cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heat and Moisture Budgets of an Intense Midlatitude Squall Line

Abstract Rawinsonde data from OK PRE-STORM are used to calculate the heat and moisture budgets during the late mature through dissipating stages of an intense squall line system with a trailing stratiform region. Budgets have been computed at three separate times using composited data from approximately 30 rawinsondes over three-hour intervals. Data spacing is marginally adequate to resolve features within the broad (∼200 km) stratiform region, but not the narrow (∼40 km) leading convective line. Low-level radar data and surface accumulated rainfall are used to partition the system into convective line and stratiform regions, and to cheek the accuracy of the heat and moisture budgets. The squall line had a pronounced descending rear inflow jet that extended toward the front of the system with time, and strong front-to-rear flow above and beneath this jet. The diagnosed vertical motion showed deep ascent in the leading convective line and upper-level ascent above lower-level descent in the trailing stratif...
Systematics of inner-shell photo-ionization X-ray lasers with constant pump rates

Population-rate equations are analytically solved for constant pump rates. Conditions for population inversions are developed for this simplified case. Numbers appropriate for inner-shell photo-ionization of magnesium and neon are used. These allow back-of-the envelope calculations for predicting lasing duration. Pump-rate thresholds are also given which permit lasing for the duration of the pumping. Blackbody-source temperatures associated with such pump rates are calculated. A method of using the solution of the small-signal population-rate equations to determine the saturated intensity when the lower lasing level has a decay channel is given. This method is applied to the case of constant pump rates. An analytic expression for the saturated intensity is developed for this case.
Contact angles and adsorption in the system quartz-water-dodecane modified by dodecyl ammonium chloride

Abstract Adsorption of dodecyl ammonium chloride was studied in the system quartz-water-dodecane. The distribution of dodecyl ammonium chloride between water and dodecane was measured as a function of pH; the effect of this surfactant on the water-dodecane interfacial tension was also measured. Adsorption of dodecyl amine at the quartz-dodecane interface approached monomolecular thickness, whereas adsorption of this surfactant was very much smaller at the quartz-water interface. In the pure three-phase system the contact angle was zero. Addition of amine resulted in finite contact angles and hysteresis. The contact angles were sensitive to the method of preparation and cleaning of the quartz surface, and also to the concentration of surfactant and pH. The relationship of the observed contact angles to amine concentration and pH was established. Calculations were made which indicated that adsorption equilibrium was not obtained during measurement of dynamic contact angles. By applying the Young equation to the system and by using the estimated true interfacial tensions rather than the equilibrium values, the observed contact angle behavior was satisfactorily explained.
Workshop-based teaching of research design

A workshop-based, problem-orientated approach to the teaching of research design in physical geography is introduced. With carefully staged guidance by tutors, students devise and execute a research project. Students are empowered by means of group discussions and decision-making and, aided by critical self-appraisal, students acquire research experience and develop key transferable skills. This approach encourages team-work and initiative, and inspires self-confidence. This strategy, although challenging and demanding for students, can be an effective form of teaching. Such an approach is particularly relevant today because of subject benchmarking skills and developing the transferable skills, such as initiative and team-work, valued by employers, and also primarily as preparation for subsequent field and dissertation work.
Syntheses of novel 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC)-containing β-lactams

Abstract Direct cyclization of an Ox-protected seryl-1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid derivative to a β-lactam was accomplished by the Mitsunobu reaction. However, preparation of related, more functionalized β-lactams required development of a novel Staudinger reaction based on Ox-glycine.
Energy release rate for cracks in ideal composites

Abstract Infinitesimal plane deformations of ideal fiber-reinforced composites with elastic shearing stress response are considered. The fibers are straight and parallel, and there is a straight crack perpendicular to the fibers. A general expression for the energy release rate per unit length of crack advance is obtained. Explicit expressions in terms of the body geometry and loading are obtained for three special classes of body shapes: bodies symmetrical about a fiber, bodies bounded on the cracked side by a fiber, and bodies bounded on the opposite side by a fiber. The results also apply to cracks parallel to the fibers, and to cracks in compressible materials reinforced by two orthogonal families of inextensible fibers.
Properties of Fluorinated Graphene Films

Graphene films grown on Cu foils have been fluorinated with xenon difluoride (XeF2) gas on one or both sides. When exposed on one side the F coverage saturates at 25% (C4F), which is optically transparent, over 6 orders of magnitude more resistive than graphene, and readily patterned. Density functional calculations for varying coverages indicate that a C4F configuration is lowest in energy and that the calculated band gap increases with increasing coverage, becoming 2.93 eV for one C4F configuration. During defluorination, we find hydrazine treatment effectively removes fluorine while retaining graphene’s carbon skeleton. The same films may be fluorinated on both sides by transferring graphene to a silicon-on-insulator substrate enabling XeF2 gas to etch the Si underlayer and fluorinate the backside of the graphene film to form perfluorographane (CF) for which calculated the band gap is 3.07 eV. Our results indicate single-side fluorination provides the necessary electronic and optical changes to be prac...
Transplantation of EGF-responsive neurospheres from GFP transgenic mice into the eyes of rd mice.

The isolation of stem cells from various regions of the central nervous system has raised the possibility of using them as a donor cell source for cell transplantation, where they offer great promise for repair of the diseased brain, spinal cord, and retina. Here, we have studied the migration, integration, and differentiation of EGF-responsive neurospheres isolated from the brains of green fluorescent protein transgenic mice and transplanted into the eyes of mature rd mice, a model of retinitis pigmentosa. While grafts of freshly isolated postnatal day 8 retina expressed many markers characteristic of mature retina (e.g. rhodopsin, protein kinase C), very few of the grafted cells migrated into host retina. EGF-responsive neurospheres, conversely, readily migrated into and integrated with the remaining host retina, but showed a very limited ability to differentiate into mature retinal neurons. While the progenitor cells used here show remarkable ability to integrate with host retina and develop some attributes of retinal cells, the failure to fully differentiate into retinal cells suggests that they already express some level of terminal commitment that precludes using them to replace lost photoreceptors.
The choice of coordinates for describing vibrations in H2O

Abstract We consider several different coordinate systems for calculating vibrational energy levels of the water molecule. The relative effectiveness of the various coordinate systems is judged by comparing the error in predicting the ground vibrational level energy using a self-consistent wave function. Radau coordinates are found to be the system of choice, since while they are not the optimum coordinates, they are only slightly worse than an optimized, nonorthogonal, set of coordinates.
Skyrmions and/in the weak interactions

Abstract We consider the Skyrme model coupled to the weak interactions. Due to weak instantons, the ordinary skyrmion is unstable and decays into an alti-lepton and pions. We study the role of the Weinberg-Salam Higgs field in this process and also discuss the absence of vacuum tunneling. Next the Higgs field is regarded as the Goldstone boson field of an underlying chiral symmetry breaking theory, like technicolor, in which the Higgs field can be described by a Skyrme model. The skyrmions in the Higgs sector correspond to techni-baryons. These techni-skyrmions carry the fermion number of any fermion with a large mass generated by a Yukawa coupling. The decays of the ordinary and techni-skyrmions are examined in these cases. We show that these phenomena can be understood at the techni-quark level.
Identification of the Cl--binding site in the human red and green color vision pigments

Chloride ions are known to bind and alter the absorption spectra of some but not all visual pigments. In this report, the human red and green color vision pigments are shown to bind Cl- and to undergo a large red shift in their absorption maxima. Mutation of 18 different positively charged amino acids in these pigments identified two residues, His197 and Lys200, in the Cl(-)-binding site. His197 and Lys200 are strictly conserved in all long-wavelength cone pigments but are absent in all rhodopsins and short-wavelength cone pigments. This fact suggests that the evolutionary branch of the long-wavelength pigments was established when an ancestral pigment acquired the ability to bind Cl- and, as a result, shift the absorption maximum to longer wavelengths.
Optimal scheduling of a natural gas processing facility with Price-based Demand Response

This paper presents an optimal scheduling algorithm for a natural gas processing facility. Priced-based Demand Response (PBDR) has been implemented into the formulation by adjusting the facility's production level to respond to the real time price (RTP) of electricity in order to maximize the plant's profit. Industrial facilities that own generation units are a good target for PBDR. When the RTP of electricity increases, co-generation system output can be increased to reduce the consumption of utility power and even supply power to the utility. The plant production level, which may depend on co-generation output, is also sensitive to RTP within a reasonable range of electricity prices. A mixed integer programming (MIP) method is used in this paper to solve the optimal scheduling problem.
Modeling floodplain inundation using an integrated GIS with radar and optical remote sensing

Abstract Synthetic aperture radar images from multitemporal L-band JERS-1 and C-band ERS-1 satellites, a Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) time-series, and GIS coverages were used in an integrative approach to model the potential of flood inundation within the lower Roanoke River floodplain, North Carolina. A digital elevation model (DEM) with one-meter vertical resolution was developed for the region from scan-digitized mylar separates of contour lines on USGS 7.5-min quadrangles. Several models representing potential wetness and potential flood inundation were generated from the DEMs using both raster (grid) and vector (network) analyses. The potential inundation surfaces were derived from regression models that related known flood elevations to river position and floodplain location. The GIS models were assessed by comparison to classifications of flood change-detection achieved through the radar data. Statistical results indicate that the GIS-derived models successfully identified flooded areas as mapped by the radar change-detections. Further, statistical tests assessed the ability of individual radar and optical (Landsat TM) images to discriminate flooding as predicted by the GIS models. Both JERS-1 and ERS-1 images identified areas of inundation at different flood levels.
Existence and uniqueness of solutions for impulsive fractional differential equations

Motivated by some recent developments in the existence theory of impulsive fractional differential equations, in this paper we present a general method for converting an impulsive fractional differential equation to an equivalent integral equation. The applicability of the method is demonstrated by considering some boundary value problems for impulsive fractional differential equations.
Tangible social interfaces: critical theory, boundary objects and interdisciplinary design methods

The Constructed Narratives project has been designed for use in public spaces where there is the opportunity for individuals and groups of people, who are not acquainted with each other, to encounter the game and subsequently each other. The goal is to provide a platform that supports discourse in environments where "keeping comfortable distance" between oneself and others is the norm. The system framework developed for this project can be applied for use in computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL), and collaborative design activities in the tradition of computer supported collaborative work (CSCW). The current domain explored in the Constructed Narratives project is computer systems designed to enable shared experience through play, or computer supported collaborative play (CSCP). This paper examines the theories that influenced and design methodologies used by an interdisciplinary team of artists, designers and technologists used to develop solutions for multiple wicked design problems that can arise during the development of the system architecture for a tangible social interface.
Synthesis of polymers from organic solvent liquefied biomass: A review

Biomass liquefaction with organic solvents is a unique thermochemical conversion process for biomass utilizations. It combines the useful functional groups from both biomass and organic solvents used in liquefaction, thus obtaining a large variety of polymers. This review is focused on the resin products synthesized from organic solvent liquefied biomass, including phenolic, polyurethane, epoxy, polyesters, etc. Many biomass species, such as wood, corn stover, waste paper, and wood bark, have been investigated as the feedstocks for liquefied biomass-based resin products. Phenol liquefied biomass was studied the most mainly based on expectation to utilize the aromatic structures of lignin in biomass as the substitute for phenol in phenolic resin synthesis. Further condensation reaction of phenol liquefied biomass with formaldehyde to synthesize novolac or resol phenolic resins was proven to be an efficient route to convert the un-reacted phenol from liquefaction to resins and improve the physical mechanical properties of the resulting resins. Except for phenolic resins, most other polymers from liquefied biomass were synthesized based on the utilization of hydroxyl groups in liquefied biomass. Polyhydric alcohols liquefied biomass was used as polyols to synthesize polyurethanes, epoxy, and polyesters. To achieve comparable mechanical strength of resulting resin products, the common liquefaction solvent to biomass ratio was 3/1, which indicates a biomass substitution around 25% to petroleum raw materials. A few cases could reach 50% substitution with biomass pretreatment before liquefaction. Three main concerns with the liquefied biomass-based resins were their relatively higher viscosities, highly hydrophilic characters, and relatively lower cross-linking density in cured resins.
Detecting psychotic major depression using psychiatric rating scales.

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to assess whether individual or clusters of psychiatric symptoms can differentiate patients with psychotic major depression (PMD) from those with nonpsychotic depression (NPMD). Method Data were pooled from two studies investigating patients with moderate depression. A total of 129 subjects were studied. Patients in Sample 1 were unmedicated, while the majority of the patients in Sample 2 were taking psychotropic medications. Baseline rating scales were obtained for all subjects, including the Hamilton depression rating scale and the brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS). We used discriminant function analyses, logistic regression, and ROC analyses to determine the patterns in symptoms that differentiated the groups. Results Psychotic patients were adequately differentiated by the unusual thought content (UTC) item of the BPRS. Even mild UTC endorsement was an indicator of PMD. Furthermore, results suggest that the positive symptom subscale of the BPRS was even better at differentiating PMD from NMPD patients. Sensitivity and specificity for this scale were 84% and 99%, respectively. Conclusion Psychotic major depression is often undiagnosed and poorly treated. One reason for this trend is the failure of physicians to inquire in a more detailed manner about positive symptoms in patients with primary mood symptoms. Although physicians are not likely to have the time to conduct an entire BPRS during an evaluation, our results suggest that a few key symptoms, if assessed directly, may aid the psychiatrist to more effectively diagnose and subsequently treat their depressed patients.
Wood Panelized Roof Subpurlin Hanger Construction Defect Assessment and Load Testing to Establish Defect Tolerances

AbstractWood panelized roof systems are a highly popular system for the construction of large-footprint, low-slope roofs, typically for single-story warehouse or industrial buildings. These panelized systems have been used for decades, commonly in the western United States. In general, large modular sections of the roof assembly are constructed on the ground, then lifted into place and connected to the primary roof support elements, which allows for rapid roof erection. In 2008, a 2×6 by 3.0-m (10-ft)-long wood subpurlin fell from a building’s roof structure and landed on the floor approximately 9.1 m (30 ft) below during roof maintenance work. The building was constructed about 3 years prior to the subpurlin falling incident. The authors investigated the cause of the incident. Installation errors of the subpurlin hanger were found in sufficient quantity that the investigation grew to include a total of 21 similar buildings built by the same contractor, representing more than 370,000 m2 (4 million sq ft) ...
Historic preservation in Nazi Germany: place, memory, and nationalism

Abstract While numerous studies have examined the post-war contestation surrounding commemorative sites associated with the legacy of Nazi Germany, relatively little attention has been dedicated to the ways in which the Nazi regime itself sought to create places of memory congruent with the movement's political and cultural goals. Indeed, party leaders sponsored a variety of disparate, and at times contradictory, programs to re-orientate some of Germany's most prominent historic places to better serve the needs of the regime. To expand our understanding of this process, this article examines the practice and rhetoric of historic preservation in Bavaria during the Nazi period with a focus on the preservationist program sponsored by Bavarian President Ludwig Siebert. Nazi propaganda promised to rejuvenate and protect Germany's architectural heritage for the public good, but the regime's actual priorities and policies led to widespread confiscation, damage, and eventually destruction.
Activity schedules for individuals with disabilities appear to be effective, but deeper analysis is required

Koyama, T., & Wang, H. (2011). Use of activity schedule to promote independent performance of individuals with autism and other intellectual disabilities: A review. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 32, 2235–2242. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2011.05.003. Source of funding and disclosure of interest: No source of funding reported, and no conflicts of interest reported by the original authors of this research report.
OBSERVATION OF NEUTRONS PRODUCED BY LASER IRRADIATION OF LITHIUM DEUTERIDE.

The observation of neutrons produced by irradiation of polycrystalline LiD targets with a high-power laser is reported. Single pulses from a mode-locked ${\mathrm{Nd}}^{+3}$-doped glass laser were amplified up to energies of 25 J. Pulse widths were 2-3 psec as measured by the two-photon fluorescence technique. The analyses of these experiments yield a somewhat higher rate of neutron production than the similar experiments recently reported by Basov et al..
Climatic implications of the D/H ratio of hydrogen in C-H groups in tree cellulose

Isotopic climate records in tree rings were obtained by the δD analyses of the hydrogen in cellulose nitrate extracted from tree rings in a Scots pine from Loch Affric, Scotland, and from a bristlecone pine from the White Mountains, California. This method of analysis measures δD values of only the isotopically non-exchangeable hydrogen of the cellulose in wood and thus eliminates serious complications in the δD record caused by the chemical heterogeneity of wood and by the isotopic exchangeability of some of its hydrogen. The average δD values of the two pines are markedly different, reflecting the contrasting climates of the two areas. The bristlecone δD record contains a 22-year periodicity perhaps recording a possible 20- to 22-year periodicity of drought conditions in the Great Plains of North America. There is no such significant periodicity in the δD record of the Scots pine. The long-term δD trends in the two pines, as represented by 40-year running averages of the δD data, correlate linearly over the time period 1841–1970 A.D., which is the total growth period of the Scots pine. The long-term δD trend of the Scots pine correlates well with the 1841–1970 winter temperatures of Edinburgh, Scotland. The long-term δD trend of the bristlecone pine, which extends over the time period 970–1970 A.D., correlates qualitatively with long-term climatic trends estimated by LaMarche from tree ring width data and by Lamb from many sources of climatic data. δD analyses were also made on early and late woods from the same annual ring. The δD values of these woods differ to various degrees and the sign of the difference can also vary.
Automated adaptive cardiovascular flow simulations

We present an automatic adaptive procedure to perform blood flow simulations in the cardiovascular system. The procedure allows the user to start with subject-specific data collected through clinical measurements, like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data, and evaluate physiological parameters of interest, like flow distribution, pressure variations, wall shear stress, in an automatic and efficient manner. The process involves construction of geometric models of blood vessels, specification of flow conditions and application of an adaptive flow solver. The latter is based on incompressible Navier–Stokes equations using adaptive spatial discretization (meshing) techniques. In this article, we demonstrate the method on a model of a human abdominal aorta of a normal subject with geometry and flow rates assimilated from MRI data. The results obtained show that boundary layer mesh adaptivity offers a better alternative leading to more accurate predictions, especially for key physiological quantities like wall shear stress.
Benjamin Franklin's Contributions to the Development of Technical Communication

Addressing the professional communicator, the technical writing teacher and the interested student, this article discusses Benjamin Franklin's major contributions to the development of technical communication.While the article centers on Franklin's technical writing style as a model for today's technical communicator, it also outlines Franklin's philosophy of technical communication and his incisive views of the scientist's role in society.
Explicit analytic formulas for Newtonian Taylor-Couette primary instabilities

In this study, existing primary stability boundary data for flow between concentric cylinders, for the broad range of radius and rotation ratios examined, were found to be self-similar in a properly chosen parameter space. The experimental results for the primary transitions to both Taylor vortex flow and spiral vortex flow collapsed onto a single curve using a combination of variables technique, for both counter-rotating and co-rotating cylinders. The curves were then empirically fit, yielding explicit analytic formulas for the critical Reynolds number for any radius ratio (eta) and rotation ratio (micro) . For counter-rotating flows, the primary critical Reynolds number is determined by a single variable: the ratio of the nodal gap fraction to a known function of the radius ratio. The existence and influence of a nodal surface is shown experimentally for micro approximately equal -1.7. For co-rotating flows, the important scaled variable was found to be the radius ratio divided by the nodal radius ratio. Comparisons of the resulting explicit stability formulas were made to existing analytic stability expressions and experimental data. Excellent quantitative agreement was found with data across the entire parameter space.
Visual influence on haptic torque perception.

The brain receives input from multiple sensory modalities simultaneously, yet we experience the outside world as a single integrated percept. This integration process must overcome instances where perceptual information conflicts across sensory modalities. Under such conflicts, the relative weighting of information from each modality typically depends on the given task. For conflicts between visual and haptic modalities, visual information has been shown to influence haptic judgments of object identity, spatial features (eg location, size), texture, and heaviness. Here we test a novel instance of haptic–visual conflict in the perception of torque. We asked participants to hold a left–right unbalanced object while viewing a potentially left–right mirror-reversed image of the object. Despite the intuition that the more proximal haptic information should dominate the perception of torque, we find that visual information exerts substantial influences on torque perception even when participants know that visual information is unreliable.
High-Frequency Sound Propagation near Magnetic Phase Transitions

The results of ultrasonic attenuation and velocity experiments near the magnetic phase transitions in RbMn${\mathrm{F}}_{3}$ and Mn${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$ are presented. For $Tg{T}_{N}$, the data give additional evidence that the sound couples to the spin-energy-density fluctuations which decay via spin-lattice relaxation. The attenuation results for RbMn${\mathrm{F}}_{3}$ could be fitted with a single relaxation formula for the frequency range 90-930 MHz and for the temperature range of $\ensuremath{\epsilon}[=\frac{(T\ensuremath{-}{T}_{N})}{{T}_{N}}]$ from ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ to ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. The spin-lattice relaxation time ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{L}$ was found to vary from 4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}10}$ to 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}10}$ sec in the same $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ range. Furthermore, both the critical attenuation and velocity changes are independent of sound-wave propagation direction. In Mn${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$, we found from the critical velocity dispersion a constant relaxation time ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{L}=(2.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}9}$ sec for $\ensuremath{\epsilon}\ensuremath{\ge}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$, in good agreement with Kawasaki and Ikushima's quoted value. A small divergence was found for smaller $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$. For $Tl{T}_{N}$, it was found that the maxima of the attenuation and the minima of the velocity shifted to lower temperatures with increasing frequency in RbMn${\mathrm{F}}_{3}$. In addition, in RbMn${\mathrm{F}}_{3}$, a second attenuation peak was found below ${T}_{N}$ which shifted to lower temperatures with increasing frequency. This subsidiary attenuation peak was found to be strongly sample dependent. In Mn${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$, broad attenuation maxima and velocity minima are observed in the ordered region. Possible mechanisms for these effects are discussed.
SU‐E‐T‐436: Feasibility of Using the ‘Irregular Surface Compensator’ Planning Feature of the Eclipse TPS for Total Body Irradiation (TBI) Treatment Planning

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of using the Irregular Surface Compensator (ISC) planning feature of the Eclipse treatment planning system (TPS) for Total Body Irradiation (TBI). Methods: TBI treatments require that the whole body receives within +−10% of the prescribed dose. Different body parts with different thicknesses compared to the umbilicus separation may receive higher or lower doses compared to the prescribed dose. Another challenge is to keep the lung dose below 10Gy to avoid complications. To mitigate this problem, physical compensators and blocks are used during the treatment for different body parts and lungs. This method presents a challenge during the treatment delivery and prolongs the treatment time due to patient setup, in‐vivo on‐line dosimetric monitoring and the adjustment of the compensators frequently during the treatment. We investigated the use of ISC planning feature of Eclipse TPS which is an electronic compensation method that calculates a fluence map based on the body contour from the CTimage. The fluence map is delivered with dynamic MLCs . This TBI treatment technique was tested using a Rando phantom in Head First Supine position with lateral beams at SSD=250cm.The calculated fluence were edited so that the lung received <∼10Gy for 12Gy prescription. A single fraction of 2Gy was delivered and the in‐vivo measurements were performed in the neck, lung and the umbilicus by using OSLDs. Results: OSLD measurements and the Eclipse TPS predictionswere 200.4/195.0, 162.2/168.9, and 196.1/208.9 cGy for the neck, lung and the umbilicus respectively. Conclusions: The feasibility of using the ‘Irregular Surface Compensator’ feature of Eclipse TPS for TBI treatment planning was demonstrated. Good agreement (<6%) between the predicted and measured doses was obtained. The proposed planning and delivery simplifies the compensation and blocking to achieve uniform dose distributions and reduces the treatment time.
Genetic diversity in three endangered pitcher plant species (Sarracenia; Sarraceniaceae) is lower than widespread congeners

 Premise of the study: Narrow-ranging, rare species often exhibit levels of genetic diversity lower than more common or widespread congeners. These taxa are at increased risk of extinction due to threats associated with natural as well as anthropogenic events. We assessed genetic variation in three federally endangered Sarracenia species. We discuss maintenance of genetic diversity and evolutionary implications of rarity.  Methods: We analyzed three noncoding chloroplast regions and nine microsatellite loci in populations spanning the geographic ranges of S. oreophila , S. alabamensis , and S. jonesii . The same microsatellite loci were used to examine a single fi eld site of three more widespread species ( S. alata , S. leucophylla , and S. rubra subsp. wherryi ).  Key results: All three endangered species have experienced reductions in population size and numbers. All show considerably less variation than more widespread members of the genus. Sarracenia alabamensis maintains the greatest microsatellite variation but has the fewest remaining populations and may be under the greatest threat. More widespread S. oreophila maintains surprising chloroplast diversity, yet exhibits little microsatellite diversity. Sarracenia jonesii lacks chloroplast diversity, yet maintains greater microsatellite diversity than S. oreophila .  Conclusions: The three endangered species differ in levels and structure of diversity, yet not in predictable ways, emphasizing that unique demographic and ecological histories, rather than current distribution and population size, best explain present patterns of genetic variation. Maintenance of remaining genetic variation is important, but preventing further habitat loss and degradation is critical.
In-situ film thickness measurements using acoustic techniques

Process monitoring and control of semiconductor fabrication parameters like film thickness are important issues limited at the present time by a lack of adequate sensors. In this paper we outline the limitations of current film thickness technology and propose two new methods for nondestructive insitu film thickness process monitoring: acoustic time domain reflectometry (TDR) and acoustic reflection coefficient phase measurements. Theoretical calculations and experimental measurements of different metal films are used to demonstrate the viability of these novel techniques.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Interpretations of sexual harassment: An attributional analysis

Two studies were conducted to examine an attributional model of judgments of sexual harassment. The key assumption of the model is that judgments of sexual harassment involve the attribution of negative intentions (e.g., hostility or callousness) to an actor with regard to a sexual behavior. The two studies effectively demonstrated that many factors known to influence the attribution of intentionality play an important role in judgments of sexual harassment. The findings are discussed with regard to understanding how people differ in their judgments of sexual harassment.
Discriminate Host Selection by Monodontomerus dentipes

Monodontomerus dentipes (Dalman), an introduced cocoon parasite of pine sawflies, is effective in control of the introduced pine sawfly, Diprion similis (Hartig) (McGugan and Coppel 1962), and is now under study for control of Neodiprion spp. It is reared easily on Neodiprion spp. cocoons in the laboratory. The similarity in size and appearance of cocoons of the larch sawfly, Pristiphora erichsonii (Hartig), and the redheaded pine sawfly, N. lecontei (Fitch), suggested the possibility of using the former species as a substitute host in the laboratory or even as a target insect for biological-control work. However, when cocoons of P. erichsonii were substituted for cocoons of N. lecontei and N. excitans (Rohwer), our usual laboratory hosts, they were not attacked by M. dentipes . Avoidance of P. erichsonii by the parasite indicated a need for information about host discrimination.
Wave-based target identification via the method of matched pursuits

Matched-pursuits is a nonlinear algorithm which iteratively projects a given signal onto a complete dictionary of vectors. The dictionary is constructed such that it is well matched to the signals of interest and poorly matched to the noise, thereby affording the potential for denoising, by adaptively extracting an underlying signature from a noisy waveform. In the context of wave scattering and propagation, there are basic constituents that can be used to construct most measured waveforms. A dictionary of such constituents is used here, in the context of wave-based matched-pursuit processing of acoustic waves scattered from submerged elastic targets. It is demonstrated how wave-based matched- pursuits can be utilized for denoising as well as to effect a detector, the latter being parametrized via its receiver operating characteristic.
Gray-Box Optimization using the Parameter-less Population Pyramid

Unlike black-box optimization problems, gray-box optimization problems have known, limited, non-linear relationships between variables. Though more restrictive, gray-box problems include many real-world applications in network security, computational biology, VLSI design, and statistical physics. Leveraging these restrictions, the Hamming-Ball Hill Climber (HBHC) can efficiently find high quality local optima. We show how 1) a simple memetic algorithm in conjunction with HBHC can find global optima for some gray-box problems and 2) a gray-box version of the Parameter-less Population Pyramid (P3), utilizing both the HBHC and the known information about variable relationships, outperforms all of the examined algorithms. While HBHC's inclusion into P3 adds a parameter, we show experimentally it can be fixed to 1 without adversely effecting search.We provide experimental evidence on NKq-Landscapes and Ising Spin Glasses that Gray-Box P3 is effective at finding the global optima even for problems with thousands of variables. This capability is complemented by its efficiency, with running time and memory usage decreased by up to a linear factor from Black-Box P3. On NKq this results in a 375x speedup for problems with at least 1,000 variables.
The closed sequential test of two treatments when subjects are compared in many-to-one ratio

Abstract This article describes a technique for applying the closed sequential test of two treatments when subjects are paired in a many-to-one ratio. It is assumed that the observations are from continuous distributions and the ranks of the observations are given. Existing closed sequential designs can be applied after a binomial random variable is defined on the rank. In particular, the application of Armitage's plan is discussed along with the results of a Monte Carlo experiment.
Vertebral anomalies associated with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula with reference to the initial operative mortality

Abstract In a series of 40 patients with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula, the incidence of musculoskeletal anomalies was 45% (18 patients). An extra mesodermal segment was found in 15 patients (13 paired thoracic vertebrae and 13 paired ribs in nine patients; six lumbar vertebrae in 6 patients). The mortality in grade A infants with an extra mesodermal segment was significantly higher than in those infants with a normal spine ( p > 0.01). It is suggested that segmentation or abnormal segmentation of the embryo may be important as a cause of esophageal atresia.
Application of shape memory alloy dampers in the seismic control of cable-stayed bridges

Abstract This paper focuses on introducing and investigating the performance of a new passive seismic control device for cable-stayed bridges made with shape memory alloys (SMAs). The superelasticity and damping capability of SMAs is sought in this study to develop a supplementary recentering and energy dissipation device for cable-stayed bridges. Three-dimensional long-span bridge model, including the effect of soil-structure interaction is developed and utilized in the study. SMA dampers are implemented at the bridge’s deck-pier and deck-tower connections. The bridge is subjected to three orthogonal components from two historic ground motion records. The effectiveness of the SMA dampers in controlling the deck displacement and limiting the shear and bending moment demands on the bridge towers is assessed. Furthermore, a study is conducted to determine the sensitivity of the bridge response to the hysteretic properties of the SMA dampers. The analytical results show that SMA dampers can successfully control the seismic behavior of the bridge. However, the effectiveness of the new dampers is significantly influenced by the relative stiffness between the dampers used at the deck-tower and deck-pier connections. The results also show that the variation in the SMAs’ strain hardening during phase transformation has a small effect on the bridge response compared to the variation in the unloading stress during reverse phase transformation.
Isolation and characterization of new secondary metabolites from Asphodelus microcarpus.

Phytochemical study of the ethanolic extract of Asphodelus microcarpus Salzm. et Viv. (Asphodelaceae) resulted in the isolation of two new compounds, methyl-1,4,5-trihydroxy-7-methyl-9,10-dioxo-9,10-dihydroanthracene-2-carboxylate (1), and (1R) 3,10-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1H-1,4-epoxybenzo[h]isochromene (2) as well as three known compounds; 3,4-dihydroxy-methyl benzoate (3), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (4), and 6-methoxychrysophanol (5). Compound 1 showed a potent activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Staphylococcus aureus with IC50 values of 1.5 and 1.2 μg/mL, respectively. Compound 3 showed antileishmanial activity with an IC50 value of 33.2 μg/mL. Compound 2 is the first isochromene possessing a highly strained 1,4-epoxy moiety. The structure elucidation of isolated metabolites was carried out using spectroscopic data, the absolute configuration of 2 based on optical rotation and electronic circular dichroism experiments and calculations.
Cysteamine reduces serum gonadotropin concentrations in adult male rats

Abstract We have examined the effects of cysteamine on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis of the adult male rat. A single subcutaneous injection of cysteamine (300 mg/kg) reduces significantly (p ≤ 0.05) serum concentrations of LH, FSH and T. Cysteamine blocked LH secretion induced by castration and administration of naloxone and LHRH. Neither acute nor chronic treatment (7 days) altered the hypothalamic LHRH content. These results suggest that cysteamine acts to reduce pituitary responsiveness to LHRH, resulting in lower mean serum gonadotropin and testosterone concentrations. It is possible, however, that cysteamine acts also at the hypothalamus to reduce LHRH secretion and/or at the testes to reduce testosterone release.
In vitro and in vivo evaluation of platelet concentrates after cotton wool filtration.

. Removal of leukocytes from platelet concentrates (PC) may decrease the incidence of alloimmunization to HLA antigens on white cells and prevent or delay refractoriness. Cotton wool filtration, which effectively removes leukocytes from PC with minimal platelet loss, may cause platelet or complement activation. In this study, the effect of cotton wool filtration (Imugard® IG-500) on platelet activation, in vitro function, posttransfusion survival, and complement activation was investigated. Five paired autologous in vivo percent recovery and survival studies were performed with fresh (6–8 h) PC or with 5-day-stored PC prepared from CPD-anticoagulated blood and stored in PL-732TM containers using standard methods. In the paired design, PC from the same donor were filtered on one occasion, and not filtered on another, prior to labeling with indium-111-oxine and reinfusion. Percent recovery and survival were then determined by the standardized method. Filtration had no statistically significant effect on percent recovery on PC stored for 6–8 h or for 5 days. There was, however, a slight decrease in survival hours of the filtered PC which was statistically significant at 6–8 h (203±14 vs. 179±18 h; p 0.05). Samples taken before and after filtration of single units (fresh and 5-day) and pooled units (3-day) for measurement of release of granular content (β-thromboglobulin), lysis (LDH), and in vitro viability—ATP, extent of shape change with ADP, and hypotonic shock response (3-day only)—demonstrated no effect of filtration on these parameters. A slight, but significant (p<0.05) increase in plasma levels of C3a was found for fresh-filtered PC, but not for stored PC, suggesting some complement activation during filtration.
Role of aluminum-containing adjuvants in antigen internalization by dendritic cells in vitro

An important step in the induction of an immune response to vaccines is the internalization of antigens by antigen presenting cells, such as dendritic cells (DCs). Many current vaccines are formulated with antigens adsorbed to an aluminum-containing adjuvant. Following injection of the vaccine the antigens may either elute or stay adsorbed to the adjuvant surface. Antigens, which elute from the adjuvant surface, are internalized by dendritic cells through macropinocytosis while those that remain adsorbed are internalized with the adjuvant particle by phagocytosis. The relative efficiency of these two routes of internalization was studied. Alpha casein (AC) labeled with a green fluorescent dye was selected as the model antigen. In order to model vaccine antigens that elute from aluminum-containing adjuvants following administration, dendritic cells were incubated with a solution of fluorochrome-labeled alpha casein. To model vaccine antigens that do not elute from aluminum-containing adjuvants following administration, dendritic cells were exposed to fluorochrome-labeled alpha casein adsorbed to aluminum hydroxide adjuvant (AH). Alpha casein has eight phosphate groups and adsorbs to aluminum hydroxide adjuvant through ligand exchange. Alpha casein does not elute from aluminum hydroxide adjuvant upon exposure to cell culture media. The uptake of antigen by dendritic cells was determined at 0.5, 1, 2 and 3h by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. Dendritic cells internalized both alpha casein in solution and alpha casein adsorbed to aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. However, the mean fluorescence intensity of dendritic cells incubated with adsorbed alpha casein was four times greater than dendritic cells incubated with alpha casein in solution. In addition, the internalization of alpha casein was enhanced when the mean aggregate diameter of the adjuvant in the cell culture media was reduced from 17 microm to 3 microm. It was concluded that antigen internalization by dendritic cells was enhanced when the antigen remained adsorbed to the aluminum-containing adjuvant following administration and the aggregate size of the adjuvant was smaller than dendritic cells which are approximately 10 microm in diameter.
Redefining Water Security through Social Reproduction: Lessons Learned from Rajasthan's ‘Ocean of Sand’

One of the most urgent challenges facing the world today is ensuring local water security under rapid climate variability and change. This is of particular importance in a country like India, where over half of the people are involved in farming, and agricultural losses due to climate change are estimated to be as high as 30 per cent by 2080. This ethnography in the arid village of Bhiwadi, West Rajasthan empirically links the reintroduction of local water harvesting technologies with the building of sustainable social reproduction in subsistent communities. By emphasising both the role of gender and the informal economy – and institutions – this ethnography provides a more thorough picture of the individuals and collective actors involved in localised and resilient technologies within global economic and climatic processes.
GaAs-based floating point module

GaAs integrated circuit technology is being applied to improve the performance and functionality of the Digital Video Mapping System. A 400 MFLOP 32 bit floating point processor will be used to accelerate data and graphics processing algorithms. The GaAs processor will contain 4 circuit types interconnected using a thin film multilayer packaging technology. The processor clock rate is 200 MHz and the I/Os are at CMOS levels operating at less than 50MHz.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.