cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Emerging market crises and US equity market returns

Abstract We find contagion effects are present in US small size portfolios during emerging market crises due to risk and liquidity concerns. Investors display flight from risk during emerging market crises, and as a result, safer larger stocks exhibit positive abnormal returns. We find little evidence of contagion in aggregate excess US market returns, indicating studies that focus on national aggregates may miss important within market dynamics during emerging market crises. The international dynamics that we document have important implications for investors, even when they may have limited global exposure.
Sensitivity improvements in the determination of mercury in biological tissues by neutron activation analysis

The possible association of dental amalgam surface exposure, brain mercury (Hg) levels, and pathological markers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the brain is the subject of an on-going study in our laboratory. Two radiochemical neutron activation analysis methods and the use of instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) with Compton suppression spectrometry have been evaluated for improving our INAA Hg detection limit (2.8±0.6 ng/g, wet-weight basis) in human tissue. Large numbers of samples dictated the use of a purely instrumental method or rapid, simple radiochemical separations. Human brain tissues and NIST biological standards were analyzed using a precipitation of Hg2Cl2, a solvent extraction utilizing sodium diethyldithiocarbomate, conventional INAA, and INAA with Compton suppression. The radiochemical precipitation of Hg2Cl2 proved to be the most useful method for use in our study because it provided a simultaneous, quantitative determination of silver (Ag) and a Hg detection limit in brain tissue of 1.6±0.1 ng/g (wet-weight basis).
Financial constraints on investment in an emerging market crisis

Abstract We investigate whether capital market imperfections constrain investment during an emerging market financial crisis. Both large currency devaluations and banking sector failures characterize recent crises. Although a currency devaluation should increase exporters’ competitiveness and investment, a failing banking system may limit credit to these firms. Foreign-owned firms, which may have greater access to overseas financing but otherwise face the same investment prospects, provide an ideal control group for determining the effect of liquidity constraints. We test for liquidity constraints in Indonesia following the 1997 East Asian financial crisis, a period when the issuance of new domestic credit shrank rapidly. Exporters’ value added and employment increased after the crisis, suggesting that they profited from the devaluation and had sufficient cash flow to finance more workers. However, only exporters with foreign ownership increased their capital significantly. Our results suggest that liquidity constraints greatly retarded domestic-owned manufacturing firms’ ability to take advantage of improved terms of trade. Specifically, compared to foreign-owned exporters they had resembled before the crisis, after the crisis domestic-owned exporters had more than 20% lower employment and capital and more than 40% lower value added and materials usage.
A practical approach to static signal electromigration analysis

It is commonly thought that sweep-back effects would make electromigration (EM) a non-issue in signal lines. However this is only the case when the shape of the positive and negative current pulses are closely matched. Moreover, as performance pressures increase, the peak current values are exceeding the range for which electromigration models are valid. Thus, during the design of TI's TMS320c6201 DSP chip, it was determined that limits needed to be placed on the current densities in signal-line segments, and that every net in the design should be checked. Dynamic current density analysis on all nets of a large design is computationally very expensive. In this paper, we describe a practical CAD methodology for a static, signal electromigration analysis for large cell-based designs. We present results and some observations from application of this methodology on the TMS320c6201.
Atomistic study of the interaction of lattice vacancies with grain boundaries in Ni3Al

Abstract The embedded atom method (EAM) was used to study the interaction of lattice vacancies with grain boundaries in Ni3Al. The simulations were performed using local volume potentials of the embedded atom type. The grain boundaries chosen are Σ = 3 symmetrical tilt boundaries. Two different possible local stoichiometries of the Σ = 3 (112) boundary were studied in detail. It was found that the energy of formation of a vacancy in a grain boundary varies with the particular location of the vacancy within the grain boundary structure. The maximum decrease of the vacancy formation energy with respect to the bulk in the Ni3Al Σ = 3 (112) boundaries was found to be around 30%.
Replication of the R6K γ origin in vitro: dependence on wt π and hyperactive πS87N protein variant

Abstract The π protein of plasmid R6K is involved in control of replication. The aim of this study was to use an in vitro replication system dependent on an R6K-derived γ origin of replication (γori) to compare replication characteristics of wt π and a hyperactive variant of π protein (πS87N; Filutowicz et al., 1994b. Cooperative binding of initiator protein to replication origin conferred by single amino acid substitution. Nucleic Acids Res. 22, 4211–4215). The characteristics of in vitro replication from γori reported in this investigation are as follows: (i) πS87N is considerably more active in comparison to wt π. (ii) Replication proceeds through Cairns-type intermediates and the initiation site and directionality of the fork movement are similar in the presence of both proteins. (iii) Replication forks emanate unidirectionally in the vicinity of the cluster of seven 22-bp direct repeats within γori. (iv) Replication dependent on wt π, but not πS87N, is stimulated up to 1.5-fold by rifampicin.
Detection of neutral hydrogen atoms in a fusion plasma

Abstract A two photon excitation scheme for detection of neutral hydrogen atoms in a fusion plasma is described. The approach has the advantages of both the Lyman α and Balmer α scattering methods presently being used. Further, it is shown that existing laser technology produces the required laser power.
Venous Doppler in the assessment of fetal cardiovascular status

AbstractPurpose of reviewThe purpose of this review is to highlight recent developments in the Doppler assessment of the fetal venous circulation with special reference to clinical applications in the human fetus.Recent findingsDoppler evaluation of the fetal venous circulation has increased our und
The lipides of green peas

Crude pea lipides were prepared by extracting lyophilized raw peas with chloroform-methanol, 2∶1, and found to comprise 6% of the dry weight of the peas. The composition of the various fractions of pea lipides was studied by measuring the nitrogen, phosphorus, glycerol, fatty acid, and sugar contents, also by means of paper chromatography following acid hydrolysis. The crude lipides were fractionated with acetone, and the acetone-soluble portion was subjected to countercurrent distribution between n-heptane and 95% methanol. The heptane fraction was found to consist nearly entirely of mixed triglycerides; the methanol fraction was a mixture of triglycerides, phosphatides, sugars, and nitrogenous materials. The acetone-insoluble fraction contained 10% of phosphatidyl inositol and nearly equal amounts of alcoholsoluble and alcohol-insoluble phosphatides.
Case Report: Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Vessels Complicated by Constricted Pericarditis

Abstract Clinical, angiocardiographic, and necropsy data in a case of congenitally corrected L-transposition of the great vessels complicated by constrictive pericarditis are described. Isolated cases of constrictive pericarditis superimposed on congenital heart lesions have been reported and are rare; however, a coexistence with corrected transposition has not been previously reported to our knowledge. These disorders were demonstrated concurrently with angiocardiography in our patient and confirmed on pathologic examination.
Mapping the Anthocyaninless (anl) Locus in Rapid-Cycling Brassica rapa (RBr) to Linkage Group R9

Anthocyanins are flavonoid pigments that are responsible for purple coloration in the stems and leaves of a variety of plant species. Anthocyaninless (anl) mutants of Brassica rapa fail to produce anthocyanin pigments. In rapid-cycling Brassica rapa, also known as Wisconsin Fast Plants, the anthocyaninless trait, also called non-purple stem, is widely used as a model recessive trait for teaching genetics. Although anthocyanin genes have been mapped in other plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana, the anl locus has not been mapped in any Brassica species. We tested primer pairs known to amplify microsatellites in Brassicas and identified 37 that amplified a product in rapid-cycling Brassica rapa. We then developed three-generation pedigrees to assess linkage between the microsatellite markers and anl. 22 of the markers that we tested were polymorphic in our crosses. Based on 177 F2 offspring, we identified three markers linked to anl with LOD scores ≥ 5.0, forming a linkage group spanning 46.9 cM. Because one of these markers has been assigned to a known B. rapa linkage group, we can now assign the anl locus to B. rapa linkage group R9. This study is the first to identify the chromosomal location of an anthocyanin pigment gene among the Brassicas. It also connects a classical mutant frequently used in genetics education with molecular markers and a known chromosomal location.
Large sample tests for equality of medians under unequal right-censoring

Two tests are proposed for testing equality of the medians of two distributions on the basis of right cansored data. The tests do not require any assumption on the scales or the shapes of the distributions and can be used without assuming equal censorship in the two samples. Under the sequence of translation alternatives the proposed tests are equally efficient when the distributions belong to the same location and scale family. Some indications are provided about the significance levels of the tests based on simulation results.
Measurement of IOP with radiowave telemetry

Purpose To illustrate the implantation technique & tolerance of a novel wireless silicone-encased intraocular pressure transducer in rabbit eyes. The device can conceivably provide a reliable way to measure the IOP in situations where measurement is difficult with the present technology, for instance in eyes with keratoprosthesis implants. Methods The transducer, manufactured by Mesotec GmbH (Hannover, Germany), is a fully digital ultra miniature system, integrating pressure sensing, data handling and telemetry on a single microchip. The microchip is connected to a telemetry coil and requires no internal power source. The data is received using an external reader unit. The transducers were initially tested for calibration in enucleated bovine eyes. They were sterilized with ethylene oxide. They were implanted either through a corneal autograft (n=2) or through a large limbal incision (n=2) and placed either in the sulcus (n=2) or suspended into the vitreous cavity (n=2) after removing the crystalline lens. In one rabbit (SHAM), the crystalline lens was removed but no implant was placed. The eyes were closed with interrupted 10-0 nylon sutures. Daily observations and weekly full clinical examinations were performed. The readings obtained by the transducer-readers were compared with those obtained by Tonopen. Results The transducers were well tolerated, with minimal transient post-operative intraocular inflammation that was similar in both the experimental and SHAM groups at comparable time-points. The pressure obtained by the transducers showed good correlation with those obtained by Tonopen. Conclusion Our animal studies show that the transducer can be easily implanted and is well tolerated inside the rabbit eye, up to 4 months at the present time.
Coming up: in search of the vertical dimension in the brain.

How does the brain represent space as a terrestrial animal moves in three dimensions? A study suggests that the vertical dimension is encoded with less precision than the horizontal plane.
Perspectives in experimental solid mechanics

The role of experiments in the interaction with theory is reviewed in the context of developing improved procedures in the evolutionary process of establishing engineering principles and design tools. The exceptional benefits derived from the increasing computational capabilities of the past decades are examined, as well as associated impediments to advancing mechanics objectives. Significant needs derive from these observations which command continuing or even increased commitments to supporting experimental efforts in mechanics. A summary of the salient methods in experimental research currently available is supplemented by perceived additional instrumentation needs and related tools that are required to address problems associated with emerging technologies.
Heat Capacity Mapping Mission (HCMM) thermal surface water mapping and its correlation to Landsat

Graphics are presented which show HCMM mapped water-surface temperature in Lake Anna, a 13,000 dendrically-shaped lake which provides cooling for a nuclear power plant in Virginia. The HCMM digital data, produced by NASA were processed by NOAA/NESS into image and line-printer form. A LANDSAT image of the lake illustrates the relationship between MSS band 7 data and the HCMM data as processed by the NASA image processing facility which transforms the data to the same distortion-free hotline oblique Mercator projection. Spatial correlation of the two images is relatively simple by either digital or analog means and the HCMM image has a potential accuracy approaching the 80 m of the original LANDSAT data. While it is difficult to get readings that are not diluted by radiation from cooler adjacent land areas in narrow portions of the lake, digital data indicated by the line-printer display five different temperatures for open-water areas. Where the water surface response was not diluted by land areas, the temperature difference recorded by HCMM corresponds to in situ readings with rsme on the order of 1 C.
Debating nuclear energy: Theories of risk and purposes of communication

When writers communicate risks about hazardous technologies, they need to realize that their persuasive purposes cannot be to resolve debate but rather to evoke consensus and to encourage new ways of talking about risk issues. To gain insight into achieving such purposes, rhetoricians can learn from theories in the social science subdisciplines of risk perception and communication. Theorists in these fields identify various psychological, social, political, and cultural dynamics that risk communicators must address in order to generate new processes of debate. I apply many of these theoretical principles to a sample risk communication on nuclear energy to determine realistic expectations for persuasive risk communications. My conclusions stress that rhetorical researchers need to explore and test the extent to which written rhetorical forms can facilitate consensus.
Criteria for failed labor induction: prospective evaluation of a standardized protocol.

Abstract Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of a protocol that mandated at least 12 hours of oxytocin administration after membrane rupture before cesarean delivery for failed labor induction in the latent phase. Methods: Gravidas at or beyond 36 weeks’ gestation undergoing indicated induction with cervical dilatation up to 2 cm were studied prospectively. Prior cesarean was an exclusion criterion. If the fetal heart rate pattern was reassuring, cesarean was not permitted before the active phase of labor (4-cm dilatation and at least 90% effacement or 5-cm dilatation regardless of effacement) unless the membranes had been ruptured and oxytocin administered for at least 12 hours. Results: Five hundred nine women were treated according to protocol; 360 (71%) were nulliparas and 149 (29%) were parous. Twenty-five percent of nulliparas and 9% of parous women were delivered by cesarean. After 6 hours of ruptured membranes and oxytocin, 14% of nulliparas were still in the latent phase; 39% of whom delivered vaginally, compared with 7% still in the latent phase after 9 hours (vaginal delivery rate 28%), and 4% after 12 hours (vaginal delivery rate 13%). In contrast, after 6 hours of ruptured membranes and oxytocin, only five (3%) parous women were still in the latent phase. Among those, none remained in the latent phase for 12 hours and all were delivered vaginally. No women had serious complications. Severe neonatal morbidities were infrequent and not related to duration of the latent phase. Conclusion: By requiring a minimum of 12 hours of oxytocin after membrane rupture before failed labor induction could be diagnosed, many nulliparas who remained in the latent phase at 6 and 9 hours had safe vaginal deliveries, and failed labor induction was eliminated as an indication for cesarean in parous women.
Investigating the use of stable isotope analysis of milk to infer seasonal trends in the diets and foraging habitats of female Antarctic fur seals

Abstract The use of intrinsic biomarkers to infer the foraging ecology of marine predators has become a common alternative to traditional methods of estimating diets and foraging behavior. In this study we examined the ability of the stable isotope analysis (δ 15 N and δ 13 C) of milk to infer seasonal variations in the diets and foraging habitats of female Antarctic fur seals ( Arctocephalus gazella ) breeding at Cape Shirreff, Livingston Island, Antarctica. We found that the stable nitrogen values of lipid-free milk were correlated with seasonal changes in female diet composition during the lactation period identified from scat collections. While we could not fully quantifying female diets using isotopic analysis, evidence from both scat collections and stable isotope analysis suggest that Antarctic krill ( Euphausia superba ) remained a major dietary item throughout lactation. In addition, these two methods independently highlighted the increasing importance of fish and squid in the diets of females as the season progresses. Furthermore, the isotopic values of milk collected during the perinatal fast suggest that females may be foraging in high productivity areas north of the South Shetland Islands and consume a larger proportion of fish and/or squid prior to parturition. While more confirmatory studies are needed to refine these methods, our results suggests that the δ 15 N and δ 13 C values of lipid-free milk can be used as a proxy to describe the foraging ecology of female Antarctic fur seals prior to and across the lactation period.
The successful treatment of homocystinuria with pyridoxine

Four homocystinuric subjects were treated at home with high doses of pyridoxine. Elimination of biochemical abnormalities was achieved, permanently in three patients and transiently in one. Homocystine disappeared from plasma and urine, elevated methionine levels decreased to normal, and an increased fraction of total sulfur was excreted as sulfate. Clinical benefit from treatment was more difficult to demonstrate, but decreased platelet stickiness and increased pigmentation and cystine content of hair were observed. The possible mechanisms for the apparent efficacy of treatment with pyridoxine are discussed.
A Partioning Technique for Leontief Type Linear Programming Production Models

This paper studies the application of linear programming to the class of production planning problems which maximise profit subject to constraints on interacting production processes which can be represented by a static Leontief model. The method partitions the matrices involved in the solution process which enables the matrices involved in the computational process to become smaller at each iteration. Preliminary computational results show that the partitioning technique is quite efficient in solving such problems and should prove to be very effective on large-scale problems.
Visualization of multiscale simulation data: brain blood flow

Accurately modeling many physical and biological systems requires simulating at multiple scales. This results in large heterogeneous data sets on vastly differing scales, both physical and temporal. To address the challenges in multi-scale data analysis and visualization we have developed and successfully applied a set of tools, which we described in this paper.
On the theory of the interface exciton

Abstract A simple theoretical model for the interface exciton is developed, which can give explicit expressions for its main parameters: binding energies, wave functions, effective Bohr radius and oscillator strengths. We find good agreement with the previous results obtained by numerical calculation. For the physical parameters appropriate to recent photoluminescence experiments [1], we do not find binding. This suggests the magnetic field is necessary to produce binding.
Coping with a Transvestitic Mate: Clinical Implications

The transvestite's mate often seeks psychiatric consultation following discovery of her partner's cross-dressing. The clinical management of such situations is complex and mandates investigation of how such women have coped with the knowledge that their partner wears women's clothes for sexual arousal. This report reviews the coping styles of 20 women married or living with transvestitic men. Depression, hostility, sadism and alcohol abuse were methods utilized to cope with their perverse mate. Therapeutic strategies are discussed to help such women during the initial stages of a consultation so that they may develop sufficient insight and information to intelligently manage the dilemma in which they find themselves.
Segmentation of colon lumen for virtual colonoscopy

Residual stool and fluid and wall collapses are problematic for virtual colonoscopy. Electronic colon cleansing techniques combining both bowel preparation and image processing were developed to segment the colon lumen from the abdominal computed tomographic (CT) images. This paper describes our bowel preparation and image segmentation techniques and presents some preliminary results. A feasibility study using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is also reported.
Did George W. Bush increase the happiness of US Republicans

Using information from the US General Social Survey (GSS) between 1972 and 2006, we examine the effects of political affiliation on happiness. Regression results show that Republicans are always happier than Democrats, but members of both parties tend to be happier during a Democratic presidential administration. We do not find compelling evidence that Americans are happier when their own political party is in power.
Unsteady axisymmetric creeping flow from an orifice

The slow unsteady motion of a viscous incompressible fluid which issues from a finite orifice into the half-space,x>0 is considered. By slow it is meant that the convective acceleration (i.e. nonlinear) terms in the Navier-Stokes equations are of negligible magnitude in comparison with terms attributable to viscosity. Only axisymmetric motions will be considered. The assumed nature of the motion along with the resultant linearization of the Navier-Stokes equations allows the construction of the Stokes stream function for the flow. Others have discussed this problem when the motion is steady. A general representation for the flow is given when the motion is unsteady and numerical results are presented for the resulting evolutionary motion of specific flows issuing from the orifice.
Abstract PR2: Functional characterization of p53-regulated long intervening non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs

Abstract LincRNAs (long intervening noncoding RNAs) constitute a novel class of long, noncoding RNAs that have been implicated in regulating gene expression in diverse biological processes by modulating the activity of chromatin-modifying complexes. In collaboration with the Rinn laboratory at the Broad Institute, we have identified a set of lincRNAs that appear to be direct transcriptional targets of p53. These lincRNAs contain p53 binding elements in their promoter regions and are strongly upregulated in a p53-dependent manner upon DNA damage and in response to oncogenic stress. We have hypothesized that these lincRNAs may be new components of the p53 network and may contribute to p53 tumor suppressor function by regulating the expression of genes in cancer-relevant pathways. Using a combination of molecular genetic studies, cell biology, biochemistry, as well as gene targeting in the mouse, our aim is to dissect the biological function of these lincRNAs in vivo and in isolated cells. To date, we have generated a conditional knockout mutant for lincRNA-p21, one of the p53-regulated lincRNAs, which was recently shown to mediate gene repression in the p53 transcriptional network. Using this genetic tool, we plan to characterize the consequences of lincRNA-p21 loss in mice and in isolated mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Our goal is to identify genes that are regulated by lincRNA-p21 and to map out interactions between lincRNA-p21 and the p53 transcriptional network. We will also focus on dissecting the mechanism by which lincRNA-p21 may regulate the expression of target genes. We have also identified a lincRNA, linc9, which is induced by DNA damage in a dose-dependent manner. Even though the expression of linc9 appears to be p53-independent, our preliminary experiments indicate that linc9 may influence the outcome of p53 activation by promoting apoptosis in response to high levels of DNA damage. In sum, by studying the function and mechanism of p53-regulated and DNA damage-induced lincRNAs, we hope to achieve a better understanding of the role of long noncoding RNAs in modulating the p53 pathway and more broadly in regulating cancer-related processes. This abstract is also presented as Poster B19. Citation Format: Nadya M. Dimitrova, Tyler Jacks. Functional characterization of p53-regulated long intervening non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Noncoding RNAs and Cancer; 2012 Jan 8-11; Miami Beach, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(2 Suppl):Abstract nr PR2.
Investigating VDAC Gating via Magic Angle Spinning NMR and Electrophysiological Measurements Under Extreme pH Conditions: Implications for the Voltage-Gating Mechanism

The voltage-dependent anion-selective channel (VDAC) is an integral membrane protein that controls transportation of metabolites across the outer mitochondrial membrane. The mechanism by which VDAC controls ion flow is important to understanding cellular metabolic processes. It remains an unresolved problem despite publication of the structure of VDAC's open conformation. According to the first gating model proposed by Marco Colombini's group, gating occurs concurrently with large structural rearrangements, and there exist multiple conformations of closed states. These closed states have not been examined by diffraction or NMR, and thus obtaining structural information on VDAC under conditions that promote closure are valuable to unraveling the gating mechanism.Accordingly we have used magic angle spinning NMR (MAS NMR) and electrophysiological measurements to study recombinant human VDAC1 in lipid bilayers under extreme pH conditions that have been shown to perturb VDAC gating and structure. Detergent-solubilzed membrane proteins are often not amenable to solution NMR studies at extreme pH conditions; thus MAS NMR is uniquely positioned to study the structure and dynamics of closed conformations of VDAC in lipid bilayers. At pH 4 and lower we observe changes in chemical shifts and peak intensities for some, but not all, residues in VDAC's N-terminus, and for residues not in the voltage-sensing domain. Changes in chemical shifts for some residues in the N-terminus are reversed when the pH is raised from low to neutral values. Electrophysiological experiments with VDAC reconstituted into a planar lipid membrane confirmed that VDAC functions properly at pH values as low as 3.0. Furthermore, low pH enhances voltage-gating, and this pH effect is fully reversible. We discuss the implications of our observations and evaluate possible gating mechanisms.
Experimental investigation of ZnO powder flow and feeding characterization for a solar thermochemical reactor

Abstract The past two decades have seen a surge in applications of concentrated solar power (CSP) technology. The generation of solar-fuels, such as hydrogen, via CSP-thermal receiver/reactor technology has progressed from large scale demonstration to preliminary commercial venture. Solar receiver/reactors vary widely, and one of the distinguishing characteristics between reactors is the way in which reactants are introduced into the high-temperature reaction environment. Here, we focus on gravity-driven feeding of solid-particle reactants via hoppers and metering splines which can be employed for solar-thermochemical dissociation of metal oxides during continuous or batch processing. This relatively simple method can provide consistent and uniform reactant flow with high durability and low maintenance. We present experiments and analysis of gravity feeding of solid particles for CSP applications, focusing on the case study of 1–5 μm ZnO powder at mass flow rates of 0–2 g/s. ZnO powder feeding is facilitated by adding vibration to the hopper followed by metering past a rotating spline, and delivered via gravity to an ultra-high temperature reaction cavity comprised of inclined alumina tile reaction surfaces. This paper will address hopper and spline design, feed rate characterization and modeling, particle residence time, and the effect of moisture and hopper vibration on the effective delivery of ZnO powder to the thermochemical reactor.
Water quality and phytoplankton communities in lake Pontchartrain during and after the Bonnet Carre spillway opening, April to October 2008, in Louisiana, USA

The Bonnet Carre Spillway, located 28 miles northwest of New Orleans, was constructed in the early 1930s as part of an integrated flood-control system for the lower Mississippi River system. From 11 April to 8 May 2008, Mississippi River water was diverted through the spillway into the 629-square-mile Lake Pontchartrain, which is hydraulically connected to the Gulf of Mexico. On 8 April, prior to the opening of the spillway, water-quality instruments were deployed and recorded hourly measurements of water temperature, dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, pH, and nitrate. Discrete water-quality and phytoplankton (algae) samples were collected in Lake Pontchartrain from 8 April to 3 October 2008 to assess the water-quality nutrient enrichment effects of the diversion on the lake. The maximum influence of river water in the southern portion of the lake was captured with continuous (hourly) monitoring of nitrate concentrations, and field measurements such as of specific conductance during the critical period in late April to early May. By late May, the deployed instruments had recorded the arrival, peak, and decline of selected constituents associated with the freshwater influx from the Mississippi River/Bonnet Carre Spillway diversion. The continuous monitoring data showed the short-term interactions of high-nitrate, low-specific conductance river water and low-nitrate, high-specific conductance lake water. The phytoplankton community composition, as an indicator of water quality, illustrated an extended response from the river water evident even after the continuous and discrete samples indicated that the lake had returned to pre-diversion conditions. The initial phytoplankton community response to nutrient increases was related to accumulations of diatoms. During periods of low nutrient concentrations, accumulations of blue-greens occurred by July and August. As blue-green algae cell densities and biovolumes increased in the summer, so did the species richness of blue-green algae, particularly the harmful algae bloom taxa. Cell densities and biovolume of the phytoplankton lake indicator taxa Skeletonema costatum, Anabaena sp., and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii were highest and dominated the diatom and blue-green algae communities during the period of most river water influence on the lake and immediately following the freshwater inflows. The dominance and recession of these indictor taxa reflect the dramatic changes that occurred in the phytoplankton community in response to an increase in nutrient-rich freshwater from the diversion into the lake, and not normal seasonal phytoplankton compositional differences. Water-quality data indicated a gradual reversion to pre-diversion lake conditions by June to July, but shifts in the phytoplankton composition were still evident through August 2008. Observations from this study were similar to results from previous studies of Mississippi River/Bonnet Carre Spillway diversion opening in 1997.
Effect of turbulent blood flow on systolic pressure contour in the ventricles and great vessels: Significance related to anacrotic and bisferious pulses

The effect of turbulent blood flow on the contour of systolic pressure in the left and right ventricles and great vessels was investigated in 64 patients undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Intracardiac pressure and sound were recorded using a catheter-tip micromanometer. Measurements were made in normal subjects and patients with a variety of disorders including aortic stenosis, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, coarctation of the aorta and atrial septal defect. Observations showed a consistent association of the intracardiac murmur, which is indicative of turbulence, with a transient reduction of the centrally recorded systolic pressure. The resultant abnormal systolic pressure contour can be explained on the basis of fluid dynamic considerations related to turbulence.
Isotopic composition of xenon and krypton in the lunar soil and in the solar wind

Xe and Kr isotopes gas extraction and mass spectrometer analyses of Apollo 11 lunar soil, Murray carbonaceous chondrite and atmospheric Xe
Improved performance of analog and digital acousto-optic modulation with feedback under profiled beam propagation for secure communication using chaos

Using intensity feedback, the closed-loop behavior of an acousto-optic hybrid device under profiled beam propagation has been recently shown to exhibit wider chaotic bands potentially leading to an increase in both the dynamic range and sensitivity to key parameters that characterize the encryption. In this work, a detailed examination is carried out vis-a-vis the robustness of the encryption/decryption process relative to parameter mismatch for both analog and pulse code modulation signals, and bit error rate (BER) curves are used to examine the impact of additive white noise. The simulations with profiled input beams are shown to produce a stronger encryption key (i.e., much lower parametric tolerance thresholds) relative to simulations with uniform plane wave input beams. In each case, it is shown that the tolerance for key parameters drops by factors ranging from 10 to 20 times below those for uniform plane wave propagation. Results are shown to be at consistently lower tolerances for secure transmission of analog and digital signals using parameter tolerance measures, as well as BER performance measures for digital signals. These results hold out the promise for considerably greater information transmission security for such a system.
LATENT PERIOD AND GENERATION TIME FOR TWO PLANT VIRUSES

THE EARLY STAGES of virus increase have been successfully studied in bacteriophage, but less successfully in plant viruses. Most investigators of the increase of tobacco mosaic virus made their first recorded assay at 24 or more hrs. after inoculation, but Uppal (1934) recorded a questionable increase between 6 and 9 hrs. after inoculation. Steere (1952) demonstrated a progressive increase in tobacco mosaic virus, starting at about 20 hrs. after inoculation. The present study is an attempt to follow by conventional methods the virus content of leaves in the early stages of infection with tobacco mosaic virus and tobacco necrosis virus. METHODS.-Latent period is here uised to mean the time after successful inoculation during which no increase in the infective agent is detected by the methods used. Generation time is here used as the time for an infective agent to double its number or concentration.
Determination of the Instantaneous Fuel Flow Rate Out of a Fuel Nozzle

Reported is a practical method for accurate and fast determination of the instantaneous fuel flow rate out of a fuel injector. Both gaseous and liquid fuels are considered. Unsteady fuel flow rates introduced into a combustor can be caused by both self-excited pressure pulsations and fuel modulations. During combustion instability, the air flow rate into a combustor also varies in response to pressure pulsations. Accurate determination of the instantaneous fuel and air flow rates is important for both modeling and control of combustion instability. The developed method is based on the acoustic wave theory and pressure measurements at two locations upstream of a fuel injector. This method bypasses the complexities and nonlinearities of fuel actuators and fuel nozzles, and works for systems with slow-time-varying characteristics. Acoustic impedance of a gaseous fuel nozzle is found to be a function of multivariables, including the forcing frequency, the acoustic oscillation intensity, and the mean fuel flow rate. Thus, it is not an intrinsic property of the fuel injector alone. In the present study, sharp tubing bending with almost zero radii is found to have minimal effects on the distribution of ID acoustic wave. This is probably because vortex shedding and recirculation at tubing corners do not alter the globally ID characteristics of acoustic wave distribution. Different from the traditional two-microphone method, which determines the acoustic velocity at the middle locations of the two microphones, the present method allows the acoustic velocity, the acoustic mass flux, and the specific acoustic impedance to be determined along the fuel tubing or an air pipe.
Computationally efficient solvers for power system applications

If power system time-domain simulations could run in real-time, then system operators would have situational awareness to implement on-line control and avoid cascading failures, significantly improving power system reliability. Many power system assessment tools, such as power flow and short circuit analysis, require very large sparse matrix computations. As power systems continue to grow, there is a greater computational complexity involved in solving these large linear systems within reasonable time. We are expanding the current work in fast linear solvers to develop power system specific methods that show potential for accurate solutions in nearly-linear run times.
Beneficial liaisons: radiobiology meets cellular and molecular biology.

Abstract The scientific knowledge that is emerging in all fields of medicine is rapidly changing our understanding of the concepts in radiation oncology. In this review, some of the classic radiation biology theories and models are examined and newer ‘models’ are illustrated. The ability of radiation oncologists to remain current with the newer scientific findings is essential to the development of improved therapeutic strategies and, importantly, to the proper balance between investment in technology and biology.
Consulting to children in crisis.

Although community consultation is common for psychiatrists, such activity is usually carried out on an elective rather than emergency basis. In a world troubled by community disaster situations—children are often at risk. Psychiatrists, through the use of skillful crisis consultation, can be of great help to these young people. This report describes the efforts of a mental health consultation team to meet the needs of a large population of children under acute stress.
Cross-sex friendship: Four basic challenges of an ignored relationship.

Cross-sex friendship is a generally ignored yet significant close relationship in American culture. This paper is primarily a call to social scientists for attention to this relationship. The paper discusses the reasons for a lack of attention to this close relationship, and delineates the significance of cross-sex friendship as a focus of analysis for social scientists interested in the field of personal relationships. An initial exploration of the nature of cross-sex friendship is achieved through a conceptualization of the major relationship challenges that cross-sex friends must negotiate. These challenges are (1) determining the type of emotional bond experienced in the relationship, (2) confronting the issue of sexuality, (3) dealing with the issue of relationship equality within a cultural context of gender inequality, and (4) the challenge of public relationships—presenting the relationship as authentic to relevant audiences. The paper concludes by recommending several principles and avenues of future research to begin a research tradition on this significant yet ignored personal relationship.
Ras is essential for nerve growth factor- and phorbol ester-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of MAP kinases

Abstract Treatment of PC 12 cells with nerve growth factor (NGF) induces a rapid increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple cellular proteins. Expression of a dominant inhibitory Ras mutant specifically blocked NGF- and TPA-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of two proteins of approximately 42 and 44 kd. Conversely, expression of an oncogenic variant of Ras induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the same 42 and 44 kd proteins. The 44 kd protein was immunoprecipitated with an antibody directed against extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the 42 kd protein comigrated with a 42 kd MAPK, indicating that at least one and probably both Ras-regulated phosphoproteins are MAPKs. In addition, MAPK activation, as measured by in vitro phosphorylation of myelin basic protein, was also regulated by Ras. Ras was not required for NGF-induced activation of Trk or tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-γ1. Thus, NGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation occurs both prior to and following Ras action, and Ras plays a critical role in the NGF- and TPA-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of MAPKs.
Muslim printers in Tsarist Central Asia: A research note

(1992). Muslim printers in Tsarist Central Asia: A research note. Central Asian Survey: Vol. 11, No. 3, pp. 113-118.
An investigation into whether complaining can cause increased consumer satisfaction

Marketers agree that consumer complaints are useful sources of information that help marketers identify sources of dissatisfaction, and therefore should be encouraged. However, does complaining have a more direct beneficial effect? Can consumer complaining by itself cause increased satisfaction by allowing dissatisfied consumers a chance to vent their anger and frustration? An experiment was conducted on real consumers to test what effects complaining may have on changes in the consumers’ satisfaction and product evaluations over a one‐week period. It was found that consumers who were encouraged to complain reported greater increases in satisfaction and product evaluation compared to consumers who were not explicitly asked to complain. The changes in satisfaction and product evaluations were found to be related to the complaining intensity. The effect of complaining on actual purchasing behavior was also studied.
The International Law Commission of the United Nations

An appraisal of the International Law Commission of the United Nations. It sheds light on its functions and the process by which it pursues its stated goals of codifying and developing international law. It also addresses the dearth of systematic analysis of the Commission's work.
Rheology of Polypropylene/Clay Hybrid Materials

The melt-state linear and nonlinear shear rheological properties of hybrid materials of polypropylene and amine-exchanged montmorillonite were studied. The materials were prepared by melt mixing with maleic anhydride functionalized polypropylene as the compatibilizer. The clay interlayer spacing (as determined by wide-angle X-ray scattering) increased upon melt mixing; however, the short-range ordering of the clay layers was preserved. Above inorganic loadings of 2.0 wt % the hybrid materials exhibited apparent low-frequency plateaus in the linear viscoelastic moduli. The hybrid storage modulus was sensitive to the chemistry of the amine exchanged into the clay. The amount of stress overshoot observed in flow reversal experiments was found to be a function of the rest time allowed between the reversal. The transient stress in start-up of steady shear scaled with the applied strain. These observations allow features of the polypropylene/montmorillonite hybrid structure to be deduced. The transient nonlinea...
Frame the Consolidation Debate with a Sound Argument: A Reply to a Response

The most persuasive argument in favor of city–county consolidation has been—and remains—economic development through the formation of a strong and attractive regional community identity. Empirical evidence consistently demonstrates that appeals to voters based on reducing inner-city/suburban socioeconomic inequity and enhancing administrative efficiency are a recipe for failed consolidation campaigns.
Electrocardiographic changes with intravenous pyelography in healthy individuals

Abstract Fifty apparently healthy individuals undergoing intravenous pyelography had electrocardiographic evaluation before, during, and after the examination. No patient had a major electrocardiographic change after contrast injection. electrocardiograms, all ahd a striking (>40 beats per minute) rise in rate. The 43 patients with normal electrocardiograms had a small but significant rise in rate. No ischemic changes or major arrhythmias occurred. Although electrocardiographic aberrations were better correlated with baseline electrocardiograms than history or physical evaluation, our experience and a review of the literature confirms the safety of this examination in healthy people.
SIM technology development overview: light at the end of the tunnel

Optical and IR interferometry wil open new vistas for astronomy over the next decade. Space based interferometers, operating unfettered by the Earth's atmosphere, will offer the greatest scientific payoff. They also present the greatest technological challenge: laser metrology systems must perform with sub-nanometer precision; mechanical vibrations must be controlled to nanometers requiring orders of magnitude disturbance rejection; a multitude of actuators and sensors must operate flawlessly in concert. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory along with its industry partners, Lockheed Martin and TRW, are addressing these challenges with a development program that plans to establish technology readiness for the SIM by the end of 2004.© (2003) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A collection of tools for making automata theory and formal languages come alive

We present a collection of new and enhanced tools for experimenting with concepts in formal languages and automata theory. New tools, written in Java, include JFLAP for creating and simulating finite automata, pushdown automata and Turing machines; Pâte for parsing restricted and unrestricted grammars and transforming context-free grammars to Chomsky Normal Form; and PumpLemma for proving specific languages are not regular. Enhancements to previous tools LLparse and LRparse, instructional tools for parsing LL(1) and LR(1) grammars, include parsing LL(2) grammars, displaying parse trees, and parsing any context-free grammar with conflict resolution.