cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detection of Copy Number Variation (CNV) in Patients with CMT1A by SNP-Allelotyping (P2.065)

OBJECTIVE: To determine if Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) allelotyping can accurately identify chromosome 17p11.2 (c17.11) duplications in Charcot Marie Tooth 1A (CMT1A) patients. BACKGROUND: CNV is an alteration of genomic DNA that results in a variable number of copies of a specific DNA segment. These variations account for ~13% of human genomic DNA and some have been associated with susceptibility or resistance to diseases. SNP allelotyping is expected to be increasingly used in Exome Sequencing to detect CNV. However, the reliability of SNP allelotyping in identifying a CMT1A mutation has not been evaluated. DESIGN/METHODS: A total of 127 highly variable SNPs within or flanking the c17.11 were determined by DNA massarray (Sequenom) in 94 patients with CMT1A and 94 controls with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). We selected 9 SNPs in the c17.11 segment to predict CMT1A mutations in a cohort of mixed DNA samples RESULTS: As expected, heterozygosity of SNP frequency was about 50% in control subjects and 75% in CMT1A patients. This allele frequency distribution of the 127 SNPs accurately defined the DNA region known to be duplicated in patients with CMT1A. Differentiation between controls and patients with CMT1A was achieved using a minimum of 9 selected SNPs. In a prospective analysis of 34 patients, all 11 patients with a diagnosis of CMT1A were identified using allelotyping of the 9 SNPs CONCLUSIONS: SNP allelotyping can accurately identify c17.11 duplications in CMT1A patients. This finding confirms the usefulness of a simple SNP allelotyping in identifying CNV. Study Supported by: Supported by funds from NIH R01NS066927 and R21NS081364 to J. L. Disclosure: Dr. Parker has nothing to disclose. Dr. Alexander has nothing to disclose. Dr. Schnetz-Boutaud has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wu has nothing to disclose. Dr. Shy has nothing to disclose. Dr. Li has nothing to disclose.
Using contexts to personalize educational topic maps

In this paper we discuss the support for personalization in TM4L – an environment for building and using Topic Maps-based learning repositories. Our approach is based on the idea of using different views to access a learning collection depending on the context of its use. We propose an extension of the Topic Map model with contexts and discuss its implementation in TM4L aimed at supporting context-based personalization.
Cross-Sectional Transmission Electron Microscopy of Semiconductors

A method to prepare cross-sectional (X) semiconductor specimens for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has been described. The power and utility of XTEM has been demonstrated. It has been shown that accuracy and interpretation of indirect structural-defects profiling techniques, namely, MeV He+ channeling and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) can be greatly enhanced by comparing their results with those obtained by XTEM from the same set of samples.
Understanding base lesion DNA repair (477.2)

The mammalian DNA repair pathway for small base lesions involves excision of the damaged base, DNA synthesis to fill the excision gap and gap-trimming steps to prepare substrates for downstream enz...
Ribavirin Reduces Absolute Lymphocyte Counts in Hepatitis C Virus–Infected Patients Treated With Interferon-Free, Direct-Acting Antiviral Regimens

In clinical trials of interferon-free, direct-acting antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis C, subjects who received ribavirin had reduced lymphocyte levels (median decline of approximately 0.4-0.5 × 10(9) cells/L). A modest decline in CD4(+) T cells was observed in subjects with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 coinfection without documented opportunistic infections.
Partial feedback linearization of underactuated mechanical systems

In this paper we discuss the partial feedback linearization control of underactuated mechanical systems. We consider an n degree of freedom system having m actuated, or active, degrees of freedom and l=n-m unactuated, or passive, degrees of freedom. It is known that the portion of the dynamics corresponding to the active degrees of freedom may be linearized by nonlinear feedback. In this paper we show, alternatively, that the portion of the dynamics corresponding to the passive degrees of freedom may be linearized by nonlinear feedback under a condition that we call strong inertial coupling. We derive and analyze the resulting zero dynamics which are crucial to an understanding of the response of the overall system. Simulation results are presented showing the performance of two link underactuated robots under partial feedback linearization control. >
Transmitter release: prepackaging and random mechanism or dynamic and deterministic process.

Stepwise variations in end-plate potential amplitudes that are also multiples of spontaneous miniature endplate potentials (MEPPs) demonstrate a quantal nature of evoked transmitter release at the vertebrate neuromuscular junction. Both the number of quanta which form relatively small end-plate potentials (EPPs) and the time intervals between MEPPs were found to fit Poisson statistics. These observations suggested that the release process randomly liberates uniform quantities of transmitter. Initial studies showed that quantal size remained stable after seemingly high rates of release which was interpreted to indicate that a large store of equally sized, equally available, and independently releasable quanta are present in the nerve terminals. The observation of numerous presynaptic vesicles that contain transmitter provided a morphological basis for prepacked transmitter (i.e., quanta). However, physiological studies over the last 15 years have yielded data that are difficult to incorporate into the quantum-vesicle hypothesis. With normal conditions and during most treatments which increase the rate of release, two classes of MEPPs have been found and both show a substructure. The bellMEPP class was characterized by Fatt and Katz25 and the smaller skew-MEPP class has been studied by Kriebel45. The ratio of the two classes and substructure compositions of both classes are variable. Short series of MEPPs and unitary EPPs (U-EPPs) show preferred amplitudes and longer series of MEPPs and U-EPPs show stepwise variations in amplitude. Slow-MEPPs and giant MEPPs belong to the skew class and represent nearly synchronous bursts of smaller MEPPs. Transmitter packet formation, preferred amplitudes, stepwise variations in amplitudes, random-like distributions and organized bursts can be simulated by a simple deterministic system, the drop formation process, that is known for its periodic and chaotic behaviors which are determined by the single parameter of flow rate. MEPP intervals, sizes and classes, are also dependent on rates of release which demonstrate that the release process(es) is highly organized and sensitive to different conditions. We demonstrate that the processes of drop formation and release of a packet of transmitter have similar properties and that deterministic characteristics describe MEPP and U-EPP time dependencies and amplitude substructures. The data and model presented here suggest that packet size of acetylcholine may be determined at the moment of release.
The effects of military body armour on the lower back and knee mechanics during toe-touch and two-legged squat tasks.

While effective in the prevention of otherwise lethal injuries, military body armour (BA) has been suggested to reduce warfighter's performance and increase injury-related musculoskeletal conditions. Providing the significant role of joint biomechanics in both performance and risk of injury, the immediate and prolonged effects of wearing BA on biomechanics of the lower back and knee during toe-touch (TT) and two-legged squat (TLS) tasks were investigated. The immediate effects of BA were an increase of >40 ms (p ≤ 0.02) in flexion duration of the dominant joint and an ∼1 s (p ≤ 0.02) increase in overall task duration as well as an ∼18% (p = 0.03) decrease in the lumbopelvic rhythm ratio near the mid-range of trunk flexion. In general the prolonged duration of wearing BA (i.e. 45 min of walking) was not found to cause more changes in our measures than walking without BA.
The effect of multiple firings on the marginal integrity of pressable ceramic single crowns.

Statement of problem The marginal adaptation of metal ceramic crowns is affected by firing cycles for veneering porcelain application. The effect of multiple firings on the marginal integrity of pressable ceramic core crowns is unknown. Purpose The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of repeated firing cycles on the marginal discrepancy of veneered (layered) pressable ceramic anterior crowns with 2 different finish line configurations. Material and Methods Forty pressable ceramic single anterior complete crowns were fabricated from 2 systems (IPS Empress Esthetic and IPS e.max Press) with 2 finish line designs (shoulder, chamfer) on epoxy resin dies. Specimens were divided into 4 groups of 10, and measurements were made after pressing (control) and after 5 veneer firing stages: 1) wash, 2) first incisal, 3) second incisal, 4) characterization and glazing, and 5) corrective. The change in vertical marginal discrepancy was measured with a light microscope at 4 locations: facial (F), mesial (M), lingual (L), and distal (D) surfaces. One-way ANOVA (α-=.05) was used to evaluate the marginal change. A Student-Newman-Keuls test was also used for comparison among the groups. Results There were no significant changes in the vertical marginal integrity related to ceramic type and marginal location and their interactions. However, there was a significant marginal integrity change during the characterization and glazing firing stage. ( P Conclusions The marginal gap increased for both systems during veneer application and decreased during the characterization and glazing firing cycle. The total marginal fit change after 5 firings was 0.33 μm for IPS e.max Press, and 0.27 μm for IPS Empress Esthetic.
Single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 for rapid species identification within the genus Pythium

Single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1) was characterized for 58 isolates of Pythium, representing 41 species from the five groups of Plaats-Niterink. Thirty-one species each produced a distinct SSCP pattern. Three species produced more than one unique pattern, corresponding to morphological subgrouping. The remaining seven species produced three distinct patterns with two or three morphologically similar species sharing a pattern. A successful blind test with four samples and the identification of eight previously unknown isolates from irrigation water demonstrated the reliability of this technique for species identification. Each SSCP pattern was defined and described by the positions of the top and bottom bands and the number of bands in between, which allows laboratories to use this technique without need to access the type isolates of Pythium species.
Formation of gas-phase silyl radicals in the atomic hydrogen etching of silicon

Abstract Mass spectrometric evidence is presented for the direct formation of gas-phase silyl radical, SiH 3 , as a product of the heterogeneous etching reaction of silicon films with hydrogen or deuterium atoms.
Volcanic effects on turbidity and irradiances and their dependence on surface wind direction

Solar irradiances, atmospheric turbidity and meteorological variables measured at the University of Michigan are analyzed to determine effects of the 30 m wind direction on irradiance and turbidity changes caused by the El Chichon volcanic cloud. Results for the period with the largest volcanic effects, from 26 October 1982 through mid-June 1983, are compared with results for the same eight-month period in 1979--1980, 1980--1981, 1981--1982 and 1983--1984.
Thermal stability of organic monolayers chemically grafted to minerals

Abstract The thermal degradation of monolayers of alkylsilicon hydrides (RSiH3), alkylphosphonic acids (RP(O)(OH)2), and alkyldimethylchlorosilanes (R(CH3)2SiCl) supported on silica, alumina, titania, zirconia, and calcium hydroxyapatite particles was investigated using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The common feature in the TGA was a dramatic weight loss between ∼200 and ∼600 °C (N2 atmosphere), which was not present for bare minerals, and, thus, was assigned to the degradation of the surface grafted organic species. The onset of weight loss and the temperature of maximal weight loss rate ( T MAX ) showed no dependence on the mineral and were determined by the nature of the chemical group directly attached to the surface. The T MAX values were ∼ 400 – 450 °C (monolayers of RSiH3 and RP(O)(OH)2) and ∼250 °C (monolayers of RSi(CH3)2Cl). The activation energies ( E A ) of the degradation processes were determined using TGA at multiple heating rates. Surprisingly, the substrate material did not show a significant effect on E A . For example, all the monolayers of octadecyl groups (R = C18H37) supported on silica, alumina, titania, and zirconia showed closed E A values ∼ 265 ± 15 kJ / mol . The weight loss, IR, MS, and chemical analysis data suggested that monolayer degradation occurred through pyrolysis of the hydrocarbon moieties (R groups) via cleavage of the C C and Si C (monolayers of silanes) or C C and P C bonds (monolayers of phosphonic acids). The inorganic portion of the molecule remained attached to the surface of the mineral (presumably as silicates or phosphates).
Submarine lava tubes and channels

High-resolution, side-looking sonar surveys of the East Pacific rise and seamounts in the eastern Pacific have revealed the common presence of lava tubes and channels in seafloor volcanic terrains. Tube and channel systems commonly issue from small volcanic cones or domes, are continuous for distances of 1–3 km, and are considered to be important in distributing lavas around seafloor extrusive sites and creating characteristic morphology. Eruption rate and volume are probably the most important controlling factors in determining whether tubes or channels will form. Volatile content and state, slope angle, and preeruption surface morphology are secondary factors that influence the ease with which a tube or channel may form and its direction and shape. Seafloor tubes and channels may also have a profound influence on the structure and evolution of the upper oceanic crust. Tubes and channels are likely to form intracrustal horizontal pathways for circulating hydrothermal fluids. Flow differentiation processes acting within tubes and channels may affect the chemical composition of lavas and could be partially responsible for the chemical diversity of rocks along accretionary boundaries. Seafloor tubes and channels that are either partially water-filled or contain volcaniclastics which are then buried within the volcanic pile can lower the compressional velocity and seismic response of the upper oceanic crustal layer along spreading axes.
Optical studies of single terrylene molecules in polyethylene

Abstract Flourescence excitation techniques have been used to study the optical spectroscopy and dynamics of single impurity molecules of terrylene in a poly(ethylene) matrix at 1.5K. We observe a variety of spectral diffusion effects, including spontaneous resonance frequency changes on the 10–100 MHz scale which lead to apparent fluctuations in the absorption line width and shape, discontinuous jumps in the resonance frequency of 100–2000 MHz on a time scale longer than 2.5 s, and long-lived light-induced changes in resonance frequency of more than a few GHz (single-molecule spectral hole-burning). We also observe for some molecules the unusual effect that the spectral diffusion rate and the frequency range increase for higher probing light intensity. For completeness, we also show the vibrationally resolved dispersed flourescence spectrum in the ensemble-averaged (large N ) limit, since such spectra have not been reported previously to our knowledge.
Strain gradient solutions of half-space and half-plane contact problems

General solutions for the problems of an elastic half-space and an elastic half-plane, respectively, subjected to a symmetrically distributed normal force of arbitrary profile are analytically derived using a simplified strain gradient elasticity theory (SSGET) that contains one material length scale parameter. Mindlin’s potential function method and Fourier transforms are employed in the formulation, and the half-space and half-plane contact problems are solved in a unified manner. The specific solutions for the problems of a half-space/plane subjected to a concentrated normal force or a uniformly distributed normal force are obtained by directly applying the general solutions, which recover the existing classical elasticity-based solutions of the Flamant and Boussinesq problems as special cases. In addition, the indentation problems of an elastic half-space indented by a flat-ended cylindrical punch, a spherical punch, and a conical punch, respectively, are solved using the general solutions, leading to hardness formulas that are indentation size- and material microstructure-dependent. Numerical results reveal that the displacement and stress fields in a half-space/plane given by the current SSGET-based solutions are smoother than those predicted by the classical elasticity-based solutions and do not exhibit the discontinuity and/or singularity displayed by the latter. Also, the indentation hardness values based on the newly obtained half-space solution are found to increase with decreasing indentation radius and increasing material length scale parameter, thereby explaining the microstructure-dependent indentation size effect.
Leading, Learning and Herding

We analyze a game theoretic model of social learning about a consumption good with endogenous timing and heterogeneous accuracy of private information. We show that if individuals value their reputation for the degree to which they are informed, this reduces the incentive to learn by observing others and exacerbates the incentive to consume the good before others, i.e., to attempt to be an "opinion leader." Consequently, reputation concerns reduce the average delay of consumption of new goods and weaken the social information value of early consumption. In an extension, we show that reputation concerns increase the probability of herding on consumption of both high and low quality goods.
Use of Precharged Zeolite to Provide Aluminum During Blue Hydrangea Production

Abstract Aluminum (Al) drenches are repeatedly applied during blue hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla Thunb.) production because Al is required for blue sepal coloration, but soilless root media do not retain Al. The ability of clinoptilolitic zeolite to retain and release Al, and its evaluation as the sole source of Al during blue hydrangea production, was evaluated in laboratory and greenhouse experiments. Adsorption and desorption isotherms indicated that Al is adsorbed and released by this zeolite. Clinoptilolite was precharged with Al and combined at 10–40% with a peat and perlite mix to evaluate its use as a sole source of Al during the production of mini‐pot blue hydrangea “Kuhnert.” Root medium Al, pH, and electrical conductivity (EC) were measured during production. Sepal color and growth measurements, and foliar and sepal analyses were conducted at the end of the production cycle. Aluminum from zeolite was released rapidly during the vegetative stage of production. Dry mass of plants grown with 10...
Current research on environmentally assisted cracking in light water reactor environments

The effect of dissolved oxygen level on fatigue life of austenitic stainless steels is discussed and the results of a detailed study of the effect of the environment on the growth of cracks during fatigue initiation are presented. Initial test results are given for specimens irradiated in the Halden reactor. Impurities introduced by shielded metal arc welding that may affect susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking are described. Results of calculations of residual stresses in core shroud weldments are summarized. Crack growth rates of high-nickel alloys under cyclic loading with R ratios from 0.2 to 0.95 in high-purity water that contains <5 and 300 ppb dissolved oxygen at 240, 289, and 320°C, are summarized.
A multiobjective optimization method for electrical power distribution systems with load control alternatives

Abstract An electric power distribution system model has been developed to determine the operating strategies for future power distribution systems with single or multiple objectives. Various load control alternatives such as storage devices, dispersed generators and co-generators, load curtailment, rebound characteristics of curtailable loads, and time-of-day pricing are included in the model. A digital computer program (Optimal Load Control Program, OLCP) was developed and is used to determine optimum operating strategies for multiple as well as single objective functions. A radial distribution system with storage devices, curtailable loads, and dispersed generators is used to demonstrate various capabilities of the method. Several illustrative runs are presented.
Recurrent selection for sucrose content has altered growth and sugar accumulation in sugarcane

Sucrose content is one of the main factors sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) breeders use in selecting new cultivars. To determine how growth and sugar content have been altered by six cycles of recurrent selection for sucrose, five cultivars from the first generation (released from 1924 to 1933) were compared with five cultivars from the seventh generation (released from 2003 to 2007). In July of 2006 and 2007, we flagged 20 stalks per plot and marked the top internode that was just beginning to elongate. We then sampled one stalk per plot at weekly to biweekly intervals for 12 weeks. We measured stalk length and internode number, and the length, fresh weight, dry weight, water content, and sugar content of the marked internode. Stalks from the Generation 7 cultivars were taller, and had more internodes than those from Generation 1 cultivars. The marked internodes of Generation 7 and Generation 1 cultivars had similar elongation rates during early development, but elongation ended earlier in Generation 7 cultivars so that internodes of Generation 7 cultivars were shorter when fully elongated than those of Generation 1 cultivars. These shorter internodes had lower fresh weights, but similar dry weights as the longer Generation 1 internodes. Water content also decreased faster in Generation 7 than Generation 1 internodes. Generation 7 internodes had more total sugar and more sucrose throughout development. Generation 7 internodes also maintained a higher sucrose:total sugar ratio until the end of the sampling period. We conclude that recurrent selection for sucrose content in sugarcane has altered the allocation of photosynthate from growth to storage within the internode. This is possibly due to a change in the regulation of sucrose metabolism within the internode.
Structure-Function Studies on Creatine Kinase

The accumulated evidence concerning the catalytic role of rabbit muscle creatine kinase will be discussed in light of the recently reported x-ray structures of an arginine kinase and a creatine kinase from chicken mitochondrion.
Antennas with transmission-line interconnections

Arrays of cylindrical dipoles and monopoles are usually driven by means of interconnecting transmission lines, whereas analyses of such arrays are generally made in terms of currents or voltages with assigned relative amplitudes and phases at the individual input terminals. Moreover, it is commonly assumed that the distributions of current along all elements are the same and without phase variation. The properties of broadside and endfire arrays are treated with full consideration of interconnecting transmission lines and the effect of mutual coupling on the distributions of current. Driving-point admittances and field patterns of arrays of half-wave and full-wave elements are given. A novel broadside-endfire array is described.
¿Qué Posee de “Queer” la Autobiografía Areniana Antes que Anochezca?

Even though Before Night Falls (1992) stands out for being the first Latin American autobiography that deals extensively with the homoerotic theme, there are two aspects in the research done about this work that appear to be discordant. While on one hand, there is an obvious resistance, by the critics of this work, to consider this autobiography queer; on the other, there are still recent publications which characterize this author’s homosexuality as illusive (illusory) or a “disguised or mistaken heterosexuality” (Vilaseca, 145). This is so even after considering the impact of studies from the early nineties, which intended to clarify the Latin American difference in conceptualization of what it means to be gay. For that reason, the purpose of this paper is to relate some of the queer theory premises to Before Night Falls’s objectives in order to understand the reason why this work has been excluded from what has been considered queer. Additionally, in order to dive into Latin American memoirs like Arenas’, from a perspective with queer tones, it is necessary to become aware of the unique aspects of this type of works, and because of it, in this paper there will be a review of the differences that separate and distinguish the autobiographies of gay hispanic writers from those of their Anglo or European counterparts. Finally, a probing of the premises of the queer parody will be done in order to find some possible reasons that could clarify so many unreasonable acts that distinguish this important Arenian work.
Involvement of 5-Lipoxygenase in the Corticosteroid-Dependent Amyloid Beta Formation: In Vitro and In Vivo Evidence

Background Numerous studies show that high circulating level of glucocorticosteroids is a biochemical characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD). These stress hormones can increase the amount of AD-like pathology in animal models of the disease. Since they also up-regulate the 5-Lipoxygenase (5-LO), an enzyme which modulates amyloid beta (Aβ) formation, in the present paper we tested the hypothesis that this enzymatic pathway is involved in the glucocorticoid-induced pro-amyloidotic effect. Methodology/Principal Findings Incubation of neuronal cells with dexamethasone resulted in a significant increase in 5-LO activity and Aβ formation. By contrast, pharmacological inhibition of 5-LO prevented the dexamethasone-dependent increase in Aβ levels. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts responded with a significant increase in Aβ formation after dexamethasone challenge. However, this effect was abolished when dexamethasone was incubated with fibroblasts genetically deficient for 5-LO. No difference in the glucocorticoid receptor levels was observed between the two groups. Finally, treatment of wild type mice with dexamethasone resulted in a significant increase in endogenous brain Aβ levels, which was prevented in mice genetically lacking 5-LO. Conclusions These findings suggest that 5-LO plays a functional role in the glucocorticoid-induced brain AD-like amyloid pathology.
Bacteria Load Estimator Spreadsheet Tool for Modeling Spatial Escherichia coli Loads to an Urban Bayou

The model developed in this paper, the bacteria loading estimator spreadsheet tool (BLEST), was designed as an easy to use indicator bacteria model that can overcome the shortcomings of many of the simpler total maximum daily load (TMDL) modeling approaches by integrating spatial variation into load estimates. BLEST was applied to the Buffalo Bayou watershed in Houston, Texas and incorporated loading from point and nonpoint sources, such as wastewater treatment plants, sanitary sewer overflows, septic systems, storm sewer leaks, runoff, bed sediment resuspension, and direct deposition. The dry weather Escherichia coli load in Buffalo Bayou was estimated using BLEST to be 244 billion MPN/day and would require an overall 48% reduction to meet the contact recreation standard, while wet weather loads would need to be reduced by 99.7%. Dry weather loads were primarily caused by animal direct deposition, septic systems and discharges from storm sewers under dry weather conditions, while wet weather loads were m...
ORIGIN AND FATE OF PROLIFERATED HEPATIC DUCTAL CELLS IN THE RAT: ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC AND AUTORADIOGRAPHIC STUDIES.

Hepatic bile ductal cells are distinctively different in several morphological aspects from hepatocytes. Under a variety of conditions in which ductal cells proliferate in rat liver, this distinction remains, and cells possessing characteristics intermediate between the two were not seen in this study. Autoradiography with H3TdR showed that the increased numbers of ductal cells arose by mitotic proliferation from pre-existing ductal cells and that hepatocytes arose from pre-existing hepatocytes. Furthermore, there was no evidence of significant transfer of label between the two types of cells. It is concluded that in the adult rat under the conditions studied each type of cell is specific and reproduces only its own kind.
Does matching up features mess up job choice? Boundary conditions on attribute‐salience effects

Research in decision making has suggested that the degree to which features of an option are shared versus unique influences preferences in a way that violates normative rules. The generalizability of these findings to job choice was investigated. Senior-level, undergraduate job seekers (N = 216) were presented with three jobs from which they were asked to choose one. Attributes for two of the jobs (A and B) remained invariant across conditions, and attributes for a third job (C) were manipulated such that it shared unfavorable features with one of the invariant jobs (A or B) and favorable attributes with the other job (B or A). Results suggested that jobs with unique positive features and shared negative features were preferred over those with unique negative features and shared positive features only when information was presented in a simple (versus complex) format and when participants did not rate the importance of attributes prior to the choice task. We suggest that inferences from feature-matching research should be qualified by these boundary conditions. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prediction of reactive hazards based on molecular structure.

Abstract There is considerable interest in prediction of reactive hazards based on chemical structure. Calorimetric measurements to determine reactivity can be resource consuming, so computational methods to predict reactivity hazards present an attractive option. This paper reviews some of the commonly employed theoretical hazard evaluation techniques, including the oxygen-balance method, ASTM CHETAH, and calculated adiabatic reaction temperature (CART). It also discusses the development of a study table to correlate and predict calorimetric properties of pure compounds. Quantitative structure–property relationships (QSPR) based on quantum mechanical calculations can be employed to correlate calorimetrically measured onset temperatures, T o , and energies of reaction, −Δ H , with molecular properties. To test the feasibility of this approach, the QSPR technique is used to correlate differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) data, T o and −Δ H , with molecular properties for 19 nitro compounds.
1H and 13C resonance designation of antimycin A1 by two‐dimensional NMR spectroscopy

Complete 1H and 13C resonance assignments of antimycin A1 were accomplished by two-dimensional NMR techniques, viz. 1H homonuclear COSY correlation, heteronuclear 13C-1H chemical shift correlation and long-range heteronuclear 13C-1H COLOC correlation. Antimycin A1 was found to consist of two isomeric components in a 2:1 ratio based on NMR spectroscopic evidence. The structure of the major component was newly assigned as the 8-isopentanoic acid ester. The spectra of the minor component were consistent with the known structure of antimycin A1.
Interactive Image Analysis for Astronomers

During the last five years, ground-based astronomers have seeh some remarkable changes in the image data available to us for scientific analysis. Our image intensifiers have been greatly improved, and new photographic emulsions (Kodak IIIa-J and IIIa-F) with higher detective quantum efficiency and greater storage capacity have been introduced. Precise microdensitometers with digital output and adequate speed have become commercially available, so that we are now able to convert essentially all of the information from a photographic emnulsion into digital form. Integrating digital television cameras and silicon diode arrays with excellent sensitivity and good cosmetic quality are now replacing photographic plates in many ground-based astronomical observations. Meanwhile, radio astronomers have devised their own scheme–aperture synthesis–for recording radio-wavelength digital pictures of the sky. But improvements in digital image-handling technology are needed if we are to fully exploit the scientific research possibilities created by these new detector systems. One step in this direction is the Interactive Picture Processing System (IPPS) developed at the Kitt Peak National Observatory.
Ring Fusion Effects on the Solid-State Properties of α-Oligothiophenes

The solid-state properties of a series of fused-ring oligothiophenes were studied by UV−visible absorption spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Although the degree of ring fusion has little effect on the solution absorption spectra, the solid-state spectra are dramatically different. Three thieno[3,2-b]thiophene-containing oligomers display spectral blue shifts when comparing the solid state to solution because they adopt a herringbone packing motif that leads to H aggregation. The solid-state structure of a dithieno[3,2-b:2‘,3‘-d]thiophene-based oligomer contains both herringbone and slipped π−π interactions, and the overlap of transitions from these different interaction modes results in a broad absorption spectrum in the solid state. The fully fused pentathienoacene adopts a π-stacked packing motif and displays a small blue shift in the solid-state spectrum compared to solution. Time-dependent density functional theory calculations of the electronic transitions of isolated molecules and i...
A voltage-controlled duty-cycle oscillator

A voltage-controlled duty-cycle oscillator (VCDCO) developed for use with integrated silicon sensors is described. The circuit's transfer function is, to first order, completely independent of component values. Measured results indicate that the circuit is capable of resolving input voltage changes as small as 6 mu V in a 2000- mu s period and has a dynamic range of 72 dB over the full commercial temperature range while operating from a 3-V supply. A two-terminal temperature transducer built using the circuit is presented. >
High-pressure single-pulse shock tube investigation of rich and stoichiometric ethane oxidation

A high-pressure, single-pulse shock tube was used to study, the oxidation of ethane/oxygen mixtures, =1 and =5, between 1000 and 1400 K at reaction pressures of 40 bar. Gas chromatographic techniques were used to quantify the major stable species formed in the reactions. The experimental data were simulated using two models for ethane combustion that had previously been tested against very high pressure (300–600 bar) oxidation and pyrolysis experimental data obtained in the same apparatus. Good agreement with the stoichiometric data was obtained: however, neither model was capable of simulating the =5 data. Several modifications to one of the models were made, and these modifications are discussed. The final version of the model provides much more accurate predictions of the experimental data and forms the first step in developing a comprehensive model for ethane oxidation that has been tested against experimental data covering a pressure range from 1 to 600 bar.
hatS: a heterogeneity-aware tiered storage for hadoop

Hadoop has become the de-facto large-scale data processing framework for modern analytics applications. A major obstacle for sustaining high performance and scalability in Hadoop is managing the data growth while meeting the ever higher I/O demand. To this end, a promising trend in storage systems is to utilize hybrid and heterogeneous devices --- Solid State Disks (SSD), ramdisks and Network Attached Storage (NAS), which can help achieve very high I/O rates at acceptable cost. However, the Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS) that is unable to exploit such heterogeneous storage. This is because HDFS works on the assumption that the underlying devices are homogeneous storage blocks, disregarding their individual I/O characteristics, which leads to performance degradation. In this paper, we present hatS, a Heterogeneity-Aware Tiered Storage, which is a novel redesign of HDFS into a multi-tiered storage system that seamlessly integrates heterogeneous storage technologies into the Hadoop ecosystem. hatS also proposes data placement and retrieval policies, which improve the utilization of the storage devices based on their characteristics such as I/O throughput and capacity.We evaluate hatS using an actual implementation on a medium-sized cluster consisting of HDDs and two types of SSDs (i.e., SATA SSD and PCIe SSD). Experiments show that hatS achieves 32.6% higher read bandwidth, on average, than HDFS for the test Hadoop jobs (such as Grep and TestDFSIO) by directing 64% of the I/O accesses to the SSD tiers. We also evaluate our approach with trace-driven simulations using synthetic Facebook workloads, and show that compared to the standard setup, hatS improves the average I/O rate by 36%, which results in 26% improvement in the job completion time.
Behavioral Perspectives on Child Homicide: The Role of Access, Vulnerability, and Routine Activities Theory

This article reviews existing research on the topics of child abduction and child homicide and attempts to identify and assess potential victim risk factors through a discussion of victim access, vulnerability, and routine activities theory. For example, are children of certain ages or genders more likely to be targeted by offenders? Who are the offenders in child homicides and what are the relationships between the offenders and their victims? Does motive or crime technique differ between offenders who have familiarity with victims versus those who are strangers? Ecological perspectives on child homicide are also discussed, including the concepts of competition, predation, and developmental victimology. Research that addresses these questions directly benefits law enforcement personnel, social workers, and forensic scientists actively working child homicide cases, and social scientists involved in the formulation of child homicide prevention programs and policies. In addition, this information helps improve prevention programs designed to protect children, helps children protect themselves, and provides potential avenues for identifying offenders in such cases.
Growth Responses of Southern Highbush and Rabbiteye Blueberry Cultivars at Three Southern Locations

ABSTRACT Southern highbush blueberry cultivars Georgiagem and O'Neal and rabbiteye blueberry cultivars Climax and Tifblue were grown at three southern locations for six years. There were differences in soil nutrient and physical properties between the locations. Rabbiteye plants were larger in root and shoot biomass, plant volume and fruit yield than were southern highbush plants at the termination of the evaluation period. Performance of cultivars within blueberry type (species) was similar. Rabbiteye blueberry plants performed better than the southern highbush plants at the Overton, TX
Documenting student outcomes in graduate and professional programs

Five categories of student outcomes in graduate and professional education are identified, and a framework for assessing each one is offered. Additionally, various methods for collecting data on student outcomes are described and evaluated.
A new model of water-lubricated rubber bearings for vibration analysis of flexible multistage rotor systems

Abstract Flexible multistage rotating systems that are supported or guided by long water-lubricated rubber bearings (WLRBs) have a variety of engineering applications. Vibration analysis of this type of machinery for performance and duality requires accurate modeling of WLRBs and related rotor–bearing assemblies. This work presents a new model of WLRBs, with attention given to the determination of bearing dynamic coefficients. Due to its large length-to-diameter ratio, a WLRB cannot be described by conventional pointwise bearing models with good fidelity. The bearing model proposed in this paper considers spatially distributed bearing forces. For the first time in the literature, the current study addresses the issue of mixed lubrication in the operation of WLRBs, which involves interactions of shaft vibration, elastic deformation of rubber material and fluid film pressure, and validates the WLRB model in experiments. Additionally, with the new bearing model, vibration analysis of WLRB-supported flexible multistage rotating systems is performed through use of a distributed transfer function method, which delivers accurate and closed-form analytical solutions of steady-state responses without discretization.
Wyoming big sagebrush screens ultraviolet radiation more effectively at higher elevations

Abstract The flux of biologically-effective ultraviolet radiation (UV) is diminished by atmospheric absorption which may cause physiological and morphological phenotypic differences among plant populations at different elevations. We examined UV-screening effectiveness of leaves of Artemisia tridentata ssp wyomingensis (Wyoming big sagebrush) along an 800-m elevation gradient in North-central Wyoming with a pulse-amplitude modulated fluorometer. Adaxial epidermal transmittance of UV increased at lower elevations; means ranged from 2.3% (high elevation) to 10.2% (low elevation). To provide a proximate explanation for this relationship, we collected leaves across the gradient and estimated concentrations of bulk-soluble UV-absorbing compounds (λ = 300 and 365 nm) and the density of trichomes on the adaxial surface. Concentrations of UV-absorbing compounds decreased with elevation and ranged from 0.64–2.25 A300 cm−2 and 0.43–1.35 A365 cm−2. Trichome density increased from 14,400 cm−2 at low elevation to 22,500 cm−2 at high elevation. Because the distance along the elevation gradient was only 18 km, gene flow likely prevents ecotypic differentiation; the ultimate cause of the ecocline in screening effectiveness is likely the evolution of environmentally-induced phenotypic plasticity in both biochemical and anatomical properties of leaves in response to variation in UV irradiance.
Characterization of the 5′-end region and the first two exons of the β-protein precursor gene

Abstract Human genomic clones encoding the promoter region and the first two exons of the β-amyloid protein precursor (β-APP) gene were isolated. The first exon is 205 base pairs (bp) long and encodes 19 amino acids. The second exon is 168 bp long and encodes 56 amino acids. The 5′-flanking sequence of the β-APP gene was found to display promoter activity in several cell lines including PC12 cells where the highest activity was detected. The promoter region of this gene lacks the typical “TATAA” and “CAAT” boxes usually associated with eukaryotic promoters. Five copies of the GGGCGC sequence are located between positions −107 and −188 and one copy is located within the first exon of the β-APP gene. Consensus sequences recognized by the transcription factors Sp1 and AP-1 are located upstream from the RNA start site. Palindromic sequences capable of forming stable hairpin-like structures are found aroud the main transcription initiation site. The structural characteristics of the β-APP promoter indicate that multiple elements participate in the regulation of the expression of this gene.
Activation of group IVC phospholipase A2 by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons induces apoptosis of human coronary artery endothelial cells

Exposure to environmental pollutants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) found in coal tar mixtures and tobacco sources, is considered a significant risk factor for the development of heart disease in humans. The goal of this study was to determine the influence of PAHs present at a Superfund site on human coronary artery endothelial cell (HCAEC) phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity and apoptosis. Extremely high levels of 12 out of 15 EPA high-priority PAHs were present in both the streambed and floodplain sediments at a site where an urban creek and its adjacent floodplain were extensively contaminated by PAHs and other coal tar compounds. Nine of the 12 compounds and a coal tar mixture (SRM 1597A) activated group IVC PLA2 in HCAECs, and activation of this enzyme was associated with histone fragmentation and poly (ADP) ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage. Genetic silencing of group IVC PLA2 inhibited both 3H-fatty acid release and histone fragmentation by PAHs and SRM 1597A, indicating that individual PAHs and a coal tar mixture induce apoptosis of HCAECs via a mechanism that involves group IVC PLA2. Western blot analysis of aortas isolated from feral mice (Peromyscus leucopus) inhabiting the Superfund site showed increased PARP and caspase-3 cleavage when compared to reference mice. These data suggest that PAHs induce apoptosis of HCAECs via activation of group IVC PLA2.
Interaction of Synthetic Jet with Boundary Layer Using Microscopic Particle Image Velocimetry

The aerodynamic interaction between an unsteady, inclined synthetic jet and a crossflow boundary layer was studied as a precursor toward applying active flow control concepts for rotor applications, such as dynamic stall control and fuselage drag reduction. Because the flowfield offered numerous challenges from a measurement perspective, several experiments were carried out using a phase-locked, two-dimensional microscopic particle image velocity technique in a building block approach, by adding one complexity after another. The procedure began with boundary layer measurements made on a simple flat plate using the microscopic particle image velocity technique. Velocity measurements were made deep in the viscous sublayer, as close as 20μm from the surface. Following this, the synthetic jet actuator was characterized while operating in quiescent air as well as in crossflow. The results showed that the evolution of the synthetic jet in crossflow was substantially different from its evolution in quiescent air, suggesting that any flow physics or performance prediction (for example, the depth of penetration of the jet into the boundary layer) made based on the quiescent flow conditions may not be applicable in crossflow. All the momentum added to the boundary layer had its source from the synthetic jet actuator, and the penetration of the jet was limited to the viscous sublayer and log layer; the outer layer was unaffected, despite using a jet to freestream velocity ratio of four. Significant effort was also made to validate the microscopic particle image velocity technique and evaluate its capability to accurately resolve such a complex flowfield. To this end, microscopic particle image velocity measurements were compared with hot-wire measurements made on a simple steady jet, as well as an unsteady, periodic synthetic jet. Excellent correlation was found between the two techniques, validating microscopic particle image velocity measurements.