cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multi-agent system of systems to monitor wildfires

Wildfire monitoring and mitigation have been worldwide challenges in disaster reduction for quite a while. However as time goes, more and more acres of virgin forests continue being consumed. A problem like a wildfire can be analyzed from a System of Systems (SoS) point of view. The reason for this is because of the nature of all the involved stakeholders. In this work we discuss the benefits of developing a collaborative collection of systems. Approach that can quickly and effectively locate and track the spread of wildfires. To finish comparing it to monolithic approaches that have been vastly used until now. Agent based modelling (ABM) is used to show the different interaction of each of the different systems including different system network configuration. Our consideration in SoS problem is to find an effective configuration network communication between agents. To discover robustness with limited number of existing agents is also one of the concerns to improve.
Producers' markets: A model of oligopoly with sales costs

Abstract A producers' market is one in which individual producers set prices and incur most transaction costs, as they engage in sales promotion or marketing activities. 1 show that non-collusive profit-maximizing behavior leads to the emergence of the lowest marginal-cost producer as the ‘price leader’ (but not as a monopolist) in a simple producers' market for a homogeneous good. The comparative statics of the simple model (which allows no price discrimination or buyer tradeoff between sales promotion and price) suggest that the prevailing price will not be very responsive to demand shocks, or to cost shocks that do not directly affect the price leader, but will respond via a roughly proportional mark-up to the price leader's costs. On the other hand, marketing costs and profits respond almost proportionately to demand shocks.
Enhancing web services description and discovery to facilitate composition

Web services are in the midst of making the transition from being a promising technology to being widely used in the industry. However, most efforts to use Web services have been manual, thus slowing down the ever changing and dynamic businesses of today. In this paper, we contend that more expressive descriptions of Web services will lead to greater automation and thus provide more agility to businesses. We present the METEOR-S front-end tools for source code annotation and semantic Web service description generation. We also present WSDL-S, a language created for incorporating semantic descriptions in the industry wide accepted WSDL, by extending WSDL 2.0.
Deletion of an rRNA Gene Set in Bacillus subtilis

One of the 10 rRNA gene sets found in a wild-type strain of Bacillus subtilis 168 was deleted, apparently by recombination between two tandemly repeated rRNA gene sets. The deletion strain grew as well as the wild-type strain under a variety of growth conditions and also showed no change in the sporulation efficiency.
Data aggregation in wireless sensor networks - exact and approximate algorithms

A fundamental challenge in the design of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is to maximize their lifetimes. Data aggregation has emerged as a basic approach in WSNs in order to reduce the number of transmissions of sensor nodes, and hence minimizing the overall power consumption in the network. We study optimal data aggregation in WSNs. Data aggregation is affected by several factors, such as the placement of aggregation points, the aggregation function, and the density of sensors in the network. The determination of an optimal selection of aggregation points is thus extremely important. We present exact and approximate algorithms to find the minimum number of aggregation points in order to maximize the network lifetime. Our algorithms use a fixed virtual wireless backbone that is built on top of the physical topology. We also study the tradeoffs between energy savings and the potential delay involved in the data aggregation process. Numerical results show that our approach provides substantial energy savings.
Fluorescent markers for studying phagosome-lysosome fusion

Lysosomotropic fluorescent aminoacridines such as acridine orange and quinacrine have achieved prominence as markers for studying lysosome-phagosomes fusion, especially in macrophages. Experiments described demonstrate that because the aminoacridines traverse biological membranes with facility, they diffuse throughout the system, and ultimately accumulate intra- or extracellularly where they are most efficiently bound. Their presence or absence in phagosomes is therefore not unequivocally indicative of fusion or nonfusion. Alternative fluorescent lysosomal markers are described, and systems defined for which the aminoacridines may probably be used with confidence.
Uncertainty Quantification of State Estimation in Nonlinear Structural Systems with Application to Seismic Response in Buildings

AbstractThis paper presents the application of Bayesian filtering for the estimation and uncertainty quantification of interstory drifts and shears in partially instrumented buildings. We investigate the performance of four Bayesian filters: the extended, unscented, and ensemble Kalman filters, and the particle filter. The filters were compared in a simulation environment under ideal modeling and model error conditions. Computational efficiency, estimation accuracy and statistical error behavior of the filters was investigated. It was found that under ideal modeling conditions all the filters perform adequately. However, the filters exhibit significant sensitivity to parametric and nonparametric model errors. In the application studied, the sensitivity to parametric errors was nonsymmetric, with underestimation of model stiffness and yielding strength having a larger detrimental effect on the accuracy than overestimation of these parameters.
Herpes simplex virus infection of isolated autonomic neurons in culture: viral replication and spread in a neuronal network.

Cultures of isolated neurons, derived from the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) of the newborn rat and maintained in the absence of nonneuronal cells, were infected with herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1. By phase-contrast microscopy, including time-lapse cinematography, cytopathologic changes appeared first in neuronal cell bodies and only approximately 24 hours later were axonal abnormalities detectable. Despite low yields of viral progeny, infection spread readily within the two-dimensional network of neurons and their processes. Immuno-peroxidase staining for viral antigens confirmed the replication and spread of virus and revealed that antigen extended along axons during infection. Antiviral antibody added to the overlay medium slowed but did not prevent the spread of infection, indicating that virus passed from neuron to neuron over axonal pathways. Despite alteration of neuronal macromolecular synthesis early in infection, axonal transport is apparently preserved long enough to allow propagation of virus over interconnecting neural pathways.
Identification of Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem/stromal Cell Populations with Distinct Growth Kinetics, Differentiation Potentials, and Gene Expression Profiles

Phenotypic heterogeneity has been observed among mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) populations, but specific genes associated with this variability have not been defined. To study this question, we analyzed two distinct isogenic MSC populations isolated from umbilical cord blood (UCB1 and UCB2). The use of isogenic populations eliminated differences contributed by genetic background. We characterized these UCB MSCs for cell morphology, growth kinetics, immunophenotype, and potential for differentiation. UCB1 displayed faster growth kinetics, higher population doublings, and increased adipogenic lineage differentiation compared to UCB2. However, osteogenic differentiation was stronger for the UCB2 population. To identify MSC-specific genes and developmental genes associated with observed phenotypic differences, we performed expression analysis using Affymetrix microarrays and compared them to bone marrow (BM) MSCs. We compared UCB1, UCB2, and BM and identified distinct gene expression patterns. Selected clusters were analyzed demonstrating that genes of multiple developmental pathways, such as transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and wnt genes, and markers of early embryonic stages and mesodermal differentiation displayed significant differences among the MSC populations. In undifferentiated UCB1 cells, multiple genes were significantly up-regulated (p < 0.0001): peroxisome proliferation activated receptor gamma (PPARG), which correlated with adipogenic differentiation capacities, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and stromal-derived factor 1 (SDF1/CXCL12), which could both potentially contribute to the higher growth kinetics observed in UCB1 cells. Overall, the results confirmed the presence of two distinct isogenic UCB-derived cell populations, identified gene profiles useful to distinguish MSC types with different lineage differentiation potentials, and helped clarify the heterogeneity observed in these cells.
Constrained control landscape for population transfer in a two-level system

The growing success of controlling the dynamics of quantum systems has been ascribed to the favorable topology of the quantum control landscape, which represents the physical observable as a function of the control field. The landscape contains no suboptimal trapping extrema when reasonable physical assumptions are satisfied, including that no significant constraints are placed on the control resources. A topic of prime interest is understanding the effects of control field constraints on the apparent landscape topology, as constraints on control resources are inevitable in the laboratory. This work particularly explores the effects of constraining the control field fluence on the topology and features of the control landscape for pure-state population transfer in a two-level system through numerical simulations, where unit probability population transfer in the system is only accessible in the strong coupling regime within the model explored here. With the fluence and three phase variables used for optimization, no local optima are found on the landscape, although saddle features are widespread at low fluence values. Global landscape optima are found to exist at two disconnected regions of the fluence that possess distinct topologies and structures. Broad scale connected optimal level sets are found when the fluence is sufficiently large, while the connectivity is reduced as the fluence becomes more constrained. These results suggest that seeking optimal fields with constrained fluence or other resources may encounter complex landscape features, calling for sophisticated algorithms that can efficiently find optimal controls.
Scalability study of boron-based ULE implants for advanced CMOS technology

Conventional beam-line (BL) implant shows a poor scalability of profiles (x j ) versus energy at the ULE implant regime due to serious channeling effect and energy contamination issue. B 2 H 6 PLAD shows intrinsic channeling effect immunity with a totally different mechanism. An in-situ, build-in B deposition layer is formed during PLAD process as a screen amorphous layer to minimize channeling effect and reduce the surface damage residues as well. For above reasons, B 2 H 6 PLAD shows a good scalability of profiles (x j ) versus energy, and achieves better R S -x j characteristics and x j abruptness, and then better device performance including lower series and contact resistances, better I ON /I OFF ratio and less short channel effect (SCE), etc. than BL implant counterparts.
An omegatron spectrometer, its characteristics and application

Abstract The development of an omegatron mass spectrometer as a relatively inexpensive and automatic scanning analyzer is described. Operating characteristics of the device in the pressure range 10 −5 to 10 −9 Torr are given. Areas of application in which the omegatron is especially suitable are indicated by some preliminary work.
Dieting among Adolescent Girls and Their Mothers: An Interpretive Study.

This interpretive study focused on mothers' and their adolescent daughters' diet-related thoughts and behaviors and explored the possibility that daughters model their mothers' patterns. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 mothers and their adolescent daughters. Grounded theory analysis revealed that mothers'diet-related experiences were complex, varying across the life span. Among daughters, three types of dieters emerged: nondieters; short-term, low-commitment dieters; and serious dieters. Both mothers and daughters distinguished between “going on a diet” and “watching what you eat.” Mother and daughter dieting and watching patterns varied in terms of content, duration, and motive. Findings indicated that modeling effects alone cannot adequately explain diet-related patterns of mothers and their daughters. Intervening variables, such as a daughter's degree of identification with her mother or a mother's verbal reinforcement of a modeled attitude, may affect whether a child models a given maternal behavior.
IMPACT OF ASSOCIATED MEDICAL CONDITIONS ON CLINICAL FEATURES OF GOUT: 237

Computer-assisted analyses show 47% of the 2152 patients of gout have associated medical conditions. Hypertension occurs in 25% of the patients; ischemic coronary heart disease, cerebral or peripheral circulatory insufficiency in more than 10%. Proteinuria is present in 20%, with renal insufficiency in 30%. About 1/3 of the patients have one associated medical condition only, 12% with 2, 6% with 3 or more. Mean plasma urate in patients with 0 complication is 9.2±1.5 mg/dl. It steadily increases to 10.2±1.7 mg/dl as complications increase to 3 or more. Tophaceous deposits increase from 25% with 0 complication to 37%, 45% and 51% with increased number of complications; renal calculi increase from 20 to 34%. Increased number of acute gouty arthritis at times becomes protracted. Drugs for gout and for complications sometimes create undesirable side reactions. Survival rate with long term follow-up shows steady decrease with increasing number of complications. Only 20% of the patients at death had no known complications. When present, they died at earlier ages. The management of gout nowadays may seem to be simplified. In fact, it is not necessarily so, when one considers the management of the various complications, clinical as well as choice of drugs, etc.
POLITICAL HABITS AND THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF ECONOMIC REPRESSION AND REFORM

This paper shows how the analytical framework developed in Lal-Myint (1996) and Lal (1998) can be used to think rigorously about the role of culture and politics in addition to traditional economic factors like factor-proportions in explaining divergent economic performance can be applied to Latin America. It is in particular used to explain the cycles of repression and reform and to judge the long-term sustainability of the current period of economic reform in Latin America
Global CO2 Emission Reductions: The Impacts of Rising Energy Costs

In recent years there has been growing concern that the increasing accumulation of greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere will lead to undesirable changes in global climate. This concern has resulted in a number of proposals, both in the U.S. and internationally, to set physical targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Two-loop renormalization group equations in a general quantum field theory (II). Yukawa couplings

Abstract The two-loop β-functions for the Yukawa couplings are computed in a general renormalizable quantum field theory with scalar, spin 1 2 , and (vector) gauge fields associated with a general gauge group G. A more explicit form is given for the two-loop β-functions for the Yukawa couplings of the Higgs doublet in the minimal QCD-electroweak theory based on SU(3) × SU(2) × U(1).
Causes, prevention, and surgical treatment of postherniorrhaphy neuropathic inguinodynia: triple neurectomy with proximal end implantation

The recommended surgical treatment for chronic neuropathic pain after herniorrhaphy has been a two-stage operation including: (a) ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric neurectomies through an inguinal approach and (b) genital nerve neurectomy through a flank approach. Two hundred twenty-five patients underwent triple neurectomies with proximal end implantation to treat chronic postherniorrhaphy neuralgia. Four patients reported no improvement. Eighty percent of patients recovered completely, and 15% had transient insignificant pain with no functional impairment. These results are comparable to the results of the two-stage operation. Simultaneous neurectomy of the ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric, and genital nerves without mobilization of the spermatic cord is an effective one-stage procedure to treat postherniorrhaphy neuralgia. It can be performed under local anesthesia and avoids testicular complications. Proximal end implantation of the nerves prevents adherence of the cut ends to the aponeurotic structures of the groin, which can result in recurrence of the pain. A one-stage surgical procedure resecting all three nerves from an anterior approach avoids a second operation through the flank and successfully treats chronic neuralgia.
Methods of Assessing Toxic Interactions in Vitro: Experimental Design and Data Analysis

The history, theory, statistics, and development of mathematical models that assess biological responses to combinations of chemicals are well represented in the literature. A relative paucity of literature focuses on the actual application of methods and experimental guidelines for assessing toxic interactions. The wide variety of methods in use—some complicated, many nonideal—confounds the comparison of results from different laboratories. This communication is not a comprehensive exposition of the methods appropriate for the study of toxic or pharmacologic interactions of combinations of chemical agents. The modular approach presented here is intended to offer a unifying framework for such studies and to provide a simple yet versatile procedure for new investigators in this area. This approach is modular in that the components, such as experimental designs and mathematical models, can be (re)selected to suit specific research questions and to test the generality of conclusions without altering the over...
On the Analysis of Small Displacements of Truss Joints

By emphasizing the kinematic aspects and implications of strain in truss analysis, it is shown that joint displacements can be computed in a straightforward manner.
Transition probabilities for the ionization of N2, O2, NO and CO molecules

Franck–Condon factors are presented for the normal and stable isotope-labelled N2, O2, NO and CO molecules for transitions to the observed ionized states by using the Rydberg–Klein–Rees (RKR) potential energy curves of the various electronic states involved. It has been observed that for some transitions, the Franck–Condon factors based on the RKR potential energy curves differ appreciably from those based on the Morse potential function. The effect of isotopic substitution on the transition probabilities is also quite significant in a number of cases. On a calcule des facteurs de Franck–Condon pour les molecules N2, O2, NO et CO pour les transitions aux etats ionises observes. Les calculs ont ete bases sur les courbes de potentiel de Rydberg–Klein–Rees (RKR) des etats electroniques en question. On a observe que pour certaines transitions, les facteurs de Franck–Condon bases sur les courbes de potentiel RKR different d'une facon appreciable de ceux obtenus de la fonction de potentiel de Morse. L'effet d'une substitution isotopique sur les probabilites de transition est aussi significatif dans plusieurs cas. Franck–Condon-Faktoren wurden fur die Molekule N2, O2, NO und CO fur Ubergange zu den beobachteten ionisierten Zustanden mit den Rydberg–Klein–Rees (RKR) Potential-kurven der entsprechenden elektronischen Zustande berechnet. Es wurde bemerkt dass fur gewisse Ubergange die Franck–Condon-Faktoren der RKR Potentialkurven merkbar von den der Morse-Potentialfunktion abweichen. Der effekt isotopischer Substitution auf den Ubergangswahrscheinlichkeiten ist auch in vielen Fallen ganz bedeutsam.
miR-10b targets Tiam1: implications for Rac activation and carcinoma migration.

Understanding the mechanisms by which specific microRNAs regulate cell migration and invasion is a timely and significant problem in cancer cell biology. miR-10b is of interest in this regard because its expression is altered in breast and other cancers. Our analysis of potential miR-10b targets identified Tiam1 (T lymphoma invasion and metastasis 1), a guanidine exchange factor for Rac. We demonstrate, using an miR-10b synthetic precursor, expression vector, and antisense oligonucleotide, that miR-10b represses Tiam1 expression in breast carcinoma cells and that it interacts with the 3′-UTR of Tiam1. Consistent with the involvement of Tiam1 in cell motility, we observed that miR-10b suppresses the ability of breast carcinoma cells to migrate and invade. Importantly, we demonstrate that miR-10b also inhibits Tiam1-mediated Rac activation. These data provide a mechanism for the regulation of Tiam1-mediated Rac activation in breast cancer cells and need to be considered in the context of other reported functions for miR-10b.
Polychlorinated biphenyl, mercury, and cadmium concentrations in minnesota snapping turtles

1. Low levels of PCBs, less than .086 mg/kg, were found in the meat of all turtles collected from the Mississippi River and other Minnesota locations. 2. High levels of PCBs, up to 60.5 mg/kg, were found in the fat of turtles collected from the Mississippi River below the Twin Cities. 3. PCB concentrations at or below 5 mg/kg were found in the fat of turtles collected at other locations. 4. Low levels of mercury, less than 0.03 mg/kg, and cadmium, less than 0.025 mg/kg, were found in all of the turtles sampled.
Modeling strong turbulence experiments with long-range correlations

Abstract In strong Langmuir turbulence collective correlations affect the probability distribution P ( E ) of the electric microfield in a stationary, turbulent plasma. Extending previous work to include long-range correlations but not dynamics over lengths ⪢ λ D yields a characteristic distribution P ( E ) ∝ E d −1 exp(− E 2 /〈 E 2 〉), with d the dimensionality of the electric field, and 〈 E 2 〉 proportional to the square of the correlated particle density. This suggests modeling strong turbulence experiments with a maximally entropic, thermal-like wave distribution of elevated temperature, determined by the amplitude and scale of long-range correlations. Implications for recent experiments show agreement between measurements for electric fields, microwave power emitted, and the packing fraction of beam-driven turbulence. Relaxation of the electric fields also yields useful information.
Cloning and characterization of a cDNA for the B beta chain of rat fibrinogen: evolutionary conservation of translated and 3'-untranslated sequences.

Abstract A cDNA clone for the Bβ chain of rat fibrinogen has been isolated and characterized. The cDNA insert is 1023 bp in length and corresponds to the 3' half of the Bβ chain mRNA. The cDNA represents 890 bp of the coding sequence for the C-terminal half of the Bβ chain and 133 bp of the 3 '-untranslated region. The coding sequence for this region of the rat cDNA shares a high degree of identity with the corresponding regions of the human and bovine Bβ-chain cDNAs and a moderate degree of identity with the corresponding region of the lamprey Bβ-chain cDNA. A comparison of the amino acid sequences deduced from these cDNAs reveals three regions which share extensive identity among all four sequences. Two additional regions are identified which share extensive identity among the three mammalian sequences and significant identity with the lamprey sequence. These regions appear to represent distinct functional domains. Possible functions for these domains are briefly discussed. A high degree of identity also exists between the 3'-untranslated regions of the three mammalian cDNAs, suggesting that this region of the mRNA, although noncoding, is functionally important.
Benefits of Batch Reclamation: The Kent State University Libraries Experience

Bibliographic records in the Innovative library catalog at Kent State University Libraries had fallen out of synchronization with the Libraries’ holdings represented on OCLC's WorldCat database. The Libraries made a decision to undertake a batch reclamation project with OCLC to re-synch their holdings on WorldCat. This project was beneficial for both parties. OCLC received a clean copy of the Libraries’ database, while the Libraries were able to improve the quality of their local bibliographic data and address problem areas in the catalog. This case study is intended to provide a reference for other libraries considering OCLC batch reclamation projects.
Tl-based wide gap semiconductor materials for x-ray and gamma ray detection

The optical and electronic properties of Tl-chalcogenide, wide gap semiconductors, TlGaSe 2 , Tl 6 I 4 Se, and Tl 2 Au 4 S 3 for x-ray and γ ray detection were characterized. The semiconductor crystals are grown by the modified Bridgman method. The optical absorption and band gap energy of the materials were determined from UV-Vis-near IR transmission and reflection spectra. The mobility-lifetime products were measured. For Tl 6 I 4 Se the values were comparable to those of CdZnTe. We measured room temperature detector response to x-ray and γ ray radiations. Under 57 Co radiation, Tl 6 I 4 Se has a well-resolved spectral response and peak FWHM comparable to those of Cd 0.9 Zn 0.1 Te.
Genome-wide maps of DNA-protein interactions using a yeast ORF and intergenic microarray

We have made a DNA microarray that includes not only all the open reading frames (ORFs) and other features in the yeast genome, but also all the intergenic regions. We are using this as a tool to construct genome-wide maps of DNA-protein interactions for proteins that interact directly or indirectly with DNA or chromatin in vivo. Proteins are crosslinked to DNA in vivo using formaldehyde and the crosslinked DNA is extracted and sheared. DNA specifically associated with any protein of interest is immunoprecipitated using a specific antibody against the protein or an epitope tag that may be fused to the protein. The selected DNA, representing loci that the protein interacts with in vivo, can be identified by fluorescently labelling it and hybridizing it to the microarray along with an appropriate reference probe. This approach is being used to map the genome-wide interactions of sequence-specific DNA binding proteins, components of the transcription machinery and chromatin components, under a variety of conditions.
A novel Krüppel related factor consisting of only a KRAB domain is expressed in the murine trigeminal ganglion

Abstract The largest family of zinc-finger (ZnF) transcription factors is that containing the Kruppel-associated box, or KRAB domain. The amino-terminal KRAB domain of these proteins functions as a transcriptional repressor with the downstream ZnF motifs providing DNA-binding specificity. Here we report the identification and characterization of a novel murine Kruppel-related factor (KLF), MIF1, which contains a KRAB domain but lacks a ZnF motif. Western blot analysis identified MIF1-like proteins in the murine trigeminal ganglion (TG) and immunostaining localized these proteins primarily to the cytoplasm of TG neuronal cell bodies. In situ hybridization for Mif1 transcripts confirms the selective expression of Mif1 in TG neurons. Consistent with the non-nuclear localization of MIF1 we could detect no transcriptional repressor activity of the MIF1 protein. However MIF1 appears to be capable of interacting with the co-repressor TIF1β and exhibits transcription repressor activity when fused to yeast GAL4 binding domain protein. Genomic analysis of Mif1 sequence suggests that the Mif1 transcript may result from splicing of a longer KRAB-ZnF containing transcript.
Barium and strontium uptake into larval protoconchs and statoliths of the marine neogastropod Kelletia kelletii

The trace elemental composition of calcified larval hard parts may serve as useful tags of natal origin for invertebrate population studies. We examine whether the trace metal barium (Ba) deposits into the calcium carbonate matrix of molluscan larval statolith and protoconch in proportion to seawater Ba concen- tration at two temperatures (11.5 and 17°C). We also examine strontium (Sr) uptake as a function of temperature. Using encapsulated larvae of the marine gastropod, Kelletia kelletii, reared in the laboratory under controlled conditions, we demonstrate a significant inverse effect of temperature and a positive effect of seawater Ba/Ca ratio on Ba incorporation into larval carbonates. Ba/Ca partition coefficients ( DBa )i n protoconch were 1.13 at 11.4°C and 0.88 at 17.1°C, while DBa in larval statolith measured 1.58 at 11.4°C and 1.29 at 17.1°C. Strontium incorporation into statoliths is also inversely affected by temperature, but there was a significant positive effect of temperature on Sr incorporation into protoconch. These data suggest larval statoliths and protoconchs can meaningfully record variation in seawater physical and chemical properties, and, hence, have potential as natural tags of natal origin. Copyright © 2003 Elsevier Ltd
A Renaissance for Wind Power

Wind research and development during the 1970s and recent studies showing wind to be a feasible source of both electrical and mechanical power are behind the rapid expansion of wind energy. Improved technology should make wind energy economical in most countries having sufficient wind and appropriate needs. A form of solar energy, winds form a large pattern of global air circulation because the earth's rotation causes differences in pressure and oceans cause differences in temperature. New development in the ancient art of windmill making date to the 1973 oil embargo, but wind availability must be determined at local sites to determine feasibility. Whether design features of the new technology and the concept of large wind farms will be incorporated in national energy policies will depend on changing attitudes, acceptance by utilities, and the speed with which new information is developed and disseminated. 44 references, 6 figures. (DCK)
Re‐evaluation of Pollen‐Climate Transfer Functions in Keewatin, Northern Canada

ABSTRACT Multivariate statistical analyses allow specification of pollen-climate transfer functions useful in studies of paleoclimate. Two previously published models, when applied to two documented sites in Canada's District of Keewatin, produce inconsistent reconstructions of mean July temperatures for the mid- to late-Holocene (approximately the past 5,000 years). The discrepancy between the results arises from differences in the construction of the functions. Of particular importance are the choice of pollen taxa included, and the sample provenances and the geographical range of the modern pollen data. A new model is developed with all-possible subsets regression, with due regard to the assumptions of the general linear model. Linear relationships between taxa abundances and summer temperature are specified, and multivariate outliers are removed. The paleotemperature records produced by the model for the two sites are consistent with the general features of previously reported work, and are more nearl...
A Multicultural Approach to the Patient Who Has a Common Cold

1. William F. Pfeiffer, MD* 1. *Section Chief, Honolulu Clinic Pediatric Department, Kaiser Permanente Honolulu Clinic, Honolulu, Hawaii Symptoms of the common cold are responsible for many health care visits, and medications to alleviate these symptoms are a significant contributor to the costs incurred. Yet, an upper respiratory tract infection (URI) is a self-limited process. Patient education about appropriate symptomatic therapies along with an understanding of appropriate criteria for seeking care could generate significant cost savings in both medications and physician visits as well as reduce the risks of adverse medication reactions. Medications for the common cold, although contributing significantly to health care costs, have not been shown to be efficacious and have demonstrated little to no benefit in children. However, even the most benign-appearing and widely used medications have been associated with significant adverse effects, including death. Studies have documented that a patient’s perception of the efficacy of antibiotics as well as other medications to “cure” the common cold are the primary drivers of many visits to the practitioner. As many as 44% of individuals surveyed believe that antibiotics assist in eradicating colds, and 63% believe that over-the-counter (OTC) medications are efficacious in relieving cold symptoms. This can become a self-perpetuating spiral of unnecessary visits for unnecessary medications because patients who have been given antibiotics for symptoms of the common cold have been shown to believe in their efficacy and to expect their prescription. Several studies also have demonstrated that many primary care practitioners prescribe antibiotics for cold symptoms with alarming frequency: Up to 40% of patients presenting to a primary care practitioner and receiving a diagnosis of a URI obtain an antibiotic prescription at the end of the visit. This tendency has not been co-opted by any physician specialty, ethnic group, income group, or geographic region; it is commonplace in both managed care and fee-for-service practices; and it is not unique to the United States. Extrapolations …
The Normal State of the Hydrogen Molecule

The dissociation energy, moment of inertia, and fundamental vibration frequency are calculated for a normal hydrogen molecule by a variational method and are found to be 4.02 v, 4,66\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}41}$ gm-${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$, and 4260 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ as compared to the experimental values 4.42, 4.67\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}41}$, and 4380, respectively. The calculation is carried through with the simplest possible improvements in the wave functions. In the appendix a number of integrals are listed and two tables of functions are included that may be useful to calculators.
Dare to Compare: The Next Challenge in Assessing Emotional Cultures

The need for more comparative analyses in emotions research is increasingly obvious. Recent discussions of fear raise clear issues of “national” patterns and expressions versus standard societal or at least modern responses, and only explicit comparison can clarify. The same applies to current impacts on emotions from contemporary media or broader processes of globalization. Happily, there are some good examples of comparison to build upon, though the challenges of dealing with the complexity of different cultures, and potential causes of differences remain very real. The agenda and the potential for additional understanding of emotional experience through comparison are rich and stimulating.
Entering the new frontier of managed mental health care: Gold mines and land mines

This article examines issues that behavior therapists must address as they adapt to the new and complex trends of managed mental health care. The origins of the managed health care movement are reviewed. Major shifts in clinical practice will occur in four primary areas: viewing both the client and payer as “customers”, accepting accountability for clinical outcomes, providing efficient, empirically based care, and accepting the technical and ethical challenges of being both cost conscious and quality focused. Behaviorally trained clinicians and researchers will have many potential advantages working in the era of managed care. To capitalize on their background strengths, behavior therapists must learn to work with and not against managed care systems, learn the language necessary to have constructive, change-oriented dialogues with managed care executives, and learn to conduct “field based” research to answer important questions about the clinical efficacy and cost efficiency of behavioral interventions. Finally, the behaviorally trained clinician should try to find the right “fit” between practice style preferences and choice of managed care setting.
Active Control Of Bending And Torsional Modes In Truss Structures

Abstract There is increased interest in active vibration control of flexible structures by using piezoceramics and piezopolymers as sensors and actuators. In this paper, the control of low frequency vibrations of structures such as cantilever beams, relatively complicated truss structures with and without end masses, is considered. Structural torsion and bending modes are simultaneously controlled. In all cases the damping factors obtained with active control are one to three orders of magnitude larger than that of the uncontrolled structure. The emphasis of this work is on experimental results for various structures and not on the implementation of different control algorithms. From the experimental results presented, it is concluded that discrete piezoelectric sensors and actuators combined with modern control algorithms offer an attractive method for increasing the damping ratio of vibrating structures with minimal increase of mass and minimal consumption of power.
Distribution of density along magnetospheric field lines

[1] This paper examines the field line distribution of magnetospheric electron density and mass density. The electron density distributions from IMAGE RPI active sounding are generally monotonic. The density increases with increasing MLAT slightly faster than the dependence found from the field line dependence model of Denton et al. (2002b); in general, a power law dependence ne = ne0 (LRE/R)α with α ∼ 1 appears to be appropriate within the plasmasphere, at least for geocentric radius R > 2 RE. Our comparison to RPI data included also one field line distribution at LT = 7.4, which we fit with α = 2.5, a value typical of the plasmatrough based on previous studies. We calculated the average electron density field line distribution at low MLAT using the CRRES plasma wave data and found that the density was relatively flat near the magnetic equator with no convincing evidence for an equatorial peak. Using the average values of toroidal Afven frequencies, we calculated the mass density field line distributions and found that they were roughly monotonic for LT < 6, with α = 2 appropriate for LT = 4–5 and α = 1 appropriate for LT = 5–6. At LT = 6–8, the distribution was nonmonotonic, with a local peak in mass density at the magnetic equator. Dividing the frequency data into different groups based on activity, we found that the inferred average mass density field line dependence was insensitive to geomagnetic activity at LT = 4–6 but that at LT = 6–8, the tendency for the mass density to be peaked at the magnetic equator increased with respect to larger Alfven wave amplitude and more negative Dst. The average frequency ratios at LT = 6–8 did not change if we limited the data to cases with MLT = 8–16, for which the assumed perfect conductor boundary condition was better justified. Taken together, these results imply that heavy ions are preferentially peaked at the magnetic equator for LT = 6–8, at least during more geomagnetically active periods.
Integrated Multi-Modular Fast Reactor Concept Design

The Integrated Multi-Modular Fast reactor is a pre-conceptual small modular fast reactor design consisting of 7 self-consist subcritical modules, each utilizing a BeO-MOX concept fuel with complete supercritical CO2 brayton cycle turbo-machinery. The subcritical modules, when brought into proximity of one another, form a complete critical reactor core. The feasibility of the reactor is assessed on a full core level, which includes a neutronics, thermal hydraulics, balance of plant, economics, and economics analysis. It has been shown that a critical configuration lasting for 14 years at 10 MWth can be achieved. A hot channel thermal hydraulics and safety analysis shows that the reactor can operate within safety limits with negative temperature coefficients of reactivity as well as stay within fuel temperature limits. A plant thermal efficiency of 36% was achieved and there is room for optimization to achieve higher efficiencies. An economical feasibility assessment shows that the reactor can be economical based on an economy of serial production argument. The analysis also leads to a licensing discussion.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Effects of chloride and potassium channel blockers on apoptotic cell shrinkage and apoptosis in cortical neurons

K+ and Cl- homeostasis have been implicated in cell volume regulation and apoptosis. We addressed the hypothesis that K+ and Cl- efflux may contribute to apoptotic cell shrinkage and apoptotic death in cultured cortical neurons. CLC-2 and CLC-3 chloride channels were detected in cultured cortical neurons. The Cl- channel blockers 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS), 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (SITS) and 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoic acid (NPPB) inhibited the outwardly rectifying Cl- current, prevented apoptotic cell shrinkage, and mildly attenuated cell death induced by staurosporine, C2-ceramide, or serum deprivation. Cl- channel blockers, however, at concentrations that prevented cell shrinkage had no significant effects on caspase activation and/or DNA fragmentation. Cell death in the presence of a Cl- channel blocker was still sensitive to blockade by the caspase inhibitor z-Val-Ala-Asp(OMe)-fluoromethyl ketone (z-VAD-fmk). Electron microscopy revealed that, although DIDS prevented apoptotic cell shrinkage, certain apoptotic ultrastructural alterations still took place in injured neurons. On the other hand, the K+ channel blocker tetraethylammonium (TEA), clofilium, or the caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk prevented cell shrinkage as well as caspase activation and/or DNA damage, and showed stronger neuroprotection against apoptotic alterations and cell death. The results indicate that neurons may undergo apoptotic process without cell shrinkage and imply distinct roles for Cl- and K+ homeostasis in regulating different apoptotic events.
Kinetics and microstructure of a transformation on a sphere

Abstract The evolution of a first-order phase transition in a non-Euclidean space, namely the surface of a sphere, is examined to highlight the role of geometry and spatial confinement on transition kinetics and the associated product microstructure. This is accomplished by investigating spatio-temporal correlations in the transforming system and geometrical features in the transformed microstructure via the calculation of non-equilibrium correlation functions and microstructural descriptors (i.e., moments of the grain-area distribution). From this analysis, the usual Kolmogorov–Johnson–Mehl–Avrami (KJMA) analysis of transformation kinetics and the resulting microstructural tessellation are generalized to this spherical geometry. Computer simulations of nucleation and growth processes are also employed to validate the theoretical description. Finally, our results are extended to characterize more complex nucleation conditions and geometries.
An Evaluation of an Interdisciplinary Rural School Mental Health Programme in Appalachia

School mental health (SMH) programmes serve as a necessary niche within rural communities and aim to bring accessible care to youth who may otherwise go without mental health services. The following study evaluated the impact of mental health treatment provided by the Assessment, Support, and Counseling (ASC) Center, an SMH health initiative located within a high school in rural western North Carolina during the 2011–2012 school year. Participants were high school students between 14 and 18 years of age, predominately Caucasian (91.3%) and female (65.5%). Treatment was evaluated based on score change on the Youth Outcome Questionnaire using the reliable change index (RCI; Jacobson & Truax, 1991) to track changes in symptomatology. Following ASC Center treatment, 63% of the clinical sample was deemed to have improved or recovered based on the RCI. While the study did not use an experimental design (with associated cautions regarding interpretation of findings), the results suggest that a moderate dosage of...
Bilateral transaxillary endoscopic total thyroidectomy.

Abstract Background/Purpose Minimal-access thyroid surgery using various techniques is well described. The present study reviews our initial experience with total thyroidectomy using a robotic-assisted bilateral transaxillary endoscopic approach (R-BAEA) and a non–robotic-assisted bilateral transaxillary endoscopic approach (BAEA) to assess it's safety and feasibility. Patients and Methods The study group was 13 consecutive patients who were candidates for total thyroidectomy with benign thyroid disease. Two young adult patients who were older than 20 years and 2 teenage patients who underwent a transaxillary endoscopic thyroid lobectomy were excluded from this study that was composed of 9 children. A detailed description of the surgical technique is provided. Results Eight patients were female and one was male. The mean age was 13.5 ± 3.0 years. Two R-BAEAs and 7 BAEAs were performed. The initial diagnosis was Graves disease in all 9 cases. The mean operating time was 385 minutes (range, 364-407 minutes) for R-BAEA and 259 minutes (range, 135-385 minutes) for BAEA. The mean diameter of the resected specimens was 5.9 cm (range, 4.5-8.3 cm); the mean intraoperative blood loss was 15.0 mL (range, 10-30 mL). The recurrent laryngeal nerve and parathyroid glands were identified and preserved intact in all cases. No patients required conversion. There was one instance of postoperative wound erythema, and 2 patients experienced hypocalcemia that resolved spontaneously. Two patients with large glands experienced a transient postoperative hoarseness. The mean total postoperative morphine dose administered in the first 24 hours was 1.5 mg (range, 0-4 mg). Postoperative pain was minimal, and cosmetic results were considered excellent by all patients. All except one were discharged the day after surgery and returned immediately to normal activities. Conclusions Total thyroidectomy using BAEA with or without robotic assistance is feasible and safe. The advantages of this approach are no cervical scar, no significant morbidity, less postoperative pain, and early return to normal activity compared with other published techniques.
Propagation of an Air Finger Into a Fluid Filled Bifurcation

The occlusion of pulmonary airways can be caused by many respiratory diseases such as respiratory distress syndrome. It is believed that these occluded airways are reopened by the propagation of an air finger. The mechanics of airway reopening have been studied in-depth for an individual airway [1,2] without considering the frequent branching of pulmonary airways. The presence of a bifurcation leads to the question of whether the propagating air finger will clear both branches of the airway or will propagate through a single branch, leaving the other branch occluded. The propagation of a finite length liquid plug through a fixed bifurcation has been studied experimentally [3, 4]. We wish to develop a numerical model for the propagation of an air finger through bifurcating channel filled with a viscous fluid. In this model, the air finger is driven by a pressure difference between the parent channel and the two daughter branches. The presence of an additional pressure difference between the two branches can cause unsymmetrical splitting of the air finger and, above a critical pressure difference, prevent the clearance of both branches.Copyright © 2010 by ASME