cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Crystallization of glasses in the system BaOTiO2B2O3

Abstract Glass formation by rapid quenching was studied for the system BaOTiO 2 B 2 O 3 . Compositions on the periphery of the glass forming region either phase separate or crystallize. Crystalline phases are identified by X-ray diffraction. Differential thermal analysis was used to study the crystallization behavior of the glasses. The glasses generally show two crystallization temperatures. The effect of composition on the first crystallization temperature is studied for increasing BaO and TiO 2 contents. Anomalous behavior, similar to that for properties of the parent glass, is observed for various series of glasses in the system. Glasses were heat treated at the onset temperature of their first crystallization. X-ray diffraction was employed to determine the phases which occur in the glass-ceramic.
On differential operators attached to certain representations of classical groups

Classification et construction de sous-espaces irreductibles de Sr. Γ-integrales contenant les applications polynomiales ξ. L'operateur differentiel ξ(D). Operateurs differentiels de type arithmetique. Applications aux series de Eisenstein
Effective cancer laser-therapy design through the integration of nanotechnology and computational treatment planning models

Laser therapies can provide a minimally invasive treatment alternative to surgical resection of tumors. However, the effectiveness of these therapies is limited due to nonspecific heating of target tissue which often leads to healthy tissue injury and extended treatment durations. These therapies can be further compromised due to heat shock protein (HSP) induction in tumor regions where non-lethal temperature elevation occurs, thereby imparting enhanced tumor cell viability and resistance to subsequent chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Introducing multi-walled nanotubes (MWNT) into target tissue prior to laser irradiation increases heating selectivity permitting more precise thermal energy delivery to the tumor region and enhances thermal deposition thereby increasing tumor injury and reducing HSP expression induction. This study investigated the impact of MWNT inclusion in untreated and laser irradiated monolayer cell culture and cell phantom model. Cell viability remained high for all samples with MWNT inclusion and cells integrated into alginate phantoms, demonstrating the non-toxic nature of both MWNTs and alginate phantom models. Following, laser irradiation samples with MWNT inclusion exhibited dramatic temperature elevations and decreased cell viability compared to samples without MWNT. In the cell monolayer studies, laser irradiation of samples with MWNT inclusion experienced up-regulated HSP27, 70 and 90 expression as compared to laser only or untreated samples due to greater temperature increases albeit below the threshold for cell death. Further tuning of laser parameters will permit effective cell killing and down-regulation of HSP. Due to optimal tuning of laser parameters and inclusion of MWNT in phantom models, extensive temperature elevations and cell death occurred, demonstrating MWNT-mediated laser therapy as a viable therapy option when parameters are optimized. In conclusion, MWNT-mediated laser therapies show great promise for effective tumor destruction, but require determination of appropriate MWNT characteristics and laser parameters for maximum tumor destruction.
Three-dimensional computed tomography for evaluation and management of children with complex chest wall anomalies: useful information or just pretty pictures?

Abstract Purpose Shaded surface display (SSD) technology, with 3-dimensional computed tomography reconstruction, has been reported in a few small series of patients with congenital or acquired chest wall deformities. Shaded surface display images are visually attractive and educational, but many institutions are hesitant to use these secondary to cost and image data storage concerns. This study was designed to assess the true value of SSD to the patient, family, and operating surgeon, in the evaluation and management of these children. Methods After institutional review board approval, we performed a retrospective review of records of 82 patients with chest wall deformities, evaluated with SSD, from 2002 to 2009. Shaded surface display usefulness, when compared to routine 2-dimensional computed tomography, was graded on a strict numerical scale from 0 (added no value besides education for the patient/family) to 3 (critical for surgical planning and patient management). Results There were 56 males and 26 females. Median age was 15.3 years (range, 0.6-41.1 years). Deformities included 56 pectus excavatum, 19 pectus carinatum, and 8 other/mixed deformities. Six patients also had acquired asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy (AATD). Eleven (13%) had previous chest wall reconstructive surgery. In 25 (30%) patients, SSD was useful or critical. Findings underappreciated on 2-dimensional images included sternal abnormalities (29), rib abnormalities (28), and heterotopic calcifications (7). Shaded surface display changed or influenced operation choice (4), clarified bone vs soft tissue (3), helped clarify AATD (3), and aided in rib graft evaluation (2). Point biserial correlation coefficient analysis ( R pb ) displayed significance for SSD usefulness in patients with previous chest repair surgery ( R pb = 0.48, P ≤ .001), AATD ( R pb = 0.34, P = .001), pectus carinatum ( R pb = 0.27, P = .008), and females ( R pb = 0.19, P = .044). Conclusions Shaded surface display, when used to evaluate children and young adults with congenital or acquired chest wall deformities, provides useful or critical information for surgical planning and patient management in almost one third of patients, especially in those requiring a second operation, with acquired asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy, pectus carinatum, and females.
The Influence of Stand Factors on Parasitism of Spruce Budworm Eggs by Trichogramma minutum

Data included intensive information on stand density, composition, age, crown closure, crown surface area, basal area, height, and associated vegetation across a 60-plot ecological continuum in Maine. T-test results showed significantly higher numbers of egg masses, viable eggs, non-viable eggs, parasitized eggs, and percent parasitism in the upper crowns when compared to mid-crown levels ( P < 0.05). Regression analyses indicated that parasitism rates rose with increasing density of nonbudworm host tree species, especially hardwoods such as sugar maple ( Acer saccharum Marshall), yellow birch ( Betula alleghaniensis Britton), paper birch ( B. paprifera Marshall), red maple ( A. rubrum L.), hop hornbeam ( Ostrya virginiana (Miller) Koch), and big tooth aspen ( Populus grandidentata Michaux). It appears that increases in parasitism are due to greater numbers of alternate parasite hosts found in more diverse habitats.
Mixed H_/H ∞ fault detection filter design based on probabilistic robustness

This paper presents fault detection filter design in mixed H_/H∞ objective formulation based on probabilistic robustness theory. With the recently developed probabilistic robustness theory, fault detection filter is designed which is robust to model uncertainty without structural restriction. Normally, fault detection filter is designed to satisfy two objectives such as low sensitivity (H∞) to disturbance but, high sensitivity (H_) to actual fault. An approach is developed to apply probabilistic robustness theory to mixed type filter design.
Bioterrorism: Evaluating the preparedness of pediatricians in Michigan.

Objective: There is a paucity of literature in the United States regarding preparedness for a bioterrorist attack on children. The main objective of this study was to assess the self-reported level of bioterrorism preparedness of pediatricians practicing in Michigan. Methods: We conducted a survey that was mailed to 1000 pediatricians practicing in Michigan from July through December 2006. Survey questions were designed to evaluate the overall level of preparedness, as defined by the American Academy of Pediatrics, in dealing with a possible biological event and to describe key demographic variables. Results: Of the 590 pediatricians who responded (59%), a majority (80%) were general pediatricians, whereas 20% were pediatric subspecialists. Sixty percent of responders believe terrorism is a threat, with biological agents (52%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 48.00-56.12) as the most likely cause of an event. Half of the pediatricians who responded had a workplace disaster plan, but only 12% feel their preparedness for a biological attack/event was good. Sixty-six percent (392/590) were not currently Pediatric Advanced Life Support certified, 38% (95% CI,34.63-42.51) have never attended a lecture based on bioterrorism, 85% (95% CI, 82.00-87.78) have never participated in a bioterrorism training exercise, and 89% (95% CI, 87.00-91.95) do not provide disaster-oriented anticipatory guidance to their patients. Seventy-six percent (95% CI, 73.10-79.98) of all responders indicated their desire for more bioterrorism training, with 42% preferring diagnostic algorithms and 37% (95% CI, 32.79-40.59) preferring a prepared lecture on video format. Conclusions: Surveyed pediatricians in Michigan consider bioterrorism a significant threat but are overwhelmingly underprepared to deal with an event. There is a perceived need for a coordinated educational program to improve level of preparedness.
Single-site laparoscopic (SSL) cholecystectomy in human cadavers using a novel percutaneous instrument platform and a magnetic anchoring and guidance system (MAGS): reestablishing the "critical view"

SSL introduces ergonomic challenges while establishing the critical view during dissection of the Triangle of Calot (TOC). This study investigates the use of a novel percutaneous instrument platform and MAGS in performing SSL cholecystectomy with a technique that closely mimics four-port cholecystectomy. SSL cholecystectomy was performed on four female cadavers via a 15–18-mm incision made at the umbilicus for introduction of these devices and the working port. MAGS comprises an internal effector with a retractable monopolar cautery hook coupled across the abdominal wall to an external magnet held by the surgeon. The novel grasper was introduced percutaneously in the RUQ and comprises a 3-mm transabdominal shaft mated to a 5-mm end effector intracorporeally. Retraction was accomplished using the percutaneous grasper to manipulate the fundus and a standard 5-mm grasper at the umbilicus for the infundibulum. Dissection was performed by using a combination of the MAGS and a standard Maryland dissector. Total procedure time, time from procedure start to obtain a critical view of the TOC and clipping and dividing the cystic duct/artery, time for dissection of the gallbladder from the liver bed, and thickness of the abdominal wall at the umbilicus were measured. The critical view was obtained in each case, and all four procedures were completed successfully. Mean procedure time was 40 (range, 33–51) min; time from procedure start to obtaining the critical view and clipping and dividing the cystic duct/artery was 33 (range, 28–38) min, and time for dissection of the gallbladder from the liver bed was 6.7 (range, 3–13) min. The mean abdominal wall thickness was 1.9 (range, 1.5–2) cm. The use of a novel graspers and MAGS overcomes the limitations of SSL cholecystectomy and improves surgeon dexterity. Making SSL feel more like traditional laparoscopy will enable a wider adoption of this procedure in the community.
Performance on a reciprocal tapping task with variations in intertapping interval.

Summary.-Fitts' law was investigated in a study of the effect of the index of difficulty (ID) and intertapping interval upon reaction time (RT) and movement time (MT) for a reciprocal tapping task. ID showed its wellestablished relationship with MT as described by Fitts' law: MT = alD $- b. Improvement in the lineariry of this relationship was, however, demonstrated by expressing MT in logarithmic units. While ID had an unsubstantial (though significant) effect on RT, increases in intertapping interval from zero to any level of discrete tapping led to significant increases in RT of about 135 msec. The results are interpreted as lending support to Fitts' thesis that RT and MT reflect independent phases of information processing.
The aspects and the role of diversity in socioeconomic systems: an evolutionary perspective

Abstract In an evolutionary perspective, diversity is seen as a systemic and resilient property of both biological and socioeconomic systems. Functional aspects of biological and cultural diversity relate to adaptation to different environments, avoidance of head-to-head competition, efficient use of energy and resources, and in providing a range of responses to new selective pressures. Structural aspects of diversity are identified in asymmetric distributions of key variables like size, metabolism and complexity, which take the form of skewed distributions and power law across various hierarchical levels. The existence of functional and structural analogues between biological and socioeconomic systems suggests the possibility of similar constraints and propensities of self-organization at work in both systems. These could shed new light on the ongoing process of globalization and economic development. This paper proposes the hypothesis of required socioeconomic diversity if systemic coherence and integrity of the world socioeconomic system is to be maintained. The reduction of this diversity below a certain threshold may provoke a critical instability of the world economic system leading to collapses of all sizes.
Teaching with Awareness: The Hidden Effects of Trauma on Learning.

Educators are often unaware of the effects of psychological trauma on learners. Through the examples of two students, a fifth grader and a first-year college student, the author explores the intersections between trauma and learning and discusses how teachers might mitigate the effects of trauma in their classrooms.
Graded Hedgehog and Fibroblast Growth Factor Signaling Independently Regulate Pituitary Cell Fates and Help Establish the Pars Distalis and Pars Intermedia of the Zebrafish Adenohypophysis

The vertebrate adenohypophysis forms as a placode at the anterior margin of the neural plate, requiring both hedgehog (Hh) and fibroblast growth factor (Fgf) mediated cell-cell signaling for induction and survival of endocrine cell types. Using small molecule inhibitors to modulate signaling levels during zebrafish development we show that graded Hh and Fgf signaling independently help establish the two subdomains of the adenohypophysis, the anteriorly located pars distalis (PD) and the posterior pars intermedia (PI). High levels of Hh signaling are required for formation of the PD and differentiation of anterior endocrine cell types, whereas lower levels of Hh signaling are required for formation of the PI and differentiation of posterior endocrine cell types. In contrast, high Fgf signaling levels are required for formation of the PI and posterior endocrine cell differentiation, whereas anterior regions require lower levels of Fgf signaling. Based on live observations and marker analyses, we show that the PD forms first at the midline closest to the central nervous system source of Sonic hedgehog. In contrast the PI appears to form from more lateral/posterior cells close to a central nervous system source of Fgf3. Together our data show that graded Hh and Fgf signaling independently direct induction of the PD and PI and help establish endocrine cell fates along the anterior/posterior axis of the zebrafish adenohypophysis. These data suggest that there are distinct origins and signaling requirements for the PD and PI.
Particle dynamics in sheared granular matter

The particle dynamics and shear forces of granular matter in a Couette geometry are determined experimentally. The normalized tangential velocity $V(y)$ declines strongly with distance $y$ from the moving wall, independent of the shear rate and of the shear dynamics. Local rms velocity fluctuations $\ensuremath{\delta}V(y)$ scale with the local velocity gradient to the power $0.4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05$. These results agree with a locally Newtonian, continuum model, where the granular medium is assumed to behave as a liquid with a local temperature $[\ensuremath{\delta}V(y){]}^{2}$ and density dependent viscosity.
Genetics of Arrhythmia: Disease Pathways Beyond Ion Channels

Diseases of the electrical conduction system that lead to irregularities in cardiac rhythm can have morbid and often lethal clinical outcomes. Linkage analysis has been the principal tool used to discover the genetic mutations responsible for Mendelian arrhythmic disease. Although the majority of arrhythmias can be accounted for by mutations in genes encoding ion channels, linkage analysis has also uncovered the role of other gene families such as those encoding members of the desmosome. With a list of candidates in mind, mutational analysis has helped confirm the suspicion that proteins found in caveolae or gap junctions also play a role in arrhythmogenesis. Atrial fibrillation and sudden cardiac death are relatively common arrhythmias that may be caused by multiple factors including common genetic variants. Genome-wide association studies are already revealing the important and poorly understood role of intergenic regions in atrial fibrillation. Despite the great advancements that have been made in our understanding of the genetics of these diseases, we are still far from able to routinely use genomic data to make clinical management decisions. There remain several hurdles in the study of genetics of arrhythmia, including the costs of genotyping, the need to find large affected families for linkage analysis, or to recruit large numbers of patients for genome-wide studies. Novel techniques that incorporate epigenetic information, such as known gene-gene interactions, biologic pathways, and experimental gene expression, will need to be developed to better interpret the large amount of genetic data that can now be generated. The study of arrhythmia genetics will continue to elucidate the pathophysiology of disease, help identify novel therapies, and ultimately allow us to deliver the individualized medical therapy that has long been anticipated.
Effects of hypoxia on capillary density and fiber composition in rat skeletal muscle.

Capillary density, fiber composition and myoglobin concentration were determined in skeletal muscle of Sprague-Dawley female rats. PIO2 for control (C) rats was 123 mm Hg; for hypoxic (H) rats the O2 concentration in air was lowered to 12.6% (PIO2=73 mm Hg) over 4 days and then kept at this level for 39 days. Body weight (BW) in C rats went from 182 to 258 g in 6 weeks. H rats showed an initial 13 g drop in BW but later gained weight at the same rate. A difference of 20 g was maintained between C and H rats. Five groups of about 10 rats each (3 C and 2 H) were studied by histochemistry using frozen samples from the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius (medial head) and soleus muscles. 20 μm slices, cut transversely, were treated for alkaline phosphatase and ATPase after preincubation at pH's of 3.8 to 9.4 in order to visualize capillaries and typify fibers. In both C and H rats, capillary density decreased at the same rate with increasing BW, as a consequence of the increase in the size of the fibers resulting from growth. At the same BW capillary densities for a given muscle were not statistically different. No consistent differences in fiber composition were found in the soleus after exposure to hypoxia. In the gastrocnemius and the tibialis anterior, however, the percentage population of white fibers tended to be higher in the H rats than in the C rats, while the population of red fibers decreased. Myoglobin concentration was higher in the soleus, a muscle with a preponderant intermediate fiber population, than in the other two muscles. Hypoxia did not systematically affect myoglobin concentration.
Naloxone application to the ventrolateral medulla enhances the respiratory response to inspired carbon dioxide

Previous studies have shown that systemic administration of the opiate antagonist naloxone potentiates the ventilatory response to inspired carbon dioxide. The present study was designed to localize the site of action of naloxone for increasing the respiratory chemosensitivity to inhaled carbon dioxide (CO2) in cats. Naloxone applied topically to the caudal chemosensitive area on the ventral medullary surface (VMS) during hypercapnic breathing produced a 75% greater increase in minute ventilation than hypercapnic breathing alone. Furthermore, hypercapnic breathing produced a 200% increase in neuronal activity of VMS chemosensitive cells; this was further increased 120% by naloxone. It is concluded that naloxone increases the sensitivity of neurons in the caudal respiratory chemosensitive area of cats to hypercapnia, and that endogenous opiates may act as modulators at VMS chemosensitive sites during hypercapnic breathing.
The Listening Circle: Using the SBI Model to Enhance Peer Feedback

The Listening Circle is a learning activity that is designed to provide students with the opportunity to connect listening knowledge with observed behaviors and to strengthen student peer feedback. Not knowing how to give feedback can result in messages that are confusing, tactless, and counter-productive. Many feedback messages leave the receiver unsure of what to do with the information. By using a process that was developed by Sloan Weitzel of the Center for Creative Leadership, the Situation-Behavior-Impact (SBI) model has been adapted for this activity. Students are able to learn and practice a structure that helps keep feedback focused and relevant and increases the likelihood the feedback will be received in a clear, nondefensive manner by their peers. Concise, clear, and meaningful peer feedback is essential to learning and to sound assessment practice.
Toward quantitation of ion/molecule kinetics in fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

Abstract The effects of excitation amplitude, collisional relaxation of ions, and incomplete ejection of unwanted ions on the individual and total ion intensities in a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometer have been studied. These effects are found to be in general agreement with existing theories of ion motion in FTICR analyzer cells. The influence of these factors on the determination of rate coefficients for ion/molecule reactions is discussed.
Inhibition of murine coronavirus RNA synthesis by hydroxyguanidine derivatives

A series of hydroxyguanidine derivatives, which are substituted salicylaldehyde Schiff-bases of 1-amino-3- hydroxyguanidine tosylate, were tested for the inhibition of RNA synthesis of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV). It was shown that these compounds could selectively inhibit virus-specific RNA synthesis. Every aspect of viral RNA synthesis, including synthesis of negative-stranded RNA, subgenomic mRNA transcription and genomic RNA replication, was inhibited to roughly the same extent. These compounds are the first known inhibitors of coronaviral RNA synthesis and should prove useful for understanding the mechanism of viral RNA synthesis.
Formaldehyde conversion to methanol and methyl formate on copper/zinc oxide catalysts

We have studied the hydrogenation of CH2O on a CuZnO catalyst at conditions of P = 1 atm and 380 K < T < 420 K. In addition to the primary hydrogenation product CH3OH, we observe small amounts of the decomposition products CO and CO2, and large amounts of the disproportionation product CH3OCHO. We propose that the small yields of CO and CO2 show that CH2O hydrogenation cannot be the rate-limiting step in CH3OH synthesis on this catalyst, while the dependence of CH3OCHO yield on CH2O conversion suggests that the former product is likely formed in a bimolecular surface reaction between adsorbed CH2O and CH3O species.
HEAT TRANSFER IN A NANOFLUID FLOW PAST A PERMEABLE CONTINUOUS MOVING SURFACE

A boundary layer analysis is presented for the warm, laminar nanoliquid flow to a melting surface moving parallel to a uniform free stream. The resulting system of non-linear ordinary differential equations is solved numerically using Runge-Kutta method with shooting techniques. Numerical results are obtained for the velocity, temperature and concentration distributions, as well as the friction factor, local Nusselt number and local Sherwood number for several values of the parameters, namely the velocity ratio parameter, melting parameter and nanofluid parameters. The obtained results are presented graphically and in tabular form and the physical aspects of the problem are discussed. Keywords: Suction/injection; moving surface; nanofluid; boundary layer; shooting technique. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jname.v8i2.6830 Journal of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering 8(2011) 83-92
Smoking in parents of children with asthma and bronchiolitis in a pediatric emergency department.

OBJECTIVES To determine smoking habits, levels of nicotine-addiction, readiness to quit, and beliefs about the effects of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) of parents of children with bronchiolitis and asthma who present to a children's emergency department (ED). DESIGN/METHODS This was a cross-sectional prevalence study of parents or legal guardians of children with asthma or bronchiolitis presenting to a pediatric ED. RESULTS Two hundred forty-nine parents/legal guardians comprised the study group. The mean age (+/-SD) was 30.0 (+/-8.9) years; 88% were female; 51% were nonwhite; 37% were educated beyond high school. The self-reported smoking prevalence was 41% (95% CI = 32-51). Smoking prevalence among parents of wheezing children varied according to education, income, and race, but not according to gender, age, or employment status. Of the 102 smokers in the sample, 84 (82.4%, 95% CI = 73-88) reported that they wanted to quit; 78 (76.5%, 95% CI = 68-84) stated that they wanted to quit within the next month. Forty-nine percent (95% CI = 39-59) scored above 4 on the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence and were considered nicotine-dependent. The majority of smokers admitted to smoking around their children (66.7%, 95% CI = 57-75). Many parents knew that ETS might contribute to the development of the following illnesses: colds/upper respiratory tract infections - 77.5%, otitis media - 68.6%, pneumonia - 50%, wheezing/asthma attacks - 86.3%, and SIDS - 31.4%. CONCLUSION The prevalence of smoking and nicotine addiction among parents of children with asthma or bronchiolitis who bring their children to a pediatric ED is high. Many parents have some knowledge about the effects of ETS, and the majority would like to quit. Future studies to help determine the best way to deliver advice to parents on ETS exposure reduction and smoking cessation are warranted.
Polymer-Derived Silicon Carbide Fibers with Improved Thermomechanical Stability

Continuous silicon carbide fibers (“UF fibers”) with low oxygen content (~2 wt%) were prepared by dry spinning of high molecular weight polycarbosilane solutions and subsequent pyrolysis of the polymer fibers. Room temperature mechanical properties were similar to those of commercially-available Nicalon™ fibers, as average tensile strengths as high as 3 GPa were obtained for some batches with fiber diameters in the range ~10–15 μm Furthermore, UF fibers showed significantly better thermomechanical stability compared to Nicalon™, as indicated by lower weight losses, lower specific surface areas, and improved strength retention after heat treatment at temperatures up to 1700°C. UF fibers were also characterized by elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction, and scanning Auger microprobe. Strategies were suggested for achieving further improvements in thermomechanical stability.
The new burgher revolution in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century partitioned Hungary∗

The contributions of historians specializing in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, England and Germany have remarkably enhanced our understanding of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century urban life in ...
Ising model in a quasiperiodic transverse field, percolation, and contact processes in quasiperiodic environments

Quantum Ising models in a transverse field are related to continuous-time percolation processes whose oriented percolation versions are contact processes. We study such models in the presence of quasiperiodic disorder and prove localization in the ground state, no percolation, and extinction, respectively, for sufficiently large disorder.
Formalin Destruction of Salmonellae in Poultry Litter

Litter was sprayed with 2%, 4%, and 6% formalin solutions both with and without litter turnover after contamination either on the surface or by mixing well with feces containing salmonellae. Results showed that 4% and 6% formalin applied to the litter by a turnover, spray, turnover, spray, turnover, spray procedure completely destroyed the salmonellae. A 6% solution of formalin applied by a turnover, spray, turnover, spray procedure also completely destroyed the organisms. Direct surface spraying with either 4% or 6% formalin completely destroyed salmonellae deposited in feces on the litter surface; however, the organisms were not eliminated if the formalin was only surface sprayed after the organisms had been mixed into the litter before spraying in the experiments with turnover and spray the organisms were not killed if there was a 2 day break between formalin applications.
Normalized radar cross section of the sea for backscatter: 1. Mean levels

[1] The normalized radar cross section of the sea for backscatter, σo, is investigated for incidence angles between 0° and 89° using data collected over more than two decades. The most recent measurements were made from several ships using a coherent, dual-polarized, X band radar. These measurements show that vertically polarized transmit and receive signals, σo(VV), at high incidence angles exhibit wind speed and azimuth angle dependence similar to those at lower incidence angles. They are nearly as large looking downwind as they are looking upwind and minimize near the crosswind direction. Horizontally polarized transmit and receive signals, σo (HH), behave differently at high incidence angles. They are largest looking upwind and smallest looking downwind. Fits of the multiscale model of microwave backscatter from the ocean to these data along with data collected previously at lower incidence angles show that over the whole range of incidence angles from 0° to 89°, σo(VV) is explained by the model, while measured σo(HH) values are generally higher than the model predicts at incidence angles above about 45°. Thus scattering phenomena exist on the ocean surface that affect HH backscatter very strongly at the higher incidence angles while impacting VV-polarized backscatter only slightly. This conclusion is strengthened by our observation of high-incidence-angle backscatter from the ocean where mean σo(HH) exceeds mean σo(VV) by as much as 15 dB. We examine phenomena that might account for this behavior and suggest that multipath dihedral-type features are likely to be important scatterers since they produce large σo(HH)/σo(VV) owing to Brewster damping of the first VV bounce.
Abnormal Stomatal Behavior in Wilty Mutants of Tomato

An attempt was made to explain the excessive wilting tendency of 3 tomato mutants, notabilis, flacca, and sitiens. The control varieties in which these mutations were induced are Rheinlands Ruhm for flacca and sitiens and Lukullus for notabilis. Although all 3 mutants are alleles of separated loci, they seem to react similarly to water stress. The mutants wilt faster than the control plants when both are subjected to the same water stress. It was demonstrated by measurements of water loss from whole plants that all 3 mutants have much higher rates of transpiration than the control varieties, particularly at night. The extent of cuticular transpiration was compared in both kinds of plants by measuring the rate of water loss from detached drying leaves coated with vaseline on the lower surface. The difference in cuticular transpiration between the mutant and the control plants seems to be negligible. However, various facts point to stomata as the main factor responsible for the higher rates of water loss in the mutant plants. The stomata of the latter tend to open wider and to resist closure in darkness, in wilted leaves, and when treated with phenylmercuric acetate. Stomata of the 2 extreme mutants, sitiens and flacca, remain open even when the guard cells are plasmolyzed. The stomata of the mutants also are more frequent per unit of leaf surface and vary more in their size.
Comparative Study of Supply Chain Relationships, Mass Customization, and Organizational Performance between SME(s) and LE(s)

The influence of information technology (IT) exceeds in providing financial and operational support to organizations.ITis being used to facilitate customer and supplier involvement indesigningspecialized product offerings, implementing process improvements, enhancing manufacturing flexibility, and controlling manufacturing operations. Together, these advances areenabling firmsto not only customize their product offerings (i.e. mass customization) and market themat prices close to thosequoted by traditional mass producers but also contribute to organizational performance (OP).Organizational performance (OP) is the extent to which a firm fulfills its market and financial goals. Whilemuch research on mass customization has been reported in the literature, empirical studies investigating the impacts of IT on creating cooperative and integrative relationships with customers and suppliers and the impacts of these relationships on the level of mass customizationand organizational performance aresparse and represent a missing link in manufacturing research. The contributions of this study include supply chain relationship in SMEs andLEs, mass customization, and organizational performance.Using data collected from 220 manufacturers, this studyfinds that large firms (LEs) have higher levels of cooperative relationships with suppliers and customers and enjoy higher levels of mass customizationand organizational performance than small and medium size firms (SMEs).
Multi-Mode Vibration Energy Harvester and Tuned Mass Damper Using Double-Beam Structure

A novel piezoelectric energy harvester with multi-mode dynamic magnifier is proposed and investigated in this paper, which is capable of significantly increasing the bandwidth and the energy harvested from the ambient vibration. The design comprises of an multi-mode intermediate beam with a tip mass, called “dynamic magnifier”, and an “energy harvesting beam with a tip mass. The piezoelectric film is adhered to the harvesting beam to harvest the vibration energy. By properly designing the parameters, such as the length, width and thickness of the two beams and the weight of the two tip masses, we can virtually magnify the motion in all the resonance frequencies of the energy harvesting beam, in a similar way as designing a new beam-type tuned mass damper (TMD) to damp the resonance frequencies of all the modes of the primary beam. Theoretical analysis, finite element simulation, and the experiment study are carried out. The results show that voltage produced by the harvesting beam is amplified for efficient energy harvesting over a broader frequency range, while the peaks of the first three modes of the primary beam can be effectively mitigated simultaneously. The experiment demonstrates 25.5 times more energy harvesting capacity than the conventional cantilever type harvester in broadband frequency 3–300Hz, and over 1000 times more energy close to the first three resonances of harvesting beam.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Characteristics of the new progestogens in combination oral contraceptives

This review details the characteristic features of three new progestogens which soon will be available in low-dose combination oral contraceptive agents in the United States. Available data suggest that desogestrel, gestodene, and norgestimate are extremely potent progestogens with few androgenic side effects. The smaller changes in lipids induced by these progestogens seem to confer some advantage to the use of preparations containing one of these agents. Whether this advantage is also present clinically remains to be determined.
The system CaO-SiO2-CO2-H2O: 1. Melting relationships with excess vapor at 1 kilobar pressure☆

Solid-liquid-vapor phase equilibria have been determined for parts of the system CaO-SiO_2-CO_2-H_2O by delineating the phase fields intersected by the composition join CaCO_3-Ca(OH)_2-(SiO_2 + 4.3 weight per cent H_2O) at 1 kilobar pressure between 600°C and 975°C. The phases encountered were: dicalcium silicate (C_2S), Ca_2SiO_4; calcite (CC), CaCO_3; portlandite (CH), Ca(OH)_2; spurrite (Sp), Ca_5(SiO_4)_2(CO_3)_2; caleiochondrodite (Ch), Ca_5(SiO_4)_2(OH)_2; liquid (L), with composition remaining close to the plane Ca_2SiO_4-CaCO_3-Ca(OH)_2; vapor (V), with composition ranging between CO_2 and H_2O. At the pressure of 1 kilobar, the following ternary univariant reactions, (2) and (3), and quaternary univariant reactions, (6), (7) and (8). were established at the temperatures indicated: (2) CH + Ch + V ⇌ L(E_2) at 774 ± 10°C; (3) Ch + V ⇌ C_2S + L(P_3) at 955 ± 10°C; (6) CC + CH + Ch + V ⇌ L(E_6) at 637 ± 10°C; (7) CC + Ch + V ⇌ Sp + L(P_7) at 677 ± 10°C; (8) Sp + Ch ⇌ C_2S + L(P_8) + V at 860 ± 10°C. The vapor in each reaction is high in H_2O content. From these results and other published data a schematic equilibrium diagram for the whole system is constructed. A large field for spurrite extends down to 677°C on the vapor-saturated liquidus surface but wollastonite is not stable in equilibrium with both liquid and vapor below 1000°C at this pressure. The plane Ca_2SiO_4-CO_2-H_2O is a thermal divide; original liquids containing more SiO_2 than this plane yield only silicates and vapor on crystallization, whereas original liquids containing less SiO_2 than this plane can yield low temperature liquids precipitating hydrated and carbonated phases (synthetic carbonatite magmas). Applications to carbonatites and the thermal metamorphism of silicious limestones are discussed briefly.
A systematic review of emergency department interventions for college drinkers

BACKGROUND: Alcohol use in college-age individuals is associated with increased injury risk. Many college drinkers end up in the emergency department (ED) as a result of their drinking, providing a unique opportunity to intervene. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review evaluates the existing evidence for the use of brief ED interventions for alcohol use in the college-age population. METHODS: A systematic search of on-line databases was conducted. Articles were limited to those in English published since 1990. Studies were included if they specifically studied 18- to 20-year-old alcohol users, if they were performed in an ED or acute care setting, and if an intervention regarding alcohol use was attempted. RESULTS: There were 400 studies identified; 60 abstracts were reviewed, 18 full-text articles were evaluated, and 7 met the inclusion criteria for review. Eligible studies focused on alcohol use only, except for one study that addressed alcohol and other drug use. All examined changes in alcohol intake patterns as a primary outcome, and most also looked for reductions in alcohol-related harm. Each found reductions in alcohol intake patterns or reductions in alcohol-related harm in the intervention group, although some between-group differences were not statistically significant reductions. CONCLUSION: Seven studies were identified that measured the outcomes of ED interventions for alcohol use in the college-age population. The studied interventions showed promise but had variable success. More research is needed to establish short- and long-term efficacy, specifically in high-risk underage college students. Language: en
The effects of linear and logarithmic data transformations upon observed patterns of lingual vibrotactile sensitivity

Vibrotactile thresholds were obtained from the anterior midline surface of the tongue on three groups of normal-speaking young adults. A different frequency condition was employed for each of the groups tested. Threshold values were initially recorded in millivolts and subsequently converted to microns of displacement and decibels. Data comparisons showed a differential response to frequency for both kinds of transformations. This finding was discussed in terms of its implications concerning the nature and type of mechanoreceptors present in the cutaneous surface tissue of the tongue. Some suggestions for further research in this area were made.
Nuclear rocket safety

Abstract A renewed interest in lunar and Mars exploration and the expanded development of Earth orbiting satellites have resulted in a new interest in nuclear rockets. Well thought-out U.S. and U.N. policies exist for the use of nuclear reactors in space. Guidelines for space reactors have been prepared by DOE and NASA in recent years, and a safety review and approval process is in place. A review of the nuclear rocket program (Rover/NERVA) that was carried on from the mid-fifties until 1973 leads to the philosophy that flight safety considerations should start with the design process and provide solutions that are built into the design. The program resulted in very detailed specifications and criteria for the safe use of rocket reactors. Design practices and an extensive experience base that is still applicable today were developed. This technology base provides important information to be used in any future nuclear rocket as well as the confidence that nuclear rockets can be safely developed for future space missions.
Centromeric motion facilitates the mobility of interphase genomic regions in fission yeast.

Dispersed genetic elements, such as retrotransposons and Pol-III-transcribed genes, including tRNA and 5S rRNA, cluster and associate with centromeres in fission yeast through the function of condensin. However, the dynamics of these condensin-mediated genomic associations remains unknown. We have examined the 3D motions of genomic loci including the centromere, telomere, rDNA repeat locus, and the loci carrying Pol-III-transcribed genes or long-terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons in live cells at as short as 1.5-second intervals. Treatment with carbendazim (CBZ), a microtubule-destabilizing agent, not only prevents centromeric motion, but also reduces the mobility of the other genomic loci during interphase. Further analyses demonstrate that condensin-mediated associations between centromeres and the genomic loci are clonal, infrequent and transient. However, when associated, centromeres and the genomic loci migrate together in a coordinated fashion. In addition, a condensin mutation that disrupts associations between centromeres and the genomic loci results in a concomitant decrease in the mobility of the loci. Our study suggests that highly mobile centromeres pulled by microtubules in cytoplasm serve as ‘genome mobility elements’ by facilitating physical relocations of associating genomic regions.
Ishmael as Abraham's Sacrifice: Ibn Taymiyya and Ibn Kathīr on the Intended Victim

This article examines how Ibn Taymiyya and Ibn Kathīr shift the Islamic exegetical tradition towards accepting Ishmael as Abraham's intended sacrifice. Earlier exegetes, such as al-Ṭabarī, maintained that Isaac was the intended sacrifice through a philological analysis of the qur'anic text. Contrary to expectations, Ibn Taymiyya and Ibn Kathīr do not only use Prophetic reports (Hadith) to make their case but also employ biblical and philological arguments. The modern dominance of Ibn Taymiyya's qur'anic hermeneutic and the popularity of Ibn Kathīr's qur'anic exegesis have influenced Islamic orthodoxy to hold that Ishmael was the sacrificial son and to be more skeptical of biblical sources.
Extraction of Lipid and Pigment Components from Mechanically Deboned Chicken Meat

Three washing solutions were tested to reduce color and remove fat from mechanically deboned chicken meat (MDCM). MDCM was mixed with either 0.5% sodium bicarbonate, 0.1% acetate buffer, or tap water and passed through a 3.9 mm mesh screen. The meat retained by the screen (captured meat, CM) and the solution passing through the screen (not-captured, NC) were centrifuged separately. All extraction treatments resulted in significant reductions in fat with the NC meat being significantly lower in fat than the captured meat regardless of the wash media. Bicarbonate washed CM was significantly lighter in color (L*= 64.1) than all other extraction treatments and lighter and less red (a*=4.5) than the MDCM (L*= 49.2, a*= 9.0).
Whole-body hyperthermia and lonidamine as adjuvant therapy to treatment with cisplatin with or without local radiation in mouse bearing the Lewis lung carcinoma.

The Lewis lung carcinoma implanted subcutaneously in the hind leg of a C57BL mouse metastasizes avidly to the lungs of the host. This tumour model system thus allows assessment of both primary and metastatic disease to treatment. Lonidamine (50 mg/kg) administered once or twice daily produced approximately additive tumour growth delay with whole-body hyperthermia (60 min to 42°C and 60 min at 42°C). The addition of lonidamine to treatment with cisplatin (10 mg/kg) and whole-body hyperthermia continued to produce increased tumour growth delay of up to 14·7 days compared with 10·8 days for cisplatin/whole-body hyperthermia. The response of the metastatic disease paralleled that of the primary tumour with a reduction in the number and percent of large metastases (> 3 mm) on day 20 post-tumour implantation. The addition of local fractionated radiation therapy (3 Gy × 5) to the primary tumour produced a very effective treatment regimen resulting in 37·5 days of tumour growth delay along with twice daily lonida...
Effect of Genetic Obesity on Thermoregulatory Activity Responses to Inversion of the Light/Dark Cycle

In this pilot work, the authors compared the circadian rhythm responses of 3-month-old female fatty Zucker rats with those of lean Zucker rats and Sprague-Dawley rats to reversal of the light/dark (LD) cycle. Core temperature and spontaneous cage activity were continuously monitored by implanted microtelemetry devices prior to and for 5 days following complete LD cycle reversal. By the 5th day after LD reversal, temperature rhythm nadir had phase-advanced 10.5 hours in the lean Zucker rats, 10.8 hours in the Sprague-Dawley rats, and only 3.8 hours in the fatty Zucker rats. Similarly, total activity increased in lean Zucker rats and Sprague-Dawley rats after LD reversal but declined in the fatty Zucker rat during the same time. Results of this study show that obese Zucker rats displayed an impaired ability to reentrain circadian rhythms for temperature and activity when compared to lean Zucker rats and Sprague-Dawley rats. These findings suggest that dysfunction in the circadian pacemaker previously shown ...
Some effects of adrenalectomy and prednisolone administration on extracellular fluid and bone composition in the rat.

Plasma and bone electrolyte concentrations were measured in adrenalectomized and Prednisolone treated male rats in order to investigate what influence the absence of adrenal secretion and excess glucocorticoid might have on the distribution of ions between the extracellular fluid and the bone mineral. Three groups of rats were studied for 7 days. One group served as controls, the second was adrenalectomized, and the third received 10 mg of Prednisolone daily. In the adrenalectomized group, hyponatremia was reflected by a decreased sodium concentration in the bone mineral. In the steroid treated animals, despite a fall in plasma calcium, the calcium concentration in the bone mineral increased significantly, while the sodium concentration did not change in cither plasma or bone. From these data it would appear that the ionic shifts between bone mineral and extracellular fluid are not solely the result of physicochemical equilibrium. Rather, they appear to be at least in part controlled by local factors in t...