cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimation of Free Hydrocarbon Volume from Fluid Levels in Monitoring Wells

Under the assumption of local vertical equilibrium, fluid pressure distributions specified from well fluid levels in monitoring wells may be used to predict water and hydrocarbon saturation profiles given expressions for air-water-hydrocarbon saturation-pressure relations. Vertical integration of the oil-saturation profile yields the actual oil volume in porous media per unit area adjacent to the well. Three-phase fluid distributions are predicted using a scaling procedure which requires knowledge of two-phase air-water saturation-pressure relations, hydrocarbon density, and hydrocarbon surface tension. Air-water saturation-pressure relations are parameterized by either the Brooks-Corey or van Genuchten expressions. Parameters in the models are estimated from grain-size distribution data for two hypothetical soils. Results reveal that whereas the distance above an oil-water table at which oil saturations become zero may be independent of soil type, estimated light nonaqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) volumes per unit area may differ substantially. Hence, estimates of LNAPL volume cannot be inferred directly from soil LNAPL thickness or well LNAPL thickness data without consideration of effects of soil properties. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that no simple linear conversion scheme can be employed to relate the height of LNAPL in a monitoring well to the LNAPL volume in porous media. Effects of grain-size distribution and well LNAPL thickness on the ratio of actual LNAPL thickness in the aquifer to well LNAPL thickness are shown.
Kinetics of Protein Synthesis in Enucleate Frog Oocytes

Kinetics of protein synthesis were measured in oocytes of Rana pipiens enucleated at various times during and following pituitary-induced maturation. These enucleated oocytes were capable of the same rate of protein synthesis as nucleated controls, even when rates were measured many hours after enucleation.
Striatal axons to the globus pallidus, entopeduncular nucleus and substantia nigra come mainly from separate cell populations in cat

Abstract The extent to which individual striatal neurons send collaterals to the globus pallidus, entopeduncular nucleus and substantia nigra in the cat brain was determined by double-retrograde tracing with rhodamine fluorescent latex microspheres in combination with either horseradish peroxidase or the fluorescent nuclear dye Diamidino Yellow. In each case, two of the three target nuclei were injected, each with a different tracer, until all three possible combinations of two had been obtained several times. In all cases in which the tracer encroaches upon a striatal target, there are cells labeled in the striatum of a size and shape that is consistent with the observation that they mainly belong to the category of medium striatal cells. Since the striatal projections to the globus pallidus, entopeduncular nucleus and substantia nigra are each topographically organized, the zones of cell-labeling within the striatum vary depending upon the portion of the target nucleus involved by the deposit. Thus, in many cases the fields of striatal cells containing one label overlap only slightly with those in which cells containing the other label occur. In other cases, however, there is extensive overlap of the striatal zones containing cells marked with either tracer. In all cases, very few double-labeled cells can be found, even where hundreds of cells labeled with either tracer are freshly intermingled. Doubly labeled cells occur somewhat more frequently in those cases where the tracers are placed in the entopeduncular nucleus and substantia nigra than in those with the other two combinations, suggesting that striatal axons branch more often to the entopeduncular nucleus and substantia nigra than to the globus pallidus and nigra or globus pallidus and entopeduncular nucleus These findings confirm, that, in the cat as in the primate, the striatal axons to the substantia nigra arise from cells that are largely separate from the striatopallidal population, and further show that the axons to the globus pallidus and entopenduncular nucleus also emanate mainly from different cells.
Some Relationships between the Binomial Error Model and Classical Test Theory

Straightforward application of the binomial error model defines parallel forms as random samples of items from a large pool of items. Such a model includes form-to-form differences in difficulty as a component of error variance and leads to Kuder-Richardson formula 21 as an estimate of reliability. Such a component is inappropriate if all examinees take the same form of the test. It is demonstrated here that if the form-to-form component is removed from the estimate of average error variance, the binomial model leads to KR 20 as the estimate of reliability. Empirical data are cited which support deductions from the compound binomial error model regarding the trend in the standard error of measurement over the observed score range. A computational formula derived from this model is recommended for two practical purposes: to estimate the standard error for individual examinees or to implement the recommendation in the APA/AERA/NCME Standards (1974) that the standard error of measurement be reported for seve...
Early prediction of poor outcome in extremely low birth weight infants by classification tree analysis.

Objective To predict death or neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) in extremely low birth weight infants by classification trees with recursive partitioning and automatic selection of optimal cut points of variables. Study design Data from the Trial of Indomethacin Prophylaxis in Preterms were randomly divided into development (n = 784) and validation sets (n = 262). Three models were developed for the combined outcome of death (8 days to 18 months) or NDI (cerebral palsy, cognitive delay, deafness, or blindness at 18 months corrected age): antenatal: antenatal data; early neonatal: antenatal + first 3 days data; and first week: antenatal, first 3 days, and 4th to 8th days data. Decision trees were tested on the validation set. Results Variables associated with death/NDI in each model were: Antenatal: Gestation ≤25.5 weeks and antenatal steroids 101 mL/kg/d. First week: Birth weight ≤787 g: transfusion >3 mL/kg/d. Birth weight >787 g: cranial echodense intraparenchymal lesion and transfusion >11 mL/kg/d. Correct classification rates were 61% to 62% for all models. Conclusions The ability to predict long-term morbidity/death in extremely low birth weight infants does not improve significantly over the first week of life. Effects of different variables depend on age.
The Benefits of a Physician Assistant and/or Nurse Practitioner Psychiatric Postgraduate Training Program.

In 2008, Regions Hospital in Saint Paul, Minnesota, began an advanced practice psychiatric provider fellowship program. Our mental health department offers a 1-year postgraduate psychiatric training program for physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) interested in obtaining further expertise in psychiatry. This is one of three current programs in the USA that offers postgraduate training for PAs and was the first postgraduate program for NPs in the field of psychiatry. The students participate in a 12month program where the primary areas of focus are adult inpatient, crisis, and outpatient mental health services. Additionally, the fellows receive training in the management of substance abuse disorders as well as comorbid acute and chronic medical conditions. The motivation for developing this program was to increase access and expertise in treating psychiatric illness in the community, on inpatient psychiatric units, and outpatient clinics. The mission is to graduate PAs and NPs who demonstrate clinical expertise, ethical behavior, leadership skills, cultural awareness, professionalism, and ongoing commitment to learning.
The breakdown in rural communities—Can we stop it?

Abstract Urban and suburban growth in the United States has had a significant impact upon land use, real estate speculation, property taxation and the agricultural sector of the country. Highly productive agricultural lands are being converted to non-agricultural uses; the costs of providing public services are increasing; large quantities of potentially productive farmland are lying idle between rural subdivisions; and the sale of land in remote rural areas of the country for ‘investment’ and second home purposes creates stress in rural communities, undermines the economic viability of agriculture and limits the amount of productive farmland available for food production. This study provides a planning strategy to regulate and monitor this rural-to-urban conversion process.
Wind speeds in tropical cyclones and associated insurance losses

Abstract This paper reviews the characteristics of wind speeds in tropical cyclones revealed by data from modern automatic weather stations, dropwindsondes, and Doppler radar in the United States. In general winds in tropical cyclones are found to possess the same relationships between surface and gradient speeds as extra-tropical cyclones and the same level of gustiness. Relationships between wind speeds and insurance losses are developed and used to refine the Beaufort Scale. It is shown that statements issued by the National Hurricane Center (NHC), the US government agency responsible for issuing warnings and statements of current and past conditions in tropical cyclones, do not reflect the surface data now available. It is also shown that the design wind speeds in tropical-cyclone-prone areas of the United States, which are based on computer simulations, appear to be unreasonably high in the light of wind speed characteristics presented in this paper and speeds measured in past storms. The findings reported are discussed in the context of information presented in 1963 by Shellard and Davenport in the first major wind engineering conference.
Cooperativity of the helix-random coil transition determined from hydrodynamic data.

The approximations in the equation relating the viscosity of partially helical molecules to the cooperativity of the helix–random coil transition are investigated. Of the several approximations considered, only the neglect of long-range intramolecular interactions in the random coil leads to significant error. This is a result of the inverse fourth-power relationship between the assumed expansion factor and the cooperativity determined from analysis of experimental data. Upon approximately accounting for the random coil expansion, the experimental data of Ptitsyn et al. yield an ionic strength-independent cooperativity in agreement with other methods.
A re-configurable multi-agent system architecture for error recovery in production systems

Abstract Multi-agent systems for manufacturing systems appear to provide adequate response to abrupt disturbances on the shop floor. To date, most of the work has been focused on planning and scheduling but very little work has been done on issues pertaining to monitoring, diagnostics and error recovery. Our approach addresses the issue of combining the discipline of hierarchical systems with the agility of multi-agent systems. Within the context of a hierarchy, the focus is on the workstation level and, in particular, the construction of a re-configurable system having production agents, error recovery agents, and a mediator agent structure connecting production and recovery agent hierarchies. In addition, the relationship to a multi-level, multi-layer hierarchy control is established. This latter hierarchy, based on Petri Net constructs, serves, in one sense, as a retrieval based resource for process planning and generation of recovery plans for production and recovery agents within the proposed multi-agent system. An objective of this effort is to provide a test-bed for comparison of hierarchical systems, heterarchical, and a hybrid combination which is the focus of the investigation presented here.
Checkpoint-Independent Stabilization of Kinetochore-Microtubule Attachments by Mad2 in Human Cells

Faithful chromosome segregation is required for cell and organism viability and relies on both the mitotic checkpoint and the machinery that corrects kinetochore-microtubule (k-MT) attachment errors. Most solid tumors have aneuploid karyotypes and many missegregate chromosomes at high rates in a phenomenon called chromosomal instability (CIN). Mad2 is essential for mitotic checkpoint function and is frequently overexpressed in human tumors that are CIN. For unknown reasons, cells overexpressing Mad2 display high rates of lagging chromosomes. Here, we explore this phenomenon and show that k-MT attachments are hyperstabilized by Mad2 overexpression and that this undermines the efficiency of correction of k-MT attachment errors. Mad2 affects k-MT attachment stability independently of the mitotic checkpoint because k-MT attachments are unaltered upon Mad1 depletion and Mad2 overexpression hyperstabilizes k-MT attachments in Mad1-deficient cells. Mad2 mediates these effects with Cdc20 by altering the centromeric localization and activity of Aurora B kinase, a known regulator of k-MT attachment stability. These data reveal a new function for Mad2 to stabilize k-MT attachments independent of the checkpoint and explain why Mad2 overexpression increases chromosome missegregation to cause chromosomal instability in human tumors.
Comparison of Molecular Dynamics with Classical Density Functional and Poisson–Boltzmann Theories of the Electric Double Layer in Nanochannels

Comparisons are made among Molecular Dynamics (MD), Classical Density Functional Theory (c-DFT), and Poisson-Boltzmann (PB) modeling of the electric double layer (EDL) for the nonprimitive three component model (3CM) in which the two ion species and solvent molecules are all of finite size. Unlike previous comparisons between c-DFT and Monte Carlo (MC), the present 3CM incorporates Lennard-Jones interactions rather than hard-sphere and hard-wall repulsions. c-DFT and MD results are compared over normalized surface charges ranging from 0.2 to 1.75 and bulk ion concentrations from 10 mM to 1 M. Agreement between the two, assessed by electric surface potential and ion density profiles, is found to be quite good. Wall potentials predicted by PB begin to depart significantly from c-DFT and MD for charge densities exceeding 0.3. Successive layers are observed to charge in a sequential manner such that the solvent becomes fully excluded from each layer before the onset of the next layer. Ultimately, this layer filling phenomenon results in fluid structures, Debye lengths, and electric surface potentials vastly different from the classical PB predictions.
Electronically monitored feeding behavior of Phorodon humuli (Homoptera: Aphididae) on resistant and susceptible hop genotypes

Afin de determiner a quel niveau se manifestent les phenomenes d'antibiose de certains cultivars de houblon resistants vis a vis de P. h., on suit par monitorage electronique leur comportement alimentaire.
Inviscid steady/unsteady flow calculations

The solution of the Euler equations using a flux splitting procedure is considered for low subsonic to high supersonic flows. Steady and unsteady, internal and external flow fields, are computed. For transient flows, a direct sparse matrix solver is applied to compute the flow field at each instant of time. Oscillation free normal and oblique shocks are captured. Unstart and restart of a simplified two-dimensional inlet is investigated.
Systemic Delivery of Estradiol, but not Testosterone or Progesterone, Alters Very Low Density Lipoprotein-Triglyceride Kinetics in Postmenopausal Women

Context: Sexual dimorphism in plasma triglyceride (TG) metabolism is well established but it is unclear to what extent it is driven by differences in the sex hormone milieu. Results from previous studies evaluating the effects of sex steroids on plasma TG homeostasis are inconclusive because they relied on orally administered synthetic hormone preparations or evaluated only plasma lipid concentrations but not kinetics. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of systemically delivered 17β-estradiol, progesterone, and T on very low density lipoprotein-triglyceride (VLDL-TG) concentration and kinetics in postmenopausal women. Setting and Design: VLDL-TG concentration and kinetics were evaluated by using stable isotope–labeled tracer techniques in four groups of postmenopausal women (n = 27 total) who were studied before and after treatment with either 17β-estradiol (0.1 mg/d via continuous delivery skin patch), progesterone (100 mg/d via vaginal insert) and T (12.5 mg/d via skin gel)...
Altered collagen metabolism in nifedipine‐induced gingival overgrowth

Fibroblasts from nifedipine-induced fibrotic gingiva (NFG) have been characterized with respect to several cellular functions which could contribute to the characteristic clinical overgrowth of the gingiva: collagen synthesis and breakdown, glycosaminoglycan production, fibronectin synthesis, and proliferation. Histologic examination of NFG tissue revealed a hyperplastic epithelium with elongated, branched rete pegs. The connective tissue consisted of densely-packed collagen fibers and numerous enlarged fibroblasts, as well as regions of thinner, disorganized collagen fibers in the vicinity of scattered inflammatory and mast cells. Results of in vitro experiments showed that the fibroblast strains from the fibrotic gingiva (NFG) produced significantly greater amounts of collagen and lower levels of collagenase activity when compared to age- and sex-matched normal human gingival fibroblast strains. The NFG fibroblasts did not produce significantly greater amounts of fibronectin, and their level of glycosaminoglycan production was less than that of the normal fibroblasts. The NFG fibroblasts did not proliferate significantly more rapidly than the normal fibroblast strains. These findings therefore show that there are defects in the regulation of collagen production by NFG fibroblasts in vitro, and suggest that these alterations in collagen metabolism contribute to the over-deposition of collagen in this tissue, rahter than hyperproliferation of the fibroblasts or through the production of increased amounts of fibronectin and glycosaminoglycans.
Origin Activation Requires both Replicative and Accessory Helicases during T4 Infection

The bacteriophage T4 has served as an in vitro model for the study of DNA replication for several decades, yet less is known about this process during infection. Recent work has shown that viral DNA synthesis is initiated from at least five origins of replication distributed across the 172 kb chromosome, but continued synthesis is dependent on recombination. Two proteins are predicted to facilitate loading of the hexameric 41 helicase at the origins, the Dda accessory helicase and the 59 loading protein. Using a real time, genome-wide assay to monitor replication during infections, it is shown here that dda mutant viruses no longer preferentially initiate synthesis near the origins, implying that the Dda accessory helicase has a fundamental role in origin selection and activation. In contrast, at least two origins function efficiently without the 59 loading protein, indicating that other factors load the 41 helicase at these loci. Hence, normal T4 replication includes two mechanistically distinct classes of origins, one requiring the 59 helicase loader, and a second that does not. Since both mechanisms require an additional factor, repEB, for sustained activation, normal T4 origin function appears to include at least three common elements, origin selection and initial activation, replisome loading, and persistence.
What do citations count? the rhetoric-first model

Because of the widespread use of citations in evaluation, we tend to think of them primarily as a form of colleague recognition. This interpretation neglects rhetorical factors that shape patterns of citations. After reviewing sociological theories of citation, this paper argues that we should think of citations first as rhetoric and second as reward. Some implications of this view for quantitative modeling of the citation process are drawn.
Simple methods to estimate the influence of limestone fillers on reaction and property evolution in cementitious materials

Abstract A commercial interest in sustainable cementing materials is driving efforts to reduce the use of cement in concrete. Limestone fillers are a promising direction towards achieving such cement use reductions. In spite of increasing filler use, little information is available to rapidly estimate the influences of limestone fillers, and more importantly filler fineness on reaction and property development. This work develops simple models to predict the effect of particle size classified limestone on hydration reactions and compressive strength development. The method builds on a relativistic basis, such that enhancements and alterations in reactions and properties are described in relation to a given control (pure cement) mixture. The prediction method considers aspects such as: (1) accelerations in reactions, (2) changes in inter-particle spacing as linked to the limestone filler’s fineness and (3) a porosity increase with increasing cement replacement. The predictive power of the approach is demonstrated for a variety of mixtures composed using three ASTM C150 compliant cements and forwards a basis for developing mixture proportioning strategies, such that apriori estimations of the mixture response (reaction rate and mechanical properties) can be used to optimize binder proportioning and thus strategize new methods to limit cement use in concrete construction applications.
Peripheral blood CD8αα+CD11c+MHC-II+CD3- cells attenuate autoimmune glomerulonephritis in rats

In an anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) glomerulonephritis (GN) model, GN-resistant Lewis rats naturally recover from early glomerular inflammation. Here we investigated recovery mechanisms for development of a potential immunotherapy for autoimmune GN. Our previous studies suggested that glomeruli-infiltrating leukocytes with a phenotype of CD8αα + CD11c + MHC-II + CD3 - (GIL CD8αα + cells) were responsible for recovery through induction of T-cell apoptosis. Now, we identified peripheral blood CD8αα + CD11c + MHC-II + CD3 - cells (PBMC CD8αα + CD3 - cells), which shared 9 markers with GIL CD8αα + cells. Upon incubation, PBMC CD8αα + CD3 - cells displayed a morphology resembling that of dendritic cells. Similar to GIL CD8αα + cells, PBMC CD8αα + CD3 - cells were capable of inducing T-cell apoptosis in vitro . Hence, PBMC CD8αα + CD3 - cells were likely the precursor of GIL CD8αα + cells. We next tested their potential in vivo function. PBMC CD8αα + CD3 - cells were able to infiltrate inflamed but not normal glomeruli. Isolated PBMC CD8αα + CD3 - cells of Lewis rats were transferred into GN-prone Wistar–Kyoto rats at early inflammatory stage (days 17–25). When examined at day 45, both histopathology and blood urea nitrogen/serum creatinine level showed significantly attenuated GN in 80% of cell recipient Wistar–Kyoto rats. Separate experiments verified infiltration of transferred Lewis PBMC CD8αα + CD3 - into the glomeruli, accompanied with apoptotic CD4 + T cells in the glomeruli of the recipient Wistar–Kyoto rats. Thus, PBMC CD8αα + CD3 - cells of Lewis rats were able to terminate ongoing autoimmune inflammation in the glomeruli.
A Simple Method for Determining the Lower Critical Solution Temperature of Polymer Blends Using a Raman Spectrometer

The authors have an ongoing research interest in the application of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to the study of compatible polymer blend systems and, in particular, the role of intermolecular interactions in compatibilization. It was considered essential to obtain an independent measurement of the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the particular polymer blends used in our studies. Not having conventional light scattering equipment, it was decided to attempt to use our Raman spectrometer for these purposes. In this communication we describe the simple method employed and present preliminary results from three polymer blend systems. The results exceeded our expectations. The onset of phase separation is obvious, and the experimentally determined LCSTs are in accord with previously published data.
Optical Coatings for High Energy ZnSe Laser Windows.

The development of surface finishing and coating technology at 10.6 μm for polycrystalline ZnSe laser windows is presented. Optical evaluation of the coated windows shows that the 10.6-μm absorption and reflection can be held to less than 0.1% per surface. Surface finishing procedures, theoretical coating designs, and recent experimental results for antireflection coatings for ZnSe are presented.
High-resolution imager for digital mammography: physical characterization of a prototype sensor.

The physical performance characteristics of a high-resolution sensor module for digital mammography were investigated. The signal response of the imager was measured at various detector entrance air kerma and was found to be linear. The spatial resolution was determined by measuring the presampling modulation transfer function, MTF(f), of the system. The noise power spectra, NPS(f), of the system were estimated using 26 kVp: Mo/Mo, 28 kVp: Mo/Rh and 30 kVp: Rh/Rh, with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) 'tissue equivalent material' of thickness 20, 45 and 57 mm for each of three x-ray spectra at detector entrance air kerma in the range between ~80.2 and 92.3 µGy. The noise equivalent quanta, NEQ(f), and detective quantum efficiencies, DQE(f), for the various spectral conditions were computed. In addition, dose dependence of NPS(f) and DQE(f) was studied at various detector entrance air kerma ranging from 9.4 to 169.7 µGy. A spatial resolution of about 10 cycles mm−1 was obtained at the 10% MTF(f) level. A small increase in NEQ(f)was observed under higher energy spectral conditions while the DQE(f) decreased marginally. For a given spectrum, increasing PMMA filtration produced negligible change in DQE(f). The estimated DQE values at zero frequency were in the range between 0.45 and 0.55 under the conditions investigated in this study.
Influence of CF3I, CF3Br, and CF3H on the high-temperature combustion of methane

Abstract The effects of a number of flame retardants (CF 3 I, CF 3 Br, and CF 3 H) on the high-temperature reactions of methane with air in a plug flow reactor are studied by numerical simulations using the Sandia Chemkin Code. 1 The dependence of (a) the ignition delay and (b) time for substantially complete reaction as a function of temperature and additive concentrations are calculated. In agreement with experiments, the ignition delay can be increased or decreased by the addition of retardants. The reaction time is always increased by additives. The mechanism for these effects has been examined. It is concluded that the ignition delay is controlled by the initial retardant decomposition kinetics, which releases active species into the system. These species can either terminate or initiate chains. The reaction time is largely a function of the concentrations of the active radicals H, OH, and O that are formed during the combustion process. It is shown that their concentrations, particularly those of H atoms, are lowered in the presence of the retardants. We find that the chemical mechanism governing reaction time is very similar to that which controls the flame velocity and a correlation between decreases in flame velocity and H-atom concentration is demonstrated. The calculations suggest that relative reaction time and H-atom concentrations should be effective measures for the estimation of retardant effectiveness.
Using Technology to Increase Meaningful Engagement in a Memory Care Unit

Dementia is affecting an increasing number of people due to the global aging of the population. People with dementia living in memory care units (MCUs) often lack access to meaningful activities and social interactions. Information and communication technologies (ICT) have a tremendous potential to increase activity opportunities for people in MCUs. In two longitudinal studies, I used observations, interviews, and repeated quantitative measures to evaluate the use of a commercially available multi-functional technology system with people with dementia, staff, and family members. Next steps include data analysis and generating recommendations for system designers.
Sources of fine particle composition in New York city

Abstract Fine particle composition data from samples collected at Queens College during July 2001 were studied using positive matrix factorization (PMF). The sampling systems are an integrated filter sampler with a 6-h sampling time interval, an aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) with a 10-min sampling time interval and a particle-into-liquid sampler with ion chromatography (PILS-IC) with 15-min sampling time interval. The data from the AMS and the PILS-IC were aggregated to 6-h average values for the PMF calculation. Sulfate, ammonium, and nitrate data were compared among the different instruments. The PMF method uses the estimated errors in the data to provide optimal point-by-point weighting and permits efficient treatment of missing and below detection limit values. Six source categories were resolved from the data. They are: secondary sulfate with high concentration SO42−; secondary nitrate with the presence of high concentration NO3−; motor vehicle emissions with high concentration of OC and Zn; road dust represented by Al, Ca, Fe, and K; sea salt with high concentration of Cl and Na; and oil combustion marked by the presence of Ni and V.
Light-absorbing aldol condensation products in acidic aerosols: Spectra, kinetics, and contribution to the absorption index

Abstract The radiative properties of aerosols that are transparent to light in the near-UV and visible, such as sulfate aerosols, can be dramatically modified when mixed with absorbing material such as soot. In a previous work we had shown that the aldol condensation of carbonyl compounds produces light-absorbing compounds in sulfuric acid solutions. In this work we report the spectroscopic and kinetic parameters necessary to estimate the effects of these reactions on the absorption index of sulfuric acid aerosols in the atmosphere. The absorption spectra obtained from the reactions of six different carbonyl compounds (acetaldehyde, acetone, propanal, butanal, 2-butanone, and trifluoroacetone) and their mixtures were compared over 190–1100 nm. The results indicated that most carbonyl compounds should be able to undergo aldol condensation. The products are oligomers absorbing light in the 300–500 nm region where few other compounds absorb, making them important for the radiative properties of aerosols. Kinetic experiments in 96–75 wt% H2SO4 solutions and between 273 and 314 K gave an activation energy for the rate constant of formation of the aldol products of acetaldehyde of −(70±15) kJ mol−1 in 96 wt% solution and showed that the effect of acid concentration was exponential. A complete expression for this rate constant is proposed where the absolute value in 96 wt% H2SO4 and at 298 K is scaled to the Henry's law coefficient for acetaldehyde and the absorption cross-section for the aldol products assumed in this work. The absorption index of stratospheric sulfuric acid aerosols after a 2-year residence time was estimated to 2×10−4, optically equivalent to a content of 0.5% of soot and potentially significant for the radiative forcing of these aerosols and for satellite observations in channels where the aldol products absorb.
Acute hypertension provokes internalization of proximal tubule NHE3 without inhibition of transport activity.

Acute hypertension rapidly decreases proximal tubule (PT) Na+ reabsorption, facilitated by a redistribution of PT Na+/H+exchangers (NHE3) out of the apical brush border, increasing NaCl at the macu...
Distributed Techniques for Frozen and Dynamic Multi-Agent Games

The classical minority game (MG) involves n agents (n being an odd integer) that need to take a binary action at discrete time-steps. Each agent's goal is to be rewarded at every time-step for taking the minority action with respect to the entire agent population. Otherwise it is punished. Agents cannot explicitly communicate with each other and only have access to the number of agents that took a particular action in the last m time-steps. In the local minority game (LMG) agents aim to be in the minority of their immediate neighbors. We have solved the LMG using the distributed stochastic algorithm (DSA). This leads the agent system to a frozen configuration where agents do not change their states over time. We also present a dynamic version of the LMG and its extension to an application in sensor networks, both of which we model as a random Boolean network (RBN)
Ionization radiation induced degradation of MOSFET channel frequency response

A model is presented for the frequency response degradation of metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) exposed to ionizing radiation. It is shown that response degradation can be predicted by monitoring a single parameter, the gate-to-channel time-constant tau /sub GC/, which is highly sensitive to the density of interface traps at the silicon-insulator interface. The value of tau /sub GC/ and its degradation with radiation dose are directly obtained by measuring the small signal impedance of a MOSFET. The measurement technique used enables the extraction of effective mobility of the inversion layer. Frequency response characteristics of two types of MOSFETs, fabricated using two different gate-insulator technologies and exposed to a total dose of 1 Mrad (Si), are compared. >
The structure of water absorbed in collagen. I. The dielectric properties.

The dielectric constant and the loss factor of water in collagen are measured for various water, NaCl, and HCl contents at frequencies ranging from 102 to 105 Hz and at temperatures ranging from −70° to +23°C. For all measurements, both the dielectric constant and the loss decrease monotonically as the frequency increases, or the temperature decreases; the absence of a maximum in the loss curves as a function of temperature and frequency indicates an extremely broad spectrum of relaxation times. By shifting the curves obtained for the dielectric constant and the loss factor along the log–frequency axis, all data, obtained at different temperatures, can be represented on master curves valid for 23°C. In order to explain these results, water molecules are assumed to be hydrogen bonded to each other in long chains. All water molecules in a chain can, cooperatively, be oriented in two different directions along the channel, resulting in large, reversible, dipole moments. These chains are not rigid, but are flexible liquid-like structures. Diffusion of chains as entities is assumed to be the rate-limiting step for dipole reorientation. Although the rate of diffusion decreases inversely proportional to chain length, the activation energy is independent of chain length. At lower temperatures, diffusion becomes slower, until at the glass point, approximately −100°C, it ceases.
A probability density function method for turbulent mixing and combustion on three-dimensional unstructured deforming meshes

AbstractA hybrid Lagrangian-Eulerian methodology is developed for numerical simulation of turbulent mixing and combustion in arbitrary three-dimensional time-dependent geometric configurations. The context is a probability density function (PDF) based approach intended for modelling in cylinder processes in reciprocating piston internal combustion (IC) engines. Issues addressed include mean estimation, particle tracking and particle number-density control on three-dimensional unstructured deforming meshes. The suitability of the methodology for statistically time-dependent three-dimensional turbulent flow with large density variations is demonstrated via simulations of turbulent freon vapour/air mixing on an unstructured deforming mesh representing an idealized IC engine [13]. Computed profiles of mean and r.m.s. freon mole fractions show good quantitative agreement with measurements. Moreover, inherent advantages of the Lagrangian-Eulerian PDF approach are demonstrated, compared to Eulerian finite volume...
The effects of behavioral plasticity and leadership on the predictions of optimal skew models

Skew models predict how reproduction or resources produced by the group are divided between dominant and subordinate group members. These include transactional models, in which one group member may allocate some group productivity to another to prevent group dissolution and tug-of-war inefficiency models, in which group members compete for access to resources at a cost to group productivity. Although skew models involve a transactional or competitive interaction among group members, most existing models do not allow individuals to respond to new information about the strategy of their group mate. Here, I expand transactional and tug-of-war models to allow one individual (the follower) to respond plastically to a fixed strategy of its partner (the leader). I solve for the Stackelberg equilibrium conditions for each model. For the transactional model, leadership results in a greater share of group productivity to the leader compared with models that do not include leadership. When the follower’s information about the leader’s strategy is perfect, the equilibrium division of productivity does not vary with relatedness, in contrast to the predictions of previous skew models, and the effects of ecological variables may change. In the tug-of-war model, leadership influences equilibrium investment in competition only if relatedness is greater than zero. Dominant leaders receive a larger share of group productivity, but group productivity declines and grouping is mutually beneficial over a smaller parameter range than in the absence of leadership. Subordinate leaders receive a smaller share of group productivity, but benefit from overall higher group productivity. Key wor ds: commitment, cooperative breeding, evolutionar y game theory, skew models. [Behav Ecol]
A Study of Synthetic and Observed Hα Spectra of TT Hydrae

The formation and properties of accretion disks and circumstellar material in Algol-type systems are not very well understood. In order to study the underlying physics of these structures, we have calculated synthetic Hα spectra of TT Hya, which is an Algol-type eclipsing binary with an accretion disk. Both the primary and secondary stars were considered in the calculations, as well as a disk surrounding the primary. The Roche model for the secondary star was assumed. The synthetic spectra cover all the phases, including primary eclipse, and are compared with the observed spectra. The influence of various effects and free parameters of the disk on the emerging spectrum was studied. This enabled us to put some constraints on the geometry, temperature, density, and velocity fields within the disk. Differences found between the observed and synthetic spectra unravel the existence of a gas stream, as well as a hotter disk-gas interaction region. An additional cooler circumstellar region between the C1 and C2 Roche surfaces is suggested to account for various observed effects. A new computer code called SHELLSPEC was created for this purpose and is briefly described in this work as well. It is designed to solve simple radiative transfer along the line of sight in three-dimensional moving media. The scattered light from a central object is taken into account assuming an optically thin environment. Output intensities are then integrated through the two-dimensional projection surface of a three-dimensional object. The assumptions of the code include LTE and optional known state quantities and velocity fields in three dimensions.
Compressed spatio-temporal descriptors for video matching and retrieval

The contents of a video can be described in terms of appearance and motion of the scenes. In this paper, we propose a compressed spatio-temporal descriptor that is suitable for video matching and retrieval tasks. We use a modified wavelet based compression technique that exploits the temporal redundancy of the data using optical flow. In order to achieve a compact flow representation, a spline based technique is used. The optical flow field gives the directions along which the gray levels have regular variations in time. Wavelet decomposition along these directions results in fewer coefficients and thus higher compression. We demonstrate that the wavelet coefficients and flow parameters can be efficiently used for 1) video retrieval and matching, and 2) calculating spatio-temporal similarity between articulated objects. The results are demonstrated on several sequences.
Glove Characteristics Influencing Control Manipulability

Both objective measurements and subjective ratings were made of the degree to which each of 18 widely differing gloves possessed each of the following characteristics: tenacity (i.e., resistance to sliding over a grasped surface), snugness of fit, suppleness, and protection against injury to the enclosed hand. Twenty-two subjects performed each of five different control operations while wearing each of the 18 gloves and while barehanded. For both objective and subjective measurement of the characteristics, it was found that degree of tenacity is correlated with speed of gloved operation of on-off controls, that amount of suppleness is correlated with rapidity of gloved operation of adjustable controls, and that increasing snugness of fit improves operation time for both types of control. The difference between operation times, gloved and barehanded, was found to depend strongly on the type of control operation required.
An Analysis of Tuberculous Infection From Birth to Old Age; Its Relationship to Clinical Tuberculosis and Deaths from Tuberculosis

1) Infection with tuberculosis is relatively rare in children at the present time in this community. 2) Reaction to tuberculin after childhood increases precipitously, reaching its maximum at approximately the age of 50. After 50 years of age it declines, probably due to the fact that the skin of older people is not as sensitive. 3) This study shows that in this community the tuberculin reaction is slightly more prevalent in the male up to the age of 30; after this age the male is much more often infected. 4) This increased infectivity of the male does not seem to be due to environment, but probably represents a sex characteristic. 5) After the age of 30, not only is the infected male more prone to exhibit clinical tuberculosis than the female, but the disease is still more likely to be fatal. 6) Infection in the age group 0-14, more than at any other time, results in clinical disease and death. Such consequences are less often noted in the 15–29 year group, and least after 30 years. 7) Since infection, clinical disease, and death from tuberculosis are all seen chiefly after childhood, the conclusion seems warranted that most cases of adult tuberculosis in this community result from infection beyond the age of childhood. 8) The reason that there is more clinical tuberculosis and death from tuberculosis in older ages may well be due to the fact that in the latter part of life there is more primary infection.
Pharmacy benefit spending on oral chemotherapy drugs.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacy benefits have historically excluded injectable drugs,resulting in coverage of injectable drugs under the medical benefit. High-costbiologics and other new drug therapies are often injectables and therefore havenot presented cost threats to pharmacy benefits. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of capecitabine, an oral form of fluorouracil, in 1998,and imatinib mesylate in oral dose form for chronic myeloid leukemia, in 2001,signaled a new period in budget forecasting for pharmacy benefits, particularly for small, self-insured employers for whom a drug with a cost of $25,000 peryear of therapy for 1 patient could increase total pharmacy benefit costs by 10% or more. OBJECTIVE: To quantify the actual relative costs of the oral chemotherapydrugs in pharmacy benefits in 2006 and identify the history of spending onoral chemotherapy drugs relative to total pharmacy benefit spending for small, self-insured employers over the 4.5 years through May 2006. METHODS: Administrative phar...
Marginalized Masculinities and Hegemonic Masculinity: An Introduction:

This essay reviews the masculinities and intergroup relations literatures while introducing the authors whose research is highlighted in this special issue. The complexities of identity group polit...
Active deformation of the Gorda plate: Constraining deformation models with new geophysical data

The Gorda plate, the southernmost fragment of the larger Juan de Fuca plate system, is an example of a nonrigidly deforming tectonic accommodation zone or buffer plate, absorbing deformation and allowing the surrounding larger plates to act in a more rigid fashion. Here we present a new structural analysis of the plate based on full-plate bathy- metric coverage, augmented by seismic reflection data and earthquake moment tensors and locations. We interpret internal deformation of the Gorda plate as an asymmetrical flexural-slip buckle with a vertical axis, utilizing reactivation of spreading-ridge fabric normal faults as strike-slip faults. Newly formed second-generation faults crosscutting the structural grain overprint the reactivated structures. The spreading fabric faults finally begin a second phase of extension as the plate approaches the subduction zone. This model, based on fault constraints, has allowed investigation of ridge-plate-subduction interac- tions, and suggests that spreading-rate variations along the Gorda Ridge may be con- trolled by internal deformation of the plate rather than the reverse, as previously hypothesized.
Scleroderma and hearing loss: (histopathology of a case).

La surdite est due a une vascularite provoquant une atrophie de la strie vasculaire et une atteinte fonctionnelle des cellules ciliees de l'organe de Corti
3D dyadic Green's function for radially inhomogeneous circular ferrite circulator

Here we develop a three dimensional (3D) dyadic recursive Green's function with elements G/sub ij//sup sv/ suitable for determining the electric field components (E/sub z/, E/sub r/, E/sub /spl phi//) and magnetic field components (H/sub z/, H/sub r/, H/sub /spl phi//) anywhere within a circular, planar (microstrip or stripline) circulator. All of the components are present, although the E/sub z/, H/sub r/, and H/sub /spl phi// components may still be dominant as long as the thickness h of the substrate is small. The recursive nature of G/sub ij//sup sv/ is a reflection of the inhomogeneous region being broken up into one inner disk containing a singularity and N annuli. G/sub ij//sup sv/(r,/spl phi/,z) is found for any arbitrary point (r,/spl phi/,z) within the disk region and within any i th annulus. Specification of G/sub ij//sup sv/, i=E or H, j=H, s=z, v=/spl phi/ or z, at the circulator diameter r=R leads to the determination of the circulator S-parameters. The ports have been separated into discretized ports with elements (subports) and continuous ports. It is shown how G/sub ij//sup sv/(r,/spl phi/,z) enables S-parameters to be found for three and six port ferrite circulators. Because of the z-variation present in the finite thickness model, TEM, TM, and TE modal decompositions are not allowed for the 3D analysis, and instead it is found that new coupled governing equations describe the field behavior in the circulator. The theory is readily adaptable to constructing a computer code for numerical evaluation of finite thickness devices. Also, symmetric port disposition and metallic losses are covered.