cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Activation of C2H6 and C3H8 by Gas-Phase Mo+: Thermochemistry of Mo−Ligand Complexes

The kinetic energy dependences of the reactions of Mo+ (6S) with ethane and propane have been studied using guided ion beam mass spectrometry. No exothermic reactions are observed in these systems, in contrast to results for the neighboring element, Nb+. At slightly elevated energies, dehydrogenation of the two hydrocarbons is observed as the dominant process at low energies in both reaction systems. At high energies, products resulting from both C−H and C−C cleavage processes are appreciable. Modeling of the endothermic reaction cross-sections yields the 0 K bond dissociation energies (in eV) of D0(Mo−H) = 2.06 ± 0.19, D0(Mo+−H2) = 0.14 ± 0.15, D0(Mo+−CH) = 5.32 ± 0.14, D0(Mo+−CH3) = 1.57 ± 0.09, D0(Mo+−C2H) = 3.25 ± 0.22, D0(Mo+−C2H2) ≥ 1.87 ± 0.05, D0(Mo+−C2H3) = 2.95 ± 0.15, D0(Mo+−C2H4) ≥ 0.82 ± 0.03, D0(Mo+−C2H5) = 2.09 ± 0.14, D0(Mo+−C3H2) = 4.34 ± 0.21, D0(Mo+−C3H4) = 2.22 ± 0.03, and D0(Mo+−C3H6) ≥ 0.81 ± 0.05. The ionization energy of MoH is also derived as 7.43 ± 0.20 eV. The results for Mo+ ar...
The compressible inclusion function of EPS geofoam

Abstract This paper summarizes the state of knowledge for using expanded polystyrene (EPS) geofoam where the primary geosynthetic function provided by the geofoam is compressible inclusion. In general, a compressible inclusion is any material that compresses readily under an applied stress or displacement compared to other materials in contact with, or in the vicinity of, the compressible inclusion. Geotechnical applications for a compressible inclusion include behind earth-retaining structures; around formation elements;; and above pipes, culverts, and tunnels. Using a compressible inclusion can result in significant reduction of earth pressures under static and dynamic loading. A compressible inclusion can also be used to accommodate ground or structure movement. Using a compressible inclusion can be cost-effective for both new construction as well as rehabilitating or upgrading existing structures. Numerous examples are used to illustrate these applications. Because of the inherent multi-functional nature of EPS, there can be additional benefits such as thermal insulation and concomitant cost-savings when EPS geofoam is used as a compressible inclusion.
Properties of the Patient Administered Questionnaires: New Scales Measuring Physical and Psychological Symptoms of Hip and Knee Disorders

Abstract The Patient Administered Questionnaires (PAQ) incorporate physical and psychological symptoms into one scale and permit more comprehensive self-reports for hip and knee disorders. We tested the psychometric properties of the PAQ-Hip and PAQ-Knee. Correlations between baseline PAQ-Hip and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) were .39 to .72 (n = 102), .39 to .69 for score change (n = 68 post-total hip arthroplasty), and most κ values > .60 (n = 50). Correlations between baseline PAQ-Knee and WOMAC were .35 to .64 (n = 100), .62 to .79 for score change (n = 43 post–total knee arthroplasty), and most κ values >.60 (n = 51). For both scales, effect sizes were higher than for the WOMAC, and there was modest correlation between physical and psychological questions, indicating these concepts are not completely interchangeable. Thus, the PAQ scales have strong psychometric properties and are unique compared with existing scales by including physical and psychological symptoms.
Family demography and family history: problems and prospects.

The author examines the concept of family demography with particular reference to the recent publication of the proceedings of a conference on that topic entitled "Family Demography: Methods and Their Application." The focus is on problems and prospects of family demography and its relevance to historical research. (ANNOTATION)
Formation and Stability of Shear-Induced Shish-Kebab Structure in Highly Entangled Melts of UHMWPE/HDPE Blends

The formation and stability of a shear-induced shish-kebab structure was investigated by in situ rheo-SAXS (small-angle X-ray scattering) and -WAXD (wide-angle X-ray diffraction) measurements of highly entangled polyethylene melts based on two polymer blends, containing small fractions (2 and 5 wt %) of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Immediately after shear, the combined SAXS and WAXD results at 142 °C confirmed the sole formation of shish without kebabs, indicating the interplay between the topological deformation of highly entangled UHMWPE chains and the extended-chain crystallization of stretched segments without the participation of coiled segments. The presence of HDPE chains influenced the entanglement of UHMWPE but they were not involved in the shish-kebab formation at the initial stage of crystallization. The final shish lengths in both blends were nearly identical at the same strain (e = 500), even though the UHMWPE concentration was differ...
The Business Case for Adult Disability Care Coordination

Abstract Palsbo SE, Diao G. The business case for adult disability care coordination. Objective To analyze the financial performance of a care coordination program. Design The study used a retrospective pretest, posttest design of 245 beneficiaries. Physical impairment ranged from slight to severe. Setting Minnesota Disability Health Options (MnDHO), a capitated Medicaid program. Participants Medicaid beneficiaries ages 18 to 64 with physical disabilities arising from multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, or brain injury. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcomes Measures Change in expenditures, rate of return, and utilization. Results Mean MnDHO monthly expenditures including care coordination increased by a factor of 1.75 ( P P =.017, P =.032, respectively). For people enrolled at least 3 years, annual reductions in medical costs more than paid for the added cost of care coordination, but the savings in Year 3 were about 20% of the savings in the first 2 years. Conclusions Care coordination leads to higher program expenditures for enrollees with moderate physical impairments who encounter access problems, but has little impact on enrollees who are already getting 24-hour care. There is some evidence of adverse selection bias. MnDHO's disability care coordination may not be financially sustainable over the long term.
The Radio Spectrum of TVLM513-46546: Constraints on the Coronal Properties of a Late M Dwarf

We explore the radio emission from the M9 dwarf, TVLM513-46546, at multiple radio frequencies, determining the flux spectrum of persistent radio emission, as well as constraining the levels of circular polarization. Detections at both 3.6 and 6 cm provide spectral index measurement $\alpha$ (where S$_{\nu} \propto \nu^{\alpha}$) of $-0.4\pm0.1$. A detection at 20 cm suggests that the spectral peak is between 1.4 and 5 GHz. The most stringent upper limits on circular polarization are at 3.6 and 6 cm, with $V/I <$15%. These characteristics agree well with those of typical parameters for early to mid M dwarfs, confirming that magnetic activity is present at levels comparable with those extrapolated from earlier M dwarfs. We apply analytic models to investigate the coronal properties under simple assumptions of dipole magnetic field geometry and radially varying nonthermal electron density distributions. Requiring the spectrum to be optically thin at frequencies higher than 5 GHz and reproducing the observed 3.6 cm fluxes constrains the magnetic field at the base to be less than about 500 G. There is no statistically significant periodicity in the 3.6 cm light curve, but it is consistent with low-level variability.
Manganese-54 and Zinc-65 in Coastal Organisms of California

Marine organisms off the coast of southern California were analyzed for Mn/sup 54/ and Zn/sup 65/. The results indicate that certain dinoflagellates and other organisms from the same coastal waters can concentrate Mn/sup 56/ several thousand fold. Mussels and barnacles appear to concentrate Mn/sup 54/ more than Zn/sup 65/, whereas the fish do the opposite. Surface fish contain distinctly more of both metals than do the deepliving hagfish. It was also evident that some surface fish can concentrate Zn/sup 65/ by three orders of magnitude. Data are tabulated. (P.C.H.)
Deep imaging of high redshift QSO fields below the Lyman limit. I - The field of Q0000-263 and galaxies at Z = 3.4

Results are presented for the first field completed in a new survey involving very deep imaging of the fields of high redshift QSOs which exhibit thick Lyman limit absorption systems that completely remove the QSO from the observed broadband UV bandpass. The broadband colors of galaxies near the QSO sightline are examined with knowledge of the redshifts of heavy element absorption systems already discovered in the QSO spectrum. It is suggested that the colors and magnitudes are more consistent with a moderately underluminous galaxy at z = 0.438. A galaxy is identified which is 2.3 mag fainter and is only 2.8 arcsec from the QSO sightline, which is undetected in the present UV bandpass, and could plausibly be associated with the object responsible for the 3.390-z damped Ly-alpha absorption system in the spectrum of Q0000-263.
Subnormal Inductive Sources and π-Partial Characters

A character pair (H,θ) in a group G consists of a subgroup H and a character θ ∈ Irr(H). A character pair (H,θ) is an inductive source in G if induction to G defines an injective map from the irreducible characters of T, the stabilizer of (H,θ), that lie over θ into Irr(G). Let π be a set of primes, and suppose G is π-separable. We consider Isaacs' π-partial characters and their canonical lifts. If θ ∈ Irr(H) is such a lift, then the restriction θ0 of θ to the π-elements of H is an irreducible π-partial character of H. In this paper, when (H,θ) is an inductive source so that H is subnormal and θ is a canonical lift, we show that induction is an injection from the irreducible π-partial characters of T that lie over θ0 to the irreducible π-partial characters of G. We apply this to obtain a partial generalization of Isaacs' nucleus of a character, and present several examples to see what can go wrong with our generalization.
Feeling good and functioning well: distinctive concepts in ancient philosophy and contemporary science

This paper is an invited response to Kashdan, Biswas-Diener, & King (2008) and to Waterman's (2008) commentary. Kashdan et al. assert that the distinction between hedonic and eudaimonic well-being is unwarranted philosophically and scientifically. We disagree, because a correct understanding of Aristotle refutes Kashdan et al.'s claims, and we refute three specific claims made about the definition, measurements, and overlap of kinds of subjective well-being. We re-analyze data from Keyes' (2005b) paper on mental health, and find that nearly half (48.5%) of the MIDUS national sample has high hedonic well-being. However, only 18% are flourishing, which requires a high level of hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. The remaining 30.5% with high hedonic well-being but moderate eudaimonic well-being has nearly twice the rate of mental illness as flourishing individuals. Costs are incurred, we conclude, by science and citizens when we do not distinguish and achieve both kinds of well-being.
Application of pattern recognition in transient security assessment

ABSTRACT One of the primary requirements of reliable service in electric power systems is to retain the synchronous machines running in parallel with adequate capacity to meet the load. In the normal operation of power systems, there may be faults or other large disturbances which have the potential of shifting the system operating point. Transient security assessment consists of determining whether the system oscillations, following the occurrence of a fault or a large disturbance from a contingency set, will cause loss of synchronism among the system generators. In order to have a highly reliable service, the system operating point has to be monitored and as soon as the system becomes vulnerable to a fault or disturbance, the control center should change the operating point of the system in a way to enhance its security. Pattern recognition is one of the promising methods for power system transient security assessment. The main objective of this method is to reduce the on-line computational requirement ...
Does a higher ratio of serum calcium to magnesium increase the risk for postmenopausal breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among United States (US) women. Established risk factors explain only about 13% of breast cancer incidence among women in the US. Thus, the cause of most cases of breast cancer remains unknown. In postmenopausal women, serum calcium (Ca) and serum magnesium (Mg) play an important role in skeletal health, cell proliferation and cancer. Mg is essential for DNA duplication and repair and Mg deficiency favors DNA mutations leading to carcinogenesis. Dietary intake of Mg in the US is less than the recommended amount, and the deficit is more pronounced in older individuals where gastrointestinal and renal mechanisms for Mg conservation are not as efficient. Furthermore, healthy postmenopausal women are frequently recommended to take supplemental Ca, but not Mg and vitamin D to maintain bone and overall health. Most women with hormone sensitive breast cancer are recommended to take aromatase inhibitors, which causes bone loss and thus are generally prescribed Ca and vitamin D, but not Mg. Although the association between serum Ca and breast cancer risk remains controversial, we hypothesize that this may be because Mg levels have not been accounted for. Mg level directly influences transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) related Ca influx, calcium-adenosine triphosphatase (Ca-ATP) levels, and cell proliferation, and thereby could lead to cancer. Thus a high serum Ca/Mg ratio is more appropriate and alterations in this ratio could lead to increased development of new and recurrent breast cancer.
LARGE DEVIATIONS FOR A CLASS OF RECURSIVE ALGORITHMS

Abstract The large deviation principle is shown to hold for a class of stochastic recursive algorithms based on a sequence of random variables satisfying an appropriate mixing condition.
Impact of Nutrition Screening on Patient Care

Abstract A nutrition screening program was initiated to provide early identification of patients who might benefit from nutrition intervention. All patients were screened within 72 hours of admission. Four indicators were used to determine nutritional risk 1) serum albumin or prealbumin 2) current weight as percent desirable body weight 3) percent of meals consumed or nutrition support by tube feeding (TF) or total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in patients who were not being monitored by the nutrition support service and 4) admission diagnosis of malnutrition. A total of 532 patient records were reviewed in a case control study. Cases were 266 screened adult patients admitted from August 1992 through January 1993 for whom complete medical records were available. Controls (unscreened patients) were 266 patients admitted from August 1991 through January 1992. Cases and controls were matched for primary diagnosis related group (DRG), age and sex. Length of stay ranged from four days to 38 days, with a mean length of stay of 7.15 ± 4.04 days in unscreened patients and 7.31 ± 4.05 days in screened patients. Nutrition screening doubled the number of days in which patients at nutritional risk received nutritional snacks (p
BIPOLAR EXCITATION OF CIRCULAR SURFACE WAVES ON DIELECTRIC-SUPPORTED OIL FILMS

Abstract Surface waves on a thin oil film placed on top of a ground-supported dielectric sheet has recently been observed to exist when the oil film has been precharged adequately and when a sharp grounded electrode is suddenly introduced into the vicinity of the oil layer [Lee and Phan 1995]. This experimental work investigates the circumstances leading to the generation of analogous wavelike phenomena through a new, bipolar scheme of DC corona charging of the separate sides of a dielectric sheet and susequent triggering by externally short-circuiting the opposing points. In advance preparation, both sides were coated with a thin film of oil by smear. Results revealed that, consistently in all cases, an ensemble composed of two circularly expanding waves one on each side, was generated. Wave fronts appeared locked in and expanded in decaying unison. With eventual weakening at larger radii, two new features were spotted: (a) Ridge of each wave front would evolve into periodic structure associated with an apparent annular rim instability and (b) In some situations, the two co-moving wave fronts might become uncoupled in the process.
Analysis of constrained active networks

A simplified procedure for computing the transfer functions of an active filter involving single or multiple operational amplifiers is presented. Illustrative examples are given.
Identification, Sequences, and Expression of Treponema pallidum Chemotaxis Genes

Treponema pallidum, the agent of syphilis, is a pathogenic spirochete that has no known mechanisms of genetic exchange and cannot be continuously cultivated in vitro. A probe based on the nucleotide sequence of the T. pallidum cheA gene was used to screen a T. pallidum genomic DNA library. A treponemal DNA region containing four open reading frames (orfs) was identified. The proteins encoded by these orfs have significant homology with proteins involved in bacterial chemotaxis. The orfs have been designated cheA, cheW, cheX, and cheY. The cheA, cheW, and cheY genes were individually-cloned and expressed in vitro. The observed molecular mass of each protein correlated well with its predicted molecular mass. Reverse transcriptase-PCR data indicate that cheA through cheY are co-transcribed. The organization of these genes suggests that they comprise an operon. We hypothesize that the ability to sense and respond to nutrient gradients is important for the survival and dissemination of T. pallidum in vivo. The presence of a putative che operon strongly suggests that T. pallidum has the potential for a chemotactic response.
Nominal standard dose (NSD) and radiation tolerance of the pig kidney

An analysis of the data of Hopewell and Berry concerning the tolerance of the pig kidney to radiation, shows that the Nominal Standard Dose (NSD) concept provides an adequate indicator of renal tolerance within the range of fractionation and overall time in common use in clinical radiotherapeutic practice.
Beta radiation effects in 137Cs-substituted pollucite

The effect of high-energy beta radiation on the long-range and local structure of 137Cs-substituted CsAlSi2O6 (pollucite) was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) techniques at the Cs K-edge. Analysis of the XRD pattern of pollucite with an absorbed dose of 1018 beta decays/g using Rietveld analysis indicates a 0.5–1% volume expansion of the tetrahedral structure as measured at 50 K and a minor displacement of the Cs cation toward the face of one of the six-membered rings. Analysis of the real-space pair-distribution function obtained from Fourier transformation of the diffraction pattern indicates significant correlated movement of the (Si,Al)–O pairs and large static disorder between Cs–O pairs. Analysis of the Cs K-edge XAS revealed substantial contributions from the Cs atomic X-ray absorption. This likely results from the exceedingly long Cs–O bond distances in the pollucite structure, which diminish the fine structure of the XAS oscillations, and the destructive interference of the backscattered photoelectron from static disorder between Cs–O pairs. In addition, a significant lengthening of the Cs–Cs interatomic distance was observed.
Cryogenic Ion Chemistry and Spectroscopy

The use of mass spectrometry in macromolecular analysis is an incredibly important technique and has allowed efficient identification of secondary and tertiary protein structures. Over 20 years ago, Chemistry Nobelist John Fenn and co-workers revolutionized mass spectrometry by developing ways to non-destructively extract large molecules directly from solution into the gas phase. This advance, in turn, enabled rapid sequencing of biopolymers through tandem mass spectrometry at the heart of the burgeoning field of proteomics. In this Account, we discuss how cryogenic cooling, mass selection, and reactive processing together provide a powerful way to characterize ion structures as well as rationally synthesize labile reaction intermediates. This is accomplished by first cooling the ions close to 10 K and condensing onto them weakly bound, chemically inert small molecules or rare gas atoms. This assembly can then be used as a medium in which to quench reactive encounters by rapid evaporation of the adducts, ...
NRL ubitron amplifier cold test results

Abstract The Naval Research Laboratory ubitron (a low voltage free electron laser) amplifier experiment is nearing operation. The experiment has been designed to explore the potential of the ubitron as an efficient, high power radiation source. The initial experimental configuration consists of a modified SLAC klystron gun, “turnstile” rf input coupler, double taper bifilar helix wiggler, rf output monitor, and an rf calorimeter/load, and has been designed to operate in the collective FEL mode. The results of component cold testing will be presented along with the calculated performance of the amplifier. In particular, a new rf input coupler design has demonstrated reasonable coupling efficiency over the design bandwidth with the ability to control the polarization of the input wave. Detailed comparison of experimental results with a recently developed 3-D ubitron theory will allow an accurate assessment of the ubitron as a millimeter- and submillimeter-wave source.
SU-EE-A1-03: Arc Modulated Radiation Therapy Based on Linear Models

Purpose: The challenge for implementing promising Arc Modulated Radiation Therapy (AMRT) is its effectiveness of treatment planning tools to find optimal multileaf collimator(MLC) sequence and the fluence map. This study provides a new approach to the above challenge using linear models. Method and Materials: AMRT is implemented with a three‐step procedure. First, fluence maps for 36 fixed‐gantry beams are generated using a linear‐model based IMRT optimization algorithm. Second, the 2D fluence maps are decomposed into 1D fluence profiles, sorted according to each leaf pairs. These sorted fluence maps are referred to as Rotational Fluence Maps (RFMs). Third, a mixed integer linear model constructs the leaf motions of an arc delivery that reproduce the RFMs previously derived. The MLC sequence takes into account the starting and ending leaf positions in between the neighboring apertures, such that the MLC segments of the entire treatment plan are deliverable in a continuous arc. Results: Patient studies with a prostate case and a neck‐and‐neck show that the AMRT can reproduce the 36‐beam IMRT plan using 1 arc and 3 arcs with negligible dosimetrical variance. Furthermore, the HN AMRT plan is compared with the nine‐beam IMRT plan that had been used for the patient treatment in the clinic (generated using the Varian Eclipse Treatment planning system). Consider the nine‐beam IMRT plan as the gold standard, the AMRT plan shows comparable target coverage and ORA sparing. Hence, the AMRT plan can be considered a clinically acceptable IMRT plan.Conclusions: A new inverse AMRT planning technique using linear models was developed for effective planning of IMRT treatment. (Research sponsored by Varian Corporation)
Second Look at Approximating Differential Inclusions

Journal of Guidance, Control and Dynamics The article of record as published may be located at http://arc.aiaa.org/loi/jgcd
Comparison of Transient Models for Flat-Plates and Trough Concentrators

In the field of solar energy, collector models have been employed to study the effects of system configuration, pump control strategies, fluctuating insolation, collector design, etc. [1–4]. In many studies the investigators feel it is necessary to have a transient collector model if meaningful results are to be obtained. The amount of detail included in the transient models varies from study to study, however. The intent of this paper is to demonstrate the impact of several of the simplifying assumptions commonly employed in transient collector models. To accomplish this, simulated flat-plate and trough concentrator responses based on four types of models are compared.
The Effective Thickness in Internal Reflection Spectroscopy

In internal reflection spectroscopy the intensity loss per reflection can be described conveniently in terms of a parameter de, the effective thickness of the absorbing sample. There is a temptation to seek correlation between this parameter and the extra path length L that arises when the Goos-Hanchen shift is included in the rat picture for total internal reflection (Fig. 1). This shift occurs because, under conditions of total internal reflection, the effective reflecting plane does not coincide with the physical interface. As a result the specularly reflected ray is displaced parallel to itself by the distance D and there is a corresponding shift L = D/cos θ along the interface. Hirschfeld has compared the functional forms for de and L, as given in the literature, and has observed that the two quantities agree only at the critical angle. In this note we examine the power flows associated with both the Goos-Hanchen shift and the power dissipated in the absorbing sample. This approach allows us to determine the ratio de/L without having to carry out an explicit calculation for the separate quantities, and provides a physical basis for understanding why this ratio differs from unity at all angles but the critical.
Developing Enlightened Leaders for Industry and Community Executive Education and Service-Learning

What does it take to develop enlightened leaders who can transform their organizations and communities? The quest to develop enlightened leaders who are self-aware, learning centered, adaptable, in...
Polyethers. XI. Polymerization of DL‐propylene oxide with optically active catalyst systems

The polymerizations of L-propylene oxide by aluminum isopropoxide–zinc chloride, ferric chloride–propylene oxide, and diethylzinc–water catalysts have been studied further and analyzed in terms of the source of stereocontrol in producing isotactic crystalline polymer. The polymerization of DL-propylene oxide by optically active complexes of the above catalysts with poly(L-propylene oxide) and with a catalyst formed from triisobutylaluminum and L-propylene glycol failed to produce any evidence for stereopreference by the catalysts for the L- or D-molecules.
Rapid, Low-Cost, Microfluidic Thermocycler for High-Throughput Genetic Diagnostics

Conventional instrumentation for amplifying nucleic acids by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which involves repeated temperature cycling, suffers from slow heating rates (e.g., 3 C/s) and large, costly sample volumes (i.e., 50 μL). Performing PCR is often the most time-consuming step in genetic sample preparation for common procedures such as pathogen detection and forensics. Faster thermocycling can reduce overall runtime and facilitate time-sensitive analyses. Smaller reaction volumes require fewer expensive reagents. Efforts to miniaturize genetic sample preparation have been largely confined to glass devices that are relatively expensive and require elaborate fabrication methods. Landers [1] has used glass microchips fabricated by wet etching to perform PCR, in which volumes of approximately 270 nL can be cycled 25 times with a tungsten filament lamp in only 5 min. Other developments include the work of Yasuda [2] and Faris [3], using infrared laser radiation to perform real-time PCR in 10–30 nL droplets suspended in mineral oil with amplification times of 3.5 and 6 min, respectively. Still, these devices can only perform a single reaction at a time.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Immunization without needles

Most current immunization procedures make use of needles and syringes for vaccine administration. With the increase in the number of immunizations that children around the world routinely receive, health organizations are beginning to look for safer alternatives that reduce the risk of cross-contamination that arises from needle reuse. This article focuses on contemporary developments in needle-free methods of immunization, such as liquid-jet injectors, topical application to the skin, oral pills and nasal sprays.
TFCX current density and nuclear heating limitations for superconducting tokamaks

A major goal of the Tokamak Fusion Core Experiment (TFCX) study was to minimize the size of the device and achieve lowest cost. Two key factors influencing the size of the device employing superconducting magnets are toroidal field (TF) winding current density and its nuclear heat load withstand capability. Lower winding current density requires larger radial build of the winding pack. Likewise, lower allowable nuclear heating in the winding requires larger shield thickness between the plasma and coil. To achieve a low-cost device, it is essential to maximize the winding's current density and nuclear heating withstand capability. To meet this objective, the TFCX design specification adopted as goals a nominal winding current density of 3500 A/cm/sup 2/ with 10-T peak field at the winding, peak nuclear heat load limits of 1 mW/cm/sup 3/ for the nominal design and 50 mW/cm/sup 3/ for an advanced design. This study developed justification for these current density and nuclear heat load limits.
Some Seismic Profiles near the Western End of the Puerto Rico Trench

A cooperative program of seismic refraction profiling was completed in the vicinity of the Puerto Rico Trench by Hudson Laboratories, Woods Hole, Lamont, and Texas A. & M. Profiles completed near the western end of the Trench were analyzed at Hudson Laboratories. Five seismic layers are indicated below the water layer. The thickness/velocity relationships are as follows: 5.1 km of 1.5 km/sec. (water); 1 km of 1.7 km/sec. (sediment); 1.5 km of 3 km/sec. (metamorphics?); 2 km of 5.5 km/sec. (basement); and 2 km of 7.1 km/sec. (high speed basement). Below these, typical Moho velocities of 8.1 km/sec. were measured. Total depth to Moho ranges from 9 to 12 km below sea level, the greatest variation occurring in the basement layers. The least depth was measured 65 miles north of the Puerto Rico Trench.
Variable threshold zonal filtering.

Variable threshold zonal filtering is an active nonlinear image enhancement technique designed to avoid ringing artifacts which filtering can introduce near sharp brightness transitions in the original scene. The filtering procedure can be implemented in the Fourier domain or by subtractive box filtering. It is shown, in reference to a Landsat scene of Iceland, that while conventional box filtering produces severe ringing, zonal filtering results in a more uniform display of local detail.
Purification of an allene oxide synthase and identification of the enzyme as a cytochrome P-450

Fatty acid hydroperoxides (lipoxygenase products) are metabolized to allene oxides by a type of dehydrase that has been detected in plants, corals, and starfish oocytes. The allene oxides are unstable epoxide precursors of more complex products such as jasmonic acid, the plant growth hormone. Characterization of the dehydrase enzyme of flaxseed revealed that it is a 55-kilodalton hemoprotein. The spectral characteristics of this dehydrase revealed it to be a cytochrome P-450. It operates with the remarkable activity of greater than or equal to 1000 turnovers per second. The results establish a new catalytic activity for a cytochrome P-450 and illustrate the cooperation of different oxygenases in pathways of fatty acid metabolism.
Busulfan dosing (Q6 or Q24) with adjusted or actual body weight, does it matter?

BackgroundIn hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), patients receive individualized treatment planning in conditioning regimens to prevent unwarranted toxicities while maximizing desired outcomes. The dose of a widely studied agent in this setting, busulfan, can be adjusted based on area under the curve (AUC); however, choice of actual body weight (ABW) versus adjusted body weight (DBW) weight to calculate the initial dose may be critical in attaining goal AUC.ObjectiveTo determine which weight best correlates with achievement of goal AUC for patients receiving busulfan conditioning for HSCT. Secondary objectives include evaluation of AUC results with clinical outcomes such as toxicity and survival.MethodsAn institutional review board-approved retrospective analysis was performed on 31 allogeneic HSCT recipients who received intravenous busulfan (Q6H with cyclophosphamide [Bu/Cy] or once daily with fludarabine [Flu/Bu]).ResultsEighteen patients received Flu/Bu (50% ABW, 50% DBW) and 13 received B...
Uncovering high-strain rate protection mechanism in nacre

Under high-strain-rate compression (strain rate approximately 10(3) s(-1)), nacre (mother-of-pearl) exhibits surprisingly high fracture strength vis-a-vis under quasi-static loading (strain rate 10(-3) s(-1)). Nevertheless, the underlying mechanism responsible for such sharply different behaviors in these two loading modes remains completely unknown. Here we report a new deformation mechanism, adopted by nacre, the best-ever natural armor material, to protect itself against predatory penetrating impacts. It involves the emission of partial dislocations and the onset of deformation twinning that operate in a well-concerted manner to contribute to the increased high-strain-rate fracture strength of nacre. Our findings unveil that Mother Nature delicately uses an ingenious strain-rate-dependent stiffening mechanism with a purpose to fight against foreign attacks. These findings should serve as critical design guidelines for developing engineered body armor materials.
Endoscopic Treatment of Common Bile Duct Strictures Complicating Chronic Pancreatitis

Distal common bile duct (CBD) strictures frequently complicate chronic pancreatitis. These strictures may be noted incidentally at cholangiography or may present as persistent cholestasis, jaundice, or cholangitis. Evaluation of endoscopic biliary stenting for CBD strictures in chronic pancreatitis has been addressed in several studies. These suggest that endoscopic therapy may be a useful alternative to surgery for short-term treatment of these strictures, because immediate relief of jaundice and cholangitis is achieved in nearly all patients. Complete stricture resolution, however, occurs in a minority of patients after final stent removal. Surgical biliary-enteric bypass remains the long-term treatment of choice for average-risk individuals. The role of expandable metallic stents requires further study in this benign condition.
Half-tone perspective drawings by computer

In recent years, the sheer increase in demand for the graphic presentation of three-dimensional objects has almost overwhelmed conventional facilities; that is, designers, draftsmen and especially engineering artists. For example, it is important for a designer or architect to quickly describe a three-dimensional object and view it immediately; not as an endless set of engineering drawings, but as if he were viewing the three-dimensional object itself. He should be able to take a distant look at a complicated object, and then view, in detail, any subsection of the object. In other words, he would like to quickly and cheaply simulate and view the thing he is designing.
Interactions between the mannose receptor and thyroid autoantigens

Summary Thyroid autoantigens require internalization and processing by antigen-presenting cells to induce immune responses. Besides pinocytosis, antigen uptake can be receptor-mediated. The mannose receptor (ManR) has a cysteine rich domain (CR) and eight carbohydrate recognition domains (CRD) that bind glycosylated proteins. The TSH receptor (TSHR), thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and thyroglobulin (Tg) are glycoproteins. To investigate a role for the ManR in thyroid autoimmunity, we tested the interaction between these autoantigens and chimeric ManRs. Plasmids encoding the CR-domain linked to IgG-Fc (CR-Fc) and CDR domains 4–7 linked to IgG-Fc (CDR4-7-Fc) were expressed and purified with Protein A. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) plates were coated with human thyroid autoantigens and CR-Fc or CRD4-7-Fc binding detected with peroxidase-conjugated anti-IgG-Fc. CRD4-7-Fc binding was highest for the TSHR, followed by Tg and was minimal for TPO. CR-Fc bound to Tg but not to TSHR or TPO. The interaction between the TSHR and CRD-Fc was calcium-dependent; it was inhibited by mannose (not galactose), and required a glycosylated TSHR A-subunit. Moreover, precomplexing the TSHR A-subunit with CRD-Fc (but not CR-Fc), or adding mannose (but not galactose), decreased in vitro responses of splenocytes from TSHR-immunized mice. Our data indicate that the ManR may participate in autoimmune responses to Tg and the TSHR but not to TPO. Most important, ManR binding of heavily glycosylated TSHR A-subunits suggests a mechanism by which the minute amounts of A-subunit protein shed from the thyroid may be captured by antigen-presenting cells located in the gland or in draining lymph nodes.
Role of AP-1 and HIF-1 Transcription Factors in TGF-β Activation of VEGF Expression

AbstractAberrant expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been demonstrated to be associated with most human solid tumors. Here we report that TGF-β potently induces VEGF expression in human HT-1080 fibrosarcomas primarily through transcrip-tional activation with no significant changes in mRNA turnover. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein and AP-1 inhibitor curcumin significantly blocked TGF-β induction of VEGF expression while SP-1 and MKKl inhibitors did not. TGF-β enhanced both AP-1 and HIF-1 DNA binding activities whereas SP-1, AP-2 and NF-1 did not show major changes. Transcriptional reporter assays provided further evidence that TGF-β augmented both AP-1 and HIF-1 activities. Moreover, TGF-β-treated HT-1080 cells contained higher levels of HIF-1α and c-jun proteins in nuclear extracts. TGF-β and hypoxia synergistically induced VEGF mRNA expression. Given the fact that most tumors respond to hypoxic stress with increased VEGF expression via HIF-1 dependent transcription, this s...
Iterative techniques for Riccati game equations

We present a monotone iterative technique for the computation of a solution of a Riccati-type equation relevant to the theory of differential games. For this purpose, we show that the Kleinman algorithm for Riccati equation computations converges under extremely general conditions.
Striving for social status

Social comparisons can influence individual decisions. People compare their income and their belongings to those of people around them. Prominent scholars, such as Frank [1985], argue that increasing inequality has led to excessive spending, as people try to emulate and compete with the rich. This process accelerates as more people are exposed to the lives of the rich and what they consume. We study social comparisons and striving for status in a network context, focusing on how the status considerations and network structure influences individual outcomes and aggregate consumption of goods. We study this phenomenon in a model where agents choose a level of consumption for a good with status implications, like cars or designer clothing. Agents have a linear value for the good and a convex cost of consumption. Additionally, adopting the model of Stark andWang [2005], we assume agents suffer a status loss as they compare to themselves to those with higher consumption in their peer group. Letting ei represent the consumption level of agent i, then i suffers a loss equal to β x max{ej - ei, 0} / |Ni| + 1 for each agent j in Ni, i's neighborhood in the network. β parameterizes an agent's concern for status.Our primary objective is to solve for and analyze the Nash equilibria. We find that the best-response function is isotone in the lattice structure induced by consumption profiles, and so the equilibria of our game form a non-empty complete lattice. Furthermore, sequential best-response dynamics from either the min or max consumption profiles converges in polynomial time to either the min-consuming or max-consuming equilibrium. We then study how the consumption and welfare of equilibria change with respect to status considerations. We find that consumption at both the minimum-consuming and maximum-consuming equilibria increases with status considerations whereas welfare decreases, indicating that external organizations like luxury good retailers have incentives to perpetuate the perception of their goods as status symbols. Welfare, on the other hand, decreases with status concerns. Starting from any equilibrium and increasing status concerns causes agents to converge to a new equilibrium (via best-response dynamics) in which every agent has (weakly) lower welfare. This supports the intuition that attempts to "keep up with the Joneses" cause agents to over-spend. This happens for all agents, even those that don't know the Joneses, demonstrating the spillover effects of the network.We conclude with a study of the network effect on consumption and welfare. We characterize the set of equilibria by a notion of network connectivity, called cohesion. Using this, we show that adding connections can increase or decrease production (and welfare) as it alters cohesion.
Hyperparathyroid bone disease in children undergoing long-term hemodialysis; treatment with vitamin D

Or 17 children who had been in a hemodialysis program for more than six months, three had hyperparathyroid bone disease before entering the program and five developed it after two to 17 months of dialysis. The incidence of bone disease was related to the duration of azotemia and not to the duration of dialysis, to the dialysate concentration of calcium, or to the predialysis serum concentrations of urea nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus. Six children with bone disease were treated with vitamin D in average daily doses ranging from 32,000 to 57,000 IU for periods of five to 13 months. In three the bone lesions healed, in two they were improved, and in one there was progression until a renal transplant was performed. Hypercalcemia was slight; conjunctival calcification was the only form of metastatic calcification observed. The calcium content in the skin of the children was less than that in adults who had had dialysis for comparable periods of time.
Overlap of Genetic Susceptibility to Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, and Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults

Despite the notion that there is a degree of commonality to the biological etiology of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), the lack of overlap in the genetic factors underpinning each of them suggests very distinct mechanisms. A disorder considered to be at the "intersection" of these two diseases is "latent autoimmune diabetes in adults" (LADA). Interestingly, genetic signals from both T1D and T2D are also seen in LADA, including the key HLA and transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) loci, but the magnitudes of these effects are more complex than just pointing to LADA as being a simple admixture of T1D and T2D. We review the current status of the understanding of the genetics of LADA and place it in the context of what is known about the genetics of its better-studied "cousins," T1D and T2D, especially with respect to the myriad of discoveries made over the last decade through genome-wide association studies.
Analysis of an interferometer with acoustic surface waves on one mirror.

It has been demonstrated that surface waves propagating on one mirror of an interferometer form an optical diffraction grating. Experimentally confirmed analyses of an interferomet er with 95.5% reflectivity mirrors now indicate that a surface wave power density of 0.028 mW/mm.MHz is required to diffract 1% of transmitted light into the first order beam. This power can be diminished by a factor of more than 20 by increasing the mirror reflectivity to 99%.
Quantitative proteomic analysis reveals posttranslational responses to aneuploidy in yeast

Aneuploidy causes severe developmental defects and is a near universal feature of tumor cells. Despite its profound effects, the cellular processes affected by aneuploidy are not well characterized. Here, we examined the consequences of aneuploidy on the proteome of aneuploid budding yeast strains. We show that although protein levels largely scale with gene copy number, subunits of multi-protein complexes are notable exceptions. Posttranslational mechanisms attenuate their expression when their encoding genes are in excess. Our proteomic analyses further revealed a novel aneuploidy-associated protein expression signature characteristic of altered metabolism and redox homeostasis. Indeed aneuploid cells harbor increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Interestingly, increased protein turnover attenuates ROS levels and this novel aneuploidy-associated signature and improves the fitness of most aneuploid strains. Our results show that aneuploidy causes alterations in metabolism and redox homeostasis. Cells respond to these alterations through both transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms.
Factor Analysis of the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery for Older Children

Studies of the factor structure of the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery for Older Children (HRNB-C) have reported solutions ranging from 5 to 7 constructs. The current study examined the underlying factor structure of the HRNB-C using only tests from the Battery itself with 800 learning disabled children. The results showed a four factor solution to be the most heuristic. These dimensions were identified as Speed of Operation, Tactile-Motor Integration, Attention, and Visuo-Spatial Memory. When ancillary tests are excluded it is argued that four factors provide the best description of the underlying structure of the HRNB-C.
Inhibition of neuronally induced tyrosine hydroxylase by nicotinic receptor blockade

Abstract The increase in tyrosine hydroxylase activity in the rat superior cervical ganglion produced by reserpine is abolished by decentralization or administration of the nicotinic blockers chlorisondamine and pempidine. In contrast, the rise in adrenal tyrosine hydroxylase activity is neither inhibited by nicotinic nor muscarinic receptor blockers, although it is abolished by splanchnic transection. Since chlorisondamine and pempidine diminish the magnitude of adrenal catecholamine depletion produced by reserpine to the same extent as denervation, it is unlikely that incomplete blockade of the nicotinic receptors is responsible for the inability to block the increase in adrenal enzyme activity. It is possible that in the adrenal medulla either another cholinergic receptor or another neurotransmitter is involved in mediating the trans-synaptic increase in tyrosine hydroxylase. Pempidine, chlorisondamine and atropine all produce an increase in adrenal tyrosine hydroxylase when used alone. This can be prevented by prior splanchnic transection.
THE EFFECT OF LEARNING ON THE OPERATION OF MIXED-MODEL ASSEMBLY LINES

are well trained and that the learning effect is negligible. The assumption is that the line operates in steady state over a long period of time. Time-based competition and frequent design changes in many products make this assumption incorrect, and the effect of learning on mixed-model lines should not be neglected. We defined start-up period and developed a model for the line design during start-up. It can be used to evaluate a proposed line design or to develop a feasible line design and to estimate its cost. This proposed model integrates mixed-model learning curves with aggregate planning under learning and a mixed-model line design into a comprehensive framework designed to minimize the total cost of the line during the start-up period. (MIXED-MODEL ASSEMBLY LINE; SYSTEM START-UP; OPERATOR LEARNING)