cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Some recent applications of distributed parameter systems theory-A survey

A survey of some recent applications of distributed parameter systems theory is presented. The practical areas discussed range from process control problems in an industrial plant to the identification, monitoring and control of air and water quality in our environment. Some new, promising areas of application are discussed along with suggestions for future research emphasis.
A randomized controlled trial of a coping group intervention for adults with HIV who are AIDS bereaved : Longitudinal effects on grief

The authors sought to study the longitudinal effects of a cognitive-behavioral group intervention for coping with AIDS bereavement among a diverse sample of adults who were HIV positive. Participants (N = 267) were randomly assigned to receive the 12-week intervention or individual therapy upon request. Measures were administered at baseline, postintervention, and 4-, 8-, and 12-month follow-ups. Longitudinal data were analyzed with linear mixed models to examine change in grief by condition across the study period and the effect of the intervention on grief through its interaction with psychiatric distress. The authors used the Grief Reaction Index to assess grief and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised to assess global psychiatric distress. Participants in both conditions reported decreases in grief severity. However, among those with higher levels of psychiatric distress, participants in the group intervention had significantly lower grief severity scores compared with participants in the individual therapy condition. The long-term effectiveness of this AIDS-bereavement intervention for psychiatrically distressed people with HIV/AIDS supports the need for tailored interventions among those at risk for complicated grief responses.
A Functional Phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-Trisphosphate/Phosphoinositide Binding Domain in the Clathrin Adaptor AP-2 α Subunit. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE ENDOCYTIC PATHWAY

Clathrin-coated pits are sites of concentration of ligand-bound signaling receptors. Several such receptors are known to recruit, bind, and activate the heterodimeric phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase, resulting in the generation of phosphatidylinositol 3,4, 5-trisphosphate. We report here that dioctanoyl-phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-P3 binds specifically and saturably to soluble AP-2 and with greater affinity to AP-2 within assembled coat structures. Soluble -myo-inositol hexakisphosphate shows converse behavior. Binding to bovine brain clathrin-coated vesicles is evident only after detergent extraction. These observations and evidence for recognition of the diacylglyceryl backbone as well as the inositol phosphate headgroup are consistent with AP-2 interaction with membrane phosphoinositides in coated vesicles and with soluble inositol phosphates in cytoplasm. A discrete binding domain is identified near the N terminus of the AP-2 alpha subunit, and an expressed fusion protein containing this sequence exhibits specific, high affinity binding that is virtually identical to the parent protein. This region of the AP-2 alpha sequence also shows the greatest conservation between a Caenorhabditis elegans homolog and mammalian alpha, consistent with a function in recognition of an evolutionarily unchanging low molecular weight ligand. Binding of phosphatidylinositol 3,4, 5-trisphosphate to AP-2 inhibits the protein's clathrin binding and assembly activities. These findings are discussed in the context of the potential roles of phosphoinositides and AP-2 in the internalization and trafficking of cell surface receptors.
Biomagnetic signatures of uncoupled gastric musculature

Gastric slow waves propagate in the electrical syncytium of the healthy stomach, being generated at a rate of approximately three times per minute in a pacemaker region along the greater curvature of the antrum and propagating distally towards the pylorus. Disease states are known to alter the normal gastric slow wave. Recent studies have suggested the use of biomagnetic techniques for assessing parameters of the gastric slow wave that have potential diagnostic significance. We present a study in which the gastric syncytium was uncoupled by mechanical division as we recorded serosal electric potentials along with multichannel biomagnetic signals and cutaneous potentials. By computing the surface current density (SCD) from multichannel biomagnetic recordings, we were able to quantify gastric slow wave propagation as well as the frequency and amplitude of the slow wave and to show that these correlate well with similar parameters from serosal electrodes. We found the dominant slow wave frequency to be an unreliable indicator of gastric uncoupling as uncoupling results in the appearance of multiple slow wave sources at various frequencies in external recordings. The percentage of power distributed in specific frequency ranges exhibited significant postdivision changes. Propagation velocity determined from SCD maps was a weak indicator of uncoupling in this work; we believe that the relatively low spatial resolution of our 19-channel biomagnetometer confounds the characterization of spatial variations in slow wave propagation velocities. Nonetheless, the biomagnetic technique represents a non-invasive method for accurate determination of clinically significant parameters of the gastric slow wave.
The interarytenoid spatial relationship: Accuracy and interrater reliability for determining sidedness in cases of unilateral adductor paresis

Summary Background/Objective When adductor vocal fold paresis manifests without obvious motion impairment, identifying the paretic side can be challenging. Although increased vocal fold waveform amplitude (“floppiness”) on videostroboscopy may be helpful, it has been shown to have low interrater reliability. We have found that the interarytenoid spatial relationship (IASR) can often accurately be used to predict the sidedness of electromyography (EMG)-determined unilateral adductor (thyroarytenoid/lateral cricoarytenoid [TA/LCA]) paresis. The goal of this study was to determine if a series of otolaryngology residents could learn to assess the IASR on videostroboscopy and use the IASR to identify the side of EMG-documented adductor paresis with high accuracy and interrater reliability. Study Design Otolaryngology resident population surveys. Methods Ten residents were given videostroboscopy images on abduction/adduction from 10 consecutive patients with EMG-documented unilateral TA/LCA paresis and asked to identify the paretic side in a pretest. The IASR was then conceptually introduced to the otolaryngology residents in a brief presentation. Posttesting was then performed and used to assess EMG-based accuracy and interrater reliability. Results Before the IASR presentation, otolaryngology residents accurately identified the paretic side in 63% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 56–70%) of cases. In the posttest session, the residents accurately identified the paretic side in 93% (95% CI: 87–99%) of cases, and interrater reliability was 0.873. Conclusions The IASR may be useful in determining sidedness in cases of unilateral TA/LCA paresis. Further studies are needed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the IASR for determining sidedness of unilateral TA/LCA paresis with intact mobility.
Mucosal immunization with attenuated Shigella flexneri harboring an influenza hemagglutinin DNA vaccine protects mice against a lethal influenza challenge.

Mucosal surfaces are important for the induction of immunity against influenza virus. In a murine intranasal immunization model, we demonstrated that the attenuated Shigella flexneri Δasd strain 15D, carrying a DNA construct encoding the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA), induces protective immunity against a lethal respiratory challenge with influenza A/WSN/33. Influenza virus-specific IFN-γ T cells were detected among splenocytes, and anti-HA IgG was detected in serum post-immunization, albeit at low levels. Following influenza virus challenge, an accelerated anti-HA IgA antibody response was detected in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) washings from mice vaccinated with attenuated shigella containing the HA construct. These results suggest that S. flexneri Δasd strain 15D is a promising vector for mucosal DNA vaccine immunization against influenza virus and other mucosal pathogens.
A microassay for lysyl oxidase activity.

Abstract Pinnell and Martin's [(1968) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA61, 708–716] standard assay for lysyl oxidase is modified to determine activity in small samples. Data collected by both methods are comparable, and the microassay has the advantages of being economical and rapid.
The acid instability of myelin. A model for myelin degeneration in multiple sclerosis

Electron micrographs of samples of bovine spinal cord which have been briefly acidified (10 mM lactate buffer, pH 5.5, 25 degrees C, 15 minutes) prior to being fixed for EM examination, reveal extensive vesicular disruption of the myelin lamellae; micrographs of control samples incubated under identical conditions at pH 7.0, show normal compact lamellae. Culture of thioglycollate-elicited rat peritoneal macrophages in the presence of derivatized, non-ingestible, bovine CNS material results in the secretion of lactic acid and the acidification of the culture medium to levels which are comparable to those which cause lamellae disruption in the tissue slices. Because of the sensitivity of the myelin lamellae to an acidic microenvironment, it is suggested that a local hyperlactemia, with the resulting decrease in interstitial pH, may be a major pathological process in cell-mediated inflammatory demyelination. Antihyperlactemics may therefore provide a new therapeutic approach to minimizing myelin degeneration in multiple sclerosis and in other CNS disorders characterized by inflammatory demyelination.
Organizational Members’ Communication and Temporal Experience Scale Development and Validation

This article reports the findings of scale development and validation efforts centered on 10 dimensions of organizational members’ temporal experience identified in previous research. Consistent with a community-of-practice perspective, 395 members of five organizational units indicated their agreement with a series of statements regarding the day-to-day words and phrases they use to describe their activities, work-related events, and general timing needs. Results of a confirmatory factor analysis provided support for the hypothesized enactments of time and construals of time. Organizational members’ enactments of time included dimensions relating to flexibility, linearity, pace, precision, scheduling, and separation, and their construals of time included dimensions concerning scarcity, urgency, present time perspective, and future time perspective. A new dimension, delay, was found. Implications for pluritemporalism in organizations and the study of time in communication are discussed.
Teaching how to fish: lessons from information and communication technologies for international development

AbstractMany people believe that the widespread dissemination of digital technologies automatically causes positive outcomes in political democratisation and socio-economic development. In this article, this claim is briefly examined for the supposed ‘Facebook Revolutions’ of the Arab Spring, as well as for the economic benefits of the mobile phone. Close scrutiny reveals, in fact, that technology’s impact is not necessarily positive. Instead, technology only amplifies underlying human intent and capacity; hence, positive outcomes with technology are wholly dependent on competent, well-intentioned stakeholders. The article concludes with the consequences and recommendations for those interested in applying their technical or entrepreneurial skills to subsistence communities.
Dissociation of the effects of nucleus raphe obscurus or rostral ventrolateral medulla lesions on eliminatory and sexual reflexes

Rat preparations were used to investigate long-term changes in external anal sphincter (EAS) contractions and reflexive penile erection following electrolytic lesions of the nucleus raphe obscurus (nRO) or the rostral ventrolateral medulla. EAS contractions were measured electromyographically (EAS EMG) following distention of the EAS with a 5-mm probe. Penile erections were measured using a standard ex copula reflex testing paradigm. At 48 h postlesion, 100% of nRO-lesioned animals displayed reflexive erections and the magnitude of EAS EMG was significantly greater in lesioned animals than in sham controls. These results suggested EAS hyperreflexia following destruction of the nRO. By 14 days postlesion, EAS responsiveness in nRO-lesioned animals had returned to levels comparable to nonlesioned animals. No measures of penile erection were affected by nRO lesions. In animals with nucleus gigantocellularis (Gi) and lateral nucleus paragigantocellularis (Gi-lPGi) lesions, no significant changes to EAS reflexes were observed at any time point. At 48 h postoperative, Gi-lPGi lesions significantly reduced the latency to first erection and increased the number of erections elicited relative to controls. Similar facilitation of erection latency was observed at 14 days postlesion, while erection number and flip total were no longer significantly different from controls. These and previous studies suggest that the nRO regulates defecatory reflexes in the rat. These data further suggest that the comingled EAS and bulbospongiosus (BS) motoneurons are controlled by discrete and separate brainstem circuits and that increases in EAS and penile reflexes after spinal cord lesions are mediated by loss of different descending inputs.
Isotope Effects and the Mechanism of Chlorotrimethylsilane-Mediated Addition of Cuprates to Enones

Kinetic isotope effects were determined for the chlorotrimethylsilane-mediated reactions of cyclohexenone with lithium dibutylcuprate in tetrahydrofuran and with lithium butyl(tert-butylethynyl)cuprate in ether. For the reaction in tetrahydrofuran, the observation of a significant carbonyl oxygen isotope effect (16k/17k = 1.018−1.019) and small olefinic carbon isotope effects (12k/13k = 1.003−1.008) is consistent with rate-limiting silylation of an intermediate π-complex. Theoretically predicted isotope effects for model reactions support this conclusion. Rate-limiting silylation is also supported by relative reactivity studies of chlorotrimethylsilane versus chlorodimethylphenylsilane. The absence of a significant butyl-group carbon isotope effect on product formation indicates that the cuprate butyl groups are nonequivalent in the intermediate leading to the product-determining step. In diethyl ether the isotope effects revert to values similar to those found previously in reactions of cyclohexenone wit...
Construct Measurement in Organizational Strategy Research: A Critique and Proposal

Strategic management researchers have emphasized concept development but generally have ignored construct measurement issues. Because a strong linkage between concepts and their measures enhances theory development, it is necessary to validate strategy measures systematically. In this vein, this paper (a) critically reviews the state of construct measurement in organizational strategy research; (b) develops a set of key criteria specifically for strategy measurement; and (c) proposes some recommendations for integrating strategy concepts with their measures.
SU-FF-T-441: Validation of a New Serial Tomotherapy IMRT System

Purpose: To evaluate the function and accuracy of a new serial tomotherapy system.Method and Materials: The new nomosSTAT IMRTsystem from Nomos Division of North American Scientific integrates several devices into one package. The new system removes the controller box from the Mimic collimator and transfers the functions to a computer placed in the accelerator control area linked to a touch‐screen monitor inside the treatment room. The new system is connected to the CORVUS planning station by standard network cabling, eliminating the need to transfer a plan via disk. In addition to automating the multileaf collimator control functions, the AutoCrane table indexing device is now computer controlled. The accuracy and reliability of the new system was validated. This included data transfer integrity, proper functioning of all controls, mechanical accuracy, and dosimetric accuracy. Multiple plans were transferred for both 1cm and 2cm treatment modes. Multiple table angle plans were also tested. Results: The plan data was found to be transferred accurately in all cases. The function of each control was verified as well as the ability to recover from an error. The mechanical accuracy of the AutoCrane device was found to be better than 0.1mm for the In/Out direction and 0.4mm for the Left/Right direction. The gantry angle inclinometers were found to be accurate to within 0.5 degrees when compared to an independent digital level. Two plans for each delivery width were verified with ion chamber and film measurements. The ion chamber measurements were within 3% of expected. Film dosimetry showed that at least 93% of pixels agreed within 4%, 4mm criteria. Repeat measurement of individual plans agreed within 1%. Conclusion: The new nomosSTATsystem was therefore found to be acceptable for clinical treatment. Conflict of Interest: Research sponsored by Nomos Division of North American Scientific corporation.
Isothermal flow calorimetric investigations of the D/Pd and H/Pd systems

Abstract Isothermal calorimetric studies of the D/Pd and H/Pd systems have been carried out at high deuterium (hydrogen) loadings (i.e. [D(H)]/[Pd] > 0.9) at approximately 30°C. Under these conditions, the generation of “excess power” was observed in a series of deuterium-based experiments, but not in a hydrogen-based experiment. The results of these experiments enable several (tentative) conclusions to be reached concerning the conditions necessary for the reproducible observation of this anomalous thermal effect.
IN UTERO TREATMENT OF METHYLMALONIC ACIDEMIA (MMA-EMIA) WITH VITAMIN B12

The question of whether Vitamin B12 can prevent fetal accumulation of methylmalonic acid (MMA) in the vitamin-responsive form of the disease was investigated for the first time. During the second pregnancy of a woman who had previously lost a child with presumed MMA-emia, sonicated amniotic fluid cells initially showed no activity of MM-CoA Mutase and no accumulation of the coenzyme 5'-deoxyadenosylcobalamin. Full activity of the enzyme was restored with the addition of this cofactor. Vitamin B12 in large doses was given to the mother from 32 wks. gestation to term. Maternal serum B12 levels reached 3,000-6,000 pg/ml (normal < 900) in the last 6 weeks. Cord blood B12 was over 19,000 pg/ml; maternal serum B12 taken simultaneously measured over 18,000. Instead of the anticipated progressive increase in maternal urinary MMA during the last 2 months of pregnancy, there was a decrease. Following birth, the infant's urinary MMA content was 67/μm/mg creatinine (normal < 5.0), and has remained essentially the same for the first 5 weeks of life on a diet containing 1.5 gm protein/Kg/day; thus far supplemental B12 has not been necessary. Skin biopsy studies to confirm B12 responsiveness are nearing completion. It seems likely that administration of large doses of Vitamin B12 to mothers carrying fetuses with the B12 responsive form of MMA-emia can slow prenatal accumulation of MMA.
Reusable enterprise metadata with pattern-based structural expressions

An essential part of modern enterprise software development is metadata. Mainstream metadata formats, including XML deployment descriptors and Java 5 annotations, suffer from a number of limitations that complicate the development and maintenance of enterprise applications. Their key problem is that they make it impossible to reuse metadata specifications not only across different applications but even across smaller program constructs such as classes or methods.To provide better enterprise metadata, we present pattern-based structural expressions (PBSE), a novel metadata representation that offers conciseness and maintainability advantages and is reusable. To apply PBSE to enterprise applications, we translate PBSE specifications to Java annotations, with annotating classes automatically as an intermediate build step. We demonstrate the advantages of the new metadata format by assessing its conciseness and reusability, as compared to XML and annotations, in the task of expressing metadata of J2EE reference applications and a mid-size, commercial, enterprise application.
Betting on residual life: The caveats of conditioning

Abstract Assessing conditionals based on any specified probability model is straightforward and unique when the conditioning event is in the subjunctive mood; that is, supposing that the conditioning event were to occur. The matter becomes problematic, however, when the conditioning event actually does occur as observed data, and thus becomes a reality. We illustrate this point by considering a commonly occurring scenario in the actuarial sciences, engineering reliability, survival analysis, and in general, any type of an activity that involves filtering. We argue that there could be more than one way to bet on residual life. Our message is that it is the likelihood—not Bayes’ Law—which is the tail that wags the dog! This paper should appeal to both probabilists and statisticians who are interested in foundational issues. It has been written to honour Richard Johnson whose Editorship of Statistics and Probability Letters has provided a platform for dialogue between probabilists, statisticians, and those who strive to be both.
A Modified Exact Test for 2 × 2 Contingency Tables

A modified exact test is proposed for 2×2 contingency tables. This test, which is based on a less conservative definition of the concept of significance (STONE, 1969) is compared with a modified form of Pearson's X2 test and with Tocher's randomized exact (UMPU) test. The sizes of the new test lie near the nominal 0.05 levels while those of the X2 test usually exceed the nominal level, sometimes by a factor of 2 or more. The power of the modified test is usually close to that of the UMPU test.
An experimental investigation of air bubble motion in a turbulent water stream

The motion of individual air bubbles in a water stream flowing turbulently in a 4 in. × 4 in. vertical conduit is investigated by photographic means. The bulk water velocity ranges from 40.8 to 267 cm./sec., corresponding to a system Reynolds number range of 48,600 to 386,000. Both tap and demineralized water were used at or near room temperatures. Air bubbles range from 0.038 to 0.70 cm. in equivalent radius and the corresponding bubble Reynolds number based on relative velocity ranges from 58 to 4,500. The results indicated that the bubble relative velocity in a turbulent water stream is similar to the rise velocity of single bubbles through a quiescent liquid. It was found to be practically independent of the system Reynolds number for bubbles having an equivalent radius above 0.3 cm. Large fluctuations in the bubble velocities were noted in all cases. The drag coefficient is, in general, lower for the demineralized water tests than for tap water when the bubble Reynolds number is below 2,000. Above this value, a mergence of the drag coefficients for all tests occur with a peak of approximately 2.0 at a bubble Reynolds number of 3,000, which is lower than the nonflow value of 2.6.
A formal concurrency model based architecture description language for synthesis of software development tools

Rapidly increasing design and manufacturing non-recurring engineering (NRE) costs are prompting a shift in electronic design from hardwired application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) to the use of software on programmable platforms. However, in order to minimize the power and performance overhead of such processors, we are seeing the introduction of domain or application specific processors such as network and communication processors. The design of such specialized processors requires software development tools such as simulators and compilers. In order to quickly develop these tools for multiple design points under consideration, it is highly desirable to have them synthesized from formal processor descriptions written in Architecture Description Languages (ADLs). In this paper, we present the Mescal Architecture Description Language (MADL). MADL features a two-layer structure, a core layer and an annotation layer. The core layer is based on a formal and flexible microprocessor model -- the operation state machine (OSM), which enables MADL to express the concurrency at the operation execution level for a wide range of architectures. We address the challenges faced in designing the core layer to combine the OSM model with techniques for achieving compact processor descriptions. The annotation layer features a generic syntax that allows creating annotation schemes to specify implementation dependent or tool specific information. To show the effectiveness of MADL, we present an MADL-based simulator synthesis framework that has been used to generate efficient cycle accurate simulators and instruction set simulators with very low development effort. We also describe our annotation schemes that enable the extraction of architecture properties for use in instruction scheduling and integer-linear-programming based register allocation. Our experimental results demonstrate the efficacy of MADL as a practical and promising language for the development of programmable platforms.
The Study of Groups: Past, Present, and Future:

A century of research on small groups has yielded bountiful findings about many specific features and processes in groups. Much of that work, in line with a positivist epistemology that emphasizes control and precision and favors the laboratory experiment over other data collection strategies, has also tended to treat groups as though they were simple, isolated, static entities. Recent research trends that treat groups as complex, adaptive, dynamic systems open up new approaches to studying groups. In line with those trends, a theory of groups as complex systems is offered and some methodological and conceptual issues raised by this theory are identified. A 3-pronged research strategy based on theory development, computational modeling, and empirical research that holds promise for illuminating the dynamic processes underlying the emergence of complexity and the ongoing balance of continuity and change in groups is proposed.
Green composites from a conjugated linseed oil-based resin and wheat straw

Abstract Green composites have been prepared using a free radically cured conjugated linseed oil-based resin reinforced with wheat straw. The effect of the amount of the wheat straw; the size of the wheat straw fiber; the matrix crosslink density; the incorporation of a compatibilizer, maleic anhydride; and the molding pressure on the structure, water absorption, and thermal and mechanical properties of the composites has been investigated. In general, increasing the amount of the wheat straw, the crosslink density of the matrix, and the molding pressure leads to improved thermal and mechanical properties. By using maleic anhydride as a compatibilizer, significant improvements in the mechanical properties can be achieved. Results from water uptake experiments indicate that the amount and fiber size of the wheat straw are the major factors influencing the absorption of water in the composite. The composites prepared are composed of 75–95 wt.% renewable materials and most have properties suitable for industrial applications.
Effects of chronically administered nicotine and saline on motor activity in rats.

Abstract This study investigated the differential effects of chronically administered nicotine and saline on motor activity in the rat. Nicotine was administered via a subcutaneously implanted osmotic minipump to effect an 8 hour off, 16 hour on, flow. Subjects were 48 male and 48 female albino rats, each about 165 days old. Activity was monitored every hour for 192 consecutive hours. Results indicated that the female animals were more active than the males,and that animals receiving nicotine were significantly more active on the first two days of drug administration than control animals; however, by the fourth day there were no significant differences between the activity levels of animals that received nicotine and those of control animals.
Copper pairing in heavy-Fermion superconductors

Abstract It is often stated that for heavy-Fermion systems, the coulomb pseudopotential within the usual framework of superconductivity theory should be much larger than usual, because the bandwidth for heavy electrons is smaller than the Debye frequency rather than much larger. This conclusion holds only for heavy band-mass electrons and is completely misleading for quasi-particles where the heavy mass arises mainly from a many-body effect. Quasi-particles, interactions, and Cooper pairing are discussed.
Extensive renal involvement by renal cell carcinoma.

Abstract Experience with the management of 3 cases of bilateral renal adenocarcinoma and 1 case of unilateral carcinoma in the solitary kidney is presented. Two patients died of metastases six and thirteen months postoperatively, while one is alive with metastases at fourteen months and another is alive without metastases at four months. The literature is reviewed, and the various treatments are discussed.
Language Ideologies in Practice: Repair and Classroom Discourse

This article seeks to explore the practice of repair in classroom discourse from an ideological perspective of language and literacy. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork conducted in an urban high school with a predominant English Language Learner (ELL) population, this paper outlines the theoretical foundations of repair from a conversation analysis (CA) perspective and through the analysis and discussion of the findings argues for the necessity of language ideological and ideological frameworks of language and literacy especially as they relate to pedagogical practices in language instructional settings. After providing a global view and structural typology of repair, this paper examines the complex contextual features that frame repair practices and explores how language ideologies, linguistic and cultural authority, communicative competence and ideology, and student agency are contested and negotiated in the moment to moment interactions of teachers and students engaged in learning English.
Age of Emplacement of Riley County, Kansas, Kimberlites and a Possible Minimum Age for the Dakota Sandstone

Field evidence suggests that the kimberlites of Riley County, Kansas, were emplaced into Lower Permian rocks in post-Dakota Sandstone time. The Dakota Sandstone in Kansas is thought to be earliest Late Cretaceous in age; thus the maximum age of emplacement of the kimberlites is approximately 100 ± 20 m.y. K-Ar dates on chloritized biotite and phlogopites from the kimberlites range from 112 ± 6 m.y. to 380 ± 40 m.y.; the dates earlier than 100 m.y. (6 of 7 samples) are attributed to either the xenocrystalline nature of the chlorites and/or excess Ar and low temperature of intrusion. Fission track dates from two apatites from granite xenoliths are 115 ± 12 m.y. and 123 ± 12 m.y.; these dates reflect cooling at about 120 m.y. ago, which may place a maximum age of emplacement on the kimberlites.
Biological/biomedical accelerator mass spectrometry targets. 2. Physical, morphological, and structural characteristics.

The number of biological/biomedical applications that require AMS to achieve their goals is increasing, and so is the need for a better understanding of the physical, morphological, and structural traits of high quality of AMS targets. The metrics of quality included color, hardness/texture, and appearance (photo and SEM), along with FT-IR, Raman, and powder X-ray diffraction spectra that correlate positively with reliable and intense ion currents and accuracy, precision, and sensitivity of fraction modern (Fm). Our previous method produced AMS targets of gray-colored iron−carbon materials (ICM) 20% of the time and of graphite-coated iron (GCI) 80% of the time. The ICM was hard, its FT-IR spectra lacked the sp2 bond, its Raman spectra had no detectable G′ band at 2700 cm−1, and it had more iron carbide (Fe3C) crystal than nanocrystalline graphite or graphitizable carbon (g-C). ICM produced low and variable ion current whereas the opposite was true for the graphitic GCI. Our optimized method produced AMS t...
AstroShelf: understanding the universe through scalable navigation of a galaxy of annotations

This demo presents AstroShelf, our on-going effort to enable astrophysicists to collaboratively investigate celestial objects using data originating from multiple sky surveys, hosted at different sites. The AstroShelf platform combines database and data stream, workflow and visualization technologies to provide a means for querying and displaying telescope images (in a Google Sky manner), visualizations of spectrum data, and for managing annotations. In addition to the user interface, AstroShelf supports a programmatic interface (available as a web service), which allows astrophysicists to incorporate functionality from AstroShelf in their own programs. A key feature is Live Annotations which is the detection and delivery of events or annotations to users in real-time, based on their profiles. We demonstrate the capabilities of AstroShelf through real end-user exploration scenarios (with participation from "stargazers" in the audience), in the presence of simulated annotation workloads executed through web services.
Teaching strategy focused on sensory perception, students' interest and enjoyment: Successful application in Electrical Engineering (EE) lab for non-EE majors

We report the development and successful teaching of new laboratory experiments for a large introductory course in Electrical Engineering (EE) for non-EE majors. Our goal is to create the learning environment that would engage students' senses; provide hands-on experience, to which they can easily relate; stimulate intuitive understanding of EE concepts; foster enjoyment of learning, and eventually, help them succeed in their own fields. The first experiment focuses on applications of Fourier series to the spectra of sounds of music played on a Virtual Keyboard®. In the second experiment, students solder their own filter circuit to serve has low-pass/high-pass audio filters, and then they apply their filters to an excerpt of music, with the goal of understanding effects of the filter transfer function on the audio signal through listening. Both experiments expand the conventional range of application of theory and circuits in introductory courses (usually, only standard waveforms are used, e.g. sinusoidal and square). In the scheme of the entire course, all lab projects aim to introduce realistic, practical applications that pique student interest, show students the relevance of electrical engineering, and help them transfer their newly learned skills and experience to their own fields of work and future studies.
Hominoid evolution as judged by fibrinopeptide structures

The fibrinopeptides A and B from gorilla, organgutan and siamang have been characterized, thereby completing a study of all six extant hominoids. The gorilla peptides were identical with the corresponding fibrinopeptides previously reported for human and chimpanzee. The orangutan peptide A was also identical with the human-chimpanzee-gorilla type A, but its fibrinopeptide B had two amino acid differences. The siamang A peptide differed from the others in one of its sixteen residues, but its peptide B was identical with the orangutan B. A cladogram based on the fibrinopeptide sequences of all six hominoids indicates that five amino acid replacements and one deletion can account for the evolution of present day sequences. It was also possible to deduce the amino acid sequence of the fibrinopeptides of the common ancestor of Old World monkeys and hominoids.
On the existence of equivalent finite invariant measures

Necessary and sufficient conditions are given for the existence of a finite measure which is equivalent to a given measure and invariant with respect to each transformation in a given commutative semigroup of measurable null-invariant point transformations. This result was already known for denumerably generated semigroups. A complementary result is proved which states that if one such equivalent measure exists, then there exists a unique equivalent measure which agrees with the original measure on the invariant sets.
Inventory control of storage in distribution systems

Distribution-side energy storage is a natural mechanism for absorbing variability from renewable sources, and hence minimizing costly reliance on generator reserves. We consider a simple contract between a producer with uncertain output and storage. The optimal storage scheduling strategy is shown to be an inventory control-like policy, which we use to characterize the Nash equilibria arising between generation and storage.
An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay for pyridoxamine and its comparison with alternative analytical procedures

A pyridoxal‐protein conjugate was used as an immunogen to raise antisera in rabbits. All sera recognized pyridoxamine strongly and specifically, except one which also recognized pyridoxol. An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for pyridoxamine was set up using the microtitation plate format. Comparison of results obtained with the ELISA on 11 different food samples (ELISA limit of detection 7 pg per well) with those obtained with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed good agreement except for beef and chicken samples. Comparison of HPLC results with those obtained by microbiological procedures also showed good agreement except for potato and cabbage samples. Food table data for samples at higher levels of B6 did not show good agreement with data derived by HPLC or microbiological procedures.
Lowest modes of a bottle

Helmholtz’s model predicts correctly the frequency of the lowest mode of a bottle. A simple generalization of Helmholtz’s model correctly predicts this mode and also the next few modes—‘‘flute modes’’—of flasks with long uniform necks but arbitrarily shaped bodies. Wine bottles have additional low‐frequency ‘‘cavity modes’’ that require a further easy generalization. For a bottle with slowly varying cross section an additional generalization can be made that retains the one‐dimensional (1‐D) character of the previous models and gives results that are in good agreement with experiment for the lowest mode—the ‘‘diametral mode’’—of a hollow sphere. For higher modes of a sphere, the 1‐D model is inadequate and must be discarded in favor of exact solutions of the 3‐D wave equation.
Locomotion in ancient seas: Constraint and opportunity in Cephalopod adaptive design

Abstract The locomotor system of shelled cephalopods (ectocochleates) is typically characterized by volumetrically large buoyancy devices, small mantle cavities, and little propulsive muscle. Equilibrium control is based on high hydrostatic stability. Drag is high and maximum swimming velocities are generally low. Ectocochleates having coiled shells were better designed in the locomotor sense, and out-performed apically ballasted non-coiled types. These in turn were propulsively superior to unballasted non-coiled forms. Locomotor design appears to be a key factor influencing the course of cephalopod evolutionary history. Shelled cephalopods dominated active predatory marine lifestyles only until the late Devonian diversification of jawed, paired-fin fishes of greatly superior locomotor design. After the appearance of such animals, ectocochleate evolution was canalized by locomotor disparities into paths that separated them ecologically from such advanced design swimmers. Ammonoids appear to have emphasized locomotion at very slow, but very efficient speeds, while nautiloids appear to have retained some slight capacity for higher velocities.
High-temperature pumice flows from the Rabaul caldera Papua, New Guinea

The Rabaul caldera is at the northeastern tip of the island of New Britain, Papua New Guinea. Unwelded pumice flows and air fall pumice of andesite, dacite and rhyolite drape the caldera. They contain sparse phenocrysts of plagioclase, pyroxene and rarely amphibole, together with microphenocrysts of titanomagnetite and ilmenite; apatite and pyrrhotite are also present. The equilibration temperature of the iron-titanium oxides range from 1035° to 835° C. Estimates of sulphur fugacity are obtained from the composition of the pyrrhotites which contain about 1% Cu and 0.3% Mn. Calculations show that the fugacity of SO2 may be several tens of bars at 1000° C. An estimate of the activity coefficient of Fe3O4 in titanomagnetite was obtained, and within the limits of error, can be taken as unity in the temperature range 835–1035° C and the composition range 22. 6–42.5% ulvospinel. Calculations suggest that the phenocrysts of orthopyroxene and titanomagnetite in the rhyolitic pumice equilibrated at pressures (Ptotal) of between 2.2 and 2.6 kilobars. Estimates of pH2o are unreliable because of the presumed later hydration of the pumice.
Dissociation dynamics of resonantly coupled Bose-Fermi mixtures in an optical lattice

We consider the photodissociation of ground-state bosonic molecules trapped in an optical lattice potential into a two-component gas of fermionic atoms. The system is assumed to be described by a single-band resonantly coupled Bose-Fermi Hubbard model. We show that in the strong fermion-fermion interaction limit the dissociation dynamics is governed by a spin-boson lattice Hamiltonian. In the framework of a mean-field analysis based on a generalized Gutzwiller ansatz, we then examine the crossover of the dissociation from a regime of independent single-site dynamics to a regime of cooperative dynamics as the molecular tunneling increases. We also show that in the limits of weak and strong intersite tunneling the mean-field solutions agree well with the results from the quantum optical Jaynes-Cummings and Tavis-Cummings models, respectively. Finally, we identify two types of self-trapping transitions, a coherent and an incoherent one, depending on the ratio of the repulsive molecule-molecule interaction strength to molecular tunneling.
Impact of Microcellular plastics on industrial practice and academic research

Microcellular plastics (MCP) refer to any plastic with tiny bubbles of less than about 50 microns. It is made by subjecting polymers with a large amount of dissolved gas to a thermodynamic instability so as to nucleate a large number of cells instantaneously. MCP has been extruded and injection molded to make various industrial products. The fundamental theory for design of MCP and the processing methods are reviewed. It also discusses the design of equipment, including the die or mold, for MCP processing. The performance of MCP and the advantages of using MCP are presented. Some of industrial applications are also highlighted.
Remediating Discrimination Against African American Female Athletes at the Intersection of Title IX and Title VI

In Black Women, Gender Equity and the Function at the Junction, 6 MARQ. SPORTS L.J. 239 (1996), the author visited the intersection of race and gender in examining the impact of Title IX on Black female athletes. This article revisits the intersectionality issues presented by Title IX and primarily focuses on remedy. This article concludes with advocacy of the promulgation of regulations or a policy statement pursuant to both Title IX and Title VI to address racial and gender discrimination against African American female athletes.
Improving TCP/IP performance for the land mobile satellite channel

Satellite communications systems are an important part of the infrastructure for many commercial and military networks. There is a great deal of interest in seamlessly extending terrestrial IP networks via satellite. Unfortunately, the higher bit error rate (BER) and bandwidth delay product (BDP) of the satellite channel result in low channel utilization and reduced throughput for TCP traffic. The Wireless Networking Testbed at Lincoln Laboratory was developed to evaluate the performance of TCP/IP and potential protocol enhancements under realistic channel conditions. This paper extends the results presented in Stadler et al. (1999) to the land mobile satellite channel using the digital model presented by Lutz and Cygan (1991). The channel model, based on a two-state Markov chain, produces random bit errors under the assumption of Rician (non-blocking) or Rayleigh (blocking) signal statistics. The model parameters include signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), bit rate, velocity, and environment type (i.e., urban, highway, etc.). TCP behavior is characterized for selected values of the channel parameters under a variety of testbed configurations. Test results indicate that fading losses contribute to substantial performance degradation for TCP, even when the selective acknowledgement (SACK) option is enabled. In addition, two protocol enhancement techniques, a link layer protocol and the Wireless IP Suite Enhancer (WISE), are evaluated.
The Ocean Pollution Data And Information Network (OPDIN)

The National Ocean Pollution Planning Act of 1978 (Public Law 95-273) designated the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as the lead agency for coordinating a Federal ocean pollution program. To support Section 8 of this Act, NOAA's National Oceanographic Data Center established in 1981 the Central Coordination and Referral Office, to manage the development and operation of an Ocean Pollution Data and Information Network (OPDIN). The purpose of this Network, as stated in Section 8, is to disseminate, in timely manner and useful forms, the results, findings and information obtained from Federally-sponsored marine pollution programs. The development of an operational Network is being accomplished in a phased manner, in response to interagency workshop recommendations and guidance from potential Network participants. A number of operational activities are already in place. An interagency OPDIN "Round Table" is being formed to serve as an advisory group for further development and implementation strategies to enable the Network to be fully operational before 1985.
Optimal inventory system with two backlog costs in response to a discount offer

Apparel manufacturing industries face seasonal discount scenarios where the demand for a certain material type is increasing at a specific time, such as wool during wintertime. Suppliers offer a price discount per unit during a period in order to increase the cash flow or decrease the inventory of certain items. The buyer (manufacturer, retailer, etc.) must improve his inventory systems in order to get the maximum benefit during that sale period. It is essential to combine the scenario with shortage and the supplier's offer during a sale period. Most researches maximise the total discount gain only during the sale period, not the whole year as in this research. The two important keys in an inventory system are the special ordering quantity and the time to place the order. In this article, the optimal value of the special quantity and the time to order are found for different discount cases. Moreover, the effect of on-hand inventory and shortage level on the size of the special order is investigated. A sen...
Letter by Taegtmeyer and Khalaf Regarding Article, “Glucose-Insulin-Potassium Reduces the Incidence of Low Cardiac Output Episodes After Aortic Valve Replacement for Aortic Stenosis in Patients With Left Ventricular Hypertrophy: Results From the Hypertrophy, Insulin, Glucose, and Electrolytes (HINGE) Trial”

To The Editor: We read with interest the article by Howell et al.1 We wish to offer some brief comments. Although the concept has been around for nearly 50 years, glucose-insulin-potassium still lacks an established protocol. Uncertainties surrounding glucose-insulin-potassium are, in part, due to the different contexts, doses, timing, and protocols used.1 The clinical cardiologist may inquire about the rationale for the investigators' choice of the specific protocol used in the Hypertrophy, …