cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Activities of the Construction Materials Reference Laboratories Related to Laboratory Accreditation

A conference was held at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (formerly The National Bureau of Standards) in May 1986 to consider the status of existing evaluation and accreditation programs for constructionmaterials testing laboratories and to determine the need for a coordinated national system. The conference attendees concluded that "there is a need for a coordinated national system for the accreditation of construction materials testing laboratories and its development should be initiated." This paper will discuss activities since the conference, including the work of a planning committee formed to define the goals, scope, format, and procedures of such a system. There will be particular emphasis on activities of CCRL and AMRL, which make up the Construction Materials Reference Laboratories. They are research associate programs at NIST sponsored by ASTM and AASHTO, respectively, and provide laboratory assessment and proficiency sample services, but do not accredit laboratories. However, the AASHTO Executive and Policy Committee approved the AASHTO Accreditation Program utilizing AMRL technical programs for implementation in mid-1988. The Executive Group of the Joint ASTM C1/C9 Subcommittee on the CCRL is changing CCRL programs for concrete and concrete aggregates to comply with new ASTM laboratory evaluation standards.
Credit Cyclicality in Chile: A Cross-Country Perspective

This paper analyzes the determinants of credit cyclicality. It constructs a financial development index and studies whether it affects the amplitude of impulse responses to shocks to output, terms of trade, global liquidity, and global risk appetite. The paper uses both country-specific VARs for cross-country analyses and panel VARs to compare impulse responses between various country groupings. The study finds evidence that financial development - especially stronger creditor rights - can mitigate credit cyclicality, given that the response of credit to output or terms of trade shocks is stronger in countries with weaker financial systems.
Discovery of possible mega-thrust earthquake along the Seram Trough from records of 1629 tsunami in eastern Indonesian region

Arthur Wichmann’s “Earthquakes of the Indian Archipelago” documents several large earthquakes and tsunami throughout the Banda Arc region that can be interpreted as mega-thrust events. However, the source regions of these events are not known. One of the largest and well-documented events in the catalog is the great earthquake and tsunami affecting the Banda Islands on August 1, 1629. It caused severe damage from a 15-m tsunami that arrived at the Banda Islands about a half hour after violent shaking stopped. The earthquake was also recorded 230 km away in Ambon, but no tsunami is mentioned. This event was followed by at least 9 years of uncommonly frequent seismic activity in the region that tapered off with time, which can be interpreted as aftershocks. The combination of these observations indicates that the earthquake was most likely a mega-thrust event. We use an inverse modeling approach to numerically reconstruct the tsunami, which constrains the likely location and magnitude of the 1629 earthquake. Only, linear numerical models are applied due to the low resolution of bathymetry in the Banda Islands and Ambon. Therefore, we apply various wave amplification factors (1.5–4) derived from simulations of recent, well-constrained tsunami to bracket the upper and lower limits of earthquake moment magnitudes for the event. The closest major earthquake sources to the Banda Islands are the Tanimbar and Seram Troughs of the Banda subduction/collision zone. Other source regions are too far away for such a short arrival time of the tsunami after shaking. Moment magnitudes predicted by the models in order to produce a 15-m tsunami are Mw of 9.8–9.2 on the Tanimbar Trough and Mw 8.8–8.2 on the Seram Trough. The arrival times of these waves are 58 min for Tanimbar Trough and 30 min for Seram Trough. The model also predicts 5-m run-up for Ambon from a Tanimbar Trough source, which is inconsistent with the historical records. Ambon is mostly shielded from a wave generated by a Seram Trough source. We conclude that the most likely source of the 1629 mega-thrust earthquake is the Seram Trough. Only one earthquake >Mw 8.0 is recorded instrumentally from the eastern Indonesia region although high rates of strain (50–80 mm/a) are measured across the Seram section of the Banda subduction zone. Enough strain has already accumulated since the last major historical event to produce an earthquake of similar size to the 1629 event. Due to the rapid population growth in coastal areas in this region, it is imperative that the most vulnerable coastal areas prepare accordingly.
A model for structure and thermodynamics of ssDNA and dsDNA near a surface: A coarse grained approach

Abstract New methods based on surfaces or beads have allowed measurement of properties of single DNA molecules in very accurate ways. Theoretical coarse grained models have been developed to understand the behavior of single stranded and double stranded DNA. These models have been shown to be accurate and relatively simple for very short systems of 6–8 base pairs near surfaces. Comparatively less is known about the influence of a surface on the secondary structures of longer molecules important to many technologies. Surface fields due to either applied potentials and/or dielectric boundaries are not in current surface mounted coarse grained models. To gain insight into longer and surface mounted sequences we parameterized a discretized worm-like chain model. Each link is considered a sphere of 6 base pairs in length for dsDNA, and 1.5 bases for ssDNA (requiring an always even number of spheres). For this demonstration of the model, the chain is tethered to a surface by a fixed length, non-interacting 0.536 nm linker. Configurational sampling was achieved via Monte Carlo simulation. Our model successfully reproduces end to end distance averages from experimental results, in agreement with polymer theory and all-atom simulations. Our average tilt results are also in agreement with all-atom simulations for the case of dense systems.
Simulation study of geometric shape factor approach to estimating earth emitted flux densities from wide field-of-view radiation measurements

A study was performed on the use of geometric shape factors to estimate earth-emitted flux densities from radiation measurements with wide field-of-view flat-plate radiometers on satellites. Sets of simulated irradiance measurements were computed for unrestricted and restricted field-of-view detectors. In these simulations, the earth radiation field was modeled using data from Nimbus 2 and 3. Geometric shape factors were derived and applied to these data to estimate flux densities on global and zonal scales. For measurements at a satellite altitude of 600 km, estimates of zonal flux density were in error 1.0 to 1.2%, and global flux density errors were less than 0.2%. Estimates with unrestricted field-of-view detectors were about the same for Lambertian and non-Lambertian radiation models, but were affected by satellite altitude. The opposite was found for the restricted field-of-view detectors.
Energetics of lizard embryos are not canalized by thermal acclimation.

Abstract In some species of ectotherms, temperature has little or no effect on the amount of energy expended during embryonic development. This phenomenon can result from either of two mechanisms: (1) a shorter incubation period at higher temperatures, which offsets the expected increase in metabolic rate, or (2) a compensatory decrease in the rate at which embryos expend energy for maintenance. To distinguish the relative importance of these two mechanisms, we quantified the acute and chronic effects of temperature on embryonic metabolism in the eastern fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus). First, we measured metabolic rates of individual embryos at 27°, 31°, and 34°C. Second, we examined the capacity for thermal acclimation by measuring the metabolic rates of embryos at 30°C, after a period of incubation at either 28° or 32°C. As with adult reptiles, the metabolic rates of embryos increased with an acute increase in temperature; the Q10 of metabolic rate from 27° to 34°C was 2.1 (±0.2). No evidence of th...
Separation of α-keto acids by capillary supercritical fluid chromatography as their quinoxalinol derivatives

Abstract α-Keto acids were derivatized with o -phenylenediamine to produce a nitrogen-containing quinoxalinol. The derivatives were analyzed by capillary supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) with nitrogen thermionic detection. The quinoxalinols were analyzed without additional silylation as is required for efficient gas chromatographic analysis. α-Keto acids were also extracted from human urine and converted to the corresponding quinoxalinols. Simultaneous pressure and temperature programming was employed to optimize chromatographic efficiency. The nitorgen thermionic detector used demonstrated linearity over 3–4 orders of magnitude. A sensitivity of 1 pg N/s was obtained for 3-benzylquinoxalinol at a signal-to-noise ratio of 4:1.
New chiral polysiloxanes prepared from derivatives of (+)- or (-)-2-phenyl-3-butehoic acid, (r)-l-hepten-3-ol and (r)-l-cyclohexyl-2-propen-1-ol

Abstract A series of new polysiloxanes containing chiral side groups has been prepared. These polymers were prepared by hydrosilylating chiral alkene derivatives onto polyhydromethylsiloxane. The alkene derivatives were prepared from (+) or (-)-2-phenyl-3-butenoic acid, (R)-1-hepten-3-ol and (R)-1-cyclohexyl-2-propen-1-ol. Polysiloxanes containing racemic substituents were also prepared fron derivatives of racemic 3-buten-2-ol. The polysiloxanes containing biphenyl carboxylate derivatives (11a–13a) had liquid crystalline properties. These polymers were prepared for use as stationary phases for capillary gas and supercritical fluid chromatography.
Effect of light on stochastic phase synchronization in the crayfish caudal photoreceptor

Phase synchronization between the firing of the crayfish caudal photoreceptor (CPR) and an applied periodic hydrodynamic stimulus is investigated. It is shown that the CPR firing synchronizes with a periodic stimulus over a range of frequencies corresponding to the known sensitivity range of the crayfish to hydrodynamic stimuli. This synchronization is quantified using previously developed measures of synchronization such as the synchronization index; multiple stimulus-response locking ratios occur in this system that are consistent with theoretical predictions based on the theory of synchronization of noisy oscillators. The maximal synchronization for various locking ratios is shifted to higher frequencies in the presence of light.
Radial distribution function of amorphous carbon.

The radial distribution function obtained by neutron diffraction on amorphous carbon films is compared to recent theoretical models. The first-neighbor peak is found to be quite broad for an amorphous semiconductor, in qualitative agreement with the predictions of molecular dynamics. However, the detailed shape of the first two peaks, including contributions in the minimum region, differs from all current models. Although the areas of the first two peaks indicate predominant threefold bonding, no evidence for a distinct peak associated with graphitelike, intrahexagon, third neighbors is observed. This distinguishes amorphous carbon from local two-dimensionally ordered graphitelike materials.
Assessment of source probabilities for potential tsunamis affecting the U.S. Atlantic coast

Abstract Estimating the likelihood of tsunamis occurring along the U.S. Atlantic coast critically depends on knowledge of tsunami source probability. We review available information on both earthquake and landslide probabilities from potential sources that could generate local and transoceanic tsunamis. Estimating source probability includes defining both size and recurrence distributions for earthquakes and landslides. For the former distribution, source sizes are often distributed according to a truncated or tapered power–law relationship. For the latter distribution, sources are often assumed to occur in time according to a Poisson process, simplifying the way tsunami probabilities from individual sources can be aggregated. For the U.S. Atlantic coast, earthquake tsunami sources primarily occur at transoceanic distances along plate boundary faults. Probabilities for these sources are constrained from previous statistical studies of global seismicity for similar plate boundary types. In contrast, there is presently little information constraining landslide probabilities that may generate local tsunamis. Though there is significant uncertainty in tsunami source probabilities for the Atlantic, results from this study yield a comparative analysis of tsunami source recurrence rates that can form the basis for future probabilistic analyses.
Irradiative coloration of quartz and feldspars with application to preparing high-purity mineral separates

Visible discrimination of quartz and feldspars can be greatly facilitated by the irradiative coloration of mineral concentrates using γ-radiation from a ^(137)Cs source. Irradiated quartz samples typically become smoky colored. Sanidine phenocrysts generally acquire a yellow color while plagioclase and plutonic K-feldspars respond weakly or negligibly to irradiation. Manual separation of 0.25–3.0-mm mineral grains that were initially identical in appearance was readily accomplished following radiation treatment. Available data indicate that this process does not modify the chemical or isotopic composition of the sample.
Rapid Intraplate Strain Accumulation in the New Madrid Seismic Zone

Remeasurement of a triangulation network in the southern part of the New Madrid seismic zone with the Global Positioning System has revealed rapid crustal strain accumulation since the 1950s. This area experienced three large (moment magnitudes >8) earthquakes in 1811 to 1812. The orientation and sense of shear is consistent with right-lateral strike slip motion along a northeast-trending fault zone (as indicated by current seismicity). Detection of crustal strain accumulation may be a useful discriminant for identifying areas where potentially damaging intraplate earthquakes may occur despite the absence of large earthquakes during historic time.
Fixed points of pseudo-Anosov diffeomorphisms of surfaces

This article supplements Richard Miller’s paper [6] by establishing a result on the minimum number of fixed points in the homotopy class of a pseudo-Anosov surface transformation. We thus verify one of the many farreaching results that William Thurston announced in 1977 in a preprint [S] dealing with the classification up to homotopy of diffeomorphisms of compact surfaces. Thurston stated his theorems without proofs, but with many hints at techniques. Fathi, Laudenbach, Poenaru, and other workers at an intensive seminar at the University of Orsay gave detailed proofs of some (but not all) of Thurston’s assertions and published their findings in a monograph [7]. More recently, Miller [6] and Gilman [2] have verified Thurston’s claim that his Theorem 4 [S, p. 81 follows from the classical investigations of Jakob Nielsen [4]. Using Miller’s exposition of the NielsenThurston theory, we establish:
Domperidone-induced potentiation of ventilatory responses in awake goats.

Abstract Dopamine has been implicated in maintaining tonic inhibition of carotid body activity. We tested this hypothesis by assessing the ventilatory effects of a peripheral dopamine antagonist, domperidone. The effects of this agent on the ventrilatory responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia were also examined. The study was performed in awake carotid body intact and carotid body denervated goats. Resting minute ventilation increased while Pa CO 2 decreased (4 Torr) following domperidone administration (0.5 mg/kg, I.V.) in carotid body intact goats. This response did not occur in carotid body denervated goats supporting the hypothesis that endogenous dopamine provides tonic inhibition in the carotid body. Hypoxic and hypercapnic ventilatory responses were significantly augmented following domperidone administration in the carotid body intact goats. This supports the concept of dopaminergic modulation of the response of the carotid body to stimuli. Domperidone allows study of carotid chemoreceptor dopaminergic activity in awake animals because of its high affinity for carotid body D 2 dopamine receptors and its lack of CNS effects.
S5-H6: Leakage current suppression in InGaaS-channel MOSFETs: Recessed InP source/drain spacers and InP channel caps

Because InGaAs has a small bandgap, InGaAs MOSFETs are vulnerable to large band-to-band tunneling currents, arising near the drain end of the channel. This sets a minimum off-state leakage current, and can render the device unsuitable for VLSI applications at sub-10-nm gate lengths. Here we report two techniques to reduce band-to-band tunneling leakage in InGaAs MOSFETs. By using either a recessed InP wide bandgap spacer in the regrown source/drain region or, alternatively, an InP channel cap on top of InGaAs channel, off-state leakage can be reduced to 1 nA/μm for 22 nm gate length devices. These two techniques pave the way for application of III-V InGaAs MOSFETs in low power logic.
Cooperative rent-seeking

This paper presents an analysis of cooperation in the context of a repeated rent-seeking game which can be thought of as modeling bilateral situations such as military/political conflict, labor/business lobbying, gang/illegal activities, or criminal/civil law suits. The potential for mutually advantageous agreements is explored using the repeated nature of the game as the mechanism which sustains the cooperation. The Nash bargaining solution is applied to symmetric as well as asymmetric rent-seeking situations. The asymmetries can derive from the players valuing the rent differently or choosing sequentially.
Glucocorticoid enhancement of guanidine neuromuscular facilitation.

Abstract The effects of an intensive short-term triamcinolone diacetate pretreatment regimen (8 mg/kg intramuscularly once daily for 7 days) on the facilitation of neuromuscular transmission produced by either intravenous or direct intraarterial administration of guanidine hydrochloride, were examined in the in vivo cat soleus nerve-muscle preparation. The ability of guanidine to activate a stimulus-bound repetitive after discharge (SBR) of soleus motor axons and to produce an obligatory enhancement of soleus muscle isometric contractile tension was measured in glucocorticoid-treated vs. untreated animals. Triamcinolone pretreatment significantly increased the guanidine-induced soleus contractile potentiation by 3 to 4 times with i.v. injection (P
Formaldehyde-containing slab gels for analysis of denatured, tritium-labeled RNA

Abstract Procedures were adapted for electrophoretic analysis and fluorography of 3H-labeled RNA (molecular length 300–4000 nucleotides) in formaldehyde-containing, agarose-acrylamide slab gels. This system gave sharp banding of denatured RNA and accurate molecular length determination using T7 early RNAs and Escherichia coli ribosomal RNAs as standards.
Channeling study of the co-operative Jahn-Teller effect in nickel chromite single crystal by backscattering and resonant nuclear scattering of helium ions

Abstract Using the channeling technique, the co-operative Jahn-Teller effect in nickel chromite single crystals has been studied by helium ion backscattering and the resonant nuclear scattering of O16(α,α)O16 at Eα = 3.056 MeV. The results have shown that the chan dips for Ni + Cr and O atoms around 〈110〉, 〈111〉 and 〈111〉 axes become shallow at temperatures below the dynamic to static Jahn-Teller transition, which has been attributed to extra dechanneling due to the domain effect and explained by the (110) twin model. Also there is some indication that the Ni or Cr atoms (or both) are laterally displaced from the 〈111〉 or 〈111〉 axis at temperatures lower than the transition temperature. This differs from the usual expectation for the co-operative Jahn-Teller effect.
Compressive sensing using locality-preserving matrices

Compressive sensing is a method for acquiring high dimensional signals (e.g., images) using a small number of linear measurements. Consider an n-pixel image x ∈ Rn, where each pixel p has value xp. The image is acquired by computing the measurement vector Ax, where A is an m x n measurement matrix, for some m
QCM biosensor with ultra thin polymer film

Abstract Acoustic wave sensors have been widely used for detection of various chemical and biological species in liquid media. We report an improved binding of Protein A and IgG molecules on QCM biosensors by modifying the gold surface of the quartz crystal with a 35 nm polystyrene film followed by an acidic treatment. The frequency shifts due to the binding of the Protein A and IgG were 220 and 282 Hz, respectively for direct binding onto the chip. There was an appreciable increase in the frequency shift when the polystyrene film was used as an interfacial layer. The shift with the polystyrene film for Protein A was 364 Hz (an increase of 65%) and for the IgG it was 391 Hz (an increase of 40%). Complementary Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) studies were carried out to understand the parameters responsible for such improved biomolecular binding. AFM studies revealed a significant decrease in the RMS roughness of the substrate from 98.4 to 1.75 nm when coated with polystyrene resulting in higher antibody coverage on the surface of the sensor. This increased surface smoothness resulted in higher biomolecular coverage on the surface of the sensor causing higher frequency shifts.
Implementation of a plasticity bond model for reinforced concrete

Abstract This study examines numerical integration schemes for incremental, elastoplastic interface characterizations. The motivating problem is modeling bond of reinforcing bars to concrete in finite element analyses. Five first order accurate numerical integration schemes are examined. Four algorithms use backward Euler integration, but the iterative methods for solving the resulting nonlinear systems of equations (i.e., the plastic correctors) differ. A proposed algorithm minimizes the number of nonlinear equations that are solved numerically; for the bond model usually only one nonlinear equation is solved numerically. The algorithm is comparatively robust with respect to local convergence for arbitrary interface displacements.
The inducibility of graphs

Abstract We investigate the maximum number of ways in which a k -vertex graph G can appear as an induced subgraph of an n -vertex graph, for n ≥ k . When this number is expressed as a fraction of all k -vertex induced subgraphs, it tends to a definite limit as n → ∞. This limit, which we call the inducibility of G , is an effectively computable invariant of G . We examine the elementary properties of this invariant: its relationship to various operations on graphs, its maximum and minimum values, and its value for some particular graphs.
Bizarre delusions and first-rank symptoms in a first-admission sample: A preliminary analysis of prevalence and correlates ☆ ☆☆

This report examines the prevalence and correlates of bizarre delusions and Schneider's first-rank symptoms (FRS) in a first-admission sample with psychosis. A total of 196 patients were assessed with the Structured Clinical interview for DSM-III-R (SCID) and given a consensus diagnosis. Project psychiatrists blind to the consensus diagnoses coded each delusion and hallucination in the sample for both FRS and DSM-III-R bizarreness. Interrater reliability of bizarreness was lower than that of FRS (kappa = .681 v 861). The majority of symptoms (72%) were neither bizarre nor FRS, and of the remainder, bizarre delusions that were not also FRS were extremely uncommon. The prevalence of FRS was 70% in schizophrenia, 29% in psychotic bipolar disorder, and 18% in psychotic depression. For seven schizophrenic patients (7.45%), diagnosis of that disorder depended on the presence of a DSM-III-R bizarre delusion to meet criteria. There was a trend for FRS to be associated with poorer prognostic features in the schizophrenic sample. We concluded that although the constructs of bizarre delusions and FRS overlap, FRS were a more important feature in schizophrenia than bizarreness. The rarity of bizarre delusions that were not FRS, combined with the lower reliability of their assessment as compared with that of FRS, raises questions about the continued emphasis on this phenomenon in the definition of schizophrenia.
OSCILLATOR STRENGTHS FOR ULTRAVIOLET TRANSITIONS IN Cl II AND Cl III

Oscillator strengths for transitions in Cl II and III are derived from lifetimes and branching fractions measured with beam-foil techniques. The focus is on the multiplets at 1071 A in Cl II and 1011 A in Cl III whose lines are seen in spectra acquired with the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer. These data represent the first complete set of experimental f-values for the lines in the multiplets. Our results for Cl II λ1071 agree very well with the most recent theoretical effort and with Morton's newest recommendations. For Cl III, however, our f-values are significantly larger than those given by Morton; instead, they are more consistent with recent large-scale theoretical calculations. Extensive tests provide confirmation that LS coupling rules apply to the transitions for these multiplets.
Nuclear quadrupole coupling in D2O

Abstract Stark-hyperfine transitions have been observed in the l 11 and l 10 rotational states of D 2 O to characterize the deuterium quadrupole coupling interaction. The diagonal elements of the eQq tensor, in the principal inertial coordinate system, are eQq aa = 153.92(11)kHz, eQq bb = 22.12(11)kHz, and eQq cc = −175.037(11)kHz. These results provide eQq constants, with a minimum of centrifugal distortion, for the analysis of hyperfine data for water containing van der Waals complexes.
Association between living environment and human oral viral ecology

The human oral cavity has an indigenous microbiota known to include a robust community of viruses. Very little is known about how oral viruses are spread throughout the environment or to which viruses individuals are exposed. We sought to determine whether shared living environment is associated with the composition of human oral viral communities by examining the saliva of 21 human subjects; 11 subjects from different households and 10 unrelated subjects comprising 4 separate households. Although there were many viral homologues shared among all subjects studied, there were significant patterns of shared homologues in three of the four households that suggest shared living environment affects viral community composition. We also examined CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat) loci, which are involved in acquired bacterial and archaeal resistance against invading viruses by acquiring short viral sequences. We analyzed 2 065 246 CRISPR spacers from 5 separate repeat motifs found in oral bacterial species of Gemella, Veillonella, Leptotrichia and Streptococcus to determine whether individuals from shared living environments may have been exposed to similar viruses. A significant proportion of CRISPR spacers were shared within subjects from the same households, suggesting either shared ancestry of their oral microbiota or similar viral exposures. Many CRISPR spacers matched virome sequences from different subjects, but no pattern specific to any household was found. Our data on viromes and CRISPR content indicate that shared living environment may have a significant role in determining the ecology of human oral viruses.
Issues of Dependence and Reliance on Technological Advancement: Examples from American Football and Air Traffic Control:

This paper addresses aspects of dependence and reliance on new technologies, using American football and air traffic control as examples. Football has developed an audio communication system between the coach and quarterback in a hostile environment (auditory signal in a noisy stadium). Should technological breakdown occur, performance could suffer if the users are not proficient with backup systems (hand signals transmitted from the sideline). Dependence on technology takes a more serious form in air traffic control, as thousands of lives depend on technology performing as expected. Backup systems exist, but suffer from the same weaknesses as the existing system and cannot handle the volume of system activity. The possibility of technological failure needs to be considered before implementing and relying on new systems, and can often be mediated by careful and innovative thinking before new technology is adopted.
Iterative deconvolution with variable convergence speed of the iterations.

A fast iterative deconvolution technique that permits the convergence speed of the iterations to be varied is introduced. In this technique, iterations are made to converge as fast as, twice as fast as, and three times (i.e., any integer may be used) as fast as the ordinary methods. The speed of convergence depends on the amount of noise in the data being deconvoluted. This technique is particularly useful for speeding up convergence of the reblurring procedure. The technique converges for all impulse-response function types. The mean-square error versus the deconvolution iteration number for different integral values of the convergence speed of the iterations (1, 5, and 10) is studied for two data sets with and without noise. It is shown that for noisy data sets one has to have control over the convergence speed of the iterations. This technique is also tested with a real data set obtained from an optical multichannel analyzer.
On a convenient division of labor in the generation of prime implicants

Abstract A procedure is presented for constructing the Blake canonical form for a switching function (the sum of all its prime implicants) conveniently and rapidly. This procedure combines Blake's method (iterated consensus) with the multiplying method of Samson and Mills.
Self As System: Comparing the Grounded Theory of Protecting Self and Autopoiesis

The author compares the theoretical elements of her grounded theory, Protecting Self: Experiencing Organizational Change, with autopoiesis, a biological theory of living systems. Autopoiesis, meaning self-production, is a closed system that recursively generates the same organization, components, and network of processes from which they are produced. A cautious extrapolation of theoretical similarities between the two theories is presented, including self-referentiality, self-maintenance, circularity, individuality, and the maintenance of identity. The author concludes that this comparison provides a thought-provoking argument that supports the difficult process of individual and organizational learning, growth, and change.
Abyss: Everything is food

Medieval death poetry revels in the appetites that proliferate around corpses. Death may be an end for a subject, but the subject is also an object for the appetites of others, which will themselves eventually be food objects for others. Few medieval works show this so clearly as the Disputation Between the Body and the Worms, a debate poem in which a body finds itself at odds with its own edibility and the competing interests of its own biome. A crowd of worms finally convinces the body to give up her self-possession, and to realize that nothing, not humanity, not wealth, not beauty, will let vulnerability be ‘outsourced,’ for all appetites, bodies, and desires, human and otherwise, will be humbled by the appetites and desires of others.
The Risk of Interrupting Long-Term Anticoagulant Treatment A Rebound Hypercoagulable State Following Hemorrhage

From a series of 310 patients on long-term anticoagulant treatment for various conditions 136 instances were collected in which treatment was interrupted. This was because of bleeding in 45 instances, for permanent reasons in 53 instances, and for temporary reasons in 38 instances. Rebound thromboembolic complications were observed significantly more frequently in those who stopped treatment for bleeding. The cause of the rebound effect could not be ascribed to vitamin K 1 administration, transfusions, or overt ischemic effects from blood loss although the latter might have been contributory to a small extent. The observations suggested a hypercoagulable state induced directly in some obscure way as a result of the bleeding. Interruption of treatment for reasons other than bleeding was not associated with early complications. The risk of interruption of treatment for short periods was relatively small (three nonfatal complications in 38 instances). In those who stopped permanently, complications were most often seen after 2 months.
Ovarian phagocyte subsets and their distinct tissue distribution patterns

Ovarian macrophages, which play critical roles in various ovarian events, are probably derived from multiple lineages. Thus, a systemic classification of their subsets is a necessary first step for determination of their functions. Utilizing antibodies to five phagocyte markers, i.e. IA/IE (major histocompatibility complex class II), F4/80, CD11b (Mac-1), CD11c, and CD68, this study investigated subsets of ovarian phagocytes in mice. Three-color immunofluorescence and flow cytometry, together with morphological observation on isolated ovarian cells, demonstrated complicated phenotypes of ovarian phagocytes. Four macrophage and one dendritic cell subset, in addition to many minor phagocyte subsets, were identified. A dendritic cell-like population with a unique phenotype of CD11c(high)IA/IE⁻F4/80⁻ was also frequently observed. A preliminary age-dependent study showed dramatic increases in IA/IE⁺ macrophages and IA/IE⁺ dendritic cells after puberty. Furthermore, immunofluorescences on ovarian sections showed that each subset displayed a distinct tissue distribution pattern. The pattern for each subset may hint to their role in an ovarian function. In addition, partial isolation of ovarian macrophage subset using CD11b antibodies was attempted. Establishment of this isolation method may have provided us a tool for more precise investigation of each subset's functions at the cellular and molecular levels.
Identification of Squeeze Film Damper Force Coefficients From Multiple-Frequency, Non-Circular Journal Motions

In rotor-bearing systems, squeeze film dampers (SFDs) provide structural isolation, reduce amplitudes of rotor response to imbalance, and in some instances, increase the system threshold speed of instability. SFDs are typically installed at the bearing supports, either in series or in parallel. In multi-spool engines, SFDs are located in the interface between rotating shafts. These intershaft dampers must ameliorate complex rotor motions of various whirl frequencies arising from the low speed and the high speed rotors. The paper presents experiments to characterize the forced response of an open ends SFD subject to dynamic loads with multiple frequencies, as in a jet engine intershaft damper. The test rig comprises of a stationary journal and a flexibly supported housing that holds the test damper and instrumentation. The open ends SFD is 127 mm in diameter, 25.4 mm film land length, and radial clearance of 0.125 mm. The damper is lubricated with ISO VG 2 oil at room temperature (24 °C, feed pressure 31 kPa). In the experiments, two orthogonally positioned shakers deliver forces to the test damper that produce controlled amplitude motions with two whirl frequencies, one fixed and the other one varying over a specified range that includes the test system natural frequency. The test data collected, forces and motions versus time, are converted into the frequency domain for parameter identification. The identified viscous damping coefficients are strong functions of the amplitude of journal motion, lying within predictions from classical formulas for circular centered orbits and small amplitude motions about an eccentric journal position. The damper inertia coefficients agree well with predictions derived from a fluid flow model that includes the effect of the feed groove.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Computer simulation of the mechanical sorting of grains

Abstract A two-dimensional system of inelastic frictional disks all of equal diameter save one was studied by computer simulation. A single large disk was placed on the bottom of a container and covered by 30 smaller disks. When the container was agitated to induce a shear motion in the disk assembly, the large particle showed a tendency to rise toward the surface. This sorting process was mediated by shear-driven rotational motion, the large grain rolling up on top of neighboring small grains. The grain-grain friction coefficient μ is a critical parameter in this kind of sorting process, since if μ is too small, the large grain cannot get sufficient purchase to roll without slipping.
Distribution of flavin-containing monooxygenase gene expression in several teleost fish species using a cDNA sequence from the teleost rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Abstract Flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMOs) play an important role in the xenobiotic biotransformation of numerous pesticides and hetero-atom containing compounds found in petroleum. Several lines of evidence suggest an osmoregulatory role for FMOs in euryhaline fish. Since very few non-mammalian FMO sequences are available, the primary goal of this study was to isolate gene(s) encoding FMO(s) from the euryhaline teleosts. The initial species examined was rainbow trout. Total RNA isolated from rainbow trout liver was subjected to a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using degenerate primers derived from conserved regions of FMO1 proteins (between amino acid residues 27–32 and 304–309). PCR amplification resulted in a 842 bp electrophoretic band. The amino acid sequence deduced from this fragment demonstrated closest identity to rabbit hepatic FMO1 (96%) and pig FMO1 (85%). Using another pair of primers derived from the conserved FAD- and NADP- binding domains, a 400 bp band was obtained. The deduced amino acid sequence was 100% identical to the overlapping region of the 842 bp fragment and 96% homologous to rabbit FMO1. Genomic DNA from stenohaline and other euryhaline species will be screened with this cDNA in an attempt to better understand the phylogenetic and molecular evolution of this family of enzymes. (EPA grant No. R-823450-01-0).
Catabolism of branched-chain amino acids by diaphragm muscles of fasted and diabetic rats☆

In vitro catabolism of branched-chain amino acids, leucine and valine, was investigated using diaphragm muscles from normal, streptozotocin-diabetic and overnight fasted rats. Oxidation and transamination of [1-14C] branched-chain amino acids were both stimulated to a similar extent by diabetes or fasting, when diaphragms were incubated with glucose. Transamination of leucine and valine was increased when diaphragms were incubated with pyruvate; stimulation of transamination was greatest in diaphragms from diabetic rats. Leucine and valine oxidation by control diaphragms was inhibited by pyruvate while it was unchanged or slightly stimulated in diaphragms from fasted or diabetic rats. Thus diaphragms from diabetic rats oxidized two to threefold more branched-chain amino acids than controls when they were incubated with pyruvate. The specific radioactivity of extracellular alpha-ketoisocaproate (KIC; the product of leucine transamination) produced by diaphragms incubated with [14C]leucine was similar for all groups (fed, fasted, or diabetic) in the presence or absence of pyruvate. Oxidation of [1-14C]KIC by diaphragms from fasted or diabetic rats, incubated with glucose, was the same or less than KIC oxidation by control diaphragms. Incubation with pyruvate inhibited KIC oxidation by control diaphragms to a significantly greater degree than that by diaphragms from diabetic or fasted rats. These data suggest the following Flux through branched-chain amino acid transaminase is limited by the availability of amino group acceptors in diaphragms from normal and overnight fasted rats, and to a greater extent in diaphragms from diabetic rats. Flux through the transaminase may be a major determinant of accelerated branched-chain amino acid oxidation by diaphragms in fasting and diabetes. In diaphragms of fasted and diabetic rats, flux through the branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex is resistant to inhibition by pyruvate, which is normally observed in controls.
Model system to study classical nuclear export signals

Signal-mediated protein transport through the nuclear pore complex is of considerable interest in the field of molecular pharmaceutics. Nuclear localization signals can be used to target genes/antisense delivery systems to the nucleus Studying nuclear export is useful in enhancing the expression and the efficiency of action, of these therapeutic agents. The mechanism of nuclear import has been well studied and most of the proteins participating in this mechanism have been identified. The subject of nuclear export is still in the initial stages and there is a considerable amount of uncertainty in this area. Two main export receptors identified so far are Exportin 1 (Crm1) and Calreticulin. Crm1 recognizes certain leucine-rich amino acid sequences in the proteins it exports called classical nuclear export signals. This paper describes a model system to study, identify, and establish these classical nuclear export signals using green fluorescent protein (GFP). Two putative export signals in the human progesterone receptor (PR) and the strongest nuclear export signal known (from mitogen activated protein kinase kinase [MAPKK]) were studied using this model system.
Topical application of garlic reduces northern fowl mite infestation in laying hens

Abstract Northern fowl mites (NFM) are external parasites that can lower egg production and cause anemia and even death in laying hens. An experiment was conducted with New Hampshire Red and Single Comb White Leghorn laying hens. Hens were individually caged and provided a complete laying diet and water ad libitum. Hens were assigned to groups in a way that assured that treatments, within each breed, would be applied to comparable numbers of birds with light and heavy mite infestations. Each hen was sprayed around the vent with either water or 10% garlic juice in water. Spraying continued each week for 3 wk. During the fourth week, each bird was scored for the presence of NFM on its skin and feathers. A small snippet of feathers was removed from below the vent of each hen and placed in a labeled petri dish with a round, white filter paper insert. The NFM content of each dish was scored by two individuals approximately 1 h after sampling. There was no significant difference in the NFM scores for hens based on breed or future treatment. After the birds were treated for 3 wk, there was no significant difference in external NFM scores based on breed. There were significantly fewer NFM on the birds treated with garlic juice compared with controls, based on external and petri dish scoring (P
A Puzzle about Empathy

Is empathy important for moral behavior? To answer this we will have to be conceptually clearer, empirically more detailed, and pay attention to the neural mechanisms underlying empathy-related phenomena.
Effect of Lamivudine in HIV-Infected Persons with Prior Exposure to Zidovudine/Didanosine or Zidovudine/Zalcitabine

Nucleoside analog-based regimens remain an integral component of combination therapy for use in both antiretroviral treatment-naive and experienced HIV-infected patients. To further define treatment responses to new antiretroviral therapy in patients with long-term experience to dual nucleoside analog therapy (zidovudine [ZDV] plus didanosine [ddI] or ZDV plus zalcitabine [ddC]), 325 subjects derived from the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) 175 trial were randomized to three different combination regimens: (1) continuation of ZDV + ddI or ZDV + ddC (continuation arm), (2) addition of 3TC to ZDV + ddI or ZDV + ddC (addition arm), or (3) a switch to ZDV + 3TC therapy (switch arm). Both the addition and switch arms sustained significantly greater short-term (baseline to week 4) mean CD4+ cell count increases compared with the continuation arm (+36, +28 versus -4 cells/mm3; p = 0.012) and long-term CD4+ cell count responses (baseline to weeks 40/48: +32, +19 versus -9 cells/mm3; p = 0.003). Superior short-t...
The perils of personal capital in antebellum America: John Spotswood Wellford and Virginia's Catharine Furnace

The Fredericksburg Iron and Steel Manufacturing Company's ironmaking facility, Catharine Furnace, had the look of a prime mover in antebellum Virginia's industrial sector when it opened in 1838. Its manager and principal owner, John Spotswood Wellford, successfully tapped into his social capital to secure military ordnance contracts, but in the process the firm became utterly dependent upon his ability to secure this work through personal connections. By failing to expand the market for its pig iron and castings in local, regional, and national markets, the firm relied upon these ordnance contracts for shot and shell for its existence. When Wellford died in 1846, the Fredericksburg Iron and Steel Manufacturing Company collapsed. A few years later, Catharine Furnace stood cold and abandoned – a severe reminder of the limited prospects of Virginia's industrial economy and the perils of relying on an individual entrepreneur's personal capital during a critical period of American industrialisation.
Tracking multiple objects in non-stationary video

One of the key problems in computer vision and pattern recognition is tracking. Multiple objects, occlusion, and tracking moving objects using a moving camera are some of the challenges that one may face in developing an effective approach for tracking. While there are numerous algorithms and approaches to the tracking problem with their own shortcomings, a less-studied approach considers swarm intelligence. Swarm intelligence algorithms are often suited for optimization problems, but require advancements for tracking objects in video. This paper presents an improved algorithm based on Bacterial Foraging Optimization in order to track multiple objects in real-time video exposed to full and partial occlusion, using video from both fixed and moving cameras. A comparison with various algorithms is provided.
Early Muslim–Christian dialogue: a closer look at major themes of the theological encounter

Abstract Muslim–Christian relations are as old as Islam. Over the centuries the relationship between the two communities has sometimes been one of enmity, sometimes one of rivalry and competition. But there have also been periods of frank and fruitful dialogue and collaboration and even moments of sincere friendship, which were not overcome by conflicts. This article deals with instances of fruitful dialogue in the first four centuries of Islam when Muslims and Christians engaged in serious theological discussions. A number of factors in the early c Abbasid era favored such discussions, such as the cosmopolitan nature of Baghdad and its province, the caliphs' patronage of scholarship, the emergence of Arabic as a lingua franca and the deployment of dialectical reasoning (kalām). But also, quite simply, there were matters that needed debating. In this article, the author selects three major themes of the theological encounter with the intention of demonstrating how religious ideas were developed over the c...
Foundations of the State Principle

The state principle is an important and fundamental thermodynamic concept. Having only recently been formally stated, however, there is still some disagreement as to the basis of the principle's derivation. An examination of various state principle presentations leads to the conclusion that the state principle must be based on the first and second laws, and, additionally, that the energy, the amounts of the constituents, and the parameters solely determine property. Microscopic properties and non-equilibrium states are not inherently governed by the state principle, but extensions have been formulated to incorporate these areas.