cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Magnetic Bearings For A High-Performance Optical Disk Buffer

The application of magnetic bearing technology to both the read/write head and rotary spindle of an optical disk buffer will allow its use in a spacecraft environment. An optical disk buffer concept can provide gigabit-per-second data rates and terabit capacity through the use of arrays of solid state lasers applied to a stack of erasable/reusable optical disks. The disks are fixed to a common shaft and each disk surface is served by an independent electro-optic module for recording, playback, and erasure of data. A magneto-optic technique is used to implement the record/erase cycle. The RCA optical disk buffer has evoked interest by NASA for space applications. The porous graphite air bearings in the rotary spindle as well as those used in the linear translation of the read/write head would be replaced by magnetic bearings or mechanical (ball or roller) bearings. Based upon past experience, roller or ball bearings for the translation stages are not feasible. Unsatisfactory, although limited, experience exists with ball bearing spindles also. Magnetic bearings, however, appear ideally suited for both applications. The use of magnetic bearings is advantageous in the optical disk buffer because of the absence of physical contact between the rotating and stationary members. This frictionless operation leads to extended life and reduced drag. The manufacturing tolerances that are required to fabricate magnetic bearings would also be relaxed from those required for precision ball and gas bearings. Since magnetic bearings require no lubricant, they are inherently compatible with a space (vacuum) environment. Magnetic bearings also allow the dynamics of the rotor/bearing system to be altered through the use of active control. This provides the potential for reduced vibration, extended regions of stable operation, and more precise control of position.
Molecular characterization of the recombinant inbred line population derived from a japonica-indica rice cross

Recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations of rice are useful genetic sources for map-based cloning of agronomically important genes. Zhe733 is a high-yielding indica cultivar from China conferring resistance to rice blast (RB), rice water weevil (RWW) and straighthead; whereas Kaybonnet low-phytic acid 1-1 (KBNTlpa) is a mutant of a tropical japonica cultivar from the US containing low-phytic acid with average yield, and is susceptible to some RB races, RWW, and straighthead. A 355 RIL F10−11 population derived from the cross of KBNTlpa × Zhe733 was recently released. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to evaluate 269 RILs of this population. A total of 107 polymorphic markers were mapped on all rice chromosomes representing a total of 1,016.3 cM of genetic distance. Two hundred and thirty-five KBNTlpa × Zhe733 RILs (KZRILs) were clustered into seven groups based on allele frequencies of SSR markers. Twenty-three markers (21.1%) on chromosomes 3, 6, 7, 9, and 11 were found to favor Zhe733 (χ2 = 16.8−189.7 and P 15.7 and P < 0.01). Furthermore, the average frequencies of heterozygosity and non-parental alleles per KZRIL were 1.3% (0.0−38.9%) and 0.4% (0.0−15.0%), respectively. Thirteen heterozygous KZRILs were found at more than five markers loci and nine KZRILs were found with more than five non-parental alleles representing 5.1 and 3.5% of 255 KZRILs. Overall, this KZRIL population is a good population with relatively low frequencies of heterozygosity and non-parental alleles, and with relatively low percentages of skewed markers and skewed KZRILs. The profiles of these SSR markers should facilitate molecular tagging critical genes controlling yield, RB, RWW, and straighthead resistance.
Human rights and building peace: the case of Pakistani madrasas

An increasing number of local, national and international nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) are diligently working for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Muslim societies, and not without success. However, at times, some of these NGOs are perceived to be agents of ‘Western colonisation’ who attempt to undermine traditional structures and customs. Such attitudes are particularly prevalent in many Muslim countries such as Pakistan, which has suffered under colonial regimes for long periods of time. Thus it becomes important to frame human rights and peace-building efforts within the religio-cultural contexts of the community itself and to identify who can be effective agents of peace building and human rights. This article argues that human rights and peace building are inextricably linked and that any peace-building effort must incorporate mechanisms to enhance human rights. One of the main ways in which human rights can be enhanced in a conflict environment is to incorporate it in the ...
Methylxanthine inhibit fungal chitinases and exhibit antifungal activity.

Chitinases are necessary for fungal cell wall remodeling and cell replication. Methylxanthines have been shown to competitively inhibit family 18 chitinases in vitro. We sought to determine the effects of methylxanthines on fungal chitinases. Fungi demonstrated variable chitinase activity and incubation with methylxanthines (0.5–10 mM) resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in this activity. All fungi tested, except for Candida spp., demonstrated growth inhibition in the presence of methylxanthines at a concentration of 10 mM. India ink staining demonstrated impaired budding and decreased cell size for methylxanthine-treated Cryptococcus neoformans. C. neoformans and Aspergillus fumigatus treated with pentoxifylline also exhibited abnormal cell morphology. In addition, pentoxifylline-treated C. neoformans exhibited increased susceptibility to calcofluor and a leaky melanin phenotype consistent with defective cell wall function. Our data suggest that a variety of fungi express chitinases and that methylxanthines have antifungal properties related to their inhibition of fungal chitinases. Our results highlight the potential utility of targeting chitinases in the development of novel antifungal therapies.
Probing the Local Site Environments in Mn:CdSe Quantum Dots

A quantum dot (QD) contains a well-defined surface passivated by ligands and a bulklike core. The effect of surface passivation and lattice truncation on local structural and electronic microenvironments within a CdSe QD is an area of active research. Selectively probing the local microenvironments that exist at the surface and core of the QD is difficult but can be achieved by use of a Mn(II) impurity ion doped into a CdSe QD using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). By use of high frequency EPR (HF-EPR) spectroscopy, the site-dependent perturbation experienced for Mn(II) incorporated as a guest ion into CdSe QDs allows the distinguishing of two unique microenvironments within the QD, namely, an unperturbed core and an electronically distorted surface. Analysis of the Lande g-factor, hyperfine constant (A), and the distribution of g and D (Δg, ΔD) allows the local microenvironments within CdSe to be probed as a function of size, ligand passivation, and site of Mn(II) incorporation.
Republic of Shade: New England and the American Elm

The American elm, elegant and highly adaptable, was an essential feature of America's cultural landscape for more than a century, forming great verdant parasols above, and giving its name to streets all across the nation. The elm became a defining element in the spatial design of America's villages, towns and cities, first in New England, and, with the westward transit of Yankee culture, eventually throughout the United States. This illustrated text traces the elm's transformation from a fast-growing weed into a regional and national icon, and shows how Elm Street satisfied America's quest for a pastoral urbanism imagined since the time of Jefferson.
Comparison of two laser doppler flowmetry systems for bone blood flow analysis

The development of laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) has provided a real-time, reliable method for monitoring capillary perfusion in multiple tissues. LDF has potential for the experimental and clinical assessment of bone blood flow. To compare the accuracy and ease of use of two commercially available laser Doppler flowmeters with different mechanisms for processing the Doppler-shifted component of light, estimates of bone blood flow were obtained in a sheep model using the two systems, and the values derived then compared with estimates of bone blood flow also obtained in a sheep using the technique of injection of labeled microspheres. The single-channel laser Doppler flowmeter, the LD 5000, processes the reference and Doppler-shifted beams on the surface of a single photodetector using optical heterodyning for measurement. The dual-channel flowmeter, the Periflux 2, uses two optical fibers to transmit reference and Doppler-shifted light to two separate photodetectors. The differential amplification and detection system improves the signal-to-noise ratio. Measurement of both metaphyseal (cancellous) and diaphyseal (cortical) blood flow using both LDF systems was compared with values obtained with an injection of85Sr-labeled microspheres in three sheep. The LDF measurements were repeated after occlusion of the left femoral artery, and a46Sc microsphere injection was performed prior to animal sacrifice. Two of the animals developed vasomotor instability, resulting in poor correlation between the measurements obtained with the Periflux 2, which is motion sensitive, and the values obtained with the microsphere method. High correlation was apparent in two of the three animals for the LD 5000 and the microsphere values. Four additional sheep were evaluated using only the Periflux 2, and the data collected yielded R values of 0.6–0.98. Both the single- and dual-channel LDF systems offer accurate assessment of local cortical and cancellous bone blood flow.
Spray forming technology for military applications

Over the past five years, the Annapolis Detachment, Carderock Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (formerly David Taylor Research Center) has established a state- of- the- art spray forming facility for the study and exploitation of this near net shape manufacturing process. Spray forming is a single step gas atomization/deposition process which yields ferrous and nonferrous, near final shape, near fully dense preforms that has proven to be a viable and cost effective alternative to conventional metalworking technology for the production of material preforms with properties surpassing those of their cast and wrought counterparts. Current programs at Carderock Divison Naval Surface Warfare Center are aimed at optimization of the process, certification of the spray formed products and industrialization of the technology.
Estimating nonparametric convex functions using gradient data

Abstract The estimation and use of nonparametric convex functions has been discussed in the recent literature, where it is assumed that the data used in the estimation consists of (a sample of) observations of the convex function. However, an important additional or alternative source of data consists of observations on the (sub) gradient of the function. In the present paper we discuss how to use such (sub)gradient data, to estimate nonparametric functions. This: (a) allows us to estimate nonparametric convex functions when other (point observation) data is unavailable, or unobservable, or unreliable or costly to obtain, (b) allows us an alternative even when other (point observation) data is available, and (c) allows us to improve our estimates by using both types of data together. The resultant function estimators may not be unique, hence we compute bounds on the (convex) set of estimators. We also consider introducing other data in addition to the gradient data. The discussion is illustrated by reference to estimating production functions, benefit functions and demand functions.
High-angular-momentum states in cold Rydberg gases.

Cold, dense Rydberg gases produced in a cold-atom trap are investigated using spectroscopic methods and time-resolved electron counting. Optical excitation on the discrete Rydberg resonances reveals long-lasting electron emission from the Rydberg gas ( $g20\mathrm{ms}$). Our observations are explained by $\mathrm{lm}$-mixing collisions between Rydberg atoms and slow electrons that lead to the population of long-lived high-angular-momentum Rydberg states. These atoms thermally ionize slowly and with large probabilities.
Mesomechanical Model for Numerical Study of Two-Dimensional Triaxially Braided Composite

A mesoscale three-dimensional finite-element model is set up to model two-dimensional triaxially braided composites. Unit cell scheme is used to take into account braiding architecture as well as mechanical behavior of fiber tows, matrix, and fiber tow interface. A 0°/±60° braiding configuration has been studied. A failure criterion and progressive damage evolution model taking into account fiber tow and tow interface has been applied to theoretically predict interlaminar and intralaminar failure mode. Straight-sided specimen testing has been carried out in both axial and transverse direction. Results obtained in the tests as well as finite-element approaches are discussed. This paper also discusses the main feature of the model through an extensive parameter study. Overall, by comparison of experiment and model results, the applicability of the developed model is assessed and the failure process is investigated; furthermore, conducted parameter study enhances the strength of the model, which lies in the ...
High-performance algorithm to calculate spin- and parity-dependent nuclear level densities

A new algorithm for calculating the spin- and parity-dependent shell-model nuclear level densities using the moments method in the proton-neutron formalism is presented. A new, parallelized code based on this algorithm was developed and tested using up to 4000 cores for a set of nuclei from the $\mathit{sd}$-, $\mathit{pf}$-, and $\mathit{pf}+{g}_{9/2}$-model spaces. By comparing the nuclear level densities at low excitation energy for a given nucleus calculated in two model spaces, such as $\mathit{pf}$ and $\mathit{pf}+{g}_{9/2}$, one can estimate the ground-state energy in the larger model space, which is not accessible to direct shell-model calculations due to the unmanageable dimension. Examples for the ground-state energies of for $^{64}\mathrm{Ge}$ and $^{68}\mathrm{Se}$ in the $\mathit{pf}+{g}_{9/2}$ model space are presented.
CHEMILUMINESCENT EMISSION FROM THE REACTIONS OF VOLATILE SILICON COMPOUNDS AND ACTIVE NITROGEN

— A spectroscopic investigation has been made of the chemiluminescent emission from atomic flames produced by the addition of volatile silicon compounds to active nitrogen. Of seven such additives, SiCI6 proved to be the most intense source for SiN emission. The two electronic systems of SiN, the B2Σ-X2Σ and C-A2II, were detected both in the reaction vessel glow and also in an intense glow from a liquid nitrogen trap. An analysis of the relative vibration populations in the B2Σ electronic state of SiN showed large population inversions with a maximum population in the v= 5 level. A strong rotational perturbation of the B2Σ-X2Σ SiN system at v'= 4 in the K' = 13, 14, 19 and 21 levels indicated a leakage occurring from these perturbed levels into those of the perturbing state. The finding that bands of the C-A2II system of SiN in the trap glow were enhanced in intensity relative to the B2Σ-X2Σ system has made a reinvestigation of the system possible. New bands of this system are reported and an analysis shows the need to increase the original numbering of v“ by one. Two new and unidentified spectra have been recorded which result from the addition of silicon compounds to active nitrogen—a green system in the 5180 to 6020 A region. produced by SiCI4, and an orange chemiluminescence, 5540 to 7250 A. through the addition of SiBr4.
Adult Attachment Typology in a Sample of High-Risk Mothers

This study examined differences in attachment typology, early histories of unresolved trauma and loss, and intergenerational patterns of substance abuse in a high-risk sample of African American, White, Mexican American, and Native American mothers involved with the child welfare system. The Adult Attachment Interview and Chemical Dependency Assessment Profile were used to collect data from 24 mothers who were in-patients at a substance abuse treatment center. Consistent with attachment theory mothers classified as secure/autonomous (46%) had positive early attachment relationships, although several mothers in this group had histories of unresolved trauma and loss. The insecure classification included 21% dismissing and 33% preoccupied. The unresolved classification included mothers from all racial/ethnic groups who had histories of trauma and loss. Results indicated prevalence of substance abuse in all racial/ethnic groups as well as patterns of intergenerational substance abuse in the aforementioned att...
Optimal interferon-free therapy in treatment-experienced chronic hepatitis C patients.

Over the past year, interferon (IFN) free dosing regimens have become available to treat chronic hepatitis C. Offering high rates of sustained virological response (SVR), short treatment and improved tolerability, IFN-free treatment now represents the paradigm for both treatment-naive and -experienced patients. Patients with prior treatment failure, in particular those with cirrhosis, still represent some of the most difficult to treat, but the availability of multiple agents that can interrupt several steps of the HCV lifecycle affords providers and patients with options that can be combined and individually tailored to each patient's unique needs to obtain high rates of SVR.
Seasonal aspects of sarcomatous neoplasia in Mya arenaria (soft-shell clam) from Long Island Sound.

Abstract Mya arenaria were collected monthly for 2.5 years from three populations in Long Island Sound. Histopathological examination revealed that 6.1% of the clams from Stonington, Connecticut, 12.9% of the clams from the Saugatuck River, Westport, Connecticut, and 12.7% of those from Old Mill Beach, Westport, also in Connecticut, had sarcomatous neoplasms. This is the first documented account of the occurrence of clam neoplasm in populations from this geographic area. Peak prevalences of 45, 59, and 60%, respectively, were found in clams from the three study sites. The prevalence of neoplasms in clams collected from three epizootic areas showed a pronounced seasonal pattern, with the highest incidences occurring in the late fall-winter of each year studied. The regular, seasonal occurrence of neoplasia in field populations does not support the hypothesis that pollution alone is the cause of the disorder.
A note on multivariate location and scatter statistics for sparse data sets

Abstract For a p -dimensional data set of size n ≤ p + 1 in general position, it is shown that the only affine equivariant multivariate location statistic is the sample mean vector and that any affine equivariant scatter matrix must be proportional to the sample covariance matrix, with the proportionality constant not being dependent on the data.
A multi-threshold, internal rule representation form used to support user modifiable knowledge-based systems

Abstract A flat file (i.e., tabular) internal rule representation suitable for storing expert system rules that can make use of a spread-sheet-like user interface is presented. The representation handles individual rule thresholds, different knowledge evidence procedures, and rule structures which can be represented as network graphs. Such representations: (a) help a system's rule structure to be made relatively accessible for those without significant artificial intelligence training, (b) allow for clear understanding of the extent and nature of a rule, and (c) provide opportunities for consistency checking.
Evidence for a collapsar in the binary system epsilon Aur.

The mysterious secondary component of ɛ Aur is probably not in a prestellar stage of evolution. It is more likely to be a black hole—a collapsar—formed by a stellar implosion.
Kinematics of unconstrained tactile texture exploration

A hallmark of tactile texture exploration is that it involves movement between skin and surface. When we scan a surface, small texture-specific vibrations are produced in the skin, and specialized ...
Dynamic Debates: An Analysis of Group Polarization Over Time on Twitter

The principle of homophily says that people associate with other groups of people who are mostly like themselves. Many online communities are structured around groups of socially similar individuals. On Twitter, however, people are exposed to multiple, diverse points of view through the public timeline. The authors captured 30,000 tweets about the shooting of George Tiller, a late-term abortion doctor, and the subsequent conversations among pro-life and pro-choice advocates. They found that replies between like-minded individuals strengthen group identity, whereas replies between different-minded individuals reinforce in-group and out-group affiliation. Their results show that people are exposed to broader viewpoints than they were before but are limited in their ability to engage in meaningful discussion. They conclude with implications for different kinds of social participation on Twitter more generally.
An analysis of optimal compression for the advanced baseline imager based on entropy and noise estimation

As new instruments are developed, it is becoming clear that our ability to generate data is rapidly outstripping our ability to transmit this data. The Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI), that is currently being developed as the future imager on the Geostationary Environmental Satellite (GOES-R) series, will offer more spectral bands, higher spatial resolution, and faster imaging than the current GOES imager. As a result of the instrument development, enormous amounts of data must be transmitted from the platform to the ground, redistributed globally through band-limited channels, as well as archived. This makes efficient compression critical. According to Shannon's Noiseless Coding Theorem, an a upper bound on the compression ratio can be computed by estimating the entropy of the data. Since the data is essentially a stream, we must determine a partition of the data into samples that capture the important correlations. We use a spatial window partition so that as the window size is increased the estimated entropy stabilizes. As part of our analysis we show that we can estimate the entropy despite the high-dimensionality of the data. We achieve this by using nearest neighbor based estimates. We complement these a posteriori estimates with a priori estimates based on an analysis of sensor noise. Using this noise analysis we propose an upper bound on the compression achievable. We apply our analysis to an ABI proxy in order estimate bounds for compression on the upcoming GOES-R imager.
Cardiac abnormalities in cachectic patients before and during nutritional repletion

Abstract The effect of PCU and HA on heart dimensions and function was examined with non-invasive methods in 10 patients with severe undernutrition of diverse etiology. Control subjects were 10 normal men and women matched to their cachectic counterparts by height and sex. The study was conducted in two phases. In phase A, baseline studies of heart dimensions and function were completed. Phase B consisted of cardiovascular and metabolic monitoring during 4 to 6 weeks of enteral or parenteral HA. Phase A was characterized by a reduced radiographic total heart volume, echo EdV, LV mass, and CO. These reductions, however, were only one half to one eighth as great as the losses in BW. The patients therefore entered HA with an elevated LV mass index and cardiac index. Ejection phase indices of LV function (EF and Vcf) were normal or enhanced. Phase B studies in five subjects showed that decreased cardiac size and output were correctible by HA, but at differing rates. Ventricular volume and CO corrected more rapidly than LV mass under the conditions of rapid repletion where the daily sodium intake was 2 to 4 grams, and values for cardiac index reached 250 per cent of normal. Resting metabolic rate also increased during phase B. The combination of an elevated output, excessive sodium retention, and increased metabolic rate while LV mass was still reduced appeared to be responsible for cardiac decompensation in two of five repleted patients. To prevent cardiac decompensation during the HA of undernourished subjects, we propose the use of low salt regimens, a slower rate of HA and serial monitoring of cardiac dimensions and function by clinical examination and echo.
Preclinical evidence for GABAB agonists as a pharmacotherapy for cocaine addiction.

Abstract A variety of studies indicate that GABA B receptor agonists may be useful in the treatment of addictive disorders. This brief review summarizes self-administration studies in rats which show that baclofen and other GABA B agonists may have specific effects on the reinforcing effects of cocaine. Preliminary clinical data with baclofen have also been encouraging. The obstacles and issues related to the use of GABA drugs in addiction therapy are briefly addressed.
Equating tests under the nominal response model

Under item response theory, test equating involves finding the coefficients of a linear trans formation of the metric of one test to that of another. A procedure for finding these equating coeffici...
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Older Adults: Effects on Executive Function, Frontal Alpha Asymmetry and Immune Function

Background/Aims: Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has enhanced cognition, positive emotion, and immunity in younger and middle-aged samples; its benefits are less well known for older persons. Here we report on a randomized controlled trial of MBSR for older adults and its effects on executive function, left frontal asymmetry of the EEG alpha band, and antibody response. Methods: Older adults (n = 201) were randomized to MBSR or waiting list control. The outcome measures were: the Trail Making Test part B/A (Trails B/A) ratio, a measure of executive function; changes in left frontal alpha asymmetry, an indicator of positive emotions or approach motivation; depression, mindfulness, and perceived stress scores, and the immunoglobulin G response to a protein antigen, a measure of adaptive immunity. Results: MBSR participants had a lower Trails B/A ratio immediately after intervention (p lower antibody responses 24 weeks after antigen challenge (p Conclusions: MBSR produced small but significant changes in executive function, mindfulness, and sustained left frontal alpha asymmetry. The antibody findings at follow-up were unexpected. Further study of the effects of MBSR on immune function should assess changes in antibody responses in comparison to T-cell-mediated effector functions, which decline as a function of age.
Protein catabolic rate may underestimate dietary protein intake in hemodialysis patients.

Protein catabolic rate (PCR) or its normalized value, nPCR, is widely used to define nutritional status in dialysis patients [1]. This term PCR obviously is a misnomer and refers to the net PCR since the total PCR is as high as 300 g/day and does not necessarily bear a relationship with protein intake [2]. In the steady state, the net PCR has to be equal to the dietary protein intake as long as the method to calculate PCR includes all the body nitrogen output. The usual method to calculate PCR is from nitrogen appearance rate [3] based on a formula developed from a detailed study of 5 dialysis patients with very low residual renal function who were judged to be in nitrogen balance [4]. In this study, total nitrogen output from stool, urine and dialysate and urea nitrogen appearance rate were measured independently and the following regression equation, which included both terms, was developed: urea nitrogen generation = 0.154PCR – 1.7. The authors recognized that in dialysate, nitrogen contained in urea, creatinine and uric acid accounted for only about 94% of total nitrogen measured by the Kjeldahl method, and that the remainder 6%, or about 1.4 g of nitrogen, could be in the form of amino acids. These losses of about 8.75 g of amino acids (1.4 ! 6.25) are very similar to the losses of about 8 g of amino acids per treatment that were documented in the early 80s by a different group of investigators in hemodialysis patients using conventional cellulosic membranes and glucose-free dialysate [5]. Moreover, this regression equation agreed very closely with the plot derived from data in nondialyzed patients with stable chronic renal insufficiency gathered independently by another group of investigators [6]. This latter equation, urea generation rate = 0.149PCR – 1.2, differed from the above formula only by the magnitude of the intercept on the Y-axis; of interest, this difference of about 0.5 g of N per day is numerically almost identical with the losses of about 8 g of amino acids per dialysis (0.5 g/day ! 7 days divided by 3, the number of dialysis per week = 1.16 g of N ! 6.25 = 7.3 g of amino acid per treatment). Recently, several authors have documented a significant increase in the losses of amino acids and protein into the dialysate as the result of repetitive processing of dialyzers [7–10]. Thus, with the current use of high-flux dialyzers and with at least 80% of the dialysis units in this country practicing dialyzer reuse, this formula may not measure accurately PCR since a large amount of nitrogen loss, either in the form of amino acids or protein, is not included in this calculation. The purpose of this presentation is to demonstrate that the current method used to calculate PCR in hemodialysis patients may indeed underestimate this parameter and hence dietary protein intake [3].
Orbital debris mitigation: The iridiumTM way

Abstract “May our foresight in controlling the growth of artificial space debris provide boundless opportunities for the exploration of the cosmos for generations to come.” This key space operations vision is given in the forward to Artificial Space Debris by Johnson and McKnight. The Iridium™ Program Office's vision is not quite so altruistic; however, it has been driven to a similar belief by the magnitude of 66 satellites sharing the same orbit. Early in the development of the program, the necessity to address the debris issues surfaced. It was evident that the national policy was geared to minimize debris and common sense mandated that Motorola protect its chosen orbit of polar, circular at 780 km altitude. For the Iridium™ Block I (100 satellites) and Block II (100 satellites) commercial communication constellations to be successful and economical, debris must be actively mitigated. This drove a debris mitigation program with the following major aspects: orbit planning, launch and deployment activities, station keeping and collision avoidance, safe-mode, de-boost activities, and potential shielding requirements. Loss of a satellite from our own debris is not acceptable, while loss from other debris must be minimized. This paper will present the Iridium™ approach to mitigate the dangers of orbital debris. The natural and man-made debris characteristics will be summarized, the system's level approach to protecting “our orbit” will be shown and the operational concepts for safe-mode and de-orbit will be explained. This commercial constellation's operational twist will enhance the orbital environment by actively ensuring the mitigation of debris: The Iridium™ way!
The three-dimensional nature of boundary-layer instability

An experimental investigation is described in which principal emphasis is given to revealing the nature of the motions in the non-linear range of boundary-layer instability and the onset of turbulence. It has as its central purpose the evaluation of existing theoretical considerations and the provision of a sound physical model which can be taken as a basis for a theoretical approach. The experimental method consisted of introducing, in a two-dimensional boundary layer on a flat plate at ‘incompressible’ speeds, three-dimensional disturbances under controlled conditions using the vibrating-ribbon technique, and studying their growth and evolution using hot-wire methods. It has been definitely established that longitudinal vortices are associated with the non-linear three-dimensional wave motions. Sufficient data were obtained for an evaluation of existing theoretical approaches. Those which have been considered are the generation of higher harmonics, the interaction of the mean flow and the Reynold stress, the concave streamline curvature associated with the wave motion, the vortex loop and the non-linear effect of a three-dimensional perturbation. It appears that except for the latter they do not adequately describe the observed phenomena. It is not that they are incorrect or may not play a role in some aspect of the local behaviour, but from the over-all point of view the results suggest that it is the non-linear effect of a three-dimensional perturbation which dominates the behaviour. A principal conclusion to be drawn is that a new perspective, one that takes three-dimensionality into account, is required in connexion with boundary-layer instability. It is demonstrated that the actual breakdown of the wave motion into turbulence is a consequence of a new instability which arises in the aforementioned three-dimensional wave motion. This instability involves the generation of ‘hairpin’ eddies and is remarkably similar in behaviour to ‘inflexional’ instability. It is also shown that the results obtained from the study of controlled disturbances are equally applicable to ‘natural’ transition.
Can a theory of moral sentiments support a genuinely normative environmental ethic

The conceptual foundations of Aldo Leopold's seminal land ethic are traceable through Darwin to the sentiment‐based ethics of Hume. According to Hume, the moral sentiments are universal; and, according to Darwin, they were naturally selected in the intensely social matrix of human evolution. Hence they may provide a ‘consensus of feeling’, functionally equivalent to the normative force of reason overriding inclination. But then ethics, allege K. S. Shrader‐Frechette and W. Fox, is reduced to a description of human nature, and the question remains open whether one really ought or ought not value, approve, or do this or that. The moral sentiments, however, are informed by culture. Specific ethical injunctions, even so, are not culturally relative, because cultural beliefs are amenable to cognitive criticism. New experience and new discoveries of science may bring to light hitherto unrecognized ‘proper objects’ of our moral sentiments.
Developmental Studies of Artemisia annua: Flowering and Artemisinin Production Under Greenhouse and Field Conditions

Cuttings of a clone of A. annua L. (Asteraceae), grown under 16 h photoperiod for 55 days were transferred to six photoperiod treatments in the greenhouse. Under short photoperiods (8, 10, or 12 h), plants flowered after two weeks; plants under long photoperiods (16, 20, or 24 h) remained vegetative until termination of treatment after 10 weeks. When plants grown under long photoperiod treatments were transferred to 8-h photoperiod, flowering occurred 2 weeks later. Flower induction in plants grown under field conditions occurred when the photoperiod was determined to the 13.3 h. Artemisinin levels in all studies were found to be highest at anthesis. Artemisinin content was 4- to 11-fold higher in inflorescences than in leaves.
Books Reviewed Elsewhere

The list of books include: “Crisis in the Workplace: Occupational Disease and Injury,” by N. Askounes; “Women and World Development: An Annotated Bibliography,” by M. Buvinic; and “Operations Auditing in Hospitals,” by D. L. Flesher.
Analysis for trace levels of boron by ion exchange-hollow cathode emission

Abstract The demountable hollow-cathode source has been shown to be useful in the determination of boron to the sub-nanogram level. Its application to the analysis of biological materials and natural waters is illustrated. Low-temperature RF ashing and ion exchange are used to remove potential organic and inorganic interferences.
Interference competition at the landscape level: the effect of free-ranging dogs on a native mesocarnivore

Summary 1. Free-ranging domestic dogs are the world’s most common carnivore and can negatively interact with native wildlife at multiple levels. Yet the intraguild competitive effects of dogs on the distribution and habitat use of native carnivores are poorly known, especially in areas of conservation concern. 2. We examined the spatial distribution of sympatric populations of radiocollared Indian foxes and free-ranging dogs to determine if Indian foxes alter their habitat use in the presence of dogs. We tested the effects of landcover type, primary prey abundance (rodents) and the presence of dogs as predictors of Indian fox spatial distribution in a threatened grassland habitat in central India. 3. By counting rodent burrows, we determined that the relative abundance of rodents was higher in fallow land and agricultural land compared to natural grasslands. From radiotelemetry data, we determined that the presence of dogs was closely linked to human-modified habitats, such as agricultural land and human settlements. 4. Top ranked models, based on Akaike’s Information Criterion corrected for small sample size, indicated that the negative effects of the presence of dogs and agricultural land, and the positive effects of the presence of grassland and fallow land habitats were the strongest predictors of Indian fox spatial distribution. Thus, the use of the landscape by Indian foxes was determined not only by habitat type, but also by the presence of a mid-sized carnivore, the dog. 5. Synthesis and applications. Our results show that the presence of domestic dogs on the periphery of natural habitats can interfere with the spatial distribution of a sympatric carnivore. Vaccination and sterilization programmes, aimed at reducing population sizes and pathogen prevalence, do not restrict the free-ranging behaviour of dogs. Therefore, in areas of conservation value, control of free-ranging dogs would be required to fully mitigate the deleterious effects of dogs on native carnivores and other wildlife.
Rejoinder to “Comment” by Jack Citrin: Political Discontent or Ritualism?

In 1958 only 22 per cent of the total population felt that they could not “trust the government in Washington to do what is right” all or most of the time. By the fall of 1972 that figure had climbed to 45 per cent. Furthermore, the percentage of eligible voters participating in the 1972 presidential election was the lowest it has been since 1948; crises and scandals have continually plagued the government since the Watergate revelations; and the economic conditions of the country have provoked widespread uncertainty and anxiety among the populace. There is good reason, then, for the intense current interest in attitudes of political disaffection and alienation.Present U.S. conditions demonstrate that political alienation is a phenomenon of fundamental significance in political processes. Feelings of political cynicism and alienation may substantially diminish the willingness of citizens to participate in politics or to support programs directed at resolving the social problems that stimulate discontent. Attitudes of political alienation have likewise been related to public demands for radical political reforms during trying periods of social or economic discontent. Alienation and non-participation, however, go beyond just questions of voluntary compliance with policies or the possibilities for radical change; they strike at a very basic democratic norm. Democratic theory emphasizes voluntary consent as the basis of political obligation and legitimacy. Democratic government assumes—indeed, requires—widespread participation, political equality, the accountability of leaders and protection of the individual citizen's constitutional guarantees. The full attainment of these values is only possible when the relationship between the leaders and the public is based on mutual understanding and reciprocal trust rather than on the use of coercive and arbitrary authority.
Mechanism of thaumasite formation in concrete slabs on grade in Southern California

Abstract Thaumasite formation has been observed in residential concrete slabs on grade in Southern California. The concrete examined did not contain any carbonate bearing aggregates or fillers. Microstructural analyses showed a carbonated layer with calcite and gypsum at the bottom of the concrete. Above the carbonation layer, deposits of intermixed gypsum and thaumasite were observed. Further into the concrete towards the upper surface, deposits of thaumasite alone or in combination with ettringite were observed. Most of the thaumasite deposits were observed in air voids. SEM–EDS analysis showed deposits of ettringite, thaumasite and intermediate phases within the same air voids. The formation of thaumasite, ettringite and gypsum was caused by ingress of sulfate and carbonate ions from ground water. The presence of thaumasite, ettringite and intermediate phases in the same air void indicates that ettringite is first formed followed by thaumasite with a series of solid solutions. In this reaction process the pH of the local environment and the balance between sulfate, silicate and carbonate ions are important parameters.
Parametric instabilities of circularly polarized large-amplitude dispersive Alfvén waves: excitation of obliquely-propagating daughter and side-band waves

We investigate the parametric instabilities of a large-amplitude circularly polarized dispersive parallel-propagating Alfven wave. Our treatment is more general than that of previous derivations based on the two-fluid equations in that we allow for propagation of the unstable daughter and side-band waves at arbitrary angles to the background (DC) magnetic field. We present the characteristics of the decay and modulational instabilities as functions of propagation angle. We find, in addition to the well-known decay and modulational instabilities, that at oblique and perpendicular propagation there is another parametric instability, namely the filamentation instability, which is characterized by a broad band-width in wavenumber and which satisfies the condition Re (ω) ≪ γ. A second parametric process at oblique and perpendicular angles of propagation, which has not been reported before is also investigated, namely the parametric magneto-acoustic instability. This instability is distinct from the filamentation instability in that it is characterized by density perturbations with large real frequencies that satisfy the condition Re (ω) ≫ γ. Unlike the filamentation instability, the magneto-acoustic instability extends over a broad angular range, but has a very narrow band-width in wavenumber. We report the dispersive characteristics of the filamentation and magneto-acoustic instabilities as functions of plasma β dispersion η and pump amplitude η for arbitrary propagation angles.
Science Signaling Podcast: 15 January 2013

This Podcast features an interview with Gabriel Nunez, senior author of a Research Resource published in the 15 January 2013 issue of Science Signaling . A group led by Nunez has performed a screen to identify regulators of the NOD2 and NF-κB signaling pathways. Signaling through NOD2 and NF-κB induces normal inflammatory responses, but mutations that alter the activity of NOD2 have been associated with inflammatory disorders such as Blau syndrome and Crohn9s disease. The results of this screen help shed light on the genetic basis of inflammatory disease and offer potential targets for understanding and treating such disorders.
Multifunctionality, Agricultural Policy, and Environmental Policy

In addition to supplying food and fiber, agriculture is a source of public goods and externalities. This article addresses two questions. First, do price and income support policies promote a multifunctional agriculture in an effective manner? Second, would policies targeted more directly at multifunctional attributes be more efficient than price and income support policies? The answer to the first question is no, at least for policies targeted at outputs (price supports, export subsidies, etc.). Public goods are not directly linked to production, but rather to land use and agricultural structures. Evidence in response to the second question is sketchier with respect to policies targeted at land.
Duplication of japanese names: a problem in citations and bibliographies

Authors with Japanese surnames are needlessly confused with each other in citations and bibliographies because their names are extensively duplicated. This report examines the amount of duplication and proposes reducing it by mechanical derivation of middle initials.
Phylogenetic Relationships and Functional Genes: Distribution of a Gene (mnxG) Encoding a Putative Manganese-Oxidizing Enzyme in Bacillus Species

Several Bacillus and Paenibacillus species were isolated from Fe and Mn oxide minerals precipitating at a deep subsurface oxic-anoxic interface at Henderson Molybdenum Mine, Empire, CO. The isolates were investigated for their Mn(II)-oxidizing potential and interrogated for possession of the mnxG gene, a gene that codes for a putative Mn(II)-oxidizing enzyme in Bacillus species. Seven of eight Bacillus species were capable of Mn(II) oxidation; however, the mnxG gene was detected in only one isolate. Using sequences of known Bacillus species both with and without amplifiable mnxG genes and Henderson Mine isolates, the 16S rRNA and mnxG gene phylogenies were compared to determine if 16S rRNA sequences could be used to predict the presence or absence of an amplifiable mnxG gene within the genomes of the isolates. We discovered a strong correspondence between 16S rRNA sequence similarity and the presence/absence of an amplifiable mnxG gene in the isolates. The data revealed a complex phylogenetic distribution of the mnxG gene in which vertical inheritance and gene loss influence the distribution of the gene among the Bacillus species included in this study. Comparisons of 16S rRNA and functional gene phylogenies can be used as a tool to aid in unraveling the history and dispersal of the mnxG gene within the Bacillus clade.
A Vision for Platform Security

Intel has recently produced several new capabilities to enhance security on the platform that have been released or will be released in the near future. In this presentation I will give a review of these capabilities and discuss their benefit to the security of the platform.
Strychnine antagonizes vaginal stimulation-produced analgesia at the spinal cord

Abstract Vaginal-cervical mechanostimulation (VS) suppresses vocalization and withdrawal responses to noxious stimulation. To determine whether the inhibitory neurotransmitter, glycine, contributes to the action of VS, strychnine, a specific glycine receptor antagonist was administered perispinally via intrathecal catheter in dosages of 1,5,25 and 100 μg. Prior to strychnine administration, VS (400 g force) elevated thresholds to elicit vocalization in response to graded intensities of tail shock, and blocked vocalization elicited by stimulation of a skin area, previously sensitized by intradermal injection of a 20% yeast solution. After strychnine administration the analgesic effects of VS were significantly attenuated. These findings suggest that the analgesic action of VS is partially mediated by glycine at the spinal level.
Ultrasensitive laser isotope analysis in an ion-storage ring

We propose a novel method for ultrasensitive isotope analysis that combines magnetic mass selection, resonant charge-exchange neutralization, and resonant laser ionization. Our method attains high isotopic abundance selectivity by means of continuous multistage separation of ions stored in a small ring. For the environmentally interesting case of 90Sr versus 88Sr we estimate that sensitivity better than 10−15 for a throughput of 1013 atoms/sec and an efficiency (after the ion source) greater than 10% are readily achievable.