cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Methacrylate-based polymer films useful in lithographic applications exhibit different glass transition temperature-confinement effects at high and low molecular weight

Abstract The effects of confinement on polymer films are important in applications related to photoresists. To optimize resolution, methacrylate polymers used in photoresists are often low molecular weight (MW). We use ellipsometry and fluorescence to study how the glass transition temperature ( T g ) is affected by confinement in silica-supported films of low and high MW poly(1-ethylcyclopentyl methacrylate) (PECPMA) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). With decreasing nanoscale thickness, T g is nearly invariant for high MW ( M n = 22.5, 188 and 297 kg/mol) PECPMA but decreases for low MW PECPMA, with T g – T g,bulk = −7 to 8 °C in a 27-nm-thick film ( M n = 4.1 kg/mol) via ellipsometry and −15 °C in a 17-nm-thick film ( M n = 4.9 kg/mol) via fluorescence. Fluorescence studies using a 20-nm-thick dye-labeled layer in multilayer, bulk PECPMA films reveal a much greater perturbation to T g in the free-surface layer for low MW PECPMA, which propagates tens of nanometers into the film. The effect of MW in single-layer monodisperse PMMA films is even more striking; T g increases with confinement for high MW but decreases for low MW, with T g – T g,bulk = 9 °C in a 12-nm-thick film (nominal MW = 509 kg/mol) and −16 °C in a 17-nm-thick film (nominal MW = 3.3 kg/mol). The strong influence of MW on confinement effects in PECPMA and PMMA is in contrast to the previously reported invariance of the effect with MW in supported polystyrene films, reconfirmed here.
Crystal structures of human glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase with and without an alternate substrate: structural bases of dehydrogenation and decarboxylation reactions.

Acyl-CoA dehydrogenases (ACDs) are a family of flavoenzymes that metabolize fatty acids and some amino acids. Of nine known ACDs, glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase (GCD) is unique: in addition to the α,β-dehydrogenation reaction, common to all ACDs, GCD catalyzes decarboxylation of glutaryl-CoA to produce CO2 and crotonyl-CoA. Crystal structures of GCD and its complex with 4-nitrobutyryl-CoA have been determined to 2.1 and 2.6 A, respectively. The overall polypeptide folds are the same and similar to the structures of other family members. The active site of the unliganded structure is filled with water molecules that are displaced when enzyme binds the substrate. The structure strongly suggests that the mechanism of dehydrogenation is the same as in other ACDs. The substrate binds at the re side of the FAD ring. Glu370 abstracts the C2 pro-R proton, which is acidified by the polarization of the thiolester carbonyl oxygen through hydrogen bonding to the 2‘-OH of FAD and the amide nitrogen of Glu370. The C3 pro-...
Cytosine Methylation and the Unequal Developmental Potentials of the Oocyte and Sperm Genomes

Reciprocal deficiencies in developmental potential are imposed on the oocyte and spermatozoan genomes during gametogenesis; normal development of offspring therefore demands an equal contribution of chromosomes from each parent. Genomic imprinting, the epigenetic change that marks a gamete's haploid genome as maternal or paternal, was seen first in uniparental mouse embryos made by pronuclear transplantation. Replacement of the male pronucleus of a zygote by a second female pronucleus gives rise to a gynogenote; replacement of a female pronucleus by a second male pronucleus forms an androgenote (McGrath and Solter 1984; Surani et al.
The evolution of HOM-C homeoboxes in the Dipteran family Drosophilidae.

Forty-five new Homeotic Complex (HOM-C) homeobox sequences from six species of Drosophilidae ( Drosophila heteroneura , D. adiastola , Zaprionus vittiger , Chymomyza amoena , Scaptodrosophila pattersoni and Hirtodrosophila pictiventris ) were obtained using a PCR-cloning method. These new homeoboxes are from the labial , proboscipedia , Deformed , Sex combs reduced , fushi tarazu , Antennapedia , Ultrabithorax , abdominal-A and Abdominal-B genes. Phylogenetic signal in the homeobox sequences was assessed and several aspects of sequence evolution were examined. In particular, codon bias was examined and found to exist between the drosophilid species examined here and Anopheles gambiae outgroup sequences. In addition, different patterns of codon bias were detected in homeoboxes interrupted with introns when compared
Wetting Transitions of Grain Boundaries

It has been shown that the concepts used to determine the equilibrium shape of crystals can be extended to determine the conditions under which grain boundaries will be fully wetted, partially wetted, or not wetted by a second phase. Recent experimental observations on the equilibrated morphologies of solid or fluid wetting phases along grain boundaries, reveal features that are predicted, and in some cases required, by this construction. Theory distinguishes between cases where surfaces are smoothly curved or where there are facets, edges and corners. In the latter case the conventional comparison of the energy of the original grain boundary with the sum of the surface energy of the two surfaces of the wetting layer leads to erroneous predictions. The correct predictions are obtained by comparing the Wulff shape of the grain boundary (the interfacial energy minimizing shape for a fixed volume of material) with a carefully defined sum of Wulff shapes of the surfaces of the wetting layer. Where orientations that are wetted join with those that are not, there is almost always an abrupt change of orientation. Faceting on two hierarchical levels can occur. Microscopic morphology changes along macroscopically curved surfaces follow well defined rules predicted by theory. The analogy between the thermodynamics of interface faceting and phase transformations allows the well known concepts of phase equilibria to be used to understand the predicted structures. The predictions of the model will be used to identify the nature of the faceting observed in alumina in the presence of a second phase.
Corrosion Control Advantages of Polyamide-Epoxy Coatings

Abstract Chemical and physical properties of polyamide resins are described. Resistance of General Mills' polyamide resins to various acidic and alkaline corrosives in both static and dynamic tests are compared to those achieved with commercial inhibitors. Results of tests in a semi-tropical ocean environment of 17 primer types consisting of various combinations and percentages of polyamide-epoxy vehicle with zinc, chrome and lead pigments; alkyds, phenolics, vinyls, poly-vinylchlorides and a linseed oil vehicle are given. These tests of angle irons and flat panels up to 24 months showed polyamide-epoxy systems (with or without corrosion inhibiting pigments) to be better than others, even when brushed onto wet, rusty surfaces. Wetting ability, adhesion and flexibility of the polyamide-epoxy systems as registered in several tests are reported. Also given are rate of transmission of water and water vapor. Data are provided on formulations and application techniques. These include sand-filled coating, solven...
Robotic versus laparoscopic surgery for colonic disease: a meta-analysis of postoperative variables.

Introduction An increasing number of studies have been published since the introduction of robotic technology into general surgery. Gastrointestinal surgery is an area of special interest for the robotic surgeon. Colonic surgery can be challenging depending on the disease and the operative approach. We seek to perform a meta-analysis comparing robotic surgery against laparoscopic surgery in this particular field.
The effect of cold work on the electrical resistivity of copper solid solution alloys

Abstract Measurements of stress and strain during tensile deformation at 78°K and after subsequent recovery treatments suggest that in solid solution alloys the higher strength is primarily associated with the higher yield stress and the presence of additional or more effective dislocation barriers in the initial structure rather than the more rapid or effective generation of dislocation barriers for a given strain during strain hardening. The characteristics of these dislocation barriers can not be determined from the experiments, but the alloys may contain: 1. (1) more dislocations or slower moving dislocations; 2. (2) more vacancy-solute atom combinations; 3. (3) smaller substructure; 4. (4) localized structure effects such as clustering, short range order, etc. Measurements of resistivity and strain during tensile deformation at 78°K and after subsequent recovery treatments can be interpreted as follows: 1. (a) More stable point defects occur in the alloys, i.e. the same number are produced in both copper and the alloys but more remain in the alloys; 2. (b) The interaction of the point defects with solute atoms enhances the scattering power of the solute atoms.
Postoperative pain associated with orthopedic shoulder and elbow surgery: a prospective study.

Background In the last 2 decades, extensive research in postoperative pain management has been undertaken to decrease morbidity. Orthopedic procedures tend to have increased pain compared with other procedures, but further research must be done to manage pain more efficiently. Postoperative pain morbidities and analgesic dependence continue to adversely affect health care. Materials and methods The study assessed the pain of 78 elbow and shoulder surgery patients preoperatively and postoperatively using the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ). Preoperatively, each patient scored their preoperative pain (PP) and anticipated postoperative pain (APP). Postoperatively, they scored their 3-day (3dpp) and 6-week postoperative pain (6wpp). The pain intensities at these 4 intervals were then compared and analyzed using Pearson coefficients. Results APP and PP were strong predictors of postoperative pain. The average APP was higher than the average postoperative pain. The 6wpp was significantly lower than the 3dpp. Sex, chronicity, and type of surgery were not significant factors; however, the group aged 18 to 39 years had a significant correlation with postoperative pain. Conclusion PP and APP were both independent predictors of increased postoperative pain. PP was also predictive of APP. Although, overall postoperative pain was lower than APP or PP due to pain management techniques, postoperative pain was still significantly higher in patients with increased APP or PP than their counterparts. Therefore, surgeons should factor patient’s APP and PP to better manage their patient’s postoperative pain to decrease comorbidities.
Continuous decomposition of quantum measurements via qubit probe feedback

It has been shown by Oreshkov and Brun that any two-outcome quantum measurement can be decomposed into a continuous stochastic process using a feedback loop. In this article, we characterize which of these decompositions are possible when each iteration of the feedback loop consists of a weak measurement caused by an interaction with a probe system. We restrict ourselves to the case when the probe is a qubit and the interaction Hamiltonian between the probe and system is constant. We find that even given the ability to perform arbitrary unitary pulses throughout the continuous decomposition, only generalized measurements with two distinct singular values are achievable. However, this is sufficient to decompose a generalized qubit measurement using a qubit probe and a simple interaction Hamiltonian.
Investigating the Career Development of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual People: Methodological Considerations and Recommendations.

Abstract Researchers and clinicians agree that there is a paucity of research on the career development of gays, lesbians, and bisexuals. The purpose of this article is to review the methodological issues that have constrained our understanding of the career development of sexual minorities, and to offer recommendations regarding both the content and methodologies of future research. Investigators are encouraged to broaden the span of content under study; to generate theory-based research; to integrate sexual identity development questions with career development concerns; to increase the representativeness of the populations of gay men, lesbian women, and bisexual men and women under study; and to use both quantitative and qualitative methods in generating and testing models of career development for these populations. We also recommend that future research designs provide opportunities to investigate both within-group and between-group differences in career-related cognitions and experiences.
Simulated Intraspecific Usurpations in Paper Wasps: Different Reproductive Tactics Affect Foreign Brood Destruction in Polistes fuscatus and Polistes dominulus

We simulated intraspecific usurpation in two species of paper wasps at a field site in Michigan to compare the species' treatment of foreign brood. Queens of Polistes fuscatus, a species that commonly uses intraspecific usurpation as an alternative reproductive tactic, destroyed significantly fewer large larvae and significantly more small larvae than queens of P. dominulus, a sympatric species that rarely usurps. The pattern of brood destruction exhibited by P. fuscatus was consistent with the previously published findings that P. fuscatus usurpers destroy reproductive-destined brood (eggs and small larvae), but not worker-destined brood (large larvae and pupae) that are subsequently used by a usurper to raise her own reproductives. The pattern of brood destruction displayed by P. dominulus differed from that of Polistes species that frequently engage in intraspecific usurpation. The brood destruction pattern in P. dominulus may have been shaped by nest adoption, a common alternative reproductive tactic in this species. If so, it is not clear why P. dominulus would destroy large, worker-destined larvae.
Synthesis and Structural Flexibility of a Series of Copper(II) Azolate-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks

The reaction of CuCl₂∙2H₂O with three novel ditopic ligands, 2-methyl-1,4-benzeneditetrazolate (MeBDT2-), 4,4'-biphenylditetrazolate (BPDT2-), and 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-1,4-benzeneditriazolate (TFBDTri2-), affords the metal–organic frameworks Cu(MeBDT)(dmf) (1), Cu(BPDT)(dmf) (2), and Cu(TFBDTri)(dmf) (3), respectively. These materials feature a common network topology in which octahedral Cu2+ ions are bridged by azolate ligands and dmf molecules to form one-dimensional chains. The individual chains are connected by the organic bridging units to form diamond-shaped channels, in which the solvent molecules project into the pores. The bridging dmf molecules in 1 are readily displaced by other coordinating solvent molecules, which leads to a change in the pore dimensions according to the steric bulk of the solvent. Interestingly, attempts to exchange the analogous solvent molecules in the expanded framework 2 induced no change in the pore size, revealing the rigidity of the framework. Meanwhile, 3 exhibits modest flexibility and an improved thermal stability consistent with its chemical functionality. The marked difference in flexibility highlights the considerable impact the organic linker can have on the dynamic framework properties.
Voice recognition: ready for prime time?

t h a p c t o t d r a t t oice recognition systems have een advocated for radiology reorting systems as a means of imroving health care by reducing imging reporting turnaround time nd cutting costs. Several serious isues still need to be addressed, inluding decreased radiologist prouctivity, decreased report quality, egative effects on resident educaion, and cost shifting from inexensive medical transcriptionists to xpensive physicians, before such ystems should be universally instiuted. Voice recognition systems are ow being advocated for the dictaion of imaging reports. The appeal f such systems seems to be the intantaneous turnaround time of ictated reports, with essentially eal-time availability to an unlimted number of clinicians (who have lectronic access to reports), and reuced personnel issues, including he quality and availability of medcal transcriptionists and direct or ndirect transcriptionist costs. Venors marketing such systems emhasize deceased turnaround time “only 5 months after going live ith [proprietary name of voice ecognition system], 95% of our eports were transcribed and aproved in less than 1 hour”) and ecreased transcription expenses “with [proprietary name of voice ecognition system], our . . . overll costs were reduced approxiately 87% . . . and we saved over 1 million in transcription serices”) [1]. I believe that at present, voice ecognition systems are a false conomy whose benefits are exagerated and whose costs in terms of octor time, resident education, t
The function of the reflex deep breath in pulmonary congestion.

Abstract Fourteen cats, lightly anesthetized with barbiturates and breathing spontaneously in a closed system, were given pulmonary congestion by intravenous infusion of low molecular weight Dextran at a rate of 3 ml/min. Lung mechanics and carotid arterial blood chemistry values were measured continuously. Initially lung compliance decreased and the work of breathing increased. The reflex deep breath became deeper to oppose these effects by causing a transitory increase in compliance and decrease in the work of breathing. As long as the deep breath remained effective, ventilation was maintained and no changes in carotid blood pH, p co 2 , or p o 2 , were seen. As the infusion continued and raies over the chest became audible, the deep breath increased its frequency but became ineffective in restoring compliance and the work of breathing. Arterial P co 2 increased as ventilation failed preterminally. The reflex deep breath is believed to be important as a defense mechanism against conditions which decrease lung compliance.
Does Public Lands Policy Affect Local Wage Growth

The effects on wage growth of management practices applied on public lands in the Northern Forest region of the United States are quantified. A central objective is to determine if the management of public lands for preservationist uses results in lower average wages. This is a frequent claim made by critics of land preservation who argue that preservationist management, by prohibiting resource extraction, causes the composition of employment to shift from high-wage jobs in resource-based manufacturing to low-wage jobs in the service sector. A model of simul- taneous employment and net migration growth is estimated with data on non-metropolitan coun- ties over the period 1990 to 1999 and applied in a recursive relationship to wage growth. In earlier studies, models of this type have typically been specified in levels. Time-series evidence that sup- ports a preference for growth rates is provided as the form for such models. Exogenous variables in this model include the 1990 shares of the county land base that are publicly owned and managed for preservationist (non-extractive) uses and multiple (including extractive) uses. It was found that wage growth rates are not significantly affected by the shares of land under either management regime. As well, recent declines in national forest timber sales are found to have no effect on wage growth.
Death as a way of life

Art Gallaher, Jr. and Harland Padfield, Eds. The Dying Community. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press (School of American Research), 1980. xiv + 305 pp. Nancy Dorian. Language Death: The Life Cycle of a Scottish Gaelic Dialect. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1981. xiv + 206 pp
Using computerized adaptive testing to reduce the burden of mental health assessment.

Objective: This study investigated the combination of item response theory and computerized adaptive testing (CAT) for psychiatric measurement as a means of reducing the burden of research and clinical assessments. Methods: Data were from 800 participants in outpatient treatment for a mood or anxiety disorder; they completed 616 items of the 626-item Mood and Anxiety Spectrum Scales (MASS) at two times. The first administration was used to design and evaluate a CAT version of the MASS by using post hoc simulation. The second confirmed the functioning of CAT in live testing. Results: Tests of competing models based on item response theory supported the scale’s bifactor structure, consisting of a primary dimension and four group factors (mood, panic-agoraphobia, obsessive-compulsive, and social phobia). Both simulated and live CAT showed a 95% average reduction (585 items) in items administered (24 and 30 items, respectively) compared with administration of the full MASS. The correlation between scores on the full MASS and the CAT version was .93. For the mood disorder subscale, differences in scores between two groups of depressed patients—one with bipolar disorder and one without—on the full scale and on the CAT showed effect sizes of .63 (p<.003) and 1.19 (p<.001) standard deviation units, respectively, indicating better discriminant validity for CAT. Conclusions: Instead of using small fixed-length tests, clinicians can create item banks with a large item pool, and a small set of the items most relevant for a given individual can be administered with no loss of information, yielding a dramatic reduction in administration time and patient and clinician burden. (Psychiatric Services 59:361–368, 2008)
Long-term effects of orthodontic treatment on periodontal health

The periodontal health of a group of ninety-six patients who had received comprehensive fixed-appliance orthodontic treatment during adolescence between 12 and 35 years previously was evaluated. Comparisons were made with a group of 103 adults who were similar with regard to race, sex, age, socioeconomic status, dental awareness, and oral hygiene status but had malocclusions that had not been orthodontically treated. There were no statistically significant differences in the general prevalence of periodontal disease between the two groups. However, more detailed analysis revealed that the orthodontic group had a greater prevalence of mild to moderate periodontal disease in the maxillary posterior and mandibular anterior regions of the mouth, as compared to the control group. The results suggested that orthodontic treatment in adolescence is not a major factor in determining the long-term periodontal health status. No significant amount of either damage or benefit to the periodontal structures could be directly attributed to orthodontic therapy. Conversely, the lack of orthodontic therapy in adolescence does not appear to influence subsequent development or nondevelopment of periodontal disease in adults.
A 1 GHz oscillator-type active antenna

This paper presents an oscillator-type active antenna has been built and characterized. The oscillator frequency has been shown to not be affected by the antenna loading. This circuit will form the basis for a high temperature wireless sensor.
Dynamics of Malware Spread in Decentralized Peer-to-Peer Networks

In this paper, we formulate an analytical model to characterize the spread of malware in decentralized, Gnutella type peer-to-peer (P2P) networks and study the dynamics associated with the spread of malware. Using a compartmental model, we derive the system parameters or network conditions under which the P2P network may reach a malware free equilibrium. The model also evaluates the effect of control strategies like node quarantine on stifling the spread of malware. The model is then extended to consider the impact of P2P networks on the malware spread in networks of smart cell phones.
Management's Crisis of Confidence and the Origin of the National Industrial Conference Board, 1914–1916

In this essay, Professor Gitelman draws upon new primary source materials to help clarify the outlook of American business leaders in the years immediately preceding U.S. entry into World War I. He shows how business leaders brooded, at periodic private conferences, over the profound loss in public esteem they believed business had suffered. This “crisis of confidence,” he concludes, precipitated defensive associational efforts. The creation of conference boards—the brainchild of Magnus W. Alexander—provided an institutional base for these efforts, and pointed the way to the creation of the National Industrial Conference Board.
Measurement tools for digital video transmission

An overview of test equipment and applications targeted specifically for digital broadcast signal distribution is given. The vector generator and analyzer evaluate the constellation accuracy, give direct conclusions with regard to the source of impairments, and allow SER (symbol error rate) estimates. Peak power and peak-to-average power ratio, key parameters in digital broadcasting, are monitored with the digital video power analyzer. The power distribution functions of the power analyzer may prove useful as an economic tool for linearity and group delay adjustments. The effects of potential impairments in the transmission path, like reflections, multipath signals, or Doppler effects from antenna sway, can be evaluated with a channel simulator. The bottom line assessment of a total system's transmission quality is delivered by BER (bit error rate) measurements from modulator input to receiver demodulator output. >
The Structure of Umbral Fluxtubes

Subsurface filamentation of sunspot magnetic fields has been postulated as a source of the visible small-scale structure of sunspot umbrae. We examine this possibility by investigating the magnetohydrodynamic structure of thin, vertical magnetized gas columns embedded in sunspot umbrae. These umbral fluxtubes are assumed to have weaker field strengths than the surrounding umbral atmosphere. The steady-state magnetohydrodynamic equations are solved numerically in the slender fluxtube approximation, thus allowing for stationary internal mass flows. We include the radiative exchange of heat between the umbral fluxtube and the ambient medium using a simple relaxation time approach.
Indoctrination, Moral Instruction, and Nonrational Beliefs: A Place for Autonomy?.

The manner in which individuals hold various nonevidentiary beliefs is critical to making any evaluative claim regarding an individual's autonomy. In this essay, I argue that one may be both justified in holding nonrational beliefs of a nonevidentiary sort while also being capable of leading an autonomous life. I defend the idea that moral instruction, including that which concerns explicitly religious content, may justifiably constitute a set of commitments upon which rationality and autonomy are dependent. I situate this discussion against the backdrop of a minimalist notion of autonomy. I then consider the case for nonrational beliefs, examining the difference between those whose content is objectionable on evidentiary grounds and those that are immune to verification. Next, I consider the indoctrination/moral instruction distinction through examining the various ways in which indoctrination is defined. I also consider the role that value coherence plays in shaping our identities, paying particular attention to fundamental commitments as defined by our respective families, cultures, and communities. Finally, I argue that individual psychology is central to our ability to assess the outcome of an upbringing purported to be indoctrinatory, and I emphasize the important role that experience and agency play in enabling us to evaluate our beliefs.
Further Observations on the Physiology of Salinity Adaptation in the Crab-Eating Frog (Rana Cancrivora)

1. Total rates of urea loss from adult euryhaline crab-eating frogs ( Rana cancrivora ) adapted to various environmental salinities between fresh water and 80 % sea water increase as salinity increases above 40% sea water. Oxygen consumption is constant in rate in all salinities studied. 2. The presence of urea in the Ringer solution bathing isolated pieces of skin of frogs adapted to 60% sea water increases both the electrical potential and the inwardly directed short-circuit current across the skin. 3. In skeletal muscle cells addition of intracellular solutes maintains tissue hydration in the face of large increases in plasma osmotic concentration in high-salinity media. Changes in the intracellular urea and free amino acid concentrations are primarily responsible for increases in intracellular osmotic concentration. 4. Some implications of these observations are discussed and comparisons made with the euryhaline green toad, Bufo viridis .
Ex vivo model for renal fracture in cryoablation.

Objective To demonstrate the formation of fractures due to cryoablative therapy in a controlled model and validate the new model for the study of the complication of fractures during renal cryoablation. Methods Endocare PERC-17 (1.7 mm) and Galil 17 ga IceRod (1.47 mm) probes were selected because of similar diameter and reported ice-ball size. The ex vivo model used here was a porcine kidney obtained at the supermarket. The kidneys were subsequently bivalved. The cryoprobes were inserted running just underneath the cut surface, entering the lateral surface of the kidney, and directed toward the medial surface of either the upper or lower pole. In this manner, we avoided the major calyces and involved the most parenchyma. Freeze-thaw-freeze cycles of various durations were performed. The probes were frozen parallel to each other at a distance of 20 mm apart. Results Evidence of cryoablation-induced fracture included popping sounds noted during thaw and cracks that became visible during the phase of second freeze. Cracks were noted to extend from the probe through the parenchyma. In multiple probe freezes, the intervening zone between the 2 ice-balls had smoother ice and the fractures that appeared there originated at either probe. Fracture formation was only observed with the Endocare probes, with single or parallel freezes. No fractures were noted in the IceRod freezes. Conclusion The bivalved ex vivo kidney is an inexpensive, representative, and demonstrative model for study of fracture during cryoablation.
PAF-like lipids- and PAF-induced gallbladder muscle contraction is mediated by different pathways in guinea pigs

H2O2 stimulates gallbladder muscle contraction and scavengers of free radicals through the generation of PGE2. Oxidative stress causes lipid peroxidation and generation of platelet-activating facto...
A Model for Fracture Genesis--Application to Mesaverde Group, Piceance Creek Basin, Colorado: ABSTRACT

Natural fractures play an important role in determining gas production from the low-permeability reservoirs of the Mesaverde Group in the Piceance Creek basin, Colorado. The importance of natural fractures is evident from the number of natural fractures observed in core and from the high in-situ permeabilities measured in well tests as compared to the low permeabilities measured in core. An understanding of the natural fracture systems requires knowledge of variations in the state of stress and changes in the physical and mechanical properties of the different sedimentary layers during the evolution of the basin. Geologic processes such as burial, diagenesis, tectonics, uplift, and erosion, and their resultant effects on the overburden, pore pressure, temperature, and str in were included in an elastic-plastic model to approximate the stress history of the basin. These data, coupled with an extended von Mises failure criterion derived from laboratory experiments of the rocks in question, were used to predict the relative time and type of fracturing, and the lithologic layers in which a fracture was likely to occur. Observations of fractures in 4,200 ft (1,280 m) of core (1,200 ft, 365 m, of oriented core) from the Mesaverde Group taken from the United States Department of Energy's 3 closely spaced wells near Rifle, Colorado, have been used to document the genesis of natural fractures and substantiate the model results. Empirical information such as the present state of in-situ stress determined from hydraulic fracture stress tests and anelastic strain rec very measurements of oriented core, paleostrain directions and magnitudes determined from analysis of calcite twin lamallae, and current temperature and pore pressure provided data as well as checks on the accuracy of the model. End_of_Article - Last_Page 534------------
How Do We Measure Hypospadias Outcomes

W e should congratulate Weber et al (page 1080) for constructing and executing an excellent study to develop and test an instrument to measure the outcome of hypospadias surgery. The days are over of qualifying the success of hypospadias surgery based on lack of complications, such as a fistula. The use of objective measurements, such as the pediatric penile perception score (PPPS) or the hypospadias objective scoring evaluation, should be adopted and encouraged by our field. Possibly, an instrument accepted by the international community could be standardized for universal application. Weber et al demonstrate the value of a controlled study that included patients without hypospadias and for which outside urologists were used to assess surgical outcome. This is not to say the study did not have limitations, but it is the best objective assessment of hypospadias surgery to date. The results are seriously hindered by the young age of the patients and the fact that the control subjects were not circumcised (possibly an impossible hurdle in Europe). The PPPS, which measures satisfaction with the cosmetic outcome of surgery, was shown to have excellent inter-rater reliability and stability with some unexpected results. Patients were more satisfied than parents and outside professional review by urologists demonstrated low satisfaction with the appearance of the penis. There was a significant drop-off in scores from patient to parent to professional opinion. As noted by the authors, this may have been confounded by the young age of the patients (mean 11 years) in comparison to other studies that have shown lower satisfaction of patients, possibly due to higher expectations during adolescence or adulthood. Young boys likely have little
Efficient Parallel Discrete Event Simulation on Cloud/Virtual Machine Platforms

Cloud and Virtual Machine (VM) technologies present new challenges with respect to performance and monetary cost in executing parallel discrete event simulation (PDES) applications. Due to the introduction of overall cost as a metric, the traditional use of the highest-end computing configuration is no longer the most obvious choice. Moreover, the unique runtime dynamics and configuration choices of Cloud and VM platforms introduce new design considerations and runtime characteristics specific to PDES over Cloud/VMs. Here, an empirical study is presented to help understand the dynamics, trends, and trade-offs in executing PDES on Cloud/VM platforms. Performance and cost measures obtained from multiple PDES applications executed on the Amazon EC2 Cloud and on a high-end VM host machine reveal new, counterintuitive VM--PDES dynamics and guidelines. One of the critical aspects uncovered is the fundamental mismatch in hypervisor scheduler policies designed for general Cloud workloads versus the virtual time ordering needed for PDES workloads. This insight is supported by experimental data revealing the gross deterioration in PDES performance traceable to VM scheduling policy. To overcome this fundamental problem, the design and implementation of a new deadlock-free scheduler algorithm are presented, optimized specifically for PDES applications on VMs. The scalability of our scheduler has been tested in up to 128 VMs multiplexed on 32 cores, showing significant improvement in the runtime relative to the default Cloud/VM scheduler. The observations, algorithmic design, and results are timely for emerging Cloud/VM-based installations, highlighting the need for PDES-specific support in high-performance discrete event simulations on Cloud/VM platforms.
Measuring link bandwidths using a deterministic model of packet delay

We describe a deterministic model of packet delay and use it to derive both the packet pair [2] property of FIFO-queueing networks and a new technique packet tailgating) for actively measuring link bandwidths. Compared to previously known techniques, packet tailgating usually consumes less network bandwidth, does not rely on consistent behavior of routers handling ICMP packets, and does not rely on timely delivery of acknowledgments.
The EXODUS optimizer generator

This paper presents the design and an initial performance evaluation of the query optimizer generator designed for the EXODUS extensible database system. Algebraic transformation rules are translated into an executable query optimizer, which transforms query trees and selects methods for executing operations according to cost functions associated with the methods. The search strategy avoids exhaustive search and it modifies itself to take advantage of past experience. Computational results show that an optimizer generated for a relational system produces access plans almost as good as those produced by exhaustive search, with the search time cut to a small fraction.
Calcitonin gene-related peptide acts presynaptically to increase quantal size and output at frog neuromuscular junctions

1. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is found in dense-cored vesicles in the motor nerve terminal. 2. Exogenous CGRP increased the size of the quanta. The increase in size reached a maximum after about 40 min. The lowest effective concentration of human CGRP (hCGRP) was 0.8 nM. The action of hCGRP was antagonized by (-)-vesamicol, a drug that blocks active acetylcholine (ACh) uptake into synaptic vesicles, so it appears that hCGRP increases size by adding more ACh to the quanta. The action of hCGRP was antagonized by drugs that block the activation of protein kinase A (PKA). (In other preparations CGRP also activates PKA.) 3. The hCGRP effect was not blocked by fragment 8-37, an antagonist of one class of CGRP receptor. 4. hCGRP increases evoked quantal output and miniature endplate potential (MEPP) frequency, again by activating PKA. 5. CGRP release was measured by radioimmunoassay. Release was increased by depolarization with elevated K+, but the amounts released appear to be below those needed to affect quantal size or output. Moreover, although elevated K+ can increase quantal size it acts by a pathway that does not involve PKA. We suggest that the most likely target of endogenously released CGRP is the regulation of circulation of the muscle.
An object-oriented design for user interfaces

The Object-Oriented (OO) design architecture for user interfaces presented in this paper, called IOWARE, is effective, does not violate OO principles, and promotes a high degree of reusability, extendibility, and portability. The innovative features of the design architecture are: [1] the decomposition of interactive applications into atomic and container interactive objects, [2] the use of dynamically manipulable resources to represent all interaction behavior, [3] a generic mechanism that facilitates communication between objects, and [4] a simple and elegant mechanism for composing complex interactive objects. A prototype implementation built on top of Smalltalk is presented. >
Low level control of the Utah/M.I.T. dextrous hand

The University of Utah Center for Engineering Design (CED) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (AI Lab) are developing a tendon operated multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) dextrous robotic hand for use as a research tool. The goal of the project is to design and fabricate a high performance hand which includes the operational flexibility to investigate issues related to machine based manipulation (MBM). This document will concentrate on issues related to the present implementation of the lowest level servos for the hand. The paper will first discuss the current configuration of the Utah/M.I.T. Hand including the actuation system and the internal sensor systems. It will then focus on the hardware used to implement the controller and the exact form of the control equations. Finally, future work and directions of the control aspects of the project will be discussed.
Stress Classification Lines Straight Through Singularities

The paper considers geometries of pressure vessels and components for which the theoretical models contain sharp corners, representing singularities. The idea is proposed that a stress classification line passed straight through the singularity can yield linearized stresses that are applicable in pressure vessel design. Using elastic finite element analysis, details of the procedures by which this result can be achieved are given for two examples. One is a sharp corner at the toe of a fillet weld. Membrane and bending stresses are calculated directly in the toe plane, showing little or no dependence on mesh size. The other is an axisymmetric shell with a flat head and a sharp corner at the joint. The objective is to determine the primary-plus-secondary stress intensity on a Stress Classification Line (SCL) through the joint. Two methods are used. One is by determining the zone of valid SCLs and extrapolating the linearized stresses to the joint. The other is by calculating the linearized stresses directly on the SCL through the joint. Conditions for the use of the SCL through the joint for the shell/flat head model are established.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Rates of Part C Eligibility for Young Children Investigated by Child Welfare

Using data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW), this study examined rates of developmental delays and Part C eligibility for 1,997 children younger than 3 years who ...
The Cultivation of Symbiote‐free Marine Ciliates in Axenic Medium

SYNOPSIS. Media have been developed for axenic cultivation of 10 strains belonging to 7 species of small marine ciliates. A medium containing cerophyl extract, proteose peptone, trypticase, yeast nucleic acid, biotin, calcium pantothenate folic acid, nicotinamide, pyridoxal HCl, riboflavin, thiamine HCl, and DL-thioctic acid in sea water supports the growth of Uronema nigricans strains Pc and 34/2, Parauronema virginiatum strains 2/1 and 19/1, Miamiensis avidus strains Ma and 19/3, Miamiensis sp. strain 1/1, a strain of “G” ciliate, and strains 33/8 and 34/7 of 2 unidentified species. By substituting a mixture of asolecithin, cephalin, and Tween 80 for cerophyl in the medium, luxurious growth of all except the strains of the 2 unidentified species can be obtained. A defined medium consisting of 18 amino acids, 5 purine derivatives, 8 vitamins, asolecithin, cephalin, and Tween 80 in synthetic sea water also has been developed for 6 of the strains: M. avidus Ma and 19/3, Miamiensis sp. 1/1, P. virginiatum 2/1 and 19/1, and U. nigricans Pc. In general the ciliates grow best at pH 7.2 in the dark at 27 C in media containing sea water of density = 1.015. Under these conditions maximum populations are reached in 4–5 days and range from several hundred thousand to 3 or 4 × 106 depending upon the strain. Electronmicroscopic observations for the presence of endosymbiotes gave negative results.
Preserving Languages in the New Millennium: Indigenous Bilingual Children's Books

As increasing numbers of indigenous languages are rapidly disappearing in the new millennium, language preservation efforts through education and intergenerational language use have become crucial. This article examines the importance of bilingual children's literature from Australia, Canada, and New Zealand as a powerful tool for reviving and creating awareness about indigenous languages. The discussions around oral storytelling practices, interlingual texts, and translation issues raise valid concerns about indigenous language preservation and their integration with majority languages.
Bumblebee Foraging Responses to Variation in Floral Scent and Color in Snapdragons (Antirrhinum: Scrophulariaceae)

Abstract We examined the roles of floral scent and color in attracting bumblebees (Bombus spp.) to snapdragon flowers (Antirrhinum, Sonnet cultivar). Corolla color differences covaried with differences in floral scent emissions in two inbred lines of snapdragon. White-flowered plants emitted methyl cinnamate, a scent compound not produced by yellow flowered plants, but lacked methyl benzoate, one of the major floral volatiles of the yellow-flowered line. Qualitative scent differences between the two lines were eliminated by applying the complementary scent compounds to filter paper wicks placed within the corollas. Laboratory analyses were performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to verify appropriate modification of floral scents by this method. Two randomized arrays of control and scent-augmented flowers were visited by freely-foraging bumblebees in subalpine meadows in Colorado. Overall, yellow-flowered plants received more pollinator visits and had more flowers foraged per plant visit than...
Property Rights and Modern Energy

Property law has evolved and adapted throughout its existence in response to social and technological change. In this era of increasing focus on sustainable energy, new property rights disputes arising from innovations in the energy industry are once again stretching the bounds of property law. As novel energy strategies spread across the country, they are raising complex property questions involving wind currents, sunlight, deep underground mineral deposits, airspace, subsurface pore space, and other resources.Resource governance regimes that reflect the unique characteristics of emerging energy technologies can play a valuable role in the nation’s continued pursuit of energy sustainability. Unfortunately, despite volumes of legal scholarship on the evolution and structuring of property rights regimes, there is little consensus among lawmakers or within the legal academy regarding how best to adapt such regimes to modern energy innovation. Courts and legislatures are increasingly feeling pressure to alter long-established property arrangements to accommodate and encourage new forms of energy development. At what point do these adjustments go too far, excessively compromising fairness and efficiency goals in an effort to promote a new energy strategy?This short article, written for a joint program of the Natural Resources and Energy Law and Property Law Sections of the American Association of Law Schools at the Association’s 2013 Annual Meeting, offers some general guidelines for adjusting property rights regimes to accommodate new energy innovations. This article suggests that, when feasible, policy actions that merely clarify ambiguities in existing law are often the simplest and most cost-effective way to respond when important technological advancements place pressure on longstanding property structures. When such policies are inadequate or unavailable, the most equitable and efficient adjustments to property arrangements tend to be those that respect rather than disregard property owners’ existing entitlements.