cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nitrosamines in Malt and Malt Beverages

National and local surveys of barley malt and barley malt-containing beverages for volatile N-nitrosamines were conducted by the Food & Drug Administration. Sixty-four samples of locally purchased beers had an average N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) content of 3 ppb. Eleven of 44 Scotch whiskeys had nondetectable NDMA levels. A national sampling of domestic and imported malts revealed that 84% had NDMA concentrations of less than 10 ppb. Domestic and imported beers were also surveyed in a compliance program; 260 beer samples (180 domestic, 80 import) were analyzed. The domestic beers averaged less than 1 ppb and the imported beers averaged 1 ppb. These data indicate that the levels of NDMA in beer have been reduced significantly.
Washington, we have a problem

Does anybody care about NASA? Most in Congress do only if there is a research centre in their district. David Goldston explains why members never step up to the plate to set priorities.
Recursive estimation with adaptive divergence control

A heuristic method is proposed to overcome the divergence problems of the minimum variance state and parameter estimator. The algorithm uses adaptive, exponential fading. Rapid fading occurs when data give a poor fit with the model, and slow fading occurs when the data give a good fit. Subject to an observability condition, the estimator is shown to yield N-step exponential convergence. The usefulness of the algorithm is demonstrated through one extended Kalman filter application. The algorithm has also been applied to industrial processes for state estimation and adaptive control.
Pharmacological management of a youth with ADHD, marijuana use, and mood symptoms.

A 16-year-old boy is referred by his parents to address his academic decline and mood symptoms. He was diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 7 years ago, but his parents had opted not to have it treated. The patient has prominent inattention and distractibility, with complaints of internal restlessness. Grades have declined from Bs to Ds. On examination, in addition to ADHD symptoms, the patient reports being Bdown at times,^ although he does not manifest neurovegetative signs or symptoms. He also admits to smoking marijuana regularly for the past few months, with daily use of Bat least a few hits^ and Bmore on weekends.^ HOW WOULD YOU ADDRESS THIS CASE
Inactivation of soybean sterol 24-C-methyltransferase by elongated sterol side chains at C26

The enzymatic C-methylation reaction catalyzed by the Glycine max sterol 24-C-methyltransferase was studied with substrate analogs containing a cycloartenol nucleus (CA) and a double bond (8) or triple bond (14) attached to C26. The production of the corresponding C24(28)-methylene olefin and time-dependent inhibition kinetics of k(inact) 0.24 min(-1) (CA-8) or 0.06 min(-1) (CA-14) indicates an active-site directed process and partitioning to produce novel products.
Potential waste minimization of trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene via aerobic biodegradation.

Trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE) are two of the most frequently detected chlorinated organics found in groundwater. Biodegradation with a new aerobic consortium was used to ascertain the viability of bioremediation for waste minimization applications. After 1 week of treatment, the degradation rate constants, k, were between 0.004 and 0.012 d− 1 for initial concentrations of 54–664 μM TCE. When PCE was used as the sole contaminant, the k values were approximately 0.01 d−1 regardless of the initial concentration. The addition of 0.2 μ M toluene or phenol as an inducer dramatically increased TCE degradation. For instance, at 200 μ M TCE the k value when toluene was added (0.03 d− 1) was 2.2 times higher than without inducers (0.009 d− 1). The addition of 0.2 μ M phenol increased the rate constant by 58%. However, PCE degradation rates were not changed significantly.
Wireless scheduling for network utility maximization with optimal convergence speed

In this paper, we study the design of joint flow rate control and scheduling policies in multi-hop wireless networks for achieving maximum network utility with provably optimal convergence speed. Fast convergence is especially important in wireless networks which are dominated by the dynamics of incoming and outgoing flows as well as the time sensitive applications. Yet, the design of fast converging policies in wireless networks is complicated by: (i) the interference-constrained communication capabilities, and (ii) the finite set of transmission rates to select from due to operational and physical-layer constraints. We tackle these challenges by explicitly incorporating such discrete constraints to understand their impact on the convergence speed at which the running average of the received service rates and the network utility converges to their limits. In particular, we establish a fundamental fact that the convergence speed of any feasible policy cannot be faster than Ω (1/T) under both the T rate and utility metrics. Then, we develop an algorithm that achieves this optimal convergence speed in both metrics. We also show that the well-known dual algorithm can achieve the optimal convergence speed in terms of its utility value. These results reveal the interesting fact that the convergence speed of rates and utilities in wireless networks is dominated by the discrete choices of scheduling and transmission rates, which also implies that the use of higher-order flow rate controllers with fast convergence guarantees cannot overcome the aforementioned fundamental limitation.
ortho-Phosphoryl stabilized hypervalent iodosyl- and iodyl-benzene reagents

The synthesis and reactivity of a new IBX analogue (2-iodylphenyl)diphenyl-phosphine oxide 10 is described herein along with its analysis by single crystal X-ray diffraction.
Is Foreign Direct Investment Productive in the Latin America Case? A Panel Co-integration Analysis, 1980–2002

This article estimates whether FDI flows—and other relevant variables—have had a positive and significant effect on Latin America's private investment spending over the 1980–2002 period. It is one of the first empirical studies to investigate the complementarity hypothesis between domestic private investment and FDI flows using recently developed panel unit root and panel co-integration analysis for the period in question. The article also addresses the important issue of whether changes in the real exchange rate (expenditure-switching policies) have a contractionary effect on the economies of Latin America. The results suggest that (lagged) gross FDI, public investment spending, and real credit to the private sector have a positive and significant effect on private capital formation, while lagged changes in the real exchange rate, particularly its volatility, as measured by the period standard deviation, have a negative effect. The article also finds that net FDI flows (a variable which deducts repatriat...
Trends in Conflict Uniform Crime Reports, the National Crime Victimization Surveys, and the Lethality of Violent Crime

Previous research has found reduced mortality from aggravated assaults, attributed to medical care improvements. However, aggravated assault has limitations as a longitudinal measure of injuries from violence. The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) can address this by providing estimates of serious injuries from criminal victimization. Their lethality trend is not compatible with the previous finding across 1973 through 1999, remaining stable rather than falling. After 1999, both Uniform Crime Reports (UCR)-and NCVS-based measures indicate increases in lethality. The trend differences raise serious problems of data choice for the researcher.
Abstract construal levels attenuate state self-esteem reactivity

The reactivity of state self-esteem has been linked to a number of important psychological outcomes, ranging from general well-being to psychological dysfunction. The present research aimed to identify a cognitive factor underlying state self-esteem reactivity by exploring how construal levels influence the extent to which state self-esteem reacts to positive and negative experiences. It was hypothesized that abstract construals would mitigate the effects of evaluative information on state self-esteem. The results of two studies supported this hypothesis. Participants in an abstract mindset did not differ in state self-esteem after receiving positive, negative, or no evaluative information. Participants in a concrete mindset, in contrast, experienced lower levels of state self-esteem following negative evaluative information. The significance of these findings for understanding the link between abstraction and psychological vulnerability is discussed.
“Liberty of Conscience” and the Jews in the Dutch Republic

In the popular imagination, seventeenth-century Amsterdam was an oasis of religious toleration in a conflict-ridden Europe and a city that welcomed Jews with open arms. This image is exaggerated and misleading, as scholars have long since shown. In this essay, I will examine how the interests of the Dutch ruling class, the regents, dovetailed with the interests of the governing elite of the Portuguese-Jewish community of Amsterdam to create structures of Jewish governance that were agreeable to both governing parties. While maintaining peace was one of the common interests between them, so was maintaining discipline. Neither the Dutch nor the Jewish authorities sought “liberty of conscience” in the modern sense of the term, that is, individual religious and philosophical freedom. For most, though not all, members of the Portuguese-Jewish community, this arrangement was natural and fully acceptable.
Behavioral comparisons of hyperactive and normally active children in natural settings.

Matched pairs of hyperactive and normally active children were observed in six natural classroom settings and a number of specific behaviors continuously recorded. Both groups of children showed differences in behavior as a function of settings (selected to vary in amount of external stimulation and structure), but only certain settings differentiated hyperactive from control children. Hyperactive children displayed significantly more noise-vocalization and more disruptive and off-task behavior in the most frequently observed (low stimulation) classroom settings (e.g., seat work). Type of off-task behavior (out-of-seat or visually off-task) depended upon amount of classroom structure (i.e., teacher- vs. self-directed). Results were discussed in terms of their implications for identification and treatment of hyperactive children through the modification of the antecedent conditions of stimulation and structure.
Reconstruction of smooth parametric surfaces from unorganized data points

This article describes a method that uses deformable curves and deformable surfaces to generate a C1 continuous parametric surface from unorganized data points. The triangular patch was used as the surface element for generating an n-sided surface. A new method for generating the topology is also presented. The concept of elastically deformable shapes attracted toward data points by spring-like forces is used to seek the optimal shape which minimizes an associated energy functional.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A study of flexibility factors of integrally reinforced shell to shell intersections

Abstract The results of flexibility tests on 32 test samples (four unreinforced shell to shell intersections or stub-ins, 14 integrally reinforced weld-on connections, ten integrally reinforced contoured inserts, and four pad-reinforced connections) are presented in this report. The flexibility factors of these connections were experimentally determined. The experimental values are compared to predicted values given in ASME code, Section III, Subsection NB. Recommended equations for flexibility factors are given for the cases where experimental values do not agree with the predictions using the code equations.
Dispositional correlates of addictive behaviors in college women: binge eating and heavy drinking.

Abstract Binge eating and alcohol abuse are often conceptualized as addictive behaviors. As these behaviors are relatively common among undergraduate college women, we examined whether common dispositional variables underlie their occurrence. Three hundred and thirty-five undergraduate women completed self-report questionnaires about their eating and alcohol use habits as well as dispositional measures of impulsivity, tolerance of deviance, self-esteem, rejection sensitivity, extraversion–introversion, conscientiousness, and emotional stability. Multiple regression analyses showed that women who either binge eat or abuse alcohol, but not both, have similar dispositional characteristics. Both groups exhibited a high degree of impulsivity and endorsed socially deviant attitudes; thus, both groups could be viewed as “externalizers.” In contrast, women who admitted to both addictive behaviors, i.e., binge eating as well as alcohol abuse, were not particularly impulsive or socially deviant, but manifested a high degree of emotional instability (“neuroticism”); thus, these women might be considered “internalizers.” The theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
Comparison of standard Maze III and radiofrequency Maze operations for treatment of atrial fibrillation.

Objective This study compares clinical results of the standard Maze III operation, a highly effective treatment for atrial fibrillation, to less complex variations of the Maze III operation utilizing unipolar and bipolar radiofrequency ablation and pulmonary vein isolation. Methods Records were reviewed of 377 patients who had operations for treatment of atrial fibrillation at a single institution over a 10-year period. Standard Maze III was performed in 220 patients, unipolar radiofrequency Maze III in 60, bipolar radiofrequency Maze III in 65, and radiofrequency pulmonary vein isolation in 32. Electrocardiograms were obtained at discharge and 3-, 6-, and 12-month intervals. Chi-square test, logistic regression, and Bayesian theory analyses were performed to determine significant associations between operative procedures and outcomes. Results Mean age was 65.1 years (range 22-87). There were 13 hospital deaths (3.4%) and 16 deaths during follow-up. Most patients (90.2%, 340/377) had concomitant operations. Electrocardiogram analysis was available in 344 patients at 3 months and 313 patients at 6 months. Freedom from atrial fibrillation at 6 months was superior after standard Maze III compared with radiofrequency modifications. Subanalysis according to surgeon experience demonstrated good results regardless of operative experience. Conclusions This single-institution experience suggests that the standard Maze III operation is superior to radiofrequency operations for treatment of atrial fibrillation. Radiofrequency modifications of the Maze III operation are also effective treatments for atrial fibrillation and can achieve good results regardless of surgeon experience.
Cancer testis antigen expression in testicular germ cell tumors and in intratubular germ cell neoplasia.

Cancer testis antigen expression in testicular germ cell tumors and in intratubular germ cell neoplasia
Furthering Organizational Priorities with Less Than Truthful Behavior: A Call for Additional Tools

Though codes of ethics exist in many businesses, employees still view less than truthful behaviors to be a significant ethical problem. The current study examines the related and somewhat counterintuitive issue of less than truthful behaviors intended to further organizational priorities. Such behaviors risk violating one organizational priority (e.g., adhering to a code of ethics) to achieve another. Data indicated four unique though non-mutually exclusive motivations: (1) to avoid confrontation or conflict; (2) to ensure quality in the delivery of a product or service; (3) to buy time for an organization’s strategy to play out; and (4) for self-protection or self-enhancement. The evidence further suggests that enhanced managerial training, particularly in handling confrontation and conflicts, could reduce the contradiction between stated codes of ethics and actual behaviors.
Microstructure of rapidly solidified aluminum alloy powders for elevated temperature applications

Abstract The microstructure of atomized powders of six different non-heat-treatable alloys was observed using transmission electron microscopy. It was found that the microstructure of the powders is extremely inhomogeneous. The inhomogeneous microstructures are exhibited within each powder, within each powder batch and within powders of the same size. Numerous possibilities are considered to determine the reasons for the presence of microstructural inhomogeneities in the atomized powders. Some remedies are suggested to reduce or prevent the development of inhomogeneous microstructures. It is also shown that these inhomogeneties remain in the consolidated shapes and promote void nucleation at los strains, thereby reducing the potential of the rapidly solidified material.
On compatibility conditions and stress boundary value problems in linear nonlocal elasticity

Abstract Compatibility conditions for stress boundary value problems in linear nonlocal elasticity theory are obtained. Implications of these conditions as to solvability of problems are considered. The results indicate that most problems are significantly simpler if phrased as displacement boundary value problems, even in those cases where the corresponding local problem is easily solvable as a stress boundary value problem.
Diagnosing Measurement Equivalence in Cross-National Research

Many researchers have pointed out that it is necessary to ensure measurement equivalence in cross-national comparative research. Three aspects of measurement equivalence, translation, metric, and calibration equivalence, are necessary to establish the cross-national reliability and validity of items used to measure theoretical constructs. This paper discusses these issues and proposes two recently developed empirical techniques, Multiple Group LISREL and Optimal Scaling, for use in diagnosing cross-national measurement equivalence. These techniques are illustrated by reanalysis of a pioneering U.S. and Japanese study. The two techniques yield convergent results, indicating measurement equivalence for some, but not all, ordinal-level items under consideration. The findings demonstrate that the proposed methods are useful diagnostic tools for exploring measurement equivalence. Several suggestions for reducing the likelihood of problems with measurement equivalence and a number of methods for dealing with items where lack of equivalence persists are also discussed.
Visual evoked potentials in dyslexics and normals: failure to find a difference in transient or steady-state responses

We measured transient and steady-state checkerboard contrast-reversal visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in ten dyslexics, five patient controls, and 11 normals over a range of contrasts and luminances. Latency, amplitude, and phase measurements failed to distinguish the responses of dyslexics from those of normals or patient controls. Decreases in luminance or contrast resulted in an increased latency of the transient VEP in all groups, but these changes also did not distinguish the responses of dyslexics from those of the controls. Response variability was similar in dyslexics and normals, but was increased in subjects with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Performance on standardized psychometric testing did differentiate the dyslexics from controls, but did not correlate with VEP responses.
Spin dynamics of electrons in a unidirectional, inhomogeneous magnetic field

We investigate the dynamics of electrons of opposite spin in an inhomogeneous but unidirectional magnetic field. We compare the quantum expectation values of wavefunctions obtained from the Dirac equation with the averages of classical ensembles. Both confirm our analytical predictions for a parameter regime in which the electrons are separated but have partially spatially overlapping probabilities.
Spectroscopic characterization of albumin and myoglobin entrapped in bulk sol-gel glasses

Abstract The immobilization of proteins by entrapment in optically clear, porous glasses prepared by sol-gel techniques appears to be a promising approach to optical biosensor development. However, little is known about the physical environment of the immobilized protein or the mechanism(s) of entrapment. In this study, absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopies have been used to characterize the properties of two model proteins, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and horse heart myoglobin (Mb), entrapped in wet sol-gel glass bulks. The fluorescence behavior of dissolved and entrapped BSA in the presence of acid, a chemical denaturant, and a collisional quencher was examined. The results show that a large fraction of the BSA added to the sol is entrapped within the gelled glass in a native conformation. However, the reversible conformational transitions that BSA undergoes in solution are sterically restricted in the gel. In contrast, the native properties of Mb are largely lost upon entrapment, as judged by the changes in the visible absorbance spectra of dissolved and entrapped Mb in acidic solutions. Fluorescence studies of dissolved and entrapped apomyoglobin support this conclusion.
State-variable and gyrator realizations for complete integration: A comparison

Abstract For complete integration of a given transfer function, the number, size and spread of components will be of prime interest, in contrast, for example, to sensitivity. To illustrate these properties, a given degree three Cauer response is synthesized in five ways with emphasis upon complete integration. The results, based primarily upon gyrator and state-variable techniques, are readily compared. “When a man speaks works of truth he speaks words of greatness: know the nature of truth.” (1)
Organism, environment, and intelligence as a system

Someone has said that biology can be exhaust ively subsumed under three headings : evolution, morphogenesis , and thought. Evolution and morphogenes is have already been discussed and so it is a p leasure to turn to the subject of thought. W h a t I propose to do is tell about some findings, attitudes, and insights tha t come out of work in our laboratory. These are largely theoretical, and they largely deal with models, bu t it seems to me they have considerable applicat ion to the relat ion of an organism, or more exact ly of "a sensory-motor decisionsystem," to its envi ronment .
Freshwater teleconnections and ocean thermohaline circulation

[1] Asymmetry of the Atlantic and Pacific sea surface salinity (SSS) is recognized as an important element of the global ocean thermohaline circulation. However, a threshold of such asymmetry that may trigger a true global deep-ocean conveyor has not yet been examined. A combined effect of the Atlantic-Pacific and the Southern Ocean surface salinity asymmetries also has not yet been clearly shown. We address these issues and conclude that Atlantic-Pacific SSS asymmetry is one of the most critical elements for maintaining the global ocean conveyor. Our experiments suggest, albeit preliminary, that high-latitudinal freshwater impacts, as a mechanism of altering global ocean thermohaline circulation, may be less effective than inter-basin freshwater communications.
NMR studies of interactions between C-terminal tail of Kir2.1 channel and PDZ1,2 domains of PSD95.

Control of surface expression of inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) channels is important for regulating membrane excitability. Kir2 channels have been shown to interact directly with PDZ-containing proteins in the postsynaptic density (PSD). These scaffold proteins, such as PSD95, bind to Kir2.1 channels via a PDZ-binding motif (T/S-x-! ) in the C-terminal tail (SEI 428 ). By utilizing a multidimensional solution NMR approach, we show that the previously unresolved structure of Kir2.1 tail (residues 372-428) is highly flexible. Using in vitro binding assays, we determined that shortening the flexible tail of Kir2.1 preceding the C-terminal region (residues 414-428) does not significantly disrupt PDZ binding. We also investigated which amino acids in the Kir2.1 tail associated with PSD95 PDZ1,2 by NMR spectroscopy, revealing that a stretch of 12 C-terminal amino acids is involved in interaction with both PDZ domains (residues 417-428). Deletion of the 11 amino acids preceding the C-terminal tail, " 414-424, completely disrupts binding to PSD95 PDZ1,2. Therefore, the molecular interfaces formed between PDZ domains and Kir2.1 tail involve regions outside the previously identified binding motif (SEI 428 ) and may be important for additional channel-specific interactions with associating PDZ-containing proteins.
Performance optimization of a network game

Network-based multi-user interaction systems such as network games typically include a database shared among the players that are physically distributed and interact with one another over the network. Currently network game developers have to implement the shared database and the inter-player communications from scratch. This paper presents the result of a performance study on the effects of network bandwidth optimization techniques provided by a previously proposed distributed system, Artery, which is specifically designed to support network game applications by providing high-level application program interfaces and by exploiting application semantics for traffic reduction. This work studied a popular public-domain network game called Netrek, and showed through experiments that the techniques proposed in Artery combined can indeed cut down the network bandwidth requirements of Netrek sessions by a factor between 5 to 90, depending on the number of players in the game.
Novel loci interacting epistatically with bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 cause familial pulmonary arterial hypertension

Background Familial pulmonary arterial hypertension (FPAH) is a rare, autosomal-dominant, inherited disease with low penetrance. Mutations in the bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 ( BMPR2 ) have been identified in at least 70% of FPAH patients. However, the lifetime penetrance of these BMPR2 mutations is 10% to 20%, suggesting that genetic and/or environmental modifiers are required for disease expression. Our goal in this study was to identify genetic loci that may influence FPAH expression in BMPR2 mutation carriers. Methods We performed a genome-wide linkage scan in 15 FPAH families segregating for BMPR2 mutations. We used a dense single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array and a novel multi-scan linkage procedure that provides increased power and precision for the localization of linked loci. Results We observed linkage evidence in four regions: 3q22 ([median log of the odds (LOD) = 3.43]), 3p12 (median LOD) = 2.35), 2p22 (median LOD = 2.21), and 13q21 (median LOD = 2.09). When used in conjunction with the non-parametric bootstrap, our approach yields high-resolution to identify candidate gene regions containing putative BMPR2-interacting genes. Imputation of the disease model by LOD-score maximization indicates that the 3q22 locus alone predicts most FPAH cases in BMPR2 mutation carriers, providing strong evidence that BMPR2 and the 3q22 locus interact epistatically. Conclusions Our findings suggest that genotypes at loci in the newly identified regions, especially at 3q22, could improve FPAH risk prediction in FPAH families. We also suggest other targets for therapeutic intervention.
The biocompatibility and water uptake behavior of superparamagnetic poly(2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate) - magnetite nanocomposites as possible nanocarriers for magnetically mediated drug delivery system

The present study aims at formulating a novel multifunctional biocompatible superparamagnetic nanocarriers system comprising of magnetic material in solid polymer matrix of poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA). To design these nanocarriers PHEMA nanoparticles were prepared by modified suspension polymerization method followed by co-precipitation of iron oxide within the PHEMA matrix. The so prepared superparamagnetic nanocomposite (mPHEMA) was characterized by Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) confirming the presence of Fe3O4 in the PHEMA nanoparticles. The vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) studies and Mossbauer spectral analysis confirmed the superparamagnetic character of materials having saturation magnetization (Ms) of 23 emu/g at 5 kOe applied magnetic field and room temperature. Biocompatible nature was ascertained by in vitro cytotoxicity test following an extract method based on (ISO10993-5, 2009), anti-haemolytic activity, and bovine serum albumin (blood protein) adsorption test. The water sorption behaviour of superparamagnetic mPHEMA nanocomposites was studied as a function of various factors such as chemical composition of nanoparticles, pH and temperature of the swelling bath, simulated biological fluids and applied magnetic field. The results revealed that the superparamagnetic mPHEMA nanocomposite could prove to be an excellent option for controlled and targeted delivery of anticancer drugs by application of an external magnetic field.
Existence of Solutions for Fourth Order Boundary Value Problems on a Time Scale

Dedicated to Allan Peterson on the occasion of his 60th Birthday Let &#x1d54b; be a closed subset of ℝ with inf &#x1d54b; = − ∞ and sup &#x1d54b; = + ∞. For the fourth order nonlinear dynamic equation, u Δ4 = f (t, u, u Δ, u Δ2 , u Δ3 ), t ∈ &#x1d54b;, where f: &#x1d54b; × ℝ4 → ℝ is continuous, we assume solutions of initial value problems are unique and extend to &#x1d54b;. We consider questions of the uniqueness of solutions implying the existence of solutions for conjugate boundary problems on &#x1d54b;.
Threshold resummation of the total cross section for heavy quark production in hadronic collisions

We discuss calculations of the inclusive total cross section for heavy quark production at hadron collider energies within the context of perturbative quantum chromodynamics, including resummation of the effects of initial-state soft gluon radiation to all orders in the strong coupling strength. We resum the universal leading-logarithm contributions, and we restrict our integrations to the region of phase space that is demonstrably perturbative. We include a detailed comparison of the differences between ours and other methods. We provide predictions of the physical cross section as a function of the heavy quark mass in proton-antiproton reactions at center-of-mass energies of 1.8 and 2.0 TeV, and we discuss the estimated uncertainties. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
A Bayesian/geostatistical approach to the design of adaptive sampling programs

Traditional approaches to the delineation of subsurface contamination extent are costly and time consuming. Recent advances in field screening technologies present the possibility for adaptive sampling programs--programs that adapt or change to reflect sample results generated in the field. A coupled Bayesian/geostatistical methodology can be used to guide adaptive sampling programs. A Bayesian approach quantitatively combines ``soft`` information regarding contaminant location with ``hard`` sampling results. Soft information can include historical information, non-intrusive geophysical survey data, preliminary transport modeling results, past experience with similar sites, etc. Soft information is used to build an initial conceptual image of where contamination is likely to be. As samples are collected and analyzed, indicator kriging is used to update the initial conceptual image. New sampling locations are selected to minimize the uncertainty associated with contaminant extent. An example is provided that illustrates the methodology.
A theoretical investigation of the development of interfacial cells during the solidification of a dilute binary alloy: Comparison with the experiments of Morris and Winegard

Abstract An investigation is made of the development of hexagonal cells on an initially planar interface of solid growing uniformly into the liquid phase during the unidirectional solidification of a dilute binary alloy. The model employed postulates three-dimensional diffusion of solute and heat under the simplifying assumptions that there is no convection in the liquid phase, no solute diffusion in the solid phase, both these phases are infinite in extent, latent heat is negligible, and the thermal fields satisfy Laplace's equation in each phase. A nonlinear stability analysis is performed analogous to that originally developed for the study of Benard convection cells. The main results of this analysis are that, for a fixed value of the liquid temperature gradient, the structure of the planar interface evolves from nodes (circular depressions) to bands (elongated cells) to dome-shaped hexagonal cells as the solidification speed is increased. These results, which can only be obtained provided the variation of interfacial surface free energy with solute concentration is taken into account, are in excellent agreement with the experimental observations of Morris and Winegard [J. Inst. Metals 97 (1969) 220; J. Crystal Growth 5 (1969) 361] in regard to interface morphologies and solute segregation under their solidification conditions.
Let the User Beware

Two reports in this issue converge with findings which, in essence, constitute a warning to researchers. Professors Jack Vincent and Llewellyn Howell have agreed that it is unwise to place great trust in the World Event Interaction Survey (WEIS) and the Conflict and Peace Data Bank (COPDAB). Both scholars have carried out series of data analyses, using first one event data collection and then the other, and both have found that the results are importantly different. Neither Howell nor Vincent are ready, at this time, to recommend the use of one data set and the avoidance of the other. Both make references to probable practices of 'over-collecting' and 'under-collecting', but their investigations to date have not provided detail sufficient to pinpoint evidences of faulty workmanship in the data acquisition process. Equally for foreign policy making and international theory, Vincent and Howell have sounded an alarm with regard to the probable validity and reliability of the two major sets of international event data. They are not the first to suspect event data, however. Objections have been voiced and doubts raised, with persistence and vigor, from the first appearance of event studies. Almost any group of critics can be relied upon to react with 'standard' queries, among them: (1) Won't event files, being based on daily public reporting of world news, be biased seriously because of the selection and suppression of stories by reporters, editors, and owners of the mass media?; (2) Since heads of state, foreign ministers, intelligence chiefs, and military leaders do much of their work in foreign affairs in secret, how can event data collections be regarded as valid-how can they reflect the real circumstances of world affairs, in the face of so much secret activity?;
The use of modified microwave digestion/dissolution for the quantitattve determination of aluminum, silicon, and iron in biological materials by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry

Abstract A method is described to quantitatively determine Aluminum (Al), Silicon (Si), and Iron (Fe) in biological materials by Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) spectrometry using Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) to modify the microwave digestion/dissolution method. This method was tested using five plant tissues: NIST 1547 (peach), UCD 155 (Avocado), UCD 176 (Citrus), UCD 124 (Barley Hulls), and UCD 190 (Rice Straw). Values ranged from 50–700 μg/g Fe, 400–2000 μg/g Al, and 700–70000 μg/g Si. The method uses 250 mg plant material, 0.5 mL cone. HNO3, 2.0 mL 30% H2O2, and 150 ul cone. HF in a two step program of 5 and 8 min. The sample was diluted to a final volume of 15 mL using a boron solution to neutralize excess HF. The solutions were analyzed by ICP spectrometry. A smaller sample size (100 mg) is needed to obtain complete recovery of Si from botanical material containing Si levels higher than 5000 μg/g.
Experimental Heat Transfer Study on Green Roofs in a Semiarid Climate during Summer

An experimental study was conducted on green roofs under the semiarid summer climatic conditions of West Texas to investigate the effect of soil type, moisture content, and the presence of a top soil grass layer on the conductive heat transfer through the roof. Two soil types were investigated: uniform sand and local silt clay. Tests were also conducted on a control roof. A dual-needle heat-pulse sensor was used to conduct thermal property tests on the soils. The tests reveal that unlike sand, the thermal conductivity of silt clay did not increase continuously with soil moisture. Better heat transfer conditions were achieved when the sand and silt clay roofs were watered to a water depth of 10 mm per day rather than double the amount of 20 mm per day. The roof with silt clay soil had the lowest fluctuation in inner temperature between daytime and nighttime. Green roofs with silt clay soil required more than twice the amount of soil moisture than green roofs with sand to achieve similar roof heat transfer rates. The best net heat flux gains for vegetated green roofs were 4.7 W/m2 for the sand roof and 7.8 W/m2 for the silt clay roof.
A Computer Model for the Generation of System and Component Load Curves

ABSTRACT This paper presents a procedure for calculating system and component utilization patterns or load curves which describe the use of a single service facility by several independent agencies. Such load curves are frequently used to allocate cost of the facility among the agencies it serves. The procedure is a computer model that establishes a link between data that are readily obtain ed and data that are required by allocation formulas. The model derives detailed load curves for each agency and for the-total system. A Monte Carlo procedure is suggested in which the model may be used to estimate the sensitivity of allocation formulas to error in the underlying data.
Hydatidiform mole: clinicopathologic associations with the development of postevacuation trophoblastic disease

Abstract Clinical information and histopathologic material for 165 patients with hydatidiform mole referred to the John I. Brewer Trophoblastic Disease Center of Northwestern University Medical School during one year were reviewed in order to identify characteristics more likely to be associated with the development of gestational trophoblastic tumors. Twenty-nine patients (18%) required chemotherapy for invasive mole or choriocarcinoma. Patients with uterine enlargement beyond that expected for dates and patients with ovarian theca-lutein cysts were much more likely to require treatment after molar evacuation (47% vs. 18% and 40% vs. 16%, respectively). There was no correlation between the initial human chorionic gonadotropin level, gestational age, uterine size per se, maternal age or gravidity and the subsequent clinical course. Histologically, the following factors were associated with an increased incidence of postmolar gestational trophoblastic tumor: (1) progressive nuclear atypia (26.7% if atypia present vs. 4% if absent); (2) necrosis and hemorrhage (39.1% if extensive vs. 12.8% if limited); (3) decreased trophoblast maturation (48% if 1 vs. 6.4% if
Effects of aging on proliferation and E47 transcription factor activity induced by different stimuli in murine splenic B cells

In the present paper, we have investigated the effects of aging on the expression and function of the E2A-encoded transcription factor E47 in splenic B lymphocytes, unactivated or activated with different stimuli (LPS, anti-CD40, anti-IgM, alone or in combination with IL-4). Results indicate that unstimulated splenic B cells show very low E47 protein levels as well as E47 DNA-binding activity and that, upon B cell activation, E47 expression and DNA-binding activity are strongly induced in young and, to a significantly lesser extent, in old mice. The level of E47 protein expression in stimulated splenic B cells was found significantly higher in young than in old mice, suggesting that DNA-binding activity correlates with protein expression. These results altogether suggest that the reduced expression of the transcriptional regulator E47 could help explain the reduced B cell functions in aging mice.
Antithrombin III binds to human platelets

The receptor site for antithrombin III (AT III) was investigated in normal human platelets. [125I] iodinated AT III was utilized as tracer for the binding assay. Equilibrium of AT III binding was reached within 2 min. The binding capacity was pH-dependent with the optimum around pH 7.0. Binding specificity was demonstrated by inhibition of [125I] AT III ligation using an excess amount of non-labeled AT III. The AT III·heparin complex did not supress [125I] AT III binding. Analysis of binding data by Scatchard plot revealed a single class of binding sites with Kd of 3.2 × 10−7 M and binding capacity of 3840 per platelet.
Intraoperative sponge 5-flourouracil to reduce postoperative scarring in strabismus surgery

Abstract Introduction:To determine whether 5-fluorouracil is effective in reducing scarring after strabismus surgery we used rectus muscle surgery in experimental animals to compare a single intraoperative dose of 5-fluorouracil with mitomycin C and to compare results in similarly treated controls not receiving these antimetabolites. Methods: Muscle resections were performed on eight rabbits (16 eyes). Four eyes had 5-fluorouracil (50 mg/ml), and four eyes received mitomycin C (0.2 mg/ml), each of which was applied during surgery on an ophthalmic sponge for 5 minutes. Eight eyes served as controls. Six weeks after surgery conjunctival vascularity, muscle length-tension curves, muscle disinsertion force, and the histologic degree of scarring were assessed. Results:The mitomycin C-treated eyes clearly had more conjunctival avascularity and a lower disinsertion force. Both treated groups had flatter length-tension curves and less scarring on histologic examination than the control eyes. Conclusions: Antifibroproliferative therapy with intraoperative sponge 5-fluorouracil appears as effective as, and is possibly safer than, mitomycin C. It may be a useful adjunct in recurrent strabismus surgery or in other situations where a risk of excessive postoperative scarring exists.
Singular unitary representations and indefinite harmonic theory

Abstract Square-integrable harmonic spaces are defined and studied in a homogeneous indefinite metric setting. In the process, Dolbeault cohomologies are unitarized, and singlar unitary representations are obtained and studied.
Liquids and Glasses in Spaces of Incommensurate Curvature

Supercooled liquids and metallic glasses can be viewed as defected states of bond orientational order. Surfaces of constant negative curvature contain an irreducible density of point disclinations in a hexatic order parameter. Analogous defect lines in an icosahedral order parameter appear in three-dimensional flat space. The Frank-Kasper phases are ordered networks of these lines, which, when disordered, provide an appealing model for structure in metallic glasses.
Quantum Simulations in Ion Traps

We are using an array of laser-controlled strontium ions confined in a linear rf trap to build a multi-body quantum simulator to solve otherwise intractable many-body quantum problems.
Mechanochemical mechanism for reaction of aluminium nano- and micrometre-scale particles.

A recently suggested melt-dispersion mechanism (MDM) for fast reaction of aluminium (Al) nano- and a few micrometre-scale particles during fast heating is reviewed. Volume expansion of 6% during Al melting produces pressure of several GPa in a core and tensile hoop stresses of 10 GPa in an oxide shell. Such stresses cause dynamic fracture and spallation of the shell. After spallation, an unloading wave propagates to the centre of the particle and creates a tensile pressure of 3–8 GPa. Such a tensile pressure exceeds the cavitation strength of liquid Al and disperses the melt into small, bare clusters (fragments) that fly at a high velocity. Reaction of the clusters is not limited by diffusion through a pre-existing oxide shell. Some theoretical and experimental results related to the MDM are presented. Various theoretical predictions based on the MDM are in good qualitative and quantitative agreement with experiments, which resolves some basic puzzles in combustion of Al particles. Methods to control and improve reactivity of Al particles are formulated, which are exactly opposite to the current trends based on diffusion mechanism. Some of these suggestions have experimental confirmation. 1. Melt-dispersion mechanism Aluminium (Al) particles are becoming integrated into various energetic formulations, using the reaction heat of Al oxidation. When the diameter of the Al particle reduces to 20–120 nm (in contrast to traditional 10–100µm size), their reactivity drastically increases. Thus, flame-propagation rates reach 1 km s −1
A comparison of online and dynamic impact analysis algorithms

Impact analysis is the process of determining the effect, or impact, of a change to a software system. Dynamic impact analysis uses data obtained from executing a program to perform analysis after program termination for determining impacts more in line with how a program is used. Online impact analysis has the same goal, but is performed concurrently with program execution. While some of the tradeoffs between dynamic algorithms have been studied, no such study has been performed for online algorithms. In this paper, we present such a study by comparing two online algorithms and two previously published dynamic algorithms in terms of their space overhead, time for computation, computed impact sets, and scalability. Our results indicate that performing impact analysis online can be more scalable than the dynamic counterparts.
Effect of duodenectomy on interdigestive pancreatic secretion, gastrointestinal motility, and hormones in dogs

We tested the hypothesis that the duodenum is necessary to coordinate interdigestive pancreatic trypsin secretion with gastrointestinal motility and determined whether duodenectomy altered interdigestive cycles of plasma motilin and pancreatic polypeptide and their relationship to trypsin secretion and motility. Consequently, in normal and duodenectomized dogs, we measured trypsin secretion, gastrointestinal motility, and plasma concentrations of motilin and pancreatic polypeptide during the interdigestive period. After duodenectomy, peaks of trypsin secretion continued to cycle at normal intervals (102 +/- 15 min), but the amounts of trypsin were reduced during peaks of secretion (P = 0.02) and throughout the entire cycle (P = 0.02). Trypsin secretory cycles after duodenectomy, however, were not coordinated with cycles of interdigestive motility, and the plasma concentrations of motilin (P = 0.02) and pancreatic polypeptide (P = 0.05) were reduced and had no cyclic pattern. In addition, we confirmed that duodenectomy alters canine interdigestive antral motility, interrupts coordination between antral and intestinal motility, and shortens the period of jejunal migrating motor complexes. We conclude that duodenectomy disrupts the relationship between the cycles of interdigestive gastrointestinal motility and trypsin secretion and reduces the amount of interdigestive trypsin secretion. These effects of duodenectomy may be due to interruption of the duodenopancreatic neural connections or the hormonal abnormalities we have described. The loss of the cyclic pattern of plasma pancreatic polypeptide after duodenectomy suggests that the duodenum controls the release of pancreatic polypeptide by either a neural or hormonal mechanism.