cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Civil Engineers and Future Environmental Policies

The nation has achieved substantial progress over the past 30 years in improving environmental conditions throughout the United States. Civil engineers have played leadership roles in achieving this progress. Today, there is considerable discussion about the direction and means of achieving further environmental protection. Civil engineers have both an obligation and a right to participate in these discussions. But obligations and rights will not ensure that engineers exert leadership and a positive influence on these key policy discussions. The profession must take a close look at how it can most effectively participate in the policy debates that will shape the future of environmental policy. This paper examines the roles that civil engineers can play in formulation of environmental policy. It suggests that civil engineers build on their strengths of design of the environment grounded in physical science, by analyzing the entire environmental management system, thinking in terms of outcomes, and considering a broad range of alternatives. The paper suggests that civil engineers need to attend more closely to sustainable development and pollution prevention as substantive areas for engagement beyond the traditional design of waste treatment systems.
After Hurricane Floyd Passed: Investigating the Social Determinants of Disaster Preparedness and Recovery

In September 1999, Hurricane Floyd struck eastern North Carolina. Investigators from the health promotion study "Health Works for Women/Health Works in the Community" responded by initiating a focused research study, "Health Works After the Flood." Participatory research involving a multilevel design and qualitative methods was applied to investigate how community preparedness, response, and recovery are affected by social factors such as social capital, social cohesion, and collective efficacy. This article presents evidence from qualitative research conducted for "Health Works After the Flood" and links these findings to observations regarding current conceptualizations of social capital and related concepts.
Altered response to apomorphine in 6-hydroxydopamine-treated rats.

Intraventricular administration of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-HDA) alters the behavioral response of rats to subsequent injections of apomorphine. In addition, the ED50 for the modified response was one-half that of the ED50 for the response seen in vehicle-treated rats. Evidence is presented which suggests that the modified response is a consequence of stimulation of DA receptor that are more sensitive to apomorphine as a consequences of 6-HDA treatment.
Social subordination and scent-marking in male mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) readily attacks an unfamiliar gerbil intruding into its territory. After several attacks, subordinated intruders seldom scent-mark in the occupied area. This inhibition of scent-marking is a response to stimuli associated with the defended territory, since subordinated males mark normally elsewhere. Previous research suggested that olfactory cues were primarily responsible, but data presented here do not support this. Subordinated males scent-marked as often as controls in a neutral arena contaminated with the dominant animals' bedding odours. Moreover, subordinate males seldom scent-marked in an area resembling the defended territory, even though defeat-related odours were absent. Repeated exposure without attack to the visually similar, but clean, test area did not enhance marking in subordinated males.
The Swimming of Dolphins

DOLPHINS in the Gulf of Panama have been seen moving through the sea at a speed of ten knots, their entire bodies showing no apparent swimming motion. This performance was confined, in my observations, to the area immediately forward of the stem (prow) of a sea-going tug and to an estimated depth of one metre or less. Elsewhere near the bow, vertical oscillations of dolphins' tails were readily timed with a stop watch.
Human marrow stromal cell treatment provides long-lasting benefit after traumatic brain injury in rats.

Objective This study was designed to investigate the effects of human bone marrow stromal cell (hMSC) administration in rats for three months after traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Flipping the Biostatistics Classroom, With a Twist

For ecology faculty members not directly involved in pedagogical research, it can be daunting to decide among the many new tools and approaches available to improve teaching and learning. Problem-based learning (Edens 2000), blended learning (Garrison and Kanuka 2004), case-based teaching (Herreid et al. 2011), active learning (Bean 2011), MOOCs (Daniel 2012), and flipping the classroom (Bergmann and Sams 2008, Bergmann and Sams 2012, Fulton 2012, Tucker 2012, Bishop and Verleger 2013, Herreid and Schiller 2013) are just a few of the new methods being evaluated and implemented in educational theory and practice. Flipping the classroom is the process of moving traditional lecture content teaching to videos watched by students outside the class, while simultaneously moving activities such as homework and group projects into the classroom (Bergmann and Sams 2008, 2012). At our university, replacement of traditional introductory biology lectures with recorded “talking head” videos in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s was an abysmal failure, one that damaged the reputation of our department long after the practice was abandoned. How does “flipping the classroom” differ from this? In what context might it make sense to move content delivery outside the classroom, while moving homework and group exercises into the traditional lecture period?
Retrieval of Polar Stratospheric Cloud Microphysical Properties from Lidar Measurements: Dependence on Particle Shape Assumptions

A retrieval algorithm has been developed for the microphysical analysis of polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) optical data obtained using lidar instrumentation. The parameterization scheme of the PSC microphysical properties allows for coexistence of up to three different particle types with size-dependent shapes. The finite difference time domain (FDTD) method has been used to calculate optical properties of particles with maximum dimensions equal to or less than 2 mu m and with shapes that can be considered more representative of PSCs on the scale of individual crystals than the commonly assumed spheroids. Specifically. these are irregular and hexagonal crystals. Selection of the optical parameters that are input to the inversion algorithm is based on a potential data set such as that gathered by two of the lidars on board the NASA DC-8 during the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment 0 p (SAGE) Ozone Loss Validation experiment (SOLVE) campaign in winter 1999/2000: the Airborne Raman Ozone and Temperature Lidar (AROTEL) and the NASA Langley Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL). The 0 microphysical retrieval algorithm has been applied to study how particle shape assumptions affect the inversion of lidar data measured in leewave PSCs. The model simulations show that under the assumption of spheroidal particle shapes, PSC surface and volume density are systematically smaller than the FDTD-based values by, respectively, approximately 10-30% and approximately 5-23%.
Capital flows and net international investment

Abstract This paper analyzes the effect of stochastic terms of trade and commodity preferences on international capital flows and the net asset position of a country. Investors hold foreign assets if excess return from foreign bonds is positive. The demand for foreign assets to hedge against the unanticipated changes in terms of trade is an increasing function of expenditure on imports, if the product of relative risk tolerance and consumption expenditure elasticity of imports is less than the price elasticity of imports. The paper also shows that the net international investment in a country is a decreasing function of the excess return from foreign industry and the rate of change of the terms of trade but an increasing function of their variances, cross-price elasticity of domestic good, price elasticity and consumption expenditure elasticity of imports. An increase in the expenditure on imports may result in a decrease or increase in the net international investment depending on whether the product of relative risk tolerance and consumption expenditure elasticity of imports is less or greater than the price elasticity of imports. JEL: F36, G15.
Phreatophytes under stress: transpiration and stomatal conductance of saltcedar ( Tamarix spp.) in a high-salinity environment

We sought to understand the environmental constraints on an arid-zone riparian phreatophtye, saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima and related species and hybrids), growing over a brackish aquifer along the Colorado River in the western U.S. Depth to groundwater, meteorological factors, salinity and soil hydraulic properties were compared at stress and non-stressed sites that differed in salinity of the aquifer, soil properties and water use characteristics, to identify the factors depressing water use at the stress site. Saltcedar leaf-level transpiration (EL), LAI, and stomatal conductance (GS) were measured over a growing season (June–September) with Granier and stem heat balance sensors and were compared to those for saltcedar at the non-stress site determined in a previous study. Transpiration on a ground-area basis (EG) was calculated as EL × LAI. Environmental factors were regressed against hourly and daily EL and GS at each site to determine the main factors controlling water use at each site. At the stress site, mean EG over the summer was only 30 % of potential evapotranspiration (ETo). GS and EG peaked between 8 and 9 am then decreased over the daylight hours. Daytime GS was negatively correlated with vapor pressure deficit (VPD) (P < 0.05). By contrast, EG at the non-stress site tracked the daily radiation curve, was positively correlated with VPD and was nearly equal to ETo on a daily basis. Depth to groundwater increased over the growing season at both sites and resulted in decreasing EG but could not explain the difference between sites. Both sites had high soil moisture levels throughout the vadose zone with high calculated unsaturated conductivity. However, salinity in the aquifer and vadose zone was three times higher at the stress site than at the non-stress site and could explain differences in plant EG and GS. Salts accumulated in the vadose zone at both sites so usable water was confined to the saturated capillary fringe above the aquifer. Existence of a saline aquifer imposes several types of constraints on phreatophyte EG, which need to be considered in models of plant water uptake. The heterogeneous nature of saltcedar EG over river terraces introduces potential errors into estimates of ET by wide-area methods.
Impaired slow inactivation in mutant sodium channels

Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HyperPP) is a disorder in which current through Na+ channels causes a prolonged depolarization of skeletal muscle fibers, resulting in membrane inexcitability and muscle paralysis. Although HyperPP mutations can enhance persistent sodium currents, unaltered slow inactivation would effectively eliminate any sustained currents through the mutant channels. We now report that rat skeletal muscle channels containing the mutation T698M, which corresponds to the human T704M HyperPP mutation, recover very quickly from prolonged depolarizations. Even after holding at -20 mV for 20 min, approximately 25% of the maximal sodium current is available subsequent to a 10-ms hyperpolarization (-100 mV). Under the same conditions, recovery is less than 3% in wild-type channels and in the F1304Q mutant, which has impaired fast inactivation. This effect of the T698M mutation on slow inactivation, in combination with its effects on activation, is expected to result in persistent currents such as that seen in HyperPP muscle.
Analytical Conditions and Data for Cyclodextrin Induced Solid-Surface Room-Temperature Luminescence of Selected Compounds

Abstract α-Cyclodextrin-NaCl mixtures were studied as solid-surface substrates for inducing room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) and fluorescence (RTF). The optimum conditions for inducing room-temperature luminescence were investigated extensively for four model compounds. Experimental conditions such as solvent, drying temperature, and surface atmosphere of the sample had a significant effect on luminescence signals. Furthermore, the analytical aspects of cyclodextrin induced solid-surface room-temperature luminescence (CISS-RTL) such as spectral characteristics, linear dynamic range, reproducibility of signal, and limits of detection were obtained. This is the first report of analytical figures of merit for the solid-surface luminescence of organic compounds mixed with α-cyclodextrin-NaCl.
Characterization of simple and complex hepatitis C virus quasispecies by heteroduplex gel shift analysis: correlation with nucleotide sequencing.

In infected humans, hepatitis C virus (HCV) exists as a quasispecies typically characterized by multiple nucleotide substitutions within the second envelope gene hypervariable region 1 (HVR1). In the current study, we used heteroduplex gel shift analysis (GSA) of HVR1 sequences amplified directly from patients' sera to define two patterns of HCV quasispecies: (i) simple quasispecies, which gave a mostly homogeneous gel shift profile with a single predominant band and (ii) complex quasispecies, which gave a gel shift profile with multiple bands. Recombinant HVR1 libraries were generated from two patients with complex HCV quasispecies (cases 1 and 2) and two patients with simple HCV quasispecies (cases 3 and 4), and 129 individual clones were analysed by either GSA, nucleotide sequencing or both techniques. In case 1 we identified a highly complex HCV quasispecies with 11 distinct HVR1 variants differing by 1–51 nucleotide changes. We found a general but not absolute correlation between GSA pattern and the number or position of nucleotide changes within HVR1. In case 2, the complex HCV quasispecies consisted of three distinct major variants; GSA of individual HVR1 clones allowed us to reconstruct the complex quasispecies pattern in vitro. In case 3, the simple quasispecies comprised 66% homogeneous clones and 33% unique minor variants differing by 1–3 nucleotides from the consensus sequence. In case 4, the simple quasispecies was 84% homogeneous, but six unique major shift variants were identified among 31 clones by GSA. In summary, HCV quasispecies can be characterized based on GSA profiles following direct PCR amplification of HVR1 sequences from patients' serum; the GSA profiles approximate the clonal population of HCV as determined by clonal analysis. GSA of HVR1 clones showed a strong correlation with nucleotide sequencing.
III-Nitride high temperature single-photon sources

Nitride based GaN and InGaN quantum dots are excellent single-photon emitters at high temperature owing to their wide bandgap and large exciton binding energy [1-5]. In this work, two different molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) grown nanostructures have been investigated for single-photon emission: InGaN/GaN disk-in-nanowire and InGaN/GaN self-organized quantum dot. Single-photon emission under both optical and electrical excitation has been observed from a single InGaN quantum contained in a GaN nanowire p-n junction. We demonstrate electrically driven single-photon emission, with a g (2) (0) = 0.35, from a single InGaN quantum dot emitting in the green spectral range (λ=520 nm) up to 125 K. Additionally, a self-organized InGaN/GaN single quantum dot diode was grown and fabricated. Emission from a single quantum dot (λ=620 nm) shows single-photon emission with g (2) (0) = 0.29 at room temperature. On-demand single-photon emission by electrical pumping of the quantum dot at an excitation repetition rate of 200 MHz was demonstrated.
Synergy of Ethanol and a Natural Soporific—Gamma Hydroxybutyrate

γ-Hydroxybutyrate and ethanol, as well as γ-butyrolactone and ethanol are potentiative with respect to duration of loss of the righting reflex (sleep time). The concentration of ethanol in the liver decreases from 30 to 90 minutes after rats are injected with ethanol, but there is no change when ethanol is injected with γ-butyrolactone. In view of the fact that γ-hydroxybutyrate is a natural intermediate in brain, the effects of ethanol on the central nervous system may be mediated through its interaction with γ-butyrolactone.
Adjusted variables:an important tool for teaching regression in the applications curricula

The use of graphical methods in the classroom can enhance the learning of multiple regression analysis. The technique of adjusted variables is presented as a method by which the effects of multicollinearity and of variable selection can be displayed so that students in the applications curricula can understand some of the subtleties of regression modelling.
Robust Real-Time 3D Object Tracking with Interfering Background Visual Projections

This paper presents a robust real-time object tracking system for human computer interaction in mediated environments with interfering visual projection in the background. Two major contributions are made in our research to achieve robust object tracking. A reliable outlier rejection algorithm is developed using the epipolar and homography constraints to remove false candidates caused by interfering background projections and mismatches between cameras. To reliably integrate multiple estimates of the 3D object positions, an efficient fusion algorithm based on mean shift is used. This fusion algorithm can also reduce tracking errors caused by partial occlusion of the object in some of the camera views. Experimental results obtained in real life scenarios demonstrate that the proposed system is able to achieve decent 3D object tracking performance in the presence of interfering background visual projection.
Biological and Social Determinants of Responsiveness to Infants in 10-to-15-Year-Old Girls.

Subjects filled out questionnaires and were individually observed interacting with an 8-to-12-month-old infant in a waiting room. Hidden observers recorded the frequency of ignoring, responsiveness to infant bids, and of social bids to the infant. Analyses revealed that older girls ignored more, made fewer bids, and responded less than younger girls did. However, chronological age was highly correlated with measures of biological and social maturity. Multiple regression analyses were used to determine which of these factors best predicted the developmental decline in baby responsiveness. Multiple regressions showed that social maturity was the best predictor of the number of bids to the infant, followed by the development of secondary sex characteristics and menarcheal status (R=.44). Social maturity, babysitting experience, and menarcheal status were the significant predictors of ignoring (R=.48), while menarcheal status, development of secondary sex characteristics, and babysitting experience predicted responsiveness (R=.49). Possible reasons for the decreased interest in infants are discussed, as are the implications for research using baby responsiveness as a measure of sex-role-related changes in adolescence.
TU‐G‐141‐03: An On‐Board 4D‐CBCT Reconstruction Technique Using Limited‐Angle Projections Based On Motion Modeling and Free‐Form Deformation (MM‐FD)

Purpose: To develop an on‐board 4D‐CBCT(OB‐4D‐CBCT) reconstruction technique using prior information and limited‐angle projections for 4D inter/intra‐fractional target verificationMethods: The OB‐4D‐CBCT at each phase is considered as a deformation of planning 4D‐CT at one selected phase (prior image). The MM‐FD technique solves the deformation field maps(DFMs) with a two‐step approach: 1. MM: a principal component analysis‐based method is applied to the planning 4D‐CT to extract a motion model. Coarse estimation of DFMs are obtained by optimizing motion model parameters to meet data‐fidelity constraint for limited‐angle on‐board projections. 2. FD: the coarse DFMs are further fine‐tuned by free‐form deformation based on data‐fidelity constraint and deformation‐energy minimization, using constrained‐optimization algorithm ASD‐POCS. OB‐4D‐CBCT is then reconstructed by deforming prior volume based on final DFMs. The 4D Digital Extended‐cardiac‐torso(XCAT) Phantom was used to evaluate MM‐FD. A lung patient with 3‐cm diameter lesion was simulated to have various anatomical and respirational changes from 4D‐CT to OB‐4D‐CBCT including respiration amplitude change, lesion size change, lesion average‐position change, and phase shift between lesion and body respiratory cycle. The lesions were contoured in both the reconstructed and ‘ground‐truth’ OB‐4D‐CBCT for comparison. 3D volume percentage‐difference (VD) and center‐of‐mass shifts(COMS) were calculated for evaluation. The MM‐FD technique was compared with MM‐only and FD‐only techniques. Results: For all patient scenarios, the mean original VD/COMS between prior volume and true OB‐4D‐CBCT were 137.65%/15.5mm. Using orthogonal‐15‐degree scan angle, the mean VD/COMS between reconstructed and true OB‐4D‐CBCT for MM‐only, FD‐only and MM‐FD techniques were 64.67%/4.9mm, 98.80%/12.1mm and 20.90%/1.3mm, respectively. For orthogonal‐30‐degree scan angle, the corresponding results were 63.87%/4.9mm, 79.92%/9.9mm and 15.23%/0.5mm. For single‐view 30‐and 60‐degree projections, the mean VD/COMS for MM‐FD technique were 32.67%/2.9mm and 19.67%/1.1mm, respectively. Conclusion: The MM‐FD technique substantially improves the reconstruction accuracy for OB‐4D‐CBCT using limited‐angle projections. It can potentially improve the inter/intra‐fractional 4D‐localization accuracy for lung SBRT. Research partially supported by grant from Varian Medical Systems
Improved analysis of C26:0-lysophosphatidylcholine in dried-blood spots via negative ion mode HPLC-ESI-MS/MS for X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy newborn screening

Abstract Background X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is the most common human peroxisomal disorder, and is caused by mutations in the peroxisomal transmembrane ALD protein (ALDP, ABCD1). The biochemical defect associated with X-ALD is an accumulation of very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA, e.g. C24:0 and C26:0), which has been shown to result in the accumulation of C26:0-lysophosphatidylcholine (C26:0-LPC). Methods We describe the analysis of C26:0-LPC in dried-blood spots (DBS) using a rapid (30 min) and simple extraction procedure, isocratic HPLC resolution of LPC, and structure-specific analysis via negative ion mode tandem mass spectrometry. Results In putative normal DBS specimens from newborns (N = 223) C26:0-LPC was 0.09 ± 0.03 μmol/l whole blood, while in peroxisomal biogenesis disorder (including X-ALD) patients (N = 28) C26:0-LPC was 1.13 ± 0.67 μmol/l whole blood. Both multiple reaction monitoring and a neutral loss scan (225.1 Da) analysis of DBS were used to analyze LPC. Conclusions Compared to a previous report of C26:0-LPC analysis in DBS, the method described here is simpler, faster, and more structure-specific for LPC with C26:0 acyl chains.
Shears mechanism and particle-vibration coupling

The shears mechanism, underlying the rotational-like behavior observed in the $M1$ bands in neutron-deficient Pb isotopes, is interpreted as a consequence of a residual interaction between the proton and neutron blades. By deriving the angle \ensuremath{\theta} between the proton and neutron spin vectors ${j}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}$ and ${j}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}$ in the ${}^{198,199}\mathrm{Pb}$ bands, it is shown that the main ingredient of this effective force can be described by a ${P}_{2}(\ensuremath{\theta})$ term with a strength of 400--600 keV. Such an interaction can be mediated through the core by particle-vibration coupling, and qualitative agreement with experimental estimates may indicate the possible role of this coupling in the appearance of shears bands.
Making dynamic modeling effective in economics

Abstract Mathematics has been extremely effective in physics, but not in economics beyond finance. To establish economics as science we should follow the Galilean method and try to deduce mathematical models of markets from empirical data, as has been done for financial markets. Financial markets are nonstationary. This means that ‘value’ is subjective. Nonstationarity also means that the form of the noise in a market cannot be postulated a priori, but must be deduced from the empirical data. I discuss the essence of complexity in a market as unexpected events, and end with a biologically motivated speculation about market growth.
Positive and negative consequences of soluble Fas ligand produced by an antigen-specific CD4(+) T cell response in human carcinoma immune interactions.

Abstract The influence of a human CD4 + T cell response in anti-carcinoma immune reactions remains largely uncharacterized. Here, we made use of a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class-II-restricted, anti- ras oncogene-specific CD4 + T cell line produced previously in vivo from a patient with metastatic carcinoma in a peptide-based phase I trial. Using this patient-derived T cell line as a potentially relevant cell type, we examined the consequences of the anti-carcinoma CD4 + T cell response, with emphasis on specific lymphokines potentially important for the regulation of Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) interactions. Antigen (Ag)-specific CD4 + T cells produced substantial amounts of IFN-γ following recognition of MHC class-II-matched Ag-presenting cells expressing the cognate peptide. The IFN-γ promoted significant upregulation of Fas on the surface of colon carcinoma cells and sensitized these targets to Fas-mediated apoptosis and Ag-specific CD8 + cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated lysis involving a Fas-based effector mechanism. Moreover, Ag-stimulated CD4 + T cells secreted soluble FasL (sFasL), which induced the death of TNF-resistant/refractory colon, breast, and ovarian carcinoma cells. Interestingly, although CD4 + -derived sFasL expressed cytotoxic activity, the recovery of carcinoma cells which resisted Fas-mediated lysis displayed enhanced metastatic ability in vivo , compared with the unselected parental population, in an athymic mouse model. Thus, a tumor-specific CD4 + T cell response may have both positive and negative consequences in human carcinoma via the production of proinflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ and/or sFasL that may (1) improve or facilitate CTL–target engagement, contact-independent effector mechanisms, and the overall lytic outcome and (2) potentially select for Fas-resistant tumor cells that escape immune destruction, which may thus impact the metastatic process.
Neutron irradiation-induced intergranular solute segregation in iron base alloys

The effect of neutron irradiation (9.4 × 1022 n/m2 at 395°C) on solute segregation to grain or interfacial boundaries in several iron base alloys doped with P, Cu and/or C has been investigated using scanning Auger microscopy. It was found by fracture surface Auger analyses that while neutron irradiation enhanced intergranular segregation of S in a Cu-doped alloy with the absence of P segregation, it mitigated S segregation and promoted P segregation in P containing alloys. The quantity of segregated P was much greater for the irradiated alloys than for the thermally 1000 h aged alloys. The P-doped alloy showed a stronger effect of neutron irradiation on the enrichment of P segregation than the P-Cu-doped and P-C-doped alloys. Argon sputtering experiments indicated that the segregation profiles for S and P were more broadly and narrowly distributed during irradiation, respectively. A remarkable transition of the P segregation profile was observed near the interface of particles lying along grain boundaries where S was preferentially segregated because of the competitive segregation between S and P. The mechanism for neutron irradiation-induced solute segregation is discussed in light of inverse Kirkendall effects and the formation of defect-solute complexes arising from the dynamic interaction between solute and defect fluxes. The relationship of intergranular solute segregation to embrittlement is presented.
Accountants' Perceptions of the Effectiveness of Mandatory Continuing Professional Education

Abstract All states in the USA have adopted mandatory continuing professional education (CPE) for accountants. This paper examines whether accountants perceive the mandatory CPE program in North Carolina to be effective. While there may be disagreement about what makes a program effective, if the participants do not view the program as being effective, they are less likely to actively participate in the program (for example, by not choosing challenging courses or by not fully paying attention in class). A survey of 1,957 North Carolina Certified Public Accountants showed that mandatory CPE was effective for most practitioners but that there were many barriers that prevented it from being fully effective. By reducing these barriers, the CPE program could be made even more effective.
The use of oscillation on PSD-based instruments for X-ray measurement of residual stress

Measurements of surface residual stress by X-ray diffraction can be accomplished very rapidly using a position-sensitive detector (PSD) to record the diffraction profile. It is shown that when the sample and detector are fixed during data accumulation, the profile shape may be distorted by large grain size or preferred orientation, which results in substantial error in the calculation of residual stress. Sample oscillation decreases the sensitivity of the PSD system to such microstructural variables in many cases. Instruments employing a PSD to measure surface residual stress should be designed with the capability of oscillating either the sample or the measuring head (X-ray tube and detector).
GROWTH CONTROL OF DIFFERENTIATED FETAL RAT HEPATOCYTES IN PRIMARY MONOLAYER CULTURE V. Occurrence in Dialyzed Fetal Bovine Serum of Macromolecules Having Both Positive and Negative Growth Regulatory Functions

Dialyzed fetal bovine serum contains two distinct growth-controlling macromolecular fractions: one stimulates and the other inhibits proliferation of primary cultured differentiated fetal rat hepatocytes. Both fractions are precipitated by ammonium sulfate (50% saturation, pH 7.4, 4°C). Serum fraction I (SFI, mol wt > 120,000 daltons estimated by gel filtration with Bio-gel P200) appears to contain at least two factors which function, respectively, to initiate DNA synthesis (activity pH 4-10 stable) and to increase the rate at which initiated cells traverse the cell cycle (activity pH 4 and pH 10 labile). Intraperitoneai injections of SFI into adult rats have produced detectable stimulation of hepatic but not renal DNA synthesis. Serum fraction II (SFII, mol wt 40,000-80,000 daltons) suppressesin vitro incorporation of CHs-[SH]thymidine into DNA under conditions which diminish neither cell viability nor cell attachment. Mixing experiments indicate that SFI and SFII mutually antagonize each other with respect to DNA synthesis and cell multiplication. Thus, both the relative and absolute serum levels of multiple factors control in vitro fetal hepatocyte proliferation.
Valley formation on martian volcanoes in the Hesperian: Evidence for melting of summit snowpack, caldera lake formation, drainage and erosion on Ceraunius Tholus

Ceraunius Tholus, a Hesperian-aged volcano in the Tharsis region, is characterized by small radial valleys on its flanks, and several larger valleys originating near its summit caldera. All of these large valleys drain from near the lowest present portion of the caldera rim and down the flanks of the volcano. The largest valley debauches into Rahe Crater (an oblique impact crater), forming a depositional fan. Recent study of climate change on Mars suggests that many low-latitude regions (especially large volcanic edifices) were periodically the sites of snow accumulation, likely triggered by variations in spin orbital parameters. We apply a conductive heat flow model to Ceraunius Tholus that suggests that following magmatic intrusion, sufficient heating would be available to cause basal melting of any accumulated summit snowpack and produce sufficient meltwater to cause the radial valleys. The geometry of the volcano summit caldera suggests that meltwater would also accumulate in a volumetrically significant caldera lake. Analysis of the morphology and volumes of the largest valley, as well as depositional features at its base, suggest that fluvial erosion due to drainage of this summit caldera lake formed the large valleys, in a manner analogous to how valleys were formed catastrophically from a lake in Aniakchak caldera in Alaska. Moreover, the event which carved the largest valley on Ceraunius Tholus appears to have led to the formation of a temporary lake within Rahe Crater, at its base. The more abundant, small valleys on the flanks are interpreted to form by radial drainage of melted ice or snow from the outside of the caldera rim. Comparison of Ceraunius Tholus with the volcano-capping Icelandic ice sheet Myrdalsjokull provides insight into the detailed mechanisms of summit heating, ice-cap accumulation and melting, and meltwater drainage. These observations further underline the importance of a combination of circumstances (i.e., climate change to produce summit snowpack and an active period of magmatism to produce melting) to form the valley systems on some martian volcanoes and not on others.
A splice variant of estrogen receptor β missing exon 3 displays altered subnuclear localization and capacity for transcriptional activation

There are two separate estrogen receptors (ERs), ERalpha and ERbeta. The ERbeta gene is variably spliced, and in some cases variant expression is high. Besides the full-length ERbeta (equivalent to ERbeta1), splice variants can encode proteins bearing an insert within the ligand-binding domain (beta2), a deletion of exon 3 (ERbeta1delta3) disrupting the DNA-binding domain, or both (ERbeta2delta3). Here we examine the intracellular localization and transcriptional properties of each of the ERbeta splice variants heterologously expressed in cultured cells. In accordance with ERalpha, ERbeta1 and ERbeta2 are both distributed in a reticular pattern within the nucleus after exposure to ligand. In contrast, ERbeta1delta3 and ERbeta2delta3 localize to discrete spots within the nucleus in the presence of ER agonists. In the presence of ER antagonists, the delta3 variants are distributed diffusely within the nucleus. We also show that the spots are stable nuclear structures to which the delta3 variants localize in a ligand-dependent manner. Coactivator proteins of ER colocalize with delta3 variants in the spots in the presence of agonists. The delta3 variants of ERbeta can activate luciferase reporter constructs containing an activator protein complex-1 site, but not an estrogen response element (ERE). These data suggest that without an intact DNA-binding domain, ERbeta is functionally altered, allowing localization to discrete nuclear spots and activation from activator protein-1-containing reporter genes.
Polymeric Nanocomposites: A Review

Abstract A significant amount of industrial and governmental research has been and today is being conducted on nanocomposites. The most popular polymers for research and development of nanocomposites are polyamides, polypropylene, polyethylene, styrenics, vinyls, polycarbonates, epoxies, acrylics, polybutylene terephthalate, and polyurethanes as well as a variety of miscellaneous engineering resins. The most common filler is montmorillonite clay; these nanoclays are unique since they have a platy structure with a unit thickness of one nanometer or less and an aspect ratio in the 1000:1 range. Unusually low loading levels are required for property improvement. Expected benefits from nanocomposites include improvement in modulus, flexural strength, heat distortion temperature, barrier properties, and other benefits and, unlike typical mineral reinforced systems, they are without the conventional trade-offs in impact and clarity.
Redox Chemistry of Actinide Ions in Wells−Dawson Heteropolyoxoanion Complexes

The redox behavior has been characterized for several actinide (An) complexes with the monovacant Wells-Dawson anion, of the form [An{sup n+}({alpha}-2-P{sub 2}W{sub 17}O{sub 61}){sub 2}]{sup n-20} (An = Th{sup 4+}, U{sup 4+}, Np{sup 4+}, Pu{sup 4+}, and Am{sup 3+}). Two complexes, with An = U{sup 4+} and Am{sup 3+}, show redox activity under oxidizing conditions, which is attributed to the actinide oxidation. Am{sup 3+} is oxidized to Am{sup 4+} with an E{sub 1/2} = +1.21{+-}0.01 V, and U{sup 4+} oxidizes to U{sup 5+} with a measured E{sub 1/2} = +0.55{+-}0.01 V vs. Ag/AgCl. Although the cyclic voltammetry (CV) data are consistent with a reversible redox couple, bulk oxidative electrolysis of [U{sup 4+}({alpha}-2-P{sub 2}W{sub 17}O{sub 61}){sub 2}]{sup 16-} results in the decomposition of this complex to produce uranyl acetate and the free monovacant Wells-Dawson anion. In contrast, all of the CV data from the actinide coordination complexes differ from equivalent data obtained from the [{alpha}-2-P{sub 2}W{sub 17}O{sub 61}]{sup 10-} ligand itself. There are two complexed An{sup 4+} ions, Np and Pu, that undergo reduction over the same potential range as the ligands themselves. In situ X-ray spectroelectrochemistry is used to quantify the actinide response. The Np{sup 4+}/Np{sup 3+} redox behavior ismore » a classically single ion process, with a formal potential of -0.84{+-}0.01 V that was determined from a Nernst plot of X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) data. The Pu{sup 4+}/Pu{sup 3+} formal reduction potential in the complex [Pu({alpha}-2-P{sub 2}W{sub 17}O{sub 61}){sub 2}]{sup n-} was determined to be -0.17{+-}0.01 V using the same methodology. However, in this latter case, the slope of the Nernst plot indicates that 0.72{+-}0.03 electrons are involved in the reduction. This is a significant deviation from the 1 electron expected for the Pu couple, and is discussed in terms of the concomitant reduction of the P-W-O framework of the Wells-Dawson anion.« less
Detection of ventricular fibrillation from multiple sensors

Ventricular fibrillation is a potentially fatal medical condition in which the flow of blood through the body is terminated due to the lack of an organized electric potential in the heart. Automatic implantable defibrillators are becoming common as a means for helping patients confronted with repeated episodes of ventricular fibrillation. Defibrillators must first accurately detect ventricular fibrillation and then provide an electric shock to the heart to allow a normal sinus rhythm to resume. The detection of ventricular fibrillation by using an array of multiple sensors to distinguish between signals recorded from single (normal sinus rhythm) or multiple (ventricular fibrillation) sources is presented. An idealistic model is presented and the analysis of data generated by this model suggests that the method is promising as a method for accurately and quickly detecting ventricular fibrillation from signals recorded from sensors placed on the epicardium.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Resistance to Root Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne hapla Chitwood) in Carrot Is Controlled by Two Recessive Genes

Journal of Heredity 199637:119-123; 0022-1503/96/$5.00 Carrot is highly susceptible to attack by the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne hapla Chitwood), and severe yield reductions occur each year as a result of nematode infection. Despite the Importance of this pest, there is at present conflicting evidence regarding the inheritance of resistance to the root-knot nematode. The objective of this work was investigation of the Inheritance of resistance to the rootknot nematode in adapted Inbred lines of processing carrot. Two resistant inbred lines (R1 and R2) and one susceptible inbred line (S1) were Identified via greenhouse screening tests In the presence of nematode infection. Seedlings of three parental genotypes, six F, populations including three reciprocal crosses, two BC, populations, and.three F2 populations were evaluated for their resistance and susceptibility to infestation of M. hapla Chitwood based on gall number, gall rating, and root rating in a greenhouse experiment. All six F, populations were susceptible, which Indicated a lack of dominance for resistance. The R1 x S1 cross-segregated 57 susceptible:23 resistant in the F2, 1 susceptible:1 resistant in the BC,R1, and did not segregate in the BC,S1. The R1 x R2 cross yield 44 susceptible:36 resistant seedlings In the F3 (R1R2), and 48 susceptible:32 resistant in the F2 of reciprocal cross, both of which closely fit a 9:7 ratio. These results Indicate two different homozygous recessive genes condition root-knot nematode resistance. We propose a model of duplicate recessive epistasis explains the reactions of host plant and nematode in these crosses.
The Turkish Turn in Contemporary German Literature and Memory Work

(2002). The Turkish Turn in Contemporary German Literature and Memory Work. The Germanic Review: Literature, Culture, Theory: Vol. 77, No. 4, pp. 326-338.
Water-soluble phosphates in horse granulocytes and lymphocytes.

Abstract 1. 1. A study was made of the water-soluble phosphate compounds of combined leukocytes and purified lymphocytes and garnulocytes from fresh horse blood collected in heparin. 2. 2. The lymphocytes and granulocytes were each isolated in large quantities and high purity, after centrifugal separation from erythrocytes and platelets, by using columns of special glass beads. 3. 3. The phosphate compounds, which include nucleotides and glucolytic intermediates, were isolated from trichloroacetic acid extracts of the cells by chromatographic procedures in Dowex 1 (formate) columns and identified by a variety of chemical and enzymatic methods.
RESPONSE OF SPONTANEOUS UNITS IN CRAYFISH VENTRAL CORD TO DIRECT CURRENT.

Abstract 1. 1. The activity of single neurons in isolated abdominal cords of Procambarus clarki (Girard) has been studied. Evidence is presented that this activity is generated by mechanisms within the cord and frequently within individual neurons. The activity therefore may be called spontaneous. 2. 2. Such activity occurs in relatively few neurons, probably about forty ascending and twenty-four descending per pair of connectives. 3. 3. Most ascending units respond to d.c. stimulation of the cord only when current is applied to certain regions. These responses probably indicate the positions of pacemaker loci. About three-quarters of the units studied had such pacemaker loci in the caudal (sixth) ganglion. 4. 4. Variations in response of units to d.c. with changing geometry and strength of stimulating current suggest that in certain cases pacemaker loci may cover an extensive region (one to several connective-lengths) of the neuron.
Applications of a tunable CO(2) sideband laser for high-resolution spectroscopic measurements of atmospheric gases.

A microwave-tuned CO2 sideband laser system for high-resolution spectroscopic measurements is described. The system is capable of measuring, accurately and reliably, absorption line frequencies, line strengths, self-broadened Lorentz linewidths and line frequency shifts that are due to pressure in the midinfrared. Several transitions of NH3 are measured and the results are compared with the 1991 edition of the high-resolution transmission molecular absorption (HITRAN) database.
Comparison of semen collection techniques in goats

Abstract Characteristics of goat semen collected with the artificial vagina (AV), electroejaculator (EE), and Bailey ejaculator (BE) were compared. Semen was collected three times by each method from four bucks for a total of 36 separate collections. The semen was evaluated for volume, sperm concentration, mass activity (0 to 4, no activity to rapid wave motion), sperm motility (%), pH, and acrosome morphology (% normal). The means (± SEM) of semen samples collected with the AV, EE, and BE were volume-0.4 (±0.1), 0.7 (± 0.2), 0.6 (± 0.1) ml; concentration-4.6 (± 0.5), 2.1 (± 0.3), 1.4 (± 0.2) 109/ml; mass activity-4.0 (± 0), 3.3 (± 0.3), 2.8 (± 0.2); motility-81 (± 2), 78 (± 2), 76 (± 2) %; pH-6.2 (± 0.1), 7.0 ± (0.2), 7.0 ± (0.2); and normal acrosomes-96 (± 1), 92 (± 3), and 88 (± 3) %, respectively. Semen collected with the AV was lower in volume than that collected with the BE (P
Tissue carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur stable isotope turnover in transplanted Bathymodiolus childressi mussels: Relation to growth and physiological condition

The growth and physiological condition of the methanotrophic hydrocarbon seep mussel Bathymodiolus childressi reflects the habitat quality of the sites it occupies on the seafloor of the upper Louisiana slope of the Gulf of Mexico. Here, tissue stable isotope compositions, growth, and physiological health of B. childressi mussels transplanted between different seep sites changed within a year to reflect conditions at the new environment. Tissue stable carbon and nitrogen isotope turnovers, although substantial, were not complete at the end of the 1-yr transplant period; they were strongly correlated with each other, and the extent of turnover of both varied by site and was related to the growth of the mussels. Carbon and nitrogen isotopic turnovers caused by metabolic tissue turnover were about 35% per year. This slow isotopic turnover in B. childressi is presumably due to its relatively slow growth and low metabolic rate. On the other hand, tissue stable sulfur isotope turnover was not correlated with either stable carbon or nitrogen isotope turnover or growth and was higher in the site with higher levels of sulfide in the environment. This indicated that tissue stable sulfur isotope turnover in these mussels is influenced by sulfide detoxification activities.
Persistent Cue-Evoked Activity of Accumbens Neurons after Prolonged Abstinence from Self-Administered Cocaine

Persistent neural processing of information regarding drug-predictive environmental stimuli may be involved in motivating drug abusers to engage in drug seeking after abstinence. The addictive effects of various drugs depend on the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system innervating the nucleus accumbens. We used single-unit recording in rats to test whether accumbens neurons exhibit responses to a discriminative stimulus (SD) tone previously paired with cocaine availability during cocaine self-administration. Presentation of the tone after 3-4 weeks of abstinence resulted in a cue-induced relapse of drug seeking under extinction conditions. Accumbens neurons did not exhibit tone-evoked activity before cocaine self-administration training but exhibited significant SD tone-evoked activity during extinction. Under extinction conditions, shell neurons exhibited significantly greater activity evoked by the SD tone than that evoked by a neutral tone (i.e., never paired with reinforcement). In contrast, core neurons responded indiscriminately to presentations of the SD tone or the neutral tone. Accumbens shell neurons exhibited significantly greater SD tone-evoked activity than did accumbens core neurons. Although the onset of SD tone-evoked activity occurred well before the earliest movements commenced (150 msec), this activity often persisted beyond the onset of tone-evoked movements. These results indicate that accumbens shell neurons exhibit persistent processing of information regarding reward-related stimuli after prolonged drug abstinence. Moreover, the accumbens shell appears to be involved in discriminating the motivational value of reward-related associative stimuli, whereas the accumbens core does not.