cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Superplasticity in metals and ceramics: High-strain-rate superplasticity

It is often thought that superplasticity is only found at relatively low strain rates, typically about 10 –4 to 10 –3 s –1 . Several recent studies have indicated, however, that superplasticity can exist at strain rates considerably higher than 10 –2 s –1 . This high-strain-rate superplasticity (HSRS) phenomenon has now been observed in metal-matrix composites, mechanically alloyed materials, and even the more conventionally produced metallic alloys. We will discuss the phenomenon in detail in the following. Experimental observations Metal-matrix composites The phenomenon of HSRS was initially observed in Al-based metal-matrix composites and has continued to be studied mainly in Al-based alloys. Composite reinforcements include SiC and Si 3 N 4 whiskers and SiC particles; matrix alloys include 2000, 6000, and 7000 series Al. A list of published HSRS results is presented in Table 9.1. Despite the differences in the type of reinforcement and matrix composition, all of these composites are noted to exhibit approximately similar deformation and microstructural characteristics. In the following, we use a powder-metallurgy 20%SiC whisker-reinforced 2124Al composite (SiC w /2124Al) as an example to reveal the key experimental observations of HSRS. This composite was the first material observed to exhibit HSRS. To the present time, reports on HSRS are found in aluminum composites mainly produced by powder-metallurgy methods. High-temperature deformation investigations of the SiC w /2124Al indicated that the material was not superplastic in as-extruded conditions; over the conventional strain-rate range of 1.7×10 –3 to 3.3×10 –1 s –1 , elongation-to-failure values of 30 to 40% were recorded.
Acute hypocapnia blunts natriuretic and diuretic effects of atrial natriuretic factor in rats

Recent studies suggest that the autonomic nervous system, when activated by respiratory alkalosis, may attenuate the renal effects of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF). We evaluated the renal responses to infusion of ANF during acute exposure to hypocapnia in the presence or absence of the renal nerves in anesthetized rats. In this study, renal function during hypocapnia was assessed and was compared with renal function during normocapnia produced by normal ventilation as well as by hyperventilation. Rats were divided into three experimental groups (n = 8): 1) a normally ventilated normocapnic (NV-N) (control) group; 2) a hyperventilated normocapnic (HV-N) group; and 3) a hyperventilated hypocapnic (HV-H) group. The innervated (Inn) right kidney served as a control for the contralateral denervated (DNX) kidney. In Inn and DNX kidneys of HV-H rats, an infusion of ANF (12 micrograms.kg-1.h-1) produced a smaller increase in urine flow rate (delta V: 9.8 +/- 3.9 and 1.3 +/- 4.2 microliters/min) and in fractional Na excretion (delta FENa: 1.35 +/- 0.52 and 0.73 +/- 0.58%) compared with NV-N rats (delta V: 37.6 +/- 4.9 and 59.9 +/- 9.7 microliters/min; delta FENa: 3.24 +/- 0.37 and 3.88 +/- 0.65%). No differences were observed in delta V and delta FENa in Inn kidney between HV-H and HV-N groups; however, the attenuated natriuretic and diuretic responses to ANF in DNX kidney of HV-H rats were also observed in comparison with HV-N rats (delta V: 27.4 +/- 4.3 microliters/min; delta FENa: 2.94 +/- 0.48%). ANF induced natriuresis in DNX kidney to the same degree in NV-N and HV-N rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate injection (Depo-Provera): a highly effective contraceptive option with proven long-term safety.

Depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo-Provera®) is a highly effective, nondaily hormonal contraceptive option that has been available in the United States for a decade, and worldwide for 40 years. Benefits and risks of hormonal therapy are often under scrutiny; however, long-term clinical experience has established the safety of this long-acting contraceptive. This article reviews the contraceptive efficacy, potential noncontraceptive health benefits and long-term safety of with regard to risk of cardiovascular events, breast and gynecologic malignancy and osteopenia. Comparisons with other hormonal contraceptives are made as clinically appropriate. Common patient management issues, including effects on menstrual cycle, body weight and mood, are also addressed. Finally, this review provides recommendations for appropriate patient selection.
In vitro evaluation of cefepime and other broad-spectrum β-lactams in Taiwan medical centers

Abstract The rates of resistance to commonly used antimicrobial agents have been documented to be at alarmingly high levels in Taiwan for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative species. This study was conducted to assess the current resistance patterns in six medical centers strictly controlled using a common MIC methodology and quality assurance measures. Cefepime, a new clinically introduced broad-spectrum "fourth-generation" cephalosporin, was compared to other members in this class including ceftazidime, cefpirome, ceftriaxone, piperacillin/tazobactam, and imipenem. These antimicrobials were tested against ten species groups of common clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae, non-enteric Gram-negative bacilli, and oxacillin-susceptible Staphylococcus spp. The results confirmed that extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production in Klebsiella spp. (21.7%) and Escherichia coli (16.7%) was common in all medical centers surveyed. Cefepime was more active against these two species as well as against Amp C producing species, indole-positive Proteae , and Acinetobacter species. The activity of cefepime was comparable although slightly less than that of ceftazidime against Serratia spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. All or nearly all staphylococci isolates were susceptible to the β-lactam antimicrobial agents, except for ceftazidime. Overall, these antimicrobial agents had descending spectrums of activity as follows: imipenem > cefepime > cefpirome > piperacillin/tazobactam > ceftazidime > ceftriaxone for the 550 isolates tested. Cefepime seems to be an important broad-spectrum β-lactam that can be used with confidence against many important pathogens in Taiwan, including those harboring resistance mechanisms. A continued surveillance program seems prudent for this geographic area.
Evaluation of wastewater treatment by-products as soil amendment: Growth of sorghum-sudan grass and trace elements concentrations

Wastewater treatment by-products (WTBP), such as sewage sludge (SS) may be used to enhance soil chemical, physical, and biological properties. These enhanced soil properties, in turn, could from its source of production to its site of application. These concerns may be mitigated by incineration of the SS to produce ash (SSA) and dissolved in water and stored in ponds as contribute to an increase in plant growth, production, mineral nutrition. Some SS is difficult to handle due to bad odor in its raw state and has large mass, hence expensive for transportation weathered SSA (WSSA). A greenhouse study was conducted using Candler fine sand CFS; (CFS; pH = 6.8) and Ogeechee loamy sand OLS; (pH = 5.2) with application of either 0, 24.7, 49.4, 98.8, or 148.2 Mg ha−1 as either SS, SSA, or WSSA to evaluate the biomass production and elemental composition responses of sorghum-sudan grass (Sorghum vulgaris var. Sudanese hitche). Shoot and root biomass were 2 to 3 fold greater in the soil amended with SS, than eithe...
Reinforcer identification and evaluation of choice within an educational setting

Current research on preference methodology and the effects of choice with children who are typically developing is limited. This study evaluated two preference methodologies for identifying reinforcers across two choice options within the classroom. These methods include a teacher-generated list of reinforcers, a student-generated list of reinforcers, student choice from both lists, and teacher choice from both lists. Four elementary aged-children with no diagnosed learning or developmental disabilities participated. Both preference methods were effective in identifying reinforcers for all participants. Moreover, both choice options resulted in increases in responding. Results are discussed with respect to reinforcement and the effects of “choice.”
Magnetic fields of the magnetosheath

The magnetic field of the magnetosheath is most naturally discussed in terms of its steady state and its fluctuating components. Theory of the steady state field is quite well developed and its essential features have been confirmed by observations. The interplanetary field is convected through the bow shock where its magnitude is increased and its direction changed by the minimal amount necessary to preserve the normal component across the shock. Convection within the magnetosheath usually increases the magnitude still further near the subsolar point and further distortes the direction until the field is aligned approximately tangent to the magnetopause. Fluctuations of the magnetosheath field are very complex, variable and not well understood. Spectral peaks are common features which occur at different frequencies at various times. Perturbation vectors of hydromagnetic waves tend to be aligned with the shock and magnetopause surfaces. Magnetosheath waves may be generated upstream, within the magnetosheath, at the bow shock, or at the magnetopause, but the relative importance of these sources is not known.
Petrogenesis and timing of volcanism in the Rajmahal flood basalt province, northeastern India

A suite of rocks from the Rajmahal-Bengal-Sylhet Traps of northeastern India has been analyzed to ascertain the timing and duration of volcanism and elucidate their petrogenesis. 40Ar39Ar tep-heating studies identified specimens that suffered post-crystallization loss of 40Ar∗ and indicate the Rajmahal Province was extruded in ∼2 Ma around 117 Ma ago. Trace- and rare-earth-element data suggest the existence of three different types of magmas. Rajmahal quartz tholeiites were formed from primary melts, following considerable gabbroic fractionation. Bengal Trap olivine tholeiites represent lavas formed by large partial melting of mantle material, leaving garnet in the residue. Alkali basalts in the Bengal Traps appear to represent partial melts of mantle containing LILE-enriched sections, rather than very small ( < 2%) melts of a garnet lherzolite source. Whole-rock δ18O-values for slightly altered tholeiites fall in the range +5.9 to +6.6‰, indicating mantle-derived melts that have suffered minor crustal contamination; two alkali basalts, formed following considerable crystal fractionation of primary magmas, yield values of ∼ + 7.2‰. SrNd isotopic analyses show two different contamination trends, overlapping those observed in an earlier study of surface Rajmahal quartz tholeiites, with the most primitive material showing 87Sr86Sr ∼ 0.70400, 143Nd144Nd ∼ 0.51280 at 117 Ma ago. The Bengal Trap olivine tholeiites were formed following assimilation of high-87Sr86Sr (granulitic?) material. The main contamination trend includes quartz tholeiites from the Rajmahal Traps and alkali basalts from the Bengal Traps. Tholeiites, showing considerable isotopic modification, suggest ingestion of a high-Sr component, unlikely to be upper-crustal material; for the alkali basalts, with high Sr (∼ 1000 ppm) and Nd (∼ 55 ppm) contents, incorporation of a few percent of “exotic” material (in the source region?) is indicated. Carbonatite is the probable contaminant, strengthening the postulated link between flood basalt volcanism and carbonatite-lamproites in this area. The occurrence of two lavas with reversed magnetic polarity, in association with the 40Ar39Ar ages reported herein, suggests the ISEA reversed event is displayed in the lavas of the Rajmahal Traps.
Chromatography of some cholesterol autoxidation products on sephadex LH-20

Abstract The resolution on Sephadex LH-20 lipophylic gel of several C 27 , C 24 , C 21 , and C 19 steroids of interest in our studies of cholesterol autoxidation has been achieved. Relative mobilities of twenty steroids on adsorption thin-layer chromatograms are compared with relative mobilities on Sephadex LH-20, and a marked retardation effect on Sephadex LH-20 of four sterol hydroperoxides was noted.
A 30000 year record of vegetation dynamics at a semi-arid locale in the Great Basin

Plant macrofossils extracted from fossil woodrat (Neotoma spp.) middens at a single locale in the northwestern Great Basin were used to examine vegetation dynamics during the last 30 000 yr. Although the modem assemblage of xeric species at the study site is a recent occurrence, a large propor- tion of the modem plant taxa near the study locale were also found 12 000 - 30 000 yr BP. The persistence of extant species through time was likely facilitated by within-species genetic diversity and the formation of coenospecies. The diverse topographic and microhabitat features in the northwestern Great Basin also allowed different species to coexist during glacial periods. Changes in species composition occurred during two time intervals: 20 000 - 30 000 and 10 000- 12 000 yr BP. Vegetation changes during 20 000 - 30 000 yr BP were cyclic; community composition oscillated between two groups of taxa. Vegetation changes between 10 000 - 12 000 yr BP occurred during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition and were largely directional from the Pleistocene assemblages through two transition assemblages to a Holocene assemblage. These changes in species composition generally reflect changes in climate. The presence of relatively mesic species during 10 000- 30 000 yr BP is consistent with the regional late-Pleistocene climate, and the gradual loss of relatively mesic species during the Holocene parallels the change to a more xeric climate. Contrasted with other areas of North America and Europe, the magnitude of vegetation changes at our study area were rela- tively small. Furthermore, the persistence of many species through time at this site in the northwestern Great Basin also differs from results at other study sites in North America and Europe. These differences are probably related to land form characteristics and genetic diversity within species.
STUDIES ON INFLAMMATION : III. FIXATION OF A METAL IN INFLAMED AREAS.

Colloidal iron or ferric chloride injected into the inflamed peritoneal cavity is fixed in the cavity and fails to reach the retrosternal lymphatic nodes, whereas, in the absence of inflammation, iron accumulates in these nodes and becomes demonstrable by the Prussian blue reaction. Quantitative studies show that after intraperitoneal injection of ferric chloride the retrosternal lymphatic nodes of animals with normal peritoneal cavity contain approximately 56 per cent more iron than do the nodes of animals with inflamed peritoneal cavity. Ferric chloride injected into the circulating blood enters an inflamed area in the skin and the inflamed tissue gives the Prussian blue reaction. Quantitative determinations show that the amount of iron in inflamed areas is much greater than that found in inflamed areas of animals that have received no iron.
Peptides released during the activation of prorennin.

Abstract The course of the activation of prorennin has been followed by electrophoresis. The results, which show the release of two basic peptides, provide no evidence for the formation of an intermediate during the activation. Electrophoresis of concentrated fractions after the gel filtration of the activation mixture indicates the formation of at least four peptides. One of these, peptide A, has been partially purified. This peptide is characterized by having alanine as the NH2-terminal residue and is estimated to have a molecular weight of about 4000. Alanine has been shown to be NH2-terminal in prorennin. Rennin isolated after the activation of prorennin was found to have glycine as the NH2-terminal residue, and the COOH-terminal residue of both prorennin and rennin was found to be asparagine, indicating that the fragmentation taking place during activation is restricted to the NH2-terminal portion of prorennin. It is suggested that peptide A constitutes the NH2-terminal portion of prorennin, and that the other peptides released reside between peptide A and a glycine residue which becomes NH2-terminal in rennin.
Novel synthesis of (−)‐trans‐Δ9,11‐tetrahydrocannabinol

Addition of hydrogen chloride gas to a solution of Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol in dry dichloromethane at -60° in the presence of zinc chloride results in the formation of a higher concentration of 9-α-chlorohexa-hydrocannabinol (75%) than the thermodynamically more stable 9-β-chlorohexahydrocannabinol (25%). The two isomers can be separated by reverse-phase hplc. Elimination of hydrogen chloride from 9-α-chlorohexa-hydrocannabinol using potassium t-amylate under anhydrous conditions gives exclusively Δ9,11-tetrahydrocannabinol in overall yield of 65%.
Ethics Environment in Long-Term Care

This study assesses three hypotheses regarding a long-term care facility’s ethics environment and the relationships between ethics environment, employees’ work features, and residents’ outcomes. Validated questionnaires measure ethics environment, work satisfaction, managing disagreement, goal attainment, care and work opinion including retention, and mental health status among full-time employees (N = 110; 53%) and residents (N = 139; 57%) who volunteered for this cross-sectional cohort analysis. Ethics environment is rated above average (> 3.0, 1-5 scale) by employees and residents, with statistically significant (p = .001) Spearman correlations between ethics environment and employees’ attainment of goals, opinion of care, and work satisfaction; between residents’ ethics environment and care opinion and mental status (MCS, SF-36). Among others, ethics environment is revealed as a robust correlate to two critical factors for quality care: employees’ care opinion including retention and residents’ mental...
Cost-effective system for automatic reconnaissance target acquisition

ABSTRACT Data processing requirements for automated reconnaissance target acquisition for F-14 aircraft with TacticalAir Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS) capability is discussed. Low-cost upgrades to an existing, flight-proven reconnaissance equipment controller are described. The resulting system is a pre-flight programmableequipment controller and data annotation driver for EU and film based reconnaissance sensors. Key words: reconnaissance, target acquisition, F-14, TARPS, Mission Data Loader, MIL-STD-1553, GPS,AN/ASQ- 197, reconnaissance m anagement2. INTRODUCTION A paradox ofthe era oflow level conflict in which we now find ourselves, is that the need for high-quality air-borne reconnaissance has avalanched, right as traditional reconnaissance assets are being phased out andtheir successors delayed or canceled. Luckily there remains TARPS, the US Navy's Tactical AirborneReconnaissance Pod System, currently in use throughout the world on F-14 Tomcat aircraft.Recent years have seen vital use ofTARPS in Bosnia, Somalia, and Iraq. The need to stretch TARPS to theend ofthe century and beyond, is as real as the lack ofanything &se flying, capable of matching TARPSperformance. Updates to equip the pod with new sensors and advanced avionics are necessary to meetexpanding mission needs.
Thymoma. A retrospective study of 87 cases.

Background. The authors retrospectively analyzed 87 patients with malignant thymoma treated at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center between 1951 and 1990. The analysis examined the clinical stages, histologic types, and treatment modalities and attempted to determine if chemotherapy had an impact on survival. Methods. The patients were divided into three groups by their year of treatment and treatment modality. Patients treated between 1951 and 1975 were in Group I; patients treated between 1976 and 1980 were in Group II; and patients treated between 1981 and 1990 were in Group III. Most of the patients (18 [72%] in Group I; 16 [62%] in Group II; and 18 [50%] in Group III) had surgical resection alone or with radiotherapy. Patients with advanced-stage disease in Group I received single-agent chemotherapy, whereas patients with advanced-stage disease in Group II received a different, combination chemotherapy regimen, and those in Group III were treated primarily with cisplatin- and doxorubicin-based combination chemotherapy, e.g., the cyclophosphamide doxorubicin, and cisplatin with or without prednisone. The 17 patients treated with cisplatin with or without prednisone were separately evaluated for survival according to their response. Results. Twenty-eight patients (5 [20%] in Group I; 6 [23%] in Group II; and 17 [47%] in Group III) received chemotherapy alone or after surgery or radiotherapy. The cisplatin with or without prednisone regimen was used in 17 Group III patients for initial treatment or for relapse. The overall response rate among the patients receiving the cisplatin with or without prednisone regimen was 64%; 6 (35%) had a complete response, and 5 (29%) had a partial response. Thirty-one (36%) of the 87 total patients had 45 recurrent tumors; the lung (29%), pleura (22%), and mediastinum (18%) were the most common sites of recurrence, whereas bone was the most common distant metastatic site. The 5-year survival rate was 70% in patients with Stage I disease, 71% in patients with Stage II or III disease, and 46% in patients with Stage IV disease. The 10-year survival rate was 70% in patients with Stage I disease, 47% in patients with Stage II or III disease, and 21% in patients with Stage IV disease. Statistical analysis indicated a significant difference among the survival rates of patients with noninvasive Stage I, invasive Stage II plus III (P = 0.033), and Stage II plus III and IV tumors (P = 0.056), but not between patients with Stage II or III tumors. Patients with a major response to the cisplatin with or without prednisone regimen had a significant survival improvement compared to those with no response (P = 0.002, log-rank test). Conclusions. Because thymoma is a chemosensitive tumor and frequently recurs in patients with Stage II or greater disease, chemotherapy carries a potential survival benefit and should be incorporated into the multimodality approach to prolong disease-free survival.
The penetration of intravascularly perfused lanthanum into the ameloblast layer of developing rat molar teeth

Abstract Eight-day-old rats were intravascularly perfused with an isotonic saline solution containing lanthanum to determine the permeabilities of the junctional complexes in the ameloblast layer of developing molar teeth to this tracer. At no stage in tooth enamel development did lanthanum penetrate through the extracellular space into enamel, suggesting that, to enter enamel, calcium must pass through a portion of the ameloblast.
Experiences and challenges in deploying potentially invasive sensor systems for dynamic media applications

This paper describes a series of projects that explore a set of dynamic media applications built upon a potentially invasive sensor system — the Ubiquitous Media Portal, featuring high-resolution video and audio capture with user ID/tracking capabilities that we installed throughout our facility. In addition to sensors, the portals provide a display and loudspeaker to locally display information or manifest phenomena from virtual worlds. During an eight-month long period, we implemented four different applications to explore acceptance by our buildingwide users. Our results provide insight into how different levels of information presentation and perceived user control can influence the user acceptance and engagement with such sensor platforms in ubiquitous deployments.
A scale-free analysis of magnetic holes at 1 AU

[1] We describe a scale-free search for magnetic holes in the solar wind using Wind magnetometer observations between 1994 and 2004. Using magnetic field and ion measurements on the Wind spacecraft, we present the first statistical study of magnetic hole plasma signatures on the kinetic scale and we evaluate magnetic holes as kinetic and fluid phenomena. Magnetic holes are shown to be pressure-balanced structures with similar properties on all scales. Temperature anisotropy measurements are combined with magnetic field measurements to give direct evidence that magnetic holes observed at 1 AU are stable remnants of magnetic pressure depletions generated in a source region closer to the Sun, likely through the mirror-mode instability.
Electrical Stimulation for Pressure Sore Prevention and Wound Healing

This paper reviews applications of therapeutic electrical stimulation (ES) specific to wound healing and pressure sore prevention. The application of ES for wound healing has been found to increase the rate of healing by more than 50%. Furthermore, the total number of wounds healed is also increased. However, optimal delivery techniques for ES therapy have not been established to date. A study of stimulation current effects on wound healing in a pig model has shown that direct current (DC) stimulation is most effective in wound area reduction and alternating current (AC) stimulation for wound volume reduction at current densities of 127 microA/cm2 and 1,125 microA/cm2, respectively. Preliminary studies have been carried out at two research centers to assess the role of ES in pressure sore prevention. Surface stimulation studies have shown that ES can produce positive short-term changes in tissue health variables such as regional blood flow and pressure distribution. The use of an implanted stimulation system consisting of intramuscular electrodes with percutaneous leads has been found to produce additional long-term changes. Specifically, gluteal muscle thickness increased by 50% with regular long-term ES application concurrent with a 20% decrease in regional interface pressures and increased tissue oxygen levels. These findings indicate that an implantable ES system may have great potential for pressure sore prevention, particularly for individuals who lack sensation or who are physically unable to perform regular independent pressure relief.
Recent heavy flavor results from CLEO II

Abstract Results from the recently upgraded CLEO experiment at CESR are presented. Measurements of branching fractions for D∗ meson decay modes are made, including an upper limit for the mode D + γ: B r ( D ∗+ → D + γ) confindence level) . Measurements of several branching fractions for Ds+ decays relative to the φπ+ mode are presented including the previously unseen modes ηϱ+ and η′ϱ+. Preliminary results are reported for two new decay modes of the Λc+: Σ0π+ and Λ0π+π0. A measurement of the inclusive B∗ cross section above the Y(4S) resonance in the energy range from 10.61 to 10.70 GeV is also presented.
Penalty Formulations and Trap-Avoidance Strategies for Solving Hard Satisfiability Problems

In this paper we study the solution of SAT problems formulated as discrete decision and discrete constrained optimization problems. Constrained formulations are better than traditional unconstrained formulations because violated constraints may provide additional forces to lead a search towards a satisfiable assignment. We summarize the theory of extended saddle points in penalty formulations for solving discrete constrained optimization problems and the associated discrete penalty method (DPM). We then examine various formulations of the objective function, choices of neighborhood in DPM, strategies for updating penalties, and heuristics for avoiding traps. Experimental evaluations on hard benchmark instances pinpoint that traps contribute significantly to the inefficiency of DPM and force a trajectory to repeatedly visit the same set of or nearby points in the original variable space. To address this issue, we propose and study two trap-avoidance strategies. The first strategy adds extra penalties on unsatisfied clauses inside a trap, leading to very large penalties for unsatisfied clauses that are trapped more often and making these clauses more likely to be satisfied in the future. The second strategy stores information on points visited before, whether inside traps or not, and avoids visiting points that are close to points visited before. It can be implemented by modifying the penalty function in such a way that, if a trajectory gets close to points visited before, an extra penalty will take effect and force the trajectory to a new region. It specializes to the first strategy because traps are special cases of points visited before. Finally, we show experimental results on evaluating benchmarks in the DIMACS and SATLIB archives and compare our results with existing results on GSAT, WalkSAT, LSDL, and Grasp. The results demonstrate that DPM with trap avoidance is robust as well as effective for solving hard SAT problems.
Heavy Ion Radiotherapy at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory

Heavy ion radiotherapy potentially offers both dose localization and biologic advantages over conventional radiations in the treatment of cancer. Approximately 400 patients have been treated with either helium , carbon, neon, argon or silicon beams. Aspects of particle therapy are reviewed. Experience with these beams have defined parameters required of a hospital based heavy ion machine. A design study of such a machine is now underway at LBL.
First-order transitions breaking O( n ) symmetry: Finite-size scaling

The finite-size rounding of a first-order transition is studied in systems representable as n-vector ferromagnets, so that O(n) symmetry (n\ensuremath{\ge}2) is broken at the bulk transition point. Both ``block,'' V=${L}^{d}$, and ``cylinder,'' ${L}^{d\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\ensuremath{\infty}, geometries are considered for general dimensionality d. Explicit expressions are obtained for the scaling functions describing the rounded transitions and the crossover in shape. Spin-wave effects are shown to be of relative order 1/${L}^{d\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$, and are calculated in detail in the block case. For n=3 (and d=3) this provides an extension of N\'eel's phenomenological theory of superparamagnetism. The analysis for cylinders involves the formulation of a ``degeneracy kernel'' to describe the asymptotic rounding of first-order transitions and establishes a general relation between the helicity modulus (or ``spin-wave stiffness'' or ``superfluid density'') and the transfer operator spectrum. The relationship to finite-size scaling in the critical region is examined with emphasis on the extra scaling combination, ${\mathrm{Vt}}^{2\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\alpha}}$, that is needed for dg${d}_{g}$=4. All the results found can be checked in the limit n\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty} against exact results for spherical models (described elsewhere).
Parent/caregiver stress during pediatric hospitalization for chronic feeding problems.

This study examined changes in stress in 37 mothers/caregivers of children with chronic feeding problems. Stress was measured by the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form at three specific stages during pediatric hospitalization for treatment of chronic feeding problems. The relationship between caregiver stress and stage of hospitalization as well as that between stress and various child and family variables were investigated. Repeated-measures analyses of variance and t tests found that stress related to social isolation and self-perception and total parenting stress changed significantly in relation to the stage of hospitalization. Correlational analyses indicated that caregiver stress was positively related to the presence of mental retardation, oral–motor dysfunction, tonal abnormalities, or a pervasive developmental disorder in the hospitalized child. Caregiver stress was negatively related to coping strategies that involved understanding the child's medical situation. These results provide a more comprehensive picture of families of children with chronic feeding problems, a population that has received little attention in the research literature. Information regarding parent/caregiver stress during a child's hospitalization can enhance nurses' understanding of the experiences of these families, thereby contributing to more effective treatment planning. In addition, the results emphasize the need to examine a variety of child and family factors that may influence parenting stress as well as family involvement in intervention services.
Experimental Seismic Response of High-Voltage Transformer-Bushing Systems

This paper describes the shake table testing of a full-scale high-voltage electrical transformer-bushing system. The main objective of the study was to investigate the amplification between the ground motion and the motion at the base of the bushing under various ground-motion time histories and intensities. Another objective of the testing was to assess the predictions of a three-dimensional finite-element model of the transformer-bushing system. The experimental results obtained indicated that the rocking motion of the bushing and turret, facilitated by the top plate flexibility of the transformer, influenced significantly the dynamic characteristics of the bushing. The finite element model was able to predict absolute accelerations, relative displacements, and stress distributions in the systems with reasonable accuracy considering its complexity. DOI: 10.1193/1.2044820
Self-consistent calculations of strain-induced band gap changes in semiconducting ( n , 0 ) carbon nanotubes

First-principles density-functional calculations of the electronic structure, energy band gaps $({E}_{g})$, and strain-induced band gap changes in moderate-gap single-walled $(n,0)$ carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are presented. It is confirmed that $(n,0)$ SWNTs fall into two classes depending upon $n\text{ }\text{mod}\text{ }3=1$ or 2. ${E}_{g}$ is always lower for ``mod 1'' than for ``mod 2'' SWNTs of similar diameter. For $nl10$, strong curvature effects dominate ${E}_{g}$; from $n=10$ to 17, the ${E}_{g}$ oscillations, amplified due to $\ensuremath{\sigma}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\pi}$ mixing, decrease and can be explained very well with a tight-binding model which includes trigonal warping. Under strain, the two families of semiconducting SWNTs are distinguished by equal and opposite energy shifts for these gaps. For (10,0) and (20,0) tubes, the potential surface and band gap changes are explored up to approximately $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}6%$ strain or compression. For each strain value, full internal geometry relaxation is allowed. The calculated band gap changes are $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}(115\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}10)\text{ }\text{meV}$ per 1% strain, positive for the mod 1 and negative for the mod 2 family, about 10% larger than the tight-binding result of $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}97\text{ }\text{meV}$ and twice as large as the shift predicted from a tight-binding model that includes internal sublattice relaxation.
The Usefulness of the Web in Obtaining Venture Capital Investment Information

KRISTAPS LICIS is a Ph.D. student and research assistant at CISDM SOM at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Massachusetts. R ecent years have witnessed a dramatic growth of venture capital investments. New capital commitments to the venture capital industry in the United States have more than tripled since 1991. However, despite the growing significance of venture capital, finding in-depth information on the performance of venture capital investments is no easy task in general. Today, there are a great number of venture-capital-related web sites on the Internet, but only a few of them offer relevant venture investment information. In this review, we concentrate on a selection of venture-capital-related web sites that do offer venture investment performance, benchmarking, and quality capital source listing information: PricewaterhouseCoopers Venture Capital Survey, VentureOne, Venture Economics, and Venture Capital Resource Library.
Resolution of the branched forms of oligosaccharides by high-performance capillary electrophoresis

Abstract The heterogeneous nature of most polysaccharides found in nature includes distribution in molecular weight, primary sequence, and branching. The analytical methodology used in the characterization of these structural aspects must ensure high separation efficiency and selectivity. This paper reports on the high-performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE) separation of branched forms of oligosaccharides as well as some variants in the primary structure. Oligosaccharide maps were obtained after selective debranching using isoamylase, laminarinase, and cellulase enzymes. The samples investigated were α- d -glucans (amylose, amylopectin, and pullulan) and β- d -glucans (exemplified by lichenan). The solutes were separated as fluorescent derivatives with 8-aminonaphthalene-1,3,6-trisulfonate (ANTS) and detected by laser-induced fluorescence at 514 nm using a He/Cd laser (excitation at 325 nm). The number of theoretical plates was in excess of one million per meter. Baseline resolution of oligosaccharides with a degree of polymerization ≈ 70 was obtained within 15 min using borate buffer as the electrolyte.
The Mediation of Intentional Judgments by Unconscious Perceptions: The Influences of Task Strategy, Task Preference, Word Meaning, and Motivation

Abstract In two experiments subjects attempted to identify words presented below the objective threshold using two task strategies emphasizing either allowing a word to pop into their heads (pop condition) or looking carefully at the stimulus field (look condition). Words were selected to represent both meaningful (pleasant vs unpleasant) and structural (long vs short) dimensions. We also asked subjects to indicate their strategy preference (pop vs look) and to rate their motivation to perform well. In the absence of conscious perception, both strategy preference and word meaning interacted with strategy condition, mediating the accuracy of subjects′ direct word identification judgments. Motivation also mediated performance. Word structure had no effect. Unconscious perception manifested only in the pop condition, underscoring the importance of task strategy in determining whether subliminal effects are observed. A follow-up control experiment using sham flashes demonstrated that strategy preference and motivation effects were not artifacts resulting from performance feedback cues.
Behavior of Sand Particles Around Rigid Ribbed Inclusions During Shear

ABSTRACT The behavior of cohesionless soil around rigid plane ribbed inclusions during shear was investigated. The experimental program included monitoring of individual sand grain movements during plane strain shearing and mapping of zones of dilation, contraction and maximum shear strain. The parameters of study included rib geometry and spacing, soil density, grain shape, grain size and number of shearing cycles. The rib spacing proved to be a particularly important parameter as it controlled the development or lack of development of a passive soil zone ahead of an advancing rib. The initial soil density determined the volumetric straining and the peak load transfer. Beyond the first half-cycle of shearing, both dense and loose sands exhibited similar behavior. Carbowax solidification techniques were also employed to characterize the failure surfaces and to determine localized changes in void ratio in the intrarib region.
Adrenal-preserving minimally invasive surgery: Update on the current status of laparoscopic partial adrenalectomy

Adrenalectomy is the standard of care for hormonally active adrenal masses. In recent years, minimally invasive laparoscopic excision has become a preferred management option. As with advances in parenchymal-sparing renal surgery, investigators have begun to examine adrenal-sparing procedures to preserve functional adrenal tissue. This article reviews the recent literature and reports on intermediate results with laparscopic partial adrenalectomy (LPA).
Dissociation of the neural systems for working memory maintenance of verbal and nonspatial visual information

Working memory for names and faces was investigated to ascertain whether verbal and nonspatial visual information is maintained in working memory by separate neural systems. The subjects performed a delayed match-to-sample task for famous or unfamous faces and names and a sensorimotor control task. Several occipital, temporal, parietal, and prefrontal areas were activated during all memory delays, in comparison with the control delays. Greater delay activity for unfamous faces than for names was obtained in the right fusiform gyrus, right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), right IFG/ precentral gyrus, and right medial superior frontal gyrus, whereas greater delay activity for unfamous names than for faces was observed in the precuneus, left insula/postcentral gyrus, and left IFG/ precentral gyrus. There was no significant difference in the prefrontal activity in the comparison between famous faces and names. Greater delay activity for famous names than for faces was obtained in visual association and parietal areas. The results indicate that there is a functional dissociation based on information type within the neural system that is responsible for working memory maintenance of verbal and nonspatial visual information.
Extinction, recolonization, and the genetic structure of tidepool copepod populations

Extinction and recolonization in metapopulations may either increase or decrease genetic differentiation among populations, but recent genetic models predict increased differentiation under most circumstances of recolonization. I examine this prediction empirically using tidepool populations of the marine tidepool copepodTigriopus californicus. The probability of extinction of tidepool populations was sufficiently high to invoke the model's predictions, but varied among populations. Nearly 75% of colonizing groups consisted of 10 or fewer individuals. The genetic effective size of colonizing groups might be as high as 18, depending on assumptions, but colonists probably originated from a subset of local populations. In contrast to my predictions, genetic differentiation was smaller among younger tidepool populations than among older populations on each of three rock outcrops, suggesting that genetic differentiation was reduced by metapopulation dynamics. The discrepancy between the prediction and the results may be explained by the unmet assumptions of classical metapopulation structure underlying the genetic models.
A PDE FORMULATION AND NUMERICAL SOLUTION FOR A BOLL WEEVIL-COTTON CROP MODEL

Abstract A system of partial differential equations is developed that describes the population dynamics and interactions of a boll weevil cotton crop system. Emphasis is placed on the mathematical structure needed in capturing the biologically meaningful interactions between the boll weevil and its host (the cotton buds and fruit). A procedure is outlined for the numerical solution of the system and comparisons are made with field data.
Microbial population of the laimosphere of squash (Cucurbita maxima)

The laimosphere, a term analogous to rhizosphere, describes the zone of influence of below-ground portions of shoots on soil microbial populations. Squash hypocotyls influenced microbial populations in soils 0–3 mm from hypocotyl surfaces. In this region, the laimosphere/soil ratio was 7, 36, and 7, respectively, for general bacteria, fluorescent pseudomonads, and actinomycetes.
Peer predictability: an adolescent strategy for increasing a sense of personal safety at school

This action research and general system theory based qualitative inquiry examined adolescents' dependence on predicting the behavior of their peers as a strategy for enhancing their sense of safety at school and avoiding violence. A total of 95 adolescents in 9th through 12th grades from two small rural schools and one large suburban school in New York State participated in the study. Results indicated that students depend on Peer Predictability to feel safe during the school day when adults fail to predictably supervise or intervene in areas or interactions which adolescents perceive as potentially threatening. Familiarity leading to predictability allowed students to evaluate peers for the possibility of emotional or physical violence. This article presents quotes from the students that capture their unique experience. Language: en
Fracture Mechanisms in Ferroelectric‐Ferroelastic Lead Zirconate Titanate (Zr: Ti=0.54:0.46) Ceramics

Fracture toughness, KIC, of a single-phase commercial lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramic (Zr/Ti=0.54/0.46) of tetragonal structure (c/a=1.019) was measured using the single edge notched beam method above and below the Curie temperature. Domain switching (poling) under electrical and mechanical loading was examined using X-ray diffraction. Surface grinding, electrical poling, and mechanical poling caused crystallographic texture. Similar texture, indicative of domain switching, was also observed on fracture surfaces of some saples fractured at room temperature. At room temperature, the highest KIC measured was 1.85 MPa·m1/2, while above the Curie temperature it was about 1.0 MPa·m1/2. Cracks emanating from Vickers indents in poled samples were different in the poling and the transverse directions. The difference in crack sizes is explained on the basis of domain switching during crack growth. These results indicate that ferroelastic domain switching (twinning) is a viable toughening mechanism in the PZT materials tested.
Cryogenic System for Production Testing and Measurement of Fermilab Energy Saver Superconducting Magnets

The cryogenic system of the Fermilab Magnet Test Facility has been used to provide cooling for the testting of approximately 1200 Energy Saver superconducting magnets. The system provides liquid helium, liquid nitrogen, gas purification, and vacuum support for six magnet test stands. It provides for simultaneous high current testing of two superconducting magnets and non-high current cold testing of two additional magnets. The cryogenic system has been in operation for about 32000 hours. The 1200 magnets have taken slightly more than three years to test.
Einstein's equations with an embedding-dependent energy-momentum tensor for the compactified Minkowski time space and their relationship to the conformal action of SO(4,4) on S3 x S3.

Abstract For a pseudoriemannian 4-manifold isometrically embedded in a pseudoriemannian 6-manifold an embedding-dependent energy-momentum tensor is proposed, as well as an embedding-dependent cosmological constant. Their behavior is examined under the conformal transformations. It is specialized to the case of S1 x S3 embedded in S3 x S3, where the latter has the metric tensor in the conformal class of the one inherited from sum from 4i=1 (dxi)2 - sum from 8i=5(dxi)2 on R8. Einstein's equations for the restricted metric are shown to be satisfied if and only if the scalar curvature of S3 x S3 vanishes on S1 x S3.
Maternal and child nutritional status: its association with the risk of pregnancy.

Abstract Breastfeeding reduces the interval between births by its effect on prolonging the period of postpartum anovulation and in some cases, reducing the likelihood of conception once ovulation has occurred. Extended durations of postpartum amenorrhea (18 months and longer) are observed among many women in developing countries, while shorter durations (6 months or less) are common among women in developed countries. This differential effect has been suggested to be related to maternal nutritional status, but numerous other factors also differ. This paper reviews the literature in this area, and suggests that most studies indicate a small and demographically insignificant effect of maternal nutritional status on the period of postpartum amenorrhea. Factors associated with suckling patterns appear to be more important in determining the length of postpartum infertility. Suckling frequency and intensity which affects the hormonal stimulus preventing ovulation appear to be affected by the type of and how supplemental feeding is given to the child (use of bottles), whether suckling is on demand or scheduled, the frequency of night-time feedings (influenced by whether or not the mother sleeps with the child), whether or not pacifiers are used, and the child's nutritional and health status.