cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Decompositions of a Group

In this chapter we shall study ways in which a group may be decomposed into a set of groups each of which is in some sense of simpler type. This idea, the resolution of a single complex structure into a number of less complicated structures, is encountered in almost all branches of algebra.
Erosion, deposition, and the persistence of soil organic matter: mechanistic considerations and problems with terminology

The effect of erosional detachment, transport, and deposition of topsoil on the stock of soil organic matter (SOM) and its association with soil minerals has been a focus of a growing number of studies. A particularly lively debate is currently centered on the questions of whether terrestrial sedimentation of previously eroded SOM may constitute a relevant sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), and how ‘stable’ such carbon (C) might be on multidecadal timescales. In this commentary, we illustrate how redistribution of eroded SOM within a landscape can create situations that are not adequately described by the jargon commonly used to characterize C turnover dynamics. We argue that more quantitative and scientifically rigorous categories are needed to describe soil C turnover and to promote the development of innovative, numerical models of C dynamics in landscapes characterized by significant mass movement. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultra-Violet Finiteness of the N = 4 Model

The N = 4 model is examined in light-cone coordinates. The advantage of such coordinates is that they can easily be applied to extended supersymmetries. In a certain form of the light-cone gauge, the perturbation expansion of the N = 4 model is free of ultraviolet divergences. As a consequence, the β-function vanishes in any order of perturbation theory in any gauge.
Degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid by Pseudomonas cepacia DBO1(pRO101) in a dual-substrate chemostat

To determine the effect of a secondary carbon source on biodegradation of a chloroaromatic compound, Pseudomonas cepacia DBO1(pRO101) was grown in continuous cultures on basal salts media containing various mixtures of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and succinate. Both succinate and 2,4-D were metabolized over the entire range of dilution rates and compositions analyzed (0.05 to 0.6 h-1). 2,4-Dichlorophenol (DCP), the only intermediate detected, accumulated to significant amounts (10 to 21 mg/liter) in the chemostat only when the dilution rate was 0.4 h-1 or greater. At these concentrations, DCP reduced the apparent growth rate of P. cepacia DBO1(pRO101) in batch cultures by 15 to 35% over the apparent growth rate on succinate alone. Succinate fed to the chemostat increased the cell density as well as the percentage of 2,4-D that was consumed at each dilution rate. When the amount of succinate in the feed exceeded the amount of 2,4-D, the specific rates of 2,4-D degradation in the chemostat or by washed cells were significantly lower than the specific rates for cells grown on 2,4-D alone, suggesting repression by succinate. However, when the amount of 2,4-D in the feed exceeded the amount of succinate, the specific rates of 2,4-D degradation remained at values equivalent to or higher than the specific rate for cells grown on 2,4-D alone. DCP accumulated significantly in the washed-cell assay, suggesting that the level of DCP hydroxylase is rate limiting.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Summer rainfall variability over the Southeastern United States and its intensification in the 21st century as assessed by CMIP5 models

[1] The variability of Southeastern (SE) United States (U.S.) summer precipitation in the current and future climate is analyzed using Coupled Model Intercomparison Project-Phase 5 (CMIP5) models. By comparing simulated historical precipitation variability with observations, we categorize CMIP5 models into two groups: Group 1 (G1) models that simulate the summer precipitation variability reasonably well and Group 2 (G2) models that need further improvements. Our analysis suggests that the relatively higher skill of G1 models is attributable to their ability to accurately represent the dynamical linkage between SE U.S. summer precipitation variability and North Atlantic Subtropical High (NASH) western ridge position. In contrast, the inability of G2 models to represent such linkage leads to their biases in simulating SE U.S. summer precipitation variability. According to our analysis, the ensemble projection of CMIP5 models suggests that under the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 scenario, SE U.S. summer precipitation variability will intensify and that this intensification is more pronounced among G1 models. Our analysis further suggests that this intensification is most likely due to the projected pattern shift of the NASH western ridge in a warming climate. Under the RCP4.5 scenario, the NASH western ridge will extend further westward leading to more frequent occurrences of the northwestward and southwestward ridge patterns that are respectively related to dry and wet summers in the SE U.S. Consequently, more frequent occurrence of summer precipitation extremes would be expected over the SE U.S. in the future.
Use of affect in blog communication: : Trust, Credibility, and Authenticity

Abstract The purpose of this study was to test the compelling-arguments hypothesis in an agenda-building framework, focusing on the role of affect in blog communication. Conducting a 3 × 3 factorial experiment with two manipulated independent variables (valence and arousal), this investigation examined the influences of these variables on public relations outcomes (credibility, trust, and authenticity) as potential consequences of agenda-building relationships. Our findings showed main effects of both independent variables on perceived trust and authenticity.
Relative Stability of Hydrogen and Deuterium Bonds

The relative energies of H and D bonds are due to differences in zero-point vibrational energy (ZPVE). Ab initio calculations are used to assess the changes in this quantity that accompany all possible substitutions of protium by deuterium in a number of complexes. The ZPVE of the D bond is lower than that of the H bond in the neutral dimer and trimer of water. This difference can be traced to one particular vibrational mode, the one which displaces the bridging atom away from the O···O axis. The heavier mass of D lowers the frequency, and hence the ZPVE associated with it. The situation reverses itself in ionic H bonds. The total ZPVE of the (H2O··H··OH2)+ complex is higher when a D occupies the bridging position, as compared to a terminal site. This difference is attributed to the intramolecular modes. Although replacement of the central H by D reduces the intermolecular ZPVE, the reduction of the intramolecular ZPVE is even larger when the substitution is made at a peripheral atom, so a D would tend to...
VECTRA™ Power Turbine Development Program

Dresser-Rand developed the VECTRA-40 power turbine specifically for the LM2500+ gas generator. This “clean sheet of paper” design uses some of the best features from both aeroderivative and heavy duty gas turbines. After the design phase was complete, an extensive development program was undertaken to confirm that both the mechanical and aerodynamic design objectives were met. Two units were built, instrumented, and tested to full load. In addition, several components were rig tested to verify stiffness, natural frequency, or operating characteristics. Finally, some events that could not be physically tested, such as blade out response, were tested virtually.During development testing, the power turbine was extensively instrumented with state-of-the-art sensors to verify the mechanical design and aerodynamic performance of the VECTRA. A PC based data acquisition system (DAQ) was constructed to simultaneously acquire and record over 1000 individual channels of data. Instrumentation was installed to record the mechanical responses and operating temperatures of all rotating components, as well as critical stationary components. Other groups of instrumentation were used to verify flowpath performance, cooling air distribution, and lubrication system operation. The physical devices connected to the DAQ system ranged from industrial transducers and signal conditioners to an innovative external telemetry system for rotating thermocouples and dynamic strain gages.The VECTRA is a high speed power turbine that was initially designed for mechanical drive applications. However recent component testing and full load testing of two units in generator drive packages have demonstrated that it is also well suited for power generation applications.Copyright © 2001 by ASME
The role of CD8 T lymphocytes in rickettsial infections

Arthropod-borne obligately intracellular bacteria pose a difficult challenge to the immune system. The genera Rickettsia, Orientia, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma evolved mechanisms of immune evasion, and each interacts differently with the immune system. The roles of CD8 T cells include protective immunity and immunopathology. In Rickettsia infections, CD8 T cells are protective mediated in part by cytotoxicity toward infected cells. In contrast, TNF-α overproduction by CD8 T cells is pathogenic in lethal ehrlichiosis by induction of apoptosis/necrosis in hepatocytes. Yet, CD8 T cells, along with CD4 T cells and antibodies, also contribute to protective immunity in ehrlichial infections. In granulocytic anaplasmosis, CD8 T cells impact pathogen control modestly but could contribute to immunopathology by virtue of their dysfunction. While preliminary evidence indicates that CD8 T cells are important in protection against Orientia tsutsugamushi, mechanistic studies have been neglected. Valid animal models will enable experiments to elucidate protective and pathologic immune mechanisms. The public health need for vaccines against these agents of human disease, most clearly O. tsutsugamushi, and the veterinary diseases, canine monocytotropic ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis), heartwater (Ehrlichia ruminantium), and bovine anaplasmosis (A. marginale), requires detailed immunity and immunopathology investigations, including the roles of CD8 T lymphocytes.
Fuzzy job sequencing for a flow shop

Abstract In job sequencing for a flow shop, processing times are frequently not known exactly and only estimated intervals are given. Fuzzy numbers are ideally suited to represent these intervals. In this work, the Campbell, Dudek and Smith (CDS) job sequencing algorithm is modified to accept trapezoidal fuzzy processing times. Deterministic sequences result, but the sequence performance measurements of makespan and job mean flow time are fuzzy, having been calculated using fuzzy arithmetic. The use of possibility theory and the fuzzy integral enables the schedular to meaningfully interpret these fuzzy results. Deterministic approximations to this fuzzy approach are also investigated.
Comparison of biplane and single plane left ventricular volumes in atrial septal defect

The close agreement between biplane (BP) and single-plane (SP) angiographic estimates of left ventricular (LV) volumes results from the similarity of the minor axes measured in the right anterior oblique (RAO) and left anterior oblique (LAO) views. Disease states that alter LV geometry may change the length of one minor axis more than the other, producing a discrepancy between BP and SP volumes. To examine this hyposthesis, angiographically derived volumes in 21 patients with atrial septal defects (ASD) in which the LV appears to be compressed and flattened by an enlarged right ventricle, were compared to 100 normal control patients. In the control patients, the median SP estimate of end-diastolic volume (EDV) was 7.6% larger than the BP determination, whereas in patients with ASD, the median SP EDV estimate was 16.7% larger than the BP EDV (P<0.0001). The SP end-systolic volume (ESV) underestimated the BP value by 3.4% in controls but overestimated the BP ESV in patients with ASD by 4.3% (P<0.02). The overestimate of the SP EDV and SP ESV when compared to the BP volumes may be due to changes in either the minor axes or the appearance of the longest major axis in the LAO view. The longest major axis was found in the RAO view in 99% (99/100) of normals and 95% (20/21) of ASD patients (PNS). The median ratio of RAO to LAO end-diastolic minor axes, however, was 1.07 in the normals and 1.17 for ASD patients. The median ratio of end-systolic minor axes was 0.97 for controls and 1.04 for ASD patients. Compression of the LV in patients with ASD shortens the LAO minor axis, resulting in a significantly greater SP overestimation of LV volume than occurs in normals. The degree of SP volume overestimate was not predicted by the magnitude of the left-to-right shunt or pulmonary pressure. This source of error affects all SP methods for determining left ventricular volume, including radionuclide techniques using static images.
Degree of supersaturation and precipitation of organogenic dolomite

This paper integrates the degree of carbonate saturation into a general model for the origin of dolomite in organic-rich marine sediments. Degradation of organic matter by sulfate-reducing bacteria promotes early dolomite precipitation by simultaneously increasing the carbonate alkalinity and lowering the sulfate ion concentration to near zero. The interstitial water in organic-rich sediments of several Deep Sea Drilling Project sites where dolomite is believed to be precipitating is up to 10/sup 3/ times supersaturated with respect to near-ideal dolomite and up to 10 times supersaturated with respect to calcite. The highly supersaturated interstitial waters appear to overcome low-temperature kinetic barriers to precipitate a nonideal, fine-grained calcian dolomite. The degree of supersaturation with respect to dolomite decreases, and the interstitial water approaches carbonate equilibrium with increasing burial depth at several of these sites. Removal of sulfate ion is important because sulfate ion may inhibit dolomite precipitation. A calcareous sediment is not required, but the presence of calcite or aragonite appears to greatly enhance dolomitization by providing an additional source of Ca and carbonate ions.
Viral and host control of cytomegalovirus maturation

Maturation in herpesviruses initiates in the nucleus of the infected cell, with encapsidation of viral DNA to form nucleocapsids, and concludes with envelopment in the cytoplasm to form infectious virions that egress the cell. The entire process of virus maturation is orchestrated by protein–protein interactions and enzymatic activities of viral and host origin. Viral tegument proteins play important roles in maintaining the structural stability of capsids and directing the acquisition of virus envelope. Envelopment occurs at modified host membranes and exploits host vesicular trafficking. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of and concepts in human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) maturation and their parallels in other herpesviruses, with an emphasis on viral and host factors that regulate this process.
Fast CCD camera for x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy and time-resolved x-ray scattering and imaging

A new, fast x-ray detector system is presented for high-throughput, high-sensitivity, time-resolved, x-ray scattering and imaging experiments, most especially x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS). After a review of the architectures of different CCD chips and a critical examination of their suitability for use in a fast x-ray detector, the new detector hardware is described. In brief, its principal component is an inexpensive, commercial camera—the SMD1M60—originally designed for optical applications, and modified for use as a direct-illumination x-ray detector. The remainder of the system consists of two Coreco Imaging PC-DIG frame grabber boards, located inside a Dell Power-edge 6400 server. Each frame grabber sits on its own PCI bus and handles data from 2 of the CCD’s 4 taps. The SMD1M60 is based on a fast, frame-transfer, 4-tap CCD chip, read out at12-bit resolution at frame rates of up to 62 Hz for full frame readout and up to 500 Hz for one-sixteenth frame readout. Experiments to characterize the camera’s suitability for XPCS and small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) are presented. These experiments show that single photon events are readily identified, and localized to within a pixel index or so. This is a sufficiently fine spatial resolution to maintain the speckle contrast at an acceptable value for XPCS measurements. The detective quantum efficiency of the SMD1M60 is 49% for directly-detected 6.3 keV x rays. The effects of data acquisition strategies that permit near-real-time data compression are also determined and discussed. Overall, the SMD1M60 detector system represents a major improvement in the technology for time-resolved x-ray experiments, that require an area detector with time-resolutions in few-milliseconds-to-few-seconds range, and it should have wide applications, extending beyond XPCS.
Room Temperature Photoluminescence from Ge/SiGe Quantum Well Structure in Microdisk Resonator

In this paper, we report the enhanced direct band gap photoluminescence from carrier confinement in Ge quantum wells with SiGe barriers at room temperature. We have also fabricated a microdisk resonator and present the tapered-fiber coupled high-Q cavity mode from Ge quantum wells.
The 5.1 ka aridization event, expansion of piñon-juniper woodlands, and the introduction of maize (Zea mays) in the American Southwest:

Pollen analysis is frequently used to build climate and environmental histories. A distinct Holocene pollen series exists for Chaco Canyon, New Mexico. This study reports linear modeling and hypothesis testing of long distance dispersal pollen from radiocarbon-dated packrat middens which reveal strong relationships between pinon pine (Pinus edulis) and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa). Ponderosa pollen dominates midden pollen assemblages during the early Holocene, while a rapid shift to a much higher proportion of pinon to ponderosa pine pollen between c. 5440 and 5102 cal. yr BP points to an aridization episode. This shift is associated with higher δ18O values in Southwest speleothem records relative to the preceding millennium. The period of aridization is followed by a sharp increase in El Nino/Southern Oscillation events that would have caused highly variable precipitation and lasted until c. 4200 cal. yr BP. Bayesian change-point analysis suggests that this aridization episode led to stable ecotonal ...
Spinal arachnoiditis what is the clinical spectrum? I.

Back pain has been estimated to affect about two thirds of the adult population. In most instances the pain is brief and self-limited, but at other times it may be chronic. Although the cause of discomfort may be apparent at times, in many extensively evaluated cases it is not. Chronic arachnoiditis is infrequently considered in the differential diagnosis of back pain. A literature review of arachnoiditis includes only anecdotal cases and series, emphasizing the most severe clinical findings. It is suggested that arachnoiditis may have a place in the differential diagnosis of chronic back pain.
The modern obesity epidemic, ancestral hunter-gatherers, and the sensory/reward control of food intake

Obesity has become a true pandemic. In the United States, over two thirds of adults are obese or overweight. The prevalence of obesity has doubled since 1980. The increase in the prevalence of obese and overweight individuals has happened too rapidly for it to be due to an alteration in the genome. The gastrointestinal, sensory (taste and olfaction), and brain feeding mechanisms that developed during the past 2 million years were highly adaptive for ancestral hunter-gatherers living in an environment with limited high-density foods and periods of food deprivation. Today, however, humans in industrialized countries live in what has been called an "obesogenic environment." The nonhomeostatic brain reward circuitry that was acquired during evolution to seek out and eat as many nutritionally high-dense foods as possible is able to overrule the physiological inhibitory mechanisms that were designed to limit meal size and weight gain.
Research on children of affectively ill parents: Some considerations for theory and research on normal development

Research in developmental psychopathology is used to examine and propose questions, concepts, and methods in the investigation of child development in the contexts of dysfunctional and well families. The adequacy of the data base for investigating the course of development, representing the socialization process, and identifying individualities and universals in development is discussed. A number of research issues that have been studied primarily in developmental psychopathology are recommended as relevant to normal child development. Multidomain and multisource longitudinal data are proposed as the means for better delineating development and for testing alternative models of developmental processes. Examples of data and experience are drawn from longitudinal studies of affectively ill parents and their children. Differences in the perspectives and approaches of normal child development research and developmental child psychopathology are discussed. The usefulness of thinking of two disciplines, normal child development and child development psychopathology, is questioned.
Assembly of newly replicated chromatin

Abstract Mild staphylococcal nuclease digestions under isotonic conditions release fragments of a 200 A diameter fiber from nuclei of Drosophila melanogaster tissue culture cells. These soluble fragments have high sedimentation coefficients (30–100S) and show tightly packed nucleosomes in the electron microscope. Under the same conditions, newly replicated chromatin is released as more slowly sedimenting fragments (14S). Within 20 min after DNA replication, the nascent chromatin gradually matures into compact supranucleosomal structures which are indistinguishable from bulk chromatin on the isokinetic sucrose gradients. We have used this fractionation technique to examine the question of the fate and assembly of the new histones. After short pulses with either 35 S-methionine or 3 H-lysine, the radioactive histones do not co-sediment with the bulk chromatin but appear instead in the fractions where the newly replicated DNA is found. Furthermore, the various nascent histones appear in different fractions on the gradient: histones H3 and H4 in 10–15S structures, histones H2A and H2B in 15–50S structures and histone H1 in 30–100S structures. These results, together with the analysis of pulse and pulse-chase experiments of both nascent DNA and histones, strongly suggest that histones H3 and H4 are deposited first on the nascent DNA (during or slightly after the DNA is replicated), histones H2A and H2B are deposited next (2–10 min later) and histone H1 is deposited last (10–20 min after DNA replication). A high turnover 20,000 dalton protein is also associated with the newly replicated chromatin.
Limitations on children's short-term memory for left-right orientation☆☆☆

Abstract The time course of kindergarten children's memory for left-right orientation during the first 2 1 2 sec after receptor stimulation was investigated by means of a successive matching-to-sample task with tachistoscopically presented abstract figures. The first study indicated that young children have difficulty encoding left-right orientation into short-term memory and treat left-right orientation as low-priority information that is likely to be lost when there is an information overload. A second study indicated that kindergarten children who are able to encode left-right orientation do so more slowly than adults. An unexpected finding occurring in both studies was that the presentation of the comparison figures appeared to terminate initial processing of the standard figure. It is argued that this effect was due to cognitively based visual masking.
Adaptive Mamdani fuzzy model for condition-based maintenance

Proper maintenance of equipment to prevent failures has become increasingly important. For manufacturing companies, it enables uninterrupted production to support lean manufacturing. For commercial carriers, it ensures the safety of passengers and crew members. Maintenance technology has progressed from time-based to condition-based. The idea of condition-based maintenance (CBM) is to monitor equipment using various sensors to enable real-time diagnosis of impending failures and prognosis of equipment health. The success of CBM hinges on the ability to develop accurate diagnosis/prognosis models. These models must be cognitive friendly for them to gain user acceptance, especially in safety critical applications. This paper presents a neuro-fuzzy modeling approach for CBM. The emphasis is on model comprehensibility so it can effectively serve as a decision-aid for domain experts. The comprehensibility of a neuro-fuzzy system usually deteriorates once rules are tuned. To solve this problem, Kullback-Leibler mean information is used to evaluate and refine tuned rules so they remain easily interpretable. The effectiveness of this modeling approach is demonstrated via a couple of real-world applications.
Synthesis and Characterization of Model MgO-Supported Catalysts with Pt−Mo Interactions

MgO-supported platinum and platinum−molybdenum catalysts were prepared from organometallic precursors and characterized structurally to determine how the nature of the bimetallic precursors and the treatment conditions affected the interaction between the two metals. Samples were prepared from [PtCl2(PhCN)2], [PtCl2(PhCN)2] + [Mo(CO)6], and {Pt[Mo(CO)3(C5H5)]2(PhCN)2} and characterized by infrared and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopies, transmission electron microscopy, and chemisorption of H2, CO, and O2. The samples were treated in H2 at 400 °C prior to most of the characterizations. Incorporation of Mo reduced the chemisorption of CO and of H2. EXAFS spectra measured at the Pt LIII edge and at the Mo K edge showed substantial Pt−Mo contributions with a Pt−Mo coordination number of about 2 and an average distance of 2.63 A for the sample prepared from {Pt[Mo(CO)3(C5H5)]2(PhCN)2}. In contrast, no significant Pt−Mo contribution was observed for the sample prepared from [PtCl2(...
Cometary Delivery of Biogenic Elements to Europa

Abstract Jupiter's moon Europa may harbor an ocean beneath its ice cover, but the composition of that ocean and the overlying ice is nearly entirely unknown. Regardless of uncertainties in models for Europa's formation, we estimate lower limits for Europa's inventory of biogenic elements (such as C, N, O, and P) by investigating the contribution to the inventory of impact events over Europa's geologic history. A series of high-resolution hydrocode simulations were carried out over a range of comet densities (1.1, 0.8, and 0.6 g/cm3, corresponding to porosities between 0 and 45%) and impact velocities (16, 21.5, 26.5, and 30.5 km/s). We found that at typical impact velocities on Europa most impactor material reaches escape velocity, and it is assumed to be lost from Europa. For a nonporous comet, some fraction (20% or higher) of the projectile is retained by Europa even at the highest impact velocity modeled, 30.5 km/s. For porous comets, however, a significant fraction of the projectile (above 25%) is retained only for the lowest impact velocity modeled, 16 km/s. Integrated over solar system history, this suggests that 1 to 10 Gt of carbon could have been successfully delivered to Europa's surface by impacts of large comets (around 1 km in diameter). This is a few times more carbon than is contained in the procaryotic biomass of the upper 200 meters of the Earth's oceans, but about 2 orders of magnitude less if the whole depth of the oceans is considered. Therefore, regardless of its initial formation conditions, Europa should have a substantial inventory of “biogenic” elements, with implications for the chemistry of its oceans, ice cover, and the possibility of life.
Strut-Adjusted Volume Implant: multichannel, single-entry brachytherapy for accelerated partial breast irradiation

Irradiation following lumpectomy has been the standard of care for breast conservation in early breast cancer for more than 20 years, replacing mastectomy. Emerging evidence suggests that in appropriately chosen candidates, the traditional 6 weeks of daily therapy to the whole breast may be effectively replaced by twice-daily therapy for 5 days. The shorter course targets only the portion of the breast at highest risk for recurrence and is termed accelerated partial breast irradiation. Multiple methods of delivery of accelerated partial breast irradiation have been developed and described in the literature, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. This article summarizes the data and outlines each device, with an emphasis on newer techniques that maximize target dose delivery and minimize normal tissue radiation exposure.
Photocross-linking of the NH2-terminal Region of Taq MutS Protein to the Major Groove of a Heteroduplex DNA

The MutS DNA mismatch repair protein recognizes heteroduplex DNAs containing mispaired or unpaired bases. To identify regions of MutS protein in close proximity to the heteroduplex DNA, we have utilized the photoactivated cross-linking moiety 5-iododeoxyuridine (5-IdUrd). Nucleoprotein complexes of Thermus aquaticus MutS protein bound to monosubstituted 5-IdUrd-containing heteroduplex DNAs were cross-linked with long-wavelength ultraviolet light. Positioning of the 5-IdUrd moiety at one of three positions within the DNA bulge, two nucleotides upstream or three nucleotides downstream of the unpaired base, resulted in an identical subset of cross-linked peptides as determined by proteolytic fingerprinting. The tryptic peptide cross-linked to an unpaired 5-IdUrd residue was determined by peptide sequencing to correspond to a highly conserved region spanning residues 25–49. Cross-linking to the bulge nucleotide occurred at Phe-39, indicating that this residue contacts, or is in close proximity to, the unpaired base of a heteroduplex DNA. Site-directed mutagenesis resulting in the substitution of Ala for Phe-39 reduced the affinity of the mutant protein for heteroduplex DNA by roughly 3 orders of magnitude, but had no apparent effect on its ability to dimerize, its thermostability, or its ATPase activity. These results implicate the region in the vicinity of Phe-39 as being crucial for heteroduplex DNA binding by Taq MutS protein.
Health impact of a proposed waste-to-energy facility in Illinois

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has given the Robbins Resource Recovery Company (RRRC) a permit to construct a Regional Pollution Control Facility in Robbins, Illinois. Site approval for this waste-to-energy (WTE) combustor has been granted by the Village of Robbins which is located about three miles south of Chicago. The facility is designed to operate continuously for 40-45 years, process 1600 tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) per day, and produce over 50 megawatts of electricity. Refuse derived fuel (RDF) will constitute essentially 100% of the operating fuel. The fuel preparation system is designed to recover 25% (by weight) of the MSW in the form of recyclable materials (ferrous, aluminum cans, glass, and compostables). Also, appliances, electronic equipment, household batteries, and lead-acid vehicle batteries will be removed. The air pollution control system for the two circulating fluidized bed combustors has been characterized by the USEPA and the IEPA as Best Available Control Technology (BACT) based on the following components: selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) to control nitrogen oxide emissions and dry flue gas scrubber (spray dryer absorber) and fabric filter baghouse to control emissions of acid gases (mainly hydrogen chloride and sulfur dioxide), particulates, and metals. In addition, activated carbonmore » injection will be used to control mercury emissions (RRRC, 1992). 10 refs., 3 tabs.« less
The NF2 Tumor Suppressor Merlin and the ERM Proteins Interact with N-WASP and Regulate Its Actin Polymerization Function

The function of the NF2 tumor suppressor merlin has remained elusive despite increasing evidence for its role in actin cytoskeleton reorganization. The closely related ERM proteins (ezrin, radixin, and moesin) act as linkers between the cell membrane and cytoskeleton, and have also been implicated as active actin reorganizers. We report here that merlin and the ERMs can interact with and regulate N-WASP, a critical regulator of actin dynamics. Merlin and moesin were found to inhibit N-WASP-mediated actin assembly in vitro, a function that appears independent of their ability to bind actin. Furthermore, exogenous expression of a constitutively active ERM inhibits N-WASP-dependent Shigella tail formation, suggesting that the ERMs may function as inhibitors of N-WASP function in vivo. This novel function of merlin and the ERMs illustrates a mechanism by which these proteins directly exert their effects on actin reorganization and also provides new insight into N-WASP regulation.
Consistent and Inconsistent Impacts of a Teacher-Led Empowerment Initiative in a Federation of Schools:

This study explores the impacts of a teacher-led empowerment initiative in a federation of independent schools. The authors used survey and archival data as well as a conceptual basis in consistency models to examine the relationship between participation in this organizational change initiative, individual behavioral changes pertinent to it, and ratings of its effectiveness. Results indicated that behavioral changes were strong predictors of individual ratings of the effectiveness of the initiative and partially mediated the relationship between participation and effectiveness ratings. Some results supported a consistency framework; others did not. Based on these results, the authors suggest implications for research and practice regarding empowerment-oriented and other types of organizational change initiatives.
Electron gas in the quantum strong-magnetic field limit

The energy of an electron gas with Coulomb interactions is obtained for very low temperatures in a strong magnetic field. In this so called quantum strong magnetic field limit the grand partition function is evaluated first, from which the correct Fermi energy is obtained. It is found that a new parameter characterizes the system. The exchange and ring diagram contributions are determined as functions of the density and the magnetic field through the new parameter. The results improve all the previous theories. The dielectric constant of the system is also determined as a function of the new parameter.
Four-wave mixing and two-dimensional phase conjugation of surface plasmons

Abstract Four-wave mixing and two-dimensional phase conjugation of surface plasmons at an interface between a mental and a non-linear dielectric medium is considered. Equations describing degenerate four-wave mixing are given, which are similar in form to the equations for optical four-wave mixing of plane waves. The effectiveness of the nonlinear polarization, which has a different vectorial structure and a different spatial intensity distribution from those of generated surface plasmon wave, is estimated by consideration of energy balance. Numerical estimates are made for the ruby laser frequency and silver-CS2 interface.
Infectivity of Heterakis gallinae eggs with Histomonas meleagridis.

Abstract 1. 1. In tests herein reported, fewer than one of every 200 embryonated eggs of the cecal worm, Heterakis gallinae, were found to contain the blackhead parasite, Histomonas meleagridis. This was determined by orally administering to chickens 6 weeks of age known numbers of cecal worm eggs which had been embryonated under laboratory conditions. 2. 2. The observed rate of infectivity of the cecal worm eggs as regards Histomonas was approximately the same in eggs recovered from a succeeding generation of the worms, as determined by inoculation of susceptible birds with such eggs. 3. 3. The number of Heterakis eggs containing Histomonas was not the same for all cecal worms. More than half of the worms contained no eggs with Histomonas, and worms which did contain such eggs averaged only two each. 4. 4. These tests were conducted with a naturally-occuring, nonpathogenic strain of Histomonas. The situations herein described are not necessarily entirely comparable to those which exist with pathogenic strains.
G-protein-coupled receptor GPR21 knockout mice display improved glucose tolerance and increased insulin response

GPR21 is an orphan G-protein-coupled receptor. We found that mice deficient for the GPR21 gene were resistant to diet-induced obesity. Knockout mice were leaner than their wildtype counterpart, despite that no difference was observed in food intake. No differences were observed in the respiratory exchange rate and thermogenesis. However, knockout mice were more active than wildtype littermates, and this level of activity may be an underlying reason for the difference in energy balance. Mutant mice were more sensitive to insulin than their wildtype control and showed an improved glucose tolerance. Several inflammatory markers MCP-1, CRP and IP-10 were decreased in mutant animals, suggesting that GPR21 may also mediate its effect through anti-inflammatory mechanisms. We found that GPR21 is widely expressed in all tissues, with the highest levels found in the brain and in the spleen. Overall, these findings suggest that GPR21 may play an important role in regulating body weight and glucose metabolism.
Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci for the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) and cross-amplification in other species of Gopherus

All members of the tortoise genus Gopherus have some degree of conservation concern. We report on the development of thirty-two new microsatellite loci for gopher tortoise, which were tested on 31 individuals from Ft. Benning, Georgia, USA. These loci possessed an average number of 5.09 alleles, an average observed heterozygosity of 0.574 and an average expected heterozygosity of 0.589. We also tested these loci in three congeners: Gopherus morafkai, Gopherus flavomarginatus and Gopherus berlandieri. The new microsatellite loci should prove useful in conservation efforts of Gopherus polyphemus and other Gopherus species.
Origin of the Mn2+ e.p.r. spectrum in Pittsburgh No. 8 bituminous coal

Abstract The e.p.r. and i.r. spectra of hand-picked samples of calcite from Pittsburgh No. 8 coal, show that it contains the Mn 2+ paramagnetic ion and clay minerals as impurities. Furthermore, comparison of the e.p.r. spectra of hand-picked and natural calcite shows that the Mn 2+ spectrum in this coal originates from calcite, which when diluted in KBr or coal produces a spectrum similar to that reported by other investigators. The results obtained when coal-derived calcite was treated with dilute H 2 SO 4 and HCI rules out the possibility that the Mn 2+ originates from the pyrite or clays present in the coal.
Growth of filamentous fungi in a surface-sealed woody substratum buried in salt-marsh sediments

Balsa wood panels were sealed to prevent oxygen diffusion from aerobic zones and buried in a North Carolina salt marsh to determine whether filamentous fungi could invade them despite the resulting anoxia. Results were similar to those of a previous study which had employed unsealed panels and suggest that fungi involved either are facultative microaerophiles or capable of translocating sufficient oxygen through their hyphae to permit growth into oxygen-deficient soil strata.
Rhythmicity and motor skill.

Noting lack of synchrony in the movement of retarded and learning disabled children led to the development of four tests requiring subjects to tap their hands in concert with a metronome. In this study the scores that 175 of these children made on the rhythmic tests were factor analyzed to obtain factor scoring coefficients; the latter were then used alone and with age in the regression analyses to predict performance on two fine and eight gross motor tasks. The proportions of total variance accounted for by the independent variables ranged from (a) .09 to .31 when the rhythmic factor-scoring coefficients were used alone and (b) .15 to .36 when age was included with the rhythmic factor-scoring coefficients.
Activities of some biotin enzymes and certain aspects of gluconeogenesis during biotin deficiency

Abstract 1. 1. The activities of hepatic pyruvate carboxylase, propionyl CoA carboxylase and rat adipose tissue acetyl CoA carboxylase are decreased to a minimum level within 3 weeks of biotin deprivation in chicks and rats. Liver acetyl CoA carboxylase is not so markedly affected. 2. 2. In the deficient animals, the activities of biotin enzymes appear to be restored at the same rate following biotin administration to such animals. 3. 3. The reduction in gluconeogenesis during biotin deficiency is initiated by a decrease in pyruvate carboxylase activity and subsequently enhanced by the shortage of reducing equivalents in the cytosol.
Electrochemical examination of electrostatic attraction of cations and the ejection of anions by polyanionic electrode coatings stable in non-aqueous solvents

Abstract The polyanionic block copolymer of Eastman Kodak, AQ 55, was examined for its ability to incorporate and retain electroactive counterions in both aqueous and non-aqueous (acetonitrile) solutions. The coatings exhibited substantial cation permselectivity: chloride anions were prevented from reaching the underlying electrode to be oxidized but could be oxidized via electron-transfer to Ru(phen)33+ (phen=9,10-phenanthroline) cations generated from Ru(phen)32+ counterions incorporated in the coating of AQ 55. Ru(pdon)32+ (pdon=9,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione) counterions incorporated in coatings of AQ 55 and reduced in acetonitrile to anionic complexes are lost from the coatings much more rapidly than is the original cationic complex.
Lepton Number Nonconservation in $E(6)$ Superstring Models

Abstract Lepton-number nonconservation is shown to be correlated with the mixing between the e, μ, τ, leptons and new heavy fermions of charge −1, as well as with the mixing between the d, s, b quarks and new heavy fermions of charge − 1 3 , all belonging to the 27 supermultiplets of E 6 as inspired by superstring theory. Various phenomenological implications are discussed.
Application of SISO and MIMO Modal Analysis Techniques on a Membrane Mirror Satellite

The future of space satellite technology lies in the development of ultra-large, ultra-lightweight space structures orders of magnitude greater in size than current satellite technology. Such large craft will increase current communication and imaging capabilities from orbit. To get ultra-large structures in space, they will have to be stored within the Space Shuttle cargo bay and then inflated on-orbit. However, the highly flexible and pressurized nature of these ultra-large spacecraft poses several daunting vibration and control problems. Disturbances (i.e. on-orbit maneuvering, guidance and attitude control, and the harsh environment of space) wreck havoc with the on-orbit stability, pointing accuracy, and surface resolution capability of the inflated satellite. However, recent advances in integrated smart material systems promise to provide solutions to these problems. Recent research into the use of Macro-Fiber Composite (MFC®) devices integrated into the dynamic measurement and vibration control of inflated structures has had promising results. These piezoelectric-based devices possess a superior electromechanical coupling coefficient making them superb sensors and actuators in dynamic analysis applications. Initially, research was performed on an inflated torus using single-input, single-output (SISO) testing techniques. Since then, steps have been taken to outline a new, multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) testing technique for these ultralarge structures. Based on the matrix formulation and postprocessing techniques recently developed, the current work applies these results to an inflated torus with bonded membrane mirror to extract modal parameters, such as the damped natural frequencies, associated damping, and mode shapes within the frequency bandwidth of interest for these structures (5 – 200 Hz). MIMO modal testing techniques are ideal for large, inflated structure applications. The nature of the structure requires the use of multiple sensors and actuators for worthwhile dynamic analysis and control. Therefore, in the future, the results of this work will form the premise for an autonomous, self-contained system that can both identify the vibratory characteristics of an ultra-large, inflated space craft and apply an appropriate control algorithm to suppress any unwanted vibration—all while on-orbit.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
A hard X-ray experiment for long-duration balloon flights

Abstract The Naval Research Lab has developed a balloon-borne hard X-ray experiment which is designed for 60- to 90-day flight durations soon to be available with around the world Sky Anchor or RACOON balloon flights. The experiment's scintillation detector is sensitive to the 15 – 250 keV X-ray energy range. The experiment includes three microcomputer systems which control the data acquisition and provide the orientation and navigation information required for global balloon flights. The data system supports global data communications utilizing the GOES satellite as well as high bit rate communications through L-band li line-of-site transmissions
Adrènal medulla grafts survice and exhibit catecholamine-specific fluorescence in the primate brain

Abstract Parkinson's disease most consistently involves pathologic changes in the substantia nigra, which is the major source of dopamine to the striatum. It has been shown that either fetal substantia nigra or adrenal medulla tissue implanted into the rat brain survives, produces dopamine, and improves behavioral abnormalities induced by deprivation of the caudate nucleus of its dopaminergic innervation. Thus, catecholaminecontaining grafts could be potential replacements for destroyed or damaged dopaminergic neurons in patients with Parkinson's disease. To explore the potential of this therapeutic approach, fetal substantia nigra or host adrenal medulla were grafted to the denervated caudate nucleus of the rhesus monkey. Under the specific conditions of our experiment, fetal substantia nigra did not survive in either of two animals tested. On the other hand, some tissue from adrenal medulla grafts survived in all four animals tested. These grafted cells contained catecholamines, as indicated by the presence of specific glyoxylic acid-induced catecholamine fluorescence. In two of the four animals, however, the grafts contained fewer than 10 surviving cells, and in the other two animals, about 190 and 300 cells were found, respectively. Despite the small numbers of cells, this is the first demonstration that peripheral tissue autografts can survive implantation into the nonhuman primate central nervous system.