cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Optimization of Heat Exchanger Solidity for Coal-Fired Fluidized Bed Combustors

The efficient extraction of a high-temperature working fluid from a coal-fired fluidized bed combustor depends, to a great extent, on the design of the immersed heat exchanger. Of special importance is the solidity of the cooling tubes immersed in the bed. The interaction between increasing solidity and the consequent degradation of proper fluidization and circulation is being studied at the New York University fluidized bed combustion facility. It is found that under certain conditions, the solidity of heat exchanger in the bed can be significantly increased and thus one can extract increased mass flows of clean working fluid. In addition, a variation in local solidity may be another mechanism for improving performance.Copyright © 1979 by ASME
Generalized Source and the van Cittert–Zernike Theorem: A Study of the Spatial Coherence Required for Interferometry

If two wavetrains are to exhibit interference at some point in space they must be at least partially coherent, one with the other, at this point. This partial coherence between the two interfering wavetrains can, in most interferometers, easily be related to the mutual coherence between separated points in the single wavetrain from which the two interfering wavetrains are derived. The mutual coherence in this wave-train depends upon the distribution of the source which produces it in a manner given by the van Cittert-Zernike theorem, which in most practical cases can be economically stated in terms of source intensity as a function of direction from the point under consideration. The mutual intensity is the three-dimensional Fourier transform of this generalized source. Knowing this, we can, within the limits set by fact that the generalized source is a distribution spread upon the unit sphere, design to order source distributions to produce the mutual coherence necessary for different kinds of interferometry. Examples are given; the case of an infinitely thin annular source is worked out in detail.
Disintegration of Lithium by Deuterons

The energy distribution of the neutrons from the disintegration of lithium by 0.85 MEV deuterons has been determined by the method of recoil protons in a high pressure cloud chamber. The results of the experiment indicate that the neutrons come from the two reactions $_{3}\mathrm{Li}^{7}+_{1}\mathrm{H}^{2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2_{2}\mathrm{He}^{4}+_{0}n^{1}; _{3}\mathrm{Li}^{7}+_{1}\mathrm{H}^{2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}_{4}\mathrm{Be}^{8}+_{0}n^{1}.$ The neutrons from the first reaction (95 percent of the disintegrations) have a continuous energy distribution, while the neutrons from the second reaction (5 percent of the disintegrations) are nearly homogeneous, with a maximum energy of 13.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5 MEV. From these data, the mass of $_{4}\mathrm{Be}^{8}$ was calculated to be 0.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.75 MEV greater than that of two alpha-particles.
Active shortening retards the decline of the intracellular calcium transient in mammalian heart muscle

When active shortening of the cat papillary muscle was allowed at any time during a contraction, the intracellular concentration of free calcium ions, detected with the calcium-sensitive bioluminescent protein aequorin, was higher than at comparable times in isometric twitches. The difference was not attributable to the differences of length involved or to motion artifacts, and must have been related to the act of shortening or the difference in force development in the two types of contractions. This observation and the phenomenon of shortening deactivation are both consistent with the hypothesis that attachment of cross bridges increases the affinity of the myofilaments for calcium ions.
Understanding SAGE data

Serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) is a method for identifying and quantifying transcripts from eukaryotic genomes. Since its invention, SAGE has been widely applied to analyzing gene expression in many biological and medical studies. Vast amounts of SAGE data have been collected and more than a thousand SAGE-related studies have been published since the mid-1990s. The principle of SAGE has been developed to address specific issues such as determination of normal gene structure and identification of abnormal genome structural changes. This review focuses on the general features of SAGE data, including the specificity of SAGE tags with respect to their original transcripts, the quantitative nature of SAGE data for differentially expressed genes, the reproducibility, the comparability of SAGE with microarray and the future potential of SAGE. Understanding these basic features should aid the proper interpretation of SAGE data to address biological and medical questions.
Synthetic vision system flight test results and issues

An active 35 GHz radar imaging system was developed and demonstrated as part of the synthetic vision system technology demonstration (SVSTD) program sponsored by the FAA, the USAF, and industry. During flight tests, an SVS equipped Gulfstream 2 aircraft made over 200 approaches at 27 different airports (and one aircraft carrier) in all types of weather. The 35 GHz imaging radar demonstrated its potential by allowing the test pilots to successfully land in adverse weather conditions that would have made a visual approach impossible. An overview of the radar system implementation architecture and flight test results is provided, along with perspectives on the lessons that were learned from the SVS flight tests. One objective of the SVSTD program was to explore several known system issues concerning radar imaging technology. The program ultimately resolved some of these issues, left others open, and in fact created several new concerns. The motivation for this paper is to identify major issues that were resolved, and provide researchers with a better understanding of the issues that remain open.
A DYNAMICAL THEORY OF NONADIABATIC PROTON AND HYDROGEN ATOM TRANSFER REACTION RATES IN SOLUTION

Abstract A dynamical theory for the rate constant k of hydrogen atom and proton transfer reactions in solution is presented for the nonadiabatic limit, where reaction is dominated by tunneling. Coupling and splitting fluctuation effects arising from intramolecular vibrational and solvent fluctuations are included in the description. Limiting regime analytic results for k are presented for high and low temperature and for weak and strong solvation. Differences between proton and hydrogen atom transfers are indicated, as are the contrasts with electron transfer rates.
Mechanical ventilatory support

This chapter reviews the most updated knowledge regarding mechanical ventilation, its' indications and its' features both diagnostic and therapeutic. Further, the various modes of mechanical ventilation are described. The reader will also gain insight into the pathophysiology of various disease processes and the mode of ventilation that may be the most helpful in their treatment. Weaning is also discussed as well as a relatively new type of ventilation, non-invasive.
Testing whether F is “more NBU” than is G with randomly censored data

Abstract A life distribution function F is new better than used (NBU) if F ( x + y ) ≤ F (x)F(y) for x,y ≥ 0, where F =1− F . Hollander, Park and Proschan (1986) considered the problem of testing the null hypothesis that two distributions, F and G, are equal, versus the alternative and F is “more NBU” than is G for the uncensored data. In this note, we consider their problem for the randomly censored data. We introduce a class of statistics K m,n (ψ)= ∫ O ∞ ∫ O ∞ ψ ( F m (x+y))dF )m (x)dF m (y)− ∫ O ∞ ∫ O ∞ ψ( G n (x+y))dG n (x)dG n (y) , where m and n are the sample sizes from F and G, Fm and Gn are the Kaplan-Meier estimators of F and G, and ψ is a suitable monotone weight function. The asymptotic normality and consistency of a test in the proposed class is established. The Pitman efficacy and the efficiency loss due to censoring are studied. Using a consistent estimator of the null asymptotic variance, an asymptotically distribution-fee test is obtained.
Piagetian Task Performance of Learning Diabled Children

Tests of visual integration and hierarchical classification (both Piagetian tasks) were administered to 77 middle-class, white boys who ranged in age from 4 to 12 years. Thirty of these subjects (equal numbers of 8-, 10-, and 12-year-olds) were classified as learning disabled; the remainder served as age-matched controls. The Visual Integration Test measured ability to perceive both part and whole relationships within a set of ambiguous visual stimuli. The Hierarchical Classification test assessed ability to understand class inclusion. The findings showed that (1) older children outperformed younger ones in a manner consistent with the developmental sequence described by Piaget and (2) older learning disabled children performed similarly to controls who were 2 to 4 years younger. The results were consistent with the view that learning disabled children experience a delay in developing certain concrete operations.
Correlating op-amp circuit noise with device flicker (1/f) noise for analog design applications

Component noise is becoming more of an issue as device sizes reduce. Using a 45nm CMOS process we evaluate a method to correlate noise in operational amplifiers with transistor noise at low-frequencies. This reduces test time, and provides an alternative method to characterize and model 1/f noise of individual devices.
High-Speed mm-Wave Data-Link Based on Hollow Plastic Cable and CMOS Transceiver

A multi-Giga-bit/s (up to 6 Gbps) and energy-efficient (1 pJ/bit/m) data link is formed by using hollow plastic cable and CMOS transceivers for short distance (8 m) digital communications. The demonstrated link couples/de-couples 60 GHz carried digital signals with roughly 6 dB loss per coupling into/from a hollow plastic cable made of relatively low-loss (~1.5 dB/m) Teflon, which is widely used for various home appliances. The CMOS transceivers are designed and implemented in 65 nm Foundry CMOS to support the intended 60 GHz operation with 28 mW power consumption under a 1 V supply.
Transient absorption in excimer-exposed silica

The transient absorption produced in high-purity fused silica by exposure to a 193-nm excimer laser is investigated as a function of exposure, dissolved molecular hydrogen content, and hydrogen-related processing. Long-term recovery of transmittance was found to correlate with the dissolved molecular hydrogen concentration, whereas short-term fade was due to geminate recombination of an E′ center with an H radical. The redarkening process was shown to be the result of photolysis of SiH, which regenerates color centers. When the silica was processed in a hydrogen atmosphere at high temperature and subsequently exposed at 193 nm, the glass was found to produce an absorption spike, a fast, recoverable decrease in transmittance. The origin of the spike was linked to the creation of a precursor produced in the thermal reaction of silica with hydrogen. The precursor can be identified by its signal in the Raman spectrum. It is suggested that the precursor has absorption at 193 nm.
Study of the Plasma Fiber Accelerator

We study the plasma fiber accelerator concept by simulation and theory. An outgrowth of the laser beat-wave accelerator concept, the plasma fiber accelerator, sets the phase velocity of the beat plasma wave at the speed of light (or any value desired) by allowing each laser light to have a specific transverse wavenumber (or structure). Two-dimensional slab duct structures with laser beams of both transverse electric and transverse magnetic polarizations are explored. Accelerated beam dynamics in fiber beat-wave is discussed.
Genetics of the Musculoskeletal System: A Pleiotropic Approach

The risk of osteoporotic fracture can be viewed as a function of loading conditions and the ability of the bone to withstand the load. Skeletal loads are dominated by muscle action. Recently, it has become clear that bone and muscle share genetic determinants. Involution of the musculoskeletal system manifests as bone loss (osteoporosis) and muscle wasting (sarcopenia). Therefore, the consideration of pleiotropy is an important aspect in the study of the genetics of osteoporosis and sarcopenia. This Perspective will provide the evidence for a shared genetic influence on bone and muscle. We will start with an overview of accumulating evidence that physical exercise produces effects on the adult skeleton, seeking to unravel some of the contradictory findings published thus far. We will provide indications that there are pleiotropic relationships between bone structure/mass and muscle mass/function. Finally, we will offer some insights and practical recommendations as to the value of studying shared genetic factors and will explore possible directions for future research. We consider several related questions that together comprise the general paradigm of bone responses to mechanical loading and the relationship between muscle strength and bone parameters, including the genetic factors that modulate these responses. We believe that further progress in understanding the common genetic etiology of osteoporosis and sarcopenia will provide valuable insight into important biological underpinnings for both conditions and may translate into new approaches to reduce the burdens of both conditions through improved diagnosis, prevention, and early targeted treatment.
High Galactose Levels in vitro and in vivo Impair Ascorbate Regeneration and Increase Ascorbate-mediated Glycation in Cultured Rat Lens

Abstract In contrast to the conventional view that glucose is the sole glycating agent, ascorbate has now emerged as a potential precursor of advanced glycation products in lenses during cataractogenesis, owing to the high concentration present in human lens. The effects of high hexose environment in vitro and in vivo on the disruption of redox equilibrium of ascorbate (ASA) to dehydroascorbate (DHA), which is required for ascorbate-mediated crystallin modification by the Maillard reaction during cataractogenesis were examined. Organ culture experiments were performed with rat lenses that were first exposed to high galactose levels in vitro and in vivo and then incubated with 1-14C-labeled ASA, DHA or DKG (2,3-diketogulonic acid). Formation of ASA degradation products as a function of time was assessed by radiometric TLC method. Upon incubation with ASA or DHA, an elevated level of the degradation product, DKG, was detected in lenses exposed to galactose in vivo and in vitro. ASA uptake was significantly enhanced in the galactosemic lenses as compared to controls (P=0.01). Regeneration of ASA from DHA in both galactose treated and galactosemic lenses was impaired when compared to control lens which completely converted DHA from the medium into ASA. Surprisingly, the galactose exposed lenses showed enhanced permeability to DKG which was picked up readily from the medium in contrast to normal healthy lenses which remained impermeable to DKG. Galactose exposed lenses both in vitro and in vivo showed a 5–9-fold increase in crystallin bound Schiff base-linked radioactivity when incubated with 1-14C-labeled ASA or DHA. As a preamble to the question of whether lens pigmentation predisposes towards ascorbate oxidation, lens homogenate from normal young and old pigmented cataractous lenses were incubated with [1−14C]ASA. After 2 days, ASA levels were found to have decreased by 74% and DKG levels increased by 48% in brunescent lens as compared to the young lens. These data demonstrated that profound abnormalities in ASA metabolism exist in lenses exposed to a high sugar environment suggestive of a breakdown of the redox equilibrium of ASA to DHA and a loss of membrane permeability barrier for DKG. The latter would further contribute toward a ASA-catalysed Maillard reaction in the redox impaired lens.
IL-12 plasmid delivery by in vivo electroporation for the successful treatment of established subcutaneous B16.F10 melanoma.

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) has been used in numerous immunotherapy protocols against melanoma. However, delivery of IL-12 in the form of recombinant protein can result in severe toxicity, and gene therapy has had limited success against B16.F10 murine melanoma. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of in vivo electroporation for the delivery of plasmid DNA encoding IL-12 as an antitumor agent against B16.F10 melanoma. We treated mice bearing established B16.F10 melanoma tumors with intratumoral (i.t.) or intramuscular (i.m.) injections of a plasmid encoding IL-12, followed by in vivo electroporation. For i.t. treatments, we used an applicator containing six penetrating electrodes to deliver 1500-V/cm, 100-μs pulses. We administered i.m. pulses with an applicator containing four penetrating electrodes delivering 100-V/cm, 20-ms pulses. The i.t. treatment resulted in the cure of 47% of tumor-bearing mice, and 70% of cured mice were resistant to challenge with B16.F10 cells. The i.m. treatment did not result in tumor regression. We found that i.t. treatment resulted in increased levels of IL-12 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) within the tumors, the influx of lymphocytes into the tumors, and reduction in vascularity. Neither i.m. nor i.t. treatment was successful against B16.F10 tumors in a nude mouse model, supporting a role for T cells in regression of this tumor model.
Identification of stable intermolecular crosslinks present in reconstituted native collagen fibers.

Abstract Soluble collagen extracted by 0.2 M cysteamine from rat skin contains 2.5 to 2.7 residues of peptide bound α-aminoadipic semi-aldehyde per α-chain. When reconstituted into fibers and maintained at 37° C these aldehydes become involved in the formation of stable non-reducible crosslinks. Using collagen biosynthetically labeled at the lysine and hydroxylysine positions, these stable crosslinks have been partially identified. Lysinonorleucine and its hydroxyderivative account for 50% of the initial aldehyde residues present on the collagen molecule while two unidentified peaks (post-lysine and post-histidine) account for the other 50%.
OPEN-LOOP AND CLOSED-LOOP MODELS OF DYNAMIC OLIGOPOLY IN THE CRUISE LINE INDUSTRY

In this paper, the competition of dynamic oligopoly in the cruise line industry is modeled as an N-person nonzero-sum noncooperative dynamic game where a finite number of cruise lines compete to maximize their profits over a fixed planning horizon. The noncooperative Nash equilibrium capacity investment strategies of cruise lines are theoretically analyzed under the open-loop and closed-loop information structures. The optimality conditions for open-loop and closed-loop Nash equilibrium solutions are derived using a Pontryagin-type maximum principle and given economic interpretations so as to demonstrate the differences between the open-loop and closed-loop Nash equilibrium solutions. The dynamic oligopolistic competition of three cruise lines in a hypothetical setting is numerically analyzed by using the iterative algorithms for open-loop and closed-loop models. Numerical results provide a number of important managerial guidelines for cruise capacity investment decisions. The paper concludes with a discussion on future research directions.
Transmission of hepatitis B by transplantation of livers from donors positive for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Organ donors are a potential source of transmissible disease after transplantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of acquiring hepatitis B among transplantation recipients of livers from donors without serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) but with antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). METHODS: The transplantation experience of four centers between 1989 and 1994 was reviewed. Recipients of livers from 674 donors were considered informative for hepatitis B virus transmission. RESULTS: Hepatitis B developed in 18 of 23 recipients of livers from anti-HBc-positive donors (78%) compared with only 3 of 651 recipients of anti-HBc- negative donor livers (0.5%) (P CONCLUSIONS: De novo posttransplantation hepatitis B infection occurs at a high rate in recipients of donors with anti-HBc. Transmission of hepatitis B through transplantation suggests that the virus may persist in the liver despite serological resolution of infection. (Gastroenterology 1997 Nov;113(5):1668-74)
Gendered Motivations, Sociocultural Constraints, and Psychobehavioral Consequences of Transnational Partnerships in Cambodia

Global flows of people, information and capital have created transnational spaces in Cambodia. Within those spaces exists the formation of complex and multilayered interpersonal relationships between people attempting to capitalize on the opportunities created by these flows. The purpose of this article is to describe these transnational relationships, namely between young women employed in the entertainment sectors in Phnom Penh, and their western male partners, while highlighting the racialized and gendered motivations of the global actors, the inevitable sociocultural conflicts/constraints/ misunderstandings that arise within the partnerships, and the resulting challenges and psychobehavioral consequences experienced by the mobile and differentiated individuals involved in these postcolonial relational formations.
A model to optimize the selectivity of gas separation in membranes

We present a model of olefin/paraffin separation via nanocomposite membranes and a corresponding lattice kinetic Monte Carlo simulation. Our model is based on the solution-diffusion theory of facilitated transport through microporous membranes and the preferential binding of olefins to silver ions and nanoparticles. In our model, olefin molecules bind to the randomly distributed traps on a lattice whereas paraffin molecules do not. Selectivity for olefins over paraffins in the steady state is explained in terms of lattice diffusion and the equilibrium statistics of adsorbed gases. We show that, to first order, the maximum selectivity occurs when the rate at which an olefin molecule enters the lattice is the same as rate at which it leaves a trap site. The maximum selectivity is higher for weaker binding traps than for strong binding traps. Our model also demonstrates that the maximum selectivity increases with nanoparticle loading in the membrane and that, when the selectivity is maximized as a function of olefin binding and applied pressure, the olefin permeability is reduced from the neat membrane by a constant factor.
Proton induced X-ray emission analysis of aberrant cowrie shells

It is hypothesized that the irregular growth and coloring of aberrant rostrate and melanistic cowrie shells are the result of intensification of the melanain biochemical pathway caused by an overabundance of spin-stabilizing heavy metals. PIXE measurements have shown no pattern in elemental composition to stand out as a distinct difference between the normal and aberrant shells. Therefore, no evidence was found in the shell to corroborate the role of heavy metals in causing these teratologies. The absence of heavy element abundance in rostrate and melanistic shells does not exclude the possible role that these elements play within the soft tissue, as these metals may be too large to pass through membrane channels into the extracellular space where shell deposition occurs.
β-Cell Function: A Key Pathological Determinant in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

We report data from 60 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who had undergone assessment of insulin resistance, pancreatic β-cell function, obesity, and androgen levels to elucidate the complex relationships among these traits. Homeostasis model assessment was used to quantify insulin resistance and β-cell function. A reference population was derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study (NHANES III, 1988–1994). Indices of insulin resistance, insulin secretion, bioavailable testosterone, and body mass index all exhibited significant pairwise correlations. Multiple regression analysis clarified the phenotypic relationships, demonstrating that insulin resistance and bioavailable testosterone were independent predictors of β-cell function; β-cell function and obesity were independent predictors of insulin resistance; and β-cell function was an independent predictor of bioavailable testosterone. Of note, comparison with normal women from NHANES revealed a significantly stronger re...
Stack Bonding Technique Using Heavy Aluminum Ribbon Wires

The use of Aluminum ribbon wire is aimed to reduce the resistance of the interconnect material and improve product RDS(ON). Competition in the market in terms of low RDS(ON) performance package challenges semiconductor companies to venture into new technology, innovation, process, wafer fabrication, package design changes. Ribbon bonding introduction using wide ribbon wire is one of the process innovation to enhance device performance to attain a low RDS(ON) product. To further augment the electrical performance, bonding configurations are investigated including double stitched bonding and stack bonding technique on the source lead to accommodate additional ribbon wire without modifying the existing leadframe. Finite Element Analysis is initially utilized to compare the RDS(ON) improvement of various interconnect options and then verified in actual measurements. This paper suggests a method of improving the on state resistance of a power package by stacking two layers of wide Aluminum ribbon wires at the source leadpost. This maximizes the number of wide ribbon wires on a source lead while maintaining its manufacturability. The DPAK/IPAK package is used as a test vehicle for this study but the technology is intended to be propagated to similar packages.
Theory of periodically specified problems: complexity and approximability

We study the complexity and the efficient approximability of graph and satisfiability problems when specified using various kinds of periodic specifications studied previously. We obtain two general results. First, we characterize the complexities of several basic generalized CNF satisfiability problems SAT(S), when instances are specified using various kinds of 1- and 2-dimensional periodic specifications. We outline how this characterization can be used to prove a number of new hardness results for periodically specified problems for various complexity classes. As one corollary, we show that a number of basic NP-hard problems become EXPSPACE-hard when inputs are represented using 1-dimensional infinite periodic wide specifications, thereby answering an open question. Second, we outline a simple yet a general technique to devise approximation algorithms with provable worst case performance guarantees for a number of combinatorial problems specified periodically. Our efficient approximation algorithms and schemes are based on extensions of the previous ideas. They provide the first nontrivial collection of natural NEXPTIME-hard problems that have an /spl epsiv/-approximation (or PTAS).
Correction of phase aberrations via stimulated Brillouin scattering

We have obtained quantitative measurements on the correction of severely aberrated laser beams using stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) at 0.69 μm. We have shown that under certain conditions SBS can be used to restore an aberrated optical beam to its original unaberrated condition. When an optical beam double passes an aberrating region after reflecting from an “ordinary” mirror (i.e., a plane mirror) the aberration is twice that obtained from a single pass. However, when the aberrated beam enters a medium that allows SBS to occur, it emerges from its second pass through the aberrating medium in the same condition as that in which it originally entered. Quantitative experiments are described in which a single-mode ruby laser beam is intentionally aberrated by passing it through an etched plate. When the beam is allowed to double-pass the plate using an ordinary reflector (i.e., plane mirror), the beam divergence is more than 10 times the diffraction-limited divergence. However, when we replace the ordinary reflector with a cell in which SBS can take place, the SBS reflected beam is restored to diffraction-limited divergence when it is allowed to pass back through the aberrating medium. Applications of this time-reversal or phase-reversal technique for correcting aberrations in optical trains and atmospheric turbulence are discussed.
"Yo G-Money!" Y(ireless) O(pen) G(PS-oriented advertised ways to make) MONEY!

This paper presents a protocol for the advertising via wireless networks of locally available resources. The new protocol, "Yo G-Money!" utilizes a combination of GPS, LEO satellites, and multicast to advertise specific location-dependent available resources. Benefits of this protocol include speed of use (both by service providers and users wishing to see the service listing), inclusion of ability to charge service advertisers appropriately, and low computing and power requirements for service providers and users. Additionally, the service listing protocol can be completed using only wireless communications. Mobile users can quickly discover local available resources and services. Service providers can advertise their services to all people who are in the area and interested in those services. Our service listing protocol does not require high power or Web connectivity for the mobile users, making it quite appropriate for use by low-power devices such as PDA, laptop computers, and other handheld devices. Resources that could be advertised include computing resources such as currently unused processor cycles, disk space, printer/facsimile availability, and access to the greater Internet for purposes such as FTP, telnet, and other World Wide Web uses. Noncomputing related location-specific resources such as nearby restaurant (and other business) listings, transportation information, and area traffic reports would be logical additions to local resource information listings.
Interactions of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol with the hepatic microsomal drug metabolizing system

Abstract Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) was shown to combine with hepatic microsomes from both untreated and phenobarbital (Pb) treated male rats to give a typical type I difference spectrum. The affinity of the microsomes for Δ9-THC was very high, as reflected by the spectral dissociation constant (Ks) values of 18.5 and 9.1 μM for microsomes from untreated and Pb-treated animals, respectively. Δ9-THC inhibited competitively the microsomal metabolism of ethylmorphine, a typical type I substrate. The inhibitor constant (Ki) value obtained with untreated animals was very low, 15.4 μM. These studies support the view that Δ9-THC is metabolized by the hepatic mixed function oxidase system involving cytochrome P-450. The high reactivity of Δ9-THC with this system raises the possibility that Δ9-THC may interfere with the biotransformation of other drugs in vivo .
Assessing the Reliability of a Human Estimator

Human-based estimation remains the predominant methodology of choice [1]. Understanding the human estimator is critical for improving the effort estimation process. Every human estimator draws upon their background in terms of domain knowledge, technical knowledge, experience, and education in formulating an estimate. This research uses estimator demographic information to construct over 4000 classifiers which distinguish between the best and worst types of estimators. Various attribute techniques are applied to determine most significant demographics. Best case models produce accuracy rates ranging from 74 to 80 percent. Some of the best case models are presented for gaining insight into how demographics impact effort estimation.
Methodological Ponderings Related to the Power as Knowing Participation in Change Tool

Based on 15 years of research using the Power as Knowing Participation in Change Tool, the authors summarize tool development, including reliability and validity, and discuss specific methodological issues and insights. These include clarity of instructions and complexity of language used in the PKPCT along with response set, norms, and sensitivity of the instrument to detect differences between groups. Problems of linear measurement are discussed along with the appropriateness of both qualitative and quantitative methods of studying power from the view of the science of unitary human beings. Recommendations for further psychometric studies of power are proposed.
Seed size selection in heteromyids : A second look.

Summary. The general conclusion of this paper is that heteromyids do not select seed sizes on the basis of their body size. My conclusion comes from the analysis of new data from central New Mexico, analysis of data in the literature on food habits of heteromyids, and a reanalysis of Brown and Lieberman (1973) and Brown (1975). All of these sources agree that no seed size selection exists. Although no pattern of simple seed size selection was found, interesting differences were noticed among species. First, the tendency to husk appears to be related to the size of the rodent. Second, large heteromyids may depend on fruiting heads made up of small seeds. This mayor may not have signifi cance to the coexistence of heteromyid communities. At present, insuffi cient data are available to make conclusions along these lines. Intuitively satisfying hypotheses, such as seed size allocation by heteromyids, are normally very hard to lay to rest. It is my hope that this paper demonstrates the weight of evidence is against seed size allocation in heteromyids, Those who wish to maintain this hypothesis, or reveal that it or related hypotheses have anything to do with heteromyid coexistence, must now produce data to support their position.
Switched Inductor With Wide Tuning Range and Small Inductance Step Sizes

A switched inductor based on mutual-inductance switching is proposed that aims at increasing the inductance tuning range as well as the number of inductance step sizes. This is achieved with additional coupling structures and switch constellations. Applied to a 32 nm LC oscillator, the proposed inductor coil enables a frequency tuning range of 100% (1.5 octaves) from 2.8-8.4 GHz with switchable inductance values between 220 and 600 pH.
Photosynthetic Response to Water Stress in Phaseolus vulgaris

Water stressed Phaseolus vulgaris L. plants were monitored to detect the relationships between net photosynthesis, transpiration, boundary layer plus stomatal resistance, mesophyll resistance, CO2 compensation point, ribulose, 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase activity and leaf water potential. At full expansion, the first trifoliate leaves of greenhouse grown bean plants were subjected to water stress by withholding irrigation. Gas exchange and enzyme activity of the central trifoliolate leaflets were monitored as leaf water potential decreased. Although increased stomatal resistance appeared to be the primary causal factor of reduced net photosynthesis, increased mesophyll resistance and decreased ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase activity further documented the role of non-stomatal factors.
Balancing Work and Family: The Role of Employer-Supported Child Care Benefits

The stress of balancing work and family demands has increased as more wives and mothers have entered the workforce. One way to alleviate that stress is through employer-supported, family-related benefits and policies. The purpose of this research is to determine what family-oriented benefits and policy options are being offered by businesses in one state, as well as the circumstances or conditions under which such benefits are offered. The human resources directors of a stratified random sample of businesses were mailed a questionnaire and asked to report the types of benefits they offered. Demographic data on the companies and employees also were collected. Generally, companies offered few benefits, but the number of benefits offered is found to be related significantly to company size and the percentage of women in the company workforce. These findings are consistent with the rational-choice interpretation underlying the authors' model.
Mechanistic interpretation of the effects of acid strength on alkane isomerization turnover rates and selectivity

Acid strength effects on alkane isomerization turnover rates and selectivities are probed using hexene isomers as reactants on bifunctional catalysts containing tungsten Keggin polyoxometalates (POM) with different central atoms and exhibiting well-defined structures amenable to reliable estimates of deprotonation energies (DPE) as rigorous descriptors of acid strength. Titrations of protons with hindered bases during catalysis and mechanistic interpretations of rate data on POM acids in terms of a common sequence of elementary steps give isomerization rate constants that decrease exponentially with increasing DPE. The sensitivity to acid strength is the same for all interconversions among isomeric hexenes because their respective transition states are similar in the amount and localized character of their cationic charges, which determine, in turn, the extent to which the ionic and covalent interactions that determine DPE are recovered upon formation of ion pairs at transition states. The ratios of rate constants for such interconversions, and thus selectivities, are independent of acid strength and their magnitude merely reflects the stability of the gaseous analogs of their respective transition states on all acids.
Control and estimation of fuzzy systems

Guaranteed cost control and estimation of fuzzy systems are obtained by the method of fuzzy dynamic programming. Three types of models are selected to describe the fuzzy systems: 1. Systems with uncertain parameters. 2. Systems with Donati's approximation in the norm. 3. Systems with extended approximation in the norm. In the latter two cases, minimax control is generally obtainable, and is shown to be the guaranteed cost control with lowest guaranteed cost. Using the concept of most likely estimation the estimation problem is formulated into a similar variational problem, and is solved by essentially the same analysis.
GaAs buried-channel MESFET analog integrated circuits

GaAs analog integrated circuits have been implemented using a buried-channel MESFET technology. The circuits exhibit higher precision than similar realizations in conventional technology because the frequency dependence of the small-signal parameters is reduced greatly. Higher speed is also achieved since the buried-channel structure allows for 0.25- mu m minimum gate lengths, whereas 0.5- mu m minimum gate lengths must be used in a conventional MESFET process to avoid deleterious short-channel effects. >
Ellagic Acid Potentiates the Effect of Quercetin on p21waf1/cip1, p53, and MAP-Kinases without Affecting Intracellular Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species In Vitro

Anticarcinogenic effects attributed to polyphenols in fruits may be based on synergistic, additive, or antagonistic interactions of many compounds. In a previous study, it was demonstrated that quercetin and ellagic acid interacted synergistically in the induction of apoptosis in the human leukemia cell line, MOLT-4. To investigate possible cellular mechanisms, this study evaluated whether synergistic effects might be detectable within proapoptotic or antiproliferative signal transduction pathways. We found that quercetin and combinations of quercetin and ellagic acid nonsynergistically increased p53 protein levels. In contrast, ellagic acid potentiated the effects of quercetin for p21 cip1/waf1 protein levels and p53 phosphorylation at serine 15, possibly explaining the synergistic effect observed in apoptosis induction. Phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, c-jun N-terminal (JNK)1,2 and p38, was also increased by the combination of ellagic acid and quercetin, whereas quercetin alone induced only p38. We further evaluated whether the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and/or quercetin stability were influenced by interactions of ellagic acid with quercetin. Quercetin increased the generation of ROS, which was neither potentiated nor inhibited by ellagic acid. The stability of intracellular and extracellular quercetin was not influenced by the presence of ellagic acid. In summary, quercetin and ellagic acid combined increase the activation of p53 and p21 cip1/waf1 and the MAP kinases, JNK1,2 and p38, in a more than additive manner, suggesting a mechanism by which quercetin and ellagic acid synergistically induce apoptosis in cancer cells.
Long-term survival of donor-specific pancreatic islet xenografts in fully xenogeneic chimeras (WF rat----B10 mouse).

U) was the xenogeneic donor. To exclude a strain-specific effect. we have now evaluated whether similar tolerance would be present when F344 rat (RtiA 1) was used as the xenogeneic donor. We report here that long-term accep­ tance and function of donor-specific (F344 rat) xenogeneic pancreatic islet grafts could be achieved in fully xenoge­ neic chimeras (810 mouse + F344 rat to 810 mouse).
All three ryanodine receptor isoforms generate rapid cooling responses in muscle cells

The rapid cooling (RC) response in muscle is an increase in cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) that is probably caused by Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). However, the molec...
Reliability algorithms for network swapping systems with page migration

Summary form only given. Network swapping systems allow individual cluster nodes with over-committed memory to use the idle memory of remote nodes as their backing store, and to swap pages over the network. Without reliability support a single node crash can affect programs running on other nodes by losing their remotely swapped page data. RAID-based (Patterson et al., 1988; Markatos and Dramitinos, 1996) reliability solutions promise the best alternative in terms of flexibility and performance. However, two important features of our network swapping system, Nswap (Newhall et al., 2003), make direct application of RAID-based schemes impossible. First, Nswap adapts to each node's local memory load, adjusting the amount of RAM space it makes available for remote swapping, which results in a variable capacity "backing store". Second, Nswap supports migration of remotely swapped pages between cluster nodes, which occurs when a node needs to reclaim some of its RAM from Nswap to use for local processing. Page migration complicates reliability if, for example, two pages in the same parity group end up on the same node. We present novel reliability algorithms that solve these problems. Our Parity algorithm uses dynamic parity group membership to match Nswap's dynamic nature. We show that our algorithms add minimal overhead to remote swapping.
Static resource allocation for heterogeneous computing environments with tasks having dependencies, priorities, deadlines, and multiple versions

Heterogeneous computing (HC) environments composed of interconnected machines with varied computational capabilities are well suited to meet the computational demands of large, diverse groups of tasks. One aspect of resource allocation in HC environments is matching tasks with machines and scheduling task execution on the assigned machines. We will refer to this matching and scheduling process as mapping. The problem of mapping these tasks onto the machines of a distributed HC environment has been shown, in general, to be NP-complete. Therefore, the development of heuristic techniques to find near-optimal solutions is required. In the HC environment investigated, tasks have deadlines, priorities, multiple versions, and may be composed of communicating subtasks. The best static (off-line) techniques from some previous studies are adapted and applied to this mapping problem: a genetic algorithm (GA), a GENITOR-style algorithm, and a two phase greedy technique based on the concept of Min-min heuristics. Simulation studies compare the performance of these heuristics in several overloaded scenarios, i.e., not all tasks can be executed by their deadlines. The performance measure used is the sum of weighted priorities of tasks that completed before their deadline, adjusted based on the version of the task used. It is shown that for the cases studied here, the GENITOR technique finds the best results, but the faster two phase greedy approach also performs very well.
Ontogeny of the Cytoplasmic Androgen Receptor in the Rat Ventral Prostate Gland

The concentration of the cytosolic androgen receptor of the ventral prostate gland of the male rat was measured at various time periods prior to, at the time of, and following the sexual maturation of the animal. The prostatic dihydrotestosterone (DHT) receptor gradually increased from 29 femtomoles (fm)/mg cytosol protein during the early postnatal period (Day 16 of age) to a peak of 87 fm/mg protein around the time when the rat attains sexual maturity (Day 50 of age). Following this, the receptor concentration declined precipitously to a level of 19 fm/mg protein at Day 70 of age. These results suggest that the level of the prostatic DEIT receptor observed during these time periods may be important in the imprinting mechanism of the rat ventral prostate gland that is known to occur in the rat sometime between Day 35 and Day 65 of age.
Pets and people: Companions in commerce?

Abstract This essay presents a personalized account that reflects some well-documented aspects of pets as animal companions — especially as they relate to the case of Rocky the Cat. The narrative begins with some oft-mentioned ramifications of viewing pets as friends and family. The common ingredient — namely, love — opens doors to various market-related opportunities. Among these, the exorbitant sums spent on veterinary care loom large and, in an illustrative personal story of Rocky Raccoon, reach nearly epic proportions. In practical terms, this report suggests some tips for marketing to lovers of pets. On a more spiritual level, further questions concern the author's own animal-related identity and how this self-concept manifests itself in an attempt to see the world in general and to view a film in particular through the eyes of the cat.
Effective permittivity of dielectric mixtures

General mixing formulas are derived for discrete scatterers immersed in a host medium. The inclusion particles are assumed to be ellipsoidal. The electric field inside the scatterers is determined by quasi-static analysis, assuming the diameter of the inclusion particles to be much smaller than one wavelength. The results are applicable to general multiphase mixtures, and the scattering ellipsoids of the different phases can have different sizes and arbitrary ellipticity distribution and axis orientation, i.e. the mixture may be isotropic or anisotropic. The resulting mixing formula is nonlinear and is suitable for iterative solutions. The formula contains a quantity called the apparent permittivity, and with different choices of this quantity, the result leads to the generalized Lorentz-Lorenz formula, the generalized Polder-van Santen formula, and the generalized coherent potential-quasicrystalline approximation formula. The results are applied to calculating the complex effective permittivity of dry and wet snow, and sea ice. >