cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Viscoelastic Approach to Modeling Performance of Buried Pipes

A viscoelastic solution for a pipe buried in a homogeneous and isotropic soil is presented. The linear viscoelastic solution is obtained by transforming Hoeg's elastic solution using the (correspondence principle.) To demonstrate the time‐dependent nature of the soil‐pipe system, a comparison is made of the stresses and the deflections obtained for rigid pipes (using the concrete pipe as an example), thermosetting plastic pipes (using the reinforced plastic mortar pipe as an example), and thermoplastic pipes (using the high‐density polyethylene pipe as an example) over a period of time. Pipe‐deflection data over a time period obtained from a laboratory test for a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe buried in sand is also used to back‐calculate the relaxation properties of the soil.
Can a metaphor of physics contribute to MEG neuroscience research? Intermittent turbulent eddies in brain magnetic fields

Abstract A common manifestation of nonlinear mathematical and experimental neurobiological dynamical systems in transition, intermittence, is currently being attended by concepts from physics such as turbulent eddy and the avalanche of critical systems. Do these concepts constitute an enticing poetry of dynamical universality or do these metaphors from physics generate more specific novel and relevant concepts and experiments in the neurosciences? Using six graphics and ten measures derived from the ergodic theory of dynamical systems, we study the magnetoencephalic, MEG, records of taskless, “resting” human subjects to find consistent evidence for turbulent (chaotic) dynamics marked by intermittent turbulent eddies. This brings up an apparent discrepancy via the juxtaposition of the superposition characteristics of magnetic fields and the non-superposition properties of turbulent flow. Treating this apparent inconsistency as an existent duality, we propose a physical model for how that might be the case. This leaves open the question: has the physical metaphor, turbulent eddy, contributed to a scientific understanding of the human resting MEG?
Protein mass spectrometry: applications to analytical biotechnology

The advent of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) in the last 5 years has greatly enhanced the area of protein mass spectrometry. This paper presents an overview of the applications of protein mass spectrometry in the area of analytical biotechnology, particularly as related to biopharmaceutical research and development. These applications include the determination of protein molecular mass, peptide mapping, peptide sequencing, ligand binding, determination of disulfide bonds, active site characterization of enzymes, protein self-association and protein folding/higher order structural characterization.
Clinical aspects of odontogenic maxillary sinusitis: a case series

Background: The incidence of odontogenic maxillary sinusitis (OMS) is unknown. Failure to address dental pathology causing sinusitis can lead to failure of medical and surgical treatments. The purpose of this article is to present an OMS patient series. Methods: Retrospective review of prospectively accrued patients. Sinusitis guidelines were reviewed for OMS incidence and management. The clinical aspects of OMS in 21 patients diagnosed by sinus computed tomography (CT) scan over the last 30 months were assessed. Results: In our series the mean age was 53 years (range, 21–70 years), mean duration of symptoms was 2.6 years (range, 1 month to 15 years), rotten smell or bad taste was present in 10 of 21 (48%) patients, dental pain was present in 6 of 21 (29%) patients, and unilateral maxillary opacification was present in 12 of 23 (57%) patients. Dental pathology was not noted in 6 of 7 (86%) of pre-CT dental films and 14 of 21 (67%) of initial sinus CT reports but reevaluation of CT scans found dental pathology in all patients. Conclusion: Dental pathology causing sinusitis was frequently missed on plain dental X-rays and CT scan reports. Dental pain and foul-smelling nasal discharge are present in less than one-half of patients and symptoms commonly persist for years. Otolaryngologists must have a high index of suspicion for an odontogenic cause of refractory maxillary sinusitis. © 2011 ARS-AAOA, LLC.
Reflective Clothing is Attractive to Pedestrians

Motor vehicle crash fatalities involving pedestrians result in 1.8 deaths per 100,000 population annually in the US. Most of these fatalities are attributed to the pedestrian not being seen in time for the driver to avoid a collision, particularly under poor lighting conditions. Previous research shows that reflective clothing worn at night significantly increases a pedestrian's visual conspicuity to drivers, especially when worn on a part of the body that moves. The purpose of the present research was to examine pedestrians' willingness to pay an additional dollar amount for clothing providing increased conspicuity at night. Two studies were conducted with sample sizes of n = 340 and 325, respectively, comprised of university students and non-students. Findings from these two studies suggest that over 49 percent of respondents would be willing to pay an additional amount ($33 versus $30) for a sweat shirt or jacket, and over 60 percent would pay the same additional amount for athletic shoes. These findin...
Methane mitigation in flooded Louisiana rice fields

A field experiment was conducted to determine whether selected nitrification inhibitors (encapsulated calcium carbide and dicyandiamide) and SO inf4 sup-2 -containing compounds [(NH4)2SO4 and Na2SO4] had mitigating effects on CH4 emissions from flooded rice. Microplots were established within a rice bay drill-seeded with the Texmont rice cultivar and CH4 fluxes were measured over the main rice cropping season. Methane emissions over the 77-day sampling period were approximately 230, 240, 260, 290, 310, and 360 kg CH4 ha-1 from the calcium carbide, Na2SO4-rate II, Na2SO4-rate I, (NH4)2SO4, dicyandiamide, and urea (control) treatments, respectively. Reductions in CH4 evolution, compared to the control, ranged from 14 to 35%, depending on treatment. The selected inhibitors and SO inf4 sup-2 -containing compounds appear to be effective in reducing the CH4 emitted from flooded rice fields.
Effect of Undulations on Surface Energy: A Quantitative Assessment

Contact angle measurements have been widely used to estimate the surface energy of various materials. Such measurements are severely limited with substrate surfaces that exhibit surface restructuring, are contaminated, and/or are porous. Although the captive bubble/drop method addresses the capillarity problem, surface undulations have not previously been accounted for in a quantitative way. We do so here with a series of 8 different pore size synthetic polymer membranes, all fabricated from poly(ether sulfone), as model rough porous surfaces of the same surface chemistry. Also, 3 of the 8 different pore size membranes were rendered hydrophilic through photoinduced graft polymerization producing 17 different modified membranes that are similarly tested. By incorporation of roughness parameters obtained from AFM measurements, corrections to the captive bubble/drop constant angle measurements were successfully made using a simple model of the surface. The predicted average value for the sessile drop contact...
Simultaneous estimation of liquid and solid gastric emptying using radiolabelled egg and water in supine normal subjects

Abstract To develop an additional method for the measurement of gastric emptying in supine subjects, 10 normal subjects were given a test meal containing 99Tc-labelled scrambled egg as the “solid” phase marker and 111In in tapwater as the marker for the “liquid” phase. The mean time for emptying 50% of the “solid” phase ( t 1 2 ) was 85 min and 29 min for the “liquid” phase. Three individuals were restudied with a mean difference between the two determinations of 10.8% for the “solid” phase and 6.5% for the “liquid” phase. Twenty-six additional studies attempted have been successfully completed in symptomatic patients with advanced cancer. This method provides a simple and reproducible procedure for the determination of gastric emptying that yields results similar to those reported for other test meals and can be used in debilitated patients.
On multiset k -families

Abstract The generalized Macaulay theorem is extended slightly to a form convenient for dealing with k-families of subsets of a multiset. Several applications are given.
A Design Exploration of Genetically Engineered Myosin Motors

As technology advances, there is an increasing need to reliably output mechanical work at smaller scales. At the nanoscale, one of the most promising routes is utilizing biomolecular motors such as myosin proteins commonly found in cells. Myosins convert chemical energy into mechanical energy and are strong candidates for use as components of artificial nanodevices and multi-scale systems. Isoforms of the myosin superfamily of proteins are fine-tuned for specific cellular tasks such as intracellular transport, cell division, and muscle contraction. The modular structure that all myosins share makes it possible to genetically engineer them for fine-tuned performance in specific applications. In this study, a parametric analysis is conducted in order to explore the design space of Myosin II isoforms. The crossbridge model for myosin mechanics is used as a basis for a parametric study. The study sweeps commonly manipulated myosin performance variables and explores novel ways of tuning their performance. The analysis demonstrates the extent that myosin designs are alterable. Additionally, the study informs the biological community of gaps in experimentally tabulated myosin design parameters. The study lays the foundation for further progressing the design and optimization of individual myosins, a pivotal step in the eventual utilization of custom-built biomotors for a broad range of innovative nanotechnological devices.© 2011 ASME
Psychoanalysis and the Argentine economic crisis of 2001: Interview with Nancy Hollander

Psychologist Janice Haaken interviews Latin American scholar and psychoanalyst Nancy Caro Hollander about the economic crisis in Argentina in 2001. They discuss the influence of psychoanalysts on popular resistances after the period of devastating neoliberal economic policies in Latin America and what can be learned from this period as we respond to the current global economic crisis.
Electron spin resonance study of liquids during photolysis. XXII. The 1-hydro-2,5-pyridinedicarboxylate anion radical in basic aqueous solutions☆

An electron spin resonance study of the 1-hydro-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylate anion radical is reported for a broad range of NaOH concentrations in aqueous solutions. Observed effects are attributed to a reversible, base-catalyzed dissociation of the NH-hydrogen. At high concentrations of NaOH the radical interchanges rapidly between its undissociated and dissociated forms, resulting in a single sharp-lined spectrum whose couplings depend upon the degree of dissociation. This made it possible to determine the thermodynamic equilibrium constant for the base-catalyzed equilibrium, from which the constant for the ionization in aqueous solution was calculated. The latter for an aqueous solution containing 20 ml of isopropyl alcohol per liter of solution at 25°C, expressed in pK units, is 16.82 ± 0.05. At lower concentrations of NaOH the radical is essentially completely undissociated, but the NH-hydrogen is reoriented by the equilibrium reactions producing lineshape effects which depend upon the second-order rate constant for the reaction between OH− and the undissociated form of the radical. This constant was determined for a range of dilute NaOH concentrations with the help of spectral simulations. The value of the rate constant extrapolated to infinite ionic dilution was found to be (5.0 ± 0.5) × 107 M−1 sec−1 at 30°C. The g values and couplings of both forms of the radical are reported.
Radioprotective effects of ascorbic acid in barley seeds

Experiments were conducted to test the radioprotective effects of a naturally occurring reducing agent, ascorbic acid, on seeds (caryopses) of barley, Hordeum vulgare L. emend Lam. Seeds were soaked either before or after gamma or fission neutron irradiation in distilled water or ascorbic acid solutions ranging in concentration from 0·01 to 1·00 m . Results are reported as percentage germination, seedling height, seedling growth reduction, and (in one experiment) per cent of cells with chromosome aberrations. As evidenced by both reduced germination and seedling growth, ascorbic acid was toxic when seeds were soaked for 1 hr at ambient temperature prior to irradiation and then planted immediately. When seeds were soaked in ascorbic acid before irradiation and soaked after irradiation in air-bubbled water at 0 °C for 18 hr, the toxicity disappeared, and a protective effect (which increased with increasing ascorbic acid concentration) was observed for gamma and, to a lesser extent, for neutron irradiation. Additional studies suggested that the protective effect was related to reduced hydration of the embryos of seeds soaked in ascorbic 'acid. Also, no radioprotective effect was observed when seeds were presoaked for 2 or 16 hr in 0·01 Mascorbic acid solutions buffered at pH 3 or pH 7. A protective effect was observed for seeds of 1·5 per cent water content soaked after irradiation in an oxygen-bubbled ascorbic acid solution of 0·5 M but was not observed for seeds soaked in nitrogen-bubbled ascorbic acid. The protective effect against oxygen-dependent damage may be a result of interaction of ascorbic acid with radiation-induced free radicals.
Transient magnetic fields produced by a step-function-excited loop buried in the earth

Using a previously developed formalism, we obtain explicit results for the field waveforms observed on the Earth's surface for a small horizontal loop buried in a conducting halfspace. It is shown that the shape of the waveform is diagnostic of the relative location of the buried source. The results have possible application in mine rescue operations.
Modernity and Minority Nationalism: Commentary on Thomas Franck

Focusing on the nature of modern nationalism, Kymlicka asserts that Franck overstates the dichotomy of so-called romantic tribal nationalism and traditional nationalism as seen in the United States and France, which Franck claims is liberal, inclusive, and based on political principles rather than blood lines. Using examples from France, the United States, and Quebec, Kymlicka shows that language and common identity as well as liberal principles of freedom and democracy compose modern liberal nationalism. More sympathetic to minority nationalism than Franck, Kymlicka argues that minority movements are not irrational but often based upon legitimate claims, claims that majorities frequently fail to take seriously. Kymlicka concludes in agreement with Franck that minority nationalists should have greater representation at the international level, not simply as a means of pacifying minority nationalists but in the interests of international justice.
Assessing culturally competent scholarship.

Abstract Cultural competence is a necessity for nursing practice in a global society, and use of objective criteria to measure cultural competence is a critical need. We used Meleis's eight criteria for assessing culturally competent scholarship as an analytical framework for reviewing an international educational/research experience. We developed operational measures for each criterion, then applied the measures to our experience, citing discrete examples for adherence. While we believe we have met the criteria for cultural competence in our course and scholarly work, our application has helped to identify areas needing improvement. In addition, we hope our application of these criteria will stimulate others to evaluate their own efforts in teaching, researching, or practicing cultural competence. J Prof Nurs 17:256-266, 2001. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company
PION-PION SCATTERING IN TWO DIMENSIONS

Massive two-flavor QED2 is known to have many similarities to the two-flavor QCD4. Here we compare the � −� scattering amplitudes (actually an analog process in QED2) of the two theories. The QED2 amplitude is computed from the bosonized version of the model while the QCD4 amplitude is computed from an effective low energy chiral Lagrangian. A number of interesting features are noted. For example, the contribution of the two-dimensional Wess-Zumino-Witten (WZW) term in QED2 is structurally identical to the vector meson exchange contribution in QCD4. Also it is shown that the QED2 amplitude computed at tree level is a reasonable approximation to the known exact strong coupling solution.
Soil biopore estimation: effects of tillage, nitrogen, and photographic resolution

Abstract Networks of biopores created by plant and animal activity might accumulate in untilled cropping systems. These would be relatively well connected to the soil surface. The objective of this study was to count biopores after long-term no-till in comparison to recently tilled soil. Biopores were counted and measured to 80 cm depth at 10 cm increments in plots either under no-till wheat production for 1 year or for 17 years, and receiving zero or 130 kg ha −1 N. The measurements were repeated using different photographic methods with increased resolution. The only significant difference between the long and short term no-till was in biopore sizes over 1 mm diameter, where long-term no-till produced from 30 to 100% more biopores, probably caused by increased earthworm activity. Over 99% of biopores measured were less than 1 mm diameter. There was no difference between tillage or N treatments in the number of these smaller biopores at any depth. This means small biopores did not accumulate either above or below the plow layer in an untilled cropping system. Improved resolution in the second set of measurements produced a 100-fold increase in detection of biopores in the 0.3–0.5 mm range. This provides evidence that a substantial portion of biopores are very small and were missed in the first year of this study and perhaps in other studies of this type. It is hypothesized that biopores of 0.05–0.5 mm diameter make up over half of total biopore volume and might have a significant role in movement of water and gases.
Dietary cholesterol and lecithin have limited effects on growth and body composition of hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops × M. saxatilis)

The effects of cholesterol and lecithin on growth and body composition of juvenile hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops × M. saxatilis) were investigated by feeding juvenile hybrids (initial weight 5.0 g) diets containing cholesterol at either 0 or 1% and lecithin at either 0, 2, 4, or 6% in a 2 × 4 factorial design. Each of the eight diets was fed to fish in triplicate 38-L aquaria maintained as a brackish water recirculating system for 8 weeks. Weight gain, feed efficiency, muscle ratio and hepatosomatic index were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by dietary supplementation of cholesterol or lecithin. Supplementation of the diet with lecithin at 4 and 6% significantly (P < 0.05) decreased intraperitoneal fat accumulation regardless of dietary cholesterol level. Neither muscle nor liver lipid levels were significantly altered by dietary supplementation of cholesterol or lecithin although both liver and plasma lipid classes were affected. Dietary cholesterol decreased concentrations of liver and plasma free fatty acids and liver phospholipids while increasing concentrations of liver triglycerides and plasma phospholipids. Dietary lecithin did not consistently affect plasma and liver lipid classes although changes in phospholipid levels approaching significance (P=0.0502 and P=0.0513, respectively) were observed. Thus it is concluded that dietary supplementation with cholesterol or lecithin had no substantial beneficial effects on growth or body composition of juvenile hybrid striped bass.
Finite element modeling of linear elastodynamics problems with explicit time-integration methods and linear elements with the reduced dispersion error

Abstract We have developed two finite element techniques with reduced dispersion for linear elastodynamics that are used with explicit time-integration methods. These techniques are based on the modified integration rule for the mass and stiffness matrices and on the averaged mass matrix approaches that lead to the numerical dispersion reduction for linear finite elements. The analytical study of numerical dispersion for the new techniques is carried out in the 1-D, 2-D and 3-D cases. The numerical study of the efficiency of the dispersion reduction techniques includes the two-stage time-integration approach with the filtering stage (developed in our previous papers) that quantifies and removes spurious high-frequency oscillations from numerical results. We have found that in contrast to the standard linear elements with explicit time-integration methods and the lumped mass matrix, the finite element techniques with reduced dispersion yield more accurate results at small time increments (smaller than the stability limit) in the 2-D and 3-D cases. The recommendations for the selection of the size of time increments are suggested. The new approaches with reduced dispersion can be easily implemented into existing finite element codes and lead to significant reduction in computation time at the same accuracy compared with the standard finite element formulations.
Organisation, Communication and Co‐ordination of International Sourcing

Many firms operating in the international marketplace are hampered by their organisational structures; that is, their structures and managerial practices do not match the requirements imposed by multinational operations. International operations require an organisational structure that can respond to the unique needs of the international environment and fully exploit business opportunities. Issues are focused on which arise when a firm implements a materials management organisational structure to sustain international operations and to exploit opportunities for sourcing abroad. The discussion examines the structural and environmental issues that must be considered in designing an effective organisation.
Observation of complex magnetic behavior in the perovskite rare earth copper oxide systems, R2CuO4

Abstract EPR, microwave absorption, and dc magnetization measurements were made on single crystals of the form R 2 CuO 4 , which are the host compounds for the newly discovered series of electron cuprate superconductors. These measurements reveal two characteristic transition temperatures associated with a novel complex magnetic behavior, including weak ferromagnetism, two sharp peaks in the low field DC magnetization, an unusual anisotropy in the EPR resonance field for R = Gd, and two additional anisotropic microwave absorption modes. The higher characteristic transition temperature, at ≈270K, is attributed to AF ordering of the Cu moments, and the lower, at ≤20K, to a spontaneous canted spin reorientation. An understanding of this magnetic behavior is important in order to ascertain its relationship to possible mechanisms of high temperature superconductivity.
Development of a comprehensive women's health program in an academic medical center: experiences of the Indiana University National Center of Excellence in Women's Health.

Background: The IU National Cancer of Excellence (CoE) in Women's Health was funded by the Office on Women's Health, Department of Health and Human Services, in 1997 as part of the "second generati...
Fast and high-resolution quantitative mapping of tissue water content with full brain coverage for clinically-driven studies☆ , ☆☆

article i nfo An efficient method for obtaining longitudinal relaxation time (T1) maps is based on acquiring two spoiled gradient recalled echo (SPGR) images in steady states with different flip angles, which has also been extended, with additional acquisitions, to obtain a tissue water content (M0) map. Several factors, including inhomogeneities of the radio-frequency (RF) fields and low signal-to-noise ratios may negatively affect the accuracy of this method and produce systematic errors in T1 and M0 estimations. Thus far, these limitations have been addressed by using additional measurements and applying suitable corrections; however, the concomitant increase in scan time is undesirable for clinical studies. In this note, a modified dual-acquisition SPGR method based on an optimization of the sequence formulism is presented for good and reliable M0 mapping with an isotropic spatial resolution of 1 × 1 × 1 mm 3
Effects of cadmium and zinc on canine tracheal bioelectric properties

Abstract Luminal exposure of excised tracheal epithelium to Cd(NO3)2 (3 × 10−3 m ) inhibited short circuit current by 50% and increased dc conductance 500%. Zn(NO3)2 (3 × 10−3 m ) reduced conductance by 24% but did not affect short circuit current. Exposure to both salts (3 × 10−3 m each) induced a slightly greater inhibition of short circuit current than Cd(NO3)2 alone but had no significant effect on conductance. Submucosal exposure to Cd(NO3)2 inhibited short circuit current and induced at least a 10- to 20-fold increase in conductance. The potency, compared to luminal exposure, was 10-fold greater. Submucosal Zn(NO3)2 inhibited short circuit current and was about as potent as Cd(NO3)2. Zn(NO3)2 had little effect on conductance. Inhibition of short circuit current by submucosal Cd(NO3)2 and Zn(NO3)2 was additive and luminal but not submucosal, Zn protected against the increase in conductance induced by submucosal Cd. Our results support the interpretation that there are two classes of Cd binding ligands that are accessible from the luminal bathing solution. Zn competes with Cd for ligands associated with metal-induced changes in tissue conductance but the binding of Zn does not trigger a conductance increase. Groups linked with the inhibition of short circuit current interact with Cd. Zn's affinity for or access to these groups is negligible. Addition of either metal to the submucosal bath leads to interaction with groups that participate in the inhibition of short circuit current. Submucosal Cd but not Zn has access to the groups associated with conductance.
The influence of sentence constraint on the scope of facilitation for upcoming words.

Abstract Four experiments were performed to examine the influence of sentence constraint and cue validity on the processing of expected and unexpected congruous sentence completions. Experiment 1 showed that high constraint sentences aided lexical decisions only for expected completions whereas low constraint contexts demonstrated a broader, although weaker context effect. Increasing the proportion of expected completions in Experiment 2 caused inhibition of lexical decisions for unexpected words appearing in high constraint sentences. A similar manipulation for low constraint sentences in Experiment 3 did not show such an effect for unexpected completions. The addition of an incongruous completion condition in Experiment 4 had a negligible effect on the relative proportions of facilitation found in every condition. These findings are consistent with the view that more featural restrictions are generated as sentence constraint and cue validity increase.
Doing chemistry on low-dimensional silicon surfaces: silicon nanowires as platforms and templates

Abstract Silicon-based nanotechnology is highly promising since it is compatible with conventional silicon microtechnology. Recently, there has been considerable interest in the fabrication, characterization, and properties of semiconducting silicon nanowires (SiNWs) and silicon nanodots (SiNDs). SiNWs in the nanosize regime exhibit quantum confinement effects and are expected to play a key role as interconnection and functional components in future nanosized electronic and optical devices. The first-steps towards the fabrication of any devices are the controls of the synthesis and properties of the materials. The purpose of this review is to discuss the surface chemistries of SiNWs and SiNDs in general and the use of these low-dimensional silicon materials as platforms and templates in creating other nanomaterials in particular. We begin with a brief discussion of the differences in the properties between carbon and silicon, followed by discussions of the synthesis and characterization of SiNWs and SiNDs. We then show how SiNWs can be used as platforms in doing chemistry in the nanorealm, as exemplified by the reductive growths of metal clusters on the surfaces of SiNWs and the formation of metal films on the surfaces of SiNWs. Using SiNWs or SiNDs as templates (molds), a new method for preparing the conventional CNTs or CNOs as well as new nanostructures of hydrocarbon nanotubes (HCNTs) and nanoonions (HCNOs) was discovered. The new HCNTs and HCNOs, with interlayer spacings ranging from 3.5 to 5.9 A, can be prepared by sonicating SiNWs in common organic solvents under ambient conditions. Two related topics are also discussed. Using zeolites as quasi-templates in the production of SiNWs, ultrafine SiNWs, measuring only a few nanometers in diameter, can be synthesized. Surprisingly, these ultrafine SiNWs exhibit very strong photoluminescence. Using multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as sacrificial templates, a new type of silicon carbide nanotubes (SiCNTs) can be fabricated. And finally, a brief discussion on the device aspects and other prospects of SiNWs and SiNDs in the future development of Si-based nanotechnology is presented.
A generalized pore model for gas‐solid reactions exhibiting pore closure

A model of pore structure evolution has been developed for gas-solid reactions exhibiting pore closure behavior. A cylindrical pore network of constant coordination number is used to represent the porous medium, and both discrete and continuous distributions of pore size are considered. The mathematical model takes into consideration the effects of pore overlapping and nonuniform pore growth, and follows the formation of inaccessible volume in the interior of the reacting particles by use of percolation theory concepts. The model is applied, along with an appropriate diffusion and reaction model, to the investigation of the transient behavior of calcined limestone particles in an environment of sulfur dioxide.
Gender differences in care for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

The number of women with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the United States is increasing.1 Some reports have suggested that clinical manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in women may differ from those in men and that mortality rates for certain AIDS-defining illnesses are higher in women.2–6 In particular, in-hospital mortality rates for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), the most common severe opportunistic infection for persons with AIDS in the United States,7 have been shown to be worse for women compared with men.3 In a recent study8 of 4,500 persons with HIV infection, women were one third more likely to die earlier, without an AIDS-defining illness, than were men. Survival differences have been largely attributed to the differences between men and women with AIDS in severity of illness, degree of immunosuppression, and access to care.3,8–12 © 1998 by The Jacobs Institute of Women’s Health Published by Elsevier Science Inc. 1049-3867/98/$19.00 PII S1049-3867(97)00073-X
Regulation of the activity of caspases by L‐carnitine and palmitoylcarnitine

L-Carnitine facilitates the transport of fatty acids into the mitochondrial matrix where they are used for energy production. Recent studies have shown that L-carnitine is capable of protecting the heart against ischemia/reperfusion injury and has beneficial effects against Alzheimer's disease and AIDS. The mechanism of action, however, is not yet understood. In the present study, we found that in Jurkat cells, L-carnitine inhibited apoptosis induced by Fas ligation. In addition, 5 mM carnitine potently inhibited the activity of recombinant caspases 3, 7 and 8, whereas its long-chain fatty acid derivative palmitoylcarnitine stimulated the activity of all the caspases. Palmitoylcarnitine reversed the inhibition mediated by carnitine. Levels of carnitine and palmitoyl-CoA decreased significantly during Fas-mediated apoptosis, while palmitoylcarnitine formation increased. These alterations may be due to inactivation of beta-oxidation or to an increase in the activity of the enzyme that converts carnitine to palmitoylcarnitine, carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT I). In support of the latter possibility, fibroblasts deficient in CPT I activity were relatively resistant to staurosporine-induced apoptosis. These observations suggest that caspase activity may be regulated in part by the balance of carnitine and palmitoylcarnitine.
Does leaning against the wind improve exchange-rate performance?

Abstract This paper develops a model in which real disturbances cause the exchange rate to overshoot its new long-run equilibrium level because of speculative risk aversion combined with the well-known lagged effect of the exchange rate on trade flows. In this context, it is demonstrated that there exists an optimal degree of leaning against the wind, which stabilizes the exchange rate at the new equilibrium, but which requires the government to have accurate information about the exchange rate-trade flow lag. Without this information, leaning against the wind may increase the deviations of the exchange rate from its long-run level.
Linking phylogenetics with population genetics to reconstruct the geographic origin of a species

Abstract Reconstructing ancestral geographic origins is critical for understanding the long-term evolution of a species. Bayesian methods have been proposed to test biogeographic hypotheses while accommodating uncertainty in phylogenetic reconstruction. However, the problem that certain taxa may have a disproportionate influence on conclusions has not been addressed. Here, we infer the geographic origin of Drosophila simulans using 2014 bp of the period locus from 63 lines collected from 18 countries. We also analyze two previously published datasets, alcohol dehydrogenase related and NADH:ubiquinone reductase 75 kDa subunit precursor. Phylogenetic inferences of all three loci support Madagascar as the geographic origin of D. simulans. Our phylogenetic conclusions are robust to taxon resampling and to the potentially confounding effects of recombination. To test our phylogenetically derived hypothesis we develop a randomization test of the population genetics prediction that sequences from the geographic origin should contain more genetic polymorphism than those from derived populations. We find that the Madagascar population has elevated genetic polymorphism relative to non-Madagascar sequences. These data are corroborated by mitochondrial DNA sequence data.
Relevance of chemotherapy dose and schedule to outcomes in ovarian cancer

The current standard of care in ovarian cancer is complete surgical cytoreduction followed by adjuvant (postoperative) platinum-based chemotherapy. Taxanes are frequently combined with platinum compounds in the adjuvant chemotherapy setting and, whether they are given in combination or sequentially, they produce greater progression-free and overall survival than historical combination regimens. Because the treatment of ovarian cancer relies on chemotherapy, this article reviews the evidence for a correlation between chemotherapy delivered at full dose on schedule (FDOS) and patient outcomes. Meta-analyses have suggested that the dose intensities of cisplatin and carboplatin correlate with survival. However, the findings in these hypothesis-generating analyses have not been confirmed in prospective trials. In addition, increasing the dose of cisplatin above a certain threshold is not recommended in ovarian cancer because of the greater toxicity with higher doses of platinum compounds. The delivered dose intensities of taxanes used as single agents have not been shown to correlate with patient outcomes, but adding a taxane to platinum compounds appears both to attenuate the toxicity of the platinum compounds and to facilitate the delivery of FDOS chemotherapy. In the literature on ovarian cancer there is no clear consensus on the benefit of maintaining FDOS chemotherapy. Clinical studies, especially a proposed trial of a dose-dense carboplatin and paclitaxel combination, may provide stronger evidence for the effect of FDOS chemotherapy in ovarian cancer.
Case, Phases, and Nominative/Accusative Conversion in Japanese

One of the central issues in the current Minimalist Program is the exact definition of phases. This article argues for a specific interpretation of phases, based on an account of a scope puzzle in the Nominative/Accusative conversion in Japanese. I show that the puzzle is best accounted for by postulating QR, which is bound by domains of Case-valuation. Based on an observation that scope of QR is phase-bound, I conclude that phases are determined via Case-valuation. This suggests that phases are not determined intrinsically, but contextually. The analysis has an implication for the landing site of short scrambling.
The occurrence of canavanine in seeds of the tribe robinieae

Abstract Fifty-five species representing 14 genera of Robinieae are reported to accumulate canavanine in seed. This represents approximately one-third the number of species and two-thirds the number of genera in the tribe and indicate Robinieae to be the only tribe with a predominantly New World distribution to accumulate canavanine. The only member of Robinieaea found not to accumulate canavanine is the genus Diphysa . The lack of canavanine in seed of this genus lends systematic weight to characters shared in common by Diphysa with the tribe Aeschynomeneae, and a re-evaluation of the tribal position of Diphysa may be in order.
The influence of white pine blister rust on seed dispersal in whitebark pine

We tested the hypotheses that white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola J.C. Fisch.) damage in whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis Engelm.) stands leads to reduced (1) seed cone density, (2) predis...
Lifting the j-invariant: Questions of Mazur and Tate

Abstract In this paper we analyze the j -invariant of the canonical lifting of an elliptic curve as a Witt vector. We show that its coordinates are rational functions on the j -invariant of the elliptic curve in characteristic p . In particular, we prove that the second coordinate is always regular at j = 0 and j = 1728 , even when those correspond to supersingular values. A proof is given which yields a new proof for some results of Kaneko and Zagier about the modular polynomial.
The clinical impact of uncertainties in the mean excitation energy of human tissues during proton therapy.

Uncertainties in the estimated mean excitation energies (I-values) needed for calculating proton stopping powers can be in the order of 10–15%, which introduces a fundamental limitation in the accuracy of proton range determination. Previous efforts have quantified shifts in proton depth dose distributions due to I-value uncertainties in water and homogenous tissue phantoms. This study is the first to quantify the clinical impact of I-value uncertainties on proton dose distributions within patient geometries. A previously developed Geant4 based Monte Carlo code was used to simulate a proton treatment plan for three patients (prostate, pancreases, and liver) with varying tissue I-values. A uniform variation study was conducted in which the tissue I-values were varied by ±5% and ±10% of the nominal values as well as a probabilistic variation study in which the I-values were randomly sampled according to a normal distribution with the mean equal to the nominal I-value and a standard deviation of 5 and 10% of the nominal values. Modification of tissue I-values impacted both the proton range and SOBP width. R90 range shifts up to 7.7 mm (4.4.%) and R80 range shifts up to 4.8 mm (1.9%) from the nominal range were recorded. Modulating the tissue I-values by 10% the nominal value resulted in up to a 3.5% difference mean dose in the target volumes and organs at risk compared to the nominal case. The range and dose differences were the largest for the deeper-seated prostate and pancreas cases. The treatments that were simulated with randomly sampled I-values resulted in range and dose differences that were generally within the upper and lower bounds set by the 10% uniform variations. This study demonstrated the impact of I-value uncertainties on patient dose distributions. Clearly, sub-millimeter precision in proton therapy would necessitate a reduction in I-value uncertainties to ensure an efficacious clinical outcome.
Crustal observations through drilling

The use of the drill to probe the earth's crust, driven by primarily economic incentives, has come a long way since the first oil well at Titusville, Penn., began producing torn a depth of 21 m in 1859. Wells have now been drilled to depths of over 12 km (in the Kola Peninsula of the Soviet Union), in rocks where the pressure of pore fluid equals the weight of the entire overburden, in rocks at temperatures exceeding 400°C, and even in molten basalt in Hawaiian pit craters flooded by recent lava flows. To compensate for the hostility of such environmental extremes, drilling for resources has become one of the most robust of modern technologies. In the late 1960s, when the ocean floors were hypothesized to have originated at the midocean ridges and to be consumed at the deep trenches, drilling proved to be the ultimate test of the revolutionary theory of plate tectonics. Now, earth scientists, confronted by problems of the evolution of the continents and physicochemical processes currently active in shaping them, have begun using drilling as one of the most valuable of experimental tools in understanding the continental lithosphere.
A stochastic model of smoking behavior under a cessation program

A stochastic model describing the movements, resulting from a smoking cessation program, of a cohort of individuals from the smoking to the non-smoking compartment is proposed. The distribution and first two moments of the number of smokers are derived.
Delinquency and the Age Structure of Society

This chapter presents a theoretical analysis of the age distribution of criminal involvement. Since neither infants nor the elderly possess the prowess and agility required for some forms of crime, some association between age and criminal involvement can be expected on biological grounds alone. The chapter explains juvenile theft in terms of structural obstacles to legitimate sources of funds at a time when peer-oriented leisure activities require access to financial resources implicitly characterizes this form of delinquency as instrumentally rational; the theory assumes that money and goods are stolen because they are useful. Many observers have remarked on the disproportionate involvement of males in delinquent activity and the exaggerated masculine posturing that characterizes much male delinquency. Though sex differences in delinquency are not as pronounced in self-report studies as in arrest reports, and seem to be gradually narrowing, they nevertheless remain considerable, especially in the violence offense categories.
The costimulatory role of TIM molecules.

The T-cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain (TIM) family, including TIM-1, TIM-2, TIM-3 and TIM-4, is a relatively newly described group of molecules with a conserved structure and important immunological functions, including T cell activation, induction of T-cell apoptosis and T-cell tolerance, and the clearance of apoptotic cells. TIM-1 costimulates T-cell activation and enhances cytokine production. In humans, TIM-1 also serves as a susceptibility gene for allergy and asthma. TIM-3, expressed on T cells and dendritic cells, regulates T-cell apoptosis and immune tolerance. In contrast, TIM-4, which is expressed primarily on antigen-presenting cells and which is a receptor for phosphatidylserine, regulates T-cell activation and tolerance, in part by mediating the uptake and engulfment of apoptotic cells. The TIM molecules thus have surprisingly broad activities affecting multiple aspects of immunology.
Time dependent zinc distribution in the development of the BW7756 murine hepatoma.

Abstract The Zn levels in selected tissue types were measured in a study of the BW7756 murine hepatoma utilizing 65Zn as a tracer. The total body burden and individual tissue activities (including tumor) were recorded at predetermined stages of tumor growth and directly compared to those obtained from normal (healthy) animals. 65Zn fluctuations observed with disease progression were correlated to the growth curve of the carcinoma. Normalization of individual tissue activities to the total body activity, the control of geometry and lack of significant attenuation of the accompanying γ ray are unique advantages in the use of this isotope.
Structure of a mixed-valence iron fluoride, Fe2F5.2H2O

Abstract : The mixed valence iron compound, Fe2F5.2H2O, crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group Imma. The unit cell has dimensions a = 7.489(7)A, B = 10.897(8), and c = 6.671(6)A and contains four formula weights. The calculated and experimental densities are 2.96 g/cc and 2.94 g/cc, respectively, at 20 + or - 1 degree. Measurements of diffracted intensities employed theta-2 theta scans with filtered MoK radiation on a Picker diffractometer. A total of 250 reflections in the range 2 or = 2 theta 50 degrees were retained as observed. The structure was determined using the heavy-atom method and least-squares refinement. The final conventional discrepancy factor was 0.053. The non-molecular solid possesses a three dimensional network structure with distinct Fe(II) and Fe(II) coordination sites. The average Fe(II)-F and Fe(III)-F bond lengths are 2.060(6)A and 1.941(6)A, respectively. The aquo groups are coordinated to the iron (II) with Fe-O bond length of 2.13(1)A. (Author)
Magnitude of the Heart Rate and Electrodermal Response as a Function of Stimulus Input, Motor Output, and Their Interaction

In Part I, 20 Ss squeezed a dynamometer at various levels of rapacity. Heart rate and skin conductance were monitored during each squeeze. In part II, reactivity to the four combinations of the presence and absence of a loud noise and the presence and absence of a strong squeeze was examined. Part HI compared reactivity to the loud noise under the following conditions; as an unfamiliar, surprise stimulus; as a familiar surprise stimulus; as a familiar, expected stimulus. Major conclusions were: (1) Heart rate varies more directly and reliably with motor output than skin conductance; (2) Skin conductance is more sensitive to small cognitive than to small motor effects; (3) Skin conductance is more reactive to stimulus input than to motor output, while the opposite is true for heart rate; (4) A strong familiar stimulus presented by surprise elicits a marked heart rate declarative reaction, usually, but not always, preceded by a smaller accelerative reaction; (5) Baseline changes immediately preceding stimulus onset markedly affect the response to stimulation, and can account for the attenuated reactions observed when a noxious stimulus is preceded by a warning signal.
Bayes compound and empirical Bayes estimation of the mean of a Gaussian distribution on a Hilbert space

The problem of finding admissible and asymptotically optimal (in the sense of Robbins) compound and empirical Bayes rules is investigated, when the component problem is estimation of the mean of a Gaussian distribution (with a known one-to-one covariance C) on a real separable infinite dimensional Hilbert space H under weighted Squared-Error-Loss. The parameter set is restricted to be a compact subset of the Hilbert space isomorphic to H via C^1^/^2. We note that all Bayes compound estimators in our problem are admissible. Our main result is that those Bayes versus a mixture of i.i.d. priors on the compound parameter are a.o. if the mixing hyperprior has full support. The same result holds in the empirical Bayes formulation as well.