cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Research of Electromagnetic Tomography Based on Different Parameters

Electromagnetic tomography (EMT) is a recent imaging technique. Its purpose is to determine the distribution of electrical conductivity and magnetic permeability in a given region of interest. EMT is based on the principle of electromagnetic induction. This distribution is computed from the measurements of the induced voltages at several coils placed around the region which are produced by the application of different excitation patterns . Usually images are obtained through inversion of the projection data. The paper represents a fundamental investigation of the potential of using electromagnetic measurements for industrial tomography application. This paper concentrates on image reconstruction of either electrically conducting material or magnetically permeable materials. Finally a number of potential industrial applications for the EMT technique are discussed.
Changes in body temperature during growth and in response to fasting in growing modern meat type chickens

1. Rectal or core body temperature was determined in a study to examine the effects of fasting in modern meat type broilers at three stages of growth, namely d 19, 33 and 47. 2. There were two treatment groups: fed with feed available ad libitum and fasted. Rectal temperatures were determined at noon (1200 h). At that time, feed was removed from the fasted group. The body temperatures were then determined again after 6, 12, 18 and 24 h. 3. Core body temperatures decreased with fasting. The decrease was evident after as little as 6 h of fasting with a further decline evident by 12 h. 4. Accompanying the decrease in body temperature with fasting there were decreases in the venous concentrations of carbon dioxide in the blood and sodium in the plasma. 5. The decrease in both body temperature and carbon dioxide presumably reflects depressed metabolic rate. 6. Unexpectedly, the core body temperature increased progressively with age in the control fed group (d 19 = 41·04 ± 0·02°C, d 33 = 41·65 ± 0·05°C, d 47 = ...
Discerning Ionic Currents and their Kinetics from Input Impedance Data

The excitable nature of a biological cell is manifested in the many voltage gated ion channels that perforate its membrane. The forms of the associated ionic currents, and in particular the functions that govern their kinetics, permit one to distinguish, electrophysiologically, between various cell types. We show, in the context of FitzHugh-Nagumo and Morris-Lecar models and without recourse to voltage or space clamping, that such currents and kinetics may be stably inferred from a cell's voltage response to a specified input current.
Adjustment of the Remote Tropical Climate to El Niño Conditions

Abstract The adjustment of the tropical climate outside the Pacific (the “remote Tropics”) to the abrupt onset of El Nino conditions is examined in a tropical atmosphere model that assumes simplified vertical structure and quasi-equilibrium (QE) convective closure. The El Nino signal is rapidly (∼1 week) communicated to the remote Tropics via an eastward-propagating Kelvin-like wave that induces both anomalous subsidence and tropospheric warming. Widespread reductions in convective precipitation occur in conjunction with the spreading of the temperature and subsidence anomalies. The remote rainfall suppression peaks roughly 5–15 days after the initiation of El Nino conditions, after which the anomalous remote rainfall field recovers to a state characterized by a smaller remote areal mean rainfall deficit and the appearance of localized positive rainfall anomalies. The initial remote precipitation reduction after El Nino onset is tied to both tropospheric warming (i.e., stabilization of the troposphere to ...
BEHAVIORAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN POGONOMYRMEX RUGOSUS AND DEPENDENT LINEAGE (H1/H2) HARVESTER ANTS

The discovery of genetic caste determination (GCD) in populations of Pogonomyrmex harvester ants raises many questions about the evolution and persistence of such populations. The genetic caste determination arises from the existence of two distinct, but mutually dependent, genetic lineages within a population. Workers always develop from a combination of the two lineages, but their sister queens develop from within-lineage matings. Maintaining genetic caste determination appears to be costly because many queen-destined eggs are wasted when a colony is not in the reproductive stage, yet these populations appear to be widespread. We investigated whether inter-lineage workers have novel traits that give GCD colonies a selective advantage in certain environments. In particular, we compared ecologically relevant behavioral characteristics of inter-lineage workers in H-lineage colonies with co-occurring normal colonies of P. rugosus. First, we measured colony defensive response toward a simulated vertebrate predator. Second, we set up direct competitive foraging and recruitment experiments between dependent lineage and P. rugosus colonies. Last, we measured individual aggressive response to foreign inter-lineage and P. rugosus workers. We found that H1/H2 inter-lineage workers explored objects on the nest more thoroughly and responded much more aggressively to simulated predator disturbance than the P. rugosus colonies. In individual encounters, H1/H2 inter-lineage and P. rugosus workers were equally aggressive toward foreign ants, but both worker types could discriminate P. rugosus from inter-lineage intruders and were more aggressive toward ants of the alternate type to themselves. When competing directly for resources, however, P. rugosus colonies consistently dominated seed piles. In summary, H1/H2 GCD colonies show distinct behavioral differences, but there is no clear ecological advantage from the traits we examined.
Absence of Drug Interaction between Oral Moxifloxacin and Intramuscular Morphine Sulfate in Healthy Volunteers

To determine the effects of intramuscular morphine sulfate on the pharmacokinetics of moxifloxacin. This was a single-centre, randomised, two-way, nonblinded crossover study in healthy young males and females. 20 healthy volunteers (15 males, five females) with a mean age of 34 years were enrolled and considered evaluable for the pharmacokinetic analysis. Moxifloxacin was given under two conditions separated by a minimum 7-day washout period: alone as a single oral 400mg dose, and immediately following 10mg of intramuscular morphine sulfate. Concentrations of moxifloxacin in serum were determined by a validated HPLC procedure with fluorescence detection. Pharmacokinetic parameters estimated were maximum serum concentration (Cmax), time to reach Cmax (tmax), area under the concentration-time curve from zero to infinity (AUC∞), and terminal elimination half-life (t1/2). The natural logarithms of AUC∞ and Cmax were compared by analysis of variance. The mean moxifloxacin serum concentration vs time profiles were similar between the two treatments. The geometric least square mean Cmax values for moxifloxacin were 3.42 mg/L when given alone vs 2.85 mg/L with morphine, producing a ratio (moxifloxacin with morphine vs moxifloxacin alone) of 0.83, with a 90% confidence interval (CI) about the ratio of 0.71 to 0.98. The geometric mean AUC∞ values for moxifloxacin alone and with morphine were 41.5 and 39.6 mg/L·h; the ratio of means was 0.96, with a 90% CI of 0.87 to 1.04. tmax and t1/2 values for moxifloxacin were unchanged when coadministered with morphine. The single oral dose of moxifloxacin 400mg was well tolerated when taken with and without morphine sulfate. Administration of a single intramuscular dose of morphine did not reduce the bioavailability or alter the elimination profile of oral moxifloxacin. These results suggest that concurrent administration of intramuscular morphine and oral moxifloxacin is unlikely to reduce the efficacy of the quinolone.
The quest for limits on noncomplementarity in opinion revision

Abstract Two experiments are reported exploring opinion revision with multiple competing hypotheses. Subjects read brief murder mysteries, each involving a basic scenario followed by a series of clues, and rated probabilities of guilt for each suspect after each new piece of information was received. As in earlier studies ( L. B. Robinson and R. Hastie, 1985 , Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance , 11 , 443–456), strength of belief in a given hypothesis was found to be independent of belief in competing hypotheses. Subjects showed strong tendencies to respond to any given clue by increasing or decreasing the probability of a specific target hypothesis, but to make no complementary revisions to the probabilities of other hypotheses under consideration. The popularity of such noncomplementary revision is shown to decrease as greater amounts of information are presented. An anchor-and-adjustment model of opinion revision is presented to account for this data in qualitative and quantitative terms.
Synthesis and Characterization of Isoregic Chiral Smectic Polyesters

We prepared a series of isoregic chiral smectic polyesters based on (R)−(−)-4‘-{ω-[2-(p-hydroxy-o-nitrophenyloxy)-1-propoxy]-1-alkyloxy}-4-biphenylcarboxylic acid. The head-to-tail (p-hydroxybenzoic acid) type monomers enable us to proceed the isoregically controlled polycondensation. All the monomers exhibited the chiral smectic C and nematic mesophases. The isoregic chiral smectic polyesters have good thermal stability and exhibit monolayered chiral smectic C and smectic A structures.
What qualitative GIS maps tell and don't tell: insights from mapping women in Tehran's public spaces

Qualitative Geographic Information Systems (QGIS) refers to an array of methodological efforts to incorporate into Geographic Information System (GIS) more qualitative data than have traditionally been included. The majority of critical geographers have focused on the advantages of QGIS as an innovative method in feminist geography; however, little attention has been given to its limitations, particularly in non-Western contexts, where sociocultural subjectivity appears to be more difficult to access. The exciting prospect QGIS fosters, along with its conceptual and technical limitations, is the central focus of this article. This article represents an attempt to go beyond the first generation of QGIS literature and to critically explore its limitations. It draws on insights from my fieldwork studying Iranian women's sociospatial behaviors in Tehran's public spaces. Photographs, sketches, and narratives were linked to GIS data gathered from the Iranian Census Organization, National GIS Database, and Tehra...
Pediatric Palliative Care-When Quality of Life Becomes the Main Focus of Treatment

Pediatric palliative care (PPC) focuses on children and adolescents with life-limiting diseases. It may be initiated at various points of the disease trajectory, if possible early enough to support living with the best possible quality of life despite a limited lifespan. From birth to adolescence, children with a broad spectrum of diseases may benefit from PPC. Since 50% of deaths in childhood occur within the first year of life, PPC is just as relevant to neonatology. Causes of death in the neonate and young infant are due to perinatal conditions such as preterm birth and congenital disorders and syndromes; in older children, external causes, such as traumatic injuries, outweigh disease-related causes of death. PPC may last from a few hours or days for neonates to many years for children with complex chronic conditions. For neonates, PPC often has the character of end-of-life (EOL) care followed by bereavement care for the family. For older children, PPC can clearly be differentiated from EOL care; its indications include progress or deterioration of disease, marked instability of the child’s condition, increase in the need for technical or medical support, increase in suffering, or failure of treatment. If a child’s need for palliative care is established, useless and potentially harmful treatments may be withheld and informed choices can be made about treatment, care, and the remaining life of the child. Conclusion This review aims to provide knowledge for clinicians who care for children and adolescents at risk of dying from their disease. PPC can improve the child’s remaining lifetime by focusing on quality of life and goals that are defined by the child and his or her family.
Career Assessment and the Adult Career Concerns Inventory

This article describes the Adult Career Concerns Inventory (ACCI; Super, Thompson, & Lindeman, 1988), an instrument developed by Donald Super and his colleagues for use by counselors in facilitating adult career planning and exploration. The evolution of the instrument is reviewed from the early version that attempted to measure career development to the current form that assesses adults' awareness of the tasks associated with career adaptability. Also included is a discussion of relevant studies of the instrument's psychometric properties, practical applications, and possibilities for future research.
The role of computerized tomography in the evaluation of complications after laparoscopic urological surgery.

ABSTRACTPurpose: Radiographic evaluation may be necessary to assess the possible complications of laparoscopic procedures. We undertook a retrospective review to determine the indications for and findings of computerized tomography (CT) in symptomatic patients after urologic laparoscopic surgery.Materials and Methods: Of 400 laparoscopic urological procedures performed between July 1993 and September 1996, 20 patients (5%) had postoperative symptomatology that could not be explained by physical exam or routine clinical studies. An abdominal CT scan was obtained (1 to 120 days after the procedure) to help determine a diagnosis. CT findings were correlated with the indication for the study and clinical followup.Results: The indications for CT were unexplained pain, fever, leukocytosis or falling hematocrit. Thirteen patients had significant findings related to their surgery that were identified by CT. In 2 cases, we identified pathology unrelated to the surgery. Therefore, CT identified a symptom-related di...
A Power Efficient and Fast Transient Response Low Drop-Out Regulator in Standard CMOS Process

In this paper a low drop out regulator (LDO) is proposed, which can adaptively change driving current to the PMOS gate and have a fast transient response time. As we know, LDO circuits have to provide a regulated output voltage regardless of input voltage variation, load current variation, and process variation. A load transient test will test the transient behavior of changing output loading. In order to get a good performance in a load transient testing, a buffer with current driving capability is usually added in front of PMOS gate to make the transient response faster. This buffer needs to drive the PMOS gate, and it will consume a few quiescent current in LDO circuits. This static quiescent current will occupy a few percentage of power consumption of LDO circuits at a light load condition, and the efficiency of the LDO at a light load condition will be very poor. In this paper, we proposed a new architecture of LDO, which can adaptively change the driving current of the buffer to the PMOS gate. Then we can improve the efficiency of the LDO up to 10% at light load condition. Meanwhile, we can have a fast transient response time. The load transient response time from 1mA to 138mA is about 2mus, which is faster than other reference designs. This chip is manufactured in 0.35mum standard CMOS process, and it consumes 24muA in a light load condition
Factors to Explore in Doing Child Custody Evaluations Involving Gay and Lesbian Parents

Objective: The number of homosexual parents in the United States involved in child custody cases is growing. Current recommendations suggest that parents' sexual orientation should not impact these evaluations. This review examines the supporting literature and reports the findings in a useable way for evaluators. Method: The author thoroughly searched the literature using several keywords and databases. Results: Fifteen studies were included. The literature suggested no detrimental impact; however, limitations of this body of literature are noted. Conclusion: The current body of literature suggested parental sexual orientation should not impact child custody recommendations; however, evaluators should understand the multiple limitations to this literature.
Human Needs and Women Peacebuilding in Lebanon

Reducing direct and structural violence through satisfying human needs for security, identity, well-being, and self-determination, and promoting human rights, are essential in building a culture of peace. In Lebanon, a society that has seen much violence, the seeds of a nonviolent society are being nurtured in programs focused on women, and largely initiated and led by them.
Translational Diffusion in Polydisperse Polymer Samples Studied by Dynamic Imaging of Diffusion ESR

A new methodology utilizing the DID-ESR (dynamic imaging of diffusion by ESR) technique has been developed for its application to polydisperse polymer samples. Due to polydispersity the spin-labeled polymer molecules have a wide range of molecular weight, and this is also true for the matrix polymer molecules. This generally leads to a wide distribution in diffusion coefficients of the spin-labeled molecules. The work presented here includes a theoretical derivation of the new DID-ESR method in the presence of polydispersity, plus its first application for measuring translational diffusion coefficients of liquid crystalline (LC) polymer melts. This includes a detailed analysis of the reliability of the method, the proper interpretation of average diffusion coefficients, and how the molecular weight dependence of the diffusion coefficient may be obtained from even a single experiment on a sample with wide polydispersity. The results obtained by this method are compared with those from the FRES (forward rec...
Studies of the deposition of high quality N-rich amorphous silicon nitride films

An experimental study of the deposition via plasma-enhanced CVD of high quality N-rich films of a-SixNyHz has been undertaken. The effects of varying the substrate temperature Ts and the plasma power density W/A on the properties of the films have been investigated. From determinations of the concentrations of Si-Si bonds and of NH2 units in the films as well as of the slope Eo of the exponential absorption edge it has been shown that high quality N-rich films can be deposited at Ts ≥ 400°C, with R = NH3/SiH4 ≥ 40, and W/A > 0.4 W/cm2. These films have y/x ∼ 1.9 and z/x ∼ 1.8, and thus are close in composition to silicon diimide, Si(NH)2.
Reduced wind strengthens top‐down control of an insect herbivore

Global wind speeds have decreased 5–15% over the last 30 years and are expected to continue decreasing in the future. However, little is known about how wind affects species and their interactions within communities. I experimentally tested the effects of wind on predator–prey interactions using soybean aphids and predatory multicolored Asian ladybeetles. First, I examined the direct effect of wind on aphids in a greenhouse without predators under three treatments: no wind, wind (oscillating fan), or simulated wind movement. Aphid abundances did not differ among treatments. Next, I conducted a field experiment in soybean plots assigned to either control or wind-block treatments. Predators were more abundant in wind-block treatments and reduced aphid abundance by 40% compared to control plots. To elucidate why wind indirectly increased aphid density in open plots, I conducted a feeding trial with ladybeetles foraging for aphids on plants that were assigned to either control or simulated wind movement treat...
The role of prey-generated sounds, vision, and echolocation in prey localization by the African bat Cardioderma cor (Megadermatidae)

Cardioderma cor responded with head movements and flight toward speakers broadcasting calls of frogs and crickets which contained only sonic frequencies. Unlike the frog-eating bat,Trachops cirrhosus, they did not make contact with the speakers. Prey movements that generated sonic and ultrasonic sounds were both sufficient and necessary for the bats to localize and capture prey. Prey dragged across a glass sheet with a thin layer of water did not generate sounds and bats did not attempt to capture these prey, even with the availability of visual and echolocation cues. There was no evidence for the use of visual cues while hunting; bats did not localize prey more readily in light than darkness. Prey were presented such that their movements initially generated sounds, but then the prey moved onto the water layer of the glass sheet and sounds were eliminated. The bats emitted echolocation signals while hunting in this situation; however, the information from these signals was not utilized. The bats landed at the site that prey last made sound. These results demonstrate the importance of passive hearing for prey localization in this bat, and further suggest that when preygenerated sounds and echolocation signals offer conflicting information the bat's behavior is guided by the former.
Association of C-Reactive Protein and Microalbuminuria (from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 1999 to 2004)

Chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease share many risk factors. Injury to the vascular endothelium, measured by elevated levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), may play a role in kidney and cardiovascular disease. We therefore examined the association of CRP with microalbuminuria, a marker of early kidney injury. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative, population-based survey. Weighted multiple logistic regression was used to study the association between CRP and microalbuminuria, adjusting for well-known risk factors. CRP was analyzed by a continuous variable and two categorized variables using quartiles and clinically recommended cutpoints. CRP concentration was positively associated with microalbuminuria. In the multivariate model, a one unit (in milligrams per liter) increase in CRP concentration was associated with a 2% increased odds of microalbuminuria (odds ratio 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01 to 1.02, p = 0.0003). When CRP concentrations were stratified by clinically recommended cutpoints, compared with persons with CRP concentrations 3 mg/L were 1.15 times (95% CI 0.94 to 1.42) and 1.33 times (95% CI 1.08 to 1.65) more likely to have microalbuminuria, respectively. In subgroup analyses, the strength of association was comparable or stronger. In conclusion, elevated CRP levels were associated with microalbuminuria in a large, nationally representative data set. Vascular inflammation, as measured by CRP, may be a common contributor to early heart and kidney disease.
Entrapment and Condensation of DNA in Neutral Reverse Micelles

DNA condensation and compaction is induced by a variety of condensing agents such as polycations. The present study analyzed the structure of plasmid DNA (DNA) in the small inner space of reverse micelles formed from nonionic surfactants (isotropic phase). Spectroscopic studies indicated that DNA was dissolved in an organic solvent in the presence of a neutral detergent. Fluorescent quenching of ethidium bromide and of rhodamine covalently attached to DNA suggested that the DNA within neutral, reverse micelles was condensed. Circular dichroism indicated that the DNA structure was C form (member of B family) and not the dehydrated A form. Concordantly, NMR experiments indicated that the reverse micelles contained a pool of free water, even at a ratio of water to surfactant (Wo) of 3.75. Electron microscopic analysis also indicated that the DNA was in a ring-like structure, probably toroids. Atomic force microscopic images also revealed small, compact particles after the condensed DNA structures were preserved using an innovative cross-linking strategy. In the lamellar phase, the DNA was configured in long strands that were 20 nm in diameter. Interestingly, such DNA structures, reminiscent of "nanowires," have apparently not been previously observed.
Evaluation of [3-(1-Methyl-1H–indol –3-yl-methylene)-2–oxo-2, 3–dihydro-1H- indole–5-sulfonamide] (OXSI-2), as a Syk selective inhibitor in platelets

In the present study, we characterized OXSI-2 [3-(1-Methyl-1H-indol-3-yl-methylene)-2-oxo-2, 3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-sulfonamide], a putative inhibitor of Syk, and determined its specificity and selectivity in platelets. We found that OXSI-2 completely abolished convulxin-induced platelet functional responses. In order to determine whether OXSI-2 inhibited Src family kinase-mediated platelet responses, we evaluated its effect on Src family kinase (SFK)-mediated signaling events in platelets, viz. Lyn-mediated phosphorylation of Y352 on Syk, LAT-Y191 phosphorylation by Syk, and protease-activated receptor (PAR)-mediated phosphorylation of ERK. In the present work, we report that convulxin mediated Syk tyrosine 352 phosphorylation is not inhibited by OXSI-2, whereas piceatannol and PP2 abolished it. Syk-mediated Y191 LAT phosphorylation is abolished by all the three inhibitors. AYPGKF-induced phosphorylation of ERK was marginally inhibited by OXSI-2, whereas treatment with PP2 and piceatannol completely abolished it. However, PAR-mediated thromboxane generation (an event mediated by ERK) was potentiated by OXSI-2 whereas PP2 and piceatannol brought thromboxane to basal levels. Protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors are known to potentiate PAR-mediated thromboxane generation in platelets. In contrast, OXSI-2, unlike PKC inhibitors, did not inhibit secretion. Therefore, we conclude that OXSI-2 is not a Syk-selective inhibitor in platelets because of its unexplained non-specific effects.
Overview of adrenal imaging/adrenal CT

CT is the imaging procedure of choice for the detection of most suspected adrenal masses. But except for some patients with acute adrenal hemorrhage or fat-containing myelolipoma, the precise histologic nature of an adrenal mass is not apparent from the CT image. MIBG radionuclide scanning is useful in some patients with pheochromocytoma, whereas bilateral adrenal venous sampling for hormone assay is necessary for correct lateralization in some patients with a small aldosterone-producing adenoma. The potential value of MR imaging in the characterization of adrenal masses, especially to distinguish benign adrenal cortical adenomas from metastatic disease, is now under investigation. Currently percutaneous aspiration biopsy is still necessary to make this distinction in patients with an adrenal mass and a known extra-adrenal primary neoplasm.
Texture, microstructure and formability of SC and DC cast Al–Mg alloys

Abstract Texture, microstructure and formability were studied in direct chill (DC) cast and strip cast (SC) Al–Mg alloys (AA5754 and AA5182) and were found to largely depend on the production processes (DC versus SC) and chemical compositions. DC hot bands are usually fully recrystallized and thus have strong recrystallization textures while SC hot bands have deformation structures and thus strong deformation textures. It is difficult to obtain strong recrystallization textures in SC hot band materials with elevated temperature annealing. However, annealed SC5754 hot bands have stronger recrystallization texture components than annealed SC5182 hot bands. This is due to the fact that a stronger dynamic precipitation occurs in SC5182 hot bands during annealing. As a result, annealed SC5754 hot bands have small 90° earing while SC5182 hot bands have both 90° earing and 45° earing after annealing. Cross rolling of materials with a deformation structure causes a significant texture change in the final cold rolled samples while it causes no texture change in materials with a recrystallized structure. Compared to samples after straight rolling, cross rolling reduces the volume fraction of the deformation texture components (especially the copper component) with little change in recrystallization texture components. Al–Mg alloys are strong and difficult to work. However, the workability can be significantly improved after annealing at an elevated temperature.
Preservice Teachers’ Culturally Responsive Teaching Self-Efficacy-Forming Experiences: A Mixed Methods Study

ABSTRACT The author used an explanatory mixed methods research design. The first phase involved the collection of quantitative data to examine the nature of preservice teachers’ (N = 192) culturally responsive teaching self-efficacy beliefs. Follow-up face-to-face interviews were carried out with a subsample selected from Phase 1 participants. These interviews were used to identify the types of culturally responsive teaching self-efficacy-forming experiences that preservice teachers encountered during their teacher education program and the perceived influence that these experiences had on the development of their self-efficacy beliefs. The face-to-face interviews uncovered disparities among preservice teachers regarding the aspects of culturally responsive teaching that were discussed, modeled, and practiced. The theoretical and practical implications of this study are discussed.
Seismotectonics of the Koyna-Warna Area, India

—Reservoir-induced seismicity has been observed near Koyna Dam, India since the early 1960s. In order to understand the seismotectonics of the region we analyzed available seismicity data from 1963 to 1995. Over 300 earthquakes with M ≥ 3.0 were relocated using revised location parameters (station locations, velocity model, station delays and V p /V s ratio). The spatial pattern of earthquakes was integrated with available geological, geophysical, geomorphological data and observations following the M 6.3 earthquake in December 1967, to delineate and identify the geometry of seismogenic structures. From this integration we conclude that the area lying between Koyna and Warna Rivers can be divided into several seismogenic crustal blocks, underlain by a fluid-filled fracture zone. This zone lies between ∼6 and 13 km and is the location of the larger events (M ≥ 3.0). The seismicity is bounded to the west by the Koyna River fault zone (KRFZ) which dips steeply to the west. KRFZ lies along the N–S portion of the Koyna River and extends S10°W for at least 40 km. It was the location of the 1967 Koyna earthquake. The seismicity is bounded to the east by NE–SW trending Patan fault, which extends from Patan on the Koyna River, SW to near Ambole on the Warna River. Patan fault dips ∼45° to the NW and was the location of the M 5.4 earthquake in February 1994. The bounding KRFZ and Patan fault are intersected by several NW–SE fractures which extend from near surface to hypocentral depths. They form steep boundaries of the crustal blocks and provide conduits for fluid pressure flow to hypocentral depths. Sharp bends in the Koyna and Warna rivers (6 km south of Koyna Dam and near Sonarli, respectively) are locations of stress build-up and the observed seismicity.
Fast covariance estimation for high-dimensional functional data

We propose two fast covariance smoothing methods and associated software that scale up linearly with the number of observations per function. Most available methods and software cannot smooth covariance matrices of dimension $$J>500$$J>500; a recently introduced sandwich smoother is an exception but is not adapted to smooth covariance matrices of large dimensions, such as $$J= 10{,}000$$J=10,000. We introduce two new methods that circumvent those problems: (1) a fast implementation of the sandwich smoother for covariance smoothing; and (2) a two-step procedure that first obtains the singular value decomposition of the data matrix and then smoothes the eigenvectors. These new approaches are at least an order of magnitude faster in high dimensions and drastically reduce computer memory requirements. The new approaches provide instantaneous (a few seconds) smoothing for matrices of dimension $$J=10{,}000$$J=10,000 and very fast ($$<$$<10 min) smoothing for $$J=100{,}000$$J=100,000. R functions, simulations, and data analysis provide ready to use, reproducible, and scalable tools for practical data analysis of noisy high-dimensional functional data.
Lateral and longitudinal characterization of color stability, instrumental tenderness, and sensory characteristics in the beef semimembranosus

Abstract The objectives of this study were to evaluate longitudinal and lateral variations in color stability and sensory characteristics of the semimembranosus from each muscle location (dorsal = D, medial = M, ventral = V), and within each steak subsequently divided into four regions (caudal-distal = CaD, cranial-distal = CrD, caudal-proximal = CaP, cranial-proximal = CrP). Instrumental color assessment indicated that L∗ (lightness) values tended to be lower for the CaD and CrD regions of all muscle locations, with higher L∗ values recorded for the CrP regions of muscle sections. Instrumental tenderness measurements for Meullenet–Owens razor and Warner–Bratzler shear force values were generally lower for the CaD region of the D section, whereas regions within the V section were tougher and required greater shear force. Sensory panelists perceived lower amounts of connective tissue in the CaD of the D section, which tended to be more tender, whereas higher levels of connective tissue and greater toughness occurred in the CaP and CrP regions of the M and V sections. These results provide a detailed muscle profile of the quality variation within the semimembranosus, and may be used to further enhance the fabrication and marketability of this beef subprimal cut.
NOx and CO emissions from a pulse combustor operating in a lean premixed mode

Abstract Control over the combustion fluid dynamics was used to minimize the emission of NO x and CO. The combustion kinetics were controlled by operating the combustor premixed and were varied by modifying the equivalence ratio over the lean stability envelope. A wide dynamic range in fluid dynamic mixing characteristics was also investigated by modifying the degree of macroscopic mixing and microscopic mixing. The residence time at high temperature was controlled by modifying the frequency of the periodic reacting flow in a pulse combustor. It was found that controlling the flame temperature, chemical kinetics, and residence time at high temperature was best accomplished by controlling the equivalence ratio and the degree of macroscopic mixing rather than controlling the microscopic mixing over the dynamic range obtainable by the techniques used in this study. Emission levels below 5.0 ppm NO x , with corresponding levels of 5.0 ppm CO (corrected to 3% O 2 ), were achieved in a pulse combustor operating in a lean premixed mode, without the use of any postcombustion cleanup technologies. Both NO x and CO emissions were invariant to changes in the power input.
Agency and society: Lessons from the study of social change

The papers in this Special Issue are likely to be read with keen interest by researchers from a variety of fields in social sciences. Indeed, their major theme—agency and social change—is of extrao...
Direct fungal fermentation of lignocellulosic biomass into itaconic, fumaric, and malic acids: current and future prospects

Various economic and environmental sustainability concerns as well as consumer preference for bio-based products from natural sources have paved the way for the development and expansion of biorefining technologies. These involve the conversion of renewable biomass feedstock to fuels and chemicals using biological systems as alternatives to petroleum-based products. Filamentous fungi possess an expansive portfolio of products including the multifunctional organic acids itaconic, fumaric, and malic acids that have wide-ranging current applications and potentially addressable markets as platform chemicals. However, current bioprocessing technologies for the production of these compounds are mostly based on submerged fermentation, which necessitates physicochemical pretreatment and hydrolysis of lignocellulose biomass to soluble fermentable sugars in liquid media. This review will focus on current research work on fungal production of itaconic, fumaric, and malic acids and perspectives on the potential application of solid-state fungal cultivation techniques for the consolidated hydrolysis and organic acid fermentation of lignocellulosic biomass.
Effects of carbon nanotube content on adhesion strength and wear and corrosion resistance of epoxy composite coatings on AA2024-T3

Abstract The effects of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) content on the adhesion strength and wear and corrosion resistance of the epoxy composite coatings prepared on aluminum alloy (AA) 2024-T3 substrates were evaluated using atomic force microscopy (AFM), blister test, ball-on-disk micro-tribological test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The adhesion strength of the epoxy composite coatings improved with increasing MWCNT content. Increased MWCNT content also decreased the friction coefficient and increased the wear resistance of the epoxy composite coatings due to improved solid lubricating and rolling effects of the MWCNTs and the improved load bearing capacity of the composite coatings. Finally, EIS indicated that increased MWCNT content increased the coating pore resistance due to a decreased porosity density, which resulted in an increase in the total impedance of the coated samples.
Feigning among Chronic Outpatients on the MMPI-2: A Systematic Examination of Fake-Bad Indicators:

MMPI-2 studies have emphasized the importance of establishing validity indices for the evaluation of over reporting and malingering. In this study, 42 chronic outpatients are administered the MMPI-2 under honest and feigning conditions. Results indicated that patients under honest conditions have elevated scores on F, Fb, and other validity scales. Therefore, stringent cutting scores are recommended to minimize the misclassification of bona fide patients as malingerers. Toward this end, F > 29 produced a highly accurate classification rate, whether subjects with high VRIN scores were excluded. In addition, the newly derived Fp scale appeared promising for subjects with low VRIN scores and deserves further investigation.
I. A fortran program for calculating degenerate raman bands of symmetric tops with an adaptation for infrared bands

Abstract Title of program : FORTRAN VIBROT I Catalogue number : AAGF Program obtainable from : CPC Program Library, Queen's University of Belfast, Northern Ireland (see application form in this issue) Computer for which the program is designed and others upon which it is operable Computer : IBM 360/91. Installation : Osk Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA Operating system or monitor under which the program is executed : OS 360 Programming language used : FORTRAN IV High speed store required : 14 500 words. No. of bits in a word : 32 Is the program overlaid ? No No. of magnetic tapes required : None What other peripherals are used ? Card Reader; Printer No. of cards in combined program and test deck : 265 Card punching code : EBCDIC Reference to other published version of this program: Catalogue number : AAGC; Title : VIBROT I; Ref. in CPC : 1 (1970) 349.
The Effects of Three Nebulized Osmotic Agents in the Dry Larynx

Purpose This investigation examined the effects of nebulized hypertonic saline, isotonic saline (IS), and sterile (hypotonic) water on phonation threshold pressure (PTP) and self-perceived phonator...
Levels of prolactin, growth hormone and insulin in genetically diabetic (db/db) mice.

SummaryLevels of GH, PRL, and insulin in diabetic (db/db) mice were studied by radioimmunoassay. Serial blood samples from normal and diabetic mice of both sexes were obtained by orbital puncture at 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 24, and 28 weeks of age; the final sample was obtained by decapitation at 32 weeks. Serum insulin and glucose levels in db/db mice were higher than normal throughout the study. Compared to those in normal controls, GH and PRL concentrations in the pituitary gland were 33 to 67% lower in db/db mice at 32 weeks of age. Serum GH levels in orbitally collected samples were also markedly subnormal in male diabetics; in females, the differences were not significant. GH levels in sera collected at 32 weeks were not significantly different from those of controls in either sex. PRL concentrations in the orbitally collected sera of db/db mice were lower than normal until 10-12 weeks of age; after this age the values approached normal levels. PRL concentrations in sera collected at decapitation were sign...
MO‐D‐M100J‐04: Exploiting Dosimetric Margins to Reduce IMRT Treated Volumes

Purpose: To develop an IMRT optimization strategy in which CTV‐to‐PTV margins are iteratively reduced until the dosimetric margin distribution (DMD) meets a 90% population coverage criterion (PCC), with coverage being the percent of patients for which the CTV minimum dose is 100% or more of the planned PTV minimum dose. Method and Materials: The DMD is the 3D margin distribution between the CTV and the treated volume (TV). Consistent with ICRU guidelines, the TV is the volume enclosed by the PTV minimum dose isodose surface. Optimization utilizes an iterative approach which converges on a DMD that exactly meets a 90% PCC. In each iteration, the DMD is obtained by exporting the CTV and TV as meshes, and calculating the margins between them via a computational geometry package. Coverage with respect to the PCC is computed based upon the DMD. In the next iteration, the PTV is re‐created using a CTV‐to‐PTV margin determined via linear interpolation from prior coverage estimates to move the plan towards the desired PCC. Intensities are then reoptimized, and coverage is re‐evaluated. Iterations continue until the 90% PCC is met. Results: The proposed algorithm was run for a prostate IMRT plan. For 2mm simulated random and systematic setup errors, the algorithm yielded 3mm CTV‐to‐PTV margins, less than the 6.4mm margin prescribed by the van Herk margin formula (VHMF). While the DMD maintained the desired 90% coverage, the TV was reduced by 63% relative to a VHMF CTV‐to‐PTV margin plan. Conclusion: To accommodate patient setup errors in a self‐consistent manner, it is feasible and desirable to generate IMRT plans in which the DMD meets a population coverage criterion. DMDs assure the desired PCC is achieved and can result in lower treated volumes compared with traditional margin approaches. (Work supported by NIH R01CA98524).
Nuclear polarization and charge parameters using the muonic 2s state

Muonic x-ray transition energies have been measured in $^{120}\mathrm{Sn}$, $^{138}\mathrm{Ba}$, $^{140}\mathrm{Ce}$, $^{142}\mathrm{Ce}$, and $^{206}\mathrm{Pb}$ using a high-efficiency Ge(Li) detector. Precise measurements and relative-intensity measurements have made it possible to identify transitions to and from the $2s$ state in each of these targets. There is good agreement between theoretical and experimental relative intensities for these transitions, except for the $^{206}\mathrm{Pb}$ nucleus. These transition energies, together with those from the $2p\ensuremath{-}1s$, $3d\ensuremath{-}2p$, and $4d\ensuremath{-}2p$ transitions are used to deduce sets of nuclear charge parameters. It has been found that for each target except $^{120}\mathrm{Sn}$, the best agreement between theory and experiment is obtained by applying the theoretical nuclear polarization corrections to all levels with $ng1$, and varying the nuclear polarization induced by the muon in the $1s$ state. The nuclear polarization values determined were 5.8 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 1.5 keV for $^{120}\mathrm{Sn}$, 6.7 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 1.4 keV for $^{138}\mathrm{Ba}$, 6.5 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 1.3 keV for $^{140}\mathrm{Ce}$, 7.0 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 1.4 keV for $^{142}\mathrm{Ce}$, and 5.5 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 1.7 keV for $^{206}\mathrm{Pb}$. These results are in fair agreement with the most recent theoretical predictions.
The use of plasmid profiles and nucleic acid probes in epidemiologic investigations of foodborne, diarrheal diseases.

Abstract The application of nucleic acid analyses to investigations of infectious disease outbreaks has resulted in useful molecular strain markers that distinguish the epidemic clone of a particular pathogen and help identify specific vehicles of infection. We have successfully used plasmid profile analysis, restriction endonuclease digestion of plasmid and whole-cell DNAs, and nucleic acid hybridization to investigate recent outbreaks of foodborne diarrheal illness. Plasmid analysis has been important in identifying epidemic strains of Salmonella enteritidis and Escherichia coli O157:H7. In a culture survey of S. enteritidis isolates from humans and a variety of animals, including chickens and chicken eggs, we identified 16 distinct plasmid profiles and used these to differentiate strains, especially within commonly occurring phage types (Colindale 8 and 13a). HindIII digests of plasmid DNA were useful in distinguishing plasmids of similar mass but dissimilar enzyme target sequences: they clearly distinguished S. enteritidis strains causing systemic infections in children in parts of Africa from U.S. isolates. Investigations of outbreaks of hemorrhagic colitis have also been assisted by plasmid analysis. Restriction endonuclease digests of whole-cell DNA and Southern blot analysis, hybridizing with E. coli 16S and 23S rRNA (ribotyping), have been effective subtyping techniques, especially for plasmidless isolates of Campylobacter jejuni. In five outbreaks of C. jejuni infections, ribotyping of PvuII and ClaI digests distinguished individual epidemic strains within one commonly occurring C. jejuni serotype (Penner 2, Lior 4). Preliminary data show that ribotyping of NcoI digests can also distinguish individual epidemic strains of E. coli O157:H7 and may provide a more stable marker than plasmid profiles. Specific DNA probes derived from cloned virulence genes of E. coli have been invaluable in epidemic investigations and surveys. Using colony hybridization, we found in one survey of stool specimens from 174 dairy cattle that 11% of animals were asymptomatically carrying Shiga-like toxigenic E. coli other than O157:H7. We also found that newly synthesized oligonucleotide probes for the Shiga-like toxins I and II agreed 100% with cloned gene probes in a study of 613 E. coli strains. Future studies of these organisms will include the use of additional synthetic oligonucleotides as primers to amplify the toxin genes directly in patient and animal specimens by the polymerase chain reaction. There is a continuing and expanding role for molecular approaches in epidemiological investigations. The DNA methods described above are not based on the often complex expression of phenotypic characteristics, and, unlike sensitive and specific techniques such as phage typing, a single method can be used to study a variety of Gram-positive and negative bacterial pathogens.
Quasi-holographic techniques in the microwave region

Various microwave processes, including synthetic-aperture radar and linearly frequency-modulated pulse compression, are described as analogs of holography. The holographic viewpoint often leads to a new understanding and to new methods of signal processing.