cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Minimal Power Spectrum: Higher Order Contributions

It has been an accepted belief for some time that gravity induces a minimal tail P(k) approximately k(exp 4) in the power spectrum as k approaches 0 for distributions with no initial power on large scales. In a recent numerical experiment with initial power confined to a restricted range in k, Shandarin and Melott (1990) found a k approaches 0 tail that at early stages of evolution behaves as k(exp 4) and grows with time as a(exp 4)(t), where a(t) is the cosmological expansion factor, and at late times depends on scale as k(exp 3) and grows with time as a(exp 2)(t). I compute analytically several contributions to the power spectrum of higher order than those included in earlier work, and I apply the results to the particular case of initial power restricted to a finite range of k. As expected, in the perturbative regime P(k) approximately a(exp 4)k(exp 4) from the first correction to linear perturbation theory is the dominant term as k approaches 0. Numerical investigations show that the higher order contributions go as k(exp 4) also. However, perturbation theory alone cannot tell whether the P approximately a(exp 2)k(exp 3) result is 'nonperturbative' or a numerical artifact.
A fragment-cofragment model of antibody incidence structures

Abstract In the predecessor to this paper, “Uncovering Antibody Incidence Structures,” Markowsky and Wohlgemuth presented a model which allowed one to calculate best possible solutions for the relation between individuals and antibodies given certain sets of tests each of which is analyzed simply for the presence or absence of a reaction. In this paper, we show that many of the concepts and theorems of the first paper generalize to the case where we actually try to compare the strengths of various reaction tests. As one might expect, the resulting model has a greater ability to detect the presence of antibodies than the model presented in the first paper. Furthermore, the additional information generated by the model described in this paper allows one to present a fairly concise definition of the best possible solution for a given amount of reaction test data.
Ligation of the patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants: Report of 45 cases

Abstract Ligation of the PDA in premature infants is well tolerated when there is no underlying pulmonary or CNS hemorrhage or bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Many premature infants require interruption of the large left-to-right shunting PDA in the management of intractable cardiorespiratory failure. Prompt interruption of large left-to-right shunts through the PDA in mechanically ventilated premature infants with severe RDS may prevent the development of severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, a major cause of mortality among these infants.
The Politics of Parenthood: Child Care, Women's Rights, and the Myth of the Good Mother

Who is responsible for our children--and why? A distinguished scholar gives us a fascinating and long-overdue historical perspective on parenthood in America.
A Historical Review of Business Communication Quarterly

Since the inception of its predecessors in the 1930s, Business Communication Quarterly has evolved from a duplicated, newsletter-type publication into a glossy, professional, refereed journal. Duri...
Fast geometry acquisition for mixed reality applications using motion tracking

Mixing real and virtual elements into one environment often involves creating geometry models of physical objects. Traditional approaches include manual modeling by 3D artists or use of dedicated devices. Both approaches require special skills or special hardware and may be costly. We propose a new method for fast semi-automatic 3D geometry acquisition, based upon unconventional use of motion tracking equipment. The proposed method is intended for quick surface prototyping for virtual, augmented and mixed reality applications where quality of visualization of objects is not required or is of low priority.
Dynamics of an unusual spinning re-entry body.

Coning motions are analyzed for an unusual spinning re-entry body whose roll moment of inertia is nearly as large as its moment of inertia in pitch or yaw. The analysis treats the rotational motion during re-entry caused by dynamic mass unbalance and by initial angle of attack and angular velocity. Even though some of the motions are complicated, analytical results are presented which are useful in predicting many facets of the motion. Initial angle of attack excites a fairly simple coning motion with the body symmetry axis spiraling in toward the velocity vector at a rate increasing with dynamic pressure. Initial angular velocity leads to a more complex sequence of cycloidal motions. During early re-entry, mass unbalance causes a beat phenomenon peculiar to a body with such moment-of-inertia characteristic s. Later in the re-entry period, there is a severe build-up in angle of attack in the region where the natural pitching frequency of the body is nearly equal to its spin rate.
Effect of caffeine on circulating theophylline levels in beagle dogs.

The pharmacokinetic interactions of caffeine with theophylline were examined in two beagle dogs by administering 100 mg of aminophylline intravenously, 3 weeks before and immediately after repeated oral doses of caffeine. Serial plasma samples were analyzed for caffeine and theophylline simultaneously by high-performance liquid chromatography. Upon multiple oral dosing, 100 mg every 12 hr for 7 days, the caffeine half-life increased slightly in one dog but decreased in the other. As predicted from single-dose data, caffeine accumulation in plasma after repeated doses was slight, while plasma levels of the N- demethylated metabolite, theophylline, rose to about three times the initial values. After rapid intravenous doses of aminophylline, the theophylline half-life was 5-7 hr, which decreased slightly when the drug was administered concomitantly with caffeine during steady state of caffeine. The theophylline volume of distribution (0.75 liter/kg) was unaffected by caffeine. On the other hand, an acute aminophylline injection prolonged the elimination half-life and increased the apparent volume of distribution of caffeine, causing little overall change in its plasma clearance. The results suggested that interactions between theophylline and caffeine may be attributed to changes in drug distribution and drug elimination characteristics.
A torsional resonance mode AFM for in-plane tip surface interactions.

Abstract Changing the method of tip/sample interaction leads to contact, tapping and other dynamic imaging modes in atomic force microscopy (AFM) feedback controls. A common characteristic of these feedback controls is that the primary control signals are based on flexural deflection of the cantilever probes, statically or dynamically. We introduce a new AFM mode using the torsional resonance amplitude (or phase) to control the feedback loop and maintain the tip/surface relative position through lateral interaction. The torsional resonance mode (TRmode™) provides complementary information to tapping mode for surface imaging and studies. The nature of tip/surface interaction of the TRmode facilitates phase measurements to resolve the in-plane anisotropy of materials as well as measurements of dynamic friction at nanometer scale. TRmode can image surfaces interleaved with TappingMode™ with the same probe and in the same area. In this way we are able to probe samples dynamically in both vertical and lateral dimensions with high sensitivity to local mechanical and tribological properties. The benefit of TRmode has been proven in studies of water adsorption on HOPG surface steps. TR phase data yields approximately 20 times stronger contrast than tapping phase at step edges, revealing detailed structures that cannot be resolved in tapping mode imaging. The effect of sample rotation relative to the torsional oscillation axis of the cantilever on TR phase contrast has been observed. Tip wear studies of TRmode demonstrated that the interaction forces between tip and sample could be controlled for minimum tip damage by the feedback loop.
Age at menopause in women participating in the postmenopausal estrogen/progestins interventions (PEPI) trial: An example of bias introduced by selection criteria

Abstract Our objective is to illustrate the bias introduced in assessing factors associated with age at menopause when the population sample has been selected using restricted criteria, i.e. number of years since menopause, by using a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a population-based randomized clinical trial. The participants were women who participated in the Postmenopausal Estrogen/Progestins Intervention (PEPI) trial, had not had a hysterectomy, were between 45 and 64 years old, and were menopausal for at least 1 but not greater than 10 years. The outcome measures were self-reported age at menopause and factors thought to be associated with it, including smoking, alcohol use, oral contraceptive use, number of pregnancies, education, income, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, thigh girth, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures. At entry, the mean age of the 601 women was 56.2 years. Mean age at menopause was 51.0 years. Chronologic (current) age was strongly correlated with age at menopause (r = 0.74, p = 0.0001). In bivariate analyses, factors associated with younger age at menopause were ever-use of cigarettes, former oral contraceptive use, and higher thigh girth; factors associated with later age at menopause were greater number of pregnancies, higher waist-hip ratio, and higher systolic blood pressure. After stratification by 5-year age intervals, these associations were no longer statistically significant. Because of restricted sampling, an artificial association was observed between chronologic age and age at time of menopause. This artifact made it difficult to distinguish between factors associated with chronologic age and those that may be independently associated with menopause. Failure to recognize this bias could lead to erroneous conclusions.
Biomedical Image Analysis: Tracking

Abstract In biological and medical imaging applications, tracking objects in motion is a critical task. This book describes the state-of-the-art in biomedical tracking techniques. We begin by detailing methods for tracking using active contours, which have been highly successful in biomedical applications. The book next covers the major probabilistic methods for tracking. Starting with the basic Bayesian model, we describe the Kalman filter and conventional tracking methods that use centroid and correlation measurements for target detection. Innovations such as the extended Kalman filter and the interacting multiple model open the door to capturing complex biological objects in motion. A salient highlight of the book is the introduction of the recently emerged particle filter, which promises to solve tracking problems that were previously intractable by conventional means. Another unique feature of Biomedical Image Analysis: Tracking is the explanation of shape-based methods for biomedical image analysis....
The yeast Na+/H+ exchanger Nhx1 is an N-linked glycoprotein. Topological implications.

Abstract Nhx1, the endosomal Na+/H+ exchanger ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae represents the founding member of a newly emerging subfamily of intracellular Na+/H+ exchangers. These proteins share significantly greater sequence homology to one another than to members of the mammalian Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) family encoding plasma membrane Na+/H+exchangers. Members of both subtypes are predicted to share a common organization, with an N-terminal transporter domain of transmembrane helices followed by a C-terminal hydrophilic tail. In the present study, we show that Nhx1 is an asparagine-linked glycoprotein and that the sites of glycosylation map to two residues within the C-terminal stretch of the polypeptide. This is the first evidence, to date, for glycosylation of the C-terminal region of any known NHE isoform. Importantly, the mapping of N-linked glycosylation to the C-terminal domain of Nhx1 is indicative of an unexpected membrane topology, particularly with regard to the orientation of the tail region. Although one recent study demonstrated that certain epitopes in the C-terminal domain of NHE3 were accessible from the exoplasmic side of the plasma membrane (Biemesderfer, D., DeGray, B., and Aronson, P. S. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 12391–12396), numerous other studies implicate a cytosolic disposition for the hydrophilic C-terminal tail of plasma membrane NHE isoforms. Our analysis of the glycosylation of Nhx1 is strongly indicative of residence of at least some portion of the hydrophilic tail domain within the endosomal lumen. These findings imply that the organization of the tail domain may be more complex than previously assumed.
The relationship between destination images and sociodemographic and trip characteristics of international travellers

This study attempts to delineate destination image variations of the USA, based on sociodemographic and trip characteristics of West German travellers. Using factor analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA) procedure, this study determines six image factors and finds that the image of the US is significantly influenced by some demographic and trip characteristics of West German travellers. Suggestions are made for marketing implications and future research.
Early-Age Structural Properties of Base Material Treated with Asphalt Emulsion

The objectives of this research were to investigate the early-age structural properties of base materials stabilized with asphalt emulsion and to assess the rate at which emulsion-treated base (ETB) design properties are achieved. Three experimental sections were established along a pavement reconstruction project near Saratoga Springs, Utah. Field tests were performed to assess the structural properties of the ETB immediately after construction and at 2, 3, 7, and 14 days; 4 months; and 1 year. Measured values were plotted against time to determine trends in ETB strength development and to determine pavement capacity. Modulus values were consistently low in all three sections during the first 2 weeks after construction, increased dramatically by 4 months, and then decreased considerably by 1 year. In the first 2 weeks after construction, the average ETB structural coefficient was 0.04. Only two of the three sections reached the design structural coefficient of 0.25, which occurred after approximately 3 m...
Self-similar pulse evolution in an all-normal-dispersion laser

Parabolic amplifier similaritons are observed inside a normal-dispersion laser. The self-similar pulse is a local nonlinear attractor in the gain segment of the oscillator. The evolution in the laser exhibits large (20 times) spectral breathing, and the pulse chirp is less than the group-velocity dispersion of the cavity. All of these features are consistent with numerical simulations. The amplifier similariton evolution also yields practical features such as parabolic output pulses with high energies, and the shortest pulses to date from a normal-dispersion laser.
Active Control of Vehicle Transient Powertrain Noise Using a Twin-FXLMS Algorithm

Powertrain noise is a major component of vehicle interior noise and thus has a significant effect on the overall sound quality. It is typically dominated by harmonics in the lower audible frequency range, which are directly related to the engine firing orders. In order to achieve a more comfortable environment and pleasing driving experience, an active noise control (ANC) applying advanced filtered-x least mean squares (FXLMS ) algorithm is employed to reduce the vehicle interior noise by targeting these harmonics. The proposed ANC system is designed to control multiple orders of the engine noise response simultaneously. It is also uniquely formulated with a twin-FXLMS algorithm to prevent harmonic interference that often resulted in overshoot at some adjacent orders, especially at low engine speed range where the reference sinusoids are close together. In fact, the interference issue is one of the critical problems that previously plagued the use of the conventional FXLMS algorithm. The basic design of the twin-FXLMS algorithm splits the adaptive filter into two sets. This allows different sum of reference sinusoids to be fed into each adaptive filter in order to widen the frequency separation between two adjacent harmonics. Finally, the performances of proposed twin-FXLMS are validated by numerical simulations.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome presenting without initial fever: a case report

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare but potentially fatal complication of the use of neuroleptic medications. It is of interest to emergency physicians because rapid recognition of NMS will improve patient outcome and prevent inappropriate treatment. NMS shares features with malignant hyperthermia, serotonin syndrome, lethal catatonia, and heat stroke. We describe a patient with NMS who presented to our institution without initial fever. We review the literature, the classic presentation of NMS, the risk factors, and the morbidity. We discuss the differential diagnosis and the treatment recommendations from the literature.
Crossover from bulk to surface diffusion in the fluctuations of step edges on Pt(111)

Using low-energy electron microscopy we explore the fluctuations of step edges on Pt(111) in the temperature range 1190 K<T<1520 K. Below 1400 K the relaxation times vary with wave vector q as q 3, and above 1400 K as q 2, while the observed activation energy changes from 1.25 to 2.75 eV. A discussion shows that surface diffusion is responsible for the rates at low temperatures, and that bulk vacancy diffusion becomes dominant above 1400 K. We infer that a similar crossover must occur for steps on most metal surfaces. The step stiffness is determined as 175 ± 20 meV nm−1 at 1500 K.
Unexpected products from the reductive trimethyl-silylation of bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene

Abstract The reductive trimethylsilylation of bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene leads to two unexpected products: 2,2,4,4,7,7-hexamethyl-6,6-bis(trimethylsilyl)-2,4,7-trisilaoctane (III) and 2,2,4,4,7,7-hexamethyl-3,6,6-tris(trimethylsilyl)-2,4,7-trisilaoctane (IV). Compound III was also obtained by the reductive trimethylsilylation of tris(trimethylsilyl)ethylene. The temperature dependent proton magnetic resonance spectra and other evidence for the structures of (III) and (IV) are discussed. A mechanism for the formation of (III) and (IV) involving an intramolecular metalation competing with metalation of trimethylchlorosilane is proposed.
Examining School Psychologists' and Teachers' Application of Approaches Within a Response to Intervention Framework

Approaches consistent with a Response to Intervention (RTI) framework are becoming increasingly prominent. The present study is a preliminary investigation aimed at gaining a greater understanding of educators' knowledge of RTI and application of RTI principles. It serves as the first step toward understanding educators' preparation to implement these mandated changes. Educators (308) completed an online study to assess their knowledge of tasks inherent in RTI procedures. Respondents were asked to rate their familiarity with RTI principles. Then, respondents were asked to interpret graphical data that were consistent with RTI screening and progress monitoring approaches. Overall, results indicated that the majority of educators perceived themselves as having the knowledge to implement RTI practices. However, when asked to apply RTI-consistent principles, not all were successful. Specifically, school psychologists were better at interpreting and making decisions based on graphical data relative to general ...
Space efficient quantization for distributed estimation by a multi-sensor fusion system

Abstract We present methods for designing quantizers for a distributed system that estimates a continuous quantity at a fusion center based on the observations of multiple sensors subject to communication constraints at the channels and to storage constraints at the fusion center. We consider the case where the observation statistics are unknown and only a training sequence is available. We propose the use of regression trees and two approaches to reduce the storage requirements. The first approach gives a direct sum estimate of the continuous quantity. The second approach provides a neural network implementation of the estimates. We study the trade-offs between storage complexity and performance using simulations. The experiments showed that the direct sum estimation approach achieves performance close to that of the unconstrained case while greatly reducing the space complexity of the fusion center. The neural network approach further improves the performance. Moreover, it provides more flexible trade-offs between space complexity and performance.
Decision Making in the Practical Domain: A Model of Practical Conceptual Change

The work of science teachers can be viewed from a variety of perspectives. In this article, teaching is seen as an activity in which teachers deliberate in the practical domain to decide on actions and goals. In the first part of the article, it is argued that, because practical reasoning is similar to scientific reasoning, a model of practical concep- tual change can be developed that is analogous to the conceptual change model. The following conditions for the modification of a practical theory or paradigm are described: Teachers must be discontent with a current practical theory. They must find that the new one makes sense and that it is beneficial to their practice. Finally, teachers must see that the understanding of their practice that arises from acceptance of the new practical theory is illuminating or enlightening. In the second part of the article, two case studies of teachers are examined using the model of practical conceptual change. One is a case of a novice teacher whose grading policy is based on highly resilient practical theories. The other is a cross-case analysis of two experienced science teachers, one of whom accepted a radi- cally new curriculum and another who rejected it. The article concludes with implications for the use of the model. � 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Sci Ed 84:606- 623, 2000.
Impact of piezoelectric sensoriactuators on active structural acoustic control

The development of simultaneous sensing and actuation for a single piezoelectric element, called a sensoriactuator in this paper, provides the opportunity for truly collocated control in adaptive structures. Issues related to collocation are discussed in terms of their effects on active structural acoustic control (ASAC). A variation on earlier feedback ASAC methods, direct radiation feedback (DRFB), is suggested for the sensoriactuator adaptive structure. The DRFB method relies on a discrete-point formulation of the associated radiated energy norm. The influence of the acoustic dynamics on proven sufficient conditions for globally stable collocated velocity feedback is discussed for the first time. Selection of an appropriate Lyapunov function for the stability analysis of collocated DRFB is discussed and compared to previous results for direct velocity feedback in active vibration control.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A self‐study programme in mathematics for undergraduates

This paper describes a self‐study programme in mathematics for undergraduates. A series of units on topics not normally covered in traditional curricula are written up for the students by the joint efforts of the interested members of the faculty. A guideline is provided for the students, who may elect to study some of the materials for academic credits. A summary of the units which the author used is included.
Sex work and the construction of intimacies: meanings and work pragmatics in rural Malawi.

This article focuses on Malawian sex workers’ understandings of exchange and intimacy, showing how multiple historically emergent categories and specific work pragmatics produce specific patterns of relational meanings. As we show, sex workers make sense of their relationships with clients through two categories. The first is sex work; the second is the chibwenzi, an intimate premarital relational category that emerged from pre-colonial transformations in courtship practices. These categories, in turn, are also shaped differently in different work settings. We use narratives from in-depth interviews with 45 sex workers and bar managers in southern Malawi to describe how the everyday pragmatics of two forms of sex work—performed by “bargirls” and “freelancers”—foster distinct understandings of relationships between them and men they have sex with. Bargirls, who work and live in bars, blurred the boundaries between “regulars” and chibwenzi; freelancers, who are not tethered to a specific work environment, often subverted the meanings of the chibwenzi, presenting these relationships as both intimate and emotionally distant. Through this comparison, we thus refine an approach to the study of the intimacy-exchange nexus, and use it to capture the complexities of gender relations in post-colonial Malawi.
Resolution in zonal rotors.

Abstract We have studied “static” factors affecting resolution in zonal rotors, that is, factors that are independent of diffusion or sedimentation of the sample. For most zonal rotors under the recommended conditions, there is proportionately very little zone broadening of sample volumes larger than 10 cc. There appears to be a correlation between the height of the rotor and resolution. We show that step gradients surrounding the sample can result in zone broadening in the case of slowly sedimenting particles. We did not detect any deleterious effects from increasing the initial sample radius.
Differential charging in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy for characterizing organic thin films

Abstract Differential charging of non-uniformly conducting samples in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies leads to the distortion of emission peaks and shifts in the measured positions of peaks. By using static sample biasing, these nuisance effects can be taken advantage of, in order to extract useful information about the sample. This article reviews the use of this static sample biasing method to distinguish between monolayer and multilayer organic films on oxidized silicon substrates, for the determination of the thickness of deposited organic layers, and to distinguish laterally uniform from laterally non-uniform films on stainless steel samples.
Excitation of locus coeruleus neurons by vasoactive intestinal peptide: evidence for a G-protein-mediated inward current

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) caused a reversible increase in the firing rate of locus coeruleus (LC) neurons. Voltage-clamp at −60 mV revealed that VIP induced an inward current, associated with a small increase in conductance. The inward current persisted in the presence of Co2+ (to block Ca2+ channels) or tetrodotoxin (to block fast voltage-dependent Na+ channels). Substitution (80%) of Na+ with choline or Tris reduced the VIP-elicited inward current by approximately 75%. Changing external K+ concentrations did not alter the effect of VIP. The inward current induced by VIP became irreversible after the intracellular administration of GTPγS, a hydrolysis-resistant analog of GTP which can cause a prolonged activation of G-proteins. The intracellular application of GDPβS, which can interfere with G-protein activation, attenuated the effect of VIP. Pertussis toxin, an inactivator of certain G-proteins, did not block the effect of VIP. We conclude that VIP directly excites LC neurons by inducing a largely Na-dependent inward current. As this effect became irreversible in the presence of intracellular GTPγS, was attenuated by GDPβS, and was not eliminated by pertussis toxin, mediation through a pertussis toxin-insensitive G-protein is suggested.
Microstructural characterization of WC-TiC-Co cutting tools during high-speed machining of P20 mold steel

Abstract The wear behavior of tungsten carbide (WC)-TiC-Co cutting tools during cutting P20 tool steel was investigated. Orthogonal cutting tests were performed on a CNC lathe using five speeds, namely, 60, 120, 240, 380 and 600 m/min. Wear, as the width of the wear land, was monitored at five time intervals. Wear characterization of the rake and the flank surfaces as well as the collected chips was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), backscattered electron imaging and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Microhardness of collected chips was also performed to monitor strain hardening effects during cutting. Two dominant wear mechanisms were identified: at high speed (380–600 m/min), wear was found to occur by a melt wear mechanism; at low speed (60–120 m/min), adhesion (built-up edge) followed by delamination was found to be the cause of wear damage. It was also found that deformation in the chips occurred by localized shear deformation.
Learning and Stock Effects in Environmental Regulation: The Case of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Abstract This paper concerns the optimal regulation of greenhouse gases that lead to global climate change. In particular, we focus on uncertainty and learning (which, over time, resolves uncertainty). We present an empirical stochastic model of climate–economy interactions and present results on the tension between postponing control until more is known vs acting now before irreversible climate change takes place. Uncertainty in our model is in the damage caused by global warming. The results suggest that a temporary carbon tax may dominate a permanent one because a temporary tax may induce increased flexibility.
Implications of management strategies and vegetation change in the Mount St. Helens blast zone

The 1980 eruptions of Mount St. Helens provided an excellent opportunity for scientists to investigate the recovery of vegetation communities following a major geologic disturbance. An important and often overlooked aspect in these studies is the human factor in recovery processes, and specifically, the different management approaches taken towards re-establishment of vegetation on lands under the control of various owners. This study examines vegetation changes throughout the 1980 blast zone using a time series of Landsat-derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) images and change detection methods to assess the changes over 25 years, from 1980 to 2005, as a function of human management combined with ecological factors. This long-term tracking of change indicates that differences in the speed of vegetation re-establishment and consequent rates of change substantially reflect human involvement and varying management strategies.
Imaging characteristics of metastatic lesions to the cerebellopontine angle.

Objective:To describe characteristic features of metastatic lesion to the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) and internal auditory canal (IAC).Study Design:Retrospective review.Setting:Tertiary care medical center.Patients:Patients with metastatic lesions to the CPA.Intervention:Diagnostic.Main Outcome Me
Yield and Botanical Composition of Alfalfa‐Bermudagrass Mixtures

The regions of adaptation of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) overlap in the southeastern USA, but the compatibility of these species in a mixture has not been described. Two field experiments were conducted to compare the yield and botanical composition of alfalfa-bermu dagrass mixtures with each species grown alone. In the first experiment 'Apollo' alfalfa was grown alone and in mixtures with 'Tifton 44' bermudagrass fertilized with 0 and 100 kg N ha ', and compared with bermudagrass fertilized with N at rates of 100, 300, and 500 kg ha '. In a second experiment Apollo alfalfa was grown alone in 15-cm rows and in 15- and 30-cm rows in mixtures with 'Coastal' bermudagrass. Bermudagrass was also grown alone and fertilized with 100, 200, and 300 kg of N ha '. Yields of the alfalfa-bermudagrass mixtures averaged 9.7 Mg ha~' over both experiments and were similar to alfalfa alone (9.2 Mg ha~'). The mixtures also were similar in yield to bermudagrass fertilized with 200 kg N ha ' in the second experiment (11.2 Mg ha ') and between yields of bermudagrass receiving 100 and 300 kg N ha~' in the first experiment. Alfalfa dominated the mixture in both experiments comprising 100% of the forage in the spring harvests, except for the establishment year in the first experiment. The lowest percentage of alfalfa was in August when in 1 yr it reached 53%. Neither N fertilization nor row spacing of the alfalfa affected yield or botanical composition of the mixture. B
On the connectivity of clusters

Abstract The existence of bridges or necks in a cluster indicates an undesirable property, the chaining effect, which often leads to misclassification in pattern recognition. To cope with this difficulty, a cluster analysis problem is formulated within the framework of graph theory. The study of the connectivity reveals the data structure of a given cluster. Bridges or necks are a consequence of poor connectedness of a cluster. A new algorithm containing the generalized Frisch labeling algorithm is developed in this paper to solve the chaining problem. The algorithm sequentially yields subclusters from a parent cluster when a splitting criterion is satisfied.
Photodesorption from stainless steels

The photodesorption by low-energy photons from three types of stainless steels is examined. For all these systems both CO and CO2 were observed to photodesorb with high yields: about 0.001 molecules/photon for CO2 and about 0.0001 molecules/photon for CO at 250 nm. The observed threshold energies were found to be the same for all systems at E0 = 2.92 eV for CO2 and E0 = 2.92-3.10 eV for CO.
Observation of the Deuteron D-State Effects in (d, p) Reactions

Angular distributions of thc three tensor analyzing power have been measured for (d, p) reactions on /sup 52/Cr, /sup 90/Zr, and /sup 208/Pb. Distor ted-wave calculations are inconsistent with thc measurements if the deuteron D state is ignored. However, cxcellent agreeemcnt is obtained when the effects of the D state are included. We discuss the dependcnce of the tensor analyzing power on incident deuteron energy, Q value, and angular momentum transfer. (auth)
The natural history of prostatic cancer

Various possibilities in the stage progression of prostatic carcinoma in the untreated host are supported by an analysis of pertinent literature. The relevance of the marked variability and unpredictability in the natural history of prostatic cancer thus revealed to treatment decisions and interpretations of the results of treatment in the aging host are indicated.
Welfare Reform's Chilling Effects on Noncitizens: Changes in Noncitizen Welfare Recipiency or Shifts in Citizenship Status?*

Objective. In the mid-1990s, welfare usage declined disproportionately among noncitizens, prompting some policy analysts to argue that the 1996 Welfare Reform Act (PRWORA) had a “chilling” effect on welfare receipt among eligible non-citizens. However, naturalization among noncitizen welfare recipients could account for the disproportionate decline. This article evaluates the role of naturalizations in producing the so-called chilling effect. Methods. The research uses longitudinal data (the Survey of Program Dynamics) to decompose changes in citizen and noncitizen welfare receipt into parts due to shifts in citizenship status and shifts in welfare receipt. Results. A substantial portion of the relative decline in welfare usage among noncitizens can be explained by shifts in naturalization. Conclusions. A more cautious interpretation of results about the effects of welfare reform on immigrants is called for, particularly results of analyses that use cross-sectional data and disaggregate the change in welfare receipt by citizenship status.
EPMA Standards: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

The technique of electron-probe microanalysis (EPMA) is remarkable because a set of primary calibration standards allows accurate microanalysis in multiple phases over a wide range of concentration. Other analytical techniques require calibration curves and characterization of secondary standards which have limited applicability outside of the calibration range. Significant advances in microprobe instrumentation and correction algorithms over the past 50 years have resulted in the ability to better perform quantitative analysis of materials. EPMA depends fundamentally on primary calibration standards and verification of accuracy by analysis of secondary standards. Standards should be homogeneous on the micron scale, well characterized, widely available to international laboratories, and similar in composition to typical samples in order to minimize reliance on correction algorithms. Most standards fail to satisfy one or more of these criteria, and indeed, the technique of EPMA is deficient with respect to diverse standards.
Immunization with interleukin‐2‐secreting allogeneic mouse fibroblasts expressing melanoma‐associated antigens prolongs the survival of mice with melanoma

The survival of C57BL/6 mice (H-2b) bearing B16 melanoma (H-2b) was prolonged if the animals were treated solely by immunization with an interleukin-2 (IL-2)-secreting allogeneic cell construct that expressed melanoma-associated antigens (MAA) along with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class-l determinants (H-2k; RLBA-IL-2 cells). This was the case if the mice were immunized simultaneously with, or 6 days following, the injection of viable B16 cells. Under similar conditions, the survival of tumor-bearing mice immunized with an allogeneic cell construct (H-2k) that expressed MAA but did not secrete IL-2 (RLBA-ZipNeo cells), or with an allogeneic construct (H-2k) that secreted IL-2 but did not form MAA (LM-IL-2 cells), was also prolonged. However, in these instances, the period of survival was significantly shorter than that of mice immunized with the cell construct that combined IL-2 secretion with the expression of MAA. Tumor-bearing mice immunized with non-transfected LM(TK-) cells (H-2k), or irradiated B16 cells (H-2b) failed to survive longer than untreated mice. Although the survival of the treated animals was prolonged, in most instances tumor growth recurred. The recurrent tumors in mice treated with the allogeneic cell constructs formed melanin and were histologically indistinguishable from tumors in untreated mice. Cells from the recurrent tumors were resistant to further immunotherapy and to cytotoxic effector cells obtained from the spleens of mice immunized with the same cellular immunogen used initially. The injection of IL-2-secreting syngeneic B16 cells into C57BL/6 mice invariably resulted in the appearance of non-IL-2-secreting melanomas. Under similar circumstances, tumors failed to develop in C57BL/6 mice injected with IL-2-secreting, or non-secreting, allogeneic cell constructs. Thus, the expression of allogeneic antigens protected the mice from growth of the cellular immunogens.
A fast and highly sensitive colorimetric sensor for gaseous methyl iodide and methyl bromide

Fumigants are pesticides in the form of gas that are slightly heavier than air and have the ability to spread to all areas and surfaces. Highly volatile fumigants are used to sterilize soil before ...
Substance Abuse as a Risk Factor for HIV Sexual Risk Behavior Among Persons With Severe Mental Illness: Review of Evidence and Exploration of Mechanisms

Persons with severe mental illness (SMI) comprise a growing proportion of the HIV-infected population, likely fueled by high rates of substance abuse. This article documents the rate of HIV infection among persons dually diagnosed with SMI and substance use disorders (SUDs) and reviews empirical studies examining the association between substance abuse and sexual risk behavior. It then discusses potential mechanisms through which substance abuse might relate to sexual risk behavior, including additive/synergistic effects of SMI and SUD. The evidence suggests that dually diagnosed persons are at high risk for HIV, yet little is known about how substance abuse contributes to sexual risk behavior. Directions for future research and recommendations for clinical practice are outlined.
Synthesis of small carbon-nitride heterofullerenes

Abstract A silver-electroplated graphite rod is arc evaporated in a helium–nitrogen environment at gas pressure of about 450 Torr. Time-of-flight mass spectra for pyridine-extracted soot show the existence of three distinct peaks at 360, 384 and 408 atomic mass units. Although these masses could be assigned to C 30 , C 32 and C 34 fullerenes, respectively, the analysis of the isotopic distribution patterns of the mass spectra and Fourier transform infrared measurement suggest the existence of heterofullerene structures, C n − x N x . This finding is significant because it provides a new approach for synthesis of small heterofullerenes.
Organic Anion–Transporting Polypeptide 1b2 (Oatp1b2) Is Important for the Hepatic Uptake of Unconjugated Bile Acids: Studies in Oatp1b2-Null Mice

The organic anion–transporting polypeptide 1b family (Oatp1b2 in rodents and OATP1B1/1B3 in humans) is liver-specific and transports various chemicals into the liver. However, the role of the Oatp1b family in the hepatic uptake of bile acids (BAs) into the liver is unknown. Therefore, in Oatp1b2-null mice, the concentrations of BAs in plasma, liver, and bile were compared with wild-type (WT) mice. It was first determined that livers of the Oatp1b2-null mice were not compensated by altered expression of other hepatic transporters. However, the messenger RNA of Cyp7a1 was 70% lower in the Oatp1b2-null mice. Increased expression of fibroblast growth factor 15 in intestines of Oatp1b2-null mice might be responsible for decreased hepatic expression of Cyp7a1 in Oatp1b2-null mice. The hepatic concentration and biliary excretion of conjugated and unconjugated BAs were essentially the same in Oatp1b2-null and WT mice. The serum concentration of taurine-conjugated BAs was essentially the same in the two genotypes. In contrast, the serum concentrations of unconjugated BAs were 3-45 times higher in Oatp1b2-null than WT mice. After intravenous administration of cholate to Oatp1b2-null mice, its clearance was 50% lower than in WT mice, but the clearance of taurocholate was similar in the two genotypes. Conclusion: This study indicates that Oatp1b2 has a major role in the hepatic uptake of unconjugated BAs. (HEPATOLOGY 2011.)
Relevance feedback revisited

Researchers have found relevance feedback to be effective in interactive information retrieval, although few formal user experiments have been made. In order to run a user experiment on a large document collection, experiments were performed at NIST to complete some of the missing links found in using the probabilistic retrieval model. These experiments, using the Cranfield 1400 collection, showed the importance of query expansion in addition to query reweighting, and showed that adding as few as 20 well-selected terms could result in performance improvements of over 100%. Additionally it was shown that performing multiple iterations of feedback is highly effective.
Combined array experiment design

Abstract Experiment plans formed by combining two or more designs, such as orthogonal arrays primarily with 2- and 3-level factors, creating multi-level arrays with subsets of different strength are proposed for computer experiments to conduct sensitivity analysis. Specific illustrations are designs for 5-level factors with fewer runs than generally required for 5-level orthogonal arrays of strength 2 or more. At least 5 levels for each input are desired to allow for runs at a nominal value, 2-values either side of nominal but within a normal, anticipated range, and two, more extreme values either side of nominal. This number of levels allows for a broader range of input combinations to test the input combinations where a simulation code operates. Five-level factors also allow the possibility of up to fourth-order polynomial models for fitting simulation results, at least in one dimension. By having subsets of runs with more than strength 2, interaction effects may also be considered. The resulting designs have a “checker-board” pattern in lower-dimensional projections, in contrast to grid projection that occurs with orthogonal arrays. Space-filling properties are also considered as a basis for experiment design assessment.
MCP-1 is highly expressed in peritoneum following midline laparotomy with peritoneal abrasion in a murine model.

Background: Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), a CC chemokine, is a potent attractant of monocytes both in vitro and in vivo. However, its role in the repair of peritoneal injury is not well established. This study characterizes MCP-1 expression in surgical wounds following peritoneal abrasion in a murine model. Methods: Twenty-five C57 BL6 female mice underwent a 2-cm midline laparotomy with mechanical abrasion of the right peritoneal wall. The mice were sacrificed at various times ranging from 0 to 7 days. Hemotoxylin and eosin stained sections and tissue extracts were made using peritoneal samples from abraded and unabraded areas in each mouse. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed on the specimens to quantitate MCP-1 expression. Values were compared using a t-test. Results: At baseline, there was minimal expression of MCP-1 (<5 pg/mg protein). Following surgery, MCP-1 levels at abraded sites were significantly higher than those at both baseline and unabraded sites at all times up to a week following surgery. Histologic evaluation revealed peritoneal thickening and leukocytic infiltration of only abraded surfaces. Conclusion: MCP-1 is highly expressed in peritoneum following laparotomy with peritoneal abrasion. Elevations in MCP-1 levels are identified within 6 h of surgery and persist for up to 1 week. The histologic differences between abraded and unabraded areas may be attributable to differences in MCP-1 expression. Further studies using recombinant MCP-1 and anti-MCP-1 antibody may elucidate this relationship.
Construction of broadband passive macromodels from frequency data for simulation of distributed interconnect networks

This paper discusses a method for the construction of multiport broadband passive macromodels using frequency data obtained from an electromagnetic simulation or measurements. This data could represent the frequency response of a distributed interconnect system. The macromodels are generated using rational functions by solving an eigenvalue problem. For numerical computation, the macromodels are represented as a summation of rational functions consisting of low-pass, band-pass, high-pass, and all-pass filters. The stability and passivity of the macromodels are enforced through constraints on the poles and residues of rational functions. To enable the construction of broadband macromodels, methods based on band division, selector, subband reordering, subband dilation, and pole replacement have been used. Two test cases that describe the performance of the proposed algorithm, and three test cases that are representative of distributed systems have been analyzed to verify the efficiency of the method.
Studies in Urban Ecology: the First Wave of Biological Invasion by Pistacia chinensis in Armidale, New South Wales, Australia

Biological invasions by deliberately introduced organisms seriously compromise the integrity of ecosystems, but their early stages have seldom been documented, especially in urban contexts. Since the 1940s, the small Asian tree Pistacia chinensis has been widely planted in streets and gardens in Armidale, New South Wales, Australia, where it makes a major contribution to the autumn colours that are exploited to promote the city. Numerous wild plants are now becoming established in and near Armidale. This ongoing biological invasion may have been accelerated by the large size of the initial (planted) population, and by the presence of efficient avian seed dispersers. It is now at the stage of the first wild generation reaching reproductive maturity. While it is probably still possible to halt the invasion, various human factors appear to make this an unlikely prospect.