cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Combined methotrexate and misoprostol for early induced abortion.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effectiveness and side effects of and subject satisfaction with an induced abortion by administration of methotrexate and intravaginal misoprostol. SUBJECTS AND DESIGN Prospective trial of 100 consecutive pregnant women aged 18 years or older at 8 weeks' gestation or less and wanting an abortion. INTERVENTIONS Intramuscular administration of 50 mg of methotrexate per square meter of body surface area on day 1 and a misoprostol 800-micrograms vaginal suppository on day 3. Administration of misoprostol was repeated the following day if no bleeding occurred after the first dose. PROTOCOL After pregnancy dating by clinical criteria, subjects were followed up with serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) determinations on days 1, 7, and 14 and a high-sensitivity urine hCG test every 2 weeks until the value was less than 10 IU/L. Subjects completed a daily symptom log and satisfaction questionnaire on day 14. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Complete abortion as defined by vaginal bleeding and a beta-hCG value of less than 10 IU/L without surgical intervention, complications and side effects, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS Ninety-seven subjects had a complete abortion and one subject had vaginal bleeding and a 94% decrease of her beta-hCG value on day 7 but was subsequently unavailable for follow-up. Two subjects required surgical procedures: one with a continued pregnancy and one for excessive bleeding. No failures or complications occurred in early gestations prior to 45 days from the last menstrual period. Seventy-three percent responded to misoprostol treatment with bleeding within 12 hours and had a mean decrease of 90% in their beta-hCG value on day 7. Twenty-seven percent had no immediate bleeding response to misoprostol administration, began bleeding on day 10 (SD, 8 days), and had a mean decrease of 10% in their beta-hCG value on day 7. Seventy percent reported nausea; 46%, diarrhea; and 23%, vomiting. Ninety-three percent agreed that the procedure was acceptable and 95% would recommend the procedure. CONCLUSIONS Methotrexate and misoprostol were effective in inducing an abortion up to 8 weeks. Home administration of a compounded misoprostol vaginal suppository was successful. Although gastrointestinal tract side effects were common, women found the procedure and its side effects acceptable.
Glucan-induced modification of the increased susceptibility of cyclophosphamide-treated mice to Staphylococcus aureus infection

Glucan, a β1–3-polyglucosidic component of the cell wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was evaluated for its ability to modify experimentally induced S. aureus septicemia in an immunosuppressed mouse model. AKR/J mice were injected with glucan (0.45 mg), cyclophosphamide (0.6 mg), isovolumetric saline (0.5 ml), or glucan (0.45 mg) and cyclophosphamide (0.6 mg) on days −10, −7, −4 and −1 prior to intravenous challenge with 1.0×109 S. aureus on day 0.
Optimization of the performance of a tandem microchannel plate detector as a function of interplate spacing and voltage

The effect of varying the size of the gap and the voltage between two microchannel plates (MCP’s) in a tandem configuration has been investigated. It was found that increasing the voltage in the gap increased the gain of the pair and also produced a narrower Gaussian pulse‐height distribution. Beyond a critical voltage the gain of the channel plate pair was found to plateau. These observations can be explained in terms of a model involving both the nonlinear gain behavior of individual microchannels and the behavior of the electron cloud emitted from the first MCP as it spreads out between the two MCP’s and hits the surface of the second. From this model the plateau voltage is calculated as a function of the gap size, the gain of each MCP, and the diameter of the channels, and is found to match the observed results. It is concluded that interplate gaps of up to several millimeters can be accommodated without a significant degradation in pulse‐height distribution.
Sociological Theory of Rulership, Knowledge and Religion: An Urgently Needed Comparison of Things in Time

HALF-A-CENTUtRY after his death Max Weber's name is becoming more of a household word within the scholarly community and, perhaps, even beyond, for there is a rock-music band named Max Weber and His Charismatics surviving now for over five years. The mass media today increasingly prostitutionalize some of his carefully formulated concepts of charisma and charismatic leadership, e.g., the labeling of everybody and everything odd or that which is not understood as charismatic, including a loud-mouth reactionary household name of the (hopefully early) seventies. The greater interest in Weber's work among social scientists is justified by several propositions, a few of which will be briefly pointed out. To this writer at least the most important among them is that there seems to be absolutely nothing in his work which could even remotely serve as a source for a messianic doctrine of salvation for mankind in contrast to the writings of many well-known names. No messianic or millennial movements could possibly carry his name, and this appears to be a blessing today in the midst of so much utopian emotionalism. Even a more limited ideological preaching is absent from his legacy. Also, because of his unqualified and absolute humanitarianism, conservative defenses of the established order cannot be hidden behind Weber's name in spite of some attempts made by certain American sociologists. Julien Freund (1969:13) said that Weber was a pure analyst solely concerned with gaining sound knowledge of historical data and interpreting it within verifiable limits-helped greatly by an encyclopedic knowledge which no other sociologist has since equaled. Indeed, Freund argued, what is striking in Weber's work is the total absence of preconceived notions or a priori syntheses. Not Durkheim but Weber was the first in practice to place sociology on a strictly scientific basis. This from a fellow Frenchman is a supreme compliment. Of course, Weber was socialized in his culture and shared some or many of its values and biases. But unlike many others, Weber was successful in keeping them out of his work most of the time. Furthermore, he somehow managed permanently to resist temptations to build any ideological or scientific systems, because he recognized and deeply feared that very thin dividing line between ideological visions of a beautiful future and the scientific ordering of strictly empirical data-an almost invisible line unfortunately missed by many creative minds, revolutionary and conservative.
Crown and sleeve-coping retainers for removable partial prostheses

Abstract A technique has been described which will serve to retain the teeth that might otherwise have been extracted, so treatment by complete dentures can be postponed or avoided. The technique involves the construction of tapered copings on the abutment teeth and secondary crowns that fit over the copings. Several applications of the technique in difficult situations illustrate its versatility.
Error Recovery in Intelligent Robotic Workcells

This paper focuses on the requirements for achieving automated diagnosis and error recovery in a robotic assembly cell, Untended robust operation is the goal which is discussed, and the use of a knowledge-base oriented diagnostic/control system to support on-line error recovery is advocated. It is proposed that error recovery attempts should be made, not only based on information gathered by system sensors, but also by using additional cell-specific knowledge pertaining to recovery strategies. Recovery attempts are to be made even in the absence of complete diagnosis, in order to gather additional information, A control structure developed to implement this approach is presented.
Parametric study of biodiesel quality and yield using a bench-top processor

Biodiesel is a renewable liquid fuel alternative to petrodiesel. It is produced by the transesterification of vegetable oil and alcohol in the presence of a catalyst. A 1.5 L bench-top biodiesel processor was constructed to study the effect of feedstock and operating conditions on the conversion and the biodiesel quality. Biodiesel was produced from several oil feedstocks using methanol and potassium hydroxide as a catalyst. The quality of the biodiesel produced was assessed by measuring the percent conversion, the viscosity, the heat of combustion, and the residual soaps. Both the one-stage base process and the base-base two-stage production process were tested. The two-stage process exhibits greater conversion with a lower methanol/oil ratio and improved biodiesel quality.
Ethnographers in El Dorado

Chernela, Janet M. The Wanano Indians of the Brazilian Amazon: A Sense of Space. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1993. xx + 185 pp. including chapter and index. $32.50 cloth. Chibnik, Michael. Risky Rivers: The Economics and Politics of Floodplain Farming in Amazonia. Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 1994. xx + 267 pp. including appendices, references, and index. $25.95
DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF CARAMEL TEXTURE

Oral sensory evaluation of caramel texture was conducted using six texture terms and results were compared to instrumental testing of texture. Trained panelists (n = 11) evaluated 6 caramel formulations by descriptive analysis. Mean texture values indicated that a slight increase in sweetened condensed skim milk and vegetable fat content (1% w/w at a 2:1 ratio) significantly decreased stickiness (P≤ 0.05). Decreasing corn syrup dextrose equivalent (DE) decreased stickiness and increased hardness (P≤ 0.05). Pearson correlation coefficients revealed that stickiness to teeth while chewing, toothpacking, and tooth adhesiveness were highly correlated with one another (P≤ 0.05). Sensory hardness, cohesiveness, and number of chews were correlated with the rheological properties of storage modulus and viscosity, while stickiness was correlated with probe tack force (P≤ 0.05). Such correlations show that fundamental rheological and tack force measurements can be used to help determine molecular mechanisms for sensory texture and stickiness.
Constancy of built-in luminance meter measurements in diagnostic displays.

Purpose: Liquid crystal displays used to interpret medical images are often equipped with built-in luminance meters to evaluate luminance response and Grayscale Standard Display Function conformance. This work evaluates agreement between luminance reported by the built-in meters and external measurements. Methods: The white level luminance was measured using a built-in meter and an external meter for 93 primary review workstations (Models MFGD 3420 and MDCG 3120-CB) with between 117 and 49 336 backlight hours (BLH). Measured luminance values were compared viat-test for displays with less than 25 000 BLH and those with more than 25 000 BLH. Bias between meters was also evaluated. Changes in luminance uniformity with increasing backlight hours were explored by determining the maximum luminance deviation (MLD) for subsets of these displays with less than 800 BLH and greater than 35 000 BLH. Results: The mean difference between built-in and external luminance measurements was 5.84% and 38.92% for displays with less than 25 000 and greater than 25 000 BLH, respectively, with a statistically significant difference in the means (p < 0.001). For displays with low BLH, a statistically significant bias was observed (p < 0.001) between built-in and external measurements. A high degree of correlation was observed between measurements made with twomore » separate external meters (r = 0.999). The mean MLD was 9.5% and 11.2% for MDCG 3120-CB displays with less than 800 and greater than 35 000 BLH, respectively. The difference in the mean values was not statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Disagreement between the white level luminance measured using the built-in and external meter increased with BLH. Consequently, reliance on values reported by the built-in luminance meter may result in a reduction in image contrast with time. Recommendations have been proposed regarding luminance response testing and corrective action for failing displays.« less
Patterns of performance on the Fuld Object Memory Evaluation in elderly inpatients with depression or dementia.

The Fuld Object Memory Evaluation (Fuld, 1981) was administered to 80 elderly adults (aged 60 to 90 years) who were hospitalized for evaluation and treatment of primary degenerative dementia (PDD), other organic disorders (e.g., Parkinson's disease or multi-infarct dementia), or major depression. Although mean performance in each of the diagnostic groups was below normative levels reported by Fuld (1981), PDD patients performed significantly more poorly than those with depression or other organic disorders. Analysis of subscore patterns failed to support the hypothesis of a selective memory deficit in depression, and substantial overlap in scores was observed between the depressed group and patients with organic disorders other than PDD. Object Memory Evaluation performance was influenced by global mental status and secondary psychiatric diagnoses, but not by education, age, or physical health.
Modeling and rendering of weathered stone

Stone is widespread in its use as a building material and artistic medium. One of its most remarkable qualities is that it changes appearance as it interacts with the environment. These changes are mainly confined to the surface but involve complex volumetric effects such as erosion and mineral dissolution. This paper presents an approach for the modeling and rendering of changes in the shape and appearance of stone.To represent stone, we introduce a slab data structure, which is a surface-aligned volume confined to a narrow region around the boundary of the stone. Our weathering model employs a simulation of the flow of moisture and the transport, dissolution, and recrystallization of minerals within the porous stone volume. In addition, this model governs the erosion of material from the surface. To render the optical effects of translucency and coloration due to the composition of minerals near the surface, we simulate the scattering of light inside the stone using a general subsurface Monte Carlo ray tracer. These techniques can capture many aspects of the time-dependent appearance of stone. We demonstrate the approach with models of granite and marble statues, as well as a sandstone column.
Heterotrophic fixation of carbon dioxide by extracts of Nocardia corallina.

Abstract Evidence is presented for the presence of a reversible, nucleotide-dependent oxalacetic carboxylase in a cell-free extract of N. corallina . This enzyme is dependent upon sulfhydryl groups for its activity. Inosine and guanosine nucleotides are more active than adenosine and uridine nucleotides, and evidence is presented which indicates that the latter two nucleotides can act indirectly by way of inosine nucleotides. The presence of nucleoside diphosphokinase in the extract is indicated.
A Bayesian approach to evaluating the uncertainty of thermodynamic data and phase diagrams

Abstract A heuristic optimization methodology based on Bayesian statistics is presented. The goal is to help researchers decide on the optimal set of thermodynamic data to use. This approach accounts for the errors associated with reported data and how reliable the researcher believes the model to be. The optimization is conducted with a multi-objective genetic algorithm (GA) coupled with Bayesian statistics to more accurately link the limited and uncertain experimental thermodynamic data to thermodynamic models of interest. The computer program provides guidance as to which experiments are needed to enhance the reliability of the dataset and is ideally suited for parameter optimization and sensitivity analysis. Applications include the UO 2 –PuO 2 and UO 2 –BeO systems.
Characterization of a clonal isolate of an oxaliplatin resistant ovarian carcinoma cell line A2780/C10.

Abstract A single cell clonal sub-line A2780/C10B that is 18-fold resistant to oxaliplatin and ∼threefold cross-resistant to cisplatin and exhibiting a metastasis associated cellular phenotype was characterized for mechanisms of resistance. The cell line exhibited a 50% reduction in the accumulation of both oxaliplatin and cisplatin relative to the parent line, while extensive decline in Pt–DNA adduct levels occurred only following oxaliplatin treatment. The basal GSH levels were fivefold higher in A2780/C10B compared to A2780 and had a fivefold elevation in γ-GT suggesting this may be the mechanism involved in GSH elevation. The basal levels of ERCC-1, XPA and MRP-2 mRNA levels in A2780/C10B were not higher than those in A2780. The highly reduced Pt–DNA adduct formation only for oxaliplatin, but not cisplatin may be a reflection of the fact that at equimolar concentrations oxaliplatin makes fewer Pt–DNA adducts than cisplatin. The data indicate that multiple lesions occur in a single cell to produce the resistant phenotype.
Gametes and embryo epigenetic reprogramming affect developmental outcome: implication for assisted reproductive technologies

There is concern about the health of children who are conceived with the use assisted reproductive technologies (ART). In addition to reports of low birth weight and chromosomal anomalies, there is evidence that ART may be associated with increased epigenetic disorders in the infants who are conceived using these procedures. Epigenetic reprogramming is critical during gametogenesis and at preimplantation stage and involves DNA methylation, imprinting, RNA silencing, covalent modifications of histones, and remodeling by other chromatin-associated complexes. Epigenetic regulation is involved in early embryo development, fetal growth, and birth weight. Disturbances in epigenetic reprogramming may lead to developmental problems and early mortality. Recent reports suggest the increased incidence of imprinting disorders such as Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, Angelman syndrome, and retinoblastoma in children who are conceived with the use of ART. These may result from an accumulation of epigenetic alterations during embryo culture and/or by altered embryonic developmental timing. Further research is urgently needed to determine whether a causal relationship between ART and epigenetic disorders exists. Until then, cautious review of both short-term and long-term ART outcomes at a national level is recommended.
The effect of solar radiation on dynamic thermal performance of floor heating systems

This paper presents a numerical investigation of transient heat transfer in floor heating systems using a three-dimensional explicit finite difference model. The study focused on the influence of the cover layer and incident solar radiation on floor temperature distribution and on energy consumption. Complete and partial (area) carpets were considered as well as hardwood cover layers over concrete or gypcrete thermal storage. Experimental and simulation results for an outdoor testroom reveal that solar beam radiation can cause a local floor surface temperature in the illuminated area 8°C higher than that in the shaded area. Partial carpet cover further increases floor surface temperature differences up to 15°C when solar radiation is absorbed. Solar radiation stored in the floor thermal mass was found to reduce heating energy consumption significantly (30% or more). Increase of thermal mass thickness from 5 cm to 10 cm did not lead to higher energy savings with conventional proportional-integral control. Advanced control algorithms need to be developed to maximize energy savings while maintaining good thermal comfort.
Independent interface and bulk film contributions to reduction of tunneling currents in stacked oxide/nitride gate dielectrics with monolayer nitrided interfaces

Abstract Direct tunneling limits aggressive scaling of thermally-grown oxides to about ∼1.6 nm, a thickness at which the tunneling current at 1 V is ∼1 A/cm2. This paper presents experimental results, supported by interface characterizations and model calculations, which demonstrate that multi-layer or stacked gate dielectrics prepared by remote plasma processing comprised of (i) ultra-thin nitrided SiO2 interface layers, and (ii) either silicon nitride or oxynitride bulk dielectric films, can extend the oxide-equivalent thickness, tox-eq, limit down to ∼1.1–1.0 nm. A similar stacked gate dielectric, which substitutes higher-k oxides such as Zr(Hf)O2–SiO2 ‘silicate’ alloys or Ta2O5 for the nitrides or oxynitride alloys, is projected to further reduce tox-eq to ∼0.6–0.7 nm.
Respiratory disease prevalence in cosmetologists and its relationship to aerosol sprays.

Abstract A randomized, cross-sectional epidemiologic study of the prevalence of respiratory disease from exposure to hair spray in cosmetologists was conducted in the state of Utah in all but the sparsely populated western regions of the state. The sample selected for survey consisted of 262 student cosmetologists, 213 graduate practicing beauticians, and 569 females not exposed to hair sprays as part of their occupation (except that of housewife), matched for age, smoking history, and geographic location. Study methods included a modified British Medical Research Council respiratory symptom questionnaire, chest X-ray, forced expiratory spirogram, and measurements of individual and environmental hair spray particulate exposure concentrations. Additionally, for a subgroup in the study population closing volume, slope of phase III and closing capacity of the lung and carbon monoxide diffusing capacity were measured, and sputum cytology was studied. Study findings indicated that, in comparison to the control population, cosmetologists have an increased prevalence of chronic respiratory disease symptoms, small airway obstruction, and atypical sputum cytology and that these increases were significantly related to duration of occupational exposure. The findings with regard to thesaurosis, although suggestive of a positive relationship with hair spray exposure of long duration, were not conclusive.
Reaction Kinetics and Critical Phenomena: Iodination of Acetone in Isobutyric Acid + Water near the Consolute Point

The rate of iodination of acetone has been measured as a function of temperature in the binary solvent isobutyric acid (IBA) + water near the upper consolute point. The reaction mixture was prepared by the addition of acetone, iodine, and potassium iodide to IBA + water at its critical composition of 38.8 mass % IBA. The value of the critical temperature determined immediately after mixing was 25.43 degrees C. Aliquots were extracted from the mixture at regular intervals in order to follow the time course of the reaction. After dilution of the aliquot with water to quench the reaction, the concentration of triiodide ion was determined by the measurement of the optical density at a wavelength of 565 nm. These measurements showed that the kinetics were zeroth order. When at the end of 24 h the reaction had come to equilibrium, the critical temperature was determined again and found to be 24.83 degrees C. An Arrhenius plot of the temperature dependence of the observed rate constant, k(obs), was linear over the temperature range 27.00-38.00 degrees C, but between 25.43 and 27.00 degrees C, the values of k(obs) fell below the extrapolation of the Arrhenius line. This behavior is evidence in support of critical slowing down. Our experimental method and results are significant in three ways: (1) In contrast to in situ measurements of optical density, the determination of the optical density of diluted aliquots avoided any interference from critical opalescence. (2) The measured reaction rate exhibited critical slowing down. (3) The rate law was pseudo zeroth order both inside and outside the critical region, indicating that the reaction mechanism was unaffected by the presence of the critical point.
Analysis of polychlorobiphenyl congeners in Wisconsin fish.

Because polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in environmental or biological samples have for some time been identified and quantitated using Aroclor® mixtures to determine total PCBs, few data have been generated on individual congeners. Thus, methods were developed to allow the determination of individual congeners in various fish species of different sizes from Wisconsin waters. High resolution gas chromatography was used to separate the congeners. Established relative retention times were used for congener identification, while quantification was performed with five Aroclor® mixtures, with published values for congener weight percent composition, as standards. Among the most prominent congeners found in fish were congener numbers 153/132, 138, 66/95, 110, 180, 70/76, 146, 28/31, 149, 118, and 105. It is anticipated that information on the distribution of PCB congeners in the Great Lakes and other Wisconsin waters will be increasingly important from a toxicological standpoint, and, ultimately, for assessing the risk from PCBs to fish consumers.
Abstract A49: Multifunctional nanocarriers against cervical cancer

Cervical cancer accounts for 500,000 new cases and 250,000 deaths in women worldwide. In low-income countries, cervical cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths among women. Novel approaches for the early detection and aggressive treatment of cervical cancer are urgently needed to increase the survival rates. To this end, a promising strategy that might improve the specificity of current diagnostic and therapeutic agents is the development of drugs or contrast agents targeting glycans, polysaccarides decorating normal and cancerous cells that provide a unique fingerprint on the cell surface. Tumor glycans are important in regulating pivotal events during the development and progression of cancer. Changes in their sequence and structure are known to be responsible for cell proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Malignant transformation of cervical cells is accompanied by the expression of specific glycans that are absent on normal uterine cervix cells. Peptide-based ligands specific for these cervical cancer glycans have been discovered, and their use as tumor-homing agents for diagnostics and therapeutic purposes has been explored in xenograph models. We have currently developed an innovative drug delivery vehicle for the simultaneous and highly specific imaging and treatment of cervical cancer. To take full advantage of the enhanced permeability and retention effect (EPR) of the nanocarriers and to have deep penetration inside the tumor mass, we have developed a telodendrimer system, comprised of clusters of oligomeric cholic acids (CA) linked to a polyethylene glycol (PEG) chain which self-assemble within an aqueous environment with tunable sizes and efficient drug loading capacity. This vehicle consists of a nanocarrier loaded with the powerful anticancer drug, doxorubicin, and decorated with cervical cancer specific ligands targeting cell surface glycans. Thanks to the presence of the targeting ligands, the nanocarriers carry the otherwise non-selective drug specifically into the targeted cancer cells leading to release of anticancer drug only where needed. Because of the lower doses and the relatively low cost of the nanoparticle employed as drug carriers, we envision that this technology will be amendable for clinical translation and will be a powerful therapeutic tool to address the needs and disparities typical of less developed countries. Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20(10 Suppl):A49.
Estimation of a quadrature cross- correlation detector by analog, polarity-coincidence, and relay methods (Corresp.)

The variance of the output of a cross-correlation detector, which is called a quadrature cross-correlation detector, is estimated. In this type of detector two zero-mean Gaussian quadrature processes \alpha(t) and \beta(t) of a complex process (\alpha(t) -j \beta(t)) are cross correlated. This cross-correlation function R_{A} (\tau) is estimated when neither of the two processes is distorted (the analog method), when both processes are distorted by a signum function before being cross correlated (the polarity coincidence method), and when one of the two processes is distorted by either a signum function or by a "comparator logic" function (the relay method). These quadrature cross-correlation detectors then are compared on the basis of output signal-to-noise ratio (s/n) and the clipping and relay losses are computed for two test quadrature processes of an Edgeworth-expansion-approximated power spectrum. Since R_{A} (0) is zero, the four corresponding differential estimators, such as (R_{A} (\tau) - R_{A} (0)) are also estimated and are compared on the basis of s/n. For these differential estimators, the clipping and relay losses are computed for the two test processes. In all cases the exact expressions for the s/n are derived as a function of \tau . Some applications of these correlation detectors are outlined. The mathematical techniques employed here are thought to have potential usefulness for related problems in statistical communication theory and signal processing.
A computational strategy for simulating heat transfer and flow past deformable objects

Simulations of flow and heat transfer around deforming objects require the accurate resolution of the moving interface. An approach that combines the Hybrid Immersed Boundary Method (HIBM) for handling complex moving boundaries and the Material Point Method (MPM) for resolving structural stresses and the movement of the deformable body is presented here. In the HIBM, a fixed Eulerian, curvilinear grid is generally defined, and the variable values at grid points adjacent to a curvilinear boundary are interpolated to satisfy the boundary conditions. The MPM is used to solve equations of the solid structure (stresses and deflection) and communicates with the flow equations through appropriate interface-boundary conditions. As a validation of the new approach for heat transfer problems, flow and heat transfer past a rigid and deforming isothermal sphere is simulated. Predictions agree well with published results of Nusselt number for flow past a rigid sphere.
Global PNS solutions for subsonic strong interaction flow over a cone-cylinder-boattail configuration

Abstract The solution of the semi-elliptic or so-called parabolized Navier-Stokes equations is considered for large Reynolds numbers and subsonic flows with strong pressure interaction. Flow past a cone-cylinder-boattail configuration is investigated as a prototype of strong viscous-inviscid interaction. A global boundary-layer relaxation procedure is utilized for the formulation of the discrete boundary-value problem. The resulting marching procedure does not require a sub-layer type of approximation. Furthermore, the method does not restrict the step size in the marching direction and is free from any departure effects. Solutions with large recirculation regions are calculated.
Rapid changes of photospheric magnetic fields around flaring magnetic neutral lines

In this paper we study the short-term evolution of magnetic fields associated with five flares in δ-sunspots. We concentrate on the analysis of the magnetic gradient along the flaring neutral lines (NLs). Obvious changes of the magnetic gradient occurred immediately and rapidly following the onset of each flare. A rapid gradient increase was found to be associated with three events, while a decrease was associated with the other two. The changes were permanent, and therefore not likely due to the flare emissions. In addition, we evaluated the mean relative motions between the two magnetic polarities in these δ-regions, in the directions parallel and perpendicular to the flaring NLs. We derived the mean positions of the two magnetic polarities using a center-of-mass (CoM) calculation and found that (1) converging motions correspond to a gradient increase and diverging motions, to a decrease; (2) for all the events, there appeared a sudden release of magnetic shear associated with each flare, signified by a decrease of CoM separation between 500 and 1200 km in the direction parallel to the NLs. Combining the findings presented here with those in previous papers, we propose that these results are evidence of magnetic reconnection at or close to the photosphere. When an active region is away from the solar disk center, the reconnected transverse fields cause an apparent increase of the flux in the polarity toward the limb and a decrease for the polarity closer to the disk center. This observational pattern was indeed found for all 10 available events that have been studied in the literature and in this paper. Finally, we offer some predictions for future observations when high-quality vector magnetogram sequences become available.
On the dynamics of secondary-electron and anion emission from an Al/O surface

Kinetic energy distributions and absolute yields of negative oxygen ions and secondary electrons resulting from positive ions impacting an aluminum surface have been determined as a function of the oxygen coverage of the surface. The experiments have been carried out with positive sodium ions at collision energies below 500 eV. Both the negative ion and secondary electron yields are observed to be strongly dependent on the oxygen coverage of the aluminum surface. The kinetic energy distributions of the dominant negative ion, O−, peak at approximately 1.0 eV and have a significant high-energy tail. The secondary electron kinetic energy distributions peak between 0.8–1.0 eV, have widths of 1.0–1.5 eV and exhibit no features indicative of discrete spectra. For both the ions and the electrons, the most probable kinetic energy is essentially independent of the impact energy and there is no correlated electron-anion emission. A mechanism is proposed to augment the collision cascade in order to model the sputtering of O− and the emission of electrons. Finally, the secondary processes are investigated with a partial coverage of sodium which serves to reduce the surface work function.
Spatial rainfall estimation by linear and non-linear co-kriging of radar-rainfall and raingage data

The feasibility of linear and nonlinear geostatistical estimation techniques for optimal merging of rainfall data from raingage and radar observations is investigated in this study by use of controlled numerical experiments. Synthetic radar and raingage data are generated with their hypothetical error structures that explicitly account for sampling characteristics of the two sensors. Numerically simulated rainfall fields considered to be ground-truth fields on 4×4 km grids are used in the generation of radar and raingage observations. Ground-truth rainfall fields consist of generated rainfall fields with various climatic characteristics that preserve the space-time covariance function of rainfall events in extratropical cyclonic storms. Optimal mean areal precipitation estimates are obtained based on the minimum variance, unbiased property of kriging techniques under the second order homogeneity assumption of rainfall fields. The evaluation of estimated rainfall fields is done based on the refinement of spatial predictability over what would be provided from each sensor individually. Attention is mainly given to removal of measurement error and bias that are synthetically introduced to radar measurements. The influence of raingage network density on estimated rainfall fields is also examined.
Carotid duplex ultrasound changes associated with left ventricular assist devices.

Background Carotid duplex ultrasound (CDUS) is often used as a screening test in cardiac patients. Significant cardiac dysfunction may affect the accuracy of CDUS because of alterations in the cardiac cycle. Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are frequently implanted as a bridge to cardiac transplant. A review of CDUS in patients with LVADs was performed to assess their influence on arterial waveforms and velocities. Methods Patients with LVADs undergoing carotid duplex in our Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL)-accredited vascular laboratory were identified. The carotid waveforms were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Common carotid artery (CCA) and internal carotid artery (ICA) peak-systolic and end-diastolic velocities (PSV and EDV) were recorded as ICA/CCA velocity ratios. In patients with prior CDUS, the changes between these values were analyzed before and after LVAD placement. Results Of the 14 patients with LVADs treated in our institution over the past 2 years, 4 had CDUS (8 ICAs). Mean age was 57 years, and 3 of the 4 patients were men. All patients were free of cerebrovascular symptoms. Qualitatively, there was significant blunting of the CCA and ICA waveforms noted in all 8 ICAs. The degree of stenosis was reported as ≤15% in 7 ICAs and 15–45% in 1 ICA. The mean ICA PSV was 61.8 cm/sec. Two patients (4 ICAs) had CDUS before and after LVAD placement. Comparing pre- and post-LVAD values, the mean ICA PSV decreased by 42% (54 cm/sec; P = 0.04) and EDV increased by 51% (17 cm/sec; P = 0.3). The PSV and EDV ratios were unchanged. Overall assessment of category of stenosis was unchanged in 2 ICAs (≤15%), one decreased from moderate to mild (45–70% to 15–45%), and one ICA changed from 45–70% to ≤15% based on the decreased ICA PSV. Conclusions The presence of an LVAD has a significant influence on CDUS findings. There is a qualitative change in the ICA with blunting of the waveform, and a quantitative change with a decreased PSV and an increased EDV. Compared with pre-LVAD placement, there is a significant decrease in PSV which may affect the accuracy of CDUS using velocity-based criteria. Further study into the accuracy of CDUS in patients with LVADs is necessary.
Ribosomal RNA molecular weights of trichomycetes and zygomycetes

Ribosomal RNA molecular weights were determined for 4 species of Smittium (Harpellales, Trichomycetes), Amoebidium parasiticum (Ameobidiales, Trichomycetes), and 16 species in the Mucorales, Kickxellales, and Entomophthorales (Zygomycetes) in an attempt to clarify phylogenetic relationships among these groups of organisms. The ribosomal RNA molecular weights were determined by relative electrophoretic mobility in polyacrylamide gels. The average molecular weights for the heavy (25 S) and light (18 S) ribosomal RNA constituents of the Smittium species were 1.46 × 106 and 0.75 × 106, respectively. The 16 species of fungi in the Mucorales and Kickxellales had distinctly lighter ribosomal RNA molecular weights averaging 1.28 × 106 and 0.70 × 106 for the 25 and 18 S ribosomal RNA constituents, respectively. Molecular weights of Amoebidium parasiticum ribosomal RNAs were 1.36 × 106 and 0.69 × 106. These data suggest that Smittium is not closely related to Amoebidium nor to any of the Mucorales or Kickxellales.
Changes in the Epididymis Associated with Morphological Changes in the Spermatozoa

Abstract Supplementary estrogen given to four bulls produced large numbers of spermatozoa with looped or bent tails. Spermatozoa from the testis, head, and body of the epididymis failed to show these abnormalities, whereas those collected from the tail were abnormal. Changes found in the spermatozoa were accompanied by degeneration in the epididymal epithelium, and supplementary testosterone failed to counteract the changes produced by the estrogen. In four bulls producing large numbers of abnormal spermatozoa spontaneously, no other evidence of faulty endocrine function was present, indicating that the impaired function of the epididymis caused changes in the spermatozoa. The observations also indicate that estrogen acted directly on the epididymal epithelium.
High energy, high rate powder processing of a rapidly quenched quaternary alloy, Ni56.5Mo23.5Fe10B10

Abstract Nickel-based metallic glass powder has been successfully consolidated using high energy, high rate (HEHR) processing. Processing involved compaction pressures of 250–400 MPa and electrical energy densities of 1830–2460 J g −1 . Over 95% of the energy was deposited in less than 1 s. Consolidates were structurally inhomogenous, with fine borides near the surface and coarse borides in a central sample nugget zone. Microhardness tests correlated with boride particle size. All compacts crystallized during HEHR consolidation, forming a fine NiMoFe f.c.c. solid solution, Mo 2 NiB 2 and, in some cases, a CuPt-type structure of unidentified composition. The thermal stability of HEHR processed consolidates was assessed by annealing for up to 100 h at 650°C. New phases appeared, including Ni 2 Mo, M 23 C 6 -type boride and M 6 C-type boride. On monotonic heating, the crystallization sequence for Ni 56.5 Mo 23.5 Fe 10 B 10 was determined to be amorphous phase→ phase separation → glass transition of a high temperature amorphous phase → partial crystallization of the NiMoFe f.c.c. solid solution → complete crystallization (Mo 2 NiB 2 ). The activation energy for the low temperature crystallization, 290 kJ mol −1 , equals the interdiffusion value for molybdenum in nickel. The activation energy for the high temperature crystallization, 390 kJ mol −1 , compares favorably with the activation energy for molybdenum self-diffusion. Two peaks on the HEHR power curves during processing are interpreted to reflect changes in powder resistivity associated with the crystallization events.
Large N limits as classical mechanics

This paper discusses the sense in which the large $N$ limits of various quantum theories are equivalent to classical limits. A general method for finding classical limits in arbitrary quantum theories is developed. The method is based on certain assumptions which isolate the minimal structure any quantum theory should possess if it is to have a classical limit. In any theory satisfying these assumptions, one can generate a natural set of generalized coherent states. These coherent states may then be used to construct a classical phase space, derive a classical Hamiltonian, and show that the resulting classical dynamics is equivalent to the limiting form of the original quantum dynamics. This formalism is shown to be applicable to the large $N$ limits of vector models, matrix models, and gauge theories. In every case, one can explicitly derive a classical action which contains the complete physics of the $N=\ensuremath{\infty}$ theory. "Solving" the $N=\ensuremath{\infty}$ theory requires minimizing the classical Hamiltonian, and this has been possible only in simple theories. The relation between this approach and other methods which have been proposed for deriving large $N$ limits is discussed in detail.
Roger Williams: Pious Puritan and Strict Separationist

The church and the state are among the most powerful institu tional forces within society. As such, considerable attention has been given to deciphering a functional interaction between the two institu tions, whose interests and objectives frequently conflict. In the devel opment of Western thought, there have been a variety of arguments designed to advance the concept of institutional separation. In the fourteenth century, for instance, conciliarists such as Marsilius of Padua (c. 1275-1342) and William of Ockham (c. 1285-1349) offered what might be referred to as an ecclesiastical argument on behalf of separation lest the integrity of the church be jeopardized. By contrast, sixteenth-century Italian politician Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) promoted a secular argument of sorts in The Prince (1512) by decrying the dominant intrusion of the church, arguing that it marginalized the goal of an efficient republican government. Rationalist arguments for separation, matured in Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke (1632-1704), rooted their explanations in natural law which resulted in a contract theory of government. A more sophisticated version of the rationalist argument is made by American philosopher John Rawls, a neo-Kantian, in A Theory of Justice (1971). Additionally, advocates for ratification of the United States Constitution, such as Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) and James Madison (1751-1836), advanced what might be called a political argument for separation based on expediency and practical necessity. Throughout the development of separationist theo ries, no one has advanced die theological argument for separation more persuasively than Roger Williams (c. 1603-1684). Williams's argument for separation and the theological notions that inform it are the focus of this essay. Robert Torbet's "standard" denominational history for Baptists states that the story of Roger Williams "is so well known that a bare
Knowing through the body

Abstract Recent empirical studies of categorization, concept development, semantic structure, and reasoning reveal the inadequacies of all theories that regard knowledge as static, propositional, and sentential. These studies show that conceptual structure and reason are grounded in patterns of bodily experience. Structures of our spatial/temporal orientations, perceptual interactions, and motor programs provide an imaginative basis for our knowledge of, and reasoning about, more abstract domains. Such a view transcends both foundationalism and extreme relativism or scepticism.
Long bone cross-sectional dimensions, locomotor adaptations and body size in prosimian primates

The cross-sectional geometry of primate long bones appears to be closely related to body size and locomotor behavior. This study investigates this aspect of skeletal design in the humerus and femur of living prosimian primates, a group characterized by a diversity of locomotor modes and a wide range of body sizes. The geometrical variables were collected from biplanar radiographs using formulae for hollow ellipses to approximate cortical area, wall thickness, second and polar moments of area, and section modulus. Indices of strength in static compression and bending were also derived from these data, limb length and body mass. For prosimians as a group, all cross-sectional geometrical properties scale in a positive allometric fashion with body mass (although some of the humeral values have confidence limits that include isometry). Despite positive allometry, measures of strength in static loading decrease as a function of body size and imply that alterations in body posture and locomotion are necessary in order to maintain stress/strain similarity. Within prosimians, leapers tend to have more robust femora (with elongated anteroposterior axes) than non-saltatory species of the same size; no such distinctions exist for the humerus (but Daubentonia exhibits an unusually strong humerus). Slow climbing lorisines, although exposed to only moderate locomotor forces, are not at the low end of absolute and relative bone strength variation. Prosimians less than 1·2 kg exhibit considerable variation in cross-sectional geometry, a finding that could complicate attempts to use such data to reconstruct body size in small-bodied fossil prosimians. Measures of wall thickness (K-values) appear to be of limited utility in the functional analysis of skeletal design in extant prosimians. Compound indices of relative strength—although useful in functional allometric analyses—do not reliably differentiate among either locomotor or taxonomic groups. Functional differences among taxa are more obvious in geometrical properties when body size is used as a covariate.