cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimization of perfusate pH to improve microdialysis recovery of lipophilic compounds.

Abstract Introduction Microdialysis (MD) allows sampling of compounds in-vivo from tissues' interstitial fluid. However, molecules insoluble at physiological pH have usually extremely low recovery. The addition of albumin to the perfusate or the use of isotonic lipoemulsion improves recovery of these molecules although it requires a cleaning step before HPLC analysis. This study investigates the possibility of improving the MD recovery of compounds insoluble at physiological pH but soluble at a different pH. The probe is perfused with an isotonic solution adjusted to pH values at which the compound has maximum solubility. Ketoconazole (KTC), clotrimazole (CLT) and tretinoin (TTN) were selected as model drugs because they are almost insoluble at pH 7.4 but soluble at pH 4 for KTC and CTL; and at pH 9 for TTN. Methods Linear microdialysis probes were used to collect KTC, CLT or TTN from a standard solution of the compounds. Probes were perfused with 0.01 M pH 7.4 isotonic buffer solution (1) without or (2) with 5% Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA); or (3) with 20% isotonic lipoemulsion; or (4) with 0.01 M pH 4 isotonic buffer solution for KTC and CLT or 0.01 M pH 9 isotonic buffer solution for TTN. The method was then tested in‐vivo, in rabbit skin, to assess the skin tolerance to the non-physiological perfusates and to monitor KTC and TTN delivery from commercial cream products. Results In-vitro, the optimized-pH perfusate increased MD recovery significantly (P Discussion These findings show that the optimized-pH perfusate effectively increases the in-vitro microdialysis recovery of KTC, CLT and TTN and that it is well tolerated in‐vivo. However, the compounds tested (KTC and TTN) could not be detected in-vivo.
Comparison of seven suture materials in infected wounds--an experimental study.

From the Surgical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State Universit,y, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521. * Tutorial Fellow in the Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, Kenya. t Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 8052,l. $ Professor and Director of the Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521. 5 Professor and Director of the Surgical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521. From a thesis submitted by the first author in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the M.S. degree in Surgery. Research supported by Davis and Ceck Division of American Cyanamid Company and the United States Agency for International Development. Requests for reprints should be addressed to Dr. W. V. Lumb. Submitted for publication December 7, 1973. INTRODUCTION
The implicit cognition of relationship maintenance: Inattention to attractive alternatives.

The temptation of alternative mating partners can threaten satisfaction with and commitment to an existing romantic relationship. Consequently, people exhibit cognitive processes that help protect their relationship when faced with desirable relationship alternatives. Previous studies have focused primarily on processes that involve explicit, higher-order cognitive mechanisms such as overt judgments and choices (e.g., judging the alternative as less attractive). The current studies, in contrast, examined automatic, early-stage attentional processes that may help protect against threats posed by exposure to alternative mating partners. Whereas single participants responded to implicit mating primes by increasing early-stage attention to physically attractive opposite sex targets, participants in a committed romantic relationship were inattentive to those attractive alternatives. This research provides a novel approach for studying implicit cognitive mechanisms involved in maintaining close relationships.
Photo-stabilisation and photo-degradation in organic coatings containing a hindered amine light stabiliser. Part I—ESR measurements of nitroxide concentration

Abstract Quantitative measurements of the variation in nitroxide free radical concentration on exposure to ultraviolet (uv) light are reported for a melamine crosslinked acrylic copolymer film doped with a hindered amine light stabiliser (bis (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl) sebacate) as a function of hindered amine concentration, light intensity and humidity. The concentration of nitroxide is found to rise to a maximum and then slowly decrease. The following parameters can be derived from the nitroxide data: the net rate of formation of nitroxide during the early stages of exposure, the maximum nitroxide concentration, the time to maximum and the net decay rate at long exposure times. The observed variations in these parameters with exposure conditions are discussed. It is found that the humidity of the exposure greatly influences the degradation and stabilisation chemistry of acrylic-melamine coatings.
Carbon-nanotube-induced acceleration of catalytic nanomotors.

Synthetic nanoscale motors represent a major step toward the development of practical nanomachines. Despite impressive progress, man-made nanomachines lack the efficiency and speed of their biologi...
Properties of fluorinated amorphous silicon-nitrogen-oxygen alloy (a-SiNxOy:H) deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition

Abstract The properties of fluorinated amorphous silicon-nitrogen-oxygen (a-SiNxOy:H:F) alloys deposited in a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition reactor using a mixture of monosilane (SiH4) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) were investigated. The deposition rate of the a-SiNxOy:H:F alloys was found to increase with increasing NF3 flow rate. Auger electron spectroscopy revealed a uniform chemical composition in these alloys. An abrupt increase in the bulk conductivity of the a-SiNxOy:H:F alloys was observed when the NF3 flow rate was increased from 4 sccm to 7 sccm, whereas the bulk conductivity decreased as the NF3 flow rate was increased from 7 sccm to 24 sccm. This phenomenon is attributable to a structural transformation in the alloys deposited with 7 sccm of NF3. Carrier conduction in bulk alloys exhibited three activation energies with transition temperatures at 373 and 240 K. Carrier conduction above 373 K is by thermionic emission of carriers from silicon grains. Between 240 and 373 K, conduction is by thermionic field emission of carriers. Below 240 K, carrier tunneling is the predominant conduction mechanism. Undoped a-SiNxOy:H:F alloys formed rectifying heterojunctions on crystalline p-type silicon. The electrical characteristics of these heterostructures are dominated by the silicon/alloy interface.
Generalized equivalence: A pattern of mathematical expression

A simple propositional operator is introduced which generalizes pairwise equivalence and occurs widely in mathematics. Attention is focused on a replacement theorem for this notion of generalized equivalence and its use in producing further generalized equivalences.
Incremental update for a compositional SDN hypervisor

To realize the vision of SDN---an ``app store'' for network-management services---we need a way to compose applications developed for different controller platforms. For instance, an enterprise may want to combine a firewall written on OpenDaylight with a load balancer on Ryu and a monitoring application on Floodlight. To make this vision a reality, we propose a new kind of hypervisor that allows multiple applications to collaborate in processing the same traffic. Inspired by past work on Frenetic, our hypervisor supports a flexible configuration language that can combine packet-processing rules from different applications using sequential and parallel composition. A major challenge is efficiently combining updates to each prioritized list of OpenFlow rules, based on the hypervisor policy. Our key insight is that rule priorities form a convenient algebra that allows the hypervisor to compute the correct relative priorities of new rules incrementally, without shifting or rewriting the priorities of existing rules. We prove the correctness of our algorithms and show experimentally that these techniques can reduce computational overhead by 4X and the number of rule updates by 5X, compared to existing techniques.
Expected infrared spectra of gaseous nebulae.

If we are asked why we want to use the infrared to observe gaseous nebulae, we might reply with George Mallory, who was asked why he wanted to climb Mount Everest, ‘Because its there’. More specifically, one reason is the very great space penetration possible in the infrared. Diffuse nebulae characteristically are close to the galactic plane, and interstellar extinction therefore prevents the observation of distant objects. At MATHS FORMULA the mean range to which diffuse nebulae can easily be observed is about 1500 parsecs (pc), while many of these nebulae are so reddened as to be nearly unobservable at Hβ. It is for this reason that at present the observation of diffuse nebulae is almost entirely limited to our own spiral arm and its immediate neighbours. However, because of the decrease of interstellar extinction to longer wavelengths, at 1 μm the range of observation would be about 3000 pc; at 2 μm about 10 000 pc, comparable with the distance to the centre of the Galaxy; and at 10μm, about 100 000 pc, far larger than the diameter of the Galaxy. (The form of the interstellar reddening curve is from Whitford 1958.)
Participating in Research: Attitudes within the African American Church

We assessed associations between pastor and congregant characteristics and congregant attitudes about research participation among African American churches. Respondents shared their attitudes regarding how willing, ready, and confident they were about research participation. The outcome measure, the index of research preparedness, summed responses across the domains of willingness, readiness, and confidence. Pastor age and pastor educational attainment were independently associated with a congregants’ higher index of research preparedness. Young and educated pastors were significantly associated with congregant attitudes about participation preparedness, a finding that highlights the importance of the pastor regarding congregant research participation decisions.
Seed Set, Germination and Seedling Establishment in Lupinus nootkatensis

ABSTRACT This study investigates the reproductive output, seed germination and seedling establishment of the legume, Lupinus nootkatensis, a plant currently used in the revegetation of rangelands. The phenology of flower and seed set was recorded in the field. Low seed set was attributed to high flower abscission (65%) and seed abortion in the pods, which resulted in only 16% of the ovules developing into seed. Mature black seeds develop rapidly within one week followed by seed scattering. Seed germination increased proportionally with an increase in the percentage of black seed and reach maximum germination at 74% black seed. Germination declined for greater proportions of black seeds because of their hardseededness, which was significantly alleviated by acid (H2SO4) treatment. Careful timing of seed collection is essential for maximizing seed yield in this species and individual stands should be closely monitored to assure optimal harvesting of seeds. Soil type, age of stands, previous cultivation of st...
Determinants of CCL5-driven mononuclear cell migration across the blood–brain barrier. Implications for therapeutically modulating neuroinflammation

Chemokine receptors and adhesion molecules are used selectively for the transmigration of leukocytes across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) during neuroinflammation. We established an activated in vitro BBB (aIVBBB) using physiological concentrations of cytokines. We studied CCL5-driven migration as a model to determine how chemokine receptors and adhesion molecules regulate T-cell and monocyte migration across the aIVBBB. Increased expression of CCL5 and its receptors, CCR1 and CCR5 have been described in the perivascular space of multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions. Elucidating the determinants of CCL5-mediated mononuclear cell migration may clarify appropriate targets for therapeutic modulation in neuroinflammatory conditions. In response to CCL5, there was a significant increase in total mononuclear cell migration across the aIVBBB. Neutralizing monoclonal antibodies to CCR1 and CCR5 abrogated CCL5-driven transmigration, suggestive of non-redundant receptor usage in mononuclear cell migration to this chemokine in vitro. CCL5-driven transmigration was also dependent on alpha(4)beta(1) integrin/fibronectin connecting segment-1 (FN CS-1) and alpha(L)beta(2) integrin/intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) interactions. Monocyte migration to CCL5 was solely dependent on alpha(4)beta(1) integrin/FN CS-1 while T-cell migration required both alpha(L)beta(2) integrin/ICAM-1 and alpha(4)beta(1) integrin/FN CS-1 interactions. These findings provide plausible molecular targets for the selective inhibition of mononuclear cell trafficking during the acute immune effector phases of MS and other neuroinflammatory diseases.
Matchings and the sum function

Abstract Let T be a finite subset of the integers. Let sum( T ) denote the sum of the elements of T . We use this function to construct a decomposition of the edges of the subgraph of N and N +1 ranked subsets of a 2 N +1 set into a disjoint union of matchings.
Integrated database for identifying candidate genes for Aspergillus flavus resistance in maize.

Background Aspergillus flavus Link:Fr, an opportunistic fungus that produces aflatoxin, is pathogenic to maize and other oilseed crops. Aflatoxin is a potent carcinogen, and its presence markedly reduces the value of grain. Understanding and enhancing host resistance to A. flavus infection and/or subsequent aflatoxin accumulation is generally considered an efficient means of reducing grain losses to aflatoxin. Different proteomic, genomic and genetic studies of maize (Zea mays L.) have generated large data sets with the goal of identifying genes responsible for conferring resistance to A. flavus, or aflatoxin.
Biomimetic Flow Control

Biologic flight has undoubtedly intrigued man for thousands of years, yet it has been only the last 100 years or so that any serious challenge has been mounted to the pre-eminence of birds. Although present-day large-scale aircraft are now clearly able to fly higher, faster and farther than any bird or insect, it is obvious that these biological creatures have a mastery of low Reynolds number, unsteady flows that is unrivaled by man-made systems. This paper suggests that biological flight should be examined for mechanisms that may apply to engineered flight systems, especially in the emerging field of small-scale, uninhabited aerial vehicles (UAV). This paper discusses the kinematics and aerodynamics of bird and insect flight, including some aspects of unsteady aerodynamics. The dynamics of flapping wing flight is briefly examined, including gait selection, flapping frequency and amplitude selection, as well as wing planform and angle-of-attack dynamics. Unsteady aerodynamic mechanisms as practiced by small birds and insects are reviewed. Drag reduction morphologies of birds and marine animals are discussed and fruitful areas of research are suggested.
Dysfunction as a factual component of disorder

The harmful dysfunction (HD) analysis holds that disorder, mental or physical, requires harm, a value criterion, and dysfunction, a factual criterion referring to failure of a mechanism to perform a naturally selected function. Houts' arguments that the HD analysis does not offer an adequate factual account of dysfunction are examined and shown to be invalid. For example, his claim that the HD analysis confuses function with purpose, a value concept, ignores the analysis'account of function in terms of the value-free notion of effect-explanation; and his argument that functions imply norms (e.g., what mechanisms are 'supposed to' do) falsely assumes that such norms are evaluative. The HD analysis of function is analogous in logical structure to the functional analyst's factual behavioral notion of function. Houts' value account of disorder is inconsistent with people's classificatory judgments, as his own examples demonstrate.
Reinforcing effect of aggressive behaviors preparatory to fighting in mice

Four groups of adult male mice were run in a T-maze for 20 days. Group 1 received 15 days of fight training prior to acquisition. In the maze, Group 1 chose between provocation by a dangled victim of aggressive behaviors short of biting attack and exploring an empty goalbox. Mice in Group 1 occasionally managed to bite. As a control for partial reinforcement, Group 2 was yoked to Group 1 and given an equal number of bites. Group 3 did not receive fight training but otherwise was treated the same as Group 1. Group 4 served as a control for the possible reinforcing effect of sensory cues. The results suggest that elicitation of aggressive arousal can serve as a reinforcer, and this effect was greater for more experienced fighters.
Contrasting effects of ischemia on the kinetics of membrane voltage and intracellular calcium transient underlie electrical alternans

Repolarization alternans has been considered a strong marker of electrical instability. The objective of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that ischemia-induced contrasting effects on th...
Performance analysis of a CsI-based flat panel detector in a cone beam variable resolution x-ray system

A new Cone-Beam CT (CBCT) system is introduced that uses the concept of Variable Resolution X-ray (VRX) detection, which has previously been demonstrated to significantly increase spatial resolution for small objects. An amorphous silicon Flat Panel Detector (FPD) with a CsI scintillator (PaxScan 2020, Varian, Salt Lake City, UT) is coupled with a micro-focus x-ray tube (35 - 80 kVp, 10 - 250 μA) to form a CBCT. The FPD is installed on a rotating arm that can be adjusted to any angle θ, called the VRX angle, between 90° and 0° with respect to the x-ray direction. A VRX angle of 90° for the detector corresponds to a conventional CBCT whereas a VRX angle of 30° means that the detector is tilted 90° - 30° = 60° from its perpendicular position. Tilting the FPD in this manner reduces both the line-spread function width and the sampling distance by a factor of sin (t), thereby increasing detector spatial resolution proportionately. An in-house phantom is used to measure the MTF of the reconstructed CT images using different VRX angles. An increase by a factor of 1.67 ± 0.007 is observed in the MTF cutoff frequency at 30° compared to 90° in images acquired at 75 kVp. Expected theoretical value for this case is 2.0. The new Cone-Beam Variable Resolution X-ray (CB-VRX) CT system is expected to significantly improve the images acquired from small objects - such as small animals - while exploiting the opportunities offered by a conventional CBCT.
Nitrogen pretreatmentsvs nitrate treatments after detopping on xylem exudation in tobacco

Nitrate salts resulted in a large stimulation of exudation from detopped tobacco and also increased cation transport to the exudate, but only if nutrient solutions applied previously to detopping had become depleted in salts. Such plants were not necessarily nitrogen deficient. Pregrowth in ammonium nitrogen resulted in the same effect as pregrowing with low amount of salts. Pregrowth with high levels of salt other than nitrate, however had the same effect as pregrowing with a high level of nitrate. There was no evidence that synthesis of nitrate reductase was necessary for the stimulation of exudation by nitrate. The nitrate response was usually apparent within 1 h. Glucose added with nitrate at 10°C resulted in prolonged and increased exudation for 32 days following detopping. Mg (NO3)2 as a single salt was toxic in terms of exudation production. Only one cycle of response to nitrate on exudation could be obtained from detopped plants. A cycle could be obtained when nitrate was added many days after detopping if nitrate had not been added previously since detopping.
Existence of solutions for a class of nonlinear non-coercive problems

(1983). Existence of solutions for a class of nonlinear non-coercive problems. Communications in Partial Differential Equations: Vol. 8, No. 8, pp. 819-846.
High performance liquid chromatographic analysis of iridoid glycosides from Penstemon rydbergii varieties

A new reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method was used to quantify iridoid content in plant extracts. Two varieties of Penstemon rydbergii from different locations in the Western United States were found to contain the iridoid glycosides euphroside, aucubin, geniposidic acid and plantarenaloside together with the phenylpropanoid glycoside verbascoside. While one variety showed a tenfold dominance of plantarenaloside over euphroside, the reverse was true of the other variety. The previously reported new iridoid glycoside pinifolin was shown to be an artefact from plantarenaloside since it could be isolated from a boiled extract, but not from a cold extract.
On the sensitivity characteristics in the determination of the elastic and plastic properties of materials through multiple indentation

A comprehensive study of the sensitivity characteristics associated with the determination of the elasto-plastic properties of a large number of materials using several combinations of dual, triple, and quadruple sharp indentation, and spherical indentation illustrates that: (i) The lowest sensitivity to the determination of plastic properties is observed for the indenter combination that corresponds either to the largest difference in the corresponding representative stresses or the largest difference in the indenter apex angles. (ii) The triple or quadruple sharp indenter combinations considered in the present study do not show a significant improvement in the sensitivity characteristics when compared to that of the dual sharp indentation. (iii) In the determination of plastic properties through spherical indentation where two representative stresses are invoked, the highest and the lowest sensitivity, respectively, are observed for the combinations in which the differences in the representative stresses are the lowest and the highest. The sensitivity is further reduced if a large number of representative stresses are considered for the reverse analysis.
Towards achieving praxis: implications for work with infants and young children

The acquisition of a concept of self is a uniquely social phenomenon, developing gradually throughout the childhood years. A sense of self is present in its most primitive form during the period from birth to two. The self concept of the preschooler continues to evolve, as a result of day to day experiences with objects and people in the environment. From 4 to 6 years of age, a stable concept of self is beginning to emerge, with the child's perspectives undergoing significant changes during the early elementary school years. At each stage of development, implications can be drawn for parents, caregivers and teachers.
Numerical simulation of streamer propagation in nitrogen at atmospheric pressure

Results of the application of flux-corrected transport techniques to a two-dimensional numerical simulation of streamer propagation are presented. Characteristics such as diameter, velocity, shape, and density gradient of the head, and ionization in the body of the propagating streamer are determined. These results provide new insight into streamer propagation.
Aplysia capsulin is localized to egg capsules and egg cordon sheaths and shares sequence homology with Drosophila dec-1 gene products

Differential library screening of an albumen gland cDNA library, Western blot analysis, protein expression, immunolocalization studies, comparative genomics, and secretion assays identified a major Aplysia californica albumen gland protein ('capsulin') that is localized to egg capsules and to the sheaths of the egg cordon. Capsulin shared sequence homology with eggshell proteins encoded by the Drosophila dec-1 gene. The 1790-amino acid A. californica precursor contains 17 repeat sequences that are flanked by basic residue processing sites. The numerous proteolytic processing sites may facilitate the breakdown of capsulin prior to when veliger larvae break out of egg capsules as free-swimming larvae. An Aplysia brasiliana capsulin repeat sequence was 97% identical to its A. californica homolog. Capsulin fragments were not detected in the eluates of egg cordons, suggesting that capsulin is not a candidate water-borne pheromone precursor.
Melanocytic Nevi and Tumor Progression: Perspectives Concerning Histomorphology, Melanoma Risk and Molecular Genetics

Atypical variants of melanocytic nevi such as congenital nevi, acral nevi and Spitz nevi may share many architectural and cytologic abnormalities in common with conventional dysplastic nevi. Although largely undetermined, the degree of melanoma risk (if any) associated with the atypical nevus in question may correlate with the grade of atypia in the particular nevus and a variety of other factors such as the number of nevi and skin phototype.
On the deconfining transition of SU(∞) gauge theory

Monte Carlo simulations for twisted Eguchi-Kawai models with asymmetric couplings have been used to investigate the large-N deconfining phase transition of pure SU(N) gauge theories. Data with N = 25, 36, 49 and 64 and the variable asymmetry parameter ξ allow us to disentangle these theories' bulk first-order transition from their physical deconfining transition. The SU(64) data is in good agreement with asymptotic freedom and gives a critical temperature of Tc/ΛE = 1 118 ± 6 or Tc/√σ = 0.42 + 0.05, which is close to the SU(3) ratio of deconfining temperature to the string tension. The data also suggest that the transition is first order.
The effect of a shear flow on the morphological stability of a vicinal face: Growth from a supersaturated solution

Abstract The effect of a parallel shear flow and anisotropic interface kinetics on the onset of instability during growth from a supersaturated solution is analyzed. The model used for anisotropy is based on the microscopic picture of step motion. A shear flow (linear Couette flow or asymptotic suction profile) parallel to the crystal-solution interface in the same direction as the step motion decreases interface stability. A shear flow counter to the step motion enhances stability and for sufficiently large shear rates the interface is absolutely morphologically stable. For large wave numbers, the perturbed flow field can be neglected and a simple analytic approximation for the stability-instability demarcation is found.
Ant tracking with occlusion tunnels

The automated tracking of social insects, such as ants, can efficiently provide unparalleled amounts of data for the of study complex group behaviors. However, a high level of occlusion along with similarity in appearance and motion can cause the tracking to drift to an incorrect ant. In this paper, we reduce drifting by using occlusion to identify incorrect ants and prevent the tracking from drifting to them. The key idea is that a set of ants enter occlusion, move through occlusion then exit occlusion. We do not attempt to track through occlusions but simply find a set of objects that enters and exits them. Knowing that tracking must stay within a set of ants exiting a given occlusion, we reduce drifting by preventing tracking to ants outside the occlusion. Using four 5000 frame video sequences of an ant colony, we demonstrate that the usage of occlusion tunnel reduces the tracking error of (1) drifting to another ant by 30% and (2) early termination of tracking by 7%.
The Relationship Between Behavior Change Strategies, Physical Activity, and Fruit and Vegetable Intake Following a Cardiac Event

Objective: To assess expectations for recovery and use of behavior change strategies as predictors of subsequent diet and physical activity among adults recently hospitalized for a cardiac event. Design: Quasi-experimental design in which adults with recent cardiac event-related hospitalization completed surveys assessing health behaviors and attitudes immediately post-discharge and three months later. Results: Among those completing the study (n = 323), positive expectations about recovery and more frequent use of behavior change skills predicted greater physical activity and better nutrition at follow-up. In multivariate models, baseline health behavior was a significant predictor of physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake at follow-up (alpha = 0.05). Conclusions: Individuals participating in physical activity and eating a heart-healthy diet approximately three months after cardiac hospitalization possessed behavior change skills. Early intervention is critical as health behaviors occurring jus...
A Class of Sequential Conditional Probability Ratio Tests

Abstract A new class of sequential testing procedures, sequential conditional probability ratio tests (SCPRT's), is proposed. These procedures have the property of having a maximum sample size no larger than a fixed-sample test with an almost identical power function. The efficiency of the SCPRT, in terms of expected sample size, is close to that of Wald's SPRT. Group sequential testing procedures derived from the SCPRT are not restricted to the choices of group sizes and number of groups. At the same time, the SCPRT, the group-SCPRT, and the reference fixed sample size test (RFSST) are agreeable in the sense of having very small probability of leading to different rejection/acceptance results. For the SCPRT or the group-SCPRT, stopping boundaries are decided by appropriate deflection factors determined by controlling absorption probabilities of a random bridge on the SCPRT boundaries. In this article the basic idea for the SCPRT is introduced in a general setup. But examples and technical discussions are...
Estimates of the Natural Variability of Time-Averaged Sea-Level Pressure

Abstract Estimates of the natural variability of monthly-mean sea-level pressure are made based on a 74-year, grid-point data set. The natural variability of monthly means is defined as those interannual fluctuations that can be ascribed to the effects of statistical sampling alone. That is, the natural variability of monthly means is that variability resulting from the variance and autocorrelation associated with daily weather fluctuations. The natural variability does not reflect a “climate change,” but rather it is the variability within an “unchanging climate.” As such it is a measure of the “climatic noise.” Comparisons between natural and actual interannual variability are discussed in the context of potential long-range predictability. A characteristic time between independent estimates is determined.
Vectorization and parallelization of the acoustic boundary element code BEMAP on the IBM ES/3090 VF

Abstract A boundary element method code for acoustic analysis, called BEMAP, is described along with the process of vectorizing and parallelizing this code for implementation on the IBM ES/3090 vector parallel computer.
Temperature dependence of the abundances of elements in solar He-3 rich events

The element abundances in solar He-3-rich events are observed to vary with the soft X-ray temperature of the parent flare. The observations are consistent with thermal collisional ionization of the elements to the equilibrium-charge states expected within the flare-heated plasma at (10-15) x 10 to the 6th K. Proposed photoionization mechanisms appear to be excluded. Rapid ionization of the ions requires that the heating occur sufficiently low in the corona that the electron density exceed about (1-5) x 10 to the 8th/cu cm. Heavy-element enhancements might be a signature of material processed in the flash phase of events in contrast to unheated ambient material accelerated by a coronal shock.
Geothermal studies in the Quemado area, New Mexico

Abstract New heat-flow data and K-Ar dates from the southern periphery of the Colorado Plateau (CP) are presented. The radiometric data indicate the area around Quemado, NM was volcanically active during mid- and late-Pliocene time. The heat-flow data suggest a regional value for the area of 75–84 mW m −2 , somewhat higher than the non-volcanic regions of the Plateau. The average heat flow in the Quemado area is 10–20 mW m −2 less than the heat flow in the north-western periphery of the Plateau where a transition zone between the Basin and Range Province (BRP) and the CP is present. From geophysical data it appears that mantle upwarping (crustal thinning) is occurring under the transition between the north-western CP and the BRP. From the heat-flow data in the present study it may be concluded that, if crustal thinning is occurring in the southern periphery of the CP, then initiation of the thinning event occurred later than in the north-western periphery of the Plateau; alternatively, thinning may be occuring at a slower rate and/or a greater depth along southern CP. Spatial variability of heat-flow values suggests the presence of upper crustal heat sources and/or ground-water convection.
Comparison of the performance of inverse transformation methods from OSA-UCS to CIEXYZ

The Optical Society of America’s Uniform Color Scales (OSA-UCS) is one of the color spaces that most closely approximate a “true” uniform color space. Different techniques have been used to convert OSA-UCS-based color specification parameters, L, j, and g, to the CIE tristimulus values, X, Y, and Z. However, none of these methods provides a direct method of inverting OSA-UCS to CIEXYZ values. Thus, numerical algorithms, such as the Newton–Raphson method, have been employed to obtain the transformations. The relative low accuracy and long computation time of this method makes it undesirable for practical applications. An artificial neural network (ANN) was employed to convert OSA-UCS to CIEXYZ. Its performance was compared with that of numerical methods. After optimization, ANN gave a better performance with a mean error (ΔEXYZ) of 1.0×10−4 and a conversion time of less than 1 s for 1891 samples.
Experimental Performance of WFNA-JP-3 Rocket Motors at Different Combustion Pressures

The performance and heat transfer rates for 500-lb thrust , L* = 100 in . , rocket motors were determined experimentally as a funct ion of mixture ratio at 300, 500, and 700-psia combust ion pressures. In all cases the propellants used were white fuming nitric acid (WFNA) and je t engine fuel (JP-3). The m a x i m u m values of specific i m pulse were obtained at a mixture ratio of 4.5 and the values were 222, 235, and 246 for 300, 500, and 700-psia c o m bust ion pressure, respectively. Raising the combust ion pressure from 300 psia to 700 psia increased the over-all heat transfer for the thrust cylinder from 1.3 to 2.3 Btu per sq in . per sec and that for the nozzle from 2.8 to 6.0 Btu per sq in . per sec.
Echocardiography in the identification of unusual surgical errors resulting from attempted closure of secundum atrial septal defects: report of two cases.

Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a congenital anomaly commonly seen in adults. When uncomplicated and associated with a large left-to-right shunt, surgical closure is often recommended to prevent complications. This operation is typically a straightforward open heart procedure, with an operative mortality of 0% in a recent series of 154 patients. Closure of a large, uncomplicated ASD imparts a better long-term prognosis. Although most surgical repairs are accomplished by full sternotomy, ASDs can also be corrected using a small thoracotomy incision (minimally invasive cardiac operation). We describe 2 patients who had rare complications after operation for ASD. In each case, echocardiography was instrumental in diagnosing the complication, thereby allowing for successful correction.
Characteristics of Yoga Users: Results of a National Survey

There are limited data on the characteristics of yoga users in the U.S. To characterize yoga users, medical reasons for use, perceptions of helpfulness, and disclosure of use to medical professionals. Utilizing cross-sectional survey data from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Alternative Medicine Supplement (n = 31044), we examined correlates of yoga use for health. The estimated prevalence from 2002 NHIS of yoga for health was 5.1% corresponding to over 10 million adults. In 2002, yoga users were predominately Caucasian (85%) and female (76%) with a mean age of 39.5 years. Compared to non-yoga users, yoga users were more likely female (OR 3.76, 95% CI 3.11–4.33); less likely black than white (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.53–0.80); tended to be younger; and more likely college educated (OR 2.70, 95% CI 2.37–3.08). Musculoskeletal conditions (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.42–1.83), mental health conditions (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.22–1.67), severe sprains in the last 12 months (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.22–1.81), and asthma (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.05–1.54) were independently associated with higher yoga use, while hypertension (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.64–0.95) and chronic obstructive lung disease (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.48–1.00) were associated with lower use. Yoga was most commonly used to treat musculoskeletal or mental health conditions, and most users reported yoga to be helpful for these conditions. A majority of yoga users (61%) felt yoga was important in maintaining health, though only 25% disclosed yoga practice to their medical professional. We found that yoga users are more likely to be white, female, young and college educated. Yoga users report benefit for musculoskeletal conditions and mental health, indicating that further research on the efficacy of yoga for the treatment and/or prevention of these conditions is warranted.
Price spreads for California—Arizona navel oranges during and after the 1985 prorate suspension

In January 1985, rate-of-flow controls (“prorate”) for California-Arizona navel oranges were suspended for half the marketing season. This article compares the behavior of industry marketing margins during the deregulated period with that of regulated seasons in order to assess the impacts of the prorate suspension on the navel orange marketing system. Econometric results indicate that relative to subsequent regulated seasons, marketing margins contracted during the prorate suspension period. These results suggest that distributors did not exercise market power during the suspension period in order to maintain consumer prices at pre-suspension levels while depressing grower prices.
“If only HP knew what HP knows”: the roots of knowledge management at Hewlett‐Packard

While the term “knowledge management” is relatively new, many of the concepts have deep historical roots. Hewlett‐Packard’s strong culture and traditional business practices established an environment that encouraged innovation and the sharing of knowledge throughout the company. However, the reliance on local and informal approaches eventually became a weakness when the company had to deal with rapid growth and increased competitive pressures. The growing gap between the potential and actual value of HP’s collective intellectual assests was reflected in a widely quoted management complaint from the 1980s, “If only HP knew what HP knows.” However, the need for more explicit and deliberate strategies for managing knowledge has only recently become clear, as the disruptive technology of the Internet and the World Wide Web triggered an explosion in the availability of information and knowledge, but did nothing to expand our limited attention capacity.
Effect of evaporation time on the pervaporation characteristics through homogeneous aromatic polyamide membranes. I. Pure water permeation and membrane characterization by sorption measurements

The pervaporation of pure water through homogeneous aromatic polyamide membranes was investigated. The structure of the prepared membranes was controlled by varying the solvent evaporation times before the gelation step from 5 min to 240 min. The permeation flux of pure water decreased rapidly when the solvent evaporation time increased from 5 min to 30 min, and the decrease was rather moderate at higher evaporation times. Vapor and liquid sorption measurements were used to characterize the membranes. The amount of vapor sorption at a given relative pressure increased with an increase in the solvent evaporation time. The specific surface area of the membranes, calculated from the vapor sorption isotherm, increased with evaporation time up to 30 min, and remained constant thereafter. Liquid sorption volume, on the other hand, decreased monotonically with an increase in evaporation time. The formation of channels in the membrane is used to explain the morphology change during the solvent evaporation. The increase in the solvent evaporation time gradually increases the number of the channels in the membrane and decreases their average size. Good correlation was observed between the average size of the channels (represented by the ratio of specific volume to the specific surface area) and the parameters associated with pervaporation transport. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Partial characterization of a high affinity [Ca2+ + Mg2+]-dependent adenosinetriphosphatase from bovine retina.

Examination of retinal tissue homogenates indicated the presence of a [Ca2++Mg2+]-dependent adenosinetriphosphatase activity that exhibited high affinity for Ca2+ (K0·5 = 0·17 μm) and moderately high affinity for Mg2+ and ATP (K0·5 = 12·5 μm and Km = 22·8 μm, respectively). Maximum ATP hydrolysis occurred at pH 7·4. Under conditions of optimal substrate, cation and hydrogen ion concentrations, specific activity ranged from 15 to 18 nmol phosphate released min−1 mg−1 protein. Although the retinal [Ca2++Mg2+] adenosinetriphosphatase hydrolyzes both ATP and dATP, other nucleotides (CTP, GTP, ITP and UTP) were not hydrolyzed to any great extent. The monovalent cations, Li+, K+ and Na+, had no effect upon hydrolysis of ATP; whereas Cs+ and NH4+ ions were moderately (approximately 30%) inhibitory. All divalent cations tested were stimulatory. With the exception of rotenone which inhibited ATP hydrolysis approximately 25%; retinal adenosinetriphosphatase activity was insensitive to mitochondrial inhibitors (NaN3, KCN, ruthenium red and oligomycin). Adenosinetriphosphatase activity was observed to be very sensitive to low concentrations (I50 approximately 2 μm) of vanadate; whereas, lanthanum administration resulted in no inhibition. Removal of calmodulin (80%) resulted in reducing adenosinetriphosphatase activity 60% but addition of exogenous calmodulin back to calmodulin deficient membranes did not restore activity to starting levels. Calmodulin antagonists trifluoperazine and calmidazolium reduced significantly Ca2+ stimulated, Mg2+ dependent ATP hydrolysis. We conclude that the [Ca2++Mg2+]-dependent adenosinetriphosphatase of bovine retina is a non-mitochondrial protein exhibiting very high affinity for Ca2+ and appears to require calmodulin for maximum activity. Because of its high affinity for Ca2+, this protein may play an important role in reducing intracellular Ca2+ to nanomolar levels.
Two Generalizations of the Item Discrimination Index to Multi-Score Items

Two general item analysis indices which apply to multi-score items are developed as generalizations of a popular index applicable to dichotomous items. The indices of discrimination are of two types: one based on differential difficulty and the other on net number of positive discriminations. The usefulness and limitations of each are discussed.
ENHANCEMENT OF EXPERIMENTAL RESPIRATORY INFECTION FOLLOWING NICKEL INHALATION

Abstract The effects of nickel chloride inhalation on the enhancement of experimentally induced streptococcal infections were studied. Exposure to nickel chloride (499.2 μg Ni/m 3 ) for 2 hr produced significant enhancement in mortality. This response was observed for 24 hr after the nickel chloride exposure. A delayed clearance response of inhaled streptococci, also observed in the nickel-treated mice, supported the mortality data. Several parameters involving pulmonary cells obtained by in situ lavage 24 hr after nickel chloride exposure were also studied; no reduction in total cell yield, viability, or cellular composition was observed. A significant reduction in phagocytic capability, as compared to that of control animal cells, was observed in alveolar macrophages obtained 24 hr after nickel chloride exposure.
Stimulation of (3H)uridine incorporation into nuclear RNA of rat kidney by vitamin D metabolites.

Abstract Within 30–60 min after administration of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol or 30 min after 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, the incorporation of [3H]uridine into the nuclear RNA of kidney is stimulated 1.6-fold or 3-fold, respectively. The results suggest that 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol is the active form responsible for the stimulation of RNA synthesis. It is suggested that specific RNA and protein synthesis may be involved in the renal reabsorption of ions initiated by vitamin D or its metabolites.
Food Insecurity as a Student Issue

AbstractFood insecurity is a threat to student success on college campuses in the United States. It has the potential to impact academics, wellness, and behavior-all factors that have bearing on student retention and graduation rates. This article reviews the literature on food insecurity among college students, utilizing research on hunger and educational outcomes in K-12 education to demonstrate potential negative outcomes along the educational pipeline from elementary school to college. The author recommends that campus administrators determine the scope of food insecurity on their campuses, developing short- and long-term responses in partnership with nonprofits, governmental agencies, and faculty, to alleviate its negative impact on students.
Three-dimensional airflow distribution in a maize silo with peaked, levelled and cored grain mass configurations

Non-uniform airflow models for peaked, levelled and cored grain mass configurations in a maize silo were developed using the finite volume method. Airflow resistance due to porous media of grain material was implemented using Ergun’s equation. The linear porosity variation was implemented with low porosity at the centre and maximum at the side. Non-uniform airflow distribution for natural air drying with an airflow rate of 1.1 m3 min−1 t−1 was validated with experimental data using maize in grain bins with storage capacities of 180.0–450.0 Mt. Air velocity was predicted with reasonable accuracy for cored, levelled and peaked grain mass configurations having porosities ranging from 0.34 in the core to 0.38 towards the silo wall. Incorporation of variable porosities into the model improved the air velocity prediction. For the cored grain mass and variable porosity (0.34–0.38), the error was 4.4% at the centre and 23.1% at the periphery.
A comparison of evaporative cooling with infrared heating beneath a cirrus cloud

Data for this study were collected by the instruments mounted on the NCAR King Air and rawinsonde during the First ISCCP (International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project) Regional Experiment (MRE) on 19 October, 1986. The main purpose of this study is to understand the basic concept of evaporative cooling in a dry layer below a cirrus generating cell. Relative humidity with respect to liquid water RH w and temperature lapse rate γ e below the cirrus base at about 6.7 km were about 40% and 3.7°C km −1 , respectively. Evaporative cooling rate (ECR) in the 1. 5 km thick subcloud layer was estimated to be approximately 0.1 to 2°C h −1 and it was found to be comparable with the infrared heating rate calculated from radiation measurements. Because of ice crystal evaporation, RH w in the same layer may reach saturation with respect to ice in 1.5 hours