cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Absolute Rates of the Solution-Phase Addition of Atomic Hydrogen to a Vinyl Ether and a Vinyl Ester: Effect of Oxygen Substitution on Hydrogen Atom Reactivity with Olefins

The reactions of vinyl butyl ether and vinyl butyrate with atomic hydrogen and deuterium lead to addition at the terminal position of the olefins. This observation is consistent with the reactions carried out earlier with other olefins. Both of the absolute rates of addition to vinylbutyl ether and vinyl butyrate, in acetone and hexane, were measured at several temperatures. The relative rates are consistent with only modest stabilization of the transition state of the radical adduct by the R-O substituent compared with that of hydrogen atom addition to 1-octene. The relative rates measured in acetone and hexane indicate no significant differential solvation of the ground state relative to the transition structures of the hydrogen atom addition. The kinetics reveal that the early transition states for hydrogen atom addition exhibit little selectivity (vinyl ether versus simple olefin) in either the abstraction of hydrogen R to the oxygen or by terminal addition to the olefinic ether and reflects the modest influence of the increased enthalpy of reaction associated with resonance stabilization by the oxygen substituent at the developing radical site.
Universality relationships in condensed matter: Bulk modulus and sound velocity.

New forms for the bulk modulus and sound velocity of solids under compression, based on the universal equation of state of Vinet, Ferrante, Smith, and Rose (1987) are presented. These expressions are compared with a number of bulk modulus formulas previously utilized in high-pressure studies. It is demonstrated that this form yields a superior fit to experimental data to very high compressions, for a very wide range of solids. These solids cover the entire range of values of the pressure derivative of the bulk modulus which has been observed in high-pressure measurements.
Depressive symptoms and chronic kidney disease: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2006

Background and objective Depression is common in individuals with end-stage renal disease. However, its relationship with earlier stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is less well known. In this study, we examined the association between depressive symptoms and CKD.
MASS FLOWS IN CORONAL LOOPS

Although static loop models are often used to describe the structure of coronal loops, it is evident on both observational and theoretical grounds that mass motions play a crucial role in the physics of the corona and transition region. First we review the observations of emission-line broadening and wavelength shifts, which imply the presence of random motions and systematic downflows in coronal loops. Some discrepancies in the observations are discussed. It is argued that velocities due to gas pressure gradients are the most likely explanation for the observed flows. A number of models that have been proposed for these motions are reviewed. The implications of the various models on observations of the corona and transition region by SOHO are discussed.
Extensible feature management engine for image retrieval

In this paper we describe the general architecture and specific topics of a database system for multimedia (specifically, images) data. We analyze the conditions that must be met in order to achieve goals such as efficient schema design, query optimization, and extensibility. We assume that the engine uses the services of a traditional database (in the specific instance, a relational database), with the addition of user-defined indexing schemes. The paper presents general architectural issue and focuses on two problems: schema normalization using computational properties of the features, and the definition of feature algebras, in particular, the definition of a wavelets algebra for query expression.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Roosting birds kill pine trees but no toxic effect to soil under roost

Abstract Large numbers of blackbirds roosted in a shortleaf‐loblolly pine plantation resulting in almost complete mortality of the trees. Results showed that soil Ca and pH were higher before the birds roosted in the plantation whereas P and K were higher after the birds had roosted. Nitrogen and Mg did not follow a trend. There were changes in the soil nutrient and pH levels that was attributed to bird excrement but it was concluded that no permanent damage to the soil chemical composition was caused by the roosting birds.
Low molecular weight complexed poly(3-hydroxybutyrate): a dynamic and versatile molecule in vivo

It is increasingly clear that poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is not just an inert storage polymer, confined to certain bacteria, but a ubiquitous, interactive, solvating biopolymer involved in important physiological functions. Low molecular weight PHB, complexed to other macromolecules (c-PHB), is widely distributed in biological cells, being found in representative organisms of nearly all phyla. Complexation modifies the physical and chemical properties of c-PHB, allowing it to pervade aqueous as well as hydrophobic regions of the cell, and as a result c-PHB can be found in cytoplasm and intracellular fluids as well as in membranes and lipoproteins. The lipidic homopolymer associates with other macromolecules primarily via its ester carbonyl oxygens, which can act as hydrogen-bond acceptors or as ligands for coordinate bonds to cations. The spacing of the electron-donating groups along the flexible backbone allows for multiple bonding interactions, and forms the basis for the ability of c-PHB to bind to proteins, or to form ion-conducting complexes with salts. The singular ability of c-PHB to dissolve salts and facilitate their transfer across hydrophobic barriers defines a potential physiological niche for c-PHB in cell metabolism.
Critical Components for Dual Language Programs

Abstract As parents, teachers, administrators, and professors involved in bilingual education and teacher-training, the issues we face when considering dual language programs for our schools are of incredible importance. To the untrained, they are issues too easily missed in the early stages of establishing a dual language bilingual program. In many cases, programs are initiated by well-intentioned practitioners and administrators too quickly, without many of the key components identified here that are ideal for success. Though the needs of any successful program reflect the community and school specifically, this article addresses several key components that are critical to success in dual language programs; these include: (a) definition of the model to be used; (b) a gradual phase-in of the program; (c) development of instruction that reflects the population in the classroom; (d) quality materials in each language of instruction; (e) teachers committed to attaining bilingual education training; (f) dedi...
Volatiles from Delicious Apple Essence—Extraction Methods

SUMMARY— The organic volatiles in commercial Delicious apple essence were extracted and reduced to an oil by five different extractants: isopentane, diethyl ether, charcoal (with elution by ether), liquid carbon dioxide, and 1,2-dichloro-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane. Identification and quantitative estimation of the maior constituents were made by gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Isopentane and the fluorocarbon were similar in action. Compared with ether they gave lower recoveries, especially for the low-molecular-weight alcohols, but they gave extracts with higher concentrations of esters and aldehydes and thus are useful for further composition studies. Liquid carbon dioxide gave an extract similar to that given by ether. Adsorption on charcoal gave generally good recoveries and was outstanding for alcohols. Panel tests indicated that the low-molecular-weight alcohols have only minor importance, if any, to apple aroma. A major proportion of the principal aroma-bearing constituents was extracted by the methods used.
Effect of secondary substituent on the physical properties, crystal structures, and nanoparticle morphologies of (porphyrin)Sn(OH)2: Diversity enabled via synthetic manipulations

A highly efficient porphyrin synthesis facilitates a systematic investigation of the effects that secondary substituents have on the physical properties, crystal structures, and nanoparticle morphologies of amphiphilic (porphyrin)Sn(OH)2.
Tetanus prophylaxis following ocular injuries

The administration of prophylaxis against tetanus following a corneal abrasion is routinely performed in many acute care facilities, despite a lack of support in the literature for its necessity. The risk of developing clinical tetanus from three different types of injuries to the eye was evaluated in an animal model. Clinical tetanus was induced in unimmunized mice by injecting Clostridium tetani organisms or toxin into the anterior chamber. Immunized mice injected intracamerally did not develop signs of tetanus. Tetanus was not induced by topical inoculation of either live organisms or toxin following corneal epithelial debridement or stromal scarification of unimmunized and immunized mice. The results of this study support the administration of prophylaxis against tetanus following perforating ocular injuries. However, our results do not support its routine use following uncomplicated corneal abrasions or other types of nonperforating ocular injuries.
Storage Stability of Flour-Blasted Brown Rice

ABSTRACT Brown rice was blasted with rice flour rather than sand in a sand blaster to make microperforations so that water could easily penetrate the brown rice endosperm and cook the rice in a shorter time. The flour-blasted American Basmati brown rice, long-grain brown rice, and parboiled long-grain brown rice samples were stored in Ziploc storage bags under atmospheric conditions and in vacuum-packed bags. They were periodically tested for over 10 months for changes in water absorption, free fatty acid (FFA), peroxide value (POV), viscosity changes of flour using the Rapid ViscoAnalyser (RVA), and texture of whole cooked kernel using a texture analyzer during cooking. Flour-blasted brown rice absorbed less water but needed less cooking time than its counterpart that was not flour-blasted. There was an increase in FFA, POV, peak viscosity (PV), final viscosity (FV), breakdown viscosity (BD), and setback viscosity (SB) during storage of flour-blasted brown rice for 300 days, but no change was observed in...
Differential sensitivity of neural cells to bilirubin toxicity

Abstract Two established neural cell lines were used to examine the cytotoxicity of bilirubin in vitro . N 2 AB-1 is a subclone of Neuro 2a from the original C1300 mouse neuroblastoma and C 6 glioma is a rat astrocytoma cell line. These cells were grown in monolayer cultures in medium with 10% fetal calf serum containing doses of 5 to 42 μ M bilirubin. Morphologic and biochemical characteristics of cell viability were monitored for 72 h. Additional cultures of N 2 AB-1 were differentiated by treatment with prostaglandin E 1 /cyclic adenosine monophosphate before exposure to various bilirubin concentrations. The cells were examined every 24 h by phase contrast microscopy and protein synthesis was measured by incorporation of tritiated leucine for appropriate times. N 2 AB-1 cells were extremely sensitive to bilirubin within 24 h at doses greater than 11 μ M . Cells showed swelling, vacuole formation, pigment accumulation, and lift off from the growing surface. Growth of N 2 AB-1 over 3 days was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, protein synthesis 6 h after bilirubin exposure and 24 h after bilirubin exposure was inhibited in the same dose dependency as cell growth. In contrast, N 2 AB-1 cells morphologically differentiated by drug treatment showed no effect of bilirubin exposure. Also, mitotically active rat glial cells were resistant to bilirubin toxicity under similar conditions. This study demonstrates that marked differences exist among neural cells in susceptibility in vitro to bilirubin toxicity and that mitotically active neuronal cells are more sensitive to bilirubin treatment than “mature” neurons.
National trends in prayer use as a coping mechanism for depression: changes from 2002 to 2007.

To analyze national trends in the use of prayer among individuals with depression, we adopted a cross-sectional design with data from the adult Alternative Medicine supplement of the National Health Interview Survey 2002 and 2007. Prayer use and depression were combined into 4 categories: (a) prayed in the past 12 months and depressed; (b) prayed in the past 12 months and not depressed; (c) never prayed but depressed; and (d) never prayed and not depressed. Chi-square tests and multinomial logistic regressions were performed to analyze group differences. All analyses were adjusted for the complex sample design and conducted in SAS-callable SUDAAN. Use of prayer for depression was steady at 6.9 % across time; however, general prayer increased significantly between 2002 and 2007 (40.2 vs. 45.7). Women, aged 50–64, unmarried, with high school education were more likely to use prayer while depressed compared to those who were neither depressed nor prayed. Lifestyle behaviors (e.g. alcohol, smoking, exercise) were also associated with prayer use and depression. Prayer use for depression remained steady with unique relationships occurring among those who smoke, use alcohol, and have irregular exercise. Individuals’ use of prayer as a potential complementary treatment for depression suggests that it is critical for mental and physical health treatment providers to be aware of the use of prayer as a coping resource.
Effects of commercial pancreozymin preparation (Cecekin) and gastrin pentapeptide upon acid and pepsin secretion in gastric fistula dogs.

Abstract This study compared the stimulatory effects of pancreozymin-cholecystokinin (Cecekin) and gastrin pentapeptide upon gastric secretion and confirmed that small doses of pancreozymin stimulated both acid and pepsin secretion from gastric fistula dogs. Acid output with pancreozymin was about one-third of that in response to pentapeptide, but this difference was narrowed by the addition of a small dose of methacholine. Pepsin secretion was equally stimulated by both drugs. The differences between the effects of the two drugs may be due to an antral inhibitory mechanism; contaminants of the commercial pancreozymin preparation were probably insufficient to account for these differences.
A single institution experience with concurrent capecitabine and radiation therapy in weak and/or elderly patients with urothelial cancer

Purpose: To describe a single institution experience in delivering concurrent capecitabine and radiation in elderly patients with urothelial cancer. Methods and Materials: The records of patients with urothelial carcinoma treated with capecitabine and radiation at Wayne State University were reviewed. Capecitabine was administered at a median dose of 1600 mg/m 2 /day (range, 1200–1800 mg/m 2 ). Concurrent radiation therapy (RT) of 40–45 Gy was delivered to a small pelvic field with a four-field technique, with additional boost to tumor area (total, 54–68.4 Gy). Results: Fourteen patients who were not candidates for cystectomy or cisplatin-based therapy were treated with capecitabine and concurrent radiation therapy. Median age was 80 years (range, 46–88 years). Five patients had a performance status of 3. Nine patients had localized disease, and 5 patients had advanced disease. The most common overall toxicities were fatigue (43%), diarrhea (Grade 2, 14% and Grade 3, 29%), and dehydration (43%), with no Grade 4 or 5 toxicities. Of 14 patients, 3 (20%) required hospitalization for management of toxicities. Seven patients required dose modification, and the therapy was relatively well tolerated. Clinical complete response was seen in 11 of 13 evaluable patients (77%). At a median follow-up of 10.5 months, only 3 of 11 responders had relapsed. Conclusion: Concurrent capecitabine and radiation therapy is well-tolerated and demonstrates promising efficacy in urothelial carcinoma, thus offering a tolerable therapeutic option in elderly patients or those with impaired performance status.
Modelling localized nonlinearities in continuous systems via the method of augmentation by non-smooth basis functions

Existing solutions for continuous systems with localized, non-smooth nonlinearities (such as impacts) focus on exact methods for satisfying the nonlinear constitutive equations. Exact methods often...
45 years of orthogonal polynomials: a view from the wings

This is an informal and rather personal report on what a bit player observed happening on stage in this ongoing drama we call orthogonal polynomials.
Success in CS: Is culture a factor?

The research presented in this paper investigated the possibility that the factors that have been shown to be correlated with success in Computer Science could be influenced by culture. Two Sudanese students have recently been through our department. While they excelled in academic areas often connected to success in Computer Science, they were unable to gain an understanding of programming at the same rate as fellow class members. Considering their backgrounds, we began to wonder if perhaps there was a cultural aspect to their apparent inability to grasp the programming concepts as efficiently as their U.S. born peers. Drawing on past research from multiple disciplines, we determined that there was some likelihood that this is the case for them and for students of other cultures in general. In this paper we report on the evidence found to support this general conclusion. In addition we show that attention to the variation in Math education, learning styles, personality traits, and comfort levels due to background, can make a significant difference in the ability of students from a variety of cultures to learn Computer Science.
Marijuana use subtypes in a community sample of young adult women.

Objective This study sought to empirically derive marijuana user subtypes based on DSM abuse and dependence criteria and examine demographic and substance abuse distinctions of derived classes. Method A community sample of 308 female marijuana users between the ages of 18 and 24 were recruited in the Southern New England region. Latent class analysis was used to derive subgroups based on DSM criteria. The use and demographic characteristics of classes were further analyzed using analysis of variance and the chi-square test. Results Based on fit criteria, a three-class solution was selected. Class I (37%)—an “unaffected/mild” group—was characterized by very low endorsement rates of abuse and dependence criteria. This class was also found to have significantly lower rates of other substance use problems. Class II (41.6%)—“moderate problem users”—showed moderate endorsement rates of abuse and dependence criteria. Class III (21.4%)—“severe problem users”—showed the greatest levels of abuse and dependence, with 90% meeting DSM criteria for abuse and 100% meeting diagnostic criteria for marijuana dependence. Class III also showed the greatest levels of other substance use problems. Conclusion Three distinct marijuana abuse and dependence subtypes were derived using latent class analysis. Findings may have implications for the development of more targeted treatment and prevention interventions for young women struggling with varying degrees of marijuana abuse and dependence.
Design of a holographic lens for the infrared

Techniques are described for the construction of a holographic lens for focusing a collimated beam to a point. The lens is constructed in the visible for use in the near infrared. A major problem is to eliminate aberrations that result from the shift between the wavelength of construction and of use.
A Comprehensive Modeling Study of n-Heptane Oxidation

A detailed chemical kinetic mechanism has been developed and used to study the oxidation of n-heptane in flow reactors, shock tubes, and rapid compression machines. Over the series of experiments numerically investigated, the initial pressure ranged from 1–42 atm, the temperature from 550–1700 K, the equivalence ratio from 0.3–1.5, and nitrogen-argon dilution from 70–99%. The combination of ignition delay time and species composition data provide for a stringent test of the chemical kinetic mechanism. The reactions are classed into various types, and the reaction rate constants are given together with an explanation of how the rate constants were obtained. Experimental results from the literature of ignition behind reflected shock waves and in a rapid compression machine were used to develop and validate the reaction mechanism at both low and high temperatures. Additionally, species composition data from a variable pressure flow reactor and a jet-stirred reactor were used to help complement and refine the low-temperature portions of the reaction mechanism. A sensitivity analysis was performed for each of the combustion environments. This analysis showed that the low-temperature chemistry is very sensitive to the formation of stable olefin species from hydroperoxy-alkyl radicals and to the chain-branching steps involving ketohydroperoxide molecules.
Selective Upregulated Expression of the α2-Macroglobulin Signaling Receptor in Highly Metastatic 1-LN Prostate Carcinoma Cells

Cellular binding of receptor-recognized forms of alpha2-macroglobulin (alpha2M*) is mediated by the low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein (LRP) and the alpha2M signaling receptor (alpha2MSR). In nonmalignant cells, ligation of alpha2MSR promotes DNA synthesis and cellular proliferation. Here, we report that insulin treatment of highly metastatic 1-LN human prostate carcinoma selectively increases alpha2MSR expression and binding of alpha2M* to 1-LN cells. alpha2M* induces transient increases in intracellular calcium and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in insulin-treated 1-LN cells, consistent with activation of alpha2MSR. Inhibition of signaling cascades activated by insulin blocks upregulation of alpha2MSR. By contrast, alpha2M* does not bind to nor induce intracellular signaling in PC-3 cells, even though 1-LN cells were subcloned from PC-3 cells. We suggest that alpha2M* behaves like a growth factor in these highly malignant cells. The 1-LN metastatic phenotype may result, in part, from aberrant expression of alpha2MSR, indicating the possible involvement of alpha2M* in tumor progression.
UNIQUE ANTIBODY TO BASEMENT MEMBRANE IN PATIENTS WITH SELECTIVE IgA DEFICIENCY AND CŒLIAC DISEASE

Abstract 3 patients were found to have a unique Summary antibody reacting with the basement membrane of renal tubules, Bowman's capsule, ileum, bile canaliculi, parotid duct, sarcolemmal sheath, and striations of muscle. All 3 patients had selective IgA deficiency and coeliac disease.
Energy-based optimal step planning for humanoids

Step planning is becoming an increasingly important research topic for humanoid robots. Most cost functions for step planning in the literature are designed based on terrain information. The energy cost to perform each step action is usually ignored. In walking, energy consumption depends on gait features such as step length and width. In this paper, we use three simple and intuitive energy cost functions for different step lengths, widths, and the turning angle. These functions are inspired by literature on human walking energy analysis, and the function parameters are tuned to match computed costs for optimal humanoid walking motions obtained by simulation. The energy cost and the terrain cost are combined to obtain an optimal step planning sequence using A* search.
An autoradiographic study of the commissural and ipsilateral hippocampo-dentate projections in the adult rat.

The distribution of the associational and commissural afferents to the inner one-fourth of the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus of the rat, has been studied autoradiographically following small injections of 3H-proline into the hilar region of the dentate (from which both groups of afferents arise). Different patterns of axonal labeling are observed after injections into the temporal (i.e., caudal), middle, or septal (rostral) thirds of the hippocampus. Thus after temporal injections labeled commissural and associational afferents are found only in the caudal third of the dentate gyrus, and the grain densities observed on the two sides are markedly asymmetrical around the short, or transverse, axis of the dentate. On the other hand, injections into the middle third of the hippocampus lead to extensive labeling of the commissural and associational afferents throughout the rostral two-thirds of the dentate gyrus, and their distribution, as judged by grain density estimates, is symmetrical on the two sides. Septal injections label fibers over the rostral half of the dentate, and again the labeling pattern of the two sides is asymmetrical (but in the reverse pattern from that seen after temporal injections). These distinctive patterns in the distribution of the two classes of afferents can generally be accounted for on the following assumptions: (1) the commissural and associational afferents share a common cytochemical specificity; (2) they compete with each other for the limited number of synaptic sites available upon the proximal portions of the granule cells; (3) the granule cells are generated along two distinct morphogenetic gradients: from the temporal to the septal pole of the dentate gyrus, and from the tip of its dorsal (or external) to the tip of its ventral (internal) blade; and (4) the first fibers to arrive monopolize the majority of the available synaptic sites, and those that reach their target field later, synapse predominantly upon the last-formed granule cell dendrites. To this extent our findings are consonant with the “temporal hypothesis” first formulated by Gottlieb and Cowan ('72). However, to account for the restricted distribution of afferents from the temporal part of the hippocampus, it is necessary to further postulate that there is some degree of topographic (or region-to-region) specificity in the ipsilateral and contralateral hippocampodentate projections.
Bulk and Surface Electronic Properties of Oxide Dielectrics

The electronic properties of oxides that are candidates for high-dielectric insulators in ULSI are discussed. The theoretical models that can be used to describe them are compared, and the properties of cation oxidation state and point defects associated with non-stoichiometry in the bulk and on the surface are considered. Metal-oxide surfaces often reconstruct, with the creation of a surface dipole moment The effect of overlayers on metal-oxide surfaces is also discussed.
The Influence of Rural Physicians' Perceptions on Referral Patterns to a University Hospital*

The patient referral process is based on a complex set of social rewards and costs for the referring physician. For the physician or institution potentially receiving referrals, a key question is, why is one institution selected over other available choices? Factor analysis of a survey of rural physicians revealed five factors of reward and cost associated with the choice of where to refer patients. Further analysis of these factors suggested that the ability to have patients admitted and treated when necessary is central to the satisfaction of the referring physician and their willingness to continue the consultant relationship. Adequate information about the consultants was also important to satisfaction. Other factors have less influence. Further, "admissions when necessary" was the only reward/cost factor which predicted physicians who referred more to the university hospital than to other hospitals. If a university hospital wants to develop strategies to encourage referrals from rural physicians, it must be cognizant of these social reward-cost factors.
Innovative alcohol use: assessing the prevalence of alcohol without liquid and other non-oral routes of alcohol administration

Abstract Background Though case studies, media reports, and anecdotal evidence point to creative forms of alcohol use such as “eyeballing,” inhalation through vaporizers and other “alcohol without liquid” (AWOL) devices, and “slimming” as a growing trend, no empirical study has assessed the veracity of these claims. The present study attempts to debunk, confirm, or alter the popular perception that young adults are administering alcohol in novel ways. Methods A self-report paper survey was administered to 2349 young adults selected for inclusion using a stratified random sampling technique. Respondents were asked to indicate all of the ways in which they had administered alcohol and presented options ranging from traditional oral consumption from a cup, can, or bottle to innovative techniques referenced by medical reports and news outlets. The prevalence of each form of innovative use was reported and explored. Results Innovative alcohol use was very rare in the sample. Only 25 of 2349 participants (1.1%) had engaged in one or more of the creative methods of alcohol consumption. Among these individuals, most reported either using an AWOL device and/or administering alcohol anally. Vaginal administration and “eyeballing” were only reported by three and one respondents, respectively. Conclusions It appears that innovative alcohol use is more than an urban legend but that innovative use, even among a population with high rates of alcohol and drug use, is rare. Regardless, physicians and emergency medical personnel need to be aware of and prepared for dealing with innovative alcohol use.
DIMPLE: DynamIc Membership ProtocoL for epidemic protocols

Epidemic protocols assume that information of a random set of nodes is provided at each protocol round. By definition, the random set needs to be chosen uniformly and randomly from the entire set to gossip with. Consequently, a node observes a different set of randomly chosen nodes at each different protocol round. Several proposals have addressed the issue of providing a different random set of nodes at each different round. In general, for large systems, this is done by creating a partial view of the entire membership at each node and exchanging part of the partial view among nodes. While many interesting properties of this approach have been found, investigation is needed to study the performance of this approach with practically high network churn. Without an action specifically designed for churn, shuffling would produce many dangling pointers in the partial view which point to an already left node. This in turn would significantly degrade the quality of epidemic protocols. The reason for the poor quality of the partial view is that the procedures of leave and join can take too long time to handle churn efficiently. To address this issue, an additional action of reinforcement and a new join procedure are proposed and evaluated in this paper. The reinforcement detects and removes dangling pointers at each shuffle more effectively, and the new join procedure accommodates a newly joining node remarkably fast. The subsequent simulations show that these ideas enhance the shuffling mechanism such that the system processes network churn much faster and the quality of the node degrees is significantly enhanced.
Integration Of A Gated Microchannel Plate Detector Into The Nova Laser System

In recent years the measurements of Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) target dynamics using x-ray imaging have grown in both quality and quantity. One instrument being used increasingly at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's Nova facility is the Gated X-Ray Imager. This imager uses a microchannel plate as detector, amplifier, and gating element to allow x-ray photographs with aperture times under 100 ps. In anticipation of as many as 16 imagers installed on Nova within the next year, an electronic control system has been developed. This system simplifies operator interface when in a "stand-alone" mode while synchronizing with the Nova sequence clock when in the "shot" mode. The system is also expected to be fully integrated into the Nova computer system within the next year. This will allow remote parameter input and the monitoring and archiving of system status.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Energy Gap in Nuclear Matter. II. BCS Theory

The Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) theory is employed to study the energy gap in nuclear matter with various internucleonic potentials which fit singlet low-energy scattering data and the $s$-wave phase shift at 310 MeV. The interactions are expressed as the sum of two terms, each of which is separable, thus admitting exact solutions of the energy-gap equation. The dependence of the energy gap on the form and parameters of the interaction, as well as on the nuclear density and effective mass, is investigated. For normal nuclear density, the gap is found to be small compared with that observed in the heaviest nuclei.
Estimates of viral abundance in soils are strongly influenced by extraction and enumeration methods

Viruses are highly abundant in temperate soils, ranging from 107 to 109 g−1, and outnumbering soil bacteria from 5- to over 1,000-fold. In order to determine the potential impacts of viruses on soil microbial communities, it is important to establish reliable methods for comparing changes in viral abundances within and across soil samples. The goals of this study were to optimize extraction-enumeration methods to accurately determine viral abundances in a range of soil types, to evaluate the feasibility of simultaneously enumerating bacterial cells and virus particles using a single extraction procedure, and to assess the utility of flow cytometry (FCM) for enumerating virus particles in soil extracts. Comparisons of extraction approaches indicated that sonication or blender extraction of soils with potassium citrate buffer yielded the highest viral abundances for most soil types. Combined viral and bacterial extractions underestimate abundances compared to separately-optimized extractions for each. Flow cytometric counts were anywhere between 350- and 1,400-fold higher than epifluorescence microscopy (EFM)-based counts for the same soil. Trends in viral abundance across soil types were different from those via EFM, and different relationships between viral abundance and soil properties were observed depending on the enumeration method. Thus, FCM is not currently recommended for enumeration of viruses in soil extracts. Based on EFM results, soil moisture and organic matter content were the most important factors determining viral abundance in soils.
Preparation of multilayered nanocomposites of polyoxometalates and poly(amidoamine) dendrimers

Abstract A layer-by-layer (LBL) deposition technique based on electrostatic attraction of oppositely charged species was used to fabricate multilayer films consisting of polyoxometalates (POMs) (Keggin-structure PMo12O403− or Dawson-structure P2W18O626−) and a generation-4 poly(amidoamine) dendrimer (G4-PAMAM) on quartz treated with poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) and gold treated with 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP). Both of the UV–visible spectrophotometry and cyclic voltammetry proved a successful formation of uniform and well-defined self-assemblies with multilayered supramolecular structure. With PMo12O403−, each layer contained 4.6×10 −11 mol cm −2 . Direct attachment of PMo12O403− yielded a surface excess of 3.6×10 −11 mol cm −1 in that monolayer. The comparison suggested an expansion of the effective surface area by the multicharged macromolecule, G4-PAMAM. The multilayer films mediated the reduction of iodate and of nitrite.
Theoretical Study of the Electric Field Distribution in the Cathode Fall Region of a Spherical Hollow Cathode Discharge

A theory is presented for a simplified, one-dimensional model of a spherical hollow cathode discharge. Analytical expressions are derived for the electric field distribution and cathode fall voltage as functions of radial distance across the cathode dark space. The model assumes that the drift velocity of ions obeys the high-field approximation. An empirically derived discharge maintenance condition is assumed which, in addition to the secondary electron emission due to ions, includes the secondary electron emission effects of photons and metastable atoms from the negative glow region. The electric field and cathode fall voltage are shown to be monotonic functions of radial distance across the cathode dark space, which agrees qualitatively with previous theoretical and experimental work on cylindrical hollow cathodes. The sublinear mathematical form obtained for the electric field and its relationship to other cathode geometries is briefly discussed.
An Analysis of the Concordance Among 13 U.S. Wine Competitions

An analysis of over 4000 wines entered in 13 U.S. wine competitions shows little concordance among the venues in awarding Gold medals. Of the 2,440 wines entered in more than three competitions, 47 percent received Gold medals, but 84 percent of these same wines also received no award in another competition. Thus, many wines that are viewed as extraordinarily good at some competitions are viewed as below average at others. An analysis of the number of Gold medals received in multiple competitions indicates that the probability of winning a Gold medal at one competition is stochastically independent of the probability of receiving a Gold at another competition, indicating that winning a Gold medal is greatly influenced by chance alone. (JEL Classification: D02, Q19)
Evidence for Modulation of Melatonin Secretion in Men With Benign and Malignant Tumors of the Prostate: Relationship With the Pituitary Hormones

The serum levels of the pineal hormone melatonin were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in 4-h intervals throughout a 24-h period in elderly men with different types of prostate tumors: benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, n = 13), incidental carcinoma (PCi, n = 5), and nonmetastasizing carcinoma (PC, n = 9), as well as in young men (YM, n = 10). Simultaneously, the pituitary hormones prolactin, growth hormone, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone were measured by RIA. All subjects were untreated and free of serious complaints, and they stayed in the same environment. The data were analyzed by the population mean-cosinor method, and linear correlation coefficients between the five hormones were calculated for each group. Melatonin showed significant circadian rhythms in young men and patients with BPH and PCi but not in patients with PC. Twenty-four-hour mean concentration (mesor) and amplitude were significantly increased in patients with PCi as compared to patients with PC. Prolactin showed significant circadian rhythms in young men and in patients with BPH, whereas patients with PCi and PC appeared to have ultradian variations. Growth hormone did not show significant rhythms in any of the groups; the mesors were elevated in all tumor groups as compared to young men. Gonadotropin mesors were elevated in all tumor patients as compared to young men; rhythms were not detected. Carcinoma patients showed different interhormonal correlations than all other groups. These results indicate that modulation of melatonin secretion, accompanied by changes in the pituitary hormone levels, may be related to development and growth of prostate cancer.
Hydrogen-atom spectrum under a minimal-length hypothesis

The energy spectrum of the Coulomb potential with minimal length commutation relations $[{X}_{i},{P}_{j}]=i\ensuremath{\hbar}{{\ensuremath{\delta}}_{ij}(1+\ensuremath{\beta}{P}^{2})+{\ensuremath{\beta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}{P}_{i}{P}_{j}}$ is determined both numerically and perturbatively for arbitrary values of ${\ensuremath{\beta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}∕\ensuremath{\beta}$ and angular momenta $\ensuremath{\ell}$. The constraint on the minimal length scale from precision hydrogen spectroscopy data is of the order of a few ${\mathrm{GeV}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, weaker than previously claimed.
Simplifying algebra in Feynman graphs. III. Massive vectors

A T-dualized self-dual inspired formulation of massive vector fields coupled to arbitrary matter is generated; subsequently its perturbative series modeling a spontaneously broken gauge theory is analyzed. The new Feynman rules and external line factors are chirally minimized in the sense that only one type of spin index occurs in the rules. Several processes are examined in detail and the cross sections formulated in this approach. A double line formulation of the Lorentz algebra for Feynman diagrams is produced in this formalism, similar to color ordering, which follows from a spin ordering of the Feynman rules. The new double line formalism leads to further minimization of gauge invariant scattering in perturbation theory. The dualized electroweak model is also generated.
An autocorrelation method to detect low frequency earthquakes within tremor

[1] Recent studies have shown that deep tremor in the Nankai Trough under western Shikoku consists of a swarm of low frequency earthquakes (LFEs) that occur as slow shear slip on the down-dip extension of the primary seismogenic zone of the plate interface. The similarity of tremor in other locations suggests a similar mechanism, but the absence of cataloged low frequency earthquakes prevents a similar analysis. In this study, we develop a method for identifying LFEs within tremor. The method employs a matched-filter algorithm, similar to the technique used to infer that tremor in parts of Shikoku is comprised of LFEs; however, in this case we do not assume the origin times or locations of any LFEs a priori. We search for LFEs using the running autocorrelation of tremor waveforms for 6 Hi-Net stations in the vicinity of the tremor source. Time lags showing strong similarity in the autocorrelation represent either repeats, or near repeats, of LFEs within the tremor. We test the method on an hour of Hi-Net recordings of tremor and demonstrates that it extracts both known and previously unidentified LFEs. Once identified, we cross correlate waveforms to measure relative arrival times and locate the LFEs. The results are able to explain most of the tremor as a swarm of LFEs and the locations of newly identified events appear to fill a gap in the spatial distribution of known LFEs. This method should allow us to extend the analysis of Shelly et al. (2007a) to parts of the Nankai Trough in Shikoku that have sparse LFE coverage, and may also allow us to extend our analysis to other regions that experience deep tremor, but where LFEs have not yet been identified.
Nanostructure evolution during chemical processing of gels: A high-resolution electron microscope study. 1. Rare earth oxide and hydroxycarbonate colloids

Abstract The steps in the evolution of colloidal gels during drying, aging, and crystallization into ceramic oxides are followed by high-resolution electron microscopy. Two systems are discussed in this paper. Colloidal ceric hydroxide gels in two morphologies were studied. In one, spherical gel particles with only short-range order were observed to dehydrate to polycrystalline CeO2 with large grain size. In the other a polycrystalline precipitate of CeO2 was observed to increase its order without altering its grain size. Colloidal terbium hydroxycarbonate is also observed to have short-range order even in the earliest stages. In contrast to the cerium oxide these disordered materials are observed to crystallize and decompose in dynamic stages (even revealing reversibilities) through the intermediate dioxymonocarbonate to the oxide as carbon dioxide and water are removed. Observations are made by real-time video recording and time-lapse photography.
Sensitivity and uncertainty analysis for eigenvalue-difference responses

Equations for sensitivity coefficients of eigenvalue-difference responses such as reactivity are derived from a unified approach based on both eigenvalue and generalized perturbation theory. The se...
Restoration Of Three-dimensional Magnetic Resonance Images Degraded By Restless Patients

A method is presented for restoring threedimensional (3-D) magnetic resonance (MR) images that have been degraded by movements characteristic of restless patients. The method attempts to correct the phase of the complex data samples from which 3-D MR images are calculated, using some knowledge of the motion. The technique for acquiring the 3-D MR images includes additional MR signals, which provide onedimensional (1 -D) and two-dimensional (2-D) projections of anatomy. The projections are compared to reveal translations and also rotations in one plane. The method is useful if large segments of anatomy experience similar motion, as with restless patients.
Phosphorus Contents in Desert Riparian Spiders and Insects Vary among Taxa and Between Flight Capabilities

ABSTRACT Phosphorus occurs in a variety of biological molecules including DNA and RNA, ATP and other adenine nucleotides, phosphorylated metabolites, and phospholipids. Variation in phosphorus content among spiders and insects would influence the element's uptake by insectivorous birds. I measured amounts of phosphorus in 3 families of spiders and 7 orders and 24 families of insects collected in riparian habitat next to the Colorado River in western Arizona. Relation between phosphorus mass and body dry-mass, P µg = 9.6 (body mg), in spiders and insects was not allometric. Phosphorus concentration, as a mean percentage of body dry-mass, was higher in spiders (1.33%) than in insects (0.96%). Phosphorus contents varied most among families but also among orders and genera. Insect predators contained higher phosphorus concentrations (1.01%) than insect herbivores (0.90%). Strongflying insects, Odonata, Neuroptera, Diptera, and Hymenoptera except Formicidae, also contained higher phosphorus concentrations (1.0...
Prevention and management of treatment-induced pharyngo-oesophageal stricture

Summary Pharyngo-oesophageal stricture (PES) is a serious complication that occurs in up to a third of patients treated with external beam radiotherapy or combined chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer. This entity is under-reported and as a result, our understanding of the pathophysiology and prevention of this complication is restricted. This Review presents the knowledge so far on radiation-related and non-radiation-related risk factors for PES, including tumour stage and subsite, patient age, and comorbidities. The interventions to decrease this toxicity are discussed, including early detection of PES, initiation of an oral diet, and protection of swallowing structures from high-dose radiation. We discuss various treatment options, including swallowing exercises and manoeuvres, endoscopic dilatations, and for advanced cases, oesophageal reconstruction. Study of the subset of patients who develop this toxicity and early recognition and intervention of this pathological change in future trials will help to optimise treatment of these patients.