cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the evolutionary stability of sink populations

The evolution of adaptive behaviours can influence population dynamics. Conversely, population dynamics can affect both the rate and direction of adaptive evolution. This paper examines reasons why sink populations – populations maintained by immigration, preventing local extinction – might persist in the habitat repertoire of a species over evolutionary time-scales. Two such reasons correspond to standard explanations for deviations from an ideal free habitat distribution: organisms may not be free to settle in whichever habitat has the highest potential fitness, and may be constrained by costs, perceptual limitations, or mode of dispersal in the acuity of their habitat selectivity. Here, I argue that a third general reason for persistent sink populations is provided by unstable population dynamics in source habitats. I present a simple model illustrating how use of a sink habitat may be selectively advantageous, when a source population has unstable dynamics (which necessarily reflects temporal variation in local fitnesses). Species with unstable local dynamics in high-quality habitats should be selected to utilize a broader range of habitats than species with stable local dynamics, and in particular in some circumstances should utilize sink habitats. This observation has implications for the direction of niche evolution, and the likelihood of niche conservatism.
Automated liver stiffness measurements with magnetic resonance elastography.

Purpose To provide a fully automated algorithm for obtaining stiffness measurements from hepatic magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) images that are consistent with measurements performed by expert readers. Materials and Methods An initial liver contour was found using an adaptive threshold and expanded using an active contour to select a homogeneous area of the liver. The confidence map generated during the stiffness calculation was used to select a region of reliable wave propagation. The average stiffness within the automatically generated region of interest (ROI) was compared to measurements by two trained readers in a set of 88 clinical test cases ranging from healthy to severely fibrotic. Results The stiffness measurements reported by the readers differed by −6.76% ± 22.8% (95% confidence) and had an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.972 (P < 0.05). The algorithm and the more experienced reader differed by 4.32% ± 14.9 with an ICC of 0.987. Conclusion The automated algorithm performed reliably, even though MRE acquisitions often have motion artifacts present. The correlation between the automated measurements and those from the trained readers was superior to the correlation between the readers. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;38:371–379. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Broadening, screening, and phase space filling in GaAs multiple quantum wells revisited

Summary form only given. The effects of broadening, screening, and phase space filling (PSF) of excitons in semiconductor quantum wells (QWs) are important in the measurement of optical nonlinearities and monitoring carrier dynamics and for a number of device applications. We report on the relative magnitudes of these three effects for different quantum well widths using the spin dependence of PSF and the carrier density dependencies of these contributions in time-resolved transmission measurements.
The role of social networks and geography on risky injection behaviors of young persons who inject drugs

Background Little is known about young persons who inject drugs (PWID), who are increasingly from suburban communities and predominantly non-Hispanic white.
Poison centers, poison prevention, and the pediatrician

The first poison centers were established in the United States in the early 1950s, stimulated by an American Academy of Pediatrics' survey of office-based pediatric practices which ascertained that its members had no place to turn for ingredient information on medications and household products. With the help of the Academy, pediatrician Dr. Edward Press, the Illinois Department of Health, and several community hospitals, the first poison center emerged. Over the subsequent 40 years, remarkable progress has occurred in the fields of clinical toxicology, poison control, and poison prevention. Yet despite these accomplishments, challenging clouds are appearing on the horizon which threaten these gains. This commentary, by the authors who have viewed and participated in a large part of the history of this progress, will focus on these major accomplishments with an emphasis on (a) poison prevention utilizing the pre-event (primary prevention), (b) the event (secondary prevention), and (c) the postevent (tertiary prevention) model.
Evaluation of serum thyroid hormones in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome or sepsis.

Objective To determine whether dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or sepsis have derangements in serum thyroid hormone concentrations and to evaluate whether such derangements relate to illness severity or outcome. Design Prospective observational study. Dogs hospitalized with SIRS or sepsis between May and December 2010 were included. Serum thyroid hormone concentrations were measured in all dogs. Data obtained on admission were used to calculate the Acute Patient Physiologic and Laboratory Evaluation (APPLE) scores. Setting University teaching hospital. Animals Twenty-two consecutive client-owned dogs hospitalized with SIRS or sepsis were enrolled; 18 dogs completed the study and 4 dogs were excluded for incomplete data. Forty-nine healthy dogs owned by volunteers were used as controls. Interventions None. Measurements and Main Results Decreased total thyroxine (TT4) concentrations were documented in all septic and 7/9 dogs with SIRS. Free T4 concentrations were decreased, but were within the reference interval in 12/18 dogs with SIRS or sepsis compared to control dogs (P < 0.001). Dogs with increased APPLE(fast) scores were less likely to survive (P = 0.017). Conclusions Dogs with SIRS or sepsis have derangements in measured serum thyroid hormones. No relationships were identified between thyroid hormone concentrations and survival. The APPLE(fast) score was the only variable predictive of poor outcome.
Brief communication: A midtarsal (midfoot) break in the human foot

The absence of a midtarsal break has long been regarded as a derived feature of the human foot. Humans possess a rigid midfoot that acts as an efficient lever during the propulsive phase of bipedal gait. Non-human primates, in contrast, have a more mobile midfoot that is adaptive for tree climbing. Here, we report plantar pressure and video evidence that a small percentage of modern humans (n = 32/398) possess both elevated lateral midfoot pressures and even exhibit midfoot dorsiflexion characteristic of a midtarsal break. Those humans with a midtarsal break had on average a significantly flatter foot than those without. Midtarsal breakers also had significantly more medial weight transfer (pronation) during the stance phase of gait than those without this midfoot mobility. These data are in accordance with Elftman (Clin Orthop 16 (1960) 41-45) who suggested that pronation aligns the axes of the transverse tarsal joint, permitting elevated midfoot mobility.
Microfluidic switch for embryo and cell sorting

We present measurements and simulation of fluid flow and sphere motion in a pressure-driven microfluidic sorter designed for Drosophila embryos. We simulated the flow fields for different channel layouts and flow parameters to find geometries and conditions for optimised embryo movement. The microfluidic switch has a designed switching time of 360 /spl mu/s. We validated the sorter design with fluid experiments in devices fabricated from silicon and Pyrex wafers. The experimental and simulated results are compared both qualitatively and quantitatively by examining the concentration distribution of fluids. This type of microfluidic sorter is promising for micromanipulation of a variety of biological cells, and provides automated operations for higher throughput and accuracy.
Sender coordination in the Distributed Virtual Communication Machine

The Distributed Virtual Communication Machine (DVCM) is an extensible communication architecture for tightly-coupled clusters of workstations (COWs) connected by high-speed networks. The DVCM is designed for off-the-shelf network interface cards equipped with communication coprocessors. Its main component is an active backplane implemented in firmware running on the coprocessors. This backplane can be extended with modules that implement application-specific-functionality and have access to some of the application's state. Consequently non-trivial collective computations can be implemented as DVCM extensions. We present a DVCM extension module that provides application-specific network flow control by coordinating the resource-competing components of a parallel application running on an ATM LAN. Our experiments show that this extension module helps eliminate message loss and achieve high link bandwidth utilization when there is significant link contention.
Fluoride: Benefits And Risks of Exposure

This summarizes current knowledge of the benefits and risks of fluoride ingestion. The preponderance of evidence indicates that fluoride can reduce the incidence of dental caries and that fluoridation of drinking water can provide such protection. Due to the ubiquitous nature of exposures to fluoride sources other than drinking water, it is currently impossible to draw firm conclusions regarding the independent effect of fluoride in drinking water on caries prevalence using an ecologic study design. Moderate dental fluorosis occurs in 1 to 2% of the population exposed to fluoride at 1 mg/l in drinking water and in about 10% of the population at 2 mg/l; moderate/severe fluorosis occurs in variable percentages ranging up to 33% of the population exposed to fluoride at 2.4 to 4.1 mg/l in drinking water. The issue of whether moderate or severe dental fluorosis represents an adverse health effect is still controversial. There is no evidence of skeletal fluorosis among the general U.S. population exposed to drinking water fluoride concentrations lower than 4 mg/l. Radiographically detected osteosclerosis after chronic exposure to fluoride in drinking water at 8 mg/l was not associated with clinical symptoms. Reports of crippling skeletal fluorosis associated with low concentrations of fluoride in drinking water in tropical countries have been attributed to other dietary factors. The available data suggest that some individuals may experience hypersensitivity to fluoride-containing agents. Further studies on hypersensitivity are required. There is no evidence of increased incidence of renal disease or renal dysfunction in humans exposed to up to 8 mg fluoride per liter in drinking water. Structural changes in kidneys of experimental animals have been detected at doses exceeding 1 to 5 mg fluoride per kilogram per day. Based on four case reports, individuals with renal insufficiency who consume large volumes of naturally fluoridated water at 2 to 8 mg/l are possibly at increased risk of developing skeletal fluorosis. Studies on the effects of fluoride in individuals with renal insufficiency are needed. There is no evidence that chronic exposure to concentrations of fluoride reported to be greater than 2 mg/l in drinking water increases human cancer mortality or incidence. A study of lifetime exposure to fluoride on cancer incidence in rats and mice has been completed, but assessment for cancer has not been completed. There is no evidence that fluoride is genotoxic except in some in vitro assays at cytotoxic concentrations. There is no in vivo evidence that fluoride affects human cellular enzyme activities.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The -216- to -100-bp Sequence in the 5'-Flanking Region of the Oxytocin Gene Contains a Cell-Type Specific Regulatory Element for its Selective Expression in Oxytocin Magnocellular Neurones

The oxytocin (OXT) gene is abundantly and highly selectively expressed in magnocellular neurones (MCNs) of the hypothalamic-neurohypophysial system. Previous DNA sequence deletion studies in vivo have shown that the -216- to -100-bp sequence in the 5'-flanking region of the oxytocin gene was required for its cell-type specific expression in the rat supraoptic nucleus. In the present study, we test the coupled hypotheses that this -216- to -100-bp sequence is responsible for (i) the selective expression of the OXT gene in OXT-MNCs and (ii) its selective repression in vasopressin (AVP)-MCNs. We show that, consistent with hypothesis 1, removal of the -216- to -100-bp sequence from the OXT gene completely eliminates its expression in OXT-MCNs in vivo but, in contrast to the prediction of hypothesis 2, there was no appearance of OXT gene expression in AVP-MCNs. Taken together, these and other data demonstrate that the -216- to -100-bp sequence in the 5'-flanking region of the oxytocin gene contains only an activator of transcription operating in the OXT-MCNs.
Label-free detection of calcifications in the breast

We demonstrated that phase shifts and refractive index changes measured via quantitative phase imaging can be an indicator for calcifications in breast tissue biopsies.
Bubbly flow model for the dynamic characteristics of cavitating pumps

This paper is concerned with understanding the dynamic behaviour of cavitating hydraulic machines during unsteady or transienct opertion. The linear transfer matrices which relate the small fluctuating pressures and mass flow rates at inlet and discharge are functions not only of the frequency but also of the mean operating state of the machine, especially the degree of cavitation. The recent experimental transfer matrices obtained by Ng & Brennen (1978) for some axial flow pumps revealed some dynamic characteristics whic were unaccounted for by any existing theoretical analysis; their visual observations suggested that the bubbly cavitating flow in the blade passages could be responsible for these effects. A theoretical model of the dynamic response of this bubbly blade-passage flow is described in the present paper. Void-fraction fluctuations in this flow result not only from pressure fluctuations but also because the fluctuating angle of attack causes fluctuations in the rate of production of bubbles near the leading edge. The latter causes kinematic waves which interact through the boundary conditions with the dynamic waves caused by pressure fluctuation. The resulting theoretical transfer dynamic waves caused by pressur fluctuation. The resulting theoretical transfer functions which result are in good qualitative agreement with the experiments; with appropriate choices of two parameters (the practical values of which are difficult to assess) good quantitative agreement is also obtained. The theoretical model also provides one possible explanation of the observation that the pump changes from an essentially passive dynamic element in the absence of cavitation to a progressively more active element as the extent of cavitation increases.
Hybrid acoustically layered foam (HALF) foam for improved low-frequency acoustic mitigation for launch fairings

Launch vehicles produce high levels of acoustic energy and vibration loads that can severely damage satellites during launch. Because of these high loads, the satellite structure is much more robust than it needs to be for on-orbit operations. Traditionally, acoustic foam is used for acoustic mitigation; however, it is ineffective at frequencies below 500 Hz. For this reason we investigated three different modified acoustic foam concepts consisting of a thin metal foil, a semi-rigid spacer, and a melamine foam substrate to improve the low frequency acoustic performance of the melamine foam. The goal of the Hybrid Acoustically Layered Foil (HALF) Foam concept was to excite bending waves within the plane of the foil to cause inter-particle interactions thus increasing the transmission loss of the foam. To determine the performance of the system, a transmission loss tube was constructed, and the normal incidence transmission loss for each sample was measured. The tests confirm the excitation of bending waves at the target frequency of 500 Hz and a significant increase, on the order of 8 dB, in the transmission loss.
On the study of first language acquisition

Abstract We study the discovery problem faced by developmental psycholinguists, namely, to characterize the learning mechanism deployed in first language acquisition. Within our model, the psycholinguist has access to the graph of the function that maps children's linguistic data to their grammatical hypotheses. They must converge in the limit to an adequate theory of the child, in a weak sense of "adequate." It is shown that even strong hypotheses about the learning strategy embodied by the child do not suffice to render solvable the psycholinguist's task.
Further Study of the K - -Nucleus Optical Potential in Kaonic Atoms

Using a local $K$-nucleus optical potential, we calculated x-ray energy-level shifts and widths and relative x-ray transition yields for kaonic atoms throughout the Periodic Table. We made a detailed study of the determination of the nuclear density parameters from level-shift and width data.
John Maxentius and the Collectio Palatina

By means of his definitive edition of the Collectio Palatina the late Eduard Schwartz made possible the revision of several long accepted theories concerning its source, date, and purpose. That collection of writings almost exclusively devoted to the Pelagian and Nestorian heresies, which had been generally regarded, since its edition in the seventeenth century, as the work of Marius Mercator, Schwartz believed to be a product of the sixth century. He also believed that the collection was prepared in the course of the violent theological struggles of Justinian's time and he ventured to conclude that the Palatine collector was chiefly interested in the anti-Origenistic and anti-Nestorian struggle centering about the Three Chapters. These surmises as to the date and purpose of the collection led Schwartz to make still another assumption concerning a certain John of Tomi who is mentioned in the collection. It is the purpose of this paper to consider the identity of John of Tomi more fully and to give some indication of his importance in connection with the Palatine Collection.
A novel approach for computer security education using Minix instructional operating system

To address national needs for computer security education, many universities have incorporated computer and security courses into their undergraduate and graduate curricula. In these courses, students learn how to design, implement, analyze, test, and operate a system or a network to achieve security. Pedagogical research has shown that effective laboratory exercises are critically important to the success of these types of courses. However, such effective laboratories do not exist in computer security education. Intrigued by the successful practice in operating system and network courses education, we adopted a similar practice, i.e., building our laboratories based on an instructional operating system. We use Minix operating system as the lab basis, and in each lab we require students to add a different security mechanism to the system. Benefited from the instructional operating system, we design our lab exercises in a way such that students can focus on one or a few specific security concepts while doing each exercise. The similar approach has proved to be effective in teaching operating system and network courses, but it has not yet been used in teaching computer security courses.
A rapid, precise and sensitive method for the determination of total nitrogen in natural waters

A rapid, automated method is described for the accurate determination of total combined nitrogen (TN) in natural waters. This methodology allows for TN analyses to be performed at three times the rate of previous techniques. The method is shown to be sensitive for a wide range of TN concentrations that may be found in various aquatic environments. The detection limits of this methodology are 2.0 μM (freshwater) and 2.3 μM (seawater). TN and TIN analysis of surface water samples from 300 sites inshore and offshore of south Florida, USA revealed predictable gradients in nitrogen concentrations. TN ranged from 7.56 μM offshore to 108.87 μM inshore. Organic forms of nitrogen constituted approximately 90% of the total nitrogen pool.
Critical amplitude of the Potts model: Zeroes and divergences

The critical amplitude of the $q$-state Potts-model free energy is studied as a function of $q$ in two dimensions and on the diamond hierarchical lattice. The amplitude diverges at an infinite number of $q$ values, ${q}_{n}$, introducing logarithmic terms in the free energy. We expect that in each interval (${q}_{n},{q}_{n+1}$) there is a value ${\stackrel{^}{q}}_{n}$ where the amplitude vanishes, affecting the singularity of the free energy as a function of temperature. Possible consequences for gelation and vulcanization of polymers are discussed.
A randomized controlled trial of self-management education for asthma patients in the emergency department.

Study objective Patients using the emergency department (ED) for asthma may benefit from self-management education. Our goal is to test an educational intervention in 296 asthma ED patients. Methods This was a randomized controlled trial with concealed allocation. Controls received instruction from an asthma knowledge test, peak flowmeter training, and asthma brochures. Intervention patients received these plus a self-management workbook, a behavioral contract, inhaler training, and telephone reinforcements. The main outcome was change in Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) score at 8 weeks (a change of 1.5 is a marked clinically important difference). Secondary outcomes were repeated ED visits and change in AQLQ scores at 4, 12, and 16 weeks and 1 year. Results Mean age of patients was 44 years, and 93% had the 8-week follow-up. Enrollment AQLQ scores were comparable and increased at 8 weeks by more than a marked clinically important difference in both groups. For controls, the change in score was 1.95 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.74 to 2.16; P Conclusion Patients in both groups had marked sustained improvements in clinical status 16 weeks after an ED visit for asthma. A self-management education intervention delivered in the ED and reinforced by telephone was successfully implemented, with high retention rates, but did not provide incremental benefit for quality of life and short-term repeated ED visit outcomes.
Labels of love: How migrants negotiate (or not) the culture of sexual identity

Drawing on in-depth interviews with 10 French lesbians, gays and bisexuals (LGBs) living in the United States and 13 American LGBs living in France, this article examines how national cultural context shapes the way LGBs understand and frame their sexual identity. The meaning these mostly White middle-class migrants attributed to their sexual identity was revealed – and in some cases changed – through cultural mechanisms provoked by crossing borders. Their journey gave them a unique perspective on the dominant national understandings of sexual identity in both countries. Through interaction, they discovered on the one hand, the French cultural expectations that individuals downplay their differences in the public sphere, and on the other, American cultural expectations that individuals align themselves with a minority category in the public sphere. As theories on the relationship between sexual identity and culture would predict, some respondents expressed feeling more comfortable with the sexual identity model of the country in which they came to embrace their sexuality. Half, however, preferred the model of the new context. These findings suggest that further theorization is necessary to understand why sexual identity appears to be highly contingent on culture for some people but seemingly independent of it for others.
Simultaneous raman and cyclic voltammetry study of the redox behavior of 4,4′-bipyridine on silver

Abstract The advantage of using an optical multichannel Raman spectrometer to record vibrational spectra of adsorbates simultaneously with electrochemical studies is considerable. In this study, Ag(I)-4,4′-bipyridine complex formation was monitored during the anodization of silver. At negative potentials the reduction of adsorbed bipyridine was found to depend upon the bulk bipyridine concentration. Surface enhanced Raman scattering enabled the surface redox reactions to be distinguished from those of bipyridine in solution.
Beam‐plasma instability in the presence of low‐frequency turbulence

General equations are derived for a linear beam‐plasma instability in the presence of low‐frequency turbulence. Within a ’’quasilinear’’ statistical approximation, these equations contain Langmuir waves scattering, diffusion, resonant and nonresonant anomalous absorption, and a ’’plasma laser’’ effect. It is proposed that naturally occurring density irregularities in the solar wind may stabilize the beam‐unstable Langmuir waves which occur during Type III solar radio emissions.
Male Violence, Stress, and Neuroendocrine Parameters in Pregnancy: A Pilot Study

Stress during pregnancy has been associated with a number of adverse outcomes. This study compared and correlated neuroendocrine parameters in women (n=8) who self-reported battering during their pregnancy to those in women who did not (n=8). Women who identified themselves as having a violent relationship with an intimate partner were recruited from a rural midwestern community. They were matched on age, self-reported ethnicity, parity, gestational age, and personal and family income with nonbattered controls. Midgestational measures of self-reported stress levels showed that battered women reported markedly higher levels of anxiety and depression. Neuroendocrine levels were not different between groups (battered vs. nonbattered); however, the relationships among hormones were different between groups. In nonbattered women, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol levels were correlated but not in battered women. Beta endorphin and ACTH levels in battered women showed a significant linear relationship but not in nonbattered women. These results suggest that the maternal experience of stress alters the relationship of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-placental axis hormones despite the lack of absolute differences in blood levels.
Tamm-Horsfall protein coating of free cells in urine.

The origin of free cells in urine is difficult to determine in the absence of cellular casts. Using fluoresceinconjugated antibody to human Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP), it was demonstrated that some free cells in urine are coated with THP. To evaluate the usefulness of this observation in the differentiation of upper from lower urinary tract disease, the presence of THP coating of cells was correlated with the clinical diagnosis in 141 subjects. The percentage of THP-coated cells for each group (mean ± SD) was Healthy volunteers (n = 10), 4% ± 2%; hospitalized controls (n = 20), 3% ± 3%; glomerulonephritis (n = 21), 61% ± 6%; chronic interstitial nephritis (n = 26), 56% ± 5%; other renal parenchymal diseases (n = 14), 50% ± 8%; bladder disease (n = 14), 8% ± 2%; and hypertension (n = 36), 24% ± 33%. Based on the results from the bladder disease group, 12% coating was set as the 95% confidence limit for lower urinary tract disease. The results in this group were not different from control subjects. By analysis of variance and χ 2 analysis, subjects with renal parenchymal disease could be distinguished from those with hypertension and bladder disease ( P P
Dynamic Critical Behavior of the Swendsen-Wang Algorithm: The Two-Dimensional Three-State Potts Model Revisited

We have performed a high-precision Monte Carlo study of the dynamic critical behavior of the Sweden-Wang algorithm for the two-dimensional three-state Potts model. We find that the Li-Sokal bound (τint.δ⩾const×Cn) is almost but not quite sharp. The ratio τint.δ/Cn seems to diverge either as a small power (≈0.08) or as a logarithm.
INCOHERENT SCATTERING AT RADIO FREQUENCIES.

Abstract The current status of theory and observations of incoherent scatter from the ionosphere are discussed. Some examples of the more important scientific advances which have resulted from incoherent scatter measurements are given. Comparisons of scatter data with data obtained by other techniques shows good agreement in some, but not all cases. Where serious discrepancies arise, evidence suggests that the incoherent scatter data are probably the more nearly correct. The potential of incoherent scatter measurements for increasing our understanding of ionospheric physics is only beginning to be utilized. Some speculations as to future research and the ultimate practical capabilities of incoherent scatter measurements are given.
Effects of sodium and lithium salts on the conformation of human α-thrombin

Abstract Chemical modification studies have demonstrated that the ultra-violet difference spectrum of α-thrombin produced in the presence of sodium is due primarily to changes in the environment of tyrosine residues. This is based on the observation that the spectrum could be abolished by treatment of α-thrombin with tetranitromethane but not with dimethyl-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl) sulfonium bromide. Although lithium produces similar (UV) difference spectrum, circular dichroism studies indicate that sodium and lithium induce different conformational transitions. α-Thrombin tends to assume a more ordered structure in the presence of sodium whereas lithium has the reverse effect. This inverse hehavior is consistent with the effects of these cations on the autolysis rate and thermal stability of the activities of α-thrombin.
Numerical Simulations of the Effects of Changing Fuel for Turbines Fired by Natural Gas and Syngas

Gas turbines in integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plants burn a fuel gas (syngas) in which the proportions of hydrocarbons, H2, CO, water vapor, and minor impurity levels may vary significantly from those in natural gas, depending on the input feed to the gasifier and the gasification process. A data structure and computational methodology is presented for the numerical simulation of a turbine thermodynamic cycle for various fuel types, air/fuel ratios, and coolant flow rates. The approach used allowed efficient handling of turbine components and different variable constraints due to fuel changes. Examples are presented for a turbine with four stages and cooled blades. The blades were considered to be cooled in an open circuit, with air provided from appropriate compressor stages. Results are presented for the temperatures of the hot gas, alloy surface (coating-superalloy interface), and coolant, as well as for cooling flow rates. Based on the results of the numerical simulations, values were calculated for the fuel flow rates, airflow ratios, and coolant flow rates required to maintain the superalloy in the first stage blade at the desired temperature when the fuel was changed from natural gas (NG) to syngas (SG). One NG case was conducted tomore » assess the effect of coolant pressure matching between the compressor extraction points and corresponding turbine injection points. It was found that pressure matching is a feature that must be considered for high combustion temperatures. The first series of SG simulations was conducted using the same inlet mass flow and pressure ratios as those for the NG case. The results showed that higher coolant flow rates and a larger number of cooled turbine rows were needed for the SG case. Thus, for this first case, the turbine size would be different for SG than for NG. In order to maintain the original turbine configuration (i.e., geometry, diameters, blade heights, angles, and cooling circuit characteristics) for the SG simulations, a second series of simulations was carried out by varying the inlet mass flow while keeping constant the pressure ratios and the amount of hot gas passing the first vane of the turbine. The effect of turbine matching between the NG and SG cases was approximately 10 C, and 8 to 14% for rotor inlet temperature and total cooling flows, respectively. These results indicate that turbine-compressor matching, before and after fuel change, must be included in turbine models. The last stage of the turbine, for the SG case, experienced higher inner wall temperatures than the corresponding case for NG, with the temperature of the vane approaching the maximum allowable limit. This paper was published by ASME as paper no. GT2007-27530.« less
The Good, the Bad, and the Incomprehensible: Typifications of Victims and Offenders as Antecedents of Beliefs About Sex Crime

Public opinion has played a critical role in the development of sex crime laws. However, little scholarly work has focused directly on the origins of negative attitudes toward sex offenders. We address this research gap by developing and testing a theoretical account of such views. Drawing on recent national survey data, we examine the extent to which typifications about sexual victims and offenders--believing sex crime typically affects children and female victims and is committed by strangers--explain beliefs about the reformability of sex offenders, harm inflicted on victims, and the causes of offending. Results indicate that judging children to be typical targets of sex crimes is a key determinant of public views. We discuss the implications of our findings.
Russell's Schema, Not Priest's Inclosure

On investigating a theorem that Russell used in discussing paradoxes of classes, Graham Priest distills a schema and then extends it to form an Inclosure Schema, which he argues is the common structure underlying both class-theoretical paradoxes (such as that of Russell, Cantor, Burali-Forti) and the paradoxes of ‘definability’ (offered by Richard, Konig-Dixon and Berry). This article shows that Russell's theorem is not Priest's schema and questions the application of Priest's Inclosure Schema to the paradoxes of ‘definability’.1 1 Special thanks to Francesco Orilia for criticisms of an early draft of this article.
Experimental gas-phase ion/molecule clustering of COS+ with CO2 and N2O

Abstract The gas-phase clustering equilibrium reactions COS + + CO 2 ⇄COS + CO 2 and COS + + N 2 O⇄COS + N 2 O were studied as a function of temperature in a pulsed high pressure mass spectrometer. The thermodynamic enthalpy and entropy changes of reaction (determined from van't Hoff plots) are Δ H ° = −7.4 ± 0.3 kcal mol −1 and Δ S ° = −17.8 ± 0.6 cal mol −1 K −1 for the first reaction and Δ H ° = −9.2 ± 0.3 kcal mol −1 and Δ S ° = −18.3 ± 0.8 cal mol −1 K −1 for the second reaction. Standard heats of formation for COS + CO 2 and COS + N 2 O at the temperatures of the experiments are reported. Using the expression recently reported by Clark [J. Am. Chem. Soc., 110 (1988) 1672] for odd electron σ bond strengths and our data for the mixed clusters, we estimate D ° 0 ≈ 19.5 kcal mol −1 for the COS + COS cluster. This estimate is in reasonable agreement with a lower limit of 17.2 kcal mol −1 , from photoionization experiments.
Domain-wall curvature and coercivity in pinning type Sm–Co magnets

The origin of coercivity in precipitation hardened Sm–Co magnets is investigated. By considering domain-wall pinning at boundary phase and Z phase inhomogenities, it is found that the hexagonal Z phase has no direct influence on the coercivity. The intuitive assumption of plane domain walls made in a recent calculation is unrealistic but has no direct effect on the coercivity. However, due to the comparatively large size of the 12:17 cells, the calculated three dimensional domain-wall curvature is sufficiently large to assure a nearly ideal nestling of the domain walls to the 1:5 cell boundary. This nestling yields a coercivity increase from about 0.1 to about 1 T and is therefore responsible for the high coercivity of 2:17 based Sm–Co magnets.
Carisoprodol Tolerance and Precipitated Withdrawal

Aims Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxant that acts at the GABAA receptor. Concerns about the abuse liability of carisoprodol are increasing, but evidence that carisoprodol produces tolerance and a significant withdrawal syndrome has yet to be established. The purpose of the current study was to determine if repeated administration of carisoprodol produces tolerance and withdrawal signs in a mouse model.
Plasma cleaning of nanoparticles from EUV mask materials by electrostatics

Particle contamination on surfaces used in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask blank deposition, mask fabrication, and patterned mask handling must be avoided since the contamination can create significant distortions and loss of reflectivity. Particles on the order of 10nm are problematic during MLM mirror fabrication, since the introduced defects disrupt the local Bragg planes. The most serious problem is the accumulation of particles on surfaces of patterned blanks during EUV light exposure, since > 25nm particles will be printed without an out-of-focus pellicle. Particle contaminants are also a problem with direct imprint processes since defects are printed every time. Plasma Assisted Cleaning by Electrostatics (PACE) works by utilizing a helicon plasma as well as a pulsed DC substrate bias to charge particle and repel them electrostatically from the surface. Removal of this nature is a dry cleaning method and removes contamination perpendicular from the surface instead of rolling or sweeping the particles off the surface, a benefit when cleaning patterned surfaces where contamination can be rolled or trapped between features. Also, an entire mask can be cleaned at once since the plasma can cover the entire surface, thus there is no need to focus in on an area to clean. Sophisticated particle contamination detection system utilizing high power laser called DEFCON is developed to analyze the particle removal after PACE cleaning process. PACE has shown greater than 90 % particle removal efficiencies for 30 to 220 nm PSL particles on ruthenium capped quartz. Removal results for silicon surfaces and quartz surfaces show similar removal efficiencies. Results of cleaning 80 nm PSL spheres from silicon substrates will be shown.
Culturally sensitive prenatal care for Southeast Asians.

This article presents strategies for providing perinatal care to Southeast Asians living in the United States and Canada. The population is described, and attention is paid to how their past and continued lifestyle contribute to health problems. Traditional healing beliefs and practices, especially those pertaining to childbearing, are discussed. A demonstration project in Long Beach, California, is described as a model for delivering culturally sensitive care.
Toxic triplets provide clues to neurodegeneration

Abstract Cleavage, aggregation and toxicity of the expanded androgen receptor in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy Merry, D.E. et al. (1998) Hum. Mol. Genet. 7, 693–701 Truncated N-terminal fragments of huntingtin with expanded glutamine repeats form nuclear and cytoplasmic aggregates in cell culture Cooper, J.K. et al. (1998) Hum. Mol. Genet. 7, 783–790 Aggregation of N-terminal huntingtin is dependent on the length of its glutamine repeats Li, S.H. and Li, X.J. (1998) Hum. Mol. Genet. 7, 777–782
Characterization of the NTPase, RNA-Binding, and RNA Helicase Activities of the DEAH-Box Splicing Factor Prp22†

The DEAH protein Prp22 is important for the second transesterification step of pre-mRNA splicing, and it is essential for releasing mature mRNA from the spliceosome. Recombinant Prp22 has RNA-stimulated ATPase and ATP-dependent unwinding activities, which are crucial for the mRNA release step. In this study, we characterize the RNA-binding, NTP hydrolysis, and RNA unwinding functions of Prp22. Using nitrocellulose filter binding assays, we determined that the apparent affinity of Prp22 is approximately 20-fold greater for single-stranded RNA than for single-stranded DNA or duplex nucleic acids. Inclusion of hydrolyzable ATP in binding reactions increased the apparent K(D) for RNA by 3-4-fold. The Prp22-RNA interaction is influenced by the length of the RNA chain, and the apparent K(D) values for poly(A)(40) and poly(A)(10) are 17 and 140 nM, respectively. RNA-stimulated ATP hydrolysis is similarly affected by chain length, and optimal activity requires RNA oligomers of >or=20 nt. We show that Prp22 can hydrolyze all common NTPs and dNTPs with comparable efficiencies and that Prp22 unwinds RNA duplexes with 3' to 5' directionality.
The laser ball bar: a new instrument for machine tool metrology

Abstract Current techniques for mapping the volumetric positioning errors of machine tools are time and labor intensive. To address these shortcomings, a linear displacement measuring device is introduced to rapidly and easily determine tool positions via trilateration. The laser ball bar (LBB) consists of a laser interferometer aligned within a telescoping ball bar. The design of the device is discussed and an error budget is developed to estimate its predicted accuracy. Results of repeatability and linear accuracy test of the assembled prototype LBB are given. The LBB is used to map the volumetric errors of a two-axis turning center. Comparison of the LBB error map and the error map obtained through parametric error measurements shows the LBB can accurately map the machine errors in a timely manner.
Cratering on Titan and implications for Titan's atmospheric history

Abstract A means for putting limits on the history of Titan's atmosphere is proposed by considering the breakup of bolides during atmospheric entry and the resulting modification of the crater size-frequency distribution at the surface, which will be determined by radar during the Cassini-Huygens mission. Bolides entering the atmosphere experience forces that eventually exceed the body's strength and disruption occurs. The size of the bolide which can reach the surface unfragmented depends on the atmospheric pressure. Given observation of the position of the turndown in crater numbers and relative surface age (the surface age is determined through the crater size-frequency distribution for diameters exceeding the minimum) a rough determination of the evolutionary trend of atmospheric pressure in Titan's history is achievable. This is a key scientific issue since Titan's atmosphere went through changes of atmospheric pressure in the past. We show that (a) Cassini-Huygens instruments are potentially capable of obtaining the necessary observations, and (b) for an atmosphere with the current density, crater numbers are predicted to begin to turn down at roughly 40-20 km for icy cometary bolides and stony bolides, respectively. Results for plausible early denser or thinner atmospheres are measurably different.
How do you say ‘everything is ultimately composed of atoms’?

The standard definition of atomicity—the thesis that everything is ultimately composed of entities that lack proper parts—is satisfied by a model that is not atomistic. The standard definition is therefore an incorrect characterization of atomicity. I show that the model satisfies the axioms of all but the strongest mereology and therefore that the standard definition of atomicity is only adequate given some controversial metaphysical assumptions. I end by proposing a new definition of atomicity that does not require extensionality or unrestricted summation.
Pre-filled syringes: a review of the history, manufacturing and challenges

Pre-filled syringes are convenient devices for the delivery of parenteral medications. They are small which makes them easy to carry and are dependable for delivering a precise dose of medication. These and many other reasons are leading to their growth in the pharmaceutical market. There are a number of review articles that describe the advantages and disadvantages of pre-filled syringes. However, there are few journal articles that present information on their manufacturing and challenges. The intent of this review article is to provide information on the history of the pre-filled syringe, methods of their manufacture, methods of filling syringes as a drug product and to examine the types of syringes available. This type of knowledge can familiarize the formulation scientist with the choices available and their possible challenges.
Dual antibody response to coxsackie and poliomyelitis viruses in patients with paralytic poliomyelitis.

SummaryBoth poliomyelitis virus and Coxsackie virus (C virus) were isolated from the acute phase stools of several paralytic patients during an epidemic of poliomyelitis which occurred in Easton, Pa., in 1949. In 2 such cases, neutralizing antibody tests were carried out with acute and convalescent serum reacting with a suspension of virus obtained directly from acute phase stools. It was found that both patients responded to their illness by simultaneously developing antibodies both to poliomyelitis virus and to C virus.
Fabrication of metallic nanodot structures using focused ion beam (FIB) and electron beam-induced deposition for plasmonic waveguides

Fabrication of a linear array of metallic nanodots and nanopillars for plasmonic waveguides is reported in this paper by two different processes - FIB milling of deposited thin films and electron beam-induced deposition of metallic nanostructures from a organometallic precursor gas introduced into the chamber. In the first FIB fabrication method, metallic nanorods and nanopillars were fabricated by depositing a 30-150 nm layer of a metallic (gold or silver) film on a planar substrate and subsequently employing FIB milling to pattern out the metallic nanopillars from the film. Employing FIB allowed formation of nanostructures such that the plasmon resonances associated with the nanostructures could be engineered and precisely controlled by controlling the nanostructure size and shape. Multistep FIB fabrication procedures were developed to form the nanostructures of complex geometries on planar substrates. The second fabrication processed used to create nanodots and nanopillars for plasmonic waveguides discussed in this paper is direct deposition of metal nanostructures, created when an electron beam (e-beam) is used to dissociate metal from an organometallic precursor gas in a predefined reaction region. Ionization energy required for decomposition of the Au precursor, i.e. Dimethyl Au (III) Fluoro Actylacetonate, is matched with that of the secondary electrons (between 5-50 eV) that are generated by exposing the substrate to a focused electron beam.
The Chemical Nature and Precursors of Clarified Apple Juice Sediment

SUMMARY— Although considerable work has been done on the sediment sometimes formed in clarified apple juice upon storage, the sediment itself has not been completely characterized as to its chemical composition and the precursors involved. The fact that the sediment yielded phloroglucinol and protocatechuic acid upon alkali fusion and amino acids upon acid hydrolysis indicated that the sediment was a polymeric phenolic-protein complex. The variable nitrogen, mineral and ash contents of different sediments and the variable amino acid composition of the protein fraction in conjunction with the behavior of the sediments on Sephadex gel columns indicated the heterogeneous nature of this material. Poly-amide thin-layer chromatography and calorimetric analyses have shown that leucoanthocyanidins and catechins are the main precursors of the polymeric phenolic component. Chlorogenic acid appears to play an insignificant role in sediment formation. The amino acid composition was determined by the use of an amino acid analyzer and the mineral content was estimated, quantitatively, by means of an atomic absorption spectrophotometer.