cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analyses for Durability and System Design Lifetime: A Multidisciplinary Approach

An issue in engineering design is a system's design lifetime. This book provides a systemic qualitative and quantitative approach to these problems addressing, first, the technicality of durability, second, the marginal cost of durability, and, third, the durability choice problem for complex systems with network externalities (competition and market uncertainty) and obsolescence (technology evolution). Also addressed is the increasing tension between the design lifetimes of complex systems and the shortening time scales associated with the obsolescence of the technology. The book ends with a discussion of flexibility in system design. Dr. Joseph H. Saleh is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He received his Ph.D. from the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT and served as the Executive Director for the Ford-MIT Alliance. His research focuses on issues of design lifetime and how to embed flexibility in the design of complex engineering systems in general and in aerospace system in particular. Dr. Saleh is the author or co-author of 50 technical publications and the recipient of numerous awards for his teaching and research contributions. He served as a technical consultant to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and has collaborated on research projects with various aerospace companies.
Generalizing Goal Programming

The linear goal programming model assumes that the decision maker’s preference structure can be decomposed into an additive multiattribute value function. The model further assumes that each of the conditional single attribute value functions are linear or that they can each be adequately approximated by a linear function. This is shown graphically in Figure 3.1. As Figure 3.1 illustrates, the linear goal programming model uses a piecewise linear approximation for each of the single attribute value functions. The linear goal programming model uses one linear segment for each monotonically increasing or monotonically decreasing segment of the single attribute value function. This is the simplest piecewise linear approximation for these functions but it is also the least accurate. This chapter will discuss a procedure for obtaining more accurate piecewise linear approximations for the conditional single attribute value functions. In addition, the goal programming model will be generalized to accommodate multiplicative multiattribute value functions, which no longer require mutual preference independence.
Release of acetylchol1ne from isolated synaptic vesicles—I: Methods for determining the amount released

Abstract Methods have been developed which permit the determination of the rate of spontaneous release of acetylcholine from isolated synaptic vesicles. After isolation and harvesting, the synaptic vesicle fraction is divided into several 1-ml samples and incubated for various times and temperatures. The incubation is terminated by addition of 50 units of acetylcholinesterase, followed within 5 sec by 0.2 N HCl in an amount sufficient to decrease the pH to 4. The added enzyme serves the purpose of destroying ‘free’ acetylcholine, and decreasing the pH to 4 inactivates the added enzyme. The acetylcholine surviving this treatment is considered ‘bound’. Zero time values were obtained as described above by treating a sample immediately after isolation. This value was defined at 100 per cent and all other values are expressed as per cent of the zero time. Experiments were performed at 0°, 20° and 37°. After 20 min of incubation, no acetylcholine (ACh) was released at 0°; at 20°, 55 per cent was released; and 37°, 90 per cent was released. The release of ACh from isolated synaptic vesicles is temperature dependent, and the absolute rate of release in nanograms/sec is proportional to the initial amount bound. The method described in this paper has the advantage of permitting determination of both the initial (rapid) and later (slow) phases of release.
Overview of decision level fusion techniques for identification and their application

This paper reviews some of the decision level fusion techniques that are currently being used for identification. Problems and issues that are inherent in identification fusion are discussed and demonstrated using simulation results.
Inventing the Fiesta City: Heritage and Carnival in San Antonio

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Laura Hernandez-Ehrisman Year: 2008 Pages: 238 Publisher: University of New Mexico Press ISBN: 9780826343109 (hard cover). Prices: $29.95 USD(hard cover).
The ultraviolet scattering efficiency of interplanetary dust grains

Surface brightness photometry of the night sky with experiments aboard several rockets and spacecraft indicates a significant enhancement of the brightness of the zodiacal light relative to the sun in the 1700 to 3000 A spectral region° This enhancement is most likely due to Mie scattering by non-absorbing (dielectric) ~articles with a mean radius of ~0.05~ and a real index of refraction which increases ~aFidlv f~o~,i ~1.4 to ~2.0 aL ~2000 A, where ~os~ o~tical materials have an absorption edge (and exhibit a similar phenomenon). ~ssuming the visible zodiacal light is produced by i0 to 30~ particles, the number density of 0.5D particles must be ~3 x 105 times greater, in good agreement with size distributions from crater counts and space probe particle detectors. Ultraviolet observations of comets indicate the enhancement is not due to a bulk property of unmodified cometary dust grains. The most probable source of submicron particles is the breakup of large agglomerates of small (~I000 A) spherical particles like those found by particle collection experiments.
Accounting for Globalization: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Country-by-Country Reporting

While the USA and the EU are mandating disclosure of payments to governments by companies in the extractive sector, these measures are a far cry from the original idea of country-by-country reporting. This paper evaluates potential effectiveness of the mandated and full CBCR in terms of policy objectives, the nature of information involved, as well as the behavior of users and disclosers. It argues that the limited scope, depth and status of mandated CBCR inhibit its potential value to investors and other users, and consequently make the change in disclosers’ behavior less likely. Following the lead of the US, and the model of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, the European Commission framed CBCR as designed to help resource-rich countries, ignoring the potential of full CBCR to address broader global governance issues. Although intelligible in its political context, the EC decision cannot be justified on the grounds of pure policy effectiveness.
Self-Organization of Gold Nanoparticles on Surface-Modified Conducting Polymer Films

Thiol-coated gold nanoparticles with a diameter of approximately 7.5 nanometers and a narrow particle distribution were prepared from sodium tetrachloroaurate under phase transfer conditions. The thiols used were 1-mercaptododecane (1) and 1-mercapto-9,11-heptadecadiyne (4). The particles were cast onto thin films of polyaniline and poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), as well as onto thiol-coated versions of the same polymer. Surface modification of the polymers with long chain thiols encourages the spontaneous self-assembly of the particles into twodimensional arrays and may offer a unique method for stabilization of nanoparticle assemblies on polymer substrates.
2,3-Bis(thio-phen-3-yl)quinoxaline.

In the title compound, C16H10N2S2, the thienyl rings are inclined to one another by 62.71 (10)°, and are inclined by 63.94 (8) and 21.35 (8)° to the quinoline mean plane [maximum deviation = 0.031 (2) A]. In the crystal, the mol­ecules pack in a herringbone pattern, with π–π stacking inter­actions [centroid–centroid distances = 3.7381 (15) and 3.7268 (15) A].
Noninvasive assessment of pacemaker hemodynamics by doppler echocardiography: Importance of left atrial size

The relative decrease in cardiac output with ventricular pacing versus “physiologic” modes was measured noninvasively using Doppler echocardiography in 26 patients. Standard echocardiographic measurements of left ventricular size (diastolic diameter), left ventricular function (shortening fraction) and left atrial size were examined to determine which of these variables might best identify patients more likely to benefit from maintenance of atrioventricular (AV) synchrony. Decreases in relative cardiac output, expressed as reduction in the Doppler-derived flow velocity integral, with loss of AV synchrony ranged from 0 to 43% (mean decrease 21%). There was no correlation between left ventricular size or function and effect of pacing mode on relative cardiac output. There was, however, correlation between left atrial size and sensitivity to pacing mode. Patients with normal left atrial size were significantly more sensitive to loss of AV synchrony. In this subgroup, the decrease in flow velocity integral with ventricular pacing was 32 ± 11 % compared with only 11 ± 13 % in patients with left atrial enlargement. Thus, Doppler echocardiography is useful in assessing optimal pacing mode in the individual patient. Echocardiographically measured left atrial size may identify patients in whom physiologic pacing may be of major benefit.
Cyberspace Knowledge Gaps and Boundaries in Sustainability Science: Topics, Regions, Editorial Teams and Journals

The scholarly world of sustainability science is one that is international and interdisciplinary, but is one, on close reading of research contributions, editoral teams, journal citations, and geographic coverage, that has much unevenness. The focus of this paper is on the cyberspace boundaries between and within fields and disciplines studying sustainability; these boundaries separate knowledge gaps or uneven patterns in sustainability scholarship. I use the volume of hyperlinks on Google Search Engine and Google Scholar to illustrate the nature and extent of the boundaries in cyberspace that exist and also the subject and geographic gaps in the home countries of sustainability journal editors and editorial board members of 69 journals, many which have appeared since 2000. The results reveal that knowledge boundaries are part of the current nature of sustainability scholarship and that, while there is global coverage in our knowledge of sustainability, as well as sustainability maps and photographs, we know much less about sustainability in countries of the Global South than the Global North. This unevenness extends to the dominance of North America, Europe, and China as leaders in what we know. English-speaking countries also tend to dominate both journal editors and editorial board members, even though countries in the Global South have representation. The volumes of hyperlinks for the sustainability journals associated with both databases are similar with major interdisciplinary journals having the largest numbers. As the field of international sustainability science continues to evolve, it bears observing whether the cyberspace knowledge or boundary gaps will narrow in what is recognized by most science and policy scientists as one of the most important transdisciplinary fields of study in the Global South and North.
Sudden infant death syndrome and birth weight.

We studied 2962 cases of sudden Infant death syndrome (SIDS), derived from linked birth and death records, to specify further the descriptive epidemiologic data on recognized SIDS risk factors and to examine interrelationships among multiple risk factors and SIDS while controlling for the influence of birth weight (using logistic regression). The results generally confirmed those of other studies, with the exception of a higher incidence of SIDS among Chinese and Japanese babies and a lower incidence among Hispanic babies, all in comparison with white, non-Spanish (Anglo) infants. Median age at death was found to vary by birth weight, with very low birth weight babies being about 6 weeks older (postnatal age) than normal birth weight babies at time of death. The association of the risk factors with SIDS remained when birth weight data were statistically controlled; the association of these risk factors with SIDS cannot be explained by their relationship to birth weight. An interaction was found between race and maternal age and between multiparity and type of hospital of birth. There was no interaction between birth weight and the other risk factors.
Photobleaching of photofrin II as a means of eliminating skin photosensitivity.

One of the effects of using Photofrin II as a sensitizer in clinical photodynamic therapy is skin photosensitivity. Avoiding the harmful effect of this photosensitivity typically requires the patient to remain indoors during daylight hours for 4 weeks post injection. Photosensitivity can last up to 8 weeks. A possible method of quickly eliminating skin photosensitivity is the use of photobleaching to eliminate the DHE (dihematoporphyrin ether, the active agent in Photofrin II) from the skin. The Photofrin II was used as supplied (Photomedica, Raritan, NJ) and will be referred to as DHE. We report a series of experiments using Swiss mice which demonstrate the ability to reduce the period of photosensitivity to 1 week. The Swiss mice received 5 mg kg-1 DHE intraperitoneal. Beginning at 24 h post injection they were given daily increasing light doses starting with 18 J cm-2 (at 630 nm). Only the left hind feet were treated with light. At 7 days post injection both hind feet were treated with 135 J cm-2. The pretreated left foot showed no reaction to this treatment whereas the right foot reacted as strongly as control mice which had received no pretreatment with light. The control mice were also injected 7 days prior to treatment. As a check for tolerance animals received a second injection of 5 mg kg-1 DHE intraperitoneally 96 h after the conclusion of the bleaching protocol. Twenty-four h later the left hind foot (previously desensitized by light) reacted to 135 J cm-2 as strongly as controls which had received the 5 mg kg-1 of DHE but no pretreatment.
An economic assessment of the social costs of highway salting and the efficiency of substituting a new deicing material

The use of salt for deicing roads results in costs estimated at more than $800 per ton—including the costs of repair and maintenance of roads and bridges, vehicle corrosion costs, and loss of aesthetic value through roadside tree damage. Additionally, there are probable health costs related to elevated sodium levels in drinking water. The new Surface Transportation Act of 1991 appears to replace the previous federal funding policy that was biased against the use of calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) with a new subsidy for its purchase that may lead to inefficient overuse.
Near-infrared spectroscopic survey of brown dwarfs using NIRSPEC on the Keck II Telescope

Since commissioning the near-infrared spectrometer (NIRSPEC) on the Keck II telescope in April 1999 we have been carrying out an extensive spectroscopic survey of low-mass stars and brown dwarfs. At least two objects in every spectral sub-class from M6 to T8 have been observed in the J band at a resolution of R ~ 2,000. For a subset of these we have obtained complete near-infrared flux-calibrated spectra from 0.9 - 2.5 μm. In addition, J band spectra at even higher resolution (R ~ 20,000) have been obtained for many sub-classes. The results of the NIRSPEC Brown Dwarf Spectroscopic Survey (BDSS) are summarized in this paper and presented as an illustration of the progress in infrared technology and the scientific productivity of the Keck telescopes.
Experiments on rebound of steel balls from blocks of polymer

Abstract E xperiments are performed in which steel balls are impacted onto blocks of polymer. The time of contact and height of rebound are recorded as functions of ball size, velocity of impact and temperature of the specimen. These results are compared with results of similar tests as well as those of different methods of dynamic testing.
Justification techniques for advanced manufacturing technologies

A major problem in the adoption of advanced manufacturing systems for the automated factories of tomorrow is the prerequisite justification process. Many worthwhile projects have been turned down because the qualitative benefits could not be included in the justification procedure while the direct cost savings were insufficient to meet the financial hurdles set by the firm. This paper identifies and demonstrates the range of techniques that have been used by firms to justify automation investments and describes the conditions under which it is most appropriate to employ them.
Adolescents and Condom Use

• Increasing condom use among adolescents is an essential component of a public health strategy aimed at decreasing rates of sexually transmitted infections and the spread of human immunodeficiency virus infection. This article reviews current data about the contraceptive and prophylactic characteristics of condoms. Data about current levels of use among adolescents and factors demonstrated to affect such use are also summarized. Except where data are scanty or nonexistent, the research studies are limited to those focusing primarily on adolescents and, occasionally, college students. Based on these data, suggestions for increasing condom use among adolescents are presented. (AJDC. 1993;147:746-754)
The problem of prediction: the efficacy of multiple marginality in cross-sectional versus prospective models

Research continues to develop theory and methods to efficiently identify youth at risk for gang membership in an attempt to intervene and reduce both the immediate and long-term consequences associated with these groups. The multiple marginality framework, developed by Vigil (1988, 2002), is one such theory for identifying youth at-risk for gang membership that has garnered tentative support. The current research investigates the ability of Vigil's multiple marginality framework to predict youth at risk for gang membership prospectively and highlights the importance of using panel methods in the context of identifying risk factors for gang membership. We find that cross sectional models regressing gang membership on indicators of multiple marginality, as operationalized by Freng and Esbensen (2007), fit the data quite well and produce results consistent with theory. When the same variables are used in prospective analyses, however, they prove inefficient at predicting gang membership. The resulting type-I...
Tolerancing Considerations for Visual Systems

In designing optical systems where the eye serves as the final detector, assumptions are typically made regarding the optical quality of the eye system. Often, the aberrations of the eye are ignored or minimal adjustments are built into the system under design to handle variations in defocus found within the human population. In general, the eye contains aberrations that vary randomly from person to person. In this investigation, a general technique for creating a random set of aberrations consistent with the statistics of the human eye is developed. These aberrations in turn can be applied to a schematic eye model and their effect on the combined visual instrument/eye system can be determined. Repeated application of different aberration patterns allows for tolerance analysis of performance metrics such of the modulation transfer function (MTF).
Hydrologic regionalization to assess anthropogenic changes

Summary Within the past few decades, Minnesota’s land use change has responded rapidly to prevailing economic growth conditions, resulting in hydrologic characteristic alterations of the landscape and shifting the hydrologic balance of its watersheds. Regionalization using mean annual and mean monthly streamflow values was used to delineate hydrologic regimes with distinct temporal flow variations. By identifying hydrologic relationships between watersheds through an initial regionalization of mean annual streamflow time-series data, hydrologic regimes, each composed of watersheds with common hydrologic controlling variables, were identified. This paper summarizes how by applying factor analysis techniques to complete a statewide regionalization for Minnesota, hydrologic regimes were identified, each with a specific hydrologic signature; varying between three and four runoff periods of different durations. A geographic information system database was established to display the results of the regionalization and to identify hydrologic regime changes between the 1936–2008, 1936–1980, and 1950–2008 analysis intervals. Results delineated five hydrologic regimes for each of the three analysis periods. By focusing on each specific regime, further analyses were completed to identify significant increasing and decreasing trend characteristics. Review of the temporal variation for each regime using Kendall Tau trend analyses suggests that although variation in annual precipitation has an important influence on hydrologic variability, land cover and management proved to be a more direct controlling agent. Understanding the consequences of anthropogenic land use change on hydrologic processes within each defined regime should be the focus of future analyses.
Major spine surgery.

Current operative approaches to the spine range from "band aid" lumbar discectomy and foraminotomy to extensive anterior/posterior resections for spinal tumors. In this chapter, perioperative and intraoperative pathophysiologic conditions and procedures relevant to the anesthesiologist are discussed including rheumatoid arthritis, management of metastatic spinal tumors, posterior lumbar inter body fusion procedures and laparoscopic approaches to the spine. Considerations and new findings related to perioperative visual loss following spine surgery are also highlighted.
Distributional impacts of state-level energy efficiency policies in regional electricity markets

Abstract A number of U.S. states have passed legislation targeting energy efficiency and peak demand reduction. We study one such state, Pennsylvania, within the context of PJM, a regional electricity market covering numerous different states. Our focus is on the distributive impacts of this policy—specifically how the policy is likely to impact electricity prices in different areas of Pennsylvania and in the PJM market more generally. Such spatial differences in policy impacts are difficult to model and the transmission system is often ignored in policy studies. Our model estimates supply curves on a “zonal” basis within regional electricity markets and yields information on price and fuel utilization within each zone. We use the zonal supply curves estimated by our model to study regional impacts of energy-efficiency legislation on utilities both inside and outside of Pennsylvania. For most utilities in Pennsylvania, it would reduce the influence of natural gas on electricity price formation and increase the influence of coal. It would also save 2.1 to 2.8 percent of total energy cost in Pennsylvania in a year similar to 2009. The savings are lower than 0.5 percent in other PJM states and the prices may slightly increase in Washington, DC area.
OO systems analysis: is it or isn't it?

Design features can creep into analysis methods when such methods evolve from a design- and-implementation perspective. Although these features may aid design, they are likely to hinder analysis. The authors introduce an object-oriented analysis method that contains no design features. >
Remote sensing capabilities of the GEO-CAPE airborne simulator

The Geostationary Coastal and Air Pollution Events (GEO-CAPE) Airborne Simulator (GCAS) was designed and built at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) as a technology demonstration instrument for the atmospheric science study group of GEO-CAPE and potential validation instrument for NASA’s Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring Pollution (TEMPO) mission. GCAS was designed to make high altitude remote sensing observations of tropospheric and boundary layer pollutants, coastal and ocean water leaving radiances, and visible imagery for cloud and surface information. The instrument has participated in one flight campaign in Houston, TX as part of the Deriving Information on Surface Conditions from Column and Vertically Resolved Observations Relevant to Air Quality (DISCOVER-AQ) in September 2013. An overview of the instrument’s design, characterization, and preliminary slant column retrievals of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) during the DISCOVER-AQ campaign will be provided in this paper.
Polypharmacy and the management of the older cancer patient

Aging is associated with polymorbidity and polypharmacy. In the absence of a consensual definition, polypharmacy has been defined according to the number of drugs that an individual takes or to the presence of the risk of at least one severe drug interaction. In older cancer patients, polypharmacy is at least as common as it is in individuals of the same age without cancer. The management of cancer itself may result in the addition of more medications to counteract the adverse effects of antineoplastic treatment. Polypharmacy may be necessary to control the multiple health conditions of the older person, but it may represent a risk factor for more complications from antineoplastic therapy, and it may affect the outcome of cancer treatment. Polypharmacy is also associated with increased cost. The criteria proposed for the management of polypharmacy include the assessment that all medical conditions are properly treated, the avoidance of drug interactions, and of drugs that may compromise the outcome of antineoplastic treatment and the choice of drugs with the lowest risk of complications in older individuals.
Divergent Selection for Growth in Japanese Quail Under Split and Complete Nutritional Environments 3. Influences of Selection for Growth on Heterotic Effects for Body Weight, Feed and Water Intake Patterns, Abdominal Fat, and Carcass Lipid Characteristics

Abstract A study was conducted to investigate heterotic effects for body weight, water and feed intake, abdominal fat and carcass lipid levels, and feed efficiency in progeny produced from reciprocal crosses of high (H) and low (L) body weight lines of Japanese quail selected under split diet (SD) and complete diet (CD) environments. Birds under the SD environment could self select feed from high protein and high energy diets. Crossline progeny from the selected lines were evaluated within the respective SD and CD environments in Generation 13. Small egg size of the L dam resulted in a negative maternal effect on the body weight of the HL crossline progeny and the large egg size of the H dam produced a positive maternal influence on the weight of LH crossline progeny. Heterotic effects for water and feed consumption corresponded with the trends for heterosis in body weight. Heterotic effects for abdominal fat and carcass lipid levels were highly negative, and corresponded with trends for heterosis in feed efficiency.
A mass-balance code for the quantitative interpretation of fluid column profiles in ground-water studies

A simple mass-balance code allows effective modeling of conventional fluid column resistivity logs in dilution tests involving column replacement with either distilled water or dilute brine. Modeling a series of column profiles where the inflowing formation water introduces water quality interfaces propagating along the borehole gives effective estimates of the rate of borehole flow. Application of the dilution model yields estimates of borehole flow rates that agree with measurements made with the heat-pulse flowmeter under ambient and pumping conditions. Model dilution experiments are used to demonstrate how dilution logging can extend the range of borehole flow measurement at least an order of magnitude beyond that achieved with flowmeters. However, dilution logging has the same dynamic range limitation encountered with flowmeters because it is difficult to detect and characterize flow zones that contribute a small fraction of total flow when that contribution is superimposed on a larger flow. When the smaller contribution is located below the primary zone, ambient downflow may disguise the zone if pumping is not strong enough to reverse the outflow. This situation can be addressed by increased pumping. But this is likely to make the moveout of water quality interfaces too fast to measure in the upper part of the borehole, so that a combination of flowmeter and dilution method may be more appropriate. Numerical experiments show that the expected weak horizontal flow across the borehole at conductive zones would be almost impossible to recognize if any ambient vertical flow is present. In situations where natural water quality differences occur such as flowing boreholes or injection experiments, the simple mass-balance code can be used to quantitatively model the evolution of fluid column logs. Otherwise, dilution experiments can be combined with high-resolution flowmeter profiles to obtain results not attainable using either method alone.
Magnetically focused electronographic image converters for space astronomy applications.

A series of magnetically focused, electronographic image converters has been developed for use in far-uv photography and spectroscopy. The use of internal reflecting optics has enabled full advantage to be taken of the very high quantum yields of front-surface alkali halide photocathodes, resulting in over-all detection efficiencies a factor of 10 to 30 higher than similar systems using SC–5 film. An all-reflecting objective spectrograph using this system with Schwarzchild optics has been constructed for obtaining stellar spectra in the 1000-1400-A wavelength range, as well as a similar system based on Schmidt type optics for stellar spectroscopy in the 1230-2000-A wavelength range. Also, smaller Schmidt type instruments have been developed for direct stellar photography in the far uv.
Neurologic Manifestations of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

A 56-year-old woman presented with a four-month history of progressive cognitive decline, weakness, incoordination, and gait disturbance. She had a score of 12 of 28 on the Mini–Mental State Examination, moderate weakness, and severe ataxia; reflexes, vibratory sensation, and the sense of position were absent throughout her arms and legs. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain demonstrated extensive areas of high-intensity signal in the periventricular white matter (Panel A, arrow). MRI of the spine showed a hyperintense signal along the posterior columns in all segments, including the lower portion of the cervical cord (Panel B, arrow). . . .
Swimming with the fishes.

We describe the case of a healthy 23-year-old man who presented to the emergency room with a 10 h history of sharp left lower chest pain occasionally radiating to the epigastrium. The pain had started acutely while he was eating dinner at a restaurant in New York City and he noticed it during swallowing. The pain was initially sharp but later became dull. There were intermittent episodes of sharp pain, exacerbated by deep inspiration and swallowing. Lying on his right side alleviated the pain. He reported no fevers, cough, nausea or vomiting. Initial evaluation including electrocardiogram, chest …
GAMMA RAYS FROM THERMAL AND RESONANCE NEUTRON CAPTURE IN GOLD.

Abstract A lithium-drifted germanium detector has been used to measure the high-energy gamma rays following thermal and resonance neutron capture in gold. In the region E γ ≧ 5.08 MeV , many new transitions are resolved, and transition intensities as well as level excitations are given. A level scheme deduced from these data does not agree with one proposed on the basis of low-energy, gamma-ray measurements. A comparison of the spectrum following capture in the 4.9 eV resonance with that following thermal neutron capture shows that no significant change in the relative intensity of individual gamma rays occurs.
A workflow approach to designed reservoir study

Reservoir simulations are commonly used to predict the performance of oil and gas reservoirs, taking into account a myriad of uncertainties in the geophysical structure of the reservoir as well as operational factors such as well location. Designed reservoir study provides a robust tool to quantify the impact of uncertainties in model input variables, and can be used to simulate, analyze, and optimize reservoir development. However, such studies are computationally challenging, involving massive (terabyte or petabyte) geographically distributed datasets and requiring hundreds or tens of thousands of simulation runs. Providing petroleum engineers with integrated workflow through a secure and easy-to-use user interface will enable new advanced reservoir studies. This paper describes the workflow solution and user interface designed and implemented for reservoir uncertainty analysis in the UCoMS project ( Ubiquitous Computing and Monitoring System for discovery and management of energy resources).
Evaluating the validity of a research study.

This article examines the topic of research validity, the validity of a whole study. We will present a framework for understanding research validity based on the classic conceptualization by Cook and Campbell (1979) . Understanding their traditional criteria and "threats" to internal and external validity posed 4 types of problems. First was confusion about the uses of certain terms. For example. the term "validity" is used without a modifier for the validity of a study and also for the validity of a measurement. Second. the valid ity of a study was often assessed as "all or nothing." We think validity should be assessed on several continua , from low to high. Third. the specific threats to validity were hard to remember because many have peculiar names (e.g.• history, interactions with selection , and mortality). Fourth , it was easy to lose track of the main issues because there are 32 different threats to validity that deal with very specific, sometimes uncommon, situations. It was easy nor to see the forest. only the trees. Campbell and Stanley (1966) began with 2 broad types of research validity, internal and external. Internal validity depends on the strength or soundness of the design. This definition of internal validity allows us to evaluate nonexperimenral as well as experimental research. Randomized experimental designs are usually high on internal validity, but we believe that one can judge any study on a continuum from low to high. "External validity asks the question of generalizabiliry: to what populations, settings , treatment variables, and measurement variables can this effect be generalized?" (Campbell and Stanley, 1966, p. 5). Cook and Campbell (1979) divided internal validity into statistical conclusion validity and internal validity. and they divided external validity into construct validity of putative
Elevated left ventricular filling pressure after maximal exercise predicts increased plasma B-type natriuretic peptide levels in patients with impaired relaxation pattern of diastolic filling.

Patients with an impaired relaxation pattern of Doppler left ventricular filling may have elevated or normal plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels. We hypothesized that elevated BNP levels occur in patients whose left atrial pressure increases after exercise. We examined the relationship between BNP levels and left ventricular filling pressure at rest and immediately after maximal exercise, estimated by Doppler tissue imaging, in 80 patients undergoing exercise echocardiography and showing impaired relaxation pattern. The ratio of early diastolic mitral inflow to annular velocities at rest did not correlate with BNP ( r = 0.13, P = .23). In contrast, ratio of early diastolic mitral inflow to annular velocities after exercise correlated with BNP ( r = 0.57, P
Interhemispheric interaction in bilateral redundancy gain: effects of stimulus format.

Previous visual laterality experiments have shown that identification is better when 2 copies of the same stimulus are presented--1 to each hemisphere--than when only a single copy is presented to 1 hemisphere. New experiments were conducted to vary whether the 2 stimuli on a bilaterally redundant trial were physically identical or identical in format in addition to leading to identical responses. Substantial bihemispheric gain was obtained even when the 2 stimuli were perceptually distinctive (e.g., letter trigrams differing in case and font or the same numeric quantity represented by digits and dots). Thus, much of the bihemispheric advantage involves relatively abstract aspects of information processing. However, when the formats were sufficiently distinctive, there were small effects on bihemispheric performance, suggesting some role for less abstract processes that are sensitive to physical characteristics.
Testes weight reflect ethylnitrosourea induced histopathology in mice.

The powerful mutagen/carcinogen ethylnitrosourea (ENU) decreases testis weight in mice. A histopathological cause was determined for this effect. Groups of 3 mice were injected with 0, 50, 100 or 200 mg ENU/kg b.w. and were killed 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 13 or 15 weeks later. Microscopic examination of PAS-hematoxylin-stained sections showed a dose-and-time-dependent loss of germ cells from the seminiferous tubules 1-7 weeks after treatment followed by recovery from the damage. Testis weight decrease and recovery followed a similar course.
A useful spectrophotometric rate assay for pepsin

Abstract Phenyl sulfite is a specific substrate for pepsin, whose hydrolysis can be followed spectrophotometrically. This compound is superior to peptide substrates in its ease of synthesis and its ability to be monitered spectrophotometrically. The sulfite assay is therefore the method of choice for both routine and detailed assays of pepsin.
The Fate of Sulfamethazine in Sodium-Hypochlorite-Treated Drinking Water: Monitoring by LC-MS (n) -IT-TOF.

Pharmaceutical compounds represent a rapidly emerging class of environmental contaminants. Such compounds were recently classified by the U.S. Geological Survey, including several antibiotics. An LC-MS/MS screening method for the top five antibiotics in drinking water was developed and validated using a Shimadzu LC-MS-IT-TOF. The separation was performed using a Waters Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column with a gradient elution. Sulfamethazine was exposed to conditions intended to mimic drinking water chlorination, and samples were collected and quenched with excess sodium sulfite. Kinetics of sulfamethazine degradation was followed as well as the formation of the major chlorinated byproduct (𝑚/𝑧 313). For the screening method, all five antibiotic peaks were baseline resolved within 5 minutes. Additionally, precision and accuracy of the screening method were less than 15%. Degradation of sulfamethazine upon exposure to drinking water chlorination occurred by first order kinetics with a half-life of 5.3×104 min (approximately 37 days) with measurements starting 5 minutes after chlorination. Likewise, the formation of the major chlorinated product occurred by first order kinetics with a rate constant of 2.0×10−2. The proposed identification of the chlorinated product was 4-amino-(5-chloro-4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)-benzenesulfonamide (C12H13N4O2SCl) using MS𝑛 spectra and databases searches of SciFinder and ChemSpider.
Noggin and chordin have distinct activities in promoting lineage commitment of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells.

To examine the role of secreted signaling molecules and neurogenic genes in early development, we have developed a culture system for the controlled differentiation of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. In the current investigation, two of the earliest identified BMP antagonists/neural-inducing factors, noggin and chordin, were expressed in pluripotent mouse ES cells. Neurons were present as early as 24 h following transfection of ES cells with a pCS2/noggin expression plasmid, with differentiation peaking at 72 h. With neuronal differentiation, stem cell marker genes were down-regulated and neural determination genes expressed. Coculture experiments and exposure to noggin-conditioned medium produced similar neuronal differentiation of control ES cells, while addition of BMP-4 to noggin expressants strikingly inhibited neuronal differentiation. Transfection of ES cells with a pCS2/chordin expression vector or exposure to chordin-conditioned medium produced a more complex pattern of differentiation; ES cells formed neurons, mesenchymal cells as well as N-CAM-positive, nestin-positive neuroepithelial progenitors. These data suggest that, consistent with their different expression fields, noggin and chordin may play distinct roles in patterning the early mouse embryo.
On rings with “solvability” conditions

Abstract This work is an attempt to bring to ring theory many of the known results for solvable groups. The first and second sections are spent in a specialized treatment of a “normalizer” condition for finite rings, and in a justification of the definition of “polycyclic” rings, respectively. The third section contains the consequences of “solvability,” for rings.
Umbilical cord stricture causing intrauterine fetal death in a 22-week fetus.

Summary Objective Umbilical cord stricture is an uncommon but distinctive condition associated with intrauterine fetal death. Although cases have been reported periodically since the last century, there has been considerable speculation as to whether the condition is real or a postmortem artifact. Case Report A 27-year-old woman, G2P0SA0AA1, was diagnosed with intrauterine fetal death at 22 weeks' gestation. The dead fetus with Apgar score 0′->0′ was delivered. The cord was twisted at the insertion site of the umbilicus. Neither growth restriction nor anatomic abnormalities were noted. Conclusion Although the risk of recurrence has generally been thought to be low in the past, patients with a demise attributed to umbilical cord stricture should be counseled. The mechanism of cord stricture and how it leads to fetal death remain unknown. If the exact etiology of cord stricture can be determined, efforts may be directed at preventing a recurrence. Additional published cases may be helpful.
Do Debt Policies Make a Difference in Finance Officers' Perceptions of the Importance of Debt Management Factors?

This article explores the importance of various debt policy factors using a national survey of government finance officers. Further, it examines whether the presence of a particular factor in a debt policy influences finance officers' perception of its importance. We find that debt policies tend to be technical in nature and that broad policy issues are most often not included in debt policies. Moreover, we find that the inclusion of debt management factors in debt policies has a powerful influence on their perceived importance by public managers.
Pre-main sequence disks

In this contribution, I briefly review our empirical knowledge of disks around ≲2M⊙ pre-main sequence (T Tauri) stars, focusing first on the dichotomic question of their frequency before moving on to some more detailed disk properties (overall orientation, total mass, outer radius). Finally, I conclude with a brief discussion of disks around embedded protostars, which will play in the next few years a major role in testing star formation theory and simulations.
Fibronectin Degradation in Chronic Wounds Depends on the Relative Levels of Elastase, α1-Proteinase Inhibitor, and α2-Macroglobulin

The goal of our studies was to learn about the mechanism of fibronectin degradation in chronic ulcers. We found that the appearance of fibronectin fragments in chronic ulcer wound fluid correlated with elevated levels of elastase and cleavage of the proteinase inhibitors α 2-macroglobulin ( α 2-M) and α 1-proteinase inhibitor ( α 1-PI). Some wound fluid samples retained the capacity to degrade fibronectin in vitro . Degradation of fibronectin by these samples was blocked by specific inhibitors of neutrophil elastase but not by inhibitors of metalloproteinases. Addition of human neutrophil elastase to mastectomy fluid, an acute wound fluid, resulted in formation of α 1-PI and α 2-M complexes and cleavage products resembling those observed in chronic wound fluid, Moreover, degradation of fibronectin and processing of matrix metalloproteinase MMP-9 occurred under these conditions, Taken together, our findings suggest that elevated levels of neutrophil elastase are responsible for fibronectin degradation in the chronic wound environment.
Intrinsic and Extrinsic Determinants of Neuronal Development: Relation to Infantile Autism.

This paper attempts to view the autistic syndrome in the context of a disorder of brain development. The authors review some of the known or suspected causes of the autistic syndrome: maternal rubella, metabolic diseases, and heredity. Some basic principles of cellular neuroanatomy and chemical neurotransmission are sketched. The stages of human brain development from neurulation through histogenesis, cell migration, and elaboration of dendritic trees and axonal projections are described. The authors conclude that there are a limited number of developmental loci that could be disrupted and lead to the autistic syndrome, and that these most probably occur in the end stages of neuronal development, after the migrating neurons have reached their final place in the brain and have begun to elaborate communicative processes. Finally, the authors speculate on how neurochemical disturbances might alter end stage neuronal differentiation leading to the pathology of infantile autism.
Test-retest reliability of a new executive function battery for use in early childhood.

This study reported test-retest reliability for a newly developed executive function battery designed for use in early childhood. A total of 140 predominantly low-income children (M = 48.1 months; 51% male; 43% African American) completed up to six tasks on two occasions an average of 18 (Mdn = 16) days apart. Pearson correlations between individual task scores indicated moderate retest reliability (mean r = .60; range = .52−.66) similar to that observed in other retest studies of executive function in preschool, school-aged, and adult samples. In contrast, confirmatory factor analyses of performance on the task battery across time indicated high retest reliability (ϕ = .95) that was identical to that observed in a recent study that used an identical method involving a sample of older adults. The short-term test-retest reliability of executive function in early childhood is comparable to that observed in childhood and adult samples. The retest reliability of children's performance on batteries of executiv...
Synapticola Teres Voigt, 1892 (Copepoda, Cyclopoida, Sabelliphilidae) From a Holothurian in Northeastern Australia

[Synapticola teres Voigt, 1892 (Copepoda, Cyclopoida) war seit der Originalbeschreibung nach Material von Amboina nicht wieder gefunden. Anhand der heutigen Sammlung aus dem Norden Australiens wird die Beschreibung Voigts erganzt und prezisiert., Synapticola teres Voigt, 1892 (Copepoda, Cyclopoida) war seit der Originalbeschreibung nach Material von Amboina nicht wieder gefunden. Anhand der heutigen Sammlung aus dem Norden Australiens wird die Beschreibung Voigts erganzt und prezisiert.]
Interstellar polarization towardMKN421

Interstellar polarization in the direction of MKN421 reaches a value between .1% and .2% at a distance of 600 pc.