cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
IDENTIFYING THE MOST IMPORTANT 21ST CENTURY WORKFORCE COMPETENCIES: AN ANALYSIS OF THE OCCUPATIONAL INFORMATION NETWORK (O*NET)

To identify the most important competencies for college graduates to succeed in the 21st century workforce, we conducted an analysis of the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) database. O*NET is a large job analysis operated and maintained by the U.S. Department of Labor. We specifically analyzed ratings of the importance of abilities (52 ratings), work styles (16 ratings), skills (35 ratings), and knowledge (33 ratings) to succeed in one's occupation. First, we conducted descriptive analyses. Next, data were split into 2 sets, according to the theoretical structure proposed by the O*NET content model, and principal component analyses (PCAs) were run on each dataset. The PCAs identified 15 components: problem solving, mechanical skills, service orientation, cultural literacy, business literacy, science literacy, civic literacy, information processing, athleticism, visual acuity, fluid intelligence, communication skills, teamwork, achievement/innovation, and attention to detail/near vision. Components were then ranked in importance using the mean component scores over all occupations. A comparison of this ranking with previous 21st century competencies frameworks suggested that 5 competencies stand out as important for most occupations: problem solving (e.g., complex problem solving), fluid intelligence (e.g., category flexibility), teamwork (e.g., cooperation), achievement/innovation (e.g., persistence), and communication skills (e.g., oral expression). Consistent with this conclusion, a correlation of component scores with wages found that 4 of these 5 competencies were strongly related to wages, with the exception being teamwork.
Determination of Cheese Proteinase

Summary 1. Data are presented showing the presence of proteolytic activity in Cheddar cheese. 2. A method is presented for the quantitative determination of proteolytic activity in cheese. Determinations run at various sample levels agree within 10 per cent. 3. Hydrolysis of casein by the Cheddar cheese proteinase system is most rapid at pH 5. A secondary optimum occurs at pH 7 to 8. 4. Proteolytic activity of cheese suspensions at pH 5 is enhanced in the presence of reducing agents.
The n-dimensional polyharmonic local sine transform on rectangular domains

The polyharmonic local sine transform is a recently introduced transform that can be used to compress and interpolate datasets. This transform is based on both Fourier theory and the solution to the polyharmonic equation (e.g. Laplace equation, biharmonic equation). The efficiency of this transform can be traced to theorems from Fourier analysis that relate the smoothness of the input function to the decay of the transform coefficients. This decay property is crucial and allows us to neglect high order coefficients. We will discuss the case of the Laplace sine transform. We introduce an arbitrary dimensional version of this transform for datasets sampled on rectangular domains and generalize the 2-dimensional algorithm to n dimensions. Since the efficiency of the Laplace sine transform relies on the smoothness of the data, we cannot directly apply it to discontinuous data. In order to deal with this, we have developed a segmentation algorithm that allows us to isolate smooth regions from those with discontinuities. The result is a transform that will locally adapt to the features in a dataset,allowing us to perform meaningful tests on real, discontinuous datasets.
Distribution of elements and minerals between a coal and its overlying sedimentary rocks in a limnic environment

Abstract Previous studies have shown that the Pewee coal, which outcrops in the Wartburg Basin in northeast Tennessee (U.S.A.), formed in an upper delta-plain (limnic) environment and had not been subject to marine conditions. Most elemental concentrations decrease upwards, from the base to the top of the coal; however in some locations, several elements show significant increases in concentration at the very top of the coal. Correlation coefficients for elements within the coal and to a lesser degree, the sediments, reflect typical clay minerals. The major mineral phases identified were kaolinite, illite, chlorite, siderite and quartz. Although minor lateral variations in chemical and maceral composition occur, the Pewee coal is relatively homogeneous within the study area. Elements which tend to be soluble in low-pH solutions (especially Ca) may have reacted with fluids coming from the peat and have been transported away from the coal-sediment contact. Chlorite is absent in the coal, perhaps due to its solubility in an acid environment. With these few exceptions, there is little direct evidence that diagenetic processes influenced the movement of elements from the coal into the sediment, or vice versa. The decrease in elemental concentrations upward in the Pewee coal is thought to result from a gradual decrease in the amount of detritus being brought into the Pewee swamp. The increase in abundance of detritus at the top of the coal in some locations suggests a sudden change in environmental conditions, perhaps as the result of the establishment of a new distributary system.
Increased resistance of Escherichia coli O157:H7 to electron beam following repetitive irradiation at sub-lethal doses

One way that food processors in the United States have been controlling food-borne pathogens in a non-thermal manner is the application of electron beam (e-beam) radiation. The development of an increased resistance of Escherichia coli O157:H7 to various stressors such to pH, temperature, ionic strength, and antibiotics has been demonstrated. The objective of this study was to determine if the D(10)-value for E. coli O157:H7 (E. coli) in ground beef increases due to repetitive exposure to e-beam at sub-lethal levels. Ground beef samples were inoculated with E. coli and incubated to approximately 10(9) CFU/g followed by e-beam processing. Survivors were enumerated using a standard spread-plating technique. Colonies of E. coli survivors from the highest e-beam dose were isolated and grown for the next cycle of inoculation in ground beef and e-beam processing. Five such consecutive cycles of isolation and e-beam processing were performed. The D(10)-values for E. coli survivors following each cycle of e-beam processing were calculated from survivor curves. The D(10)-values increased (P<0.05) with subsequent cycles of e-beam processing, starting at 0.24+/-0.03 kGy for E. coli ATCC strain 35150 and reaching 0.63+/-0.02 kGy for E. coli isolate L3. Following four cycles of e-beam processing, the isolate L3 increased (P<0.05) its radio-resistance and survived an e-beam dose of 3.0 kGy. Therefore, our data demonstrates that e-beam can efficiently inactivate E. coli in food products; however, similar to other inactivation techniques, E. coli has a capability to develop increased resistance to e-beam if the same populations of E. coli in food products are repetitively subjected to e-beam processing. Although the exact mechanism for the development of increased radio-resistance of E. coli to e-beam is unclear at the moment, based on the available literature regarding increased resistance of E. coli to various stressors, it is likely that some genetic mechanism in involved. Therefore, we are currently investigating this hypothesis with micro-arrays.
Glaciation of western washington, U.S.A.

Abstract Deposits of large Pleistocene valley glaciers in the Olympic Mountains and Cascade Range are separated by deposits of the Puget Lobe of the Cordilleran Ice Sheet. The alpine deposits, of Late to Middle Pleistocene age, are not yet closely dated. Dates from the ice-sheet sediments place the last glacial maximum at about 17,000 14 C yr ago.
Research Note: State Attributes and Destination Choice by Freshwater Anglers — An Analysis of Southeast USA

This paper examines the influence of state attributes on the destination choice of anglers who travel either within their own state of residence or to other states for recreational fishing. The values that anglers place on states� social, infrastructural and environmental characteristics are estimated using revealed preference data on US anglers who participated in freshwater fishing in 12 southeast states in 2006. Estimated mixed logit models suggest that anglers do not prefer freshwater fishing in states where toxic releases to surface water and air, crime rates and the extent of urbanization are high. Conversely, anglers prefer states with more sunshine and greater recreational and forest acreages. Male, urbanite and higher-income anglers place higher values on state attributes.
Bond behavior of steel reinforcement in high-performance fiber-reinforced cementitious composite flexural members

High-performance fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (HPFRCCs) exhibit a pseudo strain hardening behavior in tension, and increased damage tolerance when loaded in compression. The unique properties of HPFRCC materials make them a viable material for increasing structural performance under severe loading conditions. In this paper, the bond performance of mild steel reinforcement embedded in HPFRCC beams is presented. Beam specimens with lap splices were tested in four-point bending to examine the bond strength and bond-slip behavior of steel reinforcement embedded in HPFRCC materials. Specimens made with three different HPFRCC mixtures, as well as a traditional normal weight concrete were tested in four point bending. The parameters investigated were the amount of concrete cover and the presence of steel confinement in the lap splice region. Experimental results show that HPFRCC normalized bond strengths increased by 37 %, on average, when compared to concrete. Furthermore, the bond-slip behavior of reinforcement in HPFRCCs had a higher toughness than observed for concrete specimens. Test results are compared with existing bond-slip models for fiber reinforced concrete from beam tests and HPFRCCs from pullout experiments, and a recommendation to modify the ascending branch of an existing bond-slip model applicable to ductile HPFRCCs is proposed.
Effect of surface roughness on the adsorption, orientation and anodic oxidation of hydroquinone at platinum electrodes

Abstract Adsorption and anodic oxidation of hydroquinone (HQ) have been studied at platinum thin-layer electrodes purposely roughened by platinization or abrasion. The concentration-dependent packing density transition observed for HQ at smooth surfaces diminished as the surface roughness was increased. Beyond a roughness factor of about 5, the transition had essentially vanished. Taken together, the adsorption and oxidation data suggest that the suppression of the packing density transitions by surface roughness arises from inhibition of adsorption in the vertical orientation. The results help account for the fact that packing density (orientational) transitions were not reported in studies using extensively platinized Pt surfaces. Surface roughness effects are attributable to breakdown of cooperative adsorption/reorientation phenomena, and disruption of optimum conditions for stable bridge-bonding in the edgewise orientation. Mechanical polishing and electrochemical etching decreased surface roughness appreciably but did not produce smoothness comparable to high-temperature annealing.
Can a Web‐Based Curriculum Improve Students' Knowledge of, and Attitudes About, the Interpreted Medical Interview?

OBJECTIVES: To develop and evaluate a web-based curriculum to introduce first year medical students to the knowledge and attitudes necessary for working with limited English proficient (LEP) patients through interpreters.
The Old South's Stake in the Inter-Regional Movement of Slaves, 1850–1860

The Old South's economic stake in western land expansion and slave migration is examined in a two-region, general equilibrium model of slave mobility. The model separates the effect on the Old South's assets and slave population of more western land from that of slave sales per se. The authors conclude that the Old South had no economic stake in the New South. The most conservative estimate reveals that a doubling of western lands in 1850 would have increased Old South wealth by less than two percent.
Linear control design, allocation, and implementation for the Omnicopter MAV

Traditional vertical take-off and landing micro aerial vehicles (VTOL MAVs) are generally underactuated, i.e., equipped with fewer actuators than degrees-of-freedom (DOF). As a consequence, they possess a limited mobility because of the inherent underactuation (e.g., they can neither translate laterally with a zero attitude nor hover at a spot with a nonzero attitude). In this paper, we present the design of a novel MAV, the Omnicopter, with two central counter-rotating coaxial propellers for thrust and yaw control and three perimeter-mounted variable angle ducted fans to control roll and pitch and provide lateral forces. It can work under two configurations, a fixed 90° ducted fan angle configuration and a variable angle ducted fan configuration. The variable angle configuration provides full actuation to the Omnicopter position/attitude. After a brief introduction of the Omnicopter platform, we discuss the control design, allocation and implementation for the two configurations separately. Simulations and experimental results verify the performance of the Omnicopter.
High-dimensional time-energy entanglement-based quantum key distribution using dispersive optics

We implement a high-dimensional quantum key distribution protocol secure against collective attacks. We transform between conjugate measurement bases using group velocity dispersion. We obtain > 3 secure bits per photon coincidence.
Matroids, generalized networks, and electric network synthesis

Abstract Matroid theory has been applied to solve problems in generalized assignment, operations research, control theory, network theory, flow theory, generalized flow theory or linear programming, coding theory, and telecommunication network design. The operations of matroid union, matroid partitioning, matroid intersection, and the theorem on the greedy algorithm, Rado's theorem, and Brualdi's symmetric version of Rado's theorem have been important for some of these applications. In this paper we consider the application of matroids to solve problems in network synthesis. Previously Bruno and Weinberg defined a generalized network, which is a network based on a matroid rather than a graph; for a generalized network the duality principle holds whereas it does not hold for a network based on a graph. We use the concept of the generalized network to formulate a solution to the following problem: What are the necessary and sufficient conditions for a singular matrix of real numbers, of order p and rank s , to be realizable as the open-circuit resistance matrix of a resistance p -port network. A simple algorithm is given for carriyng out the synthesis. We then present a number of unsolved problems, included among which is what could be called the four-color problem of network synthesis, namely, the resistance n -port problem.
Random walks on the Menger sponge

Abstract We show that values of the mean walklength 〈 n 〉 before trapping for a random walker on a Menger sponge of N sites, coordination number ν = 4 and fractal dimension d ∼ 2.7268, are intermediate between results calculated for walks on the corresponding N = l × m torus (ν = 4 and d = 2) and the d = 3 simple cubic lattice.
Human Hepatic Lipase Subunit Structure Determination

Chinese hamster ovary cells were stably transfected with a human hepatic lipase (HL) cDNA. The recombinant enzyme was purified from culture medium in milligram quantities and shown to have a molecular weight, specific activity, and heparin affinity equivalent to HL present in human post-heparin plasma. The techniques of intensity light scattering, sedimentation equilibrium, and radiation inactivation were employed to assess the subunit structure of HL. For intensity light scattering, purified enzyme was subjected to size exclusion chromatography coupled to three detectors in series: an ultraviolet absorbance monitor, a differential refractometer, and a light scattering photometer. The polypeptide molecular weight (without carbohydrate contributions) was calculated using the measurements from the three detectors combined with the extinction coefficient of human HL. A single protein peak containing HL activity was identified and calculated to have a molecular mass of 107,000 in excellent agreement with the expected value for a dimer of HL (106.8 kDa). In addition, sedimentation equilibrium studies revealed that HL had a molecular mass (with carbohydrate contributions) of 121 kDa. Finally, to determine the smallest structural unit required for lipolytic activity, HL was subjected to radiation inactivation. Purified HL was exposed to various doses of high energy electrons at -135 degrees C; lipase activity decreased as a single exponential function of the radiation dose to less than 0.01% remaining activity. The target size of functional HL was calculated to be 109 kDa, whereas the size of the structural unit was determined to be 63 kDa. These data indicate that two HL monomer subunits are required for lipolytic activity, consistent with an HL homodimer. A model for active dimeric hepatic lipase is presented with implications for physiological function.
Finite deformation plasticity for composite structures: Computational models and adaptive strategies

Abstract We develop computational models and adaptive modeling strategies for obtaining an approximate solution to a boundary value problem describing the finite deformation plasticity of heterogeneous structures. A nearly optimal mathematical model consists of an averaging scheme based on approximating eigenstrains and elastic concentration factors in each micro phase by a constant in the portion of the macro-domain where modeling errors are small, whereas elsewhere, a more detailed mathematical model based on a piecewise constant approximation of eigenstrains and elastic concentration factors is utilized. The methodology is developed within the framework of ‘statistically homogeneous’ composite material and local periodicity assumptions.
Fractionation of large mammalian DNA restriction fragments using vertical pulsed-field gradient gel electrophoresis

A new design for pulsed field gradient (PFG) gel electrophoresis of large (>50 kb) DNA fragments is described. The method eliminates distortion of migration of DNA because of the geometry of the applied electric field, requires a single power supply and a simple switching device, and is extremely simple to use. Parameters investigated include variation in pulse time, conditions of restriction enzyme digestion and DNA concentration, and the use of different restriction endonucleases. The method has been applied to restriction enzyme digested mammalian DNA from Chinese hamster and human/Chinese hamster hybrid sources and has allowed examination of the minimum separation of two DNA markers known to be on the same human chromosome, chromosome 21.
High Temperature Microsystems: Recent Advances in Microcombustion

Recent times have seen a growing interest in developing next generation energy systems and devices for building very small engines, power plants, and high temperature microchemical reactors, all running on the combustion of hydrocarbon fuels due to their inherently high energy densities. In particular, much interest lies in creating small-scale fuel reformers to produce hydrogen and/or syngas for fuel cells. Over the past decade, most microscale combustion systems that have been developed employ catalytic and heterogeneous combustion processes. In this paper, discussion towards the development of sub-millimeter or microscale homogeneous combustion systems operating at high temperatures, which can approach adiabatic flame temperatures, to achieve potentially high power densities (∼ 103 W/cm3 ) will be presented. Results from previous work are summarized to discuss the role and importance of surfaces in creating and sustaining homogeneous flames in narrow, confined structures with channel dimensions as small as 100 μm. At these length scales, some unusual flame structures and flame dynamics have been observed that vary strongly with changes in boundary conditions. This paper reviews recent experimental and computational data, observations of flame structure and dynamics, and discusses several open questions that remain to be answered.© 2009 ASME
The order and size of entry into international markets

Abstract When entering markets, managers must decide when to enter as well as how many resources to commit to the entry. The study finds that larger initial resource commitments do not result in higher market share and market survival in international markets. Instead, to improve performance in international markets, managers should strive to be first entrants. Further, first entrants typically commit fewer resources, suggesting that this strategy can be pursued by firms with limited resources.
The C-terminus of human bleomycin hydrolase is required for protection against bleomycin-induced chromosomal damage.

Abstract Mammalian bleomycin hydrolases (BH) are enzymes with proven exopeptidase activity responsible for deamidation of the β-aminoalanine moiety in bleomycin and are thought to limit the therapeutic efficacy of the drug. We have recently determined that the highly conserved BH-like domain in the C-terminus of human bleomycin hydrolase (hBH) is critical both for in vitro aminopeptidase and bleomycin metabolizing activities. To determine if hBH protects mammalian cells against bleomycin clastogenic effect, we transfected CHO cells with plasmids encoding hBH or C-terminal truncated forms and evaluated the level of chromatid breaks after bleomycin exposure. CHO cells expressing hBH had 50% less chromatid breaks after bleomycin treatment compared with mock transfected cells. The eight amino acid bleomycin hydrolase-like domain in the C-terminus, which does not contain any of the putative active site amino acids, was essential for protection against bleomycin induced chromatid breaks. These results demonstrate that intracellular hBH levels can influence the clastogenic action of bleomycin and that the C-terminus has a functional role in the biological activity of hBH.
Identification of stacking faults in hexagonal cobalt by ferromagnetic nuclear resonance

Abstract Nuclear resonance lines at 218.6, 214.9, and 213.1 Mc/s have been observed in hexagonal cobalt at room temperature. These lines are accounted for as arising from nuclei in nonequivalent close-packed planes within stacking faults. The predominant stacking fault structures in the sample studied have been identified.
Yeast RNase P: catalytic activity and substrate binding are separate functions

Abstract During tRNA biosynthesis the 5'-leader sequences in precursor tRNAs are removed by the ribonucleoprotein RNase P, an enzyme whose RNA moiety is required for activity. To clarify some aspects of the enzyme mechanism, we examined substrate binding and product formation with mutant precursor tRNAs. Mutations G-1----A or U-2----C in the Schizosaccharomyces pombe sup3-e tRNASer, which cause mispairing at or near the top of the acceptor stem, prevent the removal of the 5'-leader sequences by Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNase P. Equilibrium binding studies involving specific gel retardation of RNase P-precursor tRNA complexes showed that complexes with wild-type and A-1 and C-2 mutant precursor tRNAs had very similar dissociation constants (average Kd for sup3 = 1.5 +/- 0.2 nM). Thus, the 5'-terminal nucleotides of mature tRNA, on the 3' proximal side of the RNase P cleavage site, affect the enzyme's catalytic function but not substrate binding. The catalytic integrity of the RNA component of RNase P is not essential for binding of tRNA precursors, as demonstrated by gel retardation of micrococcal nuclease-inactivated enzyme. This suggests a possible role for the protein component of the enzyme in substrate binding. Upon restoration of base pairing to the acceptor stem in the A-1 or C-2 mutants, we found that, in addition to a requirement for pairing at these positions, conservation of the wild-type first and second nucleotides of the tRNA was necessary to obtain maximal cleavage by RNase P. This indicates a distinct sequence preference of this enzyme.
Explaining Apparent Stock Market Anomalies: Irrational Exuberance or Archetypal Human Psychology?

The article provides a discussion of the psychological and behavioral investor aspects responsible for the phenomenon of stock price momentum. Anchoring, herding, overconfidence, mental accounting, myopic loss aversion, regret aversion, prospect theory, over-reaction and under-reaction, representativeness, non-transitivity and question framing, hindsight bias and pride, barn-door closing, sensation seeking, and response to market consensus estimate are all examined to offer explanations for the abnormal superior performance of value stocks over growth stocks. The authors use empirical testing to demonstrate that enough overconfident investors and financial analysts anchor on past EPS growth rates and systematically over-extrapolate to over-estimate the EPS of growth stocks and under-estimate the EPS of value stocks. As stock value correction sets in over time, value stocks tend to outperform growth stocks. The firm size effect is also examined. Results indicate that large-cap investing works better with the growth style strategy and that small-cap investing works better with the value style strategy.
Effects of genetic cellular resistance on cell transformation and virus replication in chicken hematopoietic cell cultures infected with avian myeloblastosis virus (BAI-A)

Abstract Neoplastic transformation induced by avian myeloblastosis virus strain BAI-A (standard AMV) was titrated in various genetic types of hematopoietic cell cultures from chickens. The transforming titer of standard AMV was highest in type C O cells known to be susceptible to avian tumor virus subgroups A and B. About a 100-fold decrease of transforming activity was found in C A as well as C B cultures which are selectively resistant to avian tumor virus subgroups A and B, respectively. The reduction of AMV transforming titers in C AB cells, which are resistant to both subgroups A and B, was about 6000-fold. This host range of transforming activity does not support a simple classification of AMV with either the A or the B subgroup of avian tumor viruses. Possible solutions to this problem are considered in the discussion. Virus production in AMV-infected yolk sac and bone marrow cultures was measured by interference of culture fluids with subgroup A and B Rous sarcoma virus (RSV), by immunofluorescence, and by the ability of culture fluids to induce transformation of type C O yolk sac cells in vitro. These tests revealed the presence of nontransforming avian leukosis viruses in stocks of standard AMV. Such myeloblastosis-associated viruses were of the A and of the B subgroup, and could be detected by interference with RSV and by immunofluorescence beyond the end point of AMV-induced transformation. Transforming virus was synthesized only by cultures which had received a high initial dose of AMV. A large proportion of AMV-transformed cultures failed to release transforming AMV, but often still synthesized nontransforming agents detectable by interference with RSV. So far no infectious virus has been recovered from AMV-transformed C AB yolk sac cultures. The negative tests included subgroup A, B, and C viruses. AMV-induced transformation regressed in a significant proportion of C A and C AB cultures. These regressions were restricted to plates that had received only few transforming doses of virus and were never seen in cultures actively synthesizing transforming progeny AMV.
Some further properties of the superconvergent flux projection

Some properties of the integral superconvergent flux (post-processing) projection formula are investigated: (1) A Green–Gauss formula together with the partition of unity property of the finite element basis imply global and local conservation properties and a local flux or stress recovery strategy; (2) The equivalence to a Lagrange multiplier mixed formulation is used to interpret the associated consistency requirement on the flux expansion via an inf–sup or LBB condition and (3) The resulting conditions on the flux basis are examined and the presence of oscillatory modes demonstrated. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Implementing an undergraduate research apprenticeship with the Macintosh computer

We discuss the use of Macintosh computers, experiment-building software, and the Excel work-sheet to support an undergraduate research apprenticeship. The system described is easy to learn and use, and handles data electronically, from initial data collection to the final presentation of reports.
Project management minitrack focus: leveraging information technology

Perspective. Project management is one of the most critical processes for implementing multidisciplinary ventures and leveraging company resources, ranging from new product developments to production setups, service rollouts and organizational mergers. At the same time, advances in information technology had a profound impact on project management as an enabling tool, affecting project management capabilities, scope and leadership style enormously. IT-based project management tools and techniques range from software for project planning/tracking to web-based project support systems. These new technologies provide a contemporary framework for multi-functional linkages and communications, essential for successfully integrating today’s complex projects. However, the increased level of data access, processing and interconnectivity, also creates vast challenges involving a wide spectrum of management and organizational issues. In addition there have been substantial developments in the application of project management to IT and software development projects. Many of these IT based project management tools are linked to project execution, others are designed to support scope definition and control, team management, and global integration.
Pigments to Reflect the Infrared Radiation From Fire

Conventional paints transmit or absorb most of the intense infrared radiation emitted by fire, a fact that contributes to the spread of fire. Techniques used for design of coatings with high visible reflectivity are here adapted to the design of coatings that have high reflectivity in the 1 to 8 {mu}m wavelength range important in fires. Promising materials for pigments include titanium dioxide, iron oxide, chromium oxide, and silicon, with particle diameters in the 1 to 2 {mu}m range. Aluminum flake pigments are also effective. Pigment synthesis by the deposition of coatings on mica flakes is briefly discussed. 29 refs., 4 figs.
The Ecology of Death: Forensic Entomology as a Teaching Tool

Describing the progression of insects that arrive at a cadaver can be a useful and exciting tool for teaching students about complex concepts such as ecological succession.
ATMOSPHERIC NITROGEN DEPOSITION TO THE NEW JERSEY COASTAL WATERS AND ITS IMPLICATIONS

In situ measurements of atmospheric NO3− and NH4+ at Sandy Hook on the northern New Jersey (USA) coast and at Tuckerton on the southern New Jersey coast reveal significant temporal and spatial variations of these inorganic N constituents. The mean concentration of NO3− in precipitation was higher at Sandy Hook (44.6 μmol/L) than at Tuckerton (29.1 μmol/L). The mean concentration of NH4+ in precipitation exhibited a similar pattern, being higher at Sandy Hook (26.3 μmol/L) than at Tuckerton (18.3 μmol/L). Aerosol NO3− and NH4+ concentrations at Sandy Hook were also higher than those at Tuckerton. On an annual basis, the total atmospheric deposition of NO3− was estimated to be 51.1 mmol·m−2·yr−1 at Sandy Hook and 32.9 mmol·m−2·yr−1 at Tuckerton. For NH4+, the total atmospheric deposition was 32.8 mmol·m−2·yr−1 at Sandy Hook and 20.3 mmol·m−2·yr−1 at Tuckerton. Wet deposition accounted for up to 89% of the total NO3− deposition and 76–91% of the total NH4+ deposition on the New Jersey coast. By comparison, N...
A new, low-background Compton telescope using LaBr3 scintillator

Gamma-ray astronomy in the MeV range suffers from weak fluxes from sources and high background in the nuclear energy range. The background comes primarily from neutron-induced gamma rays, with the neutrons being produced by cosmic-ray interactions in the Earth's atmosphere, the spacecraft, and the instrument. Compton telescope designs often suppress this background by requiring coincidences in multiple detectors and a narrow time-of-flight (ToF) acceptance window. The COMPTEL experience on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory shows that a 1.9-ns ToF resolution is insufficiently narrow to achieve the required low background count rate. Furthermore, neutron interactions in the detectors themselves generate an irreducible background. By employing LaBr3 scintillators for the calorimeter, one can take advantage of the unique speed and resolving power of the material to improve the instrument sensitivity and simultaneously enhance its spectroscopic performance and thus its imaging performance. We present a concept for a balloon- or space-borne Compton telescope that employs deuterated liquid in the scattering detector and LaBr3 as a calorimeter and estimate the improvement in sensitivity over past realizations of Compton telescopes. We show initial laboratory test results from a small prototype, including energy and timing resolution. Finally, we describe our plan to fly this prototype on a test balloon flight to directly validate our background predictions and guide the development of a full-scale instrument.
Interactive compute-control of a six-legged robot vehicle with optimization of stability, terrain adaptibility and energy

A six-legged robot vehicle with eighteen independently powered joints has been constructed at Ohio State University. This paper describes design trade-offs and computer-control concepts as they relate to this machine. the structure of the computer software used for interactive real-time vehicle control is described in some detail. This software is organized so as to permit sequential on-line optimization of stability, tertain adaptability, and energy in the motion of the vehicle over unenev terrain.
CT signs and patterns of lung disease

The ground-glass pattern is a common but nonspecific finding on CT. In certain clinical circumstances, it can suggest a specific diagnosis, indicate a potentially treatable disease, and guide a clinician to an appropriate area for biopsy. A pattern of centrilobular ground-glass nodules is fairly specific for the diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis with the appropriate clinical history. The tree-in-bud pattern indicates disease affecting the small airways. The differential diagnosis is lengthy; however, the most common process leading to this CT appearance is infection. Although commonly associated with M. tuberculosis, many infectious organisms can produce this pattern. When honeycombing is seen on HRCT, a confident diagnosis of lung fibrosis can be made. The most common causes of interlobular septal thickening on HRCT are pulmonary edema, pulmonary hemorrhage, and lymphangitic spread of cancer, and smooth thickening is characteristic of all three. Diffuse lung cysts in patients who are not immunocompromised generally signify Langerhans' cell histiocytosis, lymphangioleiomyomatosis, or centrilobular emphysema. Centrilobular emphysema can be diagnosed when the centrilobular artery is seen as a small nodular opacity in the center of the cyst. Langerhans' cell histiocytosis is often associated with parenchymal nodules, helping to distinguish it from lymphangioleiomyomatosis. When a nodular pattern is seen on HRCT, the differential diagnosis is very long, but can be narrowed by noting whether the nodules are random, centrilobular, or perilymphatic in distribution. A mosaic pattern of lung attenuation can represent an infiltrative, small airway, or vascular process. The distinction can often be made by noting the size of the pulmonary vessels in the abnormal areas of lung, and whether air trapping is present on expiratory scanning. Computed tomographic signs can be useful indicators of a specific disease process. For instance, the air bronchogram sign indicates that an opacity is intrapulmonary in location, and signals the possibility of two types of neoplasm: lymphoma and bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma. An air crescent sign indicates recovery of the immune system in an immunocompromised patient with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. The fallen lung sign is diagnostic of a bronchial transection in the correct clinical setting. The gloved finger sign is very suggestive of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. The halo sign is highly suggestive of early angioinvasive pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with acute leukemia. When a split pleura sign is seen, the diagnosis is often empyema, although other causes of pleuritis can lead to a similar CT appearance.
Genetic architecture of susceptibility to herbivores in hybrid willows

We performed a common garden experiment using parental, F1, F2, and backcross willow hybrids to test the hypothesis that hybrid willows experience breakdown of resistance to herbivores. After exposing plants to herbivores in the field, we measured the densities/damage caused by 13 insect herbivores and one herbivorous mite. Using joint-scaling tests, we determined the contribution of additive, dominance, and epistasis to variation in susceptibility to herbivores (measured either as density or damage level) among the six genetic classes. We found the genetic architecture of susceptibility/resistance in the parental species to be complex, involving additive, dominance, and epistasis for each herbivore species. Although genic interactions altered plant susceptibility for each of the 14 herbivores, three distinct patterns of response of herbivores to hybrids were expressed. One pattern, observed in four herbivore species, supported the hypothesis of breakdown of resistance genes in recombinant hybrids. A second pattern, shown by six other herbivore species, supported the hypothesis of hybrid breakdown of host recognition genes. In other words, epistatic interactions for host recognition traits (probably oviposition/feeding stimulants or attractants) appeared to be important in determining herbivore abundance for those six species. The final patterns supported a structure of dominance, either for host recognition traits (in the case of three herbivore species) or for host resistance traits (for one herbivore species). The combination of differing responses of herbivore species, including members of the same genus and tribe, and the ubiquitous importance of epistasis suggests that many genes affect herbivore resistance in this hybrid willow system.
Female Genital Mutilations in Africa

Codes and ratings for female genital mutilations, virginity tests, premarital sex norms, and female initiation rites are presented for the 115 cultural clusters on the continent of Africa. Documenting the prevalence of these characteristics within clusters comprising sampling provinces is crucial for research on the pattern of variability both in Africa and in the world. In addition to the 11 cultures listed in the Standard Cross-Cultural Sample in which the operation is practiced, an additional 18 provinces contain cultures practicing genital mutilations. Female genital mutilations within Africa are associated with strong fraternal interest groups, virginity tests, and conservative premarital sex norms. A number of hypotheses for future cross-cultural research that are suggested by these findings are discussed.
Determination of 3H-labelled cytosine arabinoside and eight metabolites in cell extracts by high-performance liquid chromatography and scintillation spectrometry.

Abstract We have developed a method for the separation and quantitation of radiolabeled cytosine arabinoside and its eight metabolites in cell extracts by anion-exchange gradient high-performance liquid chromatography. Baseline separation of cytosine arabinoside and uracil arabinoside and their respective 5′-mon-, di- and triphosphates, as well as cytosine arabinoside diphosphocholine was obtained with the shortest interval between peaks being 3 min. This degree of separation was found to be essential for quantitation of 3H-labeled metabolites by scintillation counting of 1-min fractions. Application of this procedure to the quantitation of [3H] cytosine arabinoside and its metabolites from HL60 human leukemia cells is demonstrated.
Complete Asymptotic Solution of Cylindrical and Spherical Poisson−Boltzmann Equations at Experimental Salt Concentrations

We report an exact analytic representation of the nonlinear Poisson−Boltzmann (PB) potential as a function of radial distance from a cylindrical or spherical polyion in solutions containing a symme...
Modeling the Effects of Tidal Energy Extraction on Estuarine Hydrodynamics in a Stratified Estuary

A 3-D coastal ocean model with a tidal turbine module was used in this paper to study the effects of tidal energy extraction on temperature and salinity stratification and density-driven two-layer estuarine circulation. Numerical experiments with various turbine array configurations were carried out to investigate the changes in tidally averaged temperature, salinity, and velocity profiles in an idealized stratified estuary that connects to coastal water through a narrow tidal channel. The model was driven by tides, river inflow, and sea surface heat flux. To represent the realistic size of commercial tidal farms, model simulations were conducted based on a small percentage (less than 10 %) of the total number of turbines that would generate the maximum extractable energy in the system. Model results show that extraction of tidal in-stream energy will increase the vertical mixing and decrease the stratification in the estuary. Installation of in-stream tidal farm will cause a phase lag in tidal wave, which leads to large differences in tidal currents between baseline and tidal farm conditions. Extraction of tidal energy in an estuarine system has stronger impact on the tidally averaged salinity, temperature, and velocity in the surface layer than the bottom layer even though the turbine hub height is close to the bottom. Finally, model results also indicate that extraction of tidal energy weakens the two-layer estuarine circulation, especially during neap tides when tidal mixing is weakest and energy extraction is smallest.
Cores as the basis for object vision in medical images

Much of the reading of medical images is in terms of figures: objects or object components. We focus on the part of the visual process in which the viewer attentively scrutinizes objects to determine their shape and their geometry relative to other nearby objects. We propose and give evidence that figures are represented in terms of their middles and widths by a mechanisms that separates information at various levels of detail. Important figural properties, as well as inter-figure relationships, appear directly in or are easily derived from this representation by a set of cores. Cores are traces in scale space that are derived from a value called medialness. Medialness is, in turn, derived from boundariness values, which are multiscale graded measurements derived directly from the image intensities. Core formation is guided by attention which directs processing to an approximate location and size (scale), i.e., about here, about this width. This paper gives justification for the model and discusses its usefulness in modeling various visual tasks that are performed when viewing medical images.
Sustain inhibition of nitric oxide by NG-nitro-l-arginine improves myocardial function following ischemia/reperfusion in isolated perfused rat heart

It has been postulated nitric oxide (NO) can react with superoxide anion (·O − 2 ) to generate hydroxyl (·OH) radical. If this is correct inhibition of NO synthesis could attenuate ·OH radical mediated ischemia/reperfusion injury. Therefore we studied the effects of N G -nitro- l -arginine ( l -NNA), a competitive inhibitor of the NO synthase enzyme on ischemia/reperfusion injury in isolated perfused rat hearts. Three groups of rats ( n = 12–15) were studied. Group I: Untreated ischemia/reperfusion control (37.5 min of global ischemia follows by 20 min reperfusion); Group II: ischemia/reperfusion with 25μm N G -nitro- l -arginine; and Group III: ischemia/reperfusion in the presence of l -NNA and 2m m l -arginine, the substrate for NO synthase. Coronary flow (in ml/min) and ventricular developed pressure +dP/dt and -dP/dt were measured 5 min prior to ischemia and at the end of reperfusion. Baseline preischemic developed pressure was significantly lower in l -NNA perfused hearts than controls (76.8±5.9 v 97.6±2.9 mmHg, P l -NNA perfused hearts (57.4±7.4 v 20.8±6.4 mmHg in control). This protective effect was reversed by the addition of l -arginine. Preischemic coronary flow was decreased significantly in the l -NNa group (6.4±0.5ml/min) compared to controls (11.6±0.7ml/min). The duration of sinus rhythm was significantly improved from 3.8±1.2 min in controls to 15.1±0.8 min in l-NNA perfused hearts. A corresponding significantly lower incidence of arrhythmias was observed (10.2±1.5 in ischemia/reperfusion group v 1.7±0.8 min with l -NNA). Again, hearts perfused with l -NNA plus l -arginine had more arrhythmias and a shorter duration of sinus rhythm. The results show that despite the reduction of myocardial contractility and coronary flow prior to ischemia l -NNA significantly preserved myocardial contractility and reduced arrhythmias following reperfusion. Electron spin resonance or cytochrome c reduction assay demonstrated that l -NNA did not scavenge ·OH nor ·O − 2 radical directly. These results suggest that ischemia/reperfusion injury observed in this model may in part be due to ·OH radical formed as a result of NO interaction with ·O − 2 and that inhibition of this pathway by l -NNA leads to recovery of myocardial function.
Repair of damaged steel-concrete composite girders using carbon fiber-reinforced polymer sheets

The aging infrastructure of the United States requires significant attention for developing new materials and techniques to effectively and economically revive this aging system. Damaged steel-concrete composite girders can be repaired and retrofitted by epoxy bonding carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates to the critical areas of tension flanges. This paper presents the results of a study on the behavior of damaged steel-concrete composite girders repaired with CFRP sheets under static loading. A total of three large-scale composite girders made of W355×13.6 A36 steel sections and 75-mm-thick by 910-mm-wide concrete slabs were prepared and tested. One, three, and five layers of CFRP sheet were used to repair the specimen with 25, 50, and 100% loss of the cross-sectional area of their tension flange, respectively. The test results showed that epoxy bonded CFRP sheet could restore the ultimate load-carrying capacity and stiffness of damaged steel-concrete composite girders. Comparison of the experimental and analytical results revealed that the traditional methods of analysis of composite beams were conservative.
Inadvertent anastomosis of saphenous vein graft to a cardiac vein detected with coronary computed tomographic angiography.

Abstract A 34-year-old man with a prior history of Hodgkin’s disease and coronary artery bypass surgery for radiation-induced left main disease presented with persistent chest pain. Cardiac catheterization showed near simultaneous filling of the venous system during arterial injection and could not precisely delineate the insertion point of the vein graft anastamosis to the diagonal branch, and the patient was referred for coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA). CTA demonstrated that the anastamosis of the graft was with a cardiac vein. This case illustrates the valuable complementary role of both angiographic methodologies in confirming a complex anatomic diagnosis.