cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sublethal behavioral and physiological effects of claw removal on Jonah crabs (Cancer borealis)

Abstract Jonah crabs (Cancer borealis) have been caught as incidental bycatch for over 80 years, but in recent years they have become a targeted fishery, especially in Southern New England where the American lobster ( Homarus americanus) population has declined, and harvesters have begun seeking alternative fisheries. This shift has prompted the need for more biological data for Jonah crabs so that this expanding fishery can be managed more effectively. For example, in some areas of its range males have both of their claws removed at sea and only the claws are landed; however, little is known about what happens to the crabs that survive this practice. The focus of this study was to evaluate the impacts of claw removal on Jonah crab mating success, feeding ability and locomotion. In mating trials, all males, regardless of claw status, managed to successfully mate with females that molted while they were paired together (clawed n = 4, claws removed n = 8). When Jonah crab activity was measured in the laboratory, crabs with intact claws were significantly more active than crabs with both claws removed (clawed: 25.0 ± 8.0% of each hour active, 1 claw removed: 18.1 ± 7.3% of each hour active, clawless: 13.6 ± 9.04% of each hour active, mean ± SD). Similarly, based on data from a tag/recapture experiment, crabs with both claws missing moved about half the distance per day as control crabs, between the time they were released and first recaptured (clawed: 117 ± 43.1 m/day, clawless: 50 ± 11.3 m/day, mean ± SE), although the difference was not significant. These changes in locomotion could be the result of the blood loss associated with claw removal. We found that hemocyanin levels dropped significantly after the removal of both claws and remained so for up to two weeks. Finally, crabs with no claws were able to feed, but they had difficulty opening mussel shells, which might influence their diet in their natural habitat. These data suggest that those Jonah crabs that do survive the claw removal process might be impaired, but should be able to forage, mate, and help sustain the population.
Progress and Opportunities in Photochemical Enzymology of Oxidoreductases

The mechanistic enzymology of oxidoreductases has contributed to the development of therapeutics, biomimetic synthetic catalysts, and engineered enzymes with improved or emergent function. Acquirin...
Assessing timber availability in upland Hardwood Forests

Reported forest inventory statistics gathered by the USDA Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station, Forest Inventory and Analysis (SOFIA) have been criticized because not all of the inventory volume reported is truly available for harvest. In response to this criticism, a procedure has been developed for assessing timber availability from reported inventory statistics for upland hardwood forests. The procedure uses forest inventory and ownership statistics gathered by SOFIA, a stump-to-mill cost prediction model developed by the USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, and published wood price reports. Under the specific assumptions and conditions set forth in a demonstration of the procedure, a quarter of Tennessee's reported upland hardwood forest, containing about 40% of the reported inventory volume, was estimated to be available for harvest. The usefulness of the procedure in assessing available timber supplies for individual mills was also demonstrated.
GAAP Consistency Requirements, Reporting Discretion and Private Information Communication through Earnings

This paper examines the role of GAAP in the communication of private information through earnings. GAAP allows managerial discretion in accounting choice subject to certain restrictions. Accordingly, we address two related questions: (1) Does reporting discretion improve or impair the communication of value relevant information to the market through earnings? (2) What is the effect of GAAP restrictions, in particular the consistency requirement, on earnings management and the information content of earnings? We analyze a two period model of pure exchange, where a risk averse market maker prices a firm based on mandatory earnings reports released by a risk averse manager at the end of each period. The manager privately observes the "true" earnings realization each period and a signal regarding future earnings in the first period. The managers' compensation depends on both reported earnings and stock price and she is allowed to manage (bias) her earnings report subject to the GAAP consistence constraint, which mandates that a specified proportion of the bias be reversed in the next period. When the proportion of reversal exceeds some threshold, the GAAP constraint becomes binding and results in an interior solution to the manger's problem: we call this the "Discretion with GAAP" regime. In this regime, the manager incorporates her estimate of future earnings in her earnings report. As a consequence, reported earnings is more informative than "true" earnings and thus the market attaches a higher weight to reported earnings than in a truth-telling equilibrium. When the reversal proportion is below the threshold the GAAP constraint is non-binding; we call this the "Discretion without GAAP" regime. In this regime the earnings report is uninformative for vuluation purposes. Our results reveal that reporting discretion is not necessarily detrimental to the information content of earnings, nor is it unequivocally superior to a regime that prohibits discretion. However, a regime that allows limited discretion is superior to ones that force truthful reporting or allow unrestricted discretion. Therefore, our results highlight the importance of BOTH allowing discretion and restricting the allowed discretion via formal mechanisms to improve the information content of earnings -- if no discretion is allowed the manger is unable to communicate additional private information and if too much discretion is allowed the manager biases earnings to the point of rendering it uninformative.
Unique effects of apathy and depression signs on cognition and function in amnestic mild cognitive impairment

Objective Apathy and depression are the most common neuropsychiatric features in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). These syndromes have been linked to cognitive and functional decline. This study aimed to examine their unique relationships with specific cognitive abilities and daily functioning among MCI patients with memory impairment (amnestic MCI). Methods Data from 90 individuals referred for outpatient clinical neuropsychological evaluation and subsequently characterized as having amnestic MCI were obtained from a memory disorders center. MCI was defined using current NIA-Alzheimer's Association criteria. Variables included caregiver-reported apathy (Frontal Systems Behavior Scale) and depression (Memory and Behavioral Problems Checklist), scores on neuropsychological measures, and the Lawton–Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale. Data were analyzed with multiple regressions controlling for age and education. Results Depression was independently associated with composite scores of executive functioning. Neither apathy nor depression was associated with composite scores of attention, memory, or language. With regard to individual measures of executive functioning, depression was independently associated with poorer set-shifting (i.e., Trails B). Apathy was independently associated with poorer letter fluency (i.e., FAS). Apathy, but not depression, was associated with greater functional impairment. Conclusions Apathy and depression are associated with different aspects of executive functioning in amnestic MCI, which may reflect differing patterns of frontal lobe pathology. Apathy exerts a greater impact on daily functioning than depression and may therefore increase reliance on caregivers. Results support the separability of apathy and depression in amnestic MCI. Clinicians should differentiate these neuropsychiatric states during assessment and treatment. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Knowledge representation language p-log --- a short introduction

The paper gives a short informal introduction to the knowledge representation language P-Log. The language allows natural and elaboration tolerant representation of commonsense knowledge involving logic and probabilities. The logical framework of P-Log is Answer Set Prolog which can be viewed as a significant extension of Datalog. On the probabilistic side, the authors adopt the view which understands probabilistic reasoning as commonsense reasoning about degrees of belief of a rational agent, and use causal Bayes nets as P-log probabilistic foundation. Several examples are aimed at explaining the syntax and semantics of the language and the methodology of its use.
Horizontal Slip-Form Construction — Low Slump Concrete

Low slump (less than 25 mm) concrete when properly proportioned can be used for horizontal slip-form construction of elongated concrete structures 5 ft (1.5 m) or more in height. Elimination of conventional forms saves time, labor, and material costs thereby making this construction method relatively economical. A limitation of the method has been the lack of information on the mechanical behavior of low slump concrete in its fresh state. The mortar-voids mix design method provided an effective means for control of test variables including the water-cement ratio, cement content, and mortar content. Other variables included temperature, air content, and particle shape. Using 6-in. x 12-in. (152-mm x 305-mm) cylindrical samples of fresh concrete, the unconfined compression test was used for evaluation of the yield stress, ultimate strength and elastic and plastic moduli. Experimental data are summarized showing these mechanical properties plotted versus the test variables.
14. Bubbler Irrigation

Publisher Summary In bubbler irrigation, water is applied to the soil surface as a little stream, typically from a small diameter tube (1 mm to 13 mm) or a commercially available emitter. Because the application rates generally exceed the soil infiltration rates, small basins or furrows are needed to control the water distribution on the land. Although bubbler application is extensively utilized in landscape irrigation systems, its use in agriculture is currently limited. Two major types of bubbler irrigation systems are available; the low head or gravity (about 10 kPa) and pressurized (50 to 150 kPa) systems. Design procedures for gravity systems have been developed over the past several years and are relatively unique to this type of irrigation. Design of pressurized bubbler systems is similar to the procedures for most micro-irrigation systems. This chapter primary discusses the gravity systems. Two of the first long-term, operating bubbler irrigation systems were established in citrus groves at Tacna, Arizona and Riverside, California. Water to the systems was supplied from irrigation canals and distributed through thin-wall, corrugated polyethylene pipe to the bubbler tubes. By adjusting the elevations of the tube outlets, the gravity pressure water flow to each tree was equalized. Despite this early experimental success, the bubbler concept has not been widely adopted in agriculture. Perhaps one of the main reasons for the lack of interest is that design criteria and recommended operating procedures have not been readily available.
Endometrial gland cell atypism in the presence of trophoblast.

Abstract Atypical changes in endometrial gland cells were found in the presence of hydatid mole, choriocarcinoma, syncytial endometritis, normal term pregnancy, and in a single instance of ectopic pregnancy. None were found in association with abortion. The atypical changes were found most frequently and in the most marked degree in term pregnancy. While the atypical cells may resemble malignant cells, especially when present in a cytosmear, they should not in the tissue preparations be confused with malignancy. Hormonal factors seem to play a predominant role in the development of this atypism.
Ectopic Thyroid Adenomas at the Base of the Heart of the Dog; Ultrastructural Identification of Dense Tubular Structures in Endoplasmic Reticulum

Three encapsulated tumors found at the base of the heart of the dog were classified as ectopic thyroid adenomas. The ultrastructural characteristics of normal thyroid follicular epithelium were seen: dense secretory-type granules, cell polarity with apical microvilli, and well-developed endoplasmic reticulum. Long, dense tubules were present within the cisternae of smooth endoplasmic reticulum of neoplastic cells; they were not seen in other tissues. These characteristics distinguish ectopic thyroid tumors from aortic body tumors.
Directional Survey Problems, East Wilmington Oil Field, California

Experience at the East Wilmington oil field has shown that discrepancies may be expected with control points calculated from the directional surveys of highly deviated wells, compared to similar points in nearby straight holes. Drop-type multiple-shot surveys commonly differ from wireline single-shot surveys of the same well. The "average angle" method of survey computation is used by THUMS to reduce the margin of error. Even with this refinement, multiple shot surveys in high-drift wells are thought to have a possible error of ±20 ft (6.1 m) vertically and ±100 ft (30.5 m) horizontally for a well of 6,000 ft (1,828.8 m) measured depth. Structure and isopach maps are affected by this error, and the development geologist must use individual judgment in eliminatin or "averaging" suspect control points.
All-digital ADC/TDC using TAD architecture for highly-durable time-measurement ASIC

For achieving a highly-durable auto-lidar (light detection and ranging) time-measurement ASIC, an all-digital ADC/TDC using a time-domain processor TAD (Time A/D converter) is presented. In order to realize wide-range temperature durability, sensor ADC/TDC circuits should be fully-digital, including a ring-delay-line (RDL) driven by an input voltage V in for its power supply, along with an RDL frequency counter, latch and encoder. In this study, ADC/TDC cores are implemented with 0.26/0.35mm 2 , respectively, in a low-cost 0.35-μm digital CMOS by applying the same circuit architecture TAD. When the received pulse signal level is high, a 4-input terminal TDC can be used to directly digitize the round-trip time of light pulses with time-resolution 244ps/LSB (13-bit) without any AGC techniques. On the other hand, when detecting very-low-level noisy signals received, a high-speed ADC with voltage-resolution 10.9 mV/LSB (6.5bit, 40MS/s) is available for integrating received pulse amplitude to determine signal-travel time in a wide temperature range between -40 and 125°C. Finally, using the all-digital ADC/TDC, a time-measurement ASIC in a 0.35-μm CMOS for low-cost auto lidar has been developed, adapting to variable received-signal levels.
The State of Periprocedural Antiplatelet Therapy After Recent Trials

The ability to mechanically dilate and treat stenoses in the coronary arteries opened a new chapter in cardiovascular medicine. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been shown to improve outcomes among patients with acute coronary syndromes as well as improve symptoms among patients with stable coronary artery disease. Adjunctive antiplatelet therapy plays a critical role both in the periprocedural setting as well as in the long-term management of atherothrombosis. Over the past several years, clinical trials of novel compounds and treatment strategies have further refined our pharmacotherapeutic approach. Aspirin remains the cornerstone for antiplatelet therapy across the spectrum of ischemic heart disease. In contrast, studies of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors suggest a more limited role, particularly when used in addition to contemporary dual antiplatelet therapy. Clopidogrel, the most widely used P2Y12 adenosine diphosphate receptor blocker—although having demonstrated efficacy in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, non–ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome, and stable coronary artery disease undergoing PCI—has several limitations, including delay in onset, variability in response, and modest potency. The third-generation thienopyridine, prasugrel, as well as nonthienopyridine inhibitors of the P2Y12 receptor such as ticagrelor and cangrelor address these shortcomings, offering more potent, consistent, and rapid platelet inhibition. Prasugrel and ticagrelor led to significant reductions in adverse cardiovascular events, including cardiovascular mortality for the latter, whereas cangrelor met noninferiority compared with 600 mg of clopidogrel in patients with ACS undergoing PCI. There are myriad novel compounds at varying stages of development, including thrombin receptor antagonists whose role in the periprocedural and long-term setting will be defined through further study. Significant questions regarding antiplatelet therapy remain unanswered, including the role of genetic and platelet function testing to “tailor therapy”; the optimal duration of therapy; and the optimal mechanism to deliver high-quality, cost-effective antiplatelet therapy to all patients.
An electron impact investigation of pentafluoroethyl iodide

Abstract An electron impact investigation on C2F5I was made using the Retarding Potential Difference technique in a Bendix time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Appearance potentials were measured as follows: CF3+, 13.73 eV; C2F5+, 11.71 eV; and C2F5I+, 10.66 eV. From these results and previously published values it is possible to derive ΔHf0(C2F5I) ⩾ −236.4 kcal mol−1; ΔHf0(C2F5I+) ⩽ +9.4 kcal mol−1, and D(C2F5I) ⩽ 47.0 kcal mol−1. Observation of certain reaction channels in a parallel Ion Cyclotron Double Resonance experiment suggests that ΔHf0(C2F4I+) = +82.0 ± 2 kcal mol−1. From the latter result it is also possible to derive that D(FC2F4I+) = 91.5 kcal mol−1. In principle, D(CF3CF2I) could also be established if ΔHf0(CF2I) were known. If D(FCF2I) is estimated as 120 kcal mol−1, then ΔHf0(CF2I) = −40 kcal mol−1, and D(CF3CF2I) ⋍ 79 kcal mol−1. Uncertainties of ±0.1 eV are assigned to appearance potentials and ±2 kcal mol−1 to heats of formation.
Early out-of-season induced spawning of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque) conditioned in heated earthen ponds

This study documents early out-of-season induced spawning of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. During the early spring (February–April) of 1999, 2000 and 2001, ponds containing (1) male and female channel catfish (mixed-sex ponds) or (2) male channel and blue catfish I. furcatus only, or female channel catfish only (single-sex ponds) were heated to 24–30°C to encourage gonadal maturation and spawning. Unheated ponds were stocked with males and females and were monitored during the duration of heating. When natural spawning occurred in the heated ponds, the fish were captured by seining and unspawned females were injected with 100 μg kg−1 of synthetic leutenizing hormone-releasing hormone. Injected females were either paired with males or held in communal all-female groups, and monitored for ovulation. Eggs were collected and fertilized with sperm of channel catfish or blue catfish. Females paired with males were induced to spawn 44 days (mixed-sex ponds) and 50 days (single-sex ponds) before natural spawning occurred in unheated ponds. Spawning latency (the time between injection and ovulation) and the percentage of neurulated embryos from eggs fertilized using channel catfish sperm was not different between spawning before the natural season (P=0.68) and during the natural season in fish from mixed-sex ponds (P=0.57). Females held in all-female groups produced eggs 34 days before the onset of spawning in unheated ponds. Spawning latency was not different between spawns before and during the natural season (P=0.16), and the percentages of neurulated embryos from eggs fertilized with channel catfish sperm (P=0.76) or blue catfish sperm (P=0.77) before or during the natural season were not different. This study demonstrates the feasibility of conditioning of channel catfish females for early out-of-season induced spawning in the laboratory.
The Effect of Scarcity on Anticipated Price Appreciation

Researchers in psychology and marketing have found that consumers' perceptions and evaluations of a product's attractiveness, desirability, expensiveness, quality, and taste are affected by knowledge that the product is scarce. This study examines scarcity's effect on a new variable—anticipated price appreciation. Although scarcity does not affect a product's actual potential for price appreciation, news reports of scarce collectibles that have appreciated in value may lead people to develop naive economic theories associating scarcity with price appreciation. Consistent with this expectation, we found that scarcity increased the anticipated price appreciation of two collectible products. The practical implications of this result are discussed along with issues for future research.
ECG artifacts and heart period variability: Don't miss a beat!

The impact of artifacts on estimates of heart period variability were evaluated by modeling the effects of missed R-waves and spurious R-wave detections in actual and simulated heart period series. Results revealed that even a single artifact, occurring within a 128-s interbeat interval series, can impart substantial spurious variance into all commonly analyzed frequency bands, including that associated with respiratory sinus arrhythmia. In fact, the spurious variance introduced by a single artifact may be greater than that associated with true basal heart period variability and can far exceed typical effect sizes in psychophysiological studies. The effects of artifacts are not related to a specific analytical method and are apparent in both frequency and time domain analyses. Results emphasize the importance of artifact detection and resolution for studies of heart period variability.
Follicular determinants of pregnancy establishment and maintenance

Synchronization of dominant follicle development and control of ovulation/oocyte retrieval are commonly used assisted reproductive technologies in both cattle and humans. The final maturation of the dominant follicle is intimately tied to the final maturation of the oocyte, preovulatory secretion of estradiol, preparation of follicular cells for luteinization, postovulatory secretion of progesterone and endocrine control of the oviductal and uterine environment for gamete and embryo development. The physiological maturity of a dominant/ovulatory follicle can affect the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Premature induction of the ovulatory process can reduce pregnancy rates and increase late embryonic/fetal mortality in cattle, which is likely mediated through inadequate oocyte competence and a compromised maternal environment. Oocyte competence increases with follicular maturity and is dependent upon acquisition of a complete complement of mRNA transcripts and establishment of the appropriate epigenetic marking of the oocyte genome before the preovulatory gonadotropin surge. Preovulatory secretion of estradiol is a reflection of follicular maturity and affects the oocyte, follicular cells, oviduct and uterus. The corpus luteum is a continuation of follicular maturation and rate of progesterone secretion following ovulation is linked to fertility. Advancements in our understanding of how the follicular microenvironment affects pregnancy establishment and maintenance will improve the efficiency of assisted reproductive technologies in all species. The purpose of this review is to discuss how follicular microenvironment, oocyte competence, preovulatory secretion of estradiol and postovulatory secretion of progesterone can affect pregnancy establishment and embryo/fetal survival, with an emphasis on cattle.
Full length article: Weighted uniform polynomial approximation and moduli of smoothness on continua in the complex plane

We construct polynomial approximations in terms of the weighted kth modulus of continuity, k>=1, for a function f which is continuous on a continuum E in the complex plane. We establish a connection between the rate of the approximation of f on the boundary of E and its smoothness properties.
A high-density nanowire electrode on paper for biomedical applications

Paper-based devices have heralded a new direction for low-cost, point-of-care medical diagnostics. In this paper, we bring the benefits of nanotechnology to paper-based diagnostics by presenting a room temperature, low-cost process to fabricate high-density nanowires directly on paper substrates using template-assisted electrodeposition and simple adhesive tape-based patterning. Different types of nanowires made from platinum, nickel and copper are fabricated and patterned with microscale resolution on paper substrates. Nanowires are characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and impedance spectroscopy. The approach was used to make dry paper-based nanowire electrodes that exhibit excellent electrode-tissue impedance suitable for recording electrocardiogram signals without any wet-gel adhesives. Another application employed a nanowire electrode on paper as a cathode in batteries for energy harvesting from natural acidic sources. The battery generated sufficient power of around 6 mW with dimensions of just 4 cm2 from a simulated gastric acid environment. Many more applications ranging from high surface area electrodes for supercapacitors and batteries to next generation chemical and biological sensors will be enabled by the proposed approach of bringing nanotechnology to paper-based devices.
Use of tablet (iPad®) as a tool for teaching anesthesiology in an orthopedic rotation

Summary Tanaka PP, Hawrylyshyn KA, Macario A – Use of Tablet (iPad®) as a Tool for Teaching Anesthesiology in an Orthopedic Rotation. Background and objectives The goal of this study was to compare scores on house staff evaluations of “overall teaching quality” during a rotation in anesthesia for orthopedics in the first six months (n = 11 residents were provided with curriculum in a printed binder) and in the final six months (n = 9 residents were provided with the same curriculum in a tablet computer (iPad, Apple®, Inc, Cupertino, Ca)). Methods At the beginning of the two-week rotation, the resident was given an iPad containing: a syllabus with daily reading assignments, rotation objectives according to the ACGME core competencies, and journal articles. Prior to the study, these curriculum materials had been distributed in a printed binder. The iPad also provided peer reviewed internet sites and direct access to online textbooks, but was not linked to the electronic medical record. At the end of the rotation, residents anonymously answered questions to evaluate the rotation on an ordinal scale from 1 (unsatisfactory) to 5 (outstanding). All residents were unaware that the data would be analyzed retrospectively for this study. Results The mean global rating of the rotation as assessed by “overall teaching quality of this rotation” increased from 4.09 (N = 11 evaluations before intervention, SD 0.83, median 4, range 3–5) to 4.89 (N = 9 evaluations after intervention, SD 0.33, median 5, range 4–5) p = 0.04. Conclusions Residents responded favorably to the introduction of an innovative iPad based curriculum for the orthopedic anesthesia rotation. More studies are needed to show how such mobile computing technologies can enhance learning, especially since residents work at multiple locations, have duty hour limits, and the need to document resident learning in six ACGME core competencies.
Three-Dimensional Aeroelastic and Aerothermoelastic Behavior in Hypersonic Flow

The aeroelastic and aerothermoelastic behavior of three-dimensional configurations in hypersonic flow regime are studied. The aeroelastic behavior of a low aspect ratio wing, representative of a fin or control surface on a generic hypersonic vehicle, is examined using third order piston theory, Euler and Navier-Stokes aerodynamics. The sensitivity of the aeroelastic behavior generated using Euler and Navier-Stokes aerodynamics to parameters governing temporal accuracy is also examined. Also, a refined aerothermoelastic model, which incorporates the heat transfer between the fluid and structure using CFD generated aerodynamic heating, is used to examine the aerothermoelastic behavior of the low aspect ratio wing in the hypersonic regime. Finally, the hypersonic aeroelastic behavior of a generic hypersonic vehicle with a lifting-body type fuselage and canted fins is studied using piston theory and Euler aerodynamics for the range of 2.5 M 28, at altitudes ranging from 10,000 feet to 80,000 feet. This analysis includes a study on optimal mesh selection for use with Euler aerodynamics. In addition to the aeroelastic and aerothermoelastic results presented, three time domain flutter identification techniques are compared, namely the moving block approach, the least squares curve fitting method, and a system identification technique using an Auto-Regressive model of the aeroelastic system. In general, the three methods agree well. The system identification technique, however, provided quick damping and frequency estimations with minimal response record length, and therefore oers significant reductions in computational cost. In the present case, the computational cost was reduced by 75%. The aeroelastic and aerothermoelastic results presented illustrate the applicability of the CFL3D code for the hypersonic flight regime.
Impact of capital formation on input-output multipliers

Abstract This paper presents two new kinds of input-output multipliers that may be of considerable use in national or regional economic development policy. In addition to standard Leontief row, column and growth equalized multipliers, multipliers showing the effects of capital depreciation and net capital formation are specified and calculated for the U.S. (1972 and 1977) and Japan (1970 and 1980). These new multipliers include the induced effects of capital replacement and the induced effects of capital growth resulting from the expansion of individual vertically integrated economic sectors.
An evolutionary connection between interstellar ices and IDPs? Clues from mass spectroscopy measurements of laboratory simulations

We present mass spectra of the residual organic matter that results from the ultraviolet photolysis of realistic interstellar ice analogs in the laboratory. The mass spectra show that this residue is a complex mixture of high molecular weight organic molecules, reminiscent of those reported for interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) – asteroidal and cometary dust. This represents a further characterization of the material for which we have already reported amphiphilic properties (Dworkin et al., 2001). If we assume that the compounds observed are conjugated hydrocarbons, the mass spectra of the organics are consistent with organic compounds of up to 22 carbon atoms. Heating in air at low-pressure up to 1470 K as a simulation of atmospheric entry increases the molecular masses detected by lL 2 MS, resulting in a spectrum similar to those of the IDPs Florianus, and Aurelian. The results presented here are consistent with the notion that some of the large organic molecules delivered to the Earth on IDPs could have had their origin in low-temperature ice chemistry. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of COSPAR.
Using software architecture to facilitate reuse in a product family

A major goal of the software architecture discipline is to develop an environment that promotes the reuse of components across separate software projects. One of the areas that would most benefit from this reuse is in product families of similar software products. Many organizations are in the business of creating several closely related products, whether it be a line of cell phones, cameras, printers, or a banking software suite, each product will need very similar software, with only slight modifications based on the version being produced. In this case, two aspects are needed in order to improve the production of such organizations. First, a common architecture foundation should be shared by each of the products. Second, there should be at least some small amount of basic code at the core of each product that can be reused without modification.In this paper, we will examine current methods of software architecture styles and propose a best method for describing the architecture so that the core components can be reused in many products. Next, we will determine the best practices for describing how the components can be reused, specifically what should be included in both high level and low level documentation. Finally, we will look at software implementation details of how this strategy could be practically applied to projects in the software development industry.
Influence of Permeability on Liquefaction-Induced Shear Deformation

Permeability of a liquefiable soil profile may affect the rate of pore-pressure buildup and subsequent dissipation during and after earthquake excitation. Consequently, effective soil confinement a...
Wiener-filter enhancement of noisy HREM images.

Abstract The use of Wiener filters to restore noisy HREM images is discussed, exploiting the fact that the noise spectrum can be rather simply estimated. Conventional Wiener, Cannon, parametric versions of these and a random-phase form are found to be very effective. Quantitative analysis indicates that the signal-to-noise ratio is improved by a factor of 3–7, with better results for larger pictures. Such filtering techniques should have rather wide applicability in electron microscopy, and could be applied on-line with TV systems.
Processing parameters associated with scale-up of balloon film production

A method is set forth for assessing strain-rate profiles that can be used to develop a scale-up theory for blown-film extrusion. Strain rates are evaluated by placing four ink dots on the stalk of an extruded bubble to follow the displacements of the dots as a function of time. The instantaneous Hencky strain is obtained with the displacement data and plotted for analysis. Specific attention is given to potential sources of error in the distance measurements and corrections for these complex bubble geometries. The method is shown to be effective for deriving strain-rate data related to different processing parameters for the production of balloon film. The strain rates can be compared to frostline height, blow-up ratio, and take-up ratio to optimize these processing variables.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE SLAGGING OF SOME GLASS FURNACE CHECKERS

Two brands of super-duty fireclay brick with similar physical and chemical properties were selected. These two brands were put into opposite regenerators of the same commercial furnace melting a soda-lime glass. One brand failed before the furnace compaign was completed and the other did not. Investigation showed that one of the main differences between the two brands was the amount of microscopically visible mullite crystals present.
SNAP family of NSF attachment proteins includes a brain-specific isoform

The soluble NSF attachment proteins (SNAPs) enable N-ethyl-maleimide-sensitive fusion protein (NSF) to bind to target membranes. Here we report the cloning and sequencing of complementary DNAs encoding alpha-, beta- and gamma-SNAPs. Two of these proteins, alpha and gamma, are found in a wide range of tissues, and act synergistically in intra-Golgi transport. The third, beta, is a brain-specific isoform of alpha-SNAP. Thus, NSF and SNAPs appear to be general components of the intracellular membrane fusion apparatus, and their action at specific sites of fusion must be controlled by SNAP receptors particular to the membranes being fused, as described in the accompanying article.
Making Hospitals Safer for Older Adults: Updating Quality Metrics by Understanding Hospital-Acquired Delirium and Its Link to Falls

The medical care of hospitalized geriatric patients must differ from the care of younger adults. Because of reduced "reserve capacity," hospitalized older adults are at high risk of development of geriatric syndromes such as delirium and falls. Geriatric syndromes often lead to functional decline and dependence. Patients who experience geriatric syndromes in the hospital are more likely to have a longer length of stay, higher risk of readmissions, and worse medical outcomes. Incident delirium in hospitalized geriatric patients has been shown to be preventable by intervening in established risk factors. Prevention of hospital-related falls has not been consistently demonstrated. Analysis from Kaiser Permanente data demonstrated a correlation with delirium and hospital-related falls. We propose that age-specific quality metrics should be made to reduce the risk of the development of geriatric syndromes in hospitalized older adults. By preventing delirium, we believe that health care practitioners can reduce hospital-related falls in geriatric patients and improve the quality of care delivered to hospitalized older adults. An illustrative fictional case study is presented.
Potential Energy Surface of Methanol Decomposition on Cu(110)

Combining the dimer saddle point searching method and periodic density functional theory calculations, the potential energy surface of methanol decomposition on Cu(110) has been mapped out. Each elementary step in the methanol decomposition reaction into CO and hydrogen occurs via one of three possible mechanisms: O−H, C−H, or C−O bond scission. Multiple reaction pathways for each bond scission have been identified in the present work. Reaction pathway calculations are started from an initial (reactant) state with methanol adsorbed in the most stable geometry on Cu(110). The saddle point and corresponding final state of each reaction or diffusion mechanism were determined without assuming the reaction mechanism. In this way, the reaction paths are determined without chemical intuition. The harmonic pre-exponential factor of each identified reaction is calculated from a normal-mode analysis of the stationary points. Then, using harmonic transition state theory, the rate constant of each identified reaction...
β-Hydroxyaspartic acid: Synthesis and separation of its diastereoisomers

Abstract A method has been developed for the separation of the diastereoisomers of β-hydroxyaspartic acid on Dowex 1 ion-exchange columns. The distribution of these isomers in β-hydroxyaspartic acid samples, obtained from two different chemical syntheses, has been determined. In two biological systems tested, only erythro -β-hydroxyaspartate showed activity.
Sinking Rates of Radioactive Fallout Particles in the North East Pacific Ocean, 1961–62

THE resumption of nuclear weapon testing in the atmosphere in September 1961 provided an opportunity to investigate the sinking rate of radioactive fallout particles in the North East Pacific Ocean. The stopping of weapon testing in the atmosphere between November 1958 and September 1, 1961, gave sufficient time for radionuclides with relatively short half-lives which were released by tests before 1958 to decay. Weapon testing began in the Soviet Union on September 1, 1961, and by November 4, 1961, at least fifty nuclear devices had been detonated in the atmosphere, including fifteen megaton or multimegaton devices1. In the North East Pacific Ocean, the beginning of the 1961 test series coincided closely with the beginning of the winter storms and their heavy rainfall. This provided a mechanism for quickly depositing the fallout nuclides, rainfall being the principal mechanism for removing such particles from the atmosphere2. Radioactive fallout material from these tests was detected in marine samples in mid-September 1961.
Experimental and numerical studies on dynamic crack growth in layered slate rock under wedge impact loads: part II – non-plane strain problem

Dynamic crack propagation in non-plane strain (or 3D) slate blocks under wedge impact loads was investigated numerically in this part of the paper. A parabolic-shaped crack trajectory was taken into consideration to model the crack propagation in slate blocks for analyzing the impact splitting of layered slate rock. Major and minor axes of the parabola were determined from the condition of equal mode I stress intensity factors (SIFs) along the crack front. Mode I SIFs were determined for experimental breaking loads for each increment of crack growth in a manner similar to that mentioned in part I of this paper. These values were compared with the plane strain material fracture toughness value obtained from experimental studies and very good agreement was obtained between them, for the case of actual load applied on the specimen. Numerical analysis of a field problem, i.e., separation of a large-sized slate slab from the rock strata in a slate quarry using wedge impacting, was also carried out in this paper. It can be observed that a large magnitude of load is required to break large-sized slate blocks; but this load is applied through a number of smaller load-capacity actuators-in-parallel, requiring large power capacity for the hydraulic pumps. However, this required power could be reduced considerably if the load applied on the line of hydraulic actuators is cascaded across the (line of) actuators (starting from centrally placed actuators) with a small time delay (equal to the initial crushing time in slate rock).
Long-Term Fish Oil Supplementation Induces Cardiac Electrical Remodeling by Changing Channel Protein Expression in the Rabbit Model

Clinical trials and epidemiological studies have suggested that dietary fish oil (FO) supplementation can provide an anti-arrhythmic benefit in some patient populations. The underlying mechanisms are not entirely clear. We wanted to understand how FO supplementation (for 4 weeks) affected the action potential configuration/duration of ventricular myocytes, and the ionic mechanism(s)/molecular basis for these effects. The experiments were conducted on adult rabbits, a widely used animal model for cardiac electrophysiology and pathophysiology. We used gas chromatography - mass spectroscopy to confirm that FO feeding produced a marked increase in the content of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the phospholipids of rabbit hearts. Left ventricular myocytes were used in current and voltage clamp experiments to monitor action potentials and ionic currents, respectively. Action potentials of myocytes from FO-fed rabbits exhibited much more positive plateau voltages and prolonged durations. These changes could be explained by an increase in the L-type Ca current (ICaL) and a decrease in the transient outward current (Ito) in these myocytes. FO feeding did not change the delayed rectifier or inward rectifier current. Immunoblot experiments showed that the FO-feeding induced changes in ICaL and Ito were associated with corresponding changes in the protein levels of major pore-forming subunits of these channels: increase in Cav1.2 and decrease in Kv4.2 and Kv1.4. There was no change in other channel subunits (Cav1.1, Kv4.3, KChIP2, and ERG1). We conclude that long-term fish oil supplementation can impact on cardiac electrical activity at least partially by changing channel subunit expression in cardiac myocytes.
A cold and wet Mars

Abstract Water on Mars has been explained by invoking controversial and mutually exclusive solutions based on warming the atmosphere with greenhouse gases (the “warm and wet” Mars) or on local thermal energy sources acting in a global freezing climate (the “cold and dry” Mars). Both have critical limitations and none has been definitively accepted as a compelling explanation for the presence of liquid water on Mars. Here is considered the hypothesis that cold, saline and acidic liquid solutions have been stable on the sub-zero surface of Mars for relatively extended periods of time, completing a hydrogeological cycle in a water-enriched but cold planet. Computer simulations have been developed to analyze the evaporation processes of a hypothetical martian fluid with a composition resulting from the acid weathering of basalt. This model is based on orbiter- and lander-observed surface mineralogy of Mars, and is consistent with the sequence and time of deposition of the different mineralogical units. The hydrological cycle would have been active only in periods of dense atmosphere, as having a minimum atmospheric pressure is essential for water to flow, and relatively high temperatures (over ∼245 K) are required to trigger evaporation and snowfall; minor episodes of limited liquid water on the surface could have occurred at lower temperatures (over ∼225 K). During times with a thin atmosphere and even lesser temperatures (under ∼225 K), only transient liquid water can potentially exist on most of the martian surface. Assuming that surface temperatures have always been maintained below 273 K, Mars can be considered a “cold and wet” planet for a substantial part of its geological history.
A three-level analytic model for alkali metal vapor lasers: part I. Narrowband optical pumping

A three-level analytic model for optically pumped alkali metal vapor lasers is developed by considering the steady-state rate equations for the longitudinally averaged number densities of the ground 2S1/2 and first excited 2P3/2, and 2P1/2 states. The threshold pump intensity includes both the requirements to fully bleach the pump transition and exceed optical losses, typically about 200 W/cm2. Slope efficiency depends critically on the fraction of incident photons absorbed and the overlap of pump and resonator modes, approaching the quantum efficiency of 0.95–0.98, depending on the alkali atom. For marginal cavity transmission losses, peak performance is achieved for low output coupling mirror reflectivity. For efficient operation, the collisional relaxation between the two upper levels should be fast to prevent bottlenecking. By assuming a statistical distribution between the upper two levels, the limiting analytic solution for the quasi two-level system is achieved. For properly designed gain conditions, the quasi two-level solution is usually achievable and represents ideal performance.
De Subitaneis Mortibus VII. Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation and Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia

Disseminated intravascular coagulation was the cause of death of a 19-year-old woman with a lifelong history of paroxysmal atrial tachycardia. Her final illness began with a bout of tachycardia during her second trimester of pregnancy and was then characterized by sustained tachycardia with hypotension, oliguria, and renal failure, with a steadily falling hematocrit in the absence of significant bleeding externally. At necropsy there were numerous platelet and fibrin emboli throughout the heart. Small arteries in both the sinus node and in the atrioventricular (A-V) node and His bundle were involved. The sinus node was virtually destroyed by recent infarction. Structural variation in the A-V node and His bundle, probably congenital in nature, provided an anatomic substrate for re-entrant loops which may have been the basis for the paroxysmal atrial tachycardia.
On solving large sparse nonlinear equation systems

Abstract An approach toward solving large sparse nonlinear equation system using a modified Powell's dogleg method is described. Schubert's update is used either to update the Jacobian, or to update the U factor of the Jacobian while holding the L factor constant. This use of Schubert's update differs from others since it is used in connection with a dogleg method rather than the usual quasi-Newton method. Results on a set of standard test problems indicate that this leads to an efficient and reliable method for sparse nonlinear problems.