cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tritium Plume Dynamics in the Shallow Unsaturated Zone in an Arid Environment

Effective isolation of tritium (3H) and other contaminants at waste-burial facilities requires improved understanding of transport processes and pathways. Previous studies documented an anomalously widespread (i.e., theoretically unexpected) distribution of 3H (>400 m from burial trenches) in a dry, sub-root-zone gravelly layer (1–2-m depth) adjacent to a low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) burial facility in the Amargosa Desert, Nevada, that closed in 1992. The objectives of this study were to: (i) characterize long-term, spatiotemporal variability of 3H plumes; and (ii) quantify the processes controlling 3H behavior in the sub-root-zone gravelly layer beneath native vegetation adjacent to the facility. Geostatistical methods, spatial moment analyses, and mass flux calculations were applied to a spatiotemporally comprehensive, 10-yr data set (2001–2011). Results showed minimal bulk-plume advancement during the study period and limited Fickian spreading of mass. Observed spreading rates were generally consistent with theoretical vapor-phase dispersion. The plume mass diminished more rapidly than would be expected from radioactive decay alone, indicating net efflux from the plume. Estimates of upward 3H efflux via diffusive-vapor movement were >10× greater than by dispersive-vapor or total-liquid movement. Total vertical fluxes were >20× greater than lateral diffusive-vapor fluxes, highlighting the importance of upward migration toward the land surface. Mass-balance calculations showed that radioactive decay and upward diffusive-vapor fluxes contributed the majority of plume loss. Results indicate that plume losses substantially exceeded any continuing 3H contribution to the plume from the LLRW facility during 2001 to 2011 and suggest that the widespread 3H distribution resulted from transport before 2001.
A new serum proteolytic enzyme in aneurysm pathogenesis

Despite significant progress in elucidating the pathogenesis of aneurysmal disease, the precise etiology of arterial wall degradation remains unclear. Numerous etiologies have been implicated, including stress-strain factors, structural wall abnormalities, and enzyme imbalance. We have previously shown that collagenase and elastase are increased in aortic aneurysm tissue. Herein we report and characterize a newly described serum compound that is able to hydrolyze an artificial elastase substrate but is not elastase. This substance is elevated in patients with atherosclerotic disease and, following aneurysmectomy, its concentration increases by threefold. Examination of the substance reveals that it is bound to lipid and consists of four subunits of molecular weights: 310,000, 62,000, 40,000, and 10,000 daltons. It has characteristics of thiol, carboxyl, and metalloenzymes and is most active at a pH of 7.0 to 8.0. A relationship between this serum compound and aneurysm tissue enzymatic activity is noted. We postulate that this serum compound may be produced by mononuclear cells and released into the serum. Furthermore, monocytes may enter the arterial wall intima and release this substance, resulting in proteolytic arterial wall degradation and subsequent aneurysm formation.
Anxiety disorders in childhood: casting a nomological net.

Empirical research highlights the need for improving the childhood anxiety disorder diagnostic classification system. In particular, inconsistencies in the stability estimates of childhood anxiety disorders and high rates of comorbidity call into the question the utility of the current DSM criteria. This paper makes a case for utilizing a nomological net4 model for advancing the understanding of childhood anxiety disorders. In this article, we discuss measurement and assessment issues related to improving the childhood anxiety disorder diagnostic system and show how these issues can be addressed by employing the nomological net of childhood anxiety. Because employing the nomological net involves drawing from etiological process theories to facilitate classification and assessment, an integrative model of childhood anxiety disorders is presented as a tentative heuristic. Then evidence for the existing symptom sets is discussed in the context of how process theory mechanisms may be utilized to improve classification and assessment. Testable hypotheses are presented. Measurement, disorder definition, treatment, and policy implications are also discussed.
Gene specific damage and repair after treatment of cells with UV and chemotherapeutical agents.

We have previously demonstrated preferential DNA repair of active genes in mammalian cells. The methodology involves the use of a specific endonuclease or other more direct approaches to create nicks at sites of damage followed by quantitative Southern analysis and probing for specific genes. Initially, we used pyrimidine dimer specific endonuclease to detect pyrimidine dimers after UV irradiation. We now also use the bacterial enzyme ABC excinuclease to examine the DNA damage and repair of a number of adducts other than pyrimidine dimers in specific genes. We can detect gene specific alkylation damage by creating nicks via depurination and alkaline hydrolysis. In our assay for preferential repair, we compare the efficiency of repair in the DHFR gene to that in the 3′ flanking, non-coding region to the gene. In CHO cells, UV induced pyrimidine dimers are efficiently repaired from the active DHFR gene, but not from the inactive region. We have demonstrated that the 6–4 photoproducts are also preferentially repaired and that they are removed faster from the regions studied than pyrimidine dimers. Using similar approaches, we find that DNA adducts and crosslinks caused by cisplatinum are preferentially repaired in the active gene compared to the inactive regions and to the inactive c-fos oncogene. Also, nitrogen mustard and methylnitrosurea damage is preferentially repaired whereas dimethyisuiphate damage is not. NAAAF adducts do not appear to be preferentially repaired in this sytem.
Maximizing crosstalk-induced slowdown during path delay test

In this paper, we present a timing-driven test generator to sensitize multiple aligned aggressors coupled to a delay-sensitive victim path to detect the combination of a delay spot defect and crosstalk-induced slowdown. The framework uses parasitic capacitance information, timing windows and crosstalk-induced delay estimates to screen out unaligned or ineffective aggressors coupled to a victim path, speeding up crosstalk pattern generation. In order to induce maximum crosstalk slowdown along a path, aggressors are prioritized based on their potential delay increase and timing alignment. The test generation engine introduces the concept of alignment-driven path sensitization to generate paths from inputs to coupled aggressor nets that meet timing alignment and direction requirements. In addition, two new crosstalk-driven dynamic test compaction algorithms are developed to control the increase in test pattern count. The proposed test generation algorithm is applied to ISCAS85 and ISCAS89 benchmark circuits. SPICE simulation results demonstrate the ability of the alignment-driven test generator to increase crosstalk-induced delays along victim paths.
Scheduling for MIMO Networks with Rate-Constrained Connectivity Requirements

In this paper, we present a novel definition of connectivity for ad hoc networks, and based on this definition, we propose a scheduling algorithm that can optimize the connectivity of the network through scheduling the active links into different time slots. We also propose an adaptive beamforming algorithm that reduces the impact of the co-channel interference on the links that transmit simultaneously. Simulation results demonstrate that the choice of the number of time slots is critical in optimizing the connectivity of the network.
Dendrochronological analysis of single-tree interactions in mixed pine-oak stands of central Arizona, USA

Abstract Radial growth of ponderosa pine after stand establishment was dendrochronologically analyzed in relation to varying amounts of Gambel oak presence on the Beaver Creek Experimental Watershed, Arizona. Climate, topography, soil parent material, vegetation structure and soil type were uniform across selected sites. Intra- and inter-specific competition affecting individual pines was quantified using an age-independent index, also modified for asymmetric competition. Pine mean ring width and mean ring area were regressed against competition indices, pine age, and height index after accounting for sites and plots in sites. Dendrochronological techniques provided accurate high resolution data, which were used to reconstruct the growth history of individual pines and stands. Site interactions were never significant, and fitted models explained from 50 to 66% of the total variance. Regression statistics were best when competition indices assumed symmetric interactions. Mean radial growth of pine over 5 and 10 years was negatively related to intra-specific competition, but was not significantly related to inter-specific competition between pine and oak. This could be attributed to the positive influence of oak on soil nutrient status and/or to increased pine spacing caused by the presence of oak.
Nonlinear waves in a Kelvin-Helmholtz flow

Nonlinear waves on the interface of two incompressible in viscid fluids of different densities and arbitrary surface tension are analysed using the method of multiple scales. Third-order equations are presented for the space and time variation of the wavenumber, frequency, amplitude and phase of stable waves. A third-order expansion is also given for wavenumbers near the linear neutrally stable wave-numbers. A second-order expansion is presented for wavenumbers near the second harmonic resonant wavenumber, for which the fundamental and its second harmonic have the same phase velocity. This expansion shows that this resonance does not lead to instabilities.
Reform of the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy: How to reach GATT-compatibility?

Abstract This paper studies the reform of the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). It examines three questions: 1. (1) do current reforms meet the targets specified in the Uruguay Round Agreement? 2. (2) what additional reforms are needed to make CAP GATT-compatible? and 3. (3) does CAP reform alleviate the EU's budgetary problem? To investigate these issues, we use a six-region, 13-sector computable general equilibrium model with explicitly modeled policies. We find that CAP reform worsens the EU's budgetary situation and does not meet the GATT targets. We quantify support price reductions and quota increases needed to reach the targets.
Singularity in the degree of dissociation near a critical point

Anomalies in the degree of dissociation near a critical point of a ternary mixture are analyzed for a reaction of the type $A\ensuremath{\rightleftarrows}B+C$. The concentration-temperature curve has, at the critical point, an infinite slope ${(T\ensuremath{-}{T}_{c})}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{(\ensuremath{\delta}\ensuremath{-}1)}{\ensuremath{\delta}}}$, where $\ensuremath{\delta}$ is the critical index. An isobutyric acid and water mixture, which consists of four components, has the same singularity in the charge density near a critical point. In any of the anomalies in the electrical conductivity in this mixture, or in similar systems, the singularity in the charge density must be considered.
Mew mathematical properties of the semivalues of cooperative tu games

The Semivalues were introduced by Dubey, Neiman and Weber (1981), as the values of TU games satisfying a set of axioms, precisely:linearity, symmetry, monotomcity and projection axioms. In this paper, a potential approach is used to prove a characterization of Semivalues as the unique values satisfying a new type of consistency relative to a new implicitly defined reduced game of Hart Mas Colell type and weighted standardness for all two person games. The definition of the reduced game requires some combinatorial results on the auxiliary game of the given game. As a byproduct, we derive from these results two other combinatorial properties of the Semivalues: (i) any Semivalue is the Shapley value of the auxiliary game of the given game, and (ii) any Semivalue satisfies the fairness principle introduced by Myerson (1977) as the principle of balanced contributions
Systemic therapy for cardiac sarcomas

Cardiac sarcomas create 2 risks: local problems and metastatic disease. Most frequently, the histologies are angiosarcoma and high-grade pleomorphic unclassified sarcoma (formerly called MFH or malignant fibrous histiocytoma). There is also a clinical-pathological entity without distinctive histological features of tumors that originate in the pulmonary artery and are referred to as pulmonary artery sarcomas or intimal sarcomas of the pulmonary artery. Conventional wisdom indicates that soft-tissue sarcomas are poorly responsive to chemotherapy. Luckily, that is not the case. Attempts to concentrate on the local problem only with therapies up to and including cardiac transplantation have been unsuccessful due to the high rate of fatal metastatic disease.
Three-dimensional, time-dependent modeling of high-power fiber amplifiers

The design and optimization of high-power fiber amplifiers requires a simulation tool capable of including a wide range of effects simultaneously, including mode distortion and loss due to bending, spatially-dependent saturable gain, guiding from arbitrary index of refraction profiles and self-focusing. In addition, the nonlinear effects are power dependent and thus will distort the pulse shape. We have constructed a numerical model to address these issues and serve as a platform for data analysis and system optimization.
Concept of dose nonuniformity in interstitial brachytherapy

Abstract Purpose : Evaluation of the 3-dimensional dose distributions of interstitial implants using the dose nonuniformity ratio. Methods and Materials : Single source, two sources, three and four sources arranged both linearly and in the form of a triangle or a square, ribbons with different seed spacings, a single-plane and double-plane implants were evaluated. The evaluations involved the use of differential dose volume histograms and the dose nonuniformity ratio defined as the ratio of the high dose volume to the reference volume. Results : For a single source, the dose nonuniformity is the same regardless which dose rate is selected as the treatment dose rate. For any multi-source implant, the dose nonuniformity is altered depending on the selection of the reference dose rate. In addition, the dose nonuniformity curve exhibited three characteristics zones. Conclusion : The dose nonuniformity ratio can be a useful tool in assessing and optimizing interstitial implants.
Computational dynamics: Modeling and visualizing trajectory flows in phase space

This paper describes a computational technique for modeling and visualizing dynamical behaviors of complex systems in phase space. The technique employs a novel idea offlow pipes to model trajectory bundles that exhibit the same qualitative features. It parses a continuous phase space of a dynamical system, consisting of an infinite number of individual trajectories, into a manageable discrete collection of flow pipes that a computer can efficiently reason about. The technique provides a computational way for both machines and humans to visualize and manipulate dynamics of a physical system. The flow-pipe modeling technique is implemented in a program called MAPS. The technique has been applied to the automatic control synthesis in which programs automatically analyze and design high-performance, global controllers.
The histopathological effects of certain carcinogenic 2-fluorenamine derivatives on larvae of the house fly.

Abstract A number of carcinogenic compounds were tested for their effect on the growth and development of larvae of the house fly, Musca domestica. Several carcinogenic 2-fluorenamine derivatives inhibited growth, pupation, and adult emergence and produced focal lesions in the hypodermis, midgut, and fat bodies. These lesions were similar to certain of the hereditary lesions of Drosophila classified by others as tumors or pseudotumors.
Screening of advanced cladding materials and UN–U3Si5 fuel

Abstract In the aftermath of Fukushima, a focus of the DOE-NE Advanced Fuels Campaign has been the development of advanced nuclear fuel and cladding options with the potential for improved performance in an accident. Uranium dioxide (UO2) fuels with various advanced cladding materials were analyzed to provide a reference for cladding performance impacts. For advanced cladding options with UO2 fuel, most of the cladding materials have some reactivity and discharge burn-up penalty (in GWd/t). Silicon carbide is one exception in that the reactor physics performance is predicted to be very similar to zirconium alloy cladding. Most candidate claddings performed similar to UO2–Zr fuel–cladding in terms of safety coefficients. The clear exception is that Mo-based materials were identified as potentially challenging from a reactor physics perspective due to high resonance absorption. This paper also includes evaluation of UN–U3Si5 fuels with Kanthal AF or APMT cladding. The objective of the U3Si5 phase in the UN–U3Si5 fuel concept is to shield the nitride phase from water. It was shown that UN–U3Si5 fuels with Kanthal AF or APMT cladding have similar reactor physics and fuel management performance over a wide parameter space of phase fractions when compared to UO2–Zr fuel–cladding. There will be a marginal penalty in discharge burn-up (in GWd/t) and the sensitivity to 14N content in UN ceramic composites is high. Analysis of the rim effect due to self-shielding in the fuel shows that the UN-based ceramic fuels are not expected to have significantly different relative burn-up distributions at discharge relative to the UO2 reference fuel. However, the overall harder spectrum in the UN ceramic composite fuels increases transuranic build-up, which will increase long-term activity in a once-thru fuel cycle but is expected to be a significant advantage in a fuel cycle with continuous recycling of transuranic material. It is recognized that the fuel and cladding properties assumed in these assessments are preliminary, and that additional data are necessary for these materials, most significantly under irradiation.
Remote sensing of canopy chemistry.

One of the major uncertainties in predicting climate change comes from a full accounting of carbon-cycle feedbacks, which roughly double physical feedbacks (1, 2). Most of this uncertainty is a result of the many pathways and time scales at which ecosystems interact with the climate system and how these will respond to change (3). The relationship between leaf nitrogen and the carbon cycle is key to many ecosystem processes because photosynthesis provides the energy and carbon-cycle molecules for growth and reproduction (4⇓⇓–7) and decomposition for nutrient cycling (7, 8). Ecologists have long recognized that nitrogen was the most limited nutrient for plant growth (9, 10). Quantifying changes in canopy nitrogen content provides direct information about ecosystem functioning and a method to detect and monitor changes in response to climate forcing (9, 10); thus, it has been a long-term objective for airborne and spaceborne imaging spectroscopy (11⇓–13). Several papers have reported direct detection of canopy nitrogen from airborne imaging spectrometers (14⇓⇓–17). Ollinger (18) argues that selective pressure on plant competition for light, water, and nutrients should result in suites of biochemical and structural traits that integrate their functional strategies. Thus, structural traits affecting light scattering “over scales ranging from cells to canopies” (18) will be convergent with their biochemical traits. Knyazikhin et al. …
Design and Implementation of a Multi-Sensor Based Object Detecting and Removing Autonomous Robot Exploration System

Developing autonomous mobile robot system has been a hot topic in AI area. With recent advances in technology, autonomous robots are attracting more and more attention worldwide, and there are a lot of ongoing research and development activities in both industry and academia. In complex ground environment, obstacles positions are uncertain. Path finding for robots in such environment is very hot issues currently. In this paper, we present the design and implementation of a multi-sensor based object detecting and moving autonomous robot exploration system, 4RE, with the VEX robotics design system. With the goals of object detecting and removing in complex ground environment with different obstacles, a novel object detecting and removing algorithms is proposed and implemented. Experimental results indicate that our robot system with our object detecting and removing algorithm can effectively detect the obstacles on the path and remove them in complex ground environment and avoid collision with the obstacles.
Developmental changes in the weighting of prosodic cues.

Previous research has shown that the weighting of, or attention to, acoustic cues at the level of the segment changes over the course of development (Nittrouer & Miller, 1997; Nittrouer, Manning & Meyer, 1993). In this paper we examined changes over the course of development in weighting of acoustic cues at the suprasegmental level. Specifically, we tested English-learning 4-month-olds’ performance on a clause segmentation task when each of three acoustic cues to clausal units was neutralized and contrasted it with performance on a Baseline condition where no cues were manipulated. Comparison with the reported performance of 6-month-olds on the same task (Seidl, 2007) reveals that 4-month-olds weight prosodic cues to clausal boundaries differently than 6-month-olds, relying more heavily on all three correlates of clausal boundaries (pause, pitch and vowel duration) than 6-month-olds do, who rely primarily on pitch. We interpret this as evidence that 4-month-olds use a holistic processing strategy, while 6-month-olds may already be able to attend separately to isolated cues in the input stream and may, furthermore, be able to exploit a language-specific cue weighting. Thus, in a way similar to that in other cognitive domains, infants begin as holistic auditory scene processors and are only later able to process individual auditory cues.
Aggressive brood defense by females in the stomatopod Gonodactylus bredini

Defense behavior by brooding Gonodactylus bredini females was studied in staged fights against conspecific challengers. Females brooding eggs were more successful at defending their dwelling cavities than were nonreproductive females. Females caring for larvae were no more successful at cavity defense than were controls.
K+ Channels at the Axon Initial Segment Dampen Near-Threshold Excitability of Neocortical Fast-Spiking GABAergic Interneurons

Fast-spiking cells (FS cells) are a prominent subtype of neocortical GABAergic interneurons with important functional roles. Multiple FS cell properties are coordinated for rapid response. Here, we describe an FS cell feature that serves to gate the powerful inhibition produced by FS cell activity. We show that FS cells in layer 2/3 barrel cortex possess a dampening mechanism mediated by Kv1.1-containing potassium channels localized to the axon initial segment. These channels powerfully regulate action potential threshold and allow FS cells to respond preferentially to large inputs that are fast enough to "outrun" Kv1 activation. In addition, Kv1.1 channel blockade converts the delay-type discharge pattern of FS cells to one of continuous fast spiking without influencing the high-frequency firing that defines FS cells. Thus, Kv1 channels provide a key counterbalance to the established rapid-response characteristics of FS cells, regulating excitability through a unique combination of electrophysiological properties and discrete subcellular localization.
Approximate state estimation in multiagent settings with continuous or large discrete state spaces

We present a new method for carrying out state estimation in multi-agent settings that are characterized by continuous or large discrete state spaces. State estimation in multiagent settings involves updating an agent's belief over the physical states and the space of other agents' models. We factor out the models of the other agents and update the agent's belief over these models, as exactly as possible. Simultaneously, we sample particles from the distribution over the large physical state space and project the particles in time.
Freezing the Number of Residency Positions

To the Editor. —Dr Shine, 1 president of the Institute of Medicine, argues that Congress should instruct the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) to freeze the total number of residency positions supported through Medicare at 1994 levels for a 5-year period. As chairman of the Medical Education Finance Committee of the Association of Professors of Medicine (the national organization of chairs of departments of internal medicine at the 125 US medical colleges and several of their affiliated teaching hospitals), I have also supported a freeze. 2 Besides making policy sense, limiting the number for residency positions would help rationally reduce Medicare payment for graduate medical education (GME). To reduce the federal budget deficit, Congress is considering a series of Medicare reductions, including cuts in the program's direct medical education payment and indirect medical education adjustment. Deep concern that indiscriminate Medicare GME reductions will have an adverse effect on physician workforce
An empirical test of androgyny in the middle years: Evidence from a national survey

Evidence of changes in gender typing at midlife was empirically tested in a secondary analysis of the “Quality of American Life” study. Several specific hypotheses were tested. The study looked for indications of increasing femininity and/or decreasing masculinity in middle-aged men, and for decreasing femininity and/or increasing masculinity in middle-aged women. In bivariate analyses and in multiple regression analyses, little empirical support was found for role reversal or androgyny at midlife in this nationally representative sample. Satisfaction with family life was the best predictor of overall life satisfaction for men and women of all ages. Race rather than gender and sex role identity interacted with age to predict life satisfaction. Life satisfaction changed little for whites from young adulthood to late middle age, but life satisfaction increased for blacks who were least satisfied with their lives as young adults.
Impact damage in layered glass

High-velocity impact onto a layered glass target produces a very extensive damage pattern exhibiting many distinct morphologies. Material around the penetration cavity is finely comminuted. Under the arrested projectile, the glass is largely intact with spoke-like fracture regions. Around the projectile cavity, needle fragments are formed; they are radial in outer layers and circumferential in inner layers. Extensive radial cracks occur in all layers, but the spacing and frequency of transverse fractures change in each layer. Damage from radial cracks also progresses from being hoop-stress-induced to flexural-induced through the depth of the target. Fan and dicing cracks occur near the periphery of the target. Mesoscale damage features include conventional mist and hackle markings indicating very fast cracks. The map of damage presented herein should be a valuable reference for attempts to model impact damage of glass.
Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol selectively increases aspartyl cathepsin D proteolytic activity and impairs lysozyme processing by macrophages

Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) causes an antigen-dependent defect in the ability of macrophages to activate helper T cells, and this drug-induced impairment is mediated through the peripheral CB2 receptor. Various requirements for the processing of the antigen, lysozyme, were examined to determine where along the pathway THC exerts its influence. A THC-exposed macrophage hybridoma inefficiently stimulated interleukin-2 secretion by a helper T cell hybridoma in response to native lysozyme and its reduced form, suggesting that disulfide bond reduction was unaffected. Cell surface expression of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules was normal on THC-exposed macrophages. The drug-exposed macrophages also competently presented a lysozyme peptide to the T cells, indicating that the class II molecules were functional. The proteolytic activity of two thiol cathepsins was unaltered, but aspartyl cathepsin D activity was significantly increased in THC-exposed macrophages. Thus, selective up-regulation of aspartyl cathepsin activity accompanied the deficiency in lysozyme processing and may contribute, at least in part, to the antigen-dependent processing defect in THC-exposed macrophages.
On discretionary priority queueing

A priority regime is envisaged for single queuing systems composed of two customer populations with Poisson arrivals which is intermediate between the two extreme doctrines: a) head of the line priority, b) pre-emptive priority. The state of intermediacy is represented by discretionary powers vested in the server to interrupt recently initiated - and not to interrupt almost completed - service to a low priority customer upon the arrival of a high priority customer. For the case of constant service times the discretionary rule is defined and the ensuing queueing characteristics analyzed; in particular, the average total queue lengths of both high and low priority customers are derived for two different cases: a) the resume situation where service renewed to a low priority customer starts at the point of interruption; b) the repeat situation where service given to a low priority customer before an interruption, is completely lost. Optimisation procedures are outlined and for the resume situation a simple optimal discretionary rule is obtained. Es wird ein Ein-Schalter-Bedienungssystem betrachtet, in das zwei Sorten Kunden (bevorzugte und gewohnliche) nach einem Poissonprozes eintreffen. Die Prioritatsregel ist ein Kompromis zwischen den zwei Regeln: a) die bevorzugten Kunden stehen am Anfang der Warteschlange, b) die Bedienung eines gewohnlichen Kunden wird zugunsten eines eintreffenden bevorzugten Kunden unterbrochen. Der Kompromis besteht darin, das die Bedienung eines gewohnlichen Kunden unterbrochen werden darf, wenn sie erst kurzlich begonnen wurde, aber nicht unterbrochen wird, wenn sie fast beendet ist. Fur den Fall konstanter Bedienungszeit ist diese Regel genau definiert, es werden entsprechende Charakteristiken untersucht. Speziell werden die mittleren Langen der Warteschlangen der bevorzugten und der gewohnlichen Kunden fur zwei verschiedene Falle abgeleitet: a) die unterbrochene Bedienung eines gewohnlichen Kunden wird weitergefuhrt bis zum Ende, b) die unterbrochene Bedienung eines gewohnlichen Kunden wird noch einmal von vorn begonnen. Es werden Optimierungsfragen behandelt; fur den Fall a) wird eine einfache optimale Prioritatsregel angegeben.
Surrogate Motherhood II: Reflections after "Baby M.".

Abstract Although only about 1% of surrogate motherhood cases have resulted in litigation, it is the “Baby M” case in New Jersey that has garnered headlines and provoked heated debate in the popular media, in legal publications, and in other professional journals. Family therapists can better appreciate the emotional agonies on both sides of this relatively new response to infertility if they are aware of the arguments being offered and the reasoning behind the actions of the judiciary in this case.
Health effects of long-term inhalation of sulfuric acid mist-carbon particle mixtures.

The effects of exposures of mice 3 hr/day, 5 days/week for up to 20 weeks to 1.4 mg/m/sup 3/ sulfuric acid mist and 1.5 mg/m/sup 3/ carbon particle mixtures as well as 1.5 mg/m/sup 3/ carbon only were investigated. The immunologic state of the animals was examined directly by the primary response of spleen cells after specific antigen stimulation, and indirectly by infectivity studies. A quantitative measure of the effects on the immune system without the antigenic stimulation was obtained by determination of serum immunoglobulin concentrations. Significant alterations of immunoglobulin titer, depression of primary antibody response in spleen cell antigenic stimulation, and decreased resistance to respiratory infection as measured by mortality, survival time, and pulmonary consolidation after 20 weeks of exposure to acid mist and carbon particle mixtures were noted. In addition, bactericidal capacity of lungs was reduced in mice exposed to either sulfuric acid and carbon mixtures or to carbon alone, and subtle morphological changes in the respiratory tract were detected by scanning electron microscopy. Thus the alterations of the defense system suggest that prolonged exposure to low concentrations of sulfuric acid and carbon particle mixtures reduces the ability of mice to resist the secondary stress of respiratory infection.
Assessing consumer response to protected geographical identification labeling.

Consumers' attitudes toward quality and desire for cultural identification have generated a growing demand for agricultural products that carry a strong identification with a particular geographical region. Many of these products are currently protected by European Legislation. A hedonic approach was used in order to calculate consumers' willingness to pay for fresh meat products that carry the Protected Geographical Identification label, “Galician Veal,” in Spain. The results indicate that if this label is present on high quality cuts of meat, one can obtain a premium up to a certain level of quality. The label is not significant for either quality extreme. Implications of these results and recommendations for the industry are discussed. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Operational snowmelt runoff forecasting in the Spanish Pyrenees using the snowmelt runoff model

The snowmelt runoff model (SRM) is used to simulate and forecast the daily discharge of several basins of the Spanish Pyrenees. We describe a method for snow mapping using NOAA–AVHRR data and a procedure to estimate retrospectively the accumulated snow water equivalent volume with the SRM. A linear combination of NOAA channels 1 and 2 is used to obtain a snow cover image in which the product is the percentage of the snow-covered area in each pixel. Real-time snowmelt forecasts are generated with the SRM using area snow cover as an input variable. Even in basins with a total absence of historical discharge and meteorological data, the SRM provides an estimation of the daily snowmelt discharge. By integrating the forecasted streamflow over the recession streamflow, snowmelt volume is obtained as a function of time. This function converges asymptotically to the net stored volume of water equivalent of the snowpack. Plotting this integral as a function of time, it is possible to estimate for each basin both the melted snow water equivalent (SWE) and the SWE remaining in storage at any point in the snowmelt season Spanish hydropower companies are using results from the SRM to improve water resource management. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relative reactivities of sugars in the formation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in sugar-catalyst model systems

Model systems were employed to determine the relative reactivity of sucrose, glucose, and fructose in the formation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) at pH 3.5. Fructose was the major reactant for formation of 5-HMF. Fructose was 31.2 times faster than glucose, whereas sucrose was 18.5 times faster than glucose in the rate of 5-HMF formation when averaged over three different sugar-catalyst systems. Accelerating effects of citric acid, minerals (calcium, magnesium, and potassium), and amino acids (alanine, aspartic acid, and γ-aminobutyric acid) in the formation of 5-HMF from sugars were evaluated. With fructose as the substrate, 5-HMF formed 5 times faster in the presence of citric acid and minerals than in the presence of HCl. Varying catalytic effects were noted with the three amino acids. Rates of 5-HMF formation from glucose and sucrose showed slight enhancement in the presence of the amino acids, whereas virtually no enhancement occurred when fructose was the substrate.
A numerical analysis applied to high angle of attack three-dimensional inlets

The three-dimensional analytical methods used to analyze subsonic high angle of attack inlets are described. The methods are shown to be in good agreement with experimental results for various three-dimensional high angle of attack inlets. The methods are used to predict aerodynamic characteristics of scarf and slotted-lip inlets.
Cloning of the protective antigen gene of Bacillus anthracis

The tripartite protein toxin of Bacillus anthracis consists of protective antigen (PA), edema factor (EF), and lethal factor (LF). As a first step in developing a more efficacious anthrax vaccine, recombinant plasmids containing the PA gene have been isolated. A library was constructed in the E. coli vector pBR322 from Bam HI-generated fragments of the anthrax plasmid, pBA1. Two clones producing PA were identified by screening lysates with ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Western blots revealed a full-size PA protein in the recombinant E. coli, and a cell elongation assay demonstrated biological activity. Both positive clones had a 6 kb insert of DNA, which mapped in the Bam HI site of the vector. The two inserts are the same except that they lie in opposite orientations with respect to the vector. Thus PA is encoded by the plasmid pBA1.
SCHEMES OF LINE MODULES. II

ABSTRACT In this sequel to[1], we study the scheme of line modules for several classes of quantum s, including Clifford algebras, homogenized and algebras associated to smooth quadrics in . We also prove that a quantum with enough symmetry in its defining relations has a line scheme of dimension at least two, with infinitely many line modules incident to any point module.
Effect of feeding rate and water temperature on growth of juvenile white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus)

Abstract A 2×4 factorial experiment was conducted for 8 weeks to determine the effect of feeding rate and water temperature on the growth performance of 30-g-size white sturgeon. Body weight increase (BWI) and feed efficiency (FE) were significantly (P
Thermal and photochemical deposition of sulfur on GaAs(100)

The interaction of sulfur with GaAs(100) is of great interest due to its importance in surface passivation. We have investigated the thermal and photochemical deposition of sulfur on GaAs(100) from H 2 S using synchrotron radiation soft X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (SXPS). The deposition of S can be achieved by exposing GaAs(100) to H 2 S at substrate temperatures ≥ 550 K, a result of the irreversible dissociation of H 2 S on the surface. Both the rate and extent of sulfur deposition can be greatly enhanced by UV laser or white light synchrotron radiation. Heating of sulfur covered GaAs(100) to ≥ 700 K results in a well ordered (2 X I) surface reconstruction, as indicated by low energy electron diffraction (LEED). This high temperature stabilized surface is characterized by two well defined states of sulfur, both bonded to Ga atoms. One state can be attributed to surface gallium sulfide while the other to sub-surface sulfur which evidently replaces As atoms. This interpretation is supported by the observation that the As/Ga ratio, as determined by the 3p SXPS peak intensities, decreases linearly with increasing sulfur coverage. The implication of this study for improved GaAs surface passivation is addressed.
Rent-seeking and institutional stability in developing countries

Although developing countries are most often associated with institutional instability, most are fairly stable and may be considered extremely stable if one takes into account the fact that policies adopted by many of these nations are highly inefficient. In a large number of cases, post-independence economic policies adopted by developing countries have resulted in very slow, stagnant or even negative economic growth. In more advanced and democratic countries, such policies would prevent the reelection of leaders. Although a small fraction of the population enjoys an extremely high standard of living, the majority of the population in developing countries have not experienced any significant gains in their standard of living since independence. Yet, while there have been several coups and attempted coups, many governments have remained relatively stable with some leaders remaining in power for over a quarter of a century. In other cases leaders have served until their death and successors have continued uninterrupted with remarkable stability even when such leaders adopt what may be considered extremely inefficient policies. Why then have many institutions remained so stable? The present paper argues that the stability observed in many developing countries is a result of a rent-seeking equilibrium between well organized interest groups in the population that compete for wealth transfers generated by the relatively weaker and more poorly organized groups. In this equilibrium, the military is one of the most important interest groups that benefit from the transfers. Because rent-seeking in these countries often involves violence, the
Where Do We Live? Reflections on Physical Units and the Universal Constants

Physicists are always busy measuring things. Measurement implies methods of measurement and the adoption of arbitrary units in terms of which things are measured. Our arbitrary units have been chosen from a definitely practical standpoint and thus have no direct relation to the fundamental quantities of nature; that is, to the so-called universal constants, the quantities which are not properties of special substances but are fundamental characteristics of the physical world. Let us therefore have a look at the unit systems of physics.
Power system online stability assessment using active learning and synchrophasor data

Analysis of synchrophasor measurements using data mining tools, in pursuit of precise stability assessment, requires a sufficiently large training data set. Traditionally the process of learning the underlying power system behavioral patterns introduces a significant computational burden such that exhaustive simulations of all possible system operating conditions are necessary. Advancements in machine learning make it possible, in some cases, to reduce the amount of operating conditions that need to be analyzed without impacting the accuracy of stability assessment. By using a probabilistic learning tool in the described active learning scheme to interactively query operating conditions based on their importance, we show that significantly fewer data needs to be processed for accurate voltage stability and oscillatory stability estimation. Results show that the advantage of active learning is greater on more complicated power networks, where larger training data sets are involved.
Expression of IGFs and their receptors is a potential marker for embryo quality.

PROBLEM: Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and insulin have been demonstrated to stimulate oocyte maturation and embryo development. Therefore, the expression of IGFs and their receptors may be an important intrinsic factor for embryo growth and may be a potential marker for embryo quality. METHOD OF STUDY: Thirty donated day 3 embryos were cultured in vitro for an additional 3 days to observe their developmental potential and were semiquantitatively analyzed for the expression of IGF-I, IGF-II, IGF-IR, IGF-IIR, and insulin-R. RESULTS: Our results show that the activity of these gene expressions correlates well with the morphological assessment and that high and more gene expressions were often associated with embryos of high growth potential. CONCLUSION: The IGF system may indeed play an important role in human embryogenesis ; IGF gene expressions can be a good indicator of embryonic developmental stage and/ or growth potential; finally, the IGF system can serve as a marker for embryo quality.
A NEW SPECIES OF NAJAS (NAJADACEAE) FROM THE SOUTHEASTERN U.S.A.

A new species,Najas filifolia, is described and compared to its nearest relative. A lectotype ofN. ancistrocarpa is designated herein.
[R-C7H16N2][V2Te2O10] and [S-C7H16N2][V2Te2O10]; new polar templated vanadium tellurite enantiomers

New polar vanadium tellurite enantiomers have been synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions through the use of sodium metavanadate, sodium tellurite and enantiomerically pure sources of either R-3-aminioquinuclidine or S-3-aminioquinuclidine. [R-C{sub 7}H{sub 16}N{sub 2}][V{sub 2}Te{sub 2}O{sub 10}] and [S-C{sub 7}H{sub 16}N{sub 2}][V{sub 2}Te{sub 2}O{sub 10}] contain [V{sub 2}Te{sub 2}O{sub 10}]{sub n}{sup 2n-} layers constructed from [(VO{sub 2}){sub 2}O(TeO{sub 4}){sub 2}] monomers. Steric effects associated with the hydrogen-bonding network between the [V{sub 2}Te{sub 2}O{sub 10}]{sub n}{sup 2n-} layers and [C{sub 7}H{sub 16}N{sub 2}]{sup 2+} result in polar structures and crystallization in the space group P2{sub 1} (no. 4). Electron localization functions were calculated to visualize the tellurite stereoactive lone pairs. Both iterative and non-iterative Hirshfeld techniques were evaluated as means to determine atomic partial charges, with iterative Hirshfeld charges more accurately representing charge distributions in the reported enantiomers. These charges were used to calculate both component and net dipole moments. [R-C{sub 7}H{sub 16}N{sub 2}][V{sub 2}Te{sub 2}O{sub 10}] and [S-C{sub 7}H{sub 16}N{sub 2}][V{sub 2}Te{sub 2}O{sub 10}] exhibit dipole moments of 17.37 and 16.62D, respectively. [R-C{sub 7}H{sub 16}N{sub 2}][V{sub 2}Te{sub 2}O{sub 10}] and [S-C{sub 7}H{sub 16}N{sub 2}][V{sub 2}Te{sub 2}O{sub 10}] both display type 1 phase-matching capabilities and exhibit second harmonic generation activities of {approx}50x{alpha}-SiO{submore » 2}. - Graphical abstract: Two new vanadium tellurite enantiomers have been synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions. Hydrogen-bonding between [C{sub 7}H{sub 16}N{sub 2}]{sup 2+} cations and [V{sub 2}Te{sub 2}O{sub 10}]{sub n}{sup 2n-} layers results in polar structures that exhibit type 1 phase matching capabilities. Component and net dipole moments were calculated from atomic positions and iterative Hirshfeld partial charges. Highlights: > A pair of new polar templated vanadium tellurite enantiomers is reported. > Sterics in the hydrogen-bonding network drive the compound polarities. > Iterative Hirshfeld portioning was used to calculate atomic partial charges.{yields} Net and component dipole moments are calculated for each compound.{yields} Type 1 phase matching behavior and SHG activities of {approx}50x{alpha}-SiO{sub 2} are found.« less
Subcritical crack growth in silicon MEMS

New experimental techniques need to be developed to address fundamental materials issues in MEMS. Experimental protocols developed for macroscale testing are not necessarily applicable, and an understanding of the behavior of macroscale specimens cannot necessarily be relied upon to predict the behavior of microscale MEMS structures. An experimental protocol for studying slow crack growth in MEMS materials has been developed, and this protocol has been used to show that polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon) MEMS are susceptible to stress corrosion cracking. Using a model of the nonlinear dynamics of a specimen allowed an estimation of crack length and crack closure from the frequency response of the specimen. The procedure can resolve 1-nm crack extensions and crack growth rates below 10/sup -13/ m/s. Crack closure, which has a pronounced effect on the dynamics of this nonlinear system, may be associated with the native oxide that grows on the faces of the crack. The data show that subcritical crack growth in polysilicon MEMS is driven by the synergistic effects of water and stress. In contrast to macroscale stress corrosion cracking behavior, a clear relationship between crack growth rate, stress intensity and humidity has not been found. Micrographs suggest that the crack path is transgranular.