cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scoping assessments of ATF impact on late-stage accident progression including molten core-concrete interaction

Abstract Simple scoping models that can be used to evaluate ATF performance under severe accident conditions have been developed. The methodology provides a fundamental technical basis (a.k.a. metric) based on the thermodynamic boundary for evaluating performance relative to that of traditional Zr-based claddings. The initial focus in this study was on UO 2 fuel with the advanced claddings 310 SS, D9, FeCrAl, and SiC. The evaluation considered only energy release with concurrent combustible gas production from fuel–cladding–coolant interactions and, separately, molten core–concrete interactions at high temperatures. Other important phenomenological effects that can influence the rate and extent of cladding decomposition (e.g., eutectic interactions, degradation of other core constituents) were not addressed. For the cladding types addressed, potential combustible gas production under both in-vessel and ex-vessel conditions was similar to that for Zr. However, exothermic energy release from cladding oxidation was substantially less for iron-based alloys (by at least a factor of 4), and modestly less (by ∼20%) for SiC. Data on SiC-clad UO 2 fuel performance under severe accident conditions are sparse in the literature; thus, assumptions on the nature of the cladding decomposition process were made in order to perform this initial screening evaluation. Experimental data for this system under severe accident conditions is needed for a proper evaluation and comparison to iron-based claddings.
Melt-vapor solubilities and elemental partitioning in peraluminous granite-pegmatite systems: experimental results with Macusani glass at 200 MPa

Vapor-saturated experiments at 200 MPa with peraluminous, lithophile-element-rich rhyolite obsidian from Macusani, Peru, reveal high miscibility of H2O and silicate melt components. The H2O content of melt at saturation (11.5+-0.5 wt.%) is almost twice that predicted by existing melt speciation models. The corresponding solubility of melt components in vapor decreases from 15 wt.% dissolved solids (750°–775° C) to 9 wt.% at 600° C. With regard to major and most minor components, macusanite melt dissolves congruently in vapor. Among the elements studied (B, P, F, Li, Rb, Cs, Be, Sr, Ba, Nb, Zr, Hf, Y, Pb, Th, U, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, and Tm), only boron has a vapor/melt partition coefficient (D[B]) consistently ≥1 at superliquidus temperatures (>645° C). Phosphorus and fluorine behave similarly, with D[P] and D[F]<0.5. Little or no significant vapor/melt fractionation is evident among most periodic groups (alkalis, alkaline earths, Zr/Hf, or the REE). The temperature dependence of vapor/melt partition coefficients is generally greatest for cations with charge ≥ +3 (except Nb and U); most vapor/melt partition coefficients for trace elements increase with decreasing temperature to the liquidus. Crystallization proceeds by condensation of crystalline phases from vapor; most coexisting melts are aphyric. Changes in the major element content of melt are dominated by the mineral assemblage crystallized from vapor, which includes subequal proportions of white mica, quartz, albite, and orthoclase. The volumetric proportion of (mica + or-thoclase)/albite increases slightly with decreasing T, creating a sodic, alkaline vapor. Vapor deposition of topaz (T≤500° C), which consumes F from melt, returns K/Na ratios of melt to near unity with the vapor-deposition of albite. The abundances of most trace elements in residual melt change little with the crystallization of major phases, but in some cases are strongly controlled by the deposition of accessory phases including apatite (T≤550° C), which depletes the melt in P and REE. Below the liquidus, boron increasingly favors the vapor over melt with decreasing temperatures.
Inhibition of lysosomal cysteine proteases by a series of Au(I) complexes: A detailed mechanistic investigation

Complexes of gold(I) have long been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis although the precise biological targets of gold are not well understood. One intriguing therapeutic target of Au(I) is the cathepsin family of lysosomal cysteine proteases. Here, we present the inhibition of cathepsin B by a known Au(I)-based drug and a series of derivatives. The complexes investigated were reversible, competitive inhibitors with IC50 values ranging from 0.3 to 250 μM, depending on the substituents around the Au(I).
Thermopower of thin iron films

Abstract Thin iron films were prepared by evaporation in a high vacuum system (pressure in the 10 −5 MPa range). The thermopower was measured in situ near room temperature as a function of film thickness. Iron films with rather high resistivity values showed a strong thickness effect of the Seeback coefficient, S , with the difference between S (bulk) and S (film) reaching values of up to (19±3) μV/K for a sample 5 nm thick. The difference between S (bulk) and S (film) decreased with increasing d values. However, a sample with a resistance value of 50 μΩ cm at d = 5 n had an S value which differed by less than 3 μV/K from S (bulk).
Gas chromatographic determination of polyols and aldoses in human urine as polyacetates and aldononitrile polyacetates.

Thirty urinary collections from female and male neonates, juveniles, and adults have been analyzed by a new gas chromatographic (GC) method. Sixty meter high resolution open tubular glass capillary columns with a coating containing a dispersion of small particles of silanized silicic acid (Silanox) in SE-30 liquid phase were employed. Seventeen urinary polyols and aldoses were quantified through use of an internal reference compound and detector response factors. The components were analyzed as polyacetyl esters (from the polyols) and poly-O-acetylaldonic nitriles (from the aldoses).
The Organization of Professional Expertise in the European Commission

What kind of professional experts dominate within the European Commission—lawyers, economists or others? Driven by the notion that the role of professional experts is shaped by organizational features, the article examines how different kinds of expertise are inscribed in the Commission’s recruitment system and organizational structure. The analysis shows that while economics may have overtaken law as the most common educational background in the Commission, neither the recruitment system nor the departmental structure appears to encourage the development of economic expertise. The proportion of staff hired through economics competitions has dropped markedly, and there are few specialized units for economic analysis in the organization. More generally, the Commission’s hiring policies and organizational hierarchy do not seem conducive to strong expert roles. The picture that emerges is that of an organization where expert knowledge is neither tied to a particular profession nor firmly rooted in the departmental structure.
Impact of a third stage of labor oxytocin protocol on cesarean delivery outcomes.

Abstract Background There are currently no standard recommendations regarding the dose, rate, or duration of intravenous oxytocin administration for the active management of the third stage of labor in the USA. In 2008, we initiated a standardized postpartum oxytocin protocol for active management of the third stage of labor. In cesarean deliveries, upon clamping of the umbilical cord, an oxytocin infusion of 18U/h was started and adjusted upward if there was ongoing uterine atony. The aim of this study was to compare intraoperative data on oxytocin dose, estimated blood loss, supplemental uterotonic use and vasopressor use before and after the implementation of this protocol. We hypothesized that implementation of the protocol would result in lower intraoperative oxytocin doses without increasing estimated blood loss. Methods In this retrospective study, patient characteristics, estimated blood loss, vasopressor administration, and supplemental uterotonic use during two time periods were compared: the two-month interval before initiation of the oxytocin protocol and the two-month interval after initiation. Data were compared using the chi-squared test, t-test, or Mann-Whitney U test as appropriate. P Results Data for 901 deliveries were analyzed. The amount of intraoperative oxytocin administered decreased after implementation of the protocol (median difference 8.4U, 95% CI 7.4 to 9.4). Although there was an increase in estimated blood loss, there were no differences in the percentage of patients experiencing intraoperative blood loss >1000mL or the need for additional uterotonic mediations between the two time periods. Conclusions We found that the use of an oxytocin management protocol reduced the amount of intraoperative oxytocin administered without increasing the rate of postpartum hemorrhage or the need for additional uterotonics. Clinicians may consider using a rate of 18U/h as a starting point for administration of oxytocin to achieve adequate uterine tone in healthy parturients for prevention of postpartum hemorrhage.
Burrowing as a means of survival in the troglobitic amphipod crustacean crangonyx antennatus packard (crangonyctidae)

The troglobitic amphipod crustacean Crangonyx antennatus occupies mud-bottom pools and small, gravel-bottom streams in caves in the southern Appalachians. One large, mud-bottom pool population in Lee Co., Virginia was observed periodically from 1967 to 1975. Amphipods in this population frequently burrowed into the soft mud substrate, where they were able to survive desiccation during periods when the pool dried up. Animals kept in the laboratory also burrowed and survived desiccation during an experiment which simulated drought conditions similar to those observed in caves. Amphipods collected from both pool and stream habitats burrowed, thereby indicating that stream-adapted populations of this species still retain sufficient flexibility to survive under variable environmental conditions that might be encountered in nature. It is concluded that burrowing provides a means of survival for C. antennatus when it is sometimes exposed to drought conditions in cave pool habitats and also provides protection from potential terrestrial predators under similar conditions. Burrowing also offers amphipods protection from aquatic predators (such as salamander larvae) during normal water levels and possibly allows juveniles a means of escaping cannibalism by adults.
Pancreatic rest resection using band ligation snare polypectomy.

Background Although pancreatic rests have characteristic endoscopic features, confirming a histological diagnosis may be desirable to exclude other significant pathology.
Deconvolution as a novel approach to analyze moment-to-moment free fatty acid release.

Objective: Recent studies have shown that free fatty acid (FFA) release is pulsatile and that this pattern is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system. It is, then, necessary to understand and characterize adipose tissue lipolysis to elucidate its effect on metabolism. In this study, we introduce deconvolution as a method to detect and quantify pulsatile FFA release. Research Methods and Procedures: Octanoate, a medium-chain fatty acid, was infused in male mongrel dogs (n = 7) to mimic the pulsatile appearance of plasma FFAs. Deconvolution analysis was used to reconstruct the number and timing of infused octanoate pulses from plasma FFA concentrations. Results: Deconvolution analysis was able to reconstruct the exogenously infused pulses of octanoate used to mimic pulsatile appearance of FFAs (pulse frequency, 8 per hour; interpulse interval, 7 minutes). However, determination of pulse mass was less accurate (1.0 ± 0.0 vs. 0.54 ± 0.1 mM). The addition of varying levels of Gaussian noise to non-oscillatory FFA time series did not lead to detection of extraneous FFA pulses. However, goodness of fit declined with increasing variability. Discussion: These results support the use of deconvolution as an accurate approach to determine the temporal sequence of endogenous FFA release.
Negative-temperature coefficients of electrical resistivity in amorphous La-based alloys

A negative-temperature coefficient ($\ensuremath{\alpha}=\frac{{\ensuremath{\rho}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}d\ensuremath{\rho}}{\mathrm{dT}}$) of electrical resistivity, $\ensuremath{\rho}(T)$, has been observed in many amorphous and disordered metallic conductors. The origin of this anomalous temperature dependence of resistivity is still unclear. To explain the negative-$\ensuremath{\alpha}$ anomaly, there are two theoretical approaches (i.e., the Ziman-type theory and the structural Kondo model) currently discussed in the literature. In an attempt to distinguish between these two approaches the resistivity of several liquid-quenched amorphous La-based alloy systems containing Al, Au, Ga, or Ge, has been analyzed as a function of composition and temperature. It is concluded that the resistivity data are inconsistent with the Ziman-type theory and are in favor of the structural Kondo-type model. This conclusion is based on the fact that (1) resistivity varies as $\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{ln}T$ ($T\ensuremath{\gtrsim}100$ K) in alloys with negative $\ensuremath{\alpha}$, and (2) the occurrence of negative $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ is independent of the valence of the La-based alloys.
Radioimmunoassay of Reverse Triiodothyronine

rT3 RIA standard curves were generated using rT3 standards from various sources. The rT3 antiserum and the method of free and bound hormone separation used were the same in all assays. The slopes of rT3 RIA curves differed considerably; standard curves generated with Henning (Berlin) rT3 standard had the steepest slope. Because of the differences in slopes of standard curves, bound to free estimates, when extrapolated from standard curves generated with various rT3 standards, resulted in 2- to 3-fold differences in rT3 assay values in the same sera. Circulating rT3 concentration in human sera was 20 ng/100 ml when Henning rT3 standard was used in the assay, whereas with Jorgensen's rT3 standard, a value of 42 ng/100 ml was noted. As the rT3 antiserum and assay conditions used were identical in all comparisons (except rT3 standards), the 2- to 3-fold differences in rT3 values noted in the same sera suggested variability in potency of rT3 standards. The differences in rT3 values in the same sera (resulting ...
Queue Time Sensitivity Analysis Methodology

Queue time (QT) between consecutive process-steps is one of the factors affecting the quality of current products in semiconductors industry. Identification of process steps with queue time sensitivity is not an easy and quick analysis, and it requires a high number of lots. An effective tool for a quick identification of sensitivity of a specific operation to a queue time was developed at Micron Israel and it is applied on production material. The algorithm calculates the average absolute delta of responses between consecutive step QTs, where a minimal value is accepted in steps with a linear correlation between the QT and the response. This calculation results in a snap-shot of the impact of QT for specific responses, or failures modes, for the entire production line, where the step with minimal value of this parameter is easily detected. This algorithm was used on production material and indeed helped to detect a new QT dependency in specific process steps. The Queue Time Sensitivity Analysis (QTSA) algorithm is a novel methodology to detect correlation of QT in a single process step to a certain electrical EOL failure. It can be easily implemented in a fabrication site by the IT team. QTSA methodology is very efficient in detecting QT related issues and it can be used both in routine mode on baseline material and during significant elevation in EOL or in-line failures.
The influence of imaging on the trauma surgeon's initial evaluation of seriously injured patients.

s s s i s he perspective of a trauma surgeon will be presented in this article. Many providers are involved in the care of eriously injured patients in the emergency department (ED). rauma surgeons lead the transition from initial evaluation to efinitive care. Patients with multiple injuries are evaluated nd treated in a prescribed sequence. The surgeon manages wo concurrent tasks during the initial evaluation: identify all njuries, and implement therapies needed to save the paient’s life and preserve organs. Imaging in the ED influences he trauma surgeons’ decisions. The reasoning when orderng and interpreting radiographs and ultrasound imaging will e presented in this article. This review will focus on the 15% f trauma patients who are most severely injured. Patients ho have sustained a blunt mechanism of injury will be rimarily discussed. Only events during the initial evaluation ill be reviewed. During the work-up of a seriously injured patient, trauma urgeons follow a two-step paradigm. The first task is to dentify and treat immediately life-threatening problems. The BCs, airway, breathing, and circulation, are the areas of nterest during this initial phase. It is not until this initial urvey is completed that trauma surgeons move to the second hase, in which a comprehensive examination is performed from head to toe” with the purpose of preparing a list of the atient’s injuries. Radiographs are ordered within the orgaizational scheme of these two phases. In an unstable patient, adiographs ordered within minutes of the patient’s ED arival provide the surgeon information that guides decisions egarding lifesaving treatment. Radiographs during the secnd phase are in many cases obtained to “rule out” an injury hat the surgeon, based on physical examination, has a low uspicion of being present. By the completion of the initial valuation, the trauma team has begun treatment for all lifehreatening problems and has a list, in order of priority, of the atient’s injuries. Trauma surgeons rely on radiographs to be both sensitive
Relations between El Nino/Southern Oscillation anomalies and wildland fire activity in the United States

Abstract The 1982–1983 El Nino resulted in climatic anomalies on a global scale, including record high wildland fire activity in Indonesia and record low activity in the United States. This paper describes the El Nino/Southern Oscillation phenomena and possible teleconnections to United States weather. Because precursors of an El Nino may be evident several months before the onset of an event, the phenomena has potential for long-range fire activity predictions. Using 53 years of data, we tested the hypothesis that El Nino events affect annual fire occurrence and area burned in the United States. We found a statistically significant relation between El Nino events and decreased fire activity in the South. Results for the North-Central and Eastern states are weak or inconsistent. There is no evidence for any relation with the Pacific Coast or Rocky Mountain states. Despite the coarse, exploratory nature of this study, the results are sufficiently encouraging to warrant more detailed examination.
Violent backgrounds of economically disadvantaged youth: Risk factors for perpetrating violence?

Adolescent Job Corps residents (n=474) reported the violence they had experienced, witnessed, and perpetrated with regards to parents, siblings, friends, and strangers. Results indicated that there was a high prevalence of all types of violence in this atrisk adolescent sample. Moreover, the majority of adolescents who reported violent experiences indicated threat or use of a weapon was involved. Gender differences were obtained such that boys reported perpetrating more aggression against friends and strangers than girls. Girls reported witnessing more parental aggression than boys. No gender differences in parental victimization rates were obtained. Contrary to prediction, parental victimization did not significantly predict perpetration towards siblings, friends, or strangers for either gender. However, parental victimization did predict increased violence towards parents. Surprisingly, for females especially, witnessing parental violence reduced the likelihood of violence towards parents. These findings support the need to include conflict resolution skills as a component of Job Corps training.
1 Z expansion study of the ( 1 s ) 2 2 s S 2 and ( 1 s ) 2 2 p P 2 states of the lithium isoelectronic sequence

A $\frac{1}{Z}$ expansion method is used to calculate the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions for the ${(1s)}^{2}2s^{2}S$ and ${(1s)}^{2}2p^{2}P$ states of the lithium isoelectronic sequence. The dipole-length and dipole-velocity forms of the oscillator strengths for the $2s\ensuremath{-}2p$ resonance transitions are compared with the results of direct variational calculations for individual values of the nuclear charge $Z$. It is explicitly demonstrated that the length formulation of the dipole matrix element is more accurate than the velocity formulation for the $2s\ensuremath{-}2p$ transitions.
Call–English as a Second Language

CALL for English as a second language1 is an interdisciplinary area of inquiry which has been influenced primarily by educational technology (Reiser, 1987) but also by fields such as computational linguistics2 and recently by applied linguistics as well. These related fields contribute diverse epistemologies which shape CALL research questions and methods. The diversity in CALL research can also be explained in party be the current variety of approaches to CALL development and use. Through the 1970s and early 1980s, pedagogical objectives in CALL were focused primarily, although not exclusively, on improving specified areas of learner's grammatical knowledge through approaches borrowed from educational technology (Hart 1981, Hope, Taylor and Pusack 1984, Wyatt 1984). Today, in contrast, CALL is used for a variety of pedagogical objectives through many different types of software such as microworlds (Coleman 1985, Papert 1980), grammar checkers (Hull, Ball, Fox, Levin and McCutchen 1987), pronunciation feedback systems (Anderson-Hseih 1994, Pennington 1991), intelligent tutoring systems (Chanier, Pengelly, Twidale and Self 1992), concordancer programs (Johns 1986, Tribble and Jones 1990), word processing (Pennington 1993), and software for computer-mediated communication (Kaye 1992). These diverse approaches to CALL are predicated on different beliefs about teaching and learning (Higgins 1995, Kenning and Kenning 1990, Sanders and Kenner 1983, Stevens 1992). Rather than reviewing these “CALL philosophies,” this article will focus on the evolution of research traditions dedicated to the empirical study of CALL use for ESL. Accordingly, the term CALL research is employed to refer to empirical research on the use of CALL.
Evidence that myocardial pertussis toxin substrates are uniquely altered in acute murine Chagas' disease in a manner unrelated to myocardial dysfunction.

Abstract In an effort to correlate biochemical characteristics of the β-adrenergic receptor complex with myocardial function, mouse myocardial GTP-binding proteins, specifically substrates for pertussis toxin (PT), were analysed with regard to the influence of infection with Trypanosoma cruzi , the causative agent of Chagas' cardiomyopathy. Infection was found to decrease in a non-uniform manner the magnitude of ADP-ribosylation in the PT substrates. High detergent concentrations attenuated the infection-associated decrease in PT-dependent ADP-ribosylation. Infection also altered the kinetics of the PT-dependent ADP-ribosylation reaction from a time course wherein maximal PT-dependent ADP-ribosylation occurred after 12 h incubation in control animals to one in which maximal PT-dependent ADP-ribosylation occurred after 3 h incubation and thereafter declined. Immunochemical analysis of the PT-substrates revealed an infection-associated decrease in α i1 , αo, an increase in α i2 and no change in α i3 . Verapamil treatment, which prevents the clinical consequences of infection, did not influence any of the infection-associated changes in PT-dependent ADP-ribosylation of GTP-binding protein substrates or their immunochemical properties. Complementary studies using isolated rat neonatal cardiocytes infected with the parasite further substantiated the finding that the infection-associated decrease in PT-dependent ADP-ribosylation and the associated change in the kinetics of the reaction were properties uniquely associated with the presence of the parasite.
Transforming still images

TRANSFORMING MULTIPLE STILL IMAGES of a scene into seamless interactive 360 panoramic movies and “super-wide” angle panorama still pictures is now part of the toolbox of most Web page developers. With Spin Panorama 2.0, an inexpensive software package, anyone can create high impact panoramic images in four easy steps. This article covers the basic photographic steps involved and reviews the functionality of Spin Panorama in making a panorama. Panning the QuickTime panorama creates the sensation of spinning around in a virtual environment.
Hormonally-stimulated chloride transport in the eastern lubber grasshopper, Romalea microptera

Short-circuited recta of the lubber grasshopper show an initial rapid decline in the short-circuit current (Isc) over the first 60–90 min in vitro. This is followed by a pseudo steady state during which Isc declines slowly and steadily until a true steady state is reached after 4 h. Isc can be stimulated 4–6 fold by the addition of homogenates of corpora cardiaca (CC) or cAMP to the hemocoel-side of the preparations. This increase in Isc is accompanied by an increase in transepithelial electropotential difference and a large drop in transepithelial resistance. Tracer studies reveal that the initial decline in Isc and its subsequent restoration to high levels is almost entirely due to changes in the active uptake of chloride from the lumen-side (JH). Recta maintained in vitro show a graded response to increasing doses of CC homogenates with the threshold occurring near 0.002 gland pair. In all respects these results are qualitatively and quantitatively comparable to those previously reported for the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria. This represents the first unequivocal demonstration of hormonally-stimulated chloride transport in an insect other than Schistocerca, and suggests that this may represent a widespread mechanism for ionic homeostasis in insects. These experiments further lay the groundwork for attempts to purify both the hormone and the chloride translocator.
Properties of the K * ( 890 ) and K * ( 1420 ) in K − p Interactions at 3.9 and 4.6 GeV/ c

Results are presented on the production and decay properties of the $K(890)$ and $K(1420)$ mesons as observed in ${K}^{\ensuremath{-}}p$ interactions at 3.9 and 4.6 GeV/c. In addition, data on the elastic and charge-exchange reactions are also included. Total and differential cross sections, density-matrix elements, and $S\ensuremath{-}P$-wave interference effects are discussed in detail for both neutral and charged modes of the $K(890)$. A measurement of the mass difference and comparison between the production properties of these two modes are presented. The mass and width parameters of the $K(1420)$ meson and the possibility of the presence of more than one resonance in the 1400-MeV mass region are investigated. Branching ratios, total and differential cross sections, and a spin-parity determination are discussed.
An 8-Gb/s simultaneous bidirectional link with on-die waveform capture

A full-duplex transceiver capable of 8-Gb/s data rates is implemented in 0.18-/spl mu/m CMOS. This equalized transceiver has been optimized for small area (329 /spl mu/m /spl times/ 395 /spl mu/m) and low power (158 mW) for point-to-point parallel links. Source-synchronous clocking and per-pin skew compensation eliminate coding bandwidth overhead and reduce latency, jitter, and complexity. This link is self-configuring through the use of automatic comparator offset trim and adaptive deskew. Comprehensive diagnostic capabilities have been integrated into the transceiver to provide link, interconnect, and circuit characterization without the use of external test equipment. With a resolution of 4 mV and 9 ps, these capabilities enable on-die eye diagram generation, equivalent time waveform capture, noise characterization, and jitter distribution measurements.
Innovative self-aligned triple patterning for 1x half pitch using single "spacer deposition-spacer etch" step

We successfully demonstrate a new approach to achieve 15nm half pitch with a spacer based selfaligned triple patterning (SATP). This new concept has a single spacer deposition and etch step to achieve 15nm half pitch using immersion lithography. Current spacer based triple or quadruple patterning approaches use two iterations of "spacer deposition / spacer etch" for pitch splitting, thus generating multi-modal trench CD, line CD and, trench depth population leading to challenging process control. The new concept overcomes CD population issues and reduces additional steps over implemented double patterning, thus could relax process window. The key innovative aspect is an undercut dry trim achieved by a selective dry etch process, followed by a flowable CVD (EternaTM FCVDTM) based gap-fill that can fill the undercut structures.
Framework for a Comparative Environmental Assessment of Drilling Fluids Used Offshore

In response to effluent limitation guidelines promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, industry has developed alternatives to the water and oil-based drilling fluids used offshore. These synthetic-based muds (SBMs), enhanced mineral oils (EMOs) and purified paraffin oils have lower toxicity and smaller environmental impacts than diesel or conventional mineral oil-based muds (OBMs). EPA is developing new guidelines for the discharge of these fluids and the associated cuttings. The decision about allowing or disallowing the discharge of cuttings with small amounts of associated SBMs, EMOs and purified paraffin oils should not be based solely on potential environmental impacts, especially those such as bioaccumulation or biodegradation that may not be directly connected to effects on populations or ecosystems. Regulatory decisions about drilling fluid discharges should also consider potential impacts associated with the alternatives; including occupational accidents and chemical exposures, impacts associated with disposal, air emissions, and transportation risks. Because these new fluids are expensive, industry will not continue to use them if the cuttings cannot be discharged offshore. The alternative to allowing the discharge of these new drilling fluids is the continuing use of OBMs in difficult drilling situations. This paper develops a framework for a comparative environmental assessment for the discharge of drilling fluids, to help support a risk-based, integrated approach to regulatory decision making.
Changes in endochondral bone elongation rates during pregnancy and lactation in rats

The rates of endochondral bone elongation during pregnancy and lactation in rats have been studied. The rate of growth at the distal femoral epiphyseal growth plate was measured using fluorescent bone markers. Endochondral growth rates were substantially increased in pregnant animals when compared with age-matched, nonmated controls. There were also increases in growth plate thickness, hypertrophic cell lacunar height, and the calculated rate of cell production during pregnancy. At parturition, this growth trend was reversed and during lactation there were significant decreases in endochondral growth rates. There were also corresponding decreases in growth plate thickness, hypertrophic cell lacunar height, and the calculated rate of cartilage cell production. These results indicate that significant changes occur in maternal endochondral growth rates during the reproductive cycle in rats.
Monolithic integration of GaInAs/InP quantum well infrared photodetectors on Si substrate

Using low-pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition, we have grown GaInAs/InP QWIP structures on GaAs-coated Si substrate. First, the procedure to optimize the epitaxy of the InP buffer layer on Si substrate is given. Excellent crystallinity and a mirror-like surface morphology were obtained by using both a two-step growth process at the beginning of the InP buffer layer growth and several series of thermal cycle annealing throughout the InP buffer layer growth. Second, results of fabricated GaInAs/InP QWIPs on Si substrate are presented. At a temperature of 80 K, the peak response wavelength occurs at 7.4 micrometers . The responsivities of QWIPs on both Si and InP substrates with identical structures are equal up to biases of 1.5 V. At a bias of 3 V, the responsivity of the QWIPs on Si substrate is 1.0 A/W.
Cryo-atomic force microscopy of unphosphorylated and thiophosphorylated single smooth muscle myosin molecules.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether steric blockage of one head by the second head of native two-headed myosin was responsible for the inactivity of nonphosphorylated two-headed myosin compared with the high activity of single-headed myosin, as suggested on the basis of electron microscopy of two-dimensional crystals of heavy meromyosin (Wendt, T., Taylor, D., Messier, T., Trybus, K. M., and Taylor, K. A. (1999) J. Cell Biol. 147, 1385–1390; and Wendt, T., Taylor, D., Trybus, K. M., and Taylor, K. (2001) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 98, 4361–4366). Our earlier cryo-atomic force microscopy (cryo-AFM) (Zhang, Y., Shao, Z., Somlyo, A. P., and Somlyo, A. V. (1997) Biophys. J. 72, 1308–1318) indicates that thiophosphorylation of the regulatory light chain increases the separation of the two heads of a single myosin molecule, but the thermodynamic probability of steric hindrance by strong binding between the two heads was not determined. We now report this probability determined by cryo-AFM of single whole myosin molecules shown to have normal low ATPase activity (0.007 s–1). We found that the thermodynamic probability of the relative head positions of nonphosphorylated myosin was approximately equal between separated heads as compared with closely apposed heads (energy difference of 0.24 kT (where k is a Boltzman constant and T is the absolute temperature)), and thiophosphorylation increased the number of molecules having separated heads (energy advantage of –1.2 kT (where k is a Boltzman constant and I is the absolute temperature)). Our results do not support the suggestion that strong binding of one head to the other stabilizes the blocked conformation against thermal fluctuations resulting in steric blockage that can account for the low activity of nonphosphorylated two-headed myosin.
Dislodgment of a bullet from the sinus of valsalva by cardiac catheterization.

Abstract The proper management of a patient with a retained intracardiac foreign body depends upon its precise localization and the accurate assessment of resulting cardiac damage. Cardiac catheterization with selective angiocardiographic studies provides a means for identifying both the exact location of the foreign body and the mechanism and extent of any cardiac dysfunction, including trauma to a coronary artery. In addition, the case reported documents the dislodgment of a bullet from the sinus of a coronary cusp by cardiac catheterization.
E-Commerce Courses: Overview of Nature and Content

Abstract This article examines the content of e-commerce course syllabi available electronically on the World Wide Web. Two data sources, Google Web Directory for E-Commerce Courses and ISWorld Net's Electronic Course Syllabi Page, provided 65 usable course syllabi representing 47 colleges and universities. Our analysis revealed that most of the courses were graduate level and used between one and four textbooks as the primary reading source. The books, nontextbook reading sources, and topics covered varied. No one book or nontextbook reading source predominated among the courses; and electronic payment systems, security issues, and business models were the only topics covered the majority of the time.
A method for improving the performance of successive cancellation in mobile spread MIMO OFDM

Bell Labs layered space-time (BLAST) promises to increase greatly the capacity of future broadband mobile communications. However, in MIMO communication systems, the decoded BER performance of successive cancellation receivers is limited by the performance of the stream with the highest mean squared error. The paper presents a novel method to determine the different power weighting to be applied by the transmitter to each BLAST data stream in frequency-selective communications to improve the performance of a successive cancellation receiver. In addition, the new method predetermines the successive cancellation decoding order, thus simplifying the receiver. Simulation results for a spread OFDM system show up to a 5.0 dB improvement in frequency-selective channels over BLAST with equal power on each stream.
Modeling of conduction losses in PWM converters operating in discontinuous conduction mode

In this paper, a non-ideal PWM switch model considering conduction losses is developed. This issue was considered in the past only with the assumption that the inductor current ripple is negligible compared with its average value. Derivation of the new model is based on the energy loss invariant principle. The resulting model can be applied to simulating large inductor current ripple conditions. Accuracy of the proposed model is verified through Pspice simulation using the buck and boost converters.
Nonparametric deconvolution of density estimation based on observed sums

This paper develops a methodology for distribution-free estimation of a density function based on observed sums or pooled data. The proposed methods employ a Fourier approach to nonparametric deconvolution of a density estimate. Asymptotic normality is established and an upper bound for the integrated absolute error is given for the proposed density estimator. Monte Carlo simulations are used to examine the performance of the density estimators. The proposed techniques are exemplified using data from a study of biomarkers associated with coronary heart disease.
Generalization in layered classification neural networks

The authors demonstrate how the use of arbitrary nonlinearities can improve the storage capacity of a class of layered classification artificial neural networks (L-CANNs). The network's storage capacity is on the order of the number of neurons used to stimulate the response. L-CANNs can be trained by viewing the training data only once. Classification boundaries corresponding to maximum points of confusion, if known, can also be learned. Iteration is not required in the recall mode. The manner in which a network responds to data outside the training set can be straightforwardly evaluated. The L-CANN also has the ability to recognize the unfamiliarity of stimuli for which it was not trained. >
An enzyme mechanism language for the mathematical modeling of metabolic pathways

Motivation: As a first step toward the elucidation of the systems biology of complex biological systems, it was our goal to mathematically model common enzyme catalytic and regulatory mechanisms that repeatedly appear in biological processes such as signal transduction and metabolic pathways. Results: We describe kMech, a Cellerator language extension that describes a suite of enzyme mechanisms. Each enzyme mechanism is parsed by kMech into a set of fundamental association--dissociation reactions that are translated by Cellerator into ordinary differential equations that are numerically solved by Mathematica™. In addition, we present methods that use commonly available kinetic measurements to estimate rate constants required to solve these differential equations. Availability: A Mathematica™ executable kMech.m file is available at the University of California, Irvine, Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics website, http://www.igb.uci.edu/servers/sb.html. Cellerator, free of charge to academic, US government, and other non-profit organizations, can be obtained at the Cellerator website, (http://www-aig.jpl.nasa.gov/public/mls/cellerator/feedback.html). Contact: Biology correspondence should be addressed to gwhatfie@uci.edu. Computation correspondence should be addressed to emj@uci.edu. Supplementary information:http://www.igb.uci.edu/servers/sb.html.
Experience of a tertiary level academic center regarding the patency and cost benefits of HeRO dialysis access compared to standard synthetic arteriovenous dialysis accesses

Purpose 1. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively compare the primary, primary assisted and secondary patency rates of HeRO dialysis access at 6 months and 1 year compared to AVGs. 2. To do a cost analysis of performing and maintaining HeRO dialysis access over a 1 year period versus AVGs. Materials and Methods Charts of all patients undergoing grafts and HeRO placement between 2009 and 2011 were reviewed to 1-year follow-up. Patency was assessed according to SIR definitions. CPT codes were used for institutional cost analysis. Results In the HeRO graft cohort, the median primary patency rate was 108 days (95% CI 36.4-179.6), the primary-assisted patency rate was 108 days (95% CI 36.4-179.6), and the secondary patency rate was 365 days. For the AVG cohort, the rates were 180 days (95% CI 162.4-197.6), 299 days (95% CI 136.3), and 365 days respectively. Comparison of patency rates showed no significant difference between either modality. Over the 1 year follow-up the 13 total HeRO patients accumulated 3527 HeRO days, and the 16 graft patients accrued a total of 4501 days. The patients in the HeRO cohort averaged 78 days between interventions, 95 days for thrombolysis, 503 days between revision, and 3527 days between angioplasty. The AVG cohort averaged 166 days, 346 days, 2250 days, and 321 days respectively. The HeRO group had 1.3 + 1.9 thrombolysis cases in the first 6 months, and 0.3 + 0.8 in the AVG group (p=.102). In the 1 year follow-up the HeRO group had 2.8 + 3.6 thrombolysis cases versus 8 + 1.2 in the AVG group (p=0.07).The HeRO grafts cost an average of $3323 (range, $1129-8503), which was significantly more than AVGs, which cost an average of $1803 (range, $808-3742) (p=0.04). Conclusion In our study HeRO dialysis access has a lower primary and primary assisted patency rate, a similar secondary patency rate and higher cost of maintenance compared to synthetic arterio-venous access. However the differences were not statistically significant.
Levels of Selection on Threshold Characters

Threshold models are useful for understanding the evolution of dimorphic traits with polygenic bases. Selection for threshold characters on individuals is expected to be frequency dependent because of the peculiar way that selection views underlying genetic and environmental factors. Selection among individuals is inefficient because individual phenotypes fall into only two discrete categories that map imperfectly to the underlying genes. Incidence, however, can be continuously distributed among groups, making among-group selection relatively more efficient. Differently put, the group-mean phenotype can be a better predictor of an individual's genotype than that individual's own phenotype. Because evolution in group-structured populations is governed by the balance of selection within and between groups, we can expect threshold traits to evolve in fundamentally different ways when group mean fitness is a function of morph frequency. We extend the theory of selection on threshold traits to include group selection using contextual analysis. For the simple case of linear group-fitness functions, we show that the group-level component of selection, like the individual-level component, is frequency dependent. However, the conditions that determine which component dominates when levels of selection are in conflict (as described by Hamilton's rule) are not frequency dependent. Thus, enhanced group selection is not an inherent property of threshold characters. Nevertheless, we show that predicting the effects of multiple levels of selection on dimorphic traits requires special considerations of the threshold model.
Predicting inductance roll-off with dc excitations

Predicting variations in inductance of an inductor under different dc bias current conditions is investigated for several different magnetic core materials. A method is presented that allows this constraint to be incorporated into the optimization of an inductor for power conversion applications. Theoretical predictions of an inductor's saturation characteristics are compared to the measured performance. The method can be based on characteristics from a magnetic material datasheet or on characteristics extracted from measurements.
MOB SOCIOLOGY AND ESCALATED FORCE: Sociology's Contribution to Repressive Police Tactics

Mob sociology is a theory of crowd behavior that is found in U.S. police literature and that has been used to design and justify demonstration management practices. Mob sociology is derived from sociological theories about crowd behavior but ignores their originators’assertions that crowds occur within a larger social context. Mob sociology was diffused throughout the United States in the late 1960s and early 1970s through a national civil disorder training program and a variety of police manuals and magazines. It is highly compatible with the escalated force style of protest policing and has lost much of its influence since the introduction of negotiated management practices. However, it is still present in police literature and training programs and should be replaced by contemporary social science research and theory.
CONTACT-MEDIATED REVERSIBLE SUPPRESSION OF MYOGENESIS : II. Reversal of Suppression by Bromodeoxyuridine

Chondrocytes from the vertebral columns of 11-day chick embryos were cultured in the continuous presence of 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR) Under these conditions the cells form multilayers but synthesize little extracellular matrix as determined by toluidine blue metachromasia or sulfate-35S incorporation into polysaccharide. Myogenic cells from the breast muscles of 11-day chick embryos formed myotubes when plated into BUdR-treated chondrocyte cultures. When plated on untreated chondrocyte multilayers or on multilayers which had been permitted to recover from BUdR treatment for 3 days, myogenic cells failed to form myotubes Since extracellular matrix is present in untreated chondrocyte cultures and reappears in multilayers recovering from BUdR treatment, it is suggested that extracellular matrix is the active agent in the suppression of myogenesis An attempt was made to duplicate the suppressing activity of multilayer cultures by using ion exchange resins as substrates for myogenic cells Myotubes formed on acidic and basic resin particles If extracellular matrix is the active suppressing agent, it may have to fulfill certain spatial distributional requirements before its activity is expressed