cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Production, decomposition, and nitrogen dynamics of Myrica gale litter

Myrica gale litter deposition and decomposition were studied in a central Massachusetts peatland to determine the amount of N made available to the ecosystem by these processes. Leaf litter added 114–140g biomass m−2 annually and contained 2.12–2.59g N m−2 returning about 70% as much N to the ecosystem as was fixed annually by Myrica gale. During the first five years of decomposition, the leaf litter lost only 40% of its initial biomass and released only 10% of its initial N content. About 60% of its original N mass was still present when the litter reached the permanently waterlogged zone, and thus was effectively lost to the vegetation. The low decomposition rate was due primarily to the chemical content of the litter because similarly low rates were observed in an upland forest where the native litter decayed rapidly. The initial lignin content (40%) of M. gale litter may be largely responsible for its slow decomposition in spite of its relatively high (1.69%) initial N content. M. gale litter decayed substantially more slowly and had a much higher initial lignin content than the litter of other woody N2-fixing plants which have been examined.
Signal entropy and the thermodynamics of computation

Electronic computers currently have many orders of magnitude more thermodynamic degrees of freedom than information-bearing ones (bits). Because of this, these levels of description are usually considered separately as hardware and software, but as devices approach fundamental physical limits these will become comparable and must be understood together. Using some simple test problems, I explore the connection between the information in a computation and the thermodynamic properties of a system that can implement it, and outline the features of a unified theory of the degrees of freedom in a computer.
Civil rights and civil conflict: Presidential communication in crisis

In the aftermath of the 1960's riots, President Lyndon Johnson appealed to the value of law and order, balanced this call with a call for support of civil rights, stressed that the preservation of peace was a local responsibility, and appointed a study commission to search for solutions. Each of these rhetorical appeals was flawed, but the constellation reveals the value system of American liberalism at a time of impasse.
Anxiety sensitivity: An examination of theoretical and methodological issues

Abstract The construct of anxiety sensitivity (AS) has occupied an increasingly important place in theorizing and research on anxiety and anxiety disorders. Although a number of recent studies have provided support for the construct validity of the principal operationalization of AS, the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI), the relation of the AS construct and the ASI to trait anxiety continues to be a source of controversy. Key issues in the AS-trait anxiety debate include the assimilative nature of traits and the concept of incremental validity. Recent research on AS lends some support to the claim that trait anxiety cannot fully account for AS findings. Important areas for future AS research include (1) demonstrating that AS is a risk factor for panic disorder and related conditions, lather than simply a consequence of these conditions, (2) developing and utilizing multiple operationalizations of constructs, (3) minimizing the impact of potentially inapplicable items, (4) testing for interactions between AS and other variables, and (5) testing hierarchical factor models that allow trait anxiety and AS to coexist as higher- and lower-order factors, respectively. Researchers in this area will need to develop alternative measures of the AS construct, recognize the distinction between different levels of trait specificity, clarify a number of theoretical issues relevant to the AS construct, and continue to subject predictions to stringent theoretical risks.
Artificial gravity field

Using computer algebra to run Einstein’s equations “backward”, from field to source rather than from source to field, we design an artificial gravity field for a space station or spaceship. Everywhere inside astronauts experience normal Earth gravity, while outside they float freely. The stress-energy that generates the field contains exotic matter of negative energy density but also relies importantly on pressures and shears, which we describe. The same techniques can be readily used to design other interesting spacetimes and thereby elucidate the connection between the source and field in general relativity.
“One stop shopping” getting connected at Texas A&M University

The first few weeks of the fall semester are the busiest time of the year for Computing and Information Services. The entire help desk staff is focused on a single objective: introducing the computer resources available at Texas A&M to new students. Because the students have a lot going at the beginning of the semester, and setting up computer accounts can be complex, we wanted a way to streamline the process. We came up with a service where these students could get their computing resource accounts set up and their personal computers ready to connect to TAMU network.
A Survival Analysis of Timing of Entry into Prostitution: The Differential Impact of Race, Educational Level, and Childhood/Adolescent Risk Factors*

Using survey data obtained from 309 women working in street-level prostitution in Phoenix, Arizona, this investigation examines the influence of minority status, educational level, and the experience of risk factors in an individual’s childhood or adolescence on the hazard rate for age of entry into prostitution. Findings of this study show that women engaging in prostitution have limited educational backgrounds and often do not complete high school. Results indicate that both white and minority women engaging in prostitution experienced high rates of physical and sexual abuse in childhood, as well as parental substance abuse. When compared to minority women, white women are more likely to have experienced any one of these three risk factors thought to influence entry into prostitution, yet event-history analysis indicates that minority women consistently experience significantly higher hazard rates for entry into prostitution. Findings suggest the need for future research to better assess the impact of race—in the form of socioeconomic and social disadvantages associated with minority status—as it relates to entry into the sex trade.
Bubbling Magma Chambers, Cupolas, and Porphyry Copper Deposits

Porphyry copper deposits are the major source of copper and significant sources of molybdenum, gold, and other metals. They are associated with the near-surface intrusion of small stocks of intermediate composition. They can form when H2O-unsaturated magma is emplaced into wall rock that is cool enough that steep lateral thermal gradients create a narrow solidification front. At depths less than ∼4 km, cooling and crystallization cause fluid saturation to occur within sidewall magma that is mobile because it contains less than ∼25% suspended crystals. After a sufficient volume of bubbles forms, mobile sidewall magma buoyantly rises instead of sinking. The bubbles expand as they decompress, and at depths of ∼2 km they become large enough to rise on their own. separate from the upwelled magma, and charge the cupola at the top of the stock with magmatic fluid. The partially degassed magma sinks into the interior of the stock. Upwelling of saturated sidewall magma entrains deeper-seated, nearly saturated magm...
The relationship of deiodinase 1 genotype and thyroid function to lifetime history of major depression in three independent populations

Major depression (MD) is often associated with disturbances of the hypothalamic/pituitary/thyroid (HPT) axis. Unfortunately, whether this association is secondary to common underlying genetic variation or whether the MD-associated disturbances in HPT function are chronic or state-dependent is unknown. To examine these questions, we genotyped 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms identified in previous genome wide association analyses of thyroid function in DNA contributed by 1,555 subjects from three longitudinal ethnically diverse studies that are well-characterized for lifetime MD and thyroid function. We then examined associations between genetic variants and key outcomes of thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine (FT4) and depression. We confirmed prior findings that two variants in deiodinase 1 (DIO1), including a variant in the 3'UTR of DIO1 (rs11206244), were associated with altered FT4 levels in both White and African American subjects. We also found that rs11206244 genotype was associated with lifetime MD in White female subjects, in particular those from high-risk cohorts. However, we found no association of current FT4 levels with lifetime MD in either ethnic group. We conclude that genetic variation influencing thyroid function is a risk factor for MD. Given the evidence from prior studies, further investigations of role of HPT variation in etiology and treatment of MD are indicated.
Carbon monoxide release catalysed by electron transfer: electrochemical and spectroscopic investigations of [Re(bpy-R)(CO)4](OTf) complexes relevant to CO2 reduction

[Re(bpy-tBu)(CO)4](OTf) (bpy-tBu = 4,4′-di-tert-butyl-2,2′-bipyridine, OTf = trifluoromethanesulfonate) (1) and [Re(bpy)(CO)4](OTf) (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) (2) were synthesized and studied as proposed intermediates in the electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) by Re(bpy-R)(CO)3X. Both compounds demonstrated increased current responses in cyclic voltammograms under CO2. Complex 1 was also characterized by X-ray crystallography. Infrared-spectroelectrochemistry (IR-SEC) of 1 and 2 indicated that upon exposure of the cationic tetracarbonyl compounds to a reducing potential, a CO ligand is labilised and [Re(bpy-R)(CO)3(CH3CN)]+ species are formed. This is proposed to occur via an electron-transfer-catalysed process wherein a catalytic amount of reduced species propagates a ligand exchange reaction. Addition of a catalytic amount of potassium intercalated graphite (KC8), a chemical reductant, to a solution of 1 or 2 also yielded quantitative formation of [Re(bpy-R)(CO)3(CH3CN)]+, which indicates that the CO loss is catalysed by electron transfer, and not the electrode itself.
Evidence for large gap anisotropy in superconducting Pb from phonon imaging

We report the first ballistic phonon images of superconducting Pb. Unusual absorption lines are observed for phonon wave vectors in ${111}$ planes. We show that a highly anisotropic energy gap can lead to sharply defined directions of phonon attenuation. Overhauser and Daemen [Phys. Rev. Lett. 61, 1885 (1988)] postulated a spin-density-wave ground state for Pb that leads to directions of strongly reduced gap. By applying their idea to the actual Fermi surface of Pb, we predict phonon attenuation directions consistent with the data.
Economical power-line terminal-voltage ratio

THE PURPOSE OF this study was to determine the most economical terminal voltages to use on a 230-kv transmission line. To do this, annual transmission costs per unit of transmitted load were calculated and plotted as a function of receiver voltage. This was done for several sender voltages, receiver loads, line lengths, and so forth. The minimum points of the cost curves gave the most economical receiver voltage for the assumed conditions. The receiver-to-sender voltage ratio (only voltage magnitude is significant in this ratio) was determined for the minimum cost points. A plot then was made of terminal voltage ratio E R /E S versus receiver load for maximum economy; see Figure 1.
Emerging microcomputer technology for electrical energy management

Abstract With new utility rates based on flexible time-of-use, demand levels, inverted blocks and need for energy conservation, utilities and their customers require more generalized services than those offered by currently available, low-cost energy management systems. Sophisticated metering products using microprocessor technology allow flexible design functions for metering kWh and kW values with time variable rates, displaying costs of electric energy under complex rates, controlling appliances directly and indirectly, signalling information to both customers and the utility, and generally controlling electric energy use to minimize billing costs. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the technological needs and functions of generalized microcomputer energy management systems in response to new rate structures and operational characteristics of modern electric utilities. These functions are categorized in the areas of metering, cost monitoring, direct and indirect load control, communications and real-time control for small power producers.
The Nucleotide Dependent Mechanism of Get3 as Revealed by Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Tail-anchored (TA) proteins, which comprise approximately 5% of all transmembrane proteins, contain a single transmembrane domain (TMD) located near the C-terminus. This unique organization presents a topological problem that prevents the classical cotranslational translocation by the signal recognition particle, thus a distinct posttranslational targeting pathway is required for membrane insertion. In yeast, this is guided entry of TA-proteins (GET) pathway. At the center of this process is Get3, an enzyme that shuttles a TA protein from the cytosolic Get4/Get5/Sgt2 complex to the transmembrane Get1/Get2 site. Biochemical and structural studies have revealed that Get3 is a homodimer that leverages the power gained through ATP binding and hydrolysis to undergo large-scale conformational changes between an “open” and “closed” conformation. Through the use of conventional MD simulations, enhanced sampling, and rigorous free energy calculations in five possible symmetric and non-symmetric nucleotide states, we have mapped out the underlying potential of mean force for the protein as it progresses through the hydrolysis cycle. Results have lead to a mechanistic model that agrees well with experiments on the stabilities of the open and closed conformations in the symmetric states, and were able to not only predict the existence of the very recently discovered semi-open state, but also to closely match its structure. In addition, calculations predict the existence of a wide-open conformation, along with the probabilities of each of these states as nucleotides bind and unbind from Get3. This model improves our interpretation of experiments on Get3, suggests important details about the GET cycle, and provides a model system for understanding the coupling of nucleotide binding and hydrolysis to protein conformational changes.
Kinetically Probing Site-Specific Heterogeneous Nucleation and Hierarchical Growth of Nanobranches

Elementary steps in heterogeneous nucleation and hierarchical nanogrowth processes, which are important in design and development of viable bottom-up nanofabrications, have been seldom exploited. We here combine new kinetic data from series of hierarchical nanosyntheses, including activation enthalpy and entropy, with FTIR results to tackle (i) elementary steps in both the nucleation and the growth of ZnO nanobranches and (ii) roles of heterogeneous nucleation directing agent and mild heating in the steps. Thus-enriched understanding of the interfacial kinetics may help solve some long-standing problems such as the lattice mismatch in the hierarchical bottom-up assembly of nanodevices from nanostructured building blocks in solution.
Assessing the Threat Landscape for Software Libraries

Libraries are a collection of implementations of behavior written in a computer programming language providing a well-defined interface by which the behavior can be invoked. Although a majority of the code in numerous applications comes from libraries, the risk of security vulnerabilities that comes with these libraries is often overlooked. In this regard, we seek to assess the threat landscape associated with software libraries and discuss mitigation strategies via Security Development Lifecycle (SDL).
Doybean growth and composition as affected by K, Ca, and Mg rates and corn rotation

Abstract Different rates of K, Ca, and Mg were applied to bulklots of Decatur clay loam (pH 5.8) which had been collected from an area under natural vegetation. Nitrogen and P were each applied at the rate of 100 ppm. Soybean (Glycine max L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) were planted to pots in four replications of each treatment. Plants were grown for 6 weeks and subsequently all the pots were re‐planted to soybeans. This crop rotation was repeated until six crops had been harvested from each pot. Potassium fertilization did not affect soybean growth but increased the dry matter of corn plants. Calcium application affected the growth of neither crop, but Mg addition to the soil reduced the growth of both crops. The composition of the plants generally reflected the available amounts of each nutrient. Additionally, Mg consistently decreased K in soybeans but increased Mn in the two crops. The inclusion of corn in rotation with soybeans resulted in the following effects on the succeeding soybean harvests: more to...
Update on nitrate therapy.

This review will attempt to put the role of nitrates and the controversy of tolerance and attenuation into clinical perspective. In so doing, some relevant new concepts regarding the pathophysiology of myocardial ischemia and pharmacokinetics of nitrates are discussed
Parthenogenesis: A novel source of stem cells for reconstruction

Abstract Introduction: Parthenogenesis, the ability to create cloned 100 cell embryos from the maternal egg alone, without the use of sperm, has been identified as a potential source for stem cells. The ability to have embryonic stem cells, without sacrificing conception human embryos, would be valuable, especially for conditions where muscle, vascular and bony abnormalities may be present. We investigated whether multipotent stem cells could be isolated from parthenogenesis-derived cells for potential surgical applications. Methods: Multipotent stem cells were immuno-isolated from parthenogenesis-activated rabbit ova cell lines. The isolated cells were induced into myogenic, endothelial, osteogenic and adipogenic lineages using specific differentiation conditions. Each induced cell lineage was analyzed for its phenotypic and functional expression. Results: Multipotent stem cells were successfully isolated using specific stem cell surface markers. These cells have a high self-renewal rate which would allow for an adequate number of cells to be available for reconstructive applications. The cell-type-specific inductions resulted in fully differentiated muscle, endothelial, bone and fat cells. Conclusions: This is the first description in the literature that parthenogenesis-derived cells can serve as a novel source of multipotent stem cells. We describe the isolation, expansion, and differentiation of these stem cells into various cell lineages. Parthenogenesis-derived cells can serve as excellent source for therapeutic applications in surgery.
Once-daily treatment of ADHD with guanfacine: patient implications

The standard of care for treating ADHD is to use a psychostimulant as the first line agent. Recent medical literature reports that approximately 70%–90% of patients with ADHD received some benefit from a stimulant medication. Even though psychostimulants have a high rate of efficacy, an estimated 30%–50% of children and adults may discontinue psychostimulants secondary to adverse effects or inadequate response. Guanfacine has been used for a number of years as an off label alternative to psychostimulants. This article reviews the current literature on the effectiveness of guanfacine in treating ADHD. It also introduces the preliminary data for guanfacine extended release and its effectiveness in decreasing the symptoms of ADHD.
Reading Motivation: Multidimensional and Indeterminate

The Motivations for Reading Questionnaire (MRQ) contains 54 items that are posited to tap 11 dimensions of reading motivation. The structural validity of the MRQ was investigated with 2 samples: (a) 328 students in Grades 3–5 from 2 suburban mid-Atlantic elementary schools and (b) 735 students in Grades 3–5 in 2 suburban southwestern elementary schools. With confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs), the theoretical 11-factor structure did not adequately fit the data in either sample. Subsequently, exploratory factor analyses found 8 factors for each sample with 6 factors defined by only 3 or 4 common items. However, a double CFA cross-validation found an inadequate fit for both samples. Given these results, the authors suggest that the MRQ be revised.
The Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions: An important regulatory debut

Abstract The Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) has made an important regulatory beginning. Bahrain-based AAOIFI seeks to support the faith of Islam by developing accounting standards for Islamic investment vehicles and by conducting related training and publicity. AAOIFI also expects to strengthen the effectiveness of Sharia committees by facilitating evaluation of emerging financing instruments and by aiding in the implementation of Islamic ethics. The agency merits close monitoring by Western bankers and their accountants, given the rapidly growing asset base of Islamic financial institutions.
Is there a surgical role in managing bone metastases

This discussion will be limited to bone metastases of genitourinary tract origin. Many factors must be considered in a discussion of the surgical role in managing bone metastases. Among these are: the primary; whether metastases are solitary versus multiple; how extensive the bone surgery must be in order to encompass disease; and whether the surgical management of bone metastases is to be considered a palliative gesture, or curative. The primary-kidney. The only primary which metastasizes occasionally in solitary fashion is the renal cell cancer or hypernephroma. Even in this instance, however, the chance for a solitary metastasis is in the neighborhood of l-2%.’ Therefore, when we are faced with a patient whose metastasis appears to be solitary, skeletal survey, bone scans, and pulmonary steroscopic or tomographic studies are mandatory. One easily might say that a solitary metastasis is too good to be true, since the cure rate is fairly good (25-35% five year survival).’ Golbey, of this center has studied several features of renal cell cancer as they relate to patterns of metastases and prognosis. In an oral communication, 3 October 1974, he stated that among 78 patients who were studied, survival averaged 27 months from clinical onset to death in those patients whose initial metastasis occurred in bone prior to generalized dissemination. However, when bone metastases appeared late, the mean survival from onset was 121 months and the survival from bone metastases was 35.7 months. These patients also had relatively longer survival times after widespread dissemination, averaging 10.7 months. He concluded that generalized disease must be present before a firm prognosis could be offered and that bone metastases, while ominous in themselves, were not as poor a prognostic factor as generalized disease. The subject of cryosurgery has been studied in the treatment of solitary and multiple bone metastases from renal cell carcinoma.6 In this group, 4 of 8 patients had limited bone lesions (3 with solitary and 1 with two osseous metastases) and 4 had widespread metastases. Arteriography proved to be a useful part of the pre operative work-up in anticipation of cryosurgery, especially when adequate limitation of the disease to be frozen was considered. Of the 4 patients with limited bone disease, 3 were rendered clinically free of disease, 1 alive remains 7 years post surgery (Fig. 1). The authors concluded that cryosurgery can be an effective method of controlling solitary bone lesions and may be palliative in widespread metastases, particularly when internal fixation is necessary for pathologic fractures.6 One may conclude that a vigorous approach is justified in the management of patients with renal cell cancer and a solitary metastasis.2 Bladder. Solitary bone metastases from bladder cancer are extremely rare. They usually pre-date generalized metastases. Palliation may be achieved by radiation therapy. I can conceive of no instances where cure would be hoped for, except in a rare solitary metastasis and this would require involvement of a non-vital bone such as a single rib. On
Reliability of gross visual assessment of specimen adequacy during EUS-guided FNA of pancreatic masses

Background In many centers, on-site cytopathologists are not available during EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA) examinations. Often, endosonographers request that technologists assess the adequacy of FNA by gross inspection of the slides. To date, there has not been a study that assessed the accuracy of experienced technologists in predicting tissue sampling adequacy by gross inspection before cytologic staining. Objectives To assess a grading system used by cytotechnologists and EUS technologists during gross inspection of FNA slides in reliably predicting specimen adequacy compared with the final cytologic diagnoses. Design Prospective, double-blind, controlled study. Setting Academic tertiary-referral center with a high-volume EUS practice. Patients Fifty-one patients with a suspected solid pancreatic mass who were undergoing planned EUS-FNA. Main Outcome Measurements The degree of correlation in the assessment of specimen adequacy as exhibited by a weighted kappa statistic between 2 groups of technologists and a board-certified cytopathologist. Results FNA was performed in 37 cases with 234 individual slide specimens available for analysis. Only fair agreement was observed between cytotechnologists and EUS technologists versus final cytopathologic assessment of adequacy (kappa 0.20 and 0.19, respectively). The routine practice of 6 to 7 FNA passes yielded adequate tissue for assessment in 36 of 37 patients (97%). Limitations Interobserver variability, single center, and findings applicable only to solid pancreatic lesions. Conclusions Neither trained EUS technologists nor cytotechnologists were able to provide a reliable assessment of pancreatic-mass FNA adequacy by using gross visual inspection of the specimen on a slide. Rapid on-site cytopathology reduced the number of passes, ensured specimen adequacy, provided definitive diagnosis, and should be used in centers where available.
Studies on the antigenic specificity of mycobacterium leprae III. Further studies on immunological characterization

Abstract The ability of the various protein antigens of Mycobacterium leprae to induce as well as detect delayed type hypersensitivity has been confirmed by studies in mice. Additionally, one of the fractions obtained from untreated M. leprae has been shown to possess specificity to the organism through immuno-analysis, thus confirming previous observations on skin-reactivity in guinea pigs. SDS-PAG electrophoresis has shown that this fraction contains a single antigen. A suggestion has been made that this single protein could be a target antigen for early diagnosis of leprosy, specifically in contacts of leprosy patients. It could also assist in detecting a latent infection. Additional studies, using different parameters, should lead to further confirmation of its specificity. It has also been suggested that such M. leprae-speciiic protein antigens could play an important role in the immune response of leprosy patients. They could also have a significant impact as possible immuno-protective agents, either by themselves or in combination with other immuno-potentiating agents.
Survival and growth of larval striped bass (Morone saxatilis) fedArtemia enriched with highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA)

Abstract The nutritional value ofArtemia nauplii from the Great Salt Lake was effectively improved for larval striped bass (Morone saxatilis) by incorporation of unsaturated fatty acids (20: 5n-3 and 22: 6n-3) into the nauplii by the direct method of enrichment. Survival at 24 days post-hatch increased from 23% to 64% when fish were fed nauplii containing 8.24% lipid as 20: 5n-3 and 3.10% as 22: 6n-3 fatty acids. Growth of the larval fish was significantly improved by a diet of fatty acid enriched nauplii. Fatty acid composition of the larvae reflected the composition of the fed nauplii. Results suggested a requirement by larval striped bass for long-chain highly unsaturated fatty acids and an inability, at this stage of development, to elongate and desaturate the shorter chain fatty acids in sufficient amounts to meet this requirement.
The Virtual Service Grid: an architecture for delivering high‐end network services

This paper presents the design of a new system architecture, Virtual Service Grid (VSG), for delivering high-performance network services. The VSG is based on the concept of the virtual service which provides location, replication, and fault transparency to clients accessing remotely deployed high-end services. One of the novel features of the virtual service is the ability to self-scale in response to client demand. The VSG exploits network and service information to make adaptive dynamic replica selection, creation, and deletion decisions. We describe the VSG architecture, middleware, and replica management policies. We have deployed the VSG on a wide-area Internet testbed to evaluate its performance. The results indicate that the VSG can deliver efficient performance for a wide range of client workloads, both in terms of reduced response time and in the utilization of system resources. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Segmental solutions of Boolean equations

Abstract Davio and Deschamps have shown that the solution set, K, of a consistent Boolean equation ƒ(x 1 , …, x n )=0 over a finite Boolean algebra B may be expressed as the union of a collection of subsets of Bn, each of the form {(x1, …, xn) | ai≤xi≤bi, ai ϵ B, bi ϵ B, i = 1, …, n}. We refer to such subsets of Bn as segments and to the collection as a segmental cover of K. We show that ƒ(x 1 , …, x n ) = 1 is consistent if and only if ƒ can be expressed by one of a class of sum-of-products expressions which we call segmental formulas. The object of this paper is to relate segmental covers of K to segmental formulas for ƒ.
General approaches to recognizing geometric configurations from a single view

In this paper we explore the general problem of recognizing 3D geometric configurations from a single 2D view.Of necessity the approach must be viewpoint independent, forcing us to characterize configurations by their 3D or 2D geometric invariants. Our results make use of several advanced mathematical techniques from algebraic geometry, notably the theory of correspondences and a novel 'equivariant' invariant theory, that clarify the relationship that exists between the 3D geometry and its 'residual' in a 2D image. This relationship has been shown to be a correspondence in the technical sense of algebraic geometry. Exploiting this, one can compute for a particular set of features a set of fundamental equations, which generate the ideal of the correspondence, and which completely describe the mutual 3D/2D constraints. We have chosen to call these equations 'object/image equations'. They can be used in a number of ways. For example, from a given 2D configuration we can determine a set of non-linear polynomial constraints on the geometric invariants of those 3D configurations capable of producing that given 2D configuration as an image; thereby arriving at a test for determining which object is being viewed. Conversely, given a 3D geometric configuration, we can derive a set of equations which constrain the images of that object, telling us which images contain a view of that particular object configuration. Methods to compute a complete set of generating object/image equations will be discussed. These include symbolic computational techniques like resultants, sparse resultants, and KSY resultants. The calculations have been carried out in a number of important cases, and the resulting object/image equations used in industrial and defense applications.
Measurement of cytosolic calcium with aequorin in dispersed rat ventricular cells

The changes in the cytosolic concentration of free calcium of adult rat cardomyocytes were monitored using aequorin incorporated by hypoosmotic shock. The majority of the myocytes retained their rod-like appearance and their tolerance to a normal concentration of extracellular calcium. The aequorin signal was increased by depolarization, by an increase in extracellular calcium, by substitution of extracellular sodium with either choline or tetramethylammonium, by 20 m m NH4Cl or by hypoxia. In these myocytes, isoproterenol or the phosphodiesterase inhibitor MIX (3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine) enhanced the ability of the cells to buffer calcium loads while the mitochondrial inhibitor FCCP (carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl-hydrazone), decreased their calcium buffering capacity.
Job Loss and the Fraying of the Implicit Employment Contract

Most workers have one employment contract that is explicit and another one that is implicit. The explicit employment contract specifies working hours, compensation, and job tasks. The implicit contract involves expectations about the extent to which the employment relationship is not just a payment for labor on the spot market but instead is likely to continue over time. The possibility of a longer-term commitment between an employer and its employ ees in turn has a number of implications: for example, whether firms will seek to avoid mass layoffs unless or until absolutely necessary; whether firms may cushion the wages and compensation of employees to some extent from broad swings in the economy; whether employees will show some degree of loyalty to the firm; and what kind of investments in human capital the firm will be willing to finance. From the standpoint of the economic risks faced by households, one of the single biggest concerns is the risk of job loss?and in particular, the risk that employers may be doing less recently than they might have done in the past to shield employees from this risk. By its nature, the provisions of the implicit employment contract cannot be observed directly. However, it is possible to com pile a range of evidence bearing on some of the central issues relating to why employers decide to trim jobs; why and how firms decide to lay off employees; job tenure and the length of time that a worker can expect to remain with an employer; how job loss affects workers in terms of subsequent wages and health; and the effects of job loss on short- and long-run corporate performance.
Prostaglandins and cardiac anaphylaxis.

Abstract Manifestations of cardiac anaphylaxis include sinus tachycardia and arrhythmias, both of which result from histamine release. The marked decrease in coronary flow, which also occurs during cardiac anaphylaxis, cannot be attributed solely to histamine release. To indirectly assess the possible role of prostaglandins in cardiac anaphylaxis, hearts from sensitized guinea pigs were challenged in vitro in the presence of indomethacin. This resulted in a marked increase in histamine release, which caused a greater tachycardia and an increase in the incidence of arrhythmias. Moreover, for the same degree of histamine release sinus rate increments were larger in the presence of indomethacin. However, despite the enhanced cardiac dysfunction, coronary flow rate did not decrease. The results suggest that, during cardiac anaphylaxis, prostaglandins modulate histamine release and the effects of released histamine. Furthermore, since we have found that PGF2α is released from the anaphylactic heart, we tentatively ascribe the anaphylactic reduction in coronary flow to the elaboration of PGF2α.
Effect of outdoor storage losses on feedstock inventory management and plant-gate cost for a switchgrass conversion facility in East Tennessee

Abstract Little is known about the potential impacts of storage losses on the optimal design of a switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum ) supply chain for an ethanol conversion facility. This study analyzed how storage losses impact plant-gate cost and feedstock inventory management for a 94,635 kL year −1 switchgrass-based ethanol conversion facility in East Tennessee. A spatially-oriented, mixed-integer mathematical programming model was used to analyze plant-gate cost and harvest, storage, and delivery schedule for switchgrass packaged in large round or rectangular bales. Results indicate that last in, first out inventory management of feedstock minimized plant-gate cost. The key factor influencing inventory management was dry matter loss increasing at a decreasing rate with time in storage and distance of switchgrass production from the conversion facility. Our findings imply that the conversion facility can optimize the feedstock inventory and delivery management through coordinating the timing and location of switchgrass harvest with storage and delivery.
Conceptual Design Studies of a Strut-Braced Wing Transonic Transport

Recent transonic airliner designs have generally converged upon a common cantilever low-wing configuration. It is unlikely that further large strides in performance are possible without a significant departure from the present design paradigm. One such alternative configuration is the strut-braced wing (SBW), which uses a strut for wing-bending load alleviation, allowing increased aspect ratio and reduced wing thickness to increase the lift to drag ratio. The thinner wing has less transonic wave drag, permitting the wing to unsweep for increased areas of natural laminar flow and further structural weight savings. High aerodynamic efficiency translates into smaller, quieter, less expensive engines and less pollution. A multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) approach is essential to realize the full potential of this synergistic configuration caused by the strong interdependence of structures, aerodynamics, and propulsion. NASA defined a need for a 325-passenger transport capable of flying 7500 n miles at Mach 0.85 for a 2010 service entry date
An investigation of a dynamic crack propagation in a two-dimensional viscoelastic solid

Abstract The dynamic crack propagation in a two-dimensional viscoelastic solid is studied by using finite element method to model the specimen and modal analysis to obtain the solution of the equations of motion. As a fracture criterion it is assumed that the crack propagates with a constant velocity so that the energy release rate is determined as a function of the variable crack length for a given fixed load or fixed grip condition. It is proven numerically that the local energy release rate equals the global energy release rate which states the energy conservation law and shows the validity of the applied method.
Induced social welfare functions

Abstract The transitive closure of a complete quasi-transitive relation is a weak order. This fact is used to define various social welfare functions that are generalizations of the Pareto extension rule as well as certain median consensus rules. The resulting functions are axiomatically characterized, and some of their properties are developed. A relation is shown between these functions and a generalized form of compatibility.
A test bed for a finite-difference time domain micromagnetic program with eddy currents

The inclusion of eddy currents into micromagnetic programs is important for the proper analysis of dynamic effects in conducting magnetic media. This subject has received little attention in the past although it can cause significant errors in device calculations. This paper introduces a computational test bed for eddy current calculations and discusses some interesting analytic cases in this simplified geometry.
Magnetic monopoles and the solar neutrino problem

The suggestion that magnetic monopoles in the solar interior could affect the expected neutrino flux, thereby solving a longstanding problem in solar physics, is investigated. Bound states of particles in the region of a monopole are calculated using several simplifying assumptions, all of which can be expected to overestimate the effect of monopoles. It is found that the monopole density in the Sun would have to be 20 orders of magnitude larger than bounds set by the solar magnetic fields in order for there to be an appreciable effect on the solar neutrino problem.
The endothelium in diabetes: its role in insulin access and diabetic complications.

The vascular endothelium has been identified as an important component in diabetes-associated complications, which include many cardiovascular disorders such as atherosclerosis, hypertension and peripheral neuropathy. Additionally, insulin’s actions on the endothelium are now seen as a major factor in the metabolic effects of the hormone by increasing access to insulin sensitive tissues. Endothelial function is impaired in diabetes, obesity, and the metabolic syndrome, which could reduce insulin access to the tissue, and thus reduce insulin sensitivity independently of direct effects at the muscle cell. As such, the endothelium is a valid target for treatment of both the impaired glucose metabolism in diabetes, as well as the vascular based complications of diabetes. Here we review the basics of the endothelium in insulin action, with a focus on the skeletal muscle as insulin’s major metabolic organ, and how this is affected by diabetes. We will focus on the most recent developments in the field, including current treatment possibilities.
Special Coupon Shapes Used in Testing Liner Coatings

Abstract Because the coupons usually employed for atmospheric tests of coatings do not give reliable information when used for testing coating for liners, advantages of several special configurations were explored. These included spheres, various configurations of the torus and the Moebius shape. Author concludes that the Moebius configuration apparently gives the most reliable information of any of the shapes tested. Experimentations is being continued to establish whether or not one configuration is better than another. 5.4.2, 2.3.7
Impedance and Admittance Controller for a Multi-Axis Powered Ankle-Foot Prosthesis

This paper introduces a finite state machine to select between impedance and admittance control for a powered ankle-foot prosthesis controllable in both Dorsiflexion-Plantarflexion (DP) and Inversion-Eversion (IE). Strain gauges are installed on the prosthesis’ foot to measure the strain caused by ground reaction forces, which are correlated to the external torques in DP and IE. The external torques are used for the admittance and impedance controllers. Additionally, the finite state machine uses the strain gauges feedback to detect the heel-strike and switch to admittance control. The admittance control accepts torque feedback to generate motion, this way larger feedback torques effectively reduces the stiffness of the ankle. During push off, the finite state machine switches to impedance control, accepting motion feedback to generate the appropriated torques. The quasi-static stiffness of the prosthesis with impedance control was tested, showing a near linear relationship between the torque feedback gain and the stiffness of the ankle. The finite state machine and controllers were also evaluated using a custom-made circular treadmill and the results were compared to the results of position and passive controllers; showing that the impedance/admittance controller was capable of tracking the desired input trajectory while decreasing the required torque at the ankle joint.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
The Clinical Pathologist as Consultant

The dictionary defines a consultant as “one who gives professional advice or services; expert.”1 More than most medical specialists, the role of a clinical pathologist can be heterogeneous: overseeing laboratory testing processes; hands-on patient care, especially in transfusion medicine and hemostasis; performing traditional microscopic pathology; developing algorithms for optimized testing and diagnosis; or some unique combination of these functions. One pathway that unites all clinical pathologists is that they are consultants in the process of testing that provides more than three quarters of the data used for clinical decision making.2 It is customary to divide the testing process into preanalytic, analytic, and postanalytic phases.3 The second component is traditionally considered the domain of clinical pathologists. The laboratory technical staff and activities within the laboratory are clearly paramount to ensure quality patient care.4 However, the first and third components of testing are just as squarely in the purview of clinical pathologists as they are for the health care providers who order laboratory testing and receive the results. In the preanalytic phase, the primary physician poses a clinical question and selects a laboratory assay to answer it, but it is the clinical pathologist who must build and validate the assay such that there is clinical value to its answer. Moreover, …
Non-superconducting magnet structures for near-term, large fusion experimental devices

Abstract Water cooled copper magnets provide a means of producing high magnetic fields for tokamaks using a well developed existing technology. The basic function of these magnets is to provide reliable, both time varying and steady state, magnetic fields. Copper electrical properties, insulation, and water cooling systems play major roles in design selection. Aside from being electro-magnetic devices, coils designed for tokamaks must be self-supporting structures, capable of resisting large I × B magnetic forces. These magnets require the integration of both electrical and structural design considerations. Magnet integrity is enhanced by the presence of structures which lend additional external support. These external structural systems are highly stressed and, often, deflection limited. This paper describes the magnet and structural design in the following American tokamak devices: the Princeton Large Torus (PLT), the Princeton Divertor Experiment (PDX), and the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR). The Joint European Torus (JET), also presented herein, has a magnet structure evolved from several European programs and, like TFTR, represents state of the art magnet and structure design. The PLT device was designed in 1971 as a high plasma current tokamak. At the time it incorporated the latest in copper magnet and structure technology. Design features on this machine have in some fashion subsequently been incorporated on every major device built within the tokamak fusion community.
Corium crust strength measurements.

Abstract Corium strength is of interest in the context of a severe reactor accident in which molten core material melts through the reactor vessel and collects on the containment basemat. Some accident management strategies involve pouring water over the melt to solidify it and halt corium/concrete interactions. The effectiveness of this method could be influenced by the strength of the corium crust at the interface between the melt and coolant. A strong, coherent crust anchored to the containment walls could allow the yet-molten corium to fall away from the crust as it erodes the basemat, thereby thermally decoupling the melt from the coolant and sharply reducing the cooling rate. This paper presents a diverse collection of measurements of the mechanical strength of corium. The data is based on load tests of corium samples in three different contexts: (1) small blocks cut from the debris of the large-scale MACE experiments, (2) 30 cm-diameter, 75 kg ingots produced by SSWICS quench tests, and (3) high temperature crusts loaded during large-scale corium/concrete interaction (CCI) tests. In every case the corium consisted of varying proportions of UO2, ZrO2, and the constituents of concrete to represent a LWR melt at different stages of a molten core/concrete interaction. The collection of data was used to assess the strength and stability of an anchored, plant-scale crust. The results indicate that such a crust is likely to be too weak to support itself above the melt. It is therefore improbable that an anchored crust configuration could persist and the melt become thermally decoupled from the water layer to restrict cooling and prolong an attack of the reactor cavity concrete.