cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Three independent biological assays for nerve growth factor: no measurable activity in human sera.

Abstract Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) is known to elicit several distinct responses from its target neurons. Three different responses were exploited as bases for an assay method for NGF: (i) the traditional neurite outgrowth from 8-day chick embryo dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in modified explant culture, (ii) survival of neonatal mouse DRG neurons in monolayer cell culture, and (iii) extrusion of 22Na+ from chick embryo DRG neurons preloaded under conditions of NGF deprivation, in cell suspension. All three procedures were able to detect as little as 0.01 to 0.03 biological unit (BU) NGF/ml (about 10−11 m ). Nerve growth factor-like activity was examined in a number of human sera samples. None of the sera tested elicited a positive response with any of the three assay methods, indicating that if NGF was present, it would be at less than 0.1 to 0.2 BU/ml of undiluted serum. Human sera did not prevent genuine NGF from producing a positive response in these assays. Sera from patients with familial dysautonomia, an inherited neurologic disease suspected of having an altered concentration of circulating NGF, were also negative.
Effects of laser pulse characteristics and thermal desorption parameters on laser induced thermal desorption

Abstract The effects of laser pulse characteristics and thermal desorption parameters on laser induced thermal desorption (LITD) are determined. The LITD is calculated for model first and second order desorption systems with laser pulses that are Gaussian in space and time. The desorption yields and coverage profiles generated by LITD are shown to be sensitively dependent on laser pulse characteristics and thermal desorption kinetics. The calculations also reveal that the desorption flux generated by LITD possesses a distribution of desorption temperatures. In addition, the relationships between the laser pulselength, the peak temperature reached on the surface, and the desorption activation energy are determined.
Geoid height versus age for symmetric spreading ridges

Geoid height-age relations have been extracted from Geos 3 altimeter data for large areas in the North Atlantic, South Atlantic, southeast Indian, and southeast Pacific oceans. Except for the southeast Pacific area, geoid height decreases approximately linearly with the age of the ocean floor for ages less than about 80 m.y. in agreement with the prediction of an isostatically compensated thermal boundary layer model (Haxby and Turcotte, 1978). The geoid-age data for 0 to 80 m.y. are consistent with constant slopes of -0.094 + or - -0.131 + or - 0.041, and -0.149 + or - 0.028 m/m.y. for the South Atlantic, southeast Indian, and North Atlantic regions, respectively. For ages greater than 80 m.y. the geoid-age relation for the North Atlantic is nearly flat, indicating a reduction in the rate of boundary layer thickening with age. The uncertainties in the geoid slope-age estimates are positively correlated with spreading velocity.
Postoperative wound infection surveillance by use of bacterial contamination categories

A prospective 2-year surveillance of 7129 wounds was conducted on all surgical services of the University Hospital in Seattle to determine the postoperative infection rates by surgical wound category. Rates on all services for clean (0.8%), clean-contaminated (3.4%), contaminated (3.6%), and dirty (9.9%) wounds were recorded and compared to rates reported in the surgical literature. The overall wound infection rate was 1.7%. When the incidence of infection for a specific service in a category was observed to be in excess of a previously reported upper rate, patient charts were critically reviewed to determine if host, pathogen, or technical factors could be implicated in the excessive infection rates. Extending postoperative wound surveillance to include critical chart analysis in these categories provides hospital staff members responsible for infection control the opportunity to organize corrective measures against excessive rates in a broader category of wounds.
Rapid Identification of Staphylococcus aureus Directly from Bactec Blood Culture Broth by the BinaxNOW S. aureus Test

The BinaxNOW Staphylococcus aureus testing showed sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predicative values of 97.6%, 100%, 100%, and 98.4%, respectively, for identification of S. aureus from Bactec blood culture broth. Importantly, the test performed equally well on aerobic and anaerobic culture broth.
Effects of sucrose fatty acid ester and blends on alveograph characteristics of wheat flour doughs

Abstract The effects of commercial sucrose ester emulsifiers (Ryoto, Mitsubishi-Kasei Food Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) on alveograph rheological dough properties of a commercial hard red winter (HRW) wheat flour were determined. The esters were evaluated alone or combined to produce blends of varying hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB). In general, Alveograph dough rheological properties improved as HLB value of the sucrose ester increased. A blend of 20:80 (w/w) of S-170 and S-1670, in the presence of 3% shortening resulted in the most significant changes in Alveograph data. Addition of as little as 0·4% of the ester blend could partially replace shortening in the dough formulation.
Effects of phencyclidine on aggressive behavior in mice

The effects of phencyclidine on aggressive behavior in mice and the possible mechanism of action for these effects were examined. PCP at a dose of 10.0 mg/kg significantly decreased the number of attacks by resident mice toward intruders. Significant increases in the number of attacks by non-drugged residents toward the intruders who were given high doses of PCP (6.0 and 10.0 mg/kg) were observed. Only the higher doses of PCP (6.0 and 10.0 mg/kg) significantly increased the duration of locomotion. The increase in locomotion was dependent upon the time after administration of the drug. Hyperactivity was present at 30 minutes for both doses and hypoactivity was present at three hours after administration of 3.0 mg/kg. PCP did not significantly alter the frequency of attacks in an unfamiliar test locale. Pretreatment with haloperidol (1 mg/kg) partially blocked the PCP-induced hyperactivity but pretreatment with methysergide (3 mg/kg) did not. Neither haloperidol nor methysergide blocked the suppressive effects of PCP on aggressive behavior. It is concluded that PCP does not increase aggressive behavior in mice but high doses will decrease aggression. PCP-treated intruder animals provoke more aggression by non-drugged animals. PCP-induced hyperactivity appears to be mediated by dopaminergic systems.
Sex comparisons on causal attributions: Another look at the null hypothesis

Eighty-two subjects (49 women, 33 men) solved a difficult or easy set of anagrams, after which they indicated their subjective level of performance, provided causal attributions, and stated expectations for future performance. Sex comparisons were conducted on each element in the attribution model. Results indicated no sex differences on subjective evaluation of success, on causal dimensions, on expectations for future performance, or on performance on a final set of anagrams.
Direct visualization of dynamics and co-operative conformational changes within RecA filaments that appear to be associated with the hydrolysis of adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate).

Abstract Highly co-operative structural transitions and conformational changes can be directly observed in bundles of filaments formed by the RecA protein of Escherichia coli . These filaments have been formed with RecA protein, DNA and the ATP analog adenosine 5′-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (ATP-γ-S). We show that while ATP-γ-S has frequently been called non-hydrolyzable in the RecA literature, it is hydrolyzed by RecA with a K cat of about 0.01 to 0.005 min −1 . This rate of ATP-γ-S hydrolysis is significant to structural studies conducted on a time scale of hours. It has been shown that RecA subunits may be seen in different conformations within one particular form of RecA bundle. We now show that additional structural transitions take place within these bundles when they are allowed to incubate at 37 °C for several hours. This is the same time scale on which ATP-γ-S is being hydrolyzed, and the suggestion that the observed structural transitions arise from the hydrolysis of ATP-γ-S is supported by the fact that when the hydrolysis of ATP-γ-S is inhibited (at 4 °C), the transitions are not observed. The transitions that occur are highly co-operative, with filaments as a whole changing their state over lengths of several thousand Angstroms. This shows that RecA filaments have an internal co-operativity, and we suggest that this is important to their function in vivo . The motions of subunits that we visualize appear to be mainly rotational, and this can be used to infer information about the motions of RecA subunits associated with the RecA ATPase that occurs during the DNA strand exchange reaction.
Near-infrared chromospheric observatory

NICO, the Near Infrared Chromosphere Observatory, is a platform for determining the magnetic structure and fources of heating for the solar chromosphere. NICO, a balloon-borne observatory, will use the largest solar telescope flying to map the magnetic fields, velocities, and heating events of the chromosphere and photosphere in detail. NICO will introduce new technologies to solar flight missions, such as wavefront sensing for monitoring telescope alignment, real-time correlation tracking and high-speed image motion compensation, and wide aperture Fabry-Perot etalons for extended spectral scanning.
Fracture toughness potential of cast Al–7%Si–Mg alloys

Abstract The relationship between yield strength and plane strain fracture toughness in cast Al–7%Si–Mg alloy castings has been investigated by analyzing twenty datasets from the literature. The data representing the highest KIc for a given yield strength have been found to fall within an envelope, the top limit of which represents the fracture toughness potential of Al–7%Si–Mg alloy castings. Implications of the findings are discussed in the paper.
In (a) democracy we trust: social and economic determinants of support for democratic procedures in central and eastern Europe

Abstract With the fall of the Berlin Wall and the dissolution of the Soviet Empire, most of the nations of Central and Eastern Europe have begun adopting democratic procedures and institutions. In this paper, we argue that the presence or absence of social capital may very well be an important part of any equation that attempts to predict the extent to which the citizens of these nations will support the new democratic regimes. We apply Logit analysis to survey data collected in the Third Annual New Democracies Barometer (NDB III) to test this hypothesis. We also test the importance of economic variables on citizen support for democratic procedures in these nations. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the presence of social capital is a factor in explaining citizen support for democratic procedures. Moreover, we find indicators of social capital to be more important than economic variables in explaining citizen support for democratic procedures in our sample countries.
Spatio-temporal wafer-level correlation modeling with progressive sampling: A pathway to HVM yield estimation

Wafer-level spatial correlation modeling of probetest measurements has been explored in the past as an avenue to test cost and test time reduction. In this work, we first improve the accuracy of a popular Gaussian process-based wafer-level spatial correlation method through two key enhancements: (i) confidence estimation-based progressive sampling, and, (ii) inclusion of spatio-temporal features for inter-wafer trend learning. We then explore a new application of the enhanced correlation modeling method in estimating High Volume Manufacturing (HVM) yield from a small set of early wafers and we demonstrate its effectiveness on a large set of actual industrial test data.
Low-temperature anisotropic diffusion of helium in zircon: Implications for zircon (U–Th)/He thermochronometry

Abstract In the last decade the zircon (U–Th)/He (ZHe) thermochronometer has been applied to a variety of geologic problems. Although bulk diffusion coefficients for He in zircon are available from laboratory step-heating experiments, little is known about the diffusion mechanism(s) and their dependence on the crystallographic structure of zircon. Here, we investigate the diffusion of He in perfectly crystalline zircon using atomistic simulation methods that provide insights into the structural pathways of He migration in zircon. Empirical force fields and quantum-mechanical calculations reveal that the energy barriers for He diffusion are strongly dependent on structure. The most favorable pathway for He diffusion is the [0 0 1] direction through the open channels parallel to the c -axis ( Δ E ∗ [ 001 ] = 13.4 kJ mol - 1 , activation energy for tracer diffusion of a He atom along [0 0 1]). In contrast, energy barriers are higher in other directions where narrower channels for He diffusion are identified, such as [1 0 0], [1 0 1], and [1 1 0] (Δ E ∗ of 44.8, 101.7, and 421.3 kJ mol −1 , respectively). Molecular dynamics simulations are in agreement with these results and provide additional insight in the diffusion mechanisms along different crystallographic directions, as well as the temperature dependence. Below the closure temperature of He in zircon [ T c ∼ 180 °C, Reiners P. W., Spell T. L., Nicolescu S., and Zanetti K. A. (2004) Zircon (U–Th)/He thermochronometry: He diffusion and comparisons with Ar-40/Ar-39 dating. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 68 , 1857–1887], diffusion is anisotropic as He moves preferentially along the [0 0 1] direction, and calculated tracer diffusivities along the two most favorable directions differ by approximately five orders of magnitude ( D [001] / D [100] ∼ 10 5 , at T = 25 °C). Above this temperature, He atoms start to hop between adjacent [0 0 1] channels, along [1 0 0] and [0 1 0] directions (perpendicular to the c -axis). The diffusion along [1 0 0] and [0 1 0] is thermally activated, such that at higher temperatures, He diffusion in zircon becomes nearly isotropic ( D [001] / D [100] ∼ 10, at T = 580 °C). These results suggest that the anisotropic nature of He diffusion at temperatures near the closure temperature should be considered in future diffusivity experiments. Furthermore, care should be taken when making geologic interpretations (e.g., exhumation rates, timing of cooling, etc.) from this thermochronometer until the effects of anisotropic diffusion on bulk ages and closure temperature estimates are better quantified.
Yb-doped glass microcavity laser operation in water

A ytterbium-doped silica microcavity laser demonstrates stable laser emission while completely submerged in water. To our knowledge, it is the first solid-state laser whose cavity mode interacts with water. The device generates more than 2 microW of output power. The laser performance is presented, and low-concentration biosensing is discussed as a potential application.
Aging agents: social gerontologists' imputations to old people

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the argument that scholars' imputations of agency serve modern professional/institutional purposes other than the refinement of testable theories.Design/methodology/approach – Data include articles from twenty‐first century issues of four gerontological journals. Content analysis involved coding articles for imputations of agency, constructivist analysis thereof, and the parties to whom authors directed their imputations.Findings – Most authors rehearse theories of “structuration” and call for more imputations of agency to old people. They do this without imputing agency to privileged groups or to policy makers; and without settling theoretical question of how much agency people have or how scientists could demonstrate that. One article in ten provides constructivist critique.Research limitations/implications – Patterns in imputations of agency in other scholarly realms (such as books) may support another interpretation.Practical implications – Scholars...
On the application of syntactic methodologies in automatic text analysis

Abstract This study summarizes various linguistic approaches proposed for document analysis in information retrieval environments. Included are standard syntactic methods to generate complex content identifiers, and the use of semantic know-how obtained from machine-readable dictionaries, and from specially constructed knowledge bases. Certain syntactic term phrase generation systems are examined in detail and their usefulness for text analysis purposes is evaluated.
Introduction to archetypal analysis of spatio-temporal dynamics

Abstract A comparison is made between the principal component or Karhunen-Loeve (KL) decomposition of spatio-temporal data and a new procedure called archetypal analysis (Cutler and Breiman, 1994). Archetypes characterize the convex hull of the data set and the data set can be reconstructed in terms of these values. We show that archetypes may be more appropriate than KL when the data do not have elliptical distributions, and they are often well-suited to studying regimes in which the system spends a long time near a “steady” state, punctuated with quick excursions to outliers in the data set, which may represent intermittency. We also introduce a variation of archetypal analysis that is designed to track moving structures, such as traveling waves or solitions. By using this method the traveling part of the motion is separated from the stationary (or semi-stationary) pattern. Advantages and disadvantages of each method are discussed.
Potential of on-line CIMS for bioprocess monitoring.

Chemical-ionization mass spectrometry (CIMS) using flow reactors is an emerging method for on-line monitoring of trace concentrations of organic compounds in the gas phase. In this study, a flow-reactor CIMS instrument, employing the H 3 O + cation as the ionizing reagent, was used to simultaneously monitor several volatile metabolic products as they are released into the headspace during bacterial growth in a bioreactor. Production of acetaldehyde, ethanol, acetone, butanol, acetoin, diacetyl, and isoprene by Bacillus subtilis is reported. Ion signal intensities were related to solution-phase concentrations using empirical calibrations and, in the case of isoprene, were compared with simultaneous gas chromatography measurements. Identification of volatile and semivolatile metabolites is discussed. Flow-reactor CIMS techniques should be useful for bioprocess monitoring applications because of their ability to sensitively and simultaneously monitor many volatile metabolites on-line.
Effect of Protein Denaturation on Void Fraction in Foam Separation Column

Foam fractionation is a cost-effective process that uses air to extract protein from a liquid (in this case “crude” dilute egg-albumin solution). This article deals with how the void fraction (fraction of air in the aerated solution) of foam is affected by heat denaturation of the protein. A 2-mm glass tube was used to sample the foam-liquid interface fluid in a 35-mm-diameter column in order to detect small changes in void fraction and foam production, which are not easily detected directly from the bulk foam. The main control variable in this study was the protein solution preheating time. As the preheating time increased, the initial void fraction in the column decreased. The initial void fraction of the undenatured solution ranged from about 0.73 to 0.80, and the void fraction for significant preheating times of 5 min ranged from approx 0.68 to 0.72. Furthermore, the period of foam production increased from 5 to 7 min for undenatured proteins in solution to as long 15 min for 5-min preheated solutions. Side-port sampling through a small capillary tube has the potential to be used as a rapid and inexpensive way to determine the level of protein denaturation by directly determining the void fraction and then estimating the effect of denaturation from a protein denaturation calibration curve of the void fraction.
A human onc gene homologous to the transforming gene (v-sis) of simian sarcoma virus

The human genome contains a single and constant locus (c-sis) related to the transforming gene (v-sis) of simian sarcoma virus. The isolation of a recombinant phage containing the entire human c-sis gene has allowed the study of its genomic organization: c-sis extends over a region of ∼12 kilobases (kb) which includes 1.2 kb of v-sis-related sequences interrupted by four intervening sequences.
ReFrESH: A self-adaptation framework to support fault tolerance in field mobile robots

Mobile robots are being employed far more often in extreme environments, such as urban search and rescue, with greater levels of autonomy; yet recent studies on field robotics show that numerous failure modes affect the reliability of the robot in meeting mission objectives. Therefore, fault tolerance is increasingly important for field robots operating in unpredictable environments to ensure safety and effectiveness of the system. This paper demonstrates a self-adaptation frame- work, ReFrESH, that contains mechanisms for fault detection and fault mitigation. The goal of ReFrESH is to provide diagnosable and maintainable infrastructure support, built into a real-time operating system, to manage task performance in the presence of unexpected uncertainties. ReFrESH augments the port-based object framework by attaching evaluation and estimation mechanisms to each functional component so that the robot can easily detect and locate faults. In conjunction, a task level decision mechanism interacts with the fault detection elements in order to generate and choose an optimal approach to mitigating faults. Moreover, to increase flexibility of the fault tolerance, ReFrESH provides self-adaptation support for both software and hardware functionality. To our knowledge, this is the first framework to support both software and hardware self- adaptation. A demonstrative application of ReFrESH illustrates its applicability through a target tracking task deployed on a mobile robot system.
P-type doping of SiC by aluminum implantation for advanced device applications

SiC possesses many attractive properties which have made it a promising candidate semiconductor for high-temperature, high-frequency, and high-power electronic applications. 6H-SiC epitaxial layers with a background n-type dopant concentration of 1 {times} 10{sup 16}/cm{sup 3} were hot implanted to doses ranging from 4.0 {times} 10{sup 13} to 1.8 {times} 10{sup 14} Al ions/cm{sup 2} at 65, 135, and 220 keV to achieve a box-type implant distribution to a depth of 300 nm. Electrical activation of dopants was carried out using a proximity annealing method at 1,500 C in a buffer environment to retard surface degradation of the SiC samples. Measurements using atomic force microscopy illustrated the morphological stability of the SiC surface during the high-temperature annealing. Transmission line measurements showed some degree of dopant activation. Characterization of fabricated p-n junction diodes demonstrated p-type conduction in the aluminum-implanted SiC samples.
Axotomy-like electrophysiological alterations in spinal motoneurons in β,β′-iminodipropionitrile neuropathy

Motoneurons (MNs) exhibit characteristic electrophysiological alterations following axotomy which are concomitants of perikaryal remodeling induced by the axonal injury. beta,beta'-Iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) neurotoxicity, which produces proximal axonal swellings in the first internodes of motor fibers, was studied as a model of perikaryal electrophysiological properties in axonal pathologies without axonal degeneration. Similarities between parameters of MN excitability (delayed depolarizations, repetitive discharge, and the afterhyperpolarization potential, AHP) known to occur in axotomized MN and those in IDPN neuropathy were examined in type-identified spinal MN of cats during the evolution (7 to 35 days) of proximal axonal swellings. Delayed depolarization potentials were observed frequently in fast MN types throughout the neuropathy but only at 35 days in slow MN types. Similarly, repetitive firing occurred most prominently in fast MNs early in the neuropathy. Concomitantly, AHP duration decreased as early as 7 days in all MN types and was significantly shortened in types FF, FR, and S motoneurons. AHP peak amplitude and current declined continuously from 7 to 35 days of the neuropathy and were significantly (p less than 0.05) decreased at 35 days in types FF and S MNs. These results suggest that not only are fast MN types vulnerable early in IDPN neuropathy, but also that all MN types exhibit electrophysiological changes strikingly similar to those following mechanical axotomy. The possibility is raised that IDPN may initiate electrophysiological changes, analogous to perikaryal remodeling, by mechanism(s) unrelated to axonal degeneration.
Fear potentiation of the acoustic startle reflex using noises of various spectral frequencies as conditioned stimuli

The effeetiveness of noise of various intensities and frequeneies in modulating the amplitude of the aeoustie startle reflex was evaluated, as a preliminary test of the eapaeity of these noises to produee eonsistent and reliable fear-potentiated startle in rats. It was determined that bands ofnoise eontaining high frequeneies (greater than 10 kHz) tend to uneonditionally reduee aeous­ tic startle responses, probably by masking the high-frequency startle-elieiting stimulus. Noise eontaining high frequeneies produeed reliable fear-potentiated startle only when its estimated uneonditioned startle suppression was subtraeted from the enhaneement obtained after pairing it with footshocks. Noises devoid ofhigh frequeneies produced modest uneonditioned startle en­ haneements and the most robust and reliable fear-potentiated startle when they were paired with footshocks. A nonmonotonie relationship between training shock intensity and the level of fear­ potentiated startle was also exhibited when a low-frequeney noise was used as a eonditioned stim­ ulus, a finding consistent with previous studies in whieh a visual stimulus was used. Finally, a differential Pavlovian eonditioning procedure indieated that rats eould readily discriminate between two different low-frequeney bands ofnoise. The outcome ofthese experiments indieates that it is easier to employ low-frequeney bands of noise to obtain auditory fear-potentiated star­ tle with high-frequeney startle-elieiting stimuli. The fear-potentiated startle paradigm, in whieh the am­ plitude of the aeoustie startle reflex is enhaneed in the presenee of a eonditioned stimulus (CS) previously paired with an aversive unconditioned stimulus (US), has repeat­ edly been used to study Pavlovian (classieal) eondition­ ing processes (Brown, Kalish, & Farber, 1951; ef. Davis, 1986). In most studies in whieh the fear-potentiated star­ tle paradigm has been used, CSs have been either visual or eompound visual-auditory stimuli. In only a few studies has fear-potentiated startle been found with the exclusive use of auditory CSs (Hitcheock & Davis, 1987; Siegel, 1967; Swerdlow, Britton, & Koob, 1989). Attempts at replieating auditory fear-potentiated startle in our labo­ ratory have usually generated ineonsistent results. Reli­ able startle potentiation in the auditory modality would allow tests of the generality of previous findings obtained with visual CSs, as weil as the study of higher order eonditioning phenomena, through the use of the fear­ potentiated startle paradigm.
Sensitive detection of surface- and size-dependent direct and indirect band gap transitions in ferritin.

Ferritin is a protein nano-cage that encapsulates minerals inside an 8?nm cavity. Previous band gap measurements on the native mineral, ferrihydrite, have reported gaps as low as 1.0?eV and as high as 2.5?3.5?eV. To resolve this discrepancy we have used optical absorption spectroscopy, a well-established technique for measuring both direct and indirect band gaps. Our studies included controls on the protein nano-cage, ferritin with the native ferrihydrite mineral, and ferritin with reconstituted ferrihydrite cores of different sizes. We report measurements of an indirect band gap for native ferritin of 2.140 ? 0.015?eV (579.7?nm), with a direct transition appearing at 3.053 ? 0.005?eV (406.1?nm). We also see evidence of a defect-related state having a binding energy of 0.220 ? 0.010?eV . Reconstituted ferrihydrite minerals of different sizes were also studied and showed band gap energies which increased with decreasing size due to quantum confinement effects. Molecules that interact with the surface of the mineral core also demonstrated a small influence following trends in ligand field theory, altering the native mineral?s band gap up to 0.035?eV.
How to choose engineering plastics

Abstract A short guide to the main classes of plastics is given together with a discussion of their properties which enable them to replace metals in specialised applications.
RADAR DETECTION OF BOREHOLES IN ADVANCE OF MINING

Boreholes present a potential hazard to mining in rock salt mines. The only rock salt mine in England was almost lost when they mined into an unknown borehole open to an aquifer. Rock salt is a good transmitter of VHF radar waves, so a good method of detecting boreholes is by using radar probing. This paper investigates theoretically the detection of a borehole in advance of mining using two different radar systems, Bravo II and Charlie II. Bravo II has a peak power of 20 kW at 230 MHz and Charlie II has 3 W at 440 MHz. The borehole detectability depends critically on the radar wave attenuation in salt, which is characterized by its loss tangent, tan δ. The backscattering cross section σ of the borehole is also important. These parameters are related in the radar signal-to-noise equation which determines the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) for a given range in salt to the borehole. Theoretically, in salt with a tan δ of 10-3, Charlie II can detect (S/N= 3 dB) a 12.7 cm borehole 225 m in advance of mining while Bravo II, using only 100 W, can detect the same borehole 680 m ahead. These values are with the antenna E field parallel to the axis of the borehole. Theory shows this antenna orientation to be optimum for maximum detection probability. For salt with a tan δ of 2 × 10-5, the smallest value measured for salt, Bravo II can detect the borehole up to 15.3 km using maximum power of 20 kW.
Investigation of Cyclooctatetraene on Reduced TiO2(001) as a Possible Intermediate in Alkyne Cyclotrimerization

Cyclotrimerization of alkynes to form aromatics can be carried out catalytically with low valent transition metal complexes in solution, with supported and single-crystal metal catalysts, and with partially reduced TiO2 surfaces. In each of these cases the reaction has been proposed to proceed via formation of a metallacyclopentadiene intermediate, i.e., by association of a pair of acetylene molecules to form a C4 ligand bound to the catalytic site. At least one group of authors has proposed that on late-transition metal surfaces a pair of C4 ligands combine to form the C8 ligand, cyclooctatetraene (COT). In this alternative mechanism, benzene is then formed by the elimination of a C2 fragment from the C8 intermediate. This reaction channel was previously examined on Pd(111) and Cu(110), and was found to be a minor or nonexistent channel on each, reinforcing the case for direct addition of a third acetylene molecule to the metallacyclopentadiene intermediate to form the aromatic product. We have examined ...
Rearing Phaenicia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) on dry cat food with CSMA.

Phaenicia sericata (Meigen) was reared on a larval diet consisting of commercial dry cat food mixed with CSMA. In small rearing containers used for comparative studies, pupae in cat food were smaller than those in liver or fish, apparently because fungal growth in the CSMA-cat food diet impeded larval development. In the larger containers used for mass-rearing, larvae were not affected by fungal growth. The diet was used to rear ca. 500,000 flies during the course of a year.
Using Fitts’ Law for a 3D Pointing Task on a 2D Display: Effects of Depth and Vantage Point

Laparoscopic surgery requires surgeons to make judgments about three-dimensional movements using a two-dimensional display. This arrangement reduces the available visual feedback information, such as certain depth cues. The current study used Fitts’ (1954) law to examine the relationship between psychomotor movement time, target size and target distance for a psychomotor pointing task using a laparoscopic instrument in three-dimensional space projected on a two-dimensional display from different vantage points. Analyses demonstrate an effect for depth of target on accuracy, internal consistency and movement time. The results demonstrate that Fitts’ law can be utilized to detect differences in conditions when a three-dimensional task must be completed with the visual feedback presented on a two-dimensional display. No reliable results of vantage point were found. Thus, the location of a two-dimensional display may not be critical for the type of laparoscopic pointing tasks examined in the present study.
Taphonomy and Time Resolution of Bone Assemblages in a Contemporary Fluvial System: The East Fork River, Wyoming

Experiments that recorded the dispersal of 142 bones within a meandering, 2030 m-long reach of the East Fork River, Wyoming over a 13-year period provide a basis for interpreting distribution patterns and time averaging in fossiliferous channel deposits. Results show that light and porous bones, (e.g., vertebrae, patellae, and phalanges) were transported farther than heavy bones (e.g., limb bones and mandibles). Dispersal patterns of bones from individual experimental sets representing point sources demonstrate that bones became sorted by size and shape within 1 to 2 years and that sorting patterns varied according to initial channel position. The combined distribution of bones from all the experimental sets, however, was unsorted and generally random, suggesting that unsorted fluvial bone assemblages reflect multiple bone sources and differences in the time at which bones enter the channel. Estimates of time-averaging of potential and observed natural bone assemblages in the East Fork River and the South Platte River range from 101-104 years. The upper limit for this estimate is controlled by both the age offossiliferous floodplain deposits that border the rivers and by the ability of the rivers to rework these floodplain deposits. The lower limit reflects either the scarcity of bones in the floodplain sediments or the inability of the rivers to rework these older bones; in this case channel bone assemblages should represent only remains from deaths in the channel or remains that were transported into the channel from adjoining land surfaces, resulting in short intervals of time-averaging (101-102years). The East Fork study further suggests that sandstone geometry, paleosol development, and the sedimentary context
Ultrastructure and ATPase activity of the rectal gland of the chondrichthyean fish Hydrolagus colliei (Holocephali).

The anatomy, histology, ultrastructure and ATPase activity of the intramural rectal gland of the chondrichthyean Hydrolagus colliei, are described. The cells of the rectal gland of Hydrolagus demonstrate the same well developed lateral and basal cisternae, elongate mitochondria and luminal border as those of their elasmobranch counterparts. ATPase activity within the rectal gland of Hydrolagus is as intense as that in a number of elasmobranchs examined in the course of the study. Despite its primitive intramural location the rectal gland of Hydrolagus respresents a homolog of the more specialized and better known elasmobranch gland and appears as well suited for cation excretion.
Effect of Dietary Sodium Intake on the Intrarenal Distribution of Nephron Glomerular Filtration Rates in the Rat

Redistribution of single nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR) between superficial (S) and juxtamedullary (JM) nephrons is thought to participate in the renal adaptation to different levels of dietary sodium intake. This possibility was examined using the Hanssen technique which measures SNGFR as the 14C-ferrocyanide content of microdissected nephrons factored by the mean plasma concentration following a 12-second infusion. Rats from the same litter were placed on a low-sodium (0.8 mEq/day) or a high-sodium (9 mEq/day) diet. The distribution of SNGFR was measured as the S/JM (mean of S nephrons/mean of JM nephrons) SNGFR ratio. In spite of an eightfold change in sodium excretion, there was no significant change in the S/JM SNGFR ratio (low sodium - high sodium: -0.0033 ± 0.048 [SE], P > 0.9). Seven rats that were not littermates were maintained on a standard diet but drank saline (13 mEq sodium/day); carotid and ureteral catheterization and the duration of the diet (3-14 weeks) had no effect on the S...
A GCM investigation of global warming impacts relevant to tropical cyclone genesis

Two approaches that consider how greenhouse warming might impact the frequency of tropical cyclone (TC) genesis are explored. Results are based on GCM experiments with the q-flux version global climate model of the NASA/Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS); one set representing contemporary atmospheric concentrations of CO2, contrasting with the second set representing the global climate in double CO2 equilibrium. July–September means of climate parameters relevant to TC genesis are computed from the simulations and combined to formulate a seasonal genesis parameter (SGP), as suggested in an empirical study by Gray (in Shaw, D.B. (ed.), Meteorology Over the Tropical Oceans, 1979, pp. 155–218). The spatial distribution of the July–September SGP based on the control simulations is compared with the observed distribution and results using other models. The corresponding spatial distribution of the July–September SGP derived from the double CO2 simulations, when compared with the control results, projects a 50% increase in the genesis frequency of TC over the western North Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico basin, but 100–200% increases over the North Pacific Ocean. The increases, most of which are attributable to enhanced ocean temperatures, may be exaggerated, suggesting that the original SGP formulation requires tuning or other revisions. For example, it is noted that SGP computed from the NCEP 1982–1994 re-analysis climatology do not accurately reflect the known spatial distributions of TC genesis frequency. The second approach detects easterly waves over the eastern North Atlantic Ocean by spectral analysis of vorticity and wind component time trends, comparing wave activity in the control and double CO2 simulations. Results indicate a southward shift in future trajectories of easterly waves over West Africa and significant increases in their average amplitude as they cross the African coast and begin to traverse the Eastern Atlantic along 14°N. Copyright © 1999 Royal Meteorological Society
Stereocontrolled Construction of Either Stereoisomer of 12-Oxatricyclo[6.3.1.02,7]dodecanes Using Prins−Pinacol Reactions

12-Oxatricyclo[6.3.1.02,7]dodecanes can be efficiently synthesized in a stereoselective manner by Prins−pinacol reactions. By biasing the transition state of the Prins cyclization, it is possible to access either stereoisomer of this oxatricyclic ring system.
A comparison of daily and occasional smokers' implicit affective responses to smoking cues.

Abstract Previous research has not compared implicit affective responses to smoking-related stimuli in occasional (i.e., those who smoke less than one cigarette per day) and daily smokers (i.e., those who smoke at least once per day). In addition to assessing their motivations for smoking, implicit affective responses were measured using the Affect Misattribution Procedure (AMP) in occasional ( n = 19) and daily smokers ( n = 34) to smoking-related and neutral cues. Half of the cues depicted a human interacting with an object (i.e., active), whereas the remaining cues depicted objects alone (i.e., inactive). Results indicated that for the active cues, daily smokers responded more positively to smoking-related than to neutral cues, whereas occasional smokers showed no difference in their implicit responses. In addition to smoking frequency, relative differences in implicit responses to active cues were related to cognitive enhancement motivation. For inactive cues, implicit responses were related to cognitive enhancement as well as reinforcement. Because daily smokers have more positive implicit responses to active smoking-related cues than occasional smokers, these cues may play an important role in maintaining smoking behavior in daily smokers.
Multi-level phase change memory using slow-quench operation: GST vs. GSST

In this paper, we demonstrate the use of a slow-quench waveform for multi-level phase change memory operation and compare the use of Ge 21 Sn 10 Sb 15 Te 54 (GSST) and Ge 2 Sb 2 Te 5 (GST). A faster multilevel operation is possible with the use of GSST, owing to its faster crystallization speed
ASSESSING PORTER'S (1980) MODEL IN TERMS OF ITS GENERALIZABILITY, ACCURACY AND SIMPLICITY

The Porter (1980) model of generic strategies is evaluated in terms of simplicity, accuracy (i.e., predictive and explanatory power), and generalizability, through an empirical analysis of PIMS data. Results lead to the following conclusions: (1) the simplicity of Porter's model captures much of the complexity inherent in strategic gestalts; (2) Porter's framework could be improved by viewing it as providing three important dimensions of strategic positioning rather than three (or four) distinct strategies; (3) performance norms vary significantly across strategic types, though Porter's predictions of performance are not entirely accurate; (4) strategies such as those described by Porter are possibly more contingent than generic, thus limiting the generalizability of some prescriptions implicit in the model.
Immediate Impact of Social Influence-Oriented Substance Abuse Prevention Curricula in Traditional and Continuation High Schools

SUMMARY This study examines the immediate impact of nine social influence-oriented activities on drug related knowledge and beliefs for students at six traditional and six continuation high schools from the same southern California school districts. The relative effectiveness of two program delivery methods (active versus passive) also was examined. Continuation high school students reported much higher levels of overall drug use. Across school type, the activities showed the most impact on knowledge change. The activities exerted a relatively greater impact on traditional high school students and when the active delivery mode was used. Potential limitations of the effectiveness of social influences-oriented substance abuse prevention programming with continuation high school youth are discussed.
Hydroxyproline-containing structural glycopeptide fractions from subacute inflammation connective tissue.

Hydroxyproline-containing structural glycopeptide fractions were isolated from collagenase-digested neutral salt-insoluble collagen of five-day sponge-implant connective tissue of the rat. The glycopeptide fractions characterized migrate as a single, strongly anionic band on disc gel electrophoresis at pH 9.5, are eluted on gel filtration as a small molecular weight peak, approximately 2000, and are resolved into thirteen glycopeptide fractions by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Amino acid analyses of some of these fractions indicate a similarity in composition, the principal ones being aspartic and glutamic acids, serine, glycine, alanine, valine, proline and hydroxyproline. Three neutral carbohydrates, glucose, mannose and xylose, in different relative proportions and hexosamine are also present in the fractions. Amino-terminal amino acid determinations indicate a microheterogeneity of the glycopeptides. The electrophoretic behaviour and non-diffusibility of the small molecular weight glycopeptides sugge...
Normal and more highly reactive horses. II. The effect of handling and reserpine on the cardiac response to stimuli

Abstract A split-plot experiment evaluated the effect of handling and reserpine on the autonomic heart-rate response of yearling horses to various stimuli. The emotionality levels of 32 Quarter-Horse yearlings were rated by 4 experienced horsemen on a scale from 1 to 4 (1 = most nervous and erratic disposition; 4=quiet disposition). The yearlings were subsequently classified and penned based on their emotionality level; normal or nervous. Within each emotionality group, one-half the yearlings were handled daily for 14 days and the other one-half remained free in the pens. Following the handling treatment, every yearling was individually exposed to a series of stimuli, while the heart rate was monitored via a radio-telemetry system. A second treatment, reserpine, was subsequently given intramuscularly (0.005 mg/kg body weight) to one-half the yearlings of each treatment combination of emotionality and handling. The heart rate of the yearlings to the same series of stimuli previously employed was determined at 24 and 120 h and 16 days following the reserpine injection. Summarizing the results, the handled yearlings tended to exhibit lower heart rates with the handling stimulus, but the heart rate with a more novel stimulus was not affected by the previous handling treatment. Reserpine tended to suppress the heart rate of the unhandled group during the presence of a handler, but the permanency of this effect was not evident 16 days after the drug was administered. The reserpine-treated groups tended to exhibit the lowest heart-rate response to stimuli during the 120-h test-day following the administration of the drug. Heart-rate responses to the stimuli were not different between the normal and nervous yearlings.
Sex differences in destructive periodontal disease: exploring the biologic basis.

Background: Epidemiologic studies provide broad-based evidence that men are at greater risk for developing destructive periodontal disease than women, even after adjusting for behavioral and environmental factors, such as oral hygiene practice and smoking. What requires clarification, however, is whether sex-specific differences in immune function provide a plausible biologic basis for a sexual dimorphism in susceptibility to destructive periodontal disease. This review examines evidence that might provide an underlying biologic basis for a sexual dimorphism in the prevalence and severity of destructive periodontal disease.Methods: A narrative review of the literature related to sexual dimorphism in pathogen-mediated inflammatory diseases and immune response was retrieved from searches of computerized databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, and SCOPUS).Results: Sex steroids exert profound effects on multiple immunologic parameters regulating both the amplification and resolution of inflammation. Strong evidence exist...
Heterotopic ossification: can early surgery be performed, with a positive bone scan?

It has been previously suggested that the surgical removal of areas of heterotopic ossification in patients with burns should be delayed until bone scans return to normal. The present study describes a patient who underwent surgical removal of heterotopic ossification from both elbows, 1 year after burn injury, with strongly positive bone scans, because of progressive ulnar nerve compression. Subsequently, 7 years after burn injury and 6 years after this surgery, the patient maintained an excellent range of motion in both elbows. At this time, his bone scans continue to be strongly positive. Didronel (Norwich Eaton, Norwich, N.Y.), a diphosphonate, may have played a role in this patient's recovery by decreasing bony deposition following surgery.