cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tritium embrittlement of austenitic stainless-steel tubing at low helium contents

Abstract Austenitic stainless steels are the standard materials for containment of hydrogen and tritium because of their resistance to mechanical property degradation in those environments. The mechanical performance of the primary containment material is critical for tritium handling, processing, and storage, thus comprehensive understanding of the processes of tritium embrittlement is an enabling capability for fusion energy. This work describes the investigation of the effects of low levels of tritium-decay-helium ingrowth on 304 L tubes. Long-term aging with tritium leads to high helium contents in austenitic stainless steels and can reduce fracture toughness by 95 %, but the details of behavior at low helium contents are not as well characterized. Here, we present results from tensile testing of tritium pre-charged 304 L tube specimens with a variety of starting microstructures that all contain a low level of helium. The results of the tritium exposed-and-aged materials are compared to previously reported results on similar specimens tested in an unexposed condition as well as the hydrogen precharged condition. Tritium precharging and aging for a short duration resulted in increased yield strengths, ultimate tensile strengths and slightly increased elongation to failure, comparable to higher concentrations of hydrogen precharging.
PhraseFlow: Designs and Empirical Studies of Phrase-Level Input

Decoding on phrase-level may afford more correction accuracy than on word-level according to previous research. However, how phrase-level input affects the user typing behavior, and how to design the interaction to make it practical remain under explored. We present PhraseFlow, a phrase-level input keyboard that is able to correct previous text based on the subsequently input sequences. Computational studies show that phrase-level input reduces the error rate of autocorrection by over 16%. We found that phrase-level input introduced extra cognitive load to the user that hindered their performance. Through an iterative design-implement-research process, we optimized the design of PhraseFlow that alleviated the cognitive load. An in-lab study shows that users could adopt PhraseFlow quickly, resulting in 19% fewer error without losing speed. In real-life settings, we conducted a six-day deployment study with 42 participants, showing that 78.6% of the users would like to have the phrase-level input feature in future keyboards.
Phytophthora Crown Rot of Florida Strawberry: Inoculum Sources and Thermotherapy of Transplants for Disease Management.

Phytophthora crown rot, caused mainly by Phytophthora cactorum, and also by the recently reported P. nicotianae, is an important disease in the Florida strawberry annual production system. Mefenoxa...
73 Impact of storage conditions on the viability of microbial inoculum for estimating in vitro digestibility in the horse

This study evaluated the effect of storage conditions of equine fecal material on the viability of derived microbial inoculum used for in vitro equine digestibility trials. Fecal material collected via rectal palpation from 3 mature quarter horse geldings was stored at 4 storage temperatures: 39°C for 15 min (control), 22°C for 6h, 3°C for 6h, and −18°C for 24h. Utilizing pooled microbial inoculum from stored fecal material, the in vitro digestion of 6 forage samples (NDF range 41 to 62%) consisting of 3 alfalfa and 3 mixed grass sample were digested in the Ankom Daisy II Incubator to evaluate interactions between storage condition of microbial inoculum and chemical composition of digested forage samples. After determination of dry matter digestibility (DMD), an Ankom2000 Fiber Analyzer was used to measure neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD) and acid detergent fiber digestibility (ADFD). A mixed linear model was used to analyze differences in DMD, NDFD, and ADFD, with forage and treatment as class statements with date included as a random effect. No significant interaction of forage x treatment was observed (P = 0.81 for DMD). Further analysis with a mixed linear model was used to evaluate the effect of forage quality parameters crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) as covariates for DMD, NDFD, and ADFD results. Significant differences were observed for DMD (P 0.05) were observed in DMD, NDFD, or ADFD between 39°C and 22°C or 3°C and −18°C. Covariance analysis found no difference (P > 0.05) in slope between any of the 4 storage condition levels when CP, NDF, and ADF were modeled as covariates for DMD, NDFD, and ADFD. Results support that fecal material stored for up to 6 h in 22°C temperature conditions provide a viable alternative to fresh fecal material for the formation of microbial inoculum. When used to harvest inoculum for use in the Daisy II incubator fecal material that had been previously chilled or frozen did not result in DMD, NDFD or ADFD values of forage samples that were as high as when inoculum from the other 2 storage treatments were used. Further research is needed to determine the reason for the decline in DMD, NDFD, and ADFD when utilizing inoculum from chilled and frozen fecal samples.
The Effectiveness of Identifying Primary Gallbladder Adenocarcinoma Utilizing Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound: A Case Report:

Gallbladder carcinoma is rare and difficult to detect in the early stages of the disease process, due to lack of symptoms. Sonography is typically the first modality of choice for assessing gallbla...
Exercise 14: Protein Assay

The Coomassie Blue dye binding assay is a sensitive assay for determining protein concentration in samples and is based on the method originally developed by Bradford. The assay is reproducible, straightforward and easy to perform. Furthermore, the dye is compatible with various biochemical reagents, e.g. detergent solutions, buffers, chaotropic salts, preservatives such as sodium azide, some acids such as HCI etc. The proteins dissolved or mixed in any of these reagents can be measured. The assay is based on the principle of an absorbance shift resulting from an acidic Coomassie Brilliant Blue G-250 solution. When the dye solution is added to a protein sample interaction of the dye’s sulfonic groups with the protein results in a color change from brown to blue. This change can be measured at 595, 650 and 470 nm corresponding to anionic, neutral and cationic equilibrium states respectively for the
Hydration and vibrational dynamics of betaine (N,N,N-trimethylglycine).

Zwitterions are naturally occurring molecules that have a positive and a negative charge group in its structure and are of great importance in many areas of science. Here, the vibrational and hydration dynamics of the zwitterionic system betaine (N,N,N-trimethylglycine) is reported. The linear infrared spectrum of aqueous betaine exhibits an asymmetric band in the 1550-1700 cm−1 region of the spectrum. This band is attributed to the carboxylate asymmetric stretch of betaine. The potential of mean force computed from ab initio molecular dynamic simulations confirms that the two observed transitions of the linear spectrum are related to two different betaine conformers present in solution. A model of the experimental data using non-linear response theory agrees very well with a vibrational model comprising of two vibrational transitions. In addition, our modeling shows that spectral parameters such as the slope of the zeroth contour plot and central line slope are both sensitive to the presence of overlapping transitions. The vibrational dynamics of the system reveals an ultrafast decay of the vibrational population relaxation as well as the correlation of frequency-frequency correlation function (FFCF). A decay of ∼0.5 ps is observed for the FFCF correlation time and is attributed to the frequency fluctuations caused by the motions of water molecules in the solvation shell. The comparison of the experimental observations with simulations of the FFCF from ab initio molecular dynamics and a density functional theory frequency map shows a very good agreement corroborating the correct characterization and assignment of the derived parameters.
An Aesthetic and Functional Rehabilitation A Case Study

This article describes a multidisciplinary approach to a functional and aesthetic rehabilitation. In this case study, we successfully corrected an anterior open bite and an exaggerated curve of Spee using restorative modalities while still maintaining a highly aesthetic outcome. The maxillary anterior teeth no longer appear to have a disproportional width/length ratio and are now in harmony with the mandibular veneers. Posterior function was re-established, mostly with implant-retained crowns. Occlusal harmony and stability are maintained through cuspid guidance and anterior disclusion. Proper selection of final restorative materials is imperative for the long-term survival of the restorations.
Simultaneous SAT-Based model checking of safety properties

We present several algorithms for simultaneous SAT (propositional satisfiability) based model checking of safety properties. More precisely, we focus on Bounded Model Checking and Temporal Induction methods for simultaneously verifying multiple safety properties on the same model. The most efficient among our proposed algorithms for model checking are based on a simultaneous propositional satisfiability procedure (SSAT for short), which we design for solving related propositional objectives simultaneously, by sharing the learned clauses and the search. The SSAT algorithm is fully incremental in the sense that all clauses learned while solving one objective can be reused for the remaining objectives. Furthermore, our SSAT algorithm ensures that the SSAT solver will never re-visit the same sub-space during the search, even if there are several satisfiability objectives, hence one traversal of the search space is enough. Finally, in SSAT all SAT objectives are watched simultaneously, thus we can solve several other SAT objectives when the search is oriented to solve a particular SAT objective first. Experimental results on Intel designs demonstrate that our new algorithms can be orders of magnitude faster than the previously known techniques in this domain.
The Effects of Anonymity on Self‐Disclosure in Blogs: An Application of the Online Disinhibition Effect

The connections between anonymity and self-disclosure online have received research attention, but the results have been inconclusive with regard to self-disclosure in blogs. This quantitative content analysis of 154 personal journal blogs tested some assumptions of the online disinhibition effect in order to examine the effect of types of anonymity on the amount, breadth, and depth of self-disclosure in blog entries. Results showed that participants disclosed more information in their blog entries when they were more visually identified (sharing a picture of themselves), contrary to the assumptions of the online disinhibition effect. Overall, a trend emerged where visual anonymity led to less disclosiveness, and discursive anonymity (sharing one's real name) led to less disclosiveness for particular types of bloggers.
A framework for the representation of geospatial image processing operations

Research advances in geospatial automated image analysis tools and feature extraction algorithms have matured in recent times to levels of practical applicability. The consolidation of such tools and algorithms would result in enhanced image analysis capabilities. This has motivated research in developing formalisms for representation of process information that can assist in integrating tools and data sets, and allow for effective dissemination of research results across a raster-rich geospatial distributed information system. We propose a framework for a formal representation of image processing operations and algorithms as process metadata with generalized adaptability across all raster data sets. The elements of such a formal representation and their significance in the domain of distributed information systems are presented.
Bose–Einstein condensates: Spins mixed up

An atomic Bose–Einstein condensate represents a highly correlated, coherent state of matter. Experiments now reveal that the collective matter-wave properties extend to include coherent dynamics of the spin degrees of freedom.
Multi-Robot Task Allocation in Uncertain Environments

Multiple cooperating robots hold the promise of improved performance and increased fault tolerance for large-scale problems such as planetary survey and habitat construction. Multi-robot coordination, however, is a complex problem. We cast this problem in the framework of multi-robot dynamic task allocation under uncertainty. We then describe an empirical study that sought general guidelines for task allocation strategies in multi-robot systems. We identify four distinct task allocation strategies, and demonstrate them in two versions of the multi-robot emergency handling task. We describe an experimental setup to compare results obtained from a simulated grid world to those obtained from physical mobile robot experiments. Data resulting from eight hours of experiments with multiple mobile robots are compared to the trend identified in simulation. The data from the simulations show that there is no single strategy that produces best performance in all cases, and that the best task allocation strategy changes as a function of the noise in the system. This result is significant, and shows the need for further investigation of task allocation strategies and their application to planetary exploration.
A new fractional snow-covered area parameterization for the Community Land Model and its effect on the surface energy balance

[1] One function of the Community Land Model (CLM4) is the determination of surface albedo in the Community Earth System Model (CESM1). Because the typical spatial scales of CESM1 simulations are large compared to the scales of variability of surface properties such as snow cover and vegetation, unresolved surface heterogeneity is parameterized. Fractional snow-covered area, or snow-covered fraction (SCF), within a CLM4 grid cell is parameterized as a function of grid cell mean snow depth and snow density. This parameterization is based on an analysis of monthly averaged SCF and snow depth that showed a seasonal shift in the snow depth–SCF relationship. In this paper, we show that this shift is an artifact of the monthly sampling and that the current parameterization does not reflect the relationship observed between snow depth and SCF at the daily time scale. We demonstrate that the snow depth analysis used in the original study exhibits a bias toward early melt when compared to satellite-observed SCF. This bias results in a tendency to overestimate SCF as a function of snow depth. Using a more consistent, higher spatial and temporal resolution snow depth analysis reveals a clear hysteresis between snow accumulation and melt seasons. Here, a new SCF parameterization based on snow water equivalent is developed to capture the observed seasonal snow depth–SCF evolution. The effects of the new SCF parameterization on the surface energy budget are described. In CLM4, surface energy fluxes are calculated assuming a uniform snow cover. To more realistically simulate environments having patchy snow cover, we modify the model by computing the surface fluxes separately for snow-free and snow-covered fractions of a grid cell. In this configuration, the form of the parameterized snow depth–SCF relationship is shown to greatly affect the surface energy budget. The direct exposure of the snow-free surfaces to the atmosphere leads to greater heat loss from the ground during autumn and greater heat gain during spring. The net effect is to reduce annual mean soil temperatures by up to 3°C in snow-affected regions.
Mechanisms of immunity in typhus infection: some characteristics of intradermal Rickettsia mooseri infection in normal and immune guinea pigs.

Abstract Rickettsia mooseri infection in skin at sites of intradermal inoculation was studied in nonimmune and immune guinea pigs with respect to dynamics of infection, localization of rickettsiae within tissues, and gross and microscopic pathology. Intradermal inoculation of R. mooseri into nonimmune guinea pigs resulted in gross lesions which, in magnitude, were directly related to the number of rickettsiae inoculated. The lesions progressively enlarged through 3 or 4 days and remained enlarged through at least 7 days. Histological examination revealed an early acute inflammation which progressed to a predominantly monocyte-macrophage inflammation and subsequently condensed into lymphocyte-containing granulomatous foci. Rickettsiae in the skin at sites of inoculation increased in numbers from 6 h through 3 days, in parallel with the increasing diffuse monocyte-macrophage inflammatory response, and then declined markedly on days 4 or 5 as ganulomatous foci appeared. Some rickettsiae, however, persisted through at least day 7. Fluorescent-antibody studies suggested that R. mooseri infected only a subset of cells available, i.e., cells associated with the microvascular system. Dissemination of infection was demonstrated by the presence of rickettsiae in the skin at sites distant from the point of inoculation. Immune guinea pigs, made immune by intradermal infection with R. mooseri 12 days before intradermal challenge, displayed an accelerated response. The lesions were maximal by 24 to 48 h and subsequently regressed. The inflammatory response of immune guinea pigs was a greater magnitude than the response of similarly challenged nonimmune guinea pigs, and the respose from acute inflammation through the formation of granulomatous lesions was accelerated. The number of rickettsiae in the skin of immune guinea pigs declined steadily from the time of inoculation, until no rickettsiae were recovered on or after day 3. Furthermore, dissemination of rickettsiae to sites in skin distant from the site of inoculation was not demonstrable. The results are discussed in terms of pathogenesis and of immunity to typhus.
COMPUTATIONAL COMPLEXITY OF TERM-EQUIVALENCE

Two algebraic structures with the same universe are called term-equivalent if they have the same clone of term operations. We show that the problem of determining whether two finite algebras of finite similarity type are term-equivalent is complete for deterministic exponential time.
Regulation of human interferon production

Abstract The halobenzimidazole riboside, 5,6-dichloro-1-β- d -ribofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB), a reversible inhibitor of nuclear heterogeneous RNA synthesis, has been shown to enhance (superinduce) polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C))-induced interferon production in a strain of diploid human fibroblasts (FS-4). Cells exposed for 1 hr to both poly(I:C) (100 μg/ml) and DRB (40 μM), and then treated with DRB for an additional period of 4 or 5 hr, produce two- to fivefold more interferon than cells treated with DRB for 4 or 5 hr only after removal of poly(I:C). Prolonged pretreatment of cells with DRB does not alter interferon yields. These findings substantiate the suggestion that the process whose inhibition is responsible for superinduction is already occurring during the 1-hr period of poly(I:C) induction. DRB-containing cultures (30, 40, or 60 μM) continue to produce interferon for at least 4 days. However, interferon production is gradually shut off at lower DRB concentrations (10 or 20 μM). The prolonged production of interferon in the continuous presence of DRB is due to new synthesis of interferon on mRNA that was transcribed within 3 hr of poly(I:C) induction. The shutoff of interferon production that occurs on removal of DRB correlates closely with the recovery of cellular RNA synthesis. These observations strongly support the hypothesis that interferon superinduction is closely linked to inhibition of RNA synthesis. A drug regimen consisting of treatment of cells with cycloheximide (50 μg/ml) for 6 hr beginning with poly(I:C) induction and with DRB (40 μM) beginning 3 hr after the start of poly(I:C) induction and continuing until the end of the experiment at 24 hr gives as high an interferon yield as a protocol in which cycloheximide treatment is combined with a 2-hr treatment with actinomycin D (1 or 5 μg/ml) beginning 4 hr after the start of poly(I:C) induction.
Hepatic SOCS3 expression is strongly associated with non-response to therapy and race in HCV and HCV/HIV infection.

Background/Aims The response rates of HCV infection to interferon therapy vary depending on viral and host factors. We hypothesized that key regulators of the IFN signaling pathway are predictive of treatment outcome. Methods We measured the expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) in pretreatment liver biopsies. Staining quantitation was compared to treatment outcomes. Results Forty-nine patients with HCV and 25 patients with HCV/HIV infection treated with peginterferon/ribavirin were analyzed. Pretreatment hepatic SOCS3 expression was higher in non-responders than responders. Genotype 1 responders had similar levels of SOCS3 as genotype 2/3 responders. African Americans (AA) had higher hepatic SOCS3 than non-AA. Pretreatment hepatic SOCS3 was the most powerful independent predictor of sustained virologic response (SVR), even more so than genotype by logistic regression analysis. Failure to achieve SVR and AA race were independently associated with high hepatic SOCS3 levels. The hepatic expression of STAT-1 did not differ between responders and non-responders. Conclusions Our data indicate that hepatic SOCS3 is a stronger baseline predictor of antiviral response than viral genotype. Poor response to antiviral therapy in AA may be associated with higher hepatic SOCS3 expression.
Application of Transrectal Power Doppler Ultrasound in the Prediction of Corrected Maximal Uroflow Rate

Background A reliable interpretation of uroflowmetry depends on adequate voiding volume. Unfortunately, many patients may not be in a position to void enough volume to allow an effective interpretation. The main objective of this study was to determine how a valuable uroflow rate can be obtained with an inadequate or even no voiding volume. We have tried to develop a new method to predict the actual uroflow rate by adding power Doppler information during transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) in patients who do not have an interpretable voiding volume. Patients and Methods Fifty-five patients with complete uroflowmetry and TRUS with power Doppler study were enrolled. Analyses of the uroflowmetry and power Doppler parameters were performed. Correlation coefficients were calculated to reveal the relationships among these parameters. Results The correlation coefficient between the prostate intracapsular pulsatility index (PI) and corrected peak flow rate (cQ max ) was —0.79. Correlation between the PI of vessels outside the prostate and cQ max was not significant, as the intracapsular PI was. We generated a linear regression equation, cQ max = 0.8911 × PI + 14.569, to predict cQ max by intracapsular PI. This equation can be applied when adequate spontaneous voiding is not available. Conclusion TRUS is informative when power Doppler parameters are applied. Corrected peak uroflow rate can be predicted even in patients who have an inadequate or no voiding volume.
Bedside Percutaneous Tracheostomy: Experience with 55 Elective Procedures

Abstract Over a 24-month period, tracheostomy was performed in 55 patients using a percutaneous, wire-guided, dilatational technique. All such procedures were undertaken at the patient's bedside in the intensive care unit, with the patient under local anesthesia and mechanically ventilated through an oral endotracheal tube. A variety of guidewires, dilators, and tracheal tubes were used as experience and proficiency were gained with the approach, and eventually, a simple modification of a standard low-pressure cuffed endotracheal tube was found to facilitate the procedure. The percutaneous method was found to be rapid and simple, to leave almost no cosmetic deformity, and to be almost totally free from infectious complications. This technique should be considered for routine use in critically ill, ventilator-dependent patients.
Control of the Preovulatory Gonadotropin Surge in the Ewe

The aims of this study were to determine the effect of ovariectomy on the release of LH and FSH during the preovulatory gonadotropin surge and to ascertain, by the use of sodium pentobarbitone (NaPb), if the secretion of these pituitary hormones requires continuous stimulation from the hypothalamus. Sheep were treated with NaPb for 2 h beginning 1) immediately before the gonadotropin surge, 2) during the ascending limb of the gonadotropin surge, and 3) during the descending limb of the gonadotropin surge. Ewes were ovariectomized (ovx) at each of the time periods listed above, and intact ewes included were at times 2 and 3. A group of intact ewes was given 100 μg gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in addition to NaPb at time 2. NaPb given during the ascending limb of the gonadotropin surge caused a transient fall in peripheral LH and FSH; however, the release of gonadotropins was reinitiated and the surge continued when the ewes recovered from anesthesia. Treatment with NaPb after the apex of the gonad...
REQUIEM FOR MY LOVELY

Thirty-five years ago, B.F. Skinner (1976) lamented a decreasing trend in the prevalence of cumulative records in the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior (JEAB). The editorial began with the two memorable lines, “Evidently we have not long to wait for an issue of JEAB without a single cumulative record! I shall not miss the records so much as the kinds of experiments that could scarcely be reported without them” (p. 218). The first issue without a record did indeed arrive a few years later, in March of 1979, and is now a common occurrence. So common, in fact, that although Skinner would not live to see it, 2002 marked the first (and only to date) entire year of JEAB without a single cumulative record. Figure 1 presents the cumulative number of articles appearing in JEAB containing at least one cumulative record from 1958–2010. As the figure shows, after almost two decades of a relatively high constant rate, a negative acceleration began around the time of Skinner's prescient eulogy. Several possible explanations of this decline have been offered in a recent historical account of the technology (Lattal, 2004); nevertheless, JEAB continues to thrive beyond one of its initial objectives as an outlet for behavior analysts having difficulty getting their records published elsewhere (see Herrnstein, 1987; Skinner, 1987). Fig 1 Cumulative number of articles appearing in JEAB containing at least one cumulative record from 1958–2010.
iTRAQ proteomic identification of pVHL-dependent and -independent targets of Egln1 prolyl hydroxylase knockdown in renal carcinoma cells.

The large subunit of RNA Polymerase II, Rpb1, undergoes hydroxylation on proline 1465, which in turn triggers Ser5 hydroxylation. While Egln2 prolyl hydroxylase appears to mediate P1465 hydroxylation, Egln1 has an inhibitory activity and its knockdown stimulates constitutive hydroxylation and Ser5 phosphorylation of Rpb1, but only in cells that are VHL(+). In this study we have analyzed protein factors affected by the knockdown of Egln1 in VHL(+) and VHL(−) cells. We found that, in VHL(+) cells, several proteins were inhibited but none were induced by Egln2 knockdown. The function of several of those proteins was related to calcium metabolism and the cytoskeleton. In contrast, in VHL(−) cells Egln1 knockdown caused upregulation of several mitochondrial proteins including subunits of ATP synthase. Several of the proteins repressed in VHL(−) cells by Egln1 knockdown were involved in the function of RNA polymerase II during transcription from chromatin templates. These data suggest that the effects of Egln1 knockdown depend on the status of pVHL and can be correlated with effects on Rpb1.
Machairodonts from The Late Cenozoic of The Panhandle of Texas

Abstract: Machairodonts represented by specimens from the Late Cenozoic of the Texas Panhandle include a small form of Machairodus ( Heterofelis ) from the Axtel locality (Hemphillian), and a new species, Ischyrosmilus johnstoni , from the Cita Canyon locality (Blancan). Ischyrosmilus , previously known only by two mandibles from California and Idaho, is shown by the new material to be closely related to Homotherium from the Villafranchian of Europe. Dinobastis , from the Middle and Late Pleistocene of Eurasia and North America, has close affinities with Homotherium and Ischyrosmilus . Five genera of machairodonts may now be recognized from the Pliocene and Pleistocene of North America: Sansanosmilus , Machairodus ( Heterofelis ), Ischyrosmilus , Dinobastis and Smilodon .
Photochemical Activation of CO2 on RhI(CO)2/Al2O3−CO2 Dissociation and Oxygen Atom Exchange

The ultraviolet (3.8 eV) photolysis of atomically dispersed RhI(13C18O)2 species supported on an Al2O3 surface in the presence of CO2 at 256 K has been studied by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Carbon dioxide is activated on photochemically produced RhI(13C18O) sites to produce various isotopically labeled rhodium gem-dicarbonyl species. The two major products of CO2 activation exhibit infrared bands at 2077 and 1958 cm-1 assigned to RhI(12C16O)(13C18O) species and bands at 2036 cm-1 and near 1958 cm-1 assigned to RhI(13C16O)(13C18O). The infrared band assignments for the isotopic rhodium gem-dicarbonyl species are supported by a thermally driven isotopic exchange experiment with 13C16O(g) and by a comparison to the frequencies predicted with frequency calculations based on known force constants. Two dissociation pathways are proposed for CO2 coordinated on RhI(13C18O) sites. Path I involves direct dissociation of the C−O bond in CO2 and Path II involves oxygen atom exchange between CO2 and CO ligands, fol...
Rare events and the convergence of exponentially averaged work values.

Equilibrium free energy differences are given by exponential averages of nonequilibrium work values; such averages, however, often converge poorly, as they are dominated by rare realizations. I show that there is a simple and intuitively appealing description of these rare but dominant realizations. This description is expressed as a duality between ``forward'' and ``reverse'' processes, and provides both heuristic insights and quantitative estimates regarding the number of realizations needed for convergence of the exponential average. Analogous results apply to the equilibrium perturbation method of estimating free energy differences. The pedagogical example of a piston and gas [R.C. Lua and A.Y. Grosberg, J. Phys. Chem. B 109, 6805 (2005)] is used to illustrate the general discussion.
Miscibility of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) with high molecular weight poly(lactic acid) blends determined by thermal analysis

An important strategy used in the polymer industry in recent years is blending two bio-based polymers to attain desirable properties similar to traditional thermoplastics, thus increasing the application potential for bio-based and bio-degradable polymers. Miscibility of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) with poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA) were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Three different grades of commercially available PLAs and one type of PHBV were blended in different ratios of 50/50, 60/40, 70/30, and 80/20 (PHBV/PLA) using a micro-compounder at 175°C. The DSC and TGA analysis showed the blends were immiscible due to different stereo configuration of PLA polymer and two distinct melting temperatures. However, some compatibility between PHBV and PLA polymers was observed due to decreases in PLA's glass transition temperatures. Additionally, the blends do not show clear separation by SEM analysis, as observed in the thermal analysis. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Projections of world demand for and supply of foodgrains: An attempt at methodological evaluation

Abstract This paper deals with some of the problems involved in making projections of world demand for and supply of foodgrains. The author evaluates and compares the projection methods used by the Food and Agriculture Organization, the US Department of Agriculture, and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. The paper raises some questions about the usefulness and reliability of the various projections.
A gas-accepting ion source for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry: Progress and applications

The National Ocean Sciences Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (NOSAMS) facility at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has developed an Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) system designed specifically for the analysis of 14C in a continuously flowing stream of carrier gas. A key part of the system is a gas-accepting microwave ion source. Recently, substantial progress has been made in the development of this source, having achieved ion currents rivaling that of a traditional graphite source (albeit at relatively low efficiency). Details and present performance of the gas source are given. Additionally, representative results obtained from coupling the source to both a gas chromatograph and gas bench are presented.
Chloroplast pigments and photosynthesis in deuterated green algae

The isolation and characterization of deuteriochlorophylls a and b from the chloroplasts of fully deuterated green algae, together with some preliminary observations on photosynthesis in deuterated algae, are described. An improved procedure is given for the isolation and purification of the chlorophylls. The algae used in the study were cultured for more than a year in a nutrient solution prepared from 99.8% D/sub 2/0. The infrared studies reported provide independent evidence that the chlorophyll made by the algae is essentially free of hydrogen. The ratio of deuterio-chlorophyll a to b in crude extracts of the deuterated algae was determined to be in the range 1.5: 1 to 2: 1. The uptake of NaHC/sup 14/ O/sub 3/ by ordinary and deuterated C. vulgaris in H/sub 2/0 and D/sub 2/0 were measured, and the results are tabulated. (P.C.H.)
An interior-point method for total variation regularized positron emission tomography image reconstruction

There has been a lot of work on total variation (TV) regularized tomographic image reconstruction recently. Many of them use gradient-based optimization algorithms with a differentiable approximation of the TV functional. In this paper we apply TV regularization in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) image reconstruction. We reconstruct the PET image in a Bayesian framework, using Poisson noise model and TV prior functional. The original optimization problem is transformed to an equivalent problem with inequality constraints by adding auxiliary variables. Then we use an interior point method with logarithmic barrier functions to solve the constrained optimization problem. In this method, a series of points approaching the solution from inside the feasible region are found by solving a sequence of subproblems characterized by an increasing positive parameter. We use preconditioned conjugate gradient (PCG) algorithm to solve the subproblems directly. The nonnegativity constraint is enforced by bend line search. The exact expression of the TV functional is used in our calculations. Simulation results show that the algorithm converges fast and the convergence is insensitive to the values of the regularization and reconstruction parameters.
Possible methane-induced polar warming in the early Eocene

RECONSTRUCTIONSof early Eocene climate depict a world in which the polar environments support mammals and reptiles, deciduous forests, warm oceans and rare frost conditions 1–5. At the same time, tropical sea surface temperatures are interpreted to have been the same as or slightly cooler than present values6. The question of how to warm polar regions of Earth without noticeably warming the tropics remains unresolved; increased amounts of greenhouse gases would be expected to warm all latitudes equally7. Oceanic heat transport has been postulated as a mechanism for heating high latitudes8–10, but it is difficult to explain the dynamics that would achieve this7,11. Here we consider estimates of Eocene wetland areas and suggest that the flux of methane, an important greenhouse gas, may have been substantially greater during the Eocene than at present. Elevated methane concentrations would have enhanced early Eocene global warming, and also might specifically have prevented severe winter cooling of polar regions because of the potential of atmospheric methane to promote the formation of optically thick, polar stratospheric ice clouds12–14.
Mariner 7 ultraviolet spectrometer experiment - Topographic slopes of Mars' polar region.

Abstract The Mariner 7 ultraviolet spectrometer observed the south polar cap of Mars. The near ultraviolet polar spectrum showed that light reflected from the surface predominates over light scattered from the atmosphere. The intensity of thee reflected radiation was analyzed as a function of the incidence and emission angles, assuming that the surface reflects according to Minnaert's law. While the micro-relief of the surface determines the general trend of the intensity curve, topographic sl slopes cause small scale changes on the intensity curve. These variations are systematic and are well-correlated with surface features seen in the television pictures. A method has been formulated to determine the average slope of an area fromm intensity ratio measurements made at any two different sets of illumination and observation angles. Since the Mariner 7 data consist of only observations under one lighting and viewing conditions it is possible to obtain only the minimum slope that can cause an observed intensity change, and not the true slope. Such slopes in the polar region scanned are of the order of tenths of a degree, when averaged over areas of hundreds by tens of kilometers. The rms slope for the entire region is greater than 0°.3. These results are consistent with visible and radar wavelength measurements.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Children with Comorbid Physical Illness

In addition to the usual developmental challenges, children and adolescents with chronic physical illness face psychosocial challenges that affect their quality of life. This review describes different aspects of coping with chronic physical illness in childhood and the empirical evidence examining the usefulness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for the treatment of children and adolescents with chronic physical illnesses and related psychological comorbidities. Four diseases (diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, and sickle cell disease) were chosen as model illnesses to demonstrate key CBT findings in more detail. Future research recommendations in this challenging population are also addressed.
Sonographic appearance of nonoperatively treated Achilles tendon ruptures.

Objective. This report describes the gray-scale and color Doppler sonographic appearance of healed Achilles tendon ruptures that have been treated nonoperatively.
Social bonds in a healthy elderly sample: Characteristics and associated variables

Social bonds were examined in 256 healthy, independent-living elderly men and women using the Interview Schedule for Social Interaction (ISSI). Multivariate techniques were used to test for relationships between six dimensions of social bonds, as measured by the ISSI, and demographic characteristics as well as scores from the Kellner-Sheffield Symptom Questionnaire, the Jacobs Cognitive Screening Exam, the Halstead Category Test and the Wechsler Memory Scale. The study participants reported involvement in a range of satisfying, supportive, interpersonal relationships. Significant associations were found between social bonds and income, marital status, work status and health status. Emotional status, cognitive functioning, and memory were found to be independent of social bonds in our statistical model.
Large‐area black/white bistable cholesteric liquid‐crystal display and the thermal‐addressing system

— A 3-m-length black/white bistable cholesteric liquid-crystal display was made by a roll-to-roll process and the display area is 25 × 300 cm. The black/white performance was made by black nano-pigment and blended ChLC droplets with different wavelengths. It was written by a thermal-addressing system, realizing high resolution and low cost.
Radiation Pressure Correction to Meteor Orbits

We present a method to calculate the radiation pressure force to gravity ratio on meteoroids from their atmospheric flight. Radiation pressure corrections to meteor orbits are negligible for fireballs; of the order of or less than the measurement errors 1 %) for photographic meteors; of the order of and in some cases substantially larger than the measurement errors (« 10%) for radar meteors.
Treatment of acute renal failure in an infant by continuous arteriovenous hemodialysis.

Continuous arteriovenous hemodialysis (CAVHD) was performed in a critically ill, oliguric infant with progressive uremia using a miniature Amicon hemofilter. Modification was made in the filter system by circulating 2.5% Dianeal peritoneal dialysis fluid into the second port of the ultrafiltrate compartment to enable the filter to function by dialysis too (CAVHD). In comparison with continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration (CAVH), CAVHD provided superior urea clearance and adequate fluid removal, allowing the simultaneous administration of parenteral nutrition. The higher solute clearances in CAVHD make the technique superior to CAVH for renal replacement therapy in critically ill infants.
Factor Analytic and Reliability Studies on the Activation-Deactivation Adjective Check List:

Two factor analytic studies were conducted on a revised long form and a short form of the Activation-Deactivation Adjective Check List, a self-report test of transitory activation or arousal states. Although previous research indicated that the check list is composed of four independent activation factors, the present research instead suggests two general bipolar activation dimensions. However, certain evidence indicates that the concept of four separate activation factors cannot be completely abandoned. A third study showed high measurement reliability on two kinds of estimates.
Anatomy of difference: Toward a classification of feminist theory

Abstract If we re-examine the disparate views and goals of feminist theorists, both historically and in the present, we find that they can be divided according to the position they have taken on the question of the importance or unimportance of sex/gender difference. The minimizers opt for structures which unite the female with human enterprises from which she has too often been excluded, and the maximizers articulate patterns expressive of the unique perspective of the female. Both positions encompass many different theorist and groups. Each can best be understood by envisioning a continuum which moves from the most conservative view, a rationale for the status quo, (‘human rights’ or ‘separate spheres’) to the most radical, a total transformation of society (abolition of exclusive female reproductive capacities or total separation of the sexes). These two spectra are mediated by several views which partake of both attitudes: Gerda Lerner's concept of woman as majority, Julia Kristeva's vision of difference in unity, Black and Third World feminism's linking of socialist revolution and the positive values of women of color. Perhaps a more suggestive image than linear continua is the spiral of the DNA molecule. Its two interwined strands are linked together but always moving and changing as the historical arguments are re-used in contemporary situations; characteristics are linked, traded, and transformed in the process.
The probability of the triangle inequality in probabilistic metric squares

The notion of a random semi-metric space provides an alternate approach to the study of probabilistic metric spaces from the standpoint of random variables instead of distribution functions and permits a new investigation of the triangle inequality. Starting with a probability space (Ω,B,P) and an abstract setS, each pair of points,p, q, inS is assigned a random variableX pq with the interpretation thatX pq (ω) is the distance betweenp andq at the “instant” ω. The probability of the eventJ pqr = {ω ∈ Ω:X pr (ω)≤X pq (ω)+X qr (ω)} is studied under distribution function conditions imposed by Menger Spaces (K. Menger, “Statistical Metrics,” Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., U.S.A., 28 (1942), 535–537; B. Schweizer and A. Sklar, “Statistical Metric Spaces,” Pacific J. Math.10 (1960), 313–334). It turns out that for e > 0 there are 3 non-negative, identically-distributed random variablesX, Y andZ for whichP(X <Y +Z) < e. This and other results show that distribution function triangle inequalities are very weak. Conditional probabilities are introduced to give necessary and sufficient conditions forP(J pqr ) = 1.
Characterization of an inchworm actuator fabricated by polysilicon surface micromachining

We describe the design, fabrication, test and preliminary analysis of a polycrystalline silicon MEMS inchworm actuator fabricated in a five level surface micromachining process. Large force generation (500 micronewtons), large range of motion (+/- 100 microns), small area requirements (600 X 200 um), small step size (10, 40 or 120 nanometers), and a large velocity range (0 to 90 microns per second) are demonstrated. We characterize force with a load cell whose range is calibrated on a logarithmic scale from micronewtons to millinewtons. We characterize out-of-plane displacement with interferometry, and in-plane displacement with Moire metrology sensitive to approximately 60 nm. The actuator serves well for testing friction under conditions of well- known applied pressure. We found that our surfaces exhibited a static coefficient of friction (cof) of approximately 0.3, and a dynamic cof of approximately 0.2. We also present initial wear studies for this device.
Rank one perturbations and singular integral operators

Abstract We consider rank one perturbations A α = A + α ( ⋅ , φ ) φ of a self-adjoint operator A with cyclic vector φ ∈ H − 1 ( A ) on a Hilbert space H . The spectral representation of the perturbed operator A α is given by a singular integral operator of special form. Such operators exhibit what we call ‘rigidity’ and are connected with two weight estimates for the Hilbert transform. Also, some results about two weight estimates of Cauchy (Hilbert) transforms are proved. In particular, it is proved that the regularized Cauchy transforms T e are uniformly (in e) bounded operators from L 2 ( μ ) to L 2 ( μ α ) , where μ and μ α are the spectral measures of A and A α , respectively. As an application, a sufficient condition for A α to have a pure absolutely continuous spectrum on a closed interval is given in terms of the density of the spectral measure of A with respect to φ. Some examples, like Jacobi matrices and Schrodinger operators with L 2 potentials are considered.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL SAMPLING METHOD FOR CHARACTERIZING ANT MOUNDS

Abstract A field-portable 3D laser scanner was employed as a means of digitizing the surface of fire ant (Solenopsis invicta Buren) mounds for analysis of shape and orientation in Mississippi and Oklahoma. Estimates of above-ground mound volume obtained through manual measurements of mound length, width, and height were higher and more variable than estimates obtained by summing the area underneath interpolated mound surfaces. Mounds were typically elliptical in shape and oriented in a north-south direction. The mound apex was offset to the northeast of the mean mound center by an average of 46 ± 5 mm. Additional mound characteristics extracted from 3D data included slope (degrees), surface area, and slope within mound aspect (northeast, southeast, etc.). Advantages of the methodology employed in this study and possible explanations for fire ant mound shape are discussed.