cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Indo-Pacific sea surface temperature influences on failed consecutive rainy seasons over eastern Africa

Rainfall over eastern Africa (10°S–10°N; 35°E–50°E) is bimodal, with seasonal maxima during the "long rains" of March–April–May (MAM) and the "short rains" of October–November–December (OND). Below average precipitation during consecutive long and short rains seasons over eastern Africa can have devastating long-term impacts on water availability and agriculture. Here, we examine the forcing of drought during consecutive long and short rains seasons over eastern Africa by Indo-Pacific sea surface temperatures (SSTs). The forcing of eastern Africa precipitation and circulation by SSTs is tested using ten ensemble simulations of a global weather forecast model forced by 1950–2010 observed global SSTs. Since the 1980s, Indo-Pacific SSTs have forced more frequent droughts spanning consecutive long and short rains seasons over eastern Africa. The increased frequency of dry conditions is linked to warming SSTs over the Indo-west Pacific and to a lesser degree to Pacific Decadal Variability. During MAM, long-term warming of tropical west Pacific SSTs from 1950–2010 has forced statistically significant precipitation reductions over eastern Africa. The warming west Pacific SSTs have forced changes in the regional lower tropospheric circulation by weakening the Somali Jet, which has reduced moisture and rainfall over the Horn of Africa. During OND, reductions in precipitation over recent decades are oftentimes overshadowed by strong year-to-year precipitation variability forced by the Indian Ocean Dipole and the El Nino–Southern Oscillation.
Induction of Pulmonary Hemorrhage in Rats During Diagnostic Ultrasound

The induction of pulmonary hemorrhage by pulsed ultrasound was discovered over 20 years ago. This phenomenon may pose a risk of patient lung injury, particularly for point of care pulmonary ultrasound. A diagnostic ultrasound machine (HDI 5000; Philips Healthcare, Andover MA USA) with 7.6 MHz (CL15-7) linear array was used to image the right lung of anesthetized rats in a warmed water bath. The image showed rapid initiation and progression of comet tail artifacts across the lung image for an on-screen mechanical index (MI) of 0.9, which corresponded to a pulmonary hemorrhage in the lung. Groups of rats were scanned at a range of MI settings and a threshold was located at an MI of about 0.44. This finding indicated a greater sensitivity to pulmonary ultrasound than was expected, based on previous results. Further research is needed to understand this phenomenon and to develop safety guidelines for sonographers.
TURBULENCE IN THE OUTER REGIONS OF PROTOPLANETARY DISKS. II. STRONG ACCRETION DRIVEN BY A VERTICAL MAGNETIC FIELD

We carry out a series of local, vertically stratified shearing box simulations of protoplanetary disks that include ambipolar diffusion and a net vertical magnetic field. The ambipolar diffusion profiles we employ correspond to 30 AU and 100 AU in a minimum mass solar nebula (MMSN) disk model, which consists of a far-ultraviolet-ionized surface layer and low-ionization disk interior. These simulations serve as a follow-up to Simon et al., in which we found that without a net vertical field, the turbulent stresses that result from the magnetorotational instability (MRI) are too weak to account for observed accretion rates. The simulations in this work show a very strong dependence of the accretion stresses on the strength of the background vertical field; as the field strength increases, the stress amplitude increases. For a net vertical field strength (quantified by β{sub 0}, the ratio of gas to magnetic pressure at the disk mid-plane) of β{sub 0} = 10{sup 4} and β{sub 0} = 10{sup 5}, we find accretion rates M-dot ∼10{sup -8}-10{sup –7} M{sub ☉} yr{sup –1}. These accretion rates agree with observational constraints, suggesting a vertical magnetic field strength of ∼60-200 μG and 10-30 μG at 30 AU and 100 AU, respectively, inmore » a MMSN disk. Furthermore, the stress has a non-negligible component due to a magnetic wind. For sufficiently strong vertical field strengths, MRI turbulence is quenched, and the flow becomes largely laminar, with accretion proceeding through large-scale correlations in the radial and toroidal field components as well as through the magnetic wind. In all simulations, the presence of a low-ionization region near the disk mid-plane, which we call the ambipolar damping zone, results in reduced stresses there.« less
A theory for ignition and deflagration of fuel drops.

A theory for ignition and burning of a fuel drop in an oxidizing gas is presented. The model employs a "modified flame surface" denned by use of a "delta function" but retaining effects of finite reaction kinetics. Mass fraction profiles of reactants and products, and temperature profiles are presented; and the mass burning rate as a function of reaction rate is computed. The theory yields continuous dependence of mass burning rate on reaction rate. By defining ignition in terms of the transition from kinetic to diffusional combustion, the effect on ignition of various parameters, such as droplet radius and mass fraction of oxidizer, can be determined. The results of the theory compare favorably with experimental data for both steadystate combustion and ignition.
Radiation monitoring for vertex detectors at the Tevatron

Abstract I present an overview of radiation monitoring for vertex detectors and the abort system for the Fermilab Tevatron. Details on the detectors, inputs, and measurements for the Run 1 time period are provided. Plans for the monitoring during Run 2 are discussed. The measurements imply an approximately even mix of radiation from beam–beam collisions and beam losses.
Prizes for basic research - Human capital, economic might and the shadow of history

This paper studies the impact of global factors on patterns of basic research across countries and time. We rely on the records of major scientific awards, and on data dealing with global economic and historical trends. Specifically, we investigate the degree to which scale or threshold effects account for countries share of major prizes [Nobel, Fields, Kyoto and Wolf]. We construct a stylized model, predicting that lagged relative GDP of a country relative to the GDP of all countries engaging in basic research is an important explanatory variable of country’s share of prizes. Scale effects imply that the association between the GDP share of a country and its prize share tends to be logistic -- above a threshold, there is a “take off” range, where the prize share increases at an accelerating rate with the relative GDP share of the country, until it reaches “maturity” stage. Our empirical analysis confirms the importance of lagged relative GDP in accounting for countries’ prize shares, and the presence of "winner takes all" scale effect benefiting the leader. Using measures of casualties during the wars, we find that the only significant effect can be found for a lag of 3 decades – i.e., deaths in the war negatively impact the viability of basic research about 30 years after the fact. With more recent data, we document the growing importance of countries that used to be at the periphery of global research, possibly advancing towards the take off stage.
A safe and reliable procedure for the iododeamination of aromatic and heteroaromatic amines in a continuous flow reactor

A method for the safe and reliable iododeamination of aromatic and heteroaromatic amines under copper-free conditions is described and its scope is evaluated.
On bitcoin and red balloons

Many large decentralized systems rely on information propagation to ensure their proper function. We examine a common scenario in which only participants that are aware of the information can compete for some reward, and thus informed participants have an incentive not to propagate information to others. One recent example in which such tension arises is the 2009 DARPA Network Challenge (finding red balloons). We focus on another prominent example: Bitcoin, a decentralized electronic currency system.Bitcoin represents a radical new approach to monetary systems. It has been getting a large amount of public attention over the last year, both in policy discussions and in the popular press. Its cryptographic fundamentals have largely held up even as its usage has become increasingly widespread. We find, however, that it exhibits a fundamental problem of a different nature, based on how its incentives are structured. We propose a modification to the protocol that can eliminate this problem.Bitcoin relies on a peer-to-peer network to track transactions that are performed with the currency. For this purpose, every transaction a node learns about should be transmitted to its neighbors in the network. As the protocol is currently defined and implemented, it does not provide an incentive for nodes to broadcast transactions they are aware of. In fact, it provides an incentive not to do so. Our solution is to augment the protocol with a scheme that rewards information propagation. Since clones are easy to create in the Bitcoin system, an important feature of our scheme is Sybil-proofness.We show that our proposed scheme succeeds in setting the correct incentives, that it is Sybil-proof, and that it requires only a small payment overhead, all this is achieved with iterated elimination of dominated strategies. We complement this result by showing that there are no reward schemes in which information propagation and no self-cloning is a dominant strategy.
Synthesis and Reactivity of New Phosphorus-Nitrogen and Phosphorus-Nitrogen-Boron Condensation Monomers

Abstract The preparative chemistry of P-functional N-sllylphosphoranimines, Me3SiN = P(X)R2, and the nature of the phosphazene products of their thermal decomposition are reported with particular emphasis on the effect that the leaving group (X) has on the polymerization/cyclization process. In a related study of potential precursors to novel B-N-P-N polymers, the preparation of a series of new phosphorus-(III) and -01) derivatives of the 1,3,2-diazaboracyclohexane ring system is described.
Polymer nanocomposites as electrostrictive materials

Electronic electroactive polymers (EAPs) are an attractive class of smart materials with many advantages such as lightweight, shape conformability, relatively high strain rates and good energy densities. However, there are major obstacles to their transition to applications. Notably they require high actuation voltages, have low blocked stresses and low operating temperatures. These current limitations are linked to inherent polymer properties such as low dielectric constant and low modulus. Our recent efforts in polymer-based nanocomposites provide new avenues to significantly improve their electromechanical response. In this study, we present experimental evidence of the creation of an electrostrictive response in a PVDF nanocomposite system by addition of small quantities of carbon nanotubes. amorphous polymer nanocomposites Further, we have also demonstrated that the piezoelectric response of nanocomposites can be dramatically enhanced through addition of conductive nanoparticles such as carbon nanotubes without additional weight penalties. Most importantly, these improvements were achieved at much lower actuation voltages, and were accompanied by an increase in both mechanical and dielectric properties. The effective dielectric properties of the nanocomposites indicate an increased polarization as the driving force for this enhancement. Possible causes for the enhanced polarization include contributions from SWNTs, polymer dipoles and SWNTpolymer interaction.
Stress-induced frequency shifts in langasite thickness-mode resonators

In this paper, we report on our study of stress induced effects on thickness vibrations of a langasite plate. The plate is assumed to be doubly rotated, specified by angles phi and thetas. The stresses are assumed to be uniform and planar. The first-order perturbation integral as developed by Tiersten for frequency shifts in resonators is used. The dependence of frequency shifts on phi and thetas is calculated and examined, and loci of stress-compensation are determined.
The evolution of corporate web presence: A longitudinal study of large American companies

This paper presents the results of a 6-year longitudinal survey of the websites of Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 companies. Using the technology acceptance model (TAM) and impression management theory as guidance, and eight design and functional measures, we find that S&P 500 companies have gone through remarkable transformation in their web presence during the evaluation period of 1997-2003, signified by increasing levels of information, interactivity, and service offered at their websites. We find a continuing trend towards increasing numbers and types of features offered, suggesting that large companies are placing greater importance on customer orientation to their websites in an effort to create positive impressions about their companies and to induce consumer acceptance of their e-commerce technology. The findings of this study offer insights to managers for creating a web presence that improves customer and shareholder perceptions of the company, increases customer loyalty, and facilitates the execution of e-commerce strategies.
Factorial validity and invariance of questionnaires measuring social-cognitive determinants of physical activity among adolescent girls

Background. There are few theoretically derived questionnaires of physical activity determinants among youth, and the existing questionnaires have not been subjected to tests of factorial validity and invariance. The present study employed confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to test the factorial validity and invariance of questionnaires designed to be unidimensional measures of attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and self-efficacy about physical activity. Methods. Adolescent girls in eighth grade from two cohorts (N = 955 and 1,797) completed the questionnaires at baseline; participants from cohort 1 (N = 845) also completed the questionnaires in ninth grade (i.e., 1-year follow-up). Factorial validity and invariance were tested using CFA with full-information maximum likelihood estimation in AMOS 4.0. Initially, baseline data from cohort 1 were employed to test the fit and, when necessary, to modify the unidimensional models. The models were cross-validated using a multigroup analysis of factorial invariance on baseline data from cohorts 1 and 2. The models then were subjected to a longitudinal analysis of factorial invariance using baseline and follow-up data from cohort 1. Results. The CFAs supported the fit of unidimensional models to the four questionnaires, and the models were cross-validated, as indicated by evidence of multigroup factorial invariance. The models also possessed evidence of longitudinal factorial invariance. Conclusions. Evidence was provided for the factorial validity and the invariance of the questionnaires designed to be unidimensional measures of attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and self-efficacy about physical activity among adolescent girls. (C) 2000 American Health Foundation and Academic Press.
Exact scaling in surface growth with power-law noise

We investigate a continuum formulation of surface growth following the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang equation [Phys. Rev. Lett. 56, 889 (1986)] with a power-law distribution of the magnitudes of regional advances. This formulation describes Zhang's ballistic-deposition model [J. Phys. (Paris) 51, 2129 (1990)] with power-law noise and possibly recent fluid-displacement experiments. Our exact theory predicts a transition of the scaling behavior from power-law-noise domination to a Gaussian-noise regime as the power increases. An apparent contradiction with previous simulations is due to a logarithmic correction to the scaling at the transition and to anomalous-growth effects. Analogous scaling behaviors are derived for the Edwards-Wilkinson model [Proc. R. Soc. London Ser. A 381, 17 (1982)] with power-law noise
Spatiotemporal dynamics of cross-polarized wave generation

We use Spatially and Spectrally Resolved Interferometry (SSRI) to investigate cross-polarized wave (XPW) generation. We find that the XPW pulse is √3 smaller than the input in the spatiotemporal domain regardless of input chirp.
Fluorescence-detected two-dimensional electronic coherence spectroscopy by acousto-optic phase modulation

We present a robust and high signal-to-noise strategy for phase-selective ultrafast electronic coherence spectroscopy. We demonstrate our approach using atomic Rb, isolating specific non-linear signal contributions to the excited state population.
Insuring Eggs in Baskets: Should the Government Insure Individual Risks?

The vast majority of crop and revenue insurance policies sold in North America are single-crop policies that insure against low yields or low revenues for each crop grown on a particular farm. This practice of insuring one crop at a time runs counter to the traditional risk management practice of diversifying across several enterprises to avoid putting all of one's eggs in a single basket. This paper examines the construction of a whole-farm crop revenue insurance program to include livestock price risk. The results show that at coverage levels of 95% or lower, the fair insurance premiums for this product on a well-diversified Iowa farm are far lower than the fair premiums for the corn crop alone on the same farm. The calculation of premium rates for the whole-farm insurance product is derived from a method for imposing correlations first proposed by Iman and Conover in 1982. The potential income transfer from crop insurance is also examined. We find that the income transfer due to the subsidization of single-commodity policies is greater than the total premium for whole-farm policies. La grande majorite de polices d'assurances de recolte et de revenu agricole vendues en Amerique du nord sont des polices de recolte individuelle qui assurent contre des rendements faibles ou bas revenu pour chaque recolte cultivee par une ferme particuliere. Cette pratique de n'assurer une recolte a la fois fonctionne a l'oppose de la pratique traditionnelle de gestion des risques par la diversification a travers plusieurs entreprises pour eviter de mettre tous ses oeufs dans un seul panier. Cet article examine la construction d'un programme d'assurance agricole pour l'ensemble des recoltes produites par une ferme y compris le betail evalue le risque. Les resultats montrent qu'aux niveaux d'assurance plus petits ou egaux a 95 pourcents, les primes d'assurance justes pour ce type de police pour une ferme bien diversifiee de l'Iowa sont bien inferieures aux primes justes pour une police de simple couvrant le mais et ce pour la meme ferme. Le calcul des taux de prime pour une police couvrant l'ensemble des recoltes est derive d'une methode pour imposer des correlations originalement proposee par Iman et Conover en 1982. Le transfert potentiel de revenu a partir de l'assurance de recolte agricole est egalement examine. Nous trouvons que le transfert de revenu dua la subvention des polices pour recolte singuliere est plus grand que la prime entiere pour une police couvrant l'ensemble des recoltes.
Soliton interaction with slowly varying potentials

We study the Gross-Pitaevskii equation with a slowly varying smooth potential, . We show that up to time and errors of size in , the solution is a soliton, evolving according to the classical dynamics of a natural effective Hamiltonian, . This provides an improvement () compared to previous works, and is strikingly confirmed by numerical simulations.
Generational equity and the politics of the welfare state.

The concept of generational equity--that the nation is squandering its wealth on entitlements to the elderly while children remain impoverished--has received considerable media attention. The author traces the source of that message to an organization, Americans for Generational Equity, which is dedicated to restructuring the Social Security system along the lines of a social assistance program: reduced benefits available at later ages only to those who qualify through means tests. The impact of this agenda would be to increase the labor force participation of older people, particularly women and minorities, those presently without private pension coverage and already heavily represented in that sector of the economy where labor shortage is developing. Defining national spending priorities in terms of intergenerational conflict obscures the fact that Social Security is the only U.S. welfare program that has been successful in reducing poverty levels.
Efficient Baylis--Hillman reaction using stoichiometric base catalyst and an aqueous medium.

A practical and efficient set of conditions were developed using stoichiometric base catalyst, 1,4-diazabicyclo[2,2,2]octane (DABCO), and an aqueous medium to overcome problems commonly associated with the Baylis−Hillman reaction, such as low reaction yields and long reaction time. These simple modifications to the classical conditions, using more base catalyst and an aqueous medium, proved to be successful in converting a variety of aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes to their corresponding Baylis−Hillman products. The inclusion of environmentally friendly water in the reaction solvent was critical for achieving the high yield of Baylis−Hillman adducts. Our deuterium-exchange experiments suggest that the Michael addition adduct formed between DABCO and methyl acrylate is the active intermediate for the Baylis−Hillman reaction in aqueous conditions, and its hydrolysis, a nonproductive side reaction facilitated by the quaternary ammonium ion, leading to the formation of a stable betaine product, consumes both...
Organolanthanide-catalyzed cyclization/boration of 1,5- and 1,6-Dienes.

1,5- and 1,6-Dienes undergo a cyclization/boration reaction in the presence of a catalytic amount of Cp*2Sm·THF. The resulting organoboranes can be oxidized to the corresponding primary cyclic alcohols using standard conditions.
On the Penetration of Meridional Circulation below the Solar Convection Zone

Meridional flows with velocities of a few meters per second are observed in the uppermost regions of the solar convection zone. The amplitude and pattern of the flows deeper in the solar interior, in particular near the top of the radiative region, are of crucial importance to a wide range of solar magnetohydrodynamical processes. In this paper, we provide a systematic study of the penetration of large-scale meridional flows from the convection zone into the radiative zone. In particular, we study the effects of the assumed boundary conditions applied at the radiative-convective interface on the deeper flows. Using simplified analytical models in conjunction with more complete numerical methods, we show that penetration of the convectively driven meridional flows into the deeper interior is not necessarily limited to a shallow Ekman depth but can penetrate much deeper.
Selective urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) inhibitors. Part 2: (3-Substituted-5-halo-2-pyridinyl)guanidines.

Abstract Based on previous modeling predictions, a series of (3-substituted-5-chloro-2-pyridinyl)guanidines have been designed with good potency and selectivity for urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA). Compound 36 has a K i of 0.17 μM and greater than 300-fold selectivity with respect to tPA and plasmin.
Polarization of Astronomical Maser Radiation. IV. Circular Polarization Profiles

Profile comparison of the Stokes parameters V and I is a powerful tool for maser data analysis, which provides the first direct methods for unambiguous determination of (1) the maser saturation stage, (2) the amplification optical depth and intrinsic Doppler width of unsaturated masers, and (3) the comparative magnitudes of Zeeman splitting and Doppler line width. Circular polarization recently detected in OH 1720 MHz emission from the Galactic center appears to provide the first direct evidence for maser saturation.
Passive microwave algorithms for sea ice concentration: A comparison of two techniques

Abstract The most comprehensive large-scale characterization of the global sea ice cover so far has been provided by satellite passive microwave data. Accurate retrieval of ice concentrations from these data is important because of the sensitivity of surface flux (e.g., heat, salt, and water) calculations to small changes in the amount of open water (leads and polynyas) within the polar ice packs. Two algorithms that have been used for deriving ice concentrations from multichannel data are compared. One is the NASA Team algorithm and the other is the Bootstrap algorithm, both of which were developed at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The two algorithms use different channel combinations, reference brightness temperatures, weather filters, and techniques. Analyses are made to evaluate the sensitivity of algorithm results to variations of emissivity and temperature with space and time. To assess the difference in the performance of the two algorithms, analyses were performed with data from both hemispheres and for all seasons. The results show only small differences in the central Arctic in winter but larger disagreements in the seasonal regions and in summer. In some areas in the Antarctic, the Bootstrap technique shows ice concentrations higher than those of the Team algorithm by as much as 25%; whereas, in other areas, it shows ice concentrations lower by as much as 30%. The differences in the results are caused by temperature effects, emissivity effects, and tie point differences. The Team and the Bootstrap results were compared with available Landsat, advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR) and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data. AVHRR, Landsat, and SAR data sets all yield higher concentrations than the passive microwave algorithms. Inconsistencies among results suggest the need for further validation studies.
METHODOLOGICAL INVENTION AS A CONSTRUCTIVE PROJECT: Exploring the Production of Ethical Knowledge through the Interaction of Discursive Logics

This article reflects one scholar’s attempt to locate herself within emerging ethical methodologies given a specific concern with cross-cultural women’s moral praxis. The field of comparative ethics’s debt to past debates over methodology is considered through a typology of three waves of methodological invention. The article goes on to describe a specific research focus on U.S. Catholic and Iranian Shii women that initiated a search for a distinct method. This method of comparative ethics, which focuses on the production of ethical knowledge through the interaction of discursive logics of various moral agents, is described. The conclusion turns to how methodological invention can itself become a constructive project through the way it (1) locates the scholar in relation to her subject of study and (2) allows for isolation of tactics within specific moral discourses. THE FIELD OF COMPARATIVE RELIGIOUS ETHICS is particularly exciting for ethicists interested in methodological innovation. Scholars dealing with multiple traditions, investigating distinct genres, and engaged in diverse constructive projects are currently shaping the future of this discipline. However, all this methodological invention can be confusing. Scholars need concrete tools of analysis to employ in our analytical work, and at times the conversation about method becomes so
Flux tubes, visons, and vortices in spin–charge separated superconductors

Abstract The idea of spin–charge separation in cuprate superconductors has been recently energized by Senthil and Fisher who formulated a Z 2 gauge theory and, within its context, proposed a “vison detection” experiment as a test for topological order in a sample with multiply connected geometry. Here we show that the same experiment can be performed to test for the spin–charge separation in U(1) (but not in SU(2)) theory and argue that vortex core spectroscopy can in fact distinguish between the different symmetries of the fictitious gauge field.
The role of nonbinding alternative dispute resolution in litigation

Abstract This paper analyzes pretrial mediation, in which a panel estimates the value of the plaintiff’s claim. Each party must decide whether to accept or reject the resulting award. If either party rejects, the case proceeds on toward trial; however, most cases are ultimately settled. We develop and then test a model in which each party has private information about the claim, but the mediation panel does not. The model predicts (1) the probability that each party accepts or rejects the mediation award, and (2) if the award is rejected and the case is later settled, how the settlement payment compares to the mediation award.
A general method applicable to the search for similarities in the amino acid sequence of two proteins

A computer adaptable method for finding similarities in the amino acid sequences of two proteins has been developed. From these findings it is possible to determine whether significant homology exists between the proteins. This information is used to trace their possible evolutionary development. The maximum match is a number dependent upon the similarity of the sequences. One of its definitions is the largest number of amino acids of one protein that can be matched with those of a second protein allowing for all possible interruptions in either of the sequences. While the interruptions give rise to a very large number of comparisons, the method efficiently excludes from consideration those comparisons that cannot contribute to the maximum match. Comparisons are made from the smallest unit of significance, a pair of amino acids, one from each protein. All possible pairs are represented by a two-dimensional array, and all possible comparisons are represented by pathways through the array. For this maximum match only certain of the possible pathways must, be evaluated. A numerical value, one in this case, is assigned to every cell in the array representing like amino acids. The maximum match is the largest number that would result from summing the cell values of every
The new frontier : gene and oligonucleotide therapy

Abstract Gene and oligonucleotide therapy are emerging as clinically viable therapeutic regimens for genetic, neoplastic, and infectious diseases. Approaches include insertion of human genes in viral vectors including recombinant retrovirus, adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, and herpes simplex virus-1, or recombinant bacterial plasmids. Viral vectors transfect cells directly; plasmid DNA is delivered with the help of cationic liposomes (lipofection), polylysine conjugates, gramicidin S, artificial viral envelopes or other such intracellular carriers. Major areas of interest include replacement of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator gene and the α 1 -antitrypsin gene; arrest of human immunodeficiency vir infection; and reversal of tumorigenicity and cancer immunization, among others. Oligonucleotide therapy is principally focusing on the same areas, although the approach is to halt DNA transcription or messenger RNA translation with code-blocking triple-helix-forming or “antisense” oligomers. Contributions from the pharmaceutical sciences are expected in pharmaceutical chemistry, drug delivery systems design, analytical chemistry, and biopharmaceutics.
Light quark masses and quarkonium decays

Abstract We examine the implication of heavy quarkonium decays for estimating the light quark masses, particularly the mass ratio m u / m d , at next to leading order in the quark mass expansion. It is observed that, due to instanton effects, some matrix elements which have been ignored in previous works can give a significant contribution to decay amplitudes, which results in a large uncertainty in the value of m u / m d deduced from quarkonium phenomenology. This uncertainty can be resolved only by a QCD calculation of some second order coefficients in the chiral expansion of decay amplitudes.
The effects of transformation and ZnT-1 silencing on zinc homeostasis in cultured cells

Abstract We have previously demonstrated that reducing the availability of zinc with the extracellular chelator diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) promotes efflux of 65Zn from rat primary hepatocytes and pituitary cells, but increases retention of label in rat hepatoma (H4IIE) and anterior pituitary tumor (GH3) cell lines. To further understand this differential response between primary cells and the corresponding cancer cell lines, we investigated the effects of immortalizing primary cells on their zinc homeostasis. Rat primary hepatocytes were electroporated with the SV40 large T-antigen-coding plasmid pSV3-neo and selected for neomycin resistance. This resulted in cell division of the normally quiescent hepatocytes. When these cells were prelabeled with 65Zn, DTPA decreased efflux of 65Zn, similarly to hepatoma cells and differently from primary hepatocytes. This homeostatic change may be required to account for the greater zinc requirements of dividing cells and be mediated by alterations in the activity of zinc transporter ZnT-1, which is responsible for zinc efflux. To further understand the mechanism of DTPA-induced zinc retention, we down-regulated the expression of ZnT-1 in rat hepatoma cells using vector-based short hairpin RNA interference. Expression of ZnT-1 protein was reduced to approximately 50%. Down-regulation of ZnT-1 resulted in greater retention of 65Zn in control cells. However, DTPA increased rather than decreased efflux of label from knockdown cells, suggesting that functional ZnT-1 is required for the decreased efflux in response to DTPA. We conclude that ZnT-1 expression is crucial for maintaining zinc homeostasis, in particular, for the enhanced retention of zinc in transformed cells when subjected to zinc deprivation.
On vanishing two loop cosmological constants in nonsupersymmetric strings

It has recently been suggested that in certain special nonsupersymmetric type II string compactifications, at least the first two perturbative contributions to the cosmological constant {Lambda} vanish. Support for perturbative vanishing beyond 1-loop (as well as evidence for the absence of some nonperturbative contributions) has come from duality arguments. There was also a direct 2-loop computation which was incomplete; in this note we explain the deficiency of the previous 2-loop calculation and discuss the complete 2-loop computation in two different models. The corrected analysis yields a vanishing 2-loop contribution to {Lambda} in these models.
Monopole loop distribution and confinement in SU(2) lattice gauge theory

Abstract The abelian-projected monopole loop distribution is extracted from maximal abelian gauge simulations. The number of loops of a given length falls as a power nearly independent of lattice size. This power increases with β =4/ g 2 , reaching five around β =2.85, beyond which, it is shown, loops any finite fraction of the lattice size vanish in the infinite lattice limit.
Hantzsch based macrocyclization approach for the synthesis of thiazole containing cyclopeptides.

Macrocyclization via an efficient high-yielding solid-phase intramolecular thioalkylation reaction is described. The reaction of S-nucleophiles with newly generated N-terminal 4-chloromethyl thiazoles led to the desired macrocyclization products 5 in high purities and good overall yields.
Difference Thresholds for Judgments of Sink Rate During the Flare

Past studies have shown that touchdown rates of descent (sink rates) are higher in aircraft simulators than in aircraft under similar conditions. The objective of this paper was to use a psychophysical technique to investigate a pilot's ability to distinguish between two different sink rates close to the ground. The pilots observed a collimated computer graphics display of a typical runway with edge, zone, and centerline lights. The results showed that with a forward velocity of 120 knots, pilots could reliably distinguish between a sink rate of 0.5 m/sec (1.7 ft/sec) and 0.9 m/sec (2.9 ft/sec). The results also showed that the absolute rate of sink did not significantly affect the perception of sink rate. Time of sink and total height drop during the sink did affect the minimum detectable difference between sink rates (the differential threshold). The effects were such that a greater time of sink and greater height drop produced lower thresholds
A Large-scale Unbiased Survey for Outflows in Molecular Clouds with Embedded IRAS Sources

We have begun a survey of lesser-known star formation regions using the Kitt Peak 12-meter telescope, currently operated by Steward Observatory. Our goal is to compile a database of molecular outflows in these under-studied regions, many of which lie at distances greater than 500 pc. We present our ^(12)CO (J = 1 → 0) On-the-Fly maps, along with HIRES-processed IRAS data, of selected molecular clouds. Our IRAS HIRES maps reveal the more luminous members of the embedded young stellar population, while the CO observations (55" beam, 0.26 km s^(-1) velocity resolution) allow us to identify a number of previously unknown molecular outflows.
Interstellar Turbulence. I. Retrieval of Velocity Field Statistics

We demonstrate the capability of principal component analysis (PCA) as applied by Heyer & Schloerb to extract the statistics of turbulent interstellar velocity fields as measured by the energy spectrum, E(k) ~ k-β. Turbulent velocity and density fields with known statistics are generated from fractional Brownian motion simulations. These fields are translated to the observational domain, T(x,y,v), considering the excitation of molecular rotational energy levels and radiative transfer. Using PCA and the characterization of velocity and spatial scales from the eigenvectors and eigenimages, respectively, a relationship is identified that describes the magnitude of line profile differences, δv, and the scale, L, over which these differences occur, δv ~ Lα. From a series of models with varying values of β, we find α = 0.33β - 0.05 for 1 < β < 3. This provides the basic calibration between the intrinsic velocity field statistics to observational measures and a diagnostic for turbulent flows in the interstellar medium. We also investigate the effects of noise, line opacity, and finite resolution on these results.
Group identity and gender in public goods experiments

This paper explores the effects of group identity and gender in a public goods experiment. We compare the behavior of participants who can be expected to have a pre-existing sense of group identity to that of randomly selected participants, and to that of participants who have undertaken community-building pre-experiment activities. While statistically significant differences were observed, our results suggest that the effects of group identity and gender on behavior are complicated, involving the nature of the groups involved. In particular, the claim that women are less likely to free-ride on others with whom they have a relationship is not supported.
Enantioselective synthesis and stereoselective rearrangements of enol ester epoxides.

Enol esters can be epoxidized with high enantioselectivities using the fructose-derived chiral ketone 1 as catalyst and Oxone as oxidant. A detailed study of enantiomerically enriched enol ester epoxides has revealed that the acid-catalyzed rearrangement can proceed through two distinct pathways, one with retention of configuration and the other with inversion. The competition between the two pathways is highly dependent upon the nature of the acid catalyst. A strong acid favors retention of configuration and a weak acid favors inversion of configuration. Under thermal conditions, these epoxides rearrange highly stereoselectively with inversion of configuration. Either enantiomer of an α-acyloxy ketone can be formed from one enantiomer of an enol ester epoxide by judicious choice of reaction conditions.
Monopole Operators and Mirror Symmetry in Three Dimensions

We study vortex-creating, or monopole, operators in 3d CFTs which are the infrared limit of N = 2 and N = 4 supersymmetric QEDs in three dimensions. Using large-Nf expansion, we construct monopole operators which are primaries of short representations of the superconformal algebra. Mirror symmetry in three dimensions makes a number of predictions about such operators, and our results confirm these predictions. Furthermore, we argue that some of our large-Nf results are exact. This implies, in particular, that certain monopole operators in N = 4 d = 3 SQED with Nf = 1 are free fields. This amounts to a proof of 3d mirror symmetry in a special case.
Primacy versus Recency in Retention of Information and Opinion Change

Summary The predictive validity of three hypotheses concerned with the relative influence of the presentation order of opposed persuasive communications was investigated. Absorbed from the parallel and complementary research tradition of the serial position effect, an area of considerably greater theoretical closure than that exhibited in the realm of the primacy recency phenomenon, these propositions allowed for the postulation of unambiguous and opposed predictions of order effects. Consistent with a good deal of previous research, this study, which employed 88 undergraduate men and women students of a large Midwestern university as Ss, provided considerable empirical support for the attention decrement hypothesis, with a recency effect in attitude change demonstrated by Ss in conditions fostering the continued attention to the research materials. Differential patterns of attitude change and retention suggest a hierarchical connotative-denotative memory structure hypothesis.
Measurement of crossflow forces on tubes

A force transducer for measuring lift and drag coefficients for a circular cylinder in turbulent water flow is presented. In addition to describing the actual design, construction, and calibratio,, the requirements for obtaining valid fluid-force test data are discussed.
Glide and Superclimb of Dislocations in Solid 4 He

Glide and superclimb—climb assisted by superfluidity along dislocation core—of quantum dislocations are studied by Monte Carlo simulations of the effective string model subjected to Peierls potential, tilting and external force. Close to critical stresses, corresponding to creation of kink-antikink pairs, gliding non-tilted dislocation exhibits resonant roughening. At finite tilts gliding dislocation remains quantum rough which leads to effective softening of dislocation tension and, consequently, to softening of shear modulus at low temperatures (T). This effect is interpreted as (quasi) Bose-Einstein condensation of extra kinks introduced by tilting. For superclimbing dislocation, at T where the core superfluidity still persists and Peierls barrier becomes irrelevant giant values of the compressibility as well as non-Luttinger type behavior of the core superfluid are observed. Crossover to standard Luttinger liquid occurs at low T where Peierls potential becomes relevant. Tilted superclimb is discussed as well.
Vacua of M-theory and N = 2 strings

Abstract String and membrane dynamics may be unified into a theory of (2 + 2)-dimensional self-dual world-volumes living in a (10+2)-dimensional target space. Some of the vacua of this M-theory are described by the N = (2, 1) heterotic string, whose target space theory describes the world-volume dynamics of (2+2)-dimensional ‘M-branes’. All classes of string and membrane theories are realized as particular vacua of the N = (2,1) string: Type IIA/B strings and supermembranes arise in the standard moduli space of toroidal compactifications, while type I′ and heterotic strings arise from a Z 2 orbifold of the N = 2 algebra. Yet another vacuum describes M-theory on a T 5 / Z 2 orientifold, the type I string on T4, and the six-dimensional self-dual string. We find that open membranes carry ‘Chan-Paton fields’ on their boundaries, providing a common origin for gauge symmetries in M-theory. The world-volume interactions of M-brane fluctuations agree with those of Born-Infeld effective dynamics of the Dirichlet two-brane in the presence of a non-vanishing electromagnetic field on the brane.
The dependency of bioactive follicle-stimulating hormone secretion on gonadotropin-releasing hormone in hypogonadal and cycling women

An antagonist analog of GnRH, (Ac-Δ3-Pro1,p-F-d-Phe2,d-Trp3,6)GnRH (4F-antagonist), was administered to normal women and women with hypergonadotropic hypogon-adism. Serum FSH levels were determined by both the granulosa cell aromatase bioassay and RIA. The constant infusion of 4F-antagonist (30 μ/kg·h) to the four hypogonadal women resulted in a more pronounced decline in bioactive FSH (62%) than in immunoreactive FSH levels (30%), and the FSH bioactive to immunoreactive ratio decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Infusion of 4F-antagonist in normal women in the midfollicular phase revealed a similar pattern of suppression of bioactive (64%) and immunoreactive FSH (29%). When 4F-antagonist was administered sc at a dose of 80 μg/kg twice daily for 3 days to normal women in the midfollicular phase of their cycles, the bioactive FSH response was biphasic, with the maximal decrease on the second day, followed by return to basal levels on the third day. Correspondingly, there was a precipitous decline in serum e...
Fundamental solutions and mapping properties of semielliptic operators

An explicit formula is given for a fundamental solution for a class of semielliptic operators. The fundamental solution is used to investigate properties of these operators as mappings between weighted function spaces in ℝn. Necessary and sufficient conditions are given for such a mapping to be an isomorphism. Results apply, for example, to elliptic, parabolic, and generalized p -parabolic operators. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Analytical models for single-hop and multi-hop ad hoc networks

There is considerable interest in modeling the performance of ad hoc networks analytically. This paper presents approximate analytical models for the throughput performance of single-hop and multi-hop ad hoc networks. The inherent complexity of analysis of a multi-hop ad hoc network together with the fact that the behavior of a node is dependent not only on its neighbors' behavior, but also on the behavior of other unseen nodes makes multi-hop network analysis extremely difficult. However, our approach in this paper to analyze multi-hop networks offers an accurate approximation with moderate complexity. Our approach is based on characterizing the behavior of a node by its state and the state of the channel it sees. This approach is used to carry out an analysis of single-hop and multi-hop ad hoc networks in which different nodes may have different traffic loads. In order to validate the model, it is applied to IEEE 802.11-based networks, and it is shown through extensive simulations that the model is very accurate.
Parylene-strengthened thermal isolation technology for microfluidic system-on-chip applications

Here we reported a novel technology using parylene-cross-linking structure to achieve on-chip air-gap thermal isolation for microfluidic system-on-chip (SOC) applications. Two applications based on this technology, on-chip temperature gradient liquid chromatography (TGLC) and on-chip continuous-flow polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were successfully demonstrated. Device thermal performance in each example was characterized. Results showed that our technology not only provides excellent on-chip thermal isolation but also its simplicity of integration with other on-chip components makes versatile microfluidic SOC applications feasible.
Copper(I) Hydride-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrosilylation of Heteroaromatic Ketones

In situ generation of CuH ligated by Takasago's new nonracemic ligand, DTBM-SEGPHOS, leads to an especially reactive reagent capable of effecting asymmetric hydrosilylation of heteroaromatic (H) ketones under very mild conditions. PMHS serves as an inexpensive source of hydride. Substrate-to-ligand ratios on the order of 2000:1 are employed. [reaction: see text]