cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Upgrading and operating of the 80 MHz transmitter on the Alcator C-MOD tokamak

ICRF heating experiments in the Alcator C-MOD tokamak rely on FMIT transmitters as the power source. The first phase of experiments will require up to 4 MW from two FMIT units. In contrast to other projects, C-MOD is the only tokamak experiment where the original 80 MHz fixed frequency cavities have been retained. The first unit is operational and the required 2 MW, 1 sec. pulses have been run into a dummy load using both an EIMAC X2242 and X2274 for the final power amplifier. During operation of the experiment, access to the transmitters will not be possible. All control and monitoring is done remotely, using a PLC with PC interface. Data acquisition during a shot is done through CAMAC. Fast arc detection circuitry has been developed to protect the transmitter and other RF components. Details of the modification and operation of the transmitters will be presented. Future plans call for upgrading the system by adding additional units and extending the pulse length to 10 sec. A companion paper describes the Alcator ICRF antennas.
5α-reductase and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in prepubertal Hispanic girls with premature adrenarche

Girls with idiopathic premature adrenarche, characterized by the early appearance of pubic hair and adrenal hyperandrogenism, may be at an increased risk for polycystic ovarian syndrome and its associated complications. Alterations of peripheral metabolism of adrenal steroids, specifically increased 5 alpha-reductase and 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities, have been documented in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome and proposed as an underlying mechanism for the adrenal hyperandrogenism in this syndrome. We sought to investigate whether alterations in 5 alpha-reductase and 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities are present in girls with premature adrenarche, suggesting a possible role in the pathogenesis of the hyperandrogenism of this condition. We studied C19 and C21 urinary steroid metabolites, 5 alpha/5 beta and 11 oxo/11 hydroxy metabolite pairs as well as the ratios of the total 5 alpha/total 5 beta and total 11 oxo/total 11 hydroxy metabolites in 24-h urine samples from 17 prepubertal Hispanic girls with premature adrenarche and seven controls. We found no differences in the 5 alpha-reductase or 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities in the prepubertal girls with premature adrenarche, compared with the controls. When age and body mass index Z-score were controlled for in the statistical analysis, the results did not change. Total cortisol metabolites were not different in the girls with premature adrenarche, compared with the controls. In conclusion, we did not demonstrate a difference in the peripheral steroid metabolism, specifically 5 alpha-reductase and 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities, in prepubertal Hispanic girls with premature adrenarche, compared with controls. Therefore, in this group of young girls, alterations in 5 alpha-reductase or 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities do not appear to contribute to their early pubic hair development.
TEM Characterization of II-VI Compound Semiconductors

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has been extensively used to characterize crystalline defects in II-VI compound semiconductors in the systems Hg-Cd-Te, Hg-Zn-Te and Cd-Zn-Te. These compounds are currently of interest for infrared detector and substrate materials. Several examples of the use of TEM to understand and improve these materials are presented. The examples include the characterization of defects in materials grown by most of the techniques currently in use, the structure of anodic oxides grown on these materials, and defects induced during ion implantation.
Dislocation nucleation and crack stability: Lattice Green's-function treatment of cracks in a model hexagonal lattice.

A series of atomistic calculations is performed in order to evaluate the effects of several physical factors on dislocation emission in a model hexagonal lattice. The method of calculation is the lattice Green's-function method, together with several pair potentials with variable parameters. The physical factors of interest are the dislocation width (or, more precisely, maximum strain) and ``unstable stacking energy'' suggested by several continuum-based calculations, as well as the mode-I loading. We find that the continuum theories are surprisingly accurate, provided that some modifications are made. Typical discrepancies are of order 10% in the emission stress intensity. However, the atomistic calculations indicate that several of the assumptions underlying the continuum theories are inaccurate. In addition, we find strong mode-I--mode-II interactions, which are summarized in the form of a crack-stability diagram.
Foam separation behavior of aqueous suspensions of clays and/or iron

Abstract To establish the relative efficiencies of foam separation of kaolinites, illites, and montmorillonites and to produce a further understanding of phenomena occurring at clay-water-air interfaces, an extensive experimental investigation is conducted. The study includes the effect that each of 6 clays has on the foam separation of iron, both divalent and trivalent, and any influence that iron may provide to the flotation of the clays. The effects are established on clay flotation, on iron flotation, on surfactant flotation, and on foamability, of clay type, of pH, and of the presence and form (determined by pH) of iron. A cationic surfactant, ethylhexadecyldimethylammonium bromide, is employed as the foam separation agent over the pH range 2.5–11.5. In general, the montmorillonites exhibit exceptional behavior due to their large specific surface and high exchange capacity. Results are interpreted in terms of a basic model involving the interaction of clay particles, surfactant cations, and soluble and/or particulate iron.
Plato's Third Man Argument

Gregory Vlastos claims that Plato's Third Man Argument (TMA), Parmenides 132 a 1-b 2, is inconsistent. Wilfred Sellars counterclaims that the TMA is consistent.1 Plato's argument cannot bear both interpretations. We will show that Vlastos is mistaken in thinking that the TMA is inconsistent. Moreover both Vlastos and Sellars are mistaken in supplying suppressed premises which they claim are necessary for the generation of the second and succeeding steps of the argument. In contrast to both Vlastos and Sellars we show that all of the steps of the TMA can be derived from a single assumption. This characterization of the argument better represents the text. Finally we offer a diagnosis of the problems which the TMA presents for a Theory of Forms. The text of the first version of the TMA, the only version we consider, is as follows:2
Non-linear analysis of shells with arbitrary evolving cracks using XFEM

A new formulation and numerical procedures are developed for the analysis of arbitrary crack propagation in shells using the extended finite element method. The method is valid for completely non-linear problems. Through-the-thickness cracks in sandwich shells are considered. An exact shell kinematics is presented, and a new enrichment of the rotation field is proposed which satisfies the director inextensibility condition. To avoid locking, an enhanced strain formulation is proposed for the 4-node cracked shell element. A finite strain plane stress constitutive model based on the logarithmic corotational rate is employed. A cohesive zone model is introduced which embodies the special characteristics of the shell kinematics. Stress intensity factors are calculated for selected problems and crack propagation problems are solved. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Topsoil moisture estimation for precision agriculture using unmmaned aerial vehicle multispectral imagery

There is an increasing trend in crop production management decisions in precision agriculture based on observation of high resolution aerial images from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). Nevertheless, there are still limitations in terms of relating the spectral imagery information to the agricultural targets. AggieAir™ is a small, autonomous unmanned aircraft which carries multispectral cameras to capture aerial imagery during pre-programmed flights. AggieAir enables users to gather imagery at greater spatial and temporal resolution than most manned aircraft and satellite sources. The platform has been successfully used in support of a wide variety of water and natural resources management areas. This paper presents results of an on-going research in the application of the imagery from AggieAir in the remote sensing of top soil moisture estimations for a large field served by a center pivot sprinkler irrigation system.
Using peer review to improve research and promote collaboration.

Objective The declining success rate of National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant applications highlights the need for interdisciplinary work within a large, diverse department to improve chances of federal funding success. The authors demonstrate how systematic peer review promotes two goals: enhancing the quality of research proposals and cultivating a collaborative departmental culture.
Methylnaltrexone prevents morphine-induced delay in oral-cecal transit time without affecting analgesia: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial

Methylnaltrexone is a quaternary opioid antagonist with limited ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and the potential to antagonize the peripherally mediated effects of opioids. The effectiveness of methylnaltrexone in preventing morphine-induced changes in gastrointestinal motility and transit without affecting analgesia was evaluated in humans. Twelve healthy volunteers were given intravenous placebo, placebo plus 0.05 mg/kg morphine, or 0.45 mg/kg methylnaltrexone plus 0.05 mg/kg morphine. Oral-cecal transit time was assessed by the pulmonary hydrogen measurement technique, and analgesia was measured with use of the cold-pressor test. Morphine significantly increased oral-cecal transit time from 104.6 ± 31.1 minutes (mean ± SD) to 163.3 ± 39.8 minutes (p < 0.01). Methylnaltrexone prevented 97% of morphine-induced increase in oral-cecal transit time (106.3 ± 39.8 minutes; not significant compared with baseline; p < 0.01 compared with morphine alone). Methylnaltrexone did not affect the analgesic effect of morphine on both pain intensity and pain bothersomeness ratings. At a higher dose of morphine (0.1 mg/kg), our preliminary results indicated that 0.45 mg/kg methylnaltrexone also prevented the morphine-induced delay in oral-cecal transit time, with no effect on analgesia. Methylnaltrexone may be a useful adjunct to opioids for the relief of opioid-induced constipation. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (1996) 59, 469–475; doi:
Laser Stark spectroscopy of DCN and DC15N

Abstract Using a CO laser, laser Stark resonance spectra were measured for the CN stretching fundamentals (the 0001-0000 bands) of D12C14N and D12C15N near 1925 cm−1. Laser Stark resonances were also measured for the hot band 0111-0110 of D12C14N. In addition to accurately determining the band centers, dipole moments are given for the different vibrational states involved.
The atomic heats of titanium, zirconium and hafnium

Abstract The specific heats of the metals titanium, zirconium, and hafnium have been measured between 1.2 and 20°k. Values of γ, the electronic specific heat coefficient, have been determined for these metals M 8.5, 7.25 and 6.3 × 10−4 cal/mole deg2, while the corresponding values of the Debye θ in the continuum region are 430°, 310° and 261°. The variation of θ with temperature has been investigated, and it is shown that there is a similarity in this variation for all three elements when a suitably reduced scale of temperature is used.
The Ambulatory Endoscopy Center (AEC): What It Can Do For Your Gastroenterology Practice

Endoscopy accounts for most of the gastroenterologist's professional time and revenue. The thoughtful gastroenterologist in practice must understand the potential sites of service for endoscopy, including either the hospital endoscopy unit or an ambulatory endoscopy center (whether an office endoscopy suite or a licensed, certified, and accredited ambulatory surgery center). Out-of-hospital endoscopy centers have advantages for patients, including convenience, efficiency, economy, and more pleasant surroundings than the hospital. Payers appreciate improved access and reduced costs. For gastrointestinal practices, ambulatory endoscopy centers, particularly ambulatory surgery centers, provide significant advantages, including enhanced reimbursement and cost management, control, efficiency and convenience, quality control, opportunities for clinical research, and marketing and competitive strengths.
The tilt-constancy theory of visual illusions.

The authors argue that changes in the perception of vertical and horizontal caused by local visual cues can account for many classical visual illusions. Because the perception of orientation is influenced more by visual cues than gravity-based cues when the observer is tilted (e.g., S. E. Asch & H. A. Witkin, 1948), the authors predicted that the strength of many visual illusions would increase when observers were tilted 30 degrees. The magnitude of Zollner, Poggendorff, and Ponzo illusions and the tilt-induction effect substantially increased when observers were tilted. In contrast, the Muller-Lyer illusion and a size constancy illusion, which are not related to orientation perception, were not affected by body orientation. Other theoretical approaches do not predict the obtained pattern of results.
Stratification and turbulence in subtidal channels through intertidal mudflats

[1] Field observations in San Francisco Bay of subtidal channels that drain through intertidal mudflats indicate that substantial periodic stratification develops in very shallow flows with distinct asymmetries between flood and ebb conditions. The greatest variability in salinity and stratification occurs during the wet winter months. Very strong longitudinal salinity gradients develop across the intertidal zone, between salty subtidal water and fresher water draining into the marsh upstream. Tidal straining of the longitudinal gradient creates the periodic stratification, stratifying through ebbs and destratifying through floods. The stratification can be very strong in very shallow flows, with N2 > 0.1 s−2 in about 0.5 m water depth. Analysis of the data with dimensionless numbers shows that at times the stratification is strong enough to suppress turbulence and mixing. The asymmetry in stratification between ebbs and floods results in asymmetries in eddy viscosity and eddy diffusivity, with lower values during the stratified ebbs. Because of the intertidal elevation of the system, the strong longitudinal salinity gradient is regenerated each time the mudflats and marsh drain. The system approaches a tidally periodic steady state where the flow dynamics are dominated by the sharp front of salty water that advects into the intertidal zone on the rising tide and exits the system by each lower low water. The field data are supported by a numerical model with simple mudflat/channel bathymetry. Both the field and numerical work indicate that the shallow, low energy flows in mudflat channels transition between strongly stratified suppressed turbulence and relatively unstratified active turbulence each tidal cycle.
A pilot study of systemic corticosteroid administration in conjunction with intrapleural adenoviral vector administration in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.

One of the primary limitations of adenoviral (Ad) -mediated gene therapy is the generation of anti-Ad inflammatory responses that can induce clinical toxicity and impair gene transfer efficacy. The effects of immunosuppression on these inflammatory responses, transgene expression, and toxicity have not yet been systematically examined in humans undergoing Ad-based gene therapy trials. We therefore conducted a pilot study investigating the use of systemic corticosteroids to mitigate antivector immune responses. In a previous phase I clinical trial, we demonstrated that Ad-mediated intrapleural delivery of the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene (HSVtk) to patients with mesothelioma resulted in significant, but relatively superficial, HSVtk gene transfer and marked anti-Ad humoral and cellular immune responses. When a similar group of patients was treated with Ad.HSVtk and a brief course of corticosteroids, decreased clinical inflammatory responses were seen, but there was no demonstrable inhibition of anti -Ad antibody production or Ad-induced peripheral blood mononuclear cell activation. Corticosteroid administration also had no apparent effect on the presence of intratumoral gene transfer. Although limited by the small numbers of patients studied, our data suggest that systemic administration of steroids in the context of Ad-based gene delivery may limit acute clinical toxicity, but may not inhibit cellular and humoral responses to Ad vectors.
Signatures of strong correlations in one-dimensional ultracold atomic Fermi gases

Recent success in manipulating ultracold atomic systems allows one to probe different strongly correlated regimes in one dimension. Regimes such as the (spin-coherent) Luttinger liquid and the spin-incoherent Luttinger liquid can be realized by tuning the interatomic interaction strength and trap parameters. We identify the noise correlations of density fluctuations as a robust observable (uniquely suitable in the context of trapped atomic gases) to discriminate between these two regimes. Finally, we address the prospects of realizing and probing these phenomena experimentally using optical lattices.
The role of culture in grief

Reports of the effects of the death of a loved one were collected from subjects at the University of Massachusetts in the United States and the University of Madrid in Spain. Although reports of the overall severity of the experience were similar, differences between the samples were apparent in the specific nature of the experience. Americans indicated that, following the death of a loved one, their self-esteem was diminished, as was their liking and trust of others. In contrast, Spaniards reported a greater negative effect on self-esteem and a positive effect on liking and trust of others. The role of culture in the experience of bereavement is discussed.
Relationship between Glass Transition Temperature and Polymerization Temperature for Cross-Linked Photopolymers

Monomeric resins are frequently polymerized at a temperature that is far below the desired glass transition temperature for the final polymer network. This work quantitatively investigates the rela...
A Mediational Model Linking Self-Objectification, Body Shame, and Disordered Eating

This study tests a mediational model of disordered eating derived from objectification theory (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997). The model proposes that the emotion of body shame mediates the relations...
The limits to prediction in ecological systems

Predicting the future trajectories of ecological systems is increasingly important as the magnitude of anthropogenic perturbation of the earth systems grows. We distinguish between two types of predictability: the intrinsic or theoretical predictability of a system and the realized predictability that is achieved using available models and parameterizations. We contend that there are strong limits on the intrinsic predictability of ecological systems that arise from inherent characteristics of biological systems. While the realized predictability of ecological systems can be limited by process and parameter misspecification or uncertainty, we argue that the intrinsic predictability of ecological systems is widely and strongly limited by computational irreducibility. When realized predictability is low relative to intrinsic predictability, prediction can be improved through improved model structure or specification of parameters. Computational irreducibility, however, asserts that future states of the system cannot be derived except through computation of all of the intervening states, imposing a strong limit on the intrinsic or theoretical predictability. We argue that ecological systems are likely to be computationally irreducible because of the difficulty of pre-stating the relevant features of ecological niches, the complexity of ecological systems and because the biosphere can enable its own novel system states or adjacent possible. We argue that computational irreducibility is likely to be pervasive and to impose strong limits on the potential for prediction in ecology.
Direct two's-complement algorithm for xy ± z

An algorithm for the direct computation of multiplication with add or subtract operations is described for two's-complement notation requiring no additional rows and no negative terms as compared to a direct array multiplier.
Computation of the range of feasible solutions in self-modeling curve resolution algorithms.

Self-modeling curve resolution (SMCR) describes a set of mathematical tools for estimating pure-component spectra and composition profiles from mixture spectra. The source of mixture spectra may be overlapped chromatography peaks, composition profiles from equilibrium studies, kinetic profiles from chemical reactions and batch industrial processes, depth profiles of treated surfaces, and many other types of materials and processes. Mathematical solutions are produced under the assumption that pure-component profiles and spectra should be nonnegative and composition profiles should be unimodal. In many cases, SMCR may be the only method available for resolving the composition profiles and pure-component spectra from these measurements. Under ideal circumstances, the SMCR results are accurate quantitative estimates of the true underlying profiles. Although SMCR tools are finding wider use, it is not widely known or appreciated that, in most circumstances, SMCR techniques produce a family of solutions that o...
Absence of repair replication following ultraviolet irradiation of an excision-deficient mutant of Escherichia coli.

The excision-repair of damaged DNA in bacteria and other systems probably requires at least three enzymes to carry out the following steps in sequence: (1) Recognition of a structural distortion in the DNA and the production of an endonucleolytic cleavage of the damaged strand near the lesion. (2) The simultaneous peeling back of the damaged strand and resynthesis of the excised region, with eventual cleavage of the damaged segment from the DNA. (3) The rejoining of the newly synthesized strand to contiguous parental DNA. Evidence for all three steps has been obtained from in vivo studies. The E. coli DNA polymerase has been shown to carry out step # 2 in vitro [1] and the polynucleotide ligase has the required specificity for step # 3[2–4]. An enzyme responsible for step # 1 has been purified from Micrococcus lysodeikticus [5,6] but not from E. coli, although a class of u.v. sensitive mutants in E. coli has been shown to be defective in this step in the repair sequence. In such mutants the release of pyrimidine dimers from the damaged DNA is not observed during post-irradiation growth of u.v. irradiated cultures [7]. It would be predicted, as a consequence, that the next step, non-conservative repair replication, would not be seen in these mutants. Hanawalt and Petti-john showed this to be true for the double mutant E. coli B8-1 that includes a deficiency in dimer excision [8]. In the present study we have looked more closely at an E. coli K-12 strain that has only the uvrA6 deficiency that results in inability to excise pyrimidine dimers.
Testosterone deficiency in young women with 46,XX spontaneous premature ovarian failure

Objective To determine whether women with 46,XX spontaneous premature ovarian failure have lower serum free-T levels than do control women. Design Cross-sectional. Setting National Institutes of Health Clinical Research Center. Patient(s) Women with 46,XX spontaneous premature ovarian failure (n = 130). Intervention(s) Evaluation while off any estrogen therapy and then again after receiving a standardized hormone regimen. Regularly menstruating control women (n = 65) were sampled during the midfollicular phase. Main Outcome Measure(s) Serum total T by RIA after extraction and column chromatography, free T by equilibrium dialysis, and sex hormone–binding globulin by immunoradiometric assay. Result(s) While off estrogen therapy patients had a median serum free-T concentration that was statistically significantly lower than controls (2.2 vs. 3.3 pg/mL). This dropped significantly lower to 1.9 pg/mL while the patients were on physiologic transdermal E 2 therapy. This is despite the fact that sex hormone–binding globulin levels did not change. While on E 2 therapy, 13% of women (95% confidence interval, 7.9%–20.3%) had serum free-T levels below the lower limit of normal ( Conclusion(s) As a group, young women with 46,XX spontaneous premature ovarian failure have reduced circulating free-T levels, both during an interval off of estrogen therapy and while on physiologic transdermal E 2 therapy.
Out-of-field photon and neutron dose equivalents from step-and-shoot intensity-modulated radiation therapy.

Purpose: To measure the photon and neutron out-of-treatment-field dose equivalents to various organs from different treatment strategies (conventional vs. intensity-modulated radiation therapy [IMRT]) at different treatment energies and delivered by different accelerators. Methods and Materials: Independent measurements were made of the photon and neutron out-of-field dose equivalents resulting from one conventional and six IMRT treatments for prostate cancer. The conventional treatment used an 18-MV beam from a Clinac 2100; the IMRT treatments used 6-MV, 10-MV, 15-MV, and 18-MV beams from a Varian Clinac 2100 accelerator and 6-MV and 15-MV beams from a Siemens Primus accelerator. Photon doses were measured with thermoluminescent dosimeters in a Rando phantom, and neutron fluence was measured with gold foils. Dose equivalents to the colon, liver, stomach, lung, esophagus, thyroid, and active bone marrow were determined for each treatment approach. Results: For each treatment approach, the relationship between dose equivalent per MU, distance from the treatment field, and depth in the patient was examined. Photon dose equivalents decreased approximately exponentially with distance from the treatment field. Neutron dose equivalents were independent of distance from the treatment field and decreased with increasing tissue depth. Neutrons were a significant contributor to the out-of field dose equivalent for beam energies ≥15 MV. Conclusions: Out-of-field photon and neutron dose equivalents can be estimated to any point in a patient undergoing a similar treatment approach from the distance of that point to the central axis and from the tissue depth. This information is useful in determining the dose to critical structures and in evaluating the risk of associated carcinogenesis.
A revised magnetic polarity time scale for the Paleocene and Early Eocene and implications for Pacific plate motion

Magnetostratiographic studies of a continental sedimentary sequence in the Clark's Fork Basin, Wyoming and a marine sedimentary sequence at Gubbio, Italy indicate that the Paleocene--Eocene boundary occurs just stratigraphically above normal polarity zones correlative with magnetic anomaly 25 chron. These data indicate that the older boundary of anomaly 24 chron is 52.5 Ma. This age is younger than the late Paleocene age assigned by LaBrecque et al. (1977) and also younger than the basal Eocene age assigned by Ness et al. (1980). A revised magnetic polarity time scale for the Paleocene and early Eocene is presented in this paper. Several changes in the relative motion system between the Pacific plate and neighboring plates occurred in the interval between anomaly 24 and anomaly 21. A major change in absolute motion of the Pacific plate is indicated by the bend in the Hawaiian--Emperor Seamount chain at approx.43 Ma. The revised magnetic polarity time scale indicates that the absolute motion change lags the relative motion changes by only approx.3--5 m.y. rather than by >10 m.y. as indicated by previous polarity time scales.
Lattice mismatched molecular beam epitaxy on compliant GaAs/AlxOy/GaAs substrates produced by lateral wet oxidation

Large-area 16 nm GaAs-Al x O y -GaAs substrates were formed by lateral wet oxidation of patterned GaAs/Al 0.97 Ga 0.03 As/GaAs heterostructures. Wet digital etching followed by in situ dry iodine etching was used to prepare thin GaAs layers intended to serve as compliant substrates. Relaxed layers of In 0.15 Ga 0.85 As were deposited on the compliant substrates and on bulk GaAs substrates using In 0.15 Ga 0.85 As and In 0.15 Al 0.85 As nucleation layers. The In 0.15 Ga 0.85 As epitaxial layers grown on the compliant substrates using an In 0.15 Al 0.85 As nucleation layer showed no crosshatch pattern by Nomarski microscopy and had X-ray rocking curve linewidths that were narrower than those grown on bulk GaAs or on samples with In 0.15 Ga 0.85 As nucleation layers.
On the Consistency of Gamma-Ray Burst Spectral Indices with the Synchrotron Shock Model

The current scenario for gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) involves internal shocks for the prompt GRB emission phase and external shocks for the afterglow phase. Assuming optically thin synchrotron emission from isotropically distributed energetic shocked electrons, GRB spectra observed with a low-energy power-law spectral index greater than -2/3 (for positive photon number indices E(exp alpha) indicate a problem with this model. For spectra that do not violate this condition, additional tests of the shock model can be made by comparing the low- and high-energy spectral indices, on the basis of the model's assertion that synchrotron emission from a single power-law distribution of electrons is responsible for both the low-energy and the high-energy power-law portions of the spectra. We find in most cases that the inferred relationship between the two spectral indices of observed GRB spectra is inconsistent with the constraints from the simple optically thin synchrotron shock emission model. In this sense, the prompt burst phase is different from the afterglow phase, and this difference may be related to anisotropic distributions of particles or to their continual acceleration in shocks during the prompt phase.
Perspective on the historical development of radiation standards.

This paper discusses the historical development of standards for limiting routine radiation exposures of workers and the public. The radiobiological and epidemiological basis for radiation protection standards and practices, as this basis has evolved over time, is emphasized. Difficulties with using dose equivalents and nominal risk factors, which were developed primarily for purposes of radiation protection (i.e., to establish dose limits), in estimating radiation risks at the low levels of exposure routinely experienced in the workplace and the environment are discussed. The increasing importance of the principle that exposures should be reduced as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) in radiation protection of workers and the public is described. 36 references.
Analysis of Cytokine Transcripts in the Bronchoalveolar Lavage Cells of Patients with Asthma

A panel of steady-state cytokine mRNAs was analyzed in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells from asthmatic subjects or patients challenged with ragweed allergen. This was achieved by combining both qualitative and quantitative assays using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Analysis of BAL cells from six mild allergic asthmatic and five nonasthmatic, nonallergic subjects showed no qualitative differences in the profile of cytokine mRNAs (including interleukin [IL]-Iβ, IL-2, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor), except for tumor necrosis factor-α, which was detected in three out of six asthmatic BAL samples but in none of the controls. A key cytokine, IL-5, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation through the recruitment of eosinophils. We found a significant enhancement of steady-state IL-5 transcripts in the BAL cells from allergen-challenged as compared with the saline-challenged control sites of four asthmatic patie...
Scavenging residence times of trace metals and surface chemistry of sinking particles in the deep ocean

Abstract The adsorption properties of sinking particulate matter in the deep subtropical Atlantic Ocean are modeled by combining the field observations of trace metal scavenging with theoretical surface chemistry. The treatment yields equilibrium constants that define metal interactions with deep-ocean particles. These equilibrium constants can be compared with those that define metal interactions with typical metal oxides and organic compounds. The comparison indicates that metal-particulate matter interactions closely resemble the interactions between organic compounds and metals. Therefore, it is suggested that the adsorption properties of marine particulate matter are controlled by organic coatings. In addition, quantifying the surface properties of deep-ocean particles provides a means for estimating the scavenging residence times for metals for which the determination has not yet been made.
A faculty development course for end-of-life care.

A faculty development course was offered at the Medical College of Wisconsin to bolster existing medical student and housestaff training opportunities in palliative medicine. An 8- week, 12 contact-hour course was designed to provide up to 15 faculty members training in the practice and teaching of end-of-life care. Fifteen faculty registered, but only 10 attended at least three of eight educational sessions. Educational formats included didactic presentations, case studies, study guides and completion of action plans—explicit plans for utilization of newly learned material in clinical and educational practice. In a retrospective, pre/post self-evaluation, participants indicated poor or fair precourse knowledge and self-confidence in most areas of end-of-life care. Significant improvement in end-of-life knowledge and selfconfidence was noted for eight of 11 content areas and in self-assessed education skills in six of seven content areas. Although attendance was disappointing, the course was strongly endo...
Instability of a Criminale-Ericksen-Filbey fluid in a disk-and-cylinder system

Abstract A global spectral method is used to construct the steady-state flow and stability of a Criminale-Ericksen-Filbey fluid in a cylinder with a rotating lid. We extend the orthogonal collocation analysis of Nirschl and Stewart (J.P. Nirschl and W.E. Stewart, J. Non-Newtonian Fluid Mech., 16 (1984) 233) by locating the bifurcation loci in the Weissenberg-Reynolds parameter space and estimating the bifurcating solutions near the loci. Converging estimates of the steady flow field and the simple and Hopf bifurcation points are demonstrated. This is consistent with earlier speculations (A.N. Beris, R.C. Armstrong and R.A. Brown, J. Non-Newtonian Fluid Mech., 22 (1987) 129) that a global spectral method allows much higher resolution of viscoelastic fluids than the finite-element method. Reasonable agreement with Hill's measurements of flow fields and stability boundaries (C.T. Hill, Ph.D. Thesis, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1969; C.T. Hill, Trans. Soc. Rheol., 16 (1972) 213) is also shown. Most interestingly, a region of chaotic (turbulent) flow, which has also been observed in the experiments, is predicted by our simulation and analysis.
Occultation by Jupiter

AN occultation of β Scorpii (2.m9) by Jupiter has been predicted to occur on May 13, 1971, at about 1800–2000 UT1. Although not visible from North or South America or western Europe, the occultation should be visible from the rest of the inhabited world. The results of two previous occultations by outer planets (σ Arietis by Jupiter in 19522 and BD–17° 4388 by Neptune in 19683–6) have been rather disappointing in that scale heights deduced from them have uncertainties of a factor of 2 or more. There is also considerable uncertainty in the temperatures, so the derived mean molecular weights have not been very useful. In addition there is probably a bias in the procedure of fitting theoretical “light-curves” to the observed data introduced by “spikes” in the light curves which have been attributed to inhomogeneities in the subject atmospheres.
Characterization of a Severe Virus-like Disease in Chardonnay Grapevines in Missouri

A severe virus-like disease emerged on Chardonnay vines in a Missouri vineyard that resulted in significant reduction of vine vigor and yield. The pathogens can be transmitted via cutting and grafting. Chardonnay, Cabernet franc and Baco franc vines that were grafted with the buds of the original diseased Chardonnay vines exhibited distinct vein-clearing symptom. The result of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction indicated the association of Grapevine fanleaf virus with this disease.
Chip-on-Beam and Hydrostatic Calibration of the Piezoresistive Coefficients on (111) Silicon

Stress sensing test chips are used to investigate die stresses arising from assembly and packaging operations. The chips incorporate resistor or transistor sensing elements that are able to measure stresses via the observation of the changes in their resistivity/mobility. The piezoresistive behavior of such sensors is characterized by three piezoresistive (pi) coefficients, which are electro-mechanical material constants. Stress sensors fabricated on the surface of the (111) silicon wafers offer the advantage of being able to measure the complete stress state compared to such sensors fabricated on the (100) silicon. However, complete calibration of the three independent piezoresistive coefficients is more difficult and one approach utilizes hydrostatic measurement of the silicon “pressure” coefficients. We are interested in stress measurements over a very broad range of temperatures, and this paper present the experimental methods and results for hydrostatic measurements of the pressure coefficient of both n- and p-type silicon over a wide range of temperatures and then uses the results to provide a complete set of temperature dependent piezoresisitive coefficients for the (111) silicon.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Endogenous control of service rates in stochastic and dynamic queuing models of airport congestion

Abstract Airport congestion mitigation requires reliable delay estimates. This paper presents an integrated model of airport congestion that combines a tactical model of capacity utilization into a strategic queuing model. The model quantifies the relationships between flight schedules, airport capacity and flight delays, while accounting for the way arrival and departure service rates can be controlled over the day to maximize operating efficiency. We show that the model estimates the average and variability of the delays observed at New York’s airports relatively well. Results suggest that delays can be extremely sensitive to even small changes in flight schedules or airport capacity.
Investigation of the dynamical properties of water in elastin by deuterium Double Quantum Filtered NMR.

The anisotropic motion of tightly bound waters of hydration in bovine nuchal ligament elastin has been studied by deuterium Double Quantum Filtered (DQF) NMR. The experiments have allowed for a direct measurement of the degree of anisotropy within pores of elastin over a time scale ranging from 100 μs to 30 ms, corresponding to a tortuous spatial displacement ranging from 0.2 to 7 μm. We studied the anisotropic motion of deuterium nuclei in D2O hydrated elastin over a temperature of −15 °C to 37 °C and in solvents with varying dielectric constants. Our experimental measurements of the residual quadrupolar interaction as a function of temperature are correlated to the existing notion of hydrophobic collapse near 20 °C.
Effects of exercise training on indicators of adipose tissue angiogenesis and hypoxia in obese rats.

Abstract Objective To investigate the effects of obesity and exercise training on regional adipose tissue angiogenesis and hypoxia markers in rats. Methods Lean (Fa/Fa) and obese (fa/fa) male Zucker rats at 2months of age were randomly assigned to a sedentary or an exercise training group (lean sedentary: n=7, lean exercise: n=8, obese sedentary: n=7, obese exercise: n=8). The exercise group walked on a rat treadmill 5 times per week for 8weeks. Inguinal and epididymal adipose tissue vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and lactate levels were determined. Results There were significant effects of obesity in increasing inguinal (P Conclusions Exercise training increased adipose tissue VEGF-A, an important factor of tissue angiogenesis, and lowered adipose tissue lactate, an indicator of adipose tissue hypoxia in obese rats. However, these effects are depot-specific and only observed in intra-abdominal adipose tissue.
Torpid mixing of simulated tempering on the Potts model

Simulated tempering and swapping are two families of sampling algorithms in which a parameter representing temperature varies during the simulation. The hope is that this will overcome bottlenecks that cause sampling algorithms to be slow at low temperatures. Madras and Zheng demonstrate that the swapping and tempering algorithms allow efficient sampling from the low-temperature mean-field Ising model, a model of magnetism, and a class of symmetric bimodal distributions [10]. Local Markov chains fail on these distributions due to the existence of bad cuts in the state space.Bad cuts also arise in the q-state Potts model, another fundamental model for magnetism that generalizes the Ising model. Glauber (local) dynamics and the Swendsen-Wang algorithm have been shown to be prohibitively slow for sampling from the Potts model at some temperatures [1, 2, 6]. It is reasonable to ask whether tempering or swapping can overcome the bottlenecks that cause these algorithms to converge slowly on the Potts model.We answer this in the negative, and give the first example demonstrating that tempering can mix slowly. We show this for the 3-state ferromagnetic Potts model on the complete graph, known as the mean-field model. The slow convergence is caused by a first-order (discontinuous) phase transition in the underlying system. Using this insight, we define a variant of the swapping algorithm that samples efficiently from a class of bimodal distributions, including the mean-field Potts model.
Cerebrospinal fluid indoleacetic acid in autistic subjects.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of the tryptamine metabolite, indoleacetic acid (IAA), have been measured in groups of autistic and control subjects. No significant difference was seen in group mean (±SEM) levels of CSF IAA (autistics 5.53±0.47 ng/ml, N=10). The finding indicates that central metabolism of the behaviorally active trace amine tryptamine is probably normal in autism.
Biochemical analysis of the rat MHC class I antigens RT1.Aa, RT1.Fa and Pa.

In DA strain rats, there are two other MHC class I loci (Pa and RT1.Fa) in the vicinity of the classical class I locus RT1.Aa. The Pa antigen is the pregnancy-associated antigen, and it was detected by antibodies elicited in WF females pregnant by DA males without any other immunization. The Fa antigen was detected by a monoclonal antibody raised by alloimmunization. In the present work, the Aa, Fa and the Pa antigens have been compared by HPLC peptide mapping and by isoelectric focusing after their isolation by appropriate monoclonal antibodies. All the three antigens are identical in primary structure with respect to lysine, methionine, asparagine and the aromatic amino acid residues, but they differ from one another with respect to glutamic acid and/or aspartic acid residues. The pI values of the antigens differ slightly. All three antigens have two identical N-linked glycans, but the Fa antigen has an additional N-linked glycan. Based on the available amino acid sequence of the Pa antigen, it can be concluded that both Aa and Pa antigens are devoid of glycosylation in the second domain. This lack of glycosylation of the classical antigen Aa is unique for the rat, since classical class I antigens of the mouse show glycosylation in the first and second, and sometimes in the third domain, and those in the human, in the first domain only. The high degree of similarity among the Aa, Fa, and Pa molecules that this study indicates is also unique for the rat, since antigens encoded by different class I genes of the same haplotype are quite disparate in the mouse and human.
Changes in amino acid uptake and protein synthesis of bullfrog tadpole liver and tail tissues during triiodothyronine-induced metamorphosis.

Abstract The effect of triiodothyronine (T3′) on the uptake of several amino acids into the amino acid pools and into proteins of Rana catesbeiana tadpole liver and tail muscle and tail fin has been studied. Labeling of the alanine and glycine pool was stimulated in the liver more than the leucine pool. After exposure to T3 for 3 days, uptake of α-aminoisobutyric acid (a transport model substrate) into liver was stimulated about 55%. In tail tissues uptake of leucine was stimulated but uptake of alanine was depressed by T3. Incorporation of leucine and alanine into tissue protein was stimulated in the liver but inhibited in tail tissues after T3 injection. Changes in other macromolecules and ATP and ADP levels in liver and tail muscle were also investigated during induced metamorphosis. In the liver, the total DNA content did not change, but the RNA and protein content per liver increased significantly. The increase in RNA/DNA and protein/DNA ratios, suggested that liver cells underwent hypertrophy during induced metamorphosis. The ATP level showed a transient decrease after 3 days of T3 treatment. In tail muscle, protein and RNA content decreased as the muscle regressed, but the DNA content and ATP level remained unchanged throughout the experimental period.
AMPT Effects on Cue-Induced Craving for Cocaine

The authors evaluated the effect of an acute reduction in catecholamine synthesis, produced by alpha methyl para tyrosine (AMPT), on cue-induced craving for cocaine in cocaine-dependent patients. AMPT and diphenhydramine were administered under double-blind conditions in a randomized, crossover design. Two cue exposure sessions were conducted 1 week apart. Self-reported assessments of cocaine craving were administered before and after cue exposure. AMPT, but not diphenhydramine, significantly decreased plasma levels of the dopamine metabolite, ho-movanillic acid and the norepinephrine metabolite, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol. However, AMPT's effects on cue-induced craving interacted with the test-day order in a complex manner.