cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of variations in convection coefficients on thermal energy storage in buildings Part I - Interior partition walls

Abstract A theoretical study has been performed to determine the effect of variations in convection coefficients on the storage of thermal energy in structural materials in buildings. Detailed analytical and numerical analyses have been conducted to study the fundamental aspects of the problem for simple geometries. The detailed analyses suggest that the study of thermal performance of massive structural materials in buildings can be divided into two distinct classes. These two classes correspond to internal partition walls, characterized by similar air temperature profiles on the two sides, and external envelope walls, characterized by dissimilar air temperature profiles at the two surfaces. For massive interior walls, a thermal energy storage effectiveness parameter has been defined in terms of the changes in the diurnal heat storage capacity of the wall with respect to variations in convection coefficients. The interior wall effectiveness has been calculated for a wide range of convection coefficients and for both simple sinusoidal and more complex and realistic inside air temperature profiles; in all cases upper and lower bounds have been obtained. Results indicate that the effectiveness of interior massive walls is quite sensitive to the variations in convection coefficients commonly occuring in buildings. Since the convection coefficients at interior building surfaces vary quite widely within this range, this work suggests that for some climates and building constructions, improved characterization of convection coefficients is needed to permit reliable calculation of the energy requirements of buildings incorporating large amounts of thermal mass.
An Overview Of Control Aspects Of A Village Stand-Alone Photovoltaic Power System

As stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) energy systems have increased in size and diversity of loads, the importance of controls cannot be overstated. These systems represent "mini utilities" with the commensurate control requirements, albeit with the added complexity of not only the loads being variable, but also the energy source (sunlight received) being an uncontrollable variable. The first village stand-alone photovoltaic power system in the world, located in the remote Indian village of Schuchuli, Arizona, U.S.A., is used here as an example to show that stand-alone photovoltaic energy systems employing load management control are feasible and could play an important role in solving energy problems in developing areas of the world. The major components and control concepts of this photovoltaic energy system are reviewed. Performance considerations are briefly discussed along with research topics related to such systems. The foundation is thus laid for future generations of renewable energy system controls.
Optical Klystron Harmonic Generator with Electron Microbunches Induced and Frozen by Lasers as an Intense Coherent Soft X-Ray Source

The use of two lasers is suggested to freeze microbunches in an optical klystron harmonic generator, and a third laser beam to be sent onto the microbunches. It is shown that under certain conditions there can be intense generation of coherent soft x rays. The calculation of the power indicates the possibility of one-shot x-ray holography.
Trp repressor protein controls its own structural gene

Abstract To study the regulation of expression of the trpR gene of Escherichia coli , fused transcriptional units consisting of the promoter-operator region of trpR and a functional but promoterless lacZ gene were constructed by techniques of cleavage and ligation in vitro . In fusions of this type, the β-galactosidase levels of trpR + haploid strains and strains deleted for the trpR gene were essentially identical. Significant reduction of β-galactosidase production resulted when strains harboring trpR-lacZ fusions were transformed with plasmids that cause overproduction of Trp repressor. This result confirms earlier suggestions (Singleton et al. , 1980) that the trpR gene is regulated autogenously.
Computational characteristics of a new mathematical programming model for the three-group discriminant problem

A new mathematical programming model for the three-group classification problem is presented. This model is shown to be computationally more efficient than the General Single Function Classification (GSFC) model for a variety of data configurations. Theoretical characteristics of the classificatory performance of the two models are also investigated.
Suspended sediment transport effectiveness of three large impounded rivers, U.S. Gulf Coastal Plain

Suspended sediment transport effectiveness was examined near the mouths of three large impounded rivers (Rio Grande, Brazos, and Pearl Rivers) in differing precipitation regimes in the U.S. Gulf Coastal Plain. Magnitude and frequency analysis of suspended sediment transport was performed by examining the effectiveness of both discharge and time in transporting suspended sediment. Bivariate plots of discharge with infrequent values of silt/clay and sand provide an insight into the relative proportion of coarse-versus fine-grained sediment transport for the three rivers. Despite the aridity of the Rio Grande and Brazos drainage basins, which is often associated with infrequent or episodic transport of sediment, the duration of the effective discharge is similar to humid basins described in the literature. The majority of sediment transport occurs during the moderate discharge events, having a duration of 2.4%, 1.5%, and 4.4% for the Rio Grande, Brazos, and Pearl Rivers, respectively. This may be due to the influence of scale or the influence of upstream dams and reservoirs on discharge and sediment transport. Findings from this research suggest that magnitude and frequency analysis of discharge and suspended sediment near the mouths of large rivers may provide a useful framework for understanding the timing and delivery of riverine sediments to the nearshore coastal environment from rivers draining a range of geologic and climatic settings.
Affinity Learning with Diffusion on Tensor Product Graph

In many applications, we are given a finite set of data points sampled from a data manifold and represented as a graph with edge weights determined by pairwise similarities of the samples. Often the pairwise similarities (which are also called affinities) are unreliable due to noise or due to intrinsic difficulties in estimating similarity values of the samples. As observed in several recent approaches, more reliable similarities can be obtained if the original similarities are diffused in the context of other data points, where the context of each point is a set of points most similar to it. Compared to the existing methods, our approach differs in two main aspects. First, instead of diffusing the similarity information on the original graph, we propose to utilize the tensor product graph (TPG) obtained by the tensor product of the original graph with itself. Since TPG takes into account higher order information, it is not a surprise that we obtain more reliable similarities. However, it comes at the price of higher order computational complexity and storage requirement. The key contribution of the proposed approach is that the information propagation on TPG can be computed with the same computational complexity and the same amount of storage as the propagation on the original graph. We prove that a graph diffusion process on TPG is equivalent to a novel iterative algorithm on the original graph, which is guaranteed to converge. After its convergence we obtain new edge weights that can be interpreted as new, learned affinities. We stress that the affinities are learned in an unsupervised setting. We illustrate the benefits of the proposed approach for data manifolds composed of shapes, images, and image patches on two very different tasks of image retrieval and image segmentation. With learned affinities, we achieve the bull's eye retrieval score of 99.99 percent on the MPEG-7 shape dataset, which is much higher than the state-of-the-art algorithms. When the data points are image patches, the NCut with the learned affinities not only significantly outperforms the NCut with the original affinities, but it also outperforms state-of-the-art image segmentation methods.
SU-E-T-97: Dependence Of Optically Stimulated Luminescent Dosimeter (OSLD) Out Of Field Response On Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) Field Modulation

Purpose: To determine the out of field response of Microstar ii OSLDs as a function of field modulation and distance in VMAT plan delivery. This work has potential application in fetal dose monitoring or measurements on cardiac pacemakers Methods: VMAT plans were created in Eclipse and optimized to varying degrees of modulation. Three plans were chosen to represent low, medium and high degrees of modulation (modulation factors as defined by MU/cGy). Plans were delivered to slabs of solid water with dimensions 60cm length, 30cm width, and 10cm height. For each modulation factor, 2 OSLDs were placed at 1cm depth with out of field distances of 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 and 10cm and the plan delivered isocentrically to a depth of 5cm. This technique was repeated for a Farmer Chamber by incrementing the table by the appropriate distance. The charge readings for the Farmer Chamber were converted to dose and the ratios taken as functions of modulation factors and distances out of field Results: Examination of the results as a function of out of field distance shows a trend of increasing OSLD/Farmer Chamber ratios for all modulation factors. The slopes appear to be roughly equivalent for all modulation factors investigated. Results as a function of modulation showed a downward trend for all out of field distances, with the greatest differences seen at 5cm and 8cm Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the response of OSLD dosimeters change as a function of out of field distance and modulation. The differences seen are within the stated accuracy of the system for the out of field distances and modulations investigated. Additional investigation is warranted to see if the OSLD response changes appreciably with longer out of field distances or wider ranges of modulation
Time Course Study of Insulin Secretion after 1,25–Dihydroxyvitamin D3 Administration*

Vitamin D3 is known to be involved in pancreatic endocrine function. The rapidity of action of the biologically active form of vitamin D3, 1,25–dihyroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3], was studied over time (from 0–72 h) on pancreatic insulin secretion by the subsequently isolated perfused pancreas of vitamin D-deficient rats pair-fed with vitamin Ddeficient control rats treated with vehicle alone. At 8 h after 1,25(OH)2D3 administration (1.3 nmol), augmentation of the insulin secretion in response to 16.6 mm glucose had already significantly appeared and reached a maximum at 14 h, and then markedly decreased to pretreatment baseline values by 36 h. In a separate experiment using 20 mm arginine as a stimulus, insulin secretion from the isolated perfused pancreas also showed a significant increase at 8 h and demonstrated a maximum response at 14 h after 1,25(OH)2D3 administration, followed by gradual decrease to 72 h. The prevailing levels of serum parameters, including calcium, phosphorus, and glucose, seemed no...
An analytic means of determining the flexural and torsional resonant frequencies of generally orthotropic beams

An analytic method of determining the resonant frequencies of generally orthotropic beams, where flexural to torsional coupling is caused by the character of the elastic material constants, is presented. The analysis predicts that torsional as well as flexural resonant conditions may exist for a freely vibrating beam. A numerical example of the method is presented and compared to experimental results found in the literature. The procedure for determining when a torsional resonant condition exists is explained.
Disoprofol (ICI 35868) for Total Intravenous Anaesthesia

The purpose of this study was to evaluate disoprofol as the hypnotic for total intravenous anaesthesia. Sixty women undergoing minor gynaecological surgery participated and were randomly assigned to four groups (N = 15 in each group). Disoprofol, 2 mg/kg was given i.v. to induce anaesthesia after a bolus injection of either fentanyl 1.875 micrograms/kg or alfentanil 18.75 micrograms/kg. Vecuronium, 0.06 mg/kg, was given for muscle relaxation when indicated. One-half of the patients received acute premedication with midazolam, 5 mg i.v. Anaesthesia was maintained with a continuous infusion of disoprofol 150 micrograms/kg/min and either fentanyl 0.125 micrograms/kg/min or alfentanil 1.25 micrograms/kg/min. These drug combinations were compatible and produced good operating conditions. Awakening time was significantly shorter for women who received no premedication and was not affected by the narcotic used. Respiration returned more quickly when fentanyl was the narcotic given and was not affected by premedication. Both hypotension and bradycardia were seen in some patients, but other side effects were infrequent. This total intravenous anaesthesia technique was very well accepted by the patients and the nurses who cared for them in the postoperative period.
CONTROVERSIAL FACILITY SITING IN THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT : RESIDENT AND PLANNER PERCEPTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES

Conflict over facility siting has become increasingly common across facility types and neighborhoods throughout the United States. This article posits that the conflict about facility siting stems ...
The common bean growth habit gene PvTFL1y is a functional homolog of Arabidopsis TFL1.

In a common bean plant exhibiting determinate growth, the terminal shoot meristem switches from a vegetative to reproductive state, resulting in a terminal inflorescence. Contrary to this, indeterminate growth habit results in a terminal meristem that remains vegetative where it further regulates the production of lateral vegetative and reproductive growth. In the last century, breeders have selected determinate growth habit, in combination with photoperiod insensitivity, to obtain varieties with a shorter flowering period, earlier maturation and ease of mechanized harvest. Previous work has identified TFL1 as a gene controlling determinate growth habit in Arabidopsis thaliana. In this work, we have validated that the Phaseolus vulgaris candidate gene, PvTFL1y, is the functional homolog of TFL1 using three independent lines of evidence. First, in a population of ~1,500 plants, PvTFL1y was found to co-segregate with the phenotypic locus for determinate growth habit (fin) on chromosome 01. Second, using quantitative PCR, we found that two unique haplotypes associated with determinacy at the PvTFL1y locus, a 4.1-kb retrotransposon and a splice-site mutation, cause mRNA abundance to decrease 20–133 fold, consistent with the recessive nature of fin. Finally, using a functional complementation approach, through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of determinate Arabidopsis, we rescued tfl1-1 mutants with the wild-type PvTFL1y gene. Together, these three lines of evidence lead to the conclusion that PvTFL1y is the functional homolog of the Arabidopsis gene, TFL1, and is the gene responsible for naturally occurring variation for determinacy in common bean. Further work exploring the different haplotypes at the PvTFL1y locus may lead to improved plant architecture and phenology of common bean cultivars.
Experiences of Military Youth During a Family Member’s Deployment Changes, Challenges, and Opportunities

The deployment of a family member can be very distressing for military children, but it also can supply opportunities for growth. This study addresses calls for research on the changes, challenges, and opportunities facing youth during a family member’s tour of duty. It uses the relational turbulence model to frame research questions about how children experience a family member’s deployment. Participants were 33 military youth ranging from 10 to 13 years of age who completed one-on-one, semistructured interviews. They reported several changes to family life (Research Question 1), challenges of deployment (Research Question 2), and opportunities of deployment (Research Question 3). The results contribute to the literature by advancing theory, by providing insight into children’s experiences in their own words, and by suggesting practical guidelines for helping youth navigate a family member’s deployment.
Optimal Audio Transmission over Wireless Tandem Channels

Delivering high quality audio over the error prone wireless networks has to address many challenges. Some of these challenges include reducing the packetization overhead of small audio frames as well as protecting audio content against both bit errors introduced by wireless channels and packet erasures introduced by network buffering. We propose a statistical optimization framework for transmitting audio sequences over wireless MIMO channels. Our proposed framework protects audio frames against both temporally correlated random bit errors introduced by a fading channel and packet erasures caused by network buffering. The framework forms a two-dimensional grid of symbols Fig. 1 and forms horizontal packets that are compensated only vertically against both types of errors. Our framework assigns parity bits according to the perceptual importance of frames such that the segmented SNR of a received audio sequence is maximized. In addition, the proposed framework suggests an effective way of reducing the packetization overhead of small audio frames.
Resonant Transmission of Ring Aperture for Switching Terahertz Waves

We demonstrated extraordinary THz transmission through ring apertures on metal film. Transmission of 60% was obtained with an aperture-to-area ratio of only 1.4%. Silicon-based electro-optic switch for THz waves can be built with this structure.
A New Dry-Type Insulation for Instrument Transformers

ONE OF the most important functions of instrument transformers is that of insulation. Whether it is a high voltage or a high current that is to be measured, the measurement can be made in a practical manner only if the end device is insulated from the high circuit voltage.
New Considerations About Measuring Airway Hyperresponsiveness

Measuring airway responsiveness to inhaled bronchoconstrictor stimuli, such as methacholine or histamine, has become an important tool in the diagnosis of asthma. This is measured by patients inhaling increasing doses or concentrations of the bronchoconstrictor stimulus until a given level of bronchoconstriction is achieved. Inhaled allergens initiate processes that increase airway inflammation and enhance airway hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic subjects. Studies using inhaled allergen challenges have provided insight into how changes in airway hyperresponsiveness are regulated by induced inflammatory processes. These changes in airway hyperresponsiveness (1-2 doubling doses) have been shown to be of much smaller magnitude than those demonstrated when asthmatics with stable airway hyperresponsiveness are compared to normals (4-8 doubling doses). These allergen-induced changes would be of little relevance in subjects with normal airway responsiveness, because they would not increase the degree of airway responsiveness into the asthmatic range. They are, however, important in asthmatics who already have airway hyperresponsiveness because they are similar to changes associated with worsening asthma control. It is likely that the mechanisms responsible for the changes in airway hyperresponsiveness following experimental allergen exposure are similar to those producing transient worsening of control in asthmatics. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that the mechanisms of the transient allergen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness will explain the underlying mechanisms of the persistent airway hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic patients when compared with normal individuals.
PCDEC, an interactive decision table system for personal computers (abstract only)

To date, most of the effort in computer creation of decision tables (DTs) has been directed toward automatic conversion of tables into program source code, which is then compiled and executed in batch mode. This preprocessor approach to processing decision tables is usually implemented on a mainframe computer and needs programmers to prepare the input for the proprocessor. As a result, using the computer to create decision tables is difficult for those without a good programming background.We have developed a different approach: online creation and interpretation of decision tables. Our DT system, the Personal Computer DECision table system (PCDEC), is implemented on personal computers and the users need not be programmers. It enables managers, knowledgeable in an application area, to create and use rule-based, knowledge bases (decision tables), interactively.PCDEC is a set of software tools; it consists of two major subsystems: the Development Engine (DE) and the Inference Engine (IE). An expert in the field, the Decision Table Designer (DTD), uses the DE to create, compile, test and modify the knowledge base. The end-user uses the IE to interact with the resulting Decision Table, and thus to make better, more informed decisions.Figure 1 shows a diagram of the design of PCDEC system, its two subsystems and how the DTD and the end-user interact with them.The DE contains two main modules: the User Interface (UI) and the Parser and Logic Tester (PALT). The UI provides an interactive environment in which the DTD can communicate with the DE. Decision tables are created by the DTD through the use of three different techniques employed by the User Interface: screen-splitting, in which the four sections of the DT under construction are displayed on the screen simultaneously (each window can be scrolled separately); keystroke-oriented selection in which each of the PC function keys provides standard operations with a single keystroke; and a menu-driven facility, which supports ease-of-use and ease-of-learning.PALT performs three functions: parsing the conditions and actions in the DT under construction; finding and pointing out syntax and logic errors; and constructing the tables and decision trees used by the IE.The Inference Engine communicates with the end-user interactively, asking questions, requesting data and inferring conclusions. The dialogue between the IE and the end-user is carried on in a natural language.To summarize, the main features of PCDEC are: (i) PCDE computerize the decision-making process for non-programmers through the use of decision tables; (ii) PCDEC is an interactive, user-friendly system for DTDs and their clients; and (iii) PCDEC produces consolidated, error-free decision tables, which are reusable and easily modifiable.For future applications, PCDEC could be adapted to a real-time control application. A good example is the on-line intelligent control of a real-time system. The collected data could be directed into the Inference Engine of PCDEC and the results from the Inference Engine could then be used to control a real-time process.
Reaction of Peanut Cultivars to Spotted Wilt

Abstract Field tests were conducted in 1997 and 1998 in Georgia and Florida to compare the effects of 10 and 12 peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars, respectively, on epidemics of spotted wilt ca...
Dielectric functions and electronic band states of a-Si and a-Si: H

We have measured dielectric spectra of unhydrogenated (a-Si) and hydrogenated (a-Si:H) amorphous silicon films grown by dc magnetron sputtering deposition, using in situ spectroscopic ellipsometry. We have determined the bulk dielectric functions, using information on the film surface and bulk morphology obtained from in situ real-time ellipsometry. Compared with the a-Si film, the a-Si:H films display a decrease in the peak height of the imaginary part of the dielectric spectrum and a shift in the peak position toward higher photon energy. We derive the density of states in both the valence band (SiSi states) and conduction band (SiSi and SiH states) by fitting the bulk dielectric spectra. Hydrogenation reduces the density of states near the valence-band edge, and increases those deeper in the valence band. In addition, SiH antibonding states are observed about 1.5 eV above the conduction-band edge. The distribution of these states broadens as the hydrogen content increases.
Amino acid transport in isolated rat hepatocytes

Improvements in the collagenase perfusion techniques have made isolated rat hepatocytes a popular model in which to study hepatic function. Our knowledge of hepatic amino acid transport has been advanced as a result of this methodology. Translocation across the hepatocyte plasma membrane can, in some instances, represent the rate-limiting step in the overall metabolism of certain amino acids. Furthermore, regulation of amino acid uptake by hepatocytes appears to play a role in diabetes, and perhaps in malignant transformation. Comparisons between normal adult hepatocytes and several hepatoma cell lines show basic differences in amino acids transport. There are at least eight distinct systems in normal hepatocytes for transport of the amino acids. One of these, System A, transports the small neutral amino acids most efficiently and responds to a wide variety of hormones. Systems A and N exhibit enhanced uptake rates after the cells have been maintained in the absence of extracellular amino acids, a phenomenon termed adaptive control. Further studies using isolated hepatocytes will increase our basic understanding of membrane transport processes and their regulation.
Compressible large eddy simulations of wall-bounded turbulent flows using a semi-implicit numerical scheme for low Mach number aeroacoustics

Large eddy simulations (LES) of low-speed, wall-bounded turbulent flows were conducted by numerically integrating the compressible Navier-Stokes equations in a generalized curvilinear coordinate system. An efficient numerical scheme based on a third-order additive semi-implicit Runge-Kutta method for time advancement and a sixth-order accurate, compact finite-difference scheme for spatial discretization were used. The convective terms in the wall-normal direction were treated implicitly to remove the time-step limitation associated with the use of fine meshes in the near-wall region for high Reynolds number viscous flows. The dynamic Smagorinsky subgrid-scale eddy viscosity model was used to close the filtered equations. Generalized characteristic-based non-reflecting boundary conditions were used together with grid stretching and enhanced damping in the exit zone. The accuracy and efficiency of the numerical scheme was assessed by simple acoustic model problems and by comparing LES predictions for fully developed turbulent channel flow and turbulent separated flow in an asymmetric diffuser to previous direct numerical simulation (DNS) and experimental data, respectively. LES predictions for both flows were in reasonable agreement with the DNS and experimental mean velocity and turbulence statistics. The findings suggest that the numerical approach employed here offers comparable accuracy to similar recent studies at approximately one-third of the computational cost and may provide both an accurate and efficient way to conduct computational aeroacoustics studies for low Mach number, confined turbulent flows.
Status Seekers: Chinese and Russian Responses to U.S. Primacy

The United States needs support from other states to carry out global governance, particularly from rising powers such as China and Russia. Securing cooperation from China and Russia poses special problems, however, because neither state is part of the liberal Western community, ruling out appeals to common values and norms. Nevertheless, an alternative approach that is rooted in appreciation of China's and Russia's heightened status concerns may be viable. Since the end of the Cold War, Chinese and Russian foreign policy has been shaped by the goal of restoring both countries' great power status, which received major blows after China's Tiananmen Square repression and the Soviet Union's breakup and loss of empire. This desire for status can be explained by social identity theory, which argues that social groups strive for a distinctive, positive identity. Social identity theory provides a typology of strategies that states may use to enhance their relative status and suggests appropriate responses to sta...
Effects of illuviation on the petrology and chemistry of tonalitic saprock

Abstract In order to characterize the petrological and chemical effects of illuviation, we collected 14 samples from an ~ 6.7 m high tonalitic corestone (tor) and 17 samples of saprock from an adjacent ~ 65 cm deep trench extending laterally ~ 1.5 m. Based on thin section observations, all saprock samples are characterized by a network of transgranular and intergranular cracks filled or lined with illuviated clay. The silicate mineral framework has been weakly to mildly weathered, and as a result, biotite has been partially transformed into vermiculite and mixed-layer biotite/vermiculite. Plagioclase has been weakly weathered to a dusting of smectite and hornblende has been weakly weathered to Fe- or Mn-oxyhydroxide, or both. The weathering of biotite at the 95% confidence level translates into a 6 ± 4% loss of K mass. In contrast, the weathering of plagioclase resulted in no statistically significant loss of Ca or Na mass. At the 95% confidence level, 38 ± 5% loss of Ba mass is likely due to the weathering of biotite. The above effects of eluviation contrast markedly with the statistically significant additions of Si, Al, Fe, Mn, Ti, Sc, Cr, Cu, Rb, Y, and Yb mass produced by illuviation. Such additions at the 95% confidence level translate into an overall statistically significant 12.5 ± 3.6% increase in bulk mass. The above increases in elemental and bulk mass are a reflection of eluvial processes operating in the overlying section of regolith removed by erosion. Within that overlying section, kaolinite; minute particles of biotite, hornblende, and ilmenite; and ions derived from leaching of these mineral were suspended into downward percolating fluids. On centered p(A)-p(CN)-p(K) ternary diagrams, illuviation resulted in a well-defined compositional linear trend anchored by the geometric mean of the corestone samples and the projected composition of kaolinite at the p(A) apex. Notably, this trend is unlike that documented for biotite-controlled and plagioclase-controlled weathering.
Concurrent Validity of the Battelle Developmental Inventory for Speech and Language Disordered Children.

Concurrent validity of the Battelle Developmental Inventory (BDI) was investigated with speech and language disordered children between the ages of 35 and 60 months. Correlations between the BDI expressive communication subdomain and the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised (PPVT-R), Preschool Language Scale-Revised (PLS-R), and Arizona Articulation Proficiency Scale-Revised (AAPS-R) were significant. The BDI total score was also significantly correlated with the PPVT-R and the PLS-R. There were no significant differences between the three BDI developmental quotients and PPVT-R standard scores. The receptive communication subdomain of the BDI did not correlate significantly with any of the language measures.
Synthesis and Selection: Wynne-Edwards' Challenge to David Lack

David Lack of Oxford Universityand V.C. Wynne-Edwards of Aberdeen Universitywere renowned ornithologists with contrastingviews of the modern synthesis which deeplyinfluenced their interpretation and explanationof bird behavior. In the 1950's and 60's Lackbecame the chief advocate of neo-Darwinism withrespect to avian ecology, while Wynne-Edwardsdeveloped his theory of group selection. Lack's position was consistent with thedeveloping focus on individual leveladaptation, which was a core concept of themodern synthesis. Alternatively, Wynne-Edwardsviewed the emphasis on populations as the mostimportant development provided by the modernsynthesis. In this paper, I present thedevelopment of these two positions and tracetheir roots in the literature of the synthesis.Through an analysis of Lack's 1966 critique ofWynne-Edwards I conclude that Wynne-Edwardswas, in many ways, justified in his pursuit ofgroup level explanations.
Systematically Re-encoded Algebraic Soft-Decision Reed–Solomon Decoder

To reduce the complexity of algebraic soft-decision decoding (ASD) of Reed-Solomon (RS) codes, re-encoding and coordinate transformation can be applied. For an (n, k) code, the re-encoding was implemented as applying erasure decoding to the k most reliable code positions previously. Such re-encoding can occupy a significant part of the overall decoder area. In this brief, we propose to choose the first k positions and implement the re-encoding in the low-complexity Chase (LCC) ASD algorithm by systematic encoding, which can be done by simple constant multipliers. Moreover, novel schemes are developed to modify the following interpolation and codeword recovery steps in the case that systematic symbols need to be flipped to form the test vectors in the LCC decoding. Without any performance loss, the proposed schemes can lead to 15.5% higher efficiency in terms of throughput-over-area ratio in the LCC decoder with eight test vectors for a (255, 239) RS code over GF(28).
Identification of collagen in synovial fluid.

Collagen fibrils have been identified by electron microscopy and hydroxyproline assay in synovial fluid sediments from patients with a variety of joint diseases. Phase contrast and polarized light microscopy alone proved inadequate to distinguish these fibrils from fibrin strands. The potential sources and significance of the presence of collagen fibrils in synovial fluid sediments are discussed.
Simulation of the thermostamping of woven composites: determination of the tensile and in-plane shearing behaviors

The numerical simulation of the thermostamping process for fabric-reinforced thermoplastic composites requires an accurate characterization of the fabric material properties. To capture the interaction of the yarns comprising the woven fabric and the thermoplastic resin of the matrix, the characterization process of these thermoplastic composites requires tensile and shear tests. In this paper, the experimental investigation of three Twintex® fabrics which are being characterized as part of an international benchmark program is presented. The tensile stiffness is determined by unaxial tensile tests of single yarns. The in-plane shear behaviour is characterized by shear-frame tests at room temperature and at 175°C. Shear-frame testing of these Twintex fabrics has been found to be very sensitive to the test methodology as evidenced by the large discrepancy for shear-frame test data from the various research groups using different testing setups. The different methods are reviewed to achieve an understanding of the test. The possible sources of uncertainties are discussed, and in light of this analysis, an appropriate test, using in particular a mechanical conditioning method, is proposed. Three-dimensional Digital Image Correlation (DIC) is used to measure the strain field and to evaluate the actual shear angle and the homogeneity of the shearing within the specimen.
Microbial Community Changes Associated with a Shift from Reductive Dechlorination of PCE to Reductive Dechlorination of cis-DCE and VC

Subcultures that reductively dechlorinate cis-dichloroethene (cis-DCE) or vinyl chloride (VC) were derived from three independent enrichments that completely dechlorinated tetrachloroethene (PCE) to ethene in order to study the reductive dechlorination of the lesser chlorinated ethenes. These subcultures completely dechlorinated cis-DCE and VC and could be transferred indefinitely in basal salts minimal medium with H2 as the electron donor. After 10 transfers (1% V/V) the cis-DCE and VC-dechlorinating subcultures from two of the PCE enrichments failed to dechlorinate PCE, but the subcultures from the third PCE enrichment maintained the ability to dechlorinate PCE. Analysis of the 16S rRNA genes from these enrichments by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) demonstrated shifts in the community composition of the subcultures that had lost the PCE-dechlorinating activity but not in the subcultures that maintained the PCE-dechlorinating ...
Design and technology co-optimization near single-digit nodes

As we approach single-digit nodes, traditional design for manufacturability is augmented through several methodologies and design paradigms such as design-technology co-optimization (DTCO), systematic yield limiters optimization (SYLO), and design retargeting. We discuss triple-patterning and spacer-based multiple patterning and their design implications as these technologies will be necessary to cruise us to single-digit nodes. With the help of DTCO, there seems to be a clear path to sub-10nm with or without extreme ultra-violet lithography.
Ion distribution function in a weakly collisional sheath

The ion distribution function in a weakly collisional sheath is obtained analytically for arbitrary electric-field configurations, based on kinetic equations with elastic collisions. In the light of application to plasma etching and deposition, the distribution function is integrated to derive the angular and energy distributions of the ion flux incident at the electrodes. Under the assumption of a constant-sheath electric field, the simple analytic expressions ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\theta}}}$\ensuremath{\propto}2 sin\ensuremath{\theta} cos\ensuremath{\theta}(-4 ln sin\ensuremath{\theta}+${\mathrm{sin}}^{4}$\ensuremath{\theta}-1)/(1+${\mathrm{sin}}^{2}$\ensuremath{\theta}${)}^{2}$ and ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}_{\mathrm{en}}$\ensuremath{\propto}-ln(1-\ensuremath{\eta}) for the angular and energy distributions of the nonballistic ion flux are obtained, where \ensuremath{\eta} denotes the normalized ion kinetic energy. For the more realistic case of a self-consistent electric field, integral formulas for ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\theta}}}$ and ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}_{\mathrm{en}}$, which are amenable to numerical quadrature, are also obtained from the Boltzmann-Poisson system. These analytic expressions are compared with Monte Carlo sheath simulations under various conditions and are found to be in excellent agreement.
Nasal Mask Ventilation in Children

1998;114;1794-1795 Chest Carole L. Marcus, David Gozal and W. Gerald Teague Nasal Mask Ventilation in Children http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/content/114/6/1794.1.citation services can be found online on the World Wide Web at: The online version of this article, along with updated information and ISSN:0012-3692 ) http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/site/misc/reprints.xhtml ( prior written permission of the copyright holder. this article or PDF may be reproduced or distributed without the Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL 60062. All rights reserved. No part of Copyright1998by the American College of Chest Physicians, 3300 Physicians. It has been published monthly since 1935. is the official journal of the American College of Chest Chest
A probabilistic total fatigue life model incorporating material inhomogeneities, stress level and fracture mechanics

Abstract Testing on notched specimens from thin sheet aluminum 2024-T3 was carried out to investigate the formation of fatigue cracks at constituent particles and to quantify the critical distributions and their stress level dependence. The distributions of fatigue lives, nucleation lives, and crack nucleating (CN) particle sizes were determined for each specimen and exhibited a significant stress level dependence. The measured distributions provided the foundation for the total fatigue life model, which uses a probabilistic Monte Carlo method in conjunction with Newman's fastran ii crack closure model. The total life model closely predicted the cumulative distribution function (CDF) of fatigue lives for the three stress levels examined and specifically predicted the shortest fatigue lives, critical from a design for reliability standpoint, and their variability. The total life model accounted for both nucleation and propagation lives; however, the results based on modeling the total life entirely as crack propagation were accurate and slightly conservative. Additionally, a probability of crack nucleation (POCN) concept to relate the distribution of all particles to the distribution of CN particles was developed based on the experimental observations and provides a better representation of the data than traditional threshold approaches.
Light distribution in the cat's retinal image

Abstract The illuminance distribution in the retinal image of a luminous line was measured using a fiber optic probe inserted into the otherwise intact eye of the anesthetized cat. This method allowed the line-spread function of the eye to be determined over a very large range of distances from the center of the image. While the line-spread function fell to half-height within a few minutes of arc for all pupil sizes (1.25′ for the optimum pupil diameter of 1 mm), the tail of the function declined inversely as the three-halves power of the distance and had not reached zero at 20°.
Model-based design of cyber-physical software systems for smart worlds: a software engineering perspective

The paper discusses the design of cyber-physical systems software around intelligent physical worlds (IPW). An IPW is the embodiment of control software functions wrapped around the external world processes, exhibiting self-adaptive behavior over a limited operating region of the system. This is in contrast with the traditional models where the physical world is basically dumb. A self-adaptation of IPW is feasible when certain system properties hold: function separability and piece-wise linearity of system behavioral models. The IPW interacts with an intelligent computational world (ICW) to work over wide range of operating conditions, by patching itself with suitable control parameters and rules & procedures relevant to a changed condition. The modular decomposition of a complex adaptive system into IPW and ICW has many advantages: lowering overall software complexity, simplifying system verification, and supporting easier evolution of system features. The paper illuminates our concept of IPW with software engineering-oriented case study of an industrial application: automotive system.
Trace Analysis of Al on Silicon Surfaces by Ultra‐soft X‐Ray Emission Spectroscopy

It is shown that near normal incidence, low‐energy electron excitation of Al on silicon surfaces by ultra‐soft X‐Ray emission spectroscopy yielded limits of detectibility (LD) in the picogram region. This result on L band emission via electron excitation is fully competitive with photon excitation using K‐α lines via grazing incidence total reflection techniques (TXRF). Surprisingly, it was also found that normal incidence synchrotron photon excitation on the same sample yielded much higher values of LD than low‐energy electron excitation, undoubtedly due to the use of a poor transmission grating used in the entrance optics.
Development of a membrane switch-type full-travel tactile keyboard

This paper describes the approaches to design and the rationale that successfully satisfied the requirements for a full-travel keyboard with usage exceeding 10 million actuations per character, satisfactory N-key roll-over, and phantom key control. Emphasis was placed on technical understanding of the effects of all material and design decisions. Interactions among design, material, and processing variables were revealed through statistical parameter modeling and environmental exposure studies. This knowledge facilitated the control of critical parameters to permit an order-of-magnitude reduction of actuation forces and tolerances. Product reliability was achieved through evaluation, environmental protection features, and stringent process controls. This paper highlights the design, materials, and processing aspects of the membrane switch developed for low-force keyboard applications. It also discusses effects of environmental factors on the individual components and overall system function.
Formation of deoxycorticosterone from progesterone in extraadrenal tissues: demonstration of steroid 21-hydroxylase activity in human aorta.

In the present investigation, we demonstrated the presence of steroid 21-hydroxylase activity in microsome-enriched fractions prepared from homogenates of aortal tissues of human abortuses and a prepubertal boy. The specific activities of this enzyme in microsomes prepared from aortal tissue of various abortuses varied but was similar to that found previously in microsomes prepared from human fetal kidney tissue. However, the specific activity of steroid 21-hydroxylase in microsomes prepared from smooth muscle tissue of the aorta of a prepubertal boy was extraordinarily high, viz., 705 pmol × h -l × mg -1 protein. Thus the potential exists for the formation of deoxycorticosterone (DOC) in aorta, another tissue site of DOC action.
Coalescence of spreading droplets on a wettable substrate.

o =Ro. This size dependence differs significantly from the behavior of freely suspended droplets, in which the coalescence growth rate depends only weakly on the droplet size. We demonstrate that the scaling behavior is consistent with a model in which the growth of the meniscus bridge is governed by the viscously hindered flux from the droplets.
Stabilization of infinte-dimensional systems with periodic feedback gains and sampled output

Abstract A novel control technique, periodic output feedback, is investigated in the context of infinite-dimensional linear dynamic systems with unbounded input and output operators. This control scheme differs from classical control schemes in that the output of the system in question need not be monitored continuously but only monitored at sampling instants. It is shown that for systems satisfying an analog of detectability and stabilizability, periodic output feedback provides a stabilization scheme which is robust under perturbations of the sampling time sequence and is easily implementable.
Tragedy without society: Alfieri’s Italian theater and the discourse of value

This essay explores the connections between the meditations on theater by the Italian pre‐Romantic tragedian Vittorio Alfieri and the larger European discussion about the centrality of civic society in the creation of “literary value,” a notion born in large part because of the emergence of two defining Enlightenment disciplines, aesthetics and political economy. In lamenting Italy’s lack of civil society – a view echoed in the most important Romantic foreign novel about Italy, Germaine de Stael’s Corinne, ou l’Italie (Corinne, or Italy, 1807) – Alfieri’s writings reveal the major obstacles for the creation of a tragic stage in an Italy lacking the same public sphere that was elsewhere transforming European culture. The enormous semantic pressure Alfieri exerts upon the signifier il popolo (the people) in his tragedy Bruto secondo (The Second Brutus, 1789) gives aesthetic form to his ideas about the absence of the necessary national and social components for an Italian tragic theater.