cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exact solution to the problem of nonlinear pulse propagation through random layered media and its connection with number triangles

Abstract An energy pulse refers to a spatially compact energy bundle. In nonlinear pulse propagation, the nonlinearity of the relevant dynamical equations could lead to pulse propagation that is nondispersive or weakly dispersive in space and time. Nonlinear pulse propagation through layered media with widely varying pulse transmission properties is not wave-like and a problem of broad interest in many areas such as optics, geophysics, atmospheric physics and ocean sciences. We study nonlinear pulse propagation through a semi-infinite sequence of layers where the layers can have arbitrary energy transmission properties. By assuming that the layers are rigid, we are able to develop exact expressions for the backscattered energy received at the surface layer. The present study is likely to be relevant in the context of energy transport through soil and similar complex media. Our study reveals a surprising connection between the problem of pulse propagation and the number patterns in the well known Pascal’s and Catalan’s triangles and hence provides an analytic benchmark in a challenging problem of broad interest. We close with comments on the relationship between this study and the vast body of literature on the problem of wave localization in disordered systems.
Path integral approach to the large- N expansion of the two-dimensional U( N) QCD

Abstract We use path integral method for the large- N expansion of the two-dimensional U( N ) QCD in the light-cone gauge. We derive the 't Hooft equation for the quark-antiquark bound states from the quadratic part of the expansion. We also derive the effective interactions of the mesons from the higher-order terms of the expansion.
Low temperature structural distortion in the high Tc Chevrel-phase superconductors PbMo6S8 and SnMo6S8

Abstract High-resolution powder neutron diffraction data reveal that, at temperatures below 100 K, oxygen-free, high- T c samples of PbMo 6 S 8 and SnMo 6 S 8 exhibit a small structural distortion from the R 3 rhombohedral space group. The data cannot be refined in a simple P 1 triclinic space group as previously reported for EuMo 6 S 8 and BaMo 6 S 8 . Thus, a supercell ordering is suggested.
Sickness in the System: The Health Costs of the Harvest

Cherie Moraga’s play, Heroes and Saints, and Helena Maria Viramontes’ novel, Under the Feet of Jesus, offer readers perspectives on the lives of migrant farm workers in California that challenge the moral imagination and conscience. Both focus on health hazards of pesticides and on the often prohibitive difficulty of getting health care for those who fall ill as a result of exposure. This paper offers a reflection on the direct political and moral appeal these works present to readers who may not see or acknowledge the sacrifices sustained by those whose undercompensated labors are an integral part of our food systems.
Petrarch's Conception of the 'Dark Ages'

IN The American Cyclopaedia of 1883 we read: 'The Dark Ages is a term applied in its widest sense to that period of intellectual depression in the history of Europe from the establishment of the barbarian supremacy in the fifth century to the revival of learning about the beginning of the fifteenth, thus nearly corresponding in extent with the Middle Ages'.' This statement from a popular work is merely a reflection of opinions held at that time by quite a few students of the Middle Ages, a fact proved, for instance, by the very title of Samuel R. Maitland's book, The Dark Ages. In this work, which appeared for the first ime in 1889, the author published a number of essays illustrating 'the state of religion and literature in the ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth centuries,' thus characterizing as 'dark' centuries like the eleventh and the twelfth which, from the present point of view, represent the climax of the mediaeval period. In the scholarly world this usage of the term 'Dark Ages' was either to be abandoned completely or at least to be restricted increasingly in its application. When in 1904 William Paton Ker published his work The Dark Ages in the collection Periods of European Literature, he stated: 'The Dark Ages and the Middle Ages ... used to be the same; two names for the same period. But they have come to be distinguished, and the Dark Ages are now no more than the first part of the Middle Age, while the term mediaeval is often restricted to the later centuries, about 1100 to 1500.'2 This restricted conception of the term found expression in a newer encyclopaedia, The Americana, in the 1909 edition of which the phrase 'The Dark Ages' is defined as 'a period supposed to extend from the fall of the Roman Empire, 475 A.D., to the revival of literature on the discovery of the Pandects at Amalfi n 1137.'" In a similar manner the eleventh edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica (1911) states that the period from the fifth to the tenth centuries is called 'the dark Age,' and affirms that 'the dark Age was a reality.'4 It is important o note, however, that in the latest (the fourteenth) edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica the term 'Dark Ages' is no longer used. On the contrary, it is explicitly stated that 'the contrast, once so fashionable, between the ages of darkness and the ages of light has no more truth in it than have the idealistic fancies which underlie attempts at mediaeval revivalism.'" Therefore, if we use the popular encyclopaedia as a means of ascertaining the nature of opinions commonly held, and the changes in such common opinions, it would seem that the notion of the mediaeval period as the 'Dark Ages' is now
Thermal conductivity of carbon fiber/liquid crystal polymer composites

Thermally conductive resins are needed for bipolar plates in fuel cells. Currently, the materials used for these bipolar plates often contain a single type of graphite in a thermosetting resin. In this study, varying amounts of two different types of polyacrylonitrile based carbon fibers, Fortafil 243 and Panex 30, were added to a thermoplastic matrix (Vectra A950RX Liquid Crystal Polymer). The resulting single filler composites were tested for thermal conductivity and a simple exponential thermal conductivity model was developed for the square root of the product of the in-plane and through-plane thermal conductivity . The experiments showed that the through-plane thermal conductivity was similar for composites up to 40 vol % fiber. However, at higher loadings, the Panex 30 samples exhibited higher thermal conductivity. The experiments also showed that the in-plane thermal conductivity of composites containing Panex 30 was higher than those containing Fortafil 243 for all volume fractions studied. Finally, the model agreed very well with experimental data covering a large range of filler volume fraction (from 0 to 55 vol % for both single filler systems). The model can be used with existing through-plane thermal conductivity models to predict in-plane thermal conductivity. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 5456–5462, 2006
The comparison of motor performance between part and whole tasks in elderly persons.

OBJECTIVE When teaching clients a multistep functional task, therapists tend to break down the task into part tasks with discrete movements. The purpose of this study was to compare the kinematic performance between part and whole tasks in elderly persons. METHOD A counterbalanced repeated-measures design was used. Twenty elderly persons without motor problems (7 men, 13 women) performed a signature task in two conditions. For the part-task condition, the participants did the task in a step-by-step manner: (a) reach for a pen, (b) bring the pen to the paper, and (c) sign the name. For the whole-task condition, the participants performed the task in an integrated continuous flow. Kinematic performances for two movement segments (i.e., reaching for the pen, bringing the pen to the paper) were compared between conditions. RESULTS Generally, the whole-task condition elicited a more efficient, more forceful, and smoother movement than the part-task condition. CONCLUSION The results suggest the importance of keeping a multistep functional task whole.
Effect Of Earth Albedo Variation On The Performance Of Spatial Acquisition Subsystem Aboard A Planetary Spacecraft

Deep-space optical communication systems generally require the use of the Sun- lit Earth as the pointing reference. For simple single-frame spatial acquisition processors, the uncertainties in Earth albedo can result in an irreducible error in acquiring the spatial location of the receiver. Multiple frame processing algorithms can be used to estimate the Earth albedo. The prior knowledge of the image shape and orientation can then be used to derive the location of the receiver.
Complementary and Alternative Therapy Use Before and After Breast Cancer Diagnosis: The Pathways Study

Many women use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to maintain or improve their health. We describe CAM use among the first 1,000 participants enrolled in the Pathways Study, an ongoing prospective cohort study of women diagnosed with breast cancer (BC). Participants, identified by rapid case ascertainment in Kaiser Permanente Northern California, are women > or = 21 years diagnosed with first invasive BC. Comprehensive baseline data are collected on CAM use through in-person interviews. Study participants include 70.9% non-Hispanic whites, 10.2% Hispanics, 9.0% Asians, 6.5% African-Americans, and 3.4% others. Most women (82.2%) were diagnosed with AJCC stage I/II BC at average (+/-SD) age 59.5 (+/-12.0) years and reported prior use of at least one form of CAM (96.5% of participants). In the 5 years before diagnosis, CAM therapies used at least weekly by >20% of women included green tea, glucosamine, omega-3 fatty acids, prayer and religion. CAM use was high (86.1% of participants) in the period immediately following diagnosis; 47.5% used botanical supplements, 47.2% used other natural products, 28.8% used special diets, 64.2% used mind-body healing, and 26.5% used body/energy/other treatments. In multivariable analyses, frequent use of each CAM modality before and after diagnosis was associated with use of other CAM modalities and other health behaviors (i.e., high fruit/vegetable intake, lower BMI). CAM use before and after BC diagnosis is common in this diverse group of women. Our results emphasize the need for clinicians to discuss CAM use with all BC patients.
Potential bile acid metabolites. 1. The epimeric 3ϵ,7α,12β-trihydroxy-5β-cholanic acids. Raney nickel as an epimerizing catalyst.

Abstract The epimeric 3α,7α,12β- and 3β,7α,12β-trihydroxy-5β-cholanic acids have been prepared. Under ambient hydrogenation conditions with Raney nickel as catalyst the axial 3β-ester ( 4b ) is epimerized to the 3α-compound ( 2b ).
Changes in inflammatory processes associated with selective vulnerability following mild impairment of oxidative metabolism

Abstract Abnormalities in oxidative metabolism and reductions of thiamine-dependent enzymes accompany many age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Thiamine deficiency (TD) produces a cascade of events including mild impairment of oxidative metabolism, activation of microglia, astrocytes and endothelial cells that leads to neuronal loss in select brain regions. The earliest changes occur in a small, well-defined brain region, the submedial thalamic nucleus (SmTN). In the present study, a micropunch technique was used to evaluate quantitatively the selective regional changes in mRNA and protein levels. To test whether this method can distinguish between changes in vulnerable and non-vulnerable regions, markers for neuronal loss (NeuN) and endothelial cells (eNOS) and inflammation (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) in SmTN and cortex of control and TD mice were assessed. TD significantly reduced NeuN and increased CD11b, GFAP and ICAM-1 immunoreactivity in SmTN as revealed by immunocytochemistry. When assessed on samples obtained by the micropunch method, NeuN protein declined (− 49%), while increased mRNA levels were observed for eNOS (3.7-fold), IL-1β (43-fold), IL-6 (44-fold) and TNF-α (64-fold) in SmTN with TD. The only TD-induced change that occurred in cortex with TD was an increase in TNF-α (22-fold) mRNA levels. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α protein levels increased in TD brains and colocalized with glial markers. The consistency of these quantitative results with immunocytochemical measurements validates the micropunch technique. The results demonstrate that TD induces quantitative, distinct inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in vulnerable and non-vulnerable regions that may underlie selective vulnerability.
TEXTURAL CHARACTERIZATI, ON OF SQUID (Loligo pealei L.): INSTRUMENTAL AND PANEL EVALUATIONS

Instrumental tests and profile panel evaluations were used to characterize the textural attributes of squid mantles cooked in water to 50, 60, 70, or 80°C, or cooked for 1, 4, 8, 16, or 32 min after reaching 100°C. A comparison of results from each specific cook treatment was used to interpret textural changes caused by heat and duration of heating at 100°C. Shear type tests, a single blade, and a punch and die, demonstrated that the amount of force and energy required to cut cooked mantles was dependent upon the orientation of the shearing apparatus relative to the direction of muscle fibers and on the side of the mantle initially cut. These anisotropic and nonhomogeneous aspects of the cooked mantle are due to thermal hardening of muscle fibers and to the distribution and heat gelatinization of connective tissues. A unique isometric tension test demonstrated that hydrothermal shrinkage of connective tissues also influenced squid texture. Panel evaluations indicated that two groupings of textural character notes best described texture of cooked squid. Character notes assessing mantle strength correlated with the results of rheological tests. Character notes denoting mantle moisture were not explained by instrumental tests, but were an essential supplement describing the mouthfeel of cooked squid.
Nuclear binding of guinea pig uterine progesterone receptor in cell-free preparations

Abstract The transfer of guinea pig uterine progesterone receptors from cytosol to nuclei, in cell-free incubations, was studied using an exchange method to measure receptors. In order to validate the exchange measurement of the nuclear receptors, the direct nuclear uptake of [ 3 H]-progesterone-receptor (RcP ∗ )† and [ 3 H]-R5020-receptor (RcR5020 ∗ ) was compared with the uptake of unlabeled RcP or RcR5020, followed by exchange of RnP or RnR5020 with the corresponding [ 3 H]-steroid. Under a variety of experimental conditions the amounts of receptor measured by both methods were very similar. We found that temperature-activated cytosol receptor was bound by nuclei in the absence of added progesterone. The addition of 10 −9 and 10 −8 M progesterone increased receptor translocation, but higher concentrations of progesterone decreased receptor binding by nuclei. Other steroids that were bound by the 7S progesterone receptor of uterine cytosol and translocated to nuclei (5α-pregnanedione, R5020) also increased receptor binding by nuclei at concentrations of 10 −9 and 10 −8 M, but decreased binding at higher concentrations. Cortisol, corticosterone, testosterone and 17β-estradiol had no effect at concentrations below 10 −8 M, but at higher concentrations increased progesterone receptor binding by nuclei. Compounds with no apparent binding affinity for receptors in uterine cytosol (5β-pregnane 3α,20α-diol, 20α-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one) had no effect on receptor translocation. When nuclei were incubated with cytosol in the absence of progesterone, the nuclear receptor subsequently bound [ 3 H]-progesterone and [ 3 H]-R5020 rapidly at 0°C. Equilibrium was reached within l h. When nuclei were incubated with progestin-receptor complexes of cytosol, the nuclear receptor exchanged slowly with [ 3 H]-progestins at 0°C. Four hours were required for exchange with [ 3H -progesterone. Exchange with [ 3 H]-R5020 was only partial (40%) after 24 h.
Non-recurrent congestion: How big is the problem? Are traveler information systems the solution?

Abstract Recent research on highway congestion has calculated that over 50% of delays are non-recurrent (incident produced). A common inference seems to be that non-recurrent delay constitutes over 50% of the “congestion problem.” But this inference overlooks the fact that non-recurrent delays would not be nearly as large if highways were not already overloaded, and that as travelers respond to changes in non-recurrent delay, additional demand could significantly reduce the percentage gain. Within this paper, the issue of incident delay is examined from the alternative perspective of “effective capacity” (which will be equivalent to the expected capacity over time). When evaluated from this view, strategies aimed at alleviating peak-period, incident-caused congestion (such as Incident Management, IM, and Advanced-Traveler-Information-Systems, ATIS) have only a marginal long-term effect on the average delay of congested highways. The conclusion is that neither ATIS nor IM can be relied on as the solution to peak-period congestion. It is also unrealistic to consider either ATIS or IM as an effective alternative to the conventional strategy of adding lanes and building highways.
Rates of hydroxyl radical generation and organic compound oxidation in mineral-catalyzed Fenton-like systems.

The iron oxide-catalyzed production of hydroxyl radical (•OH) from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has been used to oxidize organic contaminants in soils and groundwater. The goals of this study are to de...
The influence of the treatment of the support upon properties of thin-film gas chromatography column packings

Abstract The effect of a variety of procedures for the deactivation of the support surface upon the partitioning and adsorptive properties of thin-film gas chromatography column packings has been investigated. Studies with a silicone stationary phase and two polyesters coated upon acid-washed, acid-washed and silanized, a d acid-washed and polyvinylpyrrolidone-treated supports have demonstrated that selectivitity of retention of functional group-substituted steroids and quantitative aspects of analysis are influenced by the mode of treatment of the support.
Phase evolution and superconductivity emergence in repetitively annealed Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O thin films

Abstract Bi(Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O superconducting thin films on MgO (100) substrates have been made by laser deposition in combination with repetitive post-annealing treatments. The films of nominal composition (Bi, Pb) 2 Sr 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O 10+δ were deposited at 400°C and then heated in air at a rate of 75–80°C/min, held at 845–847°C for 10 min, quenched to 600°C at a rate of 80°C/ min, and slowly cooled at a rate of 3.3°C/min to room temperature. The Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8+δ (2212) phase was found to crystallize first in these as-deposited amorphous films, whereas the (Bi, Pb) 2 Sr 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O 10+δ (2223) phase was grown in large quantities by repeating the annealing cycle. With this protocol, the 2223 phase is developed more effectively than that observed in the long period of annealing, and the formation of pinholes on the surface is significantly reduced. Surface morphologies examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are improved for films repetitively annealed under reduced pressure conditions. The results of magnetic susceptibility measurements on these films correspond well with the phase behavior seen by X-ray diffractometry (XRD) analyses. The transport critical current densities, T c , of the film are 9.0×10 5 and 5.5×10 4 A/cm 2 at 5 and 40 K, respectively. The magnetization critical current densities derived from M ( H ) data at 6 K are two orders of magnitude higher in the orientation of H ⊥ c -axis than of H ‖ c -axis. As a preliminary study, XRD line-broadening analysis was performed to investigate the effects of lattice strain and crystallite size in the set of films that were annealed at various temperatures for 3–6 h. The microstrain values are in the range of 10 -4 -10 -3 , and the crystallite sizes in films obtained for the 2212 and 2223 phases depend on annealing time, temperature, and cooling rate. Microstrain associated with the 2223 phase is more sensitive to annealing parameters. These results suggest that XRD line-broadening analysis may be a valuable method to study the growth mechanism and material properties of the repetitively annealed films.
Distribution of Extracellular Matrices, Matrix Receptors, and Transforming Growth Factor-β1 in Human and Experimental Lung Granulomatous Inflammation

Aberrant deposition of extracellular matrices (ECMs) may affect lung inflammation by influencing cell adhesion, migration, and activation. Little is known about the expression of ECMs in lungs with granulomatous inflammation. Therefore, the authors investigated the distribution of ECMs, matrix receptors of the integrin family, and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) in lungs from patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis and animals with experimental granulomatosis. Immunohistochemistry revealed increased deposition of type I collagen and fibronectin in human lung granulomas when compared with healthy human lungs. Procollagen type I and cellular fibronectin also were increased, suggesting local synthesis of ECM in sarcoid granulomas. These findings were accompanied by increased staining for fibronectin (α5βl) and collagen (α2βl) integrin receptors. The matrix-inducing cytokine TGF-β1 was co-distributed with the aforementioned molecules in the granulomas, whereas no significant staining for TGF-β1 was found in healthy lungs. Similar to sarcoid lungs, analysis of lung sections obtained from a murine model of granuloma formation revealed increased expression of fibronectin, collagen, integrin receptors, and TGF-β1 within granulomas. Based on these observations, there is increased expression of ECM and matrix receptors in both human and experimental lung granulomas. Such alterations may influence the recruitment and activation of inflammatory cells and fibroblasts, promoting granuloma formation and remodeling of tissue by fibrosis. Activation of mononuclear cells resulting in production of TGF-β1 is likely to contribute to the changes described.
Effects of genotype, habitat, and seasonal variation on iridoid glycoside content of Plantago lanceolata (Plantaginaceae) and the implications for insect herbivores

We investigated the effects of genotype, habitat, and seasonal variation on production of the iridoid glycosides, aucubin and catalpol, in leaves of the common weed Plantago lanceolata. Two genotypes, one each from a lawn and an adjacent abandoned hayfield population, were clonally replicated in the greenhouse, and then planted back into the two habitats. One quarter of the plants from each treatment were harvested on each of four dates, at approximately two-week intervals. Over the course of the growing season, and in both habitats, we found a significant increase in the concentration of both aucubin and catalpol in P. lanceolata leaves. The genotypes differed in their response to environmental variation, both in time and between sites, as indicated by significant genotype x date and genotype x site interactions. Early in the season, habitat (lawn or field) had a greater effect on iridoid glycoside concentration than did plant genotype, but later in the season, plant genotype was more influential in determining the iridoid glycoside concentration. Thus, the relative palatability of Plantago genotypes to specialist and generalist herbivores may vary in time and space.
Propagation of Alfvén waves through the ionosphere

Abstract Waves in the 1 Hz frequency band are commonly observed at all local times by both ground observations of magnetic fields as well as satellite observations of electric and magnetic fields. Such waves may be externally generated in the outer magnetosphere, such as Pc1 oscillations that are generally thought to be generated by ion cyclotron instabilities in or near the cusp region of the magnetopause, or may be self-consistently generated in the ionospheric resonant cavity. Modeling the ground signatures of such waves is complicated by the fact that at these frequencies, the electromagnetic skin depth is comparable to the ionospheric thickness and so the vertical structure of the ionosphere must be resolved. In addition, the Hall conductivity in the ionosphere couples shear Alfven waves to compressional (fast) mode waves that can propagate across field lines in the ionosphere. A model has been developed which can describe these interactions, and which can determine the ground signatures of Pc1 oscillations not only on the field line on which they are generated but also as they propagate horizontally through the ionospheric waveguide. First results from this model are presented.
Defining States: Reconsiderations and Recommendations

This article focuses on the definition of states-an issue that has been a central concern for the Correlates of War Project in particular and international relations in general. The paper argues that we need to move away from the crude dichotomous conceptualization of state system membership, which is far too simple and rigid, to the conceptualization of state membership as a continuous attribute. Two underlying dimensions of stateness are suggested. The first refers to the internal organization of the geopolitical units (GPUs) and focuses on the size, autonomy and cohesion (SAC Index) of the GPU, while the second reflects the way in which a GPU relates to other GPUs and concentrates on interdependence, interaction and recognition (IIR Index). Conceptualizing "stateness" in this way represents a richer and more sophisticated theoretical approach.
Persistent displacement of the RS-T segment in a case of metastatic tumor of the heart☆

Abstract A case of carcinoma of the esophagus with massive metastases to the heart is reported. Serial electrocardiograms displayed persistent upward displacement of the RS-T segment in Leads II, III, and Lead V F , and in a number of the unipolar precordial leads. It was probably caused by almost continuous acute myocardial injury as the neoplastic tissue infiltrated the cardiac musculature.
Optical characterization of thin films: Theory

A general approach to the optical characterization of thin films is developed. A numerical scheme is used to invert sets of optical equations for a stratified medium to solve for the optical constants and thickness of a thin film that is part of the medium. This inversion makes it possible to use any combination of measurements with the required information content. The inversion is essentially exact, and is also used in an error analysis of various optical methods. Several new optical methods involving reflectance and transmittance measurements are described and shown to give improvements in convenience and sensitivity.
S-parameter based multimode signaling

As the demands for higher density of interconnects and denser packages are increasing, crosstalk is becoming more important in input/output (I/O) design. Multimode signaling has been investigated for crosstalk cancellation. This paper presents a new scattering parameter (S-parameter) based methodology for multimode signaling. The set of coder/decoder coefficients (CODEC) is obtained from the S-parameters of the whole channel, which makes the scheme more applicable for practical systems. The derived CODEC shows a 20 dB improvement in signal-to-noise ratio and 45% reduction of root mean square (RMS) jitter compared with single-ended signaling for a practical benchmark problem.
Further studies on oviposition and vasotocin release in the hen.

Abstract We have shown in previous reports (Douglas and Sturkie, 1964; and Sturkie and Lin, 1966) that vasotocin is released just prior to ovulation and appeared to be responsible for initiating uterine contraction and oviposition (see also review by Sturkie, 1966). Opel (1966) also has reported an apparent causal relation between vasotocin release and oviposition by inducing premature laying by brain piqure and showing high plasma levels of vasotocin coincident with laying. However, these data do not prove that vasotocin release actually causes oviposition. Premature oviposition produced by injections of acetylcholine and nembutal (Sturkie and Lin, 1966; Sturkie, 1966) did not cause release of vasotocin. Uterine distention with a balloon or intraperitoneal injection of hypertonic agents (Sturkie and Lin, 1966) and intracarotid injections (unpublished data) likewise were ineffective in releasing vasotocin, but are effective in releasing vasopressin in mammals. The objectives of this experiment were to determine the effects upon vasotocin . . .
Suppression effects of diluents on laminar premixed hydrogen/oxygen/nitrogen flames

Laminar burning velocities and the flame response to stretch, as characterized by Markstein numbers, were determined experimentally and computationally for outwardly propagating spherical laminar premixed flames. The mixtures studied were premixed hydrogen/air/diluent and hydrogen/30% oxygen and 70% nitrogen (by volume)/diluent flames, with the latter condition of interest for pre-external vehicular activity preparation activities on board manned spacecraft. Other flame conditions were room temperature (300 K), fuel-equivalence ratios of 1.0 and 1.8, pressures of 0.5, 0.7, and 1.0 atm, diluents including helium, argon, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide as suppression agents, and diluent concentrations of 0–40% (by volume), which implies oxygen indices of 30–10 for present conditions. Predicted flame behavior was obtained from one-dimensional, spherically symmetric, steady, and time-dependent numerical simulations with variable-property and multicomponent transport and with detailed hydrogen/oxygen chemical kinetics. Flames studied were sensitive to stretch, yielding unstretched/stretched laminar burning velocity ratios of 0.6–1.25 for conditions well away from quenching conditions (e.g., Karlovitz numbers; Ka 0.5). Diluents became more effective (provided greater reductions of the laminar burning velocity for a given diluent concentration) in the order helium, argon, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide, which reflects their increased capabilities either to quench the reaction zone by increased specific heats or to reduce flame velocities by reduced transport rates. The addition of diluents generally decreased Markstein numbers, which made the flames more susceptible to preferential-diffusion instability. This effect increases flame speeds and tends to counteract the effect of diluents to reduce laminar burning velocities.
Direct Binding to Rsp5p Regulates Ubiquitination-independent Vacuolar Transport of Sna3p

The sorting of integral membrane proteins such as carboxypeptidase S (Cps1p) into the luminal vesicles of multivesicular bodies (MVBs) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae requires ubiquitination of their cytosolic domains by the ubiquitin ligases Rsp5p and/or Tul1p. An exception is Sna3p, which does not require ubiquitination for entry into MVBs. The mechanism underlying this ubiquitination-independent MVB sorting pathway has not yet been characterized. Here, we show that Sna3p sorting into the MVB pathway depends on a direct interaction between a PPAY motif within its C-terminal cytosolic tail and the WW domains of Rsp5p. Disruption of this interaction inhibits vacuolar targeting of Sna3p and causes its accumulation in a compartment that overlaps only partially with MVBs. Surprisingly, Sna3p does require a functional ubiquitin-ligase HECT domain within Rsp5p; however, the dependence of Sna3p on HECT domain activity is distinct from that of Cps1p. Last, we show that Sna3p requires neither Tul1p nor the transmembrane adaptor protein Bsd2p for its MVB sorting. Our data demonstrate that Sna3p follows a novel ubiquitination-independent, but Rsp5p-mediated, sorting pathway to the vacuole.
Longitudinal follow-up of hypermetropic children identified during preschool vision screening.

Purpose Early childhood hypermetropia is an important risk factor for the development of amblyopia and esotropia. Understanding the natural history of these complications aids in management decisions. Methods A retrospective observational review was undertaken of 149 patients referred from a preschool photoscreening program who were determined to have hypermetropia of ≥+3.75 D spherical equivalent on criterion standard examination and were treated/followed by one group of academic pediatric ophthalmologists. The prevalence and incidence of accommodative esotropia and amblyopia were determined. Results At presentation 19% of hypermetropic children had amblyopia, 32% had esotropia, and 13% had both. Follow-up data of 108 patients during a mean of 40 months showed that 20 (24%) of 83 initially nonamblyopic patients developed amblyopia and that 22 (33%) of 67 initially nonstrabismic patients developed accommodative esotropia. Of patients initially managed with observation, 38% (6 of 16) developed amblyopia, and 31% (5 of 16) developed accommodative esotropia as compared with 21% (14 of 67) and 33% (17 of 51), respectively, for those given full or partial refractive correction. For patients without amblyopia or strabismus at presentation, only 20% developed amblyopia and 35% esotropia. Strabismic patients responded well to treatment, with no cases developing partially accommodative strabismus requiring surgery during follow-up. Conclusions In this case series we found a high prevalence of amblyopia and strabismus. The results support the importance of early preschool vision screening and spectacle correction of moderate to high hypermetropia (>+3.50 D) to reduce the risk of amblyopia, although more research is needed.
Using UMLS-based Re-Weighting Terms as a Query Expansion Strategy

Search engines have significantly improved the efficiency of bio-medical literature searching. These search engines, however, still return many results that are irrelevant to the intention of a user's query. To improve precision and recall, various query expansion strategies are widely used. In this paper, we explore the three widely used query expansion strategies - local analysis, global analysis, and ontology-based term re- weighting across various search engines. Through experiments, we show that ontology-based term re-weighting works best. Term re-weighting reformulates queries with selection of key original query terms and re-weights these key terms and their associated synonyms from UMLS. The results of experiments show that with LUCENE and LEMUR, the average precision is enhanced by up to 20.3% and 12.1%, respectively, compared to baseline runs. We believe the principles of this term re-weighting strategy may be extended and utilized in other bio-medical domains. users and suggest the user to refine the original query. In this research, three query expansion strategies - local analysis, global analysis, and ontology-based term re-weighting - integrated with the UMLS (Unified Medical Language System) are compared. These methods are applied to the Ad Hoc Retrieval task of the TREC 2004 Genomics task.
Out smoking on the big screen: tobacco use in LGBT movies, 2000–2011

Objective Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people have significantly higher smoking prevalence than heterosexual people in the USA. The reasons for this disparity remain unclear. Tobacco use in movies has a substantial influence on tobacco use behaviours, particularly among youth. Yet, no research has examined tobacco use in movies for LGBT audiences or containing LGBT characters. Methods We identified 81 US movies from 2000 to 2011 with a theatre release and with LGBT themes or characters. We then selected a random sample of these movies (n=45) for quantitative content analysis to examine the proportion of movies with depictions of tobacco use and the number of occurrences of tobacco use. Results Tobacco use was depicted in 87% (95% CI 80% to 94%) of movies with an average of four occurrences of tobacco use per hour (95% CI 3 to 5). Only 15% (95% CI 8% to 23%) of movies and 3% of all depictions of tobacco use conveyed any harms of tobacco use. Conclusions Viewers of movies with LGBT themes or characters are exposed, on average, to one depiction of tobacco use for every 15 min of movie run-time. As a major component of the entertainment media environment, movies may contribute to smoking among LGBT people.
A Perfect Integration of Neural Networks and Evolutionary Algorithms

Evolutionary computation techniques need to interact with a fitness function or an objective function for the selection to be made properly. In cases objective functions are not well defined, evolutionary algorithms may not be able to perform properly. In this paper, we propose to use a well-trained neural network model to provide estimates of objective values at points that we have not experienced to support the selection process of the evolutionary algorithm. An example of gasoline blending task is used to demonstrate that such an integrated system functions as a powerful tool for product design.
Crisi pubblica e crisi privata

Ci sono due ambiti primari per la crisi: il pubblico e il privato. In una crisi pubblica, gli altri sono assolutamente consapevoli di quello che e successo. In una crisi privata, gli altri potrebbero rendersi conto o meno del precipitare di un evento (per esempio, della diagnosi di demenza di un genitore). Una crisi privata puo includere tutti gli aspetti della capacita di funzionamento di un individuo.
Shiga‐toxigenic Escherichia coli O157 and non‐Shiga‐toxigenic E. coli O157 respond differently to culture and isolation from naturally contaminated bovine faeces

Aim: To quantify the effect of enrichment, immunomagnetic separation (IMS), and selective plating procedures on isolation of Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli O157 (STEC O157) and non-Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli O157 (non-STEC O157) from naturally contaminated bovine faeces. Methods and Results: Two broth enrichment times, two IMS strategies, and two selective plating media were evaluated. STEC O157 and non-STEC O157 strains were often isolated from the same faecal specimen and responded differently to the isolation protocols. A large-volume IMS system was more sensitive than a conventional small-volume IMS method, but was also more expensive. STEC O157 was more frequently isolated from 6 h enriched broth and ChromAgar plates containing 0AE63 mg l )1 potassium tellurite (TCA). Non-STEC O157 was more frequently isolated from un-enriched broth and ChromAgar plates without tellurite (CA). Conclusions: The combination of 6-h enrichment in Gram-negative broth containing vancomycin, cefixime and cefsuludin, large volume IMS and selective plating on TCA maximized STEC O157 recovery from naturally contaminated cattle faecal specimens. Significance and Impact of the Study: The pairing of proper enrichment with a specific plating procedure is key for STEC O157 recovery from naturally contaminated bovine faeces. Incorporating tellurite into an E. coli O157 detection strategy may select for the subset of E. coli O157 that contains the Shiga-toxin genes.
Echocardiographic Evidence for a Ductal Tissue Sling Causing Discrete Coarctation of the Aorta in the Neonate: Case Report

A neonate presented to our institution with the physical findings of coarctation of the aorta. After starting prostaglandin E1 the signs and symptoms resolved despite persistent closure of the ductus arteriosus. We present echocardiographic evidence to support the contention that a ductal tissue sling contributes to the formation of juxtaductal coarctation of the aorta.
Bounds on the number of slicing, mosaic, and general floorplans

A floorplan can be defined as a rectangular dissection of the floorplan region. Simple and tight asymptotic bounds on the number of floorplans for different dissection structures help us to evaluate the size of the solution space of different floorplan representation. They are also interesting theoretically. However, only loose bounds exist in the literature. In this paper, we derive tighter asymptotic bounds on the number of slicing, mosaic and general floorplans. Consider the floorplanning of n blocks. For slicing floorplan, we prove that the exact number is n!((-1)/sup n+1//2)/spl Sigma//sub k=0//sup n/(3+/spl radic/8)/sup n-2k/(/sub k//sup 1/2/)(/sub n - k//sup 1/2/) and the tight bound is /spl Theta/(n!2/sup 2.543n//n/sup 1.5/) [9] . For mosaic floorplan, we prove that the tight bound is /spl Theta/(n!2/sup 3n//n/sup 4/). For general floorplan, we prove a tighter lower bound of /spl Omega/(n!2/sup 3n//n/sup 4/) and a tighter upper bound of O(n!2/sup 5n//n/sup 4.5/).
TOWARD A LIFESPAN METRIC OF READING FLUENCY

Much evidence suggests complexity in cognitive and motor task performances [Gilden, 2001]. The present study builds upon this work, treating reading of text as a kind of complex coordination or coupling between reader and reading conditions. Three self-paced reading conditions presented connect text in units of different sizes: word, phrase, or sentence units, and repeatedly measure times between spacebar presses to advance the text. The three conditions reveal different patterns across the data. These patterns were evaluated using fractal analyses and Recurrent Quantification Analyses to distinguish highly fluent readers, PhD candidates in English literature, from competent but less fluent undergraduate readers.
Properties of PbTiO/sub 3/ grown by the multiple magnetron sputtering method

Deposition behavior of lead titanate as grown on silicon substrates by the multiple magnetron sputtering method from metallic titanium and lead targets has been investigated. The films have been analyzed by RBS, SEM and X-ray diffraction to determine film composition, structure, and morphology. The perovskite phase of PbTiO/sub 3/ has been observed. Preliminary dielectric measurements indicate an /spl epsi//sub r/ of about 75 with a high loss tangent. The films will be used to fabricate a dynamic test device with the ultimate goal of fabricating a high performance uncooled infrared sensor array.
Myosin-IIA Heavy-Chain Phosphorylation Regulates the Motility of MDA-MB-231 Carcinoma Cells

In mammalian nonmuscle cells, the mechanisms controlling the localized formation of myosin-II filaments are not well defined. To investigate the mechanisms mediating filament assembly and disassembly during generalized motility and chemotaxis, we examined the EGF-dependent phosphorylation of the myosin-IIA heavy chain in human breast cancer cells. EGF stimulation of MDA-MB-231 cells resulted in transient increases in both the assembly and phosphorylation of the myosin-IIA heavy chains. In EGF-stimulated cells, the myosin-IIA heavy chain is phosphorylated on the casein kinase 2 site (S1943). Cells expressing green fluorescent protein-myosin-IIA heavy-chain S1943E and S1943D mutants displayed increased migration into a wound and enhanced EGF-stimulated lamellipod extension compared with cells expressing wild-type myosin-IIA. In contrast, cells expressing the S1943A mutant exhibited reduced migration and lamellipod extension. These observations support a direct role for myosin-IIA heavy-chain phosphorylation in mediating motility and chemotaxis.
From Cognitive Modeling to Self-Regulation: A Social Cognitive Career Path

My career path to understanding the source and nature of human learning started with an interest in social processes, especially cognitive modeling, and has led to the exploration of self-regulatory processes. My investigation of these processes has prompted the development of several social cognitive models: a triadic model that synthesized covert, behavioral, and environmental sources of personal feedback, a multilevel model of training that begins with observational learning and proceeds sequentially to self-regulation, and a cyclical phase model that depicts the interaction of metacognitive and motivational processes during efforts to learn. Empirical support for each of these models is discussed, including its implications for formal and informal forms of instruction. This self-regulation research has revealed that students who set superior goals proactively, monitor their learning intentionally, use strategies effectively, and respond to personal feedback adaptively not only attain mastery more quic...
How important are dispositional factors as determinants of job satisfaction? Implications for job design and other personnel programs.

According to recent research, stable dispositional factors may result in considerable consistency in attitudes such as job satisfaction across time and situations. If true, this finding may have important implications. For example, Staw and Ross (1985) argued that "many situational changes such as job redesign . . . may not affect individuals as intended." Such personnel programs "may be prone to failure because they must contend with attitudinal consistency" (p. 478). The present article has two purposes. Fiist, methodological and conceptual problems with the Staw and Ross assessment of the impact of situational and dispositional factors on job satisfaction are discussed. Second, given Staw and Ross's focus on job redesign, this article examines the impact on job satisfaction of changes in two very different measures of job complexity. Findings indicate that changes in situational factors such as job complexity are important predictors of job satisfaction, consistent with Hackman and Oldham's (1975, 1976) job design model. In contrast, measurement problems preclude accurate assessment of the predictive power of dispositional factors. Contrary to the concern raised by Staw and Ross (1985) and Staw, Bell, and Clausen (1986), it does not appear likely that the success of personnel programs will be significantly constrained by the influence of attitudinal consistency. Locke (1969) denned job satisfaction as "a function of the perceived relationship between what one wants from one's job and what one perceives it as offering". Presumably, this definition points to the importance of both dispositional and situational factors as determinants of job satisfaction. In practice, however, Mitchell (1979) suggested that personality variables have received relatively little attention in empirical research on
Parameterization of Energy Balance Components and Remote Sensing in Systems Modeling

Es ma on of a number of parameters using simula on models has proven to be a valuable source of informa on from which we can assess the impact of scenarios that would be diffi cult to determine experimentally, or for which it would be diffi cult to conceptualize an appropriate experiment design. However, simula on models require extensive inputs that are not always easily found or exist at the spa al or temporal resolu on needed for the models. Many simula on models require energy inputs that represent the energy balance of the surface, and there have been several a empts to derive diff erent inputs. There have been various methods to es mate solar radia on from combina ons of air temperature, al tude, and precipita on. Albedo has been es mated from several diff erent methods using either combina ons of refl ectance or simple regression models. Long-wave radia on from the atmosphere has been es mated using regression models of vapor pressure and air temperature. Many of these parameteriza ons have been derived using locally available data, and eff orts are needed for broader evalua on of these methods. Crop simula on models produce a variety of es mates for plant growth; among these are leaf area index, biomass, and ground cover. These parameters can be measured directly, o en a laborious task and not at the scale needed for model evalua on, or they can be es mated from remotely sensed observa ons. This approach not only provides an independent measure of the crop parameters to compare with model simula ons, but a poten al feedback into the model simulaon to help correct the model over me. Challenges remain in our eff orts to improve models and provide the input necessary to further our ability to understand the complexi es of the interac ons in the soil–plant–atmosphere con nuum. J.L. Ha ield, USDA-ARS, Na onal Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment, 2110 University Blvd., Ames, IA 50011 (jerry.ha ield@ars.usda.gov). doi:10.2134/advagricsystmodel2.c9