cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The anharmonic librational energy levels of the ammonium ion in the low-temperature phase of ammonium chloride

Abstract The energy levels due to the motion of the ammonium ion in the ordered phase of ammonium chloride are computed by diagonalizing the Hamiltonian matrices. These computed energy levels are in good agreement with the lower four anharmonic levels observed by neutron inelastic incoherent scattering, Raman spectra, and infrared spectra. The J =4 and J =6 terms of the rotational potential function are determined from atom-atom potentials of the Buckingham exp-6 type. The J = 3 term in the potential, which is due to the ammonium-ammonium interaction, is adjusted so that the computed and observed librational frequencies agree.
An Open-Source Honeynet System to Study System Banner Message Effects on Hackers

A honeynet system deploys a series of honeypots to answer vital questions about the activities of hackers on a network and can be used as a platform for direct experimentation to test criminological theory in an online environment. Often however, such systems can be hard to set up, generate large amounts of unfiltered data, and must be carefully monitored to prevent their being used as a platform for further attacks. This paper discusses the development of a honeynet system that computing professionals and researchers can set up, scale, and use with relative ease. The system monitors intruders' activities on individual honeypots then aggregates their movements into a single database, making the data easily accessible and searchable for study through a graphical front-end. To test this open-source solution, the authors replicate a portion of a seminal criminological study by Maimon et al. [4] finding corroborating evidence that system warning banner messages can produce significant effects limiting hackers' time spent on compromised computer systems.
Development and commercialization of oxygenated diesel fuels from waste vegetable oils

Abstract Vegetable oils and animal fats (triglycerides) were the first liquid fuels used in the rise of civilization, and now again are a potential source of alternate diesel fuel. They are 20 times as viscous as diesel fuel, however, and so form carbon deposits on diesel cylinders and injectors. They are also typically $3–$5/gallon, and so are too expensive to compete economically with diesel today. A number of solutions have been proposed for these problems, including transesterification, dilution, pyrolysis and microemulsification. The viscosity can be lowered by transesterification of the triglycerides with methanol or ethanol to form fatty acid esters. This cleaves the fat molecule and removes the glycerine, yielding a viscosity comparable to that of diesel. The heat of combustion is 95% of that for conventional diesel (on a volume basis). They have a Cetane number of 50–80 (compared to 42 for diesel). The cost of the fuel can be reduced by using waste vegetable cooking oils. There are 350 million gallons of waste vegetable oil produced annually in the U.S.A., and various quantities available in other countries. We have developed a process for making the esters from waste vegetable oils and we call the fuel “M-Diesel”. The oil is reacted with sodium hydroxide dissolved in methanol. A sufficient quantity of alkali is used to neutralize the fatty acids in the waste oil plus 0.3% excess. A batch of 300 gallons was made for testing. We have tested the fuel in a Denver public bus and find power comparable to that of diesel. A 30% blend with diesel reduced smoke opacity to 60% of that from diesel, while neat M-Diesel reduced the opacity to 26% of that of diesel. Tests of 10 and 20% mixtures are now underway.
REACTIVITY OF FORMULATED METAL OXIDE SORBENTS WITH HOT HYDROGEN SULFIDE

Three metal oxide sorbents, labeled TU-19, TU-24, and TU-25 were formulated with zinc oxide powder as an active sorbent ingredient, bentonite as a binding material, and titanium oxide as a supporting metal oxide. Equilibrium absorption of H2S into sorbents increases with concentrations of H2S. Reactivity of sorbents increases with increased reaction temperatures. Reaction rates of H2S with the sorbent increase with increased amounts of sorbents. A cylindrical rod model for a H2S-metal-oxide-sorbent reaction system was developed with experimental reaction data obtained from a constant-volume batch reactor to compute intraparticle diffusivity of H2S through sorbent matrix. An initial reaction rate equation was developed with initial experimental reaction data. Thermodynamic equilibrium constant for a heterogeneous H2S-sorbent reaction keeps H2S concentrations constant, in spite of increasing sorbent amounts in a constant-volume batch reactor. Partial pressures of hydrogen appear to affect significantly equi...
How group forces demonstrate the malleability of gendered behavior

In this brief response, we take up several themes raised by the scholars who responded to our work, paying special attention to the interaction between individuals and group contexts. We argue that our study represents a productive first step in the attempt to understand how norms shape individual behavior, discursive dynamics, collective outcomes, and overall authority in small-group settings.
Real-Time Estimation of Rollover Index for Tripped Rollovers With a Novel Unknown Input Nonlinear Observer

Accurate detection of the danger of an impending rollover is necessary for active vehicle rollover prevention systems. A real-time rollover index is an indicator used for this purpose. A traditional rollover index detects only untripped rollovers that happen due to high lateral acceleration from a sharp turn. It fails to detect tripped rollovers that happen due to tripping from external inputs such as forces when a vehicle strikes a curb or a road bump. Therefore, this paper develops a novel new rollover index that can detect both tripped and untripped rollovers. A methodology is developed for estimation of unknown inputs in a class of nonlinear systems. The methodology is based on the nonlinear observer design and dynamic model inversion to compute the unknown inputs from output measurements. The observer design utilizes the mean value theorem to express the nonlinear estimation error dynamics as a convex combination of known matrices with time-varying coefficients. The observer gains are then obtained by solving linear matrix inequalities. The developed approach can enable observer design for a large class of differentiable nonlinear systems with a globally (or locally) bounded Jacobian. The developed nonlinear observer is then applied for rollover index estimation. The developed rollover index is also evaluated through simulations with an industry standard software, CARSIM, and with experimental tests on a 1/8th scaled vehicle. In order to verify that the scaled vehicle experiments can represent a full-sized vehicle, the Buckingham π theorem is used to show dynamic similarity. The simulation and experimental results show that the developed nonlinear observer can reliably estimate vehicle states, unknown normal tire forces, and rollover index for predicting both untripped and tripped rollovers.
High-extinction-ratio resonant cavity polarizer for quantum-optics measurements

The use of a high-finesse Fabry-Perot ring cavity with an odd number of reflections as a high-extinction-ratio resonant polarizer is shown. Experimental results from quantum-noise measurements using resonant cavities as spatial and spectral filters and precision polarizers are presented.
Nanoscale Morphology of Poly(styrene-ran-methacrylic acid) Ionomers: The Role of Preparation Method, Thermal Treatment, and Acid Copolymer Structure

This study probes the importance of preparation method, thermal treatment, and monomer structure in determining the nanoscale morphology of ionomers using both X-ray scattering and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). A Cu-neutralized poly(styrene-ran-methacrylic acid) (SMAA) ionomer was isolated from solution by three different methods (room temperature solvent casting, solvent casting at elevated temperature, and precipitation) having different rates of nanoscale structure formation. While both solvent cast films exhibit typical ionomer scattering and uniform spherical ionic aggregates via STEM, the precipitated material shows no ionomer scattering peak and STEM imaging detects Cu-rich regions of various size, shape, and separation. Upon annealing the precipitated material, the morphology becomes indistinguishable from that prepared by solvent casting, indicating that thermal treatment drives the metastable morphology of precipitated Cu-SMAA ionomers toward a lower energy state. Next, the i...
Empirical distributions of F(ST) from large-scale human polymorphism data.

Studies of the apportionment of human genetic variation have long established that most human variation is within population groups and that the additional variation between population groups is small but greatest when comparing different continental populations. These studies often used Wright’s FST that apportions the standardized variance in allele frequencies within and between population groups. Because local adaptations increase population differentiation, high-FST may be found at closely linked loci under selection and used to identify genes undergoing directional or heterotic selection. We re-examined these processes using HapMap data. We analyzed 3 million SNPs on 602 samples from eight worldwide populations and a consensus subset of 1 million SNPs found in all populations. We identified four major features of the data: First, a hierarchically FST analysis showed that only a paucity (12%) of the total genetic variation is distributed between continental populations and even a lesser genetic variation (1%) is found between intra-continental populations. Second, the global FST distribution closely follows an exponential distribution. Third, although the overall FST distribution is similarly shaped (inverse J), FST distributions varies markedly by allele frequency when divided into non-overlapping groups by allele frequency range. Because the mean allele frequency is a crude indicator of allele age, these distributions mark the time-dependent change in genetic differentiation. Finally, the change in mean-FST of these groups is linear in allele frequency. These results suggest that investigating the extremes of the FST distribution for each allele frequency group is more efficient for detecting selection. Consequently, we demonstrate that such extreme SNPs are more clustered along the chromosomes than expected from linkage disequilibrium for each allele frequency group. These genomic regions are therefore likely candidates for natural selection.
Pathogenesis of port wine stains. A new hypothesis

Port wine stains have been shown to be lesions formed by the progressive dilatation of vessels within the superficial cutaneous vascular plexus. Previous investigators have been unable to define abnormalities of vessel structure or perivascular stromal tissues. We, however, have demonstrated morphologically that port wine stains are lacking proper innervation, and have shown them to behave differently than normal skin, physiologically. Dermal vessels are under the control of sympathetic nerves which course through the dermis and cause vasoconstriction without a parasympathetic system for counterregulation. We, therefore, propose that continued blood flow in the absence of tonic modulation is the basis for the vascular ectasia that characterizes the port wine stain.
A systematic optical study of phonon properties in optimally doped Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ single crystals

Abstract A systematic optical study of infrared-active phonons is carried out for optimally doped Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ (Bi2212) single crystals with E-vector along c-axis as well as in the ab-plane at 295 K. Strong phonon anisotropy has been observed in our ab-plane conductivity measurements. Ten infrared-active phonons have been observed along c-axis. Many of these c-axis infrared-active phonons have energies that are very close to the Raman-active A1g modes. The group theory analysis based on the tetragonal group (D4h) is inadequate to explain our experimental observations.
Early surgical intervention versus medical expulsive therapy for renal colic

derwent retrograde intra-renal surgery (RIRs) using ureteral access sheath from March 2010 to october 2010 in two different centrers. There were 92 men and 44 women with mean age was 51.6 years (ranged from 14 to 84). All UAS were 12 14 Fr. Group of patients (39.7 %) were pre-stented. At the end of procedure, ureteric injuries were evaluated clinically through endoscopic exploration. Therefore, we presented our classification of ureteric endoscopic injuries based on the anatomy of ureteric wall. When different types of injuries coexist, the higher grade was documented. Factors that affect clinical outcomes were evaluated statistically. RESULTS: From our data, 68 patients (50%) had no ureteric injury at the end of procedure. On the other hand, 68 patients had at least one iatrogenic injury of the ureteric wall. We reported, 47 patients with ureteral injury grade 1 (35%), 15 with grade 2 (11%) and 6 with ureteric perforation (4%). Patients characteristics such as age, gender, body mass index and history of previous ureteroscopy were not statistically significant. Nevertheless, the incidence of ureteric injuries was significantly lower in pre-stenting patients (p 0.0001). Moreover, operative time was correlated to the icidence of ureteraic injuries (p 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Insertion of ureteral access sheath during RIRS procedure may induce severe ureteric injuries. Ureteral prestenting reduces significantly the incidence of this complication.
Subnanosecond incubation times for electric-field-induced metallization of a correlated electron oxide

Strong interactions, or correlations, between the d or f electrons in transition-metal oxides lead to various types of metal-insulator transitions that can be triggered by external parameters such as temperature, pressure, doping, magnetic fields and electric fields. Electric-field-induced metallization of such materials from their insulating states could enable a new class of ultrafast electronic switches and latches. However, significant questions remain about the detailed nature of the switching process. Here, we show, in the canonical metal-to-insulator transition system V₂O₃, that ultrafast voltage pulses result in its metallization only after an incubation time that ranges from ∼150 ps to many nanoseconds, depending on the electric field strength. We show that these incubation times can be accounted for by purely thermal effects and that intrinsic electronic-switching mechanisms may only be revealed using larger electric fields at even shorter timescales.
Solid-phase parallel synthesis of substituted dihydroimidazolylbutyl dihydroimidazol-3-ium salts

Abstract The solid-phase synthesis of pentasubstituted dihydroimidazolylbutyl dihydroimidazol-3-ium salts is described. Following reduction of Nα and Ne-diacylated dipeptide derived from resin-bound Nα-Fmoc-Ne-Boc- l -lysine, the resulting tetra-amine was selectively N-acylated at two positions with a carboxylic acid, with the N-acylation most likely occurring at the two internal amines. Treatment of this compound with POCl3 yielded the resin-bound pentasubstituted dihydroimidazolylbutyl dihydroimidazol-3-ium salt. The compounds were cleaved from the solid-support and extracted with 95% acetic acid in water.
Green Peach Aphid: Magnification of Field Populations on Potatoes

Interplanting of pre-infested Chinese cabbage, Brassica oleracea L., Pekinensis Group, into potato field plots was an effective method for enhancing infestations of Myzus persicae (Sulzer) in potatoes. Populations on inter planted plots were as much as 10.7-fold greater than on noninterplanted plots. This technique can be useful to field researchers in augmenting natural field infestations of the green peach aphid.
Radiosynthesis and evaluation of an (18)F-labeled positron emission tomography (PET) radioligand for brain histamine subtype-3 receptors based on a nonimidazole 2-aminoethylbenzofuran chemotype

A known chemotype of H(3) receptor ligand was explored for development of a radioligand for imaging brain histamine subtype 3 (H(3)) receptors in vivo with positron emission tomography (PET), namely nonimidazole 2-aminoethylbenzofurans, represented by the compound (R)-(2-(2-(2-methylpyrrolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzofuran-5-yl)(4-fluorophenyl)methanone (9). Compound 9 was labeled with fluorine-18 (t(1/2) = 109.7 min) in high specific activity by treating the prepared nitro analogue (12) with cyclotron-produced [(18)F]fluoride ion. [(18)F]9 was studied with PET in mouse and in monkey after intravenous injection. [(18)F]9 showed favorable properties as a candidate PET radioligand, including moderately high brain uptake with a high proportion of H(3) receptor-specific signal in the absence of radiodefluorination. The nitro compound 12 was found to have even higher H(3) receptor affinity, indicating the potential of this chemotype for the development of further promising PET radioligands.
Date rape: A feminist analysis

This paper shows how the mythology surrounding rape enters into a criterion of ‘reasonableness’ which operates through the legal system to make women vulnerable to unscrupulous victimization. It explores the possibility for changes in legal procedures and presumptions that would better serve women's interests and leave them less vulnerable to sexual violence. This requires that we reformulate the criterion of consent in terms of what is reasonable from a woman's point of view.
The regio- and stereo- selective epoxidation of alkenes with methyl trioxorhenium and urea-hydrogen peroxide adduct

Abstract Alkenes are expoxidized with methyltrioxorhenium and urea-hydrogen peroxide adduct in CH2Cl2 solution.
Remembering RIC Pfeffer, Celebrating His Work

This speech was given in a homage celebration to Ric Pfeffer on the occasion of his retirement. The article pays tribute to Ric's life and work, showing how his commitment to improve the life and working conditions of the population of the United States led him to stand up to many powerful forces that determined the nature of awards and visibility in this country. The article concludes that it is because of people like Ric Pfeffer that the quality of life improves for working people, even though the establishment of this country, responsible for most of what is wrong, marginalizes and ignores them.
The detection of Salmonella typhimurium on shell eggs using a phage-based biosensor

This paper presents the direct detection of Salmonella typhimurium on shell eggs using a phage-based magnetoelastic (ME) biosensor. The ME biosensor consists of a ME resonator as the sensor platform and E2 phage as the biorecognition element that is genetically engineered to specifically bind with Salmonella typhimurium . The ME biosensor, which is a wireless sensor, vibrates with a characteristic resonant frequency under an externally applied magnetic field. Multiple sensors can easily be remotely monitored. Multiple measurement and control sensors were placed on the shell eggs contaminated by Salmonella typhimurium solutions with different known concentrations. The resonant frequency of sensors before and after the exposure to the spiked shell eggs was measured. The frequency shift of the measurement sensors was significantly different than the control sensors indicating Salmonella contamination. Scanning electron microscopy was used to confirm binding of Salmonella to the sensor surface and the resulting frequency shift results.
Do dietary supplements have beneficial health effects in industrialized nations: what is the evidence?

Background: Dietary supplements are regularly used by at least half of the American population, yet the health benefits of these agents are unclear. Objective: A systematic review to determine the benefits and risks of dietary supplements in Westernized societies. Data Sources: MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials and citation review of relevant articles. Study Selection: Randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials in non-pregnant Westernized adults that evaluated clinical outcomes of nutritional supplements. Data Extraction: Data were abstracted on study design, study size, study setting, patient population, dietary intervention and clinical outcomes. The outcome of each study was classified as non-beneficial, beneficial or harmful according to whether theend-point(s) of interest reached statistical significance. Data Synthesis: Sixty-three studies met the criteria for our systematic review. No benefit was recorded in 45 studies, with 10 of these showing a trend towards harm and wit...
Bimorph Piezoelectric Cymbal Design in Energy Harvesting

This paper presents the development of a bimorph piezoelectric cymbal energy harvester that is particularly useful for extracting energy from the vibrating systems of relatively high compressive load. The bimorph cymbal harvester can be used to charge a capacitor or a battery through the piezoelectric layers fitted within the metal end caps under repeated compression or deformation.In this work, feasibility of a bimorph piezoelectric cymbal harvester in series operation is investigated through theoretical analysis and experimental validation. The bimorph cymbal uses a composite disc of two piezoelectric layers and a steel substrate between metal end caps.Theoretical modeling to quantify the generated energy by using bimorph cymbal design is first conducted. A parametric study is then performed to optimize generated energy with the dominant design parameters influencing energy harvesting performance for the cymbal structure. The parameters such as thickness of the end caps, radius ratio of the apex to the cavity of the end caps, cavity depth, and thickness ratio of the piezoelectric to the steel substrate are considered. Based on the optimized dimension, a cymbal harvester was fabricated and tested to validate analytically predicted open-circuit voltage on a hand jack type test rig.Experimental result indicates that the measured open-circuit voltage from the bimorph cymbal harvester is less than that of analytically predicted. However, it shows that the bimorph piezoelectric cymbal structure is an alternative cymbal design that is useful for harvesting energy from the source of relatively high load.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Optical Properties and Electronic Structure of Solid Silicon

The existence of an empty (conduction) band 1.5 or 2.0 volts above the highest filled band in metallic-looking semi-conductors such as silicon and certain sulfides is inferred from the optical properties of these substances. Reflectivity data of silicon are examined with the aid of the expression for the complex index of refraction as given by classical electromagnetic theory. Through use of this expression, which is checked for internal consistency, an oscillator strength of 1.6 electrons is calculated for the absorption, and a dielectric constant at low frequencies of 12.5 is computed. The Wigner-Seitz-Slater method of computing electronic energy bands in crystals is used to determine the band structure of silicon. A combination of one $s$, three $p$, and three $d$ functions for each of the two atoms in the unit cell is made, and through use of boundary conditions of continuity of value, of normal, and of tangential derivatives, a solution is obtained for the plane $x=y$. The resulting band structure closely resembles that obtained by Kimball for the diamond, except that silicon is more nearly metallic than is the diamond. The $3s$ level of the silicon atom splits into two bands, the $3p$ level into six bands, and the $3d$ level into six bands; the two $3s$ bands and the lowest two $3p$ bands are completely filled by electrons. At the observed half-distance between nearest neighbors, the gap between the uppermost filled band and the lowest empty band is much greater than that expected from consideration of the optical data. The form of the optical absorption as expected from band structure considerations is proposed. The width of the filled bands as observed in soft x-ray emission spectra is about equal to the width of the computed bands.
Biobehavioral factors in cancer pain

Abstract Despite the presence of pathology in cancer pain, the pain experience in adult cancer patients cannot be totally explained by the extent of such pathology. Unlike chronic benign pain very little research on the role of biobehavioral factors has been conducted to help explain this paradox. The literature on the role of biobehavioral factors in the cancer pain experience is reviewed. A brief review of epidemiology and pathophysiology is presented. Following this, the biobehavioral literature was organized according to research on psychological characteristics and environmental factors. Research addressing affective, cognitive, behavioral and physiological reactions to pain was also discussed. Despite the paucity of studies, the review suggested the following: 1. (1) personality factors do not appear to play a consistent role in the modulation of pain in cancer patients; 2. (2) the work on environmental influences on cancer pain indicate a weak association between such factors as social network and pain intensity; 3. (3) studies on affective state indicate minimal relationships to pain, and lastly, 4. (4) studies on cognitive responses to pain in cancer patients and their influence on the pain experience have not been conducted. To date, in the areas where biobehavioral factors have been investigated, the findings appear modest. However, many potential variables, e.g., self-esteem, the role of family, the role of models, past or current work environments, social learning factors and responses to pain such as fear, somatization and reattribution have not been explored with cancer patients. While the influence of biobehavioral factors in adult cancer pain appear to be relatively modest, the literature is not extensive. Increased efforts at more precisely determining the input of such factors in cancer pain are warranted, particularly given the role of such variables in other recurrent and chronic pain states.
Subnormal and hyponormal generators of C*-algebras

For a Hilbert space operator A, that is not a normal operator, we give some necessary conditions on the thickness of the spectrum of A for C*(A) to have a subnormal generator. When A is irreducible and essentially normal, whether or not C*(A) has a subnormal generator depends only on the spectral picture of A. We show that under certain conditions on the essential spectrum and Fredholm index function of A that C*(A) has a subnormal or a hyponormal generator.
Viscoelastic deformation during thermal cycling of adhesively bonded optical coatings

Temperature-dependent structural deformation in bonded optical materials and dielectric layers has been investigated. Structures of silicon, zinc sulfide, and diamond disks bonded to each other by a thin film of thermoplastic wax adhesive have undergone low-temperature thermal cycling in order to simulate service environments. The deformation, which may adversely affect optical properties of sensitive optical coatings, was measured as a function of temperature and time. An expected amount of elastic deformation due to thermal stresses was numerically modeled for the structures and compared to the actual observed behavior. At temperatures greater than an elastic/inelastic threshold of the adhesive layer, an irreversible deformation within all structures was observed in which the deformation deviated from the numerical elastic model. The viscoelastic behavior within the adhesive film proved to have a significant effect on the deformation of the structure and would consequently affect the optical properties of the device.
Reinforced plastics and aerogels by nanocrystalline cellulose

Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC), a rigid rod-like nanoscale material, can be produced from cellulosic biomass in powder, liquid, or gel forms by acid and chemical hydrolysis. Owing to its unique and exceptional physicochemical properties, the incorporation of a small amount of NCC into plastic enhances the mechanical strength of the latter by several orders of magnitudes. Carbohydrate-based NCC poses no serious environmental concerns, providing further impetus for the development and applications of this green and renewable biomaterial to fabricate lightweight and biodegradable composites and aerogels. Surface functionalization of NCC remains the main focus of NCC research to tailor its properties for dispersion in hydrophilic or hydrophobic media. It is of uttermost importance to develop tools and protocols for imaging of NCC in a complex matrix and quantify its reinforcement effect.
WE-E-141-02: An Improvement in IMRT QA Results and Beam Matching in LINACs Using Statistical Process Control

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to apply the principles of Statistical Process Control (SPC) in the context of patient specific IMRT QA to set clinic specific action limits and evaluate the impact of changes to the MLC calibrations on IMRT QA results. Methods: Ten months of IMRT QA data with 247 unique QAs collected on three beam matched LINACS were retrospectively analyzed with a focus on the Gamma Pass Rate (GPR) and the average ratio between the measured and planned doses. Initial control charts and action limits were calculated. Based on this data, changes were made to the leaf gap parameter for the MLCs to improve the consistency between LINACS. This leaf gap parameter is tested monthly using a MLC sweep test. A follow up data set with 119 unique QAs was used to evaluate the impact of the leaf gap parameter change. Results: The initial data average GPR was 98.6 % with an SPC action limit of 93.7%. The average ratio of doses was 1.003 with an upper action limit of 1.017 and a lower action limit of .989. The sweep test results for the LINACS were −1.8%, 0%, and +1.2% from nominal. After the adjustment of the leaf gap parameter all sweep test results were within .4% of nominal. Subsequently, the average GPR was 99.4 % with an SPC action limit of 97.3%. The average ratio of doses was 1.003 with an upper action limit of 1.017 and a lower action limit of .989. Conclusion: Applying the principles of SPC to IMRT QA allowed small differences between closely matched LINACS to be identified and reduced. Ongoing analysis will monitor the process and be used to refine the clinical action limits for IMRT QA.
Modeling the law of demand in business simulators

A theoretical proof for the mathematical properties of the law of demand is presented. The properties differ significantly from the properties of demand functions commonly used in computerized business simulators. Using a probability distribution that has the mathematical properties required by the law of demand, a market demand model is presented. The new model satisfies economic and marketing theories of consumer behavior and offers considerably more simulation flexibility than possible with business simulators currently available. Suggestions for using the new model to simulate real industries are provided.
The Effects of Aging on Information-Processing Channels in the Sense of Touch: I. Absolute Sensitivity

Thresholds for detecting vibrotactile signals of variable frequency applied to the thenar eminence of the hand by small and large contactors were measured in subjects ranging in age from 10 to 89 years. Thresholds were found to increase as a function of age, but the rate of increase was greater after than before the age of 65 years. The rate of loss of vibrotactile sensitivity was substantially greater in the P channel (mediated by Pacinian corpuscles) than in the NP I channel (mediated by rapidly adapting fibers), the NP II channel (mediated by slowly adapting type II fibers), or the NP III channel (mediated by slowly adapting type I fibers). Women were frequently found to have greater sensitivity than men.
A new method for studying human polycystic kidney disease epithelia in culture

A new method for studying human polycystic kidney disease epithelia in culture. Human polycystic kidney disease (PKD) epithelia were successfully grown in culture and expressed abnormal characteristics. Cysts lining epithelia of superficial and deep cysts were microdissected and compared to individual normal human proximal straight tubules (PST) and cortical collecting tubules (CCT) grown in defined media. PKD cyst epithelia differed from normal renal tubular epithelia in growth patterns and structural and functional properties. PKD epithelia grew more rapidly and showed cyst–like areas in otherwise confluent monolayers. Polygonal and elongate cells contained an epithelial–specific cytokeratin antigen and had polarized morphology. An extremely abnormal basement membrane morphology was seen and consisted of some banded collagen and numerous unique blebs or spheroids. These blebs were apparently extruded from intracellular vacuoles and stained with ruthenium red, suggesting a proteoglycan component. Cytochemistry of marker enzymes demonstrated the presence of NaK-ATPase and alkaline phosphatase, but a lack of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase. The response of adenylate cyclase activity to vasopressin, parathyroid hormone, and forskolin was significantly diminished in PKD cells as compared to PST and CCT. These studies suggest a defect in cell growth and basement membrane synthesis in human PKD. Cultured PKD epithelia provide a new tool for the study of the pathogenesis of this disease.
A Generalized Model of Electrically Actuated, Microbeam-Based MEMS Devices

We present a model of electrically actuated microbeam-based MEMS devices incorporating the nonlinearities associated with moderately large displacements and electric forces. The model can handle any capacitor configuration disposing of the complete electrode-overlapping (parallel-plate theory) restriction. The boundary-value problem describing the static deflection of the microbeam under the electrostatic loading is solved numerically. The eigenvalue problem describing the vibration of the microbeam around its statically deflected position is solved numerically for the natural frequencies and mode shapes. Results generated by our model for the parallel-plate case are in agreement with published results. Our results show that the underlying assumptions of the closed-form formula of the parallelplate case underestimates the electrostatic force and leads to an overestimation of the pull-in voltage. The model provides an analytical tool to predict the static and dynamic response of any electrically actuated MEMS device based on clamped-clamped microbeams.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Wiki means more: hyperreading in Wikipedia

Based on the open-sourcing technology of wiki, Wikipedia has initiated a new fashion of hyperreading. Reading Wikipedia creates an experience distinct from reading a traditional encyclopedia. In an attempt to disclose one of the site's major appeals to the Web users, this paper approaches the characteristics of hyperreading activities in Wikipedia from three perspectives. Discussions are made regarding reading path, user participation, and navigational apparatus in Wikipedia.
Cognitive flexibility in phenotypes of pediatric bipolar disorder.

ABSTRACT Objective Clinicians and researchers debate whether children with chronic, nonepisodic irritability should receive the diagnosis of bipolar disorder (BD). To address this debate, we evaluated cognitive flexibility, or the ability to adapt to changing contingencies, in three groups of children: narrow-phenotype BD (NP-BD; full-duration manic episodes of elevated/expansive mood; N = 50; 13.1 ± 2.9 years), severe mood dysregulation (SMD; chronic, nonepisodic irritability; N = 44; 12.2 ± 2.1 years), and healthy controls (N = 43; 13.6 ± 2.4 years). Cognitive flexibility is relevant to symptoms of BD involving dysfunctional reward systems (e.g., excessive goal-directed activity and pleasure-seeking in mania; anhedonia in depression). Method We studied simple and compound reversal stages of the intra-/extradimensional shift task and change task that involves inhibiting a prepotent response and substituting a novel response. Results On the simple reversal, NP-BD youths were significantly more impaired than both the SMD group and controls. On the compound reversal, NP-BD and SMD youths performed worse than controls. On the change task, NP-BD youths were slower to adapt than SMD subjects. Conclusions Phenotypic differences in cognitive flexibility may reflect different brain/behavior mechanisms in these two patient populations.
Biosynthetic pathways for the Leb and Y glycolipids in the gastric carcinoma cell line KATO III as analyzed by a novel assay

The biosynthetic pathways for the difucosylated type 1 and 2 glycolipids, Leb and Y, respectively, were investigated in the gastric carcinoma cell line KATO III, using a novel chromatogram binding assay. The type of fucosylation obtained was deduced from the binding pattern of monoclonal antibodies specific for the biosynthesized glycolipid products using microsomal fractions as the source of enzyme, pure glycolipids and non-radioactive GDP-fucose as acceptor and donor substrates, respectively. The Leb glycolipid (Fuc alpha 1----2Gal beta 1----3GlcNAc(4----1 alpha Fuc) beta 1----3LacCer) was synthesized mainly via the blood group H, type 1, precursor (Fuc alpha 1----2Gal beta 1----3GlcNAc beta 1----3LacCer). However, the Lea glycolipid (Gal beta 1----3GlcNAc(4----1 alpha Fuc)beta 1----3LacCer) also served as a precursor for the alpha 1----2 fucosyltransferase, thus allowing conversion of Lea to Leb. This biosynthetic route represents either an "aberrant" specificity of the Fuc alpha 1----2 transferase associated with these gastric carcinoma cells and/or a new member of the alpha 1----2 fucosyltransferase family. The Y glycolipid (Fuc alpha 1----2Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc(3----1 alpha Fuc)beta 1----3LacCer) was synthesized exclusively via the classical pathway using the blood group H type 2 glycolipid (Fuc alpha 1----2Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1----3LacCer) as precursor. The X glycolipid (Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc(3----1 alpha Fuc)beta 1----3LacCer) did not serve as an acceptor substrate for the alpha 1----2 fucosyltransferase(s) present. The use of non-radioactive sugar-nucleotides as donor substrate, defined glycolipid precursors as acceptor substrates and of specific monoclonal anti-glycolipid antibodies for detection provides a rapid and highly specific assay for analyzing biosynthetic pathways of glycosyltransferases.
Control of the in-plane alignment and the critical current of polycrystalline YBa2Cu3O7 − x thin films

Abstract Biaxially aligned yttria-stabilized-zirconia (YSZ) buffer layers are prepared on polycrystalline substrates using ion-beam-assisted laser deposition. The effect of directional ion bombardment on in-plane texruring of YSZ layer is investigated by four-circle X-ray diffractometer. Without the assisting ion beam, uniaxially aligned YSZ layers are obtained at room temperature, exhibiting a preferred orientation of the grains with the [001] axis perpendicular to the substrate surface. With the assisting ion beam, the in-plane texture of YSZ layer is altered as the (110) plane tends to align in the direction of the incident ion beam. The X-ray φ scan of (111) poles shows that the in-plane alignment of the YSZ layer improves as the ion beam voltage increases in the range 200–450 V. The improvement of YSZ in plane alignment is also observed as the layer thickness increases. On the biaxially aligned YSZ buffer layers, superconducting YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 − x thin films are prepared and their transport critical current densities are found to be directly related to the in-plane alignment of the YBCO thin films. Using a numerical method to model the thin film as a matrix of two dimensional grains, a correlation is established between the line shape of X-ray φ scan and the measured critical current density of polycrystalline YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 − x thin film.
Axillary lymphatic malformations: Prenatal evaluation and postnatal outcomes

Abstract Background/Purpose The purpose of this study is to describe the prenatal findings and postnatal outcomes of fetuses with axillary lymphatic malformations. Methods Retrospective chart review of fetuses with the prenatal diagnosis of isolated axillary lymphatic malformation detected between 2009 and 2013. Results There were 8 fetuses diagnosed with isolated axillary lymphatic malformation. Median gestational age at diagnosis was 20.5 (19–28) weeks. All fetuses were evaluated by serial ultrasound and ultrafast fetal MRI. Two pregnancies were electively terminated. All continued pregnancies reached term, and all fetuses were delivered by cesarean section. None of the fetuses developed polyhydramnios or hydrops fetalis. Only one patient had an associated malformation (coarctation of the aorta). All patients were evaluated postnatally by MRI. Treatment included sclerotherapy only (1), sclerotherapy followed by surgical resection (1), surgical resection only (3), and observation (1). The median postnatal hospital stay was 8 (6–15) days. Three cases recurred after the initial treatment, two after surgery and one after sclerotherapy. On a median follow up of 2.1years, all patients have some degree of visible residual disease. There were no deaths. Conclusions Prenatal diagnosis of axillary lymphatic malformation is increasing with improved technology. Axillary lymphatic malformations are usually isolated developmental anomalies that do not affect fetal health. Postnatal management options include surgery, sclerotherapy, and observation. Recurrences and residual disease after all types of treatment are frequent. This should be communicated to the parents at the time of prenatal counseling.
Accelerator mass spectrometry of Strontium-90 for homeland security, environmental monitoring, and human health

Strontium-90 is one of the most hazardous materials managed by agencies charged with protecting the public from radiation. Traditional radiometric methods have been limited by low sample throughput and slow turnaround times. Mass spectrometry offers the advantage of shorter analysis times and the ability to measure samples immediately after processing, however conventional mass spectrometric techniques are susceptible to molecular isobaric interferences that limit their overall sensitivity. In contrast, accelerator mass spectrometry is insensitive to molecular interferences and we have therefore begun developing a method for determination of {sup 90}Sr by accelerator mass spectrometry. Despite a pervasive interference from {sup 90}Zr, our initial development has yielded an instrumental background of {approx} 10{sup 8} atoms (75 mBq) per sample. Further refinement of our system (e.g., redesign of our detector, use of alternative target materials) is expected to push the background below 10{sup 6} atoms, close to the theoretical limit for AMS. Once we have refined our system and developed suitable sample preparation protocols, we will utilize our capability in applications to homeland security, environmental monitoring, and human health.
Satellite sweeping in offset, tilted dipole fields

The paper presents a theory for the longitudinally averaged satellite sweeping rate in an offset, tilted dipole magnetic field. It includes the reductions in the sweeping rate when the moon radius is not large compared to the gyroradius or the azimuthal drift distance during a bounce period. With a large tilt angle between the magnetic and rotation axes, moons make large excursions in dipole L value, and more than one moon can sweep at a given L. The sweeping rate peaks at the minimum L for each moon. If the gyroradius is large, additional peaks can occur when the particle mirrors near the moon latitude. To illustrate the theory, sweeping rates are evaluated for parameters relevant to the observations at Uranus by the Voyager 2 Low Energy Charged Particles Experiment. Calculated sweeping rates for ions and electrons are typically two or three orders of magnitude less than the strong-diffusion loss rate. The observation of sweeping signatures at Uranus would imply that pitch-angle scattering there occurs at a rate far below the strong-diffusion limit, contrasting with the situation for energetic ions in the inner Jovian magnetosphere.
Eating and Drinking

In animal studies of motivation, hunger and thirst have traditionally been the most thoroughly investigated motives. In the Handbook of the Psychology of Aging (1977), Elias and Elias begin their review of motivation with animal studies of hunger-induced drives. This biologically based motivation is not reviewed in their section on human motivation and the subsequent editions of the Handbook do not discuss this topic. The 1977 review is of limited value for understanding these motives on the human level.
Selective inhibition of cyclic adenosine monophosphate-mediated pulmonary vasodilation by acute hypoxia

Background. Adult respiratory distress syndrome is characterized by hypoxia and acute pulmonary hypertension. Therefore we examined the effect of acute hypoxia on the mechanisms of pulmonary vasodilation. Methods. Isolated rat pulmonary artery rings were suspended on tensiometers in a balanced salt solution. A normoxic gas mixture was bubbled through the solution (21% O2, 5% CO2, 74% N2). Rings were preconstricted with phenylephrine, and the following mechanisms of pulmonary vascular smooth muscle relaxation were studied in a random order: (1) endothedial-dependent cyclic guanosine monophosphate-mediated (acetylcholine, 10−9 to 10−6 mol/L), (2) endothelial-independent cyclic guanosine monophosphate-mediated (nitroprusside, 10−9 to 10−6 mol/L), and (3) β-adrenergic receptor cyclic adenine monophosphate-mediated (isoproterenol, 10−9 to 10−6 mol/L). Separate rings were preconstricted with phenylephrine, and the gas was switched to a hypoxic mixture (0% O2, 5% CO2, 95% N2). After vasoconstriction to hypoxia reached a plateau, the response to the maximal effective dose of the above vasodilators (10−6 mol/L) was determined in a random order. Statistical analysis was done with one-way analysis of variance with post hoc Bonferroni-Dunn correction. A p value of less than 0.05 was accepted as significant. Results. Endothelial-dependent and-independent cyclic guanosine monophosphate-mediated relaxation was the same in normoxia and hypoxia. On the other hand, hypoxia inhibited β-adrenergic receptor cyclic adenine monophosphate-mediated pulmonary vasorelaxation (97.5%±2.5% versus 71.5%±2.3% in hypoxia; p Conclusions. These data suggest that hypoxia selectively inhibits β-adrenergic cyclic adenine monophosphate-mediated pulmonary vasorelaxation. This dysfunction of the normal mechanism of pulmonary vasodilation may contribute to the pulmonary hypertension seen in adult respiratory distress syndrome.
Distinguishing mathematics notation from English text using computational geometry

A trainable method for distinguishing between mathematics notation and natural language (here, English) in images of textlines, using computational geometry methods only with no assistance from symbol recognition, is described. The input to our method is a "neighbor graph" extracted from a bilevel image of an isolated textline by the method of Kise et al. (1998): this is a pruned form of Delaunay triangulation of the set of locations of black connected components. Our method first attempts to classify each vertex and, separately, each edge of the neighbor graph as belonging to math or English; then these results are combined to yield a classification of the entire textline. All three classifiers are automatically trainable. Features for the vertex and edge classifiers were selected semi-manually from a large number in a process driven by training data: this stage is potentially fully automatable. In experiments on images scanned from books and images generated synthetically, this methodology converged in three iterations to a textline classifier with an error rate of less than one percent.