cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Data-driven modeling predicts gene regulatory network dynamics during the differentiation of multipotential progenitors

Summary Cellular differentiation during hematopoiesis is guided by gene regulatory networks (GRNs) thought to be organized as a hierarchy of bistable switches, with antagonism between Gata1 and PU.1 driving red- and white-blood cell differentiation. We utilized high temporal-resolution gene-expression data from in vitro erythrocyte-neutrophil differentiation and a predictive data-driven dynamical modeling framework to learn the architecture and dynamics of gene regulation in a comprehensive twelve-gene GRN. The inferred genetic architecture is densely interconnected rather than hierarchical. The analysis of model dynamics revealed that neutrophil differentiation is driven by C/EBPα and Gfi1 rather than PU.1. This prediction is supported by the sequence of gene up-regulation in an independent mouse bone marrow scRNA-Seq dataset. These results imply that neutrophil differentiation is not driven by the Gata1-PU.1 switch but by neutrophil-specific genes instead. More generally, this work shows that data-driven dynamical modeling can uncover the causality of developmental events that might otherwise be obscured.
The Influence of Industrial Relations on Commercial Flight Safety

The global aviation industry is a cost-intensive and highly competitive business environment where there is constant pressure on airline managers to reduce costs and maximize profits. This is juxtaposed with the self-interests of organized labor union groups which can lead to poor industrial relations. This conflict can have adverse consequences as it has been shown that some workplace accidents can come from low morale along with friction between management and employees. The researchers first use the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) as forensic tool to analyze a previous accident where the HFACS was not used. This analysis proved that industrial relations between management and the pilots’ union was a possible contributing factor to the accident. Results from a survey of four major international airlines indicated that poor industrial relations between management and pilots are reflected in pilots’ general workplace motivation.
The Origins of Soka Gakkai and Komeito

Soka Gakkai first appeared prior to World War II, but it had barely started to function when the Japanese military regime successfully proscribed it. After the war the organization was resurrected, though fundamentally changed, and it thrived in the post-war political and social climate. For conceptual purposes the pre-war efforts and the post-war rebirth and expansion will be considered as phases one and two, and a third phase can be dated from 1960 when Daisaku Ikeda, now president, assumed leadership.
Patient Poets: Pathography in Poetry

For people suffering from illness or disability poetry can provide a powerful means both of coping and of communicating the ambiguities and inexplicabilities of their condition. Caregivers may find in poems written by patients kinds of information not accessible by means of conventional clinical dialogue, or even by means of narrative. The three poems by women that are featured here illustrate some of the ways poetic techniques and literary devices can be of practical value to both patient and caregiver, and offer all readers ways of imagining illness that could be arrived at in no other way.
Acquiring domain-specific planners by example

Abstract : Intelligent problem solving requires the ability to select actions autonomously from a specific state to reach objectives. Planning algorithms provide approaches to look ahead and select a complete sequence of actions. Given a domain description consisting of preconditions and effects of the actions the planner can take, an initial state, and a goal, a planning program returns a sequence of actions to transform the initial state into a state in which the goal is satisfied. Classical planning research has addressed this problem in a domain-independent manner--the same algorithm generates a complete plan for any domain specification. This feature comes at a cost which domain-independent planners incur either in high search efforts or in tedious hand-coded domain knowledge. Previous approaches to efficient general-purpose planning have focused on reducing the search involved in an existing general-purpose planning algorithm. An interesting alternative is to use example plans in a particular domain to demonstrate how to solve problems in that domain and to use that information to solve new problems independently of a domain-independent planner. Others have used example plans for case based planning, but the retrieval and adaptation mechanisms were still domain-independent and efficiency issues were still a concern. In my thesis, I propose to introduce algorithms to extract complex, repeating processes, in the form of domain-specific planning programs, from example plans. I will investigate the application of these learned programs to modelling agent preferences and choices. I will also investigate how the programs can be used, extended, and repaired dynamically as an agent encounters new problems and acquires new experience. Finally, I will compare the template-based planning paradigm to existing general-purpose and domain-specific planning programs with a full evaluation on new and existing planning domains.
Bilateral distal radial epiphysectomy and pancarpal arthrodesis for correction of complex carpal deformities in an American Miniature horse

Summary A 9-day-old American Miniature horse was referred for evaluation and treatment of congenital bilateral carpal deformities. Clinical examination revealed a combination of flexural, angular and rotational deformities affecting both carpi. Radiographic evaluation of both forelimbs revealed malformation of the distal radial epiphysis accompanied by flexural contracture and external rotation of the limb distal to the antebrachial carpal joint. Conservative therapy was attempted with splints and bandages and failed to result in improvement. Surgical intervention was elected and a bilateral distal radial epiphysectomy and pancarpal arthrodesis performed. Fourteen months later the mare was turned out to pasture and ambulating well.
Removal of Spike Frequency Adaptation via Neuromodulation Intrinsic to the Tritonia Escape Swim Central Pattern Generator

For the mollusc Tritonia diomedea to generate its escape swim motor pattern, interneuron C2, a crucial member of the central pattern generator (CPG) for this rhythmic behavior, must fire repetitive bursts of action potentials. Yet, before swimming, repeated depolarizing current pulses injected into C2 at periods similar those in the swim motor program are incapable of mimicking the firing rate attained by C2 on each cycle of a swim motor program. This resting level of C2 inexcitability is attributable to its own inherent spike frequency adaptation (SFA). Clearly, this property must be altered for the swim behavior to occur. The pathway for initiation of the swimming behavior involves activation of the serotonergic dorsal swim interneurons (DSIs), which are also intrinsic members of the swim CPG. Physiologically appropriate DSI stimulation transiently decreases C2 SFA, allowing C2 to fire at higher rates even when repeatedly depolarized at short intervals. The increased C2 excitability caused by DSI stimulation is mimicked and occluded by serotonin application. Furthermore, the change in excitability is not caused by the depolarization associated with DSI stimulation or serotonin application but is correlated with a decrease in C2 spike afterhyperpolarization. This suggests that the DSIs use serotonin to evoke a neuromodulatory action on a conductance in C2 that regulates its firing rate. This modulatory action of one CPG neuron on another is likely to play a role in configuring the swim circuit into its rhythmic pattern-generating mode and maintaining it in that state.
An electrothermally-actuated bistable MEMS relay for power applications

This thesis first develops a bistable mechanism that does not rely on internal stress or hinges for its bistability, which is then combined with transient electrothermal actuation and contact structure to develop a MEMS relay for power switching. The relay components, fabricated by a through etch of a silicon wafer using deep reactive ion etch (DRIE), move laterally in the plane of the wafer. The synthesis, analysis, design, fabrication and testing of the relay are all described in this thesis. The bistable mechanism comprises two parallel cosine curved clamped-clamped beams that are also clamped together at their centers. If designed properly it exhibits a second stable deflected shape that is nearly a mirror image of its as-fabricated shape mirrored through the centerline connecting its clamped ends. Both theoretical and finite-element analyses are applied to the modeling, design and optimization of the force-displacement characteristic of the curved beam mechanism. The analyses results agree well with experimental measurement after accounting for fabrication variations. If fabricated properly, the mechanism is mechanically robust; some mechanisms have been switched between their bistable states one million times without sign of failure. The bistable mechanism is combined with two contacts to form a crossbar relay. The contact structure is designed with flat shape and additional compliance; and proper metalization process is developed for its DRIE etched sidewalls; both contributing to a more reliable and low resistance contact. Because of bistability this relay requires no actuation power in either its on or off states. Therefore, transient electrothermal actuators to switch its states are designed, partially with a mechanical model developed for cantilevers subjected to both lateral and axial forces. These actuators typically require 1-ms 50-V pulses to switch the relay. In the off state, the relay contacts stand off more than 200 V. In the on state the best relay contacts exhibit a total resistance of 60 mΩ and a current carrying capacity of 3 A. The relay can switch at a maximum 5 Hz rate. These characteristics make it a good candidate for power protection applications. Thesis committee: Alexander H. Slocum (Chairman), Professor of Mechanical Engineering Jeffrey H. Lang, Professor of Electrical Engineering Martin A. Schmidt, Professor of Electrical Engineering
Buyers, Beware: The Florida Supreme Court’s Abrogation of the Apparent Authority Doctrine Leaves Plaintiffs Holding the Tab for Torts of Franchisees - Mobil Oil v. Bransford

In Mobil Oil v. Bransford, the Florida Supreme Court effectively ruled that a franchisor cannot be held liable for the torts of a franchisee, despite a level of representation clearly adequate to warrant a jury trial on the issue of apparent ageny. The ruling virtually eliminated the doctrine of apparent authority as a means of imposing vicarious liability in the franchising industry. The author argues that the Florida Supreme Court's grant of summary judgment in Mobil Oil despite ample evidence of apparent authority will likely set precedent leading to inefficient economic results and inequitable decisions in future cases involving customers injured by the negligence of a business operator. The author recommends alternative approaches for developing a theory to better implement the policy goals behind vicarious liability in light of the commercial realities of the developing franchise industry.
Intrinsic and acoustic instabilities in flames fueled by multiphase mixtures

ABSTRACT We describe linear stability results for flames fueled by mixtures of air and particles. Nonsimilarity between the temperature and fuel concentration fields gives rise to an intrinsic pulsating instability for unconfined flames (a single mode). Acoustic interactions for confined propagating flames generate acoustic instabilities (an infinite number of modes) when the gas-phase velocity is different from that of the solid phase (i.e. there is slip). The confinement modes can not, in general, be classified as intrinsic, fundamental, first-harmonic, etc. For example, for propagation in a tube with flame initiation at the open end, a mode can start as the second harmonic but finish, when the flame is at the closed end, as the fundamental. Instabilities tend to be suppressed in spherical flames generated by point ignition in a confinement vessel. The triggering of acoustic instabilities in gas turbines by slip between fuel drops and air is discussed, and we show that the role of slip is quite differen...
Precision tracking with sparse 3D and dense color 2D data

Precision tracking is important for predicting the behavior of other cars in autonomous driving. We present a novel method to combine laser and camera data to achieve accurate velocity estimates of moving vehicles. We combine sparse laser points with a high-resolution camera image to obtain a dense colored point cloud. We use a color-augmented search algorithm to align the dense color point clouds from successive time frames for a moving vehicle, thereby obtaining a precise estimate of the tracked vehicle's velocity. Using this alignment method, we obtain velocity estimates at a much higher accuracy than previous methods. Through pre-filtering, we are able to achieve near real time results. We also present an online method for real-time use with accuracies close to that of the full method. We present a novel approach to quantitatively evaluate our velocity estimates by tracking a parked car in a local reference frame in which it appears to be moving relative to the ego vehicle. We use this evaluation method to automatically quantitatively evaluate our tracking performance on 466 separate tracked vehicles. Our method obtains a mean absolute velocity error of 0.27 m/s and an RMS error of 0.47 m/s on this test set. We can also qualitatively evaluate our method by building color 3D car models from moving vehicles. We have thus demonstrated that our method can be used for precision car tracking with applications to autonomous driving and behavior modeling.
Total individual ion activity coefficients of calcium and carbonate in seawater at 25°C and 35%. salinity, and implications to the agreement between apparent and thermodynamic constants of calcite and aragonite

Abstract We have calculated the total individual ion activity coefficients of carbonate and calcium, γ TCO 3 2− and γ TCa 2+ , in seawater. Using the ratios of stoichiometric and thermodynamic constants of carbonic acid dissociation and total mean activity coefficient data measured in seawater, we have obtained values which differ significantly from those widely accepted in the literature. In seawater at 25°C and 35%. salinity the (molal) values of γ TCO 2 3− and γ TCa 2+ are 0.038 ± 0.002 and 0.173 ± 0.010 , respectively. These values of γ TCO 3 2− and γ TCa 2+ are independent of liquid junction errors and internally consistent with the value γ TCl − = 0.651 . By defining γ TCa 2+ and γ TCO 3 2− on a common scale ( γ TCl − ), the product γ TCa 2+ γ TCO 3 2− is independent of the assigned value of γ Cl − and may be determined directly from thermodynamic measurements in seawater. Using the value γ TCa 2+ γ TCO 3 2− = 0.0067 and new thermodynamic equilibrium constants for calcite and aragonite, we show that the apparent constants of calcite and aragonite are consistent with the thermodynamic equilibrium constants at 25°C and 35%. salinity. The demonstrated consistency between thermodynamic and apparent constants of calcite and aragonite does not support a hypothesis of stable Mg-calcite coatings on calcite or aragonite surfaces in seawater, and suggests that the calcite critical carbonate ion curve of Broecker and Takahashi (1978, Deep-Sea Research25, 65–95) defines the calcite equilibrium boundary in the oceans, within the uncertainty of the data.
Cosmogenic helium and volatile-rich fluid in Sierra leone alluvial diamonds

Noble gas measurements were carried out on two identical splits of a finely powdered harshly acid-washed sample derived from fragments of a single alluvial diamond from Sierra Leone, with essentially identical results obtained for both splits. Isotopic ratios for Ar, Kr, and Xe were found to be atmospheric. Their elemental abundances were high relative to published data, owing to the effect of shock implantation in the crushing step, as was verified in a supplementary experiment. No Ne was detected above the blank level. The He-3 was exceptionally abundant, while He-4 was exceptionally depleted, possibly due to the acid wash. The He-3/He-4 ratio was anomalously high at an R/Ra value of 246 + or - 16. The results support the hypothesis that the He-3 excess in diamonds is cosmogenic.
Naïve truth-conditions and meaning

Critics of attempts to explain meaning in terms of truth-conditions have tended to charge their opponents with misconceptions regarding truth. I shall argue that the ‘naive’ version of the truth-conditional theory which best accounts for its resilience fails for a different and more basic reason, namely, circularity arising from the contingency of meaning. One reason why this problem has been overlooked is a tendency (noted by Dummett in a different connection) to assimilate the naive truth-conditional theory to an idealized verificationism.
Phase Behavior of a Meat-Starch Extrudate Illustrated on a State Diagram

: The phase behavior of a meat-starch extruded system was illustrated on a state diagram. A mixture of meat and potato granules (1.48:1) was extruded with a twin-screw extruder. The extrudates were equilibrated at relative humidities between 0 to 88% and their glass transitions were determined. Starch and proteins were phase separated at macromolecular level and retained their own phase transitions. The state diagram of the system showed that proteins dictated the texture of the mixed system, with starch contributing to the high value of the mechanical properties. Water had a plasticizing effect on both biopolymers. At room temperature, the extrudates with aw 0.57 were rubbery.
Possible biologically active metabolites of 5-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-di-n-propylaminotetralin

Abstract 5-Hydroxy-6-methyl-2-di- n -propylaminotetralin lb exhibits prominent peripheral presynaptic and central dopaminergic effects, and pharmacological test data suggest that this compound is metabolically activated in vivo . It was speculated that the 6-methyl group is oxidized. To evaluate this possibility and as a prelude to a metabolism study, 5-hydroxy-6-formyl 5 and 5-hydroxy-6-hydroxymethyl-2-di- n -propylaminotetralin 2b were synthesized. Both compounds exhibited marked potency/activity in a cat cardioaccelerator nerve preparation. The biological data on these compounds are consistent with the possibility of their being pharmacologically active metabolites of compound lb .
A thermoelectric probe for focal cortical hypothermia.

Abstract A simple, non-mechanical device is described which permits rapid cooling (or freezing) of discrete cortical areas in small animals.
Macrophage Activation by a Series of Unique Polnanionic Polymers

Abstract Polyanionic polymers with differing molecular weight, lipophilicity, and charge density were synthesized and their ability to nonspecifically “activate” macrophages was avaluated. The level of activation of test polymer-elicited macrophages was monitored by their nonspecific tumoricidal capacity and ectoenzyme profiles. In addition, the ability of test polymers to inhibit growth of Lewis lung in vivo was evaluated. We have determined that the activation of macrophages by test polymers differs from that of the conventional activating agents pyran and Clostridium parvum.
Dry-Ice Bath Based on Ethylene Glycol Mixtures

Bath mixtures of ethanol and ethylene glycol in dry ice produce sustainable constant temperatures over the range from -12 to -78 °C, which show a linear relationship between the bath temperature and the volume fraction of ethylene glycol. Our bath is less toxic than previously reported mixtures of ortho- and meta-xylene, and our mixture does not intractably solidify as will dry ice slurries of xylenes. Moreover, the cost of this mixture is less than that of the xylene mixtures.
An analytical method for predicting perceived flicker

Abstract A method is described for predicting whether a visual display terminal (VDT) will appear to flicker given the display phosphor persistence, refresh frequency, luminance and other environmental factors such as the distance between the user and the VDT. Based on research on human temporal sensitivity (Kelly 1969), one can predict the maximum screen luminance and the minimum refresh frequency that will generate a flicker-free display for a theoretical standard observer. These predictions are tested across a range of refresh frequencies, screen luminance, screen phosphors and individual users.
American Sign Language Phrase Verification in an Educational Game for Deaf Children

We perform real-time American Sign Language (ASL) phrase verification for an educational game, CopyCat, which is designed to improve deaf children's signing skills. Taking advantage of context information in the game we verify a phrase, using Hidden Markov Models (HMMs), by applying a rejection threshold on the probability of the observed sequence for each sign in the phrase. We tested this approach using 1204 signed phrase samples from 11 deaf children playing the game during the phase two deployment of CopyCat. The CopyCat data set is particularly challenging because sign samples are collected during live game play and contain many variations in signing and disfluencies. We achieved a phrase verification accuracy of 83% compared to 90% real-time performance by a sign linguist. We report on the techniques required to reach this level of performance.
An implementation of the Spalart–Allmaras DES model in an implicit unstructured hybrid finite volume/element solver for incompressible turbulent flow

In this paper, we describe an implicit hybrid finite volume (FV)/element (FE) incompressible Navier–Stokes solver for turbulent flows based on the Spalart–Allmaras detached eddy simulation (SA-DES). The hybrid FV/FE solver is based on the segregated pressure correction or projection method. The intermediate velocity field is first obtained by solving the original momentum equations with the matrix-free implicit cell-centered FV method. The pressure Poisson equation is solved by the node-based Galerkin FE method for an auxiliary variable. The auxiliary variable is closely related to the real pressure and is used to update the velocity field and the pressure field. We store the velocity components at cell centers and the auxiliary variable at vertices, making the current solver a staggered-mesh scheme. The SA-DES turbulence equation is solved after the velocity and the pressure fields have been updated at the end of each time step. The same matrix-free FV method as the one used for momentum equations is used to solve the turbulence equation. The turbulence equation provides the eddy viscosity, which is added to the molecular viscosity when solving the momentum equation. In our implementation, we focus on the accuracy, efficiency and robustness of the SA-DES model in a hybrid flow solver. This paper will address important implementation issues for high-Reynolds number flows where highly stretched elements are typically used. In addition, some aspects of implementing the SA-DES model will be described to ensure the robustness of the turbulence model. Several numerical examples including a turbulent flow past a flat plate and a high-Reynolds number flow around a high angle-of-attack NACA0015 airfoil will be presented to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of our current implementation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effects of processing technologies and preparation on the final quality of fish products

The most important processing technologies used for fish and their effect on the product quality are reviewed. Among the traditional processes are smoking, salting, drying and their combinations as well as marinating. Canning, sous-vide cooking, preparation of surimi and ready-to-eat products belong to the technologies of modern times. In addition, also the effects of the preparation of fish at home and some specialties like fermented and graved fish are included. It is stressed that the quality of fish products will be influenced by each action during processing and preparation. It is important to adapt the processes to the special requirements that easily spoiled products as fish have. If processing techniques are applied in an innovative way, quality products with high nutritional value will be achieved. Dialogue with the industry and the consumers is needed to assure a high nutritional value and quality of the final fish products.
Binary physical adsorption of argon and nitrogen on fixed beds of activated silica gel

The physical adsorption and desorption of argon and nitrogen on fixed beds of 18 × 20 mesh silica gel at −78.5°C. and 1 atm. have been studied. Binary mixtures containing 5.52, 10.34, 51.0, 90.16, 95.13 mole % nitrogen, as well as pure argon and pure nitrogen, were used. Superficial gas velocities were varied from 0.10 to 0.27 ft./sec. Concentration vs. time curves were obtained at bed depths of 5.3, 8.6, and 12.0 in. Resistance to mass transfer from the gas stream to the outside surface of the particles was found to be negligible. The rate is limited due to mass transfer from the outside surface to the internal surface of the particle. The data were correlated by the integrated Rosen diffusion solution with D = 9.60 (10−8) sq.ft./sec. or alternatively, by the Hiester and Vermeulen integrated model with kp = 0.23 sec.−1.
Enhancement of adhesion by megaelectronvolt ion bombardment

It has been demonstrated that the adhesion of a wide variety of film-substrate combinations can be dramatically improved by megaelectronvolt ion bombardment. Although the results are similar in most cases, it is becoming clear that several mechanisms may be involved in the process. For example, in the ^(35)Cl^(4+) ion bombardment (6–21 MeV) of gold films on vitreous SiO_2 substrates, there are two distinct dose regimes where enhanced adhesion occurs. One is centered at 10^(13) ^(35)Cl^(4+) ions cm^(−2), coincident with the formation of bombardment-induced surface cracks in the SiO_2. The other occurs above an ion-energy-dependent threshold (about 10^(14) ^(35)Cl^(4+) ions cm^(−2)). We have also observed that the adhesion enhancement for gold on GaAs depends strongly on the type and level of doping. For example, both silicon- and tellurium-doped n-type GaAs have a sharp threshold in enhanced adhesion near 10^(14) ^(35)Cl^(4+) ions cm^(−2) for 18 MeV ^(35)Cl^+ ion irradiation. However, although chromium-compensation-doped p-type GaAs reaches the same final adhesion levels, there is a smooth increase versus dose starting below 10^(12) ^(35)Cl^(4+) ions cm^(−2). Several possible mechanisms will be discussed and compared with the data.
The Fermi surface of antimony

Abstract We have completely determined the Fermi surface of antimony by the deHaas-van Alphen effect. The Fermi surface consists of warped ellipsoids, three for electrons and six for holes.
Aquifer storage wellfield assessment and design through benefit-cost-sensitivity analysis

Abstract Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) of reservoirs is standard practice, though with much room for improvement, especially through creative and expanded, but still focused use of sensitivity analysis. The significant and growing scarcity of feasible reservoir sites and groundwater substitutes has led to greater interest in projects that would complement reservoirs and, at the margin, provide a substitute for increased reservoir capacity. An Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) wellfield is one such possible complement-substitute for base-load reservoir capacity. It uses aquifer storage capacity to save wet-year allocations for the driest years, which reduces or avoids price increases and/or administrative curtailment of some water uses. So, the objectives of the article are threefold: (a) to provide an initial examination of the general economics of ASR wellfields; (b) to provide an example; and (c) to demonstrate proposed improvements in BCA methodology.
Phase and power estimation for per-hop multi-user detection in frequency-hopping systems

Per-hop multi-user detection (PH-MUD) is a general class of techniques for frequency-hopping systems that enable multiple interfering hops to be simultaneously demodulated. Such techniques have the potential to increase the number of supportable users and increase per-user throughput. To realize these gains in actual systems, however, channel estimation capabilities sufficient for successful PH-MUD must be developed. In fact, the fundamental feature of such systems, hopping, requires that estimation be performed on a perhop basis, which precludes training amortization. We describe potential estimation techniques for PH-MUD and evaluate the resulting overhead, energy requirements, and performance. Practical estimation techniques with reasonable overhead are seen to provide good PH-MUD performance; thus PH-MUD remains a promising capability for frequency-hopping systems.
Simultaneous Bilateral Extracorporeal Shock Wave Treatments of the Kidney in a Primate Model

Since the advent of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) for renal stones, urologists have become more aggressive in using this modality in the treatment of complicated stone disease. Many c...
Hokupa'a/Gemini survey of the lowest mass/faintest guide stars: the very low mass binary population and its implications for brown dwarf formation theories

Use of the highly sensitive Hokupa'a/Gemini curvature wavefront sensor has allowed, for the first time, direct adaptive optics (AO) guiding on very low mass (VLM) stars with cool spectral types (M8.0-L0.5). These low mass ( Mass M JUPITER ) objects are very cool ( T eff eff ~ 0.8 μm) photons. This is the only high-resolution (FWHM~0.1") survey ever of stars cooler than M7 from the ground. We guided on 39 such objects and detected 9 VLM binaries (7 of which were discovered for the first time to be binaries). Most of these systems (55%) are tight (separation Ks q Ks >2.38 mag and consist of a VLM star orbited by a much cooler L6.5-L8.5 brown dwarf companion. Based on our initial flux limited ( Ks 2.6 AU. This is slightly less than the 32±9% measured for more massive (M0-M4) stars over the same separation range (Fischer & Marcy 1992). It appears M8.0-L0.5 binaries (as well as L and T dwarf binaries) have a much smaller semi-major axis distribution peak (~4 AU) compared to more massive M and G stars which have a broad peak at larger ~30 AU separations. We also find no VLM binaries ( M tot 20 AU. We find that a velocity ``kick'' of ~3 km/s can reproduce the observed cut-off in the semi-major axis distribution at ~20 AU. This kick may have been from the VLM system being ejected from its formation mini-cluster.
Amplitude, frequency, and waveform control of a homopolar generator

From an experimental study of the motional electromotive force, the author has evolved a technique of rotating contactors applied to a conducting cylinder in a nonuniform magnetic field. When this method of sliding brush pick-offs is applied to a conducting flat disk, interesting possibilities become apparent. Alternating currents that have their source in a motionally developed emf can be controlled mechanically as to amplitude, frequency, and waveform
Synthesis of SQ-33,054, a novel cyclobutane nucleoside with potent antiviral activity

Abstract The racemic, guanine-containing cyclobutane nucleoside SQ-33,054 ( 3 ) was synthesized in 8 steps from the cyclobutane diester 4 .
Treatment of negative and cognitive symptoms.

Persistent negative symptoms and cognitive dysfunction are a major cause of chronic disability in schizophrenia. Atypical antipsychotics such as clozapine, risperidone, and olanzapine induce significantly greater improvement in negative symptoms than that which is obtained with conventional agents. However, it remains unclear whether these agents treat core negative symptoms of schizophrenia, or simply induce less secondary psychopathology. A second approach for treatment of persistent negative symptoms is the use of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-stimulating agents, such as glycine, D-serine or D-cycloserine. These agents, when added to conventional or atypical antipsychotics, may induce significant additional reduction in both negative and cognitive symptoms.
Cholinesterase and esterase activity in normal and dystrophic human muscle

Abstract Cholinesterase and β-naphthyl acetate esterase activities were determined in whole muscle homogenates of normal subjects and of patients with various muscular dystrophies and related myopathies. There was a moderate increase in muscle cholinesterase activity with respect to acetylthiocholine hydrolysis only in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Cholinesterase and β-naphthyl acetate activities were essentially normal in the muscle from patients with myotonic dystrophy, other forms of muscular dystrophies, polymyositis and from one patient with myasthenia gravis. Muscle cholinesterase activity with respect to butyrylthiocholine and β-naphthyl acetate esterase activity were not markedly altered in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Serum cholinesterase levels were normal in Duchenne muscular dystrophy and other dystrophies and in a few cases of polymyositis and spinal muscular atrophies.
The role of myoglobin in retarding oxygen depletion in skeletal muscle

Myoglobin retards the development of anoxia in a poorly perfused region of skeletal muscle by facilitating diffusion into this region from adjacent normally perfused regions and by releasing bound oxygen directly into the tissue. We examine these phenomena by analyzing a mathematical model of time-dependent myoglobin-facilitated oxygen transport. The governing equations are solved using similarity transformations and multiple-scale techniques. We find that when perfusion of a region is suddenly decreased, oxygen depletion is significantly retarded by direct release of myoglobin-bound oxygen into the tissue and that myoglobin-facilitated diffusion of oxygen from adjacent regions becomes significant at very low oxygen concentration.
Madame de Pompadour and Le Havre-de-Grâce: An unnatural history

This essay examines the revealing particularities of the act of seeing in a historical setting. Placing stress on the classical unities, it presents a visual and documentary reconstruction of two indirectly related scenarios in which the act of seeing was staged to radically different effect. In pursuing the deceptively obvious argument that the how of looking at things depends largely on the where of looking at them, it offers a study in and by juxtaposition. The setting is eighteenth-century Le Havre-de-Grâce. The storied visit of Madame de Pompadour to see the sea for the first time provides the pretext for placing the Abbe Jacques-Francois Dicquemare (b. Le Havre 1733), who devoted his life to the study of the sea, on the historical stage. He has an instructive role to play as a minor but important character in the development of natural history, nominally understood as the art of describing the world.
Reference Services to the International Adult Learner: Understanding the Barriers

Summary International adult learners include immigrants, nonimmigrants, and foreign-born residents of the United States who are non-native speakers of English and come from a variety of cultures. This population presents a challenge to delivery of reference services, but at the same time is extremely rewarding. Barriers to service are discussed. Linguistic barriers include selection of vocabulary, sentence structure, and various sociolinguistic considerations. The variety of the world's cultures and the impact on reference service are discussed in the context of cultural barriers. Technological barriers include the fast rate in technology change, information literacy, and the impact of the World Wide Web.
Progress on an electron beam addressed memory tube for high-capacity, fast access, low cost memory systems

The development of an experimental Electron Beam Addressed Memory (EBAM) module is described. The module is limited to 65,536 address locations, but its development verifies that tubes of approximately 4 × 106 bits can now be made. The key factors that lead to a practical, stable device are discussed. Emphasis is given to the development of the storage target and its mode of use. The paper shows how a simple refresh technique is used to retain information, provide a nondestructive readout capability, and achieve long-term address stability.
The Relevance of Human Geography for Studying Urban Disasters

The purpose of this article is to make a case for the centrality of geography in studying human dimensions of urban environmental change. The author undertakes this task by highlighting two potential areas of inquiry that need further attention: (a) the creation of sociospatial identities and (b) urban governance as it relates to disasters. For each area of inquiry, the author provides a conceptual statement and a brief illustration.
Methods for assessing and forecasting the survival of North Cascade, Washington glaciers

Abstract North Cascade glacier annual balance measured on 10 glaciers from 1984 to 2009 yielded mean annual balance (ba) of −0.51 m/y, and −13.26 m cumulatively. This is a significant loss for glaciers that average 30–60 m in thickness, 20–40% of their entire volume. This rapid volume loss has led to the complete loss of two glaciers, Spider and Lewis Glacier. This indicates the need for a method of forecasting glacier survival in the region. Temperate alpine glacier survival is dependent on the consistent presence of an accumulation zone. If a glacier does not have a persistent accumulation zone, all areas of the glacier will experience thinning, including the former accumulation zone. Examination of the accumulation zone can identify thinning from substantial marginal recession, emergence of new rock outcrops, and surface elevation declines in the accumulation zone. Nine of the 12 North Cascade glaciers examined exhibit these characteristics. Each glacier that exhibited accumulation zone thinning features also had frequent low annual accumulation area ratio values, below 0.30. This indicates the lack of a persistent accumulation zone.
Further characterization of stimulus interaction of cat carotid chemoreceptors

Abstract The hypothesis that the maximal response to p CO 2 of carotid body chemoreceptors would be the same regardless of p O 2 , if the receptor molecule behaves like a hemoglobin molecule, was investigated using single or a few fiber carotid body chemoreceptors in cats in vivo which were anesthetized and artificially ventilated. In one series, graded levels of CO 2 inhalation in steady-state at p a O 2 =354±19 Torr showed a linear response from 1 to 20.1±2.3 imp/s for p a CO 2 increase from 32 to 178±18 Torr, and at p a O 2 of 48±3.8 Torr, from 3.8 to 18.6±1.7 imp/s for p a CO 2 increase from 21 to 109±11 Torr, levelling off thereafter. In another series of multi-fiber preparation, close intra-arterial injection of blood plus saline containing p CO 2 of about 270 Torr gave peak responses of 44±9, 42±6 and 42±7 imp/s at p a O 2 of 40±4, 82±6 and 388±18 Torr, respectively. Thus, the chemosensory responses to p a CO 2 reached the same level of maximal activity regardless of p a O 2 . Taken together, the maximal responses in both steady-state and transient-state to p a CO 2 appeared to be the same at hypoxic and hyperoxic p a O 2 . This stimulus–response relationship of the receptor molecule is analogous to O 2 –CO 2 interaction with hemoglobin molecule with a Bohr effect, reaching a saturation point at a finite p O 2 .
Iodine speciation in chesapeake bay waters

Abstract We report on the speciation of iodine in Chesapeake Bay during July 1986. Surface and bottom water samples were taken along the estuary at every 1–2% salinity division. At three locations in the upper bay, samples were taken above, at and below the pycnocline. All samples were analyzed by differential pulse polarography. Iodate was determined directly. Total iodine (including organic forms) was determined by hypochlorite oxidation to iodate. Iodide is defined as the difference between these two analyses. Total iodine appears to be conservative in the estuary. In all samples from the upper bay only reduced forms of iodine were present. Iodine is maintained in its reduced state by biological processes in the surface waters and by a combination of biological and chemical processes in the anoxic bottom waters. Iodate was present only in water samples at mid-depth and the bottom in the lower bay. Iodate comes from oceanic water intruding up the bay and decreases in concentration up the bay as the result of its reaction with reducing agents in the anoxic bottom waters. The forms of iodine in the waters of Chesapeake Bay can be used as a geochemical tracer. These result differ from previous reports in two other estuaries on the speciation of iodine in the water column.
Motivational factors in aphasia therapy: Research suggestions

Abstract Following Wepman (1953), the process of recovery from aphasia is seen as involving stimulation, motivation, and facilitation. The most adequate studies of aphasia therapy outcome focus on facilitation to the virtual exclusion of stimulation and motivation, although clinical experience suggests their importance. Motivation includes both the subjective and experiential aspects of the patient's response to aphasic disablement (anxiety, feelings of inadequacy) and the quality of the speech-therapist/ patient alliance during the treatment. Retrospective studies utilizing sufficiently improved aphasics and ratings of the patient-therapist alliance are suggested as preliminary means of defining “motivation” in this context more accurately. Research approaches are also outlined which would assess the importance of and interaction between the three factors implicated in recovery for therapeutic outcome.
Reentrant melting of krypton adsorbed on graphite and the helical Potts-lattice-gas model.

A model is constructed which explicitly includes the microscopic phenomena occurring in krypton adsorbed on basal graphite from submonolayer to dense-layer regimes. Second-layer adsorption is also included. The experimentally observed reentrant phase diagram, in the pressure and temperature variables, is reproduced. The problem requires different renormalization-group transformations at different length scales. Sublattice occupation and vacancy fluctuations are accounted for, starting from the length scale of the separation of adsorption sites. Dense domain-wall fluctuations, as well as their crossings and dislocations, are accounted for starting from the length scale of minimum wall separation. The physical mechanism for the reentrant phase boundary is clearly detected: At high temperatures, the first layer is disordered due to vacancies. As the system is cooled at constant pressure, condensation from the vapor permits epitaxial connectivity, and ordering takes place. Upon further cooling, further such condensation creates comparable quantities of heavy and superheavy domain walls connected by dislocations, which disrupt the long-range epitaxial (\ensuremath{\surd}3 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} \ensuremath{\surd}3 commensurate) order. Thus, the system disorders. Upon further cooling, further condensation creates predominantly the denser superheavy walls, which start crossing. Another phase transition occurs as the superheavy walls percolate into an infinite hexagonal network. The experimentally observed maximum temperature for commensurate order is accurately obtained, with the use of the known krypton potentials. The maximum pressure is obtained for a wall energy of 83 K per unit length. In the coverage and temperature variables, our calculated phase diagram agrees quantitatively with monolayer experimental data and suggests that second-layer phase separation rather than incommensurate melting has been detected by specific-heat measurements. Effective vacancies, namely adsorbed regions of short-range disorder, are also included in the theory and extend the range of first-order transitions. The movements of atoms away from lattice-gas positions are also accounted for.
Single and double proton emissions from the O-14+He-4 interaction

We observed single and double proton emissions in the $^{14}\mathrm{O}+^{4}\mathrm{He}$ interaction by the thick target inverse kinematic (TTIK) method at initial energy for $^{14}\mathrm{O}$ at 32.7 MeV. We found that the protons mainly originate from the resonance excitation of states in $^{18}\mathrm{Ne}$. The observed states in $^{18}\mathrm{Ne}$ decay by protons mainly to proton unstable states in $^{17}\mathrm{F}$. It was found that the decay of a state in $^{18}\mathrm{Ne}$ at ${E}_{\mathrm{ex}}=8.45$ MeV demonstrates the features of a decay by a correlated proton pair. The observed properties of the $^{14}\mathrm{O}+^{4}\mathrm{He}$ interaction make a previous interpretation for the rate of $^{14}\mathrm{O}$($^{4}\mathrm{He}$, $p$)$^{17}\mathrm{F}$ at astrophysical energies suspect. We show how the TTIK method should be modified to obtain the data of astrophysical interest.
Comparing the mobile novice programming environments: App Inventor for Android vs. GameSalad

Novice programming environments (NPEs) like Scratch and Alice witnessed tremendous growth in adoption and popularity in recent years. These NPEs have successfully lowered the barrier of initial entry to programming. They have also allowed novice computing students to exercise their creative freedom more meaningfully by enabling them to work on projects which have more real life context. Recent trends in adoption of smartphone and other mobile devices among our youth points to a time in near future when majority of them will be mobile device users. Hence, if the NPEs want to remain relevant among youth, they need to adapt to and cater to a mobile-device centric audience. Google and MIT's App Inventor for Android is one of the early NPEs that is trying to achieve this by offering a Scratch-like environment for mobile apps development. GameSalad is another free software primarily for Mac platform that can also offers a drag-n-drop rule-based environment for creating apps. In this paper we compare these two environments' suitableness for computing introduction. Our comparison is based on several logistical, instructional, and operational factors and points to the fact that both these mobile NPEs have their strong points as well as weaknesses. We believe the effectiveness and success of these mobile NPEs will vary depending on particular situations, and hence our work will aid someone looking for a mobile NPE in making a more judicious choice.