cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rational S matrices and NN interactions.

The S matrix for central NN interactions is represented in the s wave as a rational function of k. Single and double Yukawa potential models of /sup 1/S/sub 0/ and /sup 3/S/sub 1/ interactions are the starting point. Twelve terms of the effective range expansion are found, Pade approximants are calculated, and poles and zeros of the associated rational S matrix are located. For all the potentials, rational S matrices are shown to give excellent agreement with data through medium energies while satisfying Levinson's theorem. Inverse scattering theory is easily applied to recover phase shift equivalent potentials, either local or nonlocal. Bound state and antibound state poles are precisely determined, suggesting this approach is a viable alternative for finding bound state eigenvalues. We truncate our potentials beyond a range R which we vary from 8 to 21 fm. Rigorously, the S matrix of such truncated potentials has no cuts, and the Jost functions are entire. Our analysis introduces distribution of poles and zeros that, as characteristic of Pade approximants, is seen to bear a relation to the Yukawa cuts of the full potentials. Statistical determinations of rational S matrices from experimental phase shifts, already found to be useful, are furthermore » supported by the present results.« less
Combined image-processing algorithms for improved optical coherence tomography of prostate nerves

Cavernous nerves course along the surface of the prostate gland and are responsible for erectile function. These nerves are at risk of injury during surgical removal of a cancerous prostate gland. In this work, a combination of segmentation, denoising, and edge detection algorithms are applied to time-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of rat prostate to improve identification of cavernous nerves. First, OCT images of the prostate are segmented to differentiate the cavernous nerves from the prostate gland. Then, a locally adaptive denoising algorithm using a dual-tree complex wavelet transform is applied to reduce speckle noise. Finally, edge detection is used to provide deeper imaging of the prostate gland. Combined application of these three algorithms results in improved signal-to-noise ratio, imaging depth, and automatic identification of the cavernous nerves, which may be of direct benefit for use in laparoscopic and robotic nerve-sparing prostate cancer surgery.
Short-Circuit Current of Induction Motors and Generators

There has been a rather prevailing opinion that a sudden short circuit of an induction generator would not cause a serious initial rise in current such as occurs in synchronous generators. This has led to the proposal of the use of such machines as a partial solution of the short-circuit problem on a-c. systems. Theoretical considerations and experimental data given in the paper show that, on the contrary, there is in the induction generator, just as in the synchronous machine, a serious initial rush of current which is limited only by the leakage reactance of the machine. The only difference is that the transient is shorter in the induction machine, and the current dies down of course, to zero instead of to the sustained value which occurs in an excited synchronous generator.
Characterization of a Baculovirus Enzyme with RNA Ligase, Polynucleotide 5′-Kinase, and Polynucleotide 3′-Phosphatase Activities

The end-healing and end-sealing steps of the phage T4-induced RNA restriction-repair pathway are performed by two separate enzymes, a bifunctional polynucleotide 5′-kinase/3′-phosphatase and an ATP-dependent RNA ligase. Here we show that a single trifunctional baculovirus enzyme, RNA ligase 1 (Rnl1), catalyzes the identical set of RNA repair reactions. Three enzymatic activities of baculovirus Rnl1 are organized in a modular fashion within a 694-amino acid polypeptide consisting of an autonomous N-terminal RNA-specific ligase domain, Rnl1-(1–385), and a C-terminal kinase-phosphatase domain, Rnl1-(394–694). The ligase domain is itself composed of two functional units. The N-terminal module Rnl1-(1–270) contains essential nucleotidyltransferase motifs I, IV, and V and suffices for both enzyme adenylylation (step 1 of the ligation pathway) and phosphodiester bond formation at a preactivated RNA-adenylate end (step 3). The downstream module extending to residue 385 is required for ligation of a phosphorylated RNA substrate, suggesting that it is involved specifically in the second step of the end-joining pathway, the transfer of AMP from the ligase to the 5′-PO4 end to form RNA-adenylate. The end-healing domain Rnl1-(394–694) consists of a proximal 5′-kinase module with an essential P-loop motif (404GSGKS408) and a distal 3′-phosphatase module with an essential acylphosphatase motif (560DLDGT564). Our findings have implications for the evolution of RNA repair systems and their potential roles in virus-host dynamics.
Social interactional antecedents of conflict in young children

This study examined the interactional antecedents of object conflicts in preschoolers' interactions. Thirty-eight semistructured triadic peer groups were conducted and videotaped. The continuous behavior of each group was then broken down into a sequence of interactional states, using four exhaustive and mutually exclusive codes: solitary, dyadic, triadic, and conflictual. An analysis of the transitional probabilities associated with each state preceding conflicts revealed that dyadic and triadic states preceded conflicts less often than predicted by chance. The type of interactional antecedent was also related to the issues and outcomes of conflicts. The results indicate that social coordination among preschoolers' interactions serves to reduce conflictual exchanges. Implications for future research on antecedents of conflict and patterns of early social interaction are discussed.
Managing work and family in home-based employment

Two 10-item scales, one describing the management of the home-based work and the other, the management of the family work, were administered to a sample of household managers who are also the home-based worker. Scale items are designed to assess dimensions of input, planning, implementing, and output.T-tests are used to compare the means of the individual items and the scale means. Confirmatory factor analysis is used to assess whether the factoring of the scale items support the theoretical framework. Scores are higher for the management of the home-based work than for the management of family work. Although both scales are highly reliable, the items in the home-based work scale factor clearly into the dimensions of standard setting and controlling. One interpretation may be that, given a choice, the dual-manager may choose to consciously organize the paid work instead of the family work.
Single Molecule FRET Measurements of Dye-labeled DNA

Single molecule FRET (sm-FRET) measurements of dye-labeled DNA molecules have become a widely-used tool over the last decade to probe the structure, dynamics and function of nucleic acids. As robust as FRET is, quantitative measurements and absolute distances are seldom extracted, mostly due to difficulties in obtaining the correct value of the transfer efficiency and the orientation factor between the dyes. Moreover, additional complications might arise from undesired interactions between the dyes and the nucleotides, or even between the dyes themselves. We present a systematic study of sm-FRET performed on an extensive set of internally labeled DNA molecules with FRET pairs at various inter-dye distances, spanning the entire dynamic range of transfer efficiencies. An automated two-color scanning confocal microscope allows us to obtain long fluorescence time trajectories at high temporal resolution, from which we extract the corrected FRET efficiencies. By fitting these values to a geometrical model of the double helix we obtain the absolute distances between the dyes as well as the orientation factor. At inter-dye distances smaller than 8 nucleotides apart we observe an increased fraction of abrupt fluorescence fluctuations that we attribute to dye-dye interactions. We note that this phenomenon can distort the apparent FRET efficiency towards lower values, consistent with previous reports. We will show single molecule time traces which have allowed us to characterize and study these interactions in detail.
Specific transcription from the adenovirus E2E promoter by RNA polymerase III requires a subpopulation of TFIID

The early E2 (E2E) promoter of adenovirus type 2 possesses a TATA-like element and binding sites for the factors E2F and ATF. This promoter is transcribed by RNA polymerase II in high salt nuclear extracts, but by RNA polymerase III in standard nuclear extracts, as judged by sensitivity to low and high, respectively, concentrations of alpha-amanitin. Transcription by the two RNA polymerases initiated at the same site and depended, in both cases, on the TATA-like sequence and upstream elements. However, RNA polymerase III transcripts, unlike those synthesized by RNA polymerase II, terminated at two runs of Ts downstream of the initiation site. Although they are not essential, sequences downstream of the initiation site increased the efficiency of E2E transcription by RNA polymerase III. Such RNA polymerase III dependent transcription required a subpopulation of the general transcription factor, TFIID: TFIID that binds weakly to phosphocellulose (0.3 M eluate) complemented a TFIID-depleted extract to restore RNAp III transcription, whereas TFIID tightly associated with phosphocellulose (1 M eluate) was unable to do so.
Zebrafish atoh1 genes: classic proneural activity in the inner ear and regulation by Fgf and Notch.

Hair cells of the inner ear develop from an equivalence group marked by expression of the proneural gene Atoh1 . In mouse, Atoh1 is necessary for hair cell differentiation, but its role in specifying the equivalence group (proneural function) has been questioned and little is known about its upstream activators. We have addressed these issues in zebrafish. Two zebrafish homologs, atoh1a and atoh1b , are together necessary for hair cell development. These genes crossregulate each other but are differentially required during distinct developmental periods, first in the preotic placode and later in the otic vesicle. Interactions with the Notch pathway confirm that atoh1 genes have early proneural function. Fgf3 and Fgf8 are upstream activators of atoh1 genes during both phases, and foxi1, pax8 and dlx genes regulate atoh1b in the preplacode. A model is presented in which zebrafish atoh1 genes operate in a complex network leading to hair cell development.
Relative impact of donor type on renal allograft survival in black and white recipients

Abstract Renal allograft survival of organs from living-related donors (LRDs) is superior to that of organs from cadaveric donors (CAD). Allograft survival rates are lower in black recipients of both CAD and LRD transplants compared with recipients of other races. It is not known whether the superior donor effect of LRD varies between races. We investigated the graft survival outcome of first renal transplants performed in the United States in 1986 and 1989 to determine whether the donor effect differs between black and white recipients. A measurement of "donor type effect" is introduced. There were 7,002 and 7,307 first renal transplants in 1986 and 1989, respectively, for which allograft survival data were available from the United States Renal Data Systems. Both black and white recipients showed a greater than 50% reduction in the risk of allograft loss at all the points studied up to 5 years posttransplant when LRD was chosen over CAD transplantation. A measurement of donor type effect indicates that graft loss is reduced by 7 to 21 percentage points at 1 and 5 years posttransplant. The donor type effect is proportionally equal in both races. Therefore, kidney donation from living relatives as a first transplant should be encouraged for all medically suitable end-stage renal disease patients as a means of improving outcome and reducing CAD transplantation waiting time for patients in whom LRD transplants cannot be performed.
pH Responsive Decomposable Layer-by-Layer Nanofilms and Capsules on the Basis of Tannic Acid

Tannic acid (TA) was assembled in alternation with two different polycations, strong poly(dimethyldiallylamide) (PDDA) and weak poly(allylamine) (PAH), using a layer-by-layer technique. Their deposition at different pH was confirmed by QCM, UV−vis spectroscopy, and surface charge measurements. TA/polyelectrolyte multilayer films and capsules have pH-dependent structural properties different from those of commonly used poly(styrenesulfonate)/poly(allylamine) (PSS/PAH) compositions. The lowest speed of TA/polycation multilayer dissolution was found at the conditions close to those used for film preparation. Permeability for fluorescein-labeled dextrans into tannic acid/polycation capsules with a five bilayer wall composition was investigated as a function of pH using confocal microscopy. It was found that minimal permeability occurs at pH 5−7 and maximal permeability at very high and very low pH, providing new opportunities for capsule loading as compared with an established procedure for PSS/PAH microcapsu...
Reduced-Dimension Beam-Space Broad-Band Source Localization: Preprocessor Design

Data from a set of conventional beamformers, each steered to a point in location (and frequency), are analyzed in beam-space processing. By selecting a location sector of interest, and by using only those beamformers which are steered within this sector, processing is in a Reduced-Dimension Beam-Space (RDBS). For spatial-spectrum estimation, advantages of processing in a RDBS rather than in element-space include; reduction in data and therefore computation required for spatial-spectral analysis, reduction in resolution thresholds, and attenuation of out-of-sector sources through spatial filtering. A beam-space preprocessor structure provides the element-space to RDBS transfor-mation. For broad-band source processing, its objectives are data reduction, spatial filtering and broad-band source focusing. In this paper we investigate beam-space preprocessor design.
Effectiveness of Piscicides for Controlling Round Gobies (Neogobius melanostomus)

Round gobies (Neogobius melanostomus) were introduced to the Great Lakes presumably as a result of ballast water releases from seagoing freighters returning from European water bodies. These unwelcome fish have become established in the Great Lakes region and are expanding their range to suitable portions of other interior drainage basins including the Mississippi River traversing the central United States and the Trent-Severn waterway spanning south-central Ontario. If the invasion continues, use of chemical toxicants as a control measure may be necessary. Toxicity tests of the currently registered piscicides antimycin, rotenone, 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM), and Bayluscide® were conducted with three fish species native to the Great Lakes and round gobies collected from the Illinois Waterway. Tests indicated that round gobies are sensitive to all of the piscicides, however, the level of sensitivity is similar to that of the native fish species tested. Therefore, currently registered piscicides have limited potential to selectively remove round gobies. Bottom-release formulations of Bayluscide® and antimycin were also evaluated as control agents for the normally bottom-dwelling round goby. Avoidance behavior tests demonstrated that the round goby did not react to the presence of either chemical. Therefore, the bottom-release formulations may have some application for the selective removal of round gobies, and may be one of the few tools presently available to fishery managers to help limit the range expansion of this invasive fish.
Simulations of spectral broadening by cross-phase modulation (XPM) with chaotic light pulses

Spectral broadening of single-frequency laser pulses by optical cross-phase modulation (XPM) with chaotic laser pulses in birefringent single-mode optical fibers is investigated numerically and results are compared with experiments. By this process we have generated laser pulses of variable bandwidth (1 - 25 angstrom) at the fundamental wavelength (1053 nm) for amplification in high power solid-state Nd:glass lasers used for inertial confinement fusion research. Simulations indicate that a temporally smooth XPM pulse can be generated with intensity fluctuations of less than 10% and spectral width greater than 50 angstrom using a short length (approximately 5 m) of special low dispersion and low birefringence fiber, e.g., D equals 10 ps/nm-km (normal dispersion) and (Delta) n equals 2 X 10-5. Readily available fibers of similar length, with parameters of D equals 40 ps/nm-km and (Delta) n equals 6 X 10-5, can give spectral widths exceeding 25 angstroms, but the noise will range from 25 to 60%. Broadband laser pulses generated by XPM are now routinely used at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for active smoothing of the laser irradiance on targets by the technique of smoothing-by-spectral dispersion.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Impact of lemon oil composition on formation and stability of model food and beverage emulsions

Abstract Lemon oil is a complex organic compound isolated from citrus peel, which is commonly used as a flavouring agent in beverages, foods, cosmetics, and household products. We have studied the influence of lemon oil fold (1×, 3×, 5× and 10×) on the formation and properties of oil-in-water emulsions. Initially, the composition, molecular characteristics, and physicochemical properties of the four lemon oils were established. The main constituents in single-fold lemon oil were monoterpenes (>90%), whereas the major constituents in 10-fold lemon oil were monoterpenes (≈35%), sesquiterpenes (≈14%) and oxygenates (≈33%). The density, interfacial tension, viscosity, and refractive index of the lemon oils increased as the oil fold increased ( i.e ., 1× i.e ., diffusion of lemon oil molecules from small to large droplets. The highest fold oil (10×) was stable to droplet growth, which was attributed to the presence of an appreciable fraction of constituents with very low water-solubility that inhibited droplet growth through a compositional ripening effect. This study provides important information about the relationship between lemon oil composition and its performance in emulsions suitable for use in food and beverage products.
Nerve repulsion by the lens and cornea during cornea innervation is dependent on Robo-Slit signaling and diminishes with neuron age.

The cornea, the most densely innervated tissue on the surface of the body, becomes innervated in a series of highly coordinated developmental events. During cornea development, chick trigeminal nerve growth cones reach the cornea margin at embryonic day (E)5, where they are initially repelled for days from E5 to E8, instead encircling the corneal periphery in a nerve ring prior to entering on E9. The molecular events coordinating growth cone guidance during cornea development are poorly understood. Here we evaluated a potential role for the Robo–Slit nerve guidance family. We found that Slits 1, 2 and 3 expression in the cornea and lens persisted during all stages of cornea innervation examined. Robo1 expression was developmentally regulated in trigeminal cell bodies, expressed robustly during nerve ring formation (E5–8), then later declining concurrent with projection of growth cones into the cornea. In this study we provide in vivo and in vitro evidence that Robo–Slit signaling guides trigeminal nerves during cornea innervation. Transient, localized inhibition of Robo–Slit signaling, by means of beads loaded with inhibitory Robo–Fc protein implanted into the developing eyefield in vivo, led to disorganized nerve ring formation and premature cornea innervation. Additionally, when trigeminal explants (source of neurons) were oriented adjacent to lens vesicles or corneas (source of repellant molecules) in organotypic tissue culture both lens and cornea tissues strongly repelled E7 trigeminal neurites, except in the presence of inhibitory Robo–Fc protein. In contrast, E10 trigeminal neurites were not as strongly repelled by cornea, and presence of Robo–Slit inhibitory protein had no effect. In full, these findings suggest that nerve repulsion from the lens and cornea during nerve ring formation is mediated by Robo–Slit signaling. Later, a shift in nerve guidance behavior occurs, in part due to molecular changes in trigeminal neurons, including Robo1 downregulation, thus allowing nerves to find the Slit-expressing cornea permissive for growth cones.
Lao Buddhist Women: Quietly Negotiating Religious Authority

Throughout years of war and political upheaval, Buddhist women in Laos have devotedly upheld traditional values and maintained the practice of offering alms and other necessities to monks as an act of merit. In a religious landscape overwhelmingly dominated by bhikkhus (fully ordained monks), a small number have renounced household life and become maekhaos, celibate women who live as nuns and pursue contemplative practices on the periphery of the religious mainstream. Patriarchal ecclesiastical structures and the absence of a lineage of full ordination for women have combined to render the religious roles of Buddhist nuns and laywomen virtually invisible throughout most of Lao history. With limited access to Buddhist learning, maekhaos live at the margins of Lao society, both spatially and economically. Based on interviews gathered during fieldwork in Laos and at a Lao temple in California, this paper examines the lives of Lao Buddhist women, their relationship to religious authority, and ways they might move from the margins to full inclusion in Lao religious life.
Structural Changes in Membranes of Synchronized Cells demonstrated by Freeze-cleavage

FREEZE-CLEAVAGE is a new technique for studying the ultra-structure· of biological membranes, which fractures cell membranes in half, exposing two intramembranous fracture faces1–3: the outer fracture face (OFF) and the inner fracture face (IFF). These fracture faces are partially covered with 70 A globular particles which are thought to be unique structural components of cell membranes, formed by the association of membrane glycoproteins and lipids4. The 70 A particles are dynamic structures and rapidly increase in density in the membranes of lymphocytes following exposure to mitogenic plant proteins (Scott and Marchesi, unpublished work).
Activation-dependent regulation of galanin gene expression in gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons in the female rat

In rats, galanin is colocalized in GnRH neurons, and galanin mRNA in GnRH neurons is increased coincidentally with the preovulatory gonadotropin surge. Whether the induction of galanin mRNA in GnRH neurons at proestrus reflects the action of sex steroids is unknown. We tested this hypothesis by challenging ovariectomized rats (n = 7) with estrogen and progesterone (E/P) to induce a LH surge and measuring galanin mRNA in GnRH neurons to determine whether there was an associated induction of galanin message in these cells. We used single and double label in situ hybridization and image analysis to compare among groups the levels of both galanin mRNA and GnRH mRNA in GnRH neurons. We found that steroid-primed animals showed an approximately 400% induction of galanin mRNA signal in GnRH neurons over that in vehicle-treated animals. Second, we hypothesized that steroid-dependent events which induce the expression of galanin mRNA in GnRH neurons depend on transsynaptic input to GnRH neurons. We tested this hypo...
RETRIEVAL BY CONSTRUCTION: A TRACEABILITY TECHNIQUE TO SUPPORT VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION OF UML FORMALIZATIONS

Recently, there has been growing interest in formalizing UML, thereby enabling rigorous analysis of its many graphical diagrams. Two obstacles currently limit the adoption and use of UML formalizations in practice. First is the need to verify the consistency of artifacts under formalization. Second is the need to validate formalization approaches against domain-specific requirements. Techniques from the emerging field of requirements traceability hold promise for addressing these obstacles. This paper contributes a technique called retrieval by construction (RBC), which establishes traceability links between a UML model and a target model intended to denote its semantics under formalization. RBC provides an approach for structuring and representing the complex one-to-many links that are common between UML and target models under formalization. RBC also uses the notion of value identity in a novel way that enables the specification of the link-retrieval criteria using generative procedures. These procedures are a natural means for specifying UML formalizations. We have validated the RBC technique in a tool framework called UBanyan, written in C++. We applied the tool to three case studies, one of which was obtained from the industry. We have also assessed our results using the two well-known traceability metrics: precision and recall. Preliminary investigations suggest that RBC can be a useful traceability technique for validating and verifying UML formalizations.
A method for the quantitative assessment of autoradiographs.

Abstract An optical system for scanning autoradiographs is described. It is based essentially on forming a band pattern of the grains in a strip of the autoradiograph by means of a cylindrical lens camera and on the photoelectric recording of the distribution of band intensities along the strip.
Euler and his work on infinite series

Leonhard Euler is one of the greatest and most astounding icons in the history of science. His work, dating back to the early eighteenth century, is still with us, very much alive and generating intense interest. Like Shakespeare and Mozart, he has remained fresh and captivating because of his personality as well as his ideas and achievements in mathematics. The reasons for this phenomenon lie in his universality, his uniqueness, and the immense output he left behind in papers, correspondence, diaries, and other memorabilia. Opera Omnia [E], his collected works and correspondence, is still in the process of completion, close to eighty volumes and 31,000+ pages and counting. A volume of brief summaries of his letters runs to several hundred pages. It is hard to comprehend the prodigious energy and creativity of this man who fueled such a monumental output. Even more remarkable, and in stark contrast to men like Newton and Gauss, is the sunny and equable temperament that informed all of his work, his correspondence, and his interactions with other people, both common and scientific. It was often said of him that he did mathematics as other people breathed, effortlessly and continuously. It was also said (by Laplace) that all mathematicians were his students. It is appropriate in this, the tercentennial year of his birth, to revisit him and survey his work, its offshoots, and the remarkable vitality of his themes which are still flourishing, and to immerse ourselves once again in the universe of ideas that he has created. This is not a task for a single individual, and appropriately enough, a number of mathematicians are attempting to do this and present a picture of his work and its modern resonances to the general mathematical community. To be honest, such a project is Himalayan in its scope, and it is impossible to do full justice to it. In the following pages I shall try to make a very small contribution to this project, discussing in a sketchy manner Euler’s work on infinite series and its modern outgrowths. My aim is to acquaint the generic mathematician with
Accuracy of Doppler ultrasound in diagnosing anatomic stenosis of hemodialysis arteriovenous access as compared with fistulography

A variety of techniques (physical examination, venous pump pressure, percent urea recirculation, Crit Line, Transonic Flow, and others) are helpful in detecting vascular access dysfunction with subsequent referral to fistulography for confirmation of stenosis and possible angioplasty. Although these techniques are adequate, it is not uncommon that the results in some patients may be borderline or equivocal. In these cases, Doppler ultrasound may play a role to confirm the presence or absence of significant stenosis before subjecting the patient to the more expensive and invasive fistulography. For Doppler ultrasound to play such a role, it must have a high degree of accuracy in diagnosing anatomic stenosis. In previous studies, percent stenosis by Doppler ultrasound as compared with percent stenosis by fistulography was examined only when stenosis was suspected, therefore not allowing the determination of Doppler ultrasound specificity in diagnosing negative stenosis when fistulography was negative. In this study, we evaluated 38 hemodialysis patients with Doppler ultrasound followed by fistulography, without regard to suspicion of stenosis (to access both the sensitivity and specificity of Doppler ultrasound). Nineteen patients (50%) had significant stenosis by fistulography (> or =50% narrowing). The same 19 patients had significant stenosis by Doppler ultrasound (significant stenosis at > or =40% with high-velocity flow turbulence or > or =50% without turbulent flow), whereas the remaining patients had no significant stenosis. In addition, the percent stenosis by Doppler ultrasound had a linear relationship to the percent stenosis by fistulography. In conclusion, Doppler ultrasound closely correlates to fistulography in diagnosing anatomic stenosis. In patients in whom other techniques for diagnosing access stenosis show borderline results, Doppler ultrasound may play an adjuvant role to confirm the presence or absence of significant stenosis.
Electron correlation and the band gap in ionic crystals.

The band gap and quasiparticle energies in LiCl are calculated by evaluation of the electron self-energy operator including the effects of local fields and dynamic screening from first principles. Good agreement with available experimental data is obtained. In particular, the calculated band gap for bulk transitions (8.9 eV) is within 5% of the experimental result. Comparison with our previous study of homopolar materials shows that the same theoretical picture describes the electron correlation in both cases.
Development of a Roller-Compacted Concrete Pavement Crack and Joint Spacing Model

The development of a mechanistically based model (CRACK) that predicts the spacing of cracks in roller-compacted concrete (RCC) pavements due to restraint of drying shrinkage and thermal contraction is presented. The model considers the RCC pavement thickness, paving lane length, base friction characteristics, climatic time-temperature regimes, as well as the RCC drying shrinkage, coefficient of thermal contraction, strength gain, and modulus of elasticity. The model also determines the tensile stresses and displacements of the RCC slab along its length, from which the crack width is predicted. The CRACK program was used to predict the crack spacing and width at four RCC pavement field sites, and the predicted results were compared with field measurements. The model tends to overpredict the observed crack spacings, in part because of the simplifying assumptions used in the model development and the fact that the model does not consider fatigue stresses from warping, curling, or traffic-related loads, whic...
Rayleigh Scattering Density Measurements, Cluster Theory, and Nucleation Calculations at Mach 10

In an exploratory investigation, quantitative unclustered laser Rayleigh scattering measurements of density were performed in the air in the NASA Langley Research Center's 31 in. Mach 10 wind tunnel. A review of 20 previous years of data in supersonic and Mach 6 hypersonic flows is presented where clustered signals typically overwhelmed molecular signals. A review of nucleation theory and accompanying nucleation calculations are also provided to interpret the current observed lack of clustering. Data were acquired at a fixed stagnation temperature near 990Kat five stagnation pressures spanning 2.41 to 10.0 MPa (350 to 1454 psi) using a pulsed argon fluoride excimer laser and double-intensified charge-coupled device camera. Data averaged over 371 images and 210 pixels along a 36.7mmline measured freestream densities that agree with computed isentropic-expansion densities to less than 2% and less than 6% at the highest and lowest densities, respectively. Cluster-free Mach 10 results are compared with previous clustered Mach 6 and condensation-free Mach 14 results. Evidence is presented indicating vibrationally excited oxygen and nitrogen molecules are absorbed as the clusters form, release their excess energy, and inhibit or possibly reverse the clustering process. Implications for delaying clustering and condensation onset in hypersonic and hypervelocity facilities are discussed.
Variations of cloudiness, precipitable water, and relative humidity over the United States: 1973–1993

Water vapor variables were calculated from radiosonde stations in each of six U.S. regions for which cloudiness observations were available. Associations among variations of cloudiness, precipitable water and relative humidity during the 1973–93 period over the U.S. as a whole and in the six regions were determined. Trends in the quantities as well as relations among seasonal variations have been examined. There was a general increase in precipitable water in each season and in each region and a suggestion of increases in relative humidity. These were not accompanied by a general increase in cloudiness that was significant. However, there were significant correlations between seasonal anomalies of cloudiness and both relative humidity and precipitable water.
Effects of particulate complex refractive index and particle size distribution variations on atmospheric extinction and absorption for visible through middle ir wavelengths

A comprehensive sensitivity study has been made using Mie theory to determine the effect of realistic variations in values of real and imaginary parts of the complex index of refraction on volume extinction and absorption coefficients for a wide range of log normal particle size distributions (defined by geometric mean radius r(g) and geometric standard deviation sigma(g)). Wavelengths lambda from the visible (0.55 microm) through the middle ir (10.6 microm) were considered. Extinction is independent of the complex index to within 20% for the majority of realistic particle size distributions, providing lambda < 2 microm. However, changes in extinction by up to an order of magnitude are caused by realistic variations in refractive indexes for 2 microm </= lambda </= 10.6 microm, with the real index being more important in affecting extinction than the imaginary index. Similar changes are caused by variations in particle size distribution for values of refractive indexes typical of atmospheric constituents. For bimodal size distributions representative of desert aerosols, values of the complex refractive index that result in minimum and maximum extinction coefficients are given. Absorption is generally less dependent on size distribution than is extinction and is not, in general, linear with the imaginary index, especially for broad particle distributions.
The Asymmetric Golden Code for Fast Decoding on Time-Varying Channels

The golden code is a full-rate full-diversity space---time code for the two-input two-output channel with good performance but high decoding complexity. The overlaid Alamouti codes were recently proposed as an alternative; in exchange for a slight performance penalty, they have lower decoding complexity on quasistatic channels with QAM alphabets. However, the complexity advantage of the overlaid codes vanishes for time-varying channels. This paper proposes the asymmetric golden code, a novel full-rate and full-diversity space---time code for the two-input two-output channel that offers reduced-complexity decoding on both quasistatic and time-varying channels.
Length and appearance of projections on neuronal microtubules in vitro after negative staining: evidence against a crosslinking function for MAPs

The length and appearance of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) on microtubules reconstituted in vitro have been investigated by the negative-staining technique. We found that uranyl acetate (UA) causes the normally extended MAPs on microtubules to coil up into globular projections 7–10 nm in length. This perturbation occurred if the microtubules reacted with UA before they became adsorbed to the grid surface. If the microtubules were adsorbed to the grid surface before staining, the MAPs remained as extended, filamentous molecules, 35–40 nm in length. Glutaraldehyde also caused MAPs to coil into globular structures. In the altered, globular configuration, MAPs served to crosslink pairs of microtubules. In the normal filamentous configuration, MAPs were never seen to crosslink pairs of microtubules. Therefore, we concluded that MAPs do not function as crosslinking proteins between microtubules.
Response of eight sorghum cultivars inoculated with Fusarium thapsinum, Curvularia lunata, and a mixture of the two fungi

Abstract Field studies were conducted in 2000 and 2001 to investigate effects of two common grain mold fungi, Fusarium thapsinum, Curvularia lunata and a mixture of the two pathogens, on grain mold severity and seed germination in eight sorghum cultivars with different levels of vulnerability to grain mold. Significant effects due to cultivar, fungal treatment and their interaction were observed for grain mold severity (GMS) and for germination. Fungal treatments increased GMS and reduced seed germination in all cultivars. Sureno was the most resistant cultivar evaluated. All other cultivars exhibited susceptible reactions. The type of grain mold fungi present in the field influenced the level of GMS, since cultivars responded differently to inoculation with individual or multiple fungal species. Germination was significantly reduced by all fungal treatments. C. lunata had the most negative effect on germination in 2000 while F. thapsinum produced the most reduction in germination in 2001. These pathogens caused significant reductions in the germination rate, even though GMS ratings on inoculated panicles were low.
Bribery solicitations and firm performance in the Latin America and Caribbean region

Abstract This study shows that for firms in the Latin America and Caribbean region, bribery significantly distorts firm growth. Firms that were solicited for bribes when conducting business transactions – such as applying for permits, electricity, or water connections – have 23% lower annual sales growth than firms that do not face such solicitations. Moreover, these distortions are more severe for low-revenue-generating and young firms. Using the instrumental variables method on cross-sectional data as well as evidence from panel data, the authors show that these results are robust to different specifications and the use of different sub-samples.
Direct current reduces wound edema after full-thickness burn injury in rats

Objective : To observe the effect of 4 and 40 μA direct current (DC) on edema formation after burn injury in rats. Design, Materials, and Methods : Silver-nylon wound dressings were used as either anodes (-) or cathodes (+) on 20% total body surface area full-thickness scalds in anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats. Untreated burned rats and rats treated with silver-nylon dressings without current were used as controls. Measurements and Main Results : Immediately applied, continuous DC reduced burn edema by 17 to 48% at different times up to 48 hours postburn (p < 0.001). Neither reversal of electrode polarity nor change in current density had any significant effect on the results of treatment. Starting treatment during the first 8 hours postburn produced the least edema accumulation, but the reduction was significant even when DC was applied 36 hours afterburn. If started immediately after injury, treatment had to be continued a minimum of 8 hours to be most effective. Conclusions : Direct electric current has a beneficial effect in reducing wound edema after burn injury.
Ceramic production in ancient Nasca: provenance analysis of pottery from the Early Nasca and Tiza cultures through INAA

Abstract We report the results of an instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) undertaken on a regional sample of pottery from the Southern Nasca Region. The samples included specimens primarily from the Early Nasca (ca. A.D. 1–450) and Tiza (ca. A.D. 1000–1476) cultures from a total of 16 different prehispanic sites. The results of the analysis demonstrate centralized production of Early Nasca polychromes and decentralized production of pottery from the Tiza culture. The results of this analysis confirm previous conclusions about the organization of these two indigenous cultures of the south coast of Peru and support the hypothesis of an excess production of polychromes at the ceremonial center Cahuachi for Early Nasca, and multiple centers of production for the Tiza culture.
Frequency of sexual dysfunction in "normal" couples.

In analyzing the responses of 100 predominantly white, well educated and happily married couples to a self-report questionnaire, this study examined the frequency of sexual problems experienced and the relations of those problems to sexual satisfaction. Although over 80 per cent of the couples reported that their marital and sexual relations were happy and satisfying, 40 per cent of the men reported erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction, and 63 per cent of the women reported arousal or orgasmic dysfunction. In addition, 50 per cent of the men and 77 per cent of the women reported difficulty that was not dysfunctional in nature (e.g., lack of interest or inability to relax). The number of "difficulties" reported was more strongly and consistently related to overall sexual dissatisfaction than the number of "dysfunctions."
MIMO Radar Waveform Design With Constant Modulus and Similarity Constraints

We consider the problem of waveform design for Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) radar in the presence of signal-dependent interference embedded in white Gaussian disturbance. We present two sequential optimization procedures to maximize the Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR), accounting for a constant modulus constraint as well as a similarity constraint involving a known radar waveform with some desired properties (e.g., in terms of pulse compression and ambiguity). The presented sequential optimization algorithms, based on a relaxation method, yield solutions with good accuracy. Their computational complexity is linear in the number of iterations and trials in the randomized procedure and polynomial in the receive filter length. Finally, we evaluate the proposed techniques, by considering their SINR performance, beam pattern as well as pulse compression property, via numerical simulations.
A METHODOLOGY AND SUPPORT TOOLS FOR ANALYSIS OF REAL-TIME SPECIFICATIONS

As software control of time-critical functions in embedded systems becomes more common, a means for the precise specification of their behavior and formal methods for analyzing system requirements become increasingly important. Modechart is a graphical specification language introduced to meet this need. The main focus of this paper is on methods and supporting tools for representing and reasoning about properties of time-critical systems specified in Modechart. The paper describes a verification methodology which takes advantage of the structuring inherent in a Modechart specification to determine whether a system specification satisfies the required properties. The paper also describes the implementation of a mechanical verifier, based on the proposed approach, which has been recently integrated as part of the Modechart Toolset prototype development environment from the Naval Research Lab [7].
An assay to detect chemically induced DNA repair in rat spermatocytes.

An in vivo/in vitro DNA repair assay has been developed to quantitate chemically induced unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) in rat spermatocytes utilizing autoradiography. Male Fischer-344 rats were treated by i.p. injection or gavage with a variety of genotoxic agents dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide, corn oil, or water. At selected times after treatment, spermatocytes were isolated by trypsin digestion of testes and cultured for 24 hr in the presence of 3H-thymidine. The direct-acting genotoxicants methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and ethyl methanesulfonate and the chemotherapeutic agent cyclophosphamide (CPA) produced positive UDS responses in spermatocytes isolated 1 hr after i.p. injection. The UDS response evoked by either CPA or MMS was maximal within 1 hr after injection and declined rapidly thereafter to control levels. Other known genotoxicants--including dimethylnitrosamine, aflatoxin B1, 2-acetylaminofluorene, 2,6-dinitrotoluene, and 1,6-dinitropyrene--failed to induce UDS, even with routes of administration and at times of exposure known to produce a positive response in hepatocytes. This negative response is consistent with these genotoxicants lack of mutagenic effect in rodent germ cells. These results demonstrate that the in vivo/in vitro spermatocyte DNA repair assay may be useful as a predictive screen for germ cell mutagens. Moreover, by its compatibility with similar assays which utilize other tissues from the same treated animal, this assay permits assessment of the organ specificity of the genotoxic response.
Preservice Teachers’ Emotion-Related Regulation and Cognition: Associations With Teachers’ Responses to Children's Emotions in Early Childhood Classrooms

Research Findings: The present research examines preservice teachers’ (N = 24) self-reported emotion-related regulation and cognition as predictors of their observed responses to young children's positive and negative emotional displays. Correlation and regression analyses revealed that teachers reporting greater reappraisal strategies in regulating their own emotions provided more supportive responses to children's negative emotions and fewer nonsupportive responses to children's positive emotions. In addition, teachers reporting more accepting beliefs about children's emotions exhibited more supportive responses to children's negative emotions, but only when they also reported high levels of reappraisal. Lastly, teachers reporting higher levels of perspective taking exhibited more supportive and fewer nonsupportive responses to children's negative emotions. Of note is that perspective taking was associated with greater support of negative emotions only when teachers also reported low or moderate levels ...
U.S. Health System Performance: A National Scorecard

This paper presents the findings of a new scorecard designed to assess and monitor multiple domains of U.S. health system performance. The scorecard uses national and international data to identify performance benchmarks and calculates simple ratio scores comparing U.S averages to benchmarks. Average ratio scores range from 51 to 71 across domains of health outcomes, quality, access, equity, and efficiency. The overall picture that emerges from the scorecard is one of missed opportunities and room for improvement. The findings underscore the importance of policies that take a coherent, whole-system approach to change and address the interaction of access, quality, and cost.