cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quality circles in the United States: a conceptual reevaluation.

Faced with industrial decline, American managers have begun searching for strategies for increasing productivity. Recent attention has focused on Japanese management practices, particularly on quality circles (QCs). Drawing upon social science research, this article evaluates the assumptions behind QCs implemented in the United States. The authors present a conceptual analysis that indicates possible reasons for the differing rates of success for QCs in Japan and the U.S. The article also makes suggestions for the effective implementation of American QCs.
An Occupational Therapy Life Skills Curriculum Model for a Native American Tribe: A Health Promotion Program Based on Ethnographic Field Research

A unique, nontraditional occupational therapy role focusing on primary prevention, community health promotion, and enhancement for a nonpatient population is examined. The purpose of this ongoing consultancy project was to develop a series of life skills and prevocational programs for an ethnic population of native Americans from elementary school through high school and post-secondary adulthood levels in British Columbia, Canada, from 1986 to 1990. This consultancy evolved from a philosophy of renewing and preserving the culturally distinct ethnic heritage and tribal integrity of this native American community. Knowledge about sociocultural systems theory, anthropology, and developmental cognitive-behavioral learning theories are combined with ongoing clinical experience in psychosocial occupational therapy practice and consultancy principles to develop life skills and an educational, community-based prevention/wellness educational program model. Subsequent modifications of the original model, with consultancy recommendations for implementation of future programs, are based on tribal members' feedback and concerns elicited with psychosocial and ethnographic interviewing techniques during villager community meetings. The replicability of this primary prevention and wellness life skills program model offers numerous possibilities for occupational therapists to develop similar programs within the cultural contexts and perceived needs of specific ethnic groups in other nontraditional community-based settings.
Characterization of the Endonuclease and ATP-dependent Flap Endo/Exonuclease of Dna2

Two processes, DNA replication and DNA damage repair, are key to maintaining genomic fidelity. The Dna2 enzyme lies at the heart of both of these processes, acting in conjunction with flap endonuclease 1 and replication protein A in DNA lagging strand replication and with BLM/Sgs1 and MRN/X in double strand break repair. In vitro, Dna2 helicase and flap endo/exonuclease activities require an unblocked 5′ single-stranded DNA end to unwind or cleave DNA. In this study we characterize a Dna2 nuclease activity that does not require, and in fact can create, 5′ single-stranded DNA ends. Both endonuclease and flap endo/exonuclease are abolished by the Dna2-K677R mutation, implicating the same active site in catalysis. In addition, we define a novel ATP-dependent flap endo/exonuclease activity, which is observed only in the presence of Mn2+. The endonuclease is blocked by ATP and is thus experimentally distinguishable from the flap endo/exonuclease function. Thus, Dna2 activities resemble those of RecB and AddAB nucleases even more closely than previously appreciated. This work has important implications for understanding the mechanism of action of Dna2 in multiprotein complexes, where dissection of enzymatic activities and cofactor requirements of individual components contributing to orderly and precise execution of multistep replication/repair processes depends on detailed characterization of each individual activity.
A sexual health model for nursing intervention.

This article describes and illustrates a conceptual model for nurses who wish to assist clients in attaining or maintaining sexual health. The Sexual Health Model for Nursing Intervention provides form and direction for nurses at all levels when they address client concerns or problems related to sexual health. Interactions between the nurse and the client are the foundation of all the components in this model. The four steps of the nursing process encompass all the other processes and approaches contained within the model. The communication, therapeutic, and teaching processes define the role and skills of the nurse. The adaptation of the PLISSIT model, contained within the processes, is a hierarchy of interventions that guide the nurse's activities. The use of the model can assist nurses in making an important contribution to client sexual health.
Raman spectroscopy and vibrational assignments of 1- and 2-methylimidazole

Vibrational modes are assigned to the Raman bands of 1- and 2-methylimidazole. Assignments are based on a review of the literature assignments of imidazole, 1-methylimidazole and 4(5)-methylimidazole supplemented by Raman depolarization studies of 1.0 M solutions of 1- and 2-methylimidazole. Raman shifts observed for N-deuteration of 2-methylimidazole are also considered. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Separation and liquid chromatography using a single carbon nanotube

Use of a single template-grown carbon nanotube as a separation column to separate attoliter volumes of binary mixtures of fluorescent dyes has been demonstrated. The cylindrical nanotube walls are used as stationary phase and the surface area is increased by growing smaller multi-walled carbon nanotubes within the larger nanotube column. Liquid-liquid extraction is performed to separate selectively soluble solutes in a solvent, and chromatographic separation is demonstrated using thin, long nanotubes coated inside with iron oxide nanoparticles. The setup is also used to determine the diffusion coefficient of a solute at the sub-micrometer scale. This study opens avenues for analytical chemistry in attoliter volumes of fluids for various applications and cellular analysis at the single cell level.
Smad3 and NFAT cooperate to induce Foxp3 expression through its enhancer

The transcription factor Foxp3 is involved in the differentiation, function and survival of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells. Details of the mechanism underlying the induction of Foxp3 expression remain unknown, because studies of the transcriptional regulation of the Foxp3 gene are limited by the small number of Treg cells in mononuclear cell populations. Here we have generated a model system for analyzing Foxp3 induction and, by using this system with primary T cells, we have identified an enhancer element in this gene. The transcription factors Smad3 and NFAT are required for activity of this Foxp3 enhancer, and both factors are essential for histone acetylation in the enhancer region and induction of Foxp3. These biochemical properties that define Foxp3 expression explain many of the effects of transforming growth factor-β on the function of Foxp3+ Treg cells.
Commitment expectations in romantic relationships: Application of a prototype interaction-pattern model

Three studies were conducted to investigate whether commitment expectations in romantic relationships can be described using a prototype interaction-pattern model of interpersonal expectations. Participants included male and female students enrolled at a university in the United States. In Study 1, 204 participants listed interaction patterns they believed produce a sense of commitment in romantic relationships. Study 2 (N= 170) tested whether the patterns are organized around prototypes, such that some patterns are more likely to create a sense of commitment than others. In Study 3, 160 participants evaluated the effects of prototypical and nonprototypical pattern violations to verify the prototype structure further. The utility of the prototype interaction-pattern model for analyzing commitment expectations was supported in all 3 studies.
Predation history and vulnerability: Conservation of the stickleback adaptive radiation

Recent adaptive radiations offer special insight into the processes that generate biodiversity. The loss of unique members of such radiations undermines their collective evolutionary potential, as well as the ability of scientists to compare divergent populations, thereby devaluing the entire radiation as a system of study. To illustrate our case, we consider the adaptive radiation of the threespine stickleback fish (Gasterosteus aculeatus) in light of anthropogenic threats. Specifically, we consider the effects of stocking with rainbow trout, Onchorynchus mykiss, on populations of stickleback in lakes of two types in the Cook Inlet Region of Alaska, USA: (1) those in which salmonids are native and (2) those historically devoid of predatory fish. Many populations in this second class exhibit reduced pelvic armor that is, in part, a consequence of the historical absence of piscine predators that prey upon stickleback. Long-term trapping data from 77 lakes show that stocking in lakes where trout are not native is associated with large fluctuations in stickleback abundance, relative to lakes in which trout are native, or to lakes in which trout are neither native nor stocked. Pelvic-reduced populations appear to be at most risk from stocking. We discuss how these populations have responded to, and may yet respond to such threats, and how the information we have on these populations can be used to identify evolutionarily significant units (ESUs: Ryder, 1986), and certainly, distinct populations segments (DPSs: Green, 2005; Moritz, 2002; Waples, 1991) deemed worthy of protection under Section 3(15) of the 1973 US Endangered Species Act as amended in 1978. Finally, we consider relevance of our results to the conservation of other recent adaptive radiations.
Heat Transfer Within Carbon Nanotubes During Elecron Field Emission

In this paper, we present a methodology to simulate heat transfer within an isolated carbon nanotube attached to an etched tungsten tip during field emission of an electron beam. The simulations predict the field enhancement, emission current, temperature of the carbon nanotube, and distribution of electrons arriving on a target surface. The method integrates electrostatic and transient thermal finite element analyses with algorithms for modeling the field emission (based on Fowler-Nordheim approximation), heating/cooling due to emitting energetic electrons (Nottingham effect), and computation of electron trajectories. Results are presented for the axisymmetric case of an open-ended carbon nanotube separated by a 13.43-μm-gap distance from a flat surface, with voltages ranging between 65 and 145 V. Results suggest that heating of the carbon nanotube is due to the combined Nottingham effect and Joule heating when the current is below about 0.1 pA and that it is solely due to Joule heating for higher currents. Comparisons with the experimental data show very good agreement for the case studied.
Intravenous butyrate and healing of colonic anastomoses in the rat

PURPOSE: Intracolonic infusions of short chain fatty acids promote healing of colonic anastomoses. Because the intravenous route may have wider clinical application, we studied the effect of intravenous n-butyrate on the mechanical strength of colonic anastomoses in the rat. METHODS: After placement of an indwelling intravenous catheter, the descending colon was transected and an anastomosis was performed. Rats were then randomized to receive total parenteral nutrition (TPN group; n=15) or total parenteral nutrition plus 130 mM/1 of n-butyrate (TPN+BUT group; n=13). On the fifth postoperative day, bursting pressure and bowel wall tension of the anastomoses were measuredin situ.Anastomotic tissues were analyzed for hydroxyproline. RESULTS: The TPN+BUT group had a significantly higher bursting pressure (107.5±30.3vs.83±41.0 mmHg;P=0.04) and bowel wall tension (20.7±7.6vs.14.1±99 Newton;P=0.03). Tissue hydroxyproline was not different between the two groups (TPN, 45.8±9.2, and TPN+BUT, 47.9±2.9 μg/mg tissue nitrogen). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that intravenous butyrate improves mechanical strength of a colonic anastomosis without a detectable change in total collagen content.
Enhancement of vascular action of arginine vasopressin by diminished extracellular sodium concentration

The present study was undertaken to examine the effects of diminished extracellular sodium concentration on the vascular action of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). The preincubation of cells with the 110 mM extracellular Na+ ([Na+]e) solution supplemented with 30 mM choline chloride for 60 minutes enhanced the effect of AVP- (1 x 10(-8) M) induced VSMC contraction. The treatment of 110 mM [Na+]e solution also enhanced the cellular contractile response to the protein kinase C (PKC) activators, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-glycerol. Furthermore, preincubation with the 110 mM [Na+]e solution also potentiated the effect of 1 x 10(-8) M AVP, but not 1 x 10(-6) M, to increase the cytosolic-free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) concentration. The 110 mM [Na+]e media decreased the basal intracellular Na+ concentration and increased intracellular 45Ca2+ accumulation, basal [Ca2+]i and AVP-produced 45Ca2+ efflux. These effects of 110 mM [Na+]e solution to enhance the vascular action of AVP were abolished by using Ca(2+)-free 110 mM [Na+]e solution during the preincubation period. The preincubation with the 110 mM [Na+]e solution did not change either the Kd and Bmax of AVP V1 receptor of VSMC or the AVP-induced production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. The present in vitro results therefore indicate that the diminished extracellular fluid sodium concentration within a range observed in clinical hyponatremic states enhances the vascular action of AVP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Electrical membrane phenomena in spherules from proteinoid and Lecithin

Spontaneous and induced electrical phenomena resembling membrane and action potentials in natural excitable cells have been observed in artificial cells. These artificial cells were made from thermal proteinoid and lecithin in a solution of potassium acid phosphate with glycerol.
Measurement of motivation and incentive

Many theories of motivation employ algebraic models in which motivation acts as an amplifier or multiplier. Such multiplying models can be used as the essential basis for measurement of motivation, incentive, and other theoretical constructs by means of a linear fan analysis from functional measurement. A numerical example is presented, together with discussion of various problems of data analysis. Opportunities, difficulties, and precautions are discussed for extending this approach to test the operant matching law, the postulates of Hull-Spence theory, and general problems of stimulus integration with behavioral response measures.
Method for Acquiring Low-Frequency Transmission Infrared Spectra of Adsorbed Compounds on Silica Gels

A transmission infrared technique for detecting bands due to adsorbed species on silica gels in the region 4000 to 200 cm-1 is described. The region below 1300 cm-1 contains strong Si-O bulk modes that dominate the much weaker bands due to adsorbed species. Silica gels are strong infrared scatterers, and adsorbed molecules lead to changes in the spectral artifacts in the region containing the bulk modes. These artifacts dominate and mask out the much weaker bands due to adsorbed species. By embedding the silica gel in a pliable polymer film of similar refractive index, one minimizes the artifacts, enabling detection of bands attributed to adsorbed compounds.
Neurokinin A increases short-circuit current across rat colonic mucosa: a role for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide.

1. Neurokinin A (NKA) is a mammalian tachykinin distributed principally in the nervous system, including the myenteric innervation of the gut. 2. NKA may be involved in neurogenic inflammation and as a modulatory factor in the diarrhoea associated with mucosal inflammation of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis). 3. We evaluated the effect of NKA on the short-circuit current ISC, assumed to reflect electrogenic chloride secretion, across muscle-stripped rat colonic mucosa mounted in Ussing chambers. 4. Serosal addition of NKA produced a concentration-dependent (0.1-100 nM) increase in ISC with an EC50 (half-maximal effective concentration) value of 7.5 nM. The maximum (mean +/- S.E.M.) increase in ISC (microA/cm2) for NKA was 111 +/- 10. 5. Tetrodotoxin (0.5 microM) and bumetanide (10 microM), but not atropine (1.0 microM), hexamethonium (100 microM) or pyrilamine (10 microM), significantly inhibited NKA-induced increases in ISC. 6. The response to NKA was attenuated by 45 min pre-treatment with antisera raised against vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). Moreover, prior desensitization to VIP attenuated the effect of NKA. 7. These studies suggest that NKA increases ISC in rat colon, in part, through a non-cholinergic neural mechanism involving VIP.
The Impact of Welfare Reform on Medicaid

Welfare reform did not usher in comprehensive Medicaid reform, if "reform" is defined as dismantling the basic framework or design of the nations's health-care system for the poor Instead, it left much of the previous Medicaid system intact. However, welfare reform has contributed to changes in the Medicaideligible populations, greater variability and experimentation with state Medicaid initiatives, and greater sate control over Medicaid program decisions. Thus, the welfare-reform movement clarfied a major trend in contemporary American politics-the increase in state discretion and flexibility in social welfare policymaking. The states are now at the center of Medicaid decisionmaking, and they are in a key position to determine the future direction of heath-care assistance for the poor in the United States.
Synthesis of rhenium–platinum complexes bearing carbaborane ligands and their unusual dynamic behavior

Treatment of Cs[3,3,3-(CO)3-closo-3,1,2-ReC2B9H11] 1 with [Pt(NCMe)2{Ph2P(CH2)2PPh2}][BF4]2 yielded [3,3,3-(CO)3-3,8-(Pt{Ph2P(CH2)2PPh2})-8-(μ-H)-closo-3,1,2-ReC2B9H10][BF4] 2b as the sole product. The cation of salt 2b is a bimetallic species with a Re–Pt bond bridged by a nido-7,8-C2B9H11 ligand pentahapto coordinated to the rhenium and with the β-B–H bond in the ligating CCBBB ring of the carbaborane cage forming a 3-centre 2-electron B–H⇀Pt bond. Deprotonation of 2b with strong bases gives an isomeric mixture of the complexes [3,3,3-(CO)3-3,n-(Pt{Ph2P(CH2)2PPh2})-closo-3,1,2-ReC2B9H10] 3a (n = 4), 3b (n = 8). The isomers are readily separated and the proportion of 3a to 3b formed is solvent- as well as base-dependent. In THF solutions of 2b afford a 1∶3∶1 equilibrium mixture of 2b, 3a, and 3b. Refluxing THF solutions of 1 with [Pt(H)(THF)(PEt3)2][BF4] for several days yields a separable mixture of the isomers [3,3,3-(CO)3-3,n-{Pt(PEt3)2}-closo-3,1,2-ReC2B9H10] 4a (n = 4), 4b (n = 8). The same reactants, when stirred together in CH2Cl2 at ambient temperatures, give 4a and [3,3,3-(CO)3-3,8-{Pt(H)(PEt3)}-8-(μ-H)-closo-3,1,2-ReC2B9H10] 5. Complex 4a, not 5, is the precursor to 4b, the interconversion occurring at elevated temperatures in solution by an intramolecular exchange of B–Pt σ bonds between α-B and β-B vertices in the coordinating CCBBB face of the cage. Treatment of 1 with [Pt(Me)(THF)(PMe2Ph)2][BF4] at room temperature initially gives [3,3,3-(CO)3-3,4-{Pt(PMe2Ph)2}-closo-3,1,2-ReC2B9H10] 6a. However, 6a isomerizes in CH2Cl2 solutions at ambient temperatures to give a 1∶1 mixture of 6a and [3,3,3-(CO)3-3,8-{Pt(PMe2Ph)2}-closo-3,1,2-ReC2B9H10] 6b. The NMR data (1H, 13C, 11B and 31P) for the new complexes are discussed.
Speciation of chromium using thermospray nebulization as sample introduction into inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A thermospray source was investigated as an interface between liquid chromatography and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Several parameters were optimized including the r.f. power of the plasma, liquid and gas heater voltages, temperature of the spray chamber and position of the capillary. Optimum conditions were used to demonstrate the interface for the speciation of chromium(III) and -(VI) using an anion exchange column. Detection limits for a few other elements were also determined using this interface and the results obtained from the standard reference material NBS SRM-1643c were in close agreement with the certified values.
Universal similarity measure for comparing protein structures.

We introduce a new variant of the root mean square distance (RMSD) for comparing protein structures whose range of values is independent of protein size. This new dimensionless measure (relative RMSD, or RRMSD) is zero between identical structures and one between structures that are as globally dissimilar as an average pair of random polypeptides of respective sizes. The RRMSD probability distribution between random polypeptides converges to a universal curve as the chain length increases. The correlation coefficients between aligned random structures are computed as a function of polypeptide size showing two characteristic lengths of 4.7 and 37 residues. These lengths mark the separation between phases of different structural order between native protein fragments. The implications for threading are discussed.
Turbulence-induced vibration of tube arrays in two-phase flow

Two-phase flow exists in many engineering systems and is a dominant type of flow in heat exchangers, steam generators, and condensers. A flowing two-phase fluid is a source of energy that can cause vibration of tube bundles of these systems. A simple correlation is presented to predict the response of tube bundles in two-phase flow. The model correlates with experimental data reasonably well and is a useful tool in the prediction of tube response.
Ca2+-dependent Dual Functions of Peptide C THE PEPTIDE CORRESPONDING TO THE Glu724–Pro760 REGION (THE SO-CALLED DETERMINANT OF EXCITATION-CONTRACTION COUPLING) OF THE DIHYDROPYRIDINE RECEPTOR α1 SUBUNIT II-III LOOP

Abstract Both in vivo and in vitrostudies suggest that the Glu724–Pro760(peptide C) region of the dihydropyridine receptor α1 II-III loop is important for excitation-contraction coupling, although its actual function has not yet been elucidated. According to our recent studies, peptide C inhibits Ca2+ release induced by T-tubule depolarization or peptide A. Here we report that peptide C has Ca2+-dependent dual functions on the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor. Thus, at above-threshold [Ca2+]s (≥0.1 μm) peptide C blocked peptide A-induced activation of the ryanodine receptor (ryanodine binding and Ca2+ release); peptide C also blocked T-tubule depolarization-induced Ca2+ release. However, at sub-threshold [Ca2+]s (<0.1 μm), peptide C enhanced ryanodine binding and induced Ca2+ release. If peptide A was present, together with peptide C, both peptides produced additive activation effects. Neither peptide A nor peptide C produced any appreciable effect on the cardiac muscle ryanodine receptor at both high (1.0 μm) and low (0.01 μm) Ca2+ concentrations. These results suggest the possibility that the in vivo counterpart of peptide C retains both activating and blocking functions of the skeletal muscle-type excitation-contraction coupling.
Observation of collision-induced 6s–ns transitions in the absorption spectrum of cesium in the presence of xenon

The forbidden transitions of the types 6s–ns have been observed in the absorption spectrum of cesium perturbed by xenon foreign gas for n = 11 to n = 19. The new observed levels agree with an extrapolation of previously known ns levels. These transitions appears to be induced by collisions with xenon perturbers.
Secretion of hCG-alpha subunit and hCG by HeLa strains.

IN recent letters1,2, we have independently reported seemingly different secretion patterns of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and its alpha (hCG-α) and beta (hCG-β) subunits by certain HeLa strains. These letters were further discussed in an article in News and Views3. Ghosh and Cox1 found that HeLa 65 and HeLa 71 secreted a product with activity in an ‘hCG-β’ immunoassay (detecting hCG and/or hCG-β), and that this secretion was greatly stimulated by butyrate; hCG-α was not measured. Lieblich et al.2 reported that HeLa CCL 2, 2.1 and 2.2 secreted very large quantities of hCG-α but no detectable amounts of hCG or hCG-β (<0.2 ng ml−1). Two questions were raised : what was the nature of the immunoactive material in the hCG-β assay, and could the differences between the two laboratories be attributed to the known variability among HeLa strains? We have collaborated in an attempt to answer these questions, and we confirmed strain differences in hCG-α secretion in HeLa cells.
Amadori-glycated albumin in diabetic nephropathy: Pathophysiologic connections

Amadori-glycated albumin in diabetic nephropathy: Pathophysiologic connections. Nonenzymatic glycation of proteins represents a major mechanism by which hyperglycemia leads to diabetic renal disease. Recent research has shown that Amadori-modified albumin, the principal glycated protein in plasma, elicits pathobiologic effects in cultured renal cells that are identical to those of high ambient glucose. When added to the incubation media of glomerular mesangial and endothelial cells, glycated albumin stimulates protein kinase C (PKC) activity, increases transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) bioactivity, and induces gene overexpression and enhanced production of extracellular matrix proteins. These cellular events, whereby PKC-mediated TGF-β activation leads to increased matrix expression, are inextricably linked, and they form the central tenets of a pathophysiologic connection between glycated proteins and diabetic nephropathy. In vivo studies further corroborate the role of glycated proteins in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. Reduction or neutralization of glycated albumin in the db/db mouse model of type 2 diabetes significantly ameliorates the proteinuria, renal insufficiency, mesangial expansion, and overexpression of matrix proteins. In human type 1 diabetes, the plasma-glycated albumin concentration is independently associated with the presence of nephropathy. Abrogating the biologic effects of increased glycated albumin has novel therapeutic potential in the management of renal complications in diabetes.
Nonlinear mechanics of delamination in fiber-composite laminates: asymptotic solutions and computational results

Abstract A delamination in a composite laminate under mechanical loading involves an interface crack between dissimilar, anisotropic composite plies undergoing coupled I, II and III deformation modes. With the presence of high crack-tip local stresses, the effect of inherently nonlinear composite material constitutive properties on the delamination becomes an interest and important issue. In this paper, a nonlinear anisotropic laminate elasticity formulation is introduced to establish governing field equations for a delamination between dissimilar fiber-composite plies. In the context of nonlinear fracture mechanics, the dominant stress singularity and asymptotic solution structure are determined for a delamination in a composite laminate with nonlinear ply constitutive properties. A computational method is used to analyze the delamination field in a composite with complex lamination variables. Delamination energy release rates associated with individual modes are obtained for symmetric angle–ply composite laminates for illustration. Several case studies are conducted to compare the solutions for nonlinear delamination problems with those of corresponding linear interface-crack problems. Unique features of nonlinear composite delamination mechanics are presented, including the order of stress singularity, coupled tearing-mode contributions, and large delamination closure due to strong ply material anisotropy, discontinuity and Poisson’s effect.
Exothermic surface chemistry on aluminum particles promoting reactivity

Abstract The exothermic surface chemistry associated with the alumina passivation shell surrounding aluminum (Al) particles and fluorine from fluoropolymer materials is investigated. In particular, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) has been synthesized with varying chain lengths and combined with nanometric Al fuel particles. The Al-PTFE kinetics were analyzed using equilibrium diagnostics including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for calorific and phase change behavior coupled with additional flame speed measurements. The objective was to understand the effects of varying PTFE molecular structure on the kinetic and energy propagation behaviors of these composites. Results showed a pre-ignition reaction (PIR) with longer chained PTFE samples and not with the shorter chained PTFE samples. The PIR is attributed to fluorine dislodging hydroxyls from the alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) passivation surface and forming Al-F structures. Composites exhibiting the PIR correspondingly result in significantly higher flame speeds. The PIR surface chemistry may contribute to promoting the melt dispersion mechanism (MDM) responsible for propagating energy in nano Al reactions. Composites with a PIR also have higher heats of combustion in both the PIR and main reaction exotherms. These results help elucidate the influence of molecular scale surface chemistry on macroscopic energy propagation.
Angular momentum fluctuation energy in the cranking model

Abstract Angular momentum is approximately projected from Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov cranked (HFBC) wave functions. At each J the projected energy is E proj ≈ E HFBC − (Δ J ) 2 /2 J HFBC . The spin-dependent fluctuation Δ J includes contributions from Jy and Jz as well as Jx. There are no correlations in the three angular momentum components. Projected energies are calculated for 168, 170Yb and 174Hf. When compared to experimental energies, the projected spectra are less compressed than the HFBC spectra. At low spins the projected and experimental energies are in good agreement.
P9, a temperate bacteriophage of Streptococcus equi

Abstract The genome sequence of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi)( www.sanger.ac.uk ) contains partial phage sequences which may affect virulence, gene regulation and expression. The present study was undertaken to characterize P9, a temperate bacteriophage of S. equi [J.G. Spanier, J.F. Timoney, Bacteriophages of Streptococcus equi, J. Gen. Virol., 35: 369–375, 1977.] to gain insight into genes that contributed to formation of the more virulent clonal S. equi from its putative ancestor, Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus). P9 has morphology typical of Siphoviridae with an icosahedral head and a long tail. P9 shares close relationship with phages of S. pyogenes. The overall gene order is similar to that of known prophages of lactic acid bacteria. ORF analysis revealed the presence of virulence factors including mitogens, hyaluronidase and streptodornase. Similar bacteriophage may have played an important role in the formation of the clonal S. equi by introducing virulence factors into S. zooepidemicus and disrupting functions of genes involved in DNA recombination and repair.
Library management of electronic information: reports on recent conferences

Discusses two recent conferences, “Virtually yours: models for managing electronic resources and services”, Chicago, IL, 23‐25 October 1997, and “Wired and wary: legal issues for librarians in the digital world”, Boston, MA, 7 November 1997, concerned with library management of electronic information sources. Focusing on those elements of the conferences with financial implications, concludes that definitive answers to financial management questions continue to be a missing element in this area.
Detection with compulsory nonabsorption

Abstract The standard interpretation of quantum mechanics allows detection even when a particle's wave function is so spread that it cannot evolve by Schrodinger's equation into a state fully localized in a detector. A recently proposed alternative view of quantum mechanics predicts no detection in this case. The two views are therefore inequivalent. We consider the possibility of practical implementation of an experimental test.
New Technology Briefing: Ten golden rules to search advertising

There is no better way to spend your marketing money than with keyword advertising. The latter is an online text based form of advertising triggered when a user types in a keyword to a search engine. This form of advertising is highly relevant, which increases the likelihood of customers finding you. Users searching on terms specific to your products or services are qualified leads. And you pay only for customers who click to your site. Keyword advertising therefore produces a significantly higher return on investment than other forms of marketing. This paper offers practical tips on getting the most out of keyword advertising.
Selecting training and test images for optimized anomaly detection algorithms in hyperspectral imagery through robust parameter design

There are numerous anomaly detection algorithms proposed for hyperspectral imagery. Robust parameter design (RPD) techniques have been applied to some of these algorithms in an attempt to choose robust settings capable of operating consistently across a large variety of image scenes. Typically, training and test sets of hyperspectral images are chosen randomly. Previous research developed a frameworkfor optimizing anomaly detection in HSI by considering specific image characteristics as noise variables within the context of RPD; these characteristics include the Fisher's score, ratio of target pixels and number of clusters. This paper describes a method for selecting hyperspectral image training and test subsets yielding consistent RPD results based on these noise features. These subsets are not necessarily orthogonal, but still provide improvements over random training and test subset assignments by maximizing the volume and average distance between image noise characteristics. Several different mathematical models representing the value of a training and test set based on such measures as the D-optimal score and various distance norms are tested in a simulation experiment.
An improved method for enhancing the resolution of conventional double-exposure single-frame particle image velocimetry

An improved hybrid particle image velocimetry (PIV)/particle tracking velocimetry technique is presented. The method uses a conventional autocorrelation for a predictor step followed by local cross-correlations of individual particles to obtain individual particle pair displacements within a double-exposed single-frame image. Simulated particle fields are used to demonstrate the improved tracking success (better than 90%, even in very dense particle fields) and accuracy of the technique as compared to an existing single-frame hybrid method. In addition, the number of erroneous measured pairs is reduced. The improved success is attributed to the ability of the algorithm to differentiate between overlapped particles and the criteria for correctly identifying overlapped particles are presented. As a check on the effect on derived quantities, computed values before and after resolution enhancement from a real image with constant vorticity and dilatation are presented. Application of this method to a turbulent non-premixed flame shows about a factor of six increase in the resolution over conventional PIV.
Extracorporeal life support: Updates and controversies

The use of Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) in children and adults has markedly increased during the past few years with over 4000 patients placed on ECLS every year in over 200 centers. This article focuses on updates to the physiology and mechanics of ECLS with use of magnetically levitated centrifugal pumps, hollow-fiber gas-exchange devices, and bi-caval dual-lumen catheters. We also explore controversies in management including indications, cannulation approaches, renal replacement, monitoring of anticoagulation, early ambulation, and termination of ECLS. Finally, we present changes in the systems that provide ECLS including the single-provider model and regionalization of care.
Euler paths in series parallel graphs

Given a series-parallel graph, we consider the problem of drawing its layout in the plane (and the planar dual of the layout) such that the euler count of the layout is minimized. This problem is of considerable importance to the design of CMOS circuits. Even though it was believed that there cannot exist a polynomial time algorithm for this problem, we have been able to design a polynomial time algorithm. The degree of the polynomial is unrealistically large. The main interest is in the existence of a polynomial time algorithm for the problem. We are not aware of any natural problem for which a natural dynamic programming based algorithm has such a large degree.
Some Properties of Schedules for Large Projects with Limited Resources

The Critical Path Method, PERT, and related techniques that make use of arrow diagrams for scheduling large projects implicitly assume that unlimited resources are available for assignment to project activities. When resources are limited, however, the usual concepts of "critical path" and "job slack" basic to these methods lose their normal meaning. Jobs may be delayed by the unavailability of resources as well as by technological orderings. A scheme for analyzing project schedules in the limited resource case is developed in this paper, with the intent of preserving for the project scheduler the operational utility of the slack concept. A new procedure for calculating slack values leads to the identification of a "critical sequence" of jobs in a certain class of project schedules-a notion analogous to that of a critical path in the unlimited resource case. Some properties of project schedules when resources are limited are explored and suggestions are made for utilizing the revised concept of slack in scheduling large projects.
Diffusive fronts of penetrants in glassy polymers

Abstract A model for diffusion in polymers near the glass-rubber transition is developed. The model unifies many of the diverse observations made in various kinds of glassy polymers. Preliminary studies of the diffusive penetrant front are carried out.
Pondermotive versus mirror force in creation of the filamentary cavities in auroral plasma

Recently rocket observations on spikelets of lower-hybrid waves along with strong density cavities and transversely heated ions were reported. The observed thin filamentary cavities oriented along the magnetic field in the auroral plasma have density depletions up to several tens of percent. These observations have been interpreted in terms of a theory for lower-hybrid wave condensation and collapse. The modulational instability leading to the wave consensation of the lower-hybrid waves yields only weak density perturbations, which cannot explain the above strong density depletions. The wave collapse theory is based on the nonlinear pondermotive force in a homogeneous ambient plasma and the density depletion is determined by the balance between the wave pressure (pondermotive force) and the plasma pressure. In the auroral plasma, the balance is achieved in a time tau(sub wc) equal to or less than 1 ms. It is shown here that the mirror force, acting on the transversely heated ions at a relatively long time scale, is an effective mechanism for creating the strong plasma cavities. We suggest that the process of wave condensation, through the pondermotive force causing generation of short wavelength waves from relatively long wavelength waves, is a dominant process until the former waves evolve and become effective in the transverse heating of ions. As soon as this happens, mirror force on ions becomes an important factor in the creation of the density cavities, which may further trap and enhance the waves. Results from a model of cavity formation by transverse ion heating show that the observed depletions in the density cavities can be produced by the heating rates determined by the observed wave amplitudes near the lower-hybrid frequency. It is found that the creation of a strong density cavity takes a few minutes.
The direct design of recursive or IIR digital filters

This paper introduces an iterative reweighted least squares method (IRLS) to design IIR filters that only requires magnitude specifications. While some common approaches for IIR design require the user to provide both magnitude and phase responses, doing so limits the optimality of a filter by forcing an algorithm to meet the specified phase. By allowing an algorithm to adjust the phase at each iteration in order to improve the magnitude one can expect better magnitude responses. The Lp norm is used as a more general error measure than the commonly used L2 and Linfin norms. In this paper we extend some previous ideas from Lp FIR design together with a method suggested independently by Leland Jackson and Atmadji Soewito to achieve magnitude optimality. While robust and efficient, the proposed method is flexible enough to allow for a combination of norms in different bands, allowing solutions for a variety of problems.
Controlled Flight into Stall (CFIS): Functional complexity failures and automation surprises

Nineteen modern airliner Loss of Control (LOC) accidents resulting in aerodynamic stalls were analyzed. These accidents were found to be characterized by a structurally and mechanically sound aircraft decelerating through the 1.3V Stall buffer to the stall airspeed - i.e. a Controlled Flight into Stall (CFIS). The accidents occurred during deceleration to the minimum speed envelope (i.e. 1.3V Stall ) under conditions in which the design of the “flightdeck system” requires the flight crew to monitor and intervene to close the gap between automation functions certified to a 10−5 reliability and a scenario requiring 10−9 reliability. The analysis yielded three main observations: First, the accidents were the result of a complex sequence of behaviors of the automation functions. There was, however, no consistent failure type in the triggering events (e.g. sensor failures), the effects of the triggering events on the automation (e.g. mode change), or the commands issued by the automation (e.g. thrust setting). Second, the fail-safe element of the “flightdeck system,” the flight crew, were not able to intervene effectively (due to the absence of salient cues to monitor these rare “functional complexity” failures or their effects). Third, there was no one-size-fits-all intervention for these accidents. The stall scenarios required a range of intervention actions that were not clearly cued, preventing the flight crew from determining the appropriate intervention strategy. The implications of these findings for flightdeck procedures, training and automation design are discussed.
Habitats-infrastructure for knowledge-centric operations (KO)

The concept of operations is shifting-from large static units with fixed missions to small groups operating independently, with shifting goals. These groups need to coordinate with respect to information, goals and resources. They need to predictably interact with each other and with autonomous, distributed sensors and operational equipment. Unpredictability regarding where, when, how, and with whom we need to interact creates the need for developing open (unbounded) systems that are both flexible and predictable. The habitats concept moves the locus of control and context sensitivity from the component (or agent) level to the habitat level-for features where the components in a habitat do have common elements of control, function, and accountability. It provides the ability to easily define and evolve habitats by expressing rules and constraints in system architecture and combining enforcement with adaptability by providing authorized services through controlled extensibility-enabling capabilities.
On evaluating the impact of flexibility enhancing strategies on the performance of nurse schedules

Hospitals develop nurse schedules that cover a period of 4–6 weeks and are posted several weeks in advance. Once posted, changes to the schedule require voluntary participation by the nurses, making it difficult for hospitals to respond to changes in nursing needs and availability of nurses. At the same time, nursing needs’ forecasts developed several weeks in advance are often wrong. In each hospital setting, there may exist several promising strategies to enhance scheduling flexibility and reduce the mismatch between the nursing needs and the availability of nurses. However, methodologies to evaluate such strategies, before testing them in expensive pilot implementation, do not exist. We demonstrate how such evaluations can be carried out using historical data. Furthermore, we demonstrate the use of our approach by evaluating the benefits of a strategy where nurses are divided into two cohorts and schedules are phase shifted for the two cohorts. Staggering schedules allows nursing unit managers to benefit from more frequent updating of needs’ assessments without having to change work rules. Upon applying our approach to data from a large urban hospital, we discovered that in this example staggering did not improve the performance of nurse schedules. We discuss possible reasons for this result, its implications for hospital managers, and other potential uses of our approach.
Mass spectrometry of laser‐desorbed oligonucleotides

Various matrices were used for laser-desorption ionization of mixtures of small DNA segments. Parent negative ions of 34-mer as well as other smaller single-stranded oligomers were observed for selected organic acids and dye compounds. Both positive and negative parent ions were observed with very little fragmentation. Effects of various matrices and the potential applications to DNA sequencing are briefly discussed.
Multifactor dimensionality reduction: an analysis strategy for modelling and detecting gene-gene interactions in human genetics and pharmacogenomics studies.

The detection of gene - gene and gene - environment interactions associated with complex human disease or pharmacogenomic endpoints is a difficult challenge for human geneticists. Unlike rare, Mendelian diseases that are associated with a single gene, most common diseases are caused by the non-linear interaction of numerous genetic and environmental variables. The dimensionality involved in the evaluation of combinations of many such variables quickly diminishes the usefulness of traditional, parametric statistical methods. Multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) is a novel and powerful statistical tool for detecting and modelling epistasis. MDR is a non-parametric and model-free approach that has been shown to have reasonable power to detect epistasis in both theoretical and empirical studies. MDR has detected interactions in diseases such as sporadic breast cancer, multiple sclerosis and essential hypertension.