cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heat transfer in a horizontal channel containing two-phase He II

Abstract We report on heat transport in horizontal two-phase He II and vapor in a 2 m long test section with a 3 mm wide by 65 mm tall cross section. Liquid and vapor temperatures are measured at eight locations, six along the channel and two in the boundary reservoirs. The six measurements along the channel are at three equally spaced axial locations, each with one thermometer in the liquid and one in the vapor. Boundary temperatures selected are 1.4, 1.8, and 2.0 K and with up to 20 mK temperature difference across the channel. The liquid level at the cold end of the channel is set at 60, 50, or 40 mm, and the warm end level is lower due to increased vapor pressure. The effect of bellows pumps forcing up to 0.66 g/s of liquid with or against the temperature gradient is also investigated. A finite difference numerical model is constructed which solves the main governing nonlinear ordinary differential equation for energy transport in stratified two-phase He II. Agreement between the model and experiment is good if one assumes a certain reasonable value for parasitic heat load to the experiment.
Tunneling investigation of Zn-Pb proximity sandwiches

We have measured the tunneling characteristics (I, dV/dI, and d 2 V/dI2 vs. voltage) for a series of junctions of the form Al-oxide-Zn-Pb for Zn thicknesses ranging from 400 to 4000 A (T > T c,Zn). From the first and second derivative characteristics we observe two electron interference effects (Tomasch and McMillan interference) plus structure due to the interaction of the superconducting electrons and the Zn phonons. For junctions with Zn layer thicknesses ≲800 A these contributions can be separated by application of a magnetic field less than the critical field H c of the sandwich. For thicker sandwiches a breakdown occurs before H c is reached. The dominant zero-field interference effect is seen to be the Tomasch oscillation. The electron interference terms provide a direct measurement of the Fermi velocity in Zn, while interactions with the Zn phonon provide a measurement of the electron-phonon coupling constant. For Zn we find V f = 0.73 ± 0.1 × 108 cm/sec and λ (dimensionless electron-phonon coupling constant) = 1.38 ± 0.1. Measurement of the dependence of the breakdown field on the Zn layer thickness indicate that proximity effect Zn exhibits a zero-field penetration depth of 750 A.
Prone Whole-Breast Irradiation Using Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy in Women Undergoing Breast Conservation for Early Disease Yields High Rates of Excellent to Good Cosmetic Outcomes in Patients With Large and/or Pendulous Breasts

Purpose To report our institution's experience using prone positioning for three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) to deliver post-lumpectomy whole breast irradiation (WBI) in a cohort of women with large and/or pendulous breasts, to determine the rate of acute and late toxicities and, more specifically, cosmetic outcomes. We hypothesized that using 3D-CRT for WBI in the prone position would reduce or eliminate patient and breast size as negative prognostic indicators for toxicities associated with WBI. Methods and Materials From 1998 to 2006, 110 cases were treated with prone WBI using 3D-CRT. The lumpectomy, breast target volumes, heart, and lung were contoured on all computed tomography scans. A dose of 45–50 Gy was prescribed to the breast volume using standard fractionation schemes. The planning goals were ≥95% of prescription to 95% of the breast volume, and 100% of boost dose to 95% of lumpectomy planning target volume. Toxicities and cosmesis were prospectively scored using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Effects Version 3.0 and the Harvard Scale. The median follow-up was 40 months. Results The median body mass index (BMI) was 33.6 kg/m 2 , and median breast volume was 1396 cm 3 . The worst toxicity encountered during radiation was Grade 3 dermatitis in 5% of our patient population. Moist desquamation occurred in 16% of patients, with only 2% of patients with moist desquamation outside the inframammary/axillary folds. Eleven percent of patients had Grade ≥2 late toxicities, including Grade 3 induration/fibrosis in 2%. Excellent to good cosmesis was achieved in 89%. Higher BMI was associated with moist desquamation and breast pain, but BMI and breast volume did not impact fibrosis or excellent to good cosmesis. Conclusion In patients with higher BMI and/or large–pendulous breasts, delivering prone WBI using 3D-CRT results in favorable toxicity profiles and high excellent to good cosmesis rates. Higher BMI was associated with moist desquamation, but prone positioning removed BMI and breast size as factors for poorer cosmetic outcomes. This series adds to the growing literature demonstrating that prone WBI may be advantageous in select patients.
Highly Discriminatory Binding of Capsid-Cementing Proteins in Bacteriophage L

Summary Cementing proteins that bind to the virion surface have been described in double-stranded DNA viruses such as herpesvirus, adenovirus, and numerous bacteriophages. The three-dimensional structure of bacteriophage L determined by electron cryo-microscopy reveals binding modes of two cementing proteins—one, called Dec, encoded by phage gene orf134 and the other by an as yet unidentified gene. These two proteins form homotrimers and bind at the quasi 3-fold axes nearest the icosahedral 2-fold axes and at the icosahedral 3-fold vertices, respectively. They do not bind at the quasi 3-fold axes near the icosahedral 5-fold vertices. These observations indicate precise recognition of the two cementing proteins at a subset of the quasi equivalent sites on the phage capsid. Sequence analysis shows striking similarity between the C-terminal portion of phage L Dec protein and five regions in the long tail fiber of a T4-like phage, suggesting functional parallelism between them.
Overview of Air Force Research Laboratory cryogenic technology development programs

This paper presents an overview of the cryogenic refrigerator and cryogenic integration programs in development and characterization under the Cryogenic Technology Group, Space Vehicles Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). The vision statement for the group is to support the pace community as the center of excellence for developing and transitioning space cryogenic thermal management technologies. The primary customers for the AFRL cryogenic technology development programs are Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, the Air Force Space Based IR System Low program office, and other DoD space surveillance programs.
Hurricane Impacts to Lake Okeechobee: Altered Hydrology Creates Difficult Management Trade Offs

Abstract Human modifications to ecosystems can excerbate effects of natural disturbances, but interactions between disturbance and altered hydrology are rarely assessed. Lake Okeechobee, Florida, was impacted by four large hurricanes in 2004–2005 that caused large lake-wide reductions in the coverage and biomass of aquatic macrophytes. We quantified dramatic changes in the aquatic plant and littoral fish assemblage after hurricanes, including decreased fish richness, diversity, and biomass, and large reductions in the species that support important fisheries. Human-induced hydrologic changes prevented the lake from expanding to the historically connected floodplain during and following hurricanes, which likely exacerbated impacts to aquatic plant and fish communities. Altered hydrology has complicated management scenarios for returning the lake to pre-hurricane conditions because policy options that will initiate recovery at Lake Okeechobee (i.e., lower water levels) will exert negative impacts on east an...
Soil Management and Supplemental Irrigation Effects on Potato: II. Root Growth

This study was conducted to determine if supplemental irrigation and/or application of soil amendments rich in organic matter can improve root growth of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). Root length density (RLD) and root dry matter production of potato were studied under two levels of supplemental irrigation (nonirrigated check vs. moderate irrigation) and two levels of soil amendments [none vs. amended with compost and manure from beef cattle (Bos taurus L.)] during 1993 and 1994. Ameudments significantly increased RLD during both growing seasons and these increases occurred consistently throughout each growing season. Irrigation effects were not observed in 1993, while irrigation significantly increased RLD during 1994. Approximately 85% of the root length was concentrated in the upper 30-cm layer of the soil. The supplemental irrigation and soil amendment treatments did not affect the proportional distribution of roots among the soil layers. Root-to-shoot ratio was not affected by irrigation or amendment during either growing season. The RLD and leaf area index (LAI) at all four sample dates during 1994 were significantly correlated with final tuber yields, indicating that growth patterns early in the season were important in establishing the productivity of the potato crop. Root length density tended to have a higher correlation with yields than did LAI (r = 0.58 * to 0.80 ** vs. 0.51 * to 0.68 ** ).
Infrared spectroscopy of gas-phase hydrated K+:18-crown-6 complexes: Evidence for high energy conformer trapping using the argon tagging method

Abstract We report our findings on the K+(18-crown-6 ether)(H2O)1Ar1–4 system using gas-phase infrared predissociation (IRPD) spectroscopy. With the argon tagging technique, we have been able to observe two different conformers, including a conformer that features a bidentate H2O actively competing with K+ for the preferred binding site inside the 18-crown-6 cavity. The detection of this conformer in our experiment was surprising since density functional theory (DFT) calculations predict it to be 55.6 kJ mol−1 higher in energy than the lower energy, traditional (K+ bound)-type conformer. We have been able to selectively probe each conformer by varying both the loss channel monitored and the number of solvating argons. The bidentate conformer was present in the IRPD spectra only when monitoring the action spectrum leading to the loss of all ligands. This suggests that the bidentate conformer undergoes rearrangement following photoexcitation to the much more stable bare K+(18-crown-6) complex. We explored the barrier to such rearrangement using D2O substitution in the experiment and with DFT calculations.
TimeKeeper: A Metadata Archiving Method for Honeypot Forensics

Internet attacks are becoming more advanced as the economy for cybercrime grows and the tools for evading detection become ubiquitous. To counter this threat, new detection and forensics tools are needed to capture these new techniques. In this paper, we propose a method to extract and analyze a richer set of forensic information from the file system journal of honeypots in spite of anti-forensic tool use. We show initial results of our journal monitoring prototype, TimeKeeper, of file system activities and argue that by detecting these events, we are able to capture previously unavailable forensic information. This forensic information can then be used for system recovery, research on attack techniques, insight into attacker motives, and for criminal investigations.
Application of Uncertain Reasoning to Business Decisions: An Introduction

This is the author's final draft. The publisher's official version is available from: http://www.som.buffalo.edu/isinterface/ISFrontiers.
Measurement of the velocity of ultrasound in the human femur in vivo.

A pulse‐echo technique for measuring the velocity of ultrasound in the cortex of the femur i n v i v o is presented. The average result for 27 asymptomatic volunteers is 3250±190 m/s. The results show no significant differences between proximal and distal femoral sites, right and left femora, males and females. There is also no significant difference between the velocity of sound in the femur and in the radius in normal volunteers. The reproducibility of the time of flightmeasurement for three volunteers is found to be about 2%, and the total uncertainty of the femoral velocity of ultrasoundmeasurement is determined to be 4% for proximal sites and 7% for distal sites. As the femur is a load‐bearing bone, the site of frequent fracture both in the elderly and in the osteoporotic, the measurement of the velocity of sound at this new site may of great value in investigating these conditions and may ultimately be helpful in assessing ’’quality’’ of the femoral cortex in those patients undergoing total hip or knee replacement.
Unique isoprene oxidation products demonstrate chlorine atom chemistry occurs in the Houston, Texas urban area

As part of the 2000 Texas Air Quality Study (TexAQS), we studied the isoprene oxidation process under ambient conditions to discern the presence of chlorine atom (Cl) chemistry in the Houston, Texas urban area. By measuring chloromethylbutenone (CMBO) and an isomer of chloromethylbutenal (CMBA), we clearly observed sixteen episodes of active Cl chemistry during the 24-day experiment. Estimated median Cl concentration during each of these episodes was between the detection limit of ~102 atoms cm−3 and $$ 50_{ - 30}^{ + 70} \times {10^4} $$ atoms cm−3. Cl concentration during all the episodes averaged $$ 7.6_{ - 2.0}^{ + 4.7} \times {10^4} $$ atoms cm−3 and thus amounted to less than 3% of the OH concentration during the same periods. During the episodes, the fraction of oxidation chemistry initiated by Cl ranged from 3–43% and was strongly dependent on the quantity and type of hydrocarbons present in the atmosphere. Because of its intermittent presence and low concentration, Cl is not a broadly influential oxidant in the Houston, Texas urban area.
Some additional properties of elementary landscapes

Abstract In this work, we derive a general class of multistep composite elementary landscapes and present the first non-trivial lower (upper) bounds on local minima (maxima) associated with elementary landscapes.
A combinatorial identity involving relatively prime integers

Abstract In this note we establish an identity concerning the number of ways an element in the semigroup generated by two relatively prime integers can be written in terms of the other elements of the semigroup.
Exposure to PCB 77 affects the maternal behavior of rats

Polychlorinated biphenyls are environmental contaminants known to affect neurobehavioral development in many laboratory studies using different animal models. Because of their bioaccumulation and long half-life they are a serious concern for our own species. The dioxin-like PCB congener 3,4,3',4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB 77) has estrogenic and anti-estrogenic properties, and has been shown to affect brain chemistry and behavior of developing rats when administered during gestation. Since many developmental outcomes in mammals depend upon the type of maternal care provided by the dams, we investigated the effects of two doses of PCB 77 (2 and 4 mg/kg administered during gestational days 6-18) on the maternal behavior of the treated dams. Both doses of PCB 77 reduced the amount of nursing time in which the dams displayed the high-crouch posture over postnatal days 1-6. In addition, the high dose increased the amount of maternal licking and grooming of the litters and the amount of time the dams spent on the nest. The high dose also increased pup mortality, and both doses reduced the weight gain of the litters during the first 6 days of life. These results document effects of PCB 77 on maternal behavior and serve to raise questions about the importance of maternal contributions to the developmental effects of this and similar contaminants.
Is it Good to Make Happy People

Would it be good, other things being equal, for additional people to exist whose lives would be worth living? I examine and reject several arguments for the answer that it would not be good; then I offer opposing arguments that I believe are more successful. Thus, I agree with utilitarians who say that it is better for there to be more happy people. Next I argue for the stronger claim that the happiness of potential people is as important as that of adults. Potential quality of life, then, matters in a host of bioethical issues: abortion, commercial surrogacy, the treatment of defective newborns, and so on. What is the practical upshot of all this? I reject the idea that we must do whatever is necessary to prolong life worth living. But I also reject the view that the side-effects of overpopulation always outweigh the value of realizing potential happiness. So I advocate a middle position, which I do not identify precisely. Even from this middle position, however, potential happiness is more important that is commonly assumed in bioethics.
Fibroxanthosarcoma of the soft tissues. A type of malignant fibrous histiocytoma.

The clinical and pathologic features of 30 soft tissue tumors which have a storiform fibrous stroma and bizarre histiocytes and giant cells are reviewed. Because of the resemblance of these lesions to the fibrous histiocytomas and because three of the tumors metastasized, they have been designated as fibroxanthosarcomas. Local recurrence was also common. Fibroxanthosarcoma occurs in many areas of the soft tissues but most commonly in the extremities. Histologically, it resembles storiform fibrous xanthoma (dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans) but can be separated from this entity by the presence of anaplastic bizarre giant cells and numerous mitoses. A proposed nomenclature for the fibrous histiocytomas is also presented. It is concluded that fibroxanthosarcoma is a distinctive malignant fibrous histiocytoma with a bizarre histologic pattern which can be distinguished from other soft tissue sarcomas and from the other fibrous histiocytomas.
Long- and short-range electrostatic interactions affect the rheology of highly concentrated antibody solutions.

Purpose To explain the differences in protein-protein interactions (PPI) of concentrated versus dilute formulations of a model antibody.
A narrow band imaging technique for passive radar

In this paper we report on initial results into Doppler imaging, a technique by which both down and cross-range resolution are obtained with low bandwidth waveforms. Conventional radar imaging utilizes aperture synthesis to obtain cross-range resolution and relies on wideband waveforms for the downrange resolution. More recently, tomography has been proposed an alternative able to generate high-resolution imagery but without necessarily requiring wideband waveforms. Here we introduce the theory behind a third alternative, Doppler imaging and consider how it might be applied to passive bistatic radar. We present results that include the 2D image of two point targets separated by just 0.6 m illuminated using a pure tone signal in an anechoic chamber. The resolution limits using the technique are also shown, using a Fourier domain representation.
Characterization of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) produces progressive weakness, muscular wasting, and spasticity leading to death from respiratory failure at a median of 3 years after onset. ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) overlap in both familial and sporadic cases of ALS. When both occur in families, the affected members may have only ALS, only FTD, or both. This suggests a relationship in the cause of these disorders. We investigated the frequency of ALS in FTD patients and of FTD in ALS patients and found the overlap to be more common than had previously been reported. We report the features of cognitive impairment and pattern of motor involvement in these ALS-FTD patients, and the degree of overlap in both populations.
Poly(vinyl ester) block copolymers synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerizations

Homopolymerizations and block copolymerizations of vinyl acetate (VAc), vinyl pivalate (VPv), and vinyl benzoate (VBz) by reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization have been studied. Polymerizations of VAc initiated with 2,2′-azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) at 60 °C using two different xanthate RAFT agents C2H5OC(═S)SR (R = −CH(CH3)CO2C2H5 (1) and −CH(CH3)O2CC(CH3)3 (2)) were examined to elucidate the dependence of the polydispersities of the resulting polymers on the RAFT agent leaving group R. RAFT agent 2, in which the leaving R-group mimics a growing vinyl ester polymer chain, consistently yields poly(vinyl acetates) having broader polydispersities than those synthesized using 1 (Mn = 3.6−14 kg/mol and Mw/Mn = 1.15−1.33). While VPv exhibits similar controlled polymerization behavior to VAc, RAFT homopolymerizations of VBz mediated by 1 indicate this electron-deficient vinyl ester requires higher temperatures to effect controlled polymerizations to yield polymers having Mn ...
Sequence analysis, viral rescue from infectious clones and generation of recombinant virions of the avian adeno-associated virus

Aiming at the generation of a viral-vectored system for gene delivery and vaccination in poultry, the entire genomes of the VR-865 and DA-1 strains of the avian adeno-associated virus have been cloned and sequenced. Sequence analysis of the clones showed that the genomic distribution of the structural and non-structural protein-coding genes of these viruses is conserved and in agreement with what has been previously described for the primate adeno-associated viruses. Amino acid differences between the avian adeno-associated viruses and the primate adeno-associated viruses are more evident in the genes that code for the non-structural (Rep) proteins of the virus, while the Cap region amino acid sequence was found to be more conserved. Since all the regulatory and coding sequences of the virus were present in the plasmids obtained, complete infectious viral particles were rescued from these clones, and these rescued viral populations were amplified by co-infecting primary embryo liver cells with the rescued virus and the CELO strain of the avian adenovirus type 1. As a proof of concept of the validity of this system for the purpose of gene delivery, recombinant viruses encoding for the LacZ gene as a reporter system were also generated. These recombinant viruses were used to express beta galactosidase activity in primary chicken embryo cell cultures.
Connexin-26-associated deafness: phenotypic variability and progression of hearing loss.

Purpose: To evaluate genotype-phenotype correlation over time for a cohort of children with connexin-26 (GJB2)–associated autosomal recessive hearing loss. Methods: Fifty-two children were identified from a database of individuals with homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in GJB2 and subjected to chart review of their otolaryngologic and serial audiometric evaluations. Genotype-phenotype correlations were identified among the members of this group by appropriate statistical analyses. Results: Hearing loss was most severe in individuals with two truncating mutations in GJB2 and mildest in those with two nontruncating mutations. Progressive hearing loss was seen directly by serial audiometry in 24% of all subjects, and suggested in a total of 28% when those with normal newborn hearing screens and subsequent hearing loss were included. Progression was particularly common among carriers of the p.V37I allele either in homozygosity or in compound heterozygosity with a truncating allele; these children are primarily of Asian descent and demonstrate mild, slowly progressive hearing loss. Conclusions: Phenotype in GJB2-associated hearing loss is correlated with genotype, with truncating mutations giving rise to more severe hearing loss. Progression of hearing loss is not uncommon, especially in association with the p.V37I allele. These results suggest that close audiometric follow-up is warranted for patients with GJB2-associated recessive hearing loss.
P01-141 Is speed of onset of anti-anxiety efficacy with pregabalin influenced by starting dose?

Objective There appears to be no dose-response effect for pregabalin at doses of 300-600 mg, and a modest dose-response effect in the range of 150-300 mg. The goal of the current investigation was to determine the effect of the starting dose on the speed of onset of anxiolytic efficacy. Methods Data were analyzed from 7 trials of outpatients with DSM-IV GAD and a HAM-A total score ≥18. Starting doses of pregabalin ranged from 100 mg (N=301) or 150 mg (N=104), to 200 mg (N=167) and 300 mg (N=388). Assessment of early improvement included the HAM-A total score and CGI-Severity and Improvement scores. Results The mean Week 1 HAM-A change score was similar for a starting dose of 200 mg/d with no titration (-8.24) when compared to patients who started on 200 mg/d and then titrated up to 400 mg/d on Day 4 (-8.64). The mean Week 1 HAM-A change score was somewhat higher for patients started on 300 mg/d, and then titrated to 450 mg/d on Day 4/5 (-8.84) when compared to patients started on a lower (100/150 mg/d) dose and titrated on Day 5 to 400/450 mg/d (-7.32). Starting on a dose of 300 mg/d with no titration resulted in an intermediate Week 1 change score (-7.87). The interaction of starting dose and titration schedule with baseline anxiety severity will be summarized in detail. Conclusion The initial dose of pregabalin appears to have only a weak effect on the speed of onset of anxiolytic improvement.
High-resolution histogram modification of color images

Abstract For color images, histogram modification is usually applied to the quantized luminance component. However, the luminance quantization error can be significantly magnified by the transformation function, leading to distortion in the processed image. The propagation of the quantization error is analyzed theoretically to determine the worst-case error, The relationship between the number of luminance quantization levels and the output quantization error is derived. Experimental results with histogram equalization demonstrate that the use of a higher resolution histogram leads to reduced distortion as well as a "flatter" output histogram.
Characteristics of over-water surface stress during strex

Abstract Surface stress values obtained from the NOAA Ship OCEANOGRAPHER during STREX indicate that wind speed and stability dependent bulk derived stress values are two to three times too low in surface pre-frontal, pre-trough and pre-ridge regions of transiting synoptic systems. The measured stress values were based on calculations of turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rates using hot film measured velocity variances. Bulk stress values obtained with wind speed (neutral drag coefficient) and stability dependencies in the Large and Pond derivation agreed very well with the measured values in other regions of the synoptic systems. In situ wave information was not adequate to relate differences to coupled vector wind and wave fields. However, analyses and interpretation of wind and stability effects suggest that wind wave interaction was the reason for the observed sub-synoptic (mesoscale) stress enhancements.
Ectoprotein kinase activity of the isolated rat adipocyte.

Intact adipocytes exhibit ectoprotein kinase activity as reflected by their ability to catalyze the transfer of the terminal phosphate of (γ-32P) ATP to histone added to a cell suspension. This activity is substrate, time and cell number dependent. Lineweaver-Burk plots gave Km and Vmax values for ATP of 5 × 10−5 M and 7.14 pmoles/min/1.5 × 105 cells. Cyclic AMP but not cyclic GMP in μM concentrations stimulates ectoprotein kinase activity. The controlled tryptic digestion of intact cells results in reduction of ectoprotein kinase activity. This activity is not due to leakage of intracellular protein kinases during the preparative procedure nor to penetration of histone into the cells. Additional phosphoproteins not accessible to endogenous protein kinase activity are also localized on the external surface of the intact fat cell.
Speciation of rare earth elements in natural terrestrial waters: assessing the role of dissolved organic matter from the modeling approach

Humic Ion-Binding Model V, which focuses on metal complexation with humic and fulvic acids, was modified to assess the role of dissolved natural organic matter in the speciation of rare earth elements (REEs) in natural terrestrial waters. Intrinsic equilibrium constants for cation-proton exchange with humic substances (i.e., pKMHA for type A sites, consisting mainly of carboxylic acids), required by the model for each REE, were initially estimated using linear free-energy relationships between the first hydrolysis constants and stability constants for REE metal complexation with lactic and acetic acid. pKMHA values were further refined by comparison of calculated Model V “fits” to published data sets describing complexation of Eu, Tb, and Dy with humic substances. A subroutine that allows for the simultaneous evaluation of REE complexation with inorganic ligands (e.g., Cl−, F−, OH−, SO42−, CO32−, PO43−), incorporating recently determined stability constants for REE complexes with these ligands, was also linked to Model V. Humic Ion-Binding Model V’s ability to predict REE speciation with natural organic matter in natural waters was evaluated by comparing model results to “speciation” data determined previously with ultrafiltration techniques (i.e., organic acid–rich waters of the Nsimi-Zoetele catchment, Cameroon; dilute, circumneutral-pH waters of the Tamagawa River, Japan, and the Kalix River, northern Sweden). The model predictions compare well with the ultrafiltration studies, especially for the heavy REEs in circumneutral-pH river waters. Subsequent application of the model to world average river water predicts that organic matter complexes are the dominant form of dissolved REEs in bulk river waters draining the continents. Holding major solute, minor solute, and REE concentrations of world average river water constant while varying pH, the model suggests that organic matter complexes would dominate La, Eu, and Lu speciation within the pH ranges of 5.4 to 7.9, 4.8 to 7.3, and 4.9 to 6.9, respectively. For acidic waters, the model predicts that the free metal ion (Ln3+) and sulfate complexes (LnSO4+) dominate, whereas in alkaline waters, carbonate complexes (LnCO3+ + Ln[CO3]2−) are predicted to out-compete humic substances for dissolved REEs. Application of the modified Model V to a “model” groundwater suggests that natural organic matter complexes of REEs are insignificant. However, groundwaters with higher dissolved organic carbon concentrations than the “model” groundwater (i.e., >0.7 mg/L) would exhibit greater fractions of each REE complexed with organic matter. Sensitively analysis indicates that increasing ionic strength can weaken humate-REE interactions, and increasing the concentration of competitive cations such as Fe(III) and Al can lead to a decrease in the amount of REEs bound to dissolved organic matter.
“In the old style”: The tragic vision in Sam Shepard's the tooth of crime

Sam Shepard's The Tooth of Crime has been praised for its striking originality of conception, particularly its unique use of language, music, and spectacle. A few critics have noted, however, that beneath the novel surface lies a more conventional play, a tragedy of classical proportions. Indeed, Tooth does contain a number of features common to classic tragedies, including a larger‐than‐life hero who has become isolated from the community, the hero's gradual discovery of his own human limitations, and the violation and reestablishment of a political order. Unlike Shepard's other protagonists, who are portrayed in what Shepard calls “a fractured whole,”; Hoss is a recognizable and coherent character, a doomed “king,”; who recalls such classic tragic figures as Sophocles’ Oedipus and Shakespeare's Richard II. Like them, he is flawed and doomed, but like them, too, he is admirable, and out of the admiration we come to feel for him, Shepard builds a tragedy for our times. In this regard, Tooth is, paradoxica...
Are There π* Shape Resonances in Electron Scattering from Phosphate Groups?

The temporary anion states of trimethyl phosphate and several compounds bearing the PO group were explored using electron transmission spectroscopy and ab initio calculations to determine if these states have the characteristics of the π* resonances usually associated with multiple bonds. No evidence was found for this in (CH3O)3PO and, by extension, we do not expect them to appear in the phosphate group of DNA. Cl3PO, however, does display such characteristics to some extent, and we show that they arise from the spatial properties of the σ* (P−Cl) orbitals rather than from multiple PO bonding. A novel computational means to explore effects due to the relative size of a molecular orbital and that of the angular momentum barrier responsible for confining the additional electron is presented.
D-and L-stereoisomers of allylglycine: convulsive action and inhibition of brain L-glutamate decarboxylase.

— DL-Allylglycine was resolved into the L- and D-stereoisomers using hog kidney acylase. Both isomers were active as convulsants after administration to mice. The dose of D-allylglycine required to induce convulsions was greater than that of the L-isomer. Studies on the concentration of the two isomers in brain suggest that the lower effectiveness of D-allylglycine is partially due to its slower penetration into the brain through the blood-brain barrier. Both isomers of allylglycine inhibited brain glutamate decarboxylase in vitro to approximately the same extent, however, in vivo L-allylglycine inhibited the enzyme more strongly than the D isomer. Concentrations of allylglycine which caused a significant inhibition of L-glutamate decarboxylase in vivo were ineffective in inhibiting the enzyme in vitro. Oxidation products derived from L- or D-allylglycine by the action of either L- or D-amino acid oxidase caused an almost complete inhibition of the enzyme in vitro. It is suggested that a common intermediate derived from the two isomers (possibly 2-keto-4-pentenoic acid) is responsible for the in vivo inhibition of L-glutamate decarboxylase and possibly also for the induction of convulsions.
Recent advances in highly conductive polyacetylene

Abstract Recently, there has been amazing progress in the study of highly conductive polyacetylene. The advent of a metallic-conductive polyacetylene has overthrown the general view of the polymeric material. However, the conduction mechanism of the conductive polymer is as yet far from well understood. This review article covers the recent progress in the study of the new polyacetylene yielding a conductivity more than 104 S cm-4 after doping, focusing on the relationship between the structure and electrical properties.
The Diagnosis and Treatment of Back Pain in Children and Adolescents: an Update

The conditions described for the most part are diagnosed by characteristic history, comprehensive physical examination, and selective laboratory and imaging studies. Most can be treated by nonoperative means. With the exception of tumors, surgical intervention is performed only after a thorough trial of conservative management. Should the diagnosis remain elusive or response to treatment less than expected, orthopedic referral is encouraged.
Transcription factor AP-2 mRNA and DNA binding activity are constitutively expressed in SV40-immortalized but not normal human lung fibroblasts.

Large T antigen (LT) expressed by the oncogenic DNA virus SV40 transforms cells by interacting with and perturbing the normal function of several important cellular proteins including P53, RB, c-MYC, and AP-2. AP-2 binds to regulatory elements within the SV40 enhancer and is therefore of particular interest for mechanisms relating to viral transcription, replication, and packaging. LT antigen has been previously shown to inhibit transcription factor AP-2 from binding to its cognatecis-element in DNAin vitro,and this is believed to occur through a direct physical interaction between the LT and AP-2 proteins. Recently LT and AP-2 were shown to interact at the protein levelin vivoand this interaction appeared to mediated by the RB protein. Although LT inhibited AP-2 DNA bindingin vitro,the effects of LT on AP-2 expression and DNA binding activityin vivohave not been previously reported. We report here that transcription factor AP-2α is constitutively expressed in SV40-transformed cells compared to their normal cell counterparts. The overexpression of AP-2α in SV40 transformed cells occurred at the levels of mRNA, protein, and DNA binding activity. The increase in AP-2 DNA bindingin vivowas particularly interesting since previous studiesin vitrowould have predicted that AP-2 DNA binding should be decreased in the presence of LT. AP-2 is a plieotropic regulator of gene expression, activating some and repressing others. Thus, increased cellular AP-2 activity may be an important downstream effector for the transforming ability of SV40.
“So What Do You Want Us to Do?”: A Critical Reflection of Teaching English as an International Language in an Australian Context

The concept of English as an International Language (EIL) has been reviewed and discussed quite rapidly among the scholars. However, there seems to be less discussion on the experience of teaching it. As a novice in teaching EIL, I found myself lost and alone in presenting and discussing this concept with learners who came from normative educational background. I was bombarded with consecutive and sometimes repetitive questions that displayed skepticism about this new concept since most of them are still living in an environment that still upholds the old paradigm of “The” English. “So what do you want us to do?” is the most common question I received at the end of the class. Teaching and learning has unexpectedly become more intricate, culturally and politically sensitive, and fill with many tensions and frictions. This article is a critical reflection of my experience in teaching EIL in an Australian context. It is an effort of ongoing process of understanding the delicateness of teaching EIL. In exploring this issue for this paper, I adopt narrative inquiry as a method in understanding my own teaching practice and experience. It is hoped that this critical reflection can open a wider discussion with other EIL practitioners.
Analysis of release kinetics of ocular therapeutics from drug releasing contact lenses: Best methods and practices to advance the field.

Abstract Several methods have been proposed to achieve an extended and controlled release of ocular therapeutics via contact lenses; however, the experimental conditions used to study the drug release vary greatly and significantly influence the release kinetics. In this paper, we examine variations in the release conditions and their effect on the release of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs (ketotifen fumarate, diclofenac sodium, timolol maleate and dexamethasone) from conventional hydrogel and silicone hydrogel lenses. Drug release was studied under different conditions, varying volume, mixing rates, and temperature. Volume had the biggest effect on the release profile, which ironically is the least consistent variable throughout the literature. When a small volume (2–30mL) was used with no forced mixing and solvent exchange every 24h, equilibrium was reached promptly much earlier than solvent exchange, significantly damping the drug release rate and artificially extending the release duration, leading to false conclusions. Using a large volume (200–400mL) with a 30rpm mixing rate and no solvent exchange, the release rate and total mass released was significantly increased. In general, the release performed in small volumes with no force mixing exhibited cumulative mass release amounts of 3–12 times less than the cumulative release amounts in large volumes with mixing. Increases in mixing rate and temperature resulted in relatively small increases of 1.4 and 1.2 times, respectively in fractional mass released. These results strongly demonstrate the necessity of proper and thorough analysis of release data to assure that equilibrium is not affecting release kinetics. This is paramount for comparison of various controlled drug release methods of therapeutic contact lenses, validation of the potential of lenses as an efficient and effective means of drug delivery, as well as increasing the likelihood of only the most promising methods reaching in vivo studies.
Statistical schema matching across web query interfaces

Schema matching is a critical problem for integrating heterogeneous information sources. Traditionally, the problem of matching multiple schemas has essentially relied on finding pairwise-attribute correspondence. This paper proposes a different approach, motivated by integrating large numbers of data sources on the Internet. On this "deep Web," we observe two distinguishing characteristics that offer a new view for considering schema matching: First, as the Web scales, there are ample sources that provide structured information in the same domains (e.g., books and automobiles). Second, while sources proliferate, their aggregate schema vocabulary tends to converge at a relatively small size. Motivated by these observations, we propose a new paradigm, statistical schema matching: Unlike traditional approaches using pairwise-attribute correspondence, we take a holistic approach to match all input schemas by finding an underlying generative schema model. We propose a general statistical framework MGS for such hidden model discovery, which consists of hypothesis modeling, generation, and selection. Further, we specialize the general framework to develop Algorithm MGSsd, targeting at synonym discovery, a canonical problem of schema matching, by designing and discovering a model that specifically captures synonym attributes. We demonstrate our approach over hundreds of real Web sources in four domains and the results show good accuracy.
Microbial biomass: A catalyst for CaCO3 precipitation in advection-dominated transport regimes

Microorganisms have long been thought to impact CaCO3 precipitation, but determining the extent of their influence on sediment formation has been hampered by our inability to obtain direct experimental evidence about mineral formation processes in natural environments. We address this problem by conducting kinetic experiments within a modern terrestrial carbonate spring to determine aragonite precipitation rates and to quantify the relative influences of aragonite saturation state (Ωa), microbial biomass concentration and microbial viability on CaCO3 mineralization in advection-dominated transport regimes. At an Ωa value consistent with modern seawater (3.63 ± 0.09), our controlled in situ kinetic experiments show that: (1) the natural steady-state aragonite precipitation rate is more than twice that determined when microbial biomass on the aragonite mineral surface is depleted by 0.2 µm filtration; and (2) inhibiting microbial viability with ultraviolet (UV) irradiation has no significant effect on the mean precipitation rate. Furthermore, our modeling of the CaCO3 precipitation process, which uses the empirical crystal growth rate expression and additional in situ kinetic measurements, reveals that reducing biomass concentrations by 45% can decrease the empirical rate constant by more than an order of magnitude. These findings strongly suggest that microorganisms catalyze CaCO3 precipitation in advection-dominated systems and imply that changes in carbonate mineralization rates may have resulted from changes in local microbial biomass concentration throughout geologic history.
Stationary premixed flames in a dual-source system

Abstract Stationary premixed flames in dual-source flow are considered. The significant features of the dual-source system are that the sources are of finite strength, and that a stagnation point is located between the sources. A new mathematical model for front propagation and advection is introduced that tracks the front along streamlines. The equations for the stationary fronts of the dual-source system are solved numerically. The assumption of constant-density potential flow is made to simplify the problem and to illustrate the effects of the geometry alone. It is shown that for sufficiently slow burning velocity (or equivalently, small source separation), three stationary states exist for closed, free flames, but one of them is unstable. In addition, several types of burner-attached flames are observed. Quasi-stationary evolution of a closed, free flame exhibits a change of topology and hysteresis. Nonclosed flames are predicted if local extinction due to flow strain is allowed.
Herbivore-specific elicitation of photosynthesis by mirid bug salivary secretions in the wild tobacco Nicotiana attenuata.

Summary • Herbivory is thought to be detrimental to plant fitness and commonly results in a metabolic shift in the plant: photosynthetic processes are typically down-regulated, while resource allocation to defenses is increased in herbivore-attacked plants, resulting in fitness costs of induced plant responses. • Wild tobacco, Nicotiana attenuata, attacked by Tupiocoris notatus mirid bugs becomes resistant against more damaging herbivores through mirid-induced direct and indirect defenses. However, mirid-induced resistance and tissue loss do not result in a reduction of plant fitness. These findings suggest induced metabolic responses allowing the plant to compensate for the lost tissue and resources allocated to defenses. • While feeding by Manduca sexta larvae results in a strong down-regulation of photosynthesis, we demonstrate a specific induction of elevated photosynthetic activity in N. attenuata leaves by elicitors in mirid salivary secretions. The elevated CO2 assimilation rate is sufficient to compensate for the loss of photosynthetically active tissue and balances the net photosynthesis of infested leaves. • We discuss the observed increase in the plant’s primary metabolic activity as a mechanism that allows plants to alleviate negative fitness effects of mirid attack and mediates the vaccination effects that result in a net benefit in environments with multiple herbivores.
Whither the Sociological Study of Crime

The study of crime and deviance has always been one of the most theoretically fertile areas in sociology. Fundamental questions on why individuals violate norms, the origins of social order, official reactions to deviance, and macro-level sources of violence-to name but a few-have attracted some of the best minds in the discipline. The result is a rich lineage of sociologically oriented criminological theory (e.g., control, subcultural, strain, differential association, labeling). It is perhaps axiomatic, however, that fundamental questions yield equally fundamental challenges. Criminology is no exception, and indeed the facts on crime continue to trouble extant theories. This is especially the case for theories that have hitched their wagon to the dominant strains of accepted sociological wisdom. Stratification is sociology to many, and in criminology it comes as no surprise that deprivation theories privileging materialism and economic motives are perennially popular. Everybody believes that "poverty causes crime" it seems; in fact, I have heard many a senior sociologist express frustration as to why criminologists would waste time with theories outside the poverty paradigm. The reason we do, as Jack Katz brilliantly demonstrated in Seductions of Crime (1988), is that the facts demand it. Whether increases in crime during periods of economic growth, epidemics of violence in wealthy countries such as the United States, the weak correlation of social class with delinquency, or crime in the suites, materialist theory is clearly insufficient. But it is not just deprivation-based theory that has failed. Most criminological theory is static in logic and handicapped by a focus on (allegedly) fixed explanatory categories, thereby failing to address the processes and dynamics leading to criminal events. The most important thing about crime that we do not know, in other words, concerns its causal social processes.