cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Modeling of an Evapotranspiration Cover

The U.S. Department of Energy is scheduled to design and install hundreds of landfill caps/barriers over the next several decades and these caps will have a design life expectancy of up to 1,000 years. Other landfill caps with 30 year design lifetimes are reaching the end of their original design life; the changes to these caps need to be understood to provide a basis for lifetime extension. Defining the attributes that make a successful cap (one that isolates the waste from the environment) is crucial to these efforts. Because cap systems such as landfill caps are dynamic in nature, it is impossible to understand, monitor, and update lifetime predictions without understanding the dynamics of cap degradation, which is most often due to multiple interdependent factors rather than isolated independent events. In an attempt to understand the dynamics of cap degradation, a computer model using system dynamics is being developed to capture the complex behavior of an evapotranspiration cap. The specific objectives of this project are to capture the dynamic, nonlinear feedback loop structures underlying an evapotranspiration cap and, through computer simulation, gain a better understanding of long-term behavior, influencing factors, and, ultimately, long-term cap performance.
Accelerated chromatographic analysis of selenocystine and selenomethionine.

Abstract The chromatographic separation of selenocystine and selenomethionine was performed in 45 and 90 minutes, respectively, on the spherical resin, type PA-35, using one buffer, one temperature, and one buffer flow rate. Variations in buffer flow rate, buffer pH and ionic strength, column temperature, and their effects on peak elution times, are also presented.
On the approximation of damped linear dynamical systems

This paper is concerned with damped linear dynamical systems, a subject of interest to Tom Caughey. Two approximating schemes for such systems are described. One scheme, due to Rayleigh, approximates the damping, while the second approximates both the damping and the stiffness. Both types of approximation are applied to an example.
Internet metrics: using host and domain counts to map the internet

Abstract This article discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the use of Internet host and domain counts as indicators of the diffusion of the Internet. Based on the author's bi-annual survey of domain names and host counts provided by the Internet Software Consortium, this article provides data on the number and composition of domains by country, per capita measures of domain names, and changes in the composition of Internet hosts and domain names over time.
Effects of different acids on the bluegill sunfish, Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque

The concentration of hydrogen ions which caused 50% mortality of bluegill in 96 h (96 h LC50) was between pH 3.5 and 3.0 for four acids; sulphuric, nitric, phosphoric and hydrochloric. Therefore, it appears that any contribution by the anions of these acids to fish toxicity is similar. This suggests that the quantity rather than the quality of acids is the primary factor in fish toxicity brought about by acid precipitation. At sublethal concentrations of acids, bluegill became hypoactive with respect to their swimming behaviour.
Evidence for day‐to‐night ion transport at low solar activity in the Venus pre‐dawn ionosphere

Periapsis of the Pioneer Venus spacecraft dropped below 180 km on August 28, 1992 near midnight, and 42 orbits of low altitude data at moderately low solar activity in the pre-dawn sector were obtained before contact was lost to the spacecraft in October, 1992. Through a combination of analysis of data from the PV orbiter ion mass spectrometer (OIMS) and modeling, we consider here what can be learned about the relative importance of plasma transport from the dayside and electron precipitation in maintaining the nightside ionosphere during the re-entry period. In particular, we examine here the atomic ion density profiles. We compute the average peak density of O(+) as a function of solar zenith angle and determine what fluxes of atomic ions or precipitating electrons would be necessary to produce those values. We then compare model calculations of the ion densities to those observed during the re-entry period. We find that the low solar activity nightside ionosphere shows evidence of significant day-to-night plasma transport.
Biochemical analysis of human T lymphocyte differentiation antigens T4 and T5

Two major functionally distinct T cell subsets in man have been defined with heteroantiserums and monoclonal antibodies directed against stable cell surface antigens that appear during thymic ontogeny. A monoclonal antibody to T4 antigen (anti-T4) is reactive with the peripheral inducer T cell population while a monoclonal antibody to T5 antigen (anti-T5) is reactive with the cytotoxic and suppressor population. Immunoprecipitation and electrophoresis on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel were used to show that on human thymocytes or peripheral T cells the T4 antigen is a single 62,000-dalton glycoprotein while the T5 antigen is a complex of two glycoproteins, one being 30,000 daltons and the other 32,000 daltons. Similar glycoproteins have been isolated with antibodies to murine Lyt 1 and Lyt 2,3 antigens. Both the antigens defining the phenotypes of inducer and suppressor populations in man and mouse are structurally homologous.
Setting the scene: Scaffolding stories to benefit middle school students learning to program

Research suggests that storytelling can motivate middle school students to explore computer programming. However, difficulties finding and realizing story ideas can decrease time actually spent on programming. In this paper, we present guidelines for constructing story scenes that reliably inspire ideas for novice programmers creating stories. To evaluate the impact of pre-built scenes with strategic design constraints on early programming behavior and attitudes, we conducted a between-subjects study comparing participants who used pre-built scenes and participants who crafted their own scenes. The results suggest that story starter scenes enable novice users to explore programming in the environment sooner, allow users to add and modify significantly more novel programming constructs during the length of the study, and maintain motivation for learning to program via storytelling.
Environmental planning in the third world: Dilemmas and possibilities

Abstract This paper contends that effective environmental planning is imperative in the Third World if the capacity of the environment to sustain genuine development is not to be undermined, and if the present and future generations are not to pay the price for an abused environment. Poverty, the need for economic growth, and population, pose some dilemmas for the Third World in conserving the environment. These dilemmas are examined, along with the possibilities of resolving them through leadership, policy, planning and global co-operation.
The seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori and its relationship to malaria in Ugandan children

Helicobacter pylori epidemiology in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly among children, has been little investigated. A secondary endpoint of our study was to examine for associations between the seroprevalence of H. pylori and the incidence of malaria. We explored H. pylori prevalence by measuring serum IgG antibodies to H. pylori whole cell and cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) antigens by ELISA in a longitudinal cohort of 200 Ugandan children, aged 1-10 years at enrollment, in whom malaria incidence was followed over 572 person-years. First-sample seroprevalence for H. pylori -specific IgG (63%) and for the H. pylori protein CagA (78.5%) were both high, and they were positively associated with advancing age (per each 1-year age increase, OR (95% CI): 1.60 (1.39-1.85), P<0.001). We observed nearly universal prevalence of CagA+ H. pylori by the age of 10 years in Kampala and found no evidence that H. pylori-positivity is protective against malaria.
CXCR4 as a predictive marker for locally advanced breast cancer post-neoadjuvant therapy

Background CXCR4 is a G-protein coupled receptor that has been linked with metastasis in several cancers, including breast cancer. We recently demonstrated that high CXCR4 levels in primary tumors of patients with breast cancer had a prognostic significance. We hypothesize that patients whose tumors had a low CXCR4 overexpression level following neoadjuvant chemotherapy will have a lower recurrence rate than those whose tumors remained high. Methods Seventeen locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) patients were accrued, and tumor specimens were obtained before and after neoadjuvant therapy. CXCR4 levels were quantified by Western blots against 1 μg of protein from HeLa cells. The primary end-point was cancer recurrence. Statistical tests utilized include Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank test. A P value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results We previously defined low CXCR4 overexpression as ≤6-fold elevation and high overexpression as >6-fold elevation over HeLa cells. Of 17 LABC tumors evaluated, 10 (59%) remained in the low group, 5 (29%) reduced from high to low overexpression, and 2 (12%) maintained a high overexpression after neoadjuvant therapy. With a median follow-up of 28 mo, patients whose tumors maintained a high CXCR4 overexpression level after neoadjuvant therapy had a significantly higher rate of cancer recurrence (P = 0.0068). Conclusions CXCR4 was a predictive molecular marker of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with LABC. Patients whose tumors had a persistently high CXCR4 overexpression level after neoadjuvant therapy are at a significant risk for recurrence, and therefore, should be targeted for more intensive and/or novel therapy.
System state estimation in the presence of false information injection

The problem of system state estimation in the presence of an adversary is investigated for linear dynamic systems. It is assumed that the adversary injects additive false information into the sensor measurement. The impact of the false information on the Kalman filter's estimation performance is analyzed for a general dynamic system. To be concrete, a target tracking system has been used as an example. In such a system, if the false information is injected only once, the effect of the false information on the Kalman filter proves to be diminishing over time, even when the Kalman filter is unaware of the false information injection. The convergence rate as a function of the maneuvering index is analyzed. If the false information is repeatedly injected into the system, the induced estimation error proves to reach a finite steady state. Numerical examples are presented to support the theoretical results.
Woody biomass utilization policies: State rankings for the U.S.

Abstract Most state governments have adopted state programs and laws recently that provide fiscal incentives and non-fiscal supports for renewable energy projects in the hope that they will encourage the establishment of new bioenergy industry and economic growth. This research analyzes the disparity in the strength of state government incentives in the use of woody biomass. A woody biomass policy index was created through scoring and weighting different categories of policies based on the potential effects on site location decisions. Results indicate that as of 2008 Iowa, North Carolina, and Washington provided the strongest incentives, whereas Wyoming, Mississippi, and Virginia offered the weakest support to the bioenergy industry using woody biomass. This index is not only helpful for new business investors in making siting decisions, but also for state policy makers considering new woody biomass relevant legislation to spur the bioenergy industry.
The Effect of Floorplate Shape upon Office Layout Integration

Two measures of floorplate shape, a measure of universal metric distance and a measure of convex fragmentation, are developed to study the effect of building shells upon the spatial structure of of...
Age and technology innovation in the workplace: Does work context matter?

Two workplace trends will become increasingly important in years to come: reliance on information technology (IT) and workforce aging. This study explores the influence of workplace context on employee reactions to the implementation of a new IT initiative to better understand innovation enhancers and inhibitors. Employees from multiple workplace departments completed a questionnaire that assessed their reactions to the implementation. Age-based differences and contextual influences were estimated to predict satisfaction with the implementation process. Hierarchical linear models indicate that younger workers reported less satisfaction than older workers-an effect that was more pronounced in relatively young departments. These findings challenge ageist notions and emphasize the role of context on attitudes formation. Multi-institutional and multilevel field-setting data are rare making this a unique research contribution.
The metabolic effects of pokeweek mitogen in mice

Abstract Lectins are a family of proteins that stimulate cellular responses after binding to carbohydrate chains on plasma membranes. In the study described here, a mixture of lectins—pokeweed mitogen (PKW)—was shown to have insulinomimetic effects in mice. After receiving PKW (15 mg/kg intraperitoneally [IP]), serum glucose declined from 154 ± 3 to 23 ± 10 mg/dL by 24 hours later. Anorexia developed, and by 3 days, there was a significant decline in body weight. Carcass weights were 10% lower, and epididymal fat pad weights were 45% lower. When given for 16 days, PKW 3 mg/kg every other day caused a sustained 10% weight loss. Severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) mice were sensitive to PKW, showing that B and T lymphocytes were not required for the effects to develop. Cytokine antagonists attenuated the hypoglycemia and anorexia, but only by 50%. Further study showed that PKW has insulin-like effects in vitro. Glucose uptake was stimulated when murine C2C12 myotubes were exposed to an enriched fraction to PKW. These results demonstrated that PKW has both insulin-like activity and weight-reducing effects when administered to mice. The development of therapy for adult-onset diabetes or obesity based on lectins from pokeweed may be possible.
Job Quality and Precarious Work: Clarifications, Controversies, and Challenges

In this article, the author engages with the authors of the articles in this Special Issue by clarifying some aspects of the arguments in Good Jobs, Bad Jobs: The Rise of Polarized and Precarious Employment Systems in the United States, 1970s to 2000s; addressing selected matters of controversy; and highlighting central policy challenges raised by the rise of polarized and precarious employment systems. The author organizes his comments around several key themes raised by these authors: The causes of changes in job quality; the polarization model; cross-national differences in precarious work; and policy recommendations and the politics of job quality.
Using Isopleth Maps of Landslide Deposits as a Tool in Timber Sale Planning

Timber sales on the Sierra National Forest are encountering increasing landslide hazard. Soil loss from debris flows can lead to long-term losses in forest productivity. Isopleth mapping of landslide deposits is the technique currently employed to estimate relative landslide susceptibility for planning timber sales and harvest activities that minimize soil erosion. Established procedures are used to transform landslide inventory maps into isopleth maps. Relative landslide susceptibility is defined by the percent of a standard area underlain by landslides. Hazard zonation of the timber sale is defined by contours of certain percent values: a) negligible (less than 1 percent), b) low (1–10 percent), c) moderate (10–30 percent), d) high (30–50 percent), e) very high (50–70 percent), and f) extreme (70–100 percent). This quantitative approach permits consistent representation of anticipated landslide hazard between different areas. Isopleth maps identify whether landslide hazard poses a critical concern early in the process of planning a timber sale. For example, twelve of twenty-eight proposed timber sales involved areas with only negligible or low landslide susceptibility. Where susceptibility was greater, specific areas requiring detailed field investigation were readily identified. The degree of landslide activity and related on-site conditions lead to formulation of recommendations for adjusting cut unit boundaries, harvest method, or road design. This timely assessment of landslide hazard reduces the need for last minute adjustments in sale plans or the consequence of landslide occurrence after harvest.
Calibrating accelerometers using an Electromagnetic Launcher

A Pulse Forming Network (PFN), Helical Electromagnetic Launcher (HEML), Command Module (CM), and Calibration Table (CT) were built and evaluated for the combined ability to calibrate an accelerometer. The PFN has a maximum stored energy of 19.25 kJ bank and is fired by a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR), with appropriate safety precautions. The HEML is constructed out of G-10 fiberglass and is designed to accelerate 600 grams to 10 meters per second. The CM is microcontroller based running Arduino Software. The CM has a keypad input and 7 segment outputs of the bank voltage and desired voltage. After entering a desired bank voltage, the CM controls the charge of the PFN. When the two voltages are equal it allows the fire button to send a pulse to the SCR to fire the PFN and in turn, the HEML. The HEML projectile's tip hits a target that is held by the CT. The CT consists of a table to hold the PFN and HEML, a vacuum chuck, air bearing, velocity meter and catch pot. The Target is held with the vacuum chuck awaiting impact. After impact, the air bearing allows the target to fall freely for the velocity meter to get an accurate reading. A known acceleration is determined from the known change in velocity of the target. Thus, if an accelerometer was attached to the target, the measured value can be compared to the known value.
Closed-form solutions for two optimal control problems having non-linear, norm-invariant systems†

Abstract Closed-form solutions for optimal controls and trajectories are presented, for two problems very similar to those posed by Athans and Falb (1966) for non-linear norm-invariant systems. One of these systems is known to contain singular arcs. These results complement earlier results for these problems which give optimal control laws (Athans and Falb 1960) and reachable sets (Katz 1972).
Pedagogy and long division or the z-transform is rediscovered again!

In his nice short article about viewing the process of “inverse convolution” as “long division,” B.J. Evans expressed his dismay at the lack of general knowledge of simple ways of describing this process. I, too, lament the absence in the geophysical literature of the simple, intuitive, insightful approaches to our subject that Evans obviously seeks and discovers on his own. We often make geophysics mysterious and obscure and, therefore, make it less accessible both to students and to others not already “experts” in the field. When those others include management in our companies or members of our government, we pay a dear price for our aloof treatment. This short note consists of two parts: First, I will describe the process of “long division” that Evans independently discovered and place it in a more general framework; second, I will discuss another case in which a simple concept in our field has been made to appear difficult, and what we can do to increase the level of understanding of these concepts.
Relation between colony formation in calciumdashdeficient medium, colony formation in soft agar, and tumor formation by T51B rat liver cells

T51B rat liver cells and several carcinogen-treated, carcinogen + saccharin-treated, or spontaneously altered clones of T51B cells were tested for their abilities to form colonies in calcium-deficient medium and soft agar and to produce tumors in athymic nude mice. Most (10 out of 11) of the clones which were derived from colonies in calcium-deficient medium were unable to form colonies in soft agar and 8 out of 11 were non-tumorigenic. Conversely, 6 out of 9 clones derived from colonies in soft agar were unable to multiply significantly in calcium-deficient medium and 5 of these 6 clones were also non-tumorigenic. Two of these 9 soft agar-growing clones were tumorigenic, one of which also proliferated in calcium-deficient medium, and the other of which acquired the ability to proliferate in calcium-deficient medium after it became able to form tumors in athymic nude mice. Thus, T51B rat liver cells gain the ability to grow in calcium-deficient medium and soft agar independently during the process of neoplastic transformation and neither characteristic by itself reliably predicts tumorigenicity.
Spontaneous regression of a symptomatic pineal cyst after endoscopic third-ventriculostomy.

With the advent of modern diagnostic tools for neuroimaging, the incidental detection of pineal cysts in asymptomatic subjects has increased. Only rarely do pineal cysts present with the clinical signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure or with neurological deficits in relation to compression and distortion of the adjacent nervous structures and cerebrospinal fluid pathways. While asymptomatic cysts are considered to be normal variants for which no further investigations are usually required, surgical treatment is suggested for symptomatic cysts, with the goal of eliminating the block in the cerebrospinal fluid circulation and/or the mass effect exerted by the lesion. In this report we describe a pediatric case of symptomatic pineal cyst, revealed by repeated episodes of headache caused by secondary obstructive hydrocephalus. Following an endoscopic third-ventriculostomy, serial magnetic resonance imaging studies demonstrated that not only had the ventriculomegaly resolved but also that the pineal cyst had regressed over time. A to-and-fro movement of fluid through the cyst wall, the direction of which depends on the equilibrium existing between the inner pressure of the cyst and the outer cerebrospinal fluid pressure, is suggested as a possible mechanism accounting for this unexpected result – to our knowledge, the first reported in literature.
Growth of Thermophilic Starters in Whey Permeate Media

Abstract Strains of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus, Lactobacillus helveticus, Lactobacillus acidophilus , and Streptococcus thermophilus varied in their ability to grow in whey permeate-based media. Whey permeate alone was a poor medium with a relatively low buffering capacity, which supported the growth of L. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus only. External pH control and the addition of .1% nonfat dry milk solids and .5 to 1% yeast extract improved the growth and activity of L. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus, L. helveticus , and S. thermophilus and made whey permeate-based media comparable with 11% nonfat dry milk as a medium for thermophilic lactic acid starters. Internal pH control, using a phosphate buffer, did not significantly improve the growth of the strains used when compared with the unbuffered medium and was inhibitory to L. helveticus 880.
AN X-RAY SELECTED WHITE DWARF + M DWARF BINARY: RX J0458.9-6628

A new close binary containing a DA white dwarf and a dwarf M star has been identified from its X-ray emission. The spectra of both stars are seen with about equal flux at ~4600A. H and Ca II emission, associated with the M star, is also present. Limited photometry does not show any variability, but radial velocity changes indicate the binary period lies in the range from ~0.7 to a few days. The small observed velocity range and lack of pronounced emission line changes suggest a low inclination system. The DA velocities are poorly determined but suggest the unlikely conclusion that it may be the less massive star in the binary.
The effect of monovalent salts on the acceleration of myosin B ATPase by magnesium.

Abstract The effects of magnesium and of calcium on the ATPase activity of myosin B have been investigated in the presence of a range of concentrations of monovalent salts ([Me+A−]). At zero or low [Me+A−] MgCl2 increases the ATPase activity; at intermediary [Me+A−] low concentrations of MgCl2 depress activity while high concentrations of MgCl2 accelerate slightly; at high [Me+A−], high concentrations of MgCl2 have a small accelerative tendency. The rise in activity at high [Me+A−] and the second rise at intermediate [Me+A−] are caused by 10−3M MgCl2 and have not been observed in other investigations. The inhibition caused by magnesium is not clearly due to dissociation of myosin B into actin and myosin A. The effects of salts on the Mg-effect does not appear to be one of ionic strength because the kind of salt has an effect. The response of myosin B ATPase is inconsistent from preparation to preparation. Differences in myosin B preparations are shown. The possibility of covalent and electrostatic bonding of magnesium to myosin is discussed. The effects of magnesium on the ATPase of glycerol-extracted muscle are not as complex as on that of myosin B. Ammonium chloride in the absence of other metallic cations increases the activity of myosin B ATPase.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers in patients with congestive heart failure and chronic kidney disease.

Background Patients with coexistent heart failure and chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a poor prognosis, possibly related to the underuse of standard medical therapies—angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB). Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of the Minnesota Heart Survey, identifying patients hospitalized in 2000 in the Minneapolis–St Paul metropolitan area with heart failure. The main outcome measure was the association of ACE-I and ARB use on 30-day and 1-year mortality, stratified by glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Results Compared to patients with heart failure with preserved renal function (GFR ≥90 mL/min), patients with severely impaired renal function (GFR P P Conclusions Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and ARB are underused in patients with heart failure with chronic kidney disease. Given the reduction in 30-day and 1-year mortality, these medications should be considered in most patients with heart failure, independent of underlying renal function. Among patients on hemodialysis, further investigation is warranted.
Evaluating a One-Bath Process for Imparting Antimicrobial Activity and Repellency to Nonwoven Surgical Gown Fabrics:

A one-bath process to apply both antimicrobial and fluorochemical repellent finishes to nonwoven surgical gown fabrics is investigated in this study. The finishes are applied to two nonwovens: a po...
An Alternative Calibration Method for Counting P-32 Reactor Monitors

Radioactivation of sulfur is a common technique used to measure fast neutron fluences in test and research reactors. Elemental sulfur can be pressed into pellets and used as monitors. The 32S(n, p)32P reaction has a practical threshold of about 3 MeV and its cross section and associated uncertainties are well characterized [1]. The product 32P emits a beta particle with a maximum energy of 1710 keV [2]. This energetic beta particle allows pellets to be counted intact. ASTM Standard Test Method for Measuring Reaction Rates and Fast-Neutron Fluences by Radioactivation of Sulfur-32 (E265) [3] details a method of calibration for counting systems and subsequent analysis of results. This method requires irradiation of sulfur monitors in a fast-neutron field whose spectrum and intensity are well known. The resultant decay-corrected count rate is then correlated to the known fast neutron fluence. The Radiation Metrology Laboratory (RML) at Sandia has traditionally performed calibration irradiations of sulfur pellets using the 252Cf spontaneous fission neutron source at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) [4] as a transfer standard. However, decay has reduced the intensity of NIST’s source; thus lowering the practical upper limits of available fluence. As of May 2010, neutron emission rates have decayed to approximately 3e8 n/s. In practice, this degradation of capabilities precludes calibrations at the highest fluence levels produced at test reactors and limits the useful range of count rates that can be measured. Furthermore, the reduced availability of replacement 252Cf threatens the long-term viability of the NIST 252Cf facility for sulfur pellet calibrations. In lieu of correlating count rate to neutron fluence in a reference field the total quantity of 32P produced in a pellet can be determined by absolute counting methods. This offers an attractive alternative to extended 252Cf exposures because it can be performed regardless of the characterization of the exposure environment. Count rates produced by sulfur pellets are correlated to the measured quantity of separated 32P. A posteriori spectral and cross section determination can be used to correlate the quantity of phosphorus back to a neutron fluence in a reference field. This paper outlines a method for the setup, calibration, and use of the detector systems, 32P sample preparation, and analysis of the beta spectrum. An uncertainty analysis and comparison to ASTM E265 is also included.
OBSERVATIONS OF LIGHT SCATTERING IN SEAWATER1

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Geology and Geophysics. Thesis. 1965. Ph.D.
Observation of strong electromagnetic fields around laser-entrance holes of ignition-scale hohlraums in inertial-confinement fusion experiments at the National Ignition Facility

Energy spectra and spectrally resolved one-dimensional fluence images of self-emitted charged-fusion products (14.7MeV D 3 He protons) are routinely measured from indirectly driven inertial-confinement fusion (ICF) experiments utilizing ignition-scaled hohlraums at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). A striking and consistent feature of these images is that the fluence of protons leaving the ICF target in the direction of the hohlraum's laser entrance holes (LEHs) is very nonuniform spatially, in contrast to the very uniformfluence of protons leaving through the hohlraum equator. In addition, the measured nonuniformities are unpredictable, and vary greatly from shot to shot. These
Etorphine elicits unique dose-dependent inhibitory effects on the action potential duration of sensory neurons even at low concentrations where other opioids elicit excitatory effects

Low (nM) concentrations of morphine or specific μ, δ or κ opioid agonists prolong the calciumdependent component of the action potential duration (APD) of many cultured mouse sensory dorsalroot ganglion (DRG) neurons, whereas, higher (uM) levels shorten the APD (1,2). These bimodal excitatory/inhibitory effects on DRG neurons are blocked by naloxone (1-10 nM). Opioid-induced APD prolongation appears to be mediated by excitatory opioid receptors that are positively coupled via a cholera toxin-A-sensitive Gs protein to cyclic AMP-dependent ion conductances; opioidinduced APD shortening, by inhibitory opioid receptors linked to pertussis toxin-sensitive Gi/Go proteins that mediate analgesia in vivo (1,2)
Case studies on the economic viability of renewable energy

Restructuring of the U.S. electric power industry has refocused attention on renewable energy and the policies that affect it. There is no shortage of literature written by either proponents or opponents of renewable energy technologies each of who seek to push a specific agenda. Proponents may be advocating on behalf of a particular technology manufacturer or an environmental interest group. Opponents tend to be highly skeptical of claims made by environmental groups that energy from renewable sources can be produced cost effectively. The crux of this paper is to address one of the more salient questions that power producers or potential power producers must ask when considering the application renewable energy technologies: "Is renewable energy economically viable?" Several case studies have been performed to answer this question.
G-RSVPM: A Grid Resource Reservation Model

Because of the heterogeneity, complexity, and autonomy of wide spread grid resources, the assurance of the end-to-end Grid QoS becomes a challenge. The G-RSVPM proposed in this paper is a Grid resource reservation model. Mobile agents are used to implement the model to achieve not only the network resource reservations but also the computing resource reservations for Grid applications. The performance simulation environment of G-RSVPM under RSVP/ns on Linux is designed and implemented. The simulation result shows that the model can flexibly adapt to the changinge environment and achieve better end-to-end QoS assurance both of computing resources and network resources in Grid than the traditional way.
The impact of Scotian Shelf Water ''cross-over'' on the plankton dynamics on Georges Bank: A 3-D experiment for the 1999 spring bloom

The 1999 March SeaWiFS images detected an intense phytoplankton bloom on the southern flank of Georges Bank (GB). The bloom covered a large portion of the southern flank between the 60 and 200 m isobaths, and later extended to and connected with an even larger patch near the Northeast Peak (NEP) and Browns Bank. A three-dimensional (3-D) model experiment was conducted to examine the cause of the bloom and the impact of Scotian Shelf Water on the spring phytoplankton bloom dynamics. The finite volume coastal ocean model (FVCOM) provided the hydrodynamic fields for Lagrangian particle trajectory, tracer and biological model experiments. Process-oriented modeling experiments showed that the formation and maintenance of the phytoplankton bloom on the southeastern flank of GB is related to the weak stratification caused by the transport of the colder but fresher Scotian Shelf Water across the Northeast Channel (NEC). With sufficient nutrients from the slope, the bloom could result from in situ growth of phytoplankton near the slope where the stabilizing salinity front is located. The model results suggest that the timing and location of the phytoplankton bloom on the southern flank of GB is sensitive to the spatial distribution of temperature and salinity on the bank, the flow fields across the NEC, and the location of the salinity front near the shelf break. r 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Spatial heterogeneity in the herbaceous layer of a semi-arid savanna ecosystem

Despite increasing recognition of the role spatial pattern can play in ecosystem function, few studies have quantified spatial heterogeneity in savanna ecosystems. The spatial distribution of herbaceous biomass and species composition was measured across three scales in a semi-arid savanna in central Kenya, and patterns were related to environmental variables at different scales. Herbaceous biomass declined across a rainfall gradient and from upper to lower topographic positions, but variation within a site (across 5‐50 m) was similar in magnitude to among-site variation associated with rainfall and topography. Geostatistical analyses showed that patchiness at scales of 5‐25 m explained 20% of total variation in herbaceous biomass. This pattern arose from the presence of both 5‐10-m diameter patches containing high herbaceous biomass (> 170 g m 2 ) and 5‐10-m diameter patches characterized by nearly bare soil surfaces (< 40 g m 2 ). Patch structure was contingent on topography, with larger bare patches at ridgeline and upper hillslope positions. Grass species distributions showed the greatest degree of patch structure and species turnover across distances of 5‐45 m. Additional community variation was associated with topography, with minimal variation in species composition across the rainfall gradient. Pattern diversity significantly exceeded levels reported for four other grassland ecosystems, suggesting fundamental differences in local processes generating spatial pattern. It is hypothesized that heterogeneously distributed grazing pressure, interacting with the distribution of shrub canopies, is an important factor generating such high levels of small-scale patch structure in this savanna.
Laser beam combining for power and brightness scaling

An attractive approach for building high-power laser systems is to use laser arrays with many lower power array elements. In order to achieve high brightness from these laser arrays, beam combining techniques must be employed. We are developing a beam combining technique, spectral beam combining, which is robust and has the potential to beam combine arrays with many array elements. In spectral beam combining, the various laser array elements operate at slightly different wavelengths which an then spatially overlapped. We have made proof-of-principle demonstrations of spectral beam combining on one-dimensional laser arrays with fiber and with semiconductor array elements and shown beam combining of up to 11 array elements in these initial experiments. Simple scaling laws dictate that the maximum number of gain elements in the array is proportional to the available optical gain bandwidth and the size of the system. Using typical numbers for fibers and diode arrays, it can be shown that it should be possible to combine 10's to 100's of array elements. Experiments to scale the number of array elements, understand key issues such as cross-talk, and increase efficiency are on-going.
Peer exclusion and victimization: Processes that mediate the relation between peer group rejection and children's classroom engagement and achievement?

Longitudinal data from a study of kindergarten through 5th graders were used to estimate a structural model in which chronic peer exclusion and chronic peer abuse were hypothesized to mediate the link between children's early peer rejection, later classroom engagement, and achievement. Peer exclusion and abuse were expected to predict changes in 2 forms of school engagement (classroom participation and school avoidance), and changes in both forms of engagement were expected to predict changes in achievement. The model fit the data well and lent support to the premise that distinct forms of peer maltreatment and classroom engagement mediate the link between early peer rejection and changes in children's achievement. Early peer rejection was associated with declining classroom participation and increasing school avoidance, but different forms of chronic peer maltreatment mediated these relations. Whereas chronic peer exclusion principally mediated the link between peer rejection and classroom participation, chronic peer abuse primarily mediated the link between rejection and school avoidance. Children's reduced classroom participation, more than gains in school avoidance, anteceded decrements in children's achievement.
An integrated air-gap-capacitor pressure sensor and digital readout with sub-100 attofarad resolution

The fabrication and characterization of an integrated air-gap-capacitor pressure sensor are presented. The capacitor fabrication process uses standard IC processing to create NMOS circuits, and an added polysilicon layer to create poly-to-n/sup +/ capacitors with a 0.6- mu m-thick dielectric using deposited oxide. Subsequent processing is used to produce deformable, parallel-plate, air-gap capacitors on the front side alongside MOS circuits. Sensor chips are fabricated using 100- mu m*100- mu m, 100-fF air-gap capacitors with on-chip circuitry. The sensor chip is a part of a capacitive measurement system that uses a charge-redistribution sense technique to achieve very high capacitance resolution. The behavior of the pressure sensor chips was studied as a function of applied pressure in the 0-240-kPa (0-35-psi) range. Measurements indicate a sensitivity of 0.93 mV/kPa (6.40 mV/psi) with a deflection of 10 nm/kPa (70 nm/psi) at 0-69 kPa (0-10 psi). Standard deviations indicate a static pressure resolution of 0.54 kPa (0.078 psi), which translates to 30 attofarads at a sampling frequency of 11 kHz. >
Ontogenetic mechanisms and the evolution of cactaceae

Abstract The ancestors of cacti were leafy trees that had hard, woody trunks. The development of the cactus body is controlled by ontogenetic mechanisms that have evolved, and now they produce a body that is leafless, succulent and has a photosynthetic cortex. Specific changes include: bark formation is postponed and the epidermis and stomata function for many years; the outer cortex is a palisade cortex with intercellular spaces; there are cortical bundles that resemble leaf veins but which have secondary xylem and phloem. Wood development has changed dramatically such that water storage is maximized (increased ray parenchyma) and danger of water stress is minimized (increased paratracheal parenchyma, loss of fibers). Several genera have polymorphic wood: the plants produce one type of wood for several years, then later they produce a different type. It is possible that the extensive evolutionary changes have resulted from mutations in the controller regions of genes, not in the structural regions.
Transvaginal sonographic depiction of aborting pedunculated intracavitary uterine leiomyoma.

We present an unusual case in which, following indeterminate findings on transabdominal sonographic assessment, transvaginal sonography clearly depicted an aborting pedunculated intracavitary leiomyoma within the uterine cervix. The lesion measured 4x4 cm and exhibited central cystic degenerative changes.
Polymer matrix controlled release systems: Influence of polymer carrier and temperature on water uptake and protein release

The release of bovine serum albumin (BSA) from two types of ethylene-co-vinyl acetate (EVAc) polymer matrices was studied over the temperature range 4-50°C. Protein release and weight change of the matrices were evaluated in vitro. During release, the devices initially exhibit a rapid increase in weight to a maximum, followed by a more gradual decrease for the duration of the release. The time to the maximum weight and the magnitude of the maximum weight gain are temperature dependent. The interpretation of these results is that dissolved protein within the fmatrix provides a driving force for water imbibition
The Fission Yeast git5 Gene Encodes a Gβ Subunit Required for Glucose-Triggered Adenylate Cyclase Activation

Fission yeast adenylate cyclase is activated by the gpa2 Gα subunit of a heterotrimeric guanine-nucleotide binding protein (G protein). We show that the git5 gene, also required for this activation, encodes a Gβ subunit. In contrast to another study, we show that git5 is not a negative regulator of the gpa1 Gα involved in the pheromone response pathway. While 43% identical to mammalian Gβ's, the git5 protein lacks the amino-terminal coiled-coil found in other Gβ subunits, yet the gene possesses some of the coding capacity for this structure 5′ to its ORF. Although both gpa2 (Gα) and git5 (Gβ) are required for adenylate cyclase activation, only gpa2 is needed to maintain basal cAMP levels. Strains bearing a git5 disruption are derepressed for fbp1 transcription and sexual development even while growing in a glucose-rich environment, although fbp1 derepression is half that observed in gpa2 deletion strains. Multicopy gpa2 partially suppresses the loss of git5 , while the converse is not true. These data suggest that Gβ is required for activation of adenylate cyclase either by promoting the activation of Gα or by independently activating adenylate cyclase subsequent to Gα stimulation as seen in type II mammalian adenylate cyclase activation.
New approach in treatment of cardiac decompensation in U. S. S. R.

Abstract Based on Meerson's fundamental work 3,4 on the genesis of ventricular hypertrophy and decompensation, Russian investigators supplemented the conventional therapy of cardiac decompensation with preparations related to the synthesis of protein and nucleic acids. The merit of the supplemental treatment was shown in the clinical course as well as in various objective criteria (blood chemistry, hemodynamics, systolic parameters, ECG). The reported results are highly significant and their method merits trial in other centers.
The Downy Mildews

Discovery is a word that excites in the minds of many, a romantic vision of some courageous explorer. More often discovery is a nondramatic, quiet business of alert observation and careful experimentation. Such a tale of discovery is the story of Professor Millardet and his exploration of the vineyards in the French countryside one day in 1882 ....
Differential bitterness in capsaicin, piperine, and ethanol associates with polymorphisms in multiple bitter taste receptor genes

To date, the majority of research exploring associations with genetic variability in bitter taste receptors has understandably focused on compounds and foods that are predominantly or solely perceived as bitter. However, other chemosensory stimuli are also known to elicit bitterness as a secondary sensation. Here we investigated whether TAS2R variation explains individual differences in bitterness elicited by chemesthetic stimuli, including capsaicin, piperine and ethanol. We confirmed that capsaicin, piperine and ethanol elicit bitterness in addition to burning/stinging sensations. Variability in perceived bitterness of capsaicin and ethanol were significantly associated with TAS2R38 and TAS2R3/4/5 diplotypes. For TAS2R38, PAV homozygotes perceived greater bitterness from capsaicin and ethanol presented on circumvallate papillae, compared to heterozygotes and AVI homozygotes. For TAS2R3/4/5, CCCAGT homozygotes rated the greatest bitterness, compared to heterozygotes and TTGGAG homozygotes, for both ethanol and capsaicin when presented on circumvallate papillae. Additional work is needed to determine how these and other chemesthetic stimuli differ in bitterness perception across concentrations and presentation methods. Furthermore, it would be beneficial to determine which TAS2R receptors are activated in vitro by chemesthetic compounds.
A Practical Handbook: Social Science Research Organization in American Universities and Colleges

(1934). A Practical Handbook: Social Science Research Organization in American Universities and Colleges. The Journal of Higher Education: Vol. 5, No. 7, pp. 402-403.
Gender, Teaching Evaluations, and Professional Success in Political Science

Evaluations of teaching effectiveness rely heavily on student evaluations of teaching. However, an accumulating body of evidence shows that these evaluations are subject to gender bias. Theories of leadership and role incongruity suggest that this bias should be especially prominent in large courses. This article examines publicly available data from two large political science departments and finds that female instructors receive substantively and significantly lower ratings than male instructors in large courses. The author discusses the implications of apparent gender bias in teaching evaluations for the professional success of female faculty. Findings of gender bias in evaluations in other fields also hold in political science and are particularly problematic in the evaluation of large courses.
Measurement of total saponins in soft capital

Objective:To study the measurement method of total saponins in the soft capital.Methods:Degrease the soft capital with anhydrous aether,after chromatography that uses selective adsorption by a column of powders,then measure it by ultraviolet spectrophotometer.Results:The total saponins has linear relationship within the range of 30~300 μg/ml,r=0.9997,RSD=2.08%(n=6),recovery rate 91.67%~98.33%.Conclusion:This method can be used for measurement of total saponins in the soft capital.