cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metaphors of Hierarchy in a Mayan Ritual

Conventional actions denoting differences in rank are considered a central part of a Mayan ritual honoring a local saint and provide the basis for the formal analysis presented here. The ritual elements—acts drawn from daily etiquette and other ritual contexts—are combined in a way consistent with classic theories of ritual. While providing the basis for a formal argument, ways of designating rank order are not treated as “empty ritual”: they pose a moral problem for the participants that contributes to the meaning of the ritual itself.
Three-Body Problem with Charged Particles

The formal modification, by long-range potentials, of the scattering equations describing three particles interacting through short-range potentials is discussed in terms of the exact Coulomb Green's function, whose mathematical properties are known. This Green's function can be explicitly written down in several special cases; approximate forms of the modified theory are described for these instances. The application of the Coulomb-modified three-particle scattering theory to the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-cluster model of ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}$ and to deuteron-induced nuclear reactions is described in some detail. For the three-$\ensuremath{\alpha}$ model, an heuristic generalization of the local plane-wave approximation is used to obtain a simple approximate form for the Coulomb Green's function. This new theory may have some relevance to the problem of helium burning in stars. Finally, in the Appendix a discussion is given of why the methods of multiparticle collision theory fail in the problem of calculating the general three-body Coulomb Green's function at positive, real energies. A possibly useful, mathematically well-defined method for constructing this Green's function at negative real energies is also given in the Appendix.
Echocardiographic features of second degree atrioventricular block.

Echocardiographic studies demonstrated abnormalities of motion of the pulmonary valve, the aortic root and valve, the mitral and tricuspid valves, the left ventricle, and the left atrium in two patients with second-degree atrioventricular block. During Wenckebach 3:2 atrioventricular conduction, ventricular beats exhibited alternately long and short periods of systolic opening of the pulmonary and aortic valves and alternately large and small left ventricular stroke volumes. During 4:3 and 3:2 Wenckebach atrioventricular conduction, the left ventricular stroke volume was directly proportional to the preceding end-diastolic volume. During 2:1 atrioventricular conduction, the Mocked atrial contractions may produce movements of the left atrial wall, thereby revealing the true atrial rate when the Mocked P waves are obscured in the electrocardiogram by their superimposition on preceding T waves.
Thresholds for activation of rabbit retinal ganglion cells with a subretinal electrode.

Abstract The ultimate success of a retinal prosthesis to create vision will likely depend upon developing a base of knowledge of how best to electrically stimulate the retina. Previously, we studied the responses of rabbit retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) to current pulses applied with an electrode placed on the epiretinal surface. In the present study, we examined the responses of rabbit RGCs to current pulses applied with a subretinal electrode. Single-unit extracellular recordings were made from OFF RGCs and ON RGCs in isolated retinas, which were stimulated with monophasic current pulses (0.1–50 ms in duration), delivered through a 500-μm diameter electrode. All RGCs elicited one or more bursts of action potentials upon electrical stimulation of the retina. The timing of the bursts depended upon both the polarity of the electrical stimulus and the RGC type. With near-threshold current pulses, the response latencies of OFF RGCs to anodal stimulation were comparable to those of ON RGCs to cathodal stimulation, whereas the response latencies of OFF RGCs to cathodal stimulation were comparable to those of ON RGCs to anodal stimulation. Threshold currents for activation of RGCs decreased with increased pulse duration. For OFF RGCs, threshold currents for cathodal current pulses were, on average, 2–7.5 times higher (depending upon pulse duration) than the threshold currents for anodal current pulses. For ON RGCs, threshold currents for cathodal and anodal current pulses were, on average, nearly identical for all pulse durations and were equivalent to threshold currents of OFF RGCs to anodal stimulation. With respect to a subretinal prosthesis, our findings suggest the possibility that cathodal current pulses may bias activation of ON RGCs in blind patients.
Integrated optic modulator and splitter damage at 1053 nm

We are designing and developing a single mode fiber laser and modulation system for use in an inertial confinement fusion research laser, the National Ignition Facility (NIF). Our fiber and integrated optic oscillator / modulator system generates optical pulses of around 30 nanoseconds duration, at one kilohertz, with up to 500 nanojoules of energy. This is enough to potentially damage some of the single mode fiber and waveguide components. To test these components, we have built a test system using a diode-pumped Nd:YLF laser, producing 10 microjoules in 120 nanoseconds at 500 hertz. This system has been used to test commercial lithium niobate integrated optic modulators, silica-on-silicon waveguide splitters, lens-coupled dichroic mirror splitters, and other fiber optic components. We present results of damage tests and efforts to improve performance.
Comparison of four techniques for late harvesting of weed-infested wheat research plots

Abstract Four commonly used techniques were evaluated for their usefulness in accurately and quickly harvesting field research plots of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em Thell). Six wheat cultivars that differ in height, maturity, lodging, shattering, and yield potential were used. The plots were harvested 16 days beyond the maturity date of the latest cultivar to increase the likelihood of weed growth, shattering and lodging so that their influence on harvest could be evaluated. The Hege 125 B self-propelled combine required less time for harvest than the Suzue CP 730 combine, the Suzue B600D binder, or the Jari mower. The Hege and Suzue combines resulted in lower coefficients of variability in yield analysis than the binder and mower systems. The combines and the binder provided higher estimates of yield than the mower. Greater dockage occurred with the Hege combine.
Frustrated Hubbard ladders and superconductivity in κ -BEDT-TTF organic compounds

Half-filled two-leg Hubbard ladders have spin-gapped short-range antiferromagnetic correlations while three-leg ladders have power law antiferromagnetic correlations, and both systems have d{sub x{sup 2}-y{sup 2}}-power-law pairing correlations when they are doped. These ladders exhibit some of the phenomenology seen in the layered cuprates. Here we report results for half-filled frustrated Hubbard ladders, based upon two-leg ladder segments taken from a tight-binding model of {kappa}-BEDT-TTF. Although these ladders are half-filled, varying the degree of frustration can drive them across an insulator-metal transition. Here we study the spin, charge and pairing correlations of these frustrated ladders near the insulator-metal transition. We find that they exhibit some of the phenomenology seen in the organic BEDT materials and suggest that materials containing weakly coupled ladders of this type would be interesting to synthesize.
Naked power and The civil sphere

The Civil Sphere offers a bold and original thesis about the critically important role that civil societies play in Western democracies. Although I will challenge Alexander’s thesis, it is important to state at the outset that The Civil Sphere is a valuable book packed with rich social histories, lively engagements with ancient and contemporary theories, and novel interpretations. There is much to be learned here about the historic and sociological nature of racial, gender, and ethnic oppressions, and the struggles waged to overthrow them. This book makes an excellent case why social scientists and humanists should undertake serious study of civil society. In Alexander’s (2006) view, the civil sphere has been neglected theoretically, empirically, and substantively by contemporary philosophers, humanists, and social scientists. This is a shame because the civil sphere is a powerful actor that significantly shapes the politics, stratification orders, economics, social movements, and all important dimensions of modern societies. Moreover, the civil sphere designates those persons who are considered worthy and deserving rights and selects those who are to be viewed as damaged goods not fully possessing democratic sensibilities. These designations correspond roughly to a society’s stratification order. This book pays particular attention to those aspects of the civil sphere that encompass structures of feelings, symbols, psychological identifications, and sympathies, which in turn, determine to a significant degree, who gets what, when, where, and how. While structural domination, instrumental power, brute force, and strategic thinking matter in modern democracies, they are, according to Alexander, less consequential than this structure of soft power nestled in the civil sphere. Alexander warns that to ignore the centrality of this sphere is to engage in faulty social science. Equally disturbing, if scholars fail to study and theorize the civil sphere, they miss the opportunity to harness a liberating force capable of providing an exit from the iron cage of oligarchic bureaucracies and other crippling structures of human domination. Thus, the inability to recognize and understand the civil sphere forces us to live inside an impoverished house of social science and human possibilities. We owe Alexander an intellectual debt for directing attention to the civil sphere and its structure of feelings and cultural institutions that knit social actors into in and out groups, and provide that sense of “we-ness” and solidarity that is the essence of peoplehood. And if the civil sphere (and our understanding of it) holds the key that unlocks the door to human emancipation, we are deeply in Alexander’s debt. I am convinced by Alexander’s argument that key aspects of the civil sphere have a significant impact on social life. To be sure, solidarities that are able to bind members of
Linkage of Arginine-sensitive (ars) and Uracil-Arginine Requiring (pyrA) Loci of Salmonella typhimurium

ISHIDSU1 has isolated a mutant (ars-1) of Salmonella typhimurium that grows normally on a minimal medium but is strongly inhibited on addition of arginine. This sensitivity to arginine can, be overcome by the addition of uracil.
Soar/PSM-E: investigating match parallelism in a learning production sytsem

Soar is an attempt to realize a set of hypotheses on the nature of general intelligence within a single system. Soar uses a production system (rule based system) to encode its knowledge base. Its learning mechanism, chunking, adds productions continuously to the production system. The process of searching for relevant knowledge, matching, is known to be a performance bottleneck in production systems. PSM-E is a C-based implementation of the OPS5 production system on the Encore Multimax that has achieved significant speedups in matching. In this paper we describe our implementation, Soar/PSM-E, of Soar on the Encore Multimax that is built on top of PSM-E. We first describe the extensions and modifications required to PSM-E in order to support Soar, especially the capability of adding productions at run time as required by chunking. We present the speedups obtained on Soar/PSM-E and discuss some effects of chunking on parallelism. We also analyze the performance of the system and identify the bottlenecks limiting parallelism. Finally, we discuss the work in progress to deal with some of them.
CLINICAL MANAGEMENT OF FAMILIES WITH HEREDITARY COLORECTAL CANCER SYNDROMES.

Hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes can be associated with a lifetime risk of colorectal cancer of >70% in the absence of specialized surveillance. Diagnosing a genetic predisposition to cancer allows clinicians to tailor cancer prevention strategies for patients and families at highest risk. Once a genetic syndrome has been identified in a family, communication with family members, timely implementation of screening tests and/or surgeries, and psychosocial support are all instrumental for effective cancer prevention. Molecular screening of tumors, computerized risk assessment models, and genetic testing can help clinicians identify individuals at risk for hereditary cancer syndromes. This review discusses some of the complexities involved in the diagnosis and management of families with hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes and provides strategies for coordinating clinical care.
SQUID: Sensorized shirt with smartphone interface for exercise monitoring and home rehabilitation

Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability in the United States. There is a need for new technological adjuncts to expedite patients' scheduled discharge from hospital and pursue rehabilitation procedure at home. SQUID is a low-cost, smart shirt that incorporates a six-channel electromyography (EMG) and heart rate data acquisition module to deliver objective audiovisual and haptic biofeedback to the patient. The sensorized shirt is interfaced with a smartphone application, for the subject's usage at home, as well as the online database, for the therapist's remote supervision from hospital. A single healthy subject was recruited to investigate the system functionality during improperly performed exercise. The system can potentially be used in automated, remote monitoring of variety of physical therapy exercises, rooted in strength or coordination training of specific muscle groups.
The Evidence of the Once-Forbidden Spectra for the Law of β -Decay

A series of empirical arguments has developed which leave two alternatives for the law of $\ensuremath{\beta}$-interaction: an $\mathrm{STP}$ (scalar+tensor pseudoscalar) or a $\mathrm{VTP}$ ($V\ensuremath{\equiv}\mathrm{vector}$) combination. We offer a new argument, based on an interpretation of the reported "allowed" shapes of once-forbidden spectra, which favors the $\mathrm{STP}$ over the $\mathrm{VTP}$ form. This new development may be important because it is a possible last step in arriving at a unique law of $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay (i.e., all three components of the $\mathrm{STP}$ form would become both admissible and necessary).A critical stage in the new argument is the explanation of the "allowed" shapes. The theory may yield such shapes if the Coulomb potential energy at the nucleus is sufficiently larger than the kinetic energy with which electron and neutrino are emitted. That condition happens to be best fulfilled just for the cases in which the "allowed" shapes are the most accurately observed. However, the dominance of the Coulomb effect cannot be a sufficient condition except with the $\mathrm{STP}$ or $\mathrm{VA}$ forms of $\ensuremath{\beta}$-interaction. Other forms make deviations from the allowed shape possible even when the Coulomb energy is supposed indefinitely large.The last type of deviation has the same origin as the well-known Fierz interference in allowed spectra. The absence of the latter effect has been widely quoted but apparently never heretofore examined in detail. It is important in one of the series of arguments mentioned above. Hence, we investigate the empirical limits on Fierz-type deviations not only in once-forbidden but also in allowed spectra.
An improved electron energy-loss straggling algorithm for Monte Carlo transport codes.

The commonly used Blunck and Leisegang electron energy‐loss distribution falls off too rapidly with increasing energy loss. Also, for large thicknesses and/or low‐Z media, where their distribution should approach Landau’s, it normalizes to 0.92 rather than 1.0, it overestimates the number of very small energy‐loss events, and its peak is shifted from λ=−0.225 to 0.1. Because of these shortcomings, calculations made using this distribution yield a mean straggled energy loss which is lower than the value predicted by the continuous slowing down approximation (CSDA). An improved version of the Blunck–Leisegang distribution, which exhibits better normalization and falloff, has been developed. Further, an algorithm was created which (depending on the CSDA energy loss,Z, A, electron energy, and transport step size) samples the electron’s straggled energy loss from the more accurate of the available distribution functions.
Maximum length of large diameter Czochralski silicon single crystals at fracture stress limit of seed

Abstract Growth of large diameter Czochralski (CZ) silicon crystals require complete elimination of dislocations by means of Dash technique, where the seed diameter is reduced to a small size typically 3 mm in conjunction with increase in the pull rate. The maximum length of the large CZ silicon is estimated at the fracture stress limit of the seed neck diameter ( d ). The maximum lengths for 200 and 300 mm CZ crystals amount to 197 and 87 cm, respectively, with d = 0.3 cm; the estimated maximum weight is 144 kg.
Femtosecond electron diffraction: direct probe of ultrafast structural dynamics in metal films.

Femtosecond electron diffraction is a rapidly advancing technique that holds a great promise for studying ultrafast structural dynamics in phase transitions, chemical reactions, and function of biological molecules at the atomic time and length scales. In this paper, we summarize our development of a tabletop femtosecond electron diffractometer. Using a delicate instrument design and careful experimental configurations, we demonstrate the unprecedented capability of detecting submilli-angstrom lattice spacing change on a subpicosecond timescale with this new technique. We have conducted an in-depth investigation of ultrafast coherent phonon dynamics induced by an impulsive optical excitation in thin-film metals. By probing both coherent acoustic and random thermal lattice motions simultaneously in real time, we have provided the first and unambiguous experimental evidence that the pressure of hot electrons contributes significantly to the generation of coherent acoustic phonons under nonequilibrium conditions when electrons and phonons are not thermalized. Based on these observations, we also propose an innovative approach to measure the electronic Gruneisen parameter in magnetic materials at and above room temperature, which provides a way to gain new insights into electronic thermal expansion in ferromagnetic transition metals. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The RNA binding protein FXR1 is a new driver in the 3q26-29 amplicon and predicts poor prognosis in human cancers

Aberrant expression of RNA-binding proteins has profound implications for cellular physiology and the pathogenesis of human diseases such as cancer. We previously identified the Fragile X-Related 1 gene (FXR1) as one amplified candidate driver gene at 3q26-29 in lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). FXR1 is an autosomal paralog of Fragile X mental retardation 1 and has not been directly linked to human cancers. Here we demonstrate that FXR1 is a key regulator of tumor progression and its overexpression is critical for nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell growth in vitro and in vivo. We identified the mechanisms by which FXR1 executes its regulatory function by forming a novel complex with two other oncogenes, protein kinase C, iota and epithelial cell transforming 2, located in the same amplicon via distinct binding mechanisms. FXR1 expression is a candidate biomarker predictive of poor survival in multiple solid tumors including NSCLCs. Because FXR1 is overexpressed and associated with poor clinical outcomes in multiple cancers, these results have implications for other solid malignancies.
Synthesis of singly 2H‐, 3H‐, and 14C‐ and doubly labeled acetaminophen, phenacetin, and p‐acetanisidine

Several efficient procedures for the synthesis of deuterium, tritium, and 14C–labeled acetaminophen, phenacetin, and p-acetanisidine are described. p-Aminophenol was acylated by the appropriate acetic anhydride under mild conditions yielding labeled acetaminophen. With 0-alkylation using NaCH2SOCH3 and appropriate labeled and unlabeled alkyl halides, labeled phenacetin and p-acetanisidine were also obtained. Phenacetin labeled both with 14C on the acyl group and deuterium on the ethoxy group was synthesized in high yield by acylation of p-phenetidine-d5. The last compound was obtained by acid hydrolysis of phenacetin-d5 synthesized previously.
An involvement of adenosine in cerebral blood flow regulation during hypercapnia.

Abstract 1. 1. The possibility that endogenously released adenosine, a potent vasodilator, is involved in the increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) response to hypercapnia has been investigated in an anesthetized, paralyzed rat model. 2. 2. The left retroglenoid vein was cannulated and cerebral venous blood flow measured with a drop counter. Animals were ventilated with a 40% oxygen, 60% nitrogen gas mixture. 3. 3. At 20 min intervals, at a constant rate of flow, the inspired gas mixture was altered to 10% carbon dioxide, 40% oxygen, 50% nitrogen for periods of between 30–90 sec. This brief hypercapnic challenge induced a rapid increase in CBF in the absence of any change in MABP. 4. 4. An involvement of adenosine in this response was demonstrated using an adenosine antagonist, caffeine, an uptake inhibitor, dipyridamole and an adenosine deaminase inhibitor, deoxycoformycin. 5. 5. Caffeine (10 and 20 mg/kg i.p.) 15 min prior to hypercapnic challenges significantly decreased the peak increases in CBF. 6. 6. Dipyridamole (0.1 mg/kg) and deoxycoformycin (0.1 μg/kg) enhanced the peak increases in flow. 7. 7. These results are consistent with an important role for adenosine in coupling P co 2 to cerebral blood flow.
Planning horizons for master production scheduling

Abstract Production and operations planning in organizations quite often is a multi-level sequential process, involving aggregate planning, master production scheduling, and detailed operations planning and scheduling. To obtain good planning results, it is desirable to have a proper planning horizon for each level of planning. There have been a considerable number of studies dealing with planning horizons for aggregate planning or production smoothing problems. There are also many planning horizon studies for single-item lot sizing problems. No study has addressed the issues associated with the planning horizons for master production schedules (which is a multi-item lot sizing problem in nature), particularly with respect to the relationship to the aggregate plan. This study addresses the issue of planning horizons for companies employing a make-to-stock competitive strategy facing a seasonal demand for their products. We formulate the aggregate planning problem and the master scheduling problem as two separate mathematical programs to approximate the two-stage process that typically takes place in practice. Rolling planning horizons are used to approximate the periodic updates of the plans commonly done in practice. The models also incorporate resource requirements planning concepts to estimate loads on the critical work centers. The planning process is simulated as a single pass procedure where the results of aggregate planning are passed to the master production scheduling model once per month and the results of the master scheduling model (i.e., the portion of the master schedule actually implemented) are passed back to the aggregate planning model for the next planning session. The experimental results show that when the planner faces extreme cost structures such as high smoothing costs/high setup costs or low smoothing costs/low setup costs, the planning horizon effects are reduced to a minimum. Master schedule planning horizons need not be as long as aggregate planning horizons. Alternatively, non-extreme cost structures such as high smoothing costs/low setup costs and low smoothing costs/high setup costs should be handled with equal planning horizons for both aggregate planning and master scheduling. It is also found that the firm's cost structure has an impact on the appropriate planning horizon for both aggregate planning and master scheduling. Some cost conditions allow for smaller master schedule horizons. The best horizon choice seems to be equal planning horizons for both aggregate planning and master scheduling, even though the cost savings is slight in some cases. Finally, the proper length of the planning horizon for master scheduling is affected by the planning horizon of the aggregate plans.
Turnover in burrowing rodents: The roles of competition and habitat change

Abstract Changes in the burrowing herbivore fauna during the Cenozoic have led to the suggestion that competitive replacement was a driving force in the ecology and evolution of the burrowing herbivore guild. Alternatively, it has been proposed that differences in habitat preferences were associated with the expansion and contraction of the ranges of burrowing herbivores. We examine hypotheses of drivers of mammalian evolution in this guild by looking for evidence of apparent competitive replacements at a regional scale in the middle to late Miocene fossil record of the northern Great Basin. Mylagaulids are most common from 17.5 to 9 Ma, in the Hemingfordian through Clarendonian North American Land Mammal Ages and decline to extinction in the Hemphillian (9 to 5 Ma), at which time the family Geomyidae became more common in this region. In addition to observing this turnover within the guild, we find that geomyids and mylagaulids may occupy different habitats as indicated by evidence from mammalian assemblages and paleopedology. This suggests that mylagaulids and geomyids, rather than competing, may be tracking the extent of their preferred environment. We find no evidence for direct biotic interaction between the members of the guild and suggest instead that the changing abundance of mylagaulids and geomyids in Oregon's Miocene was shaped by habitat partitioning.
Thyroxine-binding proteins in liver and tail of Rana catesbeiana undergoing metamorphosis

Presence of a thyroxine-binding protein was demonstrated in vivo in cell sap of tail and liver of metamorphosing Rana catesbeiana tadpoles. Thyroxine-binding protein was not present in tail of prematamorphic tadpoles while it appeared during progressing metamorphosis roughly coinciding with the beginning of tail resorption. Susceptibility to pronase indicates that this thyroxine-binding macromolecule is protein in nature. Thyroxine-binding in liver was already present during premetamorphic stages and increased further during metamorphosis. A further difference between tail and liver thyroxine-binding protein was evidenced by molecular sieve chromatography on Sephadex G-200 indicating a molecular weight of thyroxine-binding protein in the tail of 60 000 as opposed to 42 000 for liver. Scatchard analysis of tail cell sap of tadpoles in metamorphic climax revealed a high affinity thyroxing binding site (Kd of 2 - 10(-10) M) of low capacity (1.7 pmol per mg protein) while tadpoles in premetamorphic stage had a thyroxine-binding site of lower affinity (9 - 10(-10) M) and higher capacity (4.8 pmol per mg protein). Thus affinity of thyroxine binding is 4-fold in metamorphic climax and appears to reflect the appearance of thyroxine binding observed in vivo.
A pharmacological study of the angiotensin receptor and tachyphylaxis in smooth muscle.

Abstract The interaction of angiotensin with its receptor has been studied on the basis of the tachyphylaxis shown by the rat uterus towards angiotensin II when pH and Ca 2+ concentration are below physiological levels. 14 C-Angiotensin binding and 45 Ca 2+ -uptake investigations suggest tachyphylaxis to be due to increased binding at low pH and Ca 2+ concentration. Studies with alkylating (affinity labeled) angiotensin derivatives containing the N-mustard chlorambucil suggest a “Charniere type” inhibition at the Ca-binding site of the receptor and an irreversible inhibition at an anionic site. Angiotensin inhibitors containing chlorambucil do not alkylate tissue but are competitive inhibitors suggesting that the aromatic side chain in angiotensin may induce conformational changes in the receptor. The results obtained lead to a logical model for the angiotensin receptor allowing for normal activation by the hormone as well as for production of tachyphylaxis.
Metabolic differences between saliva from caries-active and caries- and restoration-free children.

Abstract Sucrose consumption and lactic-acid production by saliva, and the effects of pH, were first evaluated by radio-isotope techniques in populations of caries- and restoration-free (CF), and caries-active (CA) children, with early mixed dentitions. Saliva of CF subjects formed significantly more lactic acid from sucrose than saliva from CA subjects. Sucrose consumption also was significantly greater in saliva of CF subjects. These results occurred at pH 7.2 but not at pH 6.0 and 5.0. Lactic acid, total volatile products and carbon-dioxide (CO 2 ) production by saliva were then evaluated in different CF and CA populations of children. Metabolic parameters in the presence and absence of salivary supernatant (SS) also were determined. Saliva of these CF subjects also formed significantly more lactic acid from sucrose than did CA subjects. The presence of SS increased lactic-acid formation in this saliva; the increase was significant in CF subjects. Total volatile products and CO 2 were greater in saliva of CF subjects but were not affected by SS. Partial microbial characterization of each salivary specimen was conducted in both series of experiments. CF subjects harboured less Streptococcus mutans (parts I and II), total lactobacilli (parts I and II) and Actinomyces species (part II) than CA subjects. Differences for lactobacilli in the first population and Actinomyces species in the second were significant.
Computer Simulation of Block Copolymer/Nanoparticle Composites

Discontinuous molecular dynamics simulation is used to study the phase behavior of diblock copolymer/nanoparticle composites. The copolymers are modeled as chains of tangent hard-spheres with square shoulder repulsions between unlike species, while the nanoparticles are modeled as hard-spheres with a square shoulder repulsion with one of the copolymer blocks. The resulting phase diagrams are presented for composites containing nanoparticles of various sizes and interaction strengths and include lamellae, perforated lamellae, cylinders, and disordered phases. Composites containing large nanoparticles also exhibit two-phase coexistence between different copolymer phases or between a copolymer phase and a nanoparticle phase, depending on the nanoparticle interaction strength. We also present concentration profiles perpendicular to the lamellar interface for nanoparticles of different sizes and interaction strengths. Neutral nanoparticles concentrate at the interface between copolymer domains, while interacti...
Strategies for supercritical CO2 fractionation of polydimethylsiloxane

The fractionation of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using supercritical CO2 was studied to determine the parameters of pressure and temperature required to separate specific molecular weights. On a laboratory scale, we show that this fractionation method can quickly provide gram quantities of the polymer with a polydispersity of around 1.2 for molecular weights in excess of 200 kg/mol. This technique has obvious applications in the preparation of PDMS for surface-related uses. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Acoustic cues and psychological processes in the perception of natural stop consonants

These studies examined the perceptual role of various components of naturally produced stop consonants (/b, d, g, p, t, k/) in CV syllables. In the first experiment, the context-sensitive voiced formant transitions were removed with a computer-splicing technique. Identification accuracy was 84% when the consonant was presented with the same vowel as had been used to produce it. Performance fell to 66% when the consonant was juxtaposed with a different vowel. The second experiment not only deleted the voiced formant transition, but also replaced the aspiration with silence. Here, identification accuracy dropped substantially, especially for voiceless stops, which had contained devoiced formant transitions in the replaced interval. The pattern of errors suggested that listeners try to extract the missing locus of the consonant from the vowel transition, and in the absence of a vowel transition, they try to extrapolate it from the second formant of the steady-state vowel.
Measurement of the London moment

We report on the measurement of the London moment produced in a rotating spherical shell superconductor. In the process of qualifying gyroscopes for the Gravity Probe B Relativity Mission we investigated the question of how a magnetic moment develops in rotating superconductors. We have been able to perform experiments which show that the dipole moment appears independent of the initial rotational state of the superconductor.
Charging Large Capacitor Banks for Fusion Research Using HVDC Conversion Equipment

Fundamental considerations in the choice of a continuous duty capacitor bank charging system using HVDC conversion equipment are presented. Large systems of the type used in fusion related research pose significant system related problems if they are to be supplied from a conventional power grid. Schemes for conditioning the required power in order to overcome such problems are presented and evaluated. A resonant charging system is examined in detail and shown to be superilor in a number of ways to constant current charging. Results of digital computer simulation studies are used to demonstrate the feasibility of the system. It is shown that the resonant charging system reduces rectifier capacity, simplifies control and reduces reactive power fluctuations. Sequential bank charging and use of a motor-generator set are presented as techniques for compensation of real power fluctuations and a comparison on the basis of initial cost is presented.
Some new results on the simultaneous stabilizability of a family of single input, single output systems

Abstract In this paper, we obtain sufficiency conditions on the problem of simultaneous stabilization of a parameterized family of single input, single output plants by a non-switching compensator. The sufficiency conditions include simultaneous stabilization and simultaneous pole assignment of a finite number of plants.
Improvement in Stress Corrosion Crack Growth Resistance of an Austempered Cast Steel by a Novel Two-Step Austempering Process

Abstract An investigation was carried out to examine the influence of microstructure on the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) growth behavior of an austempered high-carbon (1.00%), high-silicon (3.00%), and high-manganese (2.00%) cast steel. Compact tension specimens were prepared from this cast steel as per American Society for Testing Materials standard E-399 and were given four different heat treatments to produce different microstructures. The SCC behavior of these specimens was studied in 3.5% NaCl solution. The test results indicate the K ISCCvalue of the material increases as the austenite content increases. Significant improvement in SCC resistance was achieved by using a novel two-step austempering process. Intergranular crack growth was observed in all these specimens.
Antiviral Activity of 1-Adamantanamine (Amantadine)

I-Adamantanamine (amantadine) causes a selective, reproducible, dose-related inhibition of influenza infections in tissue culture, chick embryos, and mice. The compound is not virucidal and appears to act by interfering with the penetration of the host cell by the virus. In influenza infections of mice, greatest efficacy occurs with treatment at the time of infection; however, there is significant antiviral activity with treatment delayed up to 72 hours after infection. Virus inhibition is not complete and survivors are immune to a challenge infection with the original infecting virus.
Cracking behavior of FeAl (40 at. % Al) alloys during cutting operations

The intermetallic iron aluminides have long been studied for their great potential as engineering materials due to their excellent oxidation and corrosion resistance coupled with low density and low material cost. Yet, in addition to its brittle behavior at low temperatures and its poor high-temperature strength, a newly discovered problem of FeAl is the introduction of surface microcracks during the fabrication process of the material. These microcracks may affect the fracture strength and ductility of the alloy, causing some concern for its use as an engineering material. The understanding and prevention of these microcracks during fabrication are necessary for engineering uses of FeAl alloys. Cracking has been a major problem during sample preparation for the microstructural analysis and mechanical property evaluation of the alloy. Poor mechanical properties and inconsistency of data can many times be attributed to these microcracks. For this reason, the cracking behavior of these alloys must be investigated. The cracking of FeAl alloys has been most frequently noticed during microstructural analysis, but in a survey of all the various compositions and grain sizes of the FeAl alloys cut for microstructural analysis, the approximately 20% frequency of the existence of microcracks seemed to be completely random. The objectivemore » of this study is to determine in which step of the specimen preparation process the cracking is occurring and to investigate the mechanisms causing this cracking. The main results of this study show that the cracking can be attributed to environmental conditions during cutting of the alloy specimens.« less
Robotic anterior and midline skull base surgery: preclinical investigations.

Purpose To develop a minimally invasive surgical technique to access the midline and anterior skull base using the optical and technical advantages of robotic surgical instrumentation. Methods and Materials Ten experimental procedures focusing on approaches to the nasopharynx, clivus, sphenoid, pituitary sella, and suprasellar regions were performed on one cadaver and one live mongrel dog. Both the cadaver and canine procedures were performed in an approved training facility using the da Vinci Surgical Robot. For the canine experiments, a transoral robotic surgery (TORS) approach was used, and for the cadaver a newly developed combined cervical-transoral robotic surgery (C-TORS) approach was investigated and compared with standard TORS. The ability to access and dissect tissues within the various areas of the midline and anterior skull base were evaluated, and techniques to enhance visualization and instrumentation were developed. Results Standard TORS approaches did not provide adequate access to the midline and anterior skull base; however, the newly developed C-TORS approach was successful in providing the surgical access to these regions of the skull base. Conclusion Robotic surgery is an exciting minimally invasive approach to the skull base that warrants continued preclinical investigation and development.
Formation of antihydrogen atoms and ions in a strongly magnetized plasma : A molecular dynamics simulation

Formation of antihydrogen atoms in a magnetized plasma of positrons and antiprotons is explicitly demonstrated in a molecular dynamics simulation. The parameters chosen are compatible with the experimental setup. We employ a special, adaptive time step symplectic integrator to perform full dynamics simulation, without using the guiding center approximation, for very long times (of the order of {mu}s). The large number of antihydrogen atoms formed allows detailed statistical analysis and distributions for the binding energy, pseudomomentum, sizes, and other quantities that characterize these atoms. We also find that a significantly smaller number of antihydrogen positive ions form during the free expansion of the plasma.
Comparative Analysis of DNA Microarray Data through the Use of Feature Selection Techniques

One of today’s most important scientific research topics is discovering the genetic links between cancers. This paper contains the results of a comparison of three different cancers (breast, colon, and lung) based on the results of feature selection techniques on a data set created from DNA micro array data consisting of samples from all three cancers. The data was run through a set of eighteen feature rankers which ordered the genes by importance with respect to a targeted cancer. This process was repeated three times, each time with a different target cancer. The rankings were then compared, keeping each feature ranker static while varying the cancers being compared. The cancers were evaluated both in pairs and all together, for matching genes. The results of the comparison show a large correlation between the two known hereditary cancers, breast and colon, and little correlation between lung cancer and the other cancers. This is the first study to apply eighteen different feature rankers in a bioinformatics case study, eleven of which were recently proposed and implemented by our research team.
Complex Forces Affect China's Biodiversity

Global biodiversity continues along a trajectory of decline despite enormous conservation efforts (Rands et al., 2010). This is also true in China, one of the most biodiversity-rich countries in the world (Liu and Raven, 2010; Ministry of Environmental Protection of China, 2010a). To fundamentally change this trajectory, it is essential to understand complex interactions among various forces affecting biodiversity, develop effective strategies to maintain it, and take bolder actions. This chapter outlines the overall status of China’s biodiversity, highlights major forces behind biodiversity since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, and discusses strategies and actions that could lead to a brighter future for biodiversity.
Critical thresholds in the semiclassical limit of 2-D rotational Schrödinger equations

We consider a two-dimensional convection model augmented with the rotational Coriolis forcing, centrifugal forcing as well as the quadratic potential V (x), ∂tU +( U − Ωx ⊥ ) · ∇xU = −ΩU ⊥ −∇xV , with a fixed Ω > 0 being the rotational frequency. This model arises in the semiclassical limit of the Gross-Pitaevskii equation for Bose-Einstein condensates in a rotational frame. We investigate whether the action of dispersive rotational forcing complemented with the underlying potential prevents the generic finite time breakdown of the free nonlinear convection. We show that the rotating equations admit global smooth solutions for and only for a subset of generic initial configurations. Thus, the global regularity depends on whether the initial configuration crosses an intrinsic critical threshold, which is quantified in terms of the initial spectral gap associated with the 2 × 2 initial velocity gradient, λ2(0) − λ1(0) ,λ j (0) = λj (∇xU0) as well as the initial divergence, divx(U0). We also prove that for the case of isotropic trapping potential the smooth velocity field is periodic if and only if the ratio of the rotational frequency and the potential frequency is a rational number. The critical thresholds are also established for the case of repulsive potential. Finally the position density and the velocity field are explicitly recorded along the deformed flow map.
Intercultural Competency in Public Health: A Call for Action to Incorporate Training into Public Health Education

Due to increasing national diversity, programs addressing cultural competence have multiplied in U.S. medical training institutions. Although these programs share common goals for improving clinical care for patients and reducing health disparities, there is little standardization across programs. Furthermore, little progress has been made to translate cultural competency training from the clinical setting into the public health setting where the focus is on population-based health, preventative programming, and epidemiological and behavioral research. The need for culturally relevant public health programming and culturally sensitive public health research is more critical than ever. Awareness of differing cultures needs to be included in all processes of planning, implementation and evaluation. By focusing on community-based health program planning and research, cultural competence implies that it is possible for public health professionals to completely know another culture, whereas intercultural competence implies it is a dual-sided process. Public health professionals need a commitment toward intercultural competence and skills that demonstrate flexibility, openness, and self-reflection so that cultural learning is possible. In this article, the authors recommend a number of elements to develop, adapt, and strengthen intercultural competence education in public health educational institutions.
Oral health care issues in HIV disease: Developing a core curriculum for primary care physicians

Background: Given the high occurrence of oral manifestations in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (IIIV), the relative ease in recognizing these manifestations on physical examination, and their potential impact on the health care and quality of life in these patients, it is critical to provide adequate training for primary care physicians in this area. Methods: Based on a review of the published literature and the consensus of a national panel of primary care physicians and dentists with clinical and research expertise in this area, a core curriculum was developed for primary care physicians regarding oral health care issues in IIIV disease. Results and Conclusions: We describe the process of developing the core curriculum of knowledge, skills, and attitudes regarding oral health care issues in HIV disease. The final curriculum is in a format that allows for easy accessibility and is organized in a manner that is clinically relevant for primary care physicians. (J Am Board Fam Pract 1998;11:434-44.) Educating and training primary care physicians in the areas of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syn­ drome (AIDS) are critically important because the disease is widespread, the geographic distribution of the disease is expanding, and the move toward managed care will likely result in an increasing number of primary care physicians caring for these patients in the future. Oral manifestations are an especially important component of HIV disease, because oral lesions are often the first overt clinical feature of HIV infection. In addi
The Effect of Later Life Parental Divorce on Adult-Child/Older-Parent Solidarity: A Test of the Buffering Hypothesis

The present study examined the effect of later life parental divorce on solidarity in the relationship between the adult child and older parent. This examination was achieved by testing the buffering hypothesis. A cross-sectional quasiexperimental pre-post treatment design was used (Cook & Campbell, 1979), with retrospective pretests and data from 100 adult-child/older-parent dyads. The ANOVA results show that the mother/adult-child relationship with a higher degree of predivorce solidarity responded to later life parental divorce with less disruption of affectional solidarity and associational solidarity than those with a lower degree of predivorce solidarity. Thus, the current research provides modest evidence (for the mother/adult-child relationship) to support the buffering hypothesis. We found no evidence of a buffering effect for the father-child relationship.