cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessing risk communication in breast cancer: are continuous measures of patient knowledge better than categorical?

Abstract Objective To compare the performance of categorical and continuous measures of patient knowledge in the context of risk communication about breast cancer, in terms of statistical and clinical significance as well as efficiency. Methods Twenty breast cancer patients provided estimates of 10-year mortality risk before and after their oncology visit. The oncologist reviewed risk estimates from Adjuvant!, a well-validated and commonly used prognostic model. Using the Adjuvant! estimates as a gold standard, we calculated how accurate the patient estimates were before and after the visit. We used three novel continuous measures of patient accuracy, the absolute bias, Brier, and Kullback–Leibler scores, and compared them to a categorical measure in terms of sensitivity to intervention effects. We also calculated the sample size required to replicate the primary study using the categorical and continuous measures, as a means of comparing efficiency. Results In this sample, the Kullback–Leibler measure was most sensitive to the intervention effects ( p = 0.004), followed by Brier and absolute bias (both p = 0.011), and finally the categorical measure (0.125). The sample size required to replicate the primary study was 18 for the Kullback–Leibler measure, 23 for absolute bias and Brier, and 37 for the categorical measure. Conclusions The continuous measures led to more efficient sample sizes and to rejection of the null hypothesis of no intervention effect. However, the difference in sensitivity of the continuous measures was not statistically significant, and the performance of the categorical measure depends on the researcher's categorical cutoff for accuracy. Continuous measures of patient accuracy may be more sensitive and efficient, while categorical measures may be more clinically relevant. Practice implications Researchers and others interested in assessing the accuracy of patient knowledge should weigh the trade-offs between clinical relevance and statistical significance while designing or evaluating risk communication studies.
Mapping “a beautiful mind:” A comparison of the author cocitation PFNets for John Nash, John Harsanyi, and Reinhard Selten—the three winners of the 1994 Nobel Prize for Economics

We present the results of an Author Cocitation Analysis focusing on Nash, Harsanyi, and Selten and the top 24–27 authors with which each is cocited in the five years prior to their (1994) receipt of the Nobel Prize for Economics (1989:1993) and the five years following (1995:1999). We explore the different impacts that these three authors' work had on scholarship in these two time periods. Preliminary results show a substantial core of game theory authors anchoring the center of all three PFNets and unique sets of “penumbral” authors frequently cocited with each of the three winners.
A role for alanine in the ammonium regulation of cephalosporin biosynthesis in Streptomyces clavuligerus.

It is known that excess ammonium supply decreases cephalosporin production and represses cephalosporin synthases. We wondered whether an additional important effect could be inhibition of synthase action by alanine. We had previously shown that ammonium addition induced alanine dehydrogenase and increased intracellular alanine and that alanine could inhibit resting cell synthesis of cephalosporins. In the present work we confirm the alanine inhibition of antibiotic production by resting cells. We foundl-alanine inhibited three of the four synthases tested: ACV synthetase, cyclase and expandase; the epimerase was not inhibited. These data suggest that interference in cephalosporin production by growth in ammonium salts involves synthase inhibition by intracellular alanine, in addition to the known role of ammonium in synthase repression.
Mechanisms for ion-irradiation-induced relaxation of stress in mosaic structured Cu thin films

In this paper, helium (He) ion irradiations with various fluences were performed on sputtered Cu thin films with a mosaic structure to evolve biaxial stress. X-ray diffraction of the θ–2θ method was used to determine the residual strains in the thin films by measuring the spacing of the crystallographic planes. The results show the in-plane biaxial tensile stress has been reduced by ion irradiation. A new proposed model is discussed to explain the ion-irradiation-induced stress release in mosaic structured Cu thin films.
Vitrification darkening of rock powders - Implications for optical properties of the lunar surface

Laboratory experiments show that albedoes as low as those on the Moon can be produced by vacuum vitrification and associated chemical fractionation of ordinary terrestrial basaltic material. Vitrification is established as an unequivocal process that can account for the low albedo and apparent local darkening with age of the lunar surface. The spectral reflectance curves of glass powders are significantly different than those of the parent rock mineralogy; thus, the presence of ubiquitous glass in lunar surface material complicates compositional determinations by interpretation of spectral reflectance curves. Vitrification of rocks on the Moon may highly modify the chemical composition of the resulting glass; thus, glass fragments found in lunar fines cannot be assumed to represent bulk parent rock material. Progressive impact vitrification of lunar surface material throughout the Moon's history may have led to a fine-grain, opaque, refractory-rich material we call ‘ultimate glass’. This unidentified and, at this point, hypothetical component may exist in dark regolith material; if found, it may be a useful indicator of regolith maturity.
National trends in retropharyngeal abscess among adult inpatients with peritonsillar abscess.

ObjectivesTo describe national trends in retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) complicating peritonsillar abscess (PTA) and to determine factors associated with RPA in patients with PTA.Study DesignCross-s...
Snoring, nightmares, and morning headaches in elderly women: a preliminary study

Abstract Self-reported snoring in 37 females aged 65–94 years was assessed and the relationships between snoring and sleep characteristics, respiratory events, depression scores, sleep complaints and self-reported health problems were investigated. Sleep was recorded for two 24-h periods in the home on successive weeks, using the Home Monitoring System. Snoring was positively correlated with the frequency of nightmares and morning headaches; and nightmares and morning headaches were significantly correlated. Snoring was also significantly and positively correlated with the number of brief wakings during sleep, and was positively correlated with weight. While these relationships are ones that have previously indicated risk status, snoring was not related to respiratory events, sleep complaints, or other health problems. Snoring, nightmares and headaches each showed a significant, negative correlation with age, but this is a finding that cannot be readily interpreted from a cross-sectional study. Replication of this study with a larger sample, studied longitudinally, is required to confirm a significance of the snoring/nightmares/headaches constellation for aging women.
Quantum Transport through a Fully Connected Network with Disorder

Abstract A matrix method is used to calculate the quantum transport of spinless electrons through a fully connected network with site disorder. The method calculates the transport probability from the time independent Schrodinger equation, for both the leads and a network in the tight binding approximation. The exact solution is a simple formula, and is derived without the use of Green's functions. An exact solution is also given for the wavefunction on the network sites. A fully connected network with n sites may have up to n − 1 points where the transmission goes to zero within the physical range of energies.
Apparent superluminal motion in the quasar NRAO 140

Very long baseline interferometer (VLBI) measurements of the compact radio structure in the quasar NRAO 140 (z = 1.258) have been obtained at three epochs at a wavelength of 2.8 cm. These observations indicate that the two most compact radio components are separating at an angular rate of 0.10-0.14 milli-arcsec per year. For cosmological distances H sub 0 = 50 and q sub 0 = 0, this corresponds to a velocity of separation (in the quasar's rest frame) of 10 + or - 2 times the speed of light, c; for H sub 0 = 100 and q sub 0 = 1, the value is (3.1 + or - 0.6) c. Other interpretations of the temporal changes in correlated flux density and closure phase are discussed and are considered unlikely. The derived velocities are consistent with an earlier prediction that the separation velocity should be greater than about 4 c. Extrapolation back to the epoch of zero separation indicates that the expansion originated between late 1963 and late 1968 (under the assumption of constant velocity). This range includes the beginning of an isolated outburst in flux density at 2.8 cm. These results cannot be used to make any statements concerning the validity of cosmological interpretations of QSO redshifts.
Bone Remodeling Factors in Children with Idiopathic Hypercalciuria (IH) and Osteopenia † 1801

Reduced bone mineral density (BMD) has been demonstrated in adults with IH. Recent studies suggest that children with IH may also exhibit diminished BMD. IH is frequently diagnosed during childhood and adolescence, periods of maximal bone mineral accretion, during which peak bone mass is determined. Whether the low BMD observed in IH constitutes the primary event responsible for the hypercalciuria (via excessive bone resorption) or its consequence, remains debatable. Recent studies from our laboratory have related the diminished BMD observed in IH adults to elevated interleukin-1 α (IL-1α) activity, a circulating cytokine with strong bone-resorptive properties. Since the prevalence of osteopenia and its mechanisms remain ill-defined in IH children, we evaluated BMD and several bone modulating factors in 22 white children with IH. Mean age was 9.0±3.8 yr with a UCa excretion of 6.0±2.9 mg/kg/24hr. BMD was determined by dual x ray absorptiometry (Lunar Corp.,Madison, WI) at lumbar spine (L2-L4) and femur(neck and Ward's triangle). Values are expressed as standard deviation scores(Z scores) compared to age and gender matched controls. Osteopenia is defined as a Z score greater than -1. Biochemical determinations included circulating iPTH and 1,25(OH)2D, and urinary pyridinoline (PYD) and deoxypyridinoline (DPD). The expression of IL-1 α by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was determined by the polymerase chain reaction(PCR).
Complement Activation in Myasthenia Gravis Plasma by Torpedo Acetylcholine Receptor Liposomes

The purpose of this study was to determine if antibodies from patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) react in a biologically relevant manner with membrane bound Torpedo californica acetylcholine receptor (AChR). Antibody-mediated complement activation was measured in plasma from 15 patients with MG and 9 controls following incubation with Torpedo AChR-rich membrane vesicles (AChR liposomes). Significantly more (p less than 0.001) complement activation occurred in the patient samples compared with the controls. Torpedo AChR liposomes are well characterized and have been widely used to study the structure and function of AChR. These results suggest that Torpedo AChR liposomes may also be used in immunologic studies with autoantibodies from patients with MG.
Visual exploratory behavior in the pigeon

Pigeons were tested in an experiment designed to examine the reinforcing potential of visual stimuli after being placed in an isolation chamber. Results indicated that visual access to the room in which the pigeon colony was housed served as a reinforcer under these experimental conditions.
Vibrational spectroscopy and structures of Ni+(C2H2)n (n =1-4) complexes

Nickel cation−acetylene complexes of the form Ni+(C2H2)n, Ni+(C2H2)Ne, and Ni+(C2H2)nArm (n = 1−4) are produced in a molecular beam by pulsed laser vaporization. These ions are size-selected and studied in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer by infrared laser photodissociation spectroscopy in the C−H stretch region. The fragmentation patterns indicate that the coordination number is 4 for this system. The n = 1−4 complexes with and without rare gas atoms are also investigated with density functional theory. The combined IR spectra and theory show that π-complexes are formed for the n = 1−4 species, causing the C−H stretches in the acetylene ligands to shift to lower frequencies. Theory reveals that there are low-lying excited states nearly degenerate with the ground state for all the Ni+(C2H2)n complexes. Although isomeric structures are identified for rare gas atom binding at different sites, the attachment of rare gas atoms results in only minor perturbations on the structures and spectra for all complex...
Investigations in two-dimensional vector-meson field theories

We study several field theories in one space and one time dimension. Among them are a neutral vector meson with and without mass coupled to fermions and a massive self-coupled Yang-Mills field. For the former we discuss methods of solving the field theory and for the latter we attempt to establish its nonrenormalizability.
Effect of groundwater table fluctuations on LNAPL thickness in monitoring wells

In this paper we present a model for Light Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid (LNAPL) thickness fluctuations in a monitoring well due to transient conditions in an unconfined aquifer. The model is based on volumetric equilibrium and multi-phase Darcian flow principles, which include capillary effects both at the water/LNAPL interface and the LNAPL/air interface. First, the proposed model is validated by data obtained from laboratory experiments. The model is then used to analyze several cases that characterize LNAPL thickness variations in a monitoring well in response to groundwater table oscillations. Our findings indicate that groundwater table fluctuations and capillary pressures at the water/LNAPL interface and the LNAPL/air interface influence the LNAPL thickness in a monitoring well. The transient groundwater table effects on the LNAPL thickness in the well are a dominant factor for non-cohesive soils. The study leads to the conclusion that, under fluctuating groundwater table conditions, if LNAPL volume estimates in an aquifer are based on monitoring well measurements made at one point in time, or if these estimates are based on a sequence of measurements made over a period of time, which are then evaluated independently for each temporal measurement, assuming mutually independent static equilibrium conditions between the LNAPL thickness in the monitoring well and the formation, then the volume estimate calculations will be in significant error. In this paper, the relation between LNAPL thickness in a monitoring well and LNAPL thickness in a formation is discussed primarily based on numerical studies.
Molecular Determinants and Kinetic Parameters of Ligand Binding to G Protein-Coupled Receptors using Markov State Model Analysis

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) continue to hold leading positions as drug targets. However, many GPCR drug candidates fail in clinical trials because of limited in vivo efficacy. While binding affinity, i.e. the strength of association of a drug to its receptor, has traditionally been viewed as an appropriate surrogate for in vivo efficacy, retrospective analyses of marketed drugs suggest that kinetic parameters, such as the rates at which the drug associates with or dissociates from the target, may play a role that is as important as, or even more important than, binding affinity in determining in vivo efficacy. Thus, predictions of both kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of ligand binding to GPCRs are highly desirable because they may inform the rational discovery of improved therapeutics.The main challenge in studying molecular recognition by a GPCR using molecular dynamics (MD) is that ligand binding and unbinding are rare events on microscopic time-scales, and as such, they are difficult to observe using unbiased simulations. In this work, we present a general strategy that employs biased MD simulations to build Markov State Models (MSMs) of the binding of small molecules to a prototypic family A GPCR. Using Perron cluster analysis and transition path theory we were able to identify the kinetic basins of the binding process, and to characterize both the metastable and the transition states between bound and unbound conformations. By investigating the role of hydrophobic interactions, dewetting, and conformational changes in the binding pocket, we were able to characterize the microscopic determinants that influence association and dissociation rates of the ligand. This information has a direct applicability in rational drug design approaches.
Sonic boom predictions for three generic models using a solution-adaptive full-potential code

The TranAir full-potential code, which utilizes a solution-adaptive, unstructured Cartesian grid, was used to compute near-field pressure signatures of three generic supersonic configurations: a cone-cylinder, a low aspect ratio rectangular wing, and a delta-wing/body. TranAir pressure signatures are extrapolated to near- and mid-field distances using a quasi-linear extrapolation technique. Results are compared with existing wind tunnel data and, where possible, with extrapolated experimental data and quasi-linear Whitham-method results. In general, the extrapolated TranAir data is in good agreement with experimental and Whitham-method pressure signatures, but peak pressures are slightly under-predicted. It is thought that computed data obtained too near to the model was the main reason for the discrepancies. Flow-field grid structure was also found to be important in obtaining accurate offbody data.
Chromosome image segmentation on PAL parallel image processor

Chromosome image segmentation is an important step toward automatic karyotyping that involves visualization and interpretation of chromosomes. In this paper, we analyze the characteristics of chromosome images that can be effectively used for segmenting chromosomes and can be efficiently extracted on the Lockheed-Martin PAL parallel image processor. We design and implement a parallel algorithm that uses local features to split touching chromosomes.
Dynamics of pattern formation.

Experiments were designed to test the validity ofTuring's suggested pattern-forming mechanisms, which are initially capable of giving rise to only five to seven uniform structures.
Measurement of transmembrane electropotentials of Vigna sinensis leaf cells infected with tobacco ringspot virus

Abstract Transmembrane electropotentials (PDs) of cowpea (Vigna sinensis) leaf, stem and root cells were measured using healthy, uninoculated tissue and tobacco ringspot virus (TRSV) infected tissue. Depolarization and hyperpolarization of the PDs of cowpea leaf parenchyma cells were detected in tissues infected with TRSV. These cells, with an altered PD, responded differently from control cells when subjected to the metabolic inhibitor sodium azide in their ability to recover. Further investigations of the PDs of plant cells may increase our understanding of virus infections.
Accelerator computer controls: past, present, and future

Abstract A survey is made of various computer control systems from their inception about 1963 until the present. Initially such systems began with data collection and analysis in an effort to guide the conduct of experiments done on Van de Graaffs, however, it did not take long to realize the usefulness of building fully automatic accelerator controls. The size and complexity of today's high energy accelerators has advanced to the point where computer control is essential. A brief history of the 16-year evolution in control systems at Fermilab is presented. Some attention is devoted to hardware networks, but the principal discussion is centered on software systems.
Weighted Composition Operators on H 2 and Applications

Operators on function spaces acting by composition to the right with a fixed selfmap φ of some set are called composition operators of symbol φ. A weighted composition operator is an operator equal to a composition operator followed by a multiplication operator. We summarize the basic properties of bounded and compact weighted composition operators on the Hilbert Hardy space on the open unit disk and use them to study composition operators on Hardy–Smirnov spaces.
Unpacking outcome dependency: Differentiating effects of dependency and outcome desirability on the processing of goal-relevant information ☆

Outcome dependency has been shown to have a substantial impact on impression formation. Perhaps because the outcome dependency variable is a composite variable (including variation in amount of dependency, desirability of outcome, or both), many different effects have been described by researchers. The current research unpacks the outcome dependency variable by separately examining effects of dependency (when outcome desirability is held constant) and effects of outcome desirability (when amount of dependency is held constant). Using research methods adapted from those used in the attitudes domain, variation in the amount of dependency on a target person influenced the level of objective processing of target information (when outcomes were not substantial, Experiment 1), but variation in the desirability of the outcomes influenced biases in the processing of information (when dependency was relatively high, Experiment 2). Furthermore, personal motivation mediated effects of desirable outcomes on positive biases in processing (Experiment 3).
Effects of groundwater-flow paths on nitrate concentrations across two riparian forest corridors.

Speiran, Gary K., 2010. Effects of Groundwater-Flow Paths on Nitrate Concentrations Across Two Riparian Forest Corridors. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(2):246-260. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2010.00427.x Abstract: Groundwater levels, apparent age, and chemistry from field sites and groundwater-flow modeling of hypothetical aquifers collectively indicate that groundwater-flow paths contribute to differences in nitrate concentrations across riparian corridors. At sites in Virginia (one coastal and one Piedmont), lowland forested wetlands separate upland fields from nearby surface waters (an estuary and a stream). At the coastal site, nitrate concentrations near the water table decreased from more than 10 mg/l beneath fields to 2 mg/l beneath a riparian forest buffer because recharge through the buffer forced water with concentrations greater than 5 mg/l to flow deeper beneath the buffer. Diurnal changes in groundwater levels up to 0.25 meters at the coastal site reflect flow from the water table into unsaturated soil where roots remove water and nitrate dissolved in it. Decreases in aquifer thickness caused by declines in the water table and decreases in horizontal hydraulic gradients from the uplands to the wetlands indicate that more than 95% of the groundwater discharged to the wetlands. Such discharge through organic soil can reduce nitrate concentrations by denitrification. Model simulations are consistent with field results, showing downward flow approaching toe slopes and surface waters to which groundwater discharges. These effects show the importance of buffer placement over use of fixed-width, streamside buffers to control nitrate concentrations.
Animal-companion extremes and underlying consumer themes

Abstract Pet expenditures have doubled over the past ten years, reflecting the growing involvement of Americans and their pets. The goal of this research was to explore the meanings and roles pets play in peoples' lives. Consumers caring for multiple animals – ranging from six to 100 – informed this study. Rescuer and caretaker were two themes that emerged from the interviews. Relationship theory helps explain the drivers behind pet-acquisition growth. A consumer–pet relationship framework is used to identify factors that may influence the strength and duration of consumer–pet relationships.
Comparison of actual energy savings with audit predictions for homes in the north central region of the U.S.A.

Abstract Utilities throughout the U.S. offer their customers on-site home energy audits. The main purpose of these audits is to give households specific suggestions on cost-effective conservation measures suitable for their home. Unfortunately, little is known about the accuracy of these audit procedures or on the actual energy savings achieved in these homes. Data from a recent evaluation of a home energy audit program in Minnesota were used to analyze the actual energy savings achieved in audited homes and the relationship between actual and predicted savings. The actual reduction in weather-adjusted natural gas use for 346 gas-heated single-family homes averaged 19 M Btu/year. The variation, however, was quite large: gas use increased in almost 20% of the homes, while gas use decreased by more than 50 M Btu/year in 10% of the homes. The median ratio of actual-to-predicted gas saving was 0.66, suggesting that, on average, two-thirds of the expected energy saving was actually realized. However, the actual saving was within 50% of the audit prediction in only 45% of the homes studied.
Obtaining mixed ionic/electronic conductivity in perovskite oxides in a reducing environment: A computational prediction for doped SrTiO3

Abstract The electronic conductivity and thermodynamic stability of mixed p- and n-doped SrTiO 3 perovskites have been investigated under anodic solid oxide fuel cell conditions using density functional theory (DFT). In particular, constrained ab initio thermodynamic calculations have been performed to evaluate the phase stability of various Ga- and La-doped SrTiO 3 at synthesized and anodic SOFC conditions. The density of states (DOS) of these materials was analyzed to determine the number of charge carriers and the degree of electronic conductivity. We find that a mixed ionic/electronic conductor can be obtained when doping SrTiO 3 perovskite oxide with both p-type and n-type dopants. Calculations show that 10% Ga- and 20% La-doped SrTiO 3 exhibit mixed ionic/electronic conductivity at high temperature and low oxygen partial pressure whereas doping with higher concentrations of Ga, e.g., 20%, diminishes the electronic conductivity of the material. Furthermore, changing the n-dopant from La (A-site) to Nb (B-site) does not significantly affect the reducibility and number of charge carriers in p- and n-doped SrTiO 3 . However, a higher degree of oxygen vacancy clustering is observed for the La-doped material which reduces the oxygen ion diffusion rate and traps electrons. Nevertheless, our findings suggest that independent of doping site, mixed ionic/electronic conductivity can be obtained in SrTiO 3 perovskite oxides under reducing conditions and high temperatures when using a mixed p- and n-type doping strategy that uses a p-dopant concentration smaller than the n-dopant concentration.
A multiwavelength study of the supernova remnant N49 in the Large Magellanic Cloud

The 2.5-m du Pont telescope at Las Campanas, the IUE, and archival high-resolution imager X-ray data from the Einstein Observatory are used to present a detailed imaging and spectroscopic study of the SNR N49 in the LMC. The asymmetry of the optical image and the relatively high X-ray and optical luminosity of this remnant both arise from its interaction with an extended dense cloud to the southeast seen in CO emission. The optical spectra reveal clear evidence of reddening variations on spatial scales as small as about 2 arcsec over the face of the SNR. UV line emission is associated primarily with the bright optical filaments, and the total luminosity of N49 is measured in several optical and UV lines. A combined analysis of IUE and optical spectra indicates a range of radiative shock velocities. Implications for the interstellar medium surrounding N49 are discussed.
Sediment budgets for two mountainous basins affected by a catastrophic storm: Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia

On June 27th, 1995, a catastrophic storm generated thousands of slope failures in mountainous portions of Madison County, VA, USA. Within a 129-km2 area, 16-h rainfall totals reached 775 mm. Using direct field measurements, sediment budgets were constructed for two drainage basins impacted by the event, Teal and Jenkins Hollows. Lengthwise distributions of channel erosion and deposition were examined by taking measurements within incremental 30-m-long channel segments. Comparison of sediment budgets reveals that the two hollows responded very differently to the storm event. These differences are largely due to differences in soil types, failure volumes, and natures of the resulting flows. Within Jenkins Hollow, the kinetic energy of a 4200-m3, liquefied slope failure scoured the channel of virtually all sediment and vegetation and resulted in a sediment retention rate of 5%. In contrast, slope failures that reached the central channel of Teal Hollow failed to generate a large flow track and erosion features are coupled with deposition features. The sediment retention rate in Teal Hollow was 27%. Single storm denudation rates for the basins exceed the regional 1 ka area-normalized denudation rate of 25.5 mm ka−1; denudation was 27 mm in Teal Hollow and >38 mm in Jenkins Hollow. Following catastrophic events, considerable attention has been paid to those channels dramatically modified by debris flows. The high denudation rate for Teal Hollow, attributed to liquefaction of fine-grained soils easily transported as washload, suggests that extremely high denudation rates are possible even in low-order mountainous basins that appear relatively undisturbed by catastrophic storms.
Ellipsometry measurements of glass transition breadth in bulk films of random, block, and gradient copolymers

Bulk films of random, block and gradient copolymer systems were studied using ellipsometry to demonstrate the applicability of the numerical differentiation technique pioneered by Kawana and Jones for studying the glass transition temperature (T g) behavior and thermal expansivities of copolymers possessing different architectures and different levels of nanoheterogeneity. In a series of styrene/n -butyl methacrylate (S/nBMA) random copolymers, T g breadths were observed to increase from ∼ 17° C in styrene-rich cases to almost 30° C in nBMA-rich cases, reflecting previous observations of significant nanoheterogeneity in PnBMA homopolymers. The derivative technique also revealed for the first time a substantial increase in glassy-state expansivity with increasing nBMA content in S/nBMA random copolymers, from 1.4×10-4 K-1 in PS to 3.5×10-4 K-1 in PnBMA. The first characterization of block copolymer T g ’s and T g breadths by ellipsometry is given, examining the impact of nanophase-segregated copolymer structure on ellipsometric measurements of glass transition. The results show that, while the technique is effective in detecting the two T g ’s expected in certain block copolymer systems, the details of the glass transition can become suppressed in ellipsometry measurements of a rubbery minor phase under conditions where the matrix is glassy; meanwhile, both transitions are easily discernible by differential scanning calorimetry. Finally, broad glass transition regions were measured in gradient copolymers, yielding in some cases extraordinary T g breadths of 69- 71° C , factors of 4-5 larger than the T g breadths of related homopolymers and random copolymers. Surprisingly, one gradient copolymer demonstrated a slightly narrower T g breadth than the S/nBMA random copolymers with the highest nBMA content. This highlights the fact that nanoheterogeneity relevant to the glass transition response in selected statistical copolymers can be comparable to or exceed that observed in moderately phase-segregated gradient copolymers.
Investigating the presence of ancient absorbed organic residues in groundstone using GC-MS and other analytical techniques: a residue study of several prehistoric milling tools from central California

Abstract Analysis of absorbed organic molecules in groundstone could provide a valuable means to study resource use and processing in antiquity. The following study analyzed extracts from the surfaces of several central California milling tools to assess whether organic residues remained from prehistoric resource processing. It also sought to determine which source identification methods are likely to be successful at providing information about the type, or even the specific identify, of resources that were processed. Lipids (primarily fatty acids) were analyzed using GC–MS and the presence of phenolic compounds was assessed with UV-Vis spectroscopy. Milling surfaces were compared to previously broken surfaces from the same tool with the assumption that both surfaces had been exposed to similar post-depositional conditions. Results supported the presence of ancient residues in milling tools. A higher concentration of fatty acids was recovered from milling surfaces than paired broken surfaces. Furthermore, measurable amounts of azelaic acid (an oxidation product of some unsaturated fatty acids) were present in most milling surfaces, but not in broken surfaces. However, results also indicated that environmentally absorbed lipids formed a significant portion of the total lipid content. Thus, it is suggested that future analyses employ a biomarker approach, rather than criteria based on ratios of common fatty acids, to identify sources of organic residues in prehistoric milling tools.
Model-based algorithm for designing suboptimal morphological filters for restoring subtractive-noise-corrupted images

Simple optimization procedures are used to obtain suboptimal filters based on the Matheron expansion for binary images corrupted by subtractive noise. The Matheron expansion allows us to represent all morphological filters as either a union of erosions or an intersection of dilations. We perform a search over a subset of the filters represented by the union-of-erosions version of the Matheron expansion. We present results for a set of simple binary images with regular borders and a more complex set with very irregular borders. Results are compared against results for binary closings.
The primary structure of crotalase, a thrombin-like venom enzyme, exhibits closer homology to kallikrein than to other serine proteases

Abstract Amino acid sequences of crotalase, totaling 98 residues or about 37% of the molecule, were determined by Edman degradation and were compared with the published sequences of nine serine proteases. Homologous alignment could be found for all crotalase sequences except one decapeptide. Comparison between crotalase and porcine pancreatic kallikrein showed the largest number of identical amino acids (36%). This finding has led to experiments which demonstrate that crotalase has specific enzymatic properties resembling kallikrein.
The essential roles of chemistry in high-throughput screening triage

It is increasingly clear that academic high-throughput screening (HTS) and virtual HTS triage suffers from a lack of scientists trained in the art and science of early drug discovery chemistry. Many recent publications report the discovery of compounds by screening that are most likely artifacts or promiscuous bioactive compounds, and these results are not placed into the context of previous studies. For HTS to be most successful, it is our contention that there must exist an early partnership between biologists and medicinal chemists. Their combined skill sets are necessary to design robust assays and efficient workflows that will weed out assay artifacts, false positives, promiscuous bioactive compounds and intractable screening hits, efforts that ultimately give projects a better chance at identifying truly useful chemical matter. Expertise in medicinal chemistry, cheminformatics and purification sciences (analytical chemistry) can enhance the post-HTS triage process by quickly removing these problematic chemotypes from consideration, while simultaneously prioritizing the more promising chemical matter for follow-up testing. It is only when biologists and chemists collaborate effectively that HTS can manifest its full promise.
Scattering of a Rayleigh wave by an elastic wedge

Abstract We study the two-dimensional, steady-state problem of the scattering of waves in a homogeneous, isotropic, linear-elastic wedge where the wedge angel is less than 180°. For incidence of a Rayleigh surface wave, we plot the amplitudes and phases of the surface waves reflected and transmitted by the corner.
Quantized scalar fields in a closed anisotropic universe

We formulate the quantum theory of a neutral scalar field, either minimally or conformally coupled to gravity, in nonrotating Bianchi type IX (mixmaster) universes. Creation and annihilation operators in the Heisenberg picture develop in time under a general Bogolubov transformation, which we calculate for a particular difinition of those operators. That transformation expresses mathematically the physical processes of particle creation and mode mixing, the latter being a new effect, absent in simpler models. Our results should be useful for investigating the possible damping of anisotropy in the expansion of closed, homogeneous universes as a result of particle creation and mode mixing.
Women and Performance in Medieval and Early Modern Suffolk

This article describes the documentary evidences that survive showing participation by women (as actors, sponsors, and producers) in local performance in Suffolk during the Middle Ages and Early Modern periods. The records show that venues ranged, without controversy, from private households to parishes and guilds to religious houses before the culturally contested decades from the late-sixteenth through the mid-seventeenth centuries. During that later period, the documents more often show a shift from festive performance to ideological spectacle, together with the merging of performance with forms of punishment, both legal and societal.
A theoretical study of the reaction of ClONO{sub 2} with HCl on ice

Since the proposal that ice particles in Antarctic polar stratospheric clouds could be responsible for the reactivation of chlorine from the so-called reservoir species ClONO{sub 2} and HCl, numerous experimental studies have demonstrated the remarkable efficiency of the reactions. The direct ClONO{sub 2} + HCl {r_arrow} Cl{sub 2} + HNO{sub 3} reaction on ice, implicated in polar stratospheric ozone depletion, is studied quantum chemically on a model ice lattice comprising nine water molecules. The reaction path is calculated at the HF/(HW{sup *},3-21G) level, using the Hay-Wadt effective core potential for Cl. At these geometries, energies are recalculated at the MP2/(SBK+{sup *},6-31+G{sup *}) level, with the Stevens-Bash-Krauss effective core potential for Cl. HCl is found to be ionized in the reactant complex. The calculated reaction internal energy barrier, including zero-point energy correction, is 6.4 kcal/mol. The reaction mechanism involves proton transfer in the ice lattice, accompanied by nucleophilic attack of Cl{sup {minus}} on the Cl{sup {delta}+} in ClONO{sub 2}; the lattice is an active participant in the reaction. Implications for heterogeneous atmospheric chemistry are discussed.
A Simple Two‐step Isolation Procedure for Human and Bovine Antithrombin II/III (Heparin Cofactor): a Comparison of Two Methods

Human and bovine antithrombin II/III have been isolated by a simple procedure essentially using only affinity chromatography on heparin-agarose and polyethylene glycol precipitation. An additional ammonium sulphate step removes polyethylene glycol and trace contaminants. The final preparation is homogeneous by SDS-, disc- and agar slide electrophoresis. End group analysis of human antithrombin II/III shows histidine as the N-terminal amino acid. The pure preparation showed both progressive antithrombin activity and heparin cofactor activity.
Be Wary of Asian Triumphalism

American-led globalization has enabled the third great powershift of the last five hundred years—the “rise of the rest” following on the rise of the West and then the rise of the US as the dominant power in the West. When China, India, Brazil, Turkey and the rest sit at the table of global power with the West what will the world order look like? Will it be post-American? Will it be culturally non-Western, but play by the same rules of an open international order laid down by the American's after World War II? In the following pages, leading American and Asian intellectuals ponder these questions.
An Elementary School Substance Abuse Prevention Program: Teacher and Administrator Perspectives.

Teachers and administrators from a large, diversified school district participated in a survey of perceived satisfaction, effectiveness, and degree of implementation of Project Pride, a substance abuse prevention program. As expected, degree of satisfaction with program content was consistently related to how beneficial and valuable teachers perceived the program to be for their students. The age appropriateness of materials and degree of difficulty in implementing activities were also significantly related to how much students benefitted from the program. Neither perceived support of administrators nor teacher participation in training was related to level of implementation or teacher satisfaction. The need to gather teacher and administrator perspectives about substance use prevention programs is discussed, as well as steps to be taken to maximize implementation of prevention curricula in elementary schools.
Concentrated short‐selling activity: bear raids or contrarian trading?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate what is denoted as episodes of concentrated short‐selling activity, or consecutive days of abnormal short‐sale activity in a particular stock. The motivation to do so is two fold. First, US regulators and regulators in other countries have restricted short selling in order to protect the integrity of markets. Second, there is some conflicting academic research determining whether short sellers are manipulative in nature.Design/methodology/approach – After defining these episodes by concentrated short selling, the paper examines returns before and after to determine whether these episodes target struggling stocks and whether these episodes predict negative returns.Findings – Contrary to the argument that episodes of concentrated shorting activity target struggling stocks, it is found that these episodes follow periods of positive returns. Further, it is found that abnormal volatility and high trading volume also predict the occurrence of these episodes....
High-fidelity simulations for clean and efficient combustion of alternative fuels

The monolithic nature of transportation technologies offers opportunities for significant improvements in efficiency of 25-50% through strategic technical investments in both advanced fuels and new low-temperature engine concepts. The application of direct numerical simulation (DNS) provides a way to study fundamental issues related to small-scale combustion processes in well-defined canonical configurations, whereas the application of large eddy simulation (LES) provides a formal treatment of the full range of time and length scales that exist in turbulent reacting flows, and thus provides a direct link to experimental studies of relevant combustion devices. In the present study, through DOE INCITE and Oak Ridge National Laboratory 250 Tflop Transition-to-Operations grants in 2008, DNS is performed to understand how a lifted autoignitive flame is stabilized, and LES is performed to understand the high-pressure injection and mixing processes in internal combustion engines. Understanding of these and other fundamental issues is needed to develop robust and reliable ignition and combustion models for the combustion regimes observed under low-temperature combustion engine environments using alternative fuels.
Solving Models of Controlled Dynamic Planar Rigid-Body Systems with Frictional Contact:

Effective modeling and control of multibody systems interacting with their environment through frictional contact remains a challenging problem. In this paper, we address the planar version of this problem by developing a general method to compute the instantaneous dynamic solution for planar rigid bodies interacting with their environment through Coulomb frictional contacts. The resulting analytical forward solution is represented in piecewise linear form, which admits tractable inversion for implementing behavioral control. We address the inherent problem of ambiguity in the resulting model (both between and within a particular linear model) by resorting to enumeration techniques and solve for the complete collection of possible model solutions in the presence of both contact constraints and additional task-specific linear constraints. We illustrate the application of these techniques by developing a controller to reliably achieve the dynamic self-righting of a hexapod robot.
A model for sensible heat flux probability density function for near-neutral and slightly-stable atmospheric flows

The probability density function for sensible heat flux was measured above a uniform dry lakebed (Owens lake) in Owens Valley, California. It was found that for moderately stable to near neutral atmospheric stability conditions, the probability density function exhibits well defined exponential tails. These exponential tails are consistent with many laboratory boundarylayer measurements and numerical simulations. A model for the sensible heat flux probability density function was developed and tested. A key assumption in the model derivation was the near Gaussian statistics of the vertical velocity and temperature fluctuations. This assumption was verified from time series measurements of temperature and vertical velocity. The parameters for the sensible heat flux probability density function model were also derived from mean meteorological and surface conditions using surface-layer similarity theory. It was found that the best agreement between modeled and measured sensible heat flux probability density function was at the tails. Finally, a relation between the intermittency parameter, the probability density function, and the mean meteorological conditions was derived. This relation rigorously links the intermittency parameter to mean meteorological conditions.
Real‐time identification and prediction of geoeffective solar wind structures

A feature-based classification technique is applied to the analysis of solar wind properties upstream of the Earth to predict the occurrence, duration, and magnitude of magnetic structures that can cause large geomagnetic storms. Because this method is based on identifiable physical features, it is highly upgradable by either analyzing data or physical models. The formulation of the technique is discussed and is then applied to two relatively {open_quotes}simple{close_quotes} solar wind events leading to large storms. The introduction of additional features to classify more {open_quotes}complicated{close_quotes} events is discussed to illustrate the upgradability. 14 refs., 3 fig.