cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The NSF Physical Oceanography Program

The purpose of this report is to document the evolution and character of the Physical Oceanography Programs at the National Science Foundation (NSF) over the last decade. It is hoped that a discussion of recent trends in proposal review and funding statistics will provide the research community with some useful insight into both the current status and future directions of the program.
Defendant's Parental Status as Affecting Judges' Behavior: An Experimental Test:

176 male and female college students read a description of a defendant and then sentenced the defendant with respect to five episodes depicting offense. The sex and parental status of the hypothetical defendant were varied. The results provided little support for the “practicality” hypothesis that defendants with children, especially female defendants, receive preferential treatment in criminal court. The data did show, however, that female defendants in general were treated more leniently than male defendants.
Reevaluating the uses of status: The case of earnings determination

Status and prestige variables and measures have been central to the sociological study of individual variations in income and other dependent variables for at least 2 decades. Yet theoretical and methodological rationales for the use of such variables in the explanation of income are problematic. This conclusion, along with some similar conclusions about other uses of status and prestige variables and measures, were reached after a review of Weberian, functionalist, and other prominent discussions of the uses of status/prestige in theory and research on income. It is suggested that an emphasis upon structural attributes of jobs is more promising than a continued emphasis upon evaluatory, status/prestige conceptions of jobs for effective theorizing about income determination. A quantitative analysis of earnings shows that income effects of a common measure of socio-economic status disappear in the context of a rudimentary structural model of income. It is concluded that social scientists should move on to use more varied attributes of jobs and exercise more caution in the use of status and prestige variables.
Structure–function relationship in ocular hypertension and glaucoma: interindividual and interocular analysis by OCT and pattern ERG

Pattern electroretinogram (PERG) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) represent objective probes to investigate respectively the function of retinal ganglion cells and their structure as retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness. We examined interindividual (II) correlations of PERG amplitude and RNFL thickness, as well as correlations between interocular (IO) differences in both measures, in ocular hypertension (OHT) and early glaucoma (EG) patients. Thirty-one OHT, 34 EG (mean deviation: −1 to −6 dB) and 16 age-matched controls were examined in both eyes. Participants had clear optical media, no or moderate refractive errors and no concomitant ocular or systemic diseases. PERGs were elicited by counterphased (16.28 reversals/second) gratings (1.6 cycles/degree spatial frequency). The Fourier isolated 2nd harmonic PERG amplitude and phase were measured. RNFL thickness was quantified by means of OCT Stratus according to a standard protocol. Average, superior and inferior RNFL thicknesses were considered. Mean PERG amplitude was decreased (p < 0.01) in both OHT and EG patients compared to controls. Mean RNFL thicknesses were reduced (p < 0.01) in EG patients compared to both OHT and controls. In OHT patients, PERG amplitude did not correlate significantly with RNFL thickness in both II and IO analysis. In EG patients, PERG amplitude was positively correlated with RNFL thickness in both II (p < 0.005) and IO (p < 0.001) analysis. The slope of the correlation predicted that PERG losses exceeded systematically RNFL losses when the latter were between 0 and −0.25 log units. Both II and IO analyses revealed a lack of structure–function relationship in OHT, suggesting that, at this disease stage, PERG losses appear to affect primarily retinal/optic nerve head function. In EG they reflect both dysfunction and RNFL loss.
Physical Activity Characteristics of Potential Participants in Nutrition and Fitness Programs Based on Stages of Change, Self-Efficacy, and Decisional Balance.

The objective of this study was to characterize potential participants of nutrition/fitness programs regarding demographics, stages of change, self-efficacy, and decisional balance for physical activity. A cross-sectional, mailed questionnaire was used. Participants included 545 adults randomly selected from Virginia Cooperative Extension mailing lists, with 213 questionnaires returned (response rate = 39%). Respondents were grouped by stages of change for physical activity and compared on demographics, self-efficacy, and decisional balance using frequencies, correlations, t tests, ANOVA, and Tukey's post hoc test. Reported physical activity rate was higher than in other studies. Stage of change was positively associated with education, self-efficacy, and decisional balance. Physical activity characteristics were positively associated with educational level. Authors concluded that a mailed questionnaire is a feasible means of collecting pre-intervention, physical activity data for designing educational programs.
Intramammary lymph nodes and breast cancer: a marker for disease severity, or just another lymph node?

Abstract Background Axillary lymph node status is still considered the most significant prognostic factor for breast cancer outcome, and treatment decisions are based on the presence or absence of nodal disease. Intramammary lymph nodes (IMLNs) can be a site of regional spread. Is this a marker for more aggressive disease? Methods We reviewed the cancer center pathology database from 1991 to 2005 for all cases of breast cancer with IMLNs. Results IMLNs were identified in 64 breast cancer patients, with metastatic spread in 20 patients, and benign IMLNs described in 44 patients. Positive IMLNs were associated with more aggressive disease, including higher rates of invasive versus noninvasive cancers (5% ductal carcinoma-in-situ [DCIS] with positive IMLNs vs. 23% with negative IMLNs), lymphovascular invasion (55% vs. 11%), and a higher rate of axillary lymph node involvement (72% vs. 18%). Patients with positive IMLNs were also more likely to undergo mastectomy (75% vs. 54%). Conclusions IMLN metastases are a marker for disease severity; recognition of this may influence choice of adjuvant therapy. The presence of metastatic disease in an IMLN is associated with a high rate of axillary nodal involvement, and should mandate axillary dissection. Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy may help identify these extra-axillary metastases.
Sources and Environmental Fate of Strongly Complexed Nickel in Estuarine Waters: The Role of Ethylenediaminetetraacetate

Measurements of Ni speciation made by competitive ligand exchange techniques indicate that a significant portion of the dissolved Ni in surface waters, wastewater effluents, and surface runoff is complexed by an extremely strong ligand. To identify this ligand, its sources, and environmental fate, simultaneous measurements of nickel ethylenediaminetetraacetate (NiEDTA2-) by HPLC and Ni speciation by cathodic stripping voltammetry and chelating resin column partitioning are compared. Analysis of municipal wastewater effluents indicate that NiEDTA2- accounts for the strongly complexed Ni in wastewater effluent, even when there are few industrial sources of EDTA. Experiments conducted in natural water samples indicate that exchange kinetics have a profound impact on the results of cathodic stripping voltammetry speciation measurements, causing NiEDTA2- complexes to appear stronger than would be predicted by equilibrium calculations. Measurements of Ni speciation in San Francisco Bay indicate a seasonal varia...
Safety Considerations: Breastfeeding after Transplant:

Organ transplant is an effective treatment for end-stage organ failure. For women, restoration of organ function can restore fertility and the ability to successfully carry a pregnancy. Posttransplant pregnancies have been reported among recipients of all types of solid organ transplants via case and center reports plus registry data. Stable graft function is dependent on prevention of rejection, currently accomplished by using maintenance immunosuppressant medications, to which the fetus is exposed in utero. Common among neonatal outcomes in transplant recipients are preterm and low-birth-weight infants. Emotional, nutritional, and immunologic benefits of breastfeeding have been well-documented and could be valuable for these newborns. Concern must be directed at the effects of the child's exposure to immunosuppressive agents excreted into the breast milk. Breastfeeding could be considered in transplant recipients if it can be shown that the level of exposure does not result in risks to the newborn, imme...
Eroding Military Influence in Brazil: Politicians Against Soldiers

Wendy Hunter explores civil-military relations in Brazil following the transition to civilian leadership in 1985. She documents a marked, and surprising, decline in the political power of the armed forces, even as they have remained involved in national policy making. To account for the success of civilian politicians, Hunter invokes rational-choice theory in arguing that politicians will contest even powerful forces in order to gain widespread electoral support. Many observers expected Brazil's fledgling democracy to remain under the firm direction of the military, which had tightly controlled the transition from authoritarian to civilian rule. Hunter carefully refutes this conventional wisdom by demonstrating the ability of even a weak democratic regime to expand its autonomy relative to a once-powerful military, thanks to the electoral incentives that motivate civilian politicians. Based on interviews with key participants and on extensive archival research, Hunter's analysis of developments in Brazil suggests a more optimistic view of the future of civilian democratic rule in Latin America.
Intermolecular forces from asymptotically corrected density functional description of monomers

Abstract Symmetry-adapted perturbation theory based on Kohn–Sham determinants, SAPT(KS), was shown before to perform poorly for the electrostatic energy which is potentially exact in this approach. We demonstrate that some deficiencies of SAPT(KS) result from wrong asymptotics of exchange-correlation potentials. On applying an asymptotic correction, we were not only able to recover the electrostatics, but also the first-order exchange and second-order induction and exchange-induction energies fairly accurate. Dispersion is still reproduced poorly but can be computed reasonably accurately from the damped asymptotic expansion.
The polymerization and structure of mixed multilayers of ethyl and vinyl stearate

Abstract This study is a continuation of previous work done in this laboratory which has demonstrated the possibility of polymerizing multilayers of vinyl stearate to a controlled extent; thus, paving the way for the preparation of thin polymeric films. In the present work, the formation of mixed multilayers of various compositions of vinyl and ethyl stearate was studied. The polymerization reaction was initiated by cobalt-60 γ-radiation. The extent of polymerization was followed by internal reflection infrared spectroscopy (ATR), while the structure and orientation of the multilayers before and after the reaction were determined by polarized ATR infrared spectroscopy and by X-ray diffraction. It was found that the ethyl stearate creates a homogeneous solid solution with the vinyl stearate in monolayers and multilayers and lowers the extent of polymerization when it is present in a significant concentration. There is a high degree of order in the original monomeric film, which is proved to be made of many crystallites oriented normal to the film but randomly around the normal to the surface. Considerable order is maintained after the polymerization reaction.
Histochemistry of the ileum of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis.

Abstract Histochemical studies of the paraldehyde-fuchsin-positive, auto-fluorescent granules that appear cyclically in the epithelial cells of the hindgut of diapausing larvae of the European corn borer revealed that they were basophilic with lipid and carbohydrate components, but no protein was detected. Changes in apparent activity states within the ileal cells were characterized by changes in granulation, Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, cytoplasmic protein, and cytoplasmic RNA. The lysosome-like characteristics of the granules are discussed.
Toric varieties and modular forms

Let N⊂ℝr be a lattice, and let deg:N→ℂ be a piecewise-linear function that is linear on the cones of a complete rational polyhedral fan. Under certain conditions on deg, the data (N,deg) determines a function f:ℌ→ℂ that is a holomorphic modular form of weight r for the congruence subgroup Γ1(l). Moreover, by considering all possible pairs (N ,deg), we obtain a natural subring ? (l) of modular forms with respect to Γ1 (l). We construct an explicit set of generators for ? (l), and show that ? (l) is stable under the action of the Hecke operators. Finally, we relate ? (l) to the Hirzebruch elliptic genera that are modular with respect to Γ1 (l).
Lack of arrhythmogenicity of aminophylline in dogs.

This study was designed to determine if doses of aminophylline up to 10 mg/kg given i.v. would produce ventricular arrhythmias in seven healthy dogs anaesthetized with fentanyl-droperidol-pentobarbital. Arrhythmias were sought by inspection of ECGs before and after attempts at provoking them with 5 micrograms/kg boluses of epinephrine given i.v., or by programmed electrical stimulation. After cumulative doses of 10 mg aminophylline/kg body weight, producing an estimated plasma concentration of greater than 30 micrograms/ml, no ventricular ectopia other than escape depolarizations were observed. We were unable to document an arrhythmogenic effect of aminophylline when given rapidly by the i.v. route. It is possible that the anaesthetic regimen reduced the arrhythmogenic property of aminophylline, or that arrhythmias might be produced in either obese or ill dogs; but it is unlikely that chronic administration of aminophylline would be more arrhythmogenic.
From refugia to rookeries: Phylogeography of Atlantic green turtles

Investigating species' distribution and abundance over time is central to evolutionary biology, and provides important context for conservation and management. With respect to population genetic structure in green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), certain processes such as female philopatry to natal rookeries are well understood, while others, such as male philopatry and historical changes in distribution and abundance, remain relatively understudied. Further, although inferences from mitochondrial DNA and nuclear microsatellites have both been critical in identifying management units, comparisons of these units based on both markers are still rare. Here we analyzed novel data from fifteen microsatellite markers gathered at six green turtle rookeries in the western Atlantic as well as previously published mitochondrial sequences from 13 regional rookeries. We detected low, but significant, population structure at microsatellite loci, which coincides with previous delineations of local and regional management units as well as reports of male philopatry. However, we also detected a discord between nuclear and mitochondrial data, in which two tropical rookeries (Aves Island, Venezuela; and Matapica, Surinam) clustered with the Caribbean and Mediterranean based on microsatellite data, but displayed a mitochondrial lineage characteristic of the southern Atlantic and Africa. To investigate the possible causes of this discord, we used both classical and Bayesian methods to estimate historical migration rates and the timing and magnitude of changes in population size. We detected a strong barrier to dispersal between the northern and southern Atlantic, as well as an expansion in the southern mitochondrial lineage during the Wisconsin glacial period and a later expansion in the northern lineage following the Last Glacial Maximum. We propose that the Aves and Surinam rookeries were colonized by females from a southern glacial refugium, after which they experienced male-biased gene flow from the Caribbean. This study highlights the utility of incorporating data from multiple types of molecular markers in accurately identifying conservation units and in elucidating the complex historical and contemporary processes underlying population genetic structure in marine species.
Comparison of intravenous dosing regimens for maintaining steady-state procainamide levels during programmed ventricular stimulation.

Abstract Intravenous procainamide hydrochloride has prognostic value for drug efficacy in electrophysiologic testing in patients with sustained ventricular tachycardia 1,2 and is often used as an initial screen for drug therapy in these patients. To evaluate the effects of varying intravenous procainamide dosing regimens on providing stable plasma concentrations of the drug in the clinical electrophysiology laboratory, we compared procainamide dosing and maintenance infusions determined by population kinetics 3 with those of a standard fixed dose and maintenance infusion. 2
Complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of a Conoidean gastropod, Lophiotoma (Xenuroturris) cerithiformis: Gene order and gastropod phylogeny

We have determined the first complete nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial genome of a venomous mollusc, the Conoidean gastropod, Lophiotoma (Xenuroturris) cerithiformis. It is 15,380 nucleotide pairs (ntp) and encodes 13 proteins, two ribosomal RNAs and 22 tRNAs of the mitochondrion's own protein synthesizing system. The protein mRNAs, ribosomal RNAs and 13 of the tRNAs are transcribed from the same strand, the remaining tRNAs from the other strand. The longest segment of unassigned sequence is 139 ntp and includes a 82 ntp segment that is a perfect inverted repeat sequence of 37 ntp separated by 8 nt. The gene arrangement of L. cerithiformis mtDNA shows remarkable similarity to the gene arrangements of mtDNAs of the vetigastropod Haliotis rubra, the polyplacophoran Katharina tunicata and the cephalopod Octopus vulgaris, but differs dramatically from the gene arrangements found in the mtDNAs of pulmonate and opisthobranch gastropods, as well as mtDNAs of bivalves and scaphopods. A single sixteen gene inversion that distinguishes L. cerithiformis mtDNA from mtDNAs of H. rubra, K. tunicata and O. vulgaris is shared by mtDNA of a littorinomorph gastropod Littorina saxitalis, suggesting a close relationship of conoidean and littorinomorph gastropods.
Acute irradiation effects on the alkaline phosphatase activity of the guinea pig sebaceous gland.

Guinea pig skin was irradiated with a single 800-r dose of x rays, and histologic studies were conducted 3 hr to 13 days later. Some animals were injected intraperitoneally with 20 mg prednisolone at 12 and 1 hr preirradiation. Radio-induced changes in skin in uninjected animals consisted of a decrease in the alkaline phosphatase activity in the sebaceous glands, which was more marked in the peripheral cells, as well as disruption of the cellular walls and decrease in the size of the glands. The changes started 48 hr after irradiation, reached their peak at 96 hr, and gradually subsided by 120 hr. The changes were similar but milder in steroid-treated guinea pigs. It was apparent that corticosteroids impart some protection against irradiation to the sebaceous glands. (H.H.D.)
Studies on protein synthesis by senescing and kinetin treated barley leaves.

Using sterile conditions, changes in total protein synthesis were followed. over an 8 day incubation period, in detached first seedling leaves of barley from 8 day old plants during senescence and after kinetin treatment. In senescing leaves, total 14C-alanine incorporation was enhanced by nearly 20% within 6 h of leaf detachment and by about 30 % after 24 h. Kinetin treatment stimulated protein synthesis even more, for total incorporation was promoted ca. 50 % after 6 h and by ca. 60 % after 24 h incubation. The leaf supernatant (30,000 ×g for 30 min) proteins were separated on DEAE-Sephadex (A-50) columns into approximately 14 fractions and changes in 14C labelling of these fractions were studied following leaf detachment and on incubation on water or kinetin for 6 days. In senescing leaves, 14C-incorporation into supernatant proteins was sustained, even as protein levels declined rapidly The varied stabilities of the different leaf proteins was suggested by the characteristically changing specific activities of the different protein fractions. Although kinetin greatly promoted incorporation into all protein fractions, no evidence was surmised of specific effects on individual leaf proteins. Studies of changes in total protein synthesis in attached senescing first seedling leaves taken from plants aged 7 to 27 days revealed a relatively small increase in 14C-incorporation. However, incorporation could be greatly increased in leaves up to 15 days old by detaching and preincubating such leaves for up to 2 days on water, prior to measurement. The promotion of 14C-incorporation into protcins follwing leaf excision could result from early changes in permeability and precursor pool size.
Fast optical metrology of the hard x-ray optics for the High Energy Focusing Telescope (HEFT)

We describe a fast figure metrology system designed for the several thousand mirror quadrants in the High Energy Focusing Telescope (HEFT) balloon experiment. HEFT's multilayer coated hard x-ray optics will have approximately 1 arcminute HEW and operate at 20-80 keV. The optics are a conical approximation to the Wolter I configuration. Our automated system can measure the axial figure error, in- phase and out-of-phase roundness errors of a mirror quadrant, and output their HEW contribution to the x-ray telescope. An optical laser scans a conical mirror in two cylindrical coordinate axes. A 2D position sensitive diode measures the reflected beam to approximately 4 arcseconds. The conical mirror can have >= 3 cm radius. We show the figure measurements of HEFT's aluminum foil and thermally formed glass substrates.
Site-specific ribonuclease activity of eukaryotic DNA topoisomerase I.

Abstract Type I topoisomerases alter DNA topology by cleaving and rejoining one strand of duplex DNA through a covalent protein–DNA intermediate. Here we show that vaccinia topoisomerase, a eukaryotic type IB enzyme, catalyzes site-specific endoribonucleolytic cleavage of an RNA-containing strand. The RNase reaction occurs via transesterification at the scissile ribonucleotide to form a covalent RNA-3′-phosphoryl-enzyme intermediate, which is then attacked by the vicinal 2′ OH of the ribose sugar to yield a free 2′, 3′ cyclic phosphate product. Introduction of a single ribonucleoside at the scissile phosphate of an otherwise all-DNA substrate suffices to convert the topoisomerase into an endonuclease. Human topoisomerase I also has endoribonuclease activity. These findings suggest potential roles for topoisomerases in RNA processing.
A prospective study of dietary lactose and ovarian cancer

The milk sugar lactose is an hypothesized risk factor for epithelial ovarian cancer because of possible direct toxic effects of its metabolites on oocytes or by compensatory gonadotropin stimulation. Women are presently encouraged to consume dairy products as a source of calcium to prevent osteoporosis. The objective of our study was to prospectively assess lactose, milk and milk product consumption in relation to ovarian cancer risk among 80326 participants in the Nurses' Health Study who had no history of cancer other than nonmelanoma skin cancer. Participants in the Nurses' Health Study reported on known and suspected ovarian cancer risk factors in questionnaires mailed biennially from 1976 to 1996. Food frequency questionnaires were included in the years 1980, 1984, 1986 and 1990. Newly reported ovarian cancer was documented by review of medical records. During 16 years of follow-up (1980-1996), 301 cases of invasive epithelial ovarian cancer were confirmed. Pooled logistic regression was used to control for age, body mass index (kg/m(2)), caffeine intake, oral contraceptive use, smoking history, parity and tubal ligation. For all subtypes of invasive ovarian cancer combined, we observed a nonsignificant 40% greater risk for women in the highest category of lactose consumption compared to the lowest (multivariate relative risk (RR) 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.98-2.01). We observed a 2-fold higher risk of the serous ovarian cancer subtype among those in the highest category of lactose consumption compared to the lowest (RR 2.07, 95% CI, 1.27-3.40). For each 11-gram increase in lactose consumption (the approximate amount in one glass of milk), we observed a 20% increase in risk of serous cancers (RR 1.20, 95% CI, 1.04-1.39). Skim and low-fat milk were the largest contributors to dietary lactose. Women who consumed one or more servings of skim or low-fat milk daily had a 32% higher risk of any ovarian cancer (RR 1.32, 95% CI, 0.97-1.82) and a 69% higher risk of serous ovarian cancer (RR 1.69, 95% CI, 1.12-2.56) compared to women consuming 3 or less servings monthly. Controlling for fat intake did not change our findings. Our findings provide some support for the hypothesis that lactose intake increases risk of epithelial ovarian cancer. However, the observed excess risk appeared limited to the serous subtype of ovarian cancer in our study.
Development of a Thermostable Microneedle Patch for Influenza Vaccination

The goal of this study is to develop thermostable microneedle patch formulations for influenza vaccine that can be partially or completely removed from the cold chain. During vaccine drying associated with microneedle patch manufacturing, ammonium acetate and 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) buffer salts stabilized influenza vaccine, surfactants had little effect during drying, drying temperature had weak effects on vaccine stability, and drying on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) led to increased stability compared with drying on stainless steel. A number of excipients, mostly polysaccharides and some amino acids, further stabilized the influenza vaccine during drying. Over longer time scales of storage, combinations of stabilizers preserved the most vaccine activity. Finally, dissolving microneedle patches formulated with arginine and calcium heptagluconate had no significant activity loss for all three strains of seasonal influenza vaccine during storage at room temperature for 6 months. We conclude that appropriately formulated microneedle patches can exhibit remarkable thermostability that could enable storage and distribution of influenza vaccine outside the cold chain.
Strain Phase Diagram and Domain Orientation in SrTiO 3 Thin Films

${\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}$ thin films were used as a model system to study the effects of strain and epitaxial constraint on structural phase transitions of perovskite films. The basic phenomena revealed will apply to a variety of important structural transitions including the ferroelectric transition. Highly strained ${\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}$ films were grown on different substrates, providing both compressive and tensile strain. The measured strain-temperature phase diagram is qualitatively consistent with theory; however, the increase in the phase transition temperature is much larger than predicted. Because of the epitaxial strain and substrate clamping, the ${\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}$ lattice is tetragonal at all temperatures. The phase transitions involve only changes in internal symmetry. The low temperature phase under tensile strain has a unique structure with orthorhombic $Cmcm$ space group but a tetragonal lattice, an interesting consequence of epitaxial constraint.
Shared care--is it worth it for the patient?

For any specialized medical service there is a fundamental tension between the demands for quality, access and sustainability, with affordability an ever more important factor. For cystic fibrosis (CF) services, patients ideally want their care from a high quality specialist CF centre, delivered on their door step with no limitation on the services provided. In practice this may be available only to those who live in close proximity to a CF centre, and the further a patient lives from a CF centre the more difficult it may be to offer optimal care. For patients who do not live close to a CF centre, compromises will have to be made between quality and access. The ideal should be to deliver specialized services as close as possible to the patient's home without compromising quality. Underpinning the construction of guidelines for specialized medical services is the belief that specialized care is better than non-specialized care, and that there is a minimum number of patients who need to be cared for within that service to maintain expertise. Although there is considerable evidence of such effects in adult specialities, there is less evidence in children's specialities. It is arguable that this is a reflection of the difficulty with outcome measures for paediatric practice compared to adult practice – mortality is frequently used in adult studies, but in the 21st century is applicable to few paediatric diseases. This review will assess the evidence for specialized services for adults and children, and specifically the evidence for specialist and shared care for adults and children with CF.
The Radio Jets and Accretion Disk in NGC 4261

The structure of active galactic nucleus (AGN) accretion disks on subparsec scales can be probed through free-free absorption of synchrotron emission from the base of symmetric radio jets. For objects in which both jet and counterjet are detectable with very long baseline interferometry (VLBI), the accretion disk will cover part of the counterjet and produce diminished brightness whose angular size and depth as a function of frequency can reveal the radial distribution of free electrons in the disk. The nearby (41 Mpc, independent of H0) FR I radio galaxy NGC 4261 contains a pair of symmetric kiloparsec-scale jets. On parsec scales, radio emission from the nucleus is strong enough for detailed imaging with VLBI. We present new Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) observations of NGC 4261 at 22 and 43 GHz, which we combine with previous observations at 1.6 and 8.4 GHz to map absorption caused by an inner accretion disk. The relative closeness of NGC 4261 combined with the high angular resolution provided by the VLBA at 43 GHz gives us a very high linear resolution, approximately 2 × 10-2 pc ≈ 4000 AU ≈ 400 Schwarzschild radii for a 5 × 108 M☉ black hole. The jets appear more symmetric at 1.6 GHz because of the low angular resolution available. The jets are also more symmetric at 22 and 43 GHz, presumably because the optical depth of free-free absorption is small at high frequencies. At 8.4 GHz, neither confusion effect is dominant and absorption of counterjet emission by the presumed disk is detectable. We find that the orientation of the radio jet axis is the same on parsec and kiloparsec scales, indicating that the spin axis of the inner accretion disk and black hole has remained unchanged for at least 106 (and more likely >107) yr. This suggests that a single merger event may be responsible for the supply of gas in the nucleus of NGC 4261. The jet opening angle is between 03 and 20° during the first 0.2 pc of the jet and must be less than 5° during the first 0.8 pc. Assuming that the accretion disk is geometrically and optically thin and composed of a uniform 104 K plasma, the average electron density in the inner 0.1 pc of the disk is 103-108 cm-3. The mass of ionized gas in the inner pc of the disk is 101-103 M☉, sufficient to power the radio source for ~104-106 yr. Equating thermal gas pressure and magnetic field strength gives a disk magnetic field of ~10-4 to 10-2 gauss at 0.1 pc. We include an appendix containing expressions for a simple, optically thin, gas-pressure-dominated accretion disk model that may be applicable to other galaxies in addition to NGC 4261.
Synthesizing R&D planning and business strategy: some preliminary findings

The need for firms to compete in the longer run by offering superior products at competitive prices requires better integration of R&D, and technology in general, into business strategy development. A survey based on personal interviews of 40 respondents from “Fortune 500” U. S. industrial firms reveals that their shift in emphasis toward new product/process R&D is providing the impetus for placing R&D in a strategic context. However, R&D has not been fully integrated into the strategic planning process of many organizations. The results of the survey reveal that certain communication channels can be more fully utilized to meld R&D planning into business strategy. Specific suggestions to facilitate information exchange, dissemination of planning data, and integration of various R&D plans into a cohesive technology strategy are given.
An efficient, sequence-specific method for crosslinking complementary oligonucleotides using binuclear platinum complexes

The binuclear PtII complexes [(trans-Pt(NH3)2Cl)2 (NH2(CH2)nNH2)]Cl2 (n = 4, 5 or 6), crosslink oligodeoxynucleotide-5'-phosphorothioates rapidly, specifically and efficiently to complementary single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide targets. In the case that we investigated in detail, the most abundant crosslink is formed to the G residue complementary to the 5'-terminal C residue of the phosphorothioate. Less efficient crosslinking occurs to many other residues of the target. The same PtII complexes also bring about crosslinking efficiently to the polypurine tract in triple-helical DNA.
Optimal Low-Earth-Orbit-Geostationary-Earth-Orbit Intermediate Acceleration Orbit Transfer

The problem of minimum-time orbit transfer using intermediate acceleration is analyzed using both precision integrationand averaging. Continuousconstantaccelerationsoftheorderof10 i 2 gareconsideredforapplications using nuclear propulsion upper stages. The acceleration vector is optimized in direction with its magnitude held constant throughout the e ight. These trajectories that circle the Earth for only a few orbits before reaching geostationary Earth orbit are shown to be sensitive to departure and arrival points, necessitating the use of the full six-state dynamics for satisfactory and meaningful results. The D V losses with respect to very low-acceleration transfers are shown to be small.
Clutter rejection technique for FLIR imagery using region-based principal component analysis

The preprocessing or detection stage of an automatic target recognition system extracts areas containing potential targets from a battlefield scene. These potential target images are then sent to the classification stage to determine the identity of the targets. It is highly desirable at the preprocessing stage to minimize incorrect rejection rate. This, however, results in a high false alarm rate. In this paper, we present a new technique to reject false alarms (clutter images) produced by the preprocessing stage. Our technique, region-based principal component analysis (PCA), uses topological features of the targets to reject false alarms. A potential target is divided into several regions and a PCA is performed on each region to extract regional feature vectors. We propose to use regional feature vectors of arbitrary shapes and dimensions that are optimized for the topology of a target in a particular region. These regional feature vectors are then used by a two-class classifier based on the learning vector quantization to decide whether a potential target is a false alarm or a real target.
Interaction of potassium with the form and amount of nitrogen nutrition on growth and nitrogen uptake of maize

Abstract Although a mixture of NO3‐N and NH4‐N improves the growth of maize plants over that with NO3‐N or NH4‐N alone, the ratio required for maximum growth remains unclear. Maize hybrid B73 × MoI7 was grown in vermiculite at 25°C in a controlled climate room with a 16‐h photoperiod at 280 μE/sec/m2 to evaluate effects of the form and amount of N, and the N/K ratio on the growth of seedlings. The proportion of NH4‐N in the mixture required for maximum growth varied according to the total amount of N in the medium. Under low N conditions, seedlings grew faster with a higher proportion of N in the NH4 form while a greater proportion of NO3‐N was advantageous at high N conditions. When seedlings were grown under NH4‐N as the sole N source, high K levels promoted root growth, and dry matter and N accumulation in the shoot.
Cost Estimation for Model-Driven Interoperability: A Canonical Data Modeling Approach

Canonical data modeling (CDM) is a method for reducing the total cost of integrating information systems. CDM enhances model-driven development (MDD) by making explicit situations in which data components are being reused (i.e., shared across systems). In this paper, we present cost models for data modeling and data integration, with and without CDM. We then demonstrate how to use those cost models (during project planning) to determine if CDM is a good fit for an enterprise. Next, we provide the first empirical estimates of the costs associated with data component creation, reuse, and integration in an MDD environment. We conclude with technical lessons learned performing CDM for our government clients.
The Role of Nitrogen-Induced Localization and Defects in InGaAsN (2% N): Comparison of InGaAsN Grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy and Metal-Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition

Nitrogen vibrational mode spectra, Hall mobilities, and minority carrier diffusion lengths are examined for InGaAsN (≈ 1.1 eV bandgap) grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). Independent of growth technique, annealing promotes the formation of In-N bonding, and lateral carrier transport is limited by large scale (Ęmean free path ) material inhomogeneities. Comparing solar cell quantum efficiencies for devices grown by MBE and MOCVD, we find significant electron diffusion in the MBE material (reversed from the hole diffusion occurring in MOCVD material), and minority carrier diffusion in InGaAsN cannot be explained by a “universal”, nitrogen-related defect.
Multiple Excited States in a Two-State Crossing Model: Predicting Barrier Height Evolution for H + Alkene Addition Reactions

In order to identify the underlying factors determining barrier heights when hydrogen atoms add to alkenes, we present a theoretical framework isolating the fundamental quantum-chemical properties involved and enabling evaluation of the relative influence of each property. This approach describes the control of these barriers and motivates a series of experimental measurements as a rigorous test. A two-state avoided curve crossing model provides the essential description, but only when multiple excited states are combined to yield a mixed state of dual covalent-ionic character. We show that variations in mixed-state energy drive the evolution in barrier heights, and that by selecting a set of test reactions with diverse energetic and overlap interactions, one may discover which of several excited states dominates this evolution. Results from the experimental test show conclusively that it is variation in the lowest ionic-state energy, and not variations in either singlet-triplet splitting or reaction enthalpy that drive barrier height evolution over the series of H + alkene addition reactions. Combining this result with our earlier results for H-atom abstraction reactions, we have demonstrated that barrier heights of essentially all radical -molecule reactions with electrophilic radicals are controlled by the excited ionic states formed by the transfer of an electron from the molecule to the radical.
Manifestations of Coronary Disease Predisposing to Stroke: The Framingham Study

The relation of coronary heart disease to development of strokes in general and brain infarction in particular has been examined prospectively over 24 years of follow-up in the Framingham Study cohort. In the course of 24 years of biennial surveillance, there were 169 strokes in men and 175 in women aged 45–84; brain infarctions occurred in 100 men and 107 women, comprising 60% of strokes. Routine ECG’s chest X-rays coronary heart disease and cardiac failure status were ascertained biennially on regular examinations and risk of strokes determined in relation to these. Age and other stroke risk factors (including blood pressure, diabetes cigarettes and lipids were also routinely measured and were taken into account in multivariate analysis of the net and joint effects of CHD manifestations as precursors of strokes. The incidence of stroke was lower and stroke occurred later in life than coronary heart disease. Stroke incidence in men lagged that of myocardial infarction by more than 10 years. In women, the incidence of brain and myocardial infarction was similar. In men the average annual incidence of myocardial infarction (8.5/1000) was three times that for brain infarction (2.7/1000).1
Perceptual space in the dark affected by the intrinsic bias of the visual system.

Correct judgment of egocentric/absolute distance in the intermediate distance range requires both the angular declination below the horizon and ground-surface information being represented accurate...
Prospects for detecting dark matter with GLAST in light of the WMAP haze

Observations by the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) experiment have identified an excess of microwave emission from the center of the Milky Way. It has previously been shown that this ``WMAP haze'' could be synchrotron emission from relativistic electrons and positrons produced in the annihilations of dark matter particles. In particular, the intensity, spectrum, and angular distribution of the WMAP haze is consistent with an electroweak scale dark matter particle (such as a supersymmetric neutralino or Kaluza-Klein dark matter in models with universal extra dimensions) annihilating with a cross section on the order of $\ensuremath{\sigma}v\ensuremath{\sim}3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}26}\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{cm}}^{3}/\mathrm{s}$ and distributed with a cusped halo profile. No further exotic astrophysical or annihilation boost factors are required. If dark matter annihilations are in fact responsible for the observed haze, then other annihilation products will also be produced, including gamma rays. In this article, we study the prospects for the GLAST satellite to detect gamma rays from dark matter annihilations in the Galactic Center region in this scenario. We find that by studying only the inner 0.1\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} around the Galactic Center, GLAST will be able to detect dark matter annihilating to heavy quarks, gauge bosons, or tau leptons over astrophysical backgrounds with $5\ensuremath{\sigma}$ ($3\ensuremath{\sigma}$) significance if they are lighter than approximately 320--500 GeV (500--750 GeV). If the angular window is broadened to study the dark matter halo profile's angular extension (while simultaneously reducing the astrophysical backgrounds), weakly interacting, massive particles (WIMPs) as heavy as several TeV can be identified by GLAST with high significance. Only if the dark matter particles annihilate mostly to electrons or muons will GLAST be unable to identify the gamma ray spectrum associated with the WMAP haze.
William of Ockham on Metaphysics

Jenny E. Pelletier: William of Ockham on Metaphysics. Studien und Texte zur Geistesgeschichte des Mittelalters, vol. 109. Leiden: Brill, 2012, pp. 352. €131 (hb). ISBN 978-9-004-23015-6. Ockham is ...
Factoring Algorithms for Computing K-Terminal Network Reliability

Let GK denote a graph G whose edges can fail and with a set K ? V specified. Edge failures are independent and have known probabilities. The K-terminal reliability of GK, R(GK), is the probability that all vertices in K are connected by working edges. A factoring algorithm for computing network reliability recursively applies the formula R(GK) = piR(GK * ei) + qiR(GK - ei) where GK * ei is GK, with edge ei contracted, GK - ei is GK with ei deleted and pi ? 1 - qi is the reliability of edge ei. Various reliability-preserving reductions can be performed after each factoring operation in order to reduce computation. A unified framework is provided for complexity analysis and for determining optimal factoring strategies. Recent results are reviewed and extended within this framework.
Cell adhesion and locomotion on microwell-structured glass substrates.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of microstructured material surface on cell adhesion and locomotion in real-time. ArF excimer laser direct-writing ablation was used to fabricate microwell patterns with precise control of size and spacing on glass. The influence of the ablation process parameters (laser fluence, pulse number and repetition rate) on the micromachining quality (depth, width, aspect ratio and edge effects) of the microwells was established. Human fibroblast cells, as an example of anchorage-dependent cells, were seeded onto the microstructured glass substrate and time-lapse microscopy was used to study cell adhesion and locomotion. The interaction with microstructured materials resulted in fibroblast cell repulsion and the cells exhibited a higher locomotion speed (75.77 ± 3.36 μm/h) on the structures in comparison with plane glass control (54.01 ± 15.53 μm/h). Further studies are needed to firmly establish the potential of microstructuring, for example, in elongating the life spans of implantable devices.
Variation in skin surface lipid composition among the Equidae.

Abstract 1. 1. Skin surface lipidsfrrom Equus caballus, E. przewalskii, E. asinus, E. grevyi, E. hemionus onager and a mule (E. asinus/E. caballus) were analyzed in detail. 2. 2. In all species the surface lipid mixtures consisted of giant-ring lactones, cholesterol, cholesteryl esters and minor amounts of wax diesters. 3. 3. In E. caballus, the lactone hydroxyacids were entirely branched chained, while in E. asinus and E. grevyi they were almost exclusively straight chained. In E. przewalskii, the onager and the mule there were both straight and branched chain hydroxyacid lactones. 4. 4. These results are in harmony with published interpretations of the evolutionary relationships among Equus species.
Radio Brightness Contours of 3C273

PREVIOUS observations of the radio source 3C273 by the method of lunar occultations have shown that it consists of two separate components the positions of which were determined with an accuracy of 1 arc sec1. Component A coincides closely with a jet-like nebulosity and component B with a nearby object of stellar appearance2. This communication presents a contour map of the source, constructed from the analysis of five complete occultations.
Dermatológical findings in capacitor manufacturing workers exposed to dielectric fluids containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Significant occupational exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may occur in the manufacturing of capacitors and transformers, in which PCBs are used as electrical insulators. Reports of adverse health effects resulting from PCB exposure have come primarily from an incident resulting from the accidental ingestion of contaminated rice oil in Japan in 1968 ("yusho"). Dermatological findings were prominent features and included pigmentation disturbances and chloracne. To evaluate the dermatological effects of long-term occupational exposure to PCBs, a cross-sectional clinical survey was conducted of 326 capacitor manufacturing workers. A high prevalence (37%) of dermatological abnormalities was found, but typical PCB-associated signs, such as chloracne, were less frequent than among patients with "yusho," despite high concentrations of plasma PCB. As association between dermatological signs and plasma levels of higher homologues of PCBs was suggested, but contaminants which have been reported to be present in commercial PCB mixtures (polychlorinated dibenzofurans) should be considered an etiologic factor or co-factor in the development of "PCB-associated" dermatological findings.