cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The ghost-box-ball system: A unified perspective on soliton cellular automata, the RSK algorithm and phase shifts

Abstract In this paper, we introduce the ghost-box-ball system, which is an extended version of the classical soliton cellular automaton. It is initially motivated as a mechanism for making precise a connection between the Schensted insertion (of the Robinson–Schensted–Knuth correspondence) and the dynamical process of the box-ball system. In addition to this motivation, we explore generalisations of classical notions of the box-ball system, including the solitonic phenomenon, the asymptotic sorting property, and the invariant shape construction. We analyse the ghost-box-ball system beyond its initial relevance to the Robinson–Schensted–Knuth correspondence, unpacking its relationship to its underlying dynamical evolution on a coordinatisation and using a mechanism for augmenting a regular box-ball configuration to study the classical ultradiscrete phase shift phenomenon.
Localization of Arterial Bleeds Using Pulse Wave Reflections

Introduction Localization of internal arterial bleeds is necessary for treatment in the battlefield. In this article, we describe a novel approach that utilizes pulse wave reflections generated by a bleed to locate it. Materials and methods To demonstrate our approach, velocity and diameter waveforms in the presence of bleeds were simulated using the 1D wave propagation equations in a straight-vessel model of the human thoracic aorta. The simulated waveforms were then decomposed into forward and backward components using wave intensity analysis. Reflections arising from the bleed were identified from the decomposed waveforms. Results Reflection generated by the bleed introduced a new feature in the backward component, compared to the normal, no-bleed condition. The bleed location could be determined from the time delay between this reflection feature and the forward wave creating it, and the pulse wave velocity in the vessel. Conclusions The findings of this study could be utilized by ultrasound for hemorrhage localization.
Optimization techniques for high-performance digital circuits

The relentless push for high performance in custom digital circuits has led to renewed emphasis on circuit optimization or tuning. The parameters of the optimization are typically transistor and interconnect sizes. The design metrics are not just delay, transition times, power and area, but also signal integrity and manufacturability. This tutorial paper discusses some of the recently proposed methods of circuit optimization, with an emphasis on practical application and methodology impact. Circuit optimization techniques fall into three broad categories. The first is dynamic tuning, based on time-domain simulation of the underlying circuit, typically combined with adjoint sensitivity computation. These methods are accurate but require the specification of input signals, and are best applied to small data-flow circuits and "cross-sections" of larger circuits. Efficient sensitivity computation renders feasible the tuning of circuits with a few thousand transistors. Second, static tuners employ static timing analysis to evaluate the performance of the circuit. All paths through the logic are simultaneously turned, and no input vectors are required. Large control macros are best tuned by these methods. However, in the context of deep submicron custom design, the inaccuracy of the delay models employed by these methods often limits their utility. Aggressive dynamic or static tuning can push a circuit into a precipitous corner of the manufacturing process space, which is a problem addressed by the third class of circuit optimization tools, statistical tuners. Statistical techniques are used to enhance manufacturability or maximize yield. In addition to surveying the above techniques, topics such as the use of state-of-the-art nonlinear optimization methods and special considerations for interconnect sizing, clock tree optimization and noise-aware tuning are briefly considered.
Settling of two-way momentum and energy coupled particles subject to Boussinesq and non-Boussinesq heating

This work establishes a procedure to accurately compute heat transfer between an Eulerian fluid and Lagrangian point-particles. Recent work has focused on accurately computing momentum transfer between fluid and particles. The coupling term for momentum involves the undisturbed fluid velocity at the particle location which is not directly accessible in the simulation. Analogously, in the context of thermal coupling, the undisturbed fluid temperature at the particle location is not directly accessible in simulations and must be estimated. In this paper, we develop a scheme to accurately estimate the undisturbed fluid temperature of a point-particle exchanging thermal energy with a surrounding fluid. The temperature disturbance is correlated with the enhanced temperature curvature in the vicinity of the particle and is formally valid in the low heating, low convection limit. We conduct extensive verification of the correction procedure for a settling particle subject to radiation. This setup allows the simultaneous testing of thermal and momentum corrections. By considering equations of drag and Nusselt number extended to finite Peclet and Boussinesq numbers, we establish a large range over which the correction procedure can be applied.
Standardizing Methods of Reading CT Maximum Aortic Diameters Amongst Experts Reduces Variations and Discordance, Improving Accuracy.

Background There is no consensus on the method of obtaining abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) maximum diameters based on computed tomographic angiography, and the reproducibility and accuracy of different methods have recently been debated due to advancements in imaging. This study compared the two most common methods based on orthogonal planes and centerline of flow to determine the discordances and accuracy amongst experiences readers. Methods The computed tomographic angiography max diameters of 148 AAAs were measured by three experienced observers, including a vascular surgeon, a radiologist and an imaging cardiologist. Observers used two different methods with standardized protocols: multiplanar reformations based on orthogonal planes, and a software using 3D aortic reconstructions to create centerline flow lumen providing diameters based on cross sections perpendicular to this lumen. Agreements and reliability of measurement methods were assessed by intra-class correlation coefficient and Bland – Altman analysis. Discordances between measurements of the methods and the original reported measurement, as well as outside hospitals were compared. Results The average age of the cohort was 75 years and aortic diameters ranged from 3.8 to 9.6 cm. For orthogonal readings, there were agreements within 3 mm between 86% and 92% of the time, while centerline - reading agreement was between 88% and 94%, which was not statistically significant. The intra-class correlation coefficient was high between method type and between readers. Within methods, agreement was between 0.96 and 0.97, while within - reader agreement measures was between 0.96 and 0.98. In comparison to the original and the outside hospital reports, 10% ≥ of the original and 20% ≥ of the outside hospital reported measurements were discordant between the readers. Conclusion Maximal AAA measurements can have substantial variability leading to clinical significance and change in patient management and outcomes. Based on the results, orthogonal and centerline measurement methods have equally high agreements and concordance within 3 mm and low variations at a high volume center. However, when compared to the official read reports, there is high discordance rates that can significantly alter patient outcomes. A standardized method of measurement maximum diameter can reduce variations and discordances among different methods.
Effects of Hypoxia on Embryonic Development in Two Ambystoma and Two Rana Species

Abstract Oxygen available to amphibian embryos fluctuates widely and is often very low. We investigated the effects of oxygen partial pressure (1.3–16.9 kPa) on embryonic development and hatching of two salamander (Ambystoma) and two frog (Rana) species. In Ambystoma, chronic hypoxia resulted in slowed development, delayed hatching, and embryos that were less developed at the time of hatching. Although hypoxia was not lethal to embryos, temporary developmental abnormalities were observed in Ambystoma at oxygen partial pressures of 3.8 kPa and below. Posthatching survival decreased below 3.3 kPa. In Rana, hypoxia did not affect developmental rate, presumably because hatching occurs at a very early stage of development relative to Ambystoma. However, Rana embryos hatched sooner in hypoxia than in normoxia, resulting in less developed embryos at the time of hatching. The results suggest that embryonic hypoxia may negatively affect survival and fitness in these species.
Complex finite element sensitivity method for creep analysis

Abstract The complex finite element method (ZFEM) has been extended to perform sensitivity analysis for mechanical and structural systems undergoing creep deformation. ZFEM uses a complex finite element formulation to provide shape, material, and loading derivatives of the system response, providing an insight into the essential factors which control the behavior of the system as a function of time. A complex variable-based quadrilateral user element (UEL) subroutine implementing the power law creep constitutive formulation was incorporated within the Abaqus commercial finite element software. The results of the complex finite element computations were verified by comparing them to the reference solution for the steady-state creep problem of a thick-walled cylinder in the power law creep range. A practical application of the ZFEM implementation to creep deformation analysis is the calculation of the skeletal point of a notched bar test from a single ZFEM run. In contrast, the standard finite element procedure requires multiple runs. The value of the skeletal point is that it identifies the location where the stress state is accurate, regardless of the certainty of the creep material properties.
Adaptive inferential control for chemical processes

Abstract A SISO adaptive inferential control system is proposed to deal effectively with many real process control problems characterized by unmeasured disturbances, nonlinearities and/or time-varying process parameters, the proposed control system couples the basic structure of an inferential control (internal model control) with an on-line system identification method for estimation of the process model parameters and optimal adjustment of the controller. To obtain a stable approximation to the inverse of the process model as the controller, the use of adaptive inverse modeling based on a discrete convolution model (adaptive deconvolution model) is examined with two different process models, transfer function and convolution models. Simulation results of two numerical examples are presented to illustrate and compare the performance of the proposed adaptive inferential control system with those of conventional PID control and inferential control. The proposed control system is shown to perform well with both minimum and nonminimum phase systems in the presence of unmeasured load changes and dead time variations. In addition, Vogel-Edgar's adaptive dead time compensator and its modified controller (pole-zero placement adaptive controller) for discrete convolution models are analyzed from the viewpoint of adaptive inferential control.
Power debug on Fully Integrated Voltage Regulators (FIVR) circuitry introduced deep low power states

FIVR circuitry reaching ∼90% power peak efficiency has been implemented on microprocessors made from the world's first 3-dimensional tri-gate 22nm technology node. Post silicon debug techniques to address new challenges imposed on design validation, circuit characterization, and power debug on deep low power core, system, and IO states have been established. Faster and better root-cause analysis results demonstrated that newly introduced power debug techniques can also extend to 14nm FIVR circuits.
Procedure, Participation, Rights

This essay is a contribution to a symposium on Professor Ronald Dworkin’s forthcoming book, JUSTICE FOR HEDGEHOGS. The essay asks whether procedural rights make sense in American civil litigation, where “right” is understood in the Dworkinian sense of limiting, resisting, or trumping arguments based on furthering a collective social goal or improving aggregate welfare. Professor Dworkin addressed this question in a wonderfully rich and provocative essay published in the early 1980s, entitled “Principle, Policy, Procedure.” I take a critical look at Professor Dworkin’s argument and use the opportunity to explain why it so difficult to articulate a coherent theory of procedural rights. In particular, Part I of my essay argues that the best interpretation of American civil adjudication is likely to recognize procedural rights with a curious property: the right must be defined at its core in a way that somehow yields to arguments of high social cost at the same time as resisting those arguments in the way a right is supposed to do. Part II describes Professor Dworkin’s theory, explains how it meets the definitional challenge, and criticizes its main elements. Part III examines two competing theories of procedural rights and explains why they too are problematic. The essay concludes by calling for more work on the nature of procedural rights in civil litigation. There is much at stake. If there is no coherent account of procedural rights, then radical reforms justified on utilitarian grounds should receive much more favorable attention than they have to date.
The effect of family and friend support on physical activity through adolescence: a longitudinal study.

This study examined if family and friend support predicted adolescent physical activity (PA) across a five-year time span. The Iowa Bone Development Study collected objective measures of physical activity and self-report of physical activity psychosocial factors at ages 13 (n = 306), 15 (n = 356), and 17 yr (n = 317). Total moderate and vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) and MVPA after 3 pm on weekdays (MVPA-PM Weekday) were measured using ActiGraph accelerometers. Family Support for PA and Friend Support for PA scales were measured using the Choices questionnaire. Models were adjusted for SES (mother’s education) and somatic maturity (Mirwald predictive equations for maturity offset). Spearman correlation coefficients examined tracking of scales at ages 13, 15 and 17. Logistic regression estimated the odds ratio for being in the lowest tertile of each scale at age 17 if in the lowest tertile at age 13. Linear mixed regression models investigated associations between these scales and MVPA outcomes over time. Two- and five-year intra-variable tracking associations for Family Support and Friend Support scales were moderate (r = 0.32–0.58), except for the comparison between age 13 and age 17 Friend Support for girls, which resulted in a low association (r = 0.26). Boys and girls in the lowest tertile for support at age 13 were more likely to remain in the lowest tertile at age 17 compared to those in the middle and upper tertiles. The regression models indicated that when all other factors were held constant, an increase in family and/or friend support resulted in an increase in both MVPA outcomes From early to late adolescence, support for PA from the family and/or support from friends results in higher levels of total and discretionary MVPA. However, the importance of support in predicting MVPA decreased with age.
Endogenous motor rhythms in young infants

Publisher Summary The spontaneous fluctuation of physiological and behavioral processes is a fundamental attribute of all living things that maintain complex organisms in a marginally stable but far-from-equilibrium state, and regulates their spontaneous behavior and input–output relations. Complex organisms do behave like steady state systems over a limited range of conditions. However, outside these boundaries, minor changes in one or more parameters can precipitate a radical reorganization of the entire organism; and they can sometimes induce irreversible developmental transformations that are neither preprogrammed in the genome nor specified by environmental contingencies. Stable and quasi-periodic oscillations are, therefore, a fundamental characteristic of human behavior and development. The systematic study of endogenous motor rhythms should help to resolve some of the obvious contradictions implied by these fundamentally different perspectives on behavioral organization and development. Because infants frequently exhibit spontaneous motor rhythms in a relatively simple form that has not been significantly modified by experience or cognitive development, the period of early infancy should also be an ideal entry point for investigating the functional characteristics of rhythmic behavior. However, the actual mechanisms of rhythmogenesis are rarely well understood and often controversial even in relatively simple biological systems. Moreover, infants are “noisy” systems whose frequent and unpredictable changes of behavioral state radically alter their spontaneous behavior and response to environmental events. Finally, there is no a priori reason to assume that the organizational principles of motor behavior are necessarily simpler during infancy than in later stages of development. Despite these limitations, the important functional characteristics of endogenous motor rhythms can frequently be described qualitatively without detailed knowledge of their underlying mechanisms, particularly when discrete motor rhythms can be manipulated experimentally by simple non-invasive procedures.
Rural Health and the Nonemergency Use of Emergency Medical Services

The use of emergency department (ED) services for nonemergent conditions is common and seems to be growing. At a time when health care reform efforts are focused on delivering the right care, at the right time, and in the right place, understanding access barriers to health care and the impact of these barriers on the achievement of health equity for everyone is critical to achieving identified Healthy People 2020 national objectives. This article describes motivations for nonemergent use of ED services by individuals living in rural southeastern United States.
Changes in rainwater acidity associated with closure of a copper smelter

The influence of the sulfur dioxide emissions from a large copper smelter in Tacoma, Washington, was studied by measuring the chemical composition of rainwater collected upwind and downwind of the source, before and after permanent closure of the smelter in 1985. Data analysis was based on a statistical model that accounted for variability associated with location of 25 sampling sites within three geographic regions, smelter operation, 10 individual rain events observed over 2 years, and measurement uncertainty. After smelter closure the upwind-downwind differences in mean hydrogen ion and excess sulfate ion concentrations within a 600 km2 region, extending to 25 km downwind of the source, had decreased significantly compared to the preclosure value. No significant decreases in mean ion concentrations were observed farther downwind in the Seattle urban area. During five events sampled prior to smelter closure, we estimate that an average of 4.4% (range 0.7–8.6%) of the sulfur dioxide emitted by the smelter was wet deposited as sulfate ion within a 3600 km2 area extending 60 km downwind of the source.
Calcitonin stimulates cAMP accumulation in chicken osteoclasts.

Abstract Calcitonin causes an increase in the accumulation of cAMP in mammalian osteoclasts leading to an inhibition of bone resorption. Increases in cAMP subsequent to calcitonin stimulation have not been detected in previous studies of chicken osteoclasts as the only source of large numbers of highly purified cells. In this report, we studied the effects of salmon calcitonin (sCT), bovine parathyroid hormone −(1–34) [(bPTH −(1–34)] and forskolin (FSK) on cAMP accumulation in freshly isolated osteoclasts obtained non-enzymatically from the metaphysis of 5–7 week old rachitogenic chickens. Parathyroid hormone did not stimulate the accumulation of intracellular cAMP. Calcitonin and forskolin treatment caused a nearly 2.5 and 3.5-fold increase in cAMP respectively. This study demonstrates that chicken osteoclasts respond to calcitonin with an increase in cAMP accumulation and that the rachitogenic chicken may be a valuable source of hormonally sensitive cells for the study of osteoclast biology.
Helicobacter pylori Infection and the Risk for Duodenal and Gastric Ulceration

Objective: To determine whether a preexisting Helicobacter pylori infection increases the risk for developing duodenal or gastric ulcer. Design: A nested case–control study based on a cohort of 544...
The effect of velocity dependent forces in nuclear matter

In previous work the energy of a system of particles interacting in s- states was calculated using ordinary Born approximation up to second order in the potential. A method is described that shows that with the type of potential used the energy of the many-body system is approximately independent of the strength of the velocity dependent part, provided it fits the same two-body scattering parameters. Also a reasonable approximation to the average energy is given by the series first order term alone. (H.D.R.)
Association between pharmacy medication refill-based adherence rates and cd4 count and viral-load responses: A retrospective analysis in treatment-experienced adults with HIV.

Abstract Background: Current guidelines and most contemporary statements in the literature indicate that, like other medical conditions, HIV infection requires exceptionally high adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for successful treatment. Objective: This study was conducted to determine the association between pharmacy medication refill rates—a surrogate marker for adherence to HAART— and CD4-count/viral-load responses in patients with HIV Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at the HIV Clinic, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. Male and female patients aged ≥18 years with a history of HIV who attended clinic appointments on 3 consecutive clinic days were enrolled. Pharmacy medication refill-based adherence rates over the 6 months before the study were determined by examining electronic pharmacy records. The most recent viral load and the change (Δ) in CD4 count over the past year-surrogate measures of outcome—were also collected from each patient's electronic medical record and compared with refill adherence rates. The incidence of AIDS-related events and past antiretroviral experience were also compared with the ΔCD4 count and adherence rates. Results: Data from 58 patients were included in the study. Thirty-nine patients were black men; the mean age was 51.5 years. There was a nonsignificant correlation between 6-month pharmacy medication refillbased adherence rates and viral loads ( r = 0.10). The relationship between ΔCD4 count and adherence was complex. With adherence rates >70%, the ΔCD4 count ranged from +414 to -238, with no indication that increasing adherence led to a greater CD4 count increase. The ΔCD4 count progressively declined with adherence rates ≤70%. Patients' past antiretroviral experience or incidence of AIDS-related events did not significantly affect the distribution of ΔCD4 counts or adherence rates. Conclusion: Based on our results, in patients with pharmacy medication refill-based adherence rates >70%, there was no significant correlation between adherence rates and ΔCD4 counts or viral-load responses.
Low‐Temperature Observation of Relaxor Ferroelectric Domains in Lead Zinc Niobate

Domain reorientation in single crystals of lead zinc niobate-lead titanate solid solutions was examined, because the reorientation contributes to the electrically controlled change of shape and change of response in piezoelectric transducers and actuators. An optical microscope technique was used to explore the buildup of macropolar domains from micropolar regions in relaxor compositions. Poorly defined ambiguous spindlelike domains changed to distinct lamellar domains as PbTiO 3 content was increased. The domain walls in Pb(Zn 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 -rich samples moved with a wavelike motion. The motion ceased or froze-in below -130° and -30°C for field-biased and nonbiased samples, respectively. The domains were observed at various temperatures from 300° to -185°C and electric fields up to ±10 kV/cm.
Topological solitons from deconstructed extra dimensions.

A topological monopolelike field configuration exists for Yang-Mills gauge fields in $4+1$ dimensions. When the extra dimension is compactified to $3+1$ dimensions with periodic lattice boundary conditions, these objects reappear in the low-energy effective theory as a novel solution, a gauged-bosonic Skyrmion. When the low-energy theory spontaneously breaks, the Nambu-Goldstone mode develops a vacuum expectation value, and the gauged-bosonic Skyrmion morphs into a 't Hooft--Polyakov monopole.
Race/ethnicity moderates the effect of prepartum menthol cigarette use on postpartum smoking abstinence.

Introduction: Little is known about the influence of prepartum menthol cigarette use on postpartum smoking abstinence or how race/ethnicity might moderate this relationship. The current study addressed that gap by testing these relationships among racially/ethnically diverse women who quit smoking during pregnancy (N = 244; 33% African American, 31% Latina, 36% White).
Ice particle generation during evaporation

Abstract Simulated soft hail (graupel) particles are grown in a laboratory chamber and evaporated under controlled conditions of wind speed, temperature and undersaturation. Particle breakup is observed directly and recorded by video, and also inferred from abrupt changes of charge. A particle with a diameter of a few mm may give rise to several hundred particles under some conditions. Breakup occurs by irregular evaporation of the rime branches, which thin to less than 10 μm prior to fracture. Break up is also observed during evaporation of individual faceted vapor grown crystals. All ice particles are strong; the fracture strength is estimated to be at least ten times the bulk fracture strength of ice.
Identifying candidate disease genes using a trace norm constrained bipartite raking model

Computational prediction of genes that play roles in human diseases remains an important but challenging task. In this work, we formulate candidate gene prediction as a bipartite ranking problem combining a task-wise ordered observation model with a latent multitask regression function using the matrix-variate Gaussian process (MV-GP). We then use a trace-norm constrained variational inference approach to obtain the bipartite ranking model variables and the parameters of the underlying multitask regression model. We use this model to predict candidate genes from two gene-disease association data sets and show that our model outperforms current state-of-the-art methods. Finally, we demonstrate the practical utility of our method by successfully recovering well characterized gene-disease associations hidden in our training data.
Imagining Religious Communities in the Sixteenth Century: Harirām Vyās and the Haritrayī

image of God (on the fluidity of these categories, see Hawley 1995), allying himself with Sants usually associated with the latter category like Namdev, Kabir, and Raidas. This deserves some further study. A quick glance through Vyas Bhaktastuti shows that Vyas devotes a whole song to the praise of Namdev and one to Kabir (the latter with manuscript attestation as early as 1658). In several places he praises both Sants together with Raidas, and adds others. I quote a poem that explicitly aims at describing the community Vyas saw himself belonging to, his imagined family ( Vyas Bhakta-stuti 45): dhanasiri rage itanau hai savu kutamu hamarau serpni dhana aru nama pipa aura kavira raidasa camarau rupa sanatana kau sevaka gamgala bhata sudarau suradasa paramananda meha miram bhakti vicarau vammhana rajaputra kula uttama teu karata jati kau [garau]7 adi amta bhaktani kau sarvas[su] [radhajvallabha pyarau asu kau haridasa rasika harivasa na mohi visarau ihim patha calata syama syama kern vyasa hi vorau bhavai tarau These all make up my family: Sen, Dhana and Namdev, Pipa and Kabir; [and] Raidas, the cobbler. Of Ropa and Sanatana a servant, Gangal Bhatt melted [my heart].8 I have reflected on the bhakti of Surdas, Parmanand, Meha, and Mira. Brahmins and Rajputs, of noble family, they too take pride in caste. [But] dear Radhavallabha9 is the all of bhaktas, from beginning to end. Asu's Haridas [and] connoisseur Harivams, do not forget me! Walking on this path of Syam and Syama, drench Vyas in devotion, help him get
Promising Properties and System Demonstration of an Environmentally Benign Yellow Smoke Formulation for Hand-Held Signals

A novel yellow smoke formulation, based on the environmentally benign dye Solvent Yellow 33, has been validated as a replacement for the current formulation specified for the M194 yellow smoke hand-held signal. Sieve testing has revealed a fine granulation for the candidate mixture, centered at 53 μm. In addition, compressive strain testing has shown that the mechanical (crush) strength of pellets derived from the candidate mixture was 391 kg. Both of these properties validate the viability of the candidate composition during manufacturing and deployment. Extensive static burn testing in full-sized prototype signal assembly hardware provides insight into new ignition train concepts. The full sized prototype assembly has also been demonstrated by flight tests in actual system hardware containing the rocket motor and associated propellant.
Boundary effects in the traveling salesperson problem

Consider a subset F of [0, 1]^2 that is generated by a Poisson point process of constant intensity @l. Denote by @q(@l) the expected length of the shortest tour through F. We prove that for @l large enough, we have [email protected]/@l + 1/K =< [email protected]/@l + K, where c, K are universal constants. This settles a conjecture of Karp.
Deuteron beam interaction with lithium jet in a neutron source test facility

Abstract Testing and evaluating candidate fusion reactor materials in a high-flux, high-energy neutron environment are critical to the success and economic feasibility of a fusion device. The current understanding of materials behavior in fission-like environments and existing fusion facilities is insufficient to ensure the necessary performance of future fusion reactor components. An accelerator-based deuterium—lithium system to generate the required high neutron flux for material testing is considered to be the most promising approach in the near future. In this system, a high-energy (30–40 MeV) deuteron beam impinges on a high-speed (10–20 m/s) lithium jet to produce the high-energy (≥ 14 MeV) neutrons required to simulate a fusion environment via the Li (d, n) nuclear stripping reaction. Interaction of the high-energy deuteron beam and the subsequent response of the high-speed lithium jet are evaluated in detail. Deposition of the deuteron beam, jet-thermal hydraulic response, lithium-surface vaporization rate, and dynamic stability of the jet are modeled. It is found that lower beam kinetic energies produce higher surface temperature and consequently higher Li vaporization rates. Larger beam sizes significantly reduce both bulk and surface temperatures. Thermal expansion and dynamic velocities (normal to jet direction) due to beam energy deposition and momentum transfer are much lower than jet flow velocity and decrease substantially at lower beam current densities.
Prospects for an EU‐NAFTA free trade agreement

(1995). Prospects for an EU‐NAFTA free trade agreement. The Washington Quarterly: Vol. 18, No. 2, pp. 71-82.
Fluxes and chemistry of nitrogen oxides in the Niwot Ridge, Colorado, snowpack

The effect of snow cover on surface-atmosphere exchanges of nitrogen oxides (nitrogen oxide (NO) + nitrogen dioxide (NO2); note, here ‘NO2’ is used as surrogate for a series of oxidized nitrogen gases that were detected by the used monitor in this analysis mode) was investigated at the high elevation, subalpine (3,340 m asl) Soddie site, at Niwot Ridge, Colorado. Vertical (NO + NO2) concentration gradient measurements in interstitial air in the deep (up to ~2.5 m) snowpack were conducted with an automated sampling and analysis system that allowed for continuous observations throughout the snow-covered season. These measurements revealed sustained, highly elevated (NO + NO2) mixing ratios inside the snow. Nitrogen oxide concentrations were highest at the bottom of the snowpack, reaching levels of up to 15 ppbv during mid-winter. Decreasing mixing ratios with increasing distance from the soil–snow interface were indicative of an upwards flux of NO from the soil through the snowpack, and out of the snow into the atmosphere, and imply that biogeochemical processes in the subnival soil are the predominant NO source. Nitrogen dioxide reached maximum levels of ~3 ppbv in the upper layers of the snowpack, i.e., ~20–40 cm below the surface. This behavior suggests that a significant fraction of NO is converted to NO2 during its diffusive transport through the snowpack. Ozone showed the opposite behavior, with rapidly declining levels below the snow surface. The mirroring of vertical profiles of ozone and the NO2/(NO + NO2) ratio suggest that titration of ozone by NO in the snowpack contributes to the ozone reaction in the snow and to the ozone surface deposition flux. However, this surface efflux of (NO + NO2) can only account for a minor fraction of ozone deposition flux over snow that has been reported at other mid-latitude sites. Neither (NO + NO2) nor ozone levels in the interstitial air showed a clear dependence on incident solar irradiance, much in contrast to observations in polar snow. Comparisons with findings from polar snow studies reveal a much different (NO + NO2) and ozone snow chemistry in this alpine environment. Snowpack concentration gradients and diffusion theory were applied to estimate an average, wintertime (NO + NO2) flux of 0.005–0.008 nmol m−2 s−1, which is of similar magnitude as reported (NO + NO2) fluxes from polar snow. While fluxes are similar, there is strong evidence that processes controlling (NO + NO2) fluxes in these environments are very different, as subnivial soil at Niwot Ridge appears to be the main source of the (NO + NO2) efflux, whereas in polar snow (NO + NO2) has been found to be primarily produced from photochemical de-nitrification of snow nitrate.
Cooper-pair tunneling into a quantum Hall fluid.

Transport through a tunnel junction connecting a superconductor to a spin-aligned quantum Hall fluid at filling \ensuremath{\nu} is studied theoretically. The dominant transport channel at low temperatures is the tunneling of Cooper pairs into edge states of the quantum Hall fluid. This process, which is greatly suppressed at low energies due to both Coulomb and Pauli exclusion effects, leads to a tunneling conductance which vanishes with temperatures as ${\mathit{T}}^{4/\ensuremath{\nu}\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$, for ${\ensuremath{\nu}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ an odd integer. For integer filings with \ensuremath{\nu}g1 the ``Pauli blockade'' is circumvented and a nonvanishing conductance is predicted.
The effects of gonadotrophic hormones on the oxygen consumption of tesfes from the prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus)

Male prairie dogs were hemicastrated and the oxygen uptake of the removed testis studied in the Warburg respirometer. Gonadotrophins in saline or saline alone were injected intravenously for three days. The second testis was then removed and the oxygen uptake compared to that of the first testis. The in vitro effects of both glucose and substrates of the Kreb's cycle and the gonadotrophic hormones were also studied. Hemicastration in out of season male prairie dogs did not increase the oxygen uptake in both testes but the intermediates of the Kreb's cycle had no effect. Testes from animals taken during the period of active spermatogenesis had a significantly higher oxygen uptake than those from out of season animals. Armour FSH, NIH FSH SI and NIH FSH S2 all increased the oxygen consumption of the remaining testes in out of season paririe dogs. Armour LH and NIH LH B1 did not have this effect. Mixtures of gonadotrophins (FSH and prolactin, FSH and LH) had less effect than FSH alone on the oxygen consumption of the remaining testis.
Light-Induced Isomerization of Apoptolidin A leads to Inversion of C2-C3 Double Bond Geometry

The isolation, characterization, and cytotoxicity against H292 cells of apoptolidin G are reported. Apoptolidin G is shown to be derived by a light-induced isomerization of the C2−C3 carbon−carbon double bond of apoptolidin A.
An automated swim alley for small animals: II. Training and procedures

Experiments were conducted to establish training procedures and testing conditions that produce uniform and reliable swimming performance of rats in an automated swim alley. Data are given on the effect of water temperature and of platform rest interval on swimming speeds. In this system, rats will swim intermittently for as long as 24 h for a distance of more than 7 km.
Exciplex dipole moments: excited cyanoanthracenes in neat methylbenzene solvents

Abstract The dipole moments have been measured for the excited state charge transfer (CT) complexes of 9,10-dicyanoanthracene (DCA) and 2,6,9,10-tetracyanoanthracene (TCA) as electron acceptors and methyl-substituted benzenes as electron donors. In this study measurements were made in neat donor solvents. For a particular acceptor molecule, dipole moments increase as the donor oxidation potential, E ox , decreases. In the cases of strong donor and acceptor molecules, large dipole moments may indicate the formation of 2: 1 (D + DA − ) complexes.
Determination of the sunscreen oxybenzone in lotions by reversed-phase hptlc with ultraviolet absorption densitometry

A quantitative method using preadsorbent chemically bonded C18 reversed-phase silica gel plates with fluorescent indicator, automated sample application, and computer-controlled UV absorption densitometry has been developed for the determination of the sunscreen ingredient oxybenzone (OB) in lotions. Nine sunscreen lotions were analyzed to test the proposed method and assess the relationship between OB content and the SPF value stated on the labels. It was found that the amount of OB in the lotions tested ranged from 0.796–6.03% (SPF 4–45). Precision (RSD) was 2.2% for replicate analysis of four sample solutions of one lotion on one plate and 4.6% for four analyses of one sample solution on different plates. Errors from spiked blanks and standard addition analyses to validate accuracy were 0 and 0.67% for the two blanks and 1.3% for the standard addition validation.
The Preservation of Aqueous Sorbitol Solutions

A study of the effect of pH on the inhibitory concentrations of sorbitol and a study of the effectiveness of various preservatives, suitable for internal use, in preventing the growth of organisms in sorbitol solutions have been carried out. From a practical viewpoint, although pH does have some influence on the inhibitory effect of solutions of sorbitol, it alone cannot insure against the growth of certain organisms. Fifteen preservatives and preservative combinations were studied for their effectiveness in sorbitol solutions. It was found that, of these, only a combination of methyl-paraben (0.12% w/v) and propylparaben (0.02% w/v), and sorbic acid (0.15% w/v) were generally effective in preserving aqueous sorbitol solutions. In the case of sorbic acid, an occasional failure to protect the solution was observed.
A Model of Human Problem Solving in Dynamic Environments

Abstract : The increased use of automation in aircraft, ships, process plants, transportation networks, and other large-scale systems is changing the human's role in such systems. The manual activities of the human operator are increasingly supplanted by monitoring of automation and occasional problem solving activities. This thesis focuses on these problem solving activities. Models of human problem solving are reviewed, with emphasis on those applicable to situations involving human-machine interaction in detecting, diagnosing, and compensation for system failures. From this review it emerges that most models developed thus far focus on a single aspect of problem solving. An overall model is presented, which considers the full breadth and robustness of human problem solving behavior in dynamic environments. A realization of the general structure of this model within a particular rule-based computer program is discussed. Results are presented from applying this program to modeling human problem solving in a process control task. (Author)
The interaction of atovaquone with the P. carinii cytochrome bc1 complex.

Author(s): Trumpower, B. | Abstract: Atovaquone is an important second-line therapeutic and prophylactic agent for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia although it was originally developed as an antimalarial [11]. For malaria, atovaquone is now only used in combination with proguanil, another antimalarial. This combination (Malaronel) is used because atovaquone monotherapy leads to resistance [9]. Atovaquone is structurally similar to ubiquinone (CoQ). UHDBT and stigmatellin are other CoQ analogs that have been well studied in experimental systems. Both UHDBT and stigmatellin are known to inhibit electron transport by binding to the Q0 site of the cytochrome bc1 complex. Atovaquone probably acts at the same site, since it has also been shown to inhibit electron transport in both malaria and P. carinii [4, 6]. This mechanism could also explain the rapid emergence of resistance to monotherapy; mutations could arise easily in cytochrome b, since it is encoded in the mitochondrial genome where the spontaneous mutation rate is 10x higher than in nucleus [1].
Cytokines and immunodeficiency diseases

Severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID) refers to a spectrum of inherited immunodeficiencies that together represent the most severe forms of primary immunodeficiency in humans. Recent work has shown that many of these diseases, as well as other forms of immunodeficiency, result from defects in cytokine signalling pathways. Such defects can prevent normal development of lymphoid lineages and/or compromise cytokine signalling by these cells. These natural 'experiments' in human genetics have shown the non-redundant role for several cytokines or cytokine signalling molecules. Moreover, a comparison of the phenotypes of humans with SCID to analogous mouse-knockout models has shown not only expected similarities, but also unexpected differences in cytokine signalling between humans and mice.
Effect of hypergastrinemia on pancreatic carcinogenesis.

Abstract Background: Previous studies in our laboratory demonstrated that pancreatic carcinomas in rodents express receptors for the peptide hormone gastrin that are not present in normal adult pancreas. In view of an abundant literature suggesting that gastrin may promote growth of various gastrointestinal tissues and tumors, the effect of hypergastrinemia on the process of pancreatic carcinogenesis was evaluated. Methods: Rats received subcutaneous injections of the pancreatic carcinogen azaserine at 19 and 26 days of age. Starting at 12 months of age, animals were randomized to treatment with the proton pump inhibitor lansoprazole or vehicle by gavage for 6 months. At autopsy, pancreatic wet weight normalized to body weight was recorded, as well as the number of benign and malignant pancreatic lesions. Results: Serum gastrin levels were determined by radioimmunoassay and showed a greater than two-fold increase in lansoprazole-treated animals. Pancreatic wet weight in hypergastrinemic rats was increased compared to controls (p Conclusion: Hypergastrinemia stimulated an increase in pancreatic weight, but did not stimulate development of premalignant lesions or progression to cancer in the azaserine model of rat pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma.
Roles of the Propeptide and Metal Ions in the Folding and Stability of the Catalytic Domain of Stromelysin (Matrix Metalloproteinase 3)

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are an unique class of zinc metalloproteases in that 12 A from the catalytic zinc site is a second zinc site, the function of which has yet to be determined. In the pro form, the protease is inactive. Here we show that the heat-induced autocatalytic activation of pro to mature MMP3 is bimolecular. Further, the process is modulated by a low-affinity zinc. A mechanism is proposed by which the second zinc site may act as an enzymatic activator for the mature protease. A method for preparing completely metal-free protein is described. Surprisingly, there is a much more dramatic structural change between the apo and holo forms of the mature protein than there is between apo and holo proprotein. Apo mature MMP3 appears to form a native-like stable intermediate structure in which one or more of the tryptophan side chains is more solvent-exposed than in the holo form. Apo MMP3 is remarkably stable to thermal unfolding as monitored by CD; thus the metal ions do not appear to signif...
Anti-carcinogenic properties of curcumin on colorectal cancer

Curcumin has been used in traditional Indian medicine for many centuries for its anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties. There has been some promising research concerning curcumin as a safe therapeutic agent for many cancers, colorectal cancer being among them. This has been shown through research in cell cultures, animal models, and humans. At this time, it appears that curcumin's anti-carcinogenic properties are most likely due to its effects on multiple molecular targets, such as nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and activator protein 1 (AP-1). NF-κB and AP-1 are both major transcription factors that regulate inflammation and thus affect cell proliferation, differentiation and even apoptosis. Curcumin has also been shown to affect a variety of other key players involved in carcinogenesis, such as cyclooxygenase-2, matrix metallopeptidases 2 and 9 and tumor necrosis factor α induced vascular cell adhesion molecule, just to name a few. Although many molecular targets are involved, curcumin has been well tolerated in many studies: doses up to 8 g a day have been confirmed to be safe for humans. In this brief review, we will examine the current studies and literature and touch upon many molecular pathways affected by curcumin, and demonstrate the exciting possibility of curcumin as a chemopreventive agent for colorectal cancer.