cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polymers act as nitrogen carriers to fertilize greenhouse and field grown lettuce

Abstract Two concentration levels for each of two polymer gels (polyacrylate and vinyl alcohol acrylic acid) were incorporated with urea, ammonium sulfate [(NH4)2SO4], and potassium nitrate (KNO3) fertilizer solutions and used as nitrogen (N) carriers to fertilize lettuce grown in a greenhouse and field study. Of the initial 1290 mg N applied, gel treatments contained up to 70 mg N after 43 days. The vinyl alcohol polymers retained significantly larger quantities of NO3‐N from the (NH4)2SO4 and KNO3‐N sources than from the urea source. The N concentration in each gel treatment was an important factor and dependent on the polymer and fertilizer source. Both gels performed better when incorporated with (NH4)2SO4 and KNO3 than with urea.
Role of group velocity in tracking field energy in linear dielectrics

A new context for the group delay function (valid for pulses of arbitrary bandwidth) is presented for electromagnetic pulses propagating in a uniform linear dielectric medium. The traditional formulation of group velocity is recovered by taking a narrowband limit of this generalized context. The arrival time of a light pulse at a point in space is defined using a time expectation integral over the Poynting vector. The delay between pulse arrival times at two distinct points consists of two parts: a spectral superposition of group delays and a delay due to spectral reshaping via absorption or amplification. The use of the new context is illustrated for pulses propagating both superluminally and subluminally. The inevitable transition to subluminal behavior for any initially superluminal pulse is also demonstrated.
Semantic alarm correlation based on ontologies

This paper describes an application that was developed for the semantic alarm correlation with the objective of making inferences about alarm correlation. In order to do that we structured the knowledge about industrial processes through the development of a domain ontology, allowing better development of advanced functionality linked to its operation, alarm management, and anomaly diagnosis. The application of semantic alarm correlation was used with a diethanolamine (DEA) treatment unity plant, which is a very important process in the petrochemical processes industry.
Book Review: Cosmetic Dermatology: Principles and Practice

Leslie Baumann, Cosmetic Dermatology: Principles and Practice. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Professional, 2009 ISBN: 0071490620 ![][1] Dr. Leslie Baumann is a prominent cosmetic dermatologist and founder of the Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute at the University of Miami. She published extensively in the dermatologic literature and gained national prominence with the publication of her New York Times bestselling book, The Skin Type Solution . With the help of more than 20 contributing authors, Dr. Baumann provides over 350 pages of well-researched and well-presented material in Cosmetic Dermatology: Principles and Practice . The content flows well, in an orderly fashion. The layout of the book, with color-coded subchapters, allows for easy retrieval of previously read information. Additionally, the book includes numerous tables, figures, and photographs—at least one on almost every page. Overall, the text is a well-considered volume with an appealing, user-friendly format. The content of Cosmetic Dermatology covers the whole spectrum of the specialty. Beginning with an explanation of the basic concepts of skin … [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
When is it best to repeat a 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan on patients with non-small cell lung cancer who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy?

Background The ideal time to repeat a 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) scan to accurately restage a patient after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unknown. Methods This retrospective cohort study used a prospective database of patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, an initial and repeat FDG-PET/CT scan, and pathologic staging. The accuracy of the clinical stage suggested by repeat FDG-PET/CT was compared with the actual pathologic stage. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine when it was most accurate to repeat the FDG-PET/CT after the completion of the last dose of chest radiation. Results The study comprised 109 patients, 93 of whom patients received 60 Gy (or higher) of radiotherapy. The median time to restaging was 24 days (range, 2 to 88 days). ROC analysis showed the optimal time to restage patients was 26 days for overall staging (area under the curve [AUC], 0.88) and 29 days for N2 restaging (AUC, 0.82). The accuracy for overall stage was 3 (38%) of 8 for patients for less than 10 days, 28 (72%) of 39 for patients between 11 and 20 days, 42 (88%) of 49 between 21 and 30 days, and 8 (62%) of 13 for 31 days or more. The accuracy for these time intervals for the restaging of the N2 lymph node was 50% (1/2) 40% (2/5), 88% (7/8), and 100% (3/3), respectively. Conclusions The optimal time to perform a repeat FDG-PET/CT scan after the completion of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and high-dose radiotherapy to maximize its accuracy for restaging patients with NSCLC is about 1 month after the last dose of radiation.
Engineering ultra-sharp light scattering resonances using structured nanospheres for multi-label molecular imaging

We describe a new concept that utilizes multi-layered metallic nanospheres exhibiting tunable ultra-sharp resonance peaks with spectral widths as narrow as 10 nm to achieve the labeling of multiple targets simultaneously for molecular imaging.
Personality Subtypes in Adolescent and Adult Children of Alcoholics: A two part study

The authors conducted two studies to identify and to validate potential personality subtypes in the adolescent and adult children of alcoholics. As part of a broader NIMH-funded study, randomly selected psychologists and psychiatrists provided personality data on adolescent (n = 208) or adult (n = 349) children of alcoholics using a Q-sort procedure (Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure [SWAP]-II-A for adolescents and SWAP-II for adults), which were subjected to a cluster-analytic procedure, Q-factor analysis. Q-factor analysis yielded five personality subtypes in both groups. Despite the different samples and age groups, four of the personality subtypes were highly similar, including externalizing, inhibited, emotionally dysregulated, and high-functioning. Providing initial data on their validity, the subtypes differed on axis I and II pathology, adaptive functioning, and developmental and family history variables. These findings show heterogeneity among children of alcoholics and suggest the importance of addressing personality subtypes for research and practice in treating adolescent and adult children of alcoholics.
Transition to the adult endocrine clinic: testing pituitary function - what tests and when?

The preferred method(s) and timing for retesting of the growth hormone (GH) axis in young adults with childhood-onset GH deficiency during the transition period are less well characterized than those for children and older adults. Retesting of other hypothalamic-pituitary axes for which replacement therapy had (e.g., thyroid hormone) or had not been (e.g., glucocorticoids and sex steroids) initiated in childhood also requires periodic reassessment. The transition period in children with hypopituitarism also represents the time for initiation of plans for transfer of care to an internist-endocrinologist with expertise in the management of hypothalamic-pituitary disease in young adults.
Polyphosphate accelerates factor V activation by factor XIa

Factor Va enhances the rate of prothrombin activation by factor Xa by four to five orders of magnitude. Production of initiating levels of factor Va from its precursor, factor V, is a critical event early in haemostasis, as factor V exhibits negligible cofactor activity. While thrombin is the most potent physiological back-activator of factor V, the first prothrombinase complexes require a source of factor Va prior to thrombin generation. A recent study by Whelihan et al. (J Thromb Haemost 2010; 8:1532–1539) identified factor XIa as a candidate for the initial thrombin-independent activation of factor V, although this reaction was slow and required relatively high concentrations of factors V and XIa. Activated platelets secrete polyphosphate, which we previously showed to be potently procoagulant. We now report that polyphosphate greatly accelerates factor V activation by factor XIa, and that this is supported by polyphosphate polymers of the size secreted by activated human platelets. This finding provides additional evidence that factor XIa-mediated generation of factor Va may contribute to the initiation of haemostasis.
Fluid-present melting of sulfide-bearing ocean-crust: Experimental constraints on the transport of sulfur from subducting slab to mantle wedge

Abstract To constrain the sulfur enrichment of arc magma source-regions and the agent of sulfur transport from subducting slab to mantle wedge, here we report experimental measurements of sulfur content at sulfide saturation (SCSS) of slab-derived hydrous partial melts at 2.0 and 3.0 GPa and from 800 to 1050 °C, using Ni–NiO (NNO) and Co–CoO (CCO) external oxygen fugacity (fO2) buffers. A synthetic H2O-saturated MORB with 1 wt.% S (added as pyrite) was used as starting material. All experiments produced pyrrhotite- and fluid-saturated assemblages of silicate glass, clinopyroxene, garnet, quartz, and rutile (plus amphibole at 2 GPa/800 °C and phengite at 3 GPa/850 °C). The silicate partial melt composition evolves from rhyolitic to rhyodacitic compositions with increasing temperature and melting degree in equilibrium with an eclogitic residue, showing substantial decrease in SiO2 and Mg# and increase in FeOT, TiO2 and Na2O. At all temperatures melt sulfur concentrations are very low, with an average of 110 ± 50 ppm S, similar to previous measurements at lower pressures. Melt SCSS appears to be mainly controlled by the melt composition, the activity of water, aH2O and the sulfur fugacity, fS2 (calculated from the composition of pyrrhotite). Mass-balance calculations show that the proportion of bulk sulfur dissolved in the silicate melt is negligible (
Parathyroid hormone and calcium a relationship in hypertension

Total and ionized calcium, parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, and renin activity were measured in 27 untreated patients with essential hypertension. There was no relationship between any of these parameters and diastolic blood pressure. However, a significant inverse relationship was found between diastolic blood pressure and the ratio of either total or ionized calcium to parathyroid hormone (r = -0.40, P less than 0.05; and r = -0.38, P less than 0.05, respectively). The ratios did not correlate with patient age or plasma renin level. This preliminary finding suggests that the role of plasma calcium in hypertension may need to be analyzed in the context of overall calcium metabolism, as influenced by the parathyroid hormone. The role of an altered relationship between plasma calcium level and parathyroid hormone in the pathophysiology of essential hypertension remains to be studied.
Measurement of Surface Tension by Interferometric Means

FOR a sessilo drop of liquid of surface tension, density and radius of curvature R0 at the vertex, the differential equation1: for drop shape (Fig, 1) in terms of the co-ordinates measured from the vertex and scaled with respect to R0, has recently been solved numerically on a digital computer by Staicopolus2 and the Fortran II programme is available. The method used is more accurate than the elaborate approximation procedure of Bashforth and Adams1 and, although not mentioned by Staicopolus, the results are also more accurate than Porter's3 values of γ/ρgr as a function of h/r. The results allow γ and r/R0 to be related to h and r through a polynomial expression in z = (r/h − A)/C.
Magnetic resonance imaging of spinal intradural granulocytic sarcoma

Abstract We report the case of a young black male with a spinal intradural granulocytic sarcoma proved by needle aspiration. The tumor was evaluated by myelography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Other than its rarity, the “dripping candle wax” appearance on MR T1-weighted images and the lack of enhancement with Gd-DTPA makes this case unique. Progressive changes of the tumor following chemo- and radiotherapy were successfully demonstrated by MR.
Exponentially convergent and numerically efficient solution of Maxwell’s equations for lamellar gratings: comment

The conclusion reached in a recent paper by Morf [ J. Opt. Soc. Am. A12, 1043 ( 1995)], that the algorithm he proposed is several times faster than the R-matrix algorithm presented in an earlier paper of mine [ J. Opt. Soc. Am. A10, 2581 ( 1993)], is erroneous. By providing operation count, I show that the R-matrix algorithm, when it is applied to the classical modal method, is as efficient as Morf’s algorithm.
A new perspective on organizational learning: Creating learning teams

Abstract This article elaborates a conceptual framework for learning organizations, through the introduction of change concepts and the creation of learning teams, and reports on a case that illustrates this framework. When organizational administrators and staff are asked whether their committees and work groups function as learning teams and their program functions as a learning community, the typical answer is ‘of course’. Too frequently, though, groups and programs are far from these goals. What is required is for administrative and staff groups of a program or unit to understand (a) what it takes for a group to become a learning team and for the unit to become a learning community, and (b) how to make these become a reality to improve effectiveness and increase productivity. This article offers a comprehensive definition for ‘learning teams’ and introduces a detailed design process for creating ‘learning teams’ and ‘organizational learning’. A real-world example from education highlights the implementation of a major school change process.
P55 Selective turn-on fluorescent probes for detection of hydrogen sulfide in living cells

Background Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an important gasotransmitter that mediates a wide range of physiological effects. Although H2S is known for its toxicity and rotten egg smell, it has recently been established to play a role in neurological degradation and is correlated with central nervous system diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, Down syndrome, and multiple sclerosis. H2S is produced endogenously by three enzymes: cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS), cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE), and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfur transferase (3MST). Although its biological genesis is well understood, the lack of techniques and methods for selectively monitoring H2S has led to a poor understanding of its multifaceted roles in biology. The development and use of selective fluorescent probes offers a technique to monitor endogenous small molecules. Our interest in developing chemical tools to study the biological roles of H2S has led us to synthesize two new compounds for H2S detection based on the 4-amino-1,8-naphthalimide fluorophore. Methods Hydrogen sulfide can be used to reduce nitro (RNO2) and azido (RN3) functional groups to the parent amine. Based on these chemical properties, we sought to design H2S-selective fluorescent probes in which H2S selectively reduces a nitro (HSN1) or azide (HSN2) analog of the parent naphthalimide probe. In addition to testing the response to H2S, the developed probes were tested under anaerobic conditions with various reactive species including cysteine, glutathione, α-lipoic acid, nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide, sulfite, and thiosulfate. Results Treatment of a 5 μM solution of HSN1 or HSN2 in aqueous buffer (50 mM PIPES, 100 mM KCl, pH 7.4) with 100 equivalents of H2S resulted in a 15 and 60-fold fluorescence turn-on, respectively. Reduction of a nitro or azido analog of the parent naphthalimide probe generates the parent fluorescent amine, resulting in a large fluorescence turn-on. The developed fluorescent probes are able to selectively detect H2S in the presence of reactive sulfur, oxygen, nitrogen, species (RSONs) including cysteine, glutathione, α-lipoic acid, nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide, sulfite, and thiosulfate. Furthermore, HSN2 remains highly selective for H2S even in the presence of 2000 equivalents (10 mM) of cysteine or glutathione. HSN1 and HSN2 were also used to detect exogenous H2S in live HeLa cells. After incubating HeLa cells with 5 μM HSN1 or HSN2, addition of 250 μM H2S resulted in a significant fluorescence enhancement by comparison to the control cells. Summary HSN1 and HSN2 are highly-selective fluorescent probes for H2S. Reactions of these probes with H2S resulted in a 15–60-fold fluorescence turn-on and were demonstrated to be viable H2S-detection methods in live HeLa cells.
SYNTHESIS OF HYBRID SiC/SiO2 NANOPARTICLES AND THEIR POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES

In the present investigation, silicon carbide (β-SiC) nanoparticles (~ 30 nm) were coated on silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles (~ 200 nm) using sonochemical method. The resultant hybrid nanoparticles were then infused into SC-15 epoxy resin to enhance the thermal and mechanical properties of SC-15 epoxy for structural application. To fabricate an epoxy-based nanocomposite containing SiC/SiO2 hybrid nanoparticles, we have opted a two-step process. In the first step, the silica nanoparticles were coated with SiC nanoparticles using high intensity ultrasonic irradiation. In a second step, 1 wt.% of as-prepared SiC/SiO2 particles were dispersed in epoxy part-A (diglycidylether of bisphenol A) using a high intensity ultrasound for 30 min at 5°C. The part-B (cycloaliphatic amine hardener) of the epoxy was then mixed with part-A-SiC/SiO2 mixture using a high-speed mechanical stirrer for 10 min. The SiC/SiO2/epoxy resin mixture was cured at room temperature for 24 h. The SiC nanoparticles coating on SiO2 was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high resolution transmission electron microscope (TEM). The as-prepared nanocomposite samples were characterized using thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Compression tests have been carried out for both nanocomposite and neat epoxy systems. The results indicated that 1 wt.% (SiC) + (SiO2) loading derived improvements in both thermal and mechanical properties when compared to the neat epoxy system.
A large solid angle, high stopping power Bragg curve spectrometer for coincidence measurements☆

Abstract A large acceptance, high stopping power, Bragg curve spectrometer has been developed for use in coincidence experiments with heavy ions. The electron collection fields are radial and position information is obtained from a resistive anode. The detector is 60 cm deep and operates at pressures of up to 2.5 atm of P-10 gas. It is mated to a scattering chamber which allows it to be moved out of plane during coincidence measurements. The detector design was aided by the results of computer simulations of the electron collection process in the detector, and of the signal processing in the electronics. The signals from the Bragg curve spectrometer are recorded in a waveform digitizer and the Bragg peak height, range, position and pileup rejection information are determined from software analysis of the recorded signals. Factors limiting the performance of the detector are discussed, and results obtained with the detector are presented.
Adventures in Celestial Mechanics, Second Edition

Adventures in Celestial Mechanics, Second Edition is written as a textbook, apparently for undergraduates, though this is never specifically stated. The book is engaging and surprisingly easy to read; I recommend it to anyone who wants just a bit of background in celestial mechanics or a brief introduction before plunging into graduate-level texts. The book's strength lies in its historical and heuristic introduction of the various fundamental concepts of celestial mechanics in easy-to-follow detail. Such concepts include Kepler's laws of motion as a consequence of Newton's law of gravitation, the solution of Kepler's equation, and the rocket equation. Kepler's equation, which relates the position in an orbit at a given time, is annoying in that it can only be solved iteratively in the direction one usually wants to go (where in the orbit is the body at time t). Many of the greatest minds in physics and astronomy have searched for compact, quickly-converging, or just plain understandable solutions to this problem. Feynman's recently made famous “lost lecture” was his second attempt to present a comprehensible derivation of Kepler's equation to Caltech freshmen. I was subjected to the first version when I was a freshman and can attest that it needed a second try. At least I did.
Commentary: Medieval and Post-Medieval Archaeology of Greece

Recent work by archaeologists emphasized the contributions of archaeological fieldwork to the study of post-classical Greece. This marks a significant departure from traditional approaches to the archaeology of Byzantium that tended to focus on art historical methods and architectural history. Despite these changes in the study of post-classical Greece, the issues of abandonment, continuity and change continue to play an important role both in ongoing debates and will undoubtedly influence future research priorities. Only collaboration among scholars who study historical archaeology in Greece and elsewhere will ensure the continued relevance of this field even as these long-standing debates wane in relevance.
SU‐E‐I‐03: Evaluation of CT Texture Feature Changes Following Deformable Lung Registration

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to quantify the effect of deformable registration on the values of lung texture features extracted from chest computed tomography(CT) scans. Methods: Two clinical chest CT scans (slice thickness=1mm, pixel spacing<0.9mm, time between scans: 1 week–3 years) were collected for each of nine patients with no evidence of abnormal lungpathology. Automated lung segmentation was performed, and a deformable registration algorithm (“demons”) was employed to register each patient's follow‐up scan to their original baseline scan. Deformation accuracy was evaluated through inspection of a difference image and measurement of the mean Euclidean distance between landmarks in the baseline scan and deformed follow‐up scan. Over 1,500 spatially‐matched region‐of‐interest (ROI) pairs were extracted from each scan pair. First‐order, fractal, Fourier, Laws' filter, and gray‐level concurrence texture features (196 total features) were computed for each ROI, and the percent change of each feature between matched ROIs was calculated. Because scans contained normal pathology, we expected texture changes to be introduced primarily by deformation. Fourteen features with a percent change standard deviation less than 10% across patients were identified. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to determine whether percent changes in texture features between patients were statistically different. Results: ANOVA showed mean percent changes in texture values to be significantly different between patients for all fourteen features (p<0.001); nevertheless, percent changes in texture features between baseline and follow‐up deformed scans were consistently small across patients. Twelve of fourteen features selected demonstrated mean percent differences less than 5%. These features were distributed among first‐order, fractal, and Laws' filter classes. Conclusions: For some texture features, deformable registration may be performed without altering the feature value by more than 5% on average. These “invariant” features have potential for use in texture‐based evaluation of progressive lung disease using serial scans requiring registration.
Spontaneous regression of a large lumbar disc herniation: report of an illustrative case

A case of spontaneous regression of a large herniated disc at the lumbar level is presented. The disc regression correlated with clinical improvement and was documented on serial MRI studies. Although the phenomenon of spontaneous disappearance of decrease in size of herniated disc fragments is well known, the exact mechanism underlying this process remains unclear. This report discusses three possible explanations for disc regression: retraction into the intervertebral space, dehydration/shrinkage, and resorption due to inflammatory reaction.
Constitution of the tin-strontium system up to 35 at.% Sr

Abstract The constitution of the Sn-Sr system from pure tin to 35 at.% Sr was determined using differential thermal analysis, X-ray analysis, metallography and microprobe analysis. In contrast with the findings in the literature, Sn 3 Sr is found to melt peritectically at 598 ± 1 °C with a liquid phase containing 20.3 at.% Sr. The stoichiometry of the tin-rich phase in equilibrium with tin was determined to be Sn 4 Sr; it also melts peritectically, at 334 ± 4 °C, with a liquid phase containing 4.0 at.% Sr. The Sn-Sn 4 Sr eutectic temperature is 230 ± 2 °C with the eutectic liquid containing 1.0 at.% Sr.
Cooperative charging in a nanocrystal assembly gated by ionic liquid

In order to make a densely packed assembly of undoped semiconductor nanocrystals conductive, it is usually gated by a room-temperature ionic liquid. The ionic liquid enters the pores of the supercrystal assembly under the influence of an applied voltage. We study the capacitance of such a device as a function of the gate voltage. We show that, counterintuitively, the capacitance of the system is the sum of $\ensuremath{\delta}$-functions located at a sequence of critical gate voltages. At each critical voltage, every nanocrystal acquires one additional electron.
13C‐ and 1H‐NMR. Assignments for colchicine derivatives

The 13C-NMR. spectra of a number of colchicine derivatives are given comprising examples of the normal series (4→10), iso series (11→16) and colchicine series (17), which were either reported in the literature or obtained by partial synthesis or degradation reactions. The 13C-NMR. assignments were made by comparisons with known compounds and selective single-frequency offresonance decoupling experiments. Selective proton decoupling experiments have also allowed assignments of the H—C(11) and H—C(12) protons of the iso and colchicine series.
Efficacy of TRAIL treatment against HPV16 infected cervical cancer cells undergoing senescence following siRNA knockdown of E6/E7 genes.

In this study we investigated E6 and E7 oncogenes from the Human Papilloma Virus as targets for siRNA knockdown in order to boost the efficacy of the anti-cancer drug ‘tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand’ (TRAIL). SiHa cells were treated with TRAIL following transfection with E6/E7 siRNA and the expression of death receptors DR4 and DR5, cell viability, apoptosis, senescence and cell cycle analysis were undertaken using flow cytometry, MTT viability assay and cellular β-galactosidase activity assays. E6/E7 siRNA resulted in significant upregulation of death receptors DR4 and DR5 but did not result in an enhanced sensitivity to TRAIL. Our results indicate that E6/E7-siRNA induces senescence rather than apoptosis in SiHa cells. The occurrence of senescence in drug resistant cervical cancer cells such as the SiHa cell line by E6/E7 siRNA, among other factors, may prevent TRAIL induced activation of extrinsic and intrinsic pathways that lead to apoptotic cell death. Our findings are significant for combinatorial strategies for cancer therapy since the induction of senescence can preclude apoptosis rendering cells to be recalcitrant to TRAIL treatment.
DIETARY PHOSPHORUS EFFECTS ON CHARACTERISTICS OF MECHANICALLY SEPARATED DAIRY MANURE

One approach to reduce nutrient losses from livestock farms is to apply biological waste treatment systems such as biological nitrogen (N) removal or enhanced biological phosphorus (P) removal (EBPR) to reduce the nutrient content of land-applied waste. The EBPR process takes advantage of the ability of P-accumulating organisms (PAOs) to sequester excess P as polyphosphate granules in their cytoplasms, yielding a P-depleted liquid effluent and a P-enriched biomass. Biological N removal systems result in the conversion of organic or ammonia-N to innocuous N2 gas. Understanding the variation in parameters such as chemical oxygen demand (COD), total and volatile suspended solids (TSS and VSS), and ammonia-N (NH3-N) is necessary to design these systems. Our objectives were to evaluate the effects of diet and manure separation on parameters important to reactor design. Waste was collected from nine cows fed a high P diet (0.47% P), a low P diet (0.32% P), or low P with exogenous phytase plus cellulase (0.32% P), in a replicated Latin square design (three 3 × 3 squares). Total collection of milk, urine, and feces was conducted on days 19 to 21 of each period, a mixed slurry (urine, feces, and water) was created, and slurry was separated mechanically to generate liquid effluent. Slurry contained more COD, solids, N, and P than liquid effluent, but the COD:P ratio was similar in the two wastes. The ratio of COD:N was higher in slurry than in separator effluent, but the ratio in both wastes was sufficient to support biological N removal. The P content of slurry, liquid effluent, and manure solids from cows fed low P was lower than from cows fed high P, and the COD content of effluent was higher with the low P diet. The COD:P ratio of all wastes was sufficient to support EBPR and biological N removal, but variation was observed with diet. Waste from cows fed low P had a higher COD:P ratio than that of cows fed high P, and waste from cows fed the enzyme-supplemented diet had a lower COD:N ration than that of cows fed the control diet. Dairy manure slurry and effluent will support EBPR and biological N removal. Dietary effects on parameters important to the design of advanced waste treatment systems were observed, but were not of a magnitude that would affect reactor design.
Nickel silicides in semiconductor processing: thermal budget considerations

Abstract Nickel silicide (NiSi) is emerging to be the choice material for contact application in semiconductor device processing for 65 nm technology node and beyond. However, process integration issues are yet to be completely understood and addressed. The focus of present work is to facilitate better understanding of the influence of thermal budget on nickel silicide solid-state reaction. The reaction couple consists of single-crystal silicon wafers with nickel layers deposited on them. Requirements for low temperature anneal and improved within wafer sheet resistance uniformity pose challenges for conventional lamp-based rapid thermal processing (RTP) due to lamp response effects on temperature controllability. Extendibility of such a system is presented with emphasis on process chamber technology. Low temperature “spike” anneal is demonstrated for temperatures 2 Si changes as a function of thermal exposure during the first anneal step; this plays an important role in determining the thermal stability of the low resistance mono-silicide during integration. It is postulated that lowering the Ni 2 Si/Si interface energy favors the delay (in temperature) of the agglomeration of the NiSi. RTP performance stability of less than 1 °C is presented for a sub-300 °C process. Understanding and resolving the issues around process monitoring methodologies for low temperature anneal are important. The ability to monitor the total thermal exposure down to sub-200 °C regime may be necessary for successful integration of nickel silicide in device manufacturing flow.
Proof that the H − Ion Has Only One Bound State

It is rigorously demonstrated that the nonrelativistic ${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ ion has only one bound state in the fixed (infinite-mass) nucleus approximation with Coulomb interactions only.
CONTROL PERCENTILE TEST PROCEDURES FOR CENSORED DATA

Abstract In life testing and survival analyses which involve the use of expensive equipment the cost of continuing an experiment until all the items on test have failed can be quite high. In these situations it is reasonable to make a statistical test when a pre-specified percentile, e.g. median of the control group has been observed. This article adapts some existing procedures for complete samples to randomly censored data. The results of Lo and Singh (1985) who extended the Bahadur representation of quantiles to the censored case enable us to use the methods of Gastwirth (1968) and Hettmansperger (1973) which were based on Bahadur's result to extend the procedures of Mathisen (1943), Gart (1963) and Slivka (1970). The large sample efficiency of the control median test is the same as that of Brookmeyer and Crowley's (1982) extension of the usual median test. For the two-sample shift problem with observations following the double-exponential law, the median remains the optimum percentile to use until the censoring becomes quite heavy. On the other hand, in the two-sample scale parameter problem for data from an exponential distribution the percentile (80th in the uncensored case) yielding the asymptotically most powerful test in the family of control percentile tests no longer is optimum. The effect becomes noticeable when 25% or more of the data is censored.
The Sander illusion as a function of relative space and component lines

Magnitude of the Sander illusion was measured as a function of two variables: (1) the orientation of the line normally separating the two smaller parallelograms and (2) the presence or absence of the horizontal lines and of the diagonal test lines. The results showed that, as the angle of the dividing line varied so as to shift the relative sizes of the two parts of the figure toward equality, the illusion effect decreased, approaching zero when the two areas were equal. The illusory effect was enhanced by the removal of the two test lines. Results were discussed in relation to the problem of assimilation vs contrast effects. Woodworth and Schlosberg (1954) describe the confusion theory of geometric illusions as stating that the S's judgment of part of the figure is influenced by the structure of the whole. Supporting this position, Benussi (1904), using the Mueller-Lyer figure, found conditions engendering a whole-perceiving attitude to produce a greater illusion than those favoring a part-isolating attitude. The confusion theory may also account for the Sander illusion where it is difficult for the viewer to separate his impression of the lengths of the test lines from the sizes of the areas surrounding them. The primary purpose of the present experiment was to investigate the effects of manipulating the relative size of the two major areas of the Sander figure on the magnitude of the illusion. It was hypothesized that, as the areas surrounding the diagonal lines to be compared approached equality, the illusion effects
The effect of US omission in classical aversive and appetitive conditioning of rabbits

Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were given either a 100% or a 50% reinforcement schedule in classical conditioning. Two groups received an aversive US (shock) and two groups received an appetitive US (water to the oral cavity). With parameter estimates for the two-phase model serving as the dependent variables, it was possible to define more precisely the effect of US omission with the intermittent reinforcement schedule. For the aversive preparation, the major effect of intermittent reinforcement was to increase the duration of Phase 1, a phase during which response likelihood remains constant at its initial value. Only a small proportion of subjects reflected the effect of US omission during Phase 2, the “learning” phase, this being a low operator limit following trials on which neither the CR nor the US occurred. The major effect of US omission for the appetitive preparation was in Phase 2, primarily a result of a minority of subjects having a low operator limit following trials on which neither the CR nor the US occurred. Many subjects required separate operators for trials on which the CR did or did not occur. The results were interpreted to pose difficulties for strength theories of conditioning, and the limitation implied for successful application of the Rescorla-Wagner theory are discussed. The implications of the data for response-contingent interpretations and for individual differences are also discussed.
Isotopic ecology and dietary profiles of Liberian chimpanzees.

Abstract An extensive suite of isotopic data (δ 13 C, δ 15 N, and δ 18 O) from enamel apatite and bone collagen of adult male and female wild chimpanzees establishes baseline values for Pan troglodytes verus in a primary rainforest setting. The Ganta chimpanzee sample derives from a restricted region in northern Liberia. Diet is examined using stable light isotopes at three life stages—infant, young juvenile, and adult—and developmental differences are investigated within and between individual males and females. The isotopic data are very homogeneous with few exceptions. Juvenile females show consistent enrichment in 13 C relative to infants, while juvenile males do not. These data suggest that age at weaning may be more variable for male offspring who survive to adulthood than for female offspring. Alternatively, or additionally, the weaning diet of males and females may differ, with greater consumption of technologically extracted insects and/or nuts by young females. Metabolic differences, including growth and hormone-mediated responses, may also contribute to the observed variation. The Ganta chimpanzee data offer an independent and objective line of evidence to primatologists interested in the dietary strategies of the great apes and to paleoanthropologists seeking comparative models for reconstructing early hominin subsistence patterns. Despite the high diversity of dietary items consumed by chimpanzees, isotopic signatures of chimpanzees from a primary rainforest setting exhibit narrow ranges of variation similar to chimpanzees in more open habitats.
Early Prenatal Critical Period for Chorda Tympani Nerve Terminal Field Development

In order to determine whether the developing central gustatory system responds to dietary manipulation during restricted developmental periods, terminal fields of the chorda tympani nerve within the nucleus of the solitary tract were investigated via anterograde transport of horseradish peroxidase in control rats and in rats in which a low sodium diet was systematically fed during specific periods of development. Rats fed a low sodium diet (0.03% NaCl) from embryonic day 3 (E3) to day E12 and then fed a sodium replete diet to at least 60 days postnatal exhibited enlarged and irregularly shaped chorda tympani terminal fields. Specifically, the dorsal zone of thefield was the smallest in controls, whereas it was the largest in restricted rats, occupying more territory within the nucleus. This alteration in the terminal field was apparent in all groups of rats fed the low-NaCl diet beginning at E3, and continuing beyond E12. In contrast, no effects of the dietary manipulation on the developing chorda tympani field was evident when it occurred from E3 to day E9, from E0 to day E9 or when it occurred at adulthood only. Therefore, only 9 days of maternal exposure to a sodium-restricted diet is required for a permanent expansion of the chorda tympani terminal field in the offspring. Moreover, a brief period from E9 to E12 must be included within the 9-day dietary restriction to yield the expanded field. Since this period is before taste receptors appear on the tongue, it is likely that nonactivity-dependent factors determine the formation of the chorda tympani terminal field during later development. J. Comp. Neurol. 378:254‐264, 1997. r 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Indexing terms: taste; development; horseradish peroxidase; sensory afferents; nucleus of the solitary tract
A probabilistic approach to fast pattern matching in time series databases

The problem of efficiently and accurately locating patterns of interest in massive time series data sets is an important and non-trivial problem in a wide variety of applications, including diagnosis and monitoring of complex systems, biomedical data analysis, and exploratory data analysis in scientific and business time series. In this paper a probabilistic approach is taken to this problem. Using piecewise linear segmentations as the underlying representation, local features (such as peaks, troughs, and plateaus) are defined using a prior distribution on expected deformations from a basic template. Global shape information is represented using another prior on the relative locations of the individual features. An appropriately defined probabilistic model integrates the local and global information and directly leads to an overall distance measure between sequence patterns based on prior knowledge. A search algorithm using this distance measure is shown to efficiently and accurately find matches for a variety of patterns on a number of data sets, including engineering sensor data from space Shuttle mission archives. The proposed approach provides a natural framework to support user-customizable "query by content" on time series data, taking prior domain information into account in a principled manner.
Duplex Features of Vein Graft Stenosis and the Success of Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty

Purpose:To determine if criteria exist that are correlated to a successful outcome after balloon angioplasty for vein graft stenosis.Methods:During a 5-year period, duplex surveillance of 380 infrainguinal vein bypasses identified 76 hemodynamically failing grafts (87 stenoses) requiring intervention. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) was selected over surgical repair based on 3 criteria: time interval from primary grafting procedure, vein graft diameter, and stenosis length. The 28 (32%) stenoses (20 grafts) treated by PTA were used in a retrospective analysis to test if any variables favored a successful outcome. Patient and lesion characteristics, graft patency, and restenosis following PTA were correlated with duplex features of the stenosis recorded prior to, immediately after, and at 3- to 6-month intervals postprocedurally.Results:Lesion characteristics that correlated with a successful outcome were vein size ≥3.5 mm, lesion length 3 months after surgery. Conduit ...
Mechanical Volume Reduction

Solid waste management consists of three phases. The first is concerned with collection, the second with processing, and the third with disposal. This chapter will deal with the second of these phases, processing. The method employed for processing has a great influence on the final or disposal phase. Methods employed may range from none at all, whereby the refuse is disposed of much in unchanged form to thermal processing where only the noncombustible residues remain for disposal. Other methods include biological and mechanical processing. This chapter is devoted to an in-depth discussion of mechanical volume reduction.
Validation of HDOP Measure for Impact Detection in Sensor Network-Based Structural Health Monitoring

This paper studies the validity of horizontal dilution of precision (HDOP) measure to evaluate sensor network geometries when localizing impacts in structural health monitoring (SHM). First, HDOP is defined similarly to navigation applications. Even though several low-complexity closed-form solutions have been proposed recently, HDOP measure has been theoretically justified only for iterative least-squares approach. The localization errors of popular impact localization methods are experimentally collected and compared with HDOP data for validation. The experimental setup is also described. It is shown that HDOP, in general, correlates with the positioning error and can be used to characterize geometry.
Efficient Tests for a Unit Root When the Initial Observation Is Drawn from Its Unconditional Distribution

Researchers desire powerful tests for unit roots. This paper derives the family of asymptotically most powerful tests for unit roots when the initial condition is drawn from its unconditional distribution under the alternative. This enables both the examination of previously proposed statistics and the construction of powerful tests against this alternative model.
Multi-scalar triadic interactions in differential diffusion with and without mean scalar gradients

The spectral mechanisms of the differential diffusion of pairs of passive scalars with different molecular diffusivities are studied in stationary isotropic turbulence, using direct numerical simulation data at Taylor-scale Reynolds number up to 160 on 128 3 and 256 3 grids. Of greatest interest are the roles of nonlinear triadic interactions between different scale ranges of the velocity and scalar fields in the evolution of spectral coherency between the scalars, and the effects of mean scalar gradients. Analysis of single-scalar spectral transfer (extending the results of a previous study) indicates a robust local forward cascade behaviour at high wavenumbers, which is strengthened by both high diffusivity and mean gradients. This cascade is driven primarily by moderately non-local interactions in which two small-scale scalar modes are coupled via a lower-wavenumber velocity mode near the peak of the energy dissipation spectrum. This forward cascade is coherent, tending to increase the coherency between different scalars at high wavenumbers but to decrease it at lower wavenumbers. However, at early times coherency evolution at high wavenumbers is dominated by de-correlating effects due to a different type of non-local triad consisting of two scalar modes with a moderate scale separation and a relatively high-wavenumber velocity mode. Consequently, although the small-scale motions play little role in spectral transfer, they are responsible for the rapid de-correlation observed at early times. At later times both types of competing triadic interactions become important over a wider wavenumber range, with increased relative strength of the coherent cascade, so that the coherency becomes slow-changing. When uniform mean scalar gradients are present, a stationary state develops in the coherency spectrum as a result of a balance between a coherent mean gradient contribution (felt within about 1 eddy-turnover time) and the net contribution from scale interactions. The latter is made less de-correlating because of a strengthened coherent forward cascade, which is in turn caused by uniform mean gradients acting as a primarily low-wavenumber source of scalar fluctuations with the same spectral content as the velocity field.
Simultaneous momentum, heat and mass transfer with chemical reaction in a disordered porous medium: application to binder removal from a ceramic green body

A theoretical model has been developed to describe simultaneous momentum, heat, and mass transfer phenomena in disordered porous materials. The model can be applied to a wide variety of engineering-related fields, e.g., the drying and/or burnout of processing aids in the colloidal processing of advanced ceramic materials. Simulations based on the model predict the local temperature and mass distribution of the porous body as a function of time and position. This information can then be coupled with known mechanical properties of the body to predict internal stresses generated during removal of liquid from the body. The theoretical model has potential application to many engineering problems, e.g., the optimization of processing conditions in the design of an improved binder removal process. The model is evaluated using experimental data on binder removal from a ceramic green compact consisting of submicron a-Al,O, powder dispersed in a paraffin wax; the agreement between the simulated and experimental re&lti & good. -