cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear adaptive controller design of SSSC for damping inter-area oscillation

This paper presents a novel nonlinear adaptive control scheme of static synchronous series compensator (SSSC) to enhance the transmission power and damping of inter-area oscillation mode for multimachine power system. The SSSC device was treated as a first order voltage resource and the multimachine system was simplified into a two-machine model. Based on the exact feedback linearization theory, Lyapunov stability theory, and adaptive control law, the nonlinear adaptive controller of SSSC is derived. Unknown system parameters are considered for improving robustness. The simulation results validate the efficacy of the proposed controller.
Data Reduction and Transformation Techniques

From a data mining point of view, time series data has two important characteristics: 1. High Dimensional If we think of each time point of a time series as a dimension, a time series is a point in a very high dimensional space. A time series of length 1000 corresponds to a point in a 1000-dimensional space. Though a time series of length 1000 is very common in practice, processing in a 1000-dimensional space is extremely difficult even with modern computer systems. 2. Temporal Order Fortunately, the consecutive values in a time series are related because of the temporal order of a time series. For example, for financial time series, the differences between consecutive values will be within some predictable threshold most of the time. This temporal relationship between nearby data points in a time series produces some redundancy, and such redundancy provides an opportunity for data reduction.
Mass-Limited Targets

In the last decade laser induced ion acceleration became an attractive source for energetic ion beams up to several MeV (max. 58 MeV [1]). For further applications besides the proton imaging, new parameter ranges have to be occupied. The proton energies have to be increased about one order of magnitude. Many applications would benefit from a narrow energy spread of the protons—so called “monoenergetic” protons beams. But also the number of protons has to be increased reproducibly.
Characterization of a human homologue of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae transcription factor spt3 (SUPT3H).

Abstract Spt3 is a Saccharomyces cerevisiae transcription factor that is required in vivo for the transcription of a number of RNA polymerase II-transcribed genes. We report the cloning of the gene encoding the human homologue of Spt3, SUPT3H, and its initial functional analysis. The human and yeast Spt3 homologues share an overall identity of 30% that defines three conserved regions, suggesting possible functional domains. To determine whether SUPT3H is a true functional Spt3 homologue, we tested for complementation of an spt3Δ mutation in yeast. While expression of the full-length SUPT3H is unable to complement an spt3Δ mutation, expression of a human–yeast chimeric gene that contains 42% human sequences can partially complement an spt3Δ mutation. These data suggest that the transcriptional control carried out by Spt3 has been conserved from yeast to human.
In Another Time: Proust, Hemingway and the Fourth Dimension

It may seem odd, at first glance, to compare Ernest Hemingway and Marcel Proust. The public image of the American writer is that of a macho hunter and whiskey-drinking womanizer who revolutionized world writing with his short, terse sentences and truer than life dialog, whereas the Parisian author was a social-climbing aesthete who suffered from asthma and lived in a cork-lined apartment, a neurasthenic whose long sentences and remembrance of time past are viewed as the high point of psychological realism and the art of the novel in France.
A Taste of Jordan Algebras

In this book, Kevin McCrimmon describes the history of Jordan Algebras and he describes in full mathematical detail the recent structure theory for Jordan algebras of arbitrary dimension due to Efim Zel'manov. To keep the exposition elementary, the structure theory is developed for linear Jordan algebras, though the modern quadratic methods are used throughout. Both the quadratic methods and the Zelmanov results go beyond the previous textbooks on Jordan theory, written in the 1960's and 1980's before the theory reached its final form. This book is intended for graduate students and for individuals wishing to learn more about Jordan algebras. No previous knowledge is required beyond the standard first-year graduate algebra course. General students of algebra can profit from exposure to nonassociative algebras, and students or professional mathematicians working in areas such as Lie algebras, differential geometry, functional analysis, or exceptional groups and geometry can also profit from acquaintance with the material. Jordan algebras crop up in many surprising settings and can be applied to a variety of mathematical areas. Kevin McCrimmon introduced the concept of a quadratic Jordan algebra and developed a structure theory of Jordan algebras over an arbitrary ring of scalars. He is a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Virginia and the author of more than 100 research papers.
A quick survey of foliations on 4-manifolds

We present a few general results on foliations of 4-manifolds by surfaces: existence, tautness, relations to minimal genus of embedded surfaces; as well as some open problems. We hope to stimulate interest in this area.
Characterization of silver flake lubricants

There is a thin layer of organic lubricant on commercial silver (Ag) flakes that are widely used as the fillers in electrically conductive adhesives (ECAs). This lubricant layer highly affects the properties such as conductivity of the ECAs. Therefore, understanding the behavior of Ag flake lubricant layer is essential for developing high performance ECAs. This work is aimed at studying the chemical nature of the lubricant layer, interaction between the lubricant layer and Ag flakes, and thermal behavior of the lubricants during heating. A blank Ag powder is ball-milled into Ag flakes with five fatty acids that have different carbon–hydrogen chain length as lubricants. After lubrication, the Ag flakes are studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetry (TG), and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). It is found that (i) Ag flakes lubricated with fatty acids of different chain lengths have exothermic DSC peaks and mass losses at different temperatures, (ii) the lubricant layer on the lubricated Ag flake surfaces is a salt formed between the acid and Ag, and (iii) exothermic DSC peaks (in air) of a lubricated Ag flake is probably due to the oxidation of lubricant layer on the Ag flake surface.
Inactivation of ventral hippocampus interfered with cued-fear acquisition but did not influence later recall or discrimination

The ventral hippocampus (VH) is involved in the both the acquisition and recall of conditioned fear. Here, we tested the role of VH in acquisition and recall of a conditioned fear discrimination. Intra-VH vehicle or muscimol injections were made 1h prior to a CS+/CS- conditioning or prior to later recall. Vehicle treated rats exhibited discrimination with significantly greater freezing to the CS+ than to the CS- whereas muscimol treated rats did not freeze. Injections made before recall had no effect as both treatment groups displayed equal freezing in response to the CS+, and discrimination. While these results are consistent with several reports, the failure to influence fear discrimination upon recall appears to contrast with the hypothesized role of VH in recall of extinguished conditioned fear cues.
Effects of dietary fat on hepatic microsomal and cytosolic mutagenic activation of 2-aminofluorene

The present study was designed to examine the effects of different high fat diets on the liver microsomal and cytosolic mutagenic activation of 2-aminofluorene. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a low fat (5% corn oil) or high fat (20%) diets containing either corn oil (CO), menhaden oil (MO) or beef tallow (BT). After 2 weeks on the test diets, animals from each group were placed on a protocol of weekly injection with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride (DMH) for 10 weeks. Animals were given DMH injections i.p. and killed 3 h after injection following 5 and 10 DMH treatments. The metabolic activity of liver microsomes and cytosol was assessed by the Ames test using 2-aminofluorene as a standard mutagen. Beef tallow-fed rats had the highest microsomal mutagenic activation, followed by the basal diet. Decreased liver microsomal and cytosolic metabolism of the reference mutagen was detected in the MO and CO diets compared to basal or BT diets. However, there was an increased activity in MO and CO fed groups after week 10, while beef tallow showed a slightly decreased activation. These data indicate that type of dietary fat affects liver microsomal mutagenic activation of carcinogens.
Admissible minimax estimators of the multivariate normal mean with squared error loss

Consider the problem of estimating the mean vector of a p-variate (p ≥ 3) normal distribution with the identity as the covariance matrix, relative to the squared error loss, Strawderman (Ann. Math Statist, Ug gives a class of proper Bayes minimax estimators for p ≥ 5.In a similar context we obtain a class of generalized Bayes estimators for p≥3 which includes Strawderman's estimators when p ≥ 5. It is shown that the generalized Bayes estimators are minimax hence, of bounded risks) and also admissible for p≥3.
Fuel Use and Optimality of Assignments in Multivehicle Households in 2001 and 2009

Multivehicle household fleets often consist of vehicles with a wide range of attributes, including passenger and cargo capacities, towing capability, and fuel consumption. Decisions for how these vehicles are assigned to trips can have a significant impact on a household's total fuel use. In this paper, actual vehicle assignments from the 2001 and 2009 National Household Travel Surveys data are compared with the decisions for minimizing fuel use by using CTRAM, a model that determines optimal vehicle-to-trip assignments while considering constraints on vehicle availability and capability. Results show that the average potential reduction in fuel use through optimal assignment for multivehicle households was 10.9% in 2001 and 10.1% in 2009. However, the corresponding increase in assignment optimality seen in this period does not appear to be the result of a greater prevalence of active, short-term vehicle assignment decisions, such as a driver's voluntary use of a nonpreferred vehicle or switching of vehic...
Role of magnetic resonance and intravascular magnetic resonance in the detection of vulnerable plaques.

Noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used to determine vascular three-dimensional structure, detect the presence of subclinical atherosclerotic disease in high-risk patient subgroups, and optimize and follow therapy in individual patients. The outstanding soft-tissue–characterizing capabilities of MRI permit depiction of various components of atherothrombotic plaque, including lipid, fibrous tissue, calcium, and thrombus formation. However, noninvasive MRI visualization of coronary arteries is currently limited by the small size of the coronary arteries, the deep arterial location, and arterial motion. The combination of MR imaging and molecular probes offers exciting possibilities of direct visualization of biologic processes within atherosclerotic tissue. The self-contained intravascular MRI probe appears to hold promise in the identification of high-risk coronary atherosclerotic lesions with increased superficial lipid content.
Optically Controlled Droplet Adhesion and Coalescence: A New and Versatile Microfluidic Technique

We report on a new technique to control nanoliter aqueous droplet adhesion and coalescence. The thermal Marangoni effect is used to drive droplet motion. Surface-active molecules are used to form adhering boundaries between drops.
Age of the Baobab Tree

THE baobab tree Adansonia digitata L. (family Bomb-acaceae) has been variously estimated as being several hundred to several thousand years old. The French botanist Adanson, after whom the tree was named, contended that some specimens were as much as 5,000 years old1.
Dependence of Andreev reflection and Schottky barriers on GaMnAs/Nb interface treatment

We studied the interfacial contact between GaMnAs and superconducting Nb micro-structures both with and without removing the native GaMnAs surface oxide. Our results show that a strong Schottky barrier forms at the interface when the oxide layer is left between Nb and GaMnAs. This barrier can be confused for Andreev Reflection and erroneously used to extract spin polarization. A simple acid etch is shown to remove the oxide film, thus decreasing the interface resistance, removing the Schottky barrier, and causing a clear Andreev reflection effect. One key recommendation for point contact Andreev reflection studies is to push the tip hard enough into contact and verify that the total resistance is not too high.
Laboratory Rearing and Descriptions of Immature Stages of Curicta scorpio (Heteroptera: Nepidae)

Curicta scorpio Stal was reared in the laboratory from egg to adult under a photoperiod of 14:10 (L:D) h at 27.5−28.9°C, and the immature stages were described. The incubation period averaged 11.4 d. Durations of the five subsequent stadia averaged 8.54, 15.29, 13.65, 18.56, and 18.87 d, respectively. Ovipositional behavior is discussed. Ontogeny of some antennal and profemoral structures is considered.
D-MORPH regression for modeling with fewer unknown parameters than observation data

D-MORPH regression is a procedure for the treatment of a model prescribed as a linear superposition of basis functions with less observation data than the number of expansion parameters. In this case, there is an infinite number of solutions exactly fitting the data. D-MORPH regression provides a practical systematic means to search over the solutions seeking one with desired ancillary properties while preserving fitting accuracy. This paper extends D-MORPH regression to consider the common case where there is more observation data than unknown parameters. This situation is treated by utilizing a proper subset of the normal equation of least-squares regression to judiciously reduce the number of linear algebraic equations to be less than the number of unknown parameters, thereby permitting application of D-MORPH regression. As a result, no restrictions are placed on model complexity, and the model with the best prediction accuracy can be automatically and efficiently identified. Ignition data for a H2/air combustion model as well as laboratory data for quantum-control-mechanism identification are used to illustrate the method.
Photoassociative spectroscopy of pure long-range molecules

We have experimentally studied the “pure long-range” state, 0g−, of39K2 for the first time by high resolution photoassociative spectroscopy of ultracold potassium atoms. Well-resolved vibrational levels have yielded molecular constants for this state. Analytical expressions for the potential energy curves of the two pure long-range states, 0g− and 1u, are obtained. All the available theoretical and experimental molecular constants of the three special long-range potentials with extrema for all the alkali metals are summarized.
Bakhtinian answerability and Levinasian responsibility: Forging a fuller dialogical communicative ethics

This essay seeks to contribute to our understanding of the dialogical nature of human existence and the ethics of communication by examining the inner structure of the relationship between self and Other. It suggests that the combination of Emmanuel Levinas's notion of the call to responsibility and Mikhail Bakhtin's notions of dialogism and answerability provides a more complete account of human dialogue and the ethical dimension of the communicative encounter. It does so by theorizing the respective functions of self and Other within the interhuman dialogue. As an extension of dialogical ethics, the synthesis of Bakhtin and Levinas demonstrates that ethics is itself a dialogical phenomenon. Ethics is a conversation between one's own‐most answerability and the calls to responsibility of Others.
On Dwarf Spiny Reedfrogs in Tanzanian Eastern Lowlands (Anura : Afrixalus) : : short communication

Abstract Some of Pickersgill's (2005) taxonomic proposals regarding an “A. stuhlmanni group” are reviewed; it is considered that Afrixalus delicatus, A. stuhlmanni, A. brachycnemis and A. sylvestris are better treated as separate species. New localities are provided.
Policymaking and policy analysis in Latin America—A return journey

This paper reviews and updates the conceptual approaches of the author's Journeys Towards Progress (1963). It focuses first on distinctions explaining differences in the path of policymaking and in its effectiveness. Distinctions are made between pressing and autonomously chosen policy problems, between privileged problems and neglected ones that must manage to “ride the coattails” of the former to receive attention, and between policy tasks that are tackled with more motivation than understanding and those with the opposite characteristic. Addressing then similarities in experience with policymaking, the paper first comments on fracasomania (the failure complex) and on the incapacity ever to be surprised at both consequences and determinants of under-development. Indirect and unanticipated effects of policies are illustrated through a Colombian example. A Concluding Lament suggests that the watch for side-effects must be unusually wide-angled in today's Latin America.
MR imaging and heart function in patients pre‐ and post‐Fontan surgery

MR imaging allows functional evaluation of the ventricles of the entire heart because it evaluates cardiac anatomy three-dimensionally. Such evaluation is independent of chamber size and shape, and virtually independent of mathematical assumptions. Applying standard measurements of volume and function in children who have undergone multi-staged Fontan operations, we have shown diminished ventricular volumes and mass, and decreased cardiac indices, in post-Fontan patients. We have also shown that new parameters of function, such as total heart volume and center-of-mass relationships, are inconstant through the multiple surgical stages of the Fontan procedure. These variations may be predictive of ultimate outcome in these complex patients.
Tuberculosis Terpene Targets

In this issue, Young, Moody, and colleagues report the discovery of an isomer of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) virulence factor 1-tuberculosinyl adenosine, N 6 -tuberculosinyl adenosine, in mice infected with tuberculosis. These Mtb-derived terpene compounds may serve as sensitive and specific biomarkers of infection.
A simple criterion for structurally fixed modes

We present a simple characterization of the maximum possible rank of the product of several real matrices, when certain entries of the matrices are constrained to be zero. Our result relates this ‘generic rank’ to the maximum number of independent ‘information paths’ through the matrices, and has as corollaries, besides several previous attempts at this problem, a new characterization of structurally fixed modes for linear time-invariant dynamical systems. Furthermore, our characterization translates immediately to an 0( n”*) algorithm for calculating the generic rank (and therefore detecting fixed modes), by solving a network flow problem (here n is the sum of the dimensions of the matrices). Kqvwords: Structurally fixed modes, Maximum flow. Generic rank, Decentralized systems.
Development of intestinal cell culture models for drug transport and metabolism studies

Abstract Cell culture models offer many advantageous features for the analysis of drug transport and drug metabolism. From a basic research perspective, these systems offer the potential for manipulating the environment or cellular properties as a means to address mechanistic questions. From a drug discovery perspective, cell culture models can be used to expedite identification of compounds with favorable pharmacokinetic properties, and to evaluate structure-absorption/metabolism relationships. In this review, we will use the intestinal epithelium as an example for discussing issues associated with the development of new cell culture models for evaluating drug metabolism. Specifically, we will discuss biological properties of the intestinal epithelium and address biological and practical consideration in the application of tumor cell lines, short-term primary cultures, stem-like cell cultures, and oncogene immortalized cells as approaches to establishing models for the intestinal epithelium.
Extinction spectra of silver nanoparticle arrays

The optical properties of silver nanoparticle arrays are studied by T-matrix and discrete dipole approximation (DDA) methods. Arrays of spherical silver particles with a radius of 30 nm are investigated with particular emphasis on the influence of array disorder on optical response. We find that the dipole peak intensities decrease when the array becomes disordered and the plasmon resonance wavelengths generally exhibit smaller blue shifts compared to perfectly ordered arrays. Using an extended DDA method, we calculate the extinction spectra of ordered nanodisk arrays, examining the variation of plasmon resonance wavelength with interparticle spacing (at fixed particle size). The calculated blue shift of the plasmon wavelength with decreasing interparticle spacing is found to be in excellent agreement with recent experiments.
Real Time Ultrasound Characteristics of the Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage as Studied in the Canine Model

Real time intraoperative sonography is a valuable tool for visualizing subcortical mass lesions. Although most solid lesions are hyperechogenic, little is known about the ultrasound characteristics of intracerebral hemorrhage and subsequent hematoma formation. We sought to determine the sonographic characteristics of an acute intracerebral hematoma, to study its evolution, and to explore factors responsible for its echogenicity. Acute intracerebral hematomas were created in adult mongrel dogs using heparinized or unheparinized autologous whole blood injected under sonographic visualization into the centrum semiovale of 10 cerebral hemispheres. Different components of blood were also imaged in polyurethane test tubes (n = 56) immersed in a degassed, room temperature water bath. All studies were performed with continuous ultrasound recording using the ATL real time Neurosector scanner with the variable 3-, 5-, and 7.5-MHz transducer. Intracerebral hematomas were initially hypoechogenic, becoming hyperechogenic between 16 and 23 seconds after injection (average, 22 seconds). Full echogenicity was obtained between 40 and 213 seconds after injection (average, 91 seconds). There was no difference between the sonographic appearances of hematomas formed with whole blood and those formed with heparinized whole blood. In addition, we demonstrated the superior sensitivity of the 7.5-MHz frequency in visualizing intracerebral hematomas in vivo, as opposed to the 3- and 5-MHz frequencies. Whole blood, heparinized whole blood, and citrated whole blood were found to be highly echogenic in vitro. Phosphate-buffered saline, plasma, serum, and packed red blood cells (PRBCs) were hypoechogenic. Resuspended PRCBs in phosphate-buffered saline, plasma, or serum were echogenic. Our data suggest that hyperechogenicity is independent of the clotting mechanism and is related to blood stasis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Utilizing library constituents' perceived needs in allocating journal costs

The utilization of constituents' perceived needs for titles as a means of ascribing scholarly journal collection support and costs to academic programs is advocated as more meaningful than the tradition of utilizing the classification of titles.
ABC implies the radicalized Vojta height inequality for curves

The truncated or radicalized counting function of a meromorphic function f:C→P1(C) counts the number of times that f takes a value a, but without multiplicity. By analogy, one also defines this function for numbers. In this sequel to [M. van Frankenhuijsen, The ABC conjecture implies Vojta's height inequality for curves, J. Number Theory 95 (2002) 289–302], we prove the radicalized version of Vojta's height inequality, using the ABC conjecture. We explain the connection with a conjecture of Serge Lang about the different error terms associated with Vojta's height inequality and with the radicalized Vojta height inequality.
Vacuum instability and refined limits on the Higgs meson mass

Abstract Exact numerical computations of the decay of a metastable vacuum at zero temperature are presented and are used to calculate a lower bound for the Higgs mass. The dependence of the bound on the Weinberg mixing angle and on chiral symmetry breaking is analyzed.
Human immunodeficiency virus and the emergency department: Risks and risk protection for health care providers

The AIDS epidemic is having an increasing impact on the practice of emergency medicine. In inner-city emergency departments, significant numbers of patients have unrecognized human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Transmission of HIV in the health care setting has been predominantly from exposure to patients' infected blood, but most of the exposures (80%) are due to injuries from sharp instruments. There are only 18 documented cases of occupational HIV transmission worldwide. Four of these have occurred from nonparenteral exposures. Based on surveillance studies, the best estimate of seroconversion after exposure is about 0.5%. However, due to methodologic limitations, these figures may be underestimations. The effectiveness of azidothymidine for postexposure prophylaxis has not been shown. Currently, the best protection against HIV and other blood-borne pathogens remains use of universal precautions.
Repair of oxidative guanine damage in plasmid DNA by indoles involves proton transfer between complementary bases.

We have used the single electron oxidizing agent (SCN)2•- (generated by γ-irradiation of aqueous thiocyanate) to produce guanyl radicals in plasmid DNA. The stable product(s) formed from these radicals can be detected after conversion with a base excision repair endonuclease to single strand breaks. The yield of enzyme-induced breaks is decreased by the presence during irradiation of indole compounds. Rate constants for the reduction of DNA guanyl radicals by these indoles can be calculated from the concentration dependence of the attenuation in the yield of enzyme sensitive sites. Indoles bearing electron-donating groups (methoxy or methyl) appear to react at the diffusion-controlled rate, but those bearing electron-withdrawing groups (cyano or nitro) are significantly less reactive. At physiological pH values, the reduction of a DNA guanyl radical involves the transfer of a proton as well as an electron. Comparison of the kinetic results with literature thermodynamic data suggests that the source of thi...
Pathologic changes in the long-term transplanted heart: a morphometric study of myocardial hypertrophy, vascularity, and fibrosis.

Myocyte hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis have been observed in transplanted human hearts, and both could potentially have an adverse effect on long-term cardiac function. There has been some concern that distant donor heart procurement and cyclosporine treatment increase the risk of these changes, but their incidence and severity have not been documented quantitatively in large numbers of cardiac transplant recipients. We used light microscopic morphometric methods to estimate myocardial collagen volume fraction and myocyte width in right ventricular endomyocardial biopsies from 95 recipients at 3 years posttransplantation, and electron microscopic stereology to estimate myocardial vascularity and myocyte myofibril content in 40 recipients, also at 3 years posttransplantation. We compared those with locally and distantly procured donor hearts (mean ischemic time 160 minutes) and cyclosporine versus noncyclosporine immunosuppression. Controls were pretransplant right ventricular biopsies from 20 donor hearts which were free of heart disease. We found no significant differences in myocardial collagen volume fractions. Myocyte hypertrophy was typical of all the transplant biopsies (mean myocyte width 20.2 μm, SD 3.0 in all transplants versus 11.8 μm, SD 2.2 in controls, P < 0.001), but distant donor procurement and cyclosporine had no significant effect. There were significant reductions of myofibril volume fraction in the transplants, which raises the possibility of gradual decompensation in some patients. There were no significant differences in myocardial vascularity, although a few patients were well below the control range. We conclude that distant donor heart procurement, with ischemic times averaging less than 3 hours, and cyclosporine treatment are not responsible for significant hypertrophy or fibrosis in most transplants. Hypertrophy is typical of the transplanted heart, and it is possible that associated abnormalities might have an effect on cardiac function in some long-term survivors.
Importance of water pH in accumulation of inorganic mercury in fish

Inorganic mercury under high pH values was not as readily translocated from water into fish as under low pH conditions, even though abundant in high pH water. The translocation of mercury into fish is not dictated by analytical concentration of mercury (II) in water only. It is evident that pH of ambient water has great effect on translocation. It is important to note that this finding is closely in agreement with data obtained in the field (KONRAD 1971). While under alkaline conditions, more inorganic mercury is released into water (MATSUMURA et al. 1972), but the rate of pickup by fish is reduced. The cause of such a reduction might be related to those unreactive forms of mercury complexes formed under alkaline conditions. (auth)
Accurate and easy method for work function calculations

Abstract The applicability and accuracy of the “displaced-profile change-in-self-consistent-field” (DPΔSCF) formalism for the work function are demonstrated by calculations for the jellium metal surface. The DPΔSCF expression is as easy to evaluate as the usual Koopmans' theorem expression for the work function, but is much more accurate when the electron density is obtained from Rayleigh-Ritz variational calculations of the surface energy. Use of the method in calculations for real metals is indicated.
A small sample simulation study of methods for log odds ratio regression analysis

Abstract The small sample performance of regression estimators of the odds ratio in multiple 2 x 2 tables is studied for conditional and unconditional maximum likelihood [1], for the McCullagh approximation to the conditional maximum likelihood estimator [5] and for Davis' generalized Mantel-Haenszel (GMH) estimator [6]. The unconditional maximum likelihood estimator is biased and highly variable and is not recommended. The GMH estimator is competitive with the conditional method and superior to the McCullagh approximation in cases where the latter breaks down. A new covariance estimator for the GMH method based on the work of Robins et al. [27] is developed that is superior to both of Davis' GMH covariance estimators. We recommend the GMH method with the new covariance estimator in cases where the binomial assumption required by the conditional method is in doubt. Otherwise, we recommend McCullagh's approximation except in cases of sparse data with odds ratios greater than about 3, in which case the conditional method is computationally feasible.
Assortative mating in mice. II. Strain differences in female mating preference, male preference, and the question of possible sexual selection

Females ofMus musculus domesticus from the inbred strains DBA/Ibg, C57BL/Ibg, C57BL/J, BALB/Ibg, and C3H/J were tested for mating preference choice between males from their own strain and males from another strain. A general consistency with previously reported results was found, in that the females preferred to associate and mate with males of the opposite strain. However, no preference was found in the case of two strains: BALB/Ibg and C3H/J. Also, C57BL/Ibg females, which generally displayed mating preference for the opposite strain, did not show any preference when allowed to choose between C57BL/Ibg and BALB/Ibg males. The possible effect of male differential attractiveness or sexual ability (sexual selection) on the determination of female mating preference is excluded since no strain of males had an advantage when “neutral” females from a heterogeneous strain were tested for mating preference. The male mating preference of the strains DBA/Ibg and BALB/Ibg was tested in a situation set up to reduce possible bias from the female's differential receptiveness. As in the previous experiment, the males did not seem to have any mating preference.
Precise Measurements of Some Infrared Bands of Hydrogen Chloride

Precision determinations of the origins of the fundamental and first four harmonic bands of HCl35 have been made. The rotational constants of the 2–0 and 3–0 bands as well as the origin and rotational constants of the 2–0 band of DCl35 are also reported. This work will be used in conjunction with additional measurements now in progress on the fundamental band of HCl and other bands of DCl to determine rotation-vibration constants for comparison with theoretical predictions.
Assessment of the understanding of the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in primary care physicians

Objective This study was designed to assess the understanding of primary care physicians who practice in the state of Florida of the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy as described in the Women's Health Initiative clinical trial. Study design All primary care physicians in the state of Florida, including family practice, internal medicine, and Ob/Gyn were identified and mailed an anonymous survey asking about their understanding of the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), including heart disease, breast cancer, osteoporotic fractures, colon cancer, stroke, and death. Univariate statistics stratified by specialty were performed with Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance. Results Six thousand one hundred twenty-five surveys were mailed, with the return of 600 completed surveys, including 203 Ob/Gyn, 145 internal medicine, 219 family practice, and 33 other. Overall, Ob/Gyns had a more positive view of HRT, and internal medicine had a relatively negative view of HRT. In general, respondents overestimated the risk attributable to hormone replacement therapy. Ob/Gyns were significantly more likely to provide accurate assessments of these risks and benefits compared with the other specialties. Respondents correctly identified the magnitude of risks and benefits 28% of the time, 67% of the time overestimated risks and benefits, and 5% of the time misunderstood the direction of risk vs benefit of HRT. Conclusion This study suggests that the findings of the Women's Health Initiative are misunderstood by the majority of primary care specialists, although Ob/Gyns have a better understanding of the risks and benefits compared to other specialties. We hypothesize that respondents that overestimate the increase or decrease in risk were making the error of confusing relative risk with absolute risk difference. There is a great need for physician education about the attributable risks and benefits of HRT.
Naturally occurring progesterone in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.): A major steroid precursor of environmental androgens†

Progesterone, androstenedione, and androstadienedione were previously identified in the water and sediment of the Fenholloway River (Taylor County, FL, USA), a river that contains populations of masculinized female mosquitofish downstream of a paper mill, at levels higher than those in the nearby Spring Creek. Plant sterols, such as beta-sitosterol in mill effluent derived from pine tree pulp, were suggested to be metabolized by bacteria to progesterone and androgens to account for the masculinization phenomenon. The current study made use of standard solid-phase methanol extraction procedures, high-performance liquid chromatography, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and a cell-based, androgen-receptor transcription assay to determine naturally occurring progesterone levels in mature pine trees. Progesterone concentrations in the loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) were 49.34 +/- 4.1 nmol/g dry mature wood (15.5 +/- 1.29 microg/g), 12.26 +/- 1.78 nmol/g pine needles (3.85 +/- 0.56 microg/g), and 3.81 +/- 0.36 nmol/g pine bark (1.19 +/- 0.11 mug/g). The results suggest that naturally occurring progesterone from pine wood pulp contributes to increased progesterone levels downstream of paper mill effluent discharges and may serve as the natural steroid precursor for environmental androgen production that causes masculinization of female mosquitofish.
Clinical considerations in the assessment of infants and young children affected by parental substance abuse

Focusing on families affected by parental substance abuse, this article discusses literature relevant to pediatric physical therapists and occupational therapists, describes examples of research assessment of this population. Based on what we currently know as a result of empirical studies, and what we have learned clinically from infants and families affected by substance abuse, recommendations are made for pediatric physical therapy and occupational therapy assessments of this infant population. Pediatric therapists may with to consider a transactional developmental model that includes examination over time of the biologic, environmental, and interactional risk and and protective factors in infants and young children.
The future of the euro: Rejoinder to Schwartz

I am indebted to my friend Herman Schwartz for his piquant commentary on my thoughts about the future of the euro. His main argument, he says, is that ‘the early United States yields few useful pos...
An Optimized Process for Formation of 2,4-Disubstituted Imidazoles from Condensation of Amidines and α-Haloketones

The preparation of 2,4-disubstituted imidazoles from the condensation of α-haloketones with amidines is described. The optimal reaction protocol is to add the α-bromoketone solution to the amidine in aqueous tetrahydrofuran in the presence of potassium bicarbonate under vigorous reflux. Imidazole was isolated in 83−91% yield with >95% purity without column chromatography.
Finite element modelling of surface waves in a channel

Abstract A variational formulation of the vertically-integrated differential equations for free surface wave motion is presented. A finite element model is derived for solving this nonlinear system of hydrodynamic equations. The time integration scheme employed is discussed and the results obtained demonstrate its good stability and accuracy. Several applications of the model are considered: the first problem is an open channel of uniform depth and the second an open channel of linearly varying depth. The ‘inflow’ boundary condition is prescribed in terms of the velocity which represents a wavemaker and/or a flow source, while the ‘outflow’ boundary condition is specified in terms of the water elevation. The outflow condition is adjusted for two cases, a reflecting boundary (finite channel) and a non-reflecting boundary (open-ended channel). The latter boundary condition is examined in some detail and the results obtained show that the numerical model can produce the non-reflecting boundary that is similar to the analytical radiation condition for waves. Computational results for a third problem, involving wave reflection from a submerged cylinder, are also presented and compared with both experimental data and analytical predictions. The simplicity and the performance of the computational model suggest that free surface waves can be simulated without excessively complicated numerical schemes. The ability of the model to simulate outflow boundary conditions properly is of special importance since these conditions present serious problems for many numerical algorithms.
Irreversible binding of reductively activated streptonigrin to nucleic acids in the presence of metals.

Abstract The binding of streptonigrin (SN) to nucleic acids was studied in the presence of reducing agents and metals. Incubation of chemically reduced SN with DNA in vitro resulted in irreversible binding and complexes containing 1 mol of SN per 250 nucleotides were obtained. The presence of Zn2+ increased this binding considerably to give complexes containing 1 mol of SN per 80 nucleotides. On the other hand, Mg2+ decreased this binding. More drug was bound to the denatured DNA than to the native DNA. Maximum binding was obtained when SN was reduced in the presence of DNA. Increased binding was also obtained when the fully reduced SN was incubated with DNA. Considerably more SN was bound to DNA when activated enzymatically than with NaBH4. Studies with synthetic polynucleotides in the presence of Zn2+ suggested that while SN has a high affinity for guanine residues, cytosine and adenine residues also serve as excellent substrates. These studies indicate that the active intermediate that binds to nucleic acids is unstable and may be derived from the fully reduced drug. These in vitro studies further suggest that Zn2+ plays an important role in the binding of SN to DNA and may have implications for the biological actions of SN if similar reactions occurred in vivo.
EFFECTS OF LIGHT INTENSITY AND TEMPERATURE INTERACTIONS ON GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS OF PHAEODACTYLUM TRICORNUTUM (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE)1

Cell division rate, carbon fixation per cell, cell width and chloroplast length of Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin were determined at 30 different combinations of light intensity and temperature. Division rate peaked at 23° C or less depending on light intensity. For each light intensity studied, carbon fixation increased directly with growth temperature from 14 to 25° C. The slope of this relationship was modified by light intensity. Cells grown at 23–25° C tended to be larger than those grown at lower temperatures, possibly due to increased carbon fixation per cell coupled with lower division rates. Chloroplasts were largest at a combination of temperatures above 21° C and low light intensities. This effect could cause cells to sink at a higher than normal rate due to reduced vacuole size and is presented as a possible mechanism affecting the distribution of P. tricornutum.
Quantification of error from system and environmental sources in Optical See-Through head mounted display calibration methods

A common problem with Optical See-Through (OST) Augmented Reality (AR) is misalignment or registration error with the amount of acceptable error being heavily dependent upon the type of application. Approximation methods, driven by user feedback, have been developed to estimate the necessary corrections for alignment errors. These calibration methods, however, are susceptable to induced error from system and environmental sources, such as human alignment error. The proposed research plan is intended to further the development of accurate and robust calibration methods for OST AR systems by quantifying the impact of specific factors shown to contribute to calibration error. An important aspect of this research will be to develop methods for examining each factor in isolation in order to determine the independent error contribution of each source. This will facilitate the establishment of acceptable thresholds for each type of error and be a meaningful step toward defining quality metrics for OST AR calibration techniques.
Penile reflexes and copulatory behavior in male rats following lesions in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis.

VALCOURT, R. J. AND B. D. SACHS. Penile reflexes and copulatory behavior in male rats following lesions in the bednucleus of the stria terminalis. BRAIN RES. BULL. 4(1) 131–133, 1979.—Male rats with large lesions in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) had more intromissions preceding ejaculation (if they ejaculated at all), longer intervals between intromissions, and longer postejaculatory refractory periods than control animals. In tests for penile reflexes, BNST males were similar to control males in every respect. The copulatory deficits in BNST males are probably not mediated by a change in penile reflex potential.
Droplet growth and transition to coalescence in confined geometries.

A thermodynamic theory is developed to predict growth, rearrangement to a close-packed ensemble, and transition to a deformed or coalesced state for droplets in a confined space. For the close-packed configuration, analysis of forced interactions between confined droplets yields analytical criteria for predicting whether droplets will deform, and if they will coalesce. Relevant nondimensional parameters are identified to generalize results in terms of energy barrier maps, and their use for predicting interacting droplet behavior is described.
New evidence for the P11 (1470) resonance in π− + p → n + πo below 600 MeV☆

Abstract The differential cross section for π − p → n π o has been measured in detail from 150 to 600 MeV. The backward cross section has a previously unobserved dramatic dip at 425 MeV. We interpret this dip in terms of interference between the P 33 (1236) and the P 11 (1470) resonances. These data provide strong evidence for the adequacy of the phase shift solutions in this energy range.
A retrospective study of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in ALS patients during the BDNF and CNTF trials

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) provides a reliable route for nutrition and hydration in ALS patients with dysphagia. We performed a retrospective analysis of the CNTF and BDNF databases to determine the clinical status of ALS patients within 30 days preceding PEG insertion. This analysis revealed an approximately 50% reduction of function across multiple measures of ALS disease status. A trend to earlier intervention with PEG was apparent upon review of published studies and the CNTF and BDNF studies. By comparing the rate of decline pre- and post-PEG, nutritional supplementation via PEG stabilized the weight loss experienced by patients. Death within 30 days post-PEG was associated with a marked reduction in forced vital capacity (FVC) and identified a group of ALS patients in whom PEG should be cautiously performed. These data emphasize the importance of sequential measurement of FVC in managing ALS patients to guide the timing of nutritional intervention with PEG.