cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Problem identification using program checking

We describe AλgoVista, a web-based search engine that assists computer scientists find algorithms and implementations that solve specific problems. AλgoVista also allows algorithm designers to advertise their results in a forum accessible to programmers and theoreticians alike. AλgoVista is not keyword based. Rather, users provide input ↠ output samples that describe the behavior of their needed algorithm. This query-by-example requires no knowledge of specialized terminology --the user only needs an ability to formalize her problem. AλgoVista's search mechanism is based on a novel application of program checking, a technique developed as an alternative to program verification and testing. AλgoVista operates at http://www.algovista.com.
TREGED: a new strategy for inducing deletions in plant genomes.

We have created a DNA construct, TREGED (transposon-and recombinase-mediated genome deletion), that will automatically induce deletions in plant genomes. TREGED contains the maizeAc/Ds transposon, the yeast R-RS site-specific recombination system, the bacterialtetR repression systems, a novel artificial superintron, and the marker genesGUS andLc. The novelty of TREGED is that only one cross is required to trigger a sequence of events leading to deletion and, simultaneously, to a color assay to detect the deletion. Crossing is done to introduceAc transposase which activatesDs transposition from TREGED to a nearby chromosome region.Ds transposition, in turn, activates recombination between an engineeredRS site on TREGED and anRS site on the transposedDs fragment, thus deleting the genome segment between TREGED andDs. The recombination event also deletesLc orGUS and part oftetR, which triggers expression ofGUS orLc color genes for an upstream or downstream deletion respectively. Each TREGED insertion site will produce multiple kinds of deletions identifiable by inspecting a single F1 plant and its progeny for colored tissue. The color markers can also be used to differentiate between deletion and other more rare events such as translocation and inversion. We anticipate TREGED will greatly simplify the steps required to obtain useful deletions—eventually allowing the creation of detailed deletion libraries. Such libraries will be particularly useful for anlaysis of gene and chromatin function in plant species with large genomes.
Two-dimensional film dosimetry application in heterogeneous materials exposed to megavoltage photon beams.

Measurement of dose within tissues and tissue interfaces having sharp density discontinuities and heterogeneities (such as in the lung, esophagus, and rectum) is essential for treatment plan verification and accurate prediction of the prescribed dose. This study examines the feasibility and utility of simplifying standard filmdosimetry to measure dose distributions deposited by megavoltage beams in tissue substitutes (such as cork for lung) and anthropomorphic phantoms which closely resemble human tissues having large density heterogeneities and having sharp tissue interfaces. In addition, filmdosimetry determined the dose distribution involving superposition of multiple radiation fields and helped evaluate the accuracy of a commercial treatment planning program which incorporates tissue heterogeneity effects through the “effective path length’’ algorithm. This study shows that these treatment planning programs and simple calculations overestimate the dosedelivered within the lower density material in heterogeneous regions.
Treatment of Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Overview, Current Limitations, and Future Direction

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is an increasingly recognized syndrome presenting with upper gastrointestinal (UGI) symptoms in association with hypereosinophilia (>15 eosinophils/HPF) on esophageal mucosal biopsies. The pathogenesis is unknown, but the candidate etiologies include food and aeroallergen hypersensitivity and an unusual presentation of gastroesophageal reflux disease. This review will highlight the treatments of EE in children and adults. Current treatments are controversial, few data are available in adults, and long-term studies are almost nonexistent. We outline the limitations in the current studies and suggest seven major issues in the study design that must be addressed in future drug trials.
Global Energy Security: The Case for a Multifaceted Solution Strategy

Energy is a fundamental engine that drives the global economy. The world will continue to face acute energy challenges, whose solutions require the engagement of a multifaceted solution strategy. This solution strategy must harness the potential capacities of conventional energy and the promise of emerging alternative energy sources. The Energy Information Administration EIA 2008 projects 50% growth in global energy consumption, from 462 quadrillion Btu in 2005 to 695 quadrillion Btu in 2030 . The most rapid growth is projected for countries that are not in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development OECD at 85% versus 19% in OECD countries EIA 2008 . Fossil fuels—liquids and other petroleum-based fuels including fuels from petroleum, ethanol, biodiesel, coal-to-liquids, gas-topetroleum coke, natural gas liquids, and liquid hydrogen , natural gas and coal—are expected to provide much of the world’s energy requirements. Liquids are expected to be the dominant global energy source, growing from 83.6 million barrels of oil in 2005 to 112.5 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2030 . The transportation and industrial sectors are expected to consume 74% and 26%, respectively, of the projected increase in this period. Unconventional resources—such as oil sands, extra-heavy oil, biofuels, coal-to-liquids, and gas-to-liquids—are expected to increase from 2.5 million barrels per day in 2005 to 9.7 million barrels per day in 2030 , equivalent to 9% of the total global liquids supply in 2030 on an oil-equivalent basis. Global natural gas consumption is also expected to increase from 104 trillion cubic feet in 2005 to 158 trillion cubic feet in 2030. Global coal consumption is expected to increase from 123 quadrillion Btu in 2005 to 202 quadrillion Btu in 2030 , in the absence of drastic national and international limiting policies and agreements. China alone will account for 71% of global coal consumption, with the United States and India accounting for a total of only 18%. Electricity generation from nuclear power will also increase— from 2.6 trillion KWh in 2005 to 3.8 trillion KWh in 2030 . The EIA 2008 forecasts that the installed global nuclear capacity will grow from 374 GW in 2005 to 498 GW in 2030 . The OECD countries will account for a 56 GW and non-OECD countries will account for a 68 GW increase within this period. Global energy consumption from renewable sources will increase from 35 quadrillion Btu in 2005 to 59 quadrillion Btu in 2030 . Increases in renewable energy sources for non-OECD countries will concentrate on new hydropower plants in Asia and Central and South America. In OECD countries, increases in renewable energy will focus on wind, solar and biomass. From the 2001 U.S. National Energy Policy, the energy consumption of the United
Methods for estimating peak physiological performance and correlating performance measures

Estimates of animal performance often use the maximum of a small num- ber of laboratory trials, a method which has several statistical disadvantages. Sample maxima always underestimate the true maximum performance, and the degree of the bias depends on sample size. Here, we suggest an alternative approach that involves estimating a specific performance quantile (e.g., the 0.90 quantile). We use the infor- mationonwithin-individualvariationinperformancetoobtainasamplingdistribution for the residual performance measures; we use this distribution to estimate a desired performancequantileforeachindividual.Weillustrateourapproachusingsimulations and with data on sprint speed in lizards. The quantile method has several advantages overthesamplemaximum:itreducesoreliminatesbias,itusesallofthedatafromeach individual, and its accuracy is independent of sample size. Additionally, we address the estimation of correlations between two different performance measures, such as sample maxima, quantiles, or means. In particular, because of sampling variability, we propose that the correlation of sample means does a better job estimating the cor- relation of population maxima than the estimator which is the correlation of sample maxima.
Matched gaussian apodization of pulsed acoustic phased arrays

Gaussian apodization weighting functions matched to the time delay distribution for focusing of phased arrays are introduced. The matching concept is based upon the theory of eigenmodes of freely propagating acoustic beams with a finite cross-section. The effect of this matched gaussian apodization on the beam cross-section is analysed for several acoustic phased array configurations generating acoustic wavefronts in a weakly attenuating and homogeneous medium. A strength of focusing parameter is introduced. The relation between apodization parameters and the strength of focusing is analyzed and illustrated. For strong focusing the parameters of the gaussian matched apodization become independent of the focal range. A simulator was developed which allows the study of acoustic pressure waves in the near-field and far-field generated by a linear phased array excited with short pulses. The simulator provides 2-D and 3-D representations of acoustic wave fronts generated by a pulsed phased array, illustrating the effects of apodization for pulsed acoustic beams in the time-space domain.
Intelligence and nonentrenchment.

Abstract : This article suggests that intelligence can best be understood through the study of nonentrenched, i.e., novel, kinds of tasks. Such tasks require subjects to use concepts or form strategies that differ in kind from those to which they are accustomed. It is suggested that the only partial success of the cognitive-correlates and cognitive-components approaches to intelligence that are in contemporary favor might be due in part to the use of tasks that are more entrenched (familiar in kind) than would be optimal for the study of intelligence. Two nonentrenched tasks are described, one requiring projection into the future of states of objects, the other requiring complex analogical reasoning where multiple terms of analogies can be replaced by alternative answer options. Research into the first task focused upon performance components of task solution (i.e., components used in the execution of strategy); research into the second task focused upon metacomponents of task solution (i.e., components used in the planning of strategy). Correlations of task and component latencies were generally higher than those obtained in most contemporary information-processing research on the nature of intelligence. Some speculations are made about the implications of these results for educational theory and practice.
The Ames combined heating facility.

Heating facility for testing ablative heat shield material models in combined convective and radiative heating environment with constant or transient heating conditions
Friction measurement in MEMS using a new test structure

A MEMS test structure capable of measuring friction between polysilicon surfaces under a variety of test conditions has been refined from previous designs. The device is applied here to measuring friction coefficients of polysilicon surfaces under different environmental, loading, and surface conditions. Two methods for qualitatively comparing friction coefficients ({mu}) using the device are presented. Samples that have been coated with a self-assembled monolayer of the lubricating film perfluorinated-decyltrichorosilane (PFTS) have a coefficient of friction that is approximately one-half that of samples dried using super-critical CO{sub 2} (SCCO{sub 2}) drying. Qualitative results indicate that {mu} is independent of normal pressure. Wear is shown to increase {mu} for both supercritically dried samples and PFTS coated samples, though the mechanisms appear to be different. Super critically dried surfaces appear to degrade continuously with increased wear cycles, while PFTS coated samples reach a steady state friction value after about 10{sup 4} cycles.
Chronic ethanol consumption increases myocardial mitochondrial DNA mutations: a potential contribution by mitochondrial topoisomerases.

Aims: Alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM) presents as decreased myocardial contractility, arrhythmias and secondary non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy leading to heart failure. Mitochondrial dysfunction is known to have a significant role in the development and complications of ACM. This study investigated if chronic ethanol feeding promoted myocardial mitochondrial topoisomerase dysfunction as one underlying cause of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage and mitochondrial dysfunction in ACM. Methods: The impact of chronic ethanol exposure on the myocardial mitochondria was examined in both neonatal cardiomyocytes using 50 mM ethanol for 6 days and in rats assigned to control or ethanol feeding groups for 4 months. Results: Chronic ethanol feeding led to significant (P < 0.05) decreases in M-mode Fractional Shortening, ejection fraction, and the cardiac output index as well as increases in Tau. Ethanol feeding promoted mitochondrial dysfunction as evidenced by significantly decreased left ventricle cytochrome oxidase activity and decreases in mitochondrial protein content. Both in rats and in cultured cardiomyocytes, chronic ethanol presentation significantly increased mtDNA damage. Using isolated myocardial mitochondria, both mitochondrial topoisomerase-dependent DNA cleavage and DNA relaxation were significantly altered by ethanol feeding. Conclusion: Chronic ethanol feeding compromised cardiovascular and mitochondrial function as a result of a decline in mtDNA integrity that was in part the consequence of mitochondrial topoisomerase dysfunction. Understanding the regulation of the mitochondrial topoisomerases is critical for protection of mtDNA, not only for the management of alcoholic cardiomyopathy, but also for the many other clinical treatments that targets the topoisomerases in the alcoholic patient.
Solving nonlinear differential equations with decimal power nonlinearities

Abstract The decomposition method (“Stochastic systems,” Academic Press, New York 1983; “Nonlinear Stochastic Operator Equations,” Academic Press, New York, in press) is applied to the solution of nonlinear differential equations of the form Ly + Ny = x ( t ), where L is a linear differential operator and Ny is a nonlinear term of the form y γ with γ a decimal number.
Screening of children with hemihypertrophy, aniridia, and Beckwith‐Wiedemann syndrome in patients with wilms tumor: A report from the national Wilms tumor study

To evaluate the usefulness of regular radiographic screening to detect an asymptomatic intraabdominal tumor in patients with an increased risk of developing Wilms tumor, we reviewed the files of patients with hemihypertrophy, aniridia, or Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome who were registered on the National Wilms Tumor Studies. Screening was employed infrequently in the management of children with hemihypertrophy, with only 25% (6/24) of those whose hemihypertrophy was identified more than 30 days prior to the diagnosis of Wilms tumor undergoing such examinations. Most patients with aniridia were evaluated regularly for the occcurrence of Wilms tumor. There were more stage 1 tumors identified in patients whose tumor was detected only through radiographic evaluation. The role of routine radiographic screening needs to be carefully evaluated in a homogeneous group of patients such as those with aniridia using a prospective study design to determine if such screening improves the survival rate of children with this rapidly growing, but readily treatable form of childhood cancer. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A murine cell possessing a dominant mutation affecting the regulation of interferon production: Characterization by intraspecific hybrids

Using intraspecific hybrids, we have demonstrated the dominant nature of two phenotypic markers present in a mutant mouse 3T6 cell line, designated 3T6-VrB2. These are, resistance to virus infection (Vr)and semiconstitutive synthesis of interferon (IFsc).Hybrids were formed by polyethylene glycol-mediated fusion between 3T6-VrB2, or its parent 3T6, and 2TG0-13, a triply marked derivative of mouse 3T3 cells. When tested for the Vrmarker, 3T6-VrB2 ×2TG0-13 hybrid clones displayed a level of resistance to virus infection which was equal to or greater than that of 3T6-VrB2. Similarly, when tested for the IFscmarker, these hybrid clones were found to possess the capacity to confer an interferon-induced antiviral state in mouse L929cells upon cocultivation. By comparison, clones derived from 3T6 × 2TG0-13 fusions produced high levels of virus and failed to confer an interferon-induced antiviral state in L929cells.
Mutants with impaired photosynthesis in Chlamydomonasreinhardi

Abstract A mutant strain unable to carry out photosynthetic phosphorylation has been described for the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardi ( Levine, 1960a ). Recently, additional mutant strains with impaired photosynthesis have been obtained by induction with ultraviolet light and subsequent screening ( Levine, 1960b ) for their ability to fix carbon dioxide. The purpose of the present communication is to report some initial findings which relate to seven of these strains. Further work is in progress and a detailed report will be published. Since each of the mutant with impaired photosynthesis will not grow on minimal medium ( Levine and Ebersold, 1958 ) unless it is supplemented with sodium acetate, they have been referred to as acetate-requiring mutants (abbreviated ac ). For the experiments reported here the wild-type strain ( 137 c ) and the mutants were grown at 25°C in shake cultures of minimal medium supplemented with sodium acetate and at a light intensity of 2500 lux from daylight fluorescent lamps. Cells were harvested when the cultures were in the logarithmic phase of growth.
SELF-CONSISTENT SIMULATION OF THE CSR EFFECT ON BEAM EMITTANCE

Abstract When a microbunch with high charge traverses a curved trajectory, the curvature-induced Coherent Synchrotron Radiation (CSR) and space-charge forces may cause serious emittance degradation. Earlier analyses based on rigid-line charge model are helpful in understanding the mechanism of this curvature-induced bunch self-interaction. In reality, however, the bunch has finite transverse size and its dynamics respond to the CSR force. In this paper, we present the first self-consistent simulation for the study of the impact of CSR on beam optics. With the bunch represented by a set of macroparticles, the dynamics of the bunch under the influence of the CSR force are simulated, where the CSR force in turn depends on the history of bunch charge distribution and current density in accordance to causality. This simulation is bench-marked with previous analytical results for a rigid-line bunch. The algorithm applied in the simulation will be presented, along with the simulation results obtained for bending systems in the Jefferson Lab FEL lattice.
Bogus-pipeline effects on self-reported college student drug use, problems, and attitudes.

This study examined whether a bogus objective measure (bogus-pipeline) would increase self-reported drug measures in a selected college population. A sample of 152 subjects were randomly assigned to receive: (1) a verbal bogus-pipeline protocol (VBP), (2) a printed cartoon bogus-pipeline (CBP), or (3) a questionnaire-only control (QOC). No significant differences were found in the proportions of college students in pipeline and control conditions reporting current social, illegal, and nonmedical prescription drug use, as well as drug-related problems and attitudes. A significantly greater proportion of subjects receiving the verbal bogus-pipeline procedure (p =. 006) reported heavy cigarette use.
TOWARD MACRO-SOCIAL ACCOUNTING: MEASURES AND SCALES OF RACIAL, SEXUAL, AND SPATIAL EQUALITY IN 243 U.S. SMSA's*

This paper develops a set of empirical social indicators of quality between races, sexes, and spatial areas in all U.S. SMSA's. New findings are presented concerning the level of equality by city and region. An eight-step Guttman Scale is developed which suggests a progressive hierarchy of these various of equality. Cities develop higher levels of equality between residents in a patterned building block manner beginning first with favorable levels of spatial equality and culminating in equality between black and white professional employment rates. Finally, a canonical correlation model is hypothesized and empirically estimated to explain variation between these 243 cities in level of inequality. This model linked key economic, demographic and ecological forces to levels of equality in spatial systems.
Influence of Southern Corn Billbug (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Population Density and Plant Growth Stage Infested on Injury to Corn

Field plots of com, Zea mays L., plants 5, 15, 30, 53, and 81 cm in height were infested with Sphenophorus callosus (Olivier) population densities of 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, or 320 adults per 100 plants. Percent yield reduction ranged from 6.3 for 5 southern corn billbugs per 100 plants on 15-cm plants to 46.4 for 320 bills bugs per 100 plants on 53-cm plants. Yield reductions were highly significant for all sizes of plants, and height reductions were significant for all sizes except those 81 cm at time of infestation. Both yield reductions and height reductions were linear for all plant growth stages infested except 81 cm. Plant population and degree of tillering were not altered significantly by any treatments. Infestation of large plants with 80 or more billbugs per 100 plants produced severe lodging which probably was due to adults feeding on the roots.
Effects of lamellolysin from a parasitoid wasp on Drosophila blood cells in vitro

Female parasitoid Leptopilina heterotoma inject a factor, lamellolysin, along with their eggs into the host hemocoel to destroy selectively host hemocytes that encapsulate foreign objects. In parasitized Drosophila melanogaster larvae, these hemocytes (lamellocytes) change from discoidal cells to bipolar cells that no longer adhere to each other to form capsules. To study the effects of lamellolysin on Drosophila lamellocytes in vitro, a giant strain of D. melanogaster was constructed to yield hemolymph with an abundance of lamellocytes. The effect of lamellolysin on the adhesivity of lamellocytes in vitro was demonstrated when the cells were gently rotated in the culture medium. Under these conditions, the bipolar shape of the affected lamellocytes resembled that of lamellocytes in parasitized hosts. When lamellocytes were exposed to lamellolysin in stationary culture medium, the elongation of the bipolar cells continued until they became threadlike. Lamellocytes fragmented in both stationary and rotating culture medium in the presence of lamellolysin, although loss of cellular material was more pronounced in the latter. This study demonstrates that lamellolysin acts directly and destructively on lamellocytes.
Structure Formation in Electrorheological Fluids

Abstract Electrorheological fluids are colloidal suspensions of polarizable particles in a viscous, nonconductive solvent. When an electric field is applied to a fluid, dielectric columns form, oriented parallel to the field. One can calculate the size of the columns formed in two dimensions using a simple model. I also discuss possible mechanisms for the long-term relaxation of the fluid toward a phase separated state. This paper then compares these predictions with the results of a molecular dynamics simulation of the aggregation process. The simulation differs from most others performed previously in that it examines structure formation near equilibrium. The simulation provides confirmation of the predicted column sizes in the dilute, near-equilibrium limit and provides a measure of the time scale for phase separation. The observed time scale is independent of field strength, supporting an interpretation that phase separation is driven by an interaction between the thermal fluctuations of the shape of separated columns.
Nativity and Occupational Class Disparities in Uninsurance and Routine Preventive Care Use Among Asian Americans

Using data from 1,530 Asian respondents of the 2002–2003 National Latino and Asian American Study, we examined how nativity and occupational class are associated with uninsurance, no routine physical check-up in the past year and no dental/eye exam use in the past year using weighted multivariate logistic regression models. Recent immigrants had increased odds of uninsurance and no dental/eye exam use than US-born Asians which became nonsignificant after controlling for occupational class and covariates. Unemployed and service workers had increased odds of uninsurance than white-collar workers even after controlling for income and limited English proficiency (LEP). Approximately 35–40 % of blue-collar and service workers reported neither type of preventive care use. Even after controlling for LEP, income, uninsurance, having a regular doctor or place of care, service workers had significantly increased odds of no physical check-up and no dental/eye exam use and blue-collar workers had marginally significant increased odds of no dental/eye exam use. Significant occupational disparities exist in access and preventive care use with workers in service occupations being particularly underserved.
THE ACTION OF TOMATO AND AVOCADO POLYGALACTURONASE a

The action of tomato and avocado enzyme preparations on polygalacturonic acids was compared with that of fungal polygalacturonase (PG). Fungal, tomato, and avocado preparations hydrolyzed polygalacturonic acid and also tri-and digalacturonic acid to galacturonic acids. The preparations also hydrolyzed methyl digalacturonic acid to galacturonic and methyl galacturonic acid. Their specificities seem to be qualitatively the same and their apparent differences lie mainly in their relative rates of hydrolysis of oligouronic acids, such as digalacturonic as compared with polygalacturonic acid. The rate of hydrolysis of digalacturonic acid is much lower with the fruit enzymes than with a preparation of fungal origin.
Screening for diabetes in an outpatient clinic population.

BACKGROUND: Opportunistic disease screening is the routine, asymptomatic disease screening of patients at the time of a physician encounter for other reasons. While the prevalence of unrecognized diabetes in community populations is well known, the prevalence in clinical populations is unknown.
Sedge Transplant Survival in a Reconstructed Channel: Influences of Planting Location, Erosion, and Invasive Species

Sedge transplanting success in recently constructed channels is essential because the lack of vegetation makes the channel highly susceptible to erosion and non-native plant invasion. In this study, greenhouse grown plugs of Carex nebrascensis Dewey (Nebraska sedge) and C. utriculata Boott (beaked sedge) were transplanted onto two different channel geomorphic surfaces, depositional and erosional, for two different experiments. The first experiment tested the effects of planting location on sedge survival and growth and the second tested the effects of Cirsium arvense presence on transplant survival and growth. Survival during the first growing season was the same for both species; however, shoot numbers were greater for C. nebrascensis (98 shoots/m2) compared to C. utriculata (84 shoots/m2) at the end of the first growing season. Greater shoot numbers also occurred on depositional planting locations (117 and 165 shoots/m2) compared to erosional planting locations (65 and 59 shoots/m2) at the end of the first and second growing seasons, respectively. The presence of Ci. arvense was observed to reduce sedge shoot numbers regardless of sedge species during the first growing season but no significant difference was observed by the end of the second growing season. These results suggested that control of Ci. arvense did not increase sedge vegetative growth within two growing seasons. Results suggest that revegetation success was greatest on depositional geomorphic surfaces and that both species are appropriate for transplanting; however, C. nebrascensis outperformed C. utriculata at sites with water tables that averaged deeper than 30 cm over the growing season.
Identifying structure-function relationships in four-helix bundle cytokines: towards de novo mimetics design

Many cytokines (growth-factor proteins) are constructed from a common four-helix bundle structural framework. Rapid advances have been made in relating the structure and function of a growing number of four-helix bundle cytokines. This understanding opens the way to design de novo mimetics through such strategies as cytokine hybrids, structure-excerpted scaffolds and contact residue topology mimics. These may provide leads for agonists and antagonists of cell growth and differentiation.
Barotropic Instability of Basic States with a Realistic Jet and a Wave

The stability of basic states consisting of a jet similar to the stratospheric polar night jet and a traveling wave with a single zonal wavenumber is examined in a linearized nondivergent barotropic model on a sphere. Basic state waves are chosen to resemble observed traveling and stationary features in the winter stratosphere. Results are presented for disturbance growth rates, propagation characteristics, and energy conversion as a function of the basic state wave amplitude. The effects of small amplitude basic state waves on unstable disturbances arising from a zonally symmetric jet are discussed; results are shown where a small amplitude basic state wave dramatically affects the stability characteristics. Evidence is shown that the presence of a traveling wave may favor the appearance of disturbances that include other zonal wavenumbers which move with the basic state wave; this result is discussed in relation to the origin of observed quasi-nondispersive features in the polar winter stratosphere. Results for a stationary wavenumber 1 basic state wave suggest that a distorted polar vortex may be unstable to disturbances that would lead to further distortion. An unstable disturbance for a basic state with an eastward moving wavenumber 2 has components which resemble, in period and location, traveling waves that are observed in the winter stratosphere.
Predicting imaging performance in turbulence

Estimates of the performance of an imager working in a turbulent atmosphere can often be obtained if an estimate of the index of refraction structure constant Cn2 is available. In this paper, results from predictive parametric models for are compared with long-term measurements of Cn2. A brief overview of imaging in turbulence is given. The impact of turbulence on imager performance and models to account for it are reviewed. This is followed by a presentation of the methods used to collect Cn2 data. Some published parametric models for predicting based on meteorological data are reviewed. These models are then compared with Cn2 measurements taken over several years. Performance of the models as a function of time of day and season of year are shown. General conclusions regarding the utility of using these models to predict system performance are presented.© (2004) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Molecular Analysis of a Family of Arabidopsis Genes Related to Galacturonosyltransferases

We are studying a Galacturonosyltransferase-Like (GATL) gene family in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) that was identified bioinformatically as being closely related to a group of 15 genes (Galacturonosyltransferase1 [GAUT1] to -15), one of which (GAUT1) has been shown to encode a functional galacturonosyltransferase. Here, we describe the phylogeny, gene structure, evolutionary history, genomic organization, protein topology, and expression pattern of this gene family in Arabidopsis. Expression studies (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) demonstrate that all 10 AtGATL genes are transcribed, albeit to varying degrees, in Arabidopsis tissues. Promoter::β-glucuronidase expression studies show that individual AtGATL gene family members have both overlapping and unique expression patterns. Nine of the 10 AtGATL genes are expressed in all major plant organs, although not always in all cell types of those organs. AtGATL4 expression appears to be confined to pollen grains. Most of the AtGATL genes are expressed strongly in vascular tissue in both the stem and hypocotyl. Subcellular localization studies of several GATL proteins using yellow fluorescent protein tagging provide evidence supporting the Golgi localization of these proteins. Plants carrying T-DNA insertions in three AtGATL genes (atgatl3, atgatl6, and atgatl9) have reduced amounts of GalA in their stem cell walls. The xylose content increased in atgatl3 and atgatl6 stem walls. Glycome profiling of cell wall fractions from these mutants using a toolkit of diverse plant glycan-directed monoclonal antibodies showed that the mutations affect both pectins and hemicelluloses and alter overall wall structure, as indicated by altered epitope extractability patterns. The data presented suggest that the AtGATL genes encode proteins involved in cell wall biosynthesis, but their precise roles in wall biosynthesis remain to be substantiated.
Paul V, the Column of the Virgin, and the New Pax Romana

The sole surviving monumental column from the Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine is the focus of Paul V, the Column of the Virgin, and the New Pax Romana. In 1613 Pope Paul V removed and re-erected this column at the center of Piazza S. Maria Maggiore in Rome, crowning it with a gilded bronze statue of the Virgin and Child. After reconstructing the little-known history of the monument and situating it within the history of honorific columns and Paul's urban planning, Steven F. Ostrow examines the antiquarian interest it long held, what was known about its original context, and the symbolic associations with which it was endowed. This close reading of Paul's monument demonstrates how, by appropriating the column and topping it with a statue of the Virgin, the pope eloquently expressed the Church's longstanding belief in Mary as a bringer of peace and the protector of Rome.
Lipid composition of potatoes during sprouting

The purpose of the study was to determine the lipid composition of potatoes during sprouting. Sprouts from Pontiac and Katahdin potatoes as well as two clones (the genetic material from crosses of a population ofSolanum andigenum from South America andSolanum tuberosum from North America) were found to be significantly higher in crude lipid than either the cortex or pith sections of the tuber. The cortex section was found to be higher in lipid than the pith section. Crude lipid was fractionated into phospholipid, neutral fat, and free fatty acids, and for each of the sections of potatoes the highest percentage of lipid was found in the phospholipid fraction. The fatty acid found in highest concentration in the phospholipid fraction was linoleic acid, but considerable quantities of linolenic and palmitic acids were also present. Synthesis of phospholipid occurs in the actively growing sprout, and compounds that interfere with lipid synthesis, particularly phospholipid synthesis, should prove to be effective sprout inhibitors.
Increased radiosensitivity of aerobic mammalian cells following pre-incubation with misonidazole in hypoxia

Abstract The effect of pre-incubation of CHO cells with misonidazole in hypoxia on the aerobic radiosensitivity of these same cells was observed and analyzed according to the concepts of independent and additive interaction. It was found that the sensitivity of cells irradiated in air, in the presence or absence of misonidazole, increased when the cells had been pre-incubated with misonidazole in hypoxia at 37°C. This increase in aerobic radiosensitivity was evident as a loss of the shoulder of the survival curve, and the data were consistent with an additive, rather than an independent interaction mechanism. The effect was also observed when the cells were washed prior to irradiation. These data are consistent with our previous work with hypoxic cells, and support the hypothesis that a toxic metabolite of the sensitizer is produced during hypoxic incubation, whose effect is manifested as an additional increment of cell killing equivalent to an additional dose of radiation. Given the possibility of a diffusible toxic product of sensitizer nitroreduction, the hypoxic cell toxicity of nitroimidazoles, generally perceived to be of importance only in hypoxic cells, may be a factor in the radiosensitivity of non-hypoxic cells in tumours.
N-type and L-type calcium channels are present in nerve growth cones. Numbers increase on synaptogenesis.

Abstract We have demonstrated the presence of both N- and L-type calcium channels in growth cone and other subcellular fractions of fetal rat brain, using the ligands ω-conotoxin GVIA for N-type channels and nitrendipine for L-type channels. The N-type channels seem to be distributed evenly throughout the perikaryon, neurite shaft and growing tip of the neurons. In contrast, the L-type channels appear to have a lower density in the growth cone than on the rest of the neuron. These observations apply at least within the limitations of cell fractionation technology. We have also studied both calcium channel subtypes in rat brain synaptosomal membranes. In both adult and fetal fractions there are approximately 6 times more N-type than L-type channels. Synaptosomal membranes contain more N- and L-type channels than any of the fetal subfractions, indicating that there is a substantial increase in calcium channel numbers upon synaptogenesis.
Breeding and Genetics Symposium: inferring causal effects from observational data in livestock.

Data regularly recorded in commercial herds have been used extensively for estimation of dis- ease incidence rates, for inferences regarding genetic and phenotypic associations between traits, or for devel- oping predictive models for economically important traits. Some studies have also used fi eld data to inves- tigate potential causal relationships between variables. However, inferring causal effects from observational data is complex due to potential confounding effects and careful analyses using specifi c statistical and data min- ing techniques as well as different sets of assumptions are required. Nonetheless, although virtually unknown in the agricultural research community, such methods are available and have been used in many other fi elds. In this paper, we review and discuss the analysis of obser- vational data using fi eld-recorded information and its potential utility in the study of causal effects in livestock. It is our postulation that there is much to be learned from such data, which can be used either to explicitly investigate causal relationships between variables or to generate hypotheses for further investigation using con- trolled experiments or additional fi eld-recorded data.
Three-Phase Flow and Gravity Drainage in Porous Media

We present a theoretical and experimental treatment of three-phase flow in water-wet porous media from the molecular level upwards. Many three-phase systems in polluted soil and oil reservoirs have a positive initial spreading coefficient, which means that oil spontaneously spreads as a layer between water and gas. We compute the thickness and stability of this oil layer and show that appreciable recovery of oil by drainage only occurs when the oil layer occupies crevices or roughness in the pore space. We then analyze the distribution of oil, water and gas in vertical equilibrium for a spreading system, which is governed by α = γ oω (ρ o − ρ g )/γ go (ρ ω − ρ o ), where γ ow and γ go are the oil/water and gas/oil interfacial tensions respectively, and ρ g , ρ o and ρ ω are the gas, oil and water densities respectively. If a > 1, there is a height above the oil/water contact, beyond which connected oil only exists as a molecular film, with a negligible saturation. This height is independent of the structure of the porous medium. When α < 1, large quantities of oil remain in the pore space and gravity drainage is not efficient. If the initial spreading coefficient is negative, oil can be trapped and the recovery is also poor. We performed gravity drainage experiments in sand columns and capillary tubes which confirmed our predictions.
Gravity-driven Thin Liquid Films with Insoluble Surfactant: Smooth Traveling Waves

The flow of a thin layer of fluid down an inclined plane is modified by the presence of insoluble surfactant. For any finite surfactant mass, traveling waves are constructed for a system of lubrication equations describing the evolution of the free-surface fluid height and the surfactant concentration. The one-parameter family of solutions is investigated using perturbation theory with three small parameters: the coefficient of surface tension, the surfactant diffusivity, and the coefficient of the gravity-driven diffusive spreading of the fluid. When all three parameters are zero, the nonlinear PDE system is hyperbolic/degenerate-parabolic, and admits traveling wave solutions in which the free-surface height is piecewise constant, and the surfactant concentration is piecewise linear and continuous. The jumps and corners in the traveling waves are regularized when the small parameters are nonzero; their structure is revealed through a combination of analysis and numerical simulation.
Effects of sodium pentobarbital on complex operant discriminations.

Results are reported for the effects of sodium pentobarbital on (a) zero delay matching-to-sample, (b) simultaneous oddity, and (c) variable delay matching-to-sample. In all these situations there are decrements in accuracy with increasing dose levels. The oddity performance proved to be considerably less sensitive to the drug effects than zero-delay matching. In variable delay matching there was no clear evidence for any relationship between the magnitude of the drug effect and the length of the delay interval.
The effects of psychological and environmental stressors on peristaltic esophageal contractions in healthy volunteers.

The relationship between various stressful stimulus conditions, measures of anxiety, and altered esophageal motility was investigated in mo experiments employing normal adult volunteers. In Experiment 1, subjects were administered separately I00dB continuous white noise and a cold pressor task. In Experiment 2. subjects were administered in a counterbalanced order intermittent and unpredictable bursts of 100dB white noise and a cognitive task consisting of solvable and unsolvable discrimination problems. Results of both experiments showed that the amplitudes of peristaltic esophageal contractions and levels of state anxiety self-reports were significantly higher during periods of stress than during preceding baseline periods. Furthermore, in Experiment 2, esophageal contraction velocities and anxiety-related behaviors were significantly greater during stress periods than during baselines. Contrary' to previous studies, few abnormal tertiary esophageal contractions were elicited by stress. The present results identify increased amplitude of the peristaltic contractions as the primary esophageal response to stress. Technological and methodological differences between this study and previous Investigations of affective disturbance among patients with chronic esophageal chest pain also are examined.
Raman and infrared spectra, conformational stability, barriers to internal rotation,ab initio calculations and vibrational assignment of cyanomethyl methyl ether

The Raman spectra (3400–10 cm−1) of gaseous, liquid and solid and the infrared spectra (3500–35 cm−1) of gaseous and solid cyanomethyl methyl ether (methoxyacetonitrile), (CN)CH2OCH3, were recorded. The farinfrared spectrum of the gas was recorded at a resolution of 0.10 cm−1 in the region from 370 to 30 cm−1. The fundamental asymmetric torsions of the gauche and trans conformations were observed at 112.5 and 104.6 cm−1, respectively, with the gauche form having two excited-state transitions falling to lower wavenumber. From these data, along with the enthalpy difference and gauche dihedral angle, the asymmetric torsional potential function was calculated with the following coefficients: V1 = 153 ± 9, V2 = −619 ± 8, V3 = 1000 ± 2 and V4 = −100 ± 2 cm−1. From this potential function, the trans to gauche, gauche to gauche and gauche to trans barriers were determined as 512, 1592 and 951 cm−1, respectively, with an enthalpy difference of 439 ± 19 cm−1 (1255 ± 54 cal mol−1) and the gauche conformer the more stable form in the gas phase. The enthalpy difference was also determined experimentally from variable-temperature studies of the Raman spectrum and a value of 337 ± 44 cm−1 (964 ± 126 cal mol−1) was obtained for the liquid with the gauche form more stable. Additionally, the symmetric methyl torsions of both gauche and trans forms were observed at 170.4 and 217.6 cm−1, respectively. On the basis of a one-dimensional model, the barrier to internal rotation of the methyl moiety was determined as 839 cm−1 (2.40 kcal mol−1) for the guache conformer and 947 cm−1 (2.71 kcal mol−1) for the trans form. A complete vibrational assignment is proposed for a gauche-trans equilibrium in the gas and liquid phases from the Raman (3200–10 cm−1) and infrared (3200–35 cm−1) spectra, but in the solid state only the gauche conformer remains. The structural parameters, conformational stability, barriers to internal rotation and fundamental vibrational frequencies which were determined experimentally were compared with those obtained from ab initio calculations employing the RHF/4–31G*, RHF/6–31G* and MP2/6–31 + + G** basis sets. These results were compared with the corresponding quantities obtained for some similar molecules.
Power flow and amplifier design for piezoelectric actuators in intelligent structures

In developing intelligent structures in which actuation, sensing, and processing elements are physically integrated within the structure, the use of piezoelectric actuators places certain requirements on the electronic components which drive them. Applications may impose strict limitations on power consumption and heat dissipation, and structural integration brings an added requirement for component miniaturization. An understanding of the power flow behavior of piezoelectric actuators in controlled structure applications is therefore important. This paper addresses power issues in the application of piezoelectric actuators and embedded electronic components. The power flow characteristics of piezoelectric actuators are examined in closed-loop control applications. An analysis is presented of the power flow and voltage and current requirements of a piezoelectric actuator in a simple system, along with implications for the design of linear amplifiers. The contributions of various elements to average and peak power flow levels are identified, as is the effect of loop closure on the impedance which the actuator presents to the amplifier.
The Association of Religiosity and Political Conservatism: The Role of Political Engagement

Some argue that there is an organic connection between being religious and being politically conservative. We evaluate an alternative thesis that the relation between religiosity and political conservatism largely results from engagement with political discourse that indicates that these characteristics go together. In a combined sample of national survey respondents from 1996 to 2008, religiosity was associated with conservative positions on a wide range of attitudes and values among the highly politically engaged, but this association was generally weaker or nonexistent among those less engaged with politics. The specific political characteristics for which this pattern existed varied across ethno-religious groups. These results suggest that whether religiosity translates into political conservatism depends to an important degree on level of engagement with political discourse.