cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simple estimation of fastest preferential contaminant travel times in the unsaturated zone: application to Rainier Mesa and Shoshone Mountain, Nevada

Abstract. Simulating contaminant transport in unsaturated zones with sparse hydraulic property information is a difficult, yet common, problem. When contaminant transport may occur via preferential flow, simple modeling approaches can provide predictions of interest, such as the first arrival of contaminant, with minimal site characterization. The conceptual model for unsaturated zone flow at two areas within the Nevada Test Site, Rainier Mesa and Shoshone Mountain, establishes the possibility of preferential flow through lithologies between potential radionuclide sources and the saturated zone. Lithology, saturated or near-saturated conditions in portions of the rock matrix, and relatively high recharge rates may act in concert at Rainier Mesa to promote preferential flow, despite the semi-arid climate. After identifying preferential flow as a possible contaminant transport process at Rainier Mesa and Shoshone Mountain, we apply a simple model to estimate fastest unsaturated travel times for conservatively-transported radionuclides to initially reach the saturated zone. Preferential flow travel times at Rainier Mesa are tens to hundreds of years for non-ponded water sources and one to two months for continuously-ponded water sources. If preferential flow occurs at Shoshone Mountain, the fastest travel times are approximately twice the Rainier Mesa estimates. A siliceous rock unit is present at Shoshone Mountain that may provide a barrier to preferential flow; if so, estimated transport times increase to more than a thousand years. Our analysis of unsaturated transport of radionuclides via preferential flow, using a relatively simple model, suggests that contaminated locations associated with continuously-supplied water sources, such as effluent ponds and water-filled tunnels, may have significantly shorter radionuclide travel times than locations not associated with such sources. The simple approach demonstrated here for estimating travel times can be useful in situations where predictions are needed by managers for the fastest arrival of contaminants, yet budgetary or time constraints preclude more rigorous analysis, and when additional model estimates are needed for comparison (i.e. model abstraction).
Evaluation of VPA dose and concentration effects on lamotrigine pharmacokinetics: implications for conversion to lamotrigine monotherapy

Abstract Objective : Lamotrigine (LTG) is approved for monotherapy following withdrawal from enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs. LTG is also frequently used in combination with sodium valproate (VPA), and withdrawal to monotherapy in this setting is also frequently desirable. Given the known pharmacokinetic interaction between these two drugs, clinically relevant questions that should be answered include (1) at what dose and/or concentration of VPA does this interaction begin, and (2) at what dose of VPA does maximal inhibition occur. Methods : LTG pharmacokinetics was evaluated using single-dose LTG (25mg) given before and following low-dose VPA co-medication (125, 250, 375, 500mg per day VPA) in healthy subjects. Serial blood samples were obtained over 120h post-dose in order to calculate LTG kinetic parameters including area under the concentration–time curve, apparent oral clearance, elimination half-life and percent inhibition of LTG clearance at each dosage level of VPA. Pharmacodynamic modeling was used to calculate EC 50 values for this interaction. Results : LTG pharmacokinetic parameters were evaluated in adult healthy female & male volunteers. Mean trough VPA concentrations at doses of 125, 250, 375 and 500mg per day were 6.5, 13.9, 16.1 and 31.9μg/ml, respectively. Maximal theoretical inhibition of LTG oral clearance by VPA is approximately 65%, with an EC 50 concentration value of approximately 5.6μg/ml of VPA. Mean inhibition of LTG oral clearance during concomitant treatment with VPA 125, 250, 375 and 500mg per day was 30.8, 51.5, 52.8 and 50.3%, respectively. Conclusions : These data suggest that VPA inhibition of LTG clearance begins at very low VPA doses and concentrations. Importantly, maximal inhibition can be expected at VPA doses of approximately 500mg per day, with the magnitude of inhibition diminishing at doses below this. These data provide useful information to develop a dosing algorithm to facilitate conversion to LTG monotherapy.
Optimizing compliance, efficiency, and safety during surveillance of small abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Background Outcome data documenting safety for observation of small abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA 4.0 to 5.4 cm) are lacking outside of large clinical trials but requires near perfect patient compliance. This study describes a clinical pathway for AAA surveillance using a prospective database utilizing a nurse practitioner oversight to provide efficient use of clinic visits while maintaining a high level of patent participation. Methods Over a 7-year period (June 1999 through June 2006), 334 patients were enrolled in an AAA surveillance pathway at our academic veterans hospital. To minimize patient travel, clinic visitation was reserved for an initial examination with patient education and for discussion of intervention options in patients demonstrating AAA growth (>5.4 cm or expansion >1 cm/yr) during follow-up. Biannual ultrasound or CT imaging was scheduled and results discussed (after physician review) via telephone or "same day" direct patient contact. An electronic database was used to update patient information and plan follow-up. Results Compliance with the AAA surveillance pathway was achieved in 98.5% of patients, with only three patients (0.9%) lost to follow-up and two others (0.6%) choosing early repair at civilian institutions. At a mean interval of 29 months (±20 mo), surgical repair was performed in 225 (67%) patients by open (n = 143) or endovascular (n = 82) techniques for AAA growth to >5.4 cm (n = 219) or expansion by >1cm/yr (n = 6). One hundred six patients currently remain in surveillance. A single AAA rupture resulting in death occurred during surveillance (0.3%) and perioperative mortality ( Conclusions Use of a prospectively-maintained surveillance database managed by a non-physician provider with a reliance on telephone contact resulted in a high degree of patient compliance, reduced unnecessary patient travel, and provided practical clinic use. Limited additional resources were needed to implement our pathway and a similar approach may prove useful for large volume hospital, clinic, or practice systems.
Millimetre wave coplanar slow wave structure on GaAs suitable for use in electro-optic modulators

A coplanar millimetre wave slow wave structure for which phase velocity and characteristic impedance can be independently adjusted was fabricated and measured up to 40 GHz on semi-insulating GaAs. The phase velocity was matched to that of a GaAs/AlGaAs optical waveguide up to 40 GHz while keeping the characteristic impedance at 55 Omega .< >
A nonstandard finite difference scheme for a nonlinear PDE having diffusive shock wave solutions

Nonlinear diffusion processes can give rise to shock wave type solutions. These solutions are usually derived from the application of similarity methods since general solutions to the relevant partial differential equations are not known. We consider the Boltzmann problem and construct an exact finite difference scheme for the ordinary differential equation obtained from the use of similarity and investigate its properties.
Church and Shrine: Intermingling Patterns of Culture in the Life of Some Christian Groups in South India

Church and shrine : intermingling patterns of culture in the life of some Christian groups in South India
Effect of Hyperglycemia on Serum Sodium Concentration and Tonicity in Outpatients on Chronic Dialysis

When serum glucose concentration is nearly normal, serum sodium concentration and tonicity are usually normal in ambulatory outpatient diabetics on chronic hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. In hyperglycemia, patients on hemodialysis do not undergo osmotic diuresis and are able to nearly normalize their serum tonicity by increasing the intake of water. Patients on peritoneal dialysis differ from hemodialysis patients because of continued loss of water in the peritoneal dialysate and achieve only partial correction of tonicity by water consumption. The model currently used to predict changes in serum sodium concentration and in tonicity from hyperglycemia assumes no changes in external balance of body water or solute during development of hyperglycemia and, therefore, is not applicable in ambulatory dialysis patients with intact thirst mechanism, because of water retention. In ambulatory patients on chronic dialysis, clinical manifestations of hyperglycemia include thirst, water intake, and weight gain. Neurologic manifestations due to hypertonicity are usually absent.
Transcriptional Synergism Between the Vitamin D3 Receptor and Other Nonreceptor Transcription Factors

Small changes in the concentrations and/or combinations of trans-acting factors can result in profound alterations in gene expression. Synergistic interaction between different classes of transcription factors bound to distinct sites within a promoter/enhancer region is one mechanism by which this can occur. Reflecting this, hormone response elements, DNA recognition sites for steroid/nuclear receptors, are often found in promoter regions organized as multiple copies or are clustered among binding sites for other trans-acting factors. To systematically examine the potential interactions between one such receptor, the vitamin D3 receptor (VDR), and other nonreceptor transcription factors, we constructed a series of reporter plasmids containing one copy of the osteopontin (Spp1) vitamin D response element (VDRE), consisting of two direct repeats spaced by 3 base pairs, and one binding site for the transcription factors SP1, NF-1, Oct-1, or AP-1. We also generated reporters either under the control of two co...
New method for wideband excitation of interdigital surface-wave transducers

A new method of designing coupled resonator networks for wideband excitation of interdigital surface-wave transducers is described. The elements of the tuning network are chosen, using an optimisation computer program. The insertion loss is minimised over the bandwidth of interest. For interdigital transducers on a monolithic zinc-oxide-on-silicon structure with Δv/v = 0.0036, a fractional bandwidth of 20% can be obtained. For a narrow-acoustic-beam interdigital transducer on a LiNbO3 halfspace with Δv/v = 0.022, a fractional bandwidth of 40% can be obtained. The design of the coupled resonator network takes into consideration the variation of the transducer acoustic impedance with frequency.
Licensure in the Helping Professions: Anatomy of an Issue.

The licensing of psychologists is not generally a concern of counselors, counselor educators, or supervisors. However, with the enactment of new licensing laws such as the one described here, an issue is emerging that members of the counseling professions should not leave unattended. Through ignorance or complacency, we may contribute to the demise of the counseling professions as self-regulating groups. The authors examine this matter here and offer some recommendations for action.
Pyk2 is differentially regulated by β 1 integrin- and CD28-mediated co-stimulation in human CD4+ T lymphocytes

Beta1 integrins can provide T cell co-stimulation, but little is known concerning their downstream signaling pathways. We found that Pyk2, a focal adhesion kinase-related tyrosine kinase, is regulated by beta1 integrin signaling in human T cells. Stimulation of Jurkat T cells with the alpha4beta1 integrin ligand VCAM-1 results in Pyk2 tyrosine phosphorylation, and combined stimulation with VCAM-1 and anti-CD3 mAb induces rapid and sustained synergistic Pyk2 phosphorylation. Studies with mAb suggest that in synergistic CD3- and alpha4beta1 integrin-mediated Pyk2 tyrosine phosphorylation, a major contribution of CD3-derived signals is independent of their effects on regulating integrin adhesion. Analysis of resting human CD4+ T cells confirmed the ability of CD3-derived signals to synergize with beta1 integrin-dependent signals in the induction of Pyk2 tyrosine phosphorylation. In addition, although CD28-mediated co-stimulatory signals were able to synergize with CD3-mediated signals in inducing ERK and JNK activation and secretion of IL-2 in the primary T cells, they did not contribute to the induction of Pyk2 phosphorylation. Taken together, these results indicate a potential role for Pyk2 in T cell co-stimulation mediated specifically by beta1 integrins.
Spectrum management activities of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences' committee on radio frequencies

The role of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences' Committee on Radio Frequencies (CORF) in protecting the passive, scientific use of radio and microwave spectrum for radio astronomy and Earth remote sensing research will be described, particularly those involving L-band. Involving the broad radio science and engineering community is critical to the committee's work, which bears directly upon radio astronomy and Earth science. As technology continues to progress and devices utilize wireless transmitters, it is essential for the active and passive users of the spectrum to communicate directly with one another in order to avoid potential conflicts in the future.
Chromatin-like aggregates of uranyl acetate.

URANYL acetate has become a widely used stain in electron microscopy. In addition to its use as a negative stain, it can be used to positively stain nucleic acids and proteins. As a positive stain, uranyl acetate solutions are now being used to stain large macromolecular structures such as chromatins.
SURGICAL PEARLS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE AGING FACE FROM A TO Z

Most of the excellent plastic surgery textbooks are full of many new and important technical procedures that we all must familiarize ourselves with, evaluate, and consider for use in our own practices. But the differences in achieving an objectively good result versus a great result, or between a satisfied and a dissatisfied patient is often the result of employing a group of "little" concepts called "pearls". Learning the major maneuvers of a new technique, no matter how promising, will often fall short of achieving the ultimate goal, a satisfied patient. Some of the pearls are technical reminders, and others are more practice management oriented.
Risk Factors for Vitamin D Deficiency among Veterans with and without HIV Infection

Objectives We aimed to describe and compare the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency between HIV-negative and HIV-infected veterans in the southern United States, and to determine risk factors for vitamin D deficiency for HIV infected patients. Methods Cross-sectional, retrospective study including all patients followed at the Atlanta VA Medical Center with the first 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level determined between January 2007 and August 2010. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors associated with vitamin D deficiency (< 20 ng/ml). Results There was higher prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency among HIV-positive compared to HIV-negative patients (53.2 vs. 38.5%, p <0.001). Independent risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in HIV + patients included black race (OR 3.24, 95% CI 2.28–4.60), winter season (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.05–1.84) and higher GFR (OR 1.01, CI 1.00–1.01); increasing age (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.95–0.98), and tenofovir use (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.54–0.96) were associated with less vitamin D deficiency. Conclusions Vitamin D deficiency is a prevalent problem that varies inversely with age and affects HIV-infected patients more than other veterans in care. In addition to age, tenofovir and kidney disease seem to confer a protective effect from vitamin D deficiency in HIV-positive patients.
NEW EXTENSION OF THE RANGE OF VALIDITY OF LORENTZ INVARIANCE.

Validity of Lorentz invariance, discussing nuclear magnetic resonance test on torque for spin of electrons, muons and neutrons
Alternative treatment of exchange effects in the theory of radioactive decay

A derivation of expressions for the decay width for radioactive decay based on many-body scattering theory is presented. The consequences of exchange symmetry are made explicit. Our method differs from an earlier treatment by Tobocman in that is employs a more realistic characterization of the emitted particle and daughter nucleus final state.
Oxidant stress and endothelial membrane transport.

Abstract The endothelium modulates vascular tone, vasoreactivity, and permeability in response to agonist-stimulation. Much of the pathophysiology of oxidant-induced vascular injury can be attributed to endothelial cell dysfunction. In the past several years, the effects of oxidant stress on agonist-stimulated Ca 2+ -channels have been described. More recently, the effects of oxidant stress on several other endothelial membrane-transport systems have been elucidated. It now appears that inhibition of the agonist-stimulated Ca 2+ channel is due at least in part to membrane depolarization via oxidant-activation of a Na + -permeable, nonselective cation channel. In this review, the effects of oxidant stress on ion transport through the agonist-stimulated Ca 2+ influx channel, Na + and K + channels, Na + /K + -ATPase, Ca 2+ -ATPase, and the Na + /K + /2Cl - cotransporter are discussed. The interrelated effects of oxidant stress on these endothelial membrane transport pathways are considered, and the net effect on Ca 2+ signaling is described.
Therapeutic recreation as an intervention for persons with dementia and agitation : an efficacy study

Thirty-six long term care residents with dementia and agitation were selected for participation in this eight week study. During the eight week period, the participants received two different four week therapeutic recreation interventions in a clinical crossover design. These interventions included a sensorimotor program and a traditional activity program. The effects of these two programs were evaluated in terms of the effect on strength, flexibility, overall functioning, and agitation. The analysis showed that there was a significant improvement of grip strength, flexibility, and a reduction in agitation during the sensorimotor segment of the treatment. The results of this study indicate a new direction for therapeutic recreation specialists working with older adults with dementia and agitation.
Atmospheric chemistry of peroxides: a review

Inorganic and organic peroxides have become the focus of increased attention by atmospheric chemists during the last decade. Hydrogen peroxide serves as an important link between gas phase radicals and aqueous phase chemistry in the atmosphere. As an important aqueous phase oxidant of S(IV), H_2O_2 plays a major role in the acidification of clouds, fogs, dew and rain. Several studies have indicated that peroxides and their precursor radicals cause damage to a variety of plant tissue. In this article we review analytical techniques, discuss and review the various sources of peroxides in the gas and aqueous phases and examine their reactions with S(IV) and N(III).
Viscosity changes of sodium alginate solutions after freezing and thawing.

Pharmaceutical products containing sodium alginate are sometimes subjected to temperatures below freezing during storage or shipping. Freezing of sodium alginate solutions results in a viscosity increase which may impair their usefulness. The effects of additives, as well as variations in the method of preparation, on the viscosity of sodium alginate solutions were examined.
Hospital management practices and availability of surgery in sub-Saharan Africa: a pilot study of three hospitals.

Background Sub-Saharan Africa has a high surgical burden of disease but performs a disproportionately low volume of surgery. Closing this surgical gap will require increased surgical productivity of existing systems. We examined specific hospital management practices in three sub-Saharan African hospitals that are associated with surgical productivity and quality.
Design of buck type switched-mode power supplies using non-ideal components

Some fundamental mathematical relationships governing operation of buck-type switched-mode power supplies using non-ideal devices are explored. Limitations of non-ideal devices are noted. Methods of reducing stresses on the switching element and reducing reverse recovery current in the freewheeling diode are considered. Design of practical buck-type supplies employing these methods is discussed. The trade off possibilities that exist between five key parameters involved in a practical design are given particular attention.
The Case of the Missing Signifier

The political utility of psychoanalytic theory lies in the way that it conceptualizes the missing signifier, the signifier that marks the inability of language to say everything. The three predominant approaches to this failure can be identified as the positivist, the fundamentalist, and the hermeneutic. Psychoanalytic thought provides a fourth alternative, an alternative that views the gap of the missing signifier as an absence inherent within language itself. Grasping the failure of language as a phenomenon internal to the structure of signification allows us to construct a politics that views what has been excluded from the signifying structure as the essence of the structure.
Petrogenesis and tectonic setting of the peralkaline Pine Canyon caldera, Trans-Pecos Texas, USA

Abstract The Pine Canyon caldera is a small (6–7 km diameter) ash-flow caldera that erupted peralkaline quartz trachyte, rhyolite, and high-silica rhyolite lavas and ash-flow tuffs about 33–32 Ma. The Pine Canyon caldera is located in Big Bend National Park, Texas, USA, in the southern part of the Trans-Pecos Magmatic Province (TPMP). The eruptive products of the Pine Canyon caldera are assigned to the South Rim Formation, which represents the silicic end member of a bimodal suite (with a “Daly Gap” between 57 and 62 wt.% SiO2); the mafic end member consists primarily of alkali basalt to mugearite lavas of the 34–30 Ma Bee Mountain Basalt. Approximately 60–70% crystallization of plagioclase, clinopyroxene, olivine, magnetite, and apatite from alkali basalt coupled with assimilation of shale wall rock (Ma/Mc = 0.3–0.4) produced the quartz trachyte magma. Variation within the quartz trachyte–rhyolite suite was the result of ∼70% fractional crystallization of an assemblage dominated by alkali feldspar with subordinate clinopyroxene, fayalite, ilmenite, and apatite. High-silica rhyolite is not cogenetic with the quartz trachyte–rhyolite suite, and can be best explained as the result of ∼ 5% partial melting of a mafic granulite in the deep crust under the fluxing influence of fluorine. Variation within the high-silica rhyolite is most likely due to fractional crystallization of alkali feldspar, quartz, magnetite, biotite, and monazite. Lavas and tuffs of the South Rim Formation form A-type rhyolite suites, and are broadly similar to rock series described in anorogenic settings both in terms of petrology and petrogenesis. The Pine Canyon caldera is interpreted to have developed in a post-orogenic tectonic setting, or an early stage of continental rifting, and represents the earliest evidence for continental extension in the TPMP.
Nifedipine therapy for refractory coronary arterial spasm

Abstract Nifedipine was evaluated in the management of eight patients with intractable coronary arterial spasm. All had Prinzmetal's variant angina, normal or mildly abnormal coronary arteriograms, and a positive ergonovine maleate provocative test. Anginal attacks occurred at least three times a week in all patients during isosorbide dinitrate therapy. All patients had a decrease in frequency of ischemic attacks with nifedipine. Seven patients underwent repeat Holter monitor evaluation, which confirmed the absence of ischemic changes while they were taking nifedipine. When nifedipine dosage was decreased or therapy discontinued in six patients, all experienced a recurrence of anginal attacks. Two patients had minor side effects, which required a decrease in the dose of nifedipine. Nifedipine was well tolerated, and no major complications occurred with its use. Nifedipine appears to be effective in the management of patients with symptomatic coronary arterial spasm and normal or mildly abnormal coronary arteriograms. Our data justify further investigation of nifedipine for treatment of such patients.
CONTROL OF COMMUNICATION IN DYADS BY REINFORCEMENT

Sumnzary.-This study examined effects of reinforcement on speaker vs listener role-taking in a dyad. Given the task of describing TAT cards, Ss obtained points, exchangeable for money, for talking or listening in a dyad. One S had control over the distribution of talk time, with the partner talking only upon request. The partner, E's confederate, was reinforced at a higher rate than S for talking (Group CH), an equal rate (Group HH), or a lower rate (Group SH). In all groups Ss increased talking over trials. This increase was greater in Group SH, next in HH, lowest in CH. Interactional pattern changes were due mainly to duration of utterances rather than the tempo in the verbal interchange. Traditional psychotherapy is a dyadic interaction which has a long-range purpose and special rules for its participants. Studies of therapeutic interviews have mainly confined themselves to naturalistic observations, or to partial standardization by control of either a temporal or content dimension in the therapist's speech. Notable among the former are studies by Lennard and Bernstein (1960) who reported that patient-therapist communications tend to become more similar over i~terviews in content and duration of utterances; and Goldman-Eisler (1952) v~ho found that the average speech duration among psychiatrists tended to vary inversely with the talkativeness of their patients. Matarazzo, Weitman, Saslcw, and Wiens ( 1963) found evidence that length of interviewer utterances affects the duration of those by the interviewee in a systematic and predictable way when duration of the interviewer's comments is controlled. Content of the interviewer's comments was shown to influence the temporal pattern of interviewee behavior (Kanfer, Phillips, Matarazzo, 8: Sas
Partitioning of logic circuits for exhaustive testing

Exhaustive testing of logic circuits eliminates the need for test generation and fault modelling. However, if a circuit has a large number of inputs, exhaustive testing becomes impracticable. A possible solution is to partition a circuit into subcircuits, each subcircuit having few enough inputs so that all possible combinations of its inputs can be applied to it. This paper presents such a partitioning technique.
IMMIGRATION, ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING, AND LABOR RUPTURES: FROM THE AMALGAMATED TO CHANGE TO WIN

The 2005 and 1936 “labor ruptures” from the House of Labor occurred under parallel conditions that expressed and reaffirmed the model of universalistic industrial unionism in the U.S. This essay extracts from these parallels a sociological analysis of the recurring configuration of organizational, social, demographic, and economic conditions that have generated the fractious rebirthing of universalistic industrial unionism in the modern U.S. labor movement. The origins of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, Congress of Industrial Organizations, and Change to Win illustrate this rebirthing. The recurring configuration of rebirthing conditions includes high rates of immigration, seismic restructuring of the national economy, the creation of a vulnerable and marginalized segment of the national labor force, heightened identity politics, sharpening income inequality, and a bureaucratized and stalled labor movement struggling to revitalize itself. Under these conditions, both labor ruptures expressed universalistic industrial unionism as a strategy for organizing the most marginalized groups of workers.
Computer Modeling of Musical Intelligence in EMI

Musical intelligence may be defined as the "simulation of musical thinking." The algorithm presented in this article reflects the author's approach to music composition and hence represents one "simulation of musical thinking." Implementations of this algorithm create new compositions by way of a reflexive pattern-matcher combined with an augmented transition network (ATN). This subprogram of the Experiments in Musical Intelligence (EMI) software package requires only that it be loaded with music in a given style. Although the entire code of the EMI program is not provided here, the algorithm in Fig. 1 and the respective code, as well as the ideas presented in the books and articles by the author listed in the References, should serve as a useful introduction to the EMI program. While music naturally includes timbre, dynamics, performance practice (Dannenberg 1989), and so on, research with EMI has thus far focused exclusively on pitch and duration. This is not meant to denigrate other areas of possible study. However, this limitation confines the research to a reasonable
The 1859 Space Weather Event: Then and Now

Abstract The 1859 space weather event, combining the first solar flare ever reported with arguably the largest geomagnetic storm ever observed, provided a dramatic opening to a new area of Sun–Earth studies. Here I describe solar science at the time of the discovery of the flare, recount the observation, and trace the developments that led to the correct interpretation of the 1859 solar-terrestrial event by Bartels in 1937. A “fast forward” takes us to the present time when advances in modeling and increasing concern with space weather have prompted renewed interest in a classic observation.
Multiple reservations and the Oklahoma update

A multiple reservation approach that allows atomic updates of multiple shared variables and simplifies concurrent and nonblocking codes for managing shared data structures such as queues and linked lists is presented. The method can be implemented as an extension to any cache protocol that grants write access to at most one processor at a time. Performance improvement, automatic restart, and livelock avoidance are discussed. Some sample programs are examined. >
Modern homotopy methods in optimization

Probability-one homotopy methods are a class of algorithms for solving nonlinear systems of equations that are accurate, robust, and converge from an arbitrary starting point almost surely. These new techniques have been successfully applied to solve Brouwer faced point problems, polynomial systems of equations, and discretizations of nonlinear two-point boundary value problems based on shooting, finite differences, collocation, and finite elements. This paper summarizes the theory of globally convergent homotopy algorithms for unconstrained and constrained optimization, and gives some examples of actual application of homotopy techniques to engineering optimization problems.
Morphological determinants of red cell deformability.

The influence of cellular morphology on the rheological behaviour of human red blood cells (RBC) and RBC suspensions has been examined for both fresh and ATP-depleted erythrocytes. Macrorheological measurements were made using a cone-plate viscometer and microrheological measurements included cell deformation by high-speed centrifugation and direct microscopic observation using a counter-rotating rheoscope. Evaluation of the experimental observations indicates the importance of RBC shape as a determinant of RBC deformability, such that either echinocytic or stomatocytic shape alterations result in decreased deformability. Thus, cellular morphology, in addition to SIV ratio, membrane and cytoplasmic material properties must be considered in assessing the response of the cell to deforming forces. It is to be noted, however, that these morphology effects are shear-stress dependent and may escape detection in systems in which high stress levels are employed, e.g. micropore filtration using large pressure grad...
Elicitation of Shwartzman Reaction in Hamsters

SummaryThe local Shwartzman reaction was produced in the Syrian and Armenian hamster following preparation and provocation by R. coli endotoxin. The Syrian hamster was also shown to manifest a systemic reaction. The Chinese hamster failed to respond by either a local or systemic reaction under identical experimental conditions.
Intraperitoneal radioactive phosphorus (32P) and vaginal brachytherapy as adjuvant treatment for uterine papillary serous carcinoma and clear cell carcinoma: a phase II Hoosier Oncology Group (HOG 97-01) study

Abstract Objective A phase II study was conducted to evaluate the role of adjuvant intraperitoneal radioactive phosphorus (32P) and vaginal brachytherapy in patients with uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) and clear cell carcinoma (CCC), after complete surgical staging. Methods Patients were required to have undergone complete surgical staging including maximal surgical resection. Residual ≤3 mm intraperitoneal disease, and pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissection with negative nodes, were required. A dose of 15 mCi of intraperitoneal 32P was administered within 8 weeks of surgery. Vaginal brachytherapy was delivered using either high dose rate, total dose of 2100 cGy in 3 fractions (700 cGy per fraction prescribed to 0.5 cm depth from the vaginal surface) or low dose rate to 6500 cGy (prescribed to the vaginal surface) in 1–2 fractions. Results For the 21 evaluable patients, distribution by FIGO stage was as follows: Stages I–IIB (17), Stages III–IV (4). The median follow-up was 39.6 months (range: 5–63 months). No patients experienced grade 2–4 complications from their adjuvant therapy. Five patients suffered a recurrence: intraperitoneal [n = 2], distal vaginal [n = 2], and one at the surgical scar. Following the 2 distal vagina recurrences early in the trial, the entire length of the vagina was treated with intracavitary brachytherapy. No additional vaginal recurrences were observed. The two-year overall survival, cause-specific survival, and disease-free survival for the entire series were 89.2%, 89.2%, and 79.7%, respectively. Conclusions Adjuvant therapy for UPSC and CCC with intraperitoneal 32P and vaginal brachytherapy after comprehensive surgical staging is feasible, well tolerated, and warrants further study on a larger scale.
Meteorites may follow a chaotic route to Earth

A numerical integration was employed to show that the 3/1 Kirkwood gap region between Jupiter and the sun can serve as the source for asteroidal debris that strikes the earth as chondrites. A previous study by Wetherill (1968) considered planetary close encounters, secular resonances, collisional destruction in space and subsequent atmospheric abrasion of the chondrites. The factors would have resulted in chaotic trajectories for asteroids in the asteroid belt, i.e., eccentricities large enough to make the objects earth-crossing. A sampling of trajectories which could reach large eccentricities is integrated in terms of deterministic solutions of Hamiltonian systems of equations which behave erratically and are dependent on the initial conditions. The examinations successfully predicted a trajectory with a peak eccentricity of 0.652, a time interval of 340,000 yr, and a semimajor axis between 2.4-2.53 AU that was earth-crossing.
The solubility of calcite, strontianite and witherite in NaCl solutions at 25°C

Abstract The solubility of CaCO 3 (calcite), SiCO 3 (strontianite), and BaCO 3 (witherite) has been determined in NaCl solutions from 0.1 to 6 m at 25°C. Activity coefficients estimated from Pitzer's equations with higher order interaction terms (θ and Ψ) were used to extrapolate the results to infinite dilution. Thermodynamic values of pK sp = 8.46 ± 0.03,9.13 ± 0.03 and 8.56 ± 0.04 were found, respectively, for CaCO 3 , SrCO 3 and BaCO 3 at 25°C. These results are in reasonable agreement with literature data. Since Pitzer parameters for the interactions of CO 3 2− with Ca 2+ , Sr 2+ and Ba 2+ were not used, our results indicate that they are not necessary at low values of P co2 .
Branch retinal artery occlusion following radiation therapy to the head and neck: a case report.

Background Previous studies have established that radiation to the head and neck leads to atherosclerosis and stenosis of the carotid artery and subsequent increased stroke risk, but the ophthalmic sequella following cervical irradiation is less well-defined.
Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors: From Molecular Biology to Cognition

The nicotinic receptor at the nerve muscle synapse of vertebrates mediates the fast synaptic actions of the chemical transmitter acetylcholine. This receptor was the first ligand-gated receptor and ion channel to be characterized in pharmacological, biophysical, biochemical, and molecular biological terms. The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor has served as the prototype of ligand-gated ion channels. It was the most studied and the best understood, and it provided the paradigm for the study of all the other ligand-gated receptors in the brain.
Review of low-grade gliomas in children—evolving molecular era and therapeutic insights

Low-grade gliomas are the commonest brain tumor in children comprising heterogeneous pathological entities. Though the overall prognosis is good, unresectable, and recurrent or progressive tumors in eloquent areas of the brain remain major therapeutic challenge even with advances in chemotherapeutic strategies. With the evolving surge of molecular data, improved understanding of the biology of these tumors is now perceivable that could provide insights into novel therapies. We hope the new era will enable us to profile comprehensive histopathological/molecular classification and prognostic molecular markers in these tumors and guide us to tailor optimal targeted therapy.
Lipid composition of purified fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum of the rabbit

Abstract Phospholipids were assayed in fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum and the R3d fraction prepared from fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum as described by MacLennan (MacLennan, D.H. (1970) J. Biol. Chem. 245, 4508–4518). The fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum contained 9.2% phosphatidylinositol and the R3d fraction, 9.4%. Ethanolamine plasmalogen was more than two-thirds the amount of ethanolamine-containing phospholipid in both fractions. A 4-fold increase in activity of Ca2+-ATPase (3.8 to 16.8 μmoles Pi/mg protein per min) did not produce an enrichment in any single phospholipid.
Implications of elemental concentrations for provenance, redox conditions, and metamorphic studies of shales and limestones near Pueblo, CO, USA

Abstract Major element and some trace element compositions (including the REE) of shales, carbonate-rich shales, and limestones of Late Cretaceous age have been analyzed at two outcrops near Pueblo, CO. Elemental ratios that are characteristic of the provenance of terrigenous debris that are the least variable with changing percent acid insoluble residue vs. percent calcite are Th/Cr, La/Co, (La/Lu) cn , and Eu/Eu*. The Ce/Ce*, La/Sc, and La/Cr ratios, however, are only constant when greater than 30% of a sample is composed of acid insoluble residue. At less than 30% acid insoluble residue, these elemental ratios increase markedly. The Th/Co and Th/Sc ratios are fairly constant from nearly 0% to about 60% acid-insoluble residue. Above 60% residue, these ratios increase due to the high concentration of Th in the Graneros to Hartland shales at Everhart Ranch. The average of the Th/Co, Th/Sc, Th/Cr, La/Co, La/Sc, and La/Cr ratios are similar to those of the MCS (mid-continent shales) and PAAS (Post-Archean Australian shales). Thus, these carbonate-rich to carbonate poor rocks analyzed in this study contain terrigenous debris that has been derived from granitoids similar to those that supplied debris to the MCS and PAAS. The Ce/Ce* ratios are lower and the Mn* (Mn*=log[(Mn sample /Mn shales )/(Fe sample /Fe shales )]) values are more positive in the more calcite-rich Bridge Creek and Ft. Hays limestones than in the other units, suggesting that they formed in an oxidizing environment. The Ce/Ce* are the highest and the Mn* values are the most negative in the Graneros to Hartland shales, suggesting that they formed under more reducing conditions. The elemental concentration of one sample relative to that of another sample over a few meters distance usually vary in small amounts (e.g., medians of the ratios of the same elements between adjacent samples ranges from 1.06 to 1.70). However, the ratio of elemental concentrations between adjacent samples can sometimes be quite large. The least variation of elemental ratios between adjacent samples often occurs within the more carbonate-poor shales; the greatest variation occurs within the limestones. Thus, trying to decipher local movement of elements due to metamorphism in similar carbonate shale-limestone sequences should be done cautiously since local elemental variation due to sedimentary processes can be large.
Analysis of the reaction between 60Sn-40Pb solder with a Pd-Pt-Ag-Cu-Au alloy

We present the results of a metallurgical study of a 35Pd-30Ag-14Cu-10Au10Pt-1Zn (wt. %) alloy soldered with 60Sn-40Pb for glass-to-metal sealing applications. Mechanical tests were performed on the Pd-Ag-Cu-Au-Pt-Zn alloy and showed that it retains ductility, with an increase in strength, after heat treatments that simulate the glass-to-metal sealing temperature profile. Wetting characteristics of the alloy with 60Sn-40Pb solder were found to be adequate for pin joining applications. The formation and growth of the interfacial interme-tallic between 60Sn-40Pb and the Pd-Ag-Cu-Au-Pt-Zn alloy were characterized. The matrix of the intermetallic layer consists of PdSn4 with platinum and gold substituting for the palladium in the crystal structure. Also present were precipitates of Cu3Sn and Ag3Sn. Nano-indentation hardness tests showed that the intermetallic layer has mechanical properties similar to the base metal while retaining good ductility. The intermetallic was also found to have good wettability under solder reflow conditions. We conclude from these tests that the Pd-Ag-Cu-Au-Pt-Zn alloy is a suitable option as a pin material for glass-to-metal sealing applications.
Premonitions of insight predict impending error.

Five experiments explored the dynamic metacognitions that accompany the problem- and anagramsolving processes. Subjects repeatedly rated how "warm" or close they were to solution. High feelings of warmth before an answer indicated that the answer would be incorrect. Moderately low warmth ratings characterized correct responses. The data suggest that the high warmth ratings may result from a process wherein subjects convince themselves that an inelegant but plausible (wrong) answer is correct. No gradual rationalization process precedes the correct response to insight problems. The warmth-rating data also indicate that when the correct answer was given to the problems and anagrams used in this study, there was usually a subjectively catastrophic insight process. In this article, I investigate dynamic metacognitions that lead up to the production of correct or incorrect solutions in solving insight problems and anagrams. A technique is used in which subjects are asked to give judgments about how close they feel to the solution of problems—call ed feeling-of-wa rmth judgments—repeatedly during the course of problem solving. These judgments are called "warmth" judgments after the searching game in which one person hides an object and then directs others who do not know where the object is by telling them that
Nonphysiological Binding of Ethylene by Plants

Ethylene binding to seedling tissue of Vicia faba, Phaseolus vulgaris, Glycine max, and Triticum aestivum was demonstrated by determining transit time required for ethylene to move through a glass tube filled with seedling tissue. Transit time for ethylene was greater than that for methane indicating that these tissues had an affinity for ethylene. However, the following observations suggest that the binding was not physiological. Inhibitors of ethylene action such as Ag+ ions and CO2 did not decrease binding. Mushrooms which have no known sites of ethylene action also demonstrated ethylene binding. The binding of acetylene, propylene, ethylene, propane, and ethane more closely followed their solubility in water than any known physiological activity.
Design and analysis of simultaneous access priority queues

Abstract A simultaneous access priority queue design which handles p accesses every O(logp) time is presented. A processor is free to perform another task after issuing an insert, whereas it has to wait O(log p) time to receive the response of a delete-min. Compared with all sequential access designs which require O(p) time to process p accesses, our design achieves a significant performance improvement. For a fixed number of priorities, we propose a design which can pipeline accesses in constant time. For both designs, the strict highest-priority-out-first property is maintained.
A generalized description of the simultaneous processes of scale growth by high-temperature oxidation and removal by erosive impact

Abstract An approach is proposed for describing the rate of loss from a metal surface subjected to the simultaneous action of high-temperature oxidation and mechanical erosion, in terms that involve the major parameters that determine the oxidation behavior of the alloy and the “erosion potential” of the environment. Different regimes are identified where oxidation or erosion is dominant, and where the two processes act together. It is shown that under conditions where exfoliation of the oxide scale (or of an adherent deposit) can occur, surface loss by erosion-oxidation is a strong function of the metal temperature and the erodent flux. Some simplifying assumptions are made to provide a workable framework for incorporating the parameters in a way that is consistent with the observed modes of material loss. The effects of erodent impacts on scale spallation are statistical in nature, and an initial attempt to address this issue is illustrated.
Semiclassical calculations on one-, two-, three-, and four- photon absorption in truncated models of the hydrogen atom

The results of semiclassical calculations on one-, two-, three-, and four-photon absorption in truncated models of the hydrogen atom are presented. The temporal behavior near "resonance" is confirmed to be Rabi-like, with a transition probability given by $P(t)={\frac{{\ensuremath{\gamma}}^{2}}{[{(\frac{{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}}{N}+\ensuremath{\delta}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\omega})}^{2}+{\ensuremath{\gamma}}^{2}]}}{sin}^{2}{(\frac{\mathrm{Nt}}{2}){[{(\frac{{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}}{N}+\ensuremath{\delta}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\omega})}^{2}+{\ensuremath{\gamma}}^{2}]}^{\frac{1}{2}}},$ where the resonance shift $\ensuremath{\delta}$ is proportional to the intensity of the monochromatic driving field with frequency $\ensuremath{\omega}$ and the power broadening $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ is proportional to the $\frac{N}{2}$ power of intensity. $N$ is the number of photons involved and $\mathrm{h}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}$ is the energy separation between initial and final states. Calculated values of $\ensuremath{\delta}$ and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ are given for several models; also, for the two-photon $1s\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2s$ absorption, $\ensuremath{\delta}$ and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ are given which include the contributions of all bound $p$ states.