cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tree-ring evidence for climatically effective volcanic eruptions

Ringwidth variations from temperature-sensitive upper timberline sites in the Sierra Nevada show a marked correspondence to the decadal pattern of volcanic sulfate aerosols recorded in a Greenland ice-core acidity profile and a significant negative growth response to individual explosive volcanic events. The appearance of single events in the mid-latitude tree-ring record, in connection with ice-core evidence from the arctic and historical records from the Mediterranean, indicates that the majority of these events represent climatically effective volcanic eruptions, producing temperature decreases on the order of 1°C for up to 2 yr after the initial eruption. Clusters of climatically effective volcanic events may serve as a trigger to glaciation and are consistently associated with lowered ringwidths and late-Holocene glacier advance in the Sierra Nevada. The tree-ring record strongly suggests forcing of solar radiation receipt and temperatures by increased volcanic aerosols, especially during the Recess Peak advances and Matthes (Little Ice Age) advances from 1400 to 1850 A.D. Intervals with an absence of significant volcanic aerosol production or historically documented eruptive activity correspond to intervals of significantly increased indexed ringwidth values, minimal numbers of severe annual negative ringwidth anomalies, and an absence of glacial deposits in the southern Sierra Nevada.
On Becoming a Billfisherman: Study of Enculturation

Sportfishing for large ocean pelagic billfish species, such as marlin and sailfish, is the most glamorous, and expensive, of the many types of recreational fishing in the U.S. Tournaments are events which simultaneously organize and reify the subculture of billfishing. A survey of participants of eight such tournaments revealed a progression of recreational activities leading into the sport of billfishing. Three conceptual models are examined to assist in the understanding of the social processes by which anglers are recruited, enculturated and maintained in the subculture. Such an analysis has important implications for the management of fisheries under recently enacted federal and state legislation.
Cell sodium activity and sodium pump function in frog skin

Cell Na activity, acNa, was measured in the short-circuited frog skin by simultaneous cell punctures from the apical surface with open-tip and Na-selective microelectrodes. Skins were bathed on the serosal surface with NaCl Ringer and, to reduce paracellular conductance, with NaNO3, Ringer on the apical surface. Under control conditions acNa averaged 8 +/- 2 mM (n = 9, SD). Apical addition of amiloride (20 microM) or Na replacement reduced acNa to 3 mM in 6-15 min. Sequential decreases in apical [Na] induced parallel reductions in acNa and cell current, Ic. On restoring Na after several minutes of exposure to apical Na-free solution Ic rose rapidly (approximately less than 30 sec) to a stable value while acNa increased exponentially, with a time constant of 1.8 +/- 0.7 min (n = 8). Analysis of the time course of acNa indicates that the pump Na flux is linearly related to acNa in the range 2-12 mM. These results indicate that acNa plays an important role in relating apical Na entry to basolateral active Na flux.
Chemical storage of solar energy ― kinetics of heterogeneous NH3 and H2SO4 reactions. I: Analysis of experimental reaction and mass transfer data

Abstract The exothermic heterogeneous reaction of ammonia vapor and liquid sulfuric acid (H2O + SO3) to produce ammonium hydrogen sulfate and ammonium sulfate is important for the recovery of stored energy in the small molecules, H2O, SO3 and NH3. As the first part of a chemical reaction engineering analysis, literature data on the reaction and mass transfer were analyzed. The reaction rate constant as a function of temperature and the mass transfer coefficient as a function of the dynamical variables in a flow system were determined. The reaction mechanism in concentrated liquid phase is pseudo-second order and the rate is extremely fast. However, for the heterogeneous system with ammonia transferred from the vapor phase the mass transfer is rate controlling. A broad range of mass transfer data, covering packed columns and dispersed phase droplets, was correlated over 15 orders of magnitude by the j D -factor correlation method.
CAUSAL ATTRIBUTION TO OTHER PEOPLE AND EXPECTED PERFORMANCE: THE MEDIATIONAL ROLE OF INTERPERSONAL TRUST

Sumnasy.-An experiment investigated the proposal that, when causal attribution over a performance is to the voluntary help of other people that person's expected performance is mediated by his interpersonal trust. For trusting persons causal attribution to other people implies consistency between past performance and future expectancies, whereas for those low in trust such consistency is not implied. 36 students in introductory psychology participated in the study which manipulated interpersonal trust (highhow) and importance of performance (high/low) in a 2 x 2 between-subjects factorial design. Subjects were led to believe that their performance would be largely affected by another person. The subjects' expected performance was the dependent variable. Results supported the proposed mediating effect of interpersonal trust on expected performance following attribution of causality to other people.
The Diameter of Sparse Random Graphs

We consider the diameter of a random graph G(n,p) for various ranges of p close to the phase transition point for connectivity. For a disconnected graph G, we use the convention that the diameter of G is the maximum diameter of its connected components. We show that almost surely the diameter of random graph G(n,p) is close to lognlog(np) if np->~. Moreover if nplogn=c>8, then the diameter of G(n,p) is concentrated on two values. In general, if nplogn=c>c"0, the diameter is concentrated on at most [email protected]?1/c"[email protected]?+4 values. We also proved that the diameter of G(n,p) is almost surely equal to the diameter of its giant component if np>3.6.
The Future of Education and Training in Academic Health Centers

National reports have recommended additions to the core competencies that should be required of all health disciplines, including psychology. The recommendations will affect the education and training of health professionals at academic health centers (AHCs). There will be more focus on training for competence in patient-centered care, evidence-based care, interdisciplinary teamwork, informatics, and continuous quality improvement. Other trends that will affect training of psychologists and other health disciplines in AHC settings include emphasis on better ways to assess the quality of clinical skills, support for improvement of teaching and training, and an increase in educators' status.
Evaluation of tubal patency with radio-isotopic salpingography and hysterosalpingography

SummaryA study of the functional and anatomical status of the tubes has been carried out in 40 cases of infertility with radio-isotopic salpingography. With sodium pertcchnate (99mPcO4Na) this procedure, can give reliable information on tubal patency. It can be used in patients needing a repeat evaluation of the tube who have found hysterosalpingography distressing or uncomfortable.
KU-Band radar altimeter for surface elevation measurements in polar regions using a wideband chirp generator with improved linearity

A Ku-band ultra-wideband radar altimeter with 6 GHz of bandwidth has been developed for surface elevation measurements in polar ice sheets. The radar is equipped with a newly-designed chirp generator with sufficient linearity to resolve adjacent targets at ranges of 500 m or more. This capability allows the airborne radar to resolve closely spaced sub-surface reflectors and internal layers in polar firn. In this paper, we discuss the design and development of the radar and present sample results from recent field measurements over Byrd Glacier in Antarctica.
The Generation of Postmemory: Writing and Visual Culture after the Holocaust

Given its title, I was pleased to have the opportunity to review Marianne Hirsch’s new book. I had just finished reading Jan Gross’s Golden Harvest (2012). Gross took a seemingly innocent group pho...
Iterative Procedures For Signal Reconstruction From Phase

Recently, a set of conditions has been developed under which a sequence is uniquely specified by the phase or samples of the phase of its Fourier transform. These conditions are distinctly different from the minimum or maximum phase requirement and are applicable to both one-dimensional and multi-dimensional sequences. Under the specified conditions, several numerical algorithms have been developed to reconstruct a sequence from its phase. In this paper, we review the recent theoretical results pertaining to the phase-only reconstruction problem and we discuss in detail two iterative numerical algorithms for performing the reconstruction.© (1980) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Regulation of Keratin Gene Expression: The Role of the Nuclear Receptors for Retinoic Acid, Thyroid Hormone, and Vitamin D3

Keratinization, the orderly process of differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes from stratum basale to stratum corneum, is influenced by hormones and vitamins. We have used expression of epidermal keratins as a paradigm of keratinization processes and analyzed the effects of retinoic acid, thyroid hormone, and vitamin D3 on keratin gene expression. DNA constructs in which keratin gene promoters drive expression of reporter genes were co-transfected with vectors expressing nuclear receptors for the above molecules into various cell types. The keratin promoters studied included K3, K5, K10, K14, and K16. The recipient cell types were HeLa and primary cultures of rabbit corneal and esophageal epithelial cells and of human epidermal keratinocytes. We found that retinoic acid, via its nuclear receptor, suppresses expression of all the above-listed keratin genes. Thyroid hormone and its receptor similarly suppressed those genes. The site of interaction between these two receptors and the promoter sequences of K10 and K14 genes has been identified. Surprisingly, vitamin D3 and its receptor had no direct effect on keratin promoters. Our results suggest that a retinoic acid has a twofold effect on keratin gene expression: by regulating keratinocyte differentiation it determines which keratins are expressed, basal cell specific or differentiation specific; by direct interaction between its receptor and keratin genes, retinoic acid determines the total amount of keratin protein within the cell. Vitamin D3, on the other hand, also regulates keratinocyte differentiation, but does not directly interact with the keratin genes.
Superradiant damping and absorption

Abstract We obtain a relationship between the absorption coefficient and the superradiant lifetime which shows that superradiant damping can be large only in an optically thick sample. Accordingly, we reexamine the recent photon-echo experiment of Compaan and Abella.
Preventing dehydration during sleep

Vasopressin release increases late in sleep. Suprachiasmatic clock neurons modulate osmosensory synapses onto vasopressin neurons to facilitate osmoregulated vasopressin release, reports a study in this issue. This explains the increased late-night vasopressin release, and such facilitation prevents dehydration during sleep.
Control and Efficacy as Interdisciplinary Bridges

Control and efficacy are ideally suited as “bridges” or linking constructs for social scientists working at different levels of analysis. Control and efficacy depend on the fit between individuals ...
Overgrowth Syndromes With Vascular Anomalies

Overgrowth syndromes with vascular anomalies encompass entities with a vascular anomaly as the predominant feature vs those syndromes with predominant somatic overgrowth and a vascular anomaly as a more minor component. The focus of this article is to categorize these syndromes phenotypically, including updated clinical criteria, radiologic features, evaluation, management issues, pathophysiology, and genetic information. A literature review was conducted in PubMed using key words "overgrowth syndromes and vascular anomalies" as well as specific literature reviews for each entity and supportive genetic information (e.g., somatic mosaicism). Additional searches in OMIM and Gene Reviews were conducted for each syndrome. Disease entities were categorized by predominant clinical features, known genetic information, and putative affected signaling pathway. Overgrowth syndromes with vascular anomalies are a heterogeneous group of disorders, often with variable clinical expression, due to germline or somatic mutations. Overgrowth can be focal (e.g., macrocephaly) or generalized, often asymmetrically (and/or mosaically) distributed. All germ layers may be affected, and the abnormalities may be progressive. Patients with overgrowth syndromes may be at an increased risk for malignancies. Practitioners should be attentive to patients having syndromes with overgrowth and vascular defects. These patients require proactive evaluation, referral to appropriate specialists, and in some cases, early monitoring for potential malignancies. Progress in identifying vascular anomaly-related overgrowth syndromes and their genetic etiology has been robust in the past decade and is contributing to genetically based prenatal diagnosis and new therapies targeting the putative causative genetic mutations.
Low-cost wideband periodic signal reconstruction using incoherent undersampling and back-end cost optimization

Acquisition of wide bandwidth signals is a significant problem in manufacturing test due to the cost of test equipment driven by the use of high-speed sample and hold circuitry and difficulty in data-clock synchronization. We propose to combine frequency interleaved down conversion (to overcome the bandwidth limitations of sample and hold circuitry) with incoherent undersampling (to overcome data-clock synchronization and ADC speed issues) to design a low cost instrumentation for high speed signal capture. A novel signal reconstruction algorithm is developed along with a method for calibrating the effects of unknown delays in data acquisition hardware due to mismatch in signal path lengths on the reconstructed signal. Simulation results and preliminary hardware validation prove the feasibility of the proposed technique.
Genitourinary trauma in the pediatric patient

Trauma is the major source of mortality in the pediatric population. A retrospective review was performed on patients admitted to the Children's Hospital and Health Center Trauma Program, San Diego, California, from August 1984 to May 1990. The purpose of this review was to evaluate pediatric trauma and to determine the best treatment and evaluation for genitourinary injuries. Blunt trauma was responsible for 98 percent of the injuries, with renal injuries being the most common. Bladder (7) and male urethral (2) injuries, and vaginal lacerations (8) also occurred. The most severe renal injuries (70%) and all significant bladder and urethral injuries were associated with gross hematuria. Hypotension was present in 31 percent of patients but rarely required surgical exploration for correction. Eighty-six patients underwent radiographic imaging. Computerized tomography (CT) scans demonstrated the most information about intra-abdominal solid organ injuries but was inaccurate in detecting bladder or urethral injuries. Genitourinary injury is common in children but rarely requires surgical management. CT scan is the best study to determine extent of solid-organ injury but is inferior to cystourethrography to diagnose bladder or urethral injuries.
Myocardial and peripheral vascular responses to behavioral challenges and their stability in black and white Americans.

The purpose of this study was to assess the short term stability of myocardial and peripheral vascular responses to behavioral challenges, and to compare the response patterns of Black and White men. Blood pressure and heart rate, as well as stroke volume, cardiac output, total peripheral resistance, and systolic time interval measures derived from the impedance cardiogram were obtained in 12 Black and 12 White men. These measures were taken prior to and during an evaluative speech stressor, a mirror star tracing task, and a forehead cold pressor test presented during two laboratory sessions scheduled two weeks apart. In general, total peripheral resistance and impedance-derived baseline measures showed acceptable reproducibility (G greater than .85). With a few exceptions, adequate reliability was also demonstrated for change (delta) scores. All tasks raised blood pressure responses above resting levels. Blacks demonstrated significantly greater increases in total peripheral resistance responses across tasks. Whites but not Blacks also revealed increases above baseline in cardiac output and contractility as estimated by the Heather Index. These findings are consistent with the view that Blacks show greater vascular responsiveness than Whites across a variety of tasks, but reveal less myocardial responsiveness.
Death throes of massive stars

The data regarding the optical outburst in the case of the formation of a type II supernova are incomplete in the sense that supernovae are invariably discovered at or shortly after peak optical intensity so only the decline from maximum brightness has been recorded in any detail. The possibility of an observation of the preceding part of the optical intensity curve, would be greatly facilitated if the occurrence of a supernova could be predicted on the basis of the presupernova behavior of the star. It is shown that neutrino emission in the final stages of nuclear burning could, in principle, provide such a warning, though the current limitations are severe. The reported results are based on a study of the final stages of evolution of a 15-solar mass star.
Serial In Vivo MRI Documents Arterial Remodeling in Experimental Atherosclerosis

Background—Arterial remodeling in response to atherosclerosis may be outward (positive) or inward (negative) and is an important mechanism in the clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis and restenosis after percutaneous coronary interventions. Postmortem and intravascular ultrasound studies of arterial remodeling do not allow serial and noninvasive data to be obtained. In a rabbit model of atherosclerosis, we sought to validate MRI as a new tool for documentation of arterial remodeling. Methods and Results—Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits underwent serial MRI at baseline and 6 months after aortic balloon denudation. The lumen area had a small but significant (P=0.006) increase, from 4.36±0.16 to 4.89±0.12 mm2. There was a large, significant (P<0.0001) increase in the outer wall area, from 7.96±0.19 to 10.46±0.19 mm2. The vessel wall area (a marker of atherosclerotic burden) increased significantly (P<0.0001), from 3.61±0.07 to 5.57±0.09 mm2. Thus, the increase in atherosclerotic burden over ti...
Cloning and expression of Escherichia coli 5′-methylthioadenosine/S-adenosylhomocysteine nucleosidase: Identification of the pfs gene product

The enzyme 5'-methylthioadenosine/S-adenosylhomocysteine nucleosidase (EC 3.2.2.9) is responsible for cleavage of the glycosidic bond in both 5'-methylthioadenosine (MTA) and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). Based on amino acid sequence analysis of this enzyme from Klebsiella, we recently speculated that an open reading frame found in E. coli (designated pfs) encoded MTA/SAH nucleosidase. To explore this possibility, we amplified, cloned, and expressed the complete pfs gene from E. coli genomic DNA. The recombinant protein exhibited a molecular weight and Michaelis constants for MTA that are in agreement with those reported for native enzyme. From this biochemical evidence we confirm our original assignment of the pfs gene as encoding MTA/SAH nucleosidase.
Dose-related effects of enzyme-generated oxidants on the biochemistry and morphology of the hamster lung

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been closely associated with a number of pathological disorders, including interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. While models of ROS-induced fibrosis offer advantages over chemically-induced fibrosis, the biochemical and morphological features of ROS-induced fibrosis have yet to be extensively documented. In this study, we evaluated the effect of initial ROS dose on lung injury and repair. Male hamsters received a single dose of glucose, glucose oxidase and lactoperoxidase via the intratracheal route. From 3 to 14 days post-treatment, a significant dose-related body weight loss was observed. There was a trend towards greater mortality with increasing dose. After 2 weeks, we noted significant, dose-related increases in lung levels of collagen, lipid peroxidation products, nucleic acids, and protein. Similarly, total lung catalase, lactic dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase activities were also elevated significantly above control values in a dose-related fashion. A concurrent, dose-dependent thickening of alveolar septa in ROS-treated lungs was composed of epithelial hyperplasia, hyperemia, edema and accumulations of interstitial fibers and macrophages. Interstitial and alveolar macrophages in ROS-induced lesions were enlarged and contained numerous primary and secondary lysosomes. These results demonstrate that, in the hamster lung, injury induced by enzyme-generated ROS can initiate dose-dependent fibroproliferative changes which eventuate into interstitial fibrosis.
Effect of prostaglandins on uterine contractions in the estrous ewe.

Abstract Administration of exogenous prostaglandins at the time of mating may improve fertility via their effects on uterine contractility. The present study was undertaken to compare the effects of three prostaglandins that affect either the male or female reproductive uterine contractility. Contractions in the uterine body of anesthetized ewes during estrus were studied before, during and after a 5 min interval of systemic infusion of prostaglandin F 2α -THAM salt (PGF 2α ; 5 mg), prostaglandin E 1 (PGE 1 ; 5 mg), prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ; 5 mg) or vehicle. Pressure changes were detected by the use of an open-ended intrauterine catheter and a transducer. Each of the three prostaglandins initially caused a single prolonged contraction that lasted about 10 minutes and had a maximum pressure of 50 mm Hg. Prior to the prolonged contraction, PGE 1 and E 2 caused a relaxation for about 1 minute. In addition, PGE 1 and E 2 caused more secondary contractions (15–20) during the prolonged contraction than did PGF 2α (7–9). The effects of prostaglandin (PG) treatment lasted for 20–30 minutes. The authors conclude that with the dose used the three prostaglandins studied do not have greatly different effects on uterine contractility in estrous ewes.
Immunological relationship between β-N-acetylglucosaminidase and Proteinase I from Dictyostelium discoideum

Abstract Purified β-N-acetylglucosaminidase and purified Proteinase I, both isolated from the cellular slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum, were shown to be immunologically cross-reactive with antiserum against the proteinase. A peptide was isolated from a papain digest of Proteinase I that completely inhibited the immunoprecipitation of β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, but only partially inhibited the immunoprecipitation of Proteinase I. This peptide inhibitor contained a high concentration of N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphorylserine. It was proposed that these phosphoryl moieties might represent a common antigenic determinant in the two enzymes.
Professional forecast error as a function of a variable forecast horizon: A decomposition analysis

Abstract This paper analyzes forecast precision as it pertains to four major us macroeconomic variables from 1983.II through 1988.III. The data set, comprised of Blue Chip consensus predictions of approximately fifty economists and informed business professionals, sequentially lengthens the forecast horizon from one through four quarters. Applying the Theil Mean Square Error measure to the forecasts of the Fed Funds rate, money growth, and inflation, the results show prediction accuracy declining as the forecast window is lengthened. Conversely, for real GNP growth, forecast accuracy improves with a longer horizon. A decomposition analysis of the errors reveals further insight into the nature of professional prediction performance. For all four variables, forecast bias is shown to be a systematic influence in the errors. This is especially true for inflation. Additionally, at longer horizons (with the exception of real GNP) we find slope error growing as the dominant systematic influence, replacing bias in the forecast error. This finding indicates forecasters are, in general, unable to anticipate changes in direction for these variables over time. Our results suggest that forecasters, in addition to more accurately tracking trend determinants, can improve prediction performance by more closely monitoring those factors which produce turning points in the data.
A generalized spectral decomposition technique to solve a class of linear stochastic partial differential equations

We propose a new robust technique for solving stochastic partial differential equations. The solution is approximated by a series of terms, each of which being the product of a scalar stochastic function by a deterministic function. None of these functions are fixed a priori but determined by solving a problem which can be interpreted as an "extended" eigenvalue problem. This technique generalizes the classical spectral decomposition, namely the Karhunen-Loeve expansion. Ad-hoc iterative techniques to build the approximation, inspired by the power method for classical eigenproblems, then transform the problem into the resolution of a few uncoupled deterministic problems and stochastic equations. This method drastically reduces the calculation costs and memory requirements of classical resolution techniques used in the context of Galerkin stochastic finite element methods. Finally, this technique is particularly suitable to non-linear and evolution problems since it enables the construction of a relevant reduced basis of deterministic functions which can be efficiently reused for subsequent resolutions.
Comparing the Specification of a Near-Real Time Commanding System Using Statecharts and AADL

In this paper, we discuss a case study that was performed to compare pros and cons of formally specified a near real-time commanding system using the Architecture Analysis Description Language (AADL) and Statecharts modeling notations. Five system parameters and project metrics namely reliability, schedulability, performance, usability and, tool support were identified as criteria to compare the two formal techniques
Sounds like a Narcissist: Behavioral Manifestations of Narcissism in Everyday Life.

Little is known about narcissists’ everyday behavior. The goal of this study was to describe how narcissism is manifested in everyday life. Using the Electronically Activated Recorder (EAR), we obtained naturalistic behavior from participants’ everyday lives. The results suggest that the defining characteristics of narcissism that have been established from questionnaire and laboratory-based studies are borne out in narcissists’ day-to-day behaviors. Narcissists do indeed behave in more extraverted and less agreeable ways than non-narcissists, skip class more (among narcissists high in exploitativeness/entitlement only), and use more sexual language. Furthermore, we found that the link between narcissism and disagreeable behavior is strengthened when controlling for self-esteem, thus extending prior questionnaire-based findings (Paulhus, Robins, Trzesniewski, & Tracy, 2004) to observed, real-world behavior.
Mixed layer depth variability over the global ocean

[1] The spatial and monthly variability of the climatological mixed layer depth (MLD) for the global ocean is examined using the recently developed Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Ocean Mixed Layer Depth (NMLD) climatologies. The MLD fields are constructed using the subsurface temperature and salinity data from the World Ocean Atlas 1994 [Levitus et al., 1994; Levitus and Boyer, 1994]. To minimize the limitations of these global data in the MLD determination, a simple mixing scheme is introduced to form a stable water column. Using these new data sets, global MLD characteristics are produced on the basis of an optimal definition that employs a density-based criterion having a fixed temperature difference of ΔT = 0.8°C and variable salinity. Strong seasonality of MLD is found in the subtropical Pacific Ocean and at high latitudes, as well as a very deep mixed layer in the North Atlantic Ocean in winter and a very shallow mixed layer in the Antarctic in all months. Using the climatological monthly MLD and isothermal layer depth (ILD) fields from the NMLD climatologies, an annual mean ΔT field is presented, providing criteria for determining an ILD that is approximately equivalent to the optimal MLD. This enables MLD to be determined in cases where salinity data are not available. The validity of the correspondence between ILD and MLD is demonstrated using daily averaged subsurface temperature and salinity from two moorings: a Tropical Atmosphere Ocean array mooring in the western equatorial Pacific warm pool, where salinity stratification is important, and a Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) mooring in the Arabian Sea, where strongly reversing seasonal monsoon winds prevail. In the western equatorial Pacific warm pool the use of ILD criterion with an annual mean ΔT value of 0.3°C yields comparable results with the optimal MLD, while large ΔT values yield an overestimated MLD. An analysis of ILD and MLD in the WHOI mooring show that use of an incorrect ΔT criterion for the ILD may underestimate or overestimate the optimal MLD. Finally, use of the spatial annual mean ΔT values constructed from the NMLD climatologies can be used to estimate the optimal MLD from only subsurface temperature data via an equivalent ILD for any location over the global ocean.
Mechanism of action of starch as a disintegrating agent in aspirin tablets

A study was made of the mechanisms by which starch may cause disintegration of tablets. Dried cornstarch was found to increase in volume by 78 per cent when suspended in water. In aspirin tablets where contact of starch grains is continuous in the interparticle spaces, disintegration is rapid and effective even when void spaces are eliminated. Where contact is not continuous, disintegration is slowed and appears to depend on the degree of contact between starch grains and aspirin particles and on the size of interparticle spaces. The primary mechanism appears to be a swelling action. Capillarity per se does not appear to have a disintegrating effect.
Voltage Conversion and Regulation Techniques Employed in the Prime Converter for the Anchored Interplanetary Monitoring Platform (AIMP) Spacecraft

This paper describes the major design concepts considered in the development of a DC to DC prime converter for the Anchored Interplanetary Monitoring Platform (AIMP) Spacecraft. This static converter is used to transform the power from the solar array and battery into suitable levels for the instrumentation and experiment electronics. The design approach chosen incorporates a duty cycle switching pre-regulator controlled by saturable reactors, a DC to DC converter synchronized at the basic operating frequency of the pre-regulator, and series dissipative regulators exhibiting short circuit protection. A breakdown of the power losses in the pre-regulator is presented. Of particular note are the procedures followed to achieve a low magnetic field disturbance.
Line sources above lossy media for low-frequency underground communication

In this communication the equations for the radiation of a line source above a lossy medium (earth) are presented. Numerous data on the variation of the field as a function of distance and direction from the source, operating frequency, and conductivity are included. Changes as a function of source position are also investigated. The results can be used in the design of mine rescue communication systems.
Comparison of insulin lispro with regular human insulin for the treatment of type 1 diabetes in adolescents

Abstract Background: Although insulin lispro (insulin LP) has been shown to improve post-prandial blood glucose (BG) control and reduce hypoglycemic episodes in adult patients with type 1 diabetes, there appear to have been few clinical studies focusing on its use in adolescents. Objective: This study compared the effects of insulin LP with those of regular human insulin (insulin R) on postprandial BG control and hypoglycemia in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Methods: In this crossover, open-label study, adolescents between the ages of 9 and 18 years who had reached Tanner stage II puberty were randomized to receive either insulin LP immediately before meals or insulin R 30 to 45 minutes before meals, in addition to daily intermediate-acting insulin. After 4 months, patients were switched to the alternate treatment sequence. Eight-point BG profiles, hypoglycemia rate, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA 1c ) were measured at baseline and end point. Results: Four hundred eighty-one adolescents participated in the study at 53 investigative sites in 15 countries; 463 were randomized to treatment (228 insulin LP, 235 insulin R), and 457 completed the study. Insulin LP given before breakfast resulted in significantly lower mean (±SD) 2-hour postprandial BG levels compared with insulin R (9.7 ± 4.0 mmol/L vs 10.6 ± 4.3 mmol/L, respectively; P P = 0.003). No differences were seen between treatments in 2-hour postprandial BG levels after the midday meal. Mean baseline HbA 1c values were similar between sequence groups, and no between-group difference in HbA 1c was observed at end point (insulin LP, 8.69% ± 1.52%; insulin R, 8.70% ± 1.65%). Treatment with insulin LP resulted in a significantly lower incidence of hypoglycemic episodes per patient per 30 days compared with insulin R (4.02 ± 4.5 vs 4.37 ± 4.5, respectively; P = 0.023) and significantly fewer hypoglycemic episodes between midnight and 6 am (1.0 ± 1.9 vs 1.7 ± 2.6; P Conclusions: In adolescents with type 1 diabetes, insulin LP significantly improved postprandial glycemic control and reduced episodes of nocturnal hypoglycemia compared with insulin R. Insulin LP was well tolerated and effective as part of an intensified insulin regimen in this study population.
Physical Principles Governing Nonideal Behavior of the Zirconia Oxygen Sensor

Zirconia galvanic cells of the form exhaust gas, Pt parallel stabilized ZrO/sub 2/ parallel Pt, air are installed in the exhaust pipe of automobile engines to provide a voltage signal indicative of engine air-fuel ratio. To account for deviation of experimental sensor behavior from predicted ideal performance, a physical model of nonideal sensors is derived. Nonideal behavior is accounted for by simultaneous presence of two electrochemical reactions occurring at the anode (exhaust gas) electrode; one reaction involves oxygen and the other involves carbon monoxide. Correlation of calculated sensor characteristics with experimental results shows that nonideal sensor electrodes possess surface adsorption properties and catalytic activities which are many orders of magnitude less than ideal equilibrium values. The present theory indicates that undesired temperature-dependent shifting of sensor voltage curves with respect to engine air-fuel ratio is caused by competition between O/sub 2/ and CO gases for triple-point adsorption sites on the anode electrode. (13 fig, 3 tables.)
Lunar equatorial surface temperatures and regolith properties from the Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment

[1] The Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment onboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has measured solar reflectance and mid-infrared radiance globally, over four diurnal cycles, at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. These data are used to infer the radiative and bulk thermophysical properties of the near-surface regolith layer at all longitudes around the equator. Normal albedos are estimated from solar reflectance measurements. Normal spectral emissivities relative to the 8-μm Christiansen Feature are computed from brightness temperatures and used along with albedos as inputs to a numerical thermal model. Model fits to daytime temperatures require that the albedo increase with solar incidence angle. Measured nighttime cooling is remarkably similar across longitude and major geologic units, consistent with the scarcity of rock exposures and with the widespread presence of a near-surface layer whose physical structure and thermal response are determined by pulverization through micrometeoroid impacts. Nighttime temperatures are best fit using a graded regolith model, with a ∼40% increase in bulk density and an eightfold increase in thermal conductivity (adjusted for temperature) occurring within several centimeters of the surface.
Quantum Cascade lasers: Recent advances and future prospects

Quantum Cascade (QC) lasers are a rapidly evolving mid-infrared and THz semiconductor laser technology based on intersubband transitions in multiple coupled quantum wells. The lasers' strengths are their wavelength tailorability, high performance and fascinating design potential. We will discuss several recent highlights, such as the quest for high performance QC lasers, especially high efficiency and single-mode operation, artificially broadened gain, and the implementation of unconventional laser schemes. We will also briefly discuss several high potential applications in mid-infrared trace chemical sensing.
On the existence of solutions in modular fixturing

A fixture is a device that locates and holds parts during machining or assembly. A modular fixture employs reusable components on a regular lattice. Given a part, machinists combine intuition with trial-and-error to design an appropriate fixture. When a machinist is unable to find a design, it may be the case that (1) a feasible design was overlooked or (2) no feasible design exists. Complete algorithms for modular fixturing, such as [Brost and Goldberg 1994], insure that no fixture design is overlooked. But the question remains: are there parts for which no modular fixture exists? For the class of modular fixtures using 3 locators and a clamp, we show that there exists a class of polygonal parts that cannot be fixtured. We believe that this is the first negative result in the area of fixturing. We also show two positive results, namely that a modular fixture always exists when we broaden the class of fixtures to include T-slot and narrow the class of parts. We show that one class of fixtures strictly dominates the other. These results raise a number of open problems concerning the existence of solutions for other classes of fixtures and parts and suggest a hierarchy of fixturing models.
Solution to Brockett's problem on finite-dimensional estimation algebras of maximal rank in nonlinear filtering

The Kalman-Bucy filter is widely used in modern industry. Despite its usefulness, however, the Kalman-Bucy filter is not perfect. One of the weakness is that it needs a Gaussian assumption for the initial data. The other weakness is that it requires the drift term f(x) be a linear function. Brockett (1981), Brockett and Clark (1980), and Mitter (1979) proposed independently using a Lie algebraic method to solve the Duncan-Mortensen-Zakai equation for nonlinear filtering. This method requires only n sufficient statistics, where n is the state space dimension, and it allows the initial condition to be modeled by an arbitrary distribution. The idea was worked out in detail by Tam, Wong, and Yau (1990) and Yau (1990, 1994). However, in the Lie algebraic method, one has to know explicitly the structure of the estimation algebra. In 1983, Brockett proposed to classify all finite dimensional filters. In this paper, we report more recent results on classification of finite dimensional maximal rank estimation algebras with arbitrary state space dimension.
Gastric Bypass Procedures and Renal Calculi—How Should We Counsel Patients and Bariatric Surgeons?

Obesity (body mass index greater than 30 kg/m2) is clearly an epidemic in the United States, affecting more than 20% of the population.1 Furthermore, as many as 5 million of these Americans have medically complicated obesity with weight related comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension and sleep apnea. For the majority attempts at diet and lifestyle change have been a disappointing strategy to achieve lasting weight loss. Therefore, an increasing number are turning to bariatric surgery. The large randomized Swedish Obese Subjects study, with more than 4,047 subjects, has confirmed that bariatric surgery is associated with sustained long-term weight loss and overall decreased mortality.2 Furthermore, the perioperative morbidity and mortality of this procedure appear to be acceptably low.3 Given these considerations the number of bariatric procedures has increased dramatically from approximately 13,000 in 1998 to more than 120,000 in 2004.4 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), often performed laparoscopically, is the most common procedure and appears to be associated with the greatest likelihood of durable weight loss. However, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is increasingly popular as an alternative and less invasive approach.
Integrating program component executables on distributed memory architectures via MPH

Summary form only given. A growing trend in developing large and complex applications on today's Teraflop computers is to integrate stand-alone and/or semiindependent program components into a comprehensive simulation package. One example is the climate system model, which consists of atmosphere, ocean, land-surface and sea-ice. Each component is semiindependent and has been developed at different institutions. We study how this multicomponent multiexecutable application can run effectively on distributed memory architectures. We identify five effective execution modes and develop the MPH library to support application developments utilizing these modes. MPH performs component-name registration, resource allocation and initial component handshaking in a flexible way.
The Role of Home and School Factors in Predicting English Vocabulary among Bilingual Kindergarten Children in Singapore.

Research in monolingual populations indicate that vocabulary knowledge is essential to reading achievement, but how vocabulary develops in bilingual children has been understudied. The current study investigated the role of home and school factors in predicting English vocabulary among 284 bilingual kindergartners (168 Chinese, 65 Malay, 51 Indian) in the multilingual context of Singapore. The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test—Third Edition was administered in English and in translations into Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil. Home factors including caretaker language, television language, and mother tongue vocabulary were found to be significant predictors of English vocabulary, controlling for mother's years of education and family income. The curriculum emphasis of the kindergarten center was also found to be a significant predictor of English vocabulary.
Energetics and dynamics of solar activity

The activity of the Sun occurs in the solar atmosphere and is driven and confined by the Sun's magnetic field. The plasma atmosphere comprises the cool (≲ 104K) and dense chromosphere, an intermediate transition region, and the hot (Tc ≳ 106K) and diffuse (nc 108 cm−3) corona; the solar atmosphere has been well observed from the ultraviolet through hard X rays, by the Skylab and Solar Maximum Mission spacecraft, among others. The atmospheric magnetic field has its source in the solar interior and is driven and energized by the global differential rotation and local turbulent motions at the visible photospheric surface; this field is mostly known from Zeeman-effect and microwave measurements. The magnetic field lines return to the surface in active regions and are open in coronal holes that provide the source for the solar wind.
The injection century: massive unsterile injections and the emergence of human pathogens.

1that every year unsafe injections result in 80 000–160 000 new HIV-1 infections, 8–16 million hepatitis B infections, and 2·3–4·7 million hepatitis C infections worldwide (this figure does not include transfusions). Together, these illnesses account for 1·3 million deaths and 23 million years of lost life. 1 Even under the auspices of WHO regional immunisation programmes, which constitute 10% of all mass vaccination campaigns, an estimated 30% of injections are done with unclean syringes that are commonly reused. And, for other medicinal injections, over 50% are deemed unsafe, with rates as high as 90% in some campaigns. 1
Comparison of 3D OS-EM and 4D MAP-RBI-EM Reconstruction Algorithms for Cardiac Motion Abnormality Classification Using a Motion Observer

Using a heart motion observer, we compared the performance of two image reconstruction techniques, a 3D OS-EM algorithm with post Butterworth spatial filtering and a 4D MAP-RBI-EM algorithm. The task was to classify gated myocardial perfusion (GMP) SPECT images of beating hearts with or without regional motion abnormalities. Noise-free simulated GMP SPECT projection data was generated from two 4D NCAT beating heart phantom models, one with normal motion and the other with a 50% motion defect in a pie-shaped wedge region-of-interest (ROI) in the anterior-lateral left ventricular wall. The projection data were scaled to the clinical GMP SPECT count level before Poisson noise was simulated to generate 40 noise realizations. The noise-free and noisy projection data were reconstructed using the two reconstruction algorithms, parameters chosen to optimize the tradeoff between image bias and noise. As a motion observer, a 3D motion estimation method previously developed was applied to estimate the radial motion on the ROI from two adjacent gates. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were computed for radial motion magnitudes corresponding to each reconstruction technique. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was calculated as an index for classification of regional motion. The reconstructed images with better bias and noise tradeoff were found to offer better classification for hearts with or without regional motion defects. The 3D cardiac motion estimation algorithm, serving as a heart motion observer, was better able to distinguish the abnormal from the normal regional motion in GMP SPECT images obtained from the 4D MAP-RBI-EM algorithm than from the 3D OS-EM algorithm with post Butterworth spatial filtering.
Strain, Social Support, and Retreatism Among African Americans:

This study tests Agnew’s general strain theory (GST) for African Americans, a population neglected in GST research. Specifically, we examined (a) the differential effects of inner- and outer-directed negative emotions on withdrawing behavior and (b) the conditioning effects of social support on the understudied, deviant coping behavior. OLS regression analyses of data from a national survey of African American adults provide empirical evidence that depression and anxiety have larger effects on withdrawing behavior than anger. Findings also provide some support for the hypothesis that social support tends to weaken or buffer the effects of nonangry emotions on withdrawing behavior.