cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermal protection system (TPS) monitoring using acoustic emission

This project investigates acoustic emission (AE) as a tool for monitoring the degradation of thermal protection systems (TPS). The AE sensors are part of an array of instrumentation on an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) torch designed for testing advanced thermal protection aerospace materials used for hypervelocity vehicles. AE are generated by stresses within the material, propagate as elastic stress waves, and can be detected with sensitive instrumentation. Graphite (POCO DFP-2) is used to study gas-surface interaction during degradation of thermal protection materials. The plasma is produced by a RF magnetic field driven by a 30kW power supply at 3.5 MHz, which creates a noisy environment with large spikes when powered on or off. AE are waveguided from source to sensor by a liquid-cooled copper probe used to position the graphite sample in the plasma stream. Preliminary testing was used to set filters and thresholds on the AE detection system (Physical Acoustics PCI-2) to minimize the impact of considerable operating noise. Testing results show good correlation between AE data and testing environment, which dictates the physics and chemistry of the thermal breakdown of the sample. Current efforts for the project are expanding the dataset and developing statistical analysis tools. This study shows the potential of AE as a powerful tool for analysis of thermal protection material thermal degradations with the unique capability of real-time, in-situ monitoring.
Synergy determination issues.

A recent paper by F. Verrier and coworkers presented the combination of antibodies against a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 isolate ([8][1]). In the paper was described a “new mathematical treatment” of determining synergism, additive effect, or antagonism. Its verbatim reasoning used
Protecting relational assets: a pre and post field study of a horizontal business combination

A variety of theoretical frameworks including social exchange theory, relational exchange theory, and contracting theory are used to investigate how to protect relational assets in a marketing channel when an upstream horizontal business combination between key suppliers arises. In this study, we ascertain downstream channel members’ perceptions of a supplier’s horizontal business combination both prior to and after such a combination. Our findings indicate that a normative contract breach resulting from a horizontal business combination influences downstream channel members by reducing their performance, decreasing their satisfaction, and increasing their likelihood of exiting the channel. Consequently, both the relational assets of the upstream supplier and their downstream customers are harmed. Importantly, these influences can be partially offset through the moderating effect of channel identification.
The relative effectiveness of two models for scoring the mid-town psychological disorder index

Two scoring methods, a conditional probability method and the currently used summational method, were tested with a psychiatric case identification instrument, the 22-item Mid-town index. The two methods very similarly classified, as either ill or well, persons in both a patient and a community sample. Although the less costly summational method is preferable for current use with the 22-item index, the conditional probability method appears to have advantages worthy of further research. Possible approaches for improving the conditional probability method for use in case identification are presented.
Privacy Preserving Joins

In this paper, we design a system for mutually distrustful entities to perform privacy preserving joins, leveraging the power of a memory-limited secure coprocessor. Under this setting, we critique a questionable assumption in a previous privacy definition [1] that leads to unnecessary information leakage. We then remove the assumption and propose a new definition. Based on this definition, we propose three correct and provable secure algorithms to compute general joins of arbitrary predicates, by utilizing available cryptographic tools in a nontrivial way. We discuss different memory requirements of our proposed algorithms, and explore how to trade little privacy with significant performance improvement. In [2], we evaluate the performance of our algorithms by numerical examples. We also show the performance superiority of our approach over secure multi-party computation in [2].
Beyond Wiener---Askey Expansions: Handling Arbitrary PDFs

In this paper we present a Multi-Element generalized Polynomial Chaos (ME-gPC) method to deal with stochastic inputs with arbitrary probability measures. Based on the decomposition of the random space of the stochastic inputs, we construct numerically a set of orthogonal polynomials with respect to a conditional probability density function (PDF) in each element and subsequently implement generalized Polynomial Chaos (gPC) locally. Numerical examples show that ME-gPC exhibits both p- and h-convergence for arbitrary probability measures
Age and fertility

More women are planning pregnancy after the age of 35. Unfortunately for these individuals, aging is associated with compromised ovarian function and decreasing fecundity. Compromised oocyte quality is associated with fetal aneuploidies and poor quality embryos with an increased miscarriage rate. Secondary to this compromised oocyte quality, success rates of assisted reproductive techniques decline. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol levels on day 3 of the menstrual cycle help to assess the ovarian reserve. Fertility potential can also be assessed by the clomiphene challenge test. In order for women to plan for their childbearing, an understanding of the influence of age on fertility is essential. It is the responsibility of caregivers to educate patients regarding this issue. Assisted reproductive techniques (ART), ovum donation, and preimplantation diagnostic techniques help to improve the successful pregnancy outcomes in older women.
Applications of mass spectrometry in combinatorial chemistry.

This article describes the use of two mass spectrometric techniques, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) and electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry, toward a variety of challenging problems in drug discovery and identification. Quantitative ESI was used to screen for inhibitor activity of two different enzymatic glycosylation reactions resulting in the identification of the most effective inhibitors and the determination of their IC50 (inhibitor concentration at 50% inhibition). Also described is a combinatorial extraction method used with automated MALDI mass spectrometry to improve upon the clinical analysis of the immunosuppressant drug cyclosporin A (CsA). Optimization was performed by generating an array of solvent systems which were screened (by MALDI-MS) for the most efficient extraction of CsA from whole blood. Ultimately a 70/30 hexane:CHCl3 mixture was identified as the most efficient binary solvent system for such extractions. In addition it was demonstrated that peptides and carbohydrates, covalently linked to a polymeric support (through a photolabile linker), can be directly analyzed by MALDI in a single step which requires no pretreatment of the sample to induce cleavage from the support. The UV laser light in the MALDI experiment was used to simultaneously promote the analyte's photolytic cleavage from the solid support and its gas phase ionization for subsequent mass spectral analysis. Overall, the strength of mass spectrometry lies in its versatility, making it a powerful analytical technique with which to characterize the diversity of compounds found in combinatorial libraries. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng (Comb Chem) 61:127–134, 1998.
A geometric Newton---Raphson strategy

Abstract In the standard Newton–Raphson algorithm for solving nonlinear equations, a new guess is computed by solving a linear approximation of the problem at the current guess. A similar, very effective strategy is proposed here for solving geometric problems (e.g., finding intersections) on general plane curves. To compute a new guess, solve an elementary geometric approximation of the problem at the current guess.
Neuroticism and the belief that one is being scrutinized and evaluated by others

Abstract Persons scoring high in neuroticism as measured by the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire are not troubled by excessive guilt. Instead, they are more perfectionistic, anxious, shamed, embarrassed, and self-conscious than are persons lower in neuroticism scores. Persons high in neuroticism appear to believe that they are of sufficient stimulus value to be subject to others' close scrutiny.
Evidence of chaotic behavior in computer simulations of fracture processes

Abstract Although the science of fracture mechanics has had considerable success in using continuum mechanics to predict fracture stress distributions and the approximate fracture path in groups of identical samples, a great amount of uncertainty is always present in the behavior of a single sample. It has been generally accepted that this lack of predictability is the result of an incomplete knowledge of the state of flaws on a sample surface coupled with limitations in fracture mechanics models. In the simulation of fracture in amorphous silica, the stress-strain behavior during fracture and the structure of the fracture paths are ultimately dependent on individual atomic motions and all aspects of the structure. This is a hallmark of chaotic behavior, indicating that the characteristics of fracture in materials can be predicted only in general terms, regardless of the precision used to define the initial configurations.
Spin-density gradient expansion for the kinetic energy

Expressions for the kinetic energy $T$ (and incidentally also for the exchange energy ${E}_{x}$) of a ground-state inhomogeneous electron gas as a functional of the electron density $n(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{r}})$, and for $n(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{r}})$ as a functional of the one-electron potential $V(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{r}})$, are readily generalized to the case of two unequal spin densities ${n}_{\ensuremath{\uparrow}}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{r}})$ and ${n}_{\ensuremath{\downarrow}}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{r}})$. As an example the authors consider the expansions of $T$ up to fourth order in the gradients of $n$, and of $n$ up to fourth order in the gradients of $V$. These expansions are tested for the extreme case of one- and two-electron atoms. It is found that (i) The $n[V]$ expansion contains serious pathologies, while the $T[n]$ expansion leads to much more reasonable results when applied to either the exact density $n(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{r}})$ or to an $n(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{r}})$ obtained by minimization of the approximate total-energy functional $E[n]$. (ii) Good approximations to $E$ and $n(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{r}})$ in one-electron atoms are obtained only when the complete spin polarization of a single electron is taken into account via $T[{n}_{\ensuremath{\uparrow}}, {n}_{\ensuremath{\downarrow}}]$. (iii) Within a variational calculation, the inclusion of second- and fourth-order gradient corrections to the zeroth-order (Thomas-Fermi) approximation for $T$ leads to systematic improvements in the analytic behavior of $n(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{r}})$ near the nucleus. The authors also compare the local-exchange approximation with the local-exchange-correlation approximation in one- and two-electron atoms, and find that correlation should not be neglected.
Role of the Median Preoptic Nucleus in Arterial Pressure Regulation and Sodium and Water Homeostasis During High Dietary Salt Intake

Changes in the osmolality and level of angiotensin II (ANG II) are important peripheral signals modulating appropriate central sympathetic output and maintaining a normal arterial pressure during high salt intake. The median preoptic nucleus (MnPO) receives reciprocal inputs from the subfornical organ (SFO) and organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT), the circumventricular organs that have been shown to be necessary in multiple central effects of changes in the osmolality and circulating ANG II directed toward the maintenance of sodium and water homeostasis. We, therefore, hypothesized that the MnPO is a crucial part of the central neuronal mechanisms mediating the blood pressure control by altered osmolality and/or ANG II signaling during chronic high dietary salt intake. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to either sham (operation), or electrolytic lesion of the MnPO. After a 7-day recovery, rats were instrumented with radiotelemetric transducers and aortic flow probes for the measurement of the mean arterial pressure + heart rate (HR) and cardiac output (CO), respectively. Femoral venous catheters were also implanted to collect blood for the measurements of plasma osmolality and sodium concentration, as well as plasma renin activity. Rats were given another 10 days to recover and then were subjected to a 28-day-long study protocol that included a 7-day control period (1.0% NaCl diet), followed by 14 days of high salt (4.0% NaCl), and a 7-day recovery period (1.0% NaCl). The data showed, that despite a slight increase in the MAP observed in both MnPO- (n = 12) and sham-lesioned (n = 8) rats during the high-salt period, there were no significant differences between the MAP, HR, and CO in the two groups throughout the study protocol. These findings do not support the hypothesis that the MnPO is necessary to maintain normal blood pressure during high dietary salt intake. However, MnPO-lesioned rats showed less sodium balance than sham-lesioned rats during the first 4 days of high salt intake. Although, these results may be explained partly by the plasma hyperosmolarity and hypernatremia observed in MnPO-lesioned rats; they also shed light on the role of the MnPO in central neuronal control of renal sodium handling during chronic high dietary salt intake.
Arms Proliferation: A Few More Serial Bibliographies of Interest to Africanist Historians

The following items supplement my previous listing of serial indexes and bibliographies ( HA , 10 [1983], 109-49). Then overlooked, they have since come to my attention. Most of them seem to fall well short of being current so that my earlier caveat regarding the possibility that some bibliographies may have ceased is all the more appropriate here. AAN is published by the Editions du Centre National de la Recherche Scientique, 15 quai Anatole-France, 75700 Paris. It is largely a current affairs reference source and its “Bibliographie” is by far the most important one now available for North Africa, making its omission for my earlier list all the more embarrassing. The bibliography for 1980 (the most recent available) consists of 1645 items arranged under: Documents Generaux; Histoire; Politique Interieure; Defense Nationale; Politique Exterieure; Economie; Enseignement/Culture/Religion; Questions de Societe--Espace; Emigration. The arrangement is general, then geographical under each of these main classifications, with an author index following. There is extensive cross-referencing but no list of journals and newspapers consulted. Each item is coded, apparently to facilitate ordering photocopies from CNRS.
Polymorphic splitting: an effective polyvariant flow analysis

This article describes a general-purpose program analysis that computes global control-flow and data-flow information for higher-order, call-by-value languages. The analysis employs a novel form of polyvariance called polymorhic splitting that uses let-expressions as syntactic clues to gain precision. The information derived from the analysis is used both to eliminate run-time checks and to inline procedure. The analysis and optimizations have been applied to a suite of Scheme programs. Experimental results obtained from the prototype implementation indicate that the analysis is extremely precise and has reasonable cost. Compared to monovariant flow analyses such as 0CFA, or analyses based on type inference such as soft typing, the analysis eliminates significantly more run-time checks. Run-time check elimination and inlining together typically yield a 20 to 40% performance improvement for the benchmark suite, with some programs running four times as fast.
Electron microscopic observations of pericytes of small blood vessels in the lungs and hearts of normal cattle and swine

In an electron microscopic study of lungs and hearts from cattle and swine, filament-containing cells were observed to extend through the basement membrane and form contacts with endothelial cells of capillaries, arterioles, and venules. It is suggested that these may be cells of Rouget and that they may be of considerable functional significance.
Orientational behavior of quantum rotors physisorbed on boron nitride

We report the results of NMR studies of the two-dimensional (2D) phase diagrams for molecular ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ films (monolayers and submonolayers) adsorbed on BN for ortho-${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ concentrations 0.30.745 and temperatures 0.054.2 K. A 2D quadrupolar glass state has been identified for submonolayer coverages for 0.480.69 and 0.2\ensuremath{\leqslant}T\ensuremath{\leqslant}0.6 K. For submonolayer films (75% of full monolayer), an orientationally ordered phase (expected pinwheel structure) was observed for X\ensuremath{\geqslant}0.69 with a transition to a second distinct ordered phase (expected herringbone structure) for X\ensuremath{\leqslant}0.69.
Inhibition of the Feulgen reaction by ions.

Abstract Uranyl or ferric ions in the growth medium of Acanthamoeba rendered these nuclei Feulgen negative and ferric ions in the growth medium of Tetrahymena greatly reduced Feulgen staining. A similar inhibitory effect was produced when fixed Acanthamoeba or Tetrahymena cells were exposed to the same ions either before or after acid hydrolysis but not after staining with Schiffs, reagent. A mechanism to account for this inhibition has been proposed. The importance of these findings to workers performing quantitative Feulgen reactions has been discussed.
The use of a combinatorial library method to isolate human tumor cell adhesion peptides.

Tumor cell progression is dependent in part on the successful adhesive interactions of the cells with the extracellular matrix. In this study, a new approach is described to isolate linear peptide ligand candidates involved in cellular adhesion. A synthetic combinatorial peptide library based on the ‘one-bead-one-peptide’ concept was incubated with live human prostate cancer cells for 90 min at 37 °C. The peptide bead coated with a monolayer of cells was then isolated for micro sequencing. The DU145 (DU-H) cells were chosen since they have been previously characterized as containing elevated levels of a laminin receptor for cell adhesion, the α6β1 integrin on the cell surface. The use of a function-blocking antibody (GoH3) allows for the detection of peptides which are α6-specific ligand candidates. From two different libraries (linear 9-mer and 11-mer) of a total of 1 500 000 beads, 68 peptide beads containing attached cells were isolated. These positive beads were then retested to determine the ability of the GoH3 antibody to block binding of the cells to the peptide beads. The α6 integrin candidate peptide beads (five in total) were recovered and two of the beads were microsequenced. These two peptides, RU-1 (LNIVSVNGRHX) and RX-1 (DNRIRLQAKXX), resemble the previously reported active peptide sequences (GD-2 and AG-73) from native laminin. The RU-1, RX-1 and AG-73 peptides were tested for their ability to support cell attachment and to bind the cell surface of DU-H prostate carcinoma cells in suspension using fluorescence-activated cell-sorting (FACS) analysis. Both RU-1 and AG-73 peptides supported cellular attachment within 1 h. In contrast, after 1 h, EHS laminin supported both cellular attachment and spreading. The RX-1 peptide exhibited only weak binding to the DU-H prostate carcinoma cells. FACS analysis indicated that AG-73 peptide attached to tumor cell surfaces over a range of concentrations, whereas the RU-1 peptide showed a homogeneous concentration required for attachment. The described strategy for screening a random peptide library offers three advantages: (i) ligands for conformationally sensitive receptors of adhesion can be isolated using live cells; (ii) specific binding can be selected for using function-blocking antibodies; and (iii) peptides supporting adhesion independent of spreading properties can be distinguished. In principle, specific adhesive peptides without prior knowledge of the sequence could be isolated for any epithelial cell surface receptor for which a function-blocking reagent is available.
Carbon molecular sieves for the concentration of oxygen from air

Abstract The micropore structure of a number of American coals varying in rank from LVB to lignite has been modified by two methods: 1. (1) heat treatment in nitrogen to 800–900 °C, and 2. (2) air oxidation near the ignition temperature followed by heat treatment to 900–1000 °C in nitrogen. The second method of treatment is a necessity for coking coals. The chars from HVC coal using method (1) and from LVB coal using method (2) showed selective oxygen adsorption from air. Preferential oxygen uptake is attributed to an initial rate of oxygen adsorption that is higher than that for nitrogen owing to molecular sieve structure. Carbons obtained from coconut shells and some highly crosslinked synthetic polymers (for example, polydivinyl benzene) also showed selective oxygen adsorption. Adsorption of both gases on these carbons is primarily physical, that is, adsorption and desorption cycles can be performed by pressure swing with no significant loss of capacity. The slope of the oxygen isotherm is higher than that of the nitrogen isotherm, indicating that oxygen adsorption is enhanced over that of nitrogen at higher pressures. Operating at pressures around 6.3 MPa and 25 °C with air, oxygen concentration in the desorption product stream can be increased to about 36%. Using three beds of carbon in series, the final product gas can be concentrated to about 80% oxygen. The fraction, by volume, of the inlet gas which is realized as product gas depends upon a number of variables.
Category set in anagram solutions

The purpose of the present experiment was to study category set in multiple solution anagram problems. A category set was established among words that would not ordinarily be related. The hypothesis was: solutions found for anagrams vary as a function of category set. Ten Ss were divided into two groups, five for each. Group A read a paragraph containing one possible set of solutions (category words) for the anagrams and then solved 10 anagrams. Group B read a different paragraph which did not contain any possible solutions for the anagrams and then solved the same 10 anagrams as Group A. The mean frequencies for the category words were compared for the two groups. It was found that Group A had a significantly higher number of category words than Group B. Reasons for the high amount of variability in frequencies for each category word and implications for future studies are discussed.
Magnon decay and observed nonlinear microwave transmission phenomena.

Holmes and Alexandrakis observed nonlinear phenomena in the transmission of microwave energy through moderately thick samples of polycrystalline iron. In these experiments the sample, in the shape of a thin disk, formed part of the common wall between two microwave cavities. Microwaves polarized with the rf magnetic field parallel to a large, static magnetic field in the plane of the sample was incident on one cavity. Any energy passing through the sample and generating microwaves polarized perpendicular to, and at half the frequency of, the incident microwaves entered the second cavity and was subsequently detected. For incident microwaves of frequency 18.74 GHz, they observed a transmission feature \ensuremath{\approxeq}100 Oe wide at an applied field of 2.2 kOe. Misalignment of the rf magnetic field with the magnetization allowed the incident microwaves to excite spin waves. At 2.1 kOe one magnon can decay into two phonons that propagate in the same direction as the original magnon. It is these phonons that were responsible for the observed transmission.
The utility of HPV DNA triage in the management of cytological AGC.

Objective Given the demonstrated utility of human papilloma virus DNA triage in the management of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, this study sought to evaluate the potential role of human papilloma virus DNA testing in the evaluation and management of cytological atypical glandular cells. Study design Following institutional review board approval, 28 women presenting with cytological atypical glandular cells underwent repeat thin-prep cytology, Hybrid Capture 2 human papilloma virus DNA testing, colposcopic evaluation, Fisher electrosurgical conization, and endometrial sampling. Human papilloma virus test results in each patient were then correlated with histologic lesions, if present. Results Sixteen of the 28 study patients had pathologic lesions (11/28 high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, 3/28 low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, 1/28 adenocarcinoma in situ, 1/28 simple endometrial hyperplasia). Human papilloma virus DNA testing was available in 24 of 28 subjects (86%). The sensitivity of human papilloma virus positivity to predict the presence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia was 100% (confidence interval 77% to 100%), specificity 64% (confidence interval 35% to 85%), positive predictive value 76%, and negative predictive value 100%. Women who tested human papilloma virus positive were 12 times more likely to have cervical intraepithelial neoplasia than women who were human papilloma virus negative (Fisher P Conclusion Atypical glandular cells can represent a variety of lesions. The majority of the lesions will be squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix (50%), with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion present in 40% of subjects. Human papilloma virus DNA testing is a sensitive test for the presence of squamous intraepithelial lesion, with excellent negative predictive value for the absence of squamous intraepithelial lesion. The results of this study suggest human papilloma virus DNA testing might be an effective screening test in the initial evaluation and management of cytological atypical glandular cells.
Linking tree species identity to anaerobic microbial activity in a forested wetland soil via leaf litter decomposition and leaf carbon fractions

Our aim was to examine the linkage between tree species and anaerobic microbial activity in a forested wetland. If plant species have a unique influence on soil microorganisms, then knowing plant species identity has tremendous potential to predict rates of microbial activity belowground. We expected the linkage to occur via leaf litter decay rate and differences in leaf litter carbon (C) fractions. We used leaf litter from 10 tree species (angiosperm and gymnosperm, deciduous and evergreen) and soil from a forested wetland in New York State. We quantified leaf litter decay on the soil surface and correlated variation in rates with leaf mass per area (LMA) and several C fractions. We extracted water-soluble compounds from green leaves and leaf litter and tested their ability to fuel anaerobic carbon dioxide (CO2) production and methane (CH4) production. We also added leaf litter directly to soil to examine how the residue might influence anaerobic microbial activity. Leaf decay rates exhibited a negative linear relationship with LMA. Variations in rates of soil methane (CH4) production were species specific and greater with gymnosperms (mean = 8.6 μmol g−1 d−1) than angiosperms (mean = 3.7 μmol g−1 d−1). Rates of anaerobic CO2 production were less affected by plant species. Pectin and hemicellulose in leaf litter was particularly conducive to anaerobic decomposition and CH4 production. The influence of plant species on soil microbial activity will become clearer when we can better quantify leaf C fractions and understand the decomposability of each fraction in relationship to others.
Fine structure of the free cell surface in developing mouse intestinal mucosa.

Dimensions of the longest intestinal microvilli were measured in normal mice from the 14 day embryo through weaning. Major changes are associated with birth and weaning. Microvilli increase in height and volume before birth and after birth increase in height but keep the same volume by decreasing in diameter. There is thus an increase in surface area associated with birth and with weaning. This correlates with the increases in alkaline phosphatase activity of mouse intestine at these times as described by Moog. Location of reaction product suggests that phosphatase is associated with the inner layer of the unit membrane. Attempts to reproduce the normal shape changes of microvilli by injecting 9 to 10 day old mice with cortisone failed. The microvilli increased in height but did not decrease in diameter.
On the mechanism of enzyme action. LXVI. Comparative studies on acid phosphatases.

Abstract The stability of wheat germ acid phosphatase is affected by several factors. Cobalt ions are the most effective stabilizers of the enzyme under all conditions studied. Manganese ions act as either stabilizers or inactivators, depending on the buffer present. Zinc ions stabilize the enzyme, but give rise to an immediate decrease of activity by about 25 %. Metalcomplexing agents cause a rapid loss in activity, which can be partially restored by the addition of cobalt ions. Iron appears to be a naturally occurring metal contaminant, but its role is not explained. Acetylation of the enzyme results in the modification of properties qualitatively similar to those observed with other enzymes. Cobalt ions are without effect on erythrocyte and prostatic acid phosphatases. They activate the yeast enzyme without stabilizing it.
Next-Generation Collection Management: A Case Study of Quality Control and Weeding E-Books in an Academic Library

Collection managers should analyze and control the quality of digital collections by active weeding of e-books. Certain print weeding strategies apply to digital material even though digital material does not take up physical space. One such strategy is the removal of outdated content, especially in the subjects of health and technology, in order to maintain updated and accurate collections. However, the e-book format presents some additional and different quality control challenges. In this article, the authors describe an e-book weeding project at the Louisiana State University Libraries that addresses and demonstrates these challenges.
WOODPECKERS AND HEAD INJURY

The woodpecker is an experiment in Nature, a model for the investigation of mechanisms of basic importance for head injury and its prevention. A preliminary anatomical study of the woodpecker's head suggests that it may be fruitful to explore impact protective systems which are radically different from those in common use.
The role of therapist experiential avoidance in predicting therapist preference for exposure treatment for OCD

Abstract Despite the overwhelming evidence that the behavioral components of cognitive-behavior therapies (CBTs) are critical for patient improvement, particularly in the case of anxiety disorders, there remains a wide gap between science and practice in their consistent use. In particular, exposure therapy for anxiety is under-used, even among self-proclaimed cognitive-behavior therapists. Some have speculated that this under-use is related to therapist discomfort with and avoidance of the temporary increase in distress that patients often experience during exposure therapy, and the secondary distress that this may cause in therapists themselves. Recent studies have begun to examine therapist characteristics that are associated with the use of evidence-based psychotherapies, but this research has focused on evidence-based practice as a whole rather than on specific interventions such as exposure, and have not addressed therapist psychological variables. We examined the role of therapists׳ experiential avoidance in the hypothetical use of exposure-based interventions to treat fictional patients for whom exposure therapy is clearly indicated. A total of 172 therapists watched simulated therapy intake sessions and were asked to designate the percentage of time they would allot toward various therapeutic modalities, including exposure. Results suggested that participants exhibiting higher experiential avoidance tended to allot less time to exposure therapy for the fictional patient. Additional therapist personality factors, such as intuitive personality style and attitudes toward evidence-based treatments, were associated with self-reported use of exposure therapy as well.
MOLECULAR WEIGHT EFFECTS OF OLIGOMERIC DISPERSANTS ON AQUEOUS ALUMINA SUSPENSIONS

ABSTRACT The objectives of this study are to synthesize an oligomer (75% acrylic acid, 15% acrylamide, and 10% methyl acrylate) with different molecular weights and determine the effects of molecular weight on the dispersing ability of the oligomers. Molecular weights were calculated using Proton NMR spectroscopy for end-group analysis. Rheology and adsorption measurements of aqueous alumina slurries at various polymer dosages were acquired at pH 9.5. Based on the results of these studies, it was concluded that the molecular weight of an oligomer does have a significant effect on alumina suspensions. Moreover, there is an optimum molecular weight at which suspension viscosity is the lowest due to the amount of oligomer adsorbed onto alumina particles. In this study, oligomer C (1970 g/mol) with 2 mg/g of alumina dosage in 0.50 volume fraction alumina suspensions yielded the lowest viscosity and highest adsorption. Viscosity and adsorption values increased above and below 1970 g/mol molecular weight. In su...
The subtropical nutrient spiral

[1] We present an extended series of observations and more comprehensive analysis of a tracer-based measure of new production in the Sargasso Sea near Bermuda using the 3 He flux gauge technique. The estimated annually averaged nitrate flux of 0.84 ± 0.26 mol m � 2 yr � 1 constitutes only that nitrate physically transported to the euphotic zone, not nitrogen from biological sources (e.g., nitrogen fixation or zooplankton migration). We show that the flux estimate is quantitatively consistent with other observations, including decade timescale evolution of the 3 H+ 3 He inventory in the main thermocline and export production estimates. However, we argue that the flux cannot be supplied in the long term by local diapycnal or isopycnal processes. These considerations lead us to propose a three-dimensional pathway whereby nutrients remineralized within the main thermocline are returned to the seasonally accessible layers within the subtropical gyre. We describe this mechanism, which we call ‘‘the nutrient spiral,’’ as a sequence of steps where (1) nutrient-rich thermocline waters are entrained into the Gulf Stream, (2) enhanced diapycnal mixing moves nutrients upward onto lighter densities, (3) detrainment and enhanced isopycnal mixing injects these waters into the seasonally accessible layer of the gyre recirculation region, and (4) the nutrients become available to biota via eddy heaving and wintertime convection. The spiral is closed when nutrients are utilized, exported, and then remineralized within the thermocline. We present evidence regarding the characteristics of the spiral and discuss some implications of its operation within the biogeochemical cycle of the subtropical ocean. INDEX TERMS: 4808 Oceanography: Biological and Chemical: Chemical tracers; 4845 Oceanography: Biological and Chemical: Nutrients and nutrient cycling; 4805 Oceanography: Biological and Chemical: Biogeochemical cycles (1615); 4820 Oceanography: Biological and Chemical: Gases; KEYWORDS: nutrients, productivity, tritium, helium-3
Azimuthal asymmetry in elastic electron scattering by polarized 3P sodium atoms.

Azimuthal asymmetry of the differential cross sections between two polarized states has been measured in elastic electron scattering by laser-excited sodium atoms prepared in the 3${\mathrm{}}^{2}$${\mathit{P}}_{3/2}$,F=3 (${\mathit{M}}_{\mathit{F}}$=+3 or ${\mathit{M}}_{\mathit{F}}$=-3) polarized state. These results are an observation of the orbital effect in the elastic electron collision due to ${\mathit{M}}_{\mathit{L}}$ atomic state perpendicular to the scattering plane. Data are reported for electron energies in the range of 1--10 eV, comparable with the kinetic energy of the atomic valence electron. At polar scattering angle \ensuremath{\theta}=135\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} we found the asymmetry to be more significant when the incident electron energy is lower. Differential cross sections of these excited, polarized states were obtained at 135\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} as a function of electron energy as well. The experimental results are compared with R-matrix-based close coupling, and convergent-close-coupling calculations. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Modelling conduction in asymmetrical discontinuous metal thin films

The explanation of diode-like properties and pseudo-inductance in asymmetrical discontinuous metal films requires the addition of contact injection of charge carriers to the basic theory of charge activated tunnelling. Monte Carlo computer simulations of the conduction process demonstrate the observed phenomena, and the modified model can be used to gain greater insight into island film applications.
A Dichotic Threshold Test: Normal and Brain-Damaged Subjects

When two speech sounds are presented simultaneously to the two ears, normal subjects were able to report accurately the input to either ear until the signal amplitude to the unattended ear exceeded...
Ferric Citrate Hydrate as a Phosphate Binder and Risk of Aluminum Toxicity

Ferric citrate hydrate was recently approved in Japan as an oral phosphate binder to be taken with food for the control of hyperphosphatemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The daily therapeutic dose is about 3 to 6 g, which comprises about 2 to 4 g of citrate. Oral citrate solubilizes aluminum that is present in food and drinking water, and opens the tight junctions in the intestinal epithelium, thereby increasing aluminum absorption and urinary excretion. In healthy animals drinking tap water, oral citrate administration increased aluminum absorption and, over a 4-week period, increased aluminum deposition in brain and bone by about 2- and 20-fold, respectively. Renal excretion of aluminum is impaired in patients with chronic kidney disease, thereby increasing the risk of toxicity. Based on human and animal studies it can be surmised that patients with CKD who are treated with ferric citrate hydrate to control hyperphosphatemia are likely to experience enhanced absorption of aluminum from food and drinking water, thereby increasing the risk of aluminum overload and toxicity.
O(2) symmetry and critical lines of the antiferromagnetic Ising models

La forme des lignes critiques des modeles d'Ising antiferromagnetiques est contrainte par une transformation generalisee des modeles de vertex correspondants. Les fonctions invariantes de cette symetrie sont etudiees pour des nombres de coordination arbitraires. Presentation d'expressions simples donnant des caracteristiques qualitatives de plusieurs types de lignes critiques
Ovulation, ovarian function, and reproductive performance after treatments with GnRH in postpartum suckled cows.

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to determine whether treatments with gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) during the early postpartum period in suckled cows would induce ovulation and initiate regular estrous cycles. In Experiment I, 0, 100 or 200μg of GnRH was given to 22 suckled Angus × Holstein cows at three and again at five weeks postpartum. Serum luteinizing hormone (LH) responses did not differ between cows given 100 or 200μg of GnRH. Treatment with GnRH tended to increase the percentage of cows exhibiting estrus by 30 and 60 days postpartum, but reproductive performance during the breeding season did not differ among groups. In Experiment II, 70 suckled Hereford cows were given either no treatment or 200μg of GnRH at 7 weeks postpartum. Cows given GnRH received either no treatment prior to GnRH or were separated from their calves for 24 hr prior to GnRH treatment. Half of the cows that were separated from their calves also received progesterone via a progesterone intravaginal device (PRID) for 12 days prior to calf removal. Treatment with GnRH alone tended to increase the percentage of anestrous cows which ovulated by 8 days after treatment. Calf removal did not increase the ovulatory response to GnRH, but PRID treatment did. More estrous periods were detected in GnRH-treated cows than in control cows during 20 days after GnRH treatment.
Effects of vegetation on flow through free water surface wetlands

Abstract The one-dimensional Saint-Venant equations are modified to account for stem drag and volumetric displacement effects of dense emergent plants on free surface flow. The modified equations are solved with an implicit finite difference method to give velocities and depths for shallow flows through a vegetated wetland channel. Estimated flow profiles are used to investigate how vegetation density, downstream boundaries and aspect ratio affect detention time, an important parameter in determining nutrient and pollutant removal efficiencies of wetlands constructed to treat wastewater. Results show that free water surface wetlands may exhibit static, neutral or dynamic behavior. Under static conditions, the wetland behaves like a pond in which displacement effects caused by submerged plant mass invariably decrease detention times. Under dynamic conditions, stem drag induced by aquatic plants predominates and wetland detention times increase with vegetation density. These opposing responses are separated by a narrow neutral condition where the presence of vegetation has virtually no net effect on detention time. For a given flow rate and surface area, detention times and hence treatment efficiencies in vegetated free water surface wetlands can be managed to some degree by adjusting the downstream control or by changing the aspect ratio.
Buxtonella sulcata Jameson, 1926 (Protozoa, Ciliata): Cysts and Cyst Formation

Jameson (1926) has described from the caeca of cattle a ciliate belonging to the family Isotrichidae to which he has given the name Buxtonella sulcata. The most prominent character of this ciliate is a dorsal ridge running in a wide sweeping curve from one end of the body to the other with a groove running down the middle. Other characters of importance are a peculiar indentation near the mouth and the not uncommon occurrence of the macronucleus in two separate rounded portions. Roundish oval cysts of this ciliate, 80 to 100 microns in length by 60 to 80 microns in width, were also found by him.
Models and games

Cellular Automata Machines: A New Environment for Modeling. By Tommaso Toffoli and Norman Margolus. MIT Press: 1987. Pp.259. $30, £26.95.
Low Cost Inspection for Improved Blade Reliability

Wind energy is a level of maturity regarding its value as an alternative energy generation technology. Continued development of wind turbine applications will benefit by ensuring the reliability of wind turbine blade systems. In this work, we explore low cost sensors for composite wind turbine blades to determine Loads, Health Monitoring, and Inspection and Repair. Items to be sensed for improved composite wind turbine blade reliability include wind velocity, temperature, blade strain, moisture/humidity, blade acceleration, blade tip deflection, and damage initiation. Representative wind turbine blade laminates were made with embedded and post-processing integrated sensors. Sensors studied to date include Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) piezo electric polymer sensors for strain and transient loadings, accelerometers, embedded metal foil strain gages, ambient humidity sensors, thermocouples, IR transmittance for quality, and fiber optic sensors for a variety of sensing applications. Major conclusions from this work are that low cost sensors are feasible and can be implemented into composite wind turbine blade laminates. Data acquisition has been developed in a robust, commercially available platform. Embedding sensors into wind turbine blade laminates will not be trivial; composite/sensor interface and static strength problems were confronted in the present work. The durability of the sensors and composite laminates with sensors remain outstanding issues for the deployment and utilization of sensors for composite wind turbine blades.
Methylphenidate Attenuates Limbic Brain Inhibition after Cocaine-Cues Exposure in Cocaine Abusers

Dopamine (phasic release) is implicated in conditioned responses. Imaging studies in cocaine abusers show decreases in striatal dopamine levels, which we hypothesize may enhance conditioned responses since tonic dopamine levels modulate phasic dopamine release. To test this we assessed the effects of increasing tonic dopamine levels (using oral methylphenidate) on brain activation induced by cocaine-cues in cocaine abusers. Brain metabolism (marker of brain function) was measured with PET and 18FDG in 24 active cocaine abusers tested four times; twice watching a Neutral video (nature scenes) and twice watching a Cocaine-cues video; each video was preceded once by placebo and once by methylphenidate (20 mg). The Cocaine-cues video increased craving to the same extent with placebo (68%) and with methylphenidate (64%). In contrast, SPM analysis of metabolic images revealed that differences between Neutral versus Cocaine-cues conditions were greater with placebo than methylphenidate; whereas with placebo the Cocaine-cues decreased metabolism (p<0.005) in left limbic regions (insula, orbitofrontal, accumbens) and right parahippocampus, with methylphenidate it only decreased in auditory and visual regions, which also occurred with placebo. Decreases in metabolism in these regions were not associated with craving; in contrast the voxel-wise SPM analysis identified significant correlations with craving in anterior orbitofrontal cortex (p<0.005), amygdala, striatum and middle insula (p<0.05). This suggests that methylphenidate's attenuation of brain reactivity to Cocaine-cues is distinct from that involved in craving. Cocaine-cues decreased metabolism in limbic regions (reflects activity over 30 minutes), which contrasts with activations reported by fMRI studies (reflects activity over 2–5 minutes) that may reflect long-lasting limbic inhibition following activation. Studies to evaluate the clinical significance of methylphenidate's blunting of cue-induced limbic inhibition may help identify potential benefits of this medication in cocaine addiction.