cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Human-Machine Interface

The standard means of controlling an upper-limb prosthesis is by wearing a harness around the shoulders and flexing the shoulders to open (or close) the terminal device, which is usually a hook. This method was developed and patented in 1912. Possibly better control is offered by using signals from muscular action of muscles in the residuum as commands to the prosthesis. There are many new methods being tried to improve UL prosthetic function.
Altering Perceived Softness of Real Rigid Objects by Restricting Fingerpad Deformation

We propose a haptic device that alters the perceived softness of real rigid objects without requiring to instrument the objects. Instead, our haptic device works by restricting the user's fingerpad lateral deformation via a hollow frame that squeezes the sides of the fingerpad. This causes the fingerpad to become bulgier than it originally was—when users touch an object's surface with their now-restricted fingerpad, they feel the object to be softer than it is. To illustrate the extent of softness illusion induced by our device, touching the tip of a wooden chopstick will feel as soft as a rubber eraser. Our haptic device operates by pulling the hollow frame using a motor. Unlike most wearable haptic devices, which cover up the user's fingerpad to create force sensations, our device creates softness while leaving the center of the fingerpad free, which allows the users to feel most of the object they are interacting with. This makes our device a unique contribution to altering the softness of everyday objects, creating “buttons” by softening protrusions of existing appliances or tangibles, or even, altering the softness of handheld props for VR. Finally, we validated our device through two studies: (1) a psychophysics study showed that the device brings down the perceived softness of any object between 50A-90A to around 40A (on Shore A hardness scale); and (2) a user study demonstrated that participants preferred our device for interactive applications that leverage haptic props, such as making a VR prop feel softer or making a rigid 3D printed remote control feel softer on its button.
Associations between demographic factors and pediatric otolaryngology access disparities in the COVID-19 era.

Objectives To assess the impact of demographic factors and telehealth on access to pediatric otolaryngology care during the COVID-19 pandemic, as measured by attendance. Methods Retrospective, observational study of all referrals to pediatric otolaryngology at a single, tertiary care pediatric hospital system in the US. All referrals placed to pediatric otolaryngology from March through December 2020 were compared with referrals between March and December 2019. Data on patient demographics, date of referral, duration between referral and appointment, appointment type, and diagnosis acuity were collected. A multivariate linear regression was used to evaluate the impact of the patient age, ethnicity, language, insurance, diagnosis acuity, time to appointment, and appointment type on attendance. Results This study included 1988 referrals placed between March 16th-December 31st, 2020 and 3704 referrals placed between March 16th-December 31st, 2019. In 2020, attendance proportions were significantly higher at 72% compared to 62% during 2019 (p Conclusion Early evidence has found significant healthcare access and outcome disparities across ethnicities during the COVID pandemic. However, there is limited data evaluating the effect of demographic factors or telehealth on access to pediatric otolaryngology care. This study identifies age, race and insurance type as predictors of access to pediatric otolaryngologic care, as measured by attendance.
New species, new records and checklist of cicadas from Mexico (Hemiptera: Cicadomorpha: Cicadidae)

Seven new species and new records for 14 species and one subspecies of cicadas from Mexico are reported. New members of the Nearctic genera Odopoea Stal, O. minuta sp.n., Chinaria Davis, C. pueblaensis sp.n., Diceroprocta Stal, D. oaxacaensis sp.n. and D. pronotolinea sp.n., Tibicen Latrielle, T. chihuahuaensis sp.n., Procollina Metcalf, P. queretaroensis sp.n., and Herrera Distant, H. coyamensis sp.n., are described. The first records of Diceroprocta cinctifera viridicosta Davis, Diceroprocta swalei (Distant), Tibicen chiricahua Davis, Tibicen chisosensis Davis, Tibicen cultriformis (Davis), Cornuplura nigroalbata (Davis), Cacama californica Davis, Cacama variegata Davis, Platypedia aperta Van Duzee, Platypedia minor Uhler, Okanagana triangulata Davis, Okanagana vanduzeei Distant, Clidophleps distanti (Van Duzee), Clidophleps distanti truncata (Van Duzee), and Clidophleps wrighti Davis from Mexico are also reported. Fidicina compostela Davis, 1934 is transferred to Fidicinoides Boulard & Martinelli. This work increases the Mexican cicada diversity by 18.8% bringing the total diversity to 117 taxa, 46.2% of which are endemic. The Mexican fauna is composed of both tropical and temperate genera with the generic diversity heavily influenced by the expansion of tropical genera into southern Mexico.
Effect of acidified soil on symbiosis in soybeans

To improve the tolerance of soybean plants to acidic soils, it is important to determine which acidic soil infertility factors are most detrimental and whether the plant or the symbiotic relationships with Bradyrhizobium japonicum is more adversely affected. The objectives of this study were (1) to compare the effects of acidity and Al toxicity on soybeans grown in soil and (2) to determine if the plant or the symbiosis is more susceptible to acidic soil conditions.
Molecular studies of the radiation leukemia virus (RadLV) and related retroviruses of C57BL/ka mice.

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the molecular studies of the radiation leukemia virus (RadLV) and related retroviruses of C57BL/Ka mice. RadLV denotes a class of slowly transforming viruses first isolated as a “leukemogenic activity” associated with cell-free extracts of thymic lymphomas that arose in C57BL/Ka mice, following fractionated whole-body X-irradiation. Several lines of evidence strongly suggest that the virus is the actual causative agent of these radiogenic lymphomas. A number of cell lines, designated as BL/RL, were derived from primary radiogenic lymphomas, and several other cell lines, designated as BL/VL, were derived from virus-induced lymphomas. BL/RL lines, when first established, are generally negative for virus production and the expression of viral antigens. The BL/VL lines are always positive for virus production. The viruses produced by two BL/RL lines and by two sublines of a BL/VL cell line, BL/VL 3 , have been analyzed at a molecular level using recombinant DNA technology and restriction enzyme mapping. These viruses are designated as RadLV/ RL 10 , RadLV/RL 15 , and RadLV/RL 3 . RadLV/VL 3 is a complex of several viruses.
SYNTHESIS OF DEUTERATED 4-HYDROXYALKENALS

Abstract A concise and isotope specific synthesis of deuterated analogs of 4-hydroxyalkenals is reported.
A technique for electrical measurement of ball bond location

A test structure incorporating a special bond pad has been developed to make an electrical measurement of the location of a ball bond on a bonding pad. The pad can also be used to measure the electrical resistance of a wire and its bond interfaces (Kelvin measurement). The structure consists of an aluminum bond pad with each corner connected to another bond pad. Four of these 5-pad sense elements are incorporated into small square test die 'modules'. For any specific application test dice can be cut from the wafer in multiples of the module. The authors describe the method and theory of location measurement, and present data to verify the operation of the sensors. >
On the conservation and convergence to weak solutions of global schemes

In this paper we discuss the issue of conservation and convergence to weak solutions of several global schemes, including the commonly used compact schemes and spectral collocation schemes, for solving hyperbolic conservation laws. It is shown that such schemes, if convergent boundedly almost everywhere, will converge to weak solutions. The results are extensions of the classical Lax–Wendroff theorem concerning conservative schemes.
A feasibility and performance study of dependency inference (database design)

The feasibility of inferring functional dependencies from an example relation is investigated. The problem occurs in the context of automatic database design, when a tool is needed to assist the database designer in the process of specifying logical dependencies. The complexity of the dependency inference problem is inherently exponential. However, algorithms could be developed that perform well when the input relation has certain characteristics. Two such algorithms for dependency inference are implemented and optimized. An extensive set of experiments is presented, in which dependencies were inferred from example relations with different cardinalities, number of attributes, and degree of normalization. It is concluded that for practical example relations, an adequate implementation of a dependence inference function leads to acceptable interactive response times. >
Universal scaling of crowding-induced DNA mobility is coupled with topology-dependent molecular compaction and elongation.

Using single-molecule fluorescence microscopy and particle-tracking techniques, we elucidate the role DNA topology plays in the diffusion and conformational dynamics of crowded DNA molecules. We focus on large (115 kbp), double-stranded ring and linear DNA crowded by varying concentrations (0–40%) of dextran (10, 500 kDa) that mimic cellular conditions. By tracking the center-of-mass and measuring the lengths of the major and minor axes of single DNA molecules, we characterize both DNA mobility reduction as well as crowding-induced conformational changes (from random spherical coils). We reveal novel topology-dependent conformations, with single ring molecules undergoing compaction to ordered spherical configurations ∼20% smaller than dilute random coils, while linear DNA elongates by ∼2-fold. Surprisingly, these highly different conformations result in nearly identical exponential mobility reduction dependent solely on crowder volume fraction Φ, revealing a universal critical crowding concentration of Φc ≅ 2.3. Beyond Φc DNA exhibits topology-independent conformational relaxation dynamics despite highly distinct topology-driven conformations. Our collective results reveal that topology-dependent conformational changes, unique to crowded environments, enable DNA to overcome the classically expected mobility reduction that high-viscosity crowded environments impose. Such coupled universal dynamics suggest a mechanism for DNA to maintain sufficient mobility required for wide-ranging biological processes despite severe cellular crowding.
The role of comparison questions in physiological detection of deception.

Comparison questions in physiological detection of deception were studied with 60 “guilty’ and 60 “innocent’ participants in a mock crime experiment. Different types of comparison questions were used in four conditions: relevant–irrelevant (R-I) participants answered only relevant and neutral questions; trivial directed lie participants were instructed to lie to three of the six neutral questions; personal directed lie participants were instructed to lie to personally relevant questions; and probable lie participants received traditional probable lie comparison questions. Respiration, cardiovascular, vasomotor, and electrodermal activity were recorded. Manipulation of the comparison questions produced different patterns of physiological responses for innocent but not for guilty participants. The R-I test produced an unacceptable rate of false positive decisions.
Cosmological investigations from SIRTF

An overview is presented of the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF), a one-meter-class cryogenically-cooled observatory for IR astronomy from space that will be the IR component of NASA's family of Great Observatories. SIRTF will operate at an altitude of 100,000 km and achieve its five year lifetime without the complication of on-orbit cryogenic replenishment and have twice the on-target efficiency that could be realized in LEO. The observations will permit the development of a direct empirical picture of the time evolution of cosmic phenomena, such as evolution of the chemical and stellar content of galaxies and the growth and decay of the quasar population.
Dispersion of Blood Pressure and Heart Rate in Essential Hypertension

The dispersion of the cardiovascular control system variables of heart period, systolic and diastolic blood pressure in a group of resting essential hypertensives has been compared with a group of normotensive subjects. Controlled variable dispersion in the absence of external perturbation was considered to be a measure of short term cardiovascular control system offset (error) from reference values (setpoint). The high blood pressure group demonstrated a greatly decreased controlled variable dispersion compared with the normal, implying the operation of a control system having a high closed loop gain, low system error and poor stability secondary to perturbation or stress. The extent of the changes in control system performance in essential hypertension was reduced by the adrenergic neuron blocking agent, guanethidine. These conclusions are consistent with and are discussed in relation to the known dynamic responses of heart rate and blood pressure to stress, together with the pathophysiology of the forward and feedback pathways of the cardiovascular control system, in essential hypertension.
166 Phylogeny of the Chlorophyceae: Inferences from the Chloroplast atpB Gene

Phylogenetic reconstruction using the 18S and 26S rDNA genes has proven successful for many chlorophycean lineages, but some nodes remain poorly-resolved. The chloroplast-encoded atpB gene has been used to examine phylogenetic problems in several green algal lineages, including the basal streptophytes. However, data for other Chlorophyta are largely unavailable. The class Chlorophyceae, in particular, has not been examined (save for dense sampling among colonial and unicellular flagellates) using the atpB gene. An investigation of variability in the atpB gene for various chlorophycean exemplars was undertaken. Intergeneric distances (p) range from 0.08 (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii vs. Volvox carteri) to 0.24 (Haematococcus lacustris vs. Chloromonas radiata). Distance analysis also reveals high levels of divergence (as compared to the 18S and 26S rDNA data) for the family Sphaeropleaceae. Preliminary phylogenetic reconstructions fail to support a monophyletic Sphaeropleales, but this observation may be due to inadequate taxon sampling. The relative positions of other examplars (e.g., Chaetophora, Elakatothrix, Ascochloris) are largely consistent with interpretations of 18S and 26S rDNA data, although the position of Elakothrix is not robust. These preliminary observations suggest that the atpB gene will provide a powerful complement to current phylogenetic assessments of the Chlorophyceae using 18S and 26S rDNA data. Supported by NSF DEB 9726588 and DEB 0129030.
Serum Enterotoxin-neutralizing Antibody in Human Shigellosis

THE neurotoxin of Shiga's bacillus (Shigella dysenteriae 1), known for 70 years1 and nearly as potent as botulinus toxin2, has not been considered to play a role in human shigellosis3, partly because no strain of shigella other than Shiga's has been found to produce the exotoxin2. Isolation of an exo-entero-toxin in broth culture filtrates of S. dysenteriae 1 (ref. 4), closely related if not identical to this neurotoxin5, has warranted thorough reassessment of its pathogenetic significance. Our report is the first to document neutralizing activity of sera from patients with disease due to S. dysenteriae 1, as well as other shigellae, including dysenteriae 2 and flexneri and sonnei strains.
Normalization of the path integral measure and the coupling constants for bosonic strings

Abstract Polyakov's lagrangian formulation of a path integral for string theory appears to allow arbitrary normalization constants in its definition of scattering amplitudes. A carefully regulated calculation and application of the Riemann-Roch theorem show, however, that this freedom amounts only to a redefinition of the two-dimensional cosmological constant and the coefficient of the two-dimensional Einstein action. The calculational rules are, therefore, effectively unique. Because of the Gauss-Bonnet theorem the Einstein action plays the role of a coupling constant for the theory. The exact relation between this coupling constant and that which appears in vertex operators is calculated from unitarity. The techniques employed lead to an elementary derivation of the Riemann-Roch theorem and to a manifestly local and, therefore, topology independent derivation of the conformal anomaly.
Synthesis and characterization of pure-silica and boron-substituted SSZ-24 using N(16) methylsparteinium bromide as structure-directing agent

SSZ-24, the high-silica molecular sieve isostructural with AlPO4-5 (AFI), is synthesized using N(16) methylsparteinium bromide as structure-directing agent and is characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), magic-angle spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and the physical adsorption of N2. Unlike other structure-directing agents used for the synthesis of SSZ-24, N(16) methylsparteinium allows for the direct incorporation of boron into the zeolite framework using sodium borate as the source of boron in the synthesis medium. Boron can be removed from the structure and replaced by aluminum by refluxing the calcined sample in an aluminum nitrate solution. It is speculated that the incorporation of boron in the framework is related to the hydrophobicity of the sparteinium cation.
The impact of changes in relative weights on the optimal solution of a maximization problem

Abstract This paper studies the impact of changes in relative weights on the solution of a constrained maximization problem which arises in a number of different economic situations. Conditions are obtained under which a given change in relative weights necessarily leads to certain patterns of changes in the optimal solution. An example is provided for illustration.
Age Preferences for Same- and Opposite-Sex Partners

Preferences for age of partners of heterosexual and homosexual men and women were investigated. Personal advertisements were collected from newspapers in the United States and analyzed for the difference between the age of the advertiser and the age of the preferred partner. Heterosexual men tended to seek women younger than themselves, whereas women sought partners near their own age or older. The preferences of homosexual men and women were similar to those of heterosexuals, although more homosexuals stated a preference for a partner younger than themselves.
Language selection for applications

It may strike you as a truism to note that if the solution to a problem depends upon too many variables, we are apt to reduce the multiplicity of variables to one, base an important decision upon that one, and thereafter proceed as though there had never been, and would never be, any reasonable alternative to our choice.
Revealing Randall-Sundrum hidden valleys

We study 5D gauge symmetries in the Randall-Sundrum geometry that are hidden from the standard model through either small 5D gauge coupling, or through vanishing quantum numbers for the standard model fields. Geometric warping of 5D gravity creates a TeV-scale bridge from the standard model to the hidden sector gauge fields. We apply these concepts to a revival of the electroweak axion model, in which the dynamics of Peccei-Quinn symmetry breaking occur at the TeV scale.
Increasing the life of steel ladle linings at the Cherepovets Metallurgical Factory

A 4-stage lining was developed and introduced at the Cherepovets Metallurgical Factory for 300 ton steel ladles. As a result of introducing this lining and improving the quality of the brick the life of the ladle increased by 31% compared with that achieved in 1968. To ensure uniform resistance in the 4-stage lining over the height of the structure tests were made with a lining using semisilica brick based on Latnensk clay and Ovruch pyrophyllites in the upper and central belts of the structure. The use of the semisilica brick in place of the KShU-37 brick manufactured by the Borovich Refractories Combine increases the resistance of the lining in the ladles, and reduces the refractories consumption per ton of steel.
Metabolism of methyl chloride to formate in rats.

Abstract Formate was quantified in the blood and urine of rats exposed to methyl chloride (CH 3 Cl) to determine if formate is a metabolite of CH 3 Cl and to characterize its role in overall CH 3 Cl metabolism and toxicity. Rats exposed to up to 10,000 ppm CH 3 Cl had blood and urine formate concentrations which were not significantly higher than those of unexposed rats. In contrast, increases in urine and blood formate concentrations were detectable following an ip injection of as little as 25 mg of methanol/kg of body wt. However, in rats pretreated with nitrous oxide to inhibit folate-dependent formate metabolism, subsequent exposure to CH 3 Cl led to elevated concentrations of formate in blood and urine that were comparable to those produced by administration of 10 mg of methanol/kg to N 2 O-pretreated rats. Increases in blood and urine formate concentrations were also observed in CH 3 Cl-exposed rats that had been pretreated with the antifolate methotrexate, another inhibitor of formate metabolism. Incorporation of 14 C from inhaled 14 CH 3 Cl into tissue macromolecules was strongly inhibited by both methotrexate and nitrous oxide pretreatments, and the metabolism of 14 CH 3 Cl to 14 CO 2 was greatly suppressed by a combination of nitrous oxide preexposure and ip injections of sodium formate. These findings indicate that methyl chloride is metabolized to formate in rats which is further metabolized primarily by folic acid-dependent pathways, ultimately being incorporated into tissue macromolecules or oxidized to CO 2 . The lack of accumulation of formate under normal exposure conditions, however, suggests that the toxicity of CH 3 Cl is not due to formate poisoning.
PhorceField: a phish-proof password ceremony

Many widely deployed phishing defense schemes, such as SiteKey, use client-side secrets to help users confirm that they are visiting the correct website before entering their passwords. Unfortunately, studies have demonstrated that up to 92% of users can be convinced to ignore missing client-side secrets and enter their passwords into phishing pages. However, since client-side secrets have already achieved industry acceptance, they are an attractive building block for creating better phishing defenses. We present PhorceField, a phishing resistant password ceremony that combines client-side secrets and graphical passwords in a novel way that provides phishing resistance that neither achieves on its own. PhorceField enables users to login easily, but forces phishers to present victims with a fundamentally unfamiliar and onerous user interface. Victims that try to use the phisher's interface to enter their password find the task so difficult that they give up without revealing their password. We have evaluated PhorceField's phishing resistance in a user study in which 21 participants used PhorceField for a week and were then subjected to a simulated phishing attack. On average, participants were only able to reveal 20% of the entropy in their password, and none of them revealed their entire password. This is a substantial improvement over previous research that demonstrated that 92% of users would reveal their entire password to a phisher, even if important security indicators were missing[27]. PhorceField is easy to deploy in sites that already use client-side secrets for phishing defense -- it requires no client-side software and can be implemented entirely in javascript. Banks and other high value websites could therefore deploy it as a drop-in replacement for existing defenses, or deploy it on an "opt-in" basis, as Google has done with its phone-based "2-step verification" system.
Locomotion, asexual reproduction, and killing of corals by the corallimorpharian Corynactis californica

The rates at which some sedentary coelenterates move across substrates, spread by asexual reproduction, and competitively damage their neighbors may greatly affect their ability to survive on hard marine substrates. However, almost nothing is known about these processes in the Corallimorpharia. In this study, locomotory rates varied widely between members of a single clone of the corallimorpharian Corynactis californica. Polyp movement rates (0–14 mm month−1) were slower than those of many Actiniaria, possibly due to the lack of basilar muscles in corallimorpharians. Rates of asexual reproduction by C. californica polyps in the laboratory varied 10-fold among 8 clones. The minimal time to double the number of polyps per clone (2 months) was intermediate to doubling times known for Actiniaria and Scleractinia. The rate at which polyps killed individuals of the scleractinian Astrangia lajollaensis also varied widely within and between clones. Asexual reproductive rate correlated positively with coral killing rate.
Cognitive balance and specificity in anxiety and depression

States of mind (SOM) theory holds that distress is a function of the SOM ratio of (positive) to (positive+negative) thoughts. We investigated (a) whether symptoms of depression and anxiety would be uniquely associated with SOM ratios derived from theoretically depression-specific or anxiety-specific cognition measures, and (b) what is unhealthy about SOMs that are more positive than the theoretically optimal range. Study 1 involved the development of a measure of positive anxiety-related thoughts. Study 2 indicated that SOMs based on depression-related cognitions explained more variance in depressive symptoms than did SOMs based on anxiety-related cognitions. Specificity was less evident for anxiety-relevant thoughts. “Excessively” positive thinking was not found to be dysfunctional.
Surface and subsurface expressions of gas seepage to the seabed – examples from the Southern North Sea

Expressions of gas seepage observable within North Sea seismic and acoustic data include seabed pockmarks, seepage plumes in the water column, acoustic blanking, shallow enhanced reflectors, and shallow seismic chimneys. Three areas were selected for a marine survey in
Hormones and Breast Cancer: Evidence and Implications for Consideration of Risks and Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy

The role of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) in the etiology of breast cancer continues to be debated. The implications for counseling women about a causal relation between hormones and breast cancer with regard to long-term use of postmenopausal hormones remain controversial. The literature on hormones and breast cancer, including articles on cell proliferation, endogenous hormone levels, epidemiologic studies, and the risk of breast cancer, is reviewed. A cause of cancer is defined as a factor that increases the probability that cancer will develop in an individual. A causal relation between female hormones and breast cancer is based on duration of use, dose-response, biologic plausibility, temporality, strength of association, and coherence. The magnitude of the increase in risk of breast cancer caused by using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is comparable to that seen in delayed menopause. The positive relation between endogenous hormone levels and risk of breast cancer supports a biologic mechani...
Transitivity properties of surface temperature and ice cover in the CCM1

Abstract A frequently made assumption in simple models of long-term climatic behavior (e.g. ‘energy balance’ models) is that, owing to instability engendered by the ice-albedo feedback, the climatic system (surface temperature, in particular) can exhibit multiple steady states within the paleoclimatologically observed range of temperature. Here we show that, for a more comprehensive model than an energy balance model, the CCM1 general circulation model, such a bimodality does not exist for present values of the solar constant and atmospheric CO2 even if one excludes the existence of a seasonal cycle of radiative forcing. Thus, no evidence is found to support the whole class of ice-age theories tuned to present CO2 levels that depend on this bimodality. As a corollary, support is found for the idea that surficial temperature and snow-sea-ice cover are essentially ‘slaved’, fast-response, climatic variables that equilibrate uniquely with the prescribed external forcing and the slow-response climatic variables (e.g. the ice sheets and deep ocean state). It is also implied that, although care should be exercised in the choice of initial conditions to minimize computer time, the selection of initial conditions is not likely to affect the final outcome of general circulation model studies of climate for fixed (near-present) values of the solar constant and CO2 forcing.
Cultural variations in perceptions of vacation attributes

Abstract This article explores similarities and differences between French and English Canadians in their perceptions of the vacation attributes of the USA and Canada. Because French and English Canadians have been separated historically by both cultural and socioeconomic characteristics, this study investigated the relative influence of these antecedents upon vacation-related perceptions. Findings identified primary influences of cultural antecedents upon perceptions and underscored the importance of incorporating cultural criteria into strategic marketing processes.
Abscisic acid in dormant apple seed tissues - a rapid purification scheme using pre-packed columns and GCMS-SIM quantitation

A rapid small scale procedure has been developed for quantitative abscisic acid (ABA) determination by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoping (GCMS-SIM). Extracts of apple seeds (Malus domestica cv. Northern Spy) were passed first through 3 ml C18 columns, and then through 3 ml silica gel columns. GCMS-SIM quantitation of ABA was done by adding an internal standard, hexadeuterated ABA. Ten sample extracts could be purified and analyzed by GCMS in 5 to 6 h, offering a quick and precise method to laboratories equipped with GC-MS instrumentation. The endosperm membrane and seed coat of apple seeds contained 2.5-3 times the ABA concentration found in the embryonic axis and cotyledons, supporting the hypothesis that it may be the ABA content of the membrane and seed coat that explains their inhibitory qualities with respect to seed germination.
I-V characteristics of quantum dots and rings in a magnetic field : effect of single-electron charging and discharging

Abstract We have theoretically investigated the non-linear I-V characteristics of small quantum dots and rings in a magnetic field where single electron charging and discharging are significant. We find that, for both charging and discharging situations, three types of current steps can occur in the I-V characteristics representing three different types of tunneling events. Physically transparent descriptions are given of the tunneling events that give rise to these steps. Also we present a suggestion to use the magnetic field dependence of the step structures in I-V characteristics to map out directly the energy levels of dots and rings.
High concentrations of heavy metals in neighborhoods near ore smelters in northern Mexico.

In developing countries, rapid industrialization without environmental controls has resulted in heavy metal contamination of communities. We hypothesized that residential neighborhoods located near ore industries in three northern Mexican cities would be heavily polluted with multiple contaminants (arsenic, cadmium, and lead) and that these sites would be point sources for the heavy metals. To evaluate these hypotheses, we obtained samples of roadside surface dust from residential neighborhoods within 2 m of metal smelters [Torreon (n = 19)] and Chihuahua (n = 19)] and a metal refinery [Monterrey (n = 23)]. Heavy metal concentrations in dust were mapped with respect to distance from the industrial sites. Correlation between dust metal concentration and distance was estimated with least-squares regression using log-transformed data. Median dust arsenic, cadmium, and lead concentrations were 32, 10, and 277 microg/g, respectively, in Chihuahua; 42, 2, and 467 microg/g, respectively, in Monterrey, and 113, 112, and 2,448 microg/g, respectively, in Torreon. Dust concentrations of all heavy metals were significantly higher around the active smelter in Torreon, where more than 90% of samples exceeded Superfund cleanup goals. At all sites, dust concentrations were inversely related to distance from the industrial source, implicating these industries as the likely source of the contamination. We concluded that residential neighborhoods around metal smelting and refining sites in these three cities are contaminated by heavy metals at concentrations likely to pose a health threat to people living nearby. Evaluations of human exposure near these sites should be conducted. Because multiple heavy metal pollutants may exist near smelter sites, researchers should avoid attributing toxicity to one heavy metal unless others have been measured and shown not to coexist.
Thermal Reactions of anti- and syn-Dispiro[5.0.5.2]tetradeca-1,8-dienes: Stereomutation and Fragmentation to 3-Methylenecyclohexenes. Entropy-Dictated Product Ratios from Diradical Intermediates?

A series of cyclobutanes substituted 1,2- by polyenes of increasing radical-stabilizing power has been investigated to test the proposition that stabilization energies obtained independently from apposite, cis,trans geometric isomerizations can be successfully transferred to another system, in this paper, cyclobutanes. The first member of the series, 3-methylenecyclohexene (1), is photodimerized to anti- and syn-dispiro[5.0.5.2]tetradeca-1,8-dienes (anti-2 and syn-2), which undergo stereomutation (stereochemical interconversion) and cycloreversion (fragmentation) to 1 when heated in the range 72.1−118.2 °C: anti-2 → syn-2, ΔH⧧ = 30.3 kcal mol-1, ΔS⧧ = 0.2 cal mol-1 K-1; anti-2 → 1, ΔH⧧ = 32.8 kcal mol-1, ΔS⧧ = +8.0 cal mol-1 K-1. Agreement with an enthalpy of activation predicted by assuming full allylic stabilization in a hypothetical diradical intermediate is good. An example of further activation by a radical-stabilizing group is manifested by the ∼20 000-fold acceleration in rate shown by the system ...
WINSOM — a general surface drawing program

A program is described that produces realistic representations of surfaces on a raster graphics terminal. The program uses a spatial sub-division algorithm similar to that of Woodwark and Quinlan. Simple geometric primitives, such as spheres, cones, cylinders and cuboids, are combined to build more complex pictures. This paper describes the program and its application in 3-D modelling.
An augmenting path algorithm for linear matroid parity

Linear matroid parity generalizes matroid intersection and graph matching (and hence network flow, degree-constrained subgraphs, etc.). A polynomial algorithm was given by Lovasz. This paper presents an algorithm that uses timeO(mn 3), wherem is the number of elements andn is the rank. (The time isO(mn 2.5) using fast matrix multiplication; both bounds assume the uniform cost model). For graphic matroids the time isO(mn 2). The algorithm is based on the method of augmenting paths used in the algorithms for all subcases of the problem.
Organizational deviance: Some evidence from local health planning

In this paper I explore relationships between health systems agencies (HSAs) designated under Public Law 93–641 and their constituencies. I examine how local health providers, primarily hospitals, relate to the activities of the three HSA functions: plan development; health systems development; and project review. The emerging literature on organizational deviance provides a conceptual framework in which to locate noncompliance of health care providers with HSA goals, objectives, and project review standards. Elements of labeling theory are used to stimulate discussion of the reactions health care providers have to HSA activities. I find that while HSAs function to coordinate health care communitywide, that is, they take a systematic approach, each health care provider takes a much less cosmopolitan view and adopts an idiosyncratic needs approach. The negative consequences this has for the various constituencies are reviewed.
Using Informants' Judgments to Infer Attributes in Dynamic Domains

This article describes a methodology, called the Product Attribute Characterization Technique (PACT), which is designed to elicit from informants information to group and describe products. The methodology was developed for use by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in price-indexing efforts. Informants are required to complete three tasks: provide a list of products that fall into the area of analysis, group these products on the basis of similarity, and compare and contrast pairs of products that fall into specific product clusters. The last task produces information that can be used to create detailed product descriptions, which, for example, can be used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to develop product checklists, an essential tool in developing price indices. PACT has been successfully tested in two product areas, PC software and telecommunications. PACT’s implementation time needs to be shortened for its value to be fully realized.
An improved method for tomographic density imaging using a multiple frequency inverse scattering approach

Current inverse scattering methods for quantitative density imaging have limitations that keep them from practical experimental implementations. In this work an improved approach, termed the multiple frequency distorted Born iterative method (MF-DBIM) algorithm, was developed for imaging density variations. The MF-DBIM approach consists of inverting the wave equation by solving for a single functional that depends on both sound speed and density variations at multiple frequencies. Density information was isolated by using a linear combination of the reconstructed single-frequency profiles. The results were compared to reconstructions using methods currently available in the literature, i.e., the dual frequency DBIM (DF-DBIM) and T-matrix approaches. The performance of the MF-DBIM was assessed by reconstructing cylindrical targets of different radii, speed of sound and density contrasts. The MF-DBIM required the use of frequency hopping in order to converge to a proper solution. Useful density reconstructions, i.e., root mean square errors (RMSEs) less than 30%, were obtained even with 2% Gaussian noise in the simulated data and using frequency ranges spanning less than an order of magnitude. Therefore, the MF-DBIM approach largely outperformed both the DF-DBIM method (which has problems converging with noise even an order of magnitude smaller) and the T-matrix method (which requires a ka factor close to unity in order to achieve convergence). The MF-DBIM performance degraded severely when the angular coverage on reception was less than 180°. Although the MF-DBIM performance also degraded as the frequency jump magnitude increased, the RMSEs were not largely affected when the frequency jump was smaller than 5% of the maximum frequency used for the reconstructions.
Age-Related Changes in Human Lens Crystallins Identified by HPLC and Mass Spectrometry

Analysis of water-soluble crystallins from human lenses, ages 32 week fetal to 55 years has led to identification of the major modifications of the proteins comprising the lens. These modifications were identified by the masses of the proteins determined by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry after the proteins were separated by gel filtration and reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography. Examination of all the proteins isolated from the water soluble portion demonstrated that the major age-related modifications causing significant alteration in the molecular weights of the lens crystallins include truncation of the N-termini of beta B1, beta A3 and beta A1, and partial phosphorylation and C-terminal degradation of alpha-crystallins. N-terminal degradation of beta B1, beta A3 and beta A1 was evident in human lenses less than one year old, and the proportion of these truncated proteins became greater with age. Phosphorylation of alpha A- and alpha B-crystallins increased from the fetal to the 3 year old lens, but did not change with further aging. Minor components indicating truncation of the C-termini of alpha-crystallins were found in older lenses. In contrast to beta B1, beta A3 and beta A1, the masses of the major species of alpha A, alpha B, beta B2, beta A4, gamma S, gamma C, and gamma D did not change with aging. This suggested that the major modifications to these crystallins are limited to deamidation and possibly intra-molecular disulfide bonds. These data, in conjunction with the data in the accompanying manuscript, established deamidation as a common modification, since deamidation, which causes only a one dalton change in mass, is the only modification that is consistent with the absence of a detectable change in molecular weight and the observed increased acidity demonstrated in the two-dimensional gels of the accompanying paper. Other age related changes included a decrease in beta B3 (M(r) 24224), a major component of the fetal lens, which was not detected in lenses older than 3 years, and increases in the ratios of alpha B:alpha A and gamma S:gamma C.
Book review of DOS 5: A developer's guide

Correspondence should be addressed to the author at the Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH 44115. Sargent & Shoemaker, 1986), but with some welcome differences. Particularly welcome are the ready-to-compile and ready-to-assemble routines on diskette. In addition, Part III appears to be the first treatment, in a book of this kind, of important advanced features of the 80386, the 80486, and, to some extent, the 80286. The book is written primarily for people who can do some programmingand includesquite a lot of usablesource code in C and in assembly language. In that respect, even Parts I and II differ somewhat from earlier treatments of the same topics. These sections of source code are used as examples in the hard-copy text but are also included on two 5.25-in. diskettes. That is fortunate, because some of the programs serve not only as examples but also as directly usable utilities that can be incorporated into applications with little or no modification. Readers having no prior experience with either C or assembly language programming are not likely to enjoy this book. It clearly is not a good place to start learning to program. On the other hand, the techniques range widely in complexity, so some of them would be easy enough to adapt and use by tinkerers who have only a modest amount of programming experience. The choice of C and assembly language is wise, because these are the languages that would be used in most serious applications. Moreover, some of the applications would be much more difficult and inefficient if programmed in BASIC, for example. Many of the programs can be directly incorporated into some C language applications program, whereas the BASIC demonstration programs in the more chatty books by Goldstein (1989) and Norton (1990) need to be translated if BASIC is not used. The recommended C compilers are Borland Turbo C Version 2.0 or higher, Microsoft C Version 5.0 or higher, or Mix Power C Version 2.0 or higher. The recommended assemblers are Microsoft MASM Version 5.0 or higher and Borland Turbo Assembler Version 1.0 or higher. An assembler is crucial only for the programs presented in chapters 17 and 19, for some in chapter 18, if Turbo C 1.5 or Microsoft C is used, and for a few other small applications scattered in other chapters. The objective in all of the example programs is to take control of and exploit the capabilities of the machine and operating system. All examples actually do something and are not merely fabricated for rhetorical purposes. True, the first two programs (in chapter 4) have modest goals: to send escape sequences to the console or printer and to count the number of spaces in a keyboard command line. These are things that a programmer might need to do in real life, and the techniques used are perhaps cleaner
Endovascular Brachytherapy: Overcoming “Practical” Obstacles

Endovascular radiation therapy has proved to be safe and effective in preventing restenosis after coronary intervention both in animal studies and in pilot feasibility studies in humans. The rationale for such therapy is that radiation prevents neointimal proliferation and vessel constriction after vascular injury. Two forms of endovascular radiation therapy are available: catheter-based systems and radioactive stenting. However, several practical issues related to this technique still need to be addressed, such as questions about dosimetry, shielding, expense, handling and disposal of radioisotopes, certification for potential users, and-above all-safety and efficacy. In their pivotal studies, investigators and industry need to focus on prioritizing the clinical applications of this form of treatment. The clinical trials must attempt to determine the cost-effectiveness of this therapy as well as its risk versus benefit. For example, brachytherapy may prove to be of great benefit to patients with in-stent restenosis, and favorable results of studies examining this application should expedite the approval of endovascular radiation therapy for clinical use.
Osmotic pressures of aqueous polyvinylpyrrolidone solutions

The osmotic pressures of six well-fractionated samples of polyvinylpyrrolidone were measured in aqueous solution in a Lucite-block type osmometer. The molecular weights and interaction parameters were determined by employing the theory proposed by Maron for osmotic pressure. It was shown that for all of the fractions, a linear relation existed for ψ and y as predicted by the theory. This new method for expressing osmotic pressure data is compared with the more commonly used expression: It was found that the molecular weights and T2 are in satisfactory agreement. However, the value ofg was not a constant equal to 0.25, but varied with the molecular weight. The expression for the osmotic pressure given by Maron's theory appears to be an accurate and rapid method of converting osmometric data to molecular weights.