cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An analytical comparison of long and short term contracts

In this paper, we describe an analytical model to determine contracting policies for a firm that purchases components from external suppliers. The model evaluates the tradeoff between the flexibility offered by short term contracts and the fixed investments, improvement opportunities and price certainty associated with long term contracts. We show that long term contracts may not always be optimal, and discuss conditions under which short term contracts may be justified. During a recent survey of supply managers, we observed that managers often tend to participate in short term contracts, even though they claim to seek long term relationships with suppliers. Sensitivity analysis of our model provides some explanation for this observed inconsistency. We also discuss managerial implications of the analysis.
Valence Bands of Germanium and Silicon in an External Magnetic Field

The problem of the valence band structure of germanium and silicon in the presence of an external magnetic field is considered from a quantum-mechanical point of view. The analysis is carried out using first- and second-order perturbation theory. The approach is an extension of methods of Shockley and Kane to include the effects of the magnetic field. The usual approximation of the decoupling of the V1 and V2 bands from the V3 band is not made, thus making the analysis applicable to Si as well as Ge. Spherical energy bands are not assumed in this calculation and the case of kH≠0 is considered. Detailed analysis is carried out for the magnetic field H in the [001] direction. The analytical results obtained are more general than those of Luttinger but reduce to the latter if certain approximations are introduced. Numerical calculations of the Landau energy levels are carried out for certain special cases. The results predict an increase of the hole effective mass with the magnetic field. They also indicate mixing of the Landau levels even at kH=0, which leads to a prediction of new transitions some of which are of "negative mass" type. The mixing is more pronounced in Si than in Ge. Calculations for kH≠0 show that the e1- levels possess negative curvatures near kH=0. Gradual "crossing" or reordering of the heavy hole levels is found at relatively high kH.
A review of heart rate and blood pressure responses in the cold in healthy subjects and coronary artery disease patients

Despite methodological differences in the limited number of studies reviewed, it appears that cardiovascular responses at rest and during exercise in the cold differ between patients with CAD and healthy subjects (Figures 1 and 2). This difference remains, even when attempting to control for investigation time and conditions. Typical exercise time reported for patients with CAD exercising in the cold is 4 to 8 minutes, where HR and SBP are generally the same or higher. Data corresponding to a similar time frame (5-15 minutes) in healthy subjects show HR to be lower or no different, whereas SBP was similar in both studies. Logically, healthy subject's RPP values would be similar or lower in the cold, which may be a teleological development to conserve myocardial oxygen uptake in the face of elevated sympathetic stimulation during cold exposure. The lower HR would offset the cold-induced hypertension and also help to preserve cardiac output. In healthy subjects, cardiac output is similar in the cold despite a higher stroke volume (SV) due to the lower HR. However, the similar cardiac output reported by Epstein and colleagues in patients with CAD, both at rest and during exercise at 15 degrees C, was obtained by increases in SV and HR. A blunted peripheral vasoconstriction response in older subjects could lead to reduced central blood volume with a corresponding decrease in venous return and SV. An inability to maintain an appropriate SV in the cold by patients with CAD may be responsible for the elevated HR to maintain cardiac output. However, in healthy subjects, SV appears to have a triphasic response.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Temperature Dependence of the Total Interference Functions of Liquid Cu-Sn Alloys

The total interference function I (K), which is a weighted sum of the partial interference functions, and the corresponding weighted distribution function have been calculated from the elastic x-ray scattering of liquid Cu-Sn alloys with 20 and 22.5 at.% Sn measured at temperatures between 800 and 1160\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. The total I(K) of the alloys show a slight decrease in the position ${K}_{1}=\frac{4\ensuremath{\pi}({sin\ensuremath{\theta}}_{1})}{\ensuremath{\lambda}}$ and in height of the first peak with increasing temperature [${K}_{1}=2.88$ ${\mathrm{\AA{}}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ and $\mathrm{I}({K}_{1})=3.05$ at 800\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C, and ${K}_{1}=2.86$ ${\mathrm{\AA{}}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ and $\mathrm{I}({K}_{1})=2.50$ at 1160\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C]. On using the total $\mathrm{I}(K)$ in the Faber-Ziman theory of electrical resistivity ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{R}$ and thermoelectric power $Q$ of binary liquid alloys, one obtains theoretical values of ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{R}$ and $Q$ which decrease slightly with increasing temperature in agreement with the experimental results of Roll and Motz and Howe, respectively.
“X” and the Single Girl: Of Parental Investment, Reproductive Strategies, and the Overly Cautious Female

Surn71~~y.-Female mammals ate more cautious in their selection of mates than are males. These differing reproductive strategies are a function of their differing degrees of parental investment It is reasonable to predict that variations in deviant and unfit strategies would differ between the sexes. That males are much more likely than females to utilize "unfit" sexual outlets is well known. Kinsey, et al. (1953) reported that the incidence of human females incapable of erotic arousal is much larger than that of males. That this "unfit" deviation is more common in females is consistem with their cautious reproductive strategy. Any behavioral ecologist can explain why male mammals ardently and quite indiscriminately seek conspecific females for purposes of mating and why mammalian females, when free to do so, cautiously select their impregnators (Daly & Wilson, 1978; Alexander, 1979; Hcdy, 1981). Parental investment provides the key (the difference between the cost-benefit analyses of the sexes: one ejaculation versus gestation, lactation, and, in some species, post-weaning responsibilities). Natural selection favors females who behave as though they understand their enormous investment selecting as mates conspecifics whose phenotypes reflect "fitnes~."~ In the discussion which follows it is assumed that the reproductive strategies of men and women are similar to those of other species in which the female's parental investment is much greater than that of the male's. Kinsey, et al. (1948, 1953), whose studies of males' and females' sexual behavior are unmatched in scope and attention to individual differences (Gould, 1982), provide a rich array of data consistent with this assumption. They determined that males practice all forms of deviant sexual outlets more frequently than do females. Since the male strategy emphasizes being ready, able, and more than willing to mate without much attention to the quality of his mates, it should come as no surprise that men are more frequently represented in any tally of
Panniculitis. New findings in the 'third compartment'.

It is not unusual at medical meetings to encounter physicians, both clinicians and pathologists, who express frustration over disorders of the subcutaneous fat. It is interesting to speculate on the reasons for this relative unpopularity of panniculitis. Despite the admitted importance of subcutaneous fat as a mechanical cushion and as a metabolic and thermal regulator, many people in our society spend inordinate amounts of time and money trying to get rid of it! The depth of the subcutis, when compared to that of the other "compartments" of skin (ie, the epidermis and dermis), may lend it an aura of "remoteness" for some dermatologists. There is a daunting clinical sameness to the panniculitides, since many of them at some stage in their development present as erythematous subcutaneous nodules that are frequently located on the legs. Things are little better for the dermatopathologist. Predictably, these conditions begin with acute inflammation, are followed
Regulation of gene expression associated with acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by Lovastatin.

The attenuation of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) by Lovastatin (LOV) has now been well established. The present study was designed to explore the global effect of LOV treatment on expression of immune-related genes in lumbar spinal cord (LSC) during acute EAE by using Affymetrix DNA microarrays. LOV treatment demonstrated the limited infiltration of inflammatory cells into the LSC, and microarray analysis further validated those interpretations by demonstrating relatively less alteration in expression of immune response genes in LOV-treated EAE rats on peak clinical day and recovery vs. untreated EAE counterparts. There was significant change in expression of about 158 immune-related genes (including 127 genes reported earlier) in LOV-treated vs. untreated EAE (>1.5 or <-1.5 fold change; P ≤ .05), of which 140 genes were suppressed and only 18 genes were up-regulated. These altered genes encode for leukocyte-specific markers and receptors, histocompatibility complex, cytokines/receptors, chemokines/receptors, adhesion molecules, components of the complement cascade, cellular activation, and transcription factors and signal transduction-related molecules. Interestingly, TH2 phenotype cytokines such as interleukin-4, interleukin-10, and transforming growth factor-β1 and transcription factors such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ were up-regulated in LSC by LOV treatment as further revealed by real-time PCR and immunoblotting. These findings indicate that PPARs may be mediating the antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of LOV. Together, these findings provide new insight into the molecular events associated with the protection provided by statins during treatment of demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
PRICING STRATEGY & PRACTICE“Why did you do that?” The important role of inferred motive in perceptions of price fairness

There is research evidence that suggests that perceptions of price unfairness give rise to consumer resistance to prices and result in decreased profit to the firm. However, it is as yet unclear what factors influence perceptions of unfairness. Answers the question, “What is fair?” by proposing that consumers sometimes infer a firm’s motive for a price and that the inferred motive influences perceived price fairness. A study provides evidence that consumers use contextual information to infer a firm’s motive. When consumers infer a negative motive, the price is perceived to be unfair and when consumers do not infer a negative motive, the same price is perceived to be fair. Suggests that marketers should: provide reasons for prices; consider consumers’ likely inferences of motive and either avoid taking actions that are likely to give rise to inferences of negative motive or manage the motive inferred; and consider the inferences that consumers may make for other marketing actions in addition to price.
Photoreactions of Chromium Cyclodienyl Complexes with Alkynes: Double [5 + 2],homo[5 + 2] Cycloaddition Reactions

UV irradiation of the cycloheptadienyl complexes [(η5-C7H8R)Cr(CO)3SnPh3] (1a, R = H; 1b, R = C(Me)S(CH2)3S; 1c, R = CHPh2) or cyclohexadienyl complexes [(η5-C6H6R)Cr(CO)2(NO)] (7, R = C(Me)S(CH2)3S) and 2 equiv of 2-butyne or 3-hexyne in toluene or n-hexane gave new tricyclic complexes 2, 5, and 8. These complexes arise from sequential [5 + 2] and homo[5 + 2] cycloadditions of two alkyne molecules to the η5-dienyl manifold forming 11-alkylidenetricyclo[5.3.1.04,10]undeca-2,5-diene or tricyclo[5.2.1.04,9]deca-2,5-dien-10-yl ligands, respectively. Heating 2 in acetonitrile gave [Cr(CO)3(CH3CN)3] and the tricyclic organic compounds 3. UV irradiation of 1a and 1-phenyl-1-propyne or 1c and 2-butyne directly gave the organic compounds 4a,b and 5c, 6a,b, respectively, as mixtures of isomers. The adduct resulting from 1a and two molecules of 3-hexyne has been characterized by an X-ray diffraction study.
Detection and discrimination of landmines in ground-penetrating radar using an EigenMine and fuzzy-membership-function approach

This paper introduces a system for landmine detection using sensor data generated by a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). The GPR produces a three-dimensional array of intensity values, representing a volume below the surface of the ground. First, a constant false alarm rate (CFAR) detector is used to focus attention and identify candidates that resemble mines. Next, translation invariant features are extracted by projecting the magnitude of the Fourier transformation onto the dominant eigenvectors in the training data. The training signatures are then clustered to identify prototypes. Crisp and fuzzy k-nearest neighbor rules are used to distinguish true detections from false alarms.
Non‐directive moments in a directive world

This article considers how a counselor can best serve his clients in the world as it is, where each human being is exposed to an enormous amount of data he must process. The author has, for some years, struggled with this problem and suggests here an answer that seems most comfortable for him and most useful to his clients. Non-directive moments are recommended for the very reason that the world is predominantly directive.
Graduate Record Examination and Miller Analogies Test Scores: Examining Four Methods of Equivalencing:

MAT and GRE scores were equated by regression, conditional mean, linear and equipercentile methods using data from a sample that had taken both tests. The regression and linear methods were preferr...
Agreement Between Self-Report and Medical Record Prevalence of 16 Chronic Conditions in the Alaska EARTH Study.

The gold standard for health information is the health record. Hospitalization and outpatient diagnoses provide health systems with data on which to project health costs and plan programmatic changes. Although health record information may be reliable and perceived as accurate, it may not include population-specific information and may exclude care provided outside a specific health care facility. Sole reliance on medical record information may lead to underutilization of health care services and inadequate assessment of population health status. In this study, we analyzed agreement, without assuming a gold standard, between self-reported and recorded chronic conditions in an American Indian/Alaska Native cohort. Self-reported health history was collected from 3821 adult participants of the Alaska EARTH study during 2004-2006. Participant medical records were electronically accessed and reviewed. Self-reported chronic conditions were underreported in relation to the medical record and both information sou...
Magnetic recording techniques for buried servos

A continuous servo system that shares the surface area of the medium with data on the same track, to improve the accuracy of servo-track following, uses only conventional media and a single head. A long-gap head records low-frequency servo signals deeply into the medium coating, and a short-gap head then erases the surface portion to stabilize the servo amplitude. Short-gap read-write heads then write and read high-frequency data signals without interference. Using frequency-separation filters and an ac-biased pulse-write method, an inductive head reads servos while simultaneously writing data. Servo-signal amplitude increases during data-write operations. Servo signals, which do not degrade after stabilization, provide information needed for track following and for various timing and control functions. Data reliability is unimpaired.
Singlet excitons in crystalline naphthalene, antracene, tetracene and pentacene

Abstract The energies and oscillator strengths of exciton transitions in crystalline naphthalene, anthracene, tetracene and pentacene are calculated using second quantized boson theory. The lattice sums of Coulomb exciton transfer interactions consist of an Ewald sum of molecular point dipole-dipole interations and a direct sum of nondipolar interactions calculated from PPP wavefunctions using the atomic—multipole representation of transition charge densities. The calculated exciton energies and oscillator strengths are compared with available experimental data. For anthracene, inclusion of the nondipolar interactions leads to substantially better agreement between theory and experiment. For tetracene and pentracene, the factor group splittings of the lowest transition are determined primarily by crystal induced mixing with higher transitions.
Use of the Evoked Sacral Potential in the Diagnosis of Male Impotence

The study of evoked sacral potentials in men complaining of erectile impotence is a new diagnostic modality. Our early results confirm its usefulness in diagnosing impotence secondary to diseases of the sacral spinal cord or its roots.
Compuational analyses of developmental cis-regualtory control systems (invited presentation)

Developmental processes are hardwired in the genomic DNA of each animal species. The DNA sequences that specify the architecture of developmental control networks are the cis-regulatory elements that individually determine the state of activity of each of the many genes required to generate a developmental event. These elements each mediate many interactions with transcription factors, which are selected with high specificity according to the target binding sites in each cis-regulatory element. Cis-regulatory elements can be thought of as analog information processing devices. This concept is illustrated by an experimental and computational analysis of a cis-regulatory system from the developmentally regulated Endo 16 gene of the sea urchin embryo. Large-scale developmental events require mobilization of batteries of downstream genes, and are instituted by signal inputs to regulatory genes encoding transcription factors. Functional linkages between genes determine which signals affect which regulatory genes, in space and time, and which gene batteries will be involved. Thus both inter cis-regulatory networks and intra cis-regulatory systems are specified by arrays of genomic target site sequences. A model of an intergenic network of this kind that controls endomesoderm specification in sea urchin embryos has been constructed on the basis of experimental information. This model consists of a set of predicted inputs and outputs to a minimal group of regulatory genes encoding endodermal and mesodermal transcription factors, and components of signaling systems. The predictions of the model are experimentally testable, and indeed some such model is a clear necessity for productive experimental analysis.
Relationship of plasma anti-heparin activity and platelet survival time in coronary disease

Abstract Platelet-endothelial interaction probably plays a role in the development of atherosclerotic vascular disease and its complications. Platelet survival time has been found to be shortened and plasma anti-heparin activity has been shown to be increased in patients with coronary atherosclerosis. Platelet survival (autologous labelling with 51 Chromium) and plasma anti-heparin activity (heparin-thrombin clotting time of platelet poor plasma) were measured in 75 men with coronary artery disease. Platelet survival was shortened (
Effects of Epizootic Shell Disease on Egg Quality of the American Lobster

Epizootic shell disease (ESD) of the American lobster, Homarus americanus Milne Edwards, 1837, is of increasing concern, particularly in the southern New England fishery where prevalence is highest. Egg-bearing female lobsters are more susceptible to the disease because many of them molt less frequently when carrying eggs. This study examines the effect of the disease on late-stage embryos through measures of egg quality. Egg samples were taken from ninety lobsters with varying levels of ESD in lower Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound off the coast of Massachusetts, USA. Egg quality was measured with biomass (egg area and dry weight) and biochemical (total carbon and total nitrogen) components. Each response variable was estimated using linear mixed-effects models that included potential covariates as measures of maternal adult lobster size and embryonic development. The effect of disease was significant for all of the response variables, indicating that the presence of the disease correlates with individual egg quality. Counterintuitively, results showed that as disease severity increased, measures of egg quality also increased. Trends showed that light cases of ESD produced similar responses to lobsters with no disease present. Moderate and severe levels of the disease also produced similar results. This could suggest that heavily diseased lobsters are exhibiting energetic trade-offs, investing more energy into reproduction. It is also possible that this trend is the result of other combined effects corresponding to lobster molt cycles, spawning timing, and environmental conditions that also result in the presence of ESD. Effects of the disease on early life history processes could be important considerations for future research on ESD and its effect on the lobster population.
Fertilization of zona‐drilled mouse oocytes treated with a monoclonal antibody to the zona glycoprotein, ZP3

Opening a small aperture in the zona pellucida of mouse oocytes by using micromanipulation and a stream of acidified Tyrode's solution (zona drilling) improved the efficiency of in vitro fertilization at low sperm concentrations without adversely affecting development to the blastocyst stage. Zona drilling also permitted in vitro fertilization and development when sperm penetration through the zona was blocked by a monoclonal antibody to the protein core of the zona glycoprotein, ZP3. These results provide a direct demonstration that sperm entry occurs through the aperture and also suggest that zona drilling of human oocytes may offer a therapeutic approach when autoantibodies to the zona pellucida are suspected as a cause of infertility.
Heterotopic transplantation in the syncytial blastoderm ofDrosophila: Evidence for anterior and posterior nuclear commitments.

The interaction ofDrosophila syncytial blastoderm nuclei and cortical cytoplasm in the control of somatic developmental commitments was studied by transplanting genetically marked nuclei and surrounding cytoplasm between anterior and posterior flanks. After completion of cellularization the host egg was cut. Host anterior or posterior partial embryos were cultured in adult abdomens for 8–10 days, then the larval tissue removed and injected into larval hosts for metamorphosis. Differentiated ectodermal implants were recovered from emerged adults and characterized. One hundred sixteen clearly interpretable control and experimental implants were found. Of the 73 experimental implants 15 were derived from donor nuclei.
Silver nanoparticle-alginate composite beads for point-of-use drinking water disinfection

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)-alginate composite beads were synthesized using three different approaches as filler materials of packed columns for simultaneous filtration-disinfection as an alternative portable water treatment process. The prepared composite beads were packed into a column through which Escherichia coli containing water was filtered to evaluate the disinfection efficacy. Excellent disinfection performance (no detectable viable colony) was achieved with a hydraulic retention time (HRT) as short as 1 min (the shortest tested) with the SGR (Simultaneous-Gelation-Reduction) and AR (Adsorption-Reduction) beads that were prepared using in situ reduction of Ag(+). Comparatively, the SGR beads released significantly less Ag(+)/AgNPs than the AR beads did within the same HRT. From the results of this study it was identified that SGR may be the best choice among all three different synthesis approaches in that the SGR beads can achieve satisfactory bactericidal performance with a relatively low material consumption rate.
Equilibrium of three liquid phases in water-acetonitrile-benzene-n-hexane mixtures at 65°C

Abstract Bocko, P., 1980. Equilibrium of three liquid phases in water-acetonitrile-benzene-n-hexane mixtures at 65°C. Fluid Phase Equilibria, 4: 137–150. Three-liquid-phase equilibrium data are presented for the system water-acetonitrile-benzene-n-hexane at 65°C. We find the critical exponent 1/β′ of the three-phase coexistence curve to be 2.7, as predicted by theory. The data are not sufficiently precise to test other theoretically predicted departures from the classical form of the three-phase coexistence curve.
Applicability of Hamilton's equations in the quantum soliton problem.

We test the validity of Hamilton-equation methods for determining the time evolution of trial state vectors in quantum mechanics. Given a trial state vector, we are able to construct a differential operator under which a scalar Hamilton function must be invariant. State vectors composed of single-particle states, coherent-state products, and mixed single-particle states and coherent-state products are considered explicitly. In the latter category, we consider state vectors of the form proposed by Davydov in his treatment of the quantum soliton problem. We find that Davydov's wave vector, as determined by the Hamilton-equation method, is not a solution of the Schr\"odinger equation for the Fr\"ohlich Hamiltonian except under very restrictive circumstances. The theoretical justification for a number of conclusions about soliton transport in Fr\"ohlich-type systems is thus called into question.
Ethylene Production in Fading Vanda Orchid Blossoms.

The production of ethylene by fading blooms of Vanda Miss Agnes Joaquim, determined quantitatively by the perchlorate manometric procedure, was correlated with the degree of fading. A peak production of over 3400 µl per kilogram hour was obtained when 97 percent of the blooms were faded.
Photoenhanced toxicity of a carbamate insecticide to early life stage anuran amphibians

Aican clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) and gray tree frog (Hyla versicolor) embryos and tadpoles were exposed to sublethal levels of carbaryl, a broad-spectrum insecticide, and ultraviolet radiation to determine interactive and sublethal effects. Ultraviolet intensity (UV-B [285–320 nm] plus UV-A [321–400 nm]) was controlled with various types of plastic filters and quantified with a scanning spectroradiometer. Significant differences in swimming activity and mortality of both species were evident during the 96-h experiments. Ultraviolet-B radiation alone and carbaryl in the presence of UV-B significantly decreased swimming activity of both species. As little as 1.5% intensity of ambient solar UV-B radiation photoactivated carbaryl. Toxicity of 7.5 mg/L carbaryl increased by 10-fold in the presence of UV-B in all species and life stages tested. Our results indicate that photoenhancement by solar UV-B radiation should be considered when evaluating the toxicity of contaminants to amphibians and other organisms.
Robust estimation and aggregation of ocean internal wave parameters using Lagrangian drifters

This paper considers a group of drogues whose objective is to estimate the physical parameters that determine the dynamics of ocean nonlinear internal waves. While underwater, individual drogues do not have access to absolute position information and only rely on inter-drogue measurements. Building on this data and the structure of the drogue dynamics under the flow induced by an internal wave, this paper improves in three different ways upon our previous strategy, termed PARAMETER DETERMINATION STRATEGY, which determines all wave parameters. The first is by showing that with sufficiently fast sampling, the extended algorithm determines the wave parameters. The second is by showing its applicability to situations where two internal waves are present simultaneously. With the extended algorithm, multiple estimates are calculated for each parameter. Thus, with the presence of noisy measurements, the third contribution is a method to aggregate parameter estimates to reduce the error. Simulations illustrate the algorithm performance under noisy measurements, the effect that the initial drogue locations has on robustness, and the effectiveness of parameter aggregation.
Joint confidence interval construction for multivariate applications in marketing

This paper discusses a common error made by many market researchers; improper calculation of joint confidence intervals. A table of the individual confidence intervals required in order to attain an overall target confidence interval is presented. It is believed that this table will be a useful reference for market researchers.
Bipedal robotic running with partial hybrid zero dynamics and human-inspired optimization

This paper presents a method for achieving stable “human-like” running in simulation by using human-inspired control. Data from human running experiments are processed, analyzed and split into the two domains: stance phase and flight phase. By examining this data, we present a set of outputs, i.e., functions of the kinematics, which appear to represent human running; moreover, we show that this output data can be described by the time-solution to a linear spring-mass-damper—termed the canonical locomotion function. This observation motivates the construction of a human-inspired optimization that determines the parameters of the canonical locomotion function that provide the best fit of the human data while simultaneously enforcing partial hybrid zero dynamics, i.e., that the human outputs track the canonical locomotion functions even through impacts. The main result is a method for numerically solving this optimization problem that provably results in stable robotic running. Simulation results are presented that demonstrate the “human-like” robotic running obtained through this procedure.
Electrocardiographic changes during selective coronary cineangiography.

Examination was made of standard lead III of the electrocardiogram recorded during selective right and left coronary artery injections of Hypaque-M 75% in 107 patients. Left coronary artery injection caused the mean frontal plane QRS vector to shift transiently to the left and T wave vector to shift toward the right. Right coronary artery injection caused shifts of the QRS and T wave vectors in the opposite directions. Occlusion of one main coronary artery caused these ECG changes to be minimal or absent. Transient sinus bradycardia was common with injection of either coronary artery. Serious arrhythmias were rare. The electrocardiogram recorded during selective coronary arteriography can give information useful to the angiographer during the procedure itself as well as during the subsequent interpretation of the angiogram.
TORT solutions to the NEA suite of benchmarks for 3D transport methods and codes over a range in parameter space

Abstract We present the TORT solutions to the 3D transport codes’ suite of benchmarks exercise. An overview of benchmark configurations is provided, followed by a description of the TORT computational model we developed to solve the cases comprising the benchmark suite. In the numerical experiments reported in this paper, we chose to refine the spatial and angular discretizations simultaneously, from the coarsest model (40 × 40 × 40, 200 angles) to the finest model (160 × 160 × 160, 800 angles). The MCNP reference solution is used for evaluating the effect of model-refinement on the accuracy of the TORT solutions. The presented results show that the majority of benchmark quantities are computed with good accuracy by TORT, and that the accuracy improves with model refinement. However, this deliberately severe test has exposed some deficiencies in both deterministic and stochastic solution approaches. Specifically, TORT fails to converge the inner iterations in some benchmark configurations while MCNP produces zero tallies, or drastically poor statistics for some benchmark quantities. We conjecture that TORT’s failure to converge is driven by ray effects in configurations with low scattering ratio and/or highly skewed computational cells, i.e. aspect ratio far from unity. The failure of MCNP occurs in quantities tallied over a very small area or volume in physical space, or quantities tallied many (∼25) mean free paths away from the source. Hence automated, robust, and reliable variance reduction techniques are essential for obtaining high quality reference values of the benchmark quantities. Preliminary results of the benchmark exercise indicate that the occasionally poor performance of TORT is shared with other deterministic codes. Armed with this information, method developers can now direct their attention to regions in parameter space where such failures occur and design alternative solution approaches for such instances.
Rapid polyvalent screening for largescale environmental Spiroplasma surveys

Surface serology is an important determinant in Spiroplasma systematics. Reciprocal antigen/antibody reactions between spiroplasmas and individual antisera delineate the 38 described groups and species. However, reciprocal serology is impractical for large-scale studies. This report describes a successful, streamlined polyvalent screening approach used to examine isolates from an environmental survey.
Isolation, purification and partial characterization of a new extracellular cytotoxin from a virulent clinical strain of Listeria monocytogenes serotype 4b, and an avirulent, nonhemolytic variant ATCC 15313 serotype 1/2a

A number of pathologies oflisteric infections in man remain unexplained. The objective of this study was to investigate whether strains of Listeria monocytogenes synthesize additional toxin(s), which may be implicated in these unexplained pathologies. Results showed that both virulent (4b) and avirulent (ATCC 15313) strains of L. monocytogenes synthesize a previously unrecognized extracellular cytotoxin of Mr 34,000. Cytotoxin synthesis is possibly dependent on the type of salt and the concentration of calcium ions. The cytotoxin is highly thermostable (D121C > 10 min) but is susceptible to digestion by trypsin/chymotrypsin. The cytotoxin is thermostable as the absence of viable L. monocytogenes cells in a food does not preclude the possibility of a toxigenic food product. The role of the cytotoxin in a listeric infection is at present unknown.
Geometrical dimension versus smoothness

We study the relation between geometric dimension and smoothness, and give a precise characterization of the fractal dimension of the graph of a function in terms of smoothness classes of functions. We also express the fractal dimension in terms of different classical oscillation measures and in terms of wavelet expansions.
Investigations of hydrogen/Li2O surface interactions via quantum chemical cluster methods

Both in-pile and out-of-pile tritium release experiments on solid breeder ceramics have indicated that the presence of hydrogen in the purge gas significantly enhances the tritium release rate. To provide an understanding of this phenomenon we have undertaken a series of theoretical investigations into the interaction of a hydrogen molecule with Li2O surfaces. Two complementary quantum chemical cluster methods, i.e., the extended Huckel (EH) and the Ab Initio (AI) approaches have been utilized. The partially covalent nature of the interaction dictates the necessity of a quantum mechanical approach. We have examined the issues of binding energetics, favored adsorption sites and the degree of charge transfer. Basing on these calculations the nature of the interaction of H2/Li2O surfaces has been analyzed. As far as the authors are aware this represents the first time that these issues for this system (which is of crucial importance for fusion technology) have been addressed on such a comprehensive quantum mechanical basis. Implications for the interpretation of tritium release experiments would be addressed.
Response of Oxygen Uptake to Exercise in Coronary Artery Disease

Oxygen uptake one minute after starting to walk on a treadmill with fixed settings of speed and grade ( V ˙ O 2- 1) was found in 24 normal men and 5 normal women to be linearly related to the power requirement against gravity (P) in which P = weight × grade × walking speed. From this finding a standardized determination of V ˙ O 2- 1 at P = 1072 kg-M/min was devised with averaging of the first two acceptable determinations. Twenty-five normal men and 40 men with coronary artery disease (CAD) were studied. Abnormally low V ˙ O 2- 1 scores were found in 21 of the CAD patients. In seven patients studied with the technique of the single breath cardiac output (CO), correlation existed between V ˙ O 2- 1 and cardiac output at one minute (CO-1). Low values of V ˙ O 2 -I occurred in 12 of 16 patients with elevated values of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (p < .05). There was no correlation between V ˙ O 2- 1 and the number of vessels involved. Data suggest that impaired ventricular performance results in a delayed rise of V ˙ O 2 . The latter can be observed in about 50 percent of patients undergoing coronary angiography.
It depends on when you ask: Motives for using marijuana assessed before versus after a marijuana use event

Abstract Background Marijuana use motives are typically evaluated retrospectively using measures that summarize or generalize across episodes of use, which may compromise validity. Using Ecological Momentary Assessment data, we examined the main reason for a specific marijuana use event measured both prospectively and retrospectively. We then determined reason types, event characteristics, and user characteristics that predicted change in reason. Methods Thirty-six medical outpatients age 15 to 24 years who used marijuana two times a week or more used a handheld computer to select their main reason for use from the five categories of the Marijuana Motives Measure (Simons, Correia, & Carey, 1998) just before and after each time they used marijuana over two weeks ( n = 263 events with before/after reason). The reasons were examined individually and according to dimensions identified in motivational models of substance use (positive/negative, internal/external). Results The reason assessed before use changed to a different reason after use for 20% of events: 10% of events for pleasure; 21%, to cope; 35%, to be more social; 55%, to expand my mind; and 100%, to conform. In the multivariable model, external and expansion reasons each predicted change in reason for use ( p p = 0.001, respectively). Youth were also more likely to change their reason if older ( p = 0.04), if male ( p = 0.02), and with weekend use ( p = 0.002). Conclusion Retrospective assessments of event-specific motives for marijuana use may be unreliable and therefore invalid for a substantial minority of events, particularly if use is for external or expansion reasons.
A successful algorithm for the undirected Hamiltonian path problem

Abstract In this paper a polynomial algorithm called the Minram algorithm is presented which finds a Hamiltonian Path in an undirected graph with high frequency of success for graphs up to 1000 nodes. It first reintroduces the concept described in [13] and then explains the algorithm. Computational comparison with the algorithm by Posa [10] is given. It is shown that a Hamiltonian Path is a spanning arborescence with zero ramification index. Given an undirected graph, the Minram algorithm starts by finding a spanning tree which defines a unique spanning arborescence. By suitable pivots it locates a locally minimal value of the ramification index. If this local minima corresponds to zero ramification index then the algorithm is considered to have ended successfully, else a failure is reported. Computational performance of the algorithm on randomly generated Hamiltonian graphs is given. The random graphs used as test problems were generated using the procedure explained in Section 6.1. Comparison with our version of the Posa algorithm which we call Posa-ran algorithm [10] is also made.
Immunoglobulin-like nature of the α-chain of a human T-cell antigen/MHC receptor

Although the receptor with which T cells bind specific antigen can, like immunoglobulin, distinguish between antigens which differ only slightly in structure, it is unique in recognizing antigen only in conjunction with one of the self proteins of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC restriction). The receptor was identified and characterized in mouse and man by using monoclonal antibodies to receptor idiotypes, and consists of two disulphide-linked polypeptides, and acidic alpha-chain and a neutral to slightly basic beta-chain. Peptide maps have shown that, like immunoglobulin, both chains vary for receptors of different specificities. T-cell-derived cDNA clones have recently been identified in mouse and man encoding immunoglobulin-like molecules. These were identified as derived from beta-chain genes through a partial N-terminal protein sequence of the beta-chain isolated from a human T-cell tumour. We have now purified the alpha- and beta-chains of the receptor of the human T-cell leukaemia line HPB-MLT, and have determined the amino acid sequence of several tryptic peptides derived from each chain. Our results further confirm that the previously reported cDNA clones encode beta-chains. The sequence of the alpha-chain peptides identify this as another immunoglobulin-like polypeptide chain. Particularly striking was an alpha-chain peptide with high homology to the conserved portion of the immunoglobulin J segment and T-cell receptor beta-chains. Surprisingly, the alpha-chain peptides show little similarity to the sequence predicted by two overlapping putative murine alpha-chain cDNA clones.
Participation of MCP-induced protein 1 in lipopolysaccharide preconditioning-induced ischemic stroke tolerance by regulating the expression of proinflammatory cytokines

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) preconditioning-induced neuroprotection is known to be related to suppression of the inflammatory response in the ischemic area. This study seeks to determine if monocyte chemotactic protein-induced protein 1 (MCPIP1), a recently identified CCCH Zn finger-containing protein, plays a role in focal brain ischemia and to elucidate the mechanisms of LPS-induced ischemic brain tolerance. Transcription and expression of MCPIP1 gene was monitored by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Mouse microglia was prepared from cortices of C57BL/6 mouse brain and primary human microglia was acquired from Clonexpress, Inc. Wild type and MCPIP1 knockout mice were treated with LPS (0.2 mg/kg) 24 hours before brain ischemia induced by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The infarct was measured by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. MCPIP1 protein and mRNA levels significantly increased in both mouse and human microglia and mouse brain undergoing LPS preconditioning. MCPIP1 mRNA level significantly increased in mice ipsilateral brain than that of contralateral side after MCAO. The mortality of MCPIP1 knockout mice was significantly higher than that of wild-type after MCAO. MCPIP1 deficiency caused significant increase in the infarct volume compared with wild type mice undergoing LPS preconditioning. MCPIP1 deficiency caused significant upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines in mouse brain. Furthermore, MCPIP1 deficiency increased c-Jun N terminal kinase (JNK) activation substantially. Inhibition of JNK signaling decreased the production of proinflammatory cytokines in MCPIP1 knock out mice after MCAO. Our data indicate that absence of MCPIP1 exacerbates ischemic brain damage by upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and that MCPIP1 participates in LPS-induced ischemic stroke tolerance.
Homogenization of the compressible Navier–Stokes equations in a porous medium

We study the homogenization of the compressible Navier–Stokes system in a periodic porous medium (of period e ) with Dirichlet boundary conditions. At the limit, we recover different systems depending on the scaling we take. In particular, we rigorously derive the so-called “porous medium equation”.
Implementation of a Decentralized Adaptive Control System for the 12-TET Walker

The purpose of the tetrahedral walker (Tetwalker) project is to extend current space exploration into regions currently inaccessible by traditional wheeled or humanoid robots. The Tetwalker consists of arms, or struts, that join at nodes to form a tetrahedron. The struts will be able to lengthen and shorten, thereby giving the Tetrahedron shape-shifting abilities. The robot will move by changing the strut length to change its center of mass, causing it to tumble. Another benefit of such a robot is that when multiple units are combined, it is able to assume more complex shapes. This project focuses specifically on the third generation Tetwalker (the 12-Tetwalker), which consists of twelve tetrahedral robots combined to form a cube with the ability to carry a payload in the center. The intention is to use this robot for the exploration of extreme environments, such as the Martian and Lunar surfaces. The focus of this subset of the project was to implement Homayoun Seraji's decentralized adaptive controller (DAC) to the robot. This would lessen the need for a centralized brain that would control each strut, which would be very complicated and impractical to implement for such a device. The DAC would allow each strut to independently extend to its proper position in the current gait. The DAC was to be implemented in MATLAB as well as in C for the PIC18F6627 microcontroller. The DAC would be tested by using the PUMA 560 model presented in Seraji's paper. After this initial testing of the DAC, the DAC will be tested on a model for the 12-Tetwalker.
Equity Considerations for Wetland Retention Programs: Using a Stochastic Frontier Approach to Investigate Policy Alternatives

This analysis presents a stylized depiction of a government pro- gram such as the wetland reserve, where a social planner determines which types of wetlands are brought into production and which are left idle. If the planner is concerned with the dispersion or variance of bene- fits across producers as well as the mean, his decision problem is alge- braically equivalent to a mean-variance portfolio model for a risk-averse individual. The model also identifies an efficient frontier of policies un- der various "inequality tolerance" levels. Based on available survey data, I apply this method to determine the effects of wetland dispersion on producers' income.
The Change in Impedance of a Single-Turn Coil Due to a Flaw in a Coaxial Conducting Cylinder

The problem of detection and location of a small flaw inside a conducting cylinder using an eddy current coil coaxial with the cylinder has been addressed. The electric field at an arbitrary axial and radial position inside the conductor has been obtained from a previous solution of the boundary value problem. An expression for the change in complex impedance due to a small flaw located within a conducting body has been derived and is shown to be a function of the electric field at the position of the flaw. For the case of a degenerate point flaw, this expression is further simplified by using just the value of the electric field at the position of the centroid of the flaw. The overall impedance is shown to be a function of the ratio of the radii of the loop and cylinder and of the conductivity of the material. The expression for the change in complex impedance has been factored into two terms, one dependent on the axial location of the flaw, and the other on the depth of the flaw. The axial location of the flaw is seen to affect only the magnitude and phase of the change in impedance; whereas the depth of the flaw is seen to affect both the magnitude and phase of the change in impedance. Plots of the complex change in impedance as a function of the axial location and depth of the flaw have been provided to illustrate its functional dependence on these parameters.