cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Seismic fragility and cost analyses of actively controlled structures

SUMMARY Seismic fragility represents the probability that structural response exceeds a given performance limit state due to a specified intensity of ground motion, and it has a direct relationship with the cost of rehabilitating the structural system. In this research, a cost analysis framework based on seismic fragility to quantify the expected loss of the structural system was proposed. Incremental dynamic analysis was used to generate the fragility curves, and plastic strain derived from plastic energy dissipation was used to quantify the structural damage at a local level. Two moment-resisting steel frames and 100 nonstationary Gaussian earthquake ground motions were simulated, and correlations between local damage states and global performance limit states were performed to facilitate the cost analysis study. The results showed that good correlations exist in seismic fragilities, and therefore, the repair cost of the structural system becomes quantifiable. Active control based on the optimal linear control algorithm was included as an auxiliary study to identify the sensitivity of the correlations. It is observed that significant cost reduction can be achieved for structures with few stories when active control is used but may not be cost-effective if it is installed in taller structures. Published 2011. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
THE U.S. U-235 FISSION SPECTRUM STANDARD NEUTRON FIELD REVISITED

As use is made of a standard neutron field, formerly unidentified needs and ways to improve its performance became apparent. This paper presents improvements in calibration techniques, results of Monte Carlo calculations which better define scattering corrections, and new handling procedures which improve reproducibi1ity and decrease radiation exposure to personnel. Also, an application of the NBS 235U fission spectrum to test consistency among laboratories who analyze surveillance dosimetry for reactor pressure vessel exposures is summarized.
Visible and Infrared Remote Sensing

The sections in this article are 1 Development of Meteorological Satellites 2 The AVHRR 3 Data Ingest, Processing, and Distribution 4 NOAA's Comprehensive Large Array-data Stewardship System (CLASS) 5 National Polar-orbiting Operational Satellite System (NPOESS) 6 NASA's MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 7 The Geostationary Observing Environmental Satellite (GOES) 8 Development of Earth Resources Technology Satellites 9 The French Spot Satellites 10 Summary
Teachers' perceptions of adolescent females with voice disorders.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore teachers' attitudes toward, and perceptions of personality traits of, female adolescents who presented with voice disorders. Method For this comparative study consisting of a 25-item web-based semantic differential survey, teachers rated voice recordings of 4 female adolescents (considered normophonic, mildly, moderately, and severely dysphonic, respectively) on 18 personality traits and 6 teacher attitude parameters. A flyer with a link to the survey was distributed via e-mail to teachers at 8 middle and high schools in Ohio. Results Thirty-two teachers completed the survey. Results revealed differences in teachers' perceptions of female adolescents with a normal voice compared to those with voice disorders. Conclusion Adolescent female students with voice disorders may be at risk for academic, social, and vocational difficulties. These results highlight and support the need to inform teachers, speech-language pathologists, students, and families about the...
CD34 + cell collection efficiency does not correlate with the pre-leukapheresis hematocrit

One hundred and seventy-seven large-volume leukapheresis procedures performed on 91 patients over a 15 month period were reviewed to see if the pre-apheresis hematocrit (Hct) affected the CD34(+) cell collection efficiency (CE) of the Fenwal CS 3000 Plus cell separator. The Hct was 0.174-0.461 (median 0.317), and the peripheral blood CD34(+) cell count 2-2487 per microl (median 21). The total CD34(+) cell quantity collected was 3.0-2677.2 x 10(6) (median 113.0). Based on the number of CD34(+)cells contained in the blood volume processed (23.3-37303.2 x 10(6); median 318.0), the CE was 1.7-87.5% (median 30.3). No correlation was found between the Hct and CE (r(2) = 0.0034; P = 0.44) or the total CD34(+) cell quantity collected (r2 = 0.0040; P = 0.40). CEs for Hct <0.25 (median CE 36%), Hct 0.25-0.299 (median CE 30%) and Hct 0.30 (median CE 30%) were comparable. As expected, highly significant correlations were seen between the CD34(+) cell quantities collected and quantities processed (r2 = 0.59; P < 10(-6)) as well as the peripheral blood CD34(+) cell counts (r2= 0.60; P < 10(-6)). We conclude that the minimum acceptable Hct or hemoglobin level for leukapheresis should be dictated by clinical circumstances because it does not affect stem cell collection.
Almost-isospectral conjugated polyene molecules

Abstract The concept of isospectral polyene molecules is briefly reviewed and commented on. Several pairs of almost-isospectral molecules and two infinite pairs of almost-isospectral series of molecules are identified for the first time. This work represents a contribution toward the study of the relationship of quantum chemistry and similarity.
Control of Combustion Dynamics Using Fuel System Impedance

Combustion oscillations (dynamics) have become a major challenge in the development of low-emission premix combustors. In this paper, a variable impedance fuel system is used to modulate the phase and magnitude of the combustion response in a laboratory scale 30 kW combustor. With the proper choice of design parameters, this technique demonstrates significant attenuation of dynamics pressures, over a wide range of operating conditions. The technique is similar to active control, but does not require high frequency actuators. The paper will report on the key design variables that should be considered when using this concept to improve dynamic stability.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Role of phosphatidylethanolamine lipids in the stabilization of protein-lipid contacts

Abstract We have investigated the effect of lipids with phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) head groups on the stabilization of contacts between the tryptophan side chains of gramicidin and the lipid head groups. We initially developed two fluorescence methods that can be correlated to the spontaneous curvature of DOPC/DOPE and DOPC/DOPEme. One is based on bilayer structure and measures the rotational motion of a probe located close to the membrane surface relative to a more deeply-buried probe. The second is based on surface hydration/polarity and measures the emission energy of a polarity-sensitive probe located on the membrane surface. We used these methods to estimate the pseudo-curvature (i.e., curvature obtained by fluorescence measurements) of lipids with dimyristyl chains, and their pressure and temperature dependence. We then investigated the stability of gramicidin tryptophan-lipid contacts in DMPC/DMPE as a function of temperature and pressure. Stability was assessed by trytophan rotational motion as determined by fluorescence anisotropy, since rotational motion is limited when the indoles are hydrogen bonded to the lipid head groups. The results suggest that the presence of PE lipids destabilizes these contacts due to either their smaller size relative to PC head groups, or their tendency to self-interact. Fluorescence quenching studies support these results.
Risk Factors for Unplanned Readmissions Following Excisional Breast Surgery

Thirty-day hospital readmission has emerged as an important variable in health care quality improvement. Our purpose was to investigate the unplanned readmission rate following excisional breast surgery and to identify risk factors associated with readmission. The 2011 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program registry was retrospectively reviewed for patients undergoing excisional breast surgery. Logistic regression was used to investigate the relationship between pre- and perioperative variables and 30-day readmission. Of 13,610 women identified, 292 (2.15%) were readmitted within the 30-day tracking period. The readmitted cohort demonstrated significantly more comorbidities and postoperative complications, as well as longer operative times and hospital stays. Postoperative complications were the best predictors for readmission; however, age, a history of bleeding disorders, immunosuppression, cardiovascular disease, and inpatient hospitalization were also significant independent predictors for readmission. Risk factors for readmission include both pre- and perioperative variables. Perioperative complications, most often infectious in nature, are the strongest predictors; however, comorbidities including immunosuppression, bleeding disorders, and cardiovascular disease also significantly increase the risk for readmission. Although readmission is relatively rare, identifying and managing high-risk patients in addition to more effective methods to prevent and manage postoperative complications will be critical to reducing readmissions and improving patient care.
Statistical Theory of Spin-Spin Interactions in Solids

A statistical theory of spin interactions is presented which takes its starting point from pair transitions rather than single-particle transitions. The approach through straightforward perturbation theory applied to pairs, and the approach through the time development of the pair-transition operator ${S}_{x}(t)$ are shown to be equivalent. The averaging over possible pair configurations is performed by means of a weight function which allows inclusion of the details of the lattice structure and of departures from random spin distribution. Concentration dependence and temperature dependence appear naturally in the formalism. The formalism is not intrinsically restricted to a particular type of spin interaction. Magnetic dipole forces, exchange of any specified magnitude and any specified finite range, and cross-relaxation effects can be included. Several aspects of moment theory are clarified. The existence of asymmetry in certain line shapes is indicated. The theory is applied to magnetic dipole interaction and exchange. The Fourier transform of the magnetic resonance line shape is derived in an exact, explicit, and semiclosed form, in which the details of the system under consideration appear parametrically. A formula is given for all the moments of the line, but it is shown that moments bear a direct relationship to the observed half-width only in the limit of very dense spin concentration. The results for limiting cases agree with those derived by Anderson and by Kubo and Tomita. In particular it appears that the line is always Lorentzian in the center and Gaussian in the wings, and that it approaches a pure Lorentzian shape as either the spin concentration or the effective nearest-neighbor distance become vanishingly small.
Superoxide dismutase activity during the plasmodial life cycle of Physarum polycephalum

Superoxide dismutase activity was slow throughout the cell cycle of surface cultures ofPhysarum polycephalum. This activity increased markedly when the organism was induced to spherulate. Glutathione (GSH) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentrations changed very little during the cell cycle. During spherulation GSH decreased; H2O2 and the cyanide-resistant respiration of plasmodial homogenates increased.
Transurethral resection of the prostateamong medicare beneficiaries in the United States: time trends and outcomes

Abstract Objectives. The purpose of this study was to examine the epidemiology of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and associated risks among Medicare beneficiaries during the period of 1984 to 1990. Methods. Medicare hospital claims for a 20% national sample of Medicare beneficiarieswere used to identify TURPS performed during the study period. All reported rates were adjusted to the composition of the 1990 Medicare population. Risks of mortality and reoperation were evaluated using life-table methods. Results. The age-adjusted rate of TURP reached a peak in 1987 and declined thereafter. Similar trends were observed for all age groups. In 1990, the rates of TURP (including all indications) were approximately 25, 19, and 13 per 1000 for men over the age of 75, 70 to 74, and 65 to 69, respectively. The 30-day mortality following TURP for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) decreased from 1.20% in 1984 to 0.77% in 1990 (linear trend, p = 0.0001). The cumulative incidence of a second TURP among men with BPH has likewise decreased steadily over time; in this study, the average was 7.2% over 7 years (5.5% when the indication for the second TURP was restricted to BPH only). Conclusions. The rate of TURP has been declining since 1987, conceivably due to increasing availability of alternative treatments or changes in treatment preferences of patients and physicians. Over the same period, the outcomes following TURPS have improved, perhaps due to improved surgical care and changes in patient selection.
Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes model predictions of linear instability. I: Buoyancy- and shear-driven flows

Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) models based on turbulent kinetic energy and dissipation rate or length scale transport equations are commonly used for fully developed turbulence arising from buoyancy, shear, or shocks. It is shown here that RANS models also describe the linear instability phase for buoyancy instabilities (specifically, the Rayleigh–Taylor instability) and shear instabilities (specifically, the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability and stratified shear flow). During the initial phases of the evolution of these models, turbulent diffusion is negligible, the fluctuation energy grows exponentially with negligible coupling to the mean flow, and the model coefficients can be chosen such that the growth rate is equivalent to the physical growth rate of short-wavelength perturbations. The reduced equations obtained by neglecting turbulent diffusion correspond to the unclosed RANS equations under the assumptions of linear theory (i.e., retaining only second-order correlations). The correspondence w...
Experimental Measurements and Numerical Simulations of Two-Phase Stratified, Wavy and Slug Flow in a Narrow Rectangular Channel

Flow pattern transitions in two-phase flow are important phenomena for many different types of engineering applications, including heat exchangers. While two-phase flow is not understood as well as single-phase flow, advancements in both measurement techniques and numerical simulations are helping to increase the understanding of two-phase flow. In this paper, stratified/wavy flow is investigated, along with the transition from wavy to slug flow. For the experimental setup, a narrow channel with a length of 600 mm, height of 40 mm, and a width of 15 mm was fabricated using clear acrylic plastic, and water and air were the two fluids used for testing. The water in the channel was initially at rest, and the transition in flow patterns was created by increasing the velocity of air flowing over the water surface. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) was used to measure the velocity of the flow for stratified and wavy flow conditions, and also the velocity at the onset of slug flow. Along with the experimental measurements, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were conducted on a similar geometry using the volume of fluid (VOF) two-phase model. A commercial CFD software package was used for the simulations, and comparisons were made between the experimental measurements and numerical results. Favorable agreement was found between the experimental measurements and the numerical simulations. In particular, the transition from wavy to slug flow compared well to previously developed two-phase flow transition models, including the slug transition developed by Taitel and Dukler.© 2005 ASME
Physiology of Oil Seeds: IX. Effects of Water Deficit on Peanut Seed Quality

The peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) crop is frequently subjected to water deficit during the growing season. This study was conducted to determine the effect of water received by the crop on the germinability and vigor of the subsequent seed generation. Two peanut genotypes, 'Comet' and breeding line OK-FH15, were grown under both rainfed and irrigated conditions on a Teller sandy loam (fine, mixed, thermic Udic Argiustoll) soil in 0.91-m wide rows using standard agronomic practices. Pods were harvested, dried, and shelled. Only mature seeds (those with smooth seed coats and riding at least a 5.95 by 19.05 mm slotted screen) were used in the tests. Seeds were germinated at 29 +/- 1 degree C in 2-L flasks fitted with two sheets of 15.0-cm Whatman no. 5 filter paper. Ethylene and CO2 were quantitatively determined by gas chromatography. Germination ranged from 94 to 100%, but was lowest for seeds produced under water deficit. Maximum C2H4 production occurred at 22 to 24 h of germination during hypocotyl-radicle emergence. Carbon dioxide production was maximized 24 h later, or rose slowly thereafter. Water deficit during seed production affected both C2H4 and CO2 production during subsequent germination. The most consistent response to water deficit was reduction in the fraction of rapidly growing seedlings (those with hypocotyl-radicle longer than 20 mm at 72 h of germination). Thus, water deficit during seed development affects subsequent growth of seedlings and could pose a problem in establishment for the succeeding crop. A minimum of 500 mm of water was necessary to produce a crop of seeds with high potential for germination and a high proportion of vigorous seedlings.
Effects of warming temperatures on winning times in the Boston marathon.

It is not known whether global warming will affect winning times in endurance events, and counterbalance improvements in race performances that have occurred over the past century. We examined a time series (1933–2004) from the Boston Marathon to test for an effect of warming on winning times by men and women. We found that warmer temperatures and headwinds on the day of the race slow winning times. However, 1.6°C warming in annual temperatures in Boston between 1933 and 2004 did not consistently slow winning times because of high variability in temperatures on race day. Starting times for the race changed to earlier in the day beginning in 2006, making it difficult to anticipate effects of future warming on winning times. However, our models indicate that if race starting times had not changed and average race day temperatures had warmed by 0.058°C/yr, a high-end estimate, we would have had a 95% chance of detecting a consistent slowing of winning marathon times by 2100. If average race day temperatures had warmed by 0.028°C/yr, a mid-range estimate, we would have had a 64% chance of detecting a consistent slowing of winning times by 2100.
Abstract 1679: Combined efficacy of Cediranib and Quinacrine in glioma is enhanced by hypoxia and is associated with autophagic vacuole accumulation.

Despite robust vascularity of malignant gliomas, anti-angiogenic therapy largely fails to induce durable responses. We have previously reported that efficacy with Cediranib (Ced), a VEGF/PDGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is synergistically enhanced via combination with late-stage autophagy inhibitor quinacrine (Quin), in intracranial 4C8 mouse glioma, resulting in decreased tumor vascularization and growth, increased tumor necrosis and improved mouse survival (#1905, AACR 2012). Our present study was aimed at investigating the role of autophagy (a cellular catabolic pathway that promotes tumor cell survival under hypoxic/nutrient stress), in this synergistic efficacy. MTS assays revealed dose-dependent reductions in cell viability for Ced and Quin under normal (Nrm) and hypoxic (0.5%O2, Hyp) conditions: IC50s(μM) under Nrm and Hyp were 2.7±0.1 and 2.4±0.2 for Ced, and 3.2±0.2 and 2.4±0.04 for Quin, respectively. Greater than additive combined efficacy for Ced+Quin occurred only under Hyp (cell viability reductions for 1μM C + 2.5μM Q: 78±7%(Hyp) vs. 31±3%(Nrm), p Citation Format: Merryl Lobo, Peter Kurre, Matthias Schabel, Yancey Gillespie, Randall Woltjer, Martin Pike. Combined efficacy of Cediranib and Quinacrine in glioma is enhanced by hypoxia and is associated with autophagic vacuole accumulation. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1679. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-1679
Requirement for the βI and βIV Tubulin Isotypes In Mammalian Cilia

Nielsen et al., [2001: Curr Biol 11:529-533], based on studies in Drosophila, have proposed that beta tubulin in axonemal microtubules must contain a specific acidic seven amino acid sequence in its carboxyl terminus. In mammals, the two betaIV isotypes (betaIVa and betaIVb) contain that sequence. In order to test the application of this hypothesis to mammals, we have examined the expression of beta tubulin isotypes in four different ciliated tissues (trachea, ependyma, uterine tube, and testis) using isotype-specific antibodies and indirect immunofluorescence. We find that betaIV tubulin is present in all ciliated cell types examined, but so is betaI tubulin. Taken together with recent studies that show that betaI and betaIV tubulin are both present in the cilia of vestibular hair cells, olfactory neurons, and nasal respiratory epithelial cells, we propose that both betaI tubulin and betaIV tubulin may be required for axonemal structures in mammals.
Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor stimulates mitogenesis and migration of a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell line.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess the effect of extracellular matrix and hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) on the growth and motility of cultured squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) cells.METHODS: Cultured cells were incubated in the presence of HGF/SF. The effect of HFG/SF on cell growth, motility, and phosphorylation of the signaling proteins FAK and Erk was determined.RESULTS: HGF/SF is both mitogenic and motogenic to the human SCCHN cell line FaDu. Incubation of FaDu cells in the presence of HGF/SF led to a rapid increase in phosphorylation of both FAK and the growth-promoting kinase Erk. HGF/SF-induced phosphorylation of FAK and Erk was observed in both detached and attached SCCHN cells. However, phosphorylation was much greater in attached cells.CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: The mitogenic and motogenic activities of HGF/SF may contribute to the pathogenesis of SCCHN in vivo.
Evaluation of student outcomes in online vs. campus biostatistics education in a graduate school of public health.

Abstract Objective To compare student outcomes between concurrent online and on-campus sections of an introductory biostatistics course offered at a United States school of public health in 2005. Methods Enrolled students (95 online, 92 on-campus) were invited to participate in a confidential online survey. The course outcomes were compared between the two sections adjusting for differences in student characteristics. Results Seventy-two online (76%) and 66 (72%) on-campus enrollees participated. Unadjusted final exam scores for the online and on-campus sections were respectively 85.1 and 86.3 (p = 0.50) in term 1, and 87.8 and 86.8 (p = 0.51) in term 2. After adjustment for student characteristics, the average difference in scores between the two sections was − 1.5 (95% CI: − 5.4, 2.5) in term 1, and 0.8 (95% CI: − 2.7, 4.3) in term 2. Conclusions The results demonstrate that online and on-campus course formats of an introductory biostatistics course in a graduate school of public health can achieve similar student outcomes.
Specificity of procedure volume and in-hospital mortality association.

There is considerable evidence to conclude that high-volume hospitals have lower mortality rates compared with low-volume hospitals following complex surgical procedures.1,2 While several studies have examined the association between procedure-specific volume and in-hospital mortality,3–7 there are only a few studies that have examined the association between unrelated procedure volume and in-hospital mortality.8,9 Urbach and Baxter examined the association between procedure-specific/unrelated procedure volume and 30-day mortality following esophagectomy (ESO), major lung resection for cancer, repair of unruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), and pancreaticoduodenectomy.9 Konety et al examined the influence of meeting Leapfrog Group-recommended volume thresholds for complex surgical procedures (coronary artery bypass grafts [CABG], percutaneous coronary interventions [PCIs], AAA repair, pancreatectomy [PAN], and ESO) on in-hospital mortality following radical cystectomy, nephrectomy, and radical prostatectomy.8 The Leapfrog Group, a private entity formed by representatives from 155 major health insurance purchasers, recommends that members contract for selected complex surgical procedures (CABG, PCI, elective AAA repair, PAN, and ESO) only with hospitals that meet minimum volume thresholds to achieve better outcomes.10 There is lack of published data examining the effect of meeting any Leapfrog Group-recommended volume thresholds on mortality after other unrelated Leapfrog Group-specified procedures. We examined the association between procedure volume and in-hospital mortality after CABG, PCI, elective AAA repair, PAN, and ESO. We examined the procedure-specific volume–outcome association as well as unrelated procedure volume–outcome association.
Magnetic Field Correction Concepts for Superconducting Undulators

The ability to correct magnetic field errors in a superconducting undulator is critical for the successful application of these devices in future and existing light sources. These field errors, which can emanate from sources such as machining and coil winding imperfections, can lead to reduced light source performance by introducing errors in both the electron trajectory and the relative phase relationship between the oscillating electrons and the emitted photons. In this work, correction schemes are presented, which use a single power supply along with a superconducting switch network to define the path for the current during undulator tuning. The basic switching concept was previously designed and successfully tested at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; the approach presented here is a significant advancement in generalizing and scaling that core concept. A new fabrication method is presented here, which uses lithographic methods to produce current paths and switch heaters on a superconducting film. The effect of an example corrector current path design on the magnetic field is investigated using the Finite Element Method, and the results at various undulator and corrector energization levels are presented. Experimental results from the heater switch concept are also presented.
Three-Dimensional Regulation of Radial Glial Functions by Lis1-Nde1 and Dystrophin Glycoprotein Complexes

Radial glial cells (RGCs) are distinctive neural stem cells with an extraordinary slender bipolar morphology and dual functions as precursors and migration scaffolds for cortical neurons. Here we show a novel mechanism by which the Lis1-Nde1 complex maintains RGC functions through stabilizing the dystrophin/dystroglycan glycoprotein complex (DGC). A direct interaction between Nde1 and utrophin/dystrophin allows for the assembly of a multi-protein complex that links the cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix of RGCs to stabilize their lateral membrane, cell-cell adhesion, and radial morphology. Lis1-Nde1 mutations destabilized the DGC and resulted in deformed, disjointed RGCs and disrupted basal lamina. Besides impaired RGC self-renewal and neuronal migration arrests, Lis1-Nde1 deficiencies also led to neuronal over-migration. Additional to phenotypic resemblances of Lis1-Nde1 with DGC, strong synergistic interactions were found between Nde1 and dystroglycan in RGCs. As functional insufficiencies of LIS1, NDE1, and dystroglycan all cause lissencephaly syndromes, our data demonstrated that a three-dimensional regulation of RGC's cytoarchitecture by the Lis1-Nde1-DGC complex determines the number and spatial organization of cortical neurons as well as the size and shape of the cerebral cortex.
Factors affecting immigration of adults: experimental and theoretical observations with rodents

Abstract We examined immigration in populations of Peromyscus leucopus (white-footed mice) by 1) monitoring natural immigration at 10 sites, 2) introducing experimental immigrants into eight populations, and 3) constructing qualitative models of immigration. Density of natural immigrants covaried positively with resident density, and successful assimilation was lower at low resident and immigrant densities. Females and males did not differ in their chance of achieving residency. Year, sex, and number introduced were significant predictors of assimilation by individuals. Experimentally introduced individuals had no effect on densities of those mice resident before the introductions. Results obtained from studying natural immigration differed from those obtained from studying experimental immigration. Signed digraphs and time averaging were used to model the consequences of different resident-immigrant relationships and to suggest how different sources of variation may have affected assimilation and led to differences in natural and experimental immigration. Resident and immigrant densities could have been positively correlated even if residents actively inhibited immigration. Variation in immigrant density and survival rather than resident territorial activity apparently determined patterns of assimilation.
Growth of Tilted Domains in an Octadecanol Langmuir Monolayer Using Radial Temperature Gradients

Using Brewster angle microscopy, it is demonstrated that extended L 2 '-single liquid crystalline domains in an octadecanol monolayer grow by locally heating and cooling Langmuir monolayers at the air/ water-interface witha focused IR-laser. The effect of the cooling rate on the domain size is discussed. The behavior is explained as an isotensile reorientation transition.
Penetration depths in the ultraviolet for 4H, 6H and 3C silicon carbide at seven common laser pumping wavelengths

Abstract We report the values of the absorption coefficient of 4H, 6H and 3C SiC at room temperature, in the range 3900–2968 A. By using the known shift in the bandgap with temperature, we also present estimates of the absorption coefficient of 4H, 6H and 3C SiC at 2 K. A table is given for penetration depths at 300 and 2 K for seven common lasers used to pump SiC in this region.
IMPROVING PERFORMANCE THROUGH CONSIDERATION OF TERRAIN CONDITIONS: SOILS, DRAINAGE, AND CLIMATE

Inadequate drainage of surface and subsurface water can have significant impact on pavement behavior and long-term maintenance costs. Interception of water before it infiltrates into the pavement foundation is essential unless the soils are truly free draining. Even then, there can be potential damage by frost action. Identification of seepage zones and surface runoff characteristics based on terrain conditions such as soils and geology can aid in the selection of a suitable road alignment and design to minimize future problems. However, most moisture-soil-related pavement performance problems are observed and corrected after construction of the facility. Case history examples of moisture damage were examined that relate to seepage from culverts, perched water tables, weathered zones in sedimentary rock, permeable glacial deposits, and ponded water. Construction defects and the effect of soil suction and exudation of water into the pavement structure were evaluated. With emphasis on inadequate surface and subsurface drainage conditions, ideas relating to improvements needed to correct deficiencies were developed.
The Ties that Bind: Measuring International Bond Spillovers Using Inflation-Indexed Bond Yields

This paper explores international bond spillovers using daily and weekly data on yields on inflation-indexed bonds and associated inflation expectations for the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Sweden, Japan, and the United Kingdom. The analysis starts in 2002, by which point U.S. inflation-indexed markets had matured. Real bond yields are found to be closely linked across countries, with developments in U.S. markets determining around half of real foreign yields and no evidence of spillovers back to the United States. Spillovers in inflation expectations are smaller and the direction of causation is less clear.
Flexpath: type-based publish/subscribe system for large-scale science analytics

As high-end systems move toward exascale sizes, a new model of scientific inquiry being developed is one in which online data analytics run concurrently with the high end simulations producing data outputs. Goals are to gain rapid insights into the ongoing scientific processes, assess their scientific validity, and/or initiate corrective or supplementary actions by launching additional computations when needed. The Flexpath system presented in this paper addresses the fundamental problem of how to structure and efficiently implement the communications between high end simulations and concurrently running online data analytics, the latter comprised of componentized dynamic services and service pipelines.Using a type-based publish/subscribe approach, Flexpath encourages diversity by permitting analytics services to differ in their computational and scaling characteristics and even in their internal execution models. Flexpath uses direct and MxN connections between interacting services to reduce data movements, to allow for runtime connectivity changes to accommodate component arrivals/departures, and to support the multiple underlying communication protocols used for analytics workflows in which simulation outputs are processed by analytics services residing on the same nodes where they are generated, on the same machine, and/or on attached or remote analytics engines. This paper describes the design and implementation of Flexpath, and evaluates it with two widely used scientific applications and their associated data analytics methods.
Stringy Cosmic Strings and Noncompact Calabi-Yau Manifolds

We describe string vacuum configurations for which the radii (moduli) of the internal compact space vary in four-dimensional space-time, focusing on configurations which have the interpretation of cosmic strings. We will show that some of them admit Ricci-flat Kahler metrics (i.e. they correspond to noncompact Calabi-Yau manifolds), thus providing new vacuum solutions to the full string theory. One novel feature of some of these solutions is that the internal space decompactifies near the core of the cosmic string, without producing any physical singularities.
Co‐deposition of Silica, Alumina, and Aluminosilicates from Mixtures of CH3SiCl3, AlCl3, CO2, and H2. Thermodynamic Analysis and Experimental Kinetics Investigation

The co-deposition of silica, alumina, and aluminosilicates from mixtures of methyltrichlorosilane, aluminum trichloride, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen was investigated in this study. In order to elucidate some aspects of the co-deposition process, the deposition of pure silica and pure alumina from mixtures of methyltrichlorosilane and aluminum trichloride, respectively, with CO2 and H2 was also investigated. Kinetic data were obtained by carrying out CVD experiments on SiC substrates in a hot-wall reactor of tubular geometry, which permitted continuous monitoring of the deposition rate through the use of a microbalance. Reaction rate data are presented for temperatures between 1073 and 1373 K (800–1100 °C) at 13.3 kPa (100 torr) pressure for various feed compositions and various positions along the axis of the deposition reactor. Thermodynamic equilibrium computations were performed on the Al/Si/Cl/C/O/H, Al/Cl/C/O/H, and Si/Cl/C/O/H systems at the conditions used in the deposition experiments. The experimental observations are discussed in the context of the results of the equilibrium analysis and of past studies. Among the most interesting findings of this study is that the presence of AlCl3 has a catalytic effect on the incorporation of silica in the deposit, leading to co-deposition rates that are a factor of 2–3 higher than the deposition rates that are obtained when only one of the two chlorides (CH3SiCl3 or AlCl3) is present in the feed.
Asynchronous chess competition

Asynchronous Chess (AChess) is a platform for the development and evaluation of real-time adversarial agent technologies. It is a two-player game using the basic rules of chess with the modification that agents may move as many pieces as they want at any time. Modifying chess in this way creates a new robust, asynchronous, real-time game in which agents must carefully balance their time between reasoning and acting in order to out-perform their opponent. As a fast-paced adversarial game, many challenges relevant to real-world applications arise which give it merit for study and use.
On Cutting Temperature Measurement During Titanium Machining With an Atomization-Based Cutting Fluid Spray System

The poor thermal conductivity and low elongation-to-break ratio of titanium lead to the development of extreme temperatures (in excess of 550 °C) localized in the tool–chip interface during machining of its alloys. At such temperature level, titanium becomes highly reactive with most tool materials resulting in accelerated tool wear. The atomization-based cutting fluid (ACF) spray system has recently been demonstrated to improve tool life in titanium machining due to good cutting fluid penetration causing the temperature to be reduced in the cutting zone. In this study, the cutting temperatures are measured both by inserting thermocouples at various locations of the tool–chip interface and the tool–work thermocouple technique. Cutting temperatures for dry machining and machining with flood cooling are also characterized for comparison with the ACF spray system temperature data. Findings reveal that the ACF spray system more effectively reduces cutting temperatures over flood cooling and dry conditions. The tool–chip friction coefficient indicates that the fluid film created by the ACF spray system also actively penetrates the tool–chip interface to enhance lubrication during titanium machining.
Competing high-speed/high-density technologies

There are now a number of alternative semiconductor technologies - NMOS, CMOS, SOS, VMOS, DMOS and I2L - as well as various conventional bipolar structures. These will be compared and contrasted, and their relative merits over the range of memory and logic applications considered.
Are Emerging Markets Catching Up With the Developed Markets in Terms of Consumption

ABSTRACT The study tests the consumption convergence hypothesis between developed and emerging markets over a 30-year period (1980–2009) with eight consumption variables: consumer expenditure on food, consumer expenditure on household goods and services, average consumption of calories per day, average consumption of protein per day, and possession of four durables: dishwasher, microwave oven, refrigerator, and washing machine. Socioeconomic influence on consumption convergence is also tested with income, energy consumption, life expectancy, and trade. The regression results indicate that the emerging markets are catching up in terms of consumption but the rate is very slow. Consumption of durables shows slightly faster convergence than other variables. All four socioeconomic variables exert some degree of influence on consumption convergence, with income showing the greatest effect. Knowledge about convergence should be useful to managers for demand estimation and forecasting and for market penetration, ...
Experimental analysis of patch dynamics in tallgrass prairie plant communities

. Previous research has indicated that patch structure at small spatial scales (<100m2) in tallgrass prairies was defined by a diverse array of infrequent species because dominant species occurred in all samples at this scale. Also, patch structure was not significantly different from that derived from random species associations. Based on these results, we hypothesized that remo val of a dominant species would have no effect on patch structure in these prairies. We tested this hypothesis by removing a dominant grass, Schizachyrium scoparium (Poaceae), from half of each of four 10 m × 10 m study blocks, and comparing differences in patch structure between control and removal halves before and after removal. The minimum resolution in our study was 1 m2. Patches of similar species composition were defined by cluster analysis of presence/absence data and cover data. Patch sizes ranged from 1 to 34 m2. Following the removal of S. scoparium there was an overall increase in the number of species in the removal half of each block compared to pre-treatment levels. However, the number of patch types and number of spatially mapped groups, based on presence/absence or cover data, did not change between control and removal plots after the removal of S. scoparium. This supports the hypothesis that removal of a large, dominant species would have no effect on patch structure at this scale of resolution in these prairies. Thus, patch structure, as defined here, is an emergent property in these grasslands that is not predictable from changes in species composition. This property of stochastic patch structure results from interactions of processes operating at scales both larger and smaller than our scale of resolution. Stochastic models may provide a reasonable approach to modelling small-scale patch dynamics in tallgrass prairie communities.
A Meta-Analytic Review of Relationships Between Team Design Features and Team Performance

This article presents a quantitative review of 93 studies examining relationships between team design features and team performance. Aggregated measures of individual ability and disposition correlate positively with team performance. Team member heterogeneity and performance correlate near zero, but the effect varies somewhat by type of team. Project and management teams have slightly higher performance when they include more members. Team-level task meaningfulness exhibits a modest but inconsistent relationship with performance. Increased autonomy and intrateam coordination correspond with higher performance, but the effect varies depending on task type. Leadership, particularly transformational and empowering leadership, improves team performance.
Estimation of simultaneously structured covariance matrices from quadratic measurements

This paper explores covariance estimation from energy measurements that are collected via a quadratic form of measurement vectors. A popular structural model is considered where the covariance matrices possess low-rank and sparse structures simultaneously. We investigate a weighted convex relaxation algorithm tailored for this joint structure, which guarantees exact and universal recovery from a small number of measurements. The algorithm is also robust against noise and imperfect structural assumptions. In particular, when the non-zero entries of the covariance matrix exhibit power-law decay, our algorithm admits exact recovery as soon as the number of measurements exceeds the theoretic limit. Our method is related to sparse phase retrieval: the analysis framework herein recovers and strengthens the best-known performance guarantees by extending them to approximately sparse and noisy scenarios as well as a broader class of measurement vectors, and our results are derived using much simpler analysis methods.
Formation of low molecular weight RNA species in HeLa cells

It has been previously shown that newly synthesized nuclear low molecular weight RNA species C and D are first detected in the cytoplasm for a few minutes before they are finally found in the nucleus. The following are some of the observations made in the present study, regarding the formation of C and D RNA: (1) The 5′ end cap ribose methylation of the C RNA precursor is complete in its cytoplasmic stage; the internal ribose methylation of the precursor seems to be completed about the time of its apparent transition from cytoplasm to nucleus. (2) The few nucleotides lost from the D RNA precursor during maturation seem to be excised sometime near its apparent cytoplasmic nuclear transition. Newly synthesized C RNA also appears to lose some of its non-conserved nucleotides about the time of that transition, while the other extra nucleotides are lost later, in the nucleus. (3) The maturation of C and D RNA is inhibited early during suppression of protein synthesis by cycloheximide, while their synthesis is not. (4) The cytoplasmic precursors of C and D RNA are not associated with ribonucleoprotein particles as large as those reported for mature C and D RNA, although they do not appear to be free in the cytoplasm. (5) When the cellular UTP pool is depleted by exposure of the cells to amino sugars, and the synthesis of C, D, and other RNA species decreases, the level of[3H]uridine labeling of C and D RNA increases, while that of 4 S and 5 S RNA does not. These data are compatible with the existence of more than one nuclear UTP pool.
Corrections for Effusion from Gas-Permeable Enclosures for the Determination of Low N2(C2H2) Fixation Rates in Situ

Abstract Use of plastic bag enclosures of potted soils and plants has been a common method for the determination of N2-fixation rates with the C2 H2-reduction method. It is recognized that this method may give considerable overestimates of the C2H4 production rates if the experimental period extends over a few hours and where these rates are comparatively very low. The overestimation is caused by the assay of gases of interest without a consideration of their continuous, varied and differential leakage from the enclosures. A method and an equation has been developed for the determination of low C2 H4 production rates applicable for assays of changes in gas concentrations in enclosures for periods extending to 10h. The correction factors for the following physical processes were included in the derivation of appreciable equations: continuous effusion of gases from the gas-permeable enclosure, differences in the effusion rates of the tracer gas and C2H2, changing ratios of the tracer gas to C2H4 during the assay and the presence of non-biogenic C2 H2 in the enclosed atmosphere at the beginning of the assay. A critical examination of the use of open-ended devices (cylinders) for the in situ determination of C2 H4 production rates showed that such devices are not suited for the determination of low N2-fixation rates.