cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A unified framework of life cycle assessment

The dichotomy between the attributional approach and the consequential approach is one of the major unsettled questions in life cycle assessment (LCA). Debates continue on. Here, I suggest a different view that hopefully will help us move past the dichotomy and toward a unified framework for decision support. I argue the dichotomy is unnecessary. Attributional LCA, as reflected in how the conventional models like process- and input-output (IO)-based LCA have been applied, is simply a linear consequential modeling that establishes cause and effect through product supply chain. This is how economists see IO analysis, namely, a linear model based on Leontief production functions. There are other consequential and causal models, such as computable general equilibrium (CGE) and system dynamics (SD), that may have different production functions or focus on other aspects of the economy. These models have been increasingly integrated into LCA to estimate the environmental effects, impacts, or consequences of products, which is at the core of LCA. I further argue that as a field, we may be better off eliminating both terms: attributional fails to capture the essence of LCA and consequential is redundant. Likewise, economists did not call IO attributional and CGE consequential because both are consequential models, nor did they use the term consequential as that would be stating the obvious. I suggest LCA be unified around its goal to support decision-making, which requires estimating the impact of changes associated with a decision versus that without it (the counterfactual). This is the basic methodology adopted in many other fields. LCA then becomes an overarching framework that encompasses a suite of models, including our conventional IO/process-based LCA, to support different levels of decision-making related to products. Which distinguishes LCA from other fields of study is the focus on product systems. I also discuss, for the linear IO/process-based models, under what circumstances their estimates of the existing systems as an approximation of changes may be meaningful or misleading for decision-making. I further touch upon the importance of understanding the counterfactual, which has been largely neglected in LCA literature. For an LCA to support decision-making, (1) make explicit what the potential changes are and clearly define the scale of change and (2) derive range estimates to capture the high uncertainties in modeling complex systems and be willing to admit inconclusiveness. For decisions with potentially large impacts across sectors, a multi-model approach may be helpful.
High-Performance Jet Fuels Derived from Bio-Based Alkenes by Iron-Catalyzed [2+2] Cycloaddition.

A series of high-performance cycloparaffinic fuels have been generated by [2+2] cycloaddition of the bio-derived alkenes 1-hexene, isoprene, and 1-pentene, catalyzed by a low-valent iron pyridine(diimine) complex [(Me PDI)Fe(N2 )2 (μ-N2 )] [Me PDI=N,N'-(2,6-pyridinediyldiethylidyne)bis(2,6-dimethylbenzenamine)]. Reactions with 1-pentene and 1-hexene resulted in 85 % selectivity to 1,2-cyclobutanes, and 12 % selectivity to acyclic alkenes generated by β-hydride elimination. Self-dimerization of isoprene was sluggish and generated heavier oligomer products, but cross-dimerization of isoprene with 1-hexene afforded primarily a 1,3-cyclobutane product, along with isomers of acyclic C11 mixed dimers. Hydrocarbon mixtures were hydrogenated and fractionally distilled to yield finished fuel mixtures in overall yields of 83-93 % at the multigram scale. The fuels exhibited densities ranging between 0.767 and 0.783 g mL-1 , and net heats of combustion (NHOC) of up to 120.6 kBtu gal-1 (43.8 MJ kg-1 ). These values are higher than conventional synthetic paraffinic kerosenes owing to the higher density and ring strain afforded by the cyclobutane rings. The fuel mixtures also exhibited extremely low viscosities ranging from 2.38 to 4.78 mm2 s-1 at -20 °C, due in part to the presence of the acyclic dimers. The excellent fuel properties of the product mixtures, selectivity for dimer products, high yields, and the ability to use simple bio-derived alkenes as substrates, make the [Fe]-catalyzed [2+2] cycloaddition of unactivated alkenes a compelling route to the synthesis of sustainable high-performance fuels.
Brownmillerite phase formation and evolution in epitaxial strontium ferrite heterostructures

By controlling the synthesis and process conditions, we show that the oxygen vacancy channels (OVCs) of brownmillerite-structured SrFeO2.5+δ (0 ≤ δ < 0.5) thin films can be oriented differently on the same LaAlO3(001) substrate due to either a bottom up or top down synthesis route. The dynamic brownmillerite structure formation and evolution processes yield distinctively different optical and electronic properties, owing to the difference in both the oxygen stoichiometry and the OVC configuration in the resultant films. With the established recipe, we generated insulating SrFeO2.5 with vertically aligned OVCs and metallic SrFeO3 standards so that the other intermediate states can be directly compared and understood. Our results offer further insight into the phase stability and oxygen-diffusion mechanisms, which is important for the predictive synthesis of novel functional materials.
Breeding, genetics, and seed corn production.

Abstract Regular corn cells have nuclei with 20 chromosomes. Ten of these are derived from the egg cell and ten from the sperm nucleus that fertilizes the egg. Corn cross-pollinates when silks protruding from the ear shoot capture pollen grains from the tassel which germinate on the silk and then releases two sperms, each bearing 10 chromosomes. The nucleus of one sperm fuses with the egg to form the zygote (2n = 20 chromosomes), whereas the other with one of the two polar nuclei, which then fuses with the other polar nucleus, forms a primary endosperm nucleus with 3n cells. The corn kernel is a single fruit constituted by the embryo, endosperm, aleurone, and pericarp. The pericarp is the transformed ovary wall, whereas the single-layered aleurone is part of the endosperm containing 3n cells. The starchy endosperm makes up the greater part of the kernel and the embryo and is actually a dormant young corn plant constituted by the plumule and primary root and the scutellum rich in nutrients necessary for germination. The pedicel serves as the attachment point of the kernel to the cob. The main strategies used to generate new varieties and hybrids are mass selection, random selfed lines, recurrent selection, and single cross and modified single-cross hybridization. Corn kernels can be altered by genetic means to give modifications in quantity and type of starch, protein, oil, and other aspects such as pericarp thickness or kernel hardness. Because of these strategies, many specialty corns have been generated like white, waxy, high-amylose, quality protein, high oil, popcorn, and sweet corns. Certified or registered seed production requires special attention in order to keep the pedigree and assure viability. Seeds are carefully harvested, dried, shelled, cleaned/sized, and treated with pesticides before marketing.
Last Moments: Witnessing and Representing the Death of Pets

This chapter explores the phenomenon of in-home pet euthanasia, through the intersection of two disciplinary perspectives: bioethics and photojournalism. The world of pet euthanasia, as an academic point of interest, is largely unexplored. Only a handful of academic articles, scattered through literature of the past four decades, have focused on the death of companion animals, and nearly always from the angle of the psychology of pet loss and bereavement. Yet as a cultural phenomenon, in-home euthanasia of pets is surprisingly common and becoming more so each year. The experience of ushering a companion animal through the final moments of life—of orchestrating and managing the death of a best friend—is profoundly moving and often deeply traumatizing for pet owners yet remains largely unseen by the public or by scholars. Capturing these moments on film has the potential to tell us a great deal about people, animals, and death.
Clinically Non-functional Pituitary Tumors: The Surgical and Biological Challenge

Clinically non-functional (NF) tumors cause hypopituitarism or blindness and there is no available medical treatment or specific imaging technique for these tumors. The term non-functioning reflects the fact that these tumors do not cause clinical hormone hypersecretion [2]. We discovered that FRa mRNA is uniquely overexpressed in NF tumors, and the FRa holds significant promise for medical treatment for NF tumors by enabling molecular imaging and targeting of NF tumors to identify and select tumors that may respond to folate targeted therapy. We demonstrate that FRo~ receptor targeting with folate coupled cytotoxic agents can inhibit tumor proliferation and that an FRa targeted imaging agent can identify FR~mexpressing pituitary tumors by radionuclide imaging in vivo [3,4].
How the mind sees the world.

From aardvark to zyzzyva, the world we live in is rich and complex. How is this diversity of objects represented in the human mind? Through an experimental and computational tour de force, Hebart et al. show that people share a mental representation of objects based on a small number of meaningful dimensions.
Increase in Suicidal Thinking During COVID-19

There is concern that the COVID-19 pandemic may cause increased risk of suicide. In the current study, we tested whether suicidal thinking has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and whether suc...
Are U.S. firms using more short-term debt?

Abstract We show that, despite the sharp but temporary decline around the financial crisis of 2007–08, corporate debt maturity has risen significantly in the last two decades, erasing much of the secular decline from the 1980–90s documented in the literature. The reversal in debt maturity trend is driven by the rise in the use of intermediate-term debt among medium and large-sized firms. The low interest rates observed in the last two decades and the decline in the demand for long-term corporate bonds partly explains the rise in intermediate-term debt.
Solving the 'Parking' Problem in the Drug Monopoly Game

Drug prices are too high. One reason is that brand-name drug firms delay generic entry. Another is that generic companies themselves delay entering the market. And they delay not only their entry but those of other generics as well. Congress is considering addressing this “parking” of generic exclusivity. One proposal, the BLOCKING Act of 2019, would not solve the problem. Another, the Expanding Access to Low-Cost Generics Act, co-sponsored by Senators Smith and Braun, would. This op ed explains how.
SPONTANEOUS CORRECTION OF EXTERNAL TIBIOFEMORAL ROTATION AND TIBIAL TUBEROSITY-TROCHLEAR GROOVE DISTANCE OCCURS AFTER MEDIAL PATELLOFEMORAL LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION IN FIXED OR OBLIGATORY DISLOCATORS:

Background:Tibial tubercle to trochlear groove distance (TT-TG) and external tibiofemoral rotation (TFR) through the knee joint have been identified potential contributing factors to patellar insta...
Improving humidity-controlled solvent annealing processes for block copolymer poly(ethylene oxide)-b-polystyrene

Abstract This paper addresses two challenges in humidity-controlled solvent annealing of poly(ethylene oxide)-b-polystyrene thin films: (1) reduction in annealing time by nearly an order of magnitude for toluene under high humidity, which is achieved by decreasing the annealing chamber volume; (2) utilization of two industry-benign solvents, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate (PGMEA), to achieve ordered surface patterns under high humidity. When toluene is employed for annealing, the rate of block copolymer ordering is controlled by the time required to saturate the vapor phase, which depends on the chamber size in this study. The kinetics with MEK and PGMEA are more complex: While saturation time plays a role, these solvents reduce the incompatibility between PS and PEO, so longer annealing times are required to achieve good lateral order. We also present evidence that lateral ordering is faster than lattice swelling in the small chamber, so large grains are achieved without inflating the domain size and periodicity.
Vaginal blood flow during the menstrual cycle

Abstract Six nulliparous young women slept 16 to 27 consecutive nights in a clinical research center. Vaginal blood flow was estimated from rates of removal of heat from the vaginal wall by a cooled probe inserted by the women immediately upon awakening. Plasma levels of estradiol, progesterone, luterinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone were determined. Measured also were vaginal temperature and systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Systematic changes during the cycle were detected for all variables except systolic blood pressure. Rising levels of estradiol during late follicular phase were not correlated significantly with vaginal blood flow rates.
Autobiographical memory development from an attachment perspective: the special role of negative events.

Abstract The authors propose a novel model of autobiographical memory development that features the fundamental role of attachment orientations and negative life events. In the model, it is proposed that early autobiographical memory derives in part from the need to express and remember negative experiences, a need that has adaptive value, and that attachment orientations create individual differences in children’s recollections of negative experiences. Specifically, the role of attachment in the processing of negative information is discussed in regard to the mnemonic stages of encoding, storage, and retrieval. This model sheds light on several areas of contradictory data in the memory development literature, such as concerning earliest memories and children’s and adults’ memory/suggestibility for stressful events.
External Temperature and Cutaneous Blood-Flow

(1909). External Temperature and Cutaneous Blood-Flow. American Physical Education Review: Vol. 14, No. 5, pp. 298-300.
Eigenvalue inequalities in an embeddable factor

We provide a characterization of the possible eigenvalues of the sum of two selfadjoint elements of a II 1 factor which can be embedded in the ultrapower R w of the hyperfinite II 1 factor.
Moment: maintaining closed frequent itemsets over a stream sliding window

This paper considers the problem of mining closed frequent itemsets over a sliding window using limited memory space. We design a synopsis data structure to monitor transactions in the sliding window so that we can output the current closed frequent itemsets at any time. Due to time and memory constraints, the synopsis data structure cannot monitor all possible itemsets. However, monitoring only frequent itemsets make it impossible to detect new itemsets when they become frequent. In this paper, we introduce a compact data structure, the closed enumeration tree (CET), to maintain a dynamically selected set of item-sets over a sliding-window. The selected itemsets consist of a boundary between closed frequent itemsets and the rest of the itemsets. Concept drifts in a data stream are reflected by boundary movements in the CET. In other words, a status change of any itemset (e.g., from non-frequent to frequent) must occur through the boundary. Because the boundary is relatively stable, the cost of mining closed frequent item-sets over a sliding window is dramatically reduced to that of mining transactions that can possibly cause boundary movements in the CET. Our experiments show that our algorithm performs much better than previous approaches.
Mechanical Removal of F Pili, Type I Pili, and Flagella from Hfr and RTF Donor Cells and the Kinetics of Their Reappearance

Abstract The effect of mechanical agitation (blending) on the removal of F pili, type I pili, and flagella from Hfr (high-frequency recombinant) and resistance transfer factor (RTF) fi+Escherichia coli cells was studied by electron microscopy. The reduction in number and length of appendages was measured as a function of blendor speed under standard conditions of temperature, medium, cell density, and blendor configuration. F pili and flagella were removed within the same narrow range of blendor speeds. Type I pili were removed within a higher and broader range of speeds. The speed which reduced the average length of type I pili to 50% was 3.5 times the speed which reduced the average length of F pili to 50%. None of the speeds employed inhibited cell growth, viability, or the ability to produce cell appendages. The kinetics of reappearance of F pili and type I pili after removal by blending were also different. F pili grew out very rapidly, reaching 50% of their full length in 30 sec and their full length in 4 to 5 min. The number of attached F pili per cell also increased rapidly, reaching a constant value in 4 to 5 min. After 5 min, F pilus lengths were distributed around a modal value of about 1.2 μm, and the numbers of F pili per cell were distributed according to a Poisson distribution, with an average of 1.0 per cell. These reappearance kinetics, length distributions, and number distributions are consistent with a model of F-pilus outgrowth in which new F pili appear at random locations on the cell surface at an average rate of about once every 4 min, grow to their characteristic length in about 4 min, and then separate from the cell. F pili which had separated could absorb to the cells, leading to the presence of two classes of F pili on cells: those in the process of natural out-growth and those attached by absorption. Type I pili increased in length much more slowly than did F pili, although the fraction of cells having visible type I pili increased very rapidly after blending because of the large number of type I pili per cell. The fraction of flagellated cells increased even more slowly, reaching only 30% of the unblended fraction in 30 min. The application of blending spectra and reappearance kinetics to the identification of cell functions with surface structures is discussed.
New insights into basophil biology: initiators, regulators and effectors of type 2 inflammation

Recent studies indicate that basophils perform essential functions in multiple models of Th2 cytokine-dependent immunity and inflammation. In addition to their role as late phase effector cells, basophil populations can express MHC class II and costimulatory molecules, migrate into draining lymph nodes, present antigen to naive CD4(+) T cells, and promote Th2 cell differentiation. In this context, basophils have been shown to contribute to the induction and propagation of Th2 cytokine responses following exposure to some helminth parasites or allergens. In this review, we discuss recent studies that provide new insights into basophil development, regulation, and effector function. In addition, we discuss the ability of basophils to act both independently and cooperatively with dendritic cells to support Th2 cytokine-mediated inflammation.
The Cell Wall of Cryptococcus

The fungal cell wall is an essential organelle, vital for maintaining cell integrity against various chemical, physical, and biological stressors. This chapter covers work on the cell wall of Cryptococcus, drawing on studies from fungi such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicans, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Histoplasma capsulatum, and Aspergillus fumigatus, for introduction and comparison. Certain cell wall components can be up- or downregulated in response to various external conditions. The fungal cell wall contains several different components, and much is understood regarding their structures and mechanisms of synthesis. Certain proteins, such as Gas1p and Bgl2p, have been proposed to function in cell wall organization, but definitive studies are still needed. Future investigations in this area promise to dramatically increase our understanding of cell wall assembly and dynamics. Our understanding of the evolution of fungal cell wall proteins will advance with fungal genome sequencing. Studies of Cryptococcus neoformans have revealed that its cell wall is very different from and more complex than other well-characterized fungal cell walls. Mutants of Cryptococcus lacking β-1, 6-glucan, and therefore having decreased retention of cell wall proteins, appear to have shifts in chitosan localization. The fungal cell wall remains the most attractive target for the next generation of antifungal drugs.
Demonstration of the direct mapping method for locating multiple emitters

We provide experimental results for locating emitters from a moving platform using the Direct Mapping Method (DMM). In DMM, one searches for emitters by forming a cost function of location instead of a cost function of angle. The cost function may incorporate multiple observations taken when the platform is in different orientations relative to the emitters. We find that DMM provides good results when the test vectors for the cost function have significant mismatch with the actual pattern of the receive antenna array. We find DMM particularly advantageous when there are multiple emitters present in the scene.
High-Resolution Cytogenetic Map for the African Malaria Vector Anopheles gambiae

Cytogenetic and physical maps are indispensible for precise assembly of genome sequences, functional characterization of chromosomal regions, and population genetic and taxonomic studies. We have created a new cytogenetic map for Anopheles gambiae by using a high-pressure squash technique that increases overall band clarity. To link chromosomal regions to the genome sequence, we attached genome coordinates, based on 302 markers of bacterial artificial chromosome, cDNA clones, and PCR-amplified gene fragments, to the chromosomal bands and interbands at approximately a 0.5-1 Mb interval. In addition, we placed the breakpoints of seven common polymorphic inversions on the map and described the chromosomal landmarks for the arm and inversion identification. The map's increased resolution can be used to further enhance physical mapping, improve genome assembly, and stimulate epigenomic studies of malaria vectors.
Effects of Single-Dose and Fractionated Cranial Irradiation on Rat Brain Accumulation of Methotrexate

The effects of single-dose and fractionated whole-brain irradiation on brain methotrexate (MTX) has been studied in a rat model. The amount of MTX present in the brain 24 hr after a single i.p. dose (100 mg/kg) was the same whether animals were sham irradiated or given a single dose of 2000 rads 6 or 48 hr prior to the drug (6.9, 8.3, and 6.8 pmol MTX/g, wet weight, respectively). Animals sham irradiated or given 2000 rads in 10 fractions over 11 days and treated with an average dose of 1.2 mg MTX/kg i.p. twice a week for 24 weeks did not differ significantly in their brain MTX concentration (7.9 and 8.3 pmol MTX/g, wet weight, respectively). Chronically MTX-treated animals became folate deficient whether they were irradiated or not (450 and 670 pmol folate/g, wet weight, brain in MTX-treated and control animals). Thus, MTX accumulates in the brain with acute or chronic administration, and this accumulation is not altered by this amount of brain irradiation.
Evaluation of Performance Modelling: Optimizing Simulation Tools to Stages of Architectural Design☆

Abstract Given the necessity of resilience architecture is vital, the most effective decisions on building performance are made at design stages. Simulation represents a possible solution to the complex problem of enabling comprehensive and integrated appraisals of design options under realistic operation conditions [1]. Building Energy Performance Simulation tools (BEPS) provide an opportunity for architects to assess their design strategies in order to reach a high performance building. According to the current developments of Building Information Modeling (BIM) as an Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) tool this study tries to define a logical relation between level of development in different stages of architectural design and BEPS tools in order to fill the gap between architects and engineers in earlier stages of building design. In order to assess the current capability of the simulation tools and evaluate their platforms as an Integration of tools in building design decision making by defined criteria of Input data required for simulation, Usability and graphical visualization of the interface, Interoperability of building modelling, Accuracy and ability to simulate detailed and complex building components. In order to have a market assessment of these types of building performance tools, a survey was conducted of architectural and engineering firms of diverse size.
Founding events influence genetic population structure of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) in Lake Clark, Alaska

Bottlenecks can have lasting effects on genetic population structure that obscure patterns of contemporary gene flow and drift. Sockeye salmon are vulnerable to bottleneck effects because they are a highly structured species with excellent colonizing abilities and often occupy geologically young habitats. We describe genetic divergence among and genetic variation within spawning populations of sockeye salmon throughout the Lake Clark area of Alaska. Fin tissue was collected from sockeye salmon representing 15 spawning populations of Lake Clark, Six-mile Lake, and Lake Iliamna. Allele frequencies differed significantly at 11 microsatellite loci in 96 of 105 pairwise population comparisons. Pairwise estimates of FST ranged from zero to 0.089. Six-mile Lake and Lake Clark populations have historically been grouped together for management purposes and are geographically proximate. However, Six-mile Lake populations are genetically similar to Lake Iliamna populations and are divergent from Lake Clark populations. The reduced allelic diversity and strong divergence of Lake Clark populations relative to Six-mile Lake and Lake Iliamna populations suggest a bottleneck associated with the colonization of Lake Clark by sockeye salmon. Geographic distance and spawning habitat differences apparently do not contribute to isolation and divergence among populations. However, temporal isolation based on spawning time and founder effects associated with ongoing glacial retreat and colonization of new spawning habitats contribute to the genetic population structure of Lake Clark sockeye salmon. Nonequilibrium conditions and the strong influence of genetic drift caution against using estimates of divergence to estimate gene flow among populations of Lake Clark sockeye salmon.
A cascaded reconfigurable RH/CRLH-zero-phase microstrip transmission line unit cell

A new reconfigurable CRLH-TL was cascaded with a conventional RH microstrip TL to form a reconfigurable 0.18λ g long zero-phase TL. The positive phase of the reconfigurable CRLH-TL was used to cancel the negative phase of the RH microstrip TL at two different frequencies. The reconfigurable RH/CRLH-0-φ-TL presented in this work can be designed to have two different 0-φ frequencies away from the stop band while simultaneously having good matching.
Physical Signs, Apexcardiography, Phonocardiography, and Systolic Time Intervals in Angina Pectoris

Coronary artery disease and angina pectoris are frequently associated with disordered myocardial function which may cause abnormalities in precordial motion, heart sounds, and/or systolic time intervals. The pathophysiologic basis for these abnormalities has been studied by correlating them with more direct measurements of myocardial function. Large a waves on the apexcardiogram and atrial gallops are related to accentuated left ventricular a waves which reflect diminished left ventricular compliance. Uncoordinated left ventricular contraction (asynergy) may cause abnormal systolic motion which can sometimes be recorded on the apexcardiogram. Ventricular (early diastolic) gallops in coronary artery disease are usually associated with extensive obstructive lesions, left ventricular asynergy, and a low cardiac output. Transient paradoxic splitting of the second sound in angina pectoris has been reported though rarely documented by phono-cardiography. Mitral insufficiency due to papillary muscle dysfunction ...
Frequencies of intermolecular vibrations in electronically excited dimers and charge-transfer complexes in solids

Abstract Theoretical arguments are presented indicating that the intermolecular translational frequency in solid-state charge-transfer complexes and dimers decreases upon electronic excitation. These arguments are used to explain some features of the spectrum of solid anthracene—PMDA.
Modeling of multiphase fluid motion in fracture intersections and fracture networks

[1] A two-dimensional volume of fluid (VOF) method was used to simulate liquid movement within unsaturated fracture intersections and fracture networks. Fragmentation and merging of liquid interfaces are automatically handled, without resorting to adaptive mesh refinement or interface repairing algorithms. Wetting effects are modeled by imposing different contact angles depending on whether the liquid interface is advancing, receding, or essentially stationary. The numerical examples and experimental validation presented in this study clearly demonstrate the potential value of the VOF method for the modeling of liquid motion in unsaturated fractures, fracture junctions and fracture networks.
A Finite Element Study of Factors Affecting Fatigue Life of Solder Joints

The elastic-plastic-creep characteristics of solder joints are implemented in a nonlinear finite element program ABAQUS by developing user defined material subroutines. An eutectic Pb-Sn solder joint of a resistor carrier under thermal cycling between 125°C and −55°C is modeled, and the effect of various parameters on the solder joint cycle life is evaluated. The strain range of the solder joint under thermal cycling loads is calculated, which is then converted into solder joint cycle life through a fatigue-life relationship proposed by Engelmaier (1983). The parameters studied include: ramp time, hold time, grain size, initial temperature, constitutive equations, material properties for solder alloys, and mesh refinement. The effects of these variations on the fatigue life of solder joints are illustrated. The described method can serve as a tool in the design and manufacturing of surface-mount (SMT) assemblies.
Correlation studies in weakly confining quantum dot potentials

We investigate the electron correlation in few-electron closed-shell atomic systems and similarly in few-electron quantum dots under weak confinement. As usual we start with restricted Hartree–Fock (HF) calculations and add electron correlation in steps in a series of approximations based on the single particle Green's function approach: (i) second-order Green function (GF); (ii) 2ph-Tamm-Dancoff approximation (TDA); and (iii) an extended version thereof which introduces ground-state correlation into the TDA. Our studies exhibit similarities and differences between weakly confined quantum dots and standard atomic systems. The calculations support the application of HF, GF, and TDA techniques in the modeling of three-dimensional quantum dot systems. The observed differences emphasize the significance of confinement and electronic features unique to quantum dots, such as the increased binding of electrons with higher angular momentum and thus—compared to atomic systems—modified shell-filling sequences. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008
Solar Neutrinos. II. Experimental

A method is described for observing solar neutrinos from the reaction Cl/ sup 37/( nu ,e/sup -/)Ar/sup 37/ in C/sub 2/Cl/sub 4/. Two 5 00-gal tanks of C/ sub 2/Cl/sub 4/ were placed in a limestone mine (1800 m.w.e.) and the resulting Ar/sup 37/ activity induced by cosmic mesons( mu ) was measured to determine the necessary conditions for solar neutrino observations. (R.E.U.)
Methodology for the Preparation of Pure Recombinant S. cerevisiae Lanosterol Synthase Using a Baculovirus Expression System. Evidence That Oxirane Cleavage and A-Ring Formation Are Concerted in the Biosynthesis of Lanosterol from 2,3-Oxidosqualene

Lanosterol synthase [(S)-2,3-epoxysqualene mutase (cyclizing, lanosterol forming), EC 5.4.99.7], the enzyme from Saccharomyces cerevisiae which catalyzes the complex cyclization/rearrangement step in sterol biosynthesis, was overexpressed in baculovirus-infected cells and purified to homogeneity in three steps. Using pure enzyme the kinetics of cyclization were determined using Michaelis−Menten analysis for 2,3-oxidosqualene (1) and two analogs in which the C−6 methyl was replaced by H (3) or Cl (4). The measured Vmax/KM ratios for 1, 3, and 4 were found to be 138, 9.4, and 21.9, respectively, a clear indication that oxirane cleavage and cyclization to form the A-ring are concerted, since the nucleophilicity of the proximate double bond influences the rate of oxirane cleavage. No catalytic metal ions could be detected in purified lanosterol synthase by atomic absorption analysis. Site-directed mutagenesis studies of each of the six strongly conserved aspartic acid residues (D → N mutation) and each of the...
Raman spectra of Ba2NaNb5O15

The Raman spectra of Ba2NaNb5O15 single crystals were recorded for various scattering configurations from 77°K to 843°K. Splittings of the vibrational modes due to electrostatic and anisotropic forces were found to be small. The line-widths of the 650 cm-1 and the 280 cm-1 modes were found to increase with increasing temperature. The 'soft' A1(z) mode at 723°K was fitted by means of a graphical interpolation to an overdamped lineshape with an undamped mode frequency of 40 cm-1 and a damping constant of 2.
Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 29

Abstract Evaluated spectroscopic data and level schemes from radioactive decay and nuclear reaction studies are presented for 29F, 29Ne, 29Na, 29Mg, 29Al, 29Si, 29P, 29S, and 29Cl. This evaluation for A = 29 supersedes the earlier evaluation by P.M. Endt (1998En04 and 1990En08) and is benefitted from an earlier evaluation (1978En02) also by P.M. Endt.
A model-based methodology for on-line quality control.

An on-line model development and quality control methodology is presented for manufacturers in the process industries with the goal of enabling automated quality assurance. Given appropriate process instrumentation, the methodology starts with the characterization of statistical variation for the process while operating in steady state. Significant process conditions are then perturbed by six standard deviations to bound the expected long-term process variation including lot-to-lot variability of feedstock materials. If the process is found to be robust, acquired process data is used to model the process behavior using principle components analysis (PCA). The PCA model is then used to accept and reject manufactured parts given real-time process data. This methodology is applied to an instrumented injection molding process that is subjected to 12 common process faults. The results indicate that the methodology was able to detect every one of 33 defective molding cycles caused by eight of the imposed faults as well as two additional faults that did not result in observable defective products. The quality controller did not detect the two remaining imposed process faults that did not produce defects and also rejected three molding cycles (2% of the total) that appeared to produce acceptable products.
Stability Analysis of Multiple Time Delayed Systems Using the Direct Method

A novel treatment for the stability of a class of linear time invariant (LTI) systems with rationally independent multiple time delays using the Direct Method (DM) is studied. Since they appear in many practical applications in the systems and control community, this class of dynamics has attracted considerable interest. The stability analysis is very complex because of the infinite dimensional nature (even for single delay) of the dynamics and furthermore the multiplicity of these delays. The stability problem is much more challenging compared to the TDS with commensurate time delays (where time delays have rational relations). It is shown in an earlier publication of the authors that the DM brings a unique, exact and structured methodology for the stability analysis of commensurate time delayed cases. The transition from the commensurate time delays to multiple delay case motivates our study. It is shown that the DM reveals all possible stability regions in the space of multiple time delays. The systems that are considered do not have to possess stable behavior for zero delays. We present a numerical example on a system, which is considered “prohibitively difficult” in the literature, just to exhibit the strengths of the new procedure.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Endometrial ablation for postmenopausal uterine bleeding induced by hormone replacement therapy

Abstract Study Objective . To determine the effectiveness of transcervical endometrial ablation or endomyometrial resection for treating refractory postmenopausal uterine bleeding induced by hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Design . Prospective observational study. Setting . Community, teaching, and proprietary hospitals. Patients . Twenty-nine postmenopausal women experiencing troublesome uterine bleeding while taking hormones. Interventions . Hormone manipulation, office hysteroscopy or sonohysterography, endometrial curettage, and transcervical endometrial ablation or endomyometrial resection were performed in all 29 patients. Measurements and Main Results . Twenty-seven women (93.1%) who continued HRT became amenorrheic within 2 months of surgery. The two who did not have irregular, intermittent spotting, but neither one required or desired further surgical intervention. Five women discontinued HRT from 3 to 53 months postoperatively (mean 12.5±8.2 mo) because of apprehension about developing breast cancer and for personal reasons. The 24 (82.8%) who continued HRT were observed for as long as 99 months (mean 36.4±5.5 mo.) 22 (91.6%) of them remained amenorrheic. Pathologic examination of tissue specimens revealed atrophic endometrium in 4 patients, adenomyosis in 7, simple hyperplasia in 4, submucous leiomyomas in 11, endometrial polyps in 4, and proliferative endometrium in 1. There were no perioperative complications. Conclusion . Endometrial ablation or endomyometrial resection was an effective alternative to discontinuing HRT for these postmenopausal women whose uterine bleeding was unrelieved by modification of their sex steroid regimens.
“RE-STATING” THEORIES OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT: THE POLITICS OF AUTHORITY CREATION AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL TRIADS IN POSTINDUSTRIAL CHICAGO

State governments and special-purpose authorities, together with city governments and private-sector actors, play a crucial role in building contemporary urban development partnerships, or intergov...
Beyond Utstein: implementation of a multisource uniform data base for prehospital cardiac arrest research.

This article is an overivew of the issues affecting the use of a multisource uniform data base for prehospital cardiac arrest research. The goals of data base standardization include improved communication between emergency medical services (EMS) systems and between EMS physicians and the lay public; improved quantification of EMS system performance and documentation of benefit; in-depth analysis of factors that contribute to outcome; and development of EMS system models that will enhance system planning. Challenges to developing a multisource research data based include establishing a concensus approach to data base development; enlisting EMS system cooperation; verifying the accuracy of the data collected; coordinating data storage and analysis; and obtaining fiscal support for such a project. One illustrative approach to initiating multisource data base research is outlined. The iterative nature of data base development, use, expansion, and refinement is emphasized. Future reports addressing the methodology of multisource data base development and application in EMS systems should build on these concepts.
Endocrine activity in air traffic controllers at work. II. Biological, psychological and work correlates

Abstract This is the second in a series of three papers describing cortisol and growth hormone secretion in air traffic controllers at work. Comparing controllers' average hormone levels across a large number of biological, psychological and occupational characteristics yielded few replicable differences. Comparing men with themselves across three repeated endocrine studies showed a consistent but modest relationship between increases in workload and increases in cortisol. For a subgroup of men classified as ‘responders’, who had significant increases in cortisol parallel with workload, significantly higher scores were found for peer ratings of their work competency, self-reported job satisfaction and their perception of freedom at work provided them by their supervisors. The modest relationships between workload and endocrine secretion were interpreted as evidence for adaptation by the controllers to their working environment. Cortisol responsivity to large increases in workload was interpreted as reflecting high levels of job investment.
Massive dual fields

Abstract New interacting theories of totally antisymmetric and mixed-symmetric rank 3 tensor fields are constructed. The models describe massive spin-0 and spin-2 quanta, respectively, and exhibit singular massless limits characterized by a complete loss of all physical degrees of freedom. The models are “dual” to scalar and tensor “gravity-like” theories, in much the same sense as Kalb-Ramond theories are dual to gauge theories, and correspondingly they may help elucidate “magnetic” aspects of gravity. The source currents for the new spin-0 and spin-2 fields involve manifestly chargeless “curls” of the energy-momentum tensor. This unusual source structure is generalizable to higher spins, at least to lowest order, and significantly raises the possibility of finding consistent interacting higher spin field theories.
Identifying and Reconstructing Common Cold Misconceptions Among Developing K–12 Educators

Background Common cold misconceptions may contribute to ill-informed decisions and recommendations made by K–12 educators who often encounter infected students. Understanding the structure of educators' misconceptions can be used to improve health instruction in teacher professional preparation programs. Purpose The purposes of this project were to (1) identify prevalent common cold misconceptions held by preservice educators and (2) test the effectiveness of a refutational text meant to promote the adoption of scientifically appropriate common cold conceptions. Study 1 An assessment concerning the common cold was completed by 44 preservice teachers. Misconceptions, such as cold weather triggering the common cold, were prevalent. Study 2 A total of 86 participants completed the same assessment as used in study 1 before and after reading a common cold refutational text. Participants demonstrated gains in scientifically appropriate common cold conceptions. Discussion Identifying common cold misconceptions a...
Dynamic hyperspectral imaging

Bad things often happen fast. This means that we need to react fast. In this work, we develop the technology that allows one to identify and characterize fast events. In real time, we dynamically process hyperspectral information of a scene, specifically analyzing its temporal behavior. The goal is to detect fast and super-fast events like explosions, fast-moving objects and instant changes in the chemical composition of air and other materials. Until recently, the enormous quantity of hyperspectral information confined us to static hyperspectral data processing. Hyperspectral techniques were used for finding certain objects, chemicals, or anomalies in a picture, frame by frame, statically. Dynamic (temporal) analysis was developed primarily for astrophysical applications performed a long time after the frames had been captured. In this work, we study ways of taking advantage of emerging hardware technologies that allow one to look at hyperspectral information dynamically: by characterizing temporal changes as they occur. We apply methods from astrophysics (supernova observations) and present our unique algorithms for contemporaneous dynamical analysis of hyperspectral data. The application addresses the question: have there been any sudden changes in the hyperspectral pattern of a scene? If there were sudden changes, were those changes related to a substantial energy release? These questions do not depend on assumptions about specific spectral patterns, chemical composition, or shapes: we look for any changes in a scene. Such dynamical analysis can therefore allow one to react promptly to fast events without prior knowledge about what occurred. This paper addresses issues specific to dynamic (as opposed to static) hyperspectral imaging, algorithmic approaches to dynamic hyperspectral data processing, and associated hardware-implementation issues.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Alport nephropathy: clinicopathological correlations.

The alleged dominance of diffuse attenuation of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) in young children and females with Alport’s Syndrome (AS) suggests that it might be the initial ultrastructural manifestation of type IV collagen defects. We carried out a ‘blind’ review of 130 renal biopsies obtained from 100 patients with AS, emphasizing the electron microscopy changes, and related the findings to the clinical presentation and outcome. The intracapillary distribution of (1) thickened, (2) attenuated and (3) normal GBM was assessed individually as: none (grade 0), 50% (grade 3). Deafness was defined as persistent loss of ≥30 dBs. Proteinuria was measured as protein/creatinine ratios in early morning urine. Heavy proteinuria (≥200 mg/mmol) correlated significantly with the presence of segmental and global glomerulosclerosis and foam cells. Comparing grades 0+1 vs. 3 GBM changes, using a 2×2 χ2 test, there were significant correlations between grade 3 GBM thickening and male sex (P =0.005), heavy proteinuria (P =0.02) and deafness (P <0.001). GBM thickening did not correlate with age at the initial biopsy, but repeat biopsies demonstrated increasing thickening with age. The grades of GBM attenuation did not correlate with either age at biopsy or sex. In 11 biopsies with atypical lamina densa changes in thickened GBM segments, there were no differences in clinicopathological correlations compared with classical biopsies. Our data indicate that diffuse GBM attenuation can be an ultrastructural variant of the Alport nephropathy, but do not support the contention that it is the initial lesion.
Adenylcyclase-phosphodiesterase system in arterial smooth muscle

Abstract Isoproterenol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine increase cyclic AMP formation in rat aorta through their stimulatory effect on adenyl cyclase. Isoproterenol, and epinephrine and norepinephrine in the presence of phentolamine, have a relaxing effect on the rat aortic strip. Propranolol prevents the rise in cyclic AMP with the three catecholamines and modifies the epinephrine-induced contraction. Inhibition of phosphodiesterase is also accompanied by relaxation of arterial smooth muscle.