3–6 m guanidine thiocyanate concentrations where cells can be solubilized. At these concentrations the melting temperature of hybrids and the optimum temperature of hybrid formation are greatly reduced. The rate of hybridization in GuSCN at room temperature was greater than that in 50% formamide at 42°C. Hybridizations were performed on DNA and RNA in cells dissolved in GuSCN without prior nucleic acid purification.
Renal preservation resistance: evidence against myogenic vasoactive factors.

Abstract Vasoconstriction is believed to be a dominant cause of high perfusion resistance during kidney preservation at low temperatures. An experiment was performed to study the effects of hypothermia on vasoactivity. Measurements were made on an apparatus that permitted perfusion resistance to be compared simultaneously in two isolated kidneys at different temperatures. With perfusion temperature serving as the variable, the vascular responses to several vasoactive agents were measured. Hypothermia diminished or altered the vascular responses to the agents. For example, no vasoconstriction was observed with Angiotensin II, dopamine, acetylcholine, or BaCl 2 and no vasodilitation was observed with papaverine or bradykinin in the hypothermic kidney. A significantly altered response was observed with norepinephrine. The responses were reversible upon return to normothermia. From these data, we conclude that myogenic vasoconstriction plays a questionable role in producing the elevated perfusion resistance observed in some hypothermic kidneys.
Solution and interfacial properties of gramicidin pertinent to its effect on membranes.

The behavior of the surface-active material Gramicidin A at the air-water interface and in various solvents was examined. 1. 1. Absorbance at 283 nm as a function of concentration shows that Beer's law is obeyed in the range of 10−6 to 5·10−5 M gramicidin in ethanol. Peak fluorescence intensity is linear with gramicidin concentration in ethanol from 10−8 to 10−6 M. 2. 2. In heptane-water partition experiments, only a very small amount of gramicidin could be detected in either phase but as much as 80 % of the initial gramicidin could be recovered on the experimental vessel's walls. In this regard, the solubility of gramicidin in hexane was found to be less than 1·10−6 M. Thus, gramicidin does not partition as favorably in media of low dielectric constant as do the presumed shuttle carriers, valinomycin and monactin. Solubility in aqueous media is also limited and leads to the growth of aggregates as indicated by increases in light scattering of gramicidin in water as compared to ethanol and by visible turbidity at concentrations above 5·10−7 M. 3. 3. Gramicidin will form monolayers at the air-water interface. A force-area curve of gramicidin shows an initial rise at 350 A2, a gentle plateau at 12–16 dynes/cm and 150–180 A2 with an imprecise collapse at 18–23 dynes/cm and 130±10 A2. The latter molecular area is in agreement with the cross-sectional area of the helix proposed by D. W. Urry (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S., 68 (1971) 672) if the helix is assumed to be perpendicular to the interface. Gramicidin monolayers do not exhibit an elevated surface potential as does valinomycin in the presence of a 1 M KCl subphase. 4. 4. The rate of penetration by gramicidin of a lecithin monolayer and the adsorption of gramicidin at the air-water interface approach proportionality with subphase concentration at concentrations below 1·10−7 M. The rate of adsorption at the air-water interface falls off strikingly with time, while penetration into lecithin monolayers is initially smaller but constant in time. The first-order lecithin monolayer penetration kinetics are consistent with the proposed intramembrane dimerization of gramicidin to form ion-conducting channels. 5. 5. In conclusion, the monolayer data are consistent with the channel mechanism proposed by Urry, and the partition experiments are in contrast to the partition properties of the presumed shuttle carriers.
Soybean Yield Response to Plant Distribution in Fusarium virguliforme Infested Soils

Sudden death syndrome (SDS), caused by the fungal pathogen Fusarium virguliforme, causes significant yield reductions in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in the United States. Appropriate recommendations to manage SDS for growers in Iowa and the Upper Midwest are limited. The research objective was to determine the response of SDS foliar disease incidence, severity, and yield to row spacing and seeding rate. In 2008 and 2009, at two Iowa locations, in fields with histories of SDS, SDS-susceptible and SDS-resistant cultivars were planted at 38- and 76-cm row spacing at seeding rates of 185,000, 309,000, and 432,000 seeds ha⁻¹ in plots infested with and without the pathogen. Sudden death syndrome incidence and severity were very low; however, infested plots had greater SDS disease incidence and severity than uninfested plots. A row spacing × infestation interaction indicated 7% greater yield in narrow rows (38 cm) than wide rows (76 cm) in uninfested plots, with no yield advantage to narrow rows in infested plots. Soil infestation reduced soybean seed mass (7%) in narrow rows, explaining the yield reduction for narrow rows with greater SDS. The two highest seeding rates had increased SDS incidence but yielded 9% greater than the lowest seeding rate. The susceptible cultivar had greater SDS incidence and severity and yielded 7% less than the resistant cultivar. This study indicates that in infested plots with greater SDS symptom expression, the yield advantage of narrow rows may be negated; therefore, cultivar selection is crucial when planting in narrow rows to maximize yield.
Heat transfer to impinging isothermal gas and flame jets

Abstract Heat transfer characteristics of single and multiple isothermal turbulent air and flame jets impinging on surfaces are reviewed. Both circular and slot two-dimensional jets are considered, and the effect of crossflow on impingement heat transfer is included. The emphasis is on physical phenomena and not on comparison of published empirical correlations or comparisons of theory and experiments. The review focuses on applications in the materials or comparisons of theory and experiments. The review focuses on applications in the materials processing field. In spite of the fact that there are many differences in the jet characteristics (ie, axial velocity and turbulence intensity) of isothermal and flame jets, the stagnation point heat transfer of these different jets can be described in a similar way. Areas needing research attention are also identified.
Antigen sparing and enhanced protection using a novel rOv-ASP-1 adjuvant in aqueous formulation with influenza vaccines

Influenza is one of the most common infectious diseases endangering the health of humans, especially young children and the elderly. Although vaccination is the most effective means of protection against influenza, frequent mutations in viral surface antigens, low protective efficacy of the influenza vaccine in the elderly, slow production process and the potential of vaccine supply shortage during a pandemic are significant limitations of current vaccines. Adjuvants have been used to enhance the efficacy of a variety of vaccines; however, no adjuvant is included in current influenza vaccines approved in the United States. In this study, we found that a novel adjuvant, rOv-ASP-1, co-administrated with inactivated influenza vaccine using an aqueous formulation, substantially improved the influenza-specific antibody response and protection against lethal infection in a mouse model. rOv-ASP-1 enhanced the magnitude of the specific antibody response after immunization with low doses of influenza vaccine, allowing antigen-sparring by 10-fold. The rOv-ASP-1 formulated vaccine induced a more rapid response and a stronger Th1-associated antibody response compared to vaccine alone and to the vaccine formulated with the adjuvant alum. Importantly, rOv-ASP-1 significantly enhanced cross-reactive antibody responses and protection against challenge with an antigenically distinct strain. These results demonstrate that rOv-ASP-1 is an effective adjuvant that: (1) accelerates and enhances the specific antibody response induced by influenza vaccine; (2) allows for antigen sparing; and (3) augments a Th1-biased and cross-reactive antibody response that confers protection against an antigenically distinct strain.
Studies of the Polydiacetylene Bis-p-chlorocinnamate of 10,12-Docosadiyn-1,22-diol

The bis-p-chlorocinnamate of 10,12-docosadiyn-1,22-diol polymerized with 60Co gamma radiation to give a soluble polydiacetylene (PDA), PDA-ClCIN-22. We have studied PDA-ClCIN-22 in both crystallographic powder and solution coated films. Thin films of solution coated PDA-ClCIN-22 exhibit an absorption maximum of 544 nm, similar to the concentrated solution in chlorobenzene. Irradiation of these films with 254 nm UV light in air leads to loss of intensity in the visible spectrum. The thin films of PDA-ClCIN-22 are amorphous by X-ray powder diffraction. Irradiation of both PDA-ClCIN-22 powder and film with 254 nm light did not result in photochemical reactivity of the chlorocinnamate group as recorded by FTIR spectra. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies of PDA-ClCIN-22 reveal that presence of monomer and endothermic transitions near 116°C and 134°C on a first heating. On a second heating of a sample of PDA-ClCIN-22 taken to 150°C on first heating, the 116°C and 134°C endotherms are absent. These ...
A Thunderstorm-Generated Solitary Wave Observation Compared with Theory for Nonlinear Waves in a Sheared Atmosphere

Abstract The theory of internal nonlinear waves in a motionless medium is extended to waves in sheared flow to provide a basis for the interpretation of atmospheric solitary waves. It is shown that if the Scorer parameter is zero in a semi infinite upper region, the integro-differential equation [i.e., the Benjamin-Davis-Ono (BDO) equation] defining the evolution of nonlinear waves in sheared flow is independent of shear and stability in the upper layer. A new type of evolution model is presented, based on the numerical solution of the BDO equation, for the generation of solitary waves by a thunderstorm moving at supercritical speeds. The results of a thorough study of observations of a thunderstorm-generated solitary wave are presented in detail. These observations show that some of the storm's outflow, which was denser than the environment through which the wave propagated, was trapped in the interior of the wave. It is hypothesized that the Coriolis force then caused this denser air to flow along the a...
Infrared grisms using anisotropic etching of silicon to produce a highly asymmetric groove profile

Grisms are an important tool for astronomical spectroscopy because they allow for very compact, straight-through spectrometer designs in systems that can double as imagers. In the infrared, silicon grisms offer the advantage of superior resolving power for a given beam size and opening angle, when compared to grisms made of low refractive index materials. Silicon grisms with symmetric profiles and a blaze angle of 54.7°, the natural result of anistropic etching of silicon substrates oriented with the (100) crystal plane exposed, are relatively easy to produce. Low-order grisms, however, must be blazed at much shallower angles and will therefore have highly asymmetric groove profiles. In order to achieve these shallow blaze angles, the silicon surface must be precisely oriented at a bias from the (100) plane before cutting and polishing the substrate. Production of gratings with blaze angles as small as 6° is more difficult than production of unbiased gratings because it is very sensitive to changes in the etching process parameters. In this paper, we discuss our techniques for etching highly biased surfaces in silicon wafers, along with the first results of our production and testing of highly biased silicon gratings, including SEM groove profile pictures and optical testing in reflection at 632 nm and in transmission at 1523 nm.
IV. Synthesis and assay of analogs of adenosine 3′,5′-diphosphate as inhibitors of bovine adrenal estrogen sulfotransferase

Abstract Analogs of adenosine 3′,5′-diphosphate are described which aid in the characterization of the inhibition of estrone sulfurylation by 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphosulfate as mediated by bovine adrenal estrogen sulfotransferase (3′-phosphoadenylylsulphate:estrone 3-sulphotransferase, EC 2.8.2.4). The facile conversion of ribonucleosides to 2′,3′-cyclic phosphate 5′-phosphate in neat pyrophosphoryl chloride is utilized to provide a reliable route to the requisite intermediates for enzymatic regionspecific conversion to ribonucleoside 3′,5′- and 2′,5′-diphosphate. The importance of the 3′-phosphate ester to inhibition of estrone sulfurylation is confirmed by K i measurements. Replacement of the 6-amino group by hydrogen or oxygen leads to considerable loss in affinity for the enzyme as does also dimethylation of the exocyclic amino group. Alterations in the pyrimidine ring are not well tolerated by the sulfotransferase but modifications in the imidazole ring as in tubercidin (7-deazaadenozine) and 8-bromoadenosine 3′,5′-dephosphate lead to an enhanced affinity. The latter findings are discussed in terms of an hyphotesis of stacking of the aromatic ring of the estrogen substrate and the purine moiety and its analogs.
A “Community” of Discipline: The Paradox of Diversity Within an Intercultural Church

In recent years, a sense of community has declined throughout the United States. Central Community Church has responded to this trend by promoting the organizational metaphor of “community.” Building upon 4 years of ethnographic fieldwork, the present study explored potential limitations and consequences of this metaphor among Central Community's racially/ethnically diverse leaders and members. Results revealed a one-sided insight that values a White normative view of “community” over alternative understandings, thus, silencing current minority members within the organization. I begin this exploration, first, with a brief review of relevant literature. Next, I outline this study's intercultural context and research methodologies. I then discuss two unintended consequences of the community metaphor: (a) one-sided insight, and (b) self-disciplined members. I conclude by introducing the diversity paradox: an emphasis placed upon one potential expression of diversity which, in turn, deemphasizes alternative e...
A Mathematical Model of an Oscillating Heat Pipe

A mathematical model predicting the oscillating motion in an oscillating heat pipe is developed. The model considers the system multidegree oscillation of vapor bubbles and liquid plugs, including the effects of filling ratio, operating temperature, gravitational force, and temperature difference between the evaporator and condenser. The model shows that the average velocity of liquid slugs is determined by the temperature difference between the evaporator and condenser. As the turn number increases, the temperature difference for the system to start the oscillating motion decreases. Increasing the bubble number will make the system more unstable and the system can be easily started up. The existence of gravity at the bottom heating mode will make the system easily produce the oscillating motion and decrease the temperature difference as well. Results presented here will assist in optimizing the heat transfer performance and provide a better understanding of heat transfer mechanisms occurring in the oscil...
Probable absence of connections between the retina and the hypothalamus in the cat.

Abstract In 42 adult cats one optic nerve was cut intraorbitally. They were allowed to survive postoperatively from 2 days to 15 months. Sections from each brain were processed according to the frozen Nauta method, and sections from most of the brains with shorter survivals were also prepared by the Fink-Heimer and the de Olmos-Ingram methods. In the hypothalamus, axonal degeneration could be found only in the suprachiasmatic fasciculus, and in portions of the suprachiasmatic and supraoptic nuclei in the immediate vicinity of the optic pathways. No terminal degeneration was observed to indicate the destruction of a retinohypothalamic tract. In another group of five cats, extensive stereotaxic lesions were produced in various areas of the hypothalamus, with survivals ranging from 10 to 14 days. The brains along with the optic nerves were prepared by the same methods. The results suggest that no axonal degeneration in the optic nerves could be attributed to centrifugal optic fibers originating in the hypothalamus. Furthermore, there was no evidence of chromatolysis or gross distortion of the hypothalamus in Nissl preparations of the brains subjected to optic nerve section. Thus the suggestion of either one-way or reciprocal direct connection between the retina and the hypothalamus cannot be supported by the present study.
Nucleic acid chaperone properties of ORF1p from the non-LTR retrotransposon, LINE-1

Long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1, or L1) is a non-long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposon that has amplified to hundreds of thousands of copies in mammalian evolution. A small number of the individual copies of L1 are active retrotransposons which are presently replicating in most species, including humans and mice. L1 retrotransposition begins with transcription of an active element and ends with a newly inserted cDNA copy, a process which requires the two element-encoded proteins to act in cis on the L1 RNA. The ORF1 protein (ORF1p) is a high-affinity, non-sequence-specific RNA binding protein with nucleic acid chaperone activity, whereas the ORF2 protein (ORF2p) supplies the enzymatic activities for cDNA synthesis. This article reviews the nucleic acid chaperone properties of ORF1p in the context of L1 retrotransposition.
The Acute Treatment of Migraine in Adults: The American Headache Society Evidence Assessment of Migraine Pharmacotherapies

The study aims to provide an updated assessment of the evidence for individual pharmacological therapies for acute migraine treatment. Pharmacological therapy is frequently required for acutely treating migraine attacks. The American Academy of Neurology Guidelines published in 2000 summarized the available evidence relating to the efficacy of acute migraine medications. This review, conducted by the members of the Guidelines Section of the American Headache Society, is an updated assessment of evidence for the migraine acute medications. A standardized literature search was performed to identify articles related to acute migraine treatment that were published between 1998 and 2013. The American Academy of Neurology Guidelines Development procedures were followed. Two authors reviewed each abstract resulting from the search and determined whether the full manuscript qualified for review. Two reviewers studied each qualifying full manuscript for its level of evidence. Level A evidence requires at least 2 Class I studies, and Level B evidence requires 1 Class I or 2 Class II studies. The specific medications - triptans (almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan [oral, nasal spray, injectable, transcutaneous patch], zolmitriptan [oral and nasal spray]) and dihydroergotamine (nasal spray, inhaler) are effective (Level A). Ergotamine and other forms of dihydroergotamine are probably effective (Level B). Effective nonspecific medications include acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, and naproxen), opioids (butorphanol nasal spray), sumatriptan/naproxen, and the combination of acetaminophen/aspirin/caffeine (Level A). Ketoprofen, intravenous and intramuscular ketorolac, flurbiprofen, intravenous magnesium (in migraine with aura), and the combination of isometheptene compounds, codeine/acetaminophen and tramadol/acetaminophen are probably effective (Level B). The antiemetics prochlorperazine, droperidol, chlorpromazine, and metoclopramide are probably effective (Level B). There is inadequate evidence for butalbital and butalbital combinations, phenazone, intravenous tramadol, methadone, butorphanol or meperidine injections, intranasal lidocaine, and corticosteroids, including dexamethasone (Level C). Octreotide is probably not effective (Level B). There is inadequate evidence to refute the efficacy of ketorolac nasal spray, intravenous acetaminophen, chlorpromazine injection, and intravenous granisetron (Level C). There are many acute migraine treatments for which evidence supports efficacy. Clinicians must consider medication efficacy, potential side effects, and potential medication-related adverse events when prescribing acute medications for migraine. Although opioids, such as butorphanol, codeine/acetaminophen, and tramadol/acetaminophen, are probably effective, they are not recommended for regular use.
Wind Load Provisions in 2001 AASHTO Supports Specifications

The AASHTO Standard Specifications for Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaires and Traffic Signals (Supports Specifications) has been revised in its entirety through a major research project conducted under the auspices of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP Project 17-10). The new document was approved in 1999 by all state departments of transportation for adoption by AASHTO and was published in 2001. A major part of the revisions included new provisions and criteria for wind loads. These provisions differ considerably from those in previous editions of the specifications. A review of the changes in the wind load provisions of the 2001 Supports Specifications is presented. These changes, which are primarily due to the adoption of a new wind speed map based on a 3-s gust, could result in a significant increase in the magnitude of wind pressure in hurricane areas and a decrease in inland areas depending on location and structure type.
Dynamic spectrum access with packet size adaptation and residual energy balancing for energy-constrained cognitive radio sensor networks

Abstract We demonstrate an improvement in energy efficiency and network lifetime for the cluster-based multi-channel cognitive radio sensor network (CRSN). The improvement roots from two techniques proposed in dynamic spectrum access. The first technique exploits packet size adaptation: varying the packet size to adapt the transmission over the state-varying channel. This is to efficiently utilize the battery of sensors by having the most appropriately sized packets successfully transmitted, in accordance with the instantaneous channel conditions. The second technique focuses on channel assignment with awareness of the residual energy of sensors, such that sensors can spend their energy in a balanced way. This helps to prolong the network lifetime, compared to the random channel pairing approach. As all those techniques rely on the estimates of channel states and their performance is tied with the estimation accuracy, we theoretically derive a polynomial-time resolvable expression for the maximum-likelihood (ML) estimator PMF function. In light of this expression, the impact of channel estimation accuracy on network performance is thereby illustrated.
Identifier schemas and research data

This work-in-progress paper presents the methodology and preliminary results of a study that develops a model for identifier schema evaluation and examines identifier schemas currently used for data referencing in the institutional digital repositories of the members of the Association of American Universities. The study's findings can inform librarians, repository managers, scholarly communities, and publishers about the needs and requirements for an identifier schema to help discover, aggregate, and cite data as well as the issues and problems related to current uses of identifier schemas for data.
Vitamin B-6 status of tobacco smokers, chewers, and nonusers

Abstract Vitamin B-6 status measurements of young men (x¯±SD, 20.6±1.5 y) who were users and nonusers of tobacco were determined. The subjects included 9 men who had smoked for a mean of 2.4 pack-years (packs daily x years), 11 who had chewed for a mean of 3.3 chew-years (chews daily x years), and 15 nonusers of tobacco. All subjects had acceptable hemoglobin and hematocrit values. The protein and vitamin B-6 intakes and the vitamin B-6/protein ratios of the three groups of subjects as estimated by 24-h recalls and 2-d food records were similar, although the differences in vitamin B-6 intakes of the three groups approached significance (P
Self-Evaluative Effects of Temporal and Social Comparison

Social and temporal comparisons are two fundamental information sources for evaluating one’s characteristics and abilities. The current study demonstrates that when social comparison (where people’s performance stood in the overall distribution) and temporal comparison (whether performance improved or deteriorated over time) information are both provided, each independently influences actors’ self-evaluations of task performance and ability. In contrast, yoked observer participants paid virtually no attention to temporal comparison information, preferring to evaluate actors based solely on their status relative to others. Furthermore, when the feedback actors received suggested that they were getting worse, their self-evaluation ratings were approximately equal to that of the observers who had access to the same information. However, when their fortunes improved over time, actors used this temporal information as a basis for evaluating themselves more favorably than observers. We argue that both egocentrism and self-enhancement account for the differences between actors’ and observers’ performance evaluations.
Informational content and unilateral neglect: A longitudinal investigation of five subjects with right hemisphere damage

The relationship between unilateral visual neglect and production of narrative discourse in bye patients with right hemisphere damage (RHD) was examined longitudinally. Initially, all subjects demonstrated a left unilateral neglect on the Behavioural Inattention Test (Wilson et al. 1987a). During subsequent testing at 6-8 months and 12-16 months post-onset, subjects with a persistent unilateral neglect produced less concise discourse with reductions in the percentage of meaningful content units as compared to a group of control subjects. Subjects with a transient unilateral neglect produced informational content that was comparable to the normal subjects. Results support the notion that the presence and persistence of a unilateral visual neglect might assist in delineating more homogeneous groups of RHD subjects.
Offspring of concentration camp survivors: the relationship of perceptions of family cohesion and adaptability to levels of ego functioning.

T HE PRESENT STUDY investigated the family structures of holocaust survivor families. Perceptions of offspring of holocaust survivors served as a meaningful context within which data were collected on a number of key issues. One such issue was the degree of emotional bonding that family members had toward one another and the degree of individual autonomy that family members experienced within the family system. Another important issue concerned the role relationships, power structure, and family roles within survivor families. Finally, present-day levels of offspring functioning were explored in relation to the family structures within holocaust survivor families. The underlying theoretical argument in this study is that the heterogeneity of family structures reflects the individual personality differences of both the survivors and their children. The position advanced here does not seek to minimize the massive trauma suffered by concentration camp survivors, but advocates a more complex interactional view of holocaust families as opposed to the more restricted view advanced by the holocaust literature to date. Much of the work and observations of families of holocaust survivors has been guided by the conceptual hypotheses laid down by Sigal.’ Sigal contends that individuals who experience chronic deprivation or distortions of other kinds in their psychological environment will subsequently develop distortions in their capacities for human relations. These distortions will then hamper the survivor’s ability to form healthy parenting relationships with their children. Finally, Sigal asserts that the subsequent distortions in the parent-child relationship will produce maladaptive behavior in the second generation. These conceptual hypotheses are based on extensive casework with a client population, and caution should be observed with regard to their applicability to a normative population. A number of clinicians have observed that immediately after the war a great number of survivors entered hastily ill-planned marriages. These “marriages of despair”’ disregarded differences in prewar socioeconomic background or any of the ordinary criteria for marriage. In part, Klein3 states, that this was necessary in order to alleviate the intense mourning and separation anxiety the survivors were experiencing. Recreating a family was an act to compensate for their losses, to counter the massive disruption in their lives. and to undo the dehumanization they had experienced.
Ferroelectric liquid-crystal waveguide modulation based on a switchable uniaxial-uniaxial interface

Liquid crystals have effective electro-optic coefficients that are orders of magnitude larger than other integrated optical materials such as lithium niobate. However, previous studies of liquid-crystal waveguides have mainly focused on nematic liquid crystals, which exhibit impractically large scattering losses as waveguides. Studies of smectic liquid crystals and liquid crystals under strong confinement suggest the losses in these materials may be more manageable. In this study, the possibility of using ferroelectric liquid crystals in active waveguide modulators is explored through the analysis of several modulator configurations: a cutoff modulator, a deflection modulator, and an input coupler. As a way to study these structures, a mode-matching technique was developed to analyze the effects of a discontinuity in a uniaxial slab waveguide whose optic axis is in the plane of the waveguide. The results from the mode-matching technique were compared with those from simple bulk models. The analysis shows that ferroelectric liquid-crystal modulators have many desirable performance characteristics and could form the basis for practical waveguide modulators.
On the online shortest path problem with limited arc cost dependencies

This paper is concerned with the stochastic shortest path problem with recourse when limited forms of spatial and temporal arc cost dependencies are accounted for. Recourse is defined as the opportunity for a decision maker to reevaluate his or her remaining path when en-route information is available. Formulations with recourse typically provide opportunities for corrective actions when information becomes available; information here is modeled as arc cost dependencies, defined as spatial and temporal. System properties are stated and proved and solution algorithms are developed for limited cases of spatial and temporal arc cost dependencies. The numerical results verify some of the theoretical insights and demonstrate the applicability of the introduced algorithms.
The Effect of Season and Age of Bird: 1. On Egg Size, Quality and Yield

Abstract THE TREND in egg production is toward a more uniform year-round egg supply. More information is needed as to the effect of season and age of the bird on the structural components and chemical composition of the egg as well as the functional properties of egg albumen. Application of these data can be made by the producer who wishes to control egg size, by the processor who is interested in altering the relative yield of white and yolk, and by the investigator who might seek to further explain the factors responsible for changes in the physical characteristics of shell eggs and egg products during storage and processing. That egg size is influenced by season has been shown by many investigators. Jull (1924) observed that egg weight increased from December to February and decreased from February to April. Funk and Kempster (1934) reported that eggs of maximum size were produced during …
A numerical study on distributions during cryoprotectant loading caused by laminar flow in a microchannel.

In this work, we conduct a computational study on the loading of cryoprotective agents into cells in preparation for cryopreservation. The advantages of microfluidics in cryopreserving cells include control of fluid flow parameters for reliable cryoprotectant loading and reproducible streamlined processing of samples. A 0.25 m long, three inlet T-junction microchannel serves as an idealized environment for this process. The flow field and concentration distribution are determined from a computational fluid dynamics study and cells are tracked as inert particles in a Lagrangian frame. These particles are not confined to streamlines but can migrate laterally due to the Segre-Sildeberg effect for particles in a shear flow. During this tracking, the local concentration field surrounding the cell is monitored. This data are used as input into the Kedem-Katchalsky equations to numerically study passive solute transport across the cell membrane. As a result of the laminar flow, each cell has a unique pathline in the flow field resulting in different residence times and a unique external concentration field along its path. However, in most previous studies, the effect of a spatially varying concentration field on the transport across the cell membrane is ignored. The dynamics of this process are investigated for a population of cells released from the inlet. Using dimensional analysis, we find a governing parameter α, which is the ratio of the time scale for membrane transport to the average residence time in the channel. For α 0.224, we find the population of cells does not achieve complete loading and there is a distribution of intracellular cryoprotective agent concentration amongst the population. Further increasing α beyond a value of 2 leads to negligible cryoprotectant loading. These simulations on populations of cells may lead to improved microfluidic cryopreservation protocols where more consistent cryoprotective agent loading and freezing can be achieved, thus increasing cell survival.
Solute Retention in Column Liquid Chromatography. VII. Reduction of Mass-Transfer Non-Equilibrium and Analysis Time

Abstract Retentions are reported for the test solutes benzene and the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) naphthalene, biphenyl, anthracene, and fluoranthene with columns containing mechanical mixtures of (inert diluent) Spherisorb silica + (active sorbent) Spherisorb octadecylsilyl (ODS) derivatized silica with methanol:water mobile phase. All solutes elute in one column volume with neat silica diluent packing, while both the extent of separation as well as analysis time increase as the amount of ODS phase is increased. Plots of the reduced plate height h against the reduced linear carrier velocity v show that the column efficiency with pure diluent phase is a factor of two superior to that containing neat active sorbent at vopt. However, an anomalous rise in h is found at v less than vopt. The capacity factors of the solutes increase linearly from zero as the amount of active phase is increased, hence limiting the permissible sample size at high packing dilution; there also occur some inversions of r...
Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 and Vitronectin Promote the Cellular Clearance of Thrombin by Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-related Proteins 1 and 2

Abstract Thrombin is a multifunctional protein that has both proteinase and growth factor-like activities. Its regulation is largely mediated by interaction with a host of inhibitors including antithrombin III (ATIII), heparin cofactor II (HCII), α2-macroglobulin (α2-M), protease nexin I, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). ATIII, HCII, and α2-M are all abundant in blood and can inactivate blood-borne thrombin leading to rapid hepatic clearance of the thrombin-inhibitor complex. PAI-1 alone, a poor solution phase inhibitor of thrombin, can efficiently inhibit thrombin in the presence of native vitronectin (VN). In this study, active thrombin was found to be efficiently endocytosed and degraded by cultured pre-type II pneumocyte cells, and both processes could be blocked by polyclonal antibodies to PAI-1. When the relative efficiency of cellular endocytosis of thrombin in complex with a number of inhibitors was examined, I-thrombin-PAI-1 complexes were most efficiently cleared compared to I-thrombin in complex with the serpins ATIII, HCII, α1-proteinase inhibitor, or D-phenylalanyl-L-prolyl-L-arginine chloromethyl ketone. Low density lipoprotein receptor-related proteins 1 (LRP) and 2 (gp330/megalin) mediate the endocytosis of thrombin-PAI-1, since antagonists of receptor function such as LRP-1 and LRP-2 antibodies and the 39-kDa receptor-associated protein blocked I-thrombin-PAI-1 endocytosis and degradation. The LRP-mediated clearance of exogenously added I-thrombin by cultured cells was found to be enhanced 5-fold by inclusion of wild-type PAI-1 but by only 2-fold when a mutant form of PAI-1 that is unable to bind VN was included. This wild-type PAI-1 enhancement of I-thrombin clearance was found to occur only in the presence of native VN and not with its conformationally altered form. The results highlight a novel mechanism for cellular clearance of thrombin involving native VN promoting the interaction of thrombin and PAI-1 and the subsequent endocytosis of the complex by LRP-1 or LRP-2. This pathway is potentially important for the regulation of the potent biological activities of thrombin, particularly at sites of vascular injury.
The Vibrational Spectrum of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate): A Review

Abstract Members of the disubstituted vinyl polymer family [[sbnd]CH2[sbnd]CRR[sbnd]]n are of intense scientific interest because of the nature of their backbone and side chains. When R and R' are different groups, these polymers have the capability of forming stereoregular polymers with different physical properties [48]. The simplest regular arrangement of successive groups along a chain are the isotactic (Fig. lb), on which all R substituents are located on the same side of the zigzag plane, representing the chain stretched out in an all trans conformation; and the syndiotactic arrangement, in which the R groups alternate from side to side (Fig. la). In the atactic arrangement the R groups appear at random on either side of the zigzag plane.
Pathway hunting by random survival forests

Motivation: Pathway or gene set analysis has been widely applied to genomic data. Many current pathway testing methods use univariate test statistics calculated from individual genomic markers, which ignores the correlations and interactions between candidate markers. Random forests-based pathway analysis is a promising approach for incorporating complex correlation and interaction patterns, but one limitation of previous approaches is that pathways have been considered separately, thus pathway cross-talk information was not considered. Results: In this article, we develop a new pathway hunting algorithm for survival outcomes using random survival forests, which prioritize important pathways by accounting for gene correlation and genomic interactions. We show that the proposed method performs favourably compared with five popular pathway testing methods using both synthetic and real data. We find that the proposed methodology provides an efficient and powerful pathway modelling framework for high-dimensional genomic data. Availability: The R code for the analysis used in this article is available upon request. Contact: xi.steven.chen@gmail.com Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Microcuvette for integration with infrared spectrometer for biofluid analysis

A micro-spectrometer for infrared spectroscopy applications has been designed and fabricated. The principle component of the micro-spectrometer is a micromachined Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI), which is used as a wavelength selector. This is integrated with a fluidic sampling system (microcuvette), an emitter, and a detector to form a completely functional micro-spectrometer. The intended applications of the device are for spectroscopic study of biochemical samples, as a sensing component by integration with modular microsystems like microreactors for a "lab-on-chip" application, and as an implantable biosensor for analysis of intravascular fluids like glucose, proteins, and hormones. Such an application requires a miniaturized fluidic sampling system for handling sample fluids. The microcuvette is fabricated using silicon micromachining and is packaged with fluidic interconnections and is integrated with the FPI at the chip level. Optical characterization of the standalone microcuvette was performed with a FTIR spectrometer for various aqueous samples and the initial results support the feasibility of developing a miniaturized fluid handling system.
Degree of Polymerization as Evidence of the Damage to Cotton in Mechanical Processing

Mechanical processing of cotton causes two types of damage: the first type is physical in nature, resulting from the breaking and bruising of fibers; the second type is chemical in nature, as shown by a decrease in D.P. This change in D.P. is brought about by a mechanical-chemical rupture of molecular bonds and not through a thermal mechanism. A quantitative estimate of the relative damage occurring in each mechanical operation investigated is presented. A loss in D.P of 30 percent was measured as a result of the mechanical operations which converted an Empire seed cotton into yarn.