cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Do Perceptions of Corporate Social Responsibility Contribute to Explaining Differences in Corporate Price-Earnings Ratios? A Research Note

Past research has shown that variations in price-earnings ratios are primarily influenced by expected earnings growth potential and perceived investment risk. However, these factors do not explain all the variation. This paper examines whether particular dimensions of corporate reputation contribute separately to price-earnings ratios. The study uses data on 141 companies from the 1992 Fortune magazine corporate reputation survey. The dimensions of the reputation survey (with the financial ‘halo’ removed) were used in a regression model along with five-year earnings per share growth projections and betas from Value Line reports to explain variation in price-earnings ratios. The results indicate that corporate reputation for social responsibility explains additional variation in price-earnings ratios, along with the traditional variable of earnings per share growth. Companies with stronger reputations for social responsibility have marginally higher price-earnings ratios.
Is the Ala12 variant of the PPARG gene an unthrifty allele

Background: The thrifty genotype hypothesis proposes that genetic susceptibility to type 2 diabetes results from the positive selection of “thrifty” alleles in the past. A corollary of this hypothesis is that genetic variants protecting against the development of diabetes are “unthrifty” and thus subject to negative selection during human evolution. Methods: It was assessed whether age estimates of the diabetes protective PPARG Ala12 allele indicate effects of natural selection. Based on published data from four populations, the date of origin of the diabetes protective PPARG Ala12 variant was estimated using both allele frequency and linkage disequilibrium (LD) with the C1431T single nucleotide polymorphism in exon 6 of the PPARG gene. Results: The best LD based estimate of the age of the Ala12 allele gave an average of ∼32 000 years with a maximum upper bound of ∼58 000 years. Assuming a population with a growth rate of r = 0.01 per generation, the frequency based estimate of the age of the Ala12 variant gave an average of ∼27 000 years with a maximum upper bound of ∼42 000 years. Discussion: The similarity of both time estimates is consistent with selective equivalence of the diabetes protective PPARG Ala12 allele and the diabetes susceptible PPARG Pro12 allele.
Wear of orthopaedic implants — A scanning electron microscope study

Abstract Three metallic implants were removed from patients after episodes of pain and the observation of bony radiolucency was indicative of loosening. Gross observation of the implants revealed areas of wear. Sections of the granulation tissue around the implants revealed finely divided metallic debris in the size range 1–60 μm. A technique was devised to isolate these particles for examination in the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Particulate morphologies were observed and were shown to be consistent with the degree of inflammatory response adjacent to the implant in vivo . SEM studies of particles generated in in vitro experiments and of Xantopren replicas of the surfaces of the implants were also performed. The particles generated in the laboratory and the roughness on the surfaces of the implants were remarkably similar to those particles that had accumulated in the living tissue, both in size and in morphology. These observations are consistent with a brittle abrasive wear phenomenon operating on the implants in vivo . Minimal corrosion of the debris appears likely. The importance of proper stabilization of the implants against loosening is emphasized.
Morphotype patterns of Norwegian Sea deep-sea benthic foraminifera and ecological implications

Deep-sea benthic foraminifera from Norwegian Sea surface sediments are classified into morphotypes on the basis of test shape and nature of test coiling and show distinct patterns with water depth. The morphotype data are used to determine microhabitat patterns of the foraminifera, which are suggested to be related to the organic-carbon content of the surficial deep-sea sediments.
Radial growth rates and 210Pb ages of hydrothermal massive sulfides from the Juan de Fuca Ridge

Activities of 238U, 228Ra, 226Ra and 210Pb were determined in submarine hydrothermal massive sulfides by nondestructive, gamma-ray spectrometry. The samples were collected by the manned submersible DSRV “Alvin” from active hydrothermal fields on the Endeavour Segment and Axial Seamount of the Juan de Fuca Ridge. 210Pb activities are mostly below the equilibrium level with 226Ra, which is linearly correlated with the concentration of Ba, Sr and Ca in the deposits. The ratios of226Ra to the alkaline earth elements indicate that hydrothermal alteration of the underlying oceanic crust is the dominant source of Ra in the sulfide deposits. The 210Pb/Pb ratios measured in many of the sulfides are higher than the ratio obtained for a basalt source of 210Pb, probably because of 210Pb ingrowth from 226Ra within the sulfide deposits. An isochron approach employing ratios of 210Pb/Pb and 226Ra/Pb yielded an initial 210Pb/Pb ratio in the range of 0–0.57 dpm/μg Pb, implying that the crustal residence time of the hydrothermal fluid in the Endeavour Segment is very short ( < 10 years) and that basalt alteration is the only source of the 210Pb and Pb. For the hydrothermal fluid in Axial Seamount, a residence time of 10–20 years is estimated on the basis of the initial 210Pb/Pb and 228Ra/226Ra ratios of a sulfide chimney. Both residence time estimates are consistent with the results of previous studies. We have estimated the upper limits of sample ages ranging from tens to a hundred years for 12 samples, with the remaining seven samples indicating ages close to or older than 150 years, the practical limit of the 210Pb/Pb dating technique. A concentrically sectioned sulfide chimney from Axial Seamount yielded mean radial growth rates ranging from a few tenths to a few mm/year based on gradients of 210Pb/Pb and 228Ra/226Ra activity ratios, whereas a similarly sectioned chimney from the Endeavour Segment, although collected from the top of an active “black smoker” vent, displayed no 210Pb or 228Ra activity. Our results have implications for the duration and periodicity of hydrothermal circulation and associated mineral deposition at mid-ocean ridges.
Evolution and pathophysiology of the human natural anti-alpha-galactosyl IgG (anti-Gal) antibody.

Anti-Gal is a human natural antibody which interacts specifically with the mammalian carbohydrate structure Galα1-3Galβ1-4GlcNAc-R, termed, the α-galactosyl epitope. This antibody constitutes approximately 1% of circulating IgG in human serum and is produced, upon stimulation, by 1% of circulating B lymphocytes. Anti-Gal is also present as IgA antibodies in body secretions such as saliva, milk and colostrum. The antigenic source for the constant production of anti-Gal seems to be the α-galactosyl-like epitopes found on many bacteria of the gastrointestinal flora. Whereas anti-Gal is abundant in humans, apes and Old World monkeys, it is absent from New World monkeys, prosimians and nonprimate mammals. The latter group of species produces, however, large amounts of α-galactosyl epitopes (> 106 epitopes per cell). It is estimated that anti-Gal appeared in ancestral Old World primates less than 28 million years ago, possibly as a result of an evolutionary event which exerted a selective pressure for the suppression of α-galactosyl epitopes expression by inactivation of the gene for the enzyme α1,3 galactosyltransferase. This also resulted in the loss of immune tolerance to the α-galactosyl epitope and the production of anti-Gal. The physiologic role of this antibody is not clear as yet. It may participate in the protection against gastrointestinal bacteria. In addition it seems to contribute to the removal of normal and pathologically senescent red cells by interacting with the few hundred cryptic α-galactosyl epitopes which are exposed de novo in the course of red cell aging, thereby opsonizing these cells for phagocytosis by reticuloendothelial macrophages. The α-galactosyl epitope has been found to be aberrantly expressed on human cells and the interaction of anti-Gal with such epitopes may result in autoimmune disease. Preliminary data suggest such a mechanism in Graves' disease. Anti-Gal has been found to interact with therapeutic recombinant proteins expressing α-galactosyl epitopes, but so far there is no indication that it affects the half-life in the circulation and the biologic activity. Detection of anti-Gal in the seminal fluid and in the cerebrospinal fluid may serve as a simple means for assessment of damage to the blood-genital tract barrier or the blood-brain barrier. Studies on the interaction of anti-Gal with aberrantly expressed α-galactosyl epitopes on human cells may elucidate the possible role of anti-Gal in human autoimmune diseases.
Rapid chemoselective bioconjugation through oxidative coupling of anilines and aminophenols.

A highly efficient protein bioconjugation method is described involving the addition of anilines to o-aminophenols in the presence of sodium periodate. The reaction takes place in aqueous buffer at pH 6.5 and can reach high levels of completion in 2–5 min. The product of the reaction has been characterized using X-ray crystallography, which revealed that an unprecedented oxidative ring contraction occurs after the coupling step. The compatibility of the reaction with protein substrates has been demonstrated through the attachment of small molecules, polymer chains, and peptides to p-aminophenylalanine residues introduced into viral capsids through amber stop codon suppression. The coupling of anilines to o-aminophenol groups derived from tyrosine residues is also described. The compatibility of this method with thiol modification chemistry is shown through the attachment of a near-IR fluorescent chromophore to cysteine residues inside the viral capsid shells, followed by the attachment of integrin-targeting RGD peptides to anilines on the exterior surface.
Effects of storage in CO2-ice on the viability of spirochetes and other anaerobic microorganisms isolated from the human mouth☆

Abstract Freezing and storage in solid CO 2 was effective in most instances in preserving the viability of cultures of spirochetes, anaerobic bacteria, and other organisms derived from the human mouth, over periods ranging from five to twenty months. Failure of certain subcultures seemed attributable to the cultures rather than to the method of preservation. Unpurified mixtures of these microorganisms from human lesions were maintained intact in morphology and motility by this means for the short periods required. Fusospirochetal exudates from guinea pigs remained apparently unimpaired in microscopic appearance and in infectivity for as long as thirteen months. Preservation of cultures of oral spirochetes in deep tubes of an agar medium, aerobically under paraffin oil, both at room temperature in the dark and at 37° C., was distinctly less satisfactory than preservation in CO 2 -ice.
Cadherin-mediated cell sorting not determined by binding or adhesion specificity

Cadherin adhesion molecules play important roles in the establishment of tissue boundaries. Cells expressing different cadherins sort out from each other in cell aggregation assays. To determine the contribution of cadherin binding and adhesion specificity to the sorting process, we examined the adhesion of cells to different purified cadherin proteins. Chinese hamster ovary cell lines expressing one of four different cadherins were allowed to bind to the purified cadherin extracellular domains of either human E-cadherin or Xenopus C-cadherin, and the specificity of adhesion was compared with cell-sorting assays. None of the different cadherin-expressing cells exhibited any adhesive specificity toward either of the two purified cadherin substrates, even though these cadherins differ considerably in their primary sequence. In addition, all cells exhibited similar strengthening of adhesion on both substrates. However, this lack of adhesive specificity did not determine whether different cadherin-expressing cells would sort from each other, and the tendency to sort was not predictable by the extent of sequence diversity in their extracellular domains. These results show that cadherins are far more promiscuous in their adhesive-binding capacity than had been expected and that the ability to sort out must be determined by mechanisms other than simple adhesive-binding specificity.
Enhanced reactivity of copper catalysts for olefin aziridination by manipulation of ligand denticity.

A key requirement for the generation of active copper catalysts for olefin aziridination has been identified by examination of a copper(II) complex supported by a new tridentate, mer-coordinating, pyridyl-appended diazacyclooctane ligand. Combined structural, spectroscopic, and electrochemical studies suggest that the high catalytic reactivity of complex 4 (shown) is rooted in facile access to an equatorial coordination site, occupied by a labile trifluoroacetate ligand in its X-ray crystal structure.
Thymectomy‐induced decrease in Tγ cells and OKT8+ cells in multiple sclerosis

Studies were performed on lymphocytes from patients with multiple sclerosis before and after thymectomy (group I) and before and after thymectomy and azathioprine therapy (group II), and from matched control patients with multiple sclerosis, control patients with other neurological diseases, and healthy control subjects. Following treatment the percentage of T gamma cells in both group I and group II patients decreased from above the mean normal control levels to below this level; OKT8+ cell numbers in group I became lower than in any of the control groups; the percentage of concanavalin A-induced suppressor activity, which was initially normal, fell in group II and suggestively but not significantly in group I; and total blood lymphocytes in group I decreased from normal to below control levels. Other tests showed no significant changes with therapy. No significant difference in changes in clinical status were observed after one year in the treated patients compared with matched controls.
Experimental and numeric investigation of Impella pumps as cavopulmonary assistance for a failing Fontan.

Objective This study sought to evaluate the performance of microaxial ventricular assist devices for the purposes of supporting failing Fontan physiology by decreasing central venous pressure. Methods Three Abiomed Impella pumps (Abiomed, Inc, Danvers, Mass) were evaluated in a mock circulatory system of the Fontan circuit. The local response of pressures and flows to pump function was assessed as a function of pump speed and pulmonary vascular resistance at a high baseline central venous pressure. For one device, subsequent modeling studies were conducted using a lumped parameter model of the single ventricle circuit. Results The left ventricular devices (Impella 2.5, 5.0) were shown to be suboptimal as single device solutions for cavopulmonary support. The small area of these devices relative to vessel diameter led to significant flow recirculation without an obstructive separator in place. Furthermore, downstream pressure augmentation adversely affected the pressure in the superior vena cava. The use of 2 devices would be mandatory for successful support. The right-sided device (Impella RP), whose outflow was positioned in the left pulmonary artery, demonstrated decreased flow recirculation and did not impede superior caval venous flow. Although static pressure is still required to drive flow through the opposite lung, numeric modeling demonstrated the potential for modest but significant improvements in lowering the central venous pressure (2–8 mm Hg). Conclusions Left-sided microaxial pumps are not well suited for cavopulmonary support because of severe flow recirculation and the need for multiple devices. The right-ventricular Impella device provides improved performance by directing flow into the pulmonary artery, resulting in modest decreases in central venous pressure.
A Recent Development of the Integrated Manufacturing System: A Hybrid of MRP and JIT

MRP is a priority‐planning technique, not an execution tool. Waste can be avoided through the use of JIT as an execution tool, where only those materials which are actually needed on the factory floor are “pulled”, when they are needed. Describes a hybrid manufacturing system which incorporates the traditional MRP system and the Japanese JIT system in a single framework. The rationale is not whether MRP or JIT is better; it is how they complement each other in a hybrid system. Specifically, this framework attempts to integrate both MRP and JIT production. The integrated hybrid system can provide better production planning, scheduling and control. It employs the logic of MRP and JIT, but it eliminates some of the inherent problems and drawbacks in both systems.
An Immersed Boundary Geometric Preprocessor for Arbitrarily Complex Terrain and Geometry

AbstractThere is a growing interest to apply the immersed boundary method to compute wind fields over arbitrarily complex terrain. The computer implementation of an immersed boundary module into an existing flow solver can be accomplished with minor modifications to the rest of the computer program. However, a versatile preprocessor is needed at the first place to extract the essential geometric information pertinent to the immersion of an arbitrarily complex terrain inside a 3D Cartesian mesh. Errors in the geometric information can negatively impact the correct implementation of the immersed boundary method as part of the solution algorithm. Additionally, the distance field from the terrain is needed to implement various subgrid-scale turbulence models and to initialize wind fields over complex terrain. Despite the popularity of the immersed boundary method, procedures used in the geometric preprocessing stage have received less attention. The present study found that concave and convex regions of compl...
Conditional independence models for seemingly unrelated regressions with incomplete data

We consider normal = Gaussian seemingly unrelated regressions (SUR) with incomplete data (ID). Imposing a natural minimal set of conditional independence constraints, we find a restricted SUR/ID model whose likelihood function and parameter space factor into the product of the likelihood functions and the parameter spaces of standard complete data multivariate analysis of variance models. Hence, the restricted model has a unimodal likelihood and permits explicit likelihood inference. In the development of our methodology, we review and extend existing results for complete data SUR models and the multivariate ID problem.
Transient behaviour of an impulsively heated fluid

Approximate as well as reasonably exact numerical solutions of the equation of conservation have previously predicted that sudden heating of a solid surface adjacent to a region of gas will generate a slightly supersonic wave with small positive amplitudes in pressure, temperature and density, and thereby a small mass velocity in the direction of wave propagation. If the gas is confined by a second parallel surface, the wave is predicted to be reflected repeatedly from both surfaces and to decay slowly due to viscous and thermal dispersion. This process, which has been termed thermoacoustic convection, is presumed to result in transient heating of the confined gas and heat transfer through it at rates greatly exceeding that of pure thermal conduction. The current work constitutes the first quantitative experimental confirmation of this behaviour. Numerical solutions obtained for support and guidance of the experimental work define for the first time the conditions required for the generation of a wave of significant strength.
“Making room”: negotiating democratic research relationships between school and academy

There is growing strength in the argument that the primarily separate communities of educational researchers, academic researchers and teacher researchers, working together, have much to contribute to knowledge on teaching and learning. This article reviews literature on the intersection of these communities. Reflecting on this literature, the author analyzes a research project involving four novice teachers and an academic researcher who engaged in collaborative inquiry. The author employed qualitative analysis to examine the collaborative inquiry and identified factors within its structure. These included tensions involved in the process, knowledge generated within those tensions, fusing of teacher and researcher roles for the teacher participants, and use of outside resources (such as academic literature, findings from other teacher research, and guest speakers) as part of the theory‐building process. The discussion offers insight into how the participants created a research process that included the i...
Reverse phase transformation of martensite to austenite in stainless steels: a 3D phase-field study

The martensitic transformation of austenite as well as the reversion of martensite to austenite has been reported to significantly improve mechanical properties of steels. In the present work, three dimensional (3D) elastoplastic phase-field simulations are performed to study the kinetics of martensite reversion in stainless steels at different annealing temperatures. The input simulation data are acquired from different sources, such as CALPHAD, ab initio calculations, and experiments. The results show that the reversion occurs both at the lath boundaries as well as within the martensitic laths, which is in good agreement with the experimental observations. The reversion that occurs within the laths leads to splitting of a single martensite lath into two laths, separated by austenite. The results indicate that the reversed austenite retains a large extent of plasticity inherited from martensite.
Surface Water Quality Impacts of Conservation Tillage Practices on Burley Tobacco Production Systems in Southwest Virginia

A plot-scale, rainfall-simulation study measured edge-of-field pollutant losses from conventional-till, strip-till, and no-till treatments in a burley tobacco production system. The field experiment results show that the conventional-till treatment yielded more total runoff than strip- and no-till treatments. Compared to the conventional-till treatment, both no-till and strip-till reduced the total mass losses of total suspended solids (TSS), total nitrogen (TN), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), nitrate (NO-N), ammonia (NH3-N), total phosphorus (TP), orthophosphate (PO4-P), and the insecticide chlorpyrifos in runoff. Although statistical analyses indicated that there was no significant difference between the no-till and strip-till practices, the no-till practice consistently yielded less edge-of-field pollutant loss than the strip-till practice. This research reinforces the body of knowledge documenting the effectiveness of conservation-tillage practices in reducing edge-of-field pollutant losses.
The dynamics of newly born babies.

Summary A study of the dynamics of newly born infants has been made. Six hundred and eighty-nine infants have been examined twice during their eight-day stay in the hospital. Factors which might have influenced their dynamics have been evaluated. Of 689 infants examined, twenty-six were classified as grade 1 (least active), 465 as grade 2, 192 as grade 3, and six as grade 4 (most active). The sex distribution showed a prevalence of the boys in the higher grades. No definite correlation could be established between the babies' weights and their dynamics. A distinctive influence of pathologic findings in mother and child on theinfants' dynamics was observed. The accumulation of serious defects in grade 1 and the absence of serious illnesses in grade 4 are noteworthy. The relation of the mothers' labor and method of delivery to the grading ofdynamics was inconclusive. The investigations on the decrease and increase of dynamics from the first to the second examination showed a 13 per cent change from one grade to the next one. Two babies made a change of two grades. The evaluation of the data obtained encourages the hope that dynamics as defined here is an inherent quality and is not decisively altered by outside factors.
SH3-mediated Hck Tyrosine Kinase Activation and Fibroblast Transformation by the Nef Protein of HIV-1

Tyrosine kinases of the Src family are regulated via their Src homology 2 (SH2) and SH3 domains. The Nef protein of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) has previously been shown to bind with high affinity and specificity in vitro to the SH3 domain of Hck, a Src family member expressed primarily in myeloid cells. However, the effect of Nef on Hck activity in living cells is unknown. Here we show that Rat-2 fibroblasts co-expressing Hck and Nef rapidly developed transformed foci, whereas control cells expressing either protein alone did not. Nef formed a stable complex with Hck and stimulated its tyrosine kinase activity in vivo. Mutagenesis of the Nef proline-rich motif essential for SH3 binding completely blocked complex formation, kinase activation, and transformation, indicating that the Nef SH3-binding function is required for its effects on Hck. These results provide direct evidence that SH3 engagement is sufficient to activate a Src family kinasein vivo and suggest that Hck may be activated by Nef in HIV-infected macrophages.
Eurocurrency interest rate linkages: A frequency domain analysis

Abstract We investigate relations between Eurocurrency interest rates using frequency domain methods, which permit us to decompose test statistics into short-term and long-term causality measures. We document significant linkages between international interest rates. Specifically, we show that the euro plays an increasingly important role in global money markets. In fact, a subperiod analysis suggests that the euro interest rate leads the US dollar rate during the recent financial crisis. We discuss the implications of the findings for understanding global monetary policy dynamics as well as modeling and forecasting of short-term interest rates.
Genetic susceptibility to ischemic stroke

Clinicians who treat patients with stroke need to be aware of several single-gene disorders that have ischemic stroke as a major feature, including sickle cell disease, Fabry disease, cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy, and retinal vasculopathy with cerebral leukodystrophy. The reported genome-wide association studies of ischemic stroke and several related phenotypes (for example, ischemic white matter disease) have shown that no single common genetic variant imparts major risk. Larger studies with samples numbering in the thousands are ongoing to identify common variants with smaller effects on risk. Pharmacogenomic studies have uncovered genetic determinants of response to warfarin, statins and clopidogrel. Despite increasing knowledge of stroke genetics, incorporating this new knowledge into clinical practice remains a challenge. The goals of this article are to review common single-gene disorders relevant to ischemic stroke, summarize the status of candidate gene and genome-wide studies aimed at discovering genetic stroke risk factors, and to briefly discuss pharmacogenomics related to stroke treatment.
Tricuspid regurgitation secondary to mitral valve disease: when and how to repair.

The etiology of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in North American patients with mitral valve disease is almost entirely nonrheumatic functional dilatation of the tricuspid annulus. In mild TR, no operative therapy is necessary since relief of the left sided valve lesion will suffice to bring the pulmonary pressure down and, consequently, relief of TR for moderate (2+ to 3+) TR. We have used a technique of posterior annuloplasty using a DeVega type double running braided suture beginning at the commissure of the anterior and posterior leaflets and running to the commissure between the septal and posterior leaflets, and tied over an obturator. The technique takes less than 10 minutes. Seventy-one patients in the past 10 years have been treated with this technique with virtually 100% relief of TR. For severe TR, we advocate the use of Carpentier-Edwards annuloplasty ring with interrupted sutures (16 patients). We believe severe TR requires a fixed annulus for virtually the entire circumference of the valve. Functionally regurgitant tricuspid valves should be reconstructed and not replaced. The use of repair techniques for moderate (posterior annuloplasty) or severe (Carpenter-Edwards tricuspid annuloplasty ring) TR will be satisfactory for virtually all patients with this lesion. (J Card Surg 1994;9[Suppl]:237–241)
Effects of substituents on the type II photoreaction of tetrasubstituted cyclopropenes

Abstract The triplet sensitized behavior of a number of 3-alkyl subststituted cyclopropenes containing a heteroatom on the side chain has been studied in mechanistitic detail. The triplet state was found to undergo H-atom abstraction by a mechanism analogous to the well-known Norrish type II process of carbonyl compounds. Rate constants for H-abstraction were obtained by plotting Φ 0 Φ q trans-stilbene at a constant quencher to cyclopropene ratio. The rate constants for H-abstraction were found to be two orders of magnitude less than that at for related phenyl alkyl ketones and increased as the strength of the C-H bond in the γ-position decreased. The possibility of electron transfer from the heteroatom of the side chain to the π-π* triplet state is discussed.
Atomic physics research with second- and third-generation synchrotron light sources

Abstract This contribution to these proceedings is intended to provide an introduction and overview for other contributions on atomic (and related) physics research at existing and planned synchrotron light sources. The emphasis will be on research accomplishments and future opportunities, but a comparison will be given of operating characteristics for first, second-, and third-generation machines. First-generation light sources were built to do research with the primary electron and positron beams, rather than with the synchrotron radiation itself. Second-generation machines were specifically designed to be dedicated synchrotron-radiation facilities, with an emphasis on the use of bending-magnet radiation. The new third-generation light sources are being designed to optimize radiation from insertion devices, such as undulators and wigglers. Each generation of synchrotron light source offers useful capabilities for forefront research in atomic physics and many other disciplines.
Electrohydraulic-impulse pressing of refractory powders

It was experimentally established that it is possible to use electrohydraulic-impulse pressing to improve the basic physical properties of articles prepared from low-plasticity refractory powders. The advantages of making articles by combined pressing, including static pressing in a rigid mold and final electrohydraulic-impulse pressing were demonstrated. We developed and studied various schemes for the method with solid specimens and sleeves. We determined the most effective EGIP schemes, ensuring the greatest density with the same energy reserves in the plant. The effect of various technical factors on the properties of the pressed articles was determined. Experimental technology was worked out for electrohydraulic-impulse pressing of refractories using process modeling. We produced an experimental batch of collectors and carried out production testing to show that they had better service properties.
Forensic petrology and geochemistry : tracking the source of a coal slurry spill, Lee County, Virginia

In October 1996, coal slurry blew out from a mine portal in Lee County, Virginia, precipitating a fish kill and pollution of streams leading to the Tennessee River. The petrology and geochemistry of two slurries associated with coal mine portals, including the pollution source, and preparation plant fines associated with one of the mines were investigated. Maceral content and, in particular, microlithotype content distinguished the sources. Differences in concentrations of Zr, Y, and the lanthanides provided a subtle set of parameters for distinguishing between the sources, owing to the source of one mine slurry and the plant slurry from a coal known to have an enrichment in those elements.
The association between obesity and stage II or greater prolapse

Objective We sought to evaluate the association between obesity and vaginal prolapse as well as pelvic organ prolapse symptoms. Study Design This was a cross-sectional study of women referred for urogynecologic care. The exposure was obesity and outcome, stage ≥ II prolapse. Secondary outcomes were symptom bother and disease-specific quality of life. Results Our study included 721 women. No difference in stage ≥ II prolapse was observed between obese (n/N = 258/721 [35.8%]) and nonobese (n/N = 463/721 [64.2%]) women (50.8% vs 52.7%; P = .62). Obesity was associated with increased distress on the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (100 [±57.3] vs 87.4 [±53.1]; P = .003) due to higher scores on the Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory-8 (22.9 [±21.5] vs 18.3 [±19.7]; P = .003) and the Urinary Distress Inventory-6 (48.8 [±27] vs 42.4 [±26.1]; P = .002). Conclusion Obesity was not associated with stage ≥ II prolapse but was associated with increased pelvic floor symptoms secondary to urinary and anal incontinence subscales.
Use of a cooled CCD camera for confocal light microscopy

The use of a cooled CCD camera for confocal light microscopy provides several advantages. For low-light level applications such as reflected light microscopy from semi-transparent biological samples slow scan cooled CCD imaging devices provides an image with high dynamic range, linear response, and geometric stability of the pixels. These characteristics are required for accurate quantitative microscopy. The only cases where these detectors are unsuitable is when the temporal response of the image exceeds the readout time of the camera. For single shot events, even this limitation can be overcome with a partially masked CCD. The required spatial resolution of the object in the image plane is related to the spatial resolution of the camera detector. The detector should have twice the highest spatial resolution of the camera detector. The detector should have twice the highest spatial resolution of the object. In order to demonstrate the utility and application of a cooled CCD camera in microscopy, we have coupled a Photometrics cooled CCD camera containing a Tektronix 512, thinned, back illuminated CCD to a Technical Instruments, K2Bio confocal microscope. The high quality of the confocal images demonstrates the properties of the cooled CCD camera as a suitable detector for quantitative confocal microscopic imaging of weakly reflecting biological samples.
Auditory Speech Recognition and Visual Text Recognition in Younger and Older Adults: Similarities and Differences Between Modalities and the Effects of Presentation Rate

Purpose To examine age-related differences in auditory speech recognition and visual text recognition performance for parallel sets of stimulus materials in the auditory and visual modalities. In a...
The dynamics of a packed gas absorber by frequency response analysis

The unsteady state behavior of a packed-column gas absorber was investigated by comparing the results of experimental frequency response tests with theoretical frequency responses determined for several postulated flow models. Carbon dioxide was absorbed in water from air-carbon dioxide mixtures in a 6-in. I.D. Pyrex pipe, packed to a depth of 5.12 ft. with 5/8-in. ceramic Raschig rings. A sinusoidal variation in inlet gas-phase carbon dioxide concentration was produced by a specially designed linear valve, driven at frequencies of 0.1 to 15 cycles/min. Inlet and outlet gas-phase concentration sinusoids were measured continuously with specially designed high-speed thermal conductivity cells. Liquid flows from 0 to 222 lb. moles/hr.-sq. ft. and gas flows from 1 to 20 lb. moles/hr.-sq. ft. were investigated. Separate frequency response tests on inlet and outlet mock-ups permitted determination of the frequency response of the packing section alone. Results were expressed graphically as Bode plots. Theoretical frequency response curves were calculated based on three different flow models: no axial mixing, axial mixing described by a series of perfectly mixed cells, and axial mixing described by an effective longitudinal diffusivity. Neither of the three models gave completely satisfactory agreement with the experimental magnitude-ratio curves above about 1 cycle/min., although the slug flow model appeared somewhat better than the others. The theoretical phase-shift curves were almost indistinguishable for the three models and agreed well with the experimental curves.
Synthetic Test Facility for Distribution Types of Apparatus Part I Development

Describes a compact, all synthetic, product development testing laboratory designed to simulate many of the ANSI testing requirements for distribution type Separable Connectors, Fuses, and Switch apparatus.
Designed ecosystem services: application of ecological principles in wastewater treatment engineering

Wastewater treatment engineering and ecology have complementary goals and need to interact much more closely. Wastewater engineers and ecologists share strong interests in the structure and function of biological communities, yet rarely engage in extensive interdisciplinary dialogue. Wastewater (bioprocess) engineers focus on solving practical environmental problems and typically do not work forward from ecological principles to test specific theories. Ecologists, on the other hand, have focused primarily on the collection and analysis of data in order to test specific scientific hypotheses; only recently have they emphasized ecological applications as well. Wastewater engineers should use the fundamentals of ecological theory to help guide future system design and ecologists should view engineered biosystems as valuable new platforms for ecological research.
Educational Leadership: A Field of Inquiry and Practice.

Changes in educational leadership and administration over the past decade and a half represent a shift from traditional, social science-based approaches to more cognitively based views of the field...
The effect of environmental light exposure on drug-induced porphyria in the rat.

— The porphyrinogenic drug, 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl 1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC) when administered orally to rats evoked large increases in hepatic δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase (ALAS) activity and hepatic protoporphyrin levels. These increases varied markedly according to light exposure patterns of the animals. DDC-treated animals continuously exposed for one week to fluorescent Blacklight lamps (Westinghouse FS-40) demonstrated a greater than two-fold increase in hepatic ALAS and a greater than threefold increase in liver protoporphyrin levels as compared to DDC-treated animals exposed to ambient light-dark cycling. Furthermore, the skin of porphyric animals continuously exposed to light showed larger increases in porphyrin content as compared to rats exposed to ambient light. These studies indicate that light exposure patterns can profoundly alter the activity of the hepatic heme pathway in the rat and suggest that light exposure could play a role in the production of drug-induced porphyria in man.
The Musician and Transmission of Religious Tradition: the Multiple Roles of the Ethiopian Dabtara

Ethiopia presents an unusually complex profile both in terms of the diversity of religious practice within the country and the interaction between belief systems which on the surface appear to be separate. Officially a Christian state from the date of the conversion of the Ethiopian emperor by a Syrian missionary about the year 332 A.D. until the overthrow of the modern monarchy during a revolution that began in 1974, Ethiopia has also provided fertile soil for a number of authochthonous religions, forJudaic traditions, and for Islam. This essay traces the pivotal role of a single category of musicians, the ddbtdras, whose well-known activity at the centre of Ethiopian Christian musical practice is in fact only one aspect of their multifaceted role in Ethiopian religious life.2 In addition to their formal responsibilities as musicians and liturgical practitioners within the church, many ddbtdras past and present have been magicians and healers; these activities have served to bring the main carriers of Ethiopian Christian liturgy into on-going contact with peoples formally associated with many other Ethiopian religious systems. Of additional, but strictly historical, significance today, is the once important role of ddbtdras within the traditional religion of the Beta Israel (Falasha), an Ethiopian community now recognized as Jews in Israel. The presence of ddbtdras within so many facets of Ethiopian religious life is only one small, if very human, piece of the evidence speaking to the extensive interaction between what are today too often perceived as separate streams of religious tradition within Ethiopia. Although it is possible to chart relationships between Ethiopian religions by drawing on indigenous historical sources as well as by comparing their literatures and liturgies, I will here move 'beyond
A broad-band annular-ring microstrip antenna

A heuristic discussion of the radiation properties of the transverse magnetic (TM 11 ) and (TM 12 ) modes of the annular-ring microstrip antenna is presented, indicating the possibility of the TM 12 mode as a superior microstrip antenna. Rigorous analyses of the resonant frequency characteristics of the antenna are then performed with the matched asymptotic expansions technique and the perturbation approach. The analyses show that the TM 12 mode is decidedly the best mode for microstrip antenna applications while the TM 11 mode, having a high Q -factor, is best reserved for resonator applications. The analyses include the study of the resonant frequencies, bandwidths, and radiation pattern of the antenna. The matched asymptotic expansions technique and the perturbation approach are also shown to agree excellently with each other within their domain of validity.
PROPAGULE DISPERSAL IN MARINE AND TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENTS: A COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVE

Studies in terrestrial systems suggest that long-distance propagule dispersal is important for landscape pattern and dynamics, but largely inconsequential for local demography. By contrast, in marine systems, dispersal at regional scales may drive local dynamics, because many species may have large mean dispersal distances. To assess var- iation in marine dispersal scales, we estimated mean dispersal distances from genetic iso- lation-by-distance slopes. Estimates ranged widely, from a few meters to hundreds of kilometers. Dispersal differed among taxonomic groups (macroalgae, invertebrates, and fish) and among species in different functional groups (e.g., producers and herbivores). Differences in dispersal scale have important implications for marine community dynamics, reserve design, responses to large-scale perturbations, and evolution of interacting species. To place genetic estimates of marine dispersal in context, we compared them to other measures of dispersal in the ocean and to estimates of dispersal on land. Maximum scales of dispersal by sedentary marine species exceeded maximum estimates of terrestrial plant dispersal by at least one to two orders of magnitude. Direct and genetic estimates of terrestrial plant dispersal were comparable to estimates of marine plant dispersal. Rates of marine macroalgal range expansion, however, far exceeded spread rates of terrestrial plants. Terrestrial plant spread rates were more similar to those of short-dispersing marine organ- isms that lack secondary dispersal by drifting adults. Genetic estimates of dispersal by different functional groups suggest that herbivores typically disperse much farther than their plant resources both on land and in the sea, although the timing, frequency, and consequences of dispersal may differ in the two systems. Terrestrial herbivores have more flexible dispersal behavior than marine organisms that disperse each generation by plank- tonic transport of larvae. Our results validate some long-standing views about the greater dispersal potential of species in the ocean, but also highlight the extreme heterogeneity in dispersal scale among marine species. As a result, development of a community perspective on marine connectivity will require consideration of multiple dispersal mechanisms and scales.
A New Method of Bone Marrow Transplantation Leads to Extention of Skin Allograft Survival

Tolerance induction through allogeneic bone marrow transplantation is an alternative method to chronic immunosuppression in maintaining long-term allograft survival. In this article, we introduce a new method of bone marrow allotransplantation, which preserves its natural microenvironment and does not require marrow processing or recipient conditioning. A total of 43 skin graft transplantations were performed in nine experimental groups between isogeneic [Lewis to Lewis (LEW, RT11)] and allogeneic [Lewis × Brown Norway (LBN → F1, RT11+n) to Lewis] rats under 35-day protocol of αβ T-cell receptor (TCR) monoclonal antibody (mAb) and cyclosporine (CsA) protocol. Monotherapies combined with “crude” bone marrow transplantation resulted in extended survival up to 21 days under CsA and up to 10 days under αβ-TCR mAb protocol. The use of combined protocol of αβ-TCRmAb/CsA with crude bone marrow transplantation resulted in the extension of skin allograft survival up to 65 days (P < .05). This new simple method of “crude” bone marrow allotransplantation without recipient conditioning is a promising, minimally invasive technique with a potential for direct clinical application.
Effects of Radioactive Disintegrations on Inner Electrons of the Atom

The probability that nuclear emission of an alpha- or beta-particle causes ionization of a $K$ or $L$ electron of the atom is calculated by time-dependent perturbation theory using nonrelativistic Coulomb wave functions. Beta-emission (electron or positron) causes an ionization probability of $\frac{0.64}{{Z}^{2}}$ and $\frac{2.1}{{Z}^{2}}$ per beta in the $K$ and $L$ shells, respectively. (The $K$ shell result agrees with Migdal and Feinberg; the $L$ shell result disagrees with Migdal.) The use of nonrelativistic wave functions causes an appreciable underestimate in the ionization probability for $K$ electrons of heavy atoms. Screening corrections for the use of Coulomb wave functions would increase the ionization probabilities by a factor of 1.4 for $K$ electrons and by a factor of 3 or 4 for $L$ electrons. Migdal's result for dipole electronic transitions caused by nuclear alpha-decay are reduced by a factor 25 (for the case of ${\mathrm{Po}}^{210}$) because of nuclear recoil. Quadrupole matrix elements such as ${({r}^{\ensuremath{-}3})}_{1s,{n}^{\ensuremath{'}}d}$ are evaluated by a new method developed by H. A. Bethe. This method uses the Sommerfeld integral representation for the continuum ${n}^{\ensuremath{'}}d$ wave function. Quadrupole transitions are negligible for $K$ electrons, but are the predominant effect for $L$ electrons. The calculated ionization probabilities for ${\mathrm{Po}}^{210}$ are ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}$ and 1.1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ per alpha in the $K$ and $L$ shells, respectively. For alpha-decay, screening corrections and higher multipole transitions would both increase the ionization probability for $L$ electrons. Madansky and Rasetti's measurements of photons from RaE are consistent with our calculations, but Bruner's measurements on ${\mathrm{Sc}}^{44}$ are not. Grace's interpretation of $K$ x-rays from ${\mathrm{Po}}^{210}$ is consistent with the calculation of this paper, while Barber and Helm's interpretation is not. Rubinson and Bernstein find 8 times the $L$ x-ray yield from ${\mathrm{Po}}^{210}$ we have calculated for Coulomb wave functions.