cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Do Funerals Matter?: The Purposes and Practices of Death Rituals in Global Perspective

Do Funerals Matter? is a creative interweaving of historical, sociocultural, and research-based perspectives on death rituals, drawing from myriad sources to create a picture of what death rituals have been; and where, especially in the Western world, they are going. The Classic Edition includes a new preface from the author reflecting on changes in the field since the book’s initial publication. Death educators, researchers, counselors, clergy, funeral-service professionals, and others will appreciate the book’s theory- and research-based approach to the ways in which different cultural groups memorialize their dead. They will also find clear clinical and practical applications in the author’s exploration of the five ritual anchors of death-related ceremonial practice and help for professionals counseling the bereaved surrounding funerals. Based on nearly four decades of research and teaching on funeral rites, this volume promises to fill an important gap in the cross-cultural literature on bereavement, while answering an important question for our generation: Do funerals matter?
ECJ Review of Member State Measures for Compliance with Fundamental Rights

This essay explores the avenues through which a European-level system of fundamental rights might be effectively enforced against EU Member State measures. The parallel concept in the U.S. occurred when, starting in 1938, the U.S. Supreme Court began ruling that different distinct guarantees in the Federal Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution controlled State government measures. In the EU, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) could conceivably follow a similar line of development within the EU system, or, on the other hand, the European Court for Human Rights (ECtHR) could play that role. This essay explores these options and suggests that either one or the other is likely to emerge at some point in the future in a role equivalent to the U.S. Supreme Court as the guardian of fundamental rights for all EU citizens, articulated and enforced (even against Member State measures) at the European level.
Detecting Lies in the Financial Industry: A Survey of Investment Professionals' Beliefs

Research suggests that interpersonal deception is a common phenomenon in many settings. However, to date no research has examined lying and lie detection in the financial industry. This paper presents an empirical examination of investment professionals' beliefs about deception. We obtained survey data from 607 CFA Institute charter holders across the world. Three aspects of deception were included in the survey. First, respondents' beliefs about the behavioral characteristics of lying were examined. Second, perceptions of the prevalence of lies in professional and everyday life were mapped. Third, respondents were asked to estimate their ability to distinguish between lies and truths. The results showed that respondents subscribed to common misconceptions about deceptive behavior, in particular the beliefs that liars are gaze aversive and fidgety. Respondents believed that lying occurs on a daily basis, and that their accuracy in detecting lies exceeds 65%. Previous research suggests that this estimate m...
Variables of Interest in Exploring the Reflective Outcomes of Network-Based Communication

AbstractThis study explores the opportunities presented by network-based communication to facilitate collaborative critical reflection between teachers. The study took place with 28 elementary and middle school teachers in 10 suburban Chicago schools. These teachers were involved in a two-year technology supported problem-based learning curriculum development effort. Asynchronous network-based communications were featured as teacher communication tools of the project, with the discourse produced by the teachers as the primary data source. The evidence showed that collaboratively produced network-based communication was significantly more reflective than face-to-face discourse between teachers. Face-to-face teacher meetings were highly task structured, while the electronic network was the medium of choice for discussing cause and effect and other contextual factors associated with curriculum development. Several variables, including teacher time, discourse focus, participant composition, and self-efficacy ...
The landscape of educational technology viewed from the ETR&D journal

The purpose of this study was to conduct a citation network analysis of Educational Technology Research and Development ( ETRD (2) the most influential papers and scholars in the field were identified; (3) frequently co-cited papers were recognized as having a strong relationship by a few researchers and (4) five cohesive subgroups (factions) generated key research themes in the field including: instructional design, learning environments, the role of technology, educational technology research and psychological foundations. Implications and limitations of the study were discussed for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Determination of the Deuteron Form Factor from Coherent π 0 Photoproduction

Coherent photoproduction of ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ mesons from deuterium has been used to measure the deuteron form factor. Measurements of the production cross section were carried out for photon energies from 470 to 514 MeV by detecting momentum-analyzed recoil deuterons. These measurements were analyzed in terms of the impulse approximation calculation of Hadjioannou. The deuteron form factor has been determined in the range of momentum transfers from 1.74 to 2.74 ${\mathrm{F}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. The results are consistent with the predictions of a repulsive core potential; however, there is some ambiguity in the interpretation due to the uncertainty in the magnitude of the multiple scattering corrections to the impulse approximation. Measurements of the cross section were also made as a function of photon energy for two constant momentum transfers, 1.76 and 1.96 ${\mathrm{F}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. The range of energies covered was 300 to 500 MeV. The results indicate that there is a large reduction of the cross section with respect to the impulse approximation prediction near the (3,3) resonance. This is in qualitative agreement with calculated corrections arising from multiple scattering of the meson in the deuteron. The measurements show that this deviation decreases as the photon energy increases in the region above resonance.
Electrophoretic mobility of concentrated carbon black dispersions in a low-permittivity solvent by optical coherence tomography.

Abstract Electrophoretic mobilities of concentrated dispersions of carbon black particles in a low-permittivity solvent were measured using differential-phase optical coherence tomography (DP-OCT). An electrode spacing of only 0.18 mm enables measurement of highly concentrated dispersions up to 1 wt.% of highly absorbing carbon black particles with high electric fields at low potentials. The capabilities of this DP-OCT method, including high sensitivity, high spatial resolution, and strong electric fields, enable enhanced measurement of low electrophoretic mobilities encountered in low-permittivity solvents. The zeta potential of carbon black particles ranged from −24 mV to −12 mV as the concentration of surfactant sodium bis(2-ethyl-1-hexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) was increased from 1 mM to 100 mM. A mechanism is presented to explain the electrostatic charging of carbon black particles in terms of the partitioning of the ions between the reverse micelles in the double layer and the surfactant adsorbed on the particle surface, as AOT concentration is varied.
Watching the assembly of an organ a single cell at a time using confocal multi-position photoactivation and multi-time acquisition

Tracing cell movements in vivo yields important clues to organogenesis, yet it has been challenging to accurately and reproducibly fluorescently mark single and small groups of cells to build a picture of tissue assembly. In the early embryo, the small size (hundreds of cells) of progenitor cell regions has made it easier to identify and selectively mark superficially located cells by glass needle injection. However, during early organogenesis, subregions of interest may be several millions of cells in volume located deeper within the embryo requiring an alternative approach. Here, we combined (confocal and 2-photon) photoactivation cell labeling and multi-position, multi-time imaging to trace single cell and small subgroups of cells in the developing brain and spinal cord. We compared the photostability and photoefficiency of a photoswitchable fluorescent protein, PSCFP2, with a novel nuclear localized H2B-PSCFP2 protein. We showed that both fluorescent proteins have similar photophysical properties and ...
Molecular characterization of a mouse short chain dehydrogenase/reductase active with all-trans-retinol in intact cells, mRDH1.

Metabolic activation of retinol (vitamin A) via sequential actions of retinol and retinal dehydrogenases produces the active metabolite all-trans-retinoic acid. This work reports cDNA cloning, enzymatic characterization, function in a reconstituted path of all-trans-retinoic acid biosynthesis in cell culture, and mRNA expression patterns in adult tissues and embryos of a mouse retinol dehydrogenase, RDH1. RDH1 represents a new member of the short chain dehydrogenase/reductase superfamily that differs from other mouse RDH in relative activity with all-trans and cis-retinols. RDH1 has a multifunctional catalytic nature, as do other short chain dehydrogenase/reductases. In addition to retinol dehydrogenase activity, RDH1 has strong 3α-hydroxy and weak 17β-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase activities. RDH1 has widespread and intense mRNA expression in tissues of embryonic and adult mice. The mouse embryo expresses RDH1 as early as 7.0 days post-coitus, and expression is especially intense within the neural tube, gut, and neural crest at embryo day 10.5. Cells cotransfected with RDH1 and any one of three retinal dehydrogenase isozymes synthesize all-trans-retinoic acid from retinol, demonstrating that RDH1contributes to a path of all-trans-retinoic acid biosynthesis in intact cells. These characteristics are consistent with RDH1 functioning in a path of all-trans-retinoic acid biosynthesis starting early during embryogenesis.
Charge reversal of three alkylamide ions: Free nitrenium ions

The methylnitrenium, ethylnitrenium and dimethylnitrenium ions are prepared by charge reversal collisional activation (CR CA) of the corresponding negative ions; their collisional activation mass spectra are shown to support the assigned structures. MINDO/3 energies are used to evaluate relative energies of [CH4N]+ and [C2H6N]+ isomers, and to determine whether unstable forms rearrange spontaneously to stable ones. As in other examples, charge reversal here generates cations that do not exist in an energy well, but their transient existence is established because their fragmentation is more rapid than their rearrangement to a more stable form.
Solubility of Sodium Salicylate in Mixed Solvent Systems

The solubility of sodium salicylate was determined in aqueous mixtures of dioxane, acetone, 1-propanol, ethanol, and methanol. The solubility had fair parallelism to dielectric constants over a wide range of concentration, indicating adherence to the coulomb relationship. The solubility curves for sodium salicylate are examined from a suppressive dissociative point of view, insofar as ionization may be taking place without complete dissociation. Comparison of the solubility curves for an acid and its sodium salt is considered. The possibility that uni-univalent electrolytes in solutions below a dielectric constant of 30 are completely associated is shown for several systems in plots of various concentration notations. Adherence of the predicted linearity from the Born equation for these systems is discussed. However, the theoretical ionic radius is found to be about twice the expected value.
Use of a known plasmid and transposon as tracers for the incompatibility classification of a cryptic plasmid.

We have developed a novel genetic technique by which an unknown plasmid can be classified by the use of a plasmid of known incompatibility group. In phenocopy state, cells harboring plasmids of known incompatibility group behave as normal recipients and receive plasmids belonging to the same incompatibility group at a high frequency. This work provides additional evidence that plasmids in ‘phenocopy’ hosts do not replicate and therefore fail to demonstrate their incompatibility barrier to the incoming plasmids. A cryptic plasmid, now called pWS7, has been identified by this method in a pili, fla female strain of E. coli K12. Genetic analysis shows the plasmid pWS7 is in fact, a sex-factor which is curable with acridine orange. It belongs to the Inc F1 group. Physical analysis confirms its size to be 124 Kb. The plasmid has been labelled genetically with a transposon Tn903 in a recA host and further characterized by heteroduplex analysis. A DNA sequence homology between pWS7 and F'lac plasmid extends only in F-regions, 2.8F-94.5F. The pili, fla host strain of pWS7 shows a high frequency of transformation for recombinant DNA and rapid propagation for a male-specific RNA phage, R17.
Interactions among factors affecting growth, development and survival in experimental populations of Bufo terrestris (Anura: Bufonidae).

We designed a series of field experiments to investigate the importance of interactions between biotic and abiotic factors on the survival and development of larval cohorts of Bufo terrestris. Five “blocks” in a large pond represented environments of varying physical harshness. In the more severe blocks, increased density inhibited growth rates, yet in the more benign blocks, increased density enhanced growth rate. Although different blocks produced very different levels of survival to metamorphosis and size at metamorphosis, there were no interactions with density. Increased density produced lengthened development times in the harsher blocks, but had no effect in the less stressful blocks. Hatchlings that were in the lowest of 3 initial size classes never caught up with their larger contemporaries and survived poorly. Hatchlings in the middle and largest size classes performed equivalently in all parameters of growth and development, but hatchlings from the middle size class were less likely to survive than their larger contemporaries. The effects of initial size did not interact with block. The inhibitory patterns displayed by density in conjunction with varying physical environments are similar to those found in comparable experiments with plants.
Orbital order in the A-phase of manganites

Abstract The A-phase of La 1 - x Ca x MnO 3 displays staggered long-range order of the e g -orbitals, due to the competition of the superexchange between the t 2 g -spins, the double exchange and the Jahn–Teller effect. The t 2 g -spins are ordered ferromagnetically in the xy planes and antiferromagnetically coupled along the z-direction. Using mean-field slave-bosons for e g -electrons in two orbitals with excluded multiple occupancy and Hund's rule coupling between the e g and t 2 g states, we study the conditions for staggered orbital order.
Surface Roughness Effects on Hydrodynamic Lubrication and Scuffing Failure Analysis of Axially Grooved Plunger of a Rotary Diesel Fuel Injection Pump

The wear between the plunger and plunger sleeve of rotary diesel fuel injection pump causes considerable decrease in injection pressure and the quantity of fuel to combustion chamber of an engine, which ultimately leads to failure of engine assembly. This research investigates the cause of failure particularly focusing on surface roughness effects to hydrodynamic lubrication and scuffing failure due to abrasive contaminant. The surface roughness of plunger and plunger sleeve were measured and incorporated in Reynolds equation to analyze roughness effects on hydrodynamic lubrication. The critical particle size of the dust normally present in the diesel fuel is evaluated to determine which test dust sample could cause systems to fail. Based on this information, scuffing failure of pumps due to an abrasive contaminant partially penetrated in the plunger sleeve is analyzed. The abrasive contaminant is modeled as a spherical shaped rigid particle. Excessive temperature rise between the particle-plunger interface is used as an indication of whether scuffing would take place. Experiments were conducted to determine parameters such as particle size of dust samples, surface roughness of plunger and plunger sleeve, specific heat of diesel fuel, diesel fuel density, quantity of fuel flow and radial clearance. These experimentally determined parameters are then used as input in our computer program to lend more confidence to our predicted results.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Macroxyproteinase (M.O.P.): a 670 kDa proteinase complex that degrades oxidatively denatured proteins in red blood cells

Erythrocytes and reticulocytes are shown to undergo rapid rates of protein degradation following exposure to oxidative stress. Experiments with ATP depletion revealed that, unlike the proteolysis of many other abnormal proteins, the degradation of oxidatively modified proteins is an ATP-independent process. Ion exchange chromatography (DEAE Sepharose CL-6B), ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration chromatography (Sephacryl S-300 or Sepharose CL-6B), and a second ion exchange step were used to resolve the activity responsible for degrading oxidatively modified proteins from (dialyzed) cell-free extracts of erythrocytes and reticulocytes. Gel filtration studies revealed that some 70-80% of the activity in erythrocytes, and some 60-70% of the activity in reticulocytes, is expressed by a 670 kDa proteinase complex that is not stimulated by ATP (in fact, ATP is slightly inhibitory). This proteinase complex is inhibited by sulfhydryl reagents, serine reagents, and transition metal chelators, and has a pH optimum of 7.8. We propose the trivial name "macroxyproteinase" or "M.O.P." (abbreviated from Macro-Oxy-Proteinase) for the complex because of its large size, substrate preference (oxidatively modified proteins), and inhibitor profile (which indicates multiple catalytic sites). Electrophoresis studies of the 670 kDa M.O.P. complex revealed the presence of 8 distinct polypeptide subunits with the following apparent molecular sizes: 21.5, 25.3, 26.2, 28.1, 30.0, 31.9, 33.3, and 35.7 kDa. The large molecular size of the M.O.P. complex, its ATP- and ubiquitin-independence, its inhibitor profile, its distinctive subunit banding pattern in denaturing electrophoresis gels, its pH optimum, and its proteolytic profile with fluorogenic peptide substrates all indicate that M.O.P. is identical to 600-700 kDa neutral/alkaline proteinase complexes that have been isolated from a wide variety of eucaryotic cells and tissues, but for which no function has previously been clear. We propose that macroxyproteinase is responsible for catalyzing most of the selective degradation of oxidatively denatured proteins in red blood cells. We further suggest that M.O.P. may perform the same function in other eucaryotic cells and tissues.
Picosecond dynamics of photocarriers in polythiophene

Abstract The picosecond dynamics of photocarriers was measured in polythiophene by the polarized pump and probe technique with 0.1 ps resolution at h ω = 2 eV . We found an instantaneously induced photobleaching followed by a sharp decay lasting 0.5 psec. Afterwards the decay changes form into a much slower temperature dependent power law, interpreted as geminate recombination. At a later time we found an oscillatory response with a period of about 240 psec, which is due to the kinetics of the photoinduced strain wave in the polymer film.
Different Forms of Aggression among Inner-City African-American Children: Gender, Configurations, and School Social Networks.

Using narrative reports of peer conflicts among a sample of African–American children and adolescents from inner-city schools, this study investigated the development and social functions of four types of aggressive behaviors: social, direct relational, physical, and verbal aggression. A total of 489 participants in grades 1, 4, and 7 were interviewed (220 boys and 269 girls). Results showed that low levels of social aggression and high levels of physical aggression were reported in peer conflicts. Gender differences on social, direct relational, and physical aggression were primarily observed in the comparisons of same-gender conflicts at grade 7. Distinct configurations were identified across different forms of aggression. Boys with configurations of physical and/or verbal aggression had higher levels of school social network centrality than non-aggressive boys. Girls with configurations of social and/or direct relational aggression showed relatively higher levels of network centrality than non-aggressive girls.
A comparative autoradiographic study of keratohyalin granules containing cystine and histidine

Ultrastructural localization of cystine containing protein in keratohyalin granules of newborn rats was studied and compared with that of histidine containing protein using radioisotope-labeled precursors and autoradiographic techniques. The frequency of radioactive labels appearing over keratohyalin granules after injection of ( 3 H)cystine was not as high as after injection of ( 3 H)histidine. However, analysis of grain counts indicated that a cystine containing protein concentrates in the dense homogenous deposits (DHD) of keratohyalin granules. The number of labels in the center of keratohyalin granules increased. The incidence of labels over the keratohyalin granulelike inclusions in the nuclei of granular cells also increased with time. Histidine containing protein in contrast concentrated elsewhere in keratohyalin granules than in DHD. These findings demonstrate that keratohyalin granules are made of heterogenous constituents of different chemical composition; at least one is a protein relatively rich in cystine and another contains high levels of histidine.
The effect of nicotine on dietary atherogenesis in rabbits.

Abstract Rabbits (New Zealand, albino, females) on a cholesterol (1%) diet and injected with nicotine (2.78 mg/kg 5 days a week for 6 weeks) demonstrated wider areas of involvement of the internal surface (9.4% vs. 5.7%) in the aorta than rabbits on a cholesterol diet alone. In both stock -fed and cholesterol-fed animals, nicotine produced an increase in aortic triglycerides and a decrease in the free cholesterol content. An increase in phospholipids, particularly in lecithin and cephalin, was observed in the cholesterol-fed rabbits treated with nicotine. Aortic acid mucopolysaccharide composition did not exhibit any significant changes following nicotine treatment. In experiments in vitro , it was shown that heparin and nicotine form a relatively stable complex, in a molar ratio of about 1:20; nicotine also inhibits the hydrolysis of 14 C-labeled triolein in a homogenate from rabbit aortic tissue. It is suggested that some of the biological effects of nicotine may be the result of a complex formation between nicotine and heparin in vivo .
Microporous Nanofibrous Fibrin-based Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering

The fibrotic response of the body to synthetic polymers limits their success in tissue engineering and other applications. Though porous polymers have demonstrated improved healing, difficulty in controlling their pore sizes and pore interconnections has clouded the understanding of this phenomenon. In this study, a novel method to fabricate natural polymer/calcium phosphate composite scaffolds with tightly controllable pore size, pore interconnection, and calcium phosphate deposition was developed. Microporous, nanofibrous fibrin scaffolds were fabricated using sphere-templating methods. Composite scaffolds were created by solution deposition of calcium phosphate on fibrin surfaces or by direct incorporation of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (nHA). The SEM results showed that fibrin scaffolds exhibited a highly porous and interconnected structure. Osteoblast-like cells, obtained from murine calvaria, attached, spread and showed a polygonal morphology on the surface of the biomaterial. Multiple cell layers and fibrillar matrix deposition were observed. Moreover, cells seeded on mineralized fibrin scaffolds exhibited significantly higher alkaline phosphatase activity as well as osteoblast marker gene expression compared to fibrin scaffolds and nHA incorporated fibrin scaffolds (0.25 and 0.5 g). All types of scaffolds were degraded both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, these scaffolds promoted bone formation in a mouse calvarial defect model and the bone formation was enhanced by addition of rhBMP-2.
Investigation of Relationships between Urinary Biomarkers of Phytoestrogens, Phthalates, and Phenols and Pubertal Stages in Girls

BackgroundHormonally active environmental agents may alter the course of pubertal development in girls, which is controlled by steroids and gonadotropins.ObjectivesWe investigated associations of c...
Modeling Antibiotic Tolerance in Biofilms by Accounting for Nutrient Limitation

A mathematical model of biofilm dynamics was used to investigate the protection from antibiotic killing that can be afforded to microorganisms in biofilms based on a mechanism of localized nutrient limitation and slow growth. The model assumed that the rate of killing by the antibiotic was directly proportional to the local growth rate. Growth rates in the biofilm were calculated by using the local concentration of a single growth-limiting substrate with Monod kinetics. The concentration profile of this metabolic substrate was calculated by solving a reaction-diffusion problem. The model predicted the following features: stratified patterns of growth with zones of no growth in the biofilm interior, slow killing of biofilm microorganisms that was further retarded as the initial biofilm thickness increased, nonuniform spatial patterns of killing inside the biofilm, biofilm killing rates that decrease in a nonlinear way as the concentration of the growth-limiting substrate feeding the biofilm is decreased, and heightened tolerance when external mass transfer resistance is manifested. This modeling study also provides motivation for further investigation of a hypothetical cell state in which damaged cells score as nonviable but continue to consume substrate. The existence of such a cell state can further retard biofilm killing, according to the simulations. The results support the important contributions of nutrient limitation and slow growth to the antibiotic tolerance of microorganisms in biofilms.
The role of the bone marrow in neutrophil clearance under homeostatic conditions in the mouse

In humans, 1011 neutrophils are released from the bone marrow per day, and these cells have a half-life in the blood of only ∼6.5 h. Although it is generally believed that neutrophils are cleared from the circulation via the liver and spleen, in this study using 111In-labeled senescent neutrophils, we show that in mice, 32% of neutrophils are cleared from the circulation via the bone marrow. We have previously shown that senescent neutrophils home to the bone marrow in a CXCR4-dependent manner, and we show here that pretreatment of neutrophils with pertussis toxin significantly inhibits neutrophil clearance via the bone marrow (75%), consistent with a role for chemokines in this process. By labeling senescent neutrophils with inert fluorescent microspheres, we have tracked their fate and shown that in vivo, they are ultimately phagocytosed by bone marrow stromal macrophages. Finally, we show that under noninflammatory conditions, circulating levels of neutrophils are regulated by granulocyte-colony stimul...
Losing the kingdom: the case against commercial organ donation.

In the first of two Viewpoint articles to discuss the ethical and practical implications of commercial kidney donation, the author argues that—despite the dearth of suitable organs available for transplantation—we as a society cannot afford to compromise on ethics.
The Migration to the Middle

As we look to the future, we must not only anticipate a year of innovation and progress but also a migration of labor that will remake the field of digital technology.
Plasma levels of mitochondrial DNA in patients presenting to the emergency department with sepsis

Elevated levels of plasma mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been reported in trauma patients and may contribute to the systemic immune response. We sought to determine the plasma levels of mtDNA in emergency department (ED) patients with and without sepsis and evaluate their association with severity of illness. This was a prospective observational study of patients presenting to one of three large, urban, tertiary care EDs. Patients were enrolled into one of three cohorts: (i) sepsis defined as suspected infection and two or more systemic inflammatory response criteria without hypotension, (ii) septic shock defined as sepsis plus hypotension despite an adequate fluid challenge, and (iii) control defined as noninfected ED patients without systemic inflammatory response/hypotension. Plasma levels of three mtDNAs were measured using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Levels of mtDNAs were compared among the three cohorts, and linear regression was used to assess the association between mtDNAs, interleukin 6, interleukin 10, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores in patients with sepsis. We enrolled 93 patients: 24 control subjects, 29 patients with sepsis, and 40 patients with septic shock. As expected, comorbidities and SOFA score increased across categories. We found no difference in mtDNA levels between the three groups (P = 0.14-0.30). Among patients with sepsis, we found a small but significant negative association between mtDNA level and SOFA score, most clearly with cytochrome b (P = 0.03). We found no difference in mtDNA levels between control subjects and patients with sepsis. Mitochondrial DNA levels were negatively associated with organ dysfunction, suggesting that plasma mtDNA does not significantly contribute to the pathophysiology of sepsis.
Analysis of Temporal Environmental Isotopic Variation in Ground Water of the Georgia Piedmont

Time-series analyses were made of environmental tritium (3H) concentrations, the stable oxygen isotopic (δ18O) and major-ion composition of natural waters from the southeastern Piedmont Province of Georgia. The sampling network consisted of four fractured rock production wells (utilized at variable rates), one regolith monitoring well, two streams, and rainfall. Although the isotopic composition of rainfall was highly variable (−11.8‰≤δ18O ≤−l.l‰ and 2.3 ≤ TU ≤ 125), only minor isotopic variation (δl8O generally ≤ 1.0‰ and 3H generally ≤ 2 TU) was observed during the sampling period (∼ 1 year) within ground water at a given well site. The coefficients of isotopic variation for ground water within the bedrock aquifers (δ18Ocv and 3H cv < 10%) were similar to those of ground water within the shallow regolith (δ18Ocv= 5.6% and 3Hcv= 3.3%). Ground water from the most extensively used production well was nearly isotopically and geochemically invariant throughout most of the year. Other than a 0.3–0.5‰δ18O depletion observed during the late spring and early summer, there were few temporal trends and little to suggest the presence of a seasonal component of recharge within ground water extracted from the fractured bedrock aquifers. This is consistent with the 3H-modeled mean residence time of this ground water which is ∼ 20–40 years. The isotopic composition becomes well-homogenized by the time ground water infiltrates a few meters below the water table, and ground-water pumping does little to alter these mixing processes.
The development of a methodology for the use of neural networks and simulation modeling in system design

Explores the use of metamodels to approximate the reverse of simulation models. This purpose of the approach is to achieve the opposite of what a simulation model can do. That is, given a set of desired performance measures, the metamodels output a design to meet management goals. The performance of several neural network simulation metamodels was compared to the performance of a stepwise regression metamodel in terms of accuracy. It was found that, in most cases, neural network metamodels outperform the regression metamodel. It was also found that a modular neural network performed the best in terms of minimizing the error of prediction.
Effects of thermal aging on the mechanical properties of natural rubber

Abstract The focus of this research was to investigate the effect of thermal degradation upon the mechanical properties of a natural rubber compound. We examined both the quasi-static and dynamic mechanical properties of a natural rubber vulcanizate which had been subjected to isothermal, anaerobic aging. The thermal aging was conducted between the temperatures of 80 °C and 120 °C for times ranging from 3 to 24 days. The effect of thermal degradation was measured using the changes in the crosslink distribution of the vulcanizates as functions of time at temperature. A master curve relationship between the crosslink distribution of the vulcanizates due to thermal degradation and the static and dynamic mechanical properties has been developed. It was found that the both the quasi-static and dynamic mechanical properties correlated with the percentage of poly and monosulfidic crosslinks, where in general higher levels of polysulfidic crosslink gave rise to the highest mechanical properties.
Interferometric gravitational wave detectors

The status, progress and plans for the interferometer gravitational wave detectors are presented. Interferometric gravitational wave detectors are complementary to the resonant detectors. Interferometers are broadband detectors covering a frequencies range of about 10 to 10 4 Hz and are generally sensitive to lower frequency sources or different regimes for the same astrophysical source.
Effect of age and sex on the induction and elicitation of allergic contact dermatitis

This article reviews the effect of age and sex on the induction and elicitation of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). We found that the incidence of ACD in childhood is lower than in adults; this may be explained by less exposure to allergens, lack of immune response and limited patch test studies in this age group. In the elderly, there is an age-dependent decrease in the incidence of ACD, with decreased sensitization to new allergens and waning responses in previously sensitized subjects. There is extensive controversy about the effect of sex differences in ACD. The induction phases of ACD in both sexes are different due to differences in exposure to the allergens from occupations, habits and cultures. Differences in elicitation phases of ACD in both sexes are not confirmed. Women tend to have a higher incidence of ACD and higher immunologic response to exposure allergens than men. Thus we can only imprecisely define the effect of age and sex on the induction and elicitation of ACD. Further prospective studies should be done to answer these questions.
Transitory real-time property rights and exchange intellectual property

American exchanges own the price quotations they generate. Access to real-time price information is highly valued by most market participants. This enables exchanges to exact royalties from the sale of such market information. In this sense, an exchange's ownership of its price quotations is akin to owning a property right in a perishable commodity (i.e., fresh market price quotations) that is most valuable for only a transitory or limited period of time. The implications of exchange ownership of price data extend beyond financial markets. Recently, Woodard (2000) has noted that some internet auction operators have asserted ownership over the prices they generate. This study reviews the legal origin and nature of the property right to price quotations generated on U.S. futures exchanges and assesses whether exchange ownership should be transitory. The legal basis for transitory real-time (real and personal) property rights is discussed and the economic implications are considered. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 23:891–913, 2003
Hydrogen supercharging during thermal cycling of zirconium

Abstract Zirconium has been coated with zirconium hydride and allowed to equilibrate at 689 °K. Thermal cycling between 689 and 298 °K causes “supercharging”, the same phenomenon reported by Westerman for Zircaloy-2, i.e., the hydrogen concentration of the core exceeds the terminal solubility at 689 °K. It has been demonstrated that impurities, grain boundaries and geometry play no role. The concentration of hydrogen (at %) after n cycles is C H = (8.14 + 1.13 n) 1 3 for slow heating and cooling when the specimen is allowed to remain at 689 °K long enough for equilibration. Supercharging is attributed to the transfer of hydrogen from the hydride surface layer to resaturate the solid solution at the core when precipitates fail to dissolve completely at 689 °K because of irreversible plastic deformation.
Testing Central Postulates of Parental Acceptance‐Rejection Theory (PARTheory): A Meta‐Analysis of Cross‐Cultural Studies

This meta-analysis addresses the following questions drawing from parental acceptance-rejection theory (PARTheory): (a) Is perceived rejection by an intimate partner in adulthood associated with the same form of psychological maladjustment that perceived parental rejection is known to be in childhood? (b) Are adults' remembrances of parental acceptance in childhood associated with their current psychological adjustment? (c) Do statistical relations vary by culture or gender? The meta-analysis was based on 17 studies involving 3,568 adults in 10 nations. Results showed that perceived partner acceptance in adulthood and remembered paternal and maternal acceptance in childhood tend to correlate highly with the current psychological adjustment of both men and women across all studies.
Video estimation of subaerial beach profiles

Abstract A technique is presented that allows estimation of the subaerial beach profile using video imagery. Using either a shadow from a pole or the light from a narrow slit, a line can be “drawn” across the beach at a known origin and angle. When viewed from the longshore direction, the line will appear as a visible beach profile that can be digitized from the image and the ground coordinates of the profile uniquely determined. The theoretical pixel vertical footprint is about one thousandth of the range from the camera, or, for a typical camera, about 10 cm at the 100 m range. Accuracies can be up to ± 1 2 pixel, or ±5 cm at this range. A field test, using a fire hose as a proxy for the shadow, proved the technique, with an average accuracy of ±68% of the theoretical footprint size being found. The success of this technique suggests that profile data may be routinely collected using an automated system without the need for a survey team, thus allowing the ready collection of long time series for climatological studies.
Stability quotients of neodymium acetate complexes from 20 to 70‡C by laser-induced photoacoustic spectroscopy

The formation of Nd(III) acetate complexes in aqueous solution is studied by laser-induced photoacoustic spectroscopy and spectrophotometry. Stability quotients for the complexes Nd(CH3COO)2+ and Nd(CH3COO)2 and dissociation quotients for acetic acid are determined at 20, 35, 50 and 70‡C in NaClO4 medium of ionic strength 2.2m (2.0M at 20‡C). The 20‡C results are consistent with previous values determined by potentiometry and energy transfer from Tb(III). The temperature dependence of the stability quotients is consistent with the measured enthalpies of reaction at 25‡C.
Liquid reagent CVD of carbon. II. Kinetic experiments and heat and mass transport analysis

Liquid reagent CVD of carbon was performed where the substrate was immersed in liquid benzene and cyclohexane. A kinetic analysis showed the deposition rates obeyed the Arrhenius relationship with apparent activation energies of 280 and 263 kJ/mole, respectively. Deposition rates were highest for benzene. A simple analysis of heat and mass transport based on film boiling theory was performed to achieve fundamental understanding of the process and to define the rate limiting mechanism. It was demonstrated that the hydrogen inhibition effect can be neglected for the liquid reagent CVD process and a high precursor concentration near the substrate surface is achievable, which permits a high deposition rate.
Disordered strictly jammed binary sphere packings attain an anomalously large range of densities.

Previous attempts to simulate disordered binary sphere packings have been limited in producing mechanically stable, isostatic packings across a broad spectrum of packing fractions. Here we report that disordered strictly jammed binary packings (packings that remain mechanically stable under general shear deformations and compressions) can be produced with an anomalously large range of average packing fractions $0.634\ensuremath{\le}\ensuremath{\phi}\ensuremath{\le}0.829$ for small to large sphere radius ratios $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ restricted to $\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\ge}0.100$. Surprisingly, this range of average packing fractions is obtained for packings containing a subset of spheres (called the backbone) that are exactly strictly jammed, exactly isostatic, and also generated from random initial conditions. Additionally, the average packing fractions of these packings at certain $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ and small sphere relative number concentrations $x$ approach those of the corresponding densest known ordered packings. These findings suggest for entropic reasons that these high-density disordered packings should be good glass formers and that they may be easy to prepare experimentally. We also identify an unusual feature of the packing fraction of jammed backbones (packings with rattlers excluded). The backbone packing fraction is about $0.624$ over the majority of the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-$x$ plane, even when large numbers of small spheres are present in the backbone. Over the (relatively small) area of the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-$x$ plane where the backbone is not roughly constant, we find that backbone packing fractions range from about $0.606$ to $0.829$, with the volume of rattler spheres comprising between $1.6%$ and $26.9%$ of total sphere volume. To generate isostatic strictly jammed packings, we use an implementation of the Torquato-Jiao sequential linear programming algorithm [Phys. Rev. E 82, 061302 (2010)], which is an efficient producer of inherent structures (mechanically stable configurations at the local maxima in the density landscape). The identification and explicit construction of binary packings with such high packing fractions could have important practical implications for granular composites where density is critical both to material properties and fabrication cost, including for solid propellants, concrete, and ceramics. The densities and structures of jammed binary packings at various $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ and $x$ are also relevant to the formation of a glass phase in multicomponent metallic systems.
Biochemical characterization of soluble proteins in pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch].

Pecans (cv. Desirable) contained ∼10% protein on a dry weight basis. The minimum nitrogen solubility (5.9−7.5%) at 0.25−0.75 M trichloroacetic acid represented the nonprotein nitrogen. Among the solvents assessed for protein solubilization, 0.1 M NaOH was the most effective, while borate saline buffer (pH 8.45) was judged to be optimal for protein solubilization. The protein solubility was minimal in the pH range of 3−7 and significantly increased on either side of this pH range. Increasing the NaCl concentration from 0 to 4 M significantly improved (∼8-fold increase) protein solubilization. Following Osborne protein fractionation, the alkali-soluble glutelin fraction (60.1%) accounted for a major portion of pecan proteins followed by globulin (31.5%), prolamin (3.4%), and albumin (1.5%), respectively. The majority of pecan polypeptides were in the molecular mass range of 12−66 kDa and in the pI range of 4.0−8.3. The pecan globulin fraction was characterized by the presence of several glycoprotein polypep...
A program in BASIC for facies-by-facies Markov chain analysis

Abstract This paper presents a BASIC program for Markov analysis following a method proposed in 1982 by D. W. Powers and R. G. Easterling, which is appropriate for facies-by-facies analyses, in which a facies may not succeed itself. It estimates levels of significance by Powers' and Easterling's chi-square method and also by C. W. Harper's binomial probability method. A sample analysis of a series of Eocene fluvial deposits from Pakistan shows the benefits of running several versions of each data set, and of considering whether “apparent randomness” of transitions is expected and irreducible. Randomness is taken usually as the null hypothesis in Markovian analyses, but many sedimentological processes should cause distinctly nonrandom facies successions. Therefore, more effort should be put into considering the meaning and causes of “randomness”.
Effects of size of ring on backward masking of a disk by a ring

Two experiments are reported on the relation between the size of the masking stimulus (a black ring) and amount of backward masking of the target stimulus (a black disk). Both experiments yielded a significant mask-size effect, but the effect was confined to a very narrow range of masking ring diameters. Under the conditions of these experiments, and within that narrow range, amount of masking is a negatively accelerated increasing function of mask size. This result is consistent with some findings in the masking literature, and is predictable from a particular lateral inhibition model of masking, but it is quite inconsistent with other findings. Some suggested bases for the differences are tentatively offered.
Evaluation of CdTe detectors with Schottky contacts for imaging applications

Abstract A CdTe detector with Schottky contacts has been tested with special emphasis on the requirements for imaging arrays. The detector can withstand a much higher field strength than conventional CdTe detectors with two ohmic contacts. The higher field strength results in complete charge collection, including the holes which are a factor of 10 slower than the electrons. With moderate cooling to −20°C and a field strength around 10 kV/cm, the detectors are homogeneous, i.e. the signal response is independent of the interaction location of the γ-rays. The measured spectra show symmetric full energy peaks with no tailing to the low-energy side. Polarization effects at room temperature disappear below 0°C. The detectors are well suited for large imaging arrays in applications such as hard X-ray astrophysics and medical imaging.
Erratum Addressing total phosphorus impairments with water quality trading1

1. Beden Brook 2,358.2 1,132.2 2. Branchburg-Readington 154.2 154.2 3. Branchburg Township 68.5 68.5 4. Chester-Roxbury 2,497.9 2,497.9 5. Millstone River 10,380.9 8,213.7 6. Pike Run 613.3 473.6 7. Princeton-East Windsor 6,579.4 6,579.4 8. Princeton-Stony Brook 2,077.9 380.6 9. Raritan Township 9,234.7 4,722.4 10. Readington-Clinton 5,086.6 1,135.8 11. Somerset-Raritan 56,335.8 26,631.3 12. Washington Township 1,195.7 1,195.7
Crystal growth of YCa4O(BO3)3 and its orientation

Abstract The growth of YCa 4 O(BO 3 ) 3 (YCOB), one of the rare-earth calcium oxyborate family of crystals that melts nearly congruently is reported. Typical crystals produced in our laboratory are about 40 mm in diameter and 150 mm long with good optical quality. The crystal has good potential to be used for self-frequency doubling due to its excellent combination of nonlinear and laser properties. The single crystal growth of YCOB with different rare-earth substitutions is presented. We find that the substitution limit is reduced with either an increase or decrease in the ionic size of the substituted rare-earth element. The melt also moves further away from congruently melting with these substitutions. YCOB belongs to monoclinic crystal system. The orientation relationship between the crystallographic axes ( a , b , c ) and optical indicatrix axes ( X , Y , Z ) is discussed.