cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diagnosing portal hypertension

It is important to diagnose portal hypertension owing to its devastating complications. Clinicians need to be able to recognize physical signs and symptoms associated with portal hypertensive states. When in doubt, appropriate diagnostic measures need to be performed and a definite diagnosis made. Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is often used as a surrogate measurement of portal pressure. HVPG can be obtained safely and conveniently on an outpatient basis. It can also be used to assess efficacy of various treatment modalities. Knowledge of pathophysiology of portal hypertension has provided the basis for further trials in both novel treatment modalities and diagnostic methods.
Multiscale mechanobiology of de novo bone generation, remodeling and adaptation of autograft in a common ovine femur model

The link between mechanics and biology in the generation and the adaptation of bone has been studied for more than a century in the context of skeletal development and fracture healing. However, the interplay between mechanics and biology in de novo generation of bone in postnatal defects as well as healing of morcellized bone graft or massive cortical bone autografts is less well understood. To address this, here we integrate insights from our previously published studies describing the mechanobiology on both de novo bone generation and graft healing in a common ovine femoral defect model. Studying these effects in a common experimental model provides a unique opportunity to elucidate factors conducive to harnessing the regenerative power of the periosteum, and ultimately, to provide mechanistic insights into the multiscale mechanobiology of bone generation, remodeling and adaptation. Taken together, the studies indicate that, as long as adequate, directional transport of cells and molecules can be insured (e.g. with periosteum in situ or a delivery device), biological factors intrinsic to the periosteum suffice to bridge critical sized bone defects, even in the absence of a patent blood supply. Furthermore, mechanical stimuli are crucial for the success of periosteal bone generation and bone graft healing. Interestingly, areas of highest periosteal strain around defects correlate with greatest amounts albeit not greatest mineralization of newly generated bone. This may indicate a role for convection enhanced transport of cells and molecules in modulation of tissue generation by pluripotent cells that ingress into the defect center, away from the periosteum and toward the surface of the intramedullary nail that fills the medullary cavity. These insights bring us much closer to understanding the mechanobiological environment and stimuli that stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of periosteum-derived progenitor cells and ultimately drive the generation of new bone tissue. Furthermore, these insights provide a foundation to create virtual predictive computational models of bone mechanophysiology, to develop cell seeding protocols for scale up and manufacture of engineered tissues, to optimize surgical procedures, and to develop post-surgical therapies with the ultimate goal of achieving the best possible healing outcomes for treatment and/or reconstruction of postnatal bone defects.
The performance of some correlation coefficients for a general bivariate distribution

Association between two variables has in the past been measured or tested by several coefficients, among them (i) Product moment correlation coefficient. (ii) Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. (iii) Kendall's alternative rank coefficient T. (iv) Probability of concordance. The efficiency of each of these coefficients in detecting association between two variables is not in general known, but it is known that none is uniformly better than the others. Conjectures have been made that coefficients (ii) and (iii) behave in much the same way for reasonable distributions, but as pointed out by Daniels (1950) a sample ranking can be considered for which (ii) and (iii) have very different values. If the population is such that rankings of this type have appreciable probability, it would be expected that tests based on (ii) and (iii) would have different efficiencies. It would obviously be desirable if the performance of these coefficients could be studied for a fairly general class of distributions, in order to gain insight into the relationship between the coefficients. The class of bivariate distributions obtained from monotonic transformations of variates originally possessing a bivariate Normal distribution has been studied by Fieller, Hartley & Pearson (1957) by means of random samples of correlated Normal deviates. They concluded that for sample sizes 30 and 50 with correlation greater than 0-6 in the original bivariate normal distribution Kendall's coefficient was probably better than Spearman's. Correspondence with one of the authors, E. S. Pearson, indicates that the Fisher-Yates statistic mentioned in their paper is better than either rank correlation coefficient within this same field. Another such general class of distributions has been considered by Konijn (1958), namely, the class derived from linear combinations of two independent variables. It is the purpose of this paper first to propose a general class of bivariate distribution functions; secondly, to study how the various coefficients of association compare in efficiency with each other and with a maximum likelihood estimator of the parameter of association; and finally to use the general results to determine which are the best coefficients to use in a number of special cases. The efficiency measure used in this paper will be the asymptotic relative efficiency, in the neighbourhood of independence, as defined by Pitman (1948). The form of the bivariate distribution function proposed in this paper is an extension of an idea of Morgenstern; see, for example, Gumbel (1958). Morgenstern (1956) proposed F(x) G(y) [1+ c{1 F(x)} {I G(y)}] as a bivariate distribution function having F(x), G(y) as marginal distribution functions, and Gumbel noted that this differed from the bivariate normal distribution if F(x) =_ (x) and G(y) --4(y) where (D is the normal error function.
Evaluation of malolactic-deficient strains of Lactobacillus plantarum for use in cucumber fermentations

Abstract In the fermentation of cucumbers, naturally occurring strains of Lactobacillus plantarum decarboxylate malic acid (MDC+) to form lactic acid and CO2. Since CO2 buildup in the brine contributes to bloater damage of the cucumbers, it is desirable to have strains of L. plantarum that do not decarboxylate malic acid (MDC-1). Two MDC- mutants, obtained by N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine mutagenesis of different MDC+ strains, and their parent strains of L. plantarum wre evaluated in laboratory fermentations of filter-sterilized cucumber juice and of whole cucumbers as to growth rate, end-products, residual malic acid, and competitiveness with the natural flora. Effects of temperature (15 to 40°C) and NaCl concentration (0-6%) on growth in cucumber juice were determined. One MDC-1 strain, designated MOP3-M6, was selected for further development because of its relative dominance in cucumber ferementations, high residual malic acid concentration after fermentation and greater salt tolerance as compared to its closest rival mutant culture. Growth lag and generation times averaged 1·6 and 1·2 times greater, respectively, for the MOP3-M6 mutant than its parent. However, this mutant may still have application as a starter culture for cucumber fermentation, particularly under relatively aseptic conditions.
Chromatin structure at the replication origins and transcription-initiation regions of the ribosomal RNA genes of tetrahymena

The chromatin structure of regulatory regions of the extrachromosomal rRNA genes of Tetrahymena thermophila was probed by nuclease treatment of isolated nuclei. The chromatin near the origins of replication contains hypersensitive sites for micrococcal nuclease, DNAase I, and DNAase II. These sites persist in starved cells, consistent with the origins' being maintained in an altered chromatin structure independent of DNA replication. The region between the two origins of replication is organized into a phased array of seven nucleosomes, the fourth of which is centered at the axis of symmetry of the palindromic rDNA. The entire transcribed region and 150 bp upstream from the initiation site are generally accessible to nucleases; any histone proteins associated with these regions are clearly not in a highly organized nucleosomal array as seen in the central region. Comparison of the chromatin structures of the central spacer of T. thermophila and T. pyriformis rDNA reveals that deletion or insertion of DNA has occurred in increments of 200 bp. This is taken to imply that there are constraints on the evolution of spacer DNA sequences at the level of the nucleosome.
A Study of Three Tests of Central Function with Normal Hearing Subjects

Summary The purpose of the study was to investigate the cerebral dominance effect as reported by several investigators. A group of subjects with normal hearing were administered three tests purported to give some evidence of higher level auditory function. The tests were the Kimura digits, the Katz SSW and the Dirks filtered PB's tests. The results indicated a significant right ear dominance effect for the Kimura and Katz tests. No difference between ears was found for the Dirks test. The findings could suggest that demonstration of ear dominance is test dependent. However, additional research is needed to resolve the issue.
Comparative Pharmacokinetics of Coumarin Anticoagulants XXXII: Interindividual Differences in Binding of Warfarin and Dicumarol in Rat Liver and Implications for Physiological Pharmacokinetic Modeling

This investigation was designed to determine the in vivo binding of racemic warfarin and dicumarol in the liver of individual adult male rats. The animals received single injections of one or the other drug. They were sacrificed after a period of time equivalent to several times the biological half-life of the drug, at plasma concentrations of 0.40 ± 0.10 (warfarin) or 7.7 ± 1.1 (dicumarol) μg/ml. Drug concentrations in the liver, serum, and serum water (i.e., unbound drug in serum) were determined, and the concentration of unbound drug in the liver was calculated on the basis of the assumption that the concentrations of unbound drug in the serum and in liver water are equal. The free fraction of warfarin in the liver of 13 rats ranged from 0.06 × 10− 2 to 0.6 × 10− 2 and was substantially smaller than the warfarin free fraction in the serum. The free fraction of dicumarol in the liver of 10 rats ranged from 3.5 × 10− 4 to 14 × 10− 4 and was larger than the dicumarol free fraction in the serum. However, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between the serum and liver free fraction values of both drugs. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling of protein-bound drugs, which requires estimation of protein-binding parameters in serum and tissues, must take account of the possibility of pronounced intersubject differences in the binding of such drugs in serum as well as tissues. With warfarin and dicumarol, tissue to plasma distribution ratios for liver and kidneys are much less variable (and, therefore, more suitable for pharmacokinetic modeling) than are the ratios of unbound to total concentration.
The interplay between economic and political opening: The sequence in Mexico

(1992). The interplay between economic and political opening: The sequence in Mexico. The Washington Quarterly: Vol. 15, No. 2, pp. 187-201.
Stereospecific synthesis of the top-half precursor to the antitumor agent vinblastine and a simple bisindole analogue.

Abstract The stereospecific synthesis of a precursor to the top-half of vinblastine is described. Its non-oxidative coupling to m -methoxy-N,N-dimethylaniline provides access to the vinblastine analogue 18 .
Regional mechanical properties of passive myocardium

There is considerable interest in calculating regional stresses in the heart. This, in turn, requires complete information on regional material properties which, surprisingly, is not available. The specific aim of this work, therefore, was to determine if transmural differences exist in the mechanical behavior of passive myocardium in the equatorial region of the heart. Thus, we performed in vitro biaxial experiments on 28 thin, rectangular slabs of noncontracting myocardium excised from four regions within canine hearts: the middle portion of the interventricular septum (n = 8), and the inner (n = 5), middle (n = 9) and outer (n = 6) layers of the lateral left ventricular (LV) free wall. There were three major findings. First, an existing three-dimensional constitutive relation described the nonlinear and anisotropic behavior exhibited in the four regions equally well. Second, the anisotropy was similar in each region. Third, there were, however, regional differences in the strain-energy stored by specimens during identical finite deformations. In particular, specimens from inner and outer portions of the LV free wall tended to be stiffer than those from the middle of the LV free wall and septum. These findings, together with previous results on excised epicardium, suggest that the mechanical properties of the heart are qualitatively similar from region to region, but quantitatively different.
Corrigendum to “Tailored α-methylene-γ-butyrolactones and their effects on growth suppression in pancreatic carcinoma cells” [Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 20 (2010) 6620–6623]

Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2084, United States Departments of Surgery, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1044 West Walnut Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States c Indiana University Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, United States Walther Oncology Center, Indianapolis, IN, United States Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Ignition and Combustion of Boron Nanoparticles in Ethanol Spray Flame

Biofuels such as ethanol have lower energy density than conventional petroleum-based fuels; therefore, enhancing their energy density by addition of higher-energy-density components is an attractive option. Boron is considered to be a good choice as a fuel additive because it has almost the highest volumetric heating value among potentially suitable additives. The present study deals with an experimental investigation of boron combustion in an ethanol spray flame. Measurements have been made of the emission of the intermediate suboxide BO2 using spectroscopy and chemiluminescence imaging with interference filters. The size, surface structure, and chemical composition of the injected boron nanopowders were characterized by x-ray diffraction, porosimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The postburn particles were also characterized by x-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. The effects of boron nanoparticles on the hydrocarbon combustion in terms of heat releasewere determined usingCHchemiluminescence and temperaturemeasurements. The chemiluminescence and spectroscopic signatures indicate that boron underwent combustion and simultaneously increased the CH-radical emission and flame temperatures. The x-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis measurements of the particles collected at the exhaust indicate that complete conversion of the boron was achieved. The effect of particle size on the combustion of the boron nanoparticles was examined, comparing small commercial particles to sintered particles. A demonstrable size effect was observed with the larger particles, which exhibited their initial BO2 signatures at distances further above the dump plane, indicating greater ignition delay times.
Flow accelerated degradation of organic clear coat: The effect of fluid shear

Abstract Flow accelerated organic coating degradation has been received attention, but the degradation mechanism is still not completely understood. In this study, we focus on investigating the influence of fluid shear on the degradation of organic coatings. A commercially available epoxy based clear coating was exposed to the laminar flow, and a 3.5 wt% NaCl solution was employed as the working fluid with a variety of flow rates. The change in the composition of the working fluid during the coating immersion was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) and conductivity measurement. The effect of fluid shear is also demonstrated by the change in coating thickness. The barrier properties of organic coatings were monitored inline by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) measurement. The time evolution of coating resistance, capacitance, and permittivity obtained from the equivalent circuit model was studied to demonstrate the internal composition change of the coatings due to the flowing fluid. In this study, the experiments and analysis confirmed that flowing fluid promotes the release of coating materials from the coating into the surrounding working fluid while it accelerates the transport of water and ions into the coating.
The Foreign Policy Disconnect: What Americans Want from Our Leaders but Don't Get

The Foreign Policy Disconnect: What Americans Want from Our Leaders but Don't Get. By Benjamin I. Page with Marshall M. Bouton. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2006. 336p. 20.00 paper. In the November 2006 midterm elections, voters swept Republicans out of power in what was widely interpreted as a rebuke of the Bush administration's Iraq policies. In subsequent polls, nearly two-thirds of the public opposed President George W. Bush's postelection proposal for a “surge” in the U.S. troop presence in Iraq. Undeterred, the president declared on January 14, 2007, “I've made my decision and we're going forward,” and his press secretary, Tony Snow, said on January 9, “The president will not shape policy according to public opinion.” How can a U.S. president sustain a deeply unpopular foreign policy, seemingly uninfluenced by electoral setbacks or popular disapproval? Should the president be more responsive to public preferences? In an important and ambitious new book, Benjamin Page and Marshall Bouton bring to bear an impressive array of survey data in order to answer these and other questions central to the study of public opinion and U.S. foreign policy.
Costs of Incorrect Data in Optimal Inventory Computations

Consider an infinite-stage inventory process in which the cost of ordering an amount y of stock is ky, and the penalty cost incurred in meeting an excess demand y over the stock on hand is py + q; also, the process assumes that demands at successive stages are random variables drawn from a fixed probability distribution. Then, under conditions described in the paper, the extra costs incurred in using a policy that, instead of minimizing the statistical expectation of the total cost of the process, minimizes that of a process whose parameters are different from those of the process under consideration are determined. That is, in determining the policy, it is incorrectly assumed that i the penalty cost is p'y + q, ii the penalty cost is py + q', or iii the fixed discount ratio per period of time is a' instead of a.
The ReCAP artifactual repository planning project

Abstract The Research Collections and Preservation Consortium (ReCAP) was formed through the collaboration of Columbia University, New York Public Library, and Princeton University with the objective of creating and managing a facility that would provide long-term, environmentally correct off-site shelving and servicing of library collections. ReCAP's high-density storage building opened in January 2002 on Princeton's Forrestral Campus with three storage modules, an initial capacity of 7 million volumes, modular expandability up to 37.5 million volumes, and archival-quality environmental control, fire suppression, and security systems. With funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, a study was organized to investigate the feasibility of ReCAP serving as a repository for artifactual collections for a wider constituency than the three member institutions. In particular, the project focused on the journals represented digitally in JSTOR, an electronic archive of scholarly journals that contains more than 8 million pages of text, and supports 1500 customers. This paper discusses that study's conclusions and ReCAP's potential as an artifactual repository of materials represented digitally.
Decoupling a fermion in the standard electro-weak theory

The decoupling of a fermion, rendered heavy through Yukawa interactions, is considered in the standard electroweak theory. The original theory is free of perturbative and non-perturbative anomalies. After decoupling, the terms induced in the low-energy effective action which depend on the Higgs field and gauge fields precisely cancel all anomalies of the remaining set of light fermions. The low-energy effective action is gauge-invariant. When the Higgs sector contains stable solitons, decoupling of one fermion alters the statistics of the soliton and induces on it the charge of the decoupled fermion. If the Higgs sector does not contain stable solitons, decoupling may create stable fermionic solitons.
Photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence of GaN doped with Tb

We report the observation of the visible cathodoluminescence and photoluminescence of Tb3+ ions implanted in GaN. The sharp characteristic emission lines corresponding to Tb3+ intra-4f8-shell transitions are resolved in the spectral range from 350 to 900 nm, and observed over the temperature range of 7–330 K. The luminescence shows transitions which originate in the 5D3 and 5D4 levels and terminated in the 7F manifolds. The cathodoluminescence emission is only weakly temperature dependent. The results indicate that Tb-doped GaN epilayers may be suitable as a material for visible optoelectronic devices.
Simulating Temperature Jumps for Protein Folding

We present a new computational methodology aimed to calculate the thermodynamics and kinetics of peptide folding. We focus in particular on temperature jump experiments of folding rates and show how a combination of replica exchange molecular dynamics (REMD) followed by multiplexed molecular dynamics starting from structures taken from the REMD runs can be used to extract properties in line with experiments. A model system, alanine20, is studied in this article as a proof of principle and used to describe the methodology.
Recombination emission in hydrogen-fluorine systems

Abstract Visible emission which is generated when H 2 is added to partially dissociated F 2 is found to be due to Δυ = 4, 5, and 6 transitions of HF(X). The temporal and stoichiometric dependence of this emission strongly suggests that it results from direct combination of hydrogen and fluorine atoms and/or from recombination of hydrogen atoms with subsequent transfer of vibrational energy from H 2 to HF.
Manganese oxidation by modified reaction centers from Rhodobacter sphaeroides

The transfer of an electron from exogenous manganese (II) ions to the bacteriochlorophyll dimer, P, of bacterial reaction centers was characterized for a series of mutants that have P/P(+) midpoint potentials ranging from 585 to 765 mV compared to 505 mV for wild type. Light-induced changes in optical and EPR spectra of the mutants were measured to monitor the disappearance of the oxidized dimer upon electron donation by manganese in the presence of bicarbonate. The extent of electron transfer was strongly dependent upon the P/P(+) midpoint potential. The midpoint potential of the Mn(2+)/Mn(3+) couple was calculated to decrease linearly from 751 to 623 mV as the pH was raised from 8 to 10, indicating the involvement of a proton. The electron donation had a second order rate constant of approximately 9 x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1), determined from the linear increase in rate for Mn(2+) concentrations up to 200 microM. Weak dissociation constants of 100-200 microM were found. Quantitative EPR analysis of the six-line free Mn(2+) signal revealed that up to seven manganese ions were associated with the reaction centers at a 1 mM concentration of manganese. The association and the electron transfer between manganese and the reaction centers could be inhibited by Ca(2+) and Na(+) ions. The ability of reaction centers with high potentials to oxidize manganese suggests that manganese oxidation could have preceded water oxidation in the evolutionary development of photosystem II.
Reduction of net mercury methylation by iron in Desulfobulbus propionicus (1pr3) cultures: implications for engineered wetlands.

Although one potential drawback of wetland construction and restoration is the formation of monomethylmercury, it may be possible to decrease net mercury methylation with the use of an appropriate sediment amendment. Using pure cultures of the sulfate-reducing bacterium Desulfobulbus propionicus (1pr3), we tested the hypothesis that adding ferrous iron to sulfidic wetland sediments decreases mercury solubility and bioavailability and, therefore, net methylation. In sediment-free cultures, net mercury methylation decreased with increasing [Fe(II)]. After 72 h of incubation, more than four times as much net methylmercury formed in the lowest ([Fe(II)] = 10-6 M) treatment (180 ± 33 pM) as compared with the highest ([Fe(II)] = 10-2 M) treatment (42 ± 14 pM). In cultures containing a model wetland sediment, more than three times as much methylmercury was observed in 10-6 M Fe(II) treatments (1,010 ± 95 pM) as compared with treatments amended with 10-2 M Fe(II) (300 ± 46 pM). Initial filterable mercury measurem...
Evaluation of an erbium modulator in x-ray scatter correction using primary modulation

A primary modulator made of erbium is evaluated in X-ray scatter correction using primary modulation. Our early studies have shown that erbium is the optimal modulator material for an X-ray cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) system operated at 120 kVp, exhibiting minimum beam hardening which otherwise weakens the modulator's ability to separate scatter from primary. In this work, the accuracy of scatter correction is compared for two copper modulators (105 and 210 μm of thickness) and one erbium modulator (25.4 μm of thickness) with the same modulation frequencies. The variations in the effective transmission factors of these three modulators as functions of object filtrations are first measured to show the magnitudes of beam hardening caused by the modulators themselves. Their scatter correction performances are then tested using a Catphan©600 phantom on our tabletop CBCT system. With and without 300 μm of copper in the beam, the measured variations for these three modulators are 4.3%, 7.8%, and 0.9%, respectively. Using the 105- and 210-μm copper modulators, our scatter correction method reduces the average CT number error from 327.3 Hounsfield units (HU) to 19.4 and 20.9 HU in the selected regions of interest, and enhances the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) from 10.7 to 16.5 and 15.9, respectively. With the 25.4-μm erbium modulator, the CT number error is markedly reduced to 2.8 HU and the CNR is further increased to 17.4.
Effect of Riboflavin Intake on Hatchability of Eggs from Battery Confined Hens

Abstract A REVIEW of recent literature indicates that the actual riboflavin requirements of poultry for maximum hatchability have not been definitely established and that many factors are involved. Some factors which appear to be responsible are seasonal effect, actual riboflavin content of individual poultry feeds, and other sources of riboflavin obtained by experimental birds under certain conditions. Bethke, Record, and Kennard (1933) first reported that riboflavin (vitamin G) present in dried liver, autoclaved yeast, and dried whey exerted a beneficial effect upon hatchability. Norris, et al. (1936) fed hens a basal diet of cereals and purified casein and found that hens required approximately 230 ug riboflavin per 100 grams to produce eggs that would hatch well. Later, Davis, Norris, and Heuser (1938) reported requirements for hatchability to be 245 ug per 100 grams of ration. The effect of season upon hatchability was shown by Lepkovsky, et al. (1938). These workers fed . . .
The effect of irradiation wavelength bandwidth and spot size on the scraping depth and temperature rise in composite exposed to an argon laser or a conventional quartz–tungsten–halogen source

Abstract Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the spectral distribution of the curing irradiation near the maximum excitation wavelength of the photo-initiator and the effect of the irradiation spot size on the scraping depth-of-cure and temperature rise in a resin composite for both an argon laser and a quartz–tungsten–halogen lamp. Methods: Using bandpass filters, the spectral outputs of an argon laser and a quartz–tungsten–halogen lamp were restricted to pass selected wavelengths on to a commercial camphorquinone-based resin composite and the depth-of-cure, using scraping methods, was measured. The temperature rise in composite was measured for some of the above-mentioned sources. The spot sizes for both sources were varied and the scraping depth was measured. Lateral curing or the extent of curing away from the focused spot was also measured. Results: For constant power density and exposure time, an irradiation spectral distribution closer to the photo-initiator excitation peak yielded a higher scraping depth than a broadband spectral distribution for both sources. Under similar conditions, the argon laser resulted in a lower temperature rise in the composite than the lamp. For the same total energy imparted to the resin composite, the scraping depth increased with reducing spot size of the curing irradiation. Furthermore lateral curing of the composite well beyond the irradiation spot size was observed. Significance: The spectral and spatial characteristics of the curing irradiation need to be carefully considered as these affect the scraping depth-of-cure and temperature rise in a resin composite.
Contribution to the Zr-rich part of the Zn-Zr phase diagram

The reaction of zinc vapor with Zircaloy-4 and nuclear grade zirconium was investigated with various analytical techniques: optical metallography, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Based on the results, the Zr-rich part of the Zn-Zr phase diagram was revised. A eutectoid decomposition of (βZr) occurs at 718±6 °C with a composition of xZr=0.865; this temperature is lower than the previously accepted 750 °C eutectoid. The solubility of Zn in (αZr) was determined to be at xZn=0.0236, a maximum at 725 °C. The intermetallic phase ZnZr2 was observed to occur in samples heat treated at 712 °C and 725 °C, but not in those heat treated at 700 °C and 775 °C.
A probabilistic take on isoperimetric-type inequalities

Abstract We extend a theorem of Groemer on the expected volume of a random polytope in a convex body. The extension involves various ways of generating random convex sets. We also treat the case of absolutely continuous probability measures rather than convex bodies. As an application, we obtain a new proof of a recent result due to Lutwak, Yang and Zhang on the volume of Orlicz-centroid bodies.
A reliability-based framework for fatigue damage prognosis of composite aircraft structures

Abstract The extensive use of lightweight composite materials in composite aircraft structures drastically increases the sensitivity to both fatigue- and impact-induced damage of their critical structural components during their service life. Within this scenario, an integrated hardware–software system that is capable of monitoring the composite airframe, assessing its structural integrity, identifying a condition-based maintenance, and predicting the remaining service life of its critical components is therefore needed. As a contribution to this goal, this paper presents the theoretical basis of a novel and comprehensive probabilistic methodology for predicting the remaining service life of adhesively bonded joints within the structural components of composite aircraft, with emphasis on a composite wing structure. Non-destructive evaluation techniques and recursive Bayesian inference are used to (i) assess the current state of damage of the system and (ii) update the joint probability distribution function (PDF) of the damage extents at various locations. A probabilistic model for future aerodynamic loads and a damage evolution model for the adhesive are then used to stochastically propagate damage through the joints and predict the joint PDF of the damage extents at future times. This information is subsequently used to probabilistically assess the reduced (due to damage) global aeroelastic performance of the wing by computing the PDFs of its flutter velocity and the velocities associated with the limit cycle oscillations of interest. Combined local and global failure criteria are finally used to compute lower and upper bounds for the reliability index of the composite wing structure at future times.
Correlated Brownian motions and the depletion effect in colloids

We briefly review the derivation of a system of N correlated Brownian motions as a kinematic mesoscopic limit for a system of nonlinear deterministic oscillators consisting of N large (solute) particles and infinitely many small (solvent) particles by Kotelenez. We then sketch the qualitative analysis of correlated Brownian motions and the depletion effect in colloids by Kotelenez, Leitman and Mann. For space dimension d≥2 they showed that two correlated Brownian particles, when sufficiently close, have an initial tendency to attract each other further. For large times (and for large separations) they perform independent Brownian motions. The key to their short-time result is a generalization to d≥2 dimensions of the one-dimensional probability flux, as defined by van Kampen. We conclude with a discussion of three unresolved problems.
Characterizing somatization, hypochondriasis, and hysteria in the borderline personality disorder

Somatization, hypochondriasis, and hysteria have often been considered as associated features of the borderline personality disorder. This study was designed to characterize these three syndromes in the borderline patient. Inpatients with DSM-III borderline personality disorder were compared with controls with dysthymic disorder. Scales and items from standardized rating instruments which measured the three syndromes were scored and compared between groups. Although the hysteria-obvious and hypochondriasis scales of the MMPI and the Hamilton Depression Scale item measuring hypochondriasis were elevated in the borderline group, there were no significant differences between groups. Scores of dysthymic patients significantly exceeded those of borderline patients on four of five MMPI codetypes measuring the three syndromes. Findings are discussed in light of previous psychodynamic, empirical, and research literature.
Mainstreaming the Applied Track: Connections, Guises, and Concerns

"It's not real anthropology!" many of us were told in Graduate School, as we pursued applied studies in our local communities. Today, our students are asking for applied courses and "mainstream" courses with applied and experiential components. In some colleges, the applied track is an actual degree choice; in others, we are working to integrate courses into a traditional curriculum. As professor and chair of anthropology in two very different institutions, I've worked with both of these models for the past thirteen years. This article outlines each of these routes, and explores the ways faculty can get recognition for the work that these types of classes entail, within an entrenched tenure and promotion model of research, teaching, and service.
Heterogeneity, power, and political economy: Some current research issues in the archaeology of Old World complex societies

Recent research on Old World chiefdoms and states has largely retreated from the general comparative explanatory paradigm of the 1970s and has focused instead on more historically oriented analyses of culture-specific developmental trajectories. Both theoretical and empirical work tend to emphasize a heterogeneous, conflict-based model of complex society and political economy. This analytical framework has been quite successful in documenting variation and historically determined patterning in the organization of urbanism, craft production, specialization, and exchange. I present an overview of this research and argue that we now need to reintegrate culturally specific analyses within a modified comparative/generalizing perspective on complexity.
High-temperature tolerance of Artemisia tridentata and Potentilla gracilis under a climate change manipulation.

Leaf tolerance to high temperatures, as determined by electrolyte leakage and chlorophyll a fluorescence, was compared for Artemisia tridentata (Asteraceae), a widespread shrub of the Great Basin, Colorado Plateau, and western slope of the Rocky Mountains, and Potentilla gracilis (Rosaceae), a herbaceous forb common to high-elevation meadows of the western United States. Species-specific and treatment-specific differences in leaf temperature, high-temperature tolerance and chlorophyll a fluorescence from photosystem II were compared, to test the hypothesis that plants at ecosystem borders will exhibit species-specific responses to climate change. Measurements were made for plants exposed to a climate change warming manipulation on a major ecosystem border at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Colorado, United States, in July and August 1995. In July, daily maximal leaf temperatures were significantly higher for P. gracilis than for A. tridentata. Leaf temperatures were slightly lower in August than July for leaves of both species, on control and heated plots, despite the fact that daily maximum air temperatures were not significantly different for the two months. High-temperature tolerance was determined for leaves treated for 1 h at temperatures ranging from 15°C to 65°C. LT50 was approximately 46°C for both species on control plots, but was 43°C for leaves of both species from heated plots, contrary to the predictions of the hypothesis. No shift in LT50 (acclimation) was apparent between July and August. Changes in chlorophyll a fluorescence from photosystem II (F V /F M ) were used to characterize the photosynthetic response to high temperatures. For both A. tridentata and P. gracilis in July, F V /F M was about 0.7, but decreased for temperatures above 40°C. The results suggest that plant responses to global warming at ecosystem borders may be influenced by factors other than leaf-level physiological tolerance to elevated temperatures.
Simulation of electromagnetically induced hyperthermia: a finite element gridding method

A finite element gridding method for simulating electromagnetically (EM) induced hyperthermia is presented. The method uses patient CT data as its primary input, with critical structures manually outlined (on a graphics workstation) for explicit demarcation. The paper outlines the various stages involved in mesh creation, including procedures for conforming the finite element representation of critical structures to their smooth boundaries, modelling of heating equipment, and modelling of the outer boundaries. The procedure for generating the finite element model is illustrated for an example treatment. Additionally, the results of computing the SAR in six patients are compared to measured values. The comparison reveals agreement between the model prediction and actual treatment within the limits of measurement error.
Design of turbulent fountain irrigation trash screens

Floating trash in surface irrigation waters can block or reduce the flow of irrigation water and significantly increase irrigation costs. Dimensional analysis was applied to experimental data to develop equations for designing irrigation trash screens and for modifying a trash screen to compensate for variations in water flow. The equations were based on providing adequate horizontal flow across the screen to float aquatic algae off the screen and thereby prevent blockage.
Patterns of egg laying by the tidal salt marsh snail, Melampus bidentatus (Say), in relation to lunar phase

Summary Tidal marsh snails, Melampus bidentatus, from the Barn Island marsh in Stonington, Connecticut, showed a lunar (4-week) periodicity to egg laying during the 1992 reproductive season but a semilunar (2-week) egg-laying rhythm in 1993. These different egg-laying patterns were observed under laboratory conditions that were identical during the 2 years, as well as in the field. This fact suggests that environmental conditions existing prior to the reproductive season may be important in regulating the egg-laying periodicity. During the 1993 season, snails from four other southern New England marshes also exhibited a semilunar egg-laying rhythm; however, variations on this pattern were observed. Data accumulated during this study are consistent with the hypothesis that fecundity of M. bidentatus is size specific.
Recent progress on the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor

The deuterium-tritium (D-T) experiments on the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR) have yielded unique information on the confinement, heating and alpha particle physics of reactor scale D-T plasmas as well as the first experience with tritium handling and D-T neutron activation in an experimental environment. The D-T plasmas produced and studied in TFTR have peak fusion power of 10.7 MW with central fusion power densities of 2.8 MWm−3 which is similar to the 1.7 MWm−3 fusion power densities projected for 1,500 MW operation of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). Detailed alpha particle measurements have confirmed alpha confinement and heating of the D-T plasma by alpha particles as expected. Reversed shear, highli and internal barrier advanced tokamak operating modes have been produced in TFTR which have the potential to double the fusion power to ∼20 MW which would also allow the study of alpha particle effects under conditions very similar to those projected for ITER. TFTR is also investigating two new innovations, alpha channeling and controlled transport barriers, which have the potential to significantly improve the standard advanced tokamak.
Regulation of Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum in skeletal muscles

Ca2+ release from skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) could be regulated by at least three mechanisms: 1) Ca2+, 2) calmodulin, and 3) Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation. Bell-shaped Ca2+-dependence, of Ca2+ release from both actively- and passively-loaded SR vesicles suggest that opening and closing of the Ca2+ release channel could be regulated by [Ca2+ o] . The time- and concentration-dependent inhibition of Ca 2+ release from skeletal SR by calmodulin was also studied using passively-Ca2+ loaded SR vesicles. Up to 50% of Ca 2+ release was inhibited by calmodulin (0.01–0.5 µM); this inhibition required 5–15 min preincubation time. The hypothesis that Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation of a 60 kDa protein regulates Ca2+ release from skeletal SR was tested by stopped-flow fluorometry using passively-Ca2+-loaded SR vesicles. Approximately 80% of the initial rates of Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release was inhibited by the phosphorylation within 2 min of incubation of the SR with Mg·ATP and calmodulin. We identified two types of 60 kDa phosphoproteins in the rabbit skeletal SR, which was distinguished by solubility of the protein in CHAPS. The CHAPS-soluble 60 kDa phosphoprotein was purified by column chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel, heparin-agarose, and hydroxylapatite. Analyses of the purified protein indicate that the CHAPS-soluble 60 kDa protein is an isoform of phosphoglucomutase (PGM). cDNAs encoding isoforms of PGM were cloned and sequenced using synthetic oligonucleotides. Two types of PGM isoforms (Type I and Type 11) were identified. The translated amino acid sequences show that Type II isoform is SR-form. Our results are significant in terms of understanding evidence of an association of glycolytic and glycogenolytic enzymes with SR and a role in the regulation of SR functions. (Mol Cell Biochem 114: 105-108, 1992)
Safety‐factor calibration for wind turbine extreme loads

Proper prediction of long-term extreme values for operating wind turbine loads and deflections is a critical component of wind turbine design. Direct observations or simulations of long-term extremes are not yet available; therefore, these predictions rely on some combination of large numbers of simulations and extrapolation. Extrapolation methods themselves can have significant uncertainty, and they also require that the wind turbine designer have a greater level of statistical expertise--factors that make the methods less attractive for industrial application. As an alternative to extrapolation, safety factors can be calibrated using techniques that allow designers to use smaller data sets. To calculate such factors, a series of simulations was used to extrapolate 50 year extreme values for a 5 MW wind turbine. Two methods are proposed for calculating such safety factors: one based on the mean and standard deviation of extreme values, and one based on the median of extreme values. Through a process of random sampling without replacement, the safety factor based on the median of extreme values was found to be less variable and also more independent of the number of simulations. The safety factors required were as large as 1.7, or were only 1.25 if rotor thrust loads weremore » considered the dominant design drivers.« less
The effect of blur and contrast of VEP latency: comparison between check and sinusoidal grating patterns

Pattern defocusing was used to evaluate the contribution of different spatial frequency components in checks to VEP latency. Latency shifts with increasing blur (-2.5 to +2.5 diopters) were determined for sinusoidal grating and check patterns equated in fundamental spatial frequency. With both check and grating patterns, the effect of blur was greater the higher the spatial frequency. Given an equal fundamental spatial frequency, however, the latency of checks was more effected. This latency difference between check and sine patterns was pronounced at low fundamental spatial frequencies (large pattern) and decreased with higher spatial frequencies (small pattern). Latencies were then compared for patterns which were defocused vs. simply reduced in contrast. Results show that the increase in latency with defocused large checks is due to both fundamental and higher harmonic spatial components but with small checks, to the fundamental spatial frequency alone.
Cable television transmission over a 1550-nm infrared indoor optical wireless link

We experimentally demonstrate transmission of cable television (CATV) radio frequency signals over a pointed indoor optical wireless link. The length of the optical link was 15 m. Collimators used at both the transmitter and the receiver sides required good alignment before sufficient opti- cal power could be received. The system was placed at a height of 2 m, which is more than average human height, so human movements throughout the room did not obstruct the link. The optical wireless propagation path was almost lossless. The originality in this experimental demonstration is the transmission of full range of CATV signals compared to other works in this area. This experiment of radio over free-space optics showed that point-to-point indoor optical wireless links can be utilized as an alternative means for transmission of multimedia data. © 2013 Society of Photo-Optical