cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A new method for generating ultraintense and ultrashort laser pulses

The output power of any laser system is limited by the power that any of its individual components can withstand without being destroyed. This increases the size, complexity and cost of next-generation lasers built using conventional optical-gain media. But by using a plasma, which is impervious to optical damage, as the gain medium, such limitations could be significantly surpassed. Here, we report the use of stimulated Raman backscattering in a millimetre-scale plasma to simultaneously amplify and compress an input pulse to increase its intensity by more than two orders of magnitude. Further amplification and compression of such a pulse was achieved by passing it twice through our system, an approach that could be readily extended in future with a cavity-like multipass design. Such an approach could enable the construction of a new generation of compact, low-cost ultrahigh-intensity laser systems.
Heat capacities of aqueous decyland dodecyl-trimethylammonium bromides from 324.6 to 374.6 K

Abstract Use of a high-temperature enthalpy-of-dilution flow calorimeter for the measurement of relative heat capacities is described. Heat capacities of decyltrimethylammonium bromide(aq) from 0.05 to 0.5 mol · kg −1 and of dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide(aq) from 0.05 to 0.3 mol · kg −1 have been measured at 324.6, 348.8, and 374.6 K. These heat-capacity measurements were combined with previously measured enthalpies of dilution to extrapolate to infinite dilution. Values of C p , φ ∞ , for the two solutes are reported over this temperature range.
Effect of different oxidation states of chromium in causing chromosome alterations in cultured CHO cells

Four chromium salts with different oxidation states were tested for their influence in causing chromosome aberrations and sister-chromatid exchange in Chinese hamster ovary cells in vitro. Cell cultures were treated with CrO3, K2Cr2O7, CrCl2 and Cr(NO3)3.9H2O at concentrations of 10(-7), 10(-6), 10(-5) and 10(-4) M for the aberration assay, and 10(-8), 10(-7), 10(-6) and 10(-5) M for the sister-chromatid exchange assay. It was noticed that Cr (VI) compounds--CrO3 and K2Cr2O7--considerably enhanced the frequencies of aberrations and sister-chromatid exchanges compared to the control cultures. CrCl2 and Cr(NO3)3.9H2O--Cr (II) and Cr (III) respectively--caused a slight increase in sister-chromatid exchange rates, but the frequencies of aberrations were almost unchanged compared to the controls. These investigations indicate a definite link between the metals and changes produced in the mammalian chromosomes, reaffirming the evidence of carcinogenic potential of Cr (VI) observed by other investigators.
Optical absorption edge in rare earth sesquisulfides

Abstract Optical absorption edge spectra have been measured by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy on a complete suite of rare earth sesquisulfide compounds of varying structure type. Optical band gaps were extracted from these data. The observed band gaps tend to vary with crystal structure type but many compounds with the same structure have similar band gaps independently of the particular rare earth ion. The ordered α-structure has a substantially lower band gap than the defect γ-structure for all compounds examined except for La 2 S 3 .
Selective class I phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitors: optimization of a series of pyridyltriazines leading to the identification of a clinical candidate, AMG 511.

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase family catalyzes the phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-diphosphate to phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-triphosphate, a secondary messenger which plays a critical role in important cellular functions such as metabolism, cell growth, and cell survival. Our efforts to identify potent, efficacious, and orally available phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors as potential cancer therapeutics have resulted in the discovery of 4-(2-((6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)amino)-5-((4-(methylsulfonyl)piperazin-1-yl)methyl)pyridin-3-yl)-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-amine (1). In this paper, we describe the optimization of compound 1, which led to the design and synthesis of pyridyltriazine 31, a potent pan inhibitor of class I PI3Ks with a superior pharmacokinetic profile. Compound 31 was shown to potently block the targeted PI3K pathway in a mouse liver pharmacodynamic model and inhibit tumor growth in a U87 malignant glioma glioblastoma xenograft model. On the basis of its excellent in vivo...
The Efficiency of Resolution and Davis--Putnam Procedures

We consider several problems related to the use of resolution-based methods for determining whether a given boolean formula in conjunctive normal form is satisfiable. First, building on the work of Clegg, Edmonds, and Impagliazzo in [Proceedings of the Twenty-Eighth Annual ACM Symposium on Theory of Computing, Philadelphia, PA, 1996, ACM, New York, 1996, pp. 174--183], we give an algorithm for unsatisfiability that when given an unsatisfiable formula of F finds a resolution proof of F. The runtime of our algorithm is subexponential in the size of the shortest resolution proof of F. Next, we investigate a class of backtrack search algorithms for producing resolution refutations of unsatisfiability, commonly known as Davis--Putnam procedures, and provide the first asymptotically tight average-case complexity analysis for their behavior on random formulas. In particular, for a simple algorithm in this class, called ordered DLL, we prove that the running time of the algorithm on a randomly generated k-CNF formula with n variables and m clauses is $2^{\Theta(n(n/m)^{1/(k-2)})}$ with probability $1-o(1)$. Finally, we give new lower bounds on $\mbox{res}(F)$, the size of the smallest resolution refutation of F, for a class of formulas representing the pigeonhole principle and for randomly generated formulas. For random formulas, Chvatal and Szemeredi [J. ACM, 35 (1988), pp. 759--768] had shown that random 3-CNF formulas with a linear number of clauses require exponential size resolution proofs, and Fu [On the Complexity of Proof Systems, Ph. D. thesis, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, 1995] extended their results to k-CNF formulas. These proofs apply only when the number of clauses is $\Omega(n \log n)$. We show that a lower bound of the form $2^{n^{\gamma}}$ holds with high probability even when the number of clauses is $n^{(k+2)/4-\epsilon}$.
A strategy for coefficient quantization in digital control algorithms

Abstract A strategy for quantizing the coefficients in a general second order digital control algorithm is presented. First, the errors in the magnitude and phase functions for the algorithm are derived in terms of the filter coefficients. By specifying a maximum allowable error for each function over a given frequency range, quantization regions can then be established. An example consisting of a lag-lead digital control algorithm is included to illustrate the procedure.
Chronic temporal lobe epilepsy: spatial extent and degree of metabolic dysfunction studied with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).

Abstract Introduction: Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 1 H MRS) has been proposed as a lateralizing method for the presurgical evaluation of patients with medically intractable temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Studies have shown correlations between temporal lobe (TL) NAA and seizure frequency, and TL NAA/Cr and the duration of epilepsy in patients with TLE. This latter finding may suggest that progressive neuronal dysfunction may occur in both temporal lobes in patients with TLE, even when the seizures originate in only one temporal lobe. We analyzed our data in an attempt to find a possible correlation between extension of neuronal dysfunction based on NAA measures and duration of epilepsy. Methods: We studied 45 consecutive patients with the diagnosis of TLE, who were referred for presurgical evaluation. Duration of epilepsy was defined as the interval between the age of seizure onset and the time of the MRS examination. All studies were performed in the inter-ictal state, prior to intracranial monitoring or resection. We performed two-tailed Pearson correlation analysis between ipsilateral NAA/Cr and extension of the abnormality (voxels involved) and the duration of the seizure disorder in years. Results: The average duration of epilepsy in this group was 20 years. No significant correlation was found between duration of epilepsy and mean hippocampal NAA/Cr ( r =−.131, p =.390); nor was a correlation found between duration of epilepsy in years or the extent of metabolic lesion (voxels involved) ( r =−.264, p =.079). Conclusions: Hippocampal NAA/Cr does not correlate with duration of epilepsy in TLE. Our findings suggest that cross-sectional group measures of hippocampal neuronal function do not suggest damage progression.
Semistochastic Projector Monte Carlo Method

We introduce a semistochastic implementation of the power method to compute, for very large matrices, the dominant eigenvalue and expectation values involving the corresponding eigenvector. The method is semistochastic in that the matrix multiplication is partially implemented numerically exactly and partially stochastically with respect to expectationvalues only. Compared to a fully stochastic method, the semistochastic approach significantly reduces the computational time required to obtain the eigenvalue to a specified statistical uncertainty. This is demonstrated by the application of the semistochastic quantum Monte Carlo method to systems with a sign problem: the fermion Hubbard model and the carbon dimer. Introduction.—Consider the computation of the domi- nant eigenvalue of an NN matrix, with N so large that the matrix cannot be stored. Transformation methods can- not be used in this case, but one can still proceed with the power method, also known as the projection method, as long as one can compute and store the result of multi- plication of an arbitrary vector by the matrix. When, for sufficiently large N, this is no longer feasible, Monte Carlo methods can be used to represent stochastically both the vector and multiplication by the matrix. This suffices to implement the power method to compute the dominant eigenvalue and averages involving its corresponding eigenvector. In this Letter, we propose a hybrid method consisting of numerically exact representation and multiplication in a small deterministic subspace, complemented by stochastic treatment of the rest of the space. This semistochastic projection method combines the advantages of both approaches: it greatly reduces the statistical uncertainty of averages relative to purely stochastic projection while allowing N to be large. These advantages are realized if one succeeds in choosing a deterministic subspace that carries a substantial fraction of the total spectral weight of the dominant eigenstate. Semistochastic projection has numerous potential applications: transfer matrix (1) and quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) (2-4) calculations, respectively for classical statistical mechanical and quantum mechanical systems, and the calculation of subdominant eigenvalues (5).
Critical roles for immunoglobulin translocations and cyclin D dysregulation in multiple myeloma.

Summary: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a tumor of long-lived bone marrow plasma cells (PCs). Nearly 40% of MM tumors have immunoglobulin H (IgH) translocations involving four recurrent chromosomal loci (oncogenes): 11q13 (cyclin D1), 6p21 (cyclin D3), 4p16 (MMSET and FGFR3), and 16q23 (c-maf). Other MM tumors have Ig translocations involving different loci, none of which is involved in more than 1% of tumors. At least 25% of MM tumors have no Ig translocation. Unlike normal PCs, MM tumors usually express one of the three cyclin D genes at a high level. Translocations involving 4p16 and 16q23 do not directly target a cyclin D gene, but they are associated with a high level of cyclin D2 expression. Although cyclin D1 is not expressed in normal hematopoietic cells, one-third of MM tumors ectopically express cyclin D1 in the absence of t(11;14). Despite a low proliferation index in MM, dysregulation of a cyclin D gene seems to be a unifying oncogenic event. Analysis of 34 MM cell lines indicates that tumors having an IgH translocation are significantly over-represented, whereas tumors that ectopically express cyclin D1 are not represented. We speculate that ectopic cyclin D1 expression without t(11;14) is dependent on tumor-specific interaction with bone marrow stromal cells.
The market for antituberculosis drugs and vaccines: incentives for investment in new products.

The market for antituberculosis drugs is reviewed briefly and an estimate is formed of the potential US market for a new and improved tuberculosis vaccine. By 2010, global sales of all antituberculosis drugs are expected to reach $US612–670 million annually. An urgent need for better antituberculosis drugs exists that could permit a shorter course and less frequent dosing so that tuberculosis treatment regimens could scale up more rapidly. Should a more effective tuberculosis vaccine become available, there are approximately 18 million high-risk individuals in the USA alone for whom the vaccine would be demonstrably cost-beneficial. The high-risk groups include healthcare workers, military personnel, HIV-infected individuals, migrant farm workers and prisoners.
Modeling Valley Fever Incidence in Arizona Using a Satellite-Derived Soil Moisture Proxy

Valley Fever is caused by inhalation of spores from the soil-dwelling fungus Coccidioides spp. Pima, Pinal, and Maricopa counties, Arizona, have the highest Valley Fever incidence on earth. Despite reported links between climate, habitat, disease timing, and seasonality, relationships between the fungus and its putative affinity to moist soils are poorly understood. We used Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) time series from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) sensor to compare soil moisture variations with disease incidence. Results suggest moist soils in the early spring, resulting from antecedent winter precipitation, correlate with increased incidence in these counties up to a year later.
Autonomous adaptive environmental assessment and feature tracking via autonomous underwater vehicles

In the underwater environment, spatiotemporally dynamic environmental conditions pose challenges to the detection and tracking of hydrographic features. A useful tool in combating these challenge is Autonomous Adaptive Environmental Assessment (AAEA) employed on board Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). AAEA is a process by which an AUV autonomously assesses the hydrographic environment it is swimming through in real-time, effectively detecting hydro-graphic features in the area. This feature detection process leads naturally to the subsequent active/adaptive tracking of a selected feature. Due to certain restrictions in operating AUVs this detection-tracking feedback loop setup with AAEA can only rely on having an AUV's self-collected hydrographic data (e.g., temperature, conductivity, and/or pressure readings) available. With a basic quantitative definition of an underwater feature of interest, an algorithm can be developed (with which a data set is evaluated) to detect said feature. One example of feature tracking with AAEA explored in this paper is tracking the marine thermocline. The AAEA process for thermocline tracking is outlined here from quantitatively defining the thermocline region and calculating thermal gradients, all the way through simulation and implementation of the process on AUVs. Adaptation to varying feature properties, scales, and other challenges in bringing the concept of feature tracking with AAEA into implementation in field experiments is addressed, and results from two recent field experiments are presented.
Management of Mucocutaneous Herpes Simplex Virus Infections

Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 are causes of common inflammatory conditions of the mucous membranes and skin. The proper management of these infections begins with an accurate diagnosis. Viral cultures should be performed whenever possible. Patients should be counselled regarding the proper care of lesions, the risk of complications, the likelihood of experiencing recurrent infection, and should be urged to avoid intimate contact while lesions are active.
A stepper motor for use at temperatures down to 20 mK

Abstract We describe the performance of a simple commercial stepper motor which can be used at low temperatures without any mechanical alterations. The coils are rewound with copper clad niobium wire to minimize the heat load on the refrigerator. We discuss the torque, power dissipation, and the construction of the motor. In addition, a simple method of measuring the angular position of the motor is described.
SELECTED ASPECTS OF TECHNICAL READINESS RELATED TO THE EXPLOITATION SYSTEM OF TRAINER AIRCRAFT IN MILITARY AVIATION

One of the problems becoming increasingly important in the exploitation process of each technical object is effectiveness expressed as a ratio of the value of obtained results to the related expenditure. There are several criteria to evaluate the effectiveness of the exploitation process. However, in their selection, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics not only connected with a concrete object or system, but also with a model of its use. In civil aviation, especially in case of airlines and various kinds of service companies, the effectiveness of exploitation system of the aircraft fleet is assessed primarily in economic terms. However, in military aviation, due to its characteristics, slightly different criteria must be applied. In practice, the effectiveness of such systems is usually assessed based on the index of technical exploitation readiness, which specifies the system readiness to execute the agreed tasks within predetermined time. This paper presents selected aspects of technical readiness related to the exploitation system of trainer aircraft in military aviation. The issues connected with determining the total flying time, conducted within the framework of the training cycle, are discussed. The factors affecting the state of technical readiness related to the exploitation system of the aviation technology as well as methods for determining the required number of aircraft to perform the tasks planned for a given period and the index of available service life resources.
CVD diamond growth by dc plasma torch

A dc arc discharge plasma torch has been developed for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) diamond growth. The apparatus and process parameters are described. Free-standing polycrystalline diamond samples of 50 mm by 50 mm by a few mm have been grown at high rates. The Raman spectra of the samples show little nondiamond structure. Transmission electron microscopy indicates that the diamond is highly twinned and has a high defect concentration. The infrared spectra indicate the presence of hydrogen contamination in the diamond via absorption bands associated with carbon-hydrogen motion. 2.
IMPROVED RELIABILITY ESTIMATES FOR SMALL SAMPLES USING EMPIRICAL BAYES TECHNIQUES

Issues of equity and fairness across subgroups of the population (e.g., gender or ethnicity) must be seriously considered in any standardized testing program. For this reason, many testing programs require some means for assessing test characteristics, such as reliability, for subgroups of the population. However, often only small sample sizes are available for the subgroups of interest. Traditionally used reliability estimates (e.g., Cronbach's alpha) can have low precision for small samples. This study investigated whether an empirical Bayes (EB) technique could produce more precise reliability estimates than traditional methods in the presence of small samples. Several Bayesian estimates were compared to estimates obtained by other methods (e.g., the traditionally and currently used Cronbach's alpha coefficient), in terms of both bias and variance. A secondary purpose of this study was to compare the various EB approaches across different sample sizes. This paper also discusses EB estimates of standard error of measurement (SEM), their accuracy and precision, and how they compare with SEM estimates derived from the alpha.
Mechanisms of Hot-Carrier induced degradation of SOI (SIMOX) MOSFET's

Abstract An experimental study of the degradation mechanisms of hot-carrier stressed SOI (SIMOX) MOSFET's is carried out. Depending on the applied stress conditions, it is found that device degradation is mainly caused by electron and hole trapping by intrinsic and generated oxide traps and/or by generation of interfaces states. Sequential hot-electron stressing of the front/back channels results in successive electron/hole injection in the gate oxides, leading to important insights on the nature of the degradation mechanisms.
Extreme environment capable, modular and scalable power processing unit for solar electric propulsion

This paper is to present a concept of a modular and scalable High Temperature Boost (HTB) Power Processing Unit (PPU) capable of operating at temperatures beyond the standard military temperature range. The various extreme environments technologies are also described as the fundamental technology path to this concept. The proposed HTB PPU is intended for power processing in the area of space solar electric propulsion, where reduction of in-space mass and volume are desired, and sometimes even critical, to achieve the goals of future space flight missions. The concept of the HTB PPU can also be applied to other extreme environment applications, such as geothermal and petroleum deep-well drilling, where higher temperature operation is required.
Expression of class II antigen in endotoxin induced uveitis

Uveitis can be induced by systemic or intravitreal administration of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS). In this study we correlated the expression of class II antigens (la in rat) of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC), with this experimental model of uveitis. Ia antigen was detected by immunohistochemistry using the Avidin-Biotin-Peroxidase Complex (ABC) method and the monoclonal antibody OX6. Ia antigen was not expressed in normal eyes. However, Ia was expressed in the anterior uvea epithelial cells in all eyes with LPS induced uveitis. This study demonstrates that the ocular Ia expression is a localized process in the anterior uvea in response to systemic or intravitreal LPS. This response appears to be distinct from the action of LPS on macrophage Ia expression, where LPS has been shown to inhibit the induction of Ia antigen in macrophages by gamma interferon.
A marketable all-electric solar house: A report of a Solar Decathlon project

Abstract This paper reports a design and building process of a net-zero-energy modular house, named ElementHouse, which was entered for the 2007 Solar Decathlon competition that was organized by the U.S. Department of Energy. This paper discusses the development of the ElementHouse from its initial concept to the actual construction, which integrated multi-disciplinary knowledge of architecture, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering. By employing computer-aided simulation tools, several design approaches were developed to achieve the optimal balance among function, aesthetics, economy, and energy—a challenge in many sustainable building designs. A simplified energy model helped to form the building configuration at the preliminary design stage by showing how energy use is affected by various parameters, leading to optimization studies that provided design guidelines towards an energy-efficient building envelope and opening design. Energy modelling also estimated the annual energy use and electricity generation, as well as the costs associated with long-term operation of the house. The energy demand estimate and its daily power profile helped to design the photovoltaic (PV) system. The modular configuration of the building and its roof structure was then iteratively altered to accommodate the PV panels in such a way as to generate the most power and to facilitate interstate transportation of ElementHouse. With the progress of the design process, detailed energy simulation using EnergyPlus provided more accurate estimates of power use and generation and, coupled with daylighting simulation performed with Radiance, permitted finalizing the building envelope, opening, and electric lighting design. The building envelope embraced the passive and low energy philosophy to minimize the annual heating and cooling load and to optimize natural lighting. By illustrating the whole picture of ElementHouse design, this paper discusses a way of effectively designing and building a comfortable and affordable solar house.
THE DEMAND FOR BANANAS AND THE ECONOMIC EFFECT OF SUPPLY RESTRICTION

ABSTRACT The wholesale demand elasticity of bananas was estimated at between −0,52 and −0,66 for the short run and between −0,65 and −0,71 for the long run. Estimates of demand elasticities using Time Varying Parameters varied between −0,62 and −0,93, also indicating that the demand becomes less price elastic during summer months. Retail elasticities were estimated at between −1,42 and −1,52 for the short run and at −1,79 for the long run. The social cost of the banana control programme is estimated at between 7,8% and 12,68% of income transfer between producers and consumers in marketing areas. The impact of cut-backs in banana production where entry is free (any farmer can produce bananas) is to increase prices in marketing areas, but depress prices in production areas. It is uncertain whether farm income can be increased significantly through such a scheme even though the demand is inelastic, if the supply of good banana land is not limited.
Estrogen receptor- and aromatase-deficient mice provide insight into the roles of estrogen within the ovary and uterus.

Estrogen receptor (ER)- (alpha, beta, and both alpha and beta) and aromatase (Ar) knockout (KO) mice have been created to assess the biological effects of estrogens. This review article discusses the ovarian and uterine phenotypes of these mice. The data obtained have confirmed some older inferences about how the steroid acts, but have also revealed some unexpected aspects of estrogen action. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 59:336-346, 2001.
Congenital neutropenia in a newborn.

Severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) is a genetically heterogenous, rare disorder defined by a persistent absolute neutrophil count <500k mm−3 with neutrophil maturation arrest at the promyelocyte stage and an increased risk for infection as well as a propensity towards developing myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myelogenous leukemia. We report a case of incidentally identified SCN in a full-term, otherwise healthy infant girl. Routine complete blood counts obtained for follow up of ABO incompatibility-induced jaundice and anemia identified mild neutropenia at birth followed by severe persistent neutropenia by 1 week of birth. Genetic testing confirmed the clinical suspicion of SCN with the identification of a mutation in the ELANE gene. Prompt identification and treatment of infants with SCN is critical to minimizing morbidity and mortality; as such, a diagnosis of SCN must be considered in all infants with neutropenia even in the absence of infection.
Intrauterine birth position predicts newborn supine head position preferences

Intrauterine orientation of the fetus before delivery, as judged from head position during birth, was found to be a reliable precursor of the supine head position preference of the neonate. The neonate's head position affected the finger positions of the hands. When the head was oriented right, the right hand was fisted more often than the left and the left hand was open more often than the right. The reverse pattern occurred when the head was oriented left. The neonates did not manifest head position preferences while prone, but the prone position did alter the state of the infant. The neonate's state was also found to be associated with supine head orientation. The results were discussed in relation to the ontogeny of handedness.
Algumas relações intertextuais entre Euclides da Cunha e Guimarães Rosa

A relacao entre as principais obras de Euclides da Cunha e Guimaraes Rosa tem chamado a atencao da critica literaria, com enfase para as semelhancas estruturais; a maneira como o ensaio de Euclides ilumina o contexto do romance de Rosa; ou, ate mesmo, a forma como Guimaraes reescreve Os sertoes. Neste artigo, empreendo uma analise centrada na diferenca entre o genero ensaistico e romanesco, destacando como Guimaraes Rosa utiliza a ficcao para desenvolver certas intuicoes euclidianas. Estudo um tipo de relacao entre literatura e sociedade que nao se fia exclusivamente na identidade entre estruturas sociais e literarias, mas exatamente na sua nao-identidade, isto e, na capacidade da ficcao rosiana de vislumbrar virtualidades e imaginar alternativas para as estruturas sociais vigentes. Tres temas euclidianos tratados em Grande sertao: veredas serao evidenciados neste ensaio: o exilio; o conflito entre a civilizacao e a barbarie; e a transfiguracao do sertanejo.
Analysis of fertilizers for major, micro, and trace elements by inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy

Abstract The concentrations of nine elements (B, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, P, and Zn) in 34 Magruder Fertilizer Standards were determined by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) emission spectroscopy, and the results compared favorably with the known concentrations for all the elements. In addition to these nine fertilizer elements, six others (AI, Cd, Cr, Na, Ni, and Pb) were determined in the same analysis, although results could only be compared to similar analyses made by two other laboratories employing ICP. All 15 elements were also determined in 12 spent acids used to manufacture liquid fertilizer and analysis results compared among the three laboratories. Analysis by ICP spectroscopy of fertilizer materials with wide ranges of elemental contents was found to be a rapid analysis technique which can give comparable results with those obtained by the more laborious AOAC procedures as well as the opportunity to determine other than only the important fertilizer elements. Collaborative study is recommended for ICP determination of the elements of importance in fertilizers for adaptation of the ICP technique by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists.
The Bvg Virulence Control System Regulates Biofilm Formation in Bordetella bronchiseptica

Bordetella species utilize the BvgAS (Bordetella virulence gene) two-component signal transduction system to sense the environment and regulate gene expression among at least three phases: a virulent Bvg+ phase, a nonvirulent Bvg− phase, and an intermediate Bvgi phase. Genes expressed in the Bvg+ phase encode known virulence factors, including adhesins such as filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) and fimbriae, as well as toxins such as the bifunctional adenylate cyclase/hemolysin (ACY). Previous studies showed that in the Bvgi phase, FHA and fimbriae continue to be expressed, but ACY expression is significantly downregulated. In this report, we determine that Bordetella bronchiseptica can form biofilms in vitro and that the generation of biofilm is maximal in the Bvgi phase. We show that FHA is required for maximal biofilm formation and that fimbriae may also contribute to this phenotype. However, expression of ACY inhibits biofilm formation, most likely via interactions with FHA. Therefore, the coordinated regulation of adhesins and ACY expression leads to maximal biofilm formation in the Bvgi phase in B. bronchiseptica.
Interpersonal Choice and Networks in China

Personal choices and relations in China, a socialist country at early stages of industrialization and economic development, seem to be remarkably similar to those in the United States, a capitalist country at advanced stages, quite possibly because particularism governs personal relations regardless of cultural, political, or economic differences. In-group choices are at a maximum for young adults and dedine after the thirties in both countries. Induding kin in one's discussion network reduces homophily and increases, directly as well as indirectly, diversity in the networks of both. In-group choices mathematically constrain diversity but are not the only influence on it in China or the U.S. Confining discussions of serious matters largely to a friendship dique narrows the range of associates for Chinese as well as Americans. An interesting difference is that Chinese kin tend to act as brokers who link a person to diverse nonkin associates, whereas the data provide no evidence that American kin do. This is an empirical study of the network of role relations of a sample of urban Chinese. After introducing the theoretical problem of interpersonal choice and the Chinese context as well as the research procedures, the choices of close associates are first analyzed. We then examine the influences of these choices on the structure of the networks of a person's discussion partners, notably on the diversity, or range, of associates. Finally, these networks in the People's Republic of China (P.RC.) will be compared with those of a sample of respondents in the U.S.
Language Learning Strategies Used by Adolescents Studying French in New York Schools

: Students studying French at Levels I, II, and III in a rural and urban school setting indicated on a questionnaire their use of learning strategies associated with classroom behaviors, individual study tactics, and social interactional behaviors. Successful learning behaviors related to communicative abilities, reading performance, and achievement on a standardized test were found to vary due to the nature of the task. Years of language study also influenced the use/need of different sets of strategies. Eight strategies contributed differentially to the overall success of these learners: (1) asking for clarification/verification, (2) using inferencing skills or deductive reasoning, (3) creating opportunities for practice, (4) memorizing, (5) using vocabulary learning techniques, (6) employing available linguistic knowledge and contextual cues, (7) being able to self-monitor performance, and (8) practicing.
Biophysical impacts of climate‐smart agriculture in the Midwest United States

The potential impacts of climate change in the Midwest United States present unprecedented challenges to regional agriculture. In response to these challenges, a variety of climate-smart agricultural methodologies have been proposed to retain or improve crop yields, reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, retain soil quality and increase climate resilience of agricultural systems. One component that is commonly neglected when assessing the environmental impacts of climate-smart agriculture is the biophysical impacts, where changes in ecosystem fluxes and storage of moisture and energy lead to perturbations in local climate and water availability. Using a combination of observational data and an agroecosystem model, a series of climate-smart agricultural scenarios were assessed to determine the biophysical impacts these techniques have in the Midwest United States. The first scenario extended the growing season for existing crops using future temperature and CO2 concentrations. The second scenario examined the biophysical impacts of no-till agriculture and the impacts of annually retaining crop debris. Finally, the third scenario evaluated the potential impacts that the adoption of perennial cultivars had on biophysical quantities. Each of these scenarios was found to have significant biophysical impacts. However, the timing and magnitude of the biophysical impacts differed between scenarios.
The Adolescent Role Assessment: Psychometric Properties and Theoretical Usefulness

Objective Fostering career adaptability may improve vocational outcomes for adolescents. This study examined the responses of adolescents on the Adolescent Role Assessment (ARA) to explore its usefulness as a measure of career adaptability. Method The ARA was administered to 101 adolescents 12 to 17 years of age. Descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, and factor analysis were generated from the ARA scores. Dominant narrative themes were coded into the six domains of the ARA and into the domains identified in the factor analysis. Results The internal consistency of the ARA was low with few differences in findings across age. The identified factors--developing aspirations, self-efficacy, interpersonal competencies, and autonomy--are consistent with constructs of career adaptability found in the literature and differentiated low and high scorers. Conclusion Major changes to the ARA content and scaling or development of a new assessment of career adaptability using the factor structure are recommended for clinical and research applications.
Local enhancement of compressed images

We develop a simple focusing technique for wavelet decompositions. This allows us to single out interesting parts of an image and obtain variable compression rates over the image. We also study similar techniques for image enhancement.
Sleep Versus Wake Classification From Heart Rate Variability Using Computational Intelligence: Consideration of Rejection in Classification Models

Reliability of classification performance is important for many biomedical applications. A classification model which considers reliability in the development of the model such that unreliable segments are rejected would be useful, particularly, in large biomedical data sets. This approach is demonstrated in the development of a technique to reliably determine sleep and wake using only the electrocardiogram (ECG) of infants. Typically, sleep state scoring is a time consuming task in which sleep states are manually derived from many physiological signals. The method was tested with simultaneous 8-h ECG and polysomnogram (PSG) determined sleep scores from 190 infants enrolled in the collaborative home infant monitoring evaluation (CHIME) study. Learning vector quantization (LVQ) neural network, multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural network, and support vector machines (SVMs) are tested as the classifiers. After systematic rejection of difficult to classify segments, the models can achieve 85%-87% correct classification while rejecting only 30% of the data. This corresponds to a Kappa statistic of 0.65-0.68. With rejection, accuracy improves by about 8% over a model without rejection. Additionally, the impact of the PSG scored indeterminate state epochs is analyzed. The advantages of a reliable sleep/wake classifier based only on ECG include high accuracy, simplicity of use, and low intrusiveness. Reliability of the classification can be built directly in the model, such that unreliable segments are rejected.
NITROUS OXIDE SOURCES IN AEROBIC SOILS: NITRIFICATION, DENITRIFICATION AND OTHER BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES

incubations. We used acetylene (IO Pa) to selectively inhibit N,O production by nitrifiers, 100 kPa (100% v/v) 0, to inhibit N,O production by denitrifiers, and sterilixed soil to evaluate chemical sources of N,O. Individual soil cores were incubated in a recirculating atmosphere system under air, 100 kPa 0,. and air + IO Pa C,H, atmospheres for Gt h under each condition. Rates of N,O production in air ranged from 2.8 to 8.5 ng N g-t h-i in soils from the Rose Lake site and from 0.1 to 0.94 ng N g-i h-i in soils from Warren Woods. The importance of specific N,O sources in these soils varied among soil cores within each site. in the recently disturbed, more fertile Rose Lake site nitrifiers and denitrigers were both important N,O sources, but in many cores a si~i~nt portion of the N,O Run was inhibited by neither acetylene nor 0,. impiying an alternate N,O source. Sterilixed soil produced little N,O, which suggests that the alternate source is biological. In the old-growth Warren Woods site nitritiers were significant but relatively unimportant sources of N,O. Or consistently stimulated rather than inhibited NrO production in cores from this site. suggesting (a) that denitrifiers in this site are a sink for N,O produced by other sources, and (b) that most of the N,O produced in this site is from sources other than nitritication and denit~~tion, Biological sources of N,O other than nitrifiers and denit~fiers were not further identified, although low soil pH values suggest that fungi may be important.
Human management of a hierarchical control system for multiple mobile agents

This paper defines a hierarchy of human supervisory mediation levels into a robotic system. This interaction creates a semi-autonomous system which should enable completion of all feasible tasks. We propose that the increased interaction between the supervisor and all levels of a robotic system will permit a human supervisor to maintain the system in a stable state. We have incorporated these hierarchical levels in MASC, a multiple agent supervisory control system which provides the human supervisor with a three dimensional graphical user interface. Our current test bed includes four mobile robots, of which two are equipped with manipulators. >
Defense against Intrusion in a Live Streaming Multicast System

Application-level multicast systems are vulnerable to attacks that impede nodes from receiving desired data. Live streaming protocols are especially susceptible to packet loss induced by malicious behavior. We describe SecureStream, an application-level live streaming system built using a pull-based architecture that results in improved tolerance of malicious behavior. SecureStream is implemented as a layer running over Fireflies, an intrusion-tolerant membership protocol. Our paper describes the SecureStream system and offers simulation and experimental results confirming its resilience to attack.
Host‐specific aphid population responses to elevated CO2 and increased N availability

Sap-feeding insects such as aphids are the only insect herbivores that show positive responses to elevated CO2. Recent models predict that increased nitrogen will increase aphid population size under elevated CO2, but few experiments have tested this idea empirically. To determine whether soil nitrogen (N) availability modifies aphid responses to elevated CO2, we tested the performance of Macrosiphum euphorbiae feeding on two host plants; a C3 plant (Solanum dulcamara), and a C4 plant (Amaranthus viridis). We expected aphid population size to increase on plants in elevated CO2, with the degree of increase depending on the N availability. We found a significant CO2 � N interaction for the response of population size for M. euphorbiae feeding on S. dulcamara: aphids feeding on plants grown in ambient CO2, low N conditions increased in response to either high N availability or elevated CO2 .N o population size responses were observed for aphids infesting A. viridis. Elevated CO2 increased plant biomass, specific leaf weight, and C:N ratios of the C3 plant, S. dulcamara but did not affect the C4 plant, A. viridis. Increased N fertilization significantly increased plant biomass, leaf area, and the weight:height ratio in both experiments. Elevated CO2 decreased leaf N in S. dulcamara and had no effect on A. viridis, while higher N availability increased leaf N in A. viridis and had no effect in S. dulcamara. Aphid infestation only affected the weight:height ratio of S. dulcamara. We only observed an increase in aphid population size in response to elevated CO2 or increased N availability for aphids feeding on S. dulcamara grown under low N conditions. There appears to be a maximum population growth rate that M. euphorbiae aphids can attain, and we suggest that this response is because of intrinsic limits on development time and fecundity.
Synthesis of aromatic polyethers by Scholl reaction. VII. Oxidative polymerization of 2,2‐bis[4‐(1‐naphthoxy)phenyl]propane and 2,2‐bis [4‐(1‐naphthyl)phenyl]propane

Both monomers were found to polymerize by two different propagation steps. The first one represents a cation-radical dimerization of the naphtyl groups to dinaphtyl structure. H + [FeCl 4 ] - generated from the first propagation step initiates a transalkylation reaction which provides structural units containing isopropylidenic groups inserted between phenyl and naphtyl, and between two naphtyl groups, respectively.
Viral genome structures are optimal for capsid assembly

Viruses are infectious agents made up of proteins and a genome made of DNA or RNA. Upon infecting a host cell, viruses hijack the cell’s gene expression machinery and force it to produce copies of the viral genome and proteins, which then assemble into new viruses that can eventually infect other host cells. Because assembly is an essential step in the viral life cycle, understanding how this process occurs could significantly advance the fight against viral diseases. In many viral families, a protein shell called a capsid forms around the viral genome during the assembly process. However, capsids can also assemble around nucleic acids in solution, indicating that a host cell is not required for their formation. Since capsid proteins are positively charged, and nucleic acids are negatively charged, electrostatic interactions between the two are thought to have an important role in capsid assembly. However, it is unclear how structural features of the viral genome affect assembly, and why the negative charge on viral genomes is actually far greater than the positive charge on capsids. These questions are difficult to address experimentally because most of the intermediates that form during virus assembly are too short-lived to be imaged. Here, Perlmutter et al. have used state of the art computational methods and advances in graphical processing units (GPUs) to produce the most realistic model of capsid assembly to date. They showed that the stability of the complex formed between the nucleic acid and the capsid depends on the length of the viral genome. Yield was highest for genomes within a certain range of lengths, and capsids that assembled around longer or shorter genomes tended to be malformed. Perlmutter et al. also explored how structural features of the virus—including base-pairing between viral nucleic acids, and the size and charge of the capsid—determine the optimal length of the viral genome. When they included structural data from real viruses in their simulations and predicted the optimal lengths for the viral genome, the results were very similar to those seen in existing viruses. This indicates that the structure of the viral genome has been optimized to promote packaging into capsids. Understanding this relationship between structure and packaging will make it easier to develop antiviral agents that thwart or misdirect virus assembly, and could aid the redesign of viruses for use in gene therapy and drug delivery.
Constructive control of quantum-mechanical systems

In this paper we develop a method for exact constructive controllability of quantum mechanical systems. The method has three steps, first a path from the initial state to the final state is determined and intermediate points chosen such that any two consecutive points are close, next small sinusoidal control signals are used to drive the system between the points, and finally quantum measurement technique is used to exactly achieve the desired state. The methodology is demonstrated for the control of spin-half particles in a Stern-Gerlach setting.
Methodology Review: Statistical Approaches for Assessing Measurement Bias

Statistical methods developed over the last decade for detecting measurement bias in psycho logical and educational tests are reviewed. Earlier methods for assessing measurement bias generally have been replaced by more sophisticated statistical techniques, such as the Mantel-Haenszel procedure, the standardization approach, logistic regression models, and item response theory approaches. The review employs a conceptual framework that distin guishes methods of detecting measurement bias based on either observed or unobserved conditional invariance models. Although progress has been made in the development of statistical methods for detecting measurement bias, issues related to the choice of matching variable, the nonuniform nature of measurement bias, the suitability of cur rent approaches for new and emerging perform ance assessment methods, and insights into the causes of measurement bias remain elusive. Clearly, psychometric solutions to the problems of measurement bias will further understanding of th...