cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quaternary sea level history of the United States

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of some of the accomplishments in understanding Quaternary sea-level fluctuations as recorded on the coastlines of the United States and emphasizes on the sea-level record of the last interglacial complex. Many of the sea-level high stands of the Quaternary are recorded in the reef record of the tectonically stable Florida Keys. Stratigraphic studies show that the deposits of prelast-interglacial high stands are present, although dating is yet to establish the precise timing of these deposits. Reefs and coral-bearing marine deposits, both emergent and submergent, are identified, mapped, and dated in the Hawaiian Islands. Prelast-interglacial high sea stands are recorded on the coast of California, and several fossil-bearing localities in southern California hold promise for unraveling middle and early Pleistocene sea-level history. The longer-term Quaternary sea-level record of the Atlantic Coastal Plain is apparent in thick stratigraphic sequences, multiple aminozones ranging back to the early Pleistocene. The reasons for the discrepancies between the coastal sea-level record and the deep-sea oxygen isotope record are not understood but provide an important challenge to future investigations on the coasts of the United States.
Using Thermal Inactivation Kinetics to Calculate the Probability of Extreme Spore Longevity: Implications for Paleomicrobiology and Lithopanspermia

Thermal inactivation kinetics with extrapolation were used to model the survival probabilities of spores of various Bacillus species over time periods of millions of years at the historical ambient temperatures (25–40 °) encountered within the 250 million-year-old Salado formation, from which the putative ancient spore-forming bacteriumSalibacillus marismortui strain 2-9-3 was recovered. The model indicated extremely low-to-moderate survivalprobabilities for spores of mesophiles, but surprisingly high survival probabilities for thermophilic spores. The significance of the results are discussed in terms of the survival probabilities of (i) terrestrial spores in ancient geologic samples and (ii) spores transported betweenplanets within impact ejecta.
Supersymmetric discovery potential and benchmarks for early runs at √s = 7 TeV at the LHC

We carry out an analysis of the potential of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) to discover supersymmetry in runs at $\sqrt{s}=7\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{TeV}$ with an accumulated luminosity of $(0.1--2)\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{fb}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ of data. The analysis is done with both minimal supergravity and supergravity models with nonuniversal soft breaking. Benchmarks for early discovery with $(0.1--2)\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{fb}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ of data are given. We provide an update of $b$-tagging efficiencies in PGS 4 appropriate for LHC analyses. A large number of signature channels are analyzed, and it is shown that each of the models exhibited are discoverable at the $5\ensuremath{\sigma}$ level or more above the standard model background in several signature channels which would provide cross checks for a discovery of supersymmetry. It is shown that some of the benchmarks are discoverable with $0.1\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{fb}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ of data again with detectable signals in several channels.
Practical approaches to minimizing gastrointestinal and cardiovascular safety concerns with COX-2 inhibitors and NSAIDs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are highly effective in treating the pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but it is well recognized that these agents are associated with substantial gastrointestinal toxicity. Treatment guidelines suggest that patients with one or more risk factors for NSAID associated ulcers should be prescribed preventive treatment. However, well over 80% of such patients may not receive an appropriate therapeutic intervention. Multiple strategies are available to reduce the risk for NSAID associated gastrointestinal complications. First, risk may be reduced by using non-NSAID analgesics. Second, use of the minimum effective dose of the NSAID may reduce risk. Third, co-therapy with a proton pump inhibitor or misoprostol may be desirable in at-risk patients. Use of cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors may also reduce the risk for gastrointestinal events, although this benefit is eliminated in patients who receive aspirin, and cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors may increase cardiovascular adverse events. The optimal management of NSAID related gastrointestinal complications must be based on the individual patient's risk factors for gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disease, as well as on the efficacy and tolerability of both the NSAID and accompanying gastroprotective agent.
Increasing Treatment Efficiency and Effectiveness: Rethinking Approaches to Assessing and Treating Comorbid Disorders

The review by Teng and colleagues (2013) makes clear that there exist a number of problems in how we currently conceptualize, assess, and treat (or not treat) comorbid disorders. We make a number of assessments and clinical research suggestions that are meant to improve our understanding and treatment of comorbid conditions that likely share important psychological mechanisms. These suggestions involve (a) including individuals with multiple and serious comorbidities in treatment outcome research, (b) implementing assessment of relevant comorbid conditions in clinical research, (c) emphasizing common mechanisms underlying co-occurring problems, and (d) providing integrated treatment for comorbid disorders. The ultimate goal is to increase our ability to provide treatment that is both effective and efficient for individuals with multiple comorbidities.
Optimizing Neutron Production Rates from D-D Fusion in an Inertial Electrostatic Confinement Device

Detection of explosives has been identified as a near term commercial opportunity for using a fusion plasma. Typical explosive compositions contain low Z material (C, N, O) which are not easily det...
Tradition and religion: The case of Stephen R.L. Clark

Depuis les annees 1970, Stephen R. L. Clark investit la scene philosophique de maniere etonnante. L'A. analyse le traitement de la religion par Clark qui occupe une bonne partie de son interet a travers ses ouvrages. Cette approche est construite a partir de certaines theses methodologiques controversees vigoureusement defendues par Clark, theses qui concernent sa conception de la tradition. Au regard des autres philosophes analytiques, Clark pense que l'idee selon laquelle nous ne devrions pas croire sans evidence suffisante, provoque une distortion de la foi et de la raison
An Ultra High Temperature Turbine for Maximum Performance and Fuels Flexibility

The problems in water-cooled rotors have centered around the high pressuies generated in a closed circuit containing water by the high centrifugal field. The present program focusses on open circuit water cooling in which the water has been allowed to exit freely from the bucket tips. This eliminates the leaks and plugging of cooling channels that have been encountered before permits one to distribute the coolant uniformly around the bucket airfoil contour close to the surface. In this way the thermal gradients and thermal stresses on the airfoil can be held within safe limits. Using this approach a 9.7 in. (24.7 cm) diameter turbine wheel has been built and operated at inlet conditions of 2850 F (1560 C) and 16 atmosphere with tip speeds in excess of 1700 fps (518 m/sec) and with good aerodynamic efficiency. Recent developments in ceramic materials also indicate potential for use in stationary parts.Copyright © 1975 by ASME
Protein Kinase C Phosphorylation of Threonine at Position 888 in Ca2+ o -Sensing Receptor (CaR) Inhibits Coupling to Ca2+ Store Release

Previous studies in parathyroid cells, which express the G protein-coupled, extracellular calcium-sensing receptor (CaR), showed that activation of protein kinase C (PKC) blunts high extracellular calcium (Ca2+o)-evoked stimulation of phospholipase C and the associated increases in cytosolic calcium (Ca2+i), suggesting that PKC may directly modulate the coupling of the CaR to intracellular signaling systems. In this study, we examined the role of PKC in regulating the coupling of the CaR to Ca2+i dynamics in fura-2-loaded human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293 cells) transiently transfected with the human parathyroid CaR. We demonstrate that several PKC activators exert inhibitory effects on CaR-mediated increases in Ca2+i due to release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. Consistent with the effect being mediated by activation of PKC, the inhibitory effect of PKC activators on Ca2+ release can be blocked by a PKC inhibitor. The use of site-directed mutagenesis reveals that threonine at amino acid position 888 is the major PKC site that mediates the inhibitory effect of PKC activators on Ca2+ mobilization. The effect of PKC activation can be maximally blocked by mutating three PKC sites (Thr888, Ser895, and Ser915) or all five PKC sites. In vitro phosphorylation shows that Thr888 is readily phosphorylated by PKC. Our results suggest that phosphorylation of the CaR is the molecular basis for the previously described effect of PKC activation on Ca2+o-evoked changes in Ca2+i dynamics in parathyroid cells.
Biologic Response Modifiers: Relevance & Repercussions

Biologic response modifiers (BRMs) are substances that occur naturally in the body. They can also be manufactured in the laboratory and then administered as targeted therapy. Undoubtedly BRMs will find expanded role in terminal illness like cancer where other therapies have failed. However, great caution must be exercised in prescribing these agents in chronic indolent diseases where potential for ultimate harm might outweigh short-term benefits.
Effect of Sn Incorporation on the Thermal Transformation and Reducibility of M(II)Al-Layered Double Hydroxides [M(II) = Ni or Co]

Our recent study on the incorporation of Sn in the lattice of MgAl-layered double hydroxides (LDHs) indicated that about 30 atom % of Al3+ could be isomorphously substituted by Sn4+ to form a new MgAlSn ternary LDH. In the present study, similar NiAlSn- and CoAlSn-LDHs were synthesized by a coprecipitation method. The influence of Sn on the thermal transformation and redox properties of NiAl- and CoAl-LDHs and their thermally derived products were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry/differential thermal analyses (TG/DTA), and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) methods. The thermal transformation and reducibility of NiAlSn-LDH were different from that of the CoAlSn-LDH. Sn crystallized out as a SnO2 phase along with NiO and NiAl2O4 phases from NiAlSn-LDH calcined above 900 °C. On the other hand, a mixture of nonstoichiometric Co-spinel and Co2SnO4 inverse spinel phases was noticed from CoAlSn-LDH. The TPR profiles of NiAl-LDH and its calcined products exhibited peaks for th...
Being and the Good: Maimonides on Ontological Beauty

Maimonides expresses the view that being is goodness; evil is a deprivation of being and goodness. This view is prominent in Neoplatonism but has strong roots in Aristotle as well. While Maimonides problematizes moral language of good and evil, he makes use of an ontological sense of Necessary Existence as the absolute good. Plotinus wrote that beings are the beautiful. Avicenna adds that the pure good is Necessary Existence, which is free of deficiency, as it has no possibility of lacking existence. This notion has a strong Aristotelian core. Despite his strictures on language about the divine, Maimonides allows himself to express this vision—an affective-aesthetic appreciation as well as a purely cognitive one. Being is the absolute good, the source of ontological beauty and value.
A welfare-theoretic argument for regional subsidization of industry in the presence of inferior technology

This paper develops a welfare-theoretic argument for regional policy makers to subsidize an industry that has access to superior production technology in another region. The analytical framework is based on a standard general equilibrium model where two regions operating within a federal system are connected by goods trade and capital mobility. Optimal regional policy is designed to improve the capital terms of trade and depends on regional production patterns. Only when the technologically deficient region is diversified in production will optimal policy involve subsidization of an industry that has access to superior technology in another region.
Does self-management counseling in patients with heart failure improve quality of life? Findings from the Heart Failure Adherence and Retention Trial (HART).

Heart failure (HF) is associated with poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The purpose of our study is to determine the effect of a self-management intervention on HRQOL domains across time, overall, and in prespecified demographic, clinical, and psychosocial subgroups of HF patients. HART was a single-center, multi-hospital randomized trial. Patients (n = 902) were randomized either to a self-management intervention with provision of HF educational information or an enhanced education control group which received the same HF educational materials. HRQOL was measured by the Quality of Life Index, Cardiac Version, modified, and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey physical functioning scale. Analyses included descriptive statistics and mixed-effects regression models. In general, overall, study participants’ HRQOL improved over time. However, no significant differences in HRQOL domain were detected between treatment groups at baseline or across time (p > 0.05). Subgroup analyses demonstrated no differences by treatment arm for change in HRQOL from baseline to 3 years later. We conclude that in our cohort of patients, the self-management intervention had no benefit over enhanced education in improving domains of HRQOL and HRQOL for specified HF subgroups.
The determinants of international telephone traffic imbalances

Abstract This paper conducts a theory based empirical analysis of the determinants of international telephone traffic imbalances. Under the current accounting rate system and a Bertrand–Nash model with capacity constraint, it is shown that the traffic imbalances are determined by asymmetries in country specific cost structure, network capacity, market concentration, and income levels. Using the data for international calls between the United States and 148 foreign destinations, the study found that the increasing imbalances in telephone traffic for the United States are well explained by the variables suggested by the theory.
Complete life cycle of the lichen fungus Calopadia puiggarii (Pilocarpaceae, Ascomycetes) documented in situ: Propagule dispersal, establishment of symbiosis, thallus development, and formation of sexual and asexual reproductive structures

• Premise of the study: The life histories of lichen fungi are not well known and cannot be readily studied in laboratory culture. This work documents in situ the complete life cycle of the widespread crustose lichen Calopadia puiggarii, which reproduces sexually and asexually on the surfaces of leaves.• Methods: Plastic cover slips held in a mesh frame were placed over leaves in the field and successively removed for microphotography of colonizing lichens.• Key results: Macroconidia produced within campylidia encircled photobiont cells and codispersed with them, a feature not reported previously for C. puiggarii. Dispersed macroconidia readily germinated and lichenized the photobionts. Algal cells were often dislodged from the encircling macroconidia, providing a likely source for the free-living populations observed. Aposymbiotically dispersed ascospores germinated and lichenized nearby algal cells soon after dispersal. Thallus areolae merged readily in early development, although adjacent mature thalli were often separated by growth inhibition zones. Pycnidia are reported for the first time in Calopadia; their pyriform microconidia probably function as male gametes (spermatia). Pycnidia, apothecia, and campylidia began development similarly as darkly pigmented primordia on the fungal prothallus.• Conclusions: Abundant dispersal of ascospores, conidia, and photobionts allows C. puiggarii to quickly colonize leaves with the dual advantages of sexual and asexual reproduction, and with the added convenience of having its algal partner on hand. Fusions and prothallic capture of additional algae provide many opportunities for multiple mycobiont and photobiont genotypes to be combined in a single thallus, but the outcomes of such events remain to be explored.
Mutational Analysis of Roles for Extracellular Cysteine Residues in the Assembly and Function of Human α7-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors†

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) containing alpha7 subunits self-assemble into simple, homopentameric complexes. However, successful heterologous expression of functional alpha7-nAChR has only been achieved in a few host cell types, such as the SH-EP1 human epithelial cell line. All ionotropic glycine receptor, GABA(A) receptor, 5-HT(3) receptor, and nAChR subunits contain a pair of highly conserved cysteine residues (C150 and C164 for alpha7 subunits) in their N-terminal extracellular domain. These residues are thought to be involved in the formation of a conserved cystine loop that is critical to the proper folding and assembly of subunits. However, nAChR alpha7 (and alpha8) subunits also contain a third cysteine residue, C138, N-terminal to the conserved cysteine pair. Using SH-EP1 cells as a host for heterologous expression, we evaluated the roles of C138, C150, and C164 in subunit folding, assembly, and cell surface expression and function of alpha7-nAChR. Results indicate that mutation of C138, but not of C150 or C164, yields an nAChR that can assemble to form (125)I-labeled alpha-bungarotoxin binding sites expressed on the cell surface. Further, whole-cell patch clamp recordings demonstrate that mutation of C138 to alanine does not alter the function of the fully assembled alpha7-nAChR. These results indicate that C150 and C164 are required for surface expression, but that C138 is neither necessary for nor inhibitory toward the surface expression and function of human alpha7-nAChR. These results suggest that disulfide bond formation between C138 and either C150 or C164, if it occurs, has no significant effect on alpha7-nAChR assembly or function.
Impact of postoperative prostate-specific antigen disease recurrence and the use of salvage therapy on the risk of death

BACKGROUND: This report evaluated whether biochemical recurrence (BCR) as a time-dependent covariate (t) after radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer was associated with the risk of death and whether salvage therapy with radiotherapy (RT) and/or hormonal therapy (HT) can lessen this risk METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of 3071 men who underwent RP at Duke University between 1988 and 2008 and had complete follow-up data. A Cox regression multivariable analysis was used to determine whether BCR (t) was associated with the risk of death in men after adjusting for age, prostatectomy findings, and the use of salvage RT and/or HT. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 7.4 years, 546 (17.8%) men experienced BCR and 454 (14.8%) died. The median follow-up after prostate-specific antigen (PSA) failure was 11.2 years (interquartile range, 5.8-16.0 years). BCR (t) was associated with an increased risk of death (adjusted hazards ratio [AHR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.004-1.06 [P = .025]). In men who experienced BCR, a PSA doubling time <6 months was associated with an increased risk of death (AHR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.15-2.1 [P = .004]); whereas a decrease in the risk of death was observed in men who received RT (AHR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.40-0.58 [P = .002]) or HT (AHR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.37-0.84 [P = .005]) after BCR. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of BCR was found to increase the risk of death in men undergoing RP for prostate cancer, and this risk appeared to increase as the time to BCR shortened. However, the addition of RT and/or HT in men with BCR significantly lowered this risk. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Some Recent Advancements in Hybrid MICs

This paper describes some circuit design features of MIC sub-systems utilising hybrid-open microstrip techniques which give improved performance, particularly where military environments necessitate a wide operating temperature range and compactness is of prime importance. The design and performance of a J (Ku)-band radar duplexer-receiver MIC sub-system is described to illustrate the points of interest. Emphasis is placed on the influence of v.s.w.r. and isolation characteristics resulting from the performance of non-reciprocal circuit functions, microstrip launchers and the propagation of box modes, on the overall operation of the sub-system. Particular attention is given to the temperature characteristics of microstrip circulators, and novel techniques are described which compensate for the reversible temperature coefficient properties of the samarium-cobalt magnetic material used to bias the ferrite devices. Design features are also described which reduce degradation in circuit isolation due to radiation from the microsttrip and are compatible with small size and low weight requirements.
301 PRIMARY HYPERINSULINEMIA REDUCES SURFACE ACTIVE MATERIAL FLUX IN TRACHEAL FLUID OF FETAL LAMBS

301 PRIMARY HYPERINSULINEMIA REDUCES SURFACE ACTIVE MATERIAL FLUX IN TRACHEAL FLUID OF FETAL LAMBS
HOMO band structure and anisotropic effective hole mass in thin crystalline pentacene films

The band dispersion of the two highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)-derived bands in thin crystalline pentacene films grown on Bi(001) was determined by photoemission spectroscopy. Compared to first-principles calculations, our data show a significantly smaller bandwidth and a much larger band separation, indicating that the molecular interactions are weaker than predicted by theory---a direct contradiction to previous reports by H. Kakuta et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 247601 (2007)]. The effective hole mass ${\mathbit{m}}^{\ensuremath{\ast}}$ at $\overline{\text{M}}$ is found to be anisotropic and larger than theoretically predicted. Comparison of ${\mathbit{m}}^{\ensuremath{\ast}}$ to field effect mobility measurements shows that the band structure has a strong influence on the mobility even at room temperature.
Sexual minority women's sexual motivation around the time of ovulation.

We investigated whether motivation for same-sex sexual contact was related to mid-cycle peaks in estrogen levels (typically associated with ovulation) among women with consistent versus inconsistent patterns of same-sex sexuality. Twenty women (M age = 30 years), all of whom have been providing data on their sexual behavior and identities since 1995, completed daily diaries assessing sexual motivation and provided 10 days of salivary estrogen samples. During the 3 consecutive days on which estrogen levels peaked, women who had consistently identified as lesbian since 1995 (n = 5) showed increased motivation for sexual contact with women. This change in same-sex motivation was significantly smaller among women who consistently identified as bisexual (n = 7) and women who had given up their lesbian or bisexual identities at some point since 1995 (n = 8). Women who ascribed a role for “choice” in their same-sex sexuality also showed smaller increases in same-sex motivation. The findings suggest that women with consistent versus inconsistent patterns of same-sex sexuality might be experiencing different types of same-sex desires influenced by different factors.
Graded-index fiber lens proposed for ultrasmall probes used in biomedical imaging

The quality and parameters of probing optical beams are extremely important in biomedical imaging systems both for image quality and light coupling efficiency considerations. For example, the shape, size, focal position, and focal range of such beams could have a great impact on the lateral resolution, penetration depth, and signal-to-noise ratio of the image in optical coherence tomography. We present a beam profile characterization of different variations of graded-index (GRIN) fiber lenses, which were recently proposed for biomedical imaging probes. Those GRIN lens modules are made of a single mode fiber and a GRIN fiber lens with or without a fiber spacer between them. We discuss theoretical analysis methods, fabrication techniques, and measured performance compared with theory.
Study for critical values of collapsing pressure for orthotropic laminated casing

Abstract In this paper, based on the equations of equilibrium and the condition of compatibility of the orthotropic laminated casing, the basic differential equations are derived, then a control equation is obtained when the function ϑ is eliminated from these differential equations. A general expression of half-wave number of circumferential buckling of the casing is yielded by means of the trial function method. After solving for the control equation, a critical value of collapsing pressure for the orthotropic laminated casing may be determined. An example is applied to explain this method usage in order to verify its effectiveness in this paper. The paper mainly deals with the problem of determining a critical value formula of collapsing pressure for the orthotropic laminated casing, because this is an important engineering problem.
Equivalence-Point Ratio of Antibody to Antigen in Ovalbumin Precipitates.

SummaryAnother determination of the equivalence-point ratio of antibody to antigen in precipitates formed by crystalline ovalbu-min and its antisera statistically conforms with one of the previously reported determinations, but differs significantly from the 2 others. The 2 sets of consistent determinations give a mean of 10.05, σM 0.13.
Long term pressure recordings under the ischial tuberosities of tetraplegics

Five ulcer free tetraplegic subjects who are unable to do lift-offs were studied on four separate days on two types of wheelchair cushions to measure the pressures underneath the ischial tuberosities. Small electrical pressure transducers and a tape-recorder were utilised. The average pressures on the ROHO and foam cushions were 71.5 and 105.4 mmHg respectively. The average time between push-ups greater than 1 second and greater than 5 seconds was 72.1 and 96.2 minutes. The average pressures and the time between push-ups was greatly in excess of the usually suggested skin care regime. The data would suggest that the relative importance of pressure and pressure relief in the aetiology of decubitus ulcers should be re-examined.
Synthesis of TDP-3-amino-3,4,6-trideoxy-α-d-xylo-hexopyranose—The immediate precursor of TDP-α-d-desosamine

Abstract A synthetic pathway producing the title compound starting from methyl α- d -glucose is described. This compound was shown to be a substrate for DesVI, an AdoMet-dependent methyltransferase which catalyzes N , N -dimethylation of the title compound to give a biological significant unusual sugar, desosamine.
Transd miscin pi i nary Training Step Forward in Special Education Teacher Preparation

Educational programming for the handicapped child requires input from a variety of disciplines. However, team strategies to maximize communication among various disciplines have not been incorporated into preservice training programs. Special education teachers are not provided the instruction and experience needed to incorporate team skills into real-life situations. Research indicates the transdisciplinary team process provides optimum services for special education students. For the process to be successful, a teacher must be adequately prepared to function as an integral part of the team. This article is presented in support of such a model. A review of existing special education training models is presented along with a rationale for team training. The transdisciplinary process is described, and recommendations for implementation of a transdisciplinary training program as a step forward in the development of special education teacher preparation are given.
Classification of topological defects in Abelian topological states

We propose the most general classification of pointlike and linelike extrinsic topological defects in $(2+1)$-dimensional Abelian topological states. We first map generic extrinsic defects to boundary defects, and then provide a classification of the latter. Based on this classification, the most generic point defects can be understood as domain walls between topologically distinct boundary regions. We show that topologically distinct boundaries can themselves be classified by certain maximal subgroups of mutually bosonic quasiparticles, called Lagrangian subgroups. We study the topological properties of the point defects, including their quantum dimension, localized zero modes, and projective braiding statistics.
Machine translation by case generalization

Case-based machine translation is a promising approach to resolving problems in rule-based machine translation systems, such as difficulties in control of rules and low adaptability to specific domains. We propose a new mechanism for case-based machine translation, in which a large set of cases is generalized into a smaller set of cases by using a thesaurus.
Environmental performance limits of ultrananocrystalline diamond films

Recent improvements in growth methodologies have decreased the grain sizes and thicknesses of polycrystalline diamond films to the nanometer range, while also increasing the film uniformity and growth rate and preserving the outstanding mechanical properties of diamond. This is rendering such films more technologically and commercially viable. Ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) are the thinnest (<200 nm) and smoothest (Rq < 10 nm) diamond films available.[1] These films demonstrated self-mated friction coefficients as low as near frictionless carbon (μ < 0.007) in environments with sufficient humidity, and the corresponding wear rates could not be measured using scanning white-light interferometry. However, their response to environmental conditions (e.g. relative humidity, ambient species, velocity, and temperature) had not been systematically explored in the past. This study focused on identifying conditions that contribute to favorable tribological performance. We find low friction performance at humidity levels below 1.5% in both nitrogen and argon environments.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Thermally-activated motion of dislocations through random localized obstacles

Abstract The motion of dislocations through randomly positioned localized and thermally-penetrable obstacles interacting with dislocations only at contact is in the form of local penetration and short range sideways’ unzipping ‘. Under an applied stress, the spacings of obstacles along the dislocation line obey a nearly exponential-type distribution resulting in a similar distribution of cusp forces which the dislocation exerts on the obstacles along its length. When the obstacles are thermally penetrable, the dislocation moves forward by first being released from obstacles subjected to cusp forces larger than 1·23 times the average cusp force, and then followed by a sideways’ unzipping’ of two average segment lengths and resulting in a forward motion time considerably shorter than the activation time of the obstacle subjected to the average cusp force. With decreasing temperature the forward motion time becomes a smaller fraction of the time for activation of the average obstacle. This jerky motion of th...
Computer aided chemical process design: the flowtran system

Abstract A description of Monsanto's FLOWTRAN (Flowsheet Translator) system is given. A sample chemical process is first used to illustrate the system. Then the manner in which FLOWTRAN's design addresses some of the commonly encountered problems in chemical process simulations is discussed. Finally some reactions of industrial and academic users to the system are indicated.
Divergent and Convergent Idea Generation in Teams: A Comparison of Computer-Mediated and Face-to-Face Communication

Many tasks and decisions in business, including management consulting, are performed in group settings. Computer-mediated communication (CMC) tools (e.g., Lotus Notes) are increasingly being used by businesses to support teams in a variety of settings. Considerable research in information systems has demonstrated the advantages of “electronic brainstorming” (EBS) for generic tasks involving only divergent thinking. However, it is unclear whether the benefits of CMC extend to tasks that require both divergent and convergent processes. Per task–technology fit theory (TTF) (Zigurs and Buckland 1998), the use of computer-based group communication support tools, including “chat” systems in wide-spread use today, may be less effective for convergent processes than for divergent processes. This study experimentally compares the performance of computer-mediated and face-to-face (FTF) teams on tasks requiring both divergent and convergent processes. Consistent with theoretical predictions, the results revealed that computer-mediated teams outperformed FTF teams in the divergent aspects of the tasks, while FTF teams outperformed computer-mediated teams in the convergent aspects of the tasks.
Qualitative asymptotic synthesis in simple optimal control problems

Abstract Many infinite horizon optimal control problems in economics have scalar state and control variables. Under frequently invoked assumptions, it is sometimes very simple to tell whether the control in such a problem is increasing or decreasing in the state near equilibrium.
Developmental Gerstmann syndrome without aphasia in Fragile X syndrome

Abstract Considerable controversy surrounds Gerstmann's syndrome, with some authors questioning its localizing significance, and others doubting its existence as a distinct entity. This literature is reviewed, and a case is presented of a young boy with Fragile X syndrome who showed all five symptoms of the developmental Gerstmann syndrome. He was one of a group of individuals found to be cytogenetically positive for Fragile X syndrome, who were observed to possess three or more of Gerstmann's symptons in the complete absence of aphasic disorder.
Electron ejection by He+ ion impact at rare-gas films: Energy- and spin-resolved studies

Abstract The electron ejection processes operative when He+ ions with energies in the range 10–500 eV impact adsorbed rare-gas layers are examined both by analyzing the energy distribution of electrons ejected from the surface and by use of spin-labeling techniques, specifically the use of electron-spin-polarized He+ ions coupled with measurement of the ejected electron polarization. The data for xenon films indicate that at low ion energies electron ejection is associated primarily with an Auger neutralization process similar to that seen at clean high-work-function metal surfaces. At the higher ion energies, however, kinetic ejection becomes important and provides an increasing contribution to the total electron yield. For krypton films kinetic ejection is the dominant ejection mechanism although a small signal associated with Auger neutralization is also seen. In the case of argon only kinetic ejection occurs.
Ak-extreme point is the limit ofk-exposed points

It is proved that the relative boundary of ak-dimensional intersection of a hyperplane and a compact convex body is contained in the closure of the union of all intersections of dimension lower thanp that the same convex body makes with different hyperplanes.
Currency features for visually impaired people

The estimated 3.7 million Americans with low vision experience a uniquely difficult task in identifying the denominations of U.S. banknotes because the notes are remarkably uniform in size, color, and general design. The National Research Council's Committee on Currency Features Usable by the Visually Impaired assessed features that could be used by people who are visually disabled to distinguish currency from other documents and to denominate and authenticate banknotes using available technology. Variation of length and height, introduction of large numerals on a uniform, high-contrast background, use of different colors for each of the six denominations printed, and the introduction of overt denomination codes that could lead to development of effective, low-cost devices for examining banknotes were all deemed features available now. Issues affecting performance, including the science of visual and tactile perception, were addressed for these features, as well as for those features requiring additional research and development. In this group the committee included durable tactile features such as those printed with transparent ink, and the production of currency with holes to indicate denomination. Among long-range approaches considered were the development of technologically advanced devices and smart money.
The Tiger Woods scandal: a cautionary tale for event studies

Purpose – Tiger Woods suffered minor injuries and major scrutiny into his personal life due to a suspicious car crash. Previous research suggests that his sponsors would be expected to suffer a significant negative shock. The purpose of this paper is to determine if there was such a shock and to clarify the role that the estimation and event windows have on measuring its significance.Design/methodology/approach – The event study methodology is used for Tiger's core sports related sponsors: Electronic Arts (Tiger Woods PGA TOUR), Nike (Nike Golf), and Pepsi (Gatorade) and his sponsors that are unrelated to sports: AT&T, Accenture, and Procter & Gamble.Findings – The sponsors did not suffer a statistically significant negative cumulative abnormal return. Even under liberal standards and for any event or estimation window that was considered. However, the event windows and estimation windows greatly affected the test statistics.Originality/value – Tiger Woods' situation is, perhaps, the perfect case study fo...
Endovascular Treatment of Delayed Type 1 and 3 Endoleaks

Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) has revolutionized the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Type I and III endoleaks require prompt, definitive repair or explantation. We review a single center experience of endovascular treatment of type I and III endoleaks. Retrospective review of 22 patients who underwent endovascular intervention for remediation of proximal or distal seal zone endoleaks. Median age was 77 years. Median time interval from EVAR to reintervention was 4 years (range, 1 month–11 years). Sixteen patients (73%) had radiological evidence of endoleak and/or expanding sac size and 6 (27%) had contained rupture. Nine patients underwent a total of 12 endovascular reinterventions before this salvage procedure. Stent grafts used at the original procedure were: AneuRx (n = 10), Excluder (n = 7), Ancure (n = 3), Zenith (n = 1), and custom made (n = 1). Endoleaks treated were type Ia (n = 11), Ib (n = 12), and type III (n = 3). Interventions included: proximal cuff insertion with or without Palmaz stent insertion (n = 8), distal limb extension (n = 2), stent graft relining (n = 6), embolization of hypogastric artery and iliac limb extension (ILE) (n = 5), and aorto-uni-iliac stent graft (AUI) with femoral–femoral crossover (n = 1). One patient who had a rupture died of multiorgan failure. Two patients needed additional reinterventions for endoleaks. Median length of hospital stay was 1 day. Lifelong surveillance after EVAR is advocated because of the potential of delayed type I or III endoleaks, which mandate definitive treatment. Fortunately, most delayed type I and III endoleaks can be successfully corrected with endoluminal interventions rather than resorting to explantation of the endograft.
Dorsalizing signal Wnt-7a required for normal polarity of D–V and A–P axes of mouse limb

FORMATION of the vertebrate limb requires specification of cell position along three axes1. Proximal–distal identity is regulated by the apical ectodermal ridge (AER) at the distal tip of the growing limb2–6. Anterior–posterior identity is controlled by signals from the zone of polarizing activity (ZPA) within the posterior limb mesenchyme7–9. Dorsal–ventral identity is regulated by ectoderm-ally derived signals10–14. Recent studies have begun to identify signalling molecules that may mediate these patterning activities. Members of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family are expressed in the AER and can mimic its proximal–distal signalling activity15,16. Similarly, the gene Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is expressed in the ZPA, and Shh-expressing cells, like ZPA cells, can cause digit duplications when transplanted to the anterior limb margin17,18. In contrast, no signal has yet been identified for the dorsal–ventral axis, although Wnt-la is expressed in the dorsal ectoderm, suggesting that it may play such a role19,20. To test this possibility, we have generated mice lacking Wnt-la. activity. The limb mesoderm of these mice shows dorsal-to-ventral transformations of cell fate, indicating that Wnt-la is a dorsalizing signal. Many mutant mice also lack posterior digits, demonstrating that Wnt-la is also required for anterior–posterior patterning. We propose that normal limb development requires interactions between the signalling systems for these two axes.
INPUT ESTIMATION METHOD INCLUDING FINITE-ELEMENT SCHEME FOR SOLVING INVERSE HEAT CONDUCTION PROBLEMS

ABSTRACT This work presents an inverse method based on the input estimation method including the finite-element scheme to estimate unknown heat flux. The input estimation method is comprised of the Kalman filtering technique and a recursive least-squares estimator. This recursive least-squares estimator is weighted by the forgetting factor γ. It is derived using the residual innovation sequence to compute the magnitude of the heat flux, and the discretization is carried out using the finite-element scheme. The superior capabilities of the proposed method are demonstrated in one-dimensional and two-dimensional time-varying estimate cases and by comparison of the proposed algorithm with the conjugate gradient method. Results show that this method has the advantages of stability and good accuracy.
The Spaces of Social Movements: O Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra from a Socio-spatial Perspective

This paper considers the social movement O Movimento dos Trabalharores Rurais Sem Terra (The Movement of Landless Rural Workers, often referred to as the MST). Based on empirical data collected in Ceara, Brazil during 2005, it explores the social and spatial practices that shape MST communities. Using Henri Lefebvre's theory of spatial production, a framework is developed for conceptualising Brazilian agrarian reform within the context of spatial appropriation and the tactics of counter-hegemonic ideology. Through an examination of emergent MST communities, the paper considers the production and constant rearticulation of space. This spatial analytic, it is suggested, offers new insight into the attributes that frequently distinguish individual MST communities.
Phase Transitions, Minimal Surfaces and A Conjecture of De Giorgi

A central problem in the area of PDEs is the study of global solutions, that is solutions defined in the whole space. This problem arises naturally for example when one studies the possible types of behaviors a solution might have at a given point. Focusing near such a point by dilating the picture more and more, we end up with a PDE in the whole space. In other cases we might have a differential equation with oscillating terms on a small scale depending on a parameter e. In order to understand the behavior at unit scale as the parameter e → 0 we often need to dilate the picture and solve some PDE in the whole space. As a consequence, the study of global solutions is crucial when dealing with singularities, local behavior and homogenization limits of PDEs. In this paper we present symmetry results for global solutions to certain semilinear (or fully nonlinear) elliptic equations of the type
DETERMINATION OF SULFAMETHAZINE AND ITS MAJOR METABOLITES IN EGG ALBUMIN AND EGG YOLK BY HIGH PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY

A quantitative liquid chromatographic method for the determination of sulfamethazine (SMZ), N4-acetyl sulfa-methazine (N4-acetyl-SMZ), and desamino sulfamethazine (desamino-SMZ) in egg albumin and egg yolk is described. Egg albumin or yolk was homogenized in acetonitrile and centrifuged. The supernatant was evaporated to dryness and residue reconstituted in the mobile phase. Albumin extract was directly analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Hexane was added to the yolk sample, vortex mixed, and centrifuged to separate the layers. The top hexane layer was removed and a small amount of salt was added to break the emulsions. The lower aqueous layer was analyzed by HPLC. The HPLC system included a reversed phase column, a gradient mobile phase of 5–15% acetonitrile and 0.01M phosphate buffer, and a UV detector set at 268 nm. The recovery of SMZ and N4-acetyl-SMZ, both fortified at 1 ppm levels, from egg albumin was 101 and 88% and from egg yolk was 79 and 91%, respectively. The recovery o...
The effect of improved food composition data on intake estimates in the United States of America

Abstract The effect of improved food composition data on nutrient intake estimates was determined by re-analyzing dietary intake data from the Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals (CSFII) 1994–1996, 1998 with the multi-year version of the Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies (FNDDS) 1.0, wherein only the data improvements such as those due to new analytical data replaced the older values. Mean differences between the old and revised estimates were determined. Improved data resulted in minor but statistically significant ( P = 0.001 ) differences in mean intake estimates for most nutrients. Nutrients or food components with greatest differences included vitamin C, riboflavin, magnesium, and caffeine. As a result of these changes, 4–7% more adults have inadequate intakes of vitamin C and magnesium. Caffeine intakes were lower by about 25%. Changes in the food composition values for fluid milk, tomatoes, coffee, and mixed dishes appear to have had the most impact. These artifactual changes require adjustments to the earlier intake estimates to improve comparability with more current intakes.
Hepatobiliary transport in health and disease

Bile salts, cholesterol and phosphatidylcholine are secreted across the canalicular membrane of hepatocytes into bile by ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. Secretion of bile salts by ABCB11 is essential for bile flow and for absorption of lipids and fat-soluble vitamins. ABCG5 and ABCG8 eliminate excess cholesterol and sterols from the body by secreting them into bile. There are two mechanisms to protect the canalicular membrane from solubilization by bile salts; ABCB4 secretes phosphatidylcholine into bile to form mixed micelles with bile salts, and ATP8B1 maintains the canalicular membrane in a liquid-ordered state. Three different forms of progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) disorders, PFIC1, PFIC2 and PFIC3, are caused by mutations in ATP8B1, ABCB11 and ABCB4, respectively. Sitosterolemia is caused by mutations in ABCG5 and ABCG8. This article reviews the physiological roles of these canalicular transporters, and the pathophysiological processes and clinical features associated with their mutations.