cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spatial and temporal trend evaluation of ambient concentrations of 1,3-butadiene and chloroprene in Texas.

Abstract This paper provides information on 1,3-butadiene (BD) and chloroprene as atmospheric pollutants in Texas and reviews available emission estimates and monitoring data. Ambient BD concentrations in most areas of Texas are predominantly influenced by on-road and off-road vehicular emissions or biomass burning, since BD is a product of combustion. However, large industrial point sources of BD emissions in Texas locally influence ambient concentrations. Total industrial BD emissions to the atmosphere in Texas for 2003 were estimated at 695 tonnes per year (TPY), approximately 70% of the total reported national industrial BD air emissions. Since 1998, there have not been any large industrial sources of chloroprene emissions in Texas, and total industrial chloroprene emissions for 2003 was estimated at only 0.09 TPY. Chloroprene was never detected at air monitoring sites. In 2003, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) monitored BD ambient air concentrations at 57 sites, some of which have been operational since 1992. These air monitors provide information on ambient BD concentrations in Texas and allow spatial and temporal trend evaluation. In 2003, annual average concentrations at monitoring sites in Texas ranged from less than the reporting limit of 0.01 to 3.2 parts per billion by volume (ppbv) with an overall average of 0.2 ppbv. This overall average is reduced to 0.1 ppbv if BD data from monitoring sites in Port Neches and Milby Park in Houston, which are located downwind of significant point sources of BD, are excluded. Ambient air monitoring has been conducted in Port Neches and in Milby Park in Houston since 1996 and 1999, respectively. At the Port Neches monitor, trend evaluation indicates that ambient concentrations of BD have declined since 1996 due to cooperative agreements with industries emitting BD. Annual average BD concentrations at the Port Neches monitor decreased from 8.3 ppbv in 1996 to 1.3 ppbv in 2003, giving an 8-year average of 3.8 ppbv. Annual average BD concentrations at the Milby Park monitor varied between 2.1 and 4.4 ppbv from 1999 through 2003, giving a 5-year average of 3.1 ppbv. The results of cancer cluster studies based on Cancer Registry 1995–2001 incidence data and 1993–2002 mortality data conducted by the Texas Department of State Health Services for zip codes 77017/77012 (Houston) and 77651 (Port Neches) will be presented.
Canonical transformations of the discrete cosine transform

We provide different transformation formulae between the different discrete cosine transform (DCT) types of the same size. The transformations use only diagonal and special lower/upper triangular matrices that minimize the overhead of transformation. These transformations provide a tool for using any of the DCT types as a core module for computing all other types.
Evidence for a non-genomic action of progestins on sexual receptivity in hamster ventral tegmental area but not hypothalamus

Progestogenic stimulation of both the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH) and the ventral tegmental area (VTA) is critical for normal receptivity in estrogen-primed hamsters. However, anatomical and biochemical studies have identified very few estrogen-induced progestin receptors in the rodent ventral midbrain. To determine whether progesterone might be working on the membrane of neurons in the VTA, progesterone 3-CMO BSA (P-3-BSA) was applied intracranially. The size of P-3-BSA makes it relatively impermeable to the cell membrane. Ovariectomized hamsters were implanted with 2 chronic cannulae, one aimed at the VMH and the other at the contralateral VTA. These animals were then estrogen-primed and tested for sexual receptivity after progesterone-containing tubes were inserted just dorsal to the VMH and P-3-BSA inserts were applied above the VTA. The following week, the hamsters were tested again with the contents of the inserts reversed. Animals with progestogenic stimulation to the VMH and P-3-BSA to the VTA were receptive yet those with P-3-BSA to the hypothalamus and progesterone to the VTA were not receptive. These data suggest that progesterone is capable of facilitating sexual receptivity within the VTA by actions on the cell membrane. The non-genomic effects in the VTA require concurrent genomic activation by progesterone within the hypothalamus.
Forecasting state retail sales: Econometric vs. time series models

The volume of retail sales is an important indicator of state economic activity and forms the base of the percentage sales tax. Accurate forecasting of the variable is of interest to fiscal authorities and private analysts as well. This paper compares the performance of two techniques in forecasting net taxable retail sales: the ARIMA time series model and a structural model which is representative of the econometric approach. Four measures of forecast accuracy are calculated and the relative merits of the techniques are discussed. The ARIMA model was found to perform better than the structural model during the evaluation period used in the analysis. However, it is also shown that a predictor formed from combining the ARIMA and structural model predictors may be superior to exclusive use of the ARIMA.
Hydrogen atom transfer reactions of transition-metal hydrides. Kinetics and mechanism of the hydrogenation of. alpha. -cyclopropylstyrene by metal carbonyl hydrides

The hydrogenation of {alpha}-cyclopropylstyrene (CPS) by a series of metal carbonyl hydrides (MH) gives a mixture of the unrearranged hydrogenation product Ph(CH{sub 3})(c-C{sub 3}H{sub 5})CH (UN) and the rearranged hydrogenation product (E)-Ph(CH{sub 3})C{double bond}CHCH{sub 2}CH{sub 3} (RE). With the exception of HCr(CO){sub 3}Cp, second-order kinetics are found, conforming to the rate law {minus}d(CPS)/dt = k(CPS)(MH). The proposed mechanism involves hydrogenation by sequential hydrogen atom transfers from the metal hydride to the organic substrate. The rate-determining step is the first hydrogen atom transfer in which a carbon-centered radical and a metal-centered radical are formed. In the case of HCr(CO){sub 3}Cp at 22{degree}C, the equilibrium constant for this step is K {approximately} 10{sup {minus}12}. The effect of the significant amount of 17-electron {sup {sm bullet}}Cr(CO){sub 3}Cp radical formed in the hydrogenation of CPS by HCr(CO){sub 3}Cp is accommodated by the kinetic analysis. Since the initially formed carbon-centered radical undergoes first-order ring-opening rearrangement in competition with second-order trapping by MH, analysis of the product ratio as a function of (MH) concentration provides relative rates of hydrogen atom transfer from metal hydrides to a carbon-centered radical.
The nematode Neoaplectana carpocapsae and the beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua: Infectivity of prepupae and pupae in soil and of adults during emergence from soil

Abstract The nematode, Neoaplectana carpocapsae , infected >90% of the prepupae of Spodoptera exigua in soil even at concentrations as low as five nematodes/cm 2 of soil surface. Pupae were less susceptible to nematode infection in soil than prepupae, with mortality ranging from 10 to 24% and 10 to 83% for pupae exposed 3–5 days and 6–8 days to the nematode, respectively. Longer exposure (6–8 days) of the pupae to the nematode resulted in higher mortality with a positive relationship with increasing concentrations. Adults of S. exigua were susceptible to nematode infections as they emerged from the soil. The higher nematode concentrations (25 and 50 nematodes/cm 2 ) resulted in higher adult mortality. The majority of nematode-induced mortality occurred within 24 hr after emergence. The susceptibility of emerging S. exigua adults to N. carpocapsae offers a new dimension for insect control.
Ethanol-induced depressions in cerebellar and hippocampal neurons of mice selectively bred for differences in ethanol sensitivity: An electrophysiological study

The recently discovered profound differential sensitivity of cerebellar Purkinje (P) cells in long-sleep (LS) verus short-sleep (SS) mice to the depressant effects of locally applied ethanol was extended in this study. First, the sensitivity of Purkinje neurons from HS mice (an outbred stock of mice from which the LS and SS lines were derived), was found to be almost exactly intermediate between the values for the long-sleep and short-sleep animals. Second, no differential sensitivity in long-sleep versus short-sleep hippocampal pyramidal neurons was observed. This was true using both spontaneous and evoked activity. Third, no differential sensitivity of P cells was seen in long- versus short-sleep mice with local application of halothane. Taken together with previous reports, these data strongly suggest that whatever genetically determined central nervous alterations result in the differential soporific effects of ethanol in the two (LS and SS) mouse lines, such alterations are brain region- and depressant drug-specific rather than generalized.
Quantifying stochasticity in gene-expression with extrinsic parameter fluctuations

Homogeneous cell populations can exhibit considerable cell-to-cell variation in the level of a given protein. Both intrinsic and extrinsic sources of noise have been implicated in driving this variability in protein level. More specifically, intrinsic noise is the protein variability that is different across genes and arises from the inherent stochastic nature of biochemical processes involved in gene-expression. In contrast, extrinsic noise is the protein variability that is common across genes and comes from random fluctuations in the levels of shared cellular enzymes. These fluctuations in enzyme levels induce fluctuations in different gene-expression parameters such as the transcription and translation rate. Here, we derive exact analytical formulas quantifying the extent of variability in protein levels in the presence of both intrinsic noise and extrinsic parameter fluctuations. Consistent with previous results, we find that extrinsic fluctuations in the transcription rate enhance extrinsic noise in gene-expression but do not affect the intrinsic noise. Interestingly, analysis reveals that extrinsic fluctuations in the translation rate dramatically increase both intrinsic and extrinsic noise in gene-expression. Implications of our results in the context of quantifying intrinsic and extrinsic noise from two-color reporter systems are discussed. In summary, formulas developed here show how extrinsic parameter fluctuations propagate through the gene-expression process to create heterogeneity in protein level and have important implications for discriminating between alternative sources of stochasticity in gene-expression.
Parallel tempering Monte Carlo simulations of the water heptamer anion

Abstract Parallel tempering Monte Carlo simulations of the water heptamer anion have been performed for temperatures ranging from 42 to 200 K. At low temperatures, a single peak near 250 meV in the electron binding energy distribution is obtained, while at high temperatures a second, weak peak near 450 meV is observed, in good agreement with those observed experimentally. It is further confirmed that the high electron binding energies are due to hydrogen bonding networks with large net dipole moments and, in most cases, also containing a single double-acceptor monomer, while weak electron binding arises from configurations with smaller dipoles.
U-series evidence for crustal involvement and magma residence times in the petrogenesis of Parinacota volcano, Chile

In this study, we present Th–U disequilibria as well as radiogenic and trace element data for recent volcanic rocks from the Nevados de Payachata volcano which erupted through ∼70 km of continental crust in the Central Volcanic Zone of the Andes (18°S, 69°W). Both lavas and mineral separates were analyzed by mass spectrometry for 238U–230Th disequilibria. The lavas are characterized either by 230Th enrichment or depletion relative to its parent nuclide 238U. Mineral separates are used to derive U–Th isochron ages and these ages compare favorably with inferred stratigraphic ages or K–Ar ages, although in one case the U–Th age is significantly older than the stratigraphic age. Despite relatively constant Sr, Nd, and Pb isotope ratios, the lavas display inverse trends in 230Th/238U versus Ce/Yb or Ba/Hf diagrams. These trends cannot be interpreted by simple two-component mixing. Rather, there must be three (and perhaps four components) involved in the genesis of the Parinacota lavas. A mantle wedge, a slab fluid, and a lower crustal component can be identified. A sediment component is more difficult to detect as it is difficult to decipher its signature because of the strong crustal influence. The existence of binary arrays can be explained by variable amounts of crustal material. The process of crust–mantle interaction must have been short enough to preserve U–Th disequilibrium (<300 ka).
Estimating technological coefficients by the analytic hierarchy process

We give a summary and an example of a new, systems oriented, method for estimating the input-output coefficients of a given economy. Our approach is based on pairwise comparisons among the sectors of the economy ranking them according to their priority on a ratio scale[l]. What we obtain corresponds closely to what is computed by traditional methods, but a major advantage to hierarchical measurement is that it does not require extensive use of details to capture the significant relations among the sectors. We shall illustrate here that the general understanding one has about interactions in an economic system is often adequate for making estimates of input-output coefficients without the use of an enormous amount of data. This is particularly useful in cases where market prices do not provide a clear indication of the relative impacts of the various sectors. We wish to point out that the table obtained in this way should be interpreted as a first step in the estimation process and is not a substitute for what one can obtain by thorough and deep analysis by refined methods. However, when one is limited in time and resources and when sufficient data are unavailable, but still one needs an estimate, this is an effective approach and has rigorous underlying mathematical justification. We now summarize some of the main ideas of our approach. Measurement evolves out of comparisons, particularly pairwise comparisons. The scale most desired for the values it yields is the ratio scale (invariant under positive similarity transformations). Let us suppose that we have n objects A,, , A, whose vector of corresponding weights w = (w,, , w.) is known. Let us form the matrix of pairwise comparisons of weights
Staging America: Cornerstone and Community-Based Theater. By Sonja Kuftinec. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 2003; pp. xviii + 255. $45 cloth.

Through this case study of the Cornerstone Theater, Staging America sets out to explore the complexities of theatrical practices that aim to transform their audiences and enact social change, especially within the context of national identity. Cornerstone was founded in 1986 by a group of Harvard graduates interested in “bringing theater to the culturally disadvantaged,” but the company soon found itself equally transformed by the communities it served (66). With unusual theoretical depth in its use of cultural studies and ethnography, Staging America chronicles Cornerstone's changes as it attempted to become America's national theatre, traveling across the country to foster grassroots productions of classical plays. It is a fascinating journey that never quite settles on any easy conclusions, for if Cornerstone has ever come close to being a national theatre, it is only with the same unease that any single “America” can ever be staged or even defined. Kuftinec argues that this unease is Cornerstone's strength, as it constantly refigures itself in an anxious dialogue over national identity. Ultimately, she says, Cornerstone reflects America as “a matrix of continuously refigured difference.”
Carbon dioxide reforming of methane on nickel catalysts

Abstract An industrial Ni catalyst supported on CaOTiO2Al2O3 was characterized, used for methane reforming with carbon dioxide, and compared with catalysts containing Ni on other supports. Conversions close to 100% were achieved during 51 h on stream for a CO2: CH4 ratio of 2.64: 1 using a weight hourly space velocity of 7.38 h−1 despite the solid state reactions and sintering which decrease the surface area. During its use, the catalyst support underwent an endothermic solid state reaction to form CaO.6A12O3 from CaO.2Al2O3 and Al2O3. The other phase detected was CaO.3TiO2.4Al2O3. The activity and stability of this support are comparable to those reported for the CaOAl2O3 support.
A Silicone Septum as a Connector for Serially Coupled Capillary GC Columns

A low cost convenient zero dead volume method for rapid capillary GC column connections and exchanges is described. This technique involves using an ordinary silicone septum to connect two capillary columns. The connection is surprisingly robust and compares very favorably to the connection obtained using standard glass press-fit connectors. This connection technique is especially appropriate for the initial search for the column pair best suited for the desired separation.
Treatment of Intracerebral Hemorrhage with Tranexamic Acid After Thrombolysis with Tissue Plasminogen Activator

Thrombolytic treatment with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (iv tPA) is the only FDA-approved therapy for acute ischemic stroke. There are risks associated with thrombolytics, including intracranial and extracranial hemorrhage and hypersensitivity reactions. Established treatment for post-tPA hemorrhage includes administration of blood products including cryoprecipitate, fresh frozen plasma, and platelets which have poorly established efficacy. Tranexamic acid (TXA) and epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) have been studied as hemostatic therapies in post-operative hemorrhage, menorrhagia, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), subarachnoid hemorrhage, and trauma patients. There is no reported literature on the use of TXA to reverse thrombolytic therapy with tPA. This is a case report of a Jehovah’s Witness patient who was unwilling to receive blood products after developing symptomatic ICH following iv tPA. He consequently received TXA for reversal of thrombolytic therapy. The patient received a total of 1.675 g of iv TXA within 3 h of finishing the iv tPA. Repeat brain imaging with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed no further expansion of hemorrhages. TXA is an inexpensive medication which competitively inhibits the activation of plasminogen and can be given to reverse thrombolysis in the setting of hemorrhage after iv thrombolytic therapy.
Amazing Stability of Phosphate-Quaternary Amine Interactions

We have previously used MALDI mass spectrometry to highlight ammonium- or guanidinium-aromatic interactions via cation-π bonding and ammonium- or guanidinium-phosphate interactions through salt bridge formation. In the present work, the gas-phase stability and dissociation pathways of the interaction between phosphorylated peptides and compounds containing quaternary amines are demonstrated using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The presence of one quaternary amine in a compound is enough to form a noncovalent complex with a phosphorylated residue. However, if two quaternary amines are present in one molecule, the electrostatic interactions of the quaternary amines with the phosphate results in a “covalent-like” stability, and these bonds can withstand fragmentation by collision-induced dissociation at energies similar to those that fragment covalent bonds. Such interactions are important in accounting for physiological, pathophysiological, and pharmacological effects of many therapeutic compoun...
Characterization of the major 68 kDa heat shock protein in a rat transformed astroglial cell line

The heat shock response in a transformed astrocyte line was compared with nontransformed astrocytes. The synthesis of HSP 68, the major inducible heat shock protein (HSP 68) was induced by a non-lethal 45°C, 10 min heat shock. Although the incorporation of [35S]methionine into HSP 68 suggested that similar amounts of protein were being synthesized after heat shock. Western immunoblotting demonstrated striking differences in the HSP immunostaining between the two cell types. By one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis the major 68 kDa heat shock protein (HSP 68) was similar in both cell types. However, HSP 68 from heat shocked, transformed astrocytes did not immunostain with the monoclonal antibody, C-92, which is specific for the major inducible heat shock protein of HeLa cells. In contrast HSP 68 from heat shocked, nontransformed astrocytes immunostained quite well. A polyclonal antibody raised against the inducible 72 kDa heat shock protein of HeLa cells immunostained the HSP 68 from both astrocytes and transformed astrocytes. Analysis of the mRNA from the two cell types after heat shock revealed two bands of approximately 2.5 and 2.8 kb astrocytes but only a single 2.5 kb band in the heat shocked transformed astroglia. These results suggest that structural differences in the HSP 68 may be present in the transformed astrocytes compared to the normal astrocytes.
Further studies on the properties of the rabbit reticulocyte adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-dependent protein kinase I.

Abstract The properties of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase I isolated from rabbit reticulocytes were further investigated. The enzyme catalyzes the phosphorylation of histone in the presence of ATP and Mg 2+ and this reaction is stimulated by cyclic AMP. The pH optimum of the reaction was between 8.5 and 9.0, when assayed in the presence of cyclic AMP. No distinct pH optimum was observed in the absence of the cyclic nucleotide. The K m values for ATP appeared to be very similar whether it was determined in the presence ( K m = 1.7 × 10 −4 m ) or absence ( K m = 2.5 × 10 −4 m ) of cyclic AMP. The rate of heat inactivation of the catalytic activity and the cyclic AMP binding activity of kinase I were found to be dependent on the presence of Mg 2+ , ATP, and/or cyclic AMP. In the presence of cyclic AMP, the rate of inactivation of the catalytic activity of kinase I at 53 ° was accelerated. On the other hand, the cyclic AMP binding activity appeared to be protected from heat inactivation by the cyclic nucleotide. When both ATP and Mg 2+ were present in the heating mixture, no loss of catalytic and binding activities of kinase I were observed even up to 8 min of heating at 53 °. The cyclic AMP binding activity of kinase I was almost completely inhibited by mercuric acetate at a concentration of 1 m m , while the loss in catalytic activity was only 50%. These results substantiate our previous observation that kinase I contains two nonidentical subunits, a catalytic subunit and a cyclic AMP binding subunit.
The components of bilingual proficiency

Research reports from three areas of investigation (exceptional bilingualism, early differentiation in childhood bilingualism, and language mixing) are discussed with the purpose of exploring the applicability of the concept of modularity. Components of bilingual proficiency can be studied from a modular perspective along two dimensions: (1) autonomy and interaction between representations of the bilingual's two languages, (2) degrees and kinds of autonomy of Conceptual Structures from the linguistic structures of both languages, and how these domains interact. A model of bilingual proficiency is proposed based on an adaptation of Jackendoff's Tripartite Parallel Architecture (TPA). Jackendoff's (2002) assessment of Levelt's (1999) theory of speech processing represents an important attempt to promote an interdisciplinary exchange around a conception of modularity that is more in line with recent psycholinguistic research. De Bot's (2000 /1992) bilingual adaptation of Levelt's model is discussed as a key ...
Synthesis of VO2 (B) nanorods for Li battery application

Abstract Vanadium dioxide nanorods were synthesized through a hydrothermal reaction from V 2 O 5 xerogel, poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and lithium perchlorate (LiClO 4 ). The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electrochemical discharge–charge cycling in lithium battery. SEM images reveal the nanorods to have dimensions on the order of 1–3 μm in length and 10–50 nm in diameter. The measured initial discharge capacity of the lithium battery with a cathode made of VO 2 (B) nanorods was 152 mA h/g.
A microfluidic read-out platform for miniaturized RFID tags

A microfluidic platform with integrated reader antennas was developed as a near field wireless read-out and charging station for miniaturized radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. Also, electrically ultra-small multilayer spiral on-chip antennas (380×380×15μm3@0.6GHz) for miniaturized tags were developed and the antenna performances were demonstrated by in-channel coupling, and ex-channel data transfer and charging experiments.
New radiocarbon dates from the inner Continental Shelf off southeastern Massachusetts and a local sea-level–rise curve for the past 12,000 yr

New radiocarbon dates on shells and freshwater peat are used to draw a curve representing local sea-level rise for the past 12,000 yr. The samples were collected near the late Wisconsin glacial maximum where the Continental Shelf suffered the least and most rapid isostatic subsidence and rebound to the advance and retreat of the ice. Because the samples are from quiet-water embayments, they most likely have not been reworked or transported. For these reasons, the curve based on these data is believed to accurately represent sea-level rise in southeastern Massachusetts. Previously published radiocarbon dates from elsewhere on the inner shelf tend to reinforce the curve proposed here and suggest that the curve may be applicable for much of the inner Continental Shelf off the northeastern United States. The proposed sea-level–rise curve indicates that relative sea level was about 70 m below its present level 12,000 yr ago. From that time to about 10,000 yr ago, sea level rose at a rate of 1.7 m/100 yr. Between 10,000 and 6,000 yr ago, the rate of sea-level rise dropped gradually to about 0.3 m/100 yr and remained at that rate until about 2,000 yr ago. From then until now, the rate of sea-level rise has been about 0.01 m/100 yr.
Power System Static-State Estimation, Part I: Exact Model

The static state of an electric power system is defined as the vector of the voltage magnitudes and angles at all network buses. The static-state estimator is a data processing algorithm far converting redundant meter readings and other available information into an estimate of the static-state vector. Discussions center on the general nature of the problem, mathematical modeling, an interative technique for calculating the state estimate, and concepts underlying the detection and identification of modeling errors. Problems of interconnected systems are considered. Results of some initial computer simulation tests are discussed.
1H-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrosoopic Determination of Haloperidol in Tablets

AbstractA 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic method was developed for the assay of haloperiodol in commercial tablets. Dimethylsulfoxide-db and 1,4-dinitrobenzene were used as the solvent and the internal standard, respectively. Recovery values of haloperidol (mean ± SD) from synthetic formulations were 99.8 ± 0.86% (CV = 0.86%, n = 10) by the proposed method, and 99.6 ± 0.80% (CV = 0.80%, n = 3) by the attrimetric method of USP XXI. Assay results for commercial 10 and 20 mg tablets agreed closely with those obtained by the compendial spectrophotometric method.
Factors affecting the adoption and use of gene expression profiling by oncologists in clinical practice.

Aim: In this study, we evaluated the association between oncologists’ perceptions of and attitudes toward one frequently used gene expression profiling assays, the Oncotype DX® and oncologists’ intention to use this assay in making treatment recommendations for breast cancer patients. Methods: A nationally representative sample of breast cancer oncologists was surveyed using an adapted technology acceptance model. Results: The survey response rate was 44.1%. The test characteristics `validity of the test’ (p = 0.006) and ‘use of Oncotype DX by fellow oncologists’ (p = 0.0068) were significantly associated with use of the assay by oncologists. Oncologists’ intention to use Oncotype DX increased consistently with their perceptions about its usefulness (β = 0.222). Insurance status of the patients was also significantly associated with physicians’ use of Oncotype DX (p = 0.008). Conclusion: We report a novel application of an adapted technology acceptance model to understand the adoption of gene expression p...
Tables for estimating sedimentation through linear concentration gradients of sucrose solution

Abstract A set of tables is presented for use in the design and interpretation of centrifuge experiments involving sedimentation in linear sucrose density gradients. The retarding effect of the sucrose solution is taken into account in such a way that the tables can be used to predict the position of a material of given sedimentation coefficient and density, or alternatively the sedimentation coefficient can be inferred from the measured position of a zone position. The tables compare well with previous theoretical work and with experiments.
A Revision of the Neotropical Genus Amithao Thomson, 1878 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae: Gymnetini)

ABSTRACT The genus Amithao Thomson, 1878 is comprehensively revised. Redescriptions of previously known species, a key for identification, and illustrations of the 13 species are provided. Guatemalica marginicollis (Burmeister) is transferred to Amithao. The following new synonyms are established: Desicasta nonfriedi Schoch and Amithao erici Mitter are Amithao erythropus (Burmeister); Amithao thomsoni (Janson) is Amithao haematopus (Schaum); Amithao niveosparsus Moser and Amithao sparsus Casey are Amithao lafertei (Thomson); and Amithao spence (Gory and Percheron) is Amithao tristis (F.). Amithao obscurus Schoch is a female of Tiaocera rhinoceros (Gory and Percheron). Amithao staudingeri Schurhoff is rediscovered. Amithao tristis (F.) is transferred from junior to senior synonymy. Amithao anthracinus Ratcliffe from Panama is described as a new species.
Distribution of edaphic-endemic butterflies in the Sierra Nevada of California

Five edaphically-restricted or -endemic butterflies, mostly associated with serpentine, are shown to be distributed in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada in addition to their previously documented areas of occupancy in the California North Coast Ranges. Two species are absolutely limited by the edaphic restriction of their host plants, while the other three seemingly are not. The controversies concerning the origins of serpentine endemism in plants apply to butterflies as well. Long-term relictualism can presumably apply only at the metapopulation level, not the local population level, due to the frequency of fire in these habitats. Development and habitat-conversion trends pose a high risk to the long-term survival of these species in the Sierra Nevada.
Two concepts of adaptation: Darwin's and psychology's

The paper takes issue with the traditional view of Darwin's influence on psychology; namely, that it is he who passed on to psychology the concept of individual adaptation. Three arguments are presented: a) that Darwin, qua scientist, was only interested in species adaptation, an entirely different concept from that of individual adaptation, b) that Darwin's writings on individual adaptation are so unexceptional that it is inconceivable that psychologists should have been influenced by them and c) that the two concepts are logically incompatible since species adaptation presupposes a strict hereditary determinism, while individual adaptation conceives of the organism either as free and undetermined or else as determined by the environment.
Cardiac Myosin Binding Protein-C Slows Cross-Bridge Kinetics and Increases MgATP Sensitivity

Cardiac myosin binding protein-C (cMyBP-C) is a thick filament protein that augments filament stiffness and modulates cardiac contractility through its phosphorylation. We investigated the effect of cMyBP-C on myosin cross-bridge kinetics in demembranated papillary muscle strips from non-transgenic (NTG) and transgenic homozygous mice lacking cMyBP-C (t/t). Both groups expressed ∼100% β-myosin heavy chain isoform due to hypothyroidism. Sinusoidal length perturbation analysis at maximal Ca2+-activation (pCa 4.8 at 17° C, 0 mM Pi) showed that MgATP-dependent myosin detachment rate (g) increased hyperbolically with MgATP (0.025 to 5 mM), with saturating values of 2.5±0.2 and 3.9±0.2 s−1 (P<0.01) for NTG and t/t, respectively. Kinetic analysis of g vs. [MgATP] resulted in a lower [MgATP]50 for NTG than t/t (187±45 vs. 361±58 μM, P<0.05). As myosin attachment time (ton) is inversely related to g, ton correspondingly decreased as [MgATP] increased, with saturating values of 71.3±5.0 and 44.2±2.3 ms (P<0.01) for NTG vs. t/t, respectively. At saturating MgATP, ton decreased as [Pi] increased in both groups (0-12 mM), although ton remained ∼25% longer at each [Pi] for NTG vs. t/t. Protein kinase-A (PKA) incubation reduced ton ∼20% at each [Pi] for NTG, but did not affect ton for t/t. The longer ton for NTG at saturating MgATP suggests a longer lived MgADP myosin cross-bridge state when cMyBP-C is present. The lower [MgATP]50 for NTG further suggests that cMyBP-C elevates the nucleotide binding pocket affinity for MgATP in addition to MgADP. cMyBP-C phosphorylation by PKA may diminish this affinity resulting in a shorter ton. These results support a functional role for cMyBP-C slowing myosin kinetics, possibly through altered strain-dependent myosin kinetics due to cMyBP-C supporting a stiffness of the thick filament or myofilament lattice that is diminished with PKA phorphorylation of cMyBP-C.
Applications of Storage Ring Infrared Spectromicroscopy and Reflection-Absorption Spectroscopy to Geochemistry and Environmental Science

Infrared radiation extracted from a storage ring affords new opportunities for scientific exploration in the areas of geochemistry, geomicrobiology and environmental science. In this review paper, the fundamental interactions between infrared light and matter are discussed, followed by an introduction to the source properties of infrared radiation emitted from relativistically accelerated electrons in a storage ring. The most important of these properties is the brightness of the source. A bright source can deliver a higher density of photons onto a small (less than 20 μm × 20 μm) sample at normal incidence than a lab based globar source, which is necessary to produce diffraction limited spatially resolved infrared images. Alternatively, this source can couple well to grazing incidence geometry for surface science experiments affording the opportunity to examine low frequency adsorbate-substrate vibrational bands. Several examples of infrared spectromicroscopy applications and surface science applications are reviewed.
Staffing and equipment decisions for services: An experimental analysis

Abstract Many service-oriented firms face demand/work load variations that occur both within and between days, and seasonally during the year. These service firms tend to develop staffing plans based on peak periods, resulting in substantial idle time during low demand periods. To counter this, some firms hire part-time employees to work peak periods to improve productivity. In this way, the cost per customer/transaction (unit) can be reduced. However, the staffing decision is more complex than just determining the number and timing of the work force. The development of good staffing plans must consider the impact of available work stations like telephone consoles and data entry terminals. To use effectively more personnel during peak periods, the firm must have sufficient work stations to assign this work force. Effective staff scheduling must consider simultaneously the work load variations, employ capabilities, and equipment requirements. This article presents a model that incorporates these factors into the decision-making process and examines their interaction. The model analysis illustrates how uncertainty in work load forecasts and staffing flexibility influence expected cost performance and equipment requirements. A set of computer simulation experiments are conducted using operating data from the proof and encoding departments for Ohio National Bank and Chemical Bank. The results suggest that increased staffing flexibility reduces the needed equipment investment, since part time staff can be scheduled more conveniently to meet varying work loads. Also, basing capital equipment decisions on peak work load levels can substantially increase total operating costs. With these costs explicitly estimated, managers can weigh them against desired service level goals to determine the appropriate balance.
Cobalt-activated aminopeptidase from Streptococcus sanguis NCTC10904

An aminopeptidase fromStreptococcus sanguis NCTC 10904 was isolated, purified, and characterized. The enzyme was produced constitutively and could be isolated from the cytoplasmic fraction of lysed cells. Its substrate profile indicated that it is primarily a leucyl aminopeptidase, but with a substrate spectrum including lysyl- and arginyl-peptides. The subunit molecular weight of the enzyme was approximately 74,000, but an octomeric form also was prominent, as indicated by gel filtration separations of active enzymes. The optimal temperature for activity was 32°C, and the optimal pH value was about 7.0. The enzyme showed cooperative kinetics and was activated by Co2+. The regulation of synthesis and the characteristics of the enzyme suggest that it may serve a regulatory function rather than just a nutritional function.
Innovative balloon buoyancy techniques for atmospheric exploration

Until quite recently, the only practical means to control balloon buoyancy, and thus altitude, required consuming large amounts of fuel or the limited venting of helium balloons and/or dropping of ballast. Recently at JPL, novel, long-life, balloon buoyancy techniques have been developed that for the first time allow balloons to float in the primarily hydrogen atmospheres of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune (using ambient fill-gas) and, by using energy sources, allow multiple controlled on Venus (using atmospheric temperature differences), Mars (using solar heat), Titan (using Radioisotope Thermal Generator (RTG) heat), and Earth (using planet radiant heat). A test program has been initiated at JPL to confirm these basic new buoyancy principles. The Earth balloon work will be performed in conjunction with Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) to apply these techniques to increase controllability of scientific terrestrial balloons. These novel techniques may enable many exciting, yet economical and practical scientific balloon missions to seven planets and one moon in our own solar system, and, in fact, may eventually be the basis for in situ exploration of planets in other solar systems.
A description of the hardware element of the NASA EME flight tests

In support of NASA's fly-by-light/power-by-wire (FBL/PBW) program, a series of flight tests were conducted by NASA Langley Research Center in February, 1995. The NASA Boeing 757 was flown past known RF transmitters to measure both external and internal radiated fields. The aircraft was instrumented with strategically located sensors for acquiring data on shielding effectiveness and internal coupling. The data are intended to support computational and statistical modeling codes used to predict internal field levels of an electromagnetic environment (EME) on an aircraft. The hardware, instrumentation, and sensors, forged the basis of the data acquisition system. The configuration of the hardware provided for accurate measurements of the electromagnetic environment during flight. The system operated at several specified frequencies and modulation schemes. Internal and external EME data were recorded by the acquisition equipment and additional flight parameters were acquired from the aircraft's flight data bus. This paper describes the flight instrumentation system on board the aircraft and concentrates on the hardware components employed during the EME flight test. Measurement instrumentation, sensors, and aircraft configurations, are illustrated and discussed. Particular attention is given to design, operation, and use of the hardware. The actualized flight test scenarios are discussed to give broader scope of the experiment, design requirements and philosophy are examined to highlight the quality and the limitations of the system, and flight data is presented as a representative sample of experiment results.
The denuclearization of the Korean peninsula: Problems and prospects

(1993). The denuclearization of the Korean peninsula: Problems and prospects. Arms Control: Vol. 14, No. 2, pp. 65-92.
A moment method solution for coated scatterers using physical basis functions

We consider the scattering from a conducting object coated with a homogeneous dielectric layer of constant thickness. The scattered field is governed by a surface integral equation on the conductive surface and a volume integral equation within the coating layer. We show that an approximate solution may be found via the "physical basis function" ansatz, in which the fields in the dielectric layer are composed of a "forced" wave and multiple surface waves. A specific implementation is presented for a conducting strip with a thin dielectric coating under TE illumination. Results are compared to those of a conventional pulse-Galerkin moment method formulation.
The Discovery of the First Lithium Brown Dwarf: PPl 15

The search for brown dwarfs (BDs) covered decades between the time they were first proposed theoretically and the time that a public announcement of the discovery of a BD was made which did not have to be recanted later (as was the case for a number of previous announcements). In a convergence of scientific progress, 1995 saw 3 real discoveries of BDs, as well as the first exoplanets. The substellar realm had suddenly opened up. This chapter describes the process that led to the first of these announcements: the identification of PPl 15 as a BD. It lay just below the substellar limit in the Pleiades cluster. To distinguish it from very similar-looking stars, the first successful application of the “lithium test” was applied by my group at UC Berkeley using the new Keck 10 m telescope and HIRES spectrograph. As part of the analysis, the new technique of “lithium dating” was developed. I place this discovery in the context of the broader search for BDs, and of the subsequent discoveries and progress in the field.
The ordered nanopore array diode laser: Comparing analysis with experiment

An analytical model describing the density of states and gain spectrum of the ordered nanopore array diode laser is presented. The theoretically predicted gain spectrum shows excellent agreement with experimental results.
Confidence estimation using the incremental learning algorithm, learn

Pattern recognition problems span a broad range of applications, where each application has its own tolerance on classification error. The varying levels of risk associated with many pattern recognition applications indicate the need for an algorithm with the ability to measure its own confidence. In this work, the supervised incremental learning algorithm Learn++ [1], which exploits the synergistic power of an ensemble of classifiers, is further developed to add the capability of assessing its own confidence using a weighted exponential majority voting technique.
Variable selection in monotone single‐index models via the adaptive LASSO

We consider the problem of variable selection for monotone single-index models. A single-index model assumes that the expectation of the outcome is an unknown function of a linear combination of covariates. Assuming monotonicity of the unknown function is often reasonable and allows for more straightforward inference. We present an adaptive LASSO penalized least squares approach to estimating the index parameter and the unknown function in these models for continuous outcome. Monotone function estimates are achieved using the pooled adjacent violators algorithm, followed by kernel regression. In the iterative estimation process, a linear approximation to the unknown function is used, therefore reducing the situation to that of linear regression and allowing for the use of standard LASSO algorithms, such as coordinate descent. Results of a simulation study indicate that the proposed methods perform well under a variety of circumstances and that an assumption of monotonicity, when appropriate, noticeably improves performance. The proposed methods are applied to data from a randomized clinical trial for the treatment of a critical illness in the intensive care unit.
Time, Place, and Content

The goal of this article is to integrate information about basic mechanisms of time perception with research on time-place learning and research on the discrimination of what, when, and where (WWW). Several lines of evidence suggest that the psychological representation of time is nonlinearly related to physical estimates of time. These data prompt consideration of the proposal that interval timing is mediated by multiple, short-period oscillators. A multiple oscillator representation of time may be used to code the time of occurrence of events. These time-stamps for events, together with information about where the events occurred, may represent a promising direction for development of a quantitative, mechanistic theory of episodic-like memory in animals. The ability to track events that unfold in time is a central problem in the life of an animal. Research on timing focuses on the mechanisms by which animals accomplish this temporal tracking. At the most basic level, timing research seeks to identify the psychological representation of time. The focus of this research is primarily experiments that ex
Group Work With High School Students at Risk of School Failure: A Pilot Study

Nine ninth graders at risk of school failure participated in a supportive group counseling intervention. Students' GPA in the treatment group did not significantly improve when compared to a control group. Additionally, the treatment group completed the Critical Incidents Questionnaire (CIQ) at the conclusion of the intervention, and a follow-up questionnaire designed by the authors one year later. The findings yielded contrasting results between the quantitative data and the questionnaire data. Implications for professional school counselors and future research are discussed.
On the reality of hierarchy in a drug-free program.

This paper sets forth qualitative and quantitave indicators of hierarchy as presumably experienced by members of a drug-free program. We argue that the staffs expectations concerning such hierarchy and its role in rehabilitation may be given an objective rendering without necessarily distorting members' views or treating them as merely reflections of the staff's.
A TPQ interview: Jerry Reynolds Talks with Ken Burns

(1992). A TPQ interview: Jerry Reynolds Talks with Ken Burns. Text and Performance Quarterly: Vol. 12, No. 1, pp. 79-84.