cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reliability Assessment of Lifeline Systems with Radial Topology

The increased susceptibility of lifeline systems to failure due to aging and external hazards requires efficient methods to quantify their reliability and related uncertainty. Monte Carlo simulation techniques for network-level reliability and uncertainty assessment usually require large computational experiments. Also, available analytical approaches apply mainly to simple network topologies, and are limited to providing average values, low order moments, or confidence bounds of reliability metrics. This study introduces a closed form technique to obtain the entire probability distribution of a reliability metric of customer service availability (CSA) for generic radial lifeline systems. A special case of this general formulation reduces to a simple sum of products equation, for which a recursive algorithm that exploits its structure is presented. This special-case algorithm computes the probability mass function (PMF) of CSA for systems with M elements in O(M 3 ) operations, relative to conventional O(2 M ) operations, and opens the possibility of finding recursive algorithms for the general radial case. Parametric models that approximate the CSA metric are also explored and their errors quantified. The proposed radial topology reliability assessment tools and resulting probability distributions provide infrastructure owners with critical insights for informed operation and maintenance decision making under uncertainty.
The prefrontal cortex: Categories, concepts, and executive control

What controls your thoughts? How do you know how to act while dining in a restaurant? This is cognitive control, the ability to organize thought and action around goals. Results from our laboratory have shown that neurons in the prefrontal cortex and related brain areas have properties commensurate with a role in “executive” brain function. Perhaps most importantly, they transmit acquired know ledge. Here, I discuss how the prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia may help obtain our internal representations of rules and principles needed for goal-directed behavior, thereby providing the foundation for the complex behavior of primates, in whom the prefrontal cortex is most elaborate.
The charge-controlled PWM switch

The switching mechanism in PWM DC/DC power converters under charge-control is modeled by a three-terminal invariant switching structure called the charge-controlled PWM switch (QC-PWM). An equivalent circuit model of the QC-PWM switch is derived which, owing to its invariance, can be used to obtain the average large-signal and small-signal behavior of any two switched-state PWM power converter. This model, like the models of the PWM switch and the current-controlled PWM (CC-PWM) switch given earlier by the author, is self-contained, accurate and easy to use. The complete dynamics of a PWM power converter in charge control, including its subharmonic oscillation condition, are easily determined simply by replacing the QC-PWM switch with its equivalent circuit model.
Lung cancer in Florida. Risks associated with residence in the central Florida phosphate mining region

A case-control study that included 25,398 cases of lung cancer among Florida residents, first diagnosed in 1981-1983, was conducted to determine if residence in the central Florida phosphate mining region was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. A twofold increase in lung cancer risk was observed among male nonsmokers who lived in the study area. Risks were evaluated for all major lung cancer cell types, with the highest risks observed for small cell carcinoma of the lung. Among cigarette smokers, a slight, but not statistically significant, additional increase in risk was associated with residence in the study area. Among women, no significant elevations in risk were observed for persons who lived in the study area. The greatest increase in risk among women was for small cell carcinomas, but the elevations were not statistically significant.
Block faulting on the gorda rise.

A study made of Gorda Rise near 41°159N with a novel instrument shows that the rift-valley walls have a tilted steplike profile, often with perched, planar sediments. Topography indicates that the steps were formed by block faulting. Distribution of the steps and the character of their tops suggest that they originated in the central 2 or 3 kilometers of the valley floor and were subsequently moved outward, uplifted, and tilted along with their underlying blocks as the sea floor spread. Gorda Rise is considered a slowly spreading part of the oceanic-rise system. Studies of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge report features that may be similar uplifted blocks.
Cue utilization to assess food product quality: A comparison of consumers and retailers in India

Abstract Using structural equation modeling, a cue utilization model was developed to compare Indian consumers' use of product cues and retailers' perception on their consumers' cue utilization in evaluating the quality of processed foods. Comparing 307 Indian consumers and 89 food retailers located in rural and urban India, the results reveal that intrinsic cues (taste and freshness) are more important than extrinsic cues (price, packaging, and brand name) in determining Indian consumers' overall quality perceptions of processed food products. The extrinsic cues, on the other hand, were used to evaluate Indian consumers' perceptions of the intrinsic cues. Results from a two-group comparison indicate that Indian food retailers overestimate the importance of price when consumers evaluate overall food quality, and overstate the importance of brand when consumers assess nutrition and freshness in foods, but underestimate the importance of brand when consumers assess taste. Marketing implications are provided.
Alternative demand models for close substitutes

Abstract Three specifications of demand systems are compared and applied to U.S. data on beef, pork, chicken, and lamb in 1950–1972.
Critical thinking in ESL: An argument for sustained content

Abstract This article suggests that in adult ESL learners, development of critical thinking skills, as defined by EAP, cognitive psychology and transformative pedagogy, benefits from sustained content study (or studying one area over time). Sustained content study is recommended because: it allows students to accrue information, without which they are less able to question, synthesize, and evaluate what they read; it allows students to become familiar with the rhetorical conventions of a discipline; and, as these are the skills needed for university study, today's workplace and to understand the socio-political factors that affect students' lives, sustained study allows students to practice in the ESL class what they will need outside it. This article: defines critical thinking, discusses who should learn it and why, reviews the role of content in ESL and the literature supporting sustained study, and discusses content that engages ESL students with varied majors and goals. Three courses are described, one on selected economic/political issues, one on language acquisition itself, and one on film and society. Selections from student discussion and writing are examined.
ADAPTIVE CONTROL OF REDUNDANT MULTIPLE ROBOTS IN COOPERATIVE MOTION

A redundant robot has more degrees of freedom than what is needed to uniquely position the robot end-effector. In practical applications the extra degrees of freedom increase the orientation and reach of the robot. The load carrying capacity of a single robot can be increased by cooperative manipulation of the load by two or more robots. In this paper we develop an adaptive control scheme for kinematically redundant multiple robots in cooperative motion.
Precipitation Retrieval Accuracies for Geo-Microwave Sounders

Only instruments on geostationary or comparable platforms can view global precipitation at the ~15-min interval that is necessary to monitor rapidly evolving convective events. This paper compares the abilities of 11 alternative passive microwave sensors to retrieve surface precipitation rates and hydrometeor water paths. Five instruments observe selected frequencies from 116 to 429 GHz with a filled-aperture antenna, and six instruments observe from 52 to 191 GHz with a U-shaped aperture synthesis array. The analysis is based on neural network retrieval methods and 122 global MM5-simulated storms that are generally consistent with the simultaneous Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit observations. Several instruments show considerable promise in retrieving hydrometeor water paths and 15-min average precipitation rates ~1-100 mm/h with spatial resolutions that vary from ~15 to ~50 km. This space/time resolution is potentially adequate to support assimilation of precipitation information into cloud-resolving numerical weather prediction models.
An X-ray examination of deformation in β Ti-V alloys

The mechanical behavior of beta Ti-V alloys has been studied by X-ray diffraction techniques. Single crystals of two orientiations, containing 20 to 40 wt pct V were cold rolled varying degrees. Fourier analysis techniques were then used to determine the microstrain, particle size, and twin fault probability developed during deformation. The deformation textures of the deformed crystals were also examined and found to vary considerably with vanadium content. These results have been correlated with the observed variations in deformation modes produced by changes in solute content and microstructure.
Vanilla-its botany, history, cultivation and economic import

From the secretly prepared chocolate-flavoring condiment oi the Aztec emperor, Montezuma, to the ice cream-flavoring ingredient oi today, vanilla has tor tour centuries been an important item in the spice trade of the world. Originally Mexican, about 90% oi the world’s 1,000 annual metric tons oi vanilla “beans” come from Mada’gascar, nearly 50% oi which are consumed in the United States.
Bioelectrical activity of isolated ventral nerve cords of the cockroach,Periplaneta americana L., treated with toxaphene

Effects of toxaphene were studied with the ventral nerve cord (VNC) of the cockroach,Periplaneta americana (L). Intense forms of activity were observed in isolated nerve preparations treated with toxaphene. Latent periods between introduction of toxaphene and onset of intense activity decreased as the concentrations were increased.
Effect of pepsin inhibitors on milk clotting activity of crystalline pepsin.

SummaryWhile heparin, chondroitin sulfate, and sodium lauryl sulfate inhibit the proteolytic action of pepsin, chondroitin sulfate accelerates the milk clotting activity of pepsin and the other 2 compounds inhibit it.
Simulation of radial solute segregation in vertical Bridgman growth of pyridine-doped benzene, a surrogate for binary organic nonlinear optical materials

We present steady axisymmetric computations of solute distributions and radial segregation for vertical Bridgman growth of pyridine-doped benzene, a binary aromatic system with anisotropic solid-phase thermal conductivity, that serves as a model of solute transport in crystal growth of organic nonlinear optical materials. The radial variation of solid-phase mass fraction (Cs) of pyridine, which is rejected at the growing interface, depends strongly on growth conditions. High growth velocities tend to increase Cs near the centerline, the ampoule wall, or both, and low growth velocities give more nearly uniform radial distributions. The maximum ampoule-wall temperature gradient also affects radial segregation, with convex-to-the-liquid interfaces at small temperature gradients being associated with radially monotonic Cs distributions, and ridged interfaces at higher gradients being associated with nonmonotonic distributions having maxima at the centerline and ampoule wall. Nonuniformity is strongly determined by both interface shape and the nature of the flow near the interface. Solute is transported down to the interface by a large toroidal vortex, and swept radially inward to the centerline by a second, flattened toroidal cell. When the interface is depressed at its junction with the ampoule wall, rejected solute accumulates in the overlying liquid, where convection is relatively weak, resulting in local solute enrichment of the solid. Computations at normal and zero gravity show that for two very similar interface shapes, a maximum in the radial solid-phase solute distribution at the ampoule wall is associated with the interface shape, while the maximum on the centerline is associated with sweeping of solute to the centerline by a vortical flow on the interface. We also show that radial solute segregation depends significantly on whether account is taken of the anisotropy of the solid-phase thermal conductivity. Finally, the computations provide guidance as to the minimum ampoule length required to produce an axially uniform solute distribution over at least part of the length of a boule.
Restriction mapping and hybridization studies of a beta-lactamase-encoding fragment from Streptococcus (Enterococcus) faecalis.

Abstract A restriction map of a 5.1-kilobase EcoRI fragment encoding an enterococcal beta-lactamase was prepared and compared with the restriction map of a cloned staphylococcal beta-lactamase gene and with the published maps of several other staphylococcal beta-lactamase genes. Comparison and hybridization studies showed that there were identical restriction sites in the region of the bla structural gene but not in the region surrounding this gene.
Edge-defined, film-fed growth of Mn2SiO4-MnO eutectic composites: Effect of die-top geometry on solidification interface shape

The effect of die-top geometry (planar, convex, or concave) on solidification interface shape was investigated during edge-defined, film-fed growth (EFG) of Mn2SiO4-MnO eutectic composites. The composites were solidified as a function of growth rate (3 to 30 mm/h) from melts of the initial compositions Mn2SiO4-15 and -29 mole% MnO. Banding effects attest that the solidification interfaces have contours which approach the die-top geometries used. An aligned microstructure of <1 μm diameter MnO rods in an Mn2SiO4 matrix was obtained at growth rates of <15 mm/h. Discontinuities in rod growth at 1 to 5 μm intervals suggest mock lateral growth of the matrix. Independent of die-top geometry, an unbanded cellular microstructure predominated in boules grown at 20 mm/h or more.
Traumatic intrapericardial ascending aortic rupture: CT appearance.

Abstract:Ascending aortic injury is seen in only 5% of patients who survive long enough to undergo imaging. Emergent aortography is commonly used to confirm and define suspected thoracic rupture. We describe a case of ascending aortic rupture at the root of the aorta following blunt trauma diagnosed
Closed-form solution for a cantilevered sectorial plate subjected to a twisting tip moment

Abstract A solution is presented for the deflection of a cantilevered sectorial plate with free radial edges subjected to a twisting moment at the tip. The resulting displacements for a specific plate are presented. The solution is verified using a finite element model.
New line classifications and energy levels in the triplet system of Xe VII

A number of VUV lines, produced in a theta-pinch plasma, have been identified in the triplet system of Cd-like Xe vii. They serve to establish the positions of all the 5s5p3P0, 5p2 3P, 5s6s3S, and 5s5d3D levels. An ionization energy of 743 000 ± 6000 cm 1 (92.1 ± 0.8 eV) is derived from these observations.
Development and evaluation of surface treatments to enhance the fiber‐matrix adhesion in PAN‐based carbon fiber/liquid crystal polymer composites. Part I: Coupling agent and amine surface treatments

Several surface treatments, using both commercially available coupling agents and reagents containing multiple amines, were applied to commingled continuous as-received AS4 carbon reinforcing fiber/liquid crystal polymer (LCP) matrix fibers. Unidirectional composites (normally 60 vol% carbon fiber) were prepared from as-received and treated commingled fibers and characterized. To estimate the effect the effect of the treatments on fiber-matrix adhesion, short beam shear (SBS) tests were conducted, the failure surfaces were examined, and spectroscopic studies wee performed. The mean SBS strength of the as-received unidirectional AS4 carbon fiber/LCP matrix composite system was 49 MPa. The best coupling agent and amine treatments yielded increases in composite shear strength of ∼ 10 to 20%, relative to the as-received AS4/LCP system. For the amine treatments, ESCA and FTIR analyses suggested of both the carbon and LCP fibers may have caused the increased adhesion. Moreover, SEM analysis of the failure surfaces of SBS specimens from composites prepared with the treated fibers may have caused the increased adhesion. Moreover, SEM analysis of the failure surfaces of SBS specimens from composites prepared with the treated fibers (both with coupling agents and amines) showed that strong fiber-matrix adhesion was present. That is, failure occurred in the LCP matrix material.
Gender and loyalty in the context of mobile services

This article aims to investigate gender differences in the process of loyalty decisions in the context of mobile services. A research model is developed to examine the effect of service quality and perceived value on loyalty intention through satisfaction. Findings from this study reveal that women tend to be influenced by service quality more strongly than men, while men focus on perceived economic value in loyalty decisions. The study results provide helpful insights to mobile service carriers regarding their advertising and promotion strategies for targeted gender groups.
Phase behaviour of phospholipid membranes under high pressure

Abstract The Raman and infrared spectra of aqueous 1,2-diacyl phosphatidylcholines have been measured as a function of pressure. The liquid crystalline phase of these aqueous systems transforms into a series of five gel phases upon the elevation of external pressure. The phase states and the changes in the structural and dynamic properties at the critical pressures are reviewed and analysed from the spectroscopic results, particularly regarding the driving force for the phase modifications. The mechanism for the complicated phase behavior of the subgel phase in these systems is also discussed.
Correlates of Moral Judgment Development in College Students

(1992). Correlates of Moral Judgment Development in College Students. The Journal of Genetic Psychology: Vol. 153, No. 2, pp. 221-223.
Peridotite-CO_2-H_2O and the low-velocity zone

The properties of the seismic low-velocity zone are consistent with incipient melting of mantle peridotite. Vapor-absent melting of amphibole-peridotite has been used to model the low-velocity zone, but evidence that CO_2 exists in the upper mantle indicates that peridotite-CO_2-H_2O would be a better model. The divariant solidus surface for peridodite-CO_2-H_2O is traversed by a series of univariant lines marking the intersections of divariant subsolidus reactions involving dolomite or magnesite, amphibole, or phlogopite (other hydrous minerals are neglected in this treatment), or combinations of these. The vapor phase compositions are buffered to specific values, which limits the range of vapor compositions that can coexist with peridotite at various pressures. Below about 30 kbar, the vapor phase is buffered by the melting of amphibole-peridotite, with composition ranging from H_2O to high CO_2/H_2O. Above about 25 kbar, the vapor phase is buffered by the melting of dolomite-peridotite, with composition ranging from CO_2 to high H_2O/CO_2 at pressures above 30 kbar. The buffered curve for phlogopite-peridotite intersects the dolomite-peridotite curve, generating another line for phlogopite-dolomite-peridotite; the strong buffering capacity of dolomite forces the vapor on this line to high H_2O/CO_2. Near the buffered curve for the solidus of partly carbonated peridotite there is a temperature maximum on the peridotite-vapor solidus surface. On the CO_2 side of the maximum, above 26 kbar, CO_2/H_2O is greater in liquid than in vapor; on the H_2O side of this maximum, and at all pressures below 26 kbar, CO_2/H_2O is greater in vapor than in liquid. The suboccanic low-velocity zone is caused by incipient melting of amphibole-peridotite in the presence of vapor with high CO_2/H_2O, with generation of forsterite-normative liquid. The subcontinental low-velocity zone, where present, is probably caused by incipient melting of dolomite-peridotite, or phlogopite-dolomite-peridotite, either with H_2O-rich vapor or without vapor, with the generation of CO_2-rich, alkalic, SiO_2-poor liquid (larnite-normative) that in extreme conditions may be carbonatitic.
George B. Dantzig: Operations Research Icon

This article recalls some of George B. Dantzig's many contributions to operations research and the management sciences in his ninety-year lifetime.
Dynamics in microbial communities: unraveling mechanisms to identify principles

Diversity begets higher-order properties such as functional stability and robustness in microbial communities, but principles that inform conceptual (and eventually predictive) models of community dynamics are lacking. Recent work has shown that selection as well as dispersal and drift shape communities, but the mechanistic bases for assembly of communities and the forces that maintain their function in the face of environmental perturbation are not well understood. Conceptually, some interactions among community members could generate endogenous dynamics in composition, even in the absence of environmental changes. These endogenous dynamics are further perturbed by exogenous forcing factors to produce a richer network of community interactions and it is this 'system' that is the basis for higher-order community properties. Elucidation of principles that follow from this conceptual model requires identifying the mechanisms that (a) optimize diversity within a community and (b) impart community stability. The network of interactions between organisms can be an important element by providing a buffer against disturbance beyond the effect of functional redundancy, as alternative pathways with different combinations of microbes can be recruited to fulfill specific functions.
Dissolution profiles for capsules and tablets using a magnetic basket dissolution apparatus

Dissolution studies were carried out on commercially available dosage forms of lithium carbonate, 300 mg. A magnetic basket dissolution apparatus was developed by the authors because of the unavailability of a single system to evaluate both capsules and tablets. The magnetic basket allowed reproducible positioning of either a capsule or a tablet in a hydrodynamic system such that the dissolution of the two different dosage forms could be studied using the same parameters. Log—probability analyses of the data showed significant differences in the dissolution of the two dosage forms. The results were highly reproducible.
A framework for realistic image synthesis

Our goal is to develop physically based lighting models and perceptually based rendering procedures for computer graphics that will produce synthetic images that are visually and measurably indistinguishable from real-world images. Fidelity of the physical simulation is of primary concern. Our research framework is subdivided into three sub-sections: the local light reflection model, the energy transport simulation, and the visual display algorithms. The first two subsections are physically based, and the last is perceptually based. We emphasize the comparisons between simulations and actual measurements, the difficulties encountered, and the need to utilize the vast amount of psychophysical research already conducted. Future research directions are enumerated. We hope that results of this research will help establish a more fundamental, scientific approach for future rendering algorithms. This presentation describes a chronology of past research in global illumination and how parts of our new system are currently being developed.
Determinants of infant and early childhood mortality in Cameroon: the role of socioeconomic factors, housing characteristics, and immunization status.

This study examines factors impinging on the survival of children in Cameroon using longitudinal data collected by the United Nations Demographic Training and Research Institute of Yaounde, Cameroon. It deals especially with the role of socioeconomic factors (mother's education, employment, marital status, ethnicity, and household income), housing characteristics (construction materials, power source, source of water supply, extent of crowding), and immunization status on infant and child mortality. Two-state parametric and nonparametric hazards models for the risk of death at any time within the course of the study are used, with and without accounting for unmeasured heterogeneity. Overall, overcrowding has robust deleterious effects on infant and child survival. As regards the effects of socioeconomic variables, the robustness of the effects of household income and ethnic differentials are unchanged, even after controlling for unmeasured heterogeneity; the deleterious effects of marital status are also apparent, but these effects are largely explained by unmeasured covariates. The data also suggest that the protective effects of full immunization status are robust and not contaminated by confounding factors, at least in the first 16 months of life. These findings provide solid ground to support immunization programs and efforts as a means to reduce significantly infant and child mortality.
Reaction zone microstructure in a Ti3Al + Nb/SiC composite

A composite of Ti-25Al-13Nb (atomic percent) matrix with a continuous SiC fiber (SCS-6) reinforcement was fabricated by hot pressing powder cloths and mats of fiber. The fiber/matrix reaction zone was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy/analytical electron microscopy (TEM/AEM) techniques. The extent of reaction was determined, phases were identified, and solute partitioning among the phases was determined. It was found that the matrix had reacted only with a portion of the carbon-rich outer layer of the SCS-6 fiber. The reaction zone contained two concentric zones which are distinguished by the presence of different carbide phases. Both zones contained a hexagonal Si-bearing phase, and one of the zones also contained some fine scattered porosity. The results are discussed with reference to available phase equilibria data.
Design of a picosecond-laser-driven Ni-like Mo x-ray laser near 20 nm

The gain is predicted for a solid molybdenum target illuminated by several joules of combined energy from a nanosecond laser pulse to create a preplasma followed by a picosecond laser pulse to drive the gain. Gains greater than 300 cm-1 are predicted for the Ni-like Mo 4d 1S0→4p 1P1 transition at 18.9 nm, which is driven by the monopole collisional excitation. High gain is also predicted for a self-photo-pumped 4f 1P1→4d 1P1 transition at 22.0 nm and several other transitions driven by inner shell collisional ionization.
Preparation of optically active 2-aminoalkylphosphinic and phosphonic acids

Abstract The reaction of sodium alkylphosphinates or sodium dialkylphosphonates with tosylamino tosylates of amino alcohols derived from 1-aminoalkylcar☐ylic acids gives high yields of optically active 2-tosylaminoalkylphosphinic or phosphonic esters.
Anesthetic Management of Patients Receiving Calculus Therapy with a Third-Generation Extracorporeal Lithotripsy Machine

We reviewed the anesthetic requirements for satisfactory use of a third-generation electromagnetic-source design for extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL). Medical records were reviewed for a period of 9 months on all patients receiving anesthesia care for SWL with and without other urologic procedures. The Modulith SL20 was used on 56 ASA Class I-III patients having 87 SWL treatments. Demographic and anesthetic variables were recorded. Complications documented included dysrhythmias, nausea necessitating treatment, and conversion from sedation to regional or general anesthesia. The majority of procedures (83%) were performed on an outpatient basis. Patients were classified as ASA physical status I (27%), II (63%), or III (10%). Monitored anesthesia care with intravenous sedation was utilized in 93% of cases. Of these cases, 78 involved a combination of intravenous propofol, fentanyl, and midazolam; the remaining 3 involved propofol, alfentanil, and/or midazolam. The mean treatment duration was 36 minutes. Patients were discharged within 1 hour after procedure completion in 77 cases (89%). Nausea necessitating treatment was rare (3%). The mean dose of propofol administered with SWL as the only procedure was 272 +/- 112 mg. When SWL was combined with other urologic procedures, the mean dose of propofol was 334 +/- 121 mg. Continuous intravenous propofol infusion provides excellent procedural conditions for SWL on the Modulith SL120, a third-generation lithotripter.
Thin films: theory leads the way to new devices.

Computer simulations suggest a route to making a capacitor that can store electron spin, as well as charge, by applying an electric field to a conventional capacitor.
The economics of integrated circuits

This paper presents the concept of the ` cost of ownership? of electronic equipment, and shows that equipment designed on the basis of integrated circuits often has a very low cost of ownership.
The Relationship between Radar Reflectivities and Clouds Associated with Horizontal Roll Convection on 8 August 1982

Abstract Horizontal convective rolls (HCRs) and cloudstreets that occurred in northeastern Colorado are studied using Doppler radar data, cloud photography, and vertical soundings. Examination of the environment in which the HCRs form indicates a boundary layer wind speed that is much lower than those measured in previous studies. Evidence shows that the HCRs form in a well-defined boundary layer, yet the cloudstreets that develop seem to exist within a stable layer above. A relationship between the radar reflectivity echoes and the cloudstreets is firmly established. The echoes are aligned directly under the cloudstreets. The echoes at lower-levels are shown to be caused by convergence of particulate matter into updraft portions of the HCR circulation, yet evidence indicates the cloud-level echoes are due to backscatter from refractive index inhomogeneities at the surfaces of rising thermals. Examination of the echoes show that the strongest and tallest echoes are associated with cloud formation, and tha...
The Impact of Maquiladoras on Commuter Flows in the Texas-Mexican Border

In recent decades Mexican border towns have witnessed an increasing number of migrants. Two pull-factors may be significant: opportunities to work and perhaps live in the U.S. and the growing maquiladora industry (George and Tollen 1985). U.S.-Mexican border towns have long functioned as "twin cities" economically as well as culturally (Stoddard 1987). As the labor force of Mexican border towns grows, and the pattern of labor use within the Mexican towns changes, the pattern of labor use on the U.S. side can also be expected to change. This paper examines the nature of commuter activity along the Texas-Mexican border. While the impacts of Mexican immigrants and illegal aliens upon the U.S. work force have received explicit study, Mexican commuters have received very little attention. The Mexican commuter's functioning within the border economy becomes difficult to assess due to the dichotomy between his immigrant status and the fact that he resides outside the U.S. A better understanding of the factors which influence commuter flows along the border is of interest from at least three perspectives. First, it is an important first step for those studying commuter behavior or involved in setting policy. The second area of interest involves developing a greater understanding of how the growth of the maquiladora industry in northern Mexico will impact commuter flows. The third area of interest concerns the impact of commuter flows on the wages and income distribution of U.S. border counties. This paper addresses the first two and provides background material for the third point.
Managed Care and the Treatment of Skin Disease, 1995: Continued Growth and Emerging Dominance

Objective To document changes in the type of financing for office-based visits for the treatment of common skin conditions and to dermatologists. Design Data from a national survey of visits to office-based practitioners conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics were used. The stratified sampling technique permits estimation of the total number of office visits with specific characteristics in the United States. Setting A national probability sample of visits to office-based practitioners occurring in 1995. Subjects In 1995, 36875 visits were sampled. Of these, 2121 were for common skin problems to any physician and 1886 were visits for any reason to dermatologists. Main Outcome Measures The distribution source of payment and presence of managed care arrangements for office visits for common skin problems and to dermatologists. Intervention None. Results In 1995, preferred provider and health maintenance organizations provided payment for 34% of all ambulatory care and 38% of office visits for common skin complaints. Conclusions Managed care is already the dominant mechanism of payment for the treatment of skin disease for many patient groups and in many areas of the country. Preferred provider organizations are much more likely to employ dermatologists to provide care of common skin problems than are health maintenance organizations. If the recent trends continue, by year 2000 most patients seen by dermatologists will be seen under the auspices of managed care systems.
Fully Atomistic Molecular Dynamics Simulations of the Behavior of a Simple Model of Crude Oil Confined between Graphene Planes

We present and discuss the results of molecular dynamics computer simulations of crude oil confined between graphene planes. The crude oil is represented as a mixture of alkanes having 6 ≤ n ≤ 30 carbons that contain explicit hydrogen atoms; the confining structure is a floor and ceiling, each comprised of graphene sheets. At low temperature, the system adsorbs completely onto the confining layers, showing an interesting domain structure in its own right. As the temperature increases, various species desorb in order of increasing molecular mass and enter the vapor phase between the confining sheets. Desorption proceeds through a roughening of the adsorbed layers but does not appear to couple to any inter- or intramolecular phase transition on the surfaces for any given species. Allowing the graphene sheets to be flexible affects the rate of adsorption as well as the in-plane order and molecular confirmations of the adsorbate. Cursory simulations with more than one layer show droplet-like adsorption at low...
Use of the semantic differential technique in research on disaster: a methodological note

This paper suggests the utility of the semantic differential technique as one method of measurement in investigations of disasters. The technique is versatile and efficient and can be used to assess psychological factors in behavior and perceptions of groups who experience disasters. A previous study in which this measurement was used to examine the aftereffects of a natural disaster is presented.
Thermal Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication of Rough Surfaces

A numerical solution to the problem of thermal and compressible elastohydrodynamic (EHD) lubrication of rolling/sliding rough surfaces was obtained by neglecting the transient effects. The technique involves the simultaneous solution of thermal Reynolds and modified elasticity equations using the Newton-Raphson technique, and the energy equation using the control volume finite element method. The effects of various loads, amplitude of asperity, and radius of curvature of asperity have been investigated. Results have been presented for moderate dimensionless load of W = 9.03 × 10−5 to heavy load of W = 2.3 × 10−4 at the speed of U* = 9.2 × 10−11 . The results indicate that surface roughness significantly affect the pressure, temperature, and traction in EHD lubrication.
Wave-Driven Inner-Shelf Motions on the Oregon Coast*

Recent work by S. Lentz et al. documents offshore transport in the inner shelf due to a wave-driven return flow associated with the Hasselmann wave stress (the Stokes‐Coriolis force). This analysis is extended using observations from the central Oregon coast to identify the wave-driven return flow present and quantify the potential bias of wind-driven across-shelf exchange by unresolved wave-driven circulation. Using acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) measurements at six stations, each in water depths of 13‐15 m, observed depth-averaged, across-shelf velocities were generally correlated with theoretical estimates of the proposed return flow. During times of minimal wind forcing, across-shelf velocity profiles were vertically sheared, with strongervelocitiesnearthetop of themeasuredportionofthe watercolumn,andincreasedin magnitudewith increasing significant wave height, consistentwith circulation due to the Hasselmann wave stress. Yet velocity magnitudes and vertical shears were stronger than that predicted by linear wave theory, and more similar to the stratified ‘‘summer’’ velocity profiles described by S. Lentz et al. Additionally, substantial temporal and spatial variability of the wave-driven return flow was found, potentially due to changing wind and wave conditions as well as local bathymetric variability. Despite the wave-driven circulation found, subtracting estimates of the return flow from the observed across-shelf velocity had no significant effect on estimates of the across-shelf exchange dueto along-shelfwind forcing at these waterdepths along the Oregoncoast during summer.
Parallel Algorithm for 3D Surface Reconstruction

This paper presents a new, robust and massively parallel algorithm for determining three-dimensional structure of a scene. It is based on analyzing the images that result from a straight line camera motion. In order to simplify the computations, we use spherical angles to represent pixels in the image (in place of x-y). In this frame every moving point in the image can be easily processed independently of any other point. We show how to reconstruct 31) geometry by an integration operation (no differentiation operator is involved). Preliminary results for the case where the optical axis is parallel to the motion axis show an accuracy less than 0.6% in absolute distance.
Identifying With Winners: A Reexamination of Sport Fans’ Tendency to BIRG1

This investigation examined whether or not sport fans are more likely to identify with successful teams than unsuccessful teams. College students (N= 78) were asked to list the sport teams with which they identified in order of personal preference. Using numerous criteria and the teams’ performances during their previous season, participant-listed teams were deemed as being successful or unsuccessful. The results showed that fans were more likely to identify with successful teams than unsuccessful teams. A positive relationship also was found between fan preference (favorite team) and the success of the team. Fans’ tendencies to bask in reflected glory (BIRG) suggest that these sport fan identities may be premeditated for self-presentational benefits. These results are discussed in the context of social identity theory.
DNA changes involving repeated sequences in senescing soybean (Glycine max) cotyledon nuclei

Age-related DNA changes in soybean (Glycine max L. cv. Ransom) cotyledon nuclei were investigated by Feulgen cytophotometry and cloned DNA probes. The amount of nuclear DNA in 17-day-old senescing cotyledons was 23% lower than that of 5-day-old young cotyledons. In order to understand the nature of senescence-related DNA loss, fragments of repetitive DNA from young cotyledons were cloned into Escherichia coli HB101 cells by DNA recombination. The cloned DNA probed changes in specific repeated nucleotide sequences in senescing cotyledons. The colony hybridization between cloned DNA and [32P]-labeled total DNA from 5- and 17-day cotyledons indicated loss of specific repeated sequences. The selected sequences of repeated DNA further showed a loss in their copy numbers. The study suggested that some repetitive DNA sequences were degraded selectively in the genome of senescing cotyledons.
Error Analysis for a Hybridizable Discontinuous Galerkin Method for the Helmholtz Equation

Finite element methods for acoustic wave propagation problems at higher frequency result in very large matrices due to the need to resolve the wave. This problem is made worse by discontinuous Galerkin methods that typically have more degrees of freedom than similar conforming methods. However hybridizable discontinuous Galerkin methods offer an attractive alternative because degrees of freedom in each triangle can be cheaply removed from the global computation and the method reduces to solving only for degrees of freedom on the skeleton of the mesh. In this paper we derive new error estimates for a hybridizable discontinuous Galerkin scheme applied to the Helmholtz equation. We also provide extensive numerical results that probe the optimality of these results. An interesting observation is that, after eliminating the internal element degrees of freedom, the condition number of the condensed hybridized system is seen to be almost independent of the wave number.
Monoamines and lordosis in the female guinea pig.

Abstract Serotonin and dopamine antagonists have been reported to induce lordosis in estrogen-primed spayed rats in the absence of progesterone. In the present study with guinea pigs, however, no such effect was found with any of the drugs tested, which include methysergide, parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA), haloperidol, and amphetamine. When given with progesterone, methysergide slightly decreased latency to heat, whereas PCPA substantially reduced lordotic response. Methysergide did not alter the inhibitory phase of progesterone action.
The effects of verapamil and ethanol on body temperature and motor coordination

Male, adult mice of the Binghamton heterogeneous stock received one of two doses of ethanol (1.0 g/kg or 2.0 g/kg in saline) alone or in combination with the calcium (Ca2+) slow channel blocker, verapamil (5.45 mg/kg in 25% v/v ethanol in saline). Hypothermic responses and motor incoordination were assessed in terms of rectal temperatures and rotorod activity both 20 and 60 min after drug administration. Verapamil alone did not affect body temperature, but it potentiated ethanol-induced hypothermia at both post-administration test times. Both verapamil and ethanol impaired muscular coordination and these effects were additive at the two observation periods. Verapamil did not affect ethanol blood levels from 10 to 80 min after administration of the drugs. Since motor impairment was observed when verapamil was administered with only its ethanol vehicle, this suggests a powerful interactive effect between the two drugs.
Endochronic model for nonlinear triaxial behavior of concrete

Abstract A gradual accumulation of inelastic strain can be most conveniently described in terms of the so-called intrinsic time, whose increment depends on the time increment as well as the strain increments, and was originally developed for metals and was extended in a previous paper by Z.P. Bažant to concrete. In that previous paper it had been demonstrated that the proposed model predicts quite closely: (1) Stress-strain diagrams for concretes of different strength; (2) uniaxial, biaxial and triaxial stress-strain diagrams and failure envelopes; (3) failure envelopes for combined torsion and compression: (4) lateral strains and volume expansion in uniaxial and biaxial tests; (5) the behavior of spirally confined concrete; (6) hysteresis loops for repeated high compression: (7) cyclic creep up to 10 6 cycles; (8) the strain rate effect; (9) the decrease of long time strength: and (10) the increase of short-time strength due to low stress creep. The present paper presents a refinement of the endochronic theory of concrete which consists mainly in taking into account; (a) the inelastic strains due to hydrostatic compression; (b) improved descriptions of strain-softening behavior, (c) cyclic loading in strain-softening range, and (d) volume change in strain-softening range; (e) the differences between proportional and standard triaxial tests; (f) triaxial failure envelopes; and (g) dependence of material parameters on strength. The formulation consists fully of continuous functions, and for numerical analysis it has the advantage that it contains no inequalities. The present expressions are, admittedly, rather complicated and contain many parameters. However, for computer calculations this is not an insurmountable drawback. The agreement with test data is far superior to any other constitutive law found this far — virtually all currently known basic properties are modeled. The value of all material parameters are given, their dependence on concrete strength is identified, and a broad range of normal weight concrete is covered.
Adaptive Distributed Video Coding with Correlation Estimation using Expectation Propagation

Distributed video coding (DVC) is rapidly increasing in popularity by the way of shifting the complexity from encoder to decoder, whereas no compression performance degrades, at least in theory. In contrast with conventional video codecs, the inter-frame correlation in DVC is explored at decoder based on the received syndromes of Wyner-Ziv (WZ) frame and side information (SI) frame generated from other frames available only at decoder. However, the ultimate decoding performances of DVC are based on the assumption that the perfect knowledge of correlation statistic between WZ and SI frames should be available at decoder. Therefore, the ability of obtaining a good statistical correlation estimate is becoming increasingly important in practical DVC implementations. Generally, the existing correlation estimation methods in DVC can be classified into two main types: pre-estimation where estimation starts before decoding and on-the-fly (OTF) estimation where estimation can be refined iteratively during decoding. As potential changes between frames might be unpredictable or dynamical, OTF estimation methods usually outperforms pre-estimation techniques with the cost of increased decoding complexity (e.g., sampling methods). In this paper, we propose a low complexity adaptive DVC scheme using expectation propagation (EP), where correlation estimation is performed OTF as it is carried out jointly with decoding of the factor graph-based DVC code. Among different approximate inference methods, EP generally offers better tradeoff between accuracy and complexity. Experimental results show that our proposed scheme outperforms the benchmark state-of-the-art DISCOVER codec and other cases without correlation tracking, and achieves comparable decoding performance but with significantly low complexity comparing with sampling method.
Sexual dysfunction and treatment for early stage cervical cancer

Assessment of sexual frequency, function, and behavior, as well as marital happiness and psychological distress was performed for 61 women with early stage, invasive cervical cancer at the time of diagnosis. Cancer treatment was radical hysterectomy alone for 26 women and radiotherapy with or without surgery for 37. Followups took place at 6 and 12 months after cancer therapy. Women's sexual satisfaction, capacity for orgasm, and frequency of masturbation remained stable, whereas frequency of sexual activity with a partner and range of sexual practices decreased significantly by one year. Women who received irradiation with or without surgery resembled women who underwent radical hysterectomy alone at 6 months. By one year, however, the radiotherapy group had developed dyspareunia, which was reflected in gynecologist ratings at pelvic examination. The women receiving radiotherapy also had more problems with sexual desire and arousal, and were less likely to resume several daily life activities. Cancer treatment modality was not related to marital happiness or stability, however.