cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A spectral element-FCT method for the compressible Euler equations

A new algorithm based on spectral element discretizations and flux-corrected transport (FCT) concepts is developed for the solution of systems of hyperbolic conservation laws governing inviscid fluid flow. The current paper presents extensions to our previous work (see [6]) on scalar hyperbolic laws. A conservative formulation is proposed based on one-and two-dimensional cell-averaging and reconstruction procedures, which employ a stagerred mesh of Gauss-Chebyshev and Gauss-Lobatto-Chebyshev discretizations. Particular emphasis is placed on the construction of robust boundary and interfacial conditions in one- and two-dimensional domains. It is demonstrated through a shock-tube problem and a two-dimensional simulation of the compressible Euler equations that the proposed algorithm leads to stable, non-oscillatory solutions of high accuracy. In particular, in our model problems shocks are represented with at most two grid points, and expansion fans are represented very accurately. The spectral element-FCT method introduces minimum dispersion and diffusion errors as well as great flexibility in the discretization, since a variable number of macro-elements or collocation points per element can be employed to accomodate both accuracy and geometric requirements.
Congenital aortic stenosis resulting from a unicommisssural valve. Clinical and anatomic features in twenty-one adult patients.

Clinical, electrocardiographic, phonocardiographic, radiographic, hemodynamic, and anatomic findings are presented in 21 adult patients with stenotic unicommissural aortic valves. Distinction between congenitally unicuspid and bicuspid aortic valves before operation or autopsy was not possible. Although the basic structure of the valve may render it inherently stenotic, the age at which a murmur was first noted (average, 19 years), the duration of a known murmur (average, 25 years), and the age of onset of first symptoms of left ventricular outflow obstruction (average, 41 years) strongly suggest that stenosis at least in part is acquired. The relationship of the true and false commissures to the coronary arterial ostia could be determined with certainty in 12 patients. The basic division of the aortic valve into left, right, and noncoronary cusps is maintained, but the raphes do not extend to the valve orifice. Because the aortic valve is attached to the ascending aorta at only one point (the true commissure), which is at the level of the orifice, valvotomy is hazardous, and valve replacement appears indicated when operative treatment becomes necessary in the adult patient with a stenotic unicommissural aortic valve.
A sensitivity analysis of empirically derived car-following models

CONSIDERABLE interest has been evidenced in recent years in traffic flow and car-following theory. Two classes of models are used to describe these phenomena: macroscopic models usually involve structures which relate volume, speed and density for a large number of vehicles; microscopic models concern relation of the driver-vehicle system to intervehicular dynamics. Analogies to kinetic theory of gases, diffusion processes, compressible fluids, etc., are just a few of the approaches to macroscopic modeling that have been studied. This paper concerns itself with microscopic models of the car-following situation and how the driver of the following car responds to the action of the lead car. Microscopic models have importance in (a) better understanding traffic flow concepts, (b) designing automatic systems which closely match human performance and (c) designing systems to aid or assist the driver in the car-following task, i.e. partially automated systems and sensory supplementation. At least three approaches can be taken to the study of the driver-vehicle car-following function. One is to use physical models, e.g. Newtonian-forcemass-acceleration models (Herman, 1961). A second approach, and the one taken in this paper, is curve-fitting from empirical data in order to describe the driver-vehicle system in terms of intervehicular dynamics. Lastly, this paper will conclude with an introduction to a third approach to car-following models, which is presently underway at the Systems Research Group at The Ohio State University. This combines traffic dynamic information with driver psychophysical data to predict control movements from intervehicular dynamics. The purpose of this study was to examine the sensitivity of empirically derived carfollowing models to (a) time delays on predictor variables, (b) lead-car velocity programs, that is, the forcing velocity function (open road versus traffic), (c) subjects and (d) replications within subjects. Emphasis in this work was with regression models of the driver-vehicle system as shown in Fig. 1 using acceleration of the following vehicle as the dependent variable and headway (spacing) lead-car velocity, following-car velocity and lead-car acceleration as possible predictor variables. Time was also used as a predictor variable in the original experiment to measure learning effects. Models predicting the change in following-car acceleration, A& were also investigated. In general, time did not improve data fit which suggests little
Marking Time in Doctor Faustus 5.2

Doctor Faustus 5.2, the scene in which Faustus confronts the prospect of damnation against the auditory background of the striking clock, directs our attention to time and mortality in a number of ways. Not only does Marlowe manipulate audience response to make short periods of time seem long and long periods of time seem short (the latter phenomenon mocking Faustus’s bargain with the devil), he also ingeniously deploys the twenty-four separate strikings of the clock to make them recall, with deep irony, the fleeting twenty-four years of Faustus’s ill-fated contract. The scene thus collapses the ‘long’ space of twenty-four years into the ‘short’ space of sixty minutes (the time from eleven to midnight), rendering these separate spans of time symbolically as a single moment and, moreover, one that elapses in only a few minutes of stage action.
Skin color, social classification, and blood pressure in southeastern Puerto Rico.

Objectives. We tested competing hypotheses for the skin color–blood pressure relationship by analyzing the association between blood pressure and 2 skin color variables: skin pigmentation and social classification.Methods. We measured skin pigmentation by reflectance spectrophotometry and social classification by linking respondents to ethnographic data on the cultural model of “color” in southeastern Puerto Rico. We used multiple regression analysis to test the associations between these variables and blood pressure in a community-based sample of Puerto Rican adults aged 25–55 years (n=100). Regression models included age, gender, body mass index (BMI), self-reported use of antihypertensive medication, and socioeconomic status (SES).Results. Social classification, but not skin pigmentation, is associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure through a statistical interaction with SES, independent of age, gender, BMI, self-reported use of antihypertensive medication, and skin reflectance.Conclusion. ...
Primary Arterial Switch Operation as a Strategy for Total Correction of Taussig–Bing Anomaly: A 21-Year Experience

Background— Studies of the arterial switch operation for Taussig–Bing anomaly demonstrate significant rates of reintervention and mortality, particularly after initial palliation to delay complete repair. We aimed to describe the long-term outcomes of our 21-year practice of single-stage arterial switch operation for all patients with Taussig–Bing anomaly. Methods and Results— A retrospective study was performed, and 43 patients with Taussig–Bing anomaly were identified between 1990 and 2011. Median age at arterial switch operation was 7 (range, 2–192) days, and median operative weight was 3.2 (1.4–6.2) kg. Aortic arch obstruction was present in 30 patients (70%). Hospital mortality was 7% (n=3). Follow-up was available for 37 hospital survivors at a mean of 8.1 (±6.3) years. Late mortality was 2% (n=1). At follow-up, all patients were in New York Heart Association functional class I. Freedom from transcatheter or surgical reintervention was 73% at 1 year, 64% at 5 years, and 60% at 10 years. Eleven patients underwent 13 catheter reinterventions on the pulmonary arteries (n=8) or aortic arch (n=5). Seven patients underwent 11 reoperations, including relief of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction (n=5), pulmonary arterioplasty (n=3), recoarctation repair (n=2), and tricuspid valve repair (n=1). By multivariate analysis, a preoperative aortic valve annulus z score of ≤−2.5 was associated with reintervention (hazard ratio, 7.66 [95% confidence interval, 1.29–45.6], P =0.03). Conclusions— Although reintervention is common, primary correction of Taussig–Bing anomaly with arterial switch operation can be achieved in all patients with low mortality and good long-term outcomes.
GLC Determination of the Polyvalent Saluretic Uricosuric Agent (2-Cyclopentyl-6,7-dichloro-2-methyl-l-oxo-5-indanyloxy)acetic Acid in Biological Fluids

A specific and quantitative GLC method was developed for the determination of (2-cyclopentyl-6,7-dichloro-2-methyl-l-oxo-5-indanyloxy)acetic acid, a novel saluretic uricosuric agent, in biological fluids. The procedure involves the addition of an internal standard to the biological specimens followed by extraction of the acids into benzene at pH 1. The extracted acids, following back-extraction into base and reextraction into methylene chloride at an acidic pH, are converted to the respective methyl esters by reaction with ethereal diazomethane. The sensitivity of the method is such that 2 )ig of material can be detected per aliquot of plasma or urine. In the 2.5-50-Mg/ml range, recoveries were 98.1 ± 9.6% (plasma, n = 157) and 99.3 ± 6.4% (urine, n = 181). GLC-mass spectrometric techniques established analysis specificity.
SARA in the design room

This paper presents an overview of SARA (System ARchitects Apprentice), an interactive environment which was created so that designers might enhance their capabilities to effectively design concurrent computer systems. SARA's requirements, methodology, support tools, and experiences are summarized in turn. The paper ends with a discussion of collaborative capabilities needed in the “design room”.
Entropic Effects on the Free Energies of Clusters in Silane Plasmas

The present work demonstrates the importance of entropic effects on the thermodynamics of branched open chain silicon hydride clusters (SinHm and SinHm–). These clusters are important constituents in nanodusty silane plasmas. We include all categories of such single-bonded species for n = 5 and 6, namely silyl radicals, silyl anions, silylenes and silylene anions, and silanes. We calculated the statistical mechanical partition functions by employing Kohn–Sham density functional theory with the multistructural method for torsional anharmonicity to estimate thermodynamic quantities, in particular Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, entropy, and heat capacity. For each species we included contributions from all conformational structures of all possible isomers, and we calculated the thermodynamic propeties in three ways, namely by using the multistructural quasiharmonic approximation, the multistructural method with uncoupled torsional potential anharmonicity, and the multistructural method with coupled torsional p...
Airborne fluorides and man: Part II

Fluorine is the 13th element in order of abundance and occurs throughout man's environment. Airborne fluorides in very low concentrations may be introduced into pristine atmospheres from sources such as volcanic actions, dusts picked up by winds blowing over surface soils and weathered rocks, and from sea spray. Urban and surburban atmospheres may contain higher concentrations derived from burning fossil fuels and from miscellaneous effluents disseminated from a variety of industrial point sources. A number of states now have standards regulating the concentrations of fluoride which may be present in the air or released to the ambient air. Higher concentrations may be encountered in the work place, but again, limits selected to protect the worker from significant effects are in force. The principal effect of industrial fluoride‐containing dust to be protected against is the excessive deposition of fluoride in the skeleton. This condition, skeletal fluorosis, was recognized in Danish cryolite workers in th...
Aldrin and Dieldrin in human blood components.

Blood samples from six aldrin formulators were separated into erythrocytes and plasma, α- and β-lipoprotein fractions. Each blood component was analyzed for aldrin and dieldrin residues, with the latter being in greater concentration in all components examined. Dieldrin residues in the α- and β-lipoprotein fractions increased at the same rate when plasma dieldrin increased. However, the β-lipoprotein fraction contained more dieldrin than the α-Iipoprotein fraction. Plasma aldrin was correlated with more aldrin and dieldrin residues than any other blood component
Effect of skim milk supplementation on blood cholesterol concentration, blood pressure, and triglycerides in a free-living human population.

In 82 subjects, aged 21-73, we studied the effect of skim milk supplementation on serum cholesterol concentration, blood pressure, and serum triglyceride level. The study involved a 1-week pretreatment baseline period followed by 8 weeks of milk supplementation. Sixty-four people were designated to a test group and 18 people were placed in a seasonal index group. The study was designed as a free-living trial, i.e., participants were requested to maintain their normal lifestyles, including dietary pattern, except for the supplementation of one quart of 2% solids-not-fat fortified skim milk to the daily diet in the test group. Supplemental milk treatment was associated with a 6.6% reduction (p = 0.0004) of serum cholesterol in the high cholesterol (greater than or equal to 190 mg/dl) test subgroup within the first 4 weeks. No change was noted in serum cholesterol in the low-cholesterol (less than 190 mg/dl) subgroup throughout the study. Body weight and seasonal variation of blood cholesterol did not significantly influence serum cholesterol levels. Reduction (p = 0.0140) in percentage of calories from fat in the high-cholesterol subgroup was not correlated with the decrease in serum cholesterol in this test subgroup. Reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure occurred in the test subgroups; the low-cholesterol subgroup had a greater reduction (p = 0.0002) in diastolic blood pressure than the high-cholesterol group (p = 0.0049). Milk supplementation was associated with reduction (p = 0.0370) in serum triglycerides in the high-cholesterol subgroup.
Induction of glucocorticoid receptor expression in hypothalamic magnocellular vasopressin neurons during chronic hypoosmolality

The site of action for the modulation of hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal function by adrenal steroids is not known. Glucocorticoid receptors (GR) are an obvious potential site of action, but there have been conflicting reports of GR localization in magnocellular neurons. We confirm studies finding undetectable levels of GR in vasopressin or oxytocin neurons, but now report that chronic hypoosmolality induces the expression of GR in magnocellular vasopressin neurons, but not oxytocin neurons. These data support the hypothesis that the vasopressin gene can be directly inhibited by glucocorticoids, and that the induction of GR expression in magnocellular neurons may be part of a redundant set of mechanisms to suppress the expression of AVP during periods of prolonged hypoosmolality. This mechanism represents a novel form of steroid feedback control in brain.
Effects of antiviral therapy on the cellular immune response in acute hepatitis C

Spontaneous recovery occurs in a minority of patients with acute hepatitis C but is associated with vigorous and long-lasting cellular immune responses. Treatment-induced recovery can be achieved in the majority of patients who are treated in the acute phase, but the kinetics and mechanisms of viral clearance and immune responsiveness are not known. Both direct antiviral effects and indirect immune-mediated effects, such as immune modulation of Th2 to Th1 responses and prevention of exhaustion of cellular responses by rapid reduction of viral titer, have been proposed. To investigate how early antiviral therapy affects hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific T cell responses, we performed detailed prospective clinical, virological, and immunological studies on 7 patients with acute hepatitis C who received antiviral therapy and were followed at 2 to 4 week intervals for 1 to 2 years. The total CD4(+) and CD8(+) cell response was analyzed with 600 overlapping HCV peptides and 6 proteins by ex vivo enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot), intracellular cytokine staining, and proliferation assays. In contrast to earlier studies with selected HCV epitopes, this extended analysis detected multispecific interferon gamma(+) (IFN-gamma(+)) responses in each patient, even in the absence of T-cell proliferation. After initiation of antiviral therapy (at a mean of 20 weeks after infection), all sustained responders demonstrated gradually decreasing, then nearly absent HCV-specific T-cell responses, whereas the sole patient who developed viral breakthrough after initial HCV control maintained cellular immune responses. In conclusion, a sustained response to antiviral therapy was not associated with a lasting enhancement of HCV-specific T-cell responsiveness in the blood.
Minimization of the potential energy surface of Lennard-Jones clusters by quantum optimization

Abstract One of the most widely used strategies for global optimization employs the concept of classical simulated annealing. In the last decade an alternative approach has been suggested based on quantum simulated annealing. Here, we apply quantum annealing ideas to finding minimum energy structures of Lennard–Jones clusters. We find that quantum annealing is superior to classical simulated annealing but is affected by ergodicity breaking difficulties similar to classical simulated annealing. This difficulty is particularly serious for larger clusters with multiple funnel potential energy surfaces.
Spin structure and magnetic excitations in a 2D xy ferromagnet: CoCl2-intercalated graphite

Abstract We have investigated the magnetic excitations in stage-2 CoCl 2 -intercalated graphite, which approximates a two-dimensional xy ferromagnet. As T increases the low- q spin waves disappear without renormalizing continuously to zero. In addition a central peak is present, the q - and T -dependence of which suggest the presence of spin vortices.
Statistics of quasiparticles and the hierarchy of fractional quantized Hall states

Quasiparticles at the fractional quantized Hall states obey quantization rules appropriate to particles of fractional statistics. Stable states at various rational filling factors may be constructed iteratively by adding quasiparticles or holes to lower-order states, and the corresponding energies have been estimated.
Children with asthma versus healthy children: differences in secondhand smoke exposure and caregiver perceived risk

Introduction Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure remains a public health problem. Few, if any, studies include both children with and without asthma to assess differences in caregiver smoking behavior, risk perception, and SHS. Methods Participants were 738 daily U.S. smokers (443 caregivers of children with asthma [CG-AC] and 295 caregivers of healthy children [CG-HC]; 50.9% White, 25% Black, 15% Latino). Data are cross-sectional; SHS was measured through self-report and passive dosimetry. Results Compared with CG-HC, CG-AC had fewer risk factors for exposing children to SHS (lower nicotine dependence, higher motivation to quit, greater perceived benefits of cessation on child's health, and lower optimistic bias; all p values 95% of both groups had detectable levels of SHS in their home. CG-AC self-reported lower SHS than CG-HC, but both groups had nearly equivalent SHS when measured objectively. CG-AC were almost twice as likely as CG-HC to report a home smoking ban when they had detectable levels of household SHS as measured by passive dosimetry (OR = 1.71; 95% CI = 1.2, 2.4; p = .003). Conclusions Caregivers of children with chronic health conditions, such as asthma, may be motivated to self-report lower levels of SHS. Child health status (e.g., asthma) may cue practitioners to inquire about SHS, but given the low proportion of household bans and high levels of actual exposure among both groups, SHS exposure assessment and reduction/elimination counseling should be prompted to occur for all children.
Antitrust and the Issue of Competitive Advantage: Economic Analysis and United States v. IBM

On January 8, 1982, the U.S. Assistant Attorney General agreed to dismissal of the government antitrust case against mM (International Business Machines Corporation),' stipulating that the complaint was "without merit." This startling reversal raises several obvious questions: Did the severe self-assessment in the 1982 stipulation represent accurate analysis, and the dismissal, correct policy? If so, why would a patently baseless case have been filed in January 1969 against one of the nation's most successful and strategically significant companies? And how could an error of this magnitude have been maintained for the 13 years of Department of Justice (DOJ) legal proceedings? Franklin Fisher, the late John McGowan, and Joen Greenwood (FMG hereafter), in Folded, Spindled, and Mutilated, their recently published economic analyses supporting IBM's defense, provide an opportunity to examine these questions and to review the current economic foundations of antitrust law. FMG offer a simple explanation for the "disaster" of the IBM case-poor economic analysis. The economic arguments for the government case were incompetently developed by DOJ legal staff and government expert witnesses. FMG portray these analytical errors as wholly original and idiosyncratic to the case. The entire legal enterprise was further facilitated by loose DOJ administrative standards providing for no centralized review of ongoing cases. In their own words, FMG summarize the problem as follows:
Mechanisms of smoking-related lung and pancreatic adenocarcinoma development

Adenocarcinoma of the lungs and pancreas are among the most common and most deadly smoking-associated cancers. Cigarette smoke contains various toxic chemicals, including a carcinogenic nitrosamine, nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK). One of the most well-known features of NNK is the ability of its metabolites to bind to DNA and induce activating point mutations in the RAS gene. But NNK is also a β-adrenergic-receptor agonist that stimulates arachidonic acid release, leading to the formation of mitogenic metabolites that stimulate DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. NNK therefore contributes to tobacco-induced carcinogenesis by several mechanisms.
Influence of Loading on Metal Surface Area for Ag/α-Al2O3 Catalysts

Abstract The silver surface area was determined quantitatively as a function of loading for Ag/α-Al2O3 catalysts. This relationship was found to be nonlinear and was attributed to the fact that strong interactions between the metal precursor and the support do not exist. Selective chemisorption of oxygen using the dynamic pulse technique was employed to measure the silver surface area. Additional characterization of the catalysts was carried out using SEM and XRD analyses. The results have direct relevance for optimal catalyst distribution studies.
Prevention of colchicine toxicity to cultured rat hepatocytes by glucagon, hydrocortisone and insulin.

Abstract The antitubulin agent, colchicine, causes detachment of rat hepatocytes in primary cultures in the concentration range of 0.05–0.5 μM. Vincristine causes the same effect at a lower concentration range (0.02–0.2 μM) but luminocolchicine up to 1.0 μM has no apparent effect on the cells. Data are presented which indicate that the effect of the antitubulin agents is time- as well as dose-dependent. The presence of glucagon. hydrocortisone and insulin prevents the detachment of cells caused by colchicine. Omission of any one of these components causes the other two to be ineffective in protecting against the effect of colchicine. The effect of vincristine on the cells is partially prevented by the same combination. Cell culturing and antitubulin studies were conducted in serum-free medium but the inclusion of 5% fetal bovine serum does not prevent cell destruction by colchicine or other antitubulin agents.
Adrenocorticotropic hormone and dibutyryl adenosine cyclic monophosphate-mediated Ca2+ uptake by rat adrenal glands

Abstract The effect of adrenocorticotropic hormone and dibutyryl cyclic AMP on the uptake of 45 Ca 2+ by the rat adrenal gland has been investigated. After injection of 45 Ca 2+ and adrenocorticotropic hormone into rats, the adrenal 45 Ca 2+ concentration was significantly enhanced 90 to 180 min following hormone administration. The rise in adrenal 45 Ca 2+ content was accompanied by a marked increase of the serum corticosterone levels. During incubation of rat adrenal glands in the presence of 45 Ca 2+ , adrenocorticotropic hormone and dibutyryl cyclic AMP caused significant accumulation of adrenal 45 Ca 2+ and increased corticosterone synthesis. The degree of stimulation of both adrenal 45 Ca 2+ uptake and corticosterone synthesis by adrenocorticotropic hormone or dibutyryl cyclic AMP was dependent upon the concentration of calcium in the incubation medium and upon the amount of adrenocorticotropic hormone or dibutyryl cyclic AMP added. Theophylline mimicked the stimulatory effect of adrenocorticotropic hormone and dibutyryl cyclic AMP and increased the uptake of 45 Ca 2+ by rat adrenal glands in vitro . Determination of calcium by atomic absorption spectroscopy showed that the adrenocorticotropic hormone-mediated adrenal 45 Ca 2+ uptake was due to a net accumulation of calcium in the tissue and not only to an increased rate of exchange of extracellular 45 Ca 2+ with the intracellular calcium pool. Adrenocorticotropic hormone-stimulated adrenal 45 Ca 2+ uptake was not observed when steroidogenesis was inhibited with elipten. Both adrenocorticotropic hormone-mediated corticosterone synthesis and adrenal 45 Ca 2+ uptake were abolished after treatment of rats with cycloheximide but not after treatment with actinomycin D, indicating that adrenal 45 Ca 2+ uptake and steroidogenesis have similar requirements for de novo protein synthesis, but not RNA synthesis.
What Adolescents Learn in Organized Youth Activities: A Survey of Self-Reported Developmental Experiences.

This research inventoried adolescents' reports on different developmental and negative experiences in organized youth activities, including extracurricular and community-based activities. High school students' experiences were assessed using a newly developed instrument, the Youth Experiences Survey (YES). These youth reported higher rates of learning experiences in youth activities than in 2 other major contexts of their lives. Youth activities were associated with experiences related to initiative, identity exploration and reflection, emotional learning, developing teamwork skills, and forming ties with community members. The findings also suggest that different youth activities offer distinct patterns of learning experiences. Service, faith-based, community, and vocational activities were reported to be frequent contexts for experiences related to identity, prosocial norms, and links to adults. Sports were a frequent context for those related to identity work and emotional development.
Results of Seepage Meter and Mini‐Piezometer Study, Lake Mead, Nevada

The seepage meter and the mini-piezometer were utilized in an attempt to evaluate ground-water reservoir interactions over a 12-month period at Echo Bay in Lake Mead. In conjunction with these techniques three standard piezometers, refraction seismic data, and water chemistry data were utilized to interpret seepage device results. During a four-month period, from December 1979 to March 1980, an 8 ft (2.5 m) rise in reservoir stage, the reservoir contributed water to Echo Wash bank storage at rates of up to 0.29 gpd/ft2 (12 lpd/m2). Ground-water discharge occurred for the remainder of the project, during a stage decline from April 1980 to May 1980, a rise in June 1980, and leveling off and slight decline for the remainder of the year, July 1980 to December 1980. The maximum seepage meter ground-water discharge rate of 3.0 gpd/ft2 (122 lpd/m2) was recorded in December 1980. Seepage meter water chemistry data for June were similar to Lake Mead water chemistry and were interpreted to be previously recharged Lake Mead water. September water chemistry data showed two possible components of ground-water discharge, a high SpC calcium sulfate Echo Wash ground water and a lower SpC Lake Mead recharged bank storage water. December ground-water chemistry data showed discharge to be a high SpC calcium sulfate water similar to Echo Wash ground-water quality which was apparently unaffected by Lake Mead inflow. Mini-piezometer data were collected at each seepage meter site. However, these data usually did not provide correlative results with seepage meter data probably because of suspended sediment in the piezometer water column and plugging of the perforated tip. Seepage meters were successfully utilized to characterize reservoir ground-water interaction in Echo Bay.
Improving substance abuse treatment enrollment in community syringe exchangers.

Aims The present study evaluated the effectiveness of an intervention combining motivational enhancement and treatment readiness groups, with and without monetary incentives for attendance and treatment enrollment, on enhancing rates of substance abuse treatment entry among new registrants at the Baltimore Needle Exchange Program (BNEP). Design Opioid-dependent study participants (n = 281) referred by the BNEP were assigned randomly to one of three referral interventions: (i) eight individual motivational enhancement sessions and 16 treatment readiness group sessions (motivated referral condition—MRC); (ii) the MRC intervention with monetary incentives for attending sessions and enrolling in treatment—MRC+I); or (iii) a standard referral condition which directed participants back to the BNEP for referral (standard referral—SRC). Participants were followed for 4 months. Findings MRC+I participants were more likely to enroll in any type of treatment than MRC or SRC participants (52.1% versus 31.9% versus 35.5%; χ2 = 9.12, P = 0.01), and more likely to enroll in treatment including methadone than MRC or SRC participants (40.4% versus 20.2% versus 16.1%; χ2 = 16.65, P < 0.001). MRC+I participants also reported less heroin and injection use than MRC and SRC participants. Conclusions Syringe exchange sites can be effective platforms to motivate opioid users to enroll in substance abuse treatment and ultimately reduce drug use and number of drug injections.
Analysis of homogeneous nucleation data of polar molecules: Vapor association, dipole orientation, and elongated clusters

In this paper we present the results of several theoretical models examined in order to explain the observed systematic deviations of the homogeneous nucleation of highly polar substances from the predictions of the classical nucleation theory (CNT). It is found that molecular association in acetronitrile or nitromethane vapor cannot explain the observed higher supersaturations. Similarly, the use of virial coefficient data to obtain a size dependent surface energy correction factor does not reproduce the experimental results. It is shown that orientation of the surface dipoles within the spherical droplets results in higher supersaturations in agreement with the experimental findings. We also generalize the CNT for elongated clusters and show that these clusters can allow for favorable end‐to‐end and antiparallel alignments of the dipoles. It is found that for reasonable agreement with experiment, acetonitrile, and benzonitrile clusters require a larger degree of elongation compared to nitromethane and nitrobenzene clusters. These results are discussed in relation to molecular simulations of bulk liquids and clusters.
An adaptive mesh refinement algorithm for compressible two-phase flow in porous media

We describe a second-order accurate sequential algorithm for solving two-phase multicomponent flow in porous media. The algorithm incorporates an unsplit second-order Godunov scheme that provides accurate resolution of sharp fronts. The method is implemented within a block structured adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) framework that allows grids to dynamically adapt to features of the flow and enables efficient parallelization of the algorithm. We demonstrate the second-order convergence rate of the algorithm and the accuracy of the AMR solutions compared to uniform fine-grid solutions. The algorithm is then used to simulate the leakage of gas from a Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage cavern, demonstrating its capability to capture complex behavior of the resulting flow. We further examine differences resulting from using different relative permeability functions.
Asymmetric phase diagram and coverage dependent effective pair interactions for hydrogen on close-packed metal surfaces

Abstract The asymmetry in the phase diagram of the H/Ru(001) system is studied by assuming a lattice gas model for the chemisorbed hydrogen and using the cluster variation method. Ground state analysis of the ordered structures shows that the effective pair interaction for the next-nearest neighbors has to be repulsive. We also found that the order-disorder transition temperatures and hence the phase diagram are very sensitive to v 3 , the ratio of the effective next-nearest to nearest neighbor interactions of H adatoms. The asymmetry in the phase diagram, which cannot be accounted for by the adsorbate relaxation model by Persson [Surf. Sci. 258 (1991) 451], is attributed to the coverage dependence of the effective pair interactions. By assuming a simple piecewise linear dependence of v 3 on the chemical potential, we constructed an asymmetric phase diagram which is in excellent agreement with the experimental data. The model studied can be applied to the H/Pd(111) system directly and can be easily generalized for other close-packed metal surfaces.
Sorption of arsenate and arsenite on RuO2.xH2O: a spectroscopic and macroscopic study

The sorption reactions of arsenate (As(V)) and arsenite (As(III)) on RuO2·xH2O were examined using macroscopic and spectroscopic techniques. Constant solid:solution isotherms were constructed from ...
Light Scattering Functions for Spherical Particles with m=1.65 (0.05) 1.85

Mie theory calculations are presented for scattering coefficient and forward scattering by spherical particles with m=1.65 (0.05) 1.85 and α up to 6.0.
Characterization of Selectin-Mediated Cell Binding in Shear Flow Using Micropatterning Technology and Modeling

Cellular interactions play an essential role in diverse (patho)physiological processes such as leukocytes extravasation and cancer metastasis. Selectins initiate the tethering and rolling of free-flowing cells on activated endothelium before the integrin-dependent firm adhesion under flow. Utilizing microfluidics devices and protein micropatterning technology, the adhesion kinetics of the HL-60 leukocyte-like cells to immobilized P-/L-selectin was investigated. Multiple selectin patches of varying lengths (6-160μm; in the direction of flow) and constant width (10μm) were patterned on a glass substrate to provide specific adhesion. A PDMS layer, which had been cured and peeled off from a 25μm height microchannel mold, was bonded on the patterned glass substrate to form the microfluidics device. Cell suspensions were perfused through the device under prescribed shear stresses varying from 0.25-2dyn/cm2. Our data reveal the existence of a critical patch length, Lc, which represents the cell rolling distance to form an initial binding and is a function of the wall shear stress and the selectin density on the substrate. At L 3000sites/μm2. In summary, our analysis has identified the minimum cell rolling distance required for selectin-dependent binding to occur in a shear flow. Moreover, we have developed the first analytical equation to model cell binding with the shear threshold phenomenon.
FINANCE, GROWTH, AND INSTITUTIONS IN LATIN AMERICA: WHAT ARE THE LINKS?

Using a panel of 16 countries during the 1961-2010 period, we find that financial development has a positive significant ef fect on economic growth in the long run for high-income countries but a negative significant ef fect for low-income countries. When studying the determinants of financial development, we find that higher financial openness and lower country risk are associated with greater financial development. The financial risk index has a positive significant ef fect on financial development, while the economic risk index has a negative significant ef fect. In addition, lower foreign debt and better socioeconomic conditions increase financial development.
Comparison of MkIV balloon and ER‐2 aircraft measurements of atmospheric trace gases

On May 8, 1997, vertical profiles of over 30 different gases were measured remotely in solar occultation by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory MkIV Interferometer during a balloon flight launched from Fairbanks, Alaska. These gases included H 2 O, N 2 O, CH 4 , CO, NO x , NO y , HCI, ClNO 3 , CCl 2 F 2 , CCl 3 F, CCl 4 , CHClF 2 , CClF 2 CCl 2 F, SF 6 , CH 3 Cl, and C 2 H 6 , all of which were also measured in situ by instruments on board the NASA ER-2 aircraft, which was making flights from Fairbanks during this same early May time period as part of the Photochemistry of Ozone Loss in the Arctic Region in Summer (POLARIS) experiment. A comparison of the gas volume mixing ratios in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere reveals agreement better than 5% for most gases. The three significant exceptions to this are SF 6 and CCl 4 for which the remote measurements exceed the in situ observations by 15-20% at all altitudes, and H 2 O for which the remote measurements are up to 30% smaller than the in situ observations near the hygropause.
Using a computer game to develop advanced AI

Building software agents that can survive in the harsh environment of a popular computer game (Quake II) provides fresh insight into the study of artificial intelligence (AI). Our Quakebot uses Soar-an engine for making and executing decisions-as its underlying AI engine for controlling a single player. We chose Soar as our AI engine because our real research goal is to understand and develop general integrated intelligent agents.
Alterations in left ventricular relaxation and diastolic compliance in congestive cardiomyopathy

Elevated ventricular diastolic pressures are characteristic of congestive heart failure, and are generally thought to result from reduced ventricular emptying in systole. To determine whether other factors might contribute to the increased diastolic pressures within the left ventricle in con- gestive heart failure, we examined parameters of both left ventricular relaxation rate and diastolic compliance in eight patients with chronic congestive heart failure due to cardiomyopathy, and compared them with similar observations in a control population. Combined recordings of simultaneous left ventricular pressure and echocardiogram were obtained in each case. Left ventricular relaxation rate was assessed by measurement of the maximum rate of left ventricular pressure decline (peak negative dP/dt) and the mean velocity of circumferential fibre lengthening (VCFL) in early diastole. Both of these parameters were significantly decreased in congestive cardiomyopathy patients compared with controls (peak negative dP/dt: 138 ± 15 kPa·s−1 (1037 ± 115 mmHg·s1) versus 347 ± 22 kPa·s−1 (2607 ± 120 mmHg·s−1) for controls, P<0.0005; VCFL; 0.9 ± 0.1 s−l in congestive cardiomyopathy versus 1.3 ± 0.1 s−1 in controls, P<0.01). Left ventricular diastolic distensibility, ΔD/ΔP, and normalised distensibility, (ΔD/ΔP)/D, were significantly decreased in cardiomyopathy subjects as compared with controls (ΔD/ΔP=0.165 ± 0.03 cm (dimension) kPa−1 [0.02 ± 0.004 cm (dimension)·mmHg−1) compared with 1.28 ± 0.23cm (dimension)·kPa−1 [0.17 ± 0.03 cm (dimension)·mmHg−1] for controls, P<0.0005; (ΔD/ΔP)/D=25.6 ± 3.8 kPa−1 × 10 −3 (3.4 ± 0.5 mmHg−1 × 10−3) versus 301 ± 75 kPa−1 × 10 −3 (40 ± 10 mmHg−1 × 10 −3) for controls, P <0.0005). Linear regression analysis showed a strong correlation between peak negative dP/dt and both diastolic distensibility (r=0.89, P<0.0005) and normalised distensibility (r=0.88, P<0.0125). These data suggest that early diastolic left ventricular relaxation is impaired in congestive cardiomyopathy and that this defect occurs in association with a decrease in left ventricular diastolic compliance.
Solitonlike solutions in loop current eddies

The application of the nonlinear quasi-geostrophic equations to an isolated eddy in the western continental slope region in the Gulf of Mexico is examined for a two-layer ocean model with bottom topography. In the linear limit, solutions are topographic nondispersive waves. Form-preserving solutions, or solitons, have been found. The solution is shown to be a limiting form for a nonlinear dispersive system propagating northward along the topographic waveguide in the western continental slope region in the Gulf of Mexico. Using satellite-tracked drifter data, a linear relationship is found between the amplitude of the deduced stream function of the eddy and its observed translational velocity over the continental slope, which supports the hypothesis that some mesoscale eddies interacting with the continental slope behave as solitons.
Association of β-agonists with corresponding β2- and β1-adrenergic pentapeptide sequences

Synthesized beta 1- and beta 2-pentapeptide sequences corresponding to published adrenoceptor transmembrane activation site subtypes were investigated in vitro for selectivity in association for drug ligands of known selectivity. Both nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular mechanics demonstrated that structural differences among the corresponding pentapeptide activation-site sequences can explain agonist selectivity. Results suggest the agonists bind across the activation site loop on the second transmembrane alpha-helix by dipole/dipole interactions between a ligand and the peptide. Since electrostatic interactions within the membrane may determine the rate of intercellular ion flux, agonist association across the activation site sequence could thereby decrease electrostatic resistance to positive ion flux into the cell. Interactions between the peptides and the ligands may provide insight into the structures and mechanisms involved in association of ligands for the identical sequences on the beta-adrenoreceptors.
Molecular Encryption and Reconfiguration for Remodeling of Dynamic Hydrogels

Dynamic materials have been widely studied for regulation of cell adhesion that is important to a variety of biological and biomedical applications. These materials can undergo changes mainly through one of the two mechanisms: ligand release in response to chemical, physical, or biological stimuli, and ligand burial in response to mechanical stretching or the change of electrical potential. This study demonstrates an encrypted ligand and a new hydrogel that are capable of inducing and inhibiting cell adhesion, which is controlled by molecular reconfiguration. The ligand initially exhibits an inert state; it can be reconfigured into active and inert states by using unblocking and recovering molecules in physiological conditions. Since molecular reconfiguration does not require the release of the ligand from the hydrogels, inhibiting and inducing cell adhesion on the hydrogels can be repeated for multiple cycles.
B-N distance potential of CH3CN-BF3 revisited: resolving the experiment-theory structure discrepancy and modeling the effects of low-dielectric environments.

We have re-examined the B−N distance potential of CH3CN−BF3 using MP2, DFT, and high-accuracy multicoefficient methods (MCG3 and MC-QCISD). In addition, we have solved a 1-D Schrodinger equation fo...
COREL: a dynamic compaction procedure for synchronous sequential circuits with repetition and local static compaction

We propose a dynamic compaction procedure for non-scan synchronous sequential circuits. The procedure combines four compaction techniques. (1) Dynamic ordering of test subsequences generated for yet-undetected faults. (2) Local static compaction is performed every time a new subsequence is added to the test sequence. (3) Short test subsequences are discarded to prevent them from increasing the test length unnecessarily. (4) The test generation process is repeated with a fault order dynamically determined based on the existing test sequence. With these techniques, dynamic compaction yields test lengths that are shorter than all but the most aggressive and computationally expensive static compaction procedure.
Altered Nuclear Activation Parameters of Rat Sperm Treated in Vitro with Chromatin-Damaging Agents

Abstract Standard semen measures do not assess the genetic integrity of sperm. A human sperm activation assay (HSAA) has proven very useful for assessing sperm quality and predicting pregnancy outcome. The HSAA involves incubating permeabilized sperm in cytoplasmic extracts ofXenopus laevisfrog eggs. The extracts activate sperm nuclei, which undergo chromatin decondensation, DNA synthesis, and chromatin recondensation, mimicking events that occur after fertilizationin vivo.However, no animal model sperm activation assay has been reported. We hypothesize that sperm activation assays will be useful for studying molecular mechanisms of sperm DNA repair by egg cytoplasm and for screening sperm for damaged DNA. Thus, the objectives of this study were to develop anin vitrorat sperm activation assay (RSAA) using cytoplasmic extracts ofX. laevisfrog eggs and to determine how chemically damaging the sperm chromatin would affect two sperm activation parameters, chromatin decondensation and DNA synthesis. We incubated demembranated rat sperm in a cytoplasmic extract ofX. laevisfrog eggs supplemented with tritiated thymidine triphosphate ([3H]TTP). The activated sperm nuclei underwent chromatin decondensation and DNA synthesis. Decondensation kinetics were examined using image analysis to measure the size of the sperm nuclei as they decondensed. DNA synthesis kinetics were examined using autoradiography of incorporated [3H]TTP. To investigate how chemical damage affects nuclear activation, we treated rat spermin vitrowith ethylene glycolbis(sulfosuccinimidylsuccinate; SEGS), a reversible crosslinking agent, or hydroxylamine (HA), a DNA base modifier. Treatment with SEGS blocked decondensation in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, treatment with HA enhanced decondensation, induced gross chromatin abnormalities, and increased [3H]TTP incorporation into activated sperm nuclei, responses consistent with an attempt by the egg cytoplasm to repair DNA damage. These results suggest that the RSAA may be useful for detecting damaged sperm chromatin as a result of toxicant exposure.
Backward conditioning of the rabbit eyelid response: A test using second-order conditioning

Investigations studying fear in the rat have reported that a CS paired in a backward relationship with the US can acquire excitatory properties. This procedure does not appear to be effective in rabbit eyelid conditioning. The present studies examined Rescorla’s proposal that an excitatory effect might be observed with US-CS pairings in eyelid conditioning if the CS was tested in a second-order conditioning paradigm. The results provided no support for this proposal because second-order eyelid conditioning was just as difficult to demonstrate as was backward eyelid conditioning.