cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Seventeenth Century Seismicity of Northeastern North America

A reexamination of original sources with references to earthquakes in New England and vicinity during the seventeenth century has revealed a number of discrepancies in presently available earthquake catalogs. Misinterpretations of earlier published reports by later catalog compilers as well as transcription errors have led to a number of false earthquakes being erroneously included in modern earthquake catalogs. Furthermore, three earthquakes that do not show up in most modern earthquake catalogs for the region have been found in some of the original diary sources. Earthquakes above magnitude 5 took place during the seventeenth century in northeastern North America in 1638, 1661, 1663 (5 events), 1665, and 1668 based on the widespread distances over which they were felt and on the strength and duration of the ground shaking. From the intensities where it was felt and a report of some aftershocks having been sensed in eastern Massachusetts, the 1638 earthquake is assigned an epicenter in central New Hampshire in this study with a magnitude of 6.5—7.0. The only other earthquakes for which epicenters are assigned in this study are the 1663 shocks in the Charlevoix region of Quebec and small earthquakes in 1668 (Littleton, Massachusetts), 1685 (Newburyport, Massachusetts) and 1697 (Brockton, Massachusetts). There is a description in one source of possible sandblows in Maine in 1670, but a contemporary source indicates that no earthquake accompanied the formation of those features. The features may have been caused by a small meteorite impact.
Mapping Oil and Gas Development Potential in the US Intermountain West and Estimating Impacts to Species

Background Many studies have quantified the indirect effect of hydrocarbon-based economies on climate change and biodiversity, concluding that a significant proportion of species will be threatened with extinction. However, few studies have measured the direct effect of new energy production infrastructure on species persistence. Methodology/Principal Findings We propose a systematic way to forecast patterns of future energy development and calculate impacts to species using spatially-explicit predictive modeling techniques to estimate oil and gas potential and create development build-out scenarios by seeding the landscape with oil and gas wells based on underlying potential. We illustrate our approach for the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) in the western US and translate the build-out scenarios into estimated impacts on sage-grouse. We project that future oil and gas development will cause a 7–19 percent decline from 2007 sage-grouse lek population counts and impact 3.7 million ha of sagebrush shrublands and 1.1 million ha of grasslands in the study area. Conclusions/Significance Maps of where oil and gas development is anticipated in the US Intermountain West can be used by decision-makers intent on minimizing impacts to sage-grouse. This analysis also provides a general framework for using predictive models and build-out scenarios to anticipate impacts to species. These predictive models and build-out scenarios allow tradeoffs to be considered between species conservation and energy development prior to implementation.
A comprehensive analysis of the response time of MR dampers

The primary purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review on the response time of magnetorheological (MR) dampers. Rapid response time is desired for all real-time control applications. In reviewing the literature, a detailed description of the response time of semi-active dampers is seldom given. Furthermore, the methods of computing the response time are not discussed in detail. The authors intend to develop a method for the definition and the experimental determination of the response time of MR dampers. Furthermore, parameters affecting the response time of MR dampers are investigated. Specifically, the effect of operating current, piston velocity, and system compliance are addressed. Because the response time is often limited, not by the response of the fluid itself, but by the limitations of the driving electronics and the inductance of the electromagnet, the response time of the driving electronics is considered as well. The authors define the response time as the time required to transition from the initial state to 95% of the final state. Using a triangle wave to maintain constant velocity across the damper, various operating currents ranging from 0.5 to 2 A were applied and the resulting force was recorded. The results show that, for a given velocity, the response time decreases as the operating current increases. Results for the driving electronics show the opposite trend: as current increases, response time increases. To evaluate the effect of piston velocity on response time, velocities ranging from 0.1 to 4 in s−1 were tested. The results show that the response time decreases exponentially as the velocity increases, converging on some final value. Further analysis revealed that this result is an artifact of the compliance in the system. To confirm this, a series of tests was conducted in which the compliance of the system was artificially altered. The results of the compliance study indicate that compliance has a significant effect on the response time of the damper.
The center for X-ray lithography facility status and beamlines development

Abstract The University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for X-ray Lithography (CXrL) is a national facility for basic and applied research in the field of X-ray lithography operating five beamlines dedicated to X-ray lithography at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Aladdin storage ring. In addition to the beamlines, support facilities for lithographic processing are available. A recent development program with ARPA and Motorola has led to a large increase in the processing and methological facilities available at CXrL. CXrL is in the process of upgrading several key aspects of the facility to accommodate the new equipment and research initiatives. A description of the facility upgrades and a summary of beamlines capabilities, research activities and support facilities is provided.
P-glycoprotein expression in cartilaginous tumors.

Background and Objectives Malignant cartilage tumors demonstrate chemotherapeutic resistance through undetermined mechanisms. P-glycoprotein is the protein product of the multiple drug resistance gene 1 (MDR-1) and confers multidrug chemotherapeutic resistance in a variety of malignancies. Methods MDR-1 expression was examined in 55 benign and malignant cartilage tumor specimens by immunohistochemistry using C219, C494, and JSB-1 antibodies, and by in situ hybridization with an MDR-1 specific oligonucleotide cDNA probe. Results Constitutive expression of P-glycoprotein was observed in all benign and malignant cartilage tumor specimens with a similar pattern of immunohistochemical staining present with all three antibodies. In benign tumors and low grade chondrosarcomas, the staining pattern was weak to intermediate and localized to clusters of cells. However, higher grade tumors (Grade II and III) expressed P-glycoprotein in a higher percentage of cells and with more intense staining. P-glycoprotein expression was absent in normal human articular cartilage, but was focally present in costal and growth plate cartilage. The immunohistochemistry results were confirmed by in situ hybridization in 10 cases. Conclusions P-glycoprotein is expressed constitutively in cartilaginous tumors, with greatest expression in high grade malignancies. The findings may account for the resistance of cartilage tumors to chemotherapeutic agents. J. Surg. Oncol. 1997;65:95–105. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Laplace's Integral, the Gamma Function, and Beyond

It is impossible to overplay this function's pervasive role in mathematics. From its humble origin as a complex-valued generalization of the shifted "factorial" function to its more sophisticated guise as the Mellin transform of e-x, the gamma function surfaces in the study of special functions everywhere. On the other hand it can be argued, following Weierstrass, that the reciprocal of the gamma function is a more natural player, one equally deserving of a central part. In this article we focus on Laplace's basic result and its numerous ramifications. Our first goal is to provide two simple proofs of his identity. We avoid popular techniques: "messy" contour integration (the kind that deals with branch points) and the theory of Fourier transforms, which invariably invokes the Fourier inversion formula. The only facts about the gamma function that we use follow from Euler's definition. These are its recurrence relation
Developmental Effects of Child Abuse: A Review.

Abstract Most research investigating the effects of physical child abuse on children's development has been based on uncontrolled or poorly controlled studies having small samples, no long-term follow-up, and weak instrumentation. These studies, as well as some which have been more carefully designed, have generally suggested seriously detrimental developmental consequences in physical, intellectual, behavioral, and emotional areas. Some recent controlled follow-up studies challenge such a negative picture of abuse. In particular, a study by Elmer, which is probably the most carefully conducted study yet done, found that the harmful effects of abuse dissipated years after the abusive incident and that socioeconomic status (SES) and related factors may be more important than abuse in determining the course of child development. To improve the quality and clarity of future research on developmental effects of child abuse, this paper discusses, in four major areas, problems which plague the research. Definition : The extent, type, and frequency of abuse should be more carefully defined to allow studies to be compared. The types and amounts of social service interventions should also be specified. Generalization : Research should include more middle and upper SES children, more of the mildly and moderately abused, and more neglected children to allow generalization to the total population of maltreated children. Causality : Since developmental deficits may be the cause as well as the effects of abuse and because outside factors such as SES may lead to both the abuse and the deficits, there is a need for large-scale longitudinal studies which can untangle the cause and effect web of abuse by following children from birth and measuring many factors which might affect development (e.g., SES, birth abnormalities, abuse). Statistical Analysis : Future studies should always use statistical analysis and should obtain larger samples and utilize outcome and classification measures with demonstrated reliability and validity to increase statistical power.
Bridge detection in grid terrains and improved drainage enforcement

Bare Earth gridded digital elevation models (DEMs) are often used to extract hydrologic features such as rivers and watersheds. DEMs must be conditioned by removing spurious sinks (or depressions) which impede water flow in the model, but are not true hydrologic barriers. This conditioning process is designed to enforce proper drainage and connect real hydrologic networks (rivers) that would otherwise be disconnected in the unconditioned DEM. Primary means of conditioning DEMs include filling sinks and cutting barriers.The availability of high resolution DEMs derived from lidar introduces new forms of false hydrologic barriers, primarily bridges. While attempts are made to automatically remove trees, buildings and bridges from bare Earth terrains, in practice many bridges remain in the final "cleaned" DEM. We present a supervised machine learning approach for detecting bridges and other hydrologic barriers in DEMs. Furthermore, we locally apply a simple cutting algorithm to condition DEMs in areas tagged as barriers by the machine learning step. After cutting, we use a filling technique to remove any remaining spurious depressions. Experimental results indicate that our approach accurately identifies a variety of bridge and bridge-like features. Our final conditioned DEM both modifies fewer grid cells and modifies cells to a lesser extent than other traditional conditioning approaches. The result is more realistic hydrologic models on high resolution terrains.
The effects of thyrotropin-releasing hormone on the behaviour of rats pretreated with α-methyltyrosine

Abstract The effects of synthetic thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on spontaneous motor activity and conditioned avoidance behaviour were studied in rats following treatment with α-methyltyrosine. Motor activity was measured for four groups of rats for 20 min daily for 4 days prior to drug treatment. Twelve hours prior to the fifth session, groups 3 and 4 received three injections of α-methyltyrosine (100 mg/kg, i.p.) spaced 4 hr apart. Twenty minutes prior to testing, one group received TRH (1 mg/kg, i.p.), the other, saline. Groups 1 and 2 were given only TRH or saline 20 min prior to the fifth session. Results indicated that there was no difference between TRH-treated subjects and saline controls with endogenous levels of norepinephrine intact. However, TRH antagonized the depressant effects of α-methyltyrosine on motor activity. In addition, a second experiment demonstrated that TRH also altered the depressant effects of α-methyltyrosine on conditioned avoidance behaviour. The results are discussed in terms of possible biochemical mechanisms for an interaction between TRH and central catecholaminergic pathways.
Development and application of growth models for grain boundary allotriomorphs of a stoichiometric compound in ternary systems

A model for the isothermal growth of grain boundary allotriomorphs of a stoichiometric phase, (M, N)aIb, with a nonsingular interface in a ternary M-N-I matrix is developed. The element I is assumed to diffuse orders of magnitude faster than element N. The growth model assumes two initial no-partition growth stages and a subsequent partition growth stage with respect to element N. Both planar and spherical film geometries of allotriomorphs are considered. Strict mass balance conditions are taken into account so that the model can be used in rigorous computer simulations. A method to correct the allotriomorph thickness for the specific volume difference of the matrix and the precipitate is also shown. The growth of cementite allotriomorphs in Fe-Cr-C austenite is computer-simulated with the developed growth model. Interfacial concentration terms were calculated by programming the Sharma-Purdy-Kirkaldy regular solution model for the Fe-Cr-C system.
Freestanding emergency centers and the health care of adolescents

Abstract We studied the nature of the visits of patients aged 11–20 year to three free-standing emergency centers (FECs) and compared the mean to the national studies of visits by this age group to pediatricians and family/general physician. Differences in sex distribution, diagonostic procedures, and diagnostic categories of the FECs emerged. Our results suggest that adolescents seek FECs care for reasons different than those prompting visits to the traditional physician's office.
A time-predictable dual-core prototype on FPGA

This paper describes the design and implementation of time-predictable dual-core architecture on Xilinx FPGA. The emphasis is to observe the impact of various cache replacement algorithms on the time-predictability of a high priority thread, in a multi-core architecture. This design is done in verilog and consists of two cores, each with a simple 5-stage in-order pipeline and a private L1-cache. This is further connected to a shared L2 cache and a RAM. The design is synthesized in Xilinx ISE and its performance will be tested on Virtex-6 FPGA.
40Ar/39Ar age gradients in micas from a high-temperature-low-pressure metamorphic terrain: Evidence for very slow cooling and implications for the interpretation of age spectra

Estimates of the time-temperature history of geologic samples are often based on 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages obtained through incremental-heating experiments on minerals with different Ar retentivities. Laser incre mental heating of single crystals of muscovite and biotite from an ∼1700 Ma monzogranite from a low-pressure- high-temperature metamorphic terrain in central Arizona suggested an essentially uniform distribution of radiogenic 40 Ar in each crystal and yielded ages of 1412 ±5 Ma for the muscovite and 1410 ±10 Ma for the biotite. The similarity in these ages implies rapid (∼25 K/m.y.) cooling of the monzogranite after a reheating episode slightly before 1412 Ma. In contrast, detailed age mapping of single crystals from the same samples with the laser microprobe revealed large radiogenic 40 Ar gradients indicative of very slow ( 400 m.y. Evidence for such low cooling rates has important implications for the longevity of high thermal gradients in the Early-Middle Proterozoic lithosphere. In addition, inconsistency between the laser mapping and incremental-heating results for these micas suggests caution when interpreting incremental-heating data for slowly cooled samples.
Influence of geocoding quality on environmental exposure assessment of children living near high traffic roads

The widespread availability of powerful geocoding tools in commercial GIS software and the interest in spatial analysis at the individual level have made address geocoding a widely employed technique in epidemiological studies. This study determined the effect of the positional error in street geocoding on the analysis of traffic-related air pollution on children. For a case-study of a large sample of school children in Orange County, Florida (n = 104,865) the positional error of street geocoding was determined through comparison with a parcel database. The effect of this error was evaluated by analyzing the proximity of street and parcel geocoded locations to road segments with high traffic volume and determining the accuracy of the classification using the results of street geocoding. Of the original sample of 163,886 addresses 36% were not used in the final analysis because they could not be reliably geocoded using either street or parcel geocoding. The estimates of positional error can therefore be considered conservative underestimates. Street geocoding was found to have a median error of 41 meters, a 90th percentile of 100 meters, a 95th percentile of 137 meters and a 99th percentile of 273 meters. These positional errors were found to be non-random in nature and introduced substantial bias and error in the estimates of potential exposure to traffic-related air pollution. Street geocoding was found to consistently over-estimate the number of potentially exposed children at small distances up to 250 meters. False positives and negatives were also found to be very common at these small distances. Results of the case-study presented here strongly suggest that typical street geocoding is insufficient for fine-scale analysis and more accurate alternatives need to be considered.
NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCK BY SUXAMETHONIUM FOLLOWING TREATMENT WITH HISTAMINE TYPE 2 ANTAGONISTS OR METOCLOPRAMIDE

We have examined the effect of preoperative i.v. administration of three different histamine type 2 (H2) antagonists (cimetidine 400 mg, ranitidine 80 mg and famotidine 20 mg) or metoclopramide 10 mg i.v. on the duration of neuromuscular block produced by an intubating dose (1 mg kg−1) of suxamethonium. The study was conducted blindly in 70 post partum patients, weighing between 45 and 120 kg, scheduled for tubal ligation. The duration of neuromuscular block following suxamethonium was measured from a chart recording of train-of-four (TOF) electromyographic responses. The time from onset of 95% block to 25% recovery (“block time ”) was not significantly different between the groups receiving cimetidine (A), ranitidine (B), famotidine (C), and control (E). However, there was prolongation of neuromuscular block in patients receiving suxamethonium and metoclopramide (D).
Strong Er emission from Er doped SiO 2 /nc-Si multilayers

We demonstrate strong Er emission from Er doped SiO 2 /nc-Si multilayer structures. Compared to reference samples, Er emission is enhanced and nc-Si emission is quenched, indicating energy transfer is the reason behind this enhancement.
Electrochromic Switching of the Optical Properties of Polyisothianaphthene

We present a detailed study of the electrochromic switching phenomena in the novel conducting polymer, polyisothianaphthene. We find reversible electrochromic switching with a characteristic switching time of a few hundred milliseconds. Since the results indicate that the rate limiting step in the electrochromic switching involves diffusion of the dopant species into the bulk of the polymer, we present a series of electron micrographs which provide an initial characterization of the morphology of PITN. The observation of a very open honeycomb‐like structure with morphological subunits on the 20A scale is consistent with the relatively rapid doping kinetics and the associated electrochromism of PITN. Our conclusion is that the detailed morphology plays a critical role in determining the electrochromic switching; by controlling the morphology so as to minimize dopant diffusion distance in conductive polymers, it should be possible to achieve sufficient speed to be of interest for a variety of technological applications.
Dual-mode fiber-optic interferometer: a novel design.

We describe a simple and novel single-arm two-mode fiber interferometer in which the directional couplers and the fiber-grating couplers are replaced with microbends caused by point mechanical squeezing. The interferometer works with incident light in the LP02 mode. While the input microbend couples the LP02 mode to the LP21 mode, the output microbend behaves as an attenuator that is sensitive to the orientation of LP02 –LP21 interference intensity field inside the fiber. The application of this device for measuring the core–cladding refractive-index difference and as an interferometric temperature sensor between 20 and 400 °C is demonstrated.
Binding and redistribution of surface membrane receptors for concanavalin A on oyster hemocytes

The binding and redistribution of Con A surface membrane determinants was investigated in two Crassostrea virginica hemocyte subpopulations (designated LS and SS) by employing a direct Con A-peroxidase coupling method in conjunction with light and electron microscopical cytochemistry. At 4°C small, adherent hemocytes exposed to Con A and horseradish peroxidase (HPO) produced a uniform staining pattern on hemocyte surface membranes. Polar redistribution or capping of Con A receptors was observed in 22.2% of LS and 11.0% of SS hemocytes when the incubating temperature was increased from 4 to 21°C. Receptor patching, observed with equal frequency (∼15%) in both cell subpopulations, also exhibited a temperature dependency. Capped hemocytes were readily identified by the polar concentration of darkstaining HPO reaction product along the marginal surface of each cell. Receptor patching was observed as multiple aggregates of reaction staining on blood cell surface membranes. Cap formation in SS hemocytes was inhibited by sodium azide (−N3) at each concentration of inhibitor tested. LS hemocyte capping was inhibited only at the highest −N3 concentration (5 × 10−2 M). Cells of both subpopulations were unable to completely reverse the effects of −N3 poisoning following inhibitor removal.
Reactions involving hydrogen transfer from triosmium clusters to an activated nitrile

Abstract The reactions of H2Os3(CO)10, Ia and H2Os3(CO)9PMe2Ph, Ib with CF3CN have been investigated. Both la and Ib react with CF3CN to give the products HOs3[μ-η2-(CF3)CNH](CO)9Land HOs3[μ-η1-NC(H)CF3](CO)9L, IIa, IIIa, L = CO; IIb and IIIb, L = PMe2Ph. IIb and IIIb have been characterized crystallographically. In each, one nitrile molecule was added to the cluster and one hydride ligand was transferred to the nitrile ligand, but in IIb the hydride was transferred to the nitrogen atom to form a CF3CNH ligand which bridges an edge of the cluster while in IIIb the hydride was transferred to the carbon atom to form a CF3(H)CN ligand which also bridges an edge of the cluster. On the basis of spectroscopic measurements IIa and IIIa are believed to have analogous structures. An isotope scrambling experiment established that the formation of Ilia occurs by an intramolecular process. IIa was decarbonylated to yield the compound HOs3[μ3-η2-(CF3)CNH](CO)9, which is believed to contain a triply-bridging iminyl ligand. Ilia reacts with PMe2Ph to give two mono-substitution products, one of which is IIIb.
Plasma temperature distributions in the heliosheath

[1] Voyager 2 crossed the termination shock (TS) in August 2007 and began observations of the heliosheath. We present the first 400 days of heliosheath plasma data and propose a consistent picture of the energy flow across the TS. Roughly 15% of the plasma flow energy lost at the shock heats the thermal ions and most of the rest of this energy heats the pickup ions. The pickup ions make up roughly 20% of the sheath plasma and have energies of about 6 keV in the heliosheath, consistent with STEREO observations. Relative standard deviations of the proton temperature in the upstream solar wind and in the heliosheath are similar, but this similarity is probably accidental since the temperatures are strongly modified at the termination shock. The temperature fluctuations in the heliosheath may be derived from changes in the TS speed and/or temporal changes in the TS structure.
A carbon flow-based modelling approach to ecophysiological processes and biomass dynamics of Vallisneria americana, with applications to temperate and tropical water bodies

A dynamic simulation modelling approach to submersed plant biomass formation has been developed to provide a tool for water resource managers to evaluate key environmental conditions in which submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) would persist or produce excessive biomass with ensuing consequences for the systems in which they grow, either or not affected by management measures. The model species is Vallisneria americana (American wildcelery) and the model name is VALLA. The model describes major, carbon flow-based ecophysiological processes and biomass dynamics of a common plant species. The model contains unique descriptions of: (1) species-characteristic vertical distribution of shoot biomass in the water column, that enables the calculation of the fraction of irradiance actually available for absorption by the SAV; (2) recalculation procedures of this vertical distribution with daily changes in water level and/or shoot mass removal at various levels within the water column, that enables the evaluation of regrowth potential; (3) species-characteristic effects of current velocity on photosynthesis, that enables the evaluation of the effects of hydraulic water body alterations; and (4) relationships of plant process parameters with site-specific climate, that enables the evaluation of effects of different climates. Generally, a good fit was found between simulated and measured biomass in the field. Sensitivity analysis showed that the model is very sensitive to changes in process parameters influencing carbon flow.
Exponential Regression of CA 125 during Salvage Treatment of Ovarian Cancer with Taxol

Abstract The role of serum CA 125 in monitoring the response of epithelial ovarian cancer to treatment has been extensively investigated. The exponential regression curve [ln(CA 125) = i + s (days after initiation of treatment)] has been reported to describe the rate of change of serum CA 125 during treatment. In this model, the y-axis intercept ( i ) represents the initial CA 125-secreting tumor burden, while the slope ( s ) is determined by the response to treatment. The exponential regression curve was calculated for 66 patients undergoing salvage chemotherapy with taxol. At a mean follow-up of 121 days, 50 (75%) patients had progressed and 35 (53%) had died. Stratification of the patients by stage, grade, or histology did not reveal any significant differences in the regression rate. When the patients were stratified by response, the mean regression rate was 0.0157 ± 0.011 for patients with progressive disease ( N = 19) vs -0.0250 ± 0.031 for those with stable disease ( N = 25) and -0.0250 ± 0.015 for those with a partial response ( N = 22) ( P P > 0.05). We conclude that changes in serum CA 125 levels follow an exponential regression curve in patients undergoing salvage chemotherapy with taxol for progressive or recurrent ovarian cancer. A positive regression rate may predict which patients will progress prior to the time progression becomes clinically evident. However, a negative rate fails to provide discriminatory utility in predicting progression-free interval or survival.
Liquidus and solidus boundaries in the vicinity of order–disorder transitions in the Fe–Si system

Abstract Differential thermal analysis (DTA) is used for liquidus and solidus measurements in binary Fe–Si alloys. The heating-rate and composition dependence of the DTA response is quantified, and we report phase boundaries that differ considerably from previous reports. Implications of A2–B2 ordering and thermodynamic treatments are discussed.
Fictive motion as cognitive simulation

Sentences such as The road runs through the valley and The mountain range goes from Canada to Mexico include a motion verb but express no explicit motion or state change. It is argued that these sentences involve fictive motion, an implicit type of motion. But do people trying to understand these sentences mentally simulate motion? This question was addressed in four experiments. In each, participants read a story about travel—for instance, fast versus slow, short versus long distance, and easy versus difficult terrain—and then made a timed decision about a fictive motion sentence. Overall, latencies were shorter after they had read about fast travel, short distances, and easy terrains. Critically, the effect did not arise with nonfictive motion target sentences (e.g., The road is in the valley), as was demonstrated in three control studies. The results suggest that the processing of fictive motion includes mental simulation.
A class of games possessing pure-strategy Nash equilibria

A class of noncooperative games (of interest in certain applications) is described. Each game in the class is shown to possess at least one Nash equilibrium in pure strategies.
Supersymmetric flavor changing neutral currents: Exact amplitudes and phenomenological analysis

Abstract We present an exact calculation of the most general supersymmetric amplitudes for K 0 − K 0 and B 0 − B 0 mixing resulting gluino box diagrams. We use these amplitudes to place general constraints on the magnitude of off-generational, flavor-changing mass mixings in the squark mass matrices (with arbitrary chirality structures) that can arise both in and beyond the minimal supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM). We use the renormalization-group equations to estimate these mass mixings in the MSSM and in nonminimal supersymmetric models in terms of a general parameterization of universal soft supersymmetry breaking. We show that while these mass mixings are too small in the MSSM to yield any observable effects, the conserse is true in most nontrivial extensions of the MSSM, including supersymmetric GUTs. In nonminimal supersymmetry, the KL-KS mass difference is sensitive to such contributions from supersymmetric particles with masses up to 100 TeV (10 TeV for the BL-BS mass difference), and the CP impurity parameter ϵK is sensitive to sparticle masses up to 1000 TeV. We show that supersymmetric CP violation can be predominantly “superweak” (i.e., contribute mainly to ϵK) or “milliweak” (ϵ′) depending on the chirality of the off-generational squark mass mixings. The rare decay b → sγ is less sensitive than the aforementioned constraints, but probes somewhat different squark mass mixings. The lepton-number violating decay μ → eγ is very sensitive to off-generational slepton mixing for sleptons up to a TeV. All these processes provide valuable information regarding the structure of physics beyond the MSSM pertaining to arbitrarily high mass scales, including the nature of supersymmetry breaking.
‘Fiction is the Final Draft’: Don DeLillo's Advice to Fiction Writers

Abstract This paper collects and analyses some of Don DeLillo's writerly counsel, with an eye to how this advice might promise fresh ways to consider the aims of writing fiction and the fiction writer's place in the contemporary world. Specifically, DeLillo is concerned with the writer's relationship to a contemporary culture that falls most readily into patterns of mass consumption, assimilation, and waste. To counter this, DeLillo asks the fiction writer to labor to find the smallest moments of the individual life and to confront a loss of individuation.
Seasonal variability in the respiration of the freshwater clams, Pisidium variabile (prime) and P. compressum (prime) (bivalvia: Pisidiidae)

Abstract 1. 1. Seasonal metabolic rates for both Pisidium variabile and P. compressum were partially independent of temperature, but coincided with periods of reproduction. 2. 2. The exponent from the metabolic rate-weight equation varied seasonally in both species; values ranged from 0.350 to 0.973 for P. variabile and from 0.205 to 0.989 for P. compressum .
Transmission of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Infection in an Intensive Care Unit

Excerpt Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection has reportedly been transmitted via contaminated secretions from an infected patient to susceptible health care workers, producing a finger inf...
Heparan sulfate proteoglycans in invasion and metastasis

Because heparan sulfate proteoglycans mediate cell adhesion and control the activities of numerous growth and motility factors, they play a critical role in regulating the metastatic behavior of tumor cells. Due to their utilitarian nature, heparan sulfate proteoglycans may at times act as inhibitors of cell invasion and at other times as promoters of cell invasion, with their function being determined by their location (cell surface or extracellular matrix), the heparin-binding molecules they associate with, the presence of modifying enzymes (proteases, heparanases) and the precise structural characteristics of the proteoglycan. Also, the tissue type and pathophysiological state of the tumor influence proteogylcan function. This review summarizes our current knowledge of the role heparan sulfate proteoglycans play in regulating tumor cell metastasis, proposes mechanisms of how these molecules function and examines the potential for discovery of new therapeutic approaches designed to block metastatic cancer.
Symbolic Surface Descriptors For 3-Dimensional Object Recognition

We are studying classification of symbolic surface de-scriptors in classes that will allow fast approaches for 3-D object recognition. In our approach for object recognition, we will use features to hypothesize objects using parallel distributed approach, and then use models of objects to find objects that are present in a scene. Symbolic surface descriptors represent global features of an object and do not change when the object is partially occluded, while local features (such as corners or edges) may disappear en-tirely. We have developed a technique to segment surfaces and compute their polynomial surface descriptors. In this paper we present results of our study to determine which different types of surface descriptors (such as cylindrical, spherical, elliptical, hyperbolic, etc) can be reliably recovered from biquadratic equation models of various surfaces.
The Relationships Between Time Usage During Instrumental Lessons and Preservice Teachers’ Self-Evaluations:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between proportions of time spent on particular pedagogical behaviors and preservice teachers’ perceptions of their own teaching, as measured by reflective self-evaluations. Preservice teachers (N = 9) taught and video recorded small-group instrumental music lessons and completed a reflective self-evaluation form while watching the video.The video footage was coded for time spent on physical space setup, talk, modeling, and student performance. Correlation statistics indicated relationships between several components of the reflection form and time spent on various activities during the lesson. Possible reasons for these correlations are examined, and suggestions are provided for modification of the undergraduate methods curricula based on the findings.
Middleware Architecture in the Internet: Introduction

Middleware development has become an arena of increasing global collaboration for a number of reasons. This session of the SAINT 2007 conference covers recent results from some of these efforts. The introduction opens by defining a working perspective on middleware as understood by the investigators whose work is highlighted here
Externalities of air pollution: Estimates for heart diseases

This study attempts to establish a quantitative relationship between air pollution and heart diseases. It proposes that in addition to air pollution, population density, sunshine, racial composition, age composition, and income are important variables to explain the variations in the death rates due to heart diseases in the urban areas of the United States. The analysis suggests that a fifty percent decrease in the air pollution would imply a decrease in the mortality rate by about 24–35 percent. Such a reduction in the air pollution level would be accompanied by a social savings of the order of $2140 to $3130 million per year in terms of the heart diseases only. Social savings in terms of all diseases would obviously be of a much higher order.
Synthesis of textured Bi5Ti3FeO15 and LaBi4Ti3FeO15 ferroelectric layered Aurivillius phases by molten-salt flux methods

The ferroelectric layered Bi{sub 5}Ti{sub 3}FeO{sub 15} and LaBi{sub 4}Ti{sub 3}FeO{sub 15} Aurivillius phases were synthesized in high purity and textured microstructures in a molten Na{sub 2}SO{sub 4}/K{sub 2}SO{sub 4} (1:1 molar ratio) flux in much shortened reaction times, 1 h minimum compared to conventional techniques. The particle growth and microstructure of both phases were investigated as a function of temperature and reaction duration, and yielded plate-like particles that could be synthesized in sizes from 20 {mu}m. The product crystallinity, purity and microstructures were characterized via powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The UV-vis diffuse reflectance of the products were measured and analyzed with respect to the resultant particle sizes.
A biological model for lung cancer risk from 222Rn exposure

Abstract A model for lung cancer risk from 222 Rn exposure was derived based on the following assumptions: 1) a cell nucleus in division (cycling) in the bronchial epithelium is the target for carcinogenesis; and 2) risk is proportional to the hit nuclei's ability to subsequently cycle. The model development required two steps. First, the number of cycling basal cell nuclei that can be traversed by an alpha particle following an exposure to 1 working level month (WLM) was calculated. Second, the model utilized measured cycling rates of basal nuclei in normal bronchial epithelium, to calculate the dividing population as a function of time post exposure. The basal nuclei cycling rates, from preliminary data, decreased with age with a half life of about 15 y. The shape of the model, as a function of time since exposure was compared with underground miner risk data, and the agreement was good.
Analytic properties of the scattering matrix of many particle systems

We generalize the previous results on a meromorphic continuation of the scattering matrix for N particle systems. Our proofs seem to be much simpler than those given before.
Holocene and Anthropocene Landscape Change: Arroyo Formation on Santa Cruz Island, California

In this study, we untangle the relative importance of climatic, tectonic, and anthropogenic drivers as triggers of arroyo formation and geomorphic change for a small watershed on Santa Cruz Island, California. Within the Pozo watershed (6.47 km2), historic arroyo incision occurred contemporaneously with arroyo incision across many of the world's dryland regions. Unlike many of these other sites, Pozo contains a datable record that allows quantification of sedimentation rates from the mid-to-late Holocene to the twentieth century. Basin-wide environmental changes were assessed using a combination of cosmogenic radionuclide inventories, midden and marine-shell deposits, relict soil properties, airborne and ground-based light detection and ranging (lidar) data, ranching artifacts, and historic records. Shortly after the introduction of sheep in 1853, localized sedimentation rates on the Pozo floodplain increased by two orders of magnitude from 0.4 mm/year to ∼25 mm/year. Accelerated sedimentation was followe...
Electrochemistry of Organic Cations. VI. Investigations about the Cathodic Cleavage of Some Pyridinium and Triazolium Ions

The electrochemical reduction of some N-acylamino-, N-amino-, N-benzyl- and N-phenacyl-substituted pyridinium and triazolium ions is investigated in acetonitrile by voltammetric methods and potentiostatic electrolyses. The acylaminopyridinium ions 1 and the arylaminopyridinium ions 3 are cathodically cleaved into the pyridine derivative and the carboxylic amide or the aromatic amine. In the case of the 1-benzyl-4-acylaminotriazolium ions 5 the reductive formation of hydrogen from the acidic N-acylamino group is preferred and the corresponding ylide is formed, which reacts at more negative potential by splitting off the benzyl group. The reduction of the N-phenacylpyridinium ion 7d occurs with splitting off the phenacyl radical, which dimerizes to 1,2-dibenzoylethane in a good yield. In the case of N-benzyl- and N-p-cyanobenzylpyridinium ions the cathodic dimerization to the corresponding bisdihydropyridines was found, whereas the electrolysis of the N-nitrobenzylpyridinium ions occurs with cleavage of the N-substituent-bond, which is initiated by the primary formation of the nitrophenyl anion radical. It follows from electrogenerated chemiluminescence experiments that the cleavage of the cations 1 and 5 occurs with the uptake of one electron.
Effect of hyperglycemia on stroke outcomes.

Objective: To review published data about the relationship between hyperglycemia and the outcome of patients with stroke. Results: Stroke is the most frequent cause of permanent disability in the W...
Rethinking the Benefits and Pitfalls of LMX: A Dissonance-Based Environmental Moderator Perspective

Existing literature assumes employees sharing high-quality relationships with supervisors hold advantageous positions over their peers under the leader-member exchange (LMX) model. We propose envir...
Behavioral Interventions to Reduce Incidence of HIV, STD, and Pregnancy Among Adolescents: A Decade in Review

Abstract Purpose To review adolescent sexual risk-reduction programs that were evaluated using quasi-experimental or experimental methods and published in the 1990s. We describe evaluated programs and identify program and evaluation issues for health educators and researchers. Methods We systematically searched seven electronic databases and hand-searched journals to identify evaluations of behavioral interventions to reduce sexual risk behaviors among adolescents. Articles were included if they were published in the 1990s, provided a theoretical basis for the program, information about the interventions, clear aims, and quasi-experimental or experimental evaluation methods. We identified 101 articles, and 24 met our criteria for inclusion. Results We reviewed these evaluations to assess their research and program characteristics. The majority of studies included randomized controlled designs and employed delayed follow-up measures. The most commonly measured outcomes were delay of initiation of sexual intercourse, condom use, contraceptive use, and frequency of sexual intercourse. Programs ranged from 1 to 80 sessions, most had adult facilitators, and commonly included skills-building activities about sexual communication, decision-making, and problem solving. The programs included a wide range of strategies for content delivery such as arts and crafts, school councils, and community service learning. Conclusions Analysis of these programs suggest four overall factors that may impact program effectiveness including the extent to which programs focus on specific skills for reducing sexual risk behaviors; program duration and intensity; what constitutes the content of a total evaluated program including researchers' assumptions of participants' exposure to prior and concurrent programs; and what kind of training is available for facilitators.
Interaction of multipactor discharge and rf circuit

A simple model is constructed to analyze the temporal evolution of a multipactor discharge in an rf cavity. The multipactor current may, transiently, reach a level comparable to the wall current that is needed to sustain the rf field. It saturates at a much lower level in the steady state, primarily by its loading of the cavity; the space charge force associated with the multipactor electrons plays a relatively minor role. At saturation, the electron impact energy equals the lowest value that gives unity in the secondary electron yield curve. We also discovered a new phase focusing mechanism, whereby the leading edge of the multipactor discharge grows at the expense of the trailing edge, in spite of the mutual repulsion among the electrons. This phase focusing mechanism may shape the steady state multipactor discharge in the form of a very tight bunch of electrons.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Career Versatility of the Psychology Major: A Survey of Graduates.

Analysis of graduates by training level, sex, and Holland's occupational types shows a wide choice of jobs after graduation.
Factors affecting the performance of ad hoc networks

Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) are an emerging class of network architectures that are characterized by their highly dynamic topology, limited resources (i.e., bandwidth and power), and lack of fixed infrastructure. The primary motivation for such networks is increased flexibility and mobility. Random node mobility along with various other factors such as network size and traffic intensity may be very dynamic, resulting in unpredictable variations in the overall network performance. This study centers on investigating and quantifying the effects of various factors and their two-way interactions on the overall performance of ad hoc networks. This study contributes to the modeling and development of adaptive ad hoc protocols (routing, medium access control, scheduling and buffer management). Using 2/sup k/r factorial experimental design, we isolate and quantify the effects of five factors: node speed, pause-time, network size, number of traffic sources, and type of routing (source versus distributed), that affect the performance of ad hoc networks. Specifically, this paper evaluates the impact of these factors on the following performance metrics: throughput, average routing overhead, and power consumption. Our study was conducted using a library-based simulator for sequential and parallel simulation of wireless networks.
Nano-electromechanical storage element for a low power complimentary logic architecture using PZT relays

A mechanical dynamic latching element has been developed within a novel, low power piezoelectric MEMS digital architecture. The latch, which has demonstrated reliable and repeatable operation over multiple cycles, consumes only 2.2 pW of leakage power and 0.18 nJ of dynamic energy while utilizing no additional transistor components.