cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spatiotemporal neural network using axodendritic chemical synapse model

An artificial neural network which can process spatiotemporal signals is developed. In the proposed time-varying neural network, in addition to the weights as used in the classical artificial neural network, the encoding of timing information in the input signal is also considered. The proposed processing unit uses (a) weights as a lumped parameter of synaptic efficacy and attenuation of the postsynaptic potential due to propagation through the dendrite; (b) time delay between the arrival of action potential at the presynaptic site and the generation of action potential at the axon hillock; and (c) decay rate of the postsynaptic potential generated by the previous inputs. These properties are derived from the axodendritic chemical synapse model. Computer simulation of the proposed neural network shows that this network is sensitive to the phase dependencies in the input signals and that it can detect specific sequences in the spatiotemporal input signals. >
Rodent handling of Araucaria araucana seeds

In an intermast year of very low seed production, we studied seed handling in an Araucaria araucana (Araucariaceae) forest in Neuquen Province, Argentina. Rodents identified in 844 photographs from automatic cameras removed 589 seeds marked with small embedded magnets. Within 12 days of removal, 460 were recovered using a magnetic field locator; 79% of recoveries were from burrows and caches in litter or soil. Rodents exhibited a diversity of seed-handling strategies and differed in their potential as dispersal agents. Seed removal was most likely between 15.00 hours and 21.00 hours, but diurnal and nocturnal visits were recorded for all species. Oligoryzomys longicaudatus (Cricetidae) was a seed predator that took 8% of marked seeds and left none whole. Chelemys macronyx (Cricetidae) and Rattus norvegicus (Muridae) removed 25% and 19% of marked seeds respectively. These two species deposited the majority of seeds in groups of 10 or more in burrow larders that were unfavourable seedling establishment sites far from daylight. Abrothrix longipilis (Cricetidae) removed 43% of seeds, scatter-hoarded the largest percentage of whole seeds (37%), moved some seeds farther than 40 m, and left them in favourable seedling establishment sites near daylight. For all species, the number and proportion of seeds cached whole increased as more seeds were removed. Rodents, especially A. longipilis, may play an important role in regeneration of A. araucana. Seed-handling strategies and potentially effective dispersal are discussed in terms of masting seed production.
IUDs at 1 year: predictors of early discontinuation

Abstract Objective To assess baseline dysmenorrhea and insertion-related pain as predictors of intrauterine device (IUD) removal within 1 year following insertion. Study design System-wide medical record abstraction 1 year after IUD insertion to identify removals and comparison of baseline characteristics (dysmenorrhea, insertion pain) among women with a removal versus women who continued IUD use was used. Baseline data came from a randomized trial of pain control during insertion. Results Among 199 insertions, we identified 21 removals and 7 expulsions, a continuation rate of 85.9%. Women with IUD removal had higher median dysmenorrhea scores before insertion than those who continued (42 vs. 25.5, p=.03). Insertion pain and other characteristics were not associated with removal. Conclusions Preexisting dysmenorrhea may predict IUD removal within 1 year.
On the Application of Graph Theory to Computer Data Structures

This paper deals with computer data structures. These data structures can be represented by directed graph structures and the purpose of this paper is to show how methods and techniques of graph theory can then be used to process these graphs. A viewpoint is taken that a basic tree structure exists in a general data structure. If this tree structure can be extracted, or identified during the creation of the data structure, then it can be used to make comparisons with other basic tree structures. An algorithm to find the greatest common structure of two trees is presented. If a cost function is associated with the arcs of a graph structure, then a minimum cost tree can be derived. This has application in minimizing data retrieval times and in minimizing page swapping in data structure paging systems. Arbitrary relations among data can also be represented by a graph and its matrices. It is shown that, by means of standard operations on these matrices, operations can be performed on these relations to derive further relations and logical data associations. A general model builder system, with which some of the above ideas will be investigated, is briefly mentioned.
The Post-Katrina, Semiseparate World of Gender Politics

When the New York Times reported "a wave of citizen activism" in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, it failed to mention that much of the wave was wearing lipstick and carrying a purse.1 Mopping up is, and always has been, women's work, so it comes as no surprise that large numbers of local women were active in post-Katrina recovery efforts in New Orleans. While some worked singly, volunteering their help in countless ways, oth ers chose the timeworn path of women's associations. This essay focuses on the activities of three organizations formed by women after the hurricane: Citizens for 1 Greater New Orleans, the Katrina Krewe, and Women of the Storm. In the weeks after Katrina, educated, economically comfortable women in New Or leans passed through historically familiar stages that led from a growing awareness of unmet needs, to frustration over official ineptitude, to the formation of women's orga nizations, which flowered into full-blown women's activism. Indignation over the failure of government galvanized New Orleans women as it had women reformers of the Pro gressive Era, with whom they have much in common. As women have done for decades, they responded by joining with like-minded women and pursuing a course of activism to bring change. The experiences of these New Orleans women activists reprise themes of Progressive Era women who battled along a broad front of issues, including the prevention of cruelty to animals, the care of the mentally disabled, consent laws for marriage, and better teacher salaries. These activist women in post-Katrina New Orleans exemplify the silk-stocking tradition of reformism, which has a long history in the Crescent City. In the 1890s, the Women's League for Sewerage and Drainage, led by the sisters Jean and Kate Gordon, of later woman suffrage fame, advocated a modern sewerage and drainage system to curb the periodic epidemics and flooding caused by primitive waste disposal methods and en tirely inadequate drainage, which the city had done nothing to improve. Their energetic work resulted in the passage of a property tax increase; the New Orleans press claimed that their small women's pressure group "probably did as much work for the special tax as all the men in this city put together." After 1920, enfranchised New Orleans women
Low-temperature digestion of dairy and swine manure

Abstract Laboratory anaerobic digesters were fed dairy and swine manure at the rates of 0.1 and 0.2 kg volatile solids (VS)/ m3-day over the temperature range of 10–23°C. The digesters were operated successfully with little indication of instability. Methane (CH4) yield, (B, m3 CH4/kg VS added) was determined to typically decrease linearly as temperature (T, °C) was decreased: Dairy at 0.1 kg VS/m 3 -day B=0.1153+0.0053T Dairy at 0.2 kg VS/m 3 -day B=0.0820+0.0063T Swine at 0.1 kg VS/m 3 -day B=0.2011+0.0053T Swine at 0.2 kg VS/m 3 -day B=0.3177+0.0044T Some increased performance was suggested for the lower loading rates compared with higher loading rates.
Glucocorticoid Regulation of Alkaline Phosphatase in the Osteoblastic Osteosarcoma Cell Line ROS 17/2.8*

Dexamethasone increased alkaline phosphatase levels up to 7-fold in the osteoblast-like rat osteosarcoma cell line ROS 17/2.8. This effect was associated with reduced cell growth and took place over several days in culture. The increase in enzyme activity was dose dependent, (half-maximum near 1 nm, with a hormone specificity suggesting glucocorticoid receptor mediation). Dexamethasone also increased enzyme activity in ROS 2/3 cells, but not in two nonosteoblastic osteosarcoma cell lines, indicating that among these cell lines, the effect is specific for osteoblast-like cells. Moreover, enzyme activity in both control and dexamethasone-treated cells correlated directly with levels of radioimmunoassayable bone-type isoenzyme. Increases in alkaline phosphatase activity in response to dexamethasone were detectable after about 5 h and were inhibited by both actinomycin D and cycloheximide. Thus glucocorticoids appear to increase de novo enzyme synthesis in ROS 17/2.8 cells. Finally, the cAMP-elevating agents ...
Bezold-brücke hue shift functions for the pigeon

Abstract Hue shift functions from 470 to 660 nm are shown for three pigeons. Hue shifts were calculated from test stimulus performances in a hue discrimination experiment where the intensity of the test stimulus was increased or decreased relative to photometric equality for the pigeon. The hue shift functions were similar for all three pigeons and show four spectral regions (530, 550, 600 and 630 nm), called invariant points, for which hue was not likely to change with intensity. These pigeon invariant points are different from those for humans (480, 505 and 575 nm) but the relationship of the invariant points to the respective hue discrimination function, saturation discrimination function, and color naming function is quite similar for pigeons and humans.
Quantization of superstrings in Ramond-Ramond backgrounds

We present a perturbative study of Ramond-Ramond backgrounds in the NSR formalism. We show how to perform {sigma}-model computations and discuss in detail the structure of the BRST charge and picture changing operators. Contact terms play a vital role in the analysis. We also give evidence for a two loop non-renormalization theorem for the background beta functions.
Correlation of Electrochemical Treeing in Power Cables Removed from Service and in Cables Tested in the Labaratory

Laboratory tests were performed to develop a relationship between treeing in extruded dielectric crosslinked polyethylene power cables removed from field service and cables tested in the Georgia Power Company Research Laboratory.
Histochemical evidence for enzyme differences in crustacean fast and slow muscle

Histochemical techniques were developed for characterizing fast and slow muscles of crustaceans. When crayfish or lobster abdominal muscles were tested for myofibrillar ATPase activity, fast muscle stained darkly and slow muscle stained lightly. When tested for NADH diaphorase activity, as a sign of oxidative capacity, slow muscle stained darkly around the sarcolemma while fast muscle stained lightly. In contrast, the results suggested that swimmeret muscles are more heterogenous in their properties. These histochemical techniques provide a simple but efficient method for elucidating the enzymatic profile of crustacean muscles. They should prove useful for characterizing the diversity of these muscles and for investigating the causes of this diversity.
On the QR iterations of real matrices

We answer a question of D. Serre on the QR iterations of a real matrix with nonreal eigenvalues whose moduli are distinct except for the conjugate pairs. Numerical experiments by MATLAB are performed.
LINEAR ELASTIC MATERIALS WITH VOIDS

A linear theory of elastic materials with voids is presented. This theory differs significantly from classical linear elasticity in that the volume fraction corresponding to the void volume is taken as an independent kinematical variable. Following a discussion of the basic equations, boundary-value problems are formulated, and uniqueness and weak stability are established for the mixed problem. Then, several applications of the theory are considered, including the response to homogeneous deformations, pure bending of a beam, and small-amplitude acoustic waves. In each of these applications, the change in void volume induced by the deformation is determined. In the final section of the paper, the relationship between the theory presented and the effective moduli approach for porous materials is discussed. In the two year period between the submission of this manuscript and the receipt of the page proof, there have been some extensions of the results reported here. In the context of the theory described, the classical pressure vessel problems and the problem of the stress distribution around a circular hole in a field have uniaxial tension have been solved [19,22]. The solution given in the present paper for the pure bending of a beam when the rate effect of the theory is absent is extended to case when the rate effect is present in [21]. The various implications of the rate effect in the void volume deformation are pursued all the subsequent works [19,20,21,22].
Commitment and the perpetration of relationship violence

We employed the investment model of commitment (Rusbult, 1983) to examine the independent effects of commitment and relationship duration on the perpetration of common couple violence (i.e., instances of physical violence that occasionally arise in conflict situations; Johnson, 1995). Data are from self-administered questionnaires completed by 722 “currently dating” adolescents in the 8th and 9th grades in a rural public school district in North Carolina. Roughly 10% of the adolescents reported using violence (i.e., hitting, pushing, shoving, kicking, or assaulting with a weapon) against their current partner that was not used as self-defense. The majority of the violent relationships involved the reciprocal use of violence by both partners. Both commitment and duration exerted independent effects upon the perpetration of common couple violence. Consistent with the relationship violence literature, relationship members became more likely to use violence against their partner as the duration of the relationship increased. However, consistent with research that indicates that commitment leads individuals to forgo immediate-self interest and to instead maximize the needs of the relationship, relationship members became less likely to use violence as their commitment to the relationship increased. Furthermore, a gender difference was found in terms of the relationship between violence and variables that promote commitment. Although decreased relationship satisfaction increased the use of violence for both males and females, the increased quality of alternative relationships also increased the use of violence for males. The current findings are consistent with the idea that, whereas relationship duration simply makes partners more accessible to one another, commitment promotes cooperative strategies for conflict resolution.
Leader Political Skill and Team Performance

The present study investigates the impact of the political skill of leaders on team performance. More specifically, this study examined the role of leader political skill in the performance of casework teams in a large state child welfare system. Team performance was operationalized as “permanency rate,” or the successful placement of children into legally final living arrangements (i.e., adoption, successor guardianship, or return to natural parents). After controlling for several contextually important factors (i.e., average caseload, average age of children served, average number of team placements, team member experience, leader experience, and team empowerment), leader political skill was found to explain a significant proportion of variance in team performance scores. Implications of these results, as well as directions for future research, are discussed.
Diagnosis of the vertical dimension

Abstract The vertical dimension problem is complex and multifactorial. Not onlymust the clinician recognize a vertical discrepancy abnormality, he/she must be able to recognize its numerous components and understand their interrelationships. Many scientific investigators and orthodontic clinicians have contributed to the body of knowledge to which we have access. This article reviews some of the pertinent literature and offers some diagnostic and treatment planning suggestions to the clinical specialist who struggles with the vertical dimension enigma on a daily basis.
The effect of ribonuclease on the binding of calcium by mitochondria.

Mitochondria, isolated from potato tuber, pretreated with ribonuclease (RNase) showed an increase in calcium binding at low enzyme concentration. The same dosage-response pattern was obtained whether the enzyme treatment was conducted for 10, 30 or 120 min. However, when the enzyme treatment was carried out at 0° instead of at 30°, no increase in Ca-binding was obtained, suggesting that no interaction occurred between the enzyme and the divalent cation. Oxygen consumption under the same conditions was not affected. Microsomes treated with RNase did not show a change in their Ca-binding capacity, although untreated microsomes showed about the same increase in Ca-binding with increase in temperature as did the mitochondria. When mitochondria prelabeled with 45Ca, after extracting their inorganic calcium phosphate, were treated with RNase a liberation of Ca, ribonucleotide, and phosphate was observed. It is suggested that Ca ions form a bridge like bond between ribonucleic acid and either phospholipids or phospholipoproteins, because RNase liberated more phosphate than nucleotides and the extra phosphate cannot be inorganic calcium phosphate, since the calcium phosphate was extracted before addition of RNAse.
Non-Hydrogen-Bonded Secondary Structure in β-Peptides: Evidence from Circular Dichroism of (S)-Pyrrolidine-3- carboxylic Acid Oligomers and (S)-Nipecotic Acid Oligomers

Homooligomers of β-amino acids (S)-3-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid (PCA) and (S)-nipecotic acid (Nip) were studied by circular dichroism (CD) in methanol. In each series, a profound change in the far-UV CD spectrum was observed from monomer to tetramer, but little change was observed from tetramer to hexamer. A comparable pattern is observed in the CD spectra of short proline oligomers. We conclude that both PCA and Nip oligomers with ≥ four residues adopt a characteristic secondary structure.
Tension Dependent Growth and Retraction of Neurites

Abstract Neurons are cells that carry electrical impulses. The growth of axons in these cells has been of interest for some time. Experiments have been performed to understand the tension dependent growth of axons but there are few models in the literature that can explain the characteristics of axon growth. Here we propose a growth model that is based on diffusion limited polymerization of microtubules in the axon. The tension in the axonal membrane determines the compressive force on the polymerizing microtubules and this controls the rate of growth. We show that the growth process of an axon that is coupled to a device which can measure and apply forces on it can be described by an ordinary differential equation. Solutions of this equation for various loading conditions reproduces the data in many recent experiments.
Kinetics of model high molecular weight organic compounds biodegradation in soil aquifer treatment

Soil Aquifer Treatment (SAT) is a process where treated wastewater is purified during transport through unsaturated and saturated zones. Easily biodegradable compounds are rapidly removed in the unsaturated zone and the residual organic carbon is comprised of primarily high molecular weight compounds. This research focuses on flow in the saturated zone where flow conditions are predictable and high molecular weight compounds are degraded. Flow through the saturated zone was investigated with 4 reactors packed with 2 different particle sizes and operated at 4 different flow rates. The objective was to evaluate the kinetics of transformation for high molecular weight organics during SAT. Dextran was used as a model compound to eliminate the complexity associated with studying a mixture of high molecular weight organics. The hydrolysis products of dextran are easily degradable sugars. Batch experiments with media taken from the reactors were used to determine the distribution of microbial activity in the reactors. Zero-order kinetics were observed for the removal of dextran in batch experiments which is consistent with hydrolysis of high molecular weight organics where extracellular enzymes limit the substrate utilization rate. Biomass and microbial activity measurements demonstrated that the biomass was independent of position in the reactors. A Monod based substrate/biomass growth kinetic model predicted the performance of dextran removal in the reactors. The rate limiting step appears to be hydrolysis and the overall rate was not affected by surface area even though greater biomass accumulation occurred as the surface area decreased.
An analysis of certain errors that arise in space clamping cylindrical cells

Abstract The problem of the angular uniformity of plasmalemma potential is considered for an infinitely long cylindrical cell that is voltage clamped by an eccentrically located axial current electrode and a voltage-sensing micropipette located just under the plasmalemma. In addition, the plasmalemma is permitted to have a small angular variation of admittance. It is shown that the plasmalemma potential will be sencibly uniform under these conditions unless the solution bathing the cell is of low conductivity, in which case angular variation can be quite large.
The Standardization Of Color Photographic Image Data Compression

Members of the International. Standards Organization ISO/IEC JTC1/SC2 Working Group 8 (Coded Representation of Picture and Audio Information) and the Consultative Committee of the International Telegraph and Telephone (CCITT) Study Group VIII Special Rapporteur Group on New Forms of Image Communication have been working together during 1987 and 1988 in a Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) for the purpose of developing an international standard for the compression and decompression of natural color images. The technique selected is required to allow for both progressive and sequential image buildup during decompression. Decompression is to be feasible in real time in the ISDN environment (64 Kbits compressed data per second). The final standard is expected to produce a recognizable image at under 0.25 bits/pixel, an excellent image around 0.75 bits/pixel, and an image visually indistinguishable from the original around 3 bits/pixel for original images of 16 bits/pixel. Exact (lossless) coding is also required. An adaptive discrete cosine transform (DCT) technique was selected in January 1988 for further refinement and enhancement. The definition of the inverse DCT, how to improve the low-bit-rate image quality, the choice of entropy coding technique, and the method of achieving graceful progression are being studied as part of the refinement and enhancement process before final selection. A draft standard is expected to be available during 1989. The status of the refinement process will be reviewed.
Nonlinear system identification of large-scale smart pavement systems

This paper proposes a novel model for predicting complex behavior of smart pavements under a variety of environmental conditions. The mathematical model is developed through an adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). To evaluate the effectiveness of the ANFIS model, the temperature fluctuations at different locations in smart pavement systems equipped with pipe network systems under solar radiations is investigated. To develop the smart pavement ANFIS model, various sets of input and output field experimental data are collected from large-scale experimental test beds. The solar radiation and the inlet water flow are used as input signals for training complex behavior of the smart pavement ANFIS model, while the temperature fluctuation of the smart pavement system is used for the output signal. The trained model is validated using 20 different data sets that are not used for the training process. It is demonstrated from the simulation that the ANFIS identification approach is effective in modeling complex behavior of the pavement-fluid system under a variety of environmental conditions. Comparison with high fidelity data proves the viability of the proposed approach in pavement health monitoring setting, as well as automatic control systems.
Comparison of the acceptance activity of the ribosome-bound and the total cellular transfer ribonucleic acids from SV40-transformed mouse fibroblasts

Abstract We have examined here the idea that a comparison of ribosome-bound and free tRNAs in a cell may serve as a general procedure to identify special tRNA functions and it is apparent from this initial study that such an approach is feasible. tRNA has been isolated from the whole cell, high speed supernatant and ribosome fractions of SV40-transformed mouse fibroblasts, and the acceptance activity for each of the 20 amino acids has been determined. The acceptance ratios of ribosome-bound to whole cell tRNA were found to be similar to unity ( 1±0.5 ) for most amino acids. However, the acceptance ratios for methionine, leucine and isoleucine were significantly above unity, and the acceptance ratios for glycine, histidine, proline, serine and tryptophan are below 0.5. When the isoaccepting tRNAMet are compared by reversed-phase co-chromatography of ribosome-bound and whole cell tRNA, a pronounced enrichment of Met1, the eucaryotic cytoplasmic initiator tRNA, is found, and possible explanations of this phenomenon are discussed. Further interpretation of the acceptance ratios for the remaining amino acids will also require comparison of the individual isoaccepting species after chromatographic separation.
Defining the flow-limiting stenosis noninvasively for management of patients with coronary artery disease.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) has become the number 1 pathological process responsible for disease burden in the world. Although traditionally the management of CAD was based on anatomic stenosis, more recently, better outcomes have been associated with revascularization of flow-limiting stenoses as
Calculation of the electronic properties of Ni-P amorphous alloys.

We have simulated the atomic structure of Ni-P amorphous alloys for several concentrations (${\mathrm{Ni}}_{75}$${\mathrm{P}}_{25}$, ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{80}$${\mathrm{P}}_{20}$, and ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{85}$${\mathrm{P}}_{15}$), and have calculated their electronic properties. The atoms are spread randomly in a periodically repeated cell and then relaxed using Weber-Stillinger pair potentials to a local minimum potential energy. We have constructed eight such cells for each concentration. Because the unit cell (80 or 160 atoms) is larger than the electronic mean free path, we can assume the electronic properties are independent of boundary conditions. We impose periodic boundary conditions, which is equivalent to calculating the band structure at k=0 of the periodically extended unit cell. Using linearized Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker (KKR) band theory, we have calculated the total density of states, component- and angular-momentum-decomposed densities of states, degree of localization, and current matrix elements for the electrons. We find very little localization of the electrons near the Fermi energy. We also have calculated the electrical resistivity and reflectivity as a function of frequency and concentration using the Kubo formula. Finally we have compared our calculated results with experiment and with results obtained from the effective-medium approximation and from the KKR coherent-potential approximation.
Morphology and kainate‐receptor immunoreactivity of identified neurons within the entorhinal cortex projecting to superior temporal sulcus in the cynomolgus monkey

Projections of the entorhinal cortex to the hippocampus are well known from the classical studies of Cajal (Ramon y Cajal, 1904) and Lorente de No (1933). Projections from the entorhinal cortex to neocortical areas are less well understood. Such connectivity is likely to underlie the consolidation of long-term declarative memory in neocortical sites. In the present study, a projection arising in layer V of the entorhinal cortex and terminating in a polymodal association area of the superior temporal gyrus has been identified with the use of retrograde tracing. The dendritic arbors of neurons giving rise to this projection were further investigated by cell filling and confocal microscopy with computer reconstruction. This analysis demonstrated that the dendritic arbor of identified projection neurons was largely confined to layer V, with the exception of a solitary, simple apical dendrite occasionally ascending to superficial laminae but often confined to the lamina dissecans (layer IV). Finally, immunoreactivity for glutamate-receptor subunit proteins GluR 5/6/7 of the dendritic arbor of identified entorhinal projection neurons was examined. The solitary apical dendrite of identified entorhinal projection neurons was prominently immunolabeled for GluR 5/6/7, as was the dendritic arbor of basilar dendrites of these neurons. The restriction of the large bulk of the dendritic arbor of identified entorhinal projection neurons to layer V implies that these neurons are likely to be heavily influenced by hippocampal output arriving in the deep layers of the entorhinal cortex. Immunoreactivity for GluR 5/6/7 throughout the dendritic arbor of such neurons indicates that this class of glutamate receptor is in a position to play a prominent role in mediating excitatory neurotransmission within hippocampal-entorhinal circuits.
The perfect storm: HLA antibodies, complement, FcγRs, and endothelium in transplant rejection

The pathophysiology of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) in solid organ transplants is multifaceted and predominantly caused by antibodies directed against polymorphic donor human leukocyte antigens (HLAs). Despite the clearly detrimental impact of HLA antibodies (HLA-Abs) on graft function and survival, the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of AMR remain a challenge. The histological manifestations of AMR reflect the signatures of HLA-Ab-triggered injury, specifically endothelial changes, recipient leukocytic infiltrate, and complement deposition. We review the interconnected mechanisms of HLA-Ab-mediated injury that might synergize in a ‘perfect storm’ of inflammation. Characterization of antibody features that are critical for effector functions may help to identify HLA-Abs that are more likely to cause rejection. We also highlight recent advances that may pave the way for new, more effective therapies.
System identification in nonlinear structural seismic dynamics

Abstract This paper deals with the development of efficient identification methods for the determination of parameters associated with the nonlinear response of structural systems subject to seismic conditions. The equation of motion of the system is given by M u + h(/.u, u, a) = p(t) , where the external force vector p and the mass matrix M are assumed to be known. Also given is an observation vector w , consisting of some or all of the components of u , the vector of the nodal displacements. The vector function h , denoting the restoring forces of the mechanical system, is parametrically given in terms of a constant vector a . Three different methods are presented for the determination of the parameters governing the vector function h . The first one is a direct approach requiring the unknown coefficients to appear linearly in the model equation. The remaining two are based on methods of control and optimization theory, and are exempt from the limitations of the direct method. The relative merits of each approach are discussed and extensive numerical experimentation is presented. Only numerical results for one degree of freedom systems are reported in this paper.
Thermodynamic considerations in the stability of binary oxides for alternative gate dielectrics in complementary metal-oxide-semiconductors

A number of binary oxides have been predicted to be thermodynamically stable in contact with Si and are candidates to replace SiO2 in complementary metal–oxide–semiconductors. However, reactions leading to the formation of interfacial silicide, silicate, or SiO2 layers have been reported when these oxides are exposed to high temperatures during device processing. Different pathways have been proposed in the literature to explain these reactions. In this article, a thermodynamic analysis of the proposed reactions is performed. The analysis includes gaseous species, because typical gate dielectrics are ultrathin layers and diffusivities for species from the surrounding atmosphere, such as oxygen, may be high. Furthermore, nonstoichiometry of the high-k oxide, as may be resulting from nonequilibrium deposition processes or reducing atmospheres during processing is also considered. Studies are proposed to distinguish between possible reaction mechanisms. Finally guidelines for stable interfaces are presented.
Observation of spin-polarization effects in disordered metals.

We have studied the properties of submicrometer thin-film Au conductors that are in direct contact with relatively thick films of Fe. The magnetoresistance of these structures exhibits features that appear to be due to spin polarization of the conduction electrons in the Au, which is induced through their proximity to the Fe. The results imply that the length scale over which electrons maintain a ``memory'' of this polarization is of order 1 \ensuremath{\mu}m at a temperature of 4 K. This is much longer than both the elastic mean free path and the spin-orbit scattering length, but is of the order of the electron-phase-coherence length. Our results are in accord with recent theories.
1 Hz Lg Q tomography in central Asia

We have applied tomographic techniques to a data set of over 1700, regional distance, Lg amplitudes from 12 stations for paths inside a 30° by 40° region of Central Asia. Our purpose is to create high resolution path correction maps for use in regional distance source discrimination and magnitude determination, as well as to study Lg propagation characteristics in one of the most heterogeneous portions of the earth. For 1.0 Hz data, tomography reduced variance 33%, relative to a best fit, uniform Q model. LgQ varied with geologic region, with low values in Tibet, the Tien Shan and the Pamir range (Q=200 to 400), intermediate values in basins such as the Tarim (Q=500) and high values for platforms and older crust (Q>800). The relatively efficient propagation across the Tarim differs from the poor propagation that is generally observed across sedimentary basins.
Relativistic content and disagreement

Herman Cappelen and John Hawthorne's Relativism and Monadic Truth presses a number of worries about relativistic content.1 It forces one to think carefully about what a relativist should mean by saying that speakers disagree or contradict one another in asserting such content. My focus is on this question, though at points (in particular in Sect. 4) I touch on other issues Cappelen and Hawthorne (CH) raise.2
Anxiety and Encoding Processes in Memory

This paper examines the effect of anxiety on encoding processes in memory. It is argued that the levels of processing model of memory provides a useful approach to the study of anxiety effects on encoding. In particular, relative to low-anxiety subjects, high-anxiety subjects can be characterized as encoding fewer semantic features, encoding less elaboratively, and being less flexible in utilizing alternative memory strategies. The levels framework can also be combined with the encoding specificity view of retrieval to supplement the drive theory analysis of anxiety effects on retrieval.
An Empowered Approach To Developing a Youth Violence Prevention Plan: A Case Study in a Small but Growing Rural Community

This article describes a recent project in which the authors worked with policy makers, practitioners, and citizens to develop a youth violence prevention plan in a small but significantly growing rural city. The authors participated in an “empowered approach” to research youth violence in the city and made recommendations about strategies to prevent future youth violence. Characteristics of the approach are discussed along with the individual, community-level, and empirical themes that arose during the research and planning process. The strengths of using an empowered approach to study crime and develop response mechanisms are considered. The article concludes with recommendations for ways that other criminologists can use a similar approach in other jurisdictions.
Effects of bombesin on body temperature and oxygen consumption in food-deprived rats.

Abstract The present study measured oxygen consumption and core body temperature following central injections of bombesin (1.0 ug) in food-deprived rats. Oxygen consumption did not differ for bombesin- and control-injected rats while mean core body temperature decreased significantly following bombesin administrations. Present findings suggest seperate mechanisms of heat loss for bombesin-induced hypothermia in cold-exposed and food-deprived rats.
MODFLOW 2000 head uncertainty, a first-order second moment method.

A computationally efficient method to estimate the variance and covariance in piezometric head results computed through MODFLOW 2000 using a first-order second moment (FOSM) approach is presented. This methodology employs a first-order Taylor series expansion to combine model sensitivity with uncertainty in geologic data. MOD-FLOW 2000 is used to calculate both the ground water head and the sensitivity of head to changes in input data. From a limited number of samples, geologic data are extrapolated and their associated uncertainties are computed through a conditional probability calculation. Combining the spatially related sensitivity and input uncertainty produces the variance-covariance matrix, the diagonal of which is used to yield the standard deviation in MODFLOW 2000 head. The variance in piezometric head can be used for calibrating the model, estimating confidence intervals, directing exploration, and evaluating the reliability of a design. A case study illustrates the approach, where aquifer transmis-sivity is the spatially related uncertain geologic input data. The FOSM methodology is shown to be applicable for calculating output uncertainty for (1) spatially related input and output data, and (2) multiple input parameters (trans-missivity and recharge).
Market Cultures: Society and Morality in the New Asian Capitalisms

Market Cultures: Society and Morality in the New Asian Capitalisms. Robert W. Hefner. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1998. vii. 328 pp., index.
Characterization of a dc Plasma as an Excitation Source for Multielement Analysis

A commercial dc plasma has been evaluated as an excitation source for multielement spectrometric analyses. Plasma temperatures have been measured and typical excitation profiles determined. Detection limits have been determined using a direct reading spectrometer equipped for simultaneous background correction measurements. The results indicate that precise multielement analyses can be carried out at low concentration levels comparable to those that can be obtained by flame atomic absorption methods.
Effects of smoking and smoking abstinence on cognition in adolescent tobacco smokers

Background In adult animals and humans, nicotine can produce short-term cognitive enhancement and, in some cases, neuroprotection. Recent work in animals, however, suggests that exposure to nicotine during adolescence might be neurotoxic. We tested for evidence of acute and chronic effects of tobacco smoking on cognition in adolescents who smoked tobacco daily and were compared with adolescent nonsmokers. Methods Verbal working memory, verbal learning and memory, selective, divided, sustained attention, mood, symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, and tobacco craving were examined in 41 adolescent daily smokers and 32 nonsmokers who were similar in age, gender, and education. Analyses were controlled for general intelligence, reading achievement, parental educational attainment, baseline affective symptoms, and lifetime exposure to alcohol and cannabis. Results In adolescent smokers, cessation of tobacco use increased tobacco craving, symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, and depressed mood. Adolescent smokers were found to have impairments in accuracy of working memory performance irrespective of recency of smoking. Performance decrements were more severe with earlier age of onset of smoking. Adolescent smokers experienced further disruption of working memory and verbal memory during smoking cessation. As a group, male smokers initiated smoking at an earlier age than female smokers and were significantly more impaired during tests of selective and divided attention than female smokers and nonsmokers. Conclusions Adolescent daily tobacco smokers experience acute impairments of verbal memory and working memory after smoking cessation, along with chronic decrements in cognitive performance that are consistent with preclinical evidence that neurotoxic effects of nicotine are more severe when exposure to nicotine occurs at earlier periods in development.
A polymorphic residue in the amino terminal alpha 1 hemi-domain of the mouse Ld class I molecule affects its assembly and surface expression.

Abstract In comparison to D d and most other mouse major histocompatibility complex class I molecules, the L d molecule is poorly expressed on the cell surface, has a lower affinity for β 2 -microglobulin and is trafficked more slowly to the cell surface. Previous studies using L d - D d exon-shuffled constructs and the chimeric D dml molecules suggested that the L d α 1 domain was responsible for this phenotype. Two constructs, one containing an L d - D d hemi-exon-shuffled α 1 exon and the other containing a D d - L d hemi-exon-shuffled α 1 exon, were inserted into either L d or D d to replace the intact α 1 exon. These constructs were transfected into mouse L cells. Flow cytometric analyses of the resulting transfectants indicate that the D d -L d α l/L d molecules, similar to the D d α 1/D d α2/L d molecules, were expressed at a higher level on the cell surface than either the L d -D d α 1/L d molecules or intact L d molecules. Analyses of the molecules in lysates suggested that a higher proportion of the D d -L d α 1/L d molecules, like the D d α1/D d α2/L d molecules, as compared to the L d -D d α 1/L d and intact L d molecules were assembled as detected by α 2 domain-reactive monoclonal antibodies. Pulse-chase and lysate stability studies suggested that the lower steady state levels of assembled L d -D d α 1 molecules resulted from a slower assembly rate rather than instability. Collectively, these studies suggest that residues in the amino terminal half of the L d α 1 domain are responsible for its inefficient assembly, probably leading to its low cell surface expression. To determine which polymorphic residues in the amino terminal α 1 hemi-domain might influence this phenotype, several L d point mutants, in which a D d amino terminal α 1 hemi-domain residue was substituted into the corresponding position of L d , were analysed. These analyses suggested that, while the residue at position 9 has only a slight effect on β 2 -microglobulin association, it has a striking effect on assembly and cell surface expression.
Overexpression, Purification, Characterization, and Crystallization of the BTB/POZ Domain from the PLZF Oncoprotein*

The BTB/POZ domain defines a conserved region of about 120 residues and has been found in over 40 proteins to date. It is located predominantly at the N terminus of Zn-finger DNA-binding proteins, where it may function as a repression domain, and less frequently in actin-binding and poxvirus-encoded proteins, where it may function as a protein-protein interaction interface. A prototypic human BTB/POZ protein, PLZF (promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger) is fused to RARa (retinoic acid receptor a) in a subset of acute promyelocytic leukemias (APLs), where it acts as a potent oncogene. The exact role of the BTB/POZ domain in protein-protein interactions and/or transcriptional regulation is unknown. We have overexpressed, purified, characterized, and crystallized the BTB/POZ domain from PLZF (PLZFBTB/POZ). Gel filtration, dynamic light scattering, and equilibrium sedimentation experiments show that PLZF-BTB/POZ forms a homodimer with a Kd below 200 nM. Differential scanning calorimetry and equilibrium denaturation experiments are consistent with the PLZFBTB/POZ dimer undergoing a two-state unfolding transition with a Tm of 70.4 °C, and a DG of 12.8 6 0.4 kcal/ mol. Circular dichroism shows that the PLZF-BTB/POZ dimer has significant secondary structure including about 45% helix and 20% b-sheet. We have prepared crystals of the PLZF-BTB/POZ that are suitable for a high resolution structure determination using x-ray crystallography. The crystals form in the space group I222 or I212121 with a 5 38.8, b 5 77.7, and c 5 85.3 A and contain 1 protein subunit per asymmetric unit with approximately 40% solvent. Our data support the hypothesis that the BTB/POZ domain mediates a functionally relevant dimerization function in vivo. The crystal structure of the PLZF-BTB/POZ domain will provide a paradigm for understanding the structural basis underlying BTB/ POZ domain function.
Measurement of electron energy distribution function in an argon/copper plasma for ionized physical vapor deposition

The electron energy distribution function (EEDF) has been measured under a variety of conditions in an Ar/Cu plasma for ionized physical vapor deposition. The EEDF is directly measured in a system including a direct-current magnetron sputter source for copper and a radio frequency (rf) induction plasma, using a Langmuir probe with a modulated bias voltage in combination with a lock-in amplifier. The experimental data indicate that at fixed rf ionization power, the electron population in the tail of the EEDF is depleted by the introduction of copper vapor, and the electron average energy decreases slightly. Observed changes in the EEDF are attributed to inelastic collisions with copper atoms, which have lower threshold energies for excitation and ionization as well as larger cross sections as compared to argon, and the resulting reduction in the measured plasma potential.