cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of entrainment on convective available potential energy and closure assumptions in convection parameterization

[1] This study investigates the effect of entrainment dilution on convective available potential energy (CAPE) and closure assumptions in convection parameterization using the sounding data from three Intensive Observation Periods (IOPs). It is shown that entrainment of the environmental air has a strong dilution effect on CAPE, and this effect depends on the degree of subsaturation of the entrained air: the drier the entrained air, the larger the effect. For CAPE-based closure assumptions, the dilute CAPE has a moderate correlation with convective removal of CAPE. While better than for undiluted CAPE, which is virtually uncorrelated with convective CAPE removal, this correlation is not satisfactory enough for convection closure. For quasi-equilibrium–based closures, while the free tropospheric quasi-equilibrium assumption is a superior closure for convection when undiluted CAPE is used, both the Arakawa-Schubert quasi-equilibrium closure and the free tropospheric quasi-equilibrium closure work well for dilute CAPE in all three IOPs studied. It is further shown from the CAPE definition and the large-scale temperature budget equation that for undiluted CAPE, the free tropospheric large-scale CAPE change and precipitation are approximately linearly related. The most important effect of entrainment dilution on CAPE and convection parameterization closure assumptions is to enhance the role of free tropospheric humidity, thereby diminishing the overwhelming role of boundary layer control on undiluted CAPE and its variation.
Hormonal involvement in the reduction of cholesterol associated with chronic exercise

The involvement of hormones in the reduction of cholesterol associated with chronic exercise was investigated in male rats maintained on a normal diet. Trained or nontrained animals belonging to one of the following groups were used: normal, thyroidectomized, hypophysectomized or hypophysectomized plus thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Rats were trained in motor driven treadmills for a minimum of ten weeks and were capable of running continuously an hour a day at a speed of a mile/hour. Significant increases in ligamentous strength indicated that the training program was effective in producing a trained state. Plasma cholesterol data showed no significant differences between the trained and nontrained animals in any group. These results suggested that animals must be on a high fat diet before exercise will be associated with a systematic reduction of plasma cholesterol levels. The liver data from the normal animals demonstrated that the exercise regime was capable of significantly reducing cholesterol levels. Results from the animals devoid of thyroid activity (hypophysectomized and thyroidectomized), showed no significant effect from training. However, the hypophysectomized rats receiving TSH did exhibit a significant reduction in liver cholesterol. These findings imply that thyroid hormones are involved in the reduction of cholesterol with exercise.
INCORPORATING OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND START-UP COSTS IN OPTION-BASED VALUATION OF POWER GENERATION CAPACITY

We describe a stochastic dynamic programming approach for “real option”-based valuation of electricity generation capacity incorporating operational constraints and start-up costs. Stochastic prices of electricity and fuel are represented by recombining multinomial trees. Generators are modeled as a strip of cross-commodity call options with a delay and a cost imposed on each option exercise. We illustrate implications of operational characteristics on the valuation of generation assets under different modeling assumptions about the energy commodity prices. We find that the impacts of operational constraints on real asset valuation are dependent on both the model specification and the nature of operating characteristics.
Regulating agricultural contamination of groundwater through strict liability and negligence legislation

Abstract New state and national legislation attempts to limit the liability of agricultural chemical users by emasculating existing strict liability standards and replacing them with negligence standards. The allocation of contamination costs and precaution level between producers and victims of contamination associated with these alternative legislative standards is investigated. The analysis employed is a dynamic game theoretic framework considering moral hazard. Based on this analysis, a new institutional response is recommended to assign property rights based upon propensity and severity of injury and to require victim precaution.
Granitic plutonism as an indicator of microplates in the Palaeozoic of central and eastern Maine

Abstract Oxygen and strontium isotope ratios have been used to characterize source regions for granitic magmas for a transect across the northern Appalachian orogen in central and eastern Maine. The northwestern plutons (Katahdin and Seboeis) have δ 18 O values of 10.3–13.3 and initial 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios of 0.7083 and 0.7066, respectively. The central plutons (Bottle Lake and Center Pond) have lower δ 18 O values (8.2–9.9) and initial 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios (0.7043–0.7055). The southeastern plutons (Lucerne and Deblois) have δ 18 O values (9.0–11.0) but initial 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios (0.7077 and 0.7041, respectively) which are intermediate between the northwestern and central plutons. Source models derived from these results and other petrological and geochemical data reflect the juxtaposition of discrete source regions by transcurrent faulting, which may be related to oblique plate motions. This model illustrates the importance of microplate accretion in the Palaeozoic history of the northern Appalachian orogen.
Changing paradigms in dermatology: science and art of diagnostic patch and contact urticaria testing.

Patch testing is currently used in clinical practice as the most important investigative and diagnostic method available for studying allergic contact dermatitis. The specific allergen is applied directly to the skin, causing a local inflammatory reaction and providing an illustration of the patient’s general ability to react to the eliciting substance. The reaction, to a nonirritating concentration, can only be induced in a sensitized person and would not show a reaction in a nonsensitized person. Patch testing has inherent methodologic subtleties, which the physician using this method must recognize. A positive patch test reaction involves the issue of assessing the clinical relevance as well as the inherent risk of a false-positive response. The magnitude of false-negative results is largely unknown, but should also be considered. Recognizing the benefits as well as the pitfalls of patch testing is of practical importance and requires strict observation of the technical aspects and critical assessment of the results. The thin layer epicutaneous (TRUE) test represents a new generation of “ready-to-apply” patch test systems and is a step toward, but not attainment of, a higher reliability of patch testing. It has been clinically standardized with serial dilution tests on sensitized patients and validated in comparative multicenter tests. The system has documented stability and allergen content, providing accurate dosing and no risk for mismatch. Other benefits include easy application, convenience, and good patient comfort. Unfortunately, its technical standards leads to higher costs and slowness to change with knowledge of new allergens. Contact urticaria is an immediate contact reaction that appears on the skin within minutes to an hour after an eliciting substance has been in contact with the skin. The diagnosis of contact urticaria is based on both a detailed history and skin testing. Commonly used in vivo skin testing for both immunologic and nonimmunological contact urticaria are the open test, the prick test, the scratch test, the scratch-chamber test, and the use test.
Modeling Of The HF Overtone Chemical Laser

Recently Jeffers showed experimentally that a high performance HF laser operating on the first overtone transition (HF( v=2 ) + hv → HF( v=0 )+2hv ) was feasible. Since his initial experimental demonstration of efficient operation of a cold reaction HF overtone laser, there has been a renewed interest in the HF laser system. The approximately 1.3 micron radiation available from the overtone lasing transition coupled with the high chemical efficiency available from the HF gain medium make the overtone laser an attractive candidate for those applications requiring a high power beam to propagate either over long distances or through the atmosphere.
Feautrier solution of the electron transport equation

An efficient, accurate, and stable solution to the electron transport problem is presented. The two-stream approximation is discussed in detail, but the solution is developed for the general multistream case. Applied to the photoelectron problem, it is shown that accurate escape fluxes are obtained using only 10 altitudes distributed over the region 100 - 1000 km. The local equilibrium, two-stream, and multistream solutions to the photoelectron problem are compared. In addition, a recursion relation for the moments of the elastic angular scattering phase function is presented.
Developing an applied extreme heat vulnerability index utilizing socioeconomic and environmental data

Extreme heat is a leading cause of weather-related fatalities worldwide. Emphasis is currently being placed on the development of spatially specific vulnerability models, which are useful for decision support during extreme heat events (EHE). Research results concerning such spatially-explicit models lead efforts in preparation and mitigation of heat-related vulnerability and potential adaptation. The presented research analyzes the 1995 Chicago EHE in the context of a socio-environmental hazards approach, and fosters the development of an extreme heat vulnerability index (EHVI). The EHVI is a fused dataset consisting of census data and remotely sensed variables, which are examined in relation to geocoded mortality data. The presented analysis combines 25 well-known indicators of extreme heat-health risk into an applied index utilizing a principal components analysis. The developed EHVI presented a trend of higher rates of death in the highest risk zones to lower rates in lower zones of risk. The model explains nearly 80% of the total variance in the heat-health vulnerability variables utilized. This index could be utilized by city officials to assist in the mitigation of extreme heat events and is a further evolution of previously developed efforts. Our findings indicate extreme heat vulnerability models should likely be developed on a local level for a specific location, taking into account local variations in social and environmental vulnerability.
Charge trapping and detrapping phenomena in thin oxide-nitride-oxide stacked films

Abstract A reversible electron trapping phenomenon in thin oxide/nitride/oxide (ONO) films with respect to stress current and field near the tunneling region is demonstrated for the first time. Trapped electrons can be detrapped by applying a low field or low current stressing under negative gate bias. A very effective electron detrapping process in the thin nitride layer is proposed to explain these unusual trapping behaviors of thin ONO films. The effects of processing chemistry of silicon nitride deposition on the electrical characteristics of thin ONO capacitors and their stability are also discussed.
On the Nature of Time in Conceptual and Computational Nervous Systems

The central premise of the present paper is that the spectacular failure to create a fully functional artificial intelligence results from a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of time in relation to living systems. Unlike the sterile and purely chronometric conception that is subsumed in the central, clock referent system of most current computational machines, intelligence and especially human intelligence is erected on a tri-level, integrated system of temporal processing capacities. Here, I present the fundamental nature and manner of integration of these three, evolution-driven mechanisms which help life cope with the vagaries of uncertain but not totally unpredictable environments. The implications for the development of effective artificially-intelligent machines are discussed.
On the calculation of the Brunt-Väisäla frequency

Abstract The three commonly used methods for estimating the Brunt-Vaisala frequency from vertical profiles of temperature and salinity are developed and results compared. These include intercomparisons for typical oceanographic values. The effects of errors in the temperature and salinity due to typical instrument errors also are considered.
High-resolution computed tomography of the major salivary glands: Current status

At our institution, computed tomography is the procedure of choice for evaluation of suspected mass lesions of the major salivary glands. It affords exact anatomic localization of a mass and allows simultaneous examination of the contralateral gland and other regional structures of importance in salivary gland disease. Intravenous contrast medium enhancement is always utilized; however, concomitant sialography has never been necessary. Regional anatomy of the salivary glands with respect to computed tomography imaging and clinical material demonstrating its efficacy are presented. The neoplastic and nonneoplastic diseases affecting the salivary glands are reviewed.
Continuities, contexts, complexities, and transformations: Local land concepts of a Sepik people affected by mining exploration

(1997). Continuities, contexts, complexities, and transformations: Local land concepts of a Sepik people affected by mining exploration. Anthropological Forum: Vol. 7, No. 4, pp. 629-648.
Excision repair of UV-damaged plasmid DNA in Xenopus oocytes is mediated by DNA polymerase α (and/or δ)

We studied DNA repair by injecting plasmids containing random pyrimidine dimers into Xenopus oocytes. We demonstrated excision repair by recovering plasmids and analyzing them with T4 UV endonuclease treatment and alkaline agarose gel electrophoresis. The mechanism for excision repair of these plasmids appears to be processive, rather than distributive, since repair occurs in 'all or none' fashion. At less than 4-5 dimers/plasmid, nearly all repair occurs within 4-6 hours (approximately 10(10) dimers repaired per oocyte); the oocyte, therefore, has abundant repair activity. Specific antibodies and inhibitors were used to determine enzymes involved in repair. We conclude that DNA polymerase alpha (and/or delta) is required because repair is inhibited by antibodies to human DNA polymerase alpha, as well as by aphidicolin, an inhibitor of polymerases alpha (and/or delta). Repair was not inhibited by hydroxyurea, cytosine beta-D-arabinofuranoside, or inhibitors of topoisomerase II (novobiocin). Oocyte repair does not activate semi-conservative DNA replication, nor is protein synthesis required. Photoreactivation cannot account for repair because dimer removal is independent of exogenous light.
Optical characteristics of a turbid medium between two mirrors

Using the one-dimensional Boltzmann equation, we examine the optical scattering properties of a turbid medium that is located between two mirrors with controllable reflectivity. We examine how the mirrors can be used to enhance the total transmission of an intensity modulated laser beam through this system. The analytical results show that, for certain modulation frequencies, the total transmission can be increased if the laser source is placed between the mirrors. This finding could improve diffusive imaging for those highly scattering media that are so thick that the laser light would not penetrate sufficiently deep in the absence of any mirrors.
The Thermal and Ultrasonic Properties of Hot-pressed Cadmium Sulfide and Hot-pressed Magnesium Fluoride

The thermal properties of certain pressed materials have been measured. In particular, specific heat measurements on hot-pressed and single crystal cadmium sulfide have been made between 1 and 20 K. An anomalous specific heat in the pressed material was observed below 1.5 K, and it is believed to be associated with the electronic structure of defects. The thermal conductivity of hot-pressed cadmium sulfide and hot-pressed magnesium fluoride has been measured in the temperature range 2 to 90 K. The results are compared with the single crystal data. The data are analyzed with a model that includes phononphonon interactions, pointdefect scattering, dislocation scattering, and boundary scattering. The sound velocity and ultra-sonic attenuation of hot-pressed CdS and hot-pressed MgF2 have been measured between 4 K and room temperature.
Perturbation Method for Atoms in Intense Light Beams

The problem of interaction of atoms with intense light is reformulated via a time-dependent unitary transformation. An effective electronic binding potential is obtained. The effective perturbation remains bounded as the intensity of the incident light increases.
Sodium Current-Induced Release of Calcium from the Sarcoplasmic Reticulum in Rabbit Ventricular Myocytes

The hypothesis that Na current (INa) can induce release of Ca from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) by activating reverse Na-Ca exchange (NCX) has been debated since 1990. We tested this hypothesis with epi-fluorescence imaging of adult rabbit ventricular myocytes loaded with the Ca indicator fluo-4. Ca release was triggered with an action potential clamp with and without an initial voltage ramp from −80 to −40 mV, for a duration of 1.5s. We confirmed that this protocol selectively blocked INa without altering Ca influx through L-type Ca channels (LCCs) and SR Ca load. With 0 mM Na in the pipette (to reduce intracellular Na), inactivating INa reduced SR Ca release flux by 27%±4% (n=9). With 5 mM Na in the pipette, the Ca release upon inactivation of INa was reduced by 33%±5% (n=4). We suggest that increased activation of reverse NCX by increased intracellular Na concentration mainly produced by INa explains these findings. These conclusions are in agreement with studies on normal and NCX knockout mice, which show that INa affects SR Ca release only in normal, but not in NCX knockout mice. In similar experiments, we applied 100 nM TTX to selectively block brain isoforms of Na channels. In the presence of TTX, the SR Ca release flux was reduced by 35%±3% (n=6). This effect of INa on Ca release can be explained by early reverse NCX, activated by TTX sensitive INa, which could prime the dyadic cleft with Ca. Furthermore, the results can be explained if INa activation of NCX, and subsequent priming of the dyadic cleft with Ca, increases the coupling fidelity between LCCs and ryanodine receptors within a couplon. Thus the presence of INa increases the likelihood that couplons are activated.
Performance comparison of different multicast routing strategies in disruption tolerant networks

Disruption Tolerant Networks (DTNs) technologies are emerging solutions to networks that experience frequent partitions. As a result, multicast design in DTNs is a considerably more difficult problem compared to that in Internet and mobile ad hoc networks. In this paper, we first investigate three basic DTN multicast strategies, including unicast-based multicast (U-Multicast), static-tree-based multicast (ST-Multicast) and dynamic-tree-based multicast (DT-Multicast) strategies. Then we focus on studying two DT-Multicast routing schemes: Dynamic Tree Based Routing (DTBR) and On-demand Situation-aware Multicast (OS-Multicast), which address the challenges of utilizing opportunistic links to conduct dynamic multicast structures in DTNs. Performances of different strategies are then evaluated by simulations, including applying the real-world DTN traces. Our results show that OS-Multicast and DTBR can achieve higher message delivery ratio than that of using U-Multicast and ST-Multicast strategies. Also, to get better performance, we recommend that system designers select OS-Multicast when the source traffic rate is low.
Inhibitors of the Proton-Sucrose Symport

Abstract Sucrose transporters are important components of the assimilate partitioning pathway in many plants. In the results reported here, we examined the effect of several inhibitors on proton-coupled sucrose transport into plasma membrane vesicles isolated from sugar beet leaf tissue. Three compounds that are reversible inhibitors of glucose transporters, phlorizin, cytochalasin B, and forskolin, also inhibited the proton-sucrose symport. Additionally, several reagents that covalently modify specific amino acid residues, including p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonic acid (PCMBS), N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC), and Hg2+, were also examined. NEM was not an effective inhibitor of the symport under both energized (pH 6.0) and unenergized (pH 7.7) conditions. In contrast, PCMBS, DEPC, and Hg2+ blocked sucrose transport activity. However, in control experiments it was discovered that Hg2+, but not PCMBS or DEPC, dissipated the proton electrochemical potential difference (ΔμH) that drives sucrose accumulation. It was further demonstrated that Hg2+ dissipated an imposed Δμ+H in protein-free liposomes, thus obscuring its effect on the sucrose symport. In time- and concentration-dependent inactivation experiments, it was shown that DEPC binding was substrate protectable, thereby implicating binding at or near the active site of the carrier. In contrast, PCMBS activity was not linked to substrate binding. DEPC activity was partially reversed with hydroxylamine. This is consistent with specific modification of a histidine residue. Preloading purified vesicles with free histidine did not slow the DEPC-dependent inactivation kinetics. Since these membrane vesicles are predominantly right-side out, the last observation is consistent with a DEPC-sensitive site which is accessible from the outside face of the vesicle. The results with DEPC suggest that a histidine residue is at or near the active site of the sucrose symport and that this amino acid plays a critical role in the reaction mechanism.
Lateral ventricular meningioma

A 47-year-old woman presented with a 6-month history of progressive dizzy spells and occasional impairment of vision. Cranial computerized tomographic (CT) scan showed a calcified mass in the atrium of the left lateral ventricle, densely enhanced after intravenous administration of contrast material. Left carotid and vertebral angiograms demonstrated that the feeders of the tumor were coming from the left anterior choroidal and left lateral posterior choroidal arteries, both of which showed dilatation and neovascularity. The CT and angiographic findings led to successful removal of the tumor without impairment of the patient's vision. The pathological diagnosis was meningioma.
Psychological maturity and change in adult defense mechanisms

Abstract Change in the use of defense mechanisms between late adolescence and adulthood was assessed in two different longitudinal studies from the Institute of Human Development. The results were virtually identical: the use of Identification decreased, the use of Denial increased, and there was little change in the use of Projection. Both the use of Identification at adolescence, and its subsequent decrease in adulthood were found to be predicted by ego strength and committed Identity – that is, by evidence of developmental maturity at late adolescence. The decrease in Identification is consistent with predictions from the theory of defense mechanism development: defenses are related to developmental period; once that period is concluded, the use of the related defense declines.
Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) suppresses enzymatic degradation of PCL-based polyurethanes.

In this Article, we studied the enzymatic hydrolytic biodegradation behavior of a novel multiblock thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) system, which incorporates polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) into linear biodegradable thermoplastic polyurethanes containing poly(e-caproactone) (PCL) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) blocks. The biodegradation behavior of POSS-PCL-PEG TPUs was characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and wavelength dispersive X-ray spectrometry (WDS) after enduring 22-day accelerated enzymatic hydrolytic degradation tests. POSS incorporation significantly suppressed in vitro enzymatic hydrolytic degradation of PCL-PEG-based multiblock TPUs by a surface passivation mechanism. WDS observations revealed that the covalently bonded POSS moieties developed a near-continuous and robust POSS-layer after initial degradation, which prevented ester bonds of PCL from enzymatic attack, thereby inhibiting further degradation. These striking results provide a new strategy to fabricate the polyester-based biostable thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) of potential use in long-term surgical implants.
A modified QPSK modulation technique for direct antenna modulation (DAM) systems

Direct antenna modulation (DAM) has been proposed to overcome the bandwidth limitation of high Q resonating antennas by decoupling the stored energy from the coupled or radiated energy. It, however, due to its switching nature, imposes a zero voltage or zero current switching condition to the modulation technique at the symbol transition in order to achieve high radiation efficiency. Simple on-off keying (OOK) based on monocycle RF pulses was used in the past. In this paper, higher order phase shift keying modulation techniques are proposed for DAM systems. The so-called modified QPSK modulation technique can maintain zero current switching conditions at the symbol transitions while creating the four quadrant phases to represent different symbols. Simulations for a near field communication (NFC) system employing such modulation techniques have demonstrated better transmission performance judged by the eye diagrams.
THE TASTE OF SUGARS

Sugars evoke a distinctive perceptual quality ("sweetness" in humans) and are generally highly preferred. The neural basis for these phenomena is reviewed for rodents, in which detailed electrophysiological measurements have been made. A receptor has been identified that binds sweeteners and activates G-protein-mediated signaling in taste receptor cells, which leads to changes in neural firing rates in the brain, where perceptions of taste quality, intensity, and palatability are generated. Most cells in gustatory nuclei are broadly tuned, so quality perception presumably arises from patterns of activity across neural populations. However, some manipulations affect only the most sugar-oriented cells, making it useful to consider them as a distinct neural subtype. Quality perception may also arise partly due to temporal patterns of activity to sugars, especially within sugar-oriented cells that give large but delayed responses. Non-specific gustatory neurons that are excited by both sugars and unpalatable stimuli project to ventral forebrain areas, where neural responses provide a closer match with behavioral preferences. This transition likely involves opposing excitatory and inhibitory influences by different subgroups of gustatory cells. Sweeteners are generally preferred over water, but the strength of this preference can vary across time or between individuals, and higher preferences for sugars are often associated with larger taste-evoked responses.
Using history to improve mobile application adaptation

Prior work has shown the value of changing application fidelity to adapt to varying resource levels in a mobile environment. Choosing the right fidelity requires us to predict its effect on resource consumption. We describe a history-based mechanism for such predictions. Our approach generates predictors that are specialized to the hardware on which the application runs, and to the specific input data on which it operates. We are able to predict the CPU consumption of a complex graphics application to within 20% and the energy consumption of fetching and rendering Web images to within 15%.
Millimeter-wave-induced hypoalgesia in mice: dependence on type of experimental pain

Millimeter-wave therapy (MWT) is based on the systemic biological effects resulting from local exposure of skin to low-power electromagnetic waves of millimeter wavelength. The aims of the present study are to quantitatively evaluate hypoalgesic effects of MWT in murine experimental models of acute and chronic neuropathic pain, and to compare them with the previously determined MWT-induced hypoalgesia in an experimental model of chronic nonneuropathic pain, and also to assess the ability of local heating with a Holmium YAG laser to produce hypoalgesia in mice. The cold and hot water tail-flick tests and the unilateral chronic constriction injury (CCI) to the sciatic nerve were used as pain models. The MWT characteristics were: frequency =61.22 GHz; average power density =13.3 mW/cm/sup 2/; duration of exposure =15 min; and area of exposure-nose. This study demonstrated that a single MWT most effectively suppressed chronic nonneuropathic pain. Less effectively, a single MWT reduced pain sensitivity in the murine model of acute pain, and was ineffective in the model of chronic neuropathic pain. However, multiple MWT reduced the symptoms that developed following CCI. The local heating of the exposed area did not produce hypoalgesia. The findings support the use of MWT in chronic pain states.
Improved methods for working with fish chromosomes with a review of metaphase chromosome banding

Improved methods for obtaining, preparing, and staining fish chromosomes are described. Included are procedures for resolving serial or G-type bands. A brief review of various metaphase banding procedures and their use in fishes is also presented.
Teachers’ Responses to Bullying Incidents: Effects of Teacher Characteristics and Contexts

School is a critical context of bullying. This study investigated teacher responses to bullying incidents and the effects of individual and contextual variables on these responses. Participating teachers (N = 236) viewed streaming video vignettes depicting physical, verbal, and relational bullying and reported how they would respond to bullies and victims. Teachers were more likely to discipline bullies and to teach victims prosocial skills in physical bullying as opposed to relational or verbal. Teachers’ gender, perceived hostile school climate, and their childhood experiences with bullying were associated with their responses to bullying. Teachers were generally less likely to discipline bullies of a different ethnicity than of their own and more willing to discipline victims if their gender matched the gender of victims.
Photoresponses of ZnO nanobridge devices fabricated using a single-step thermal evaporation method

We have recently reported fabrication of ZnO nanobridge devices using a single-step thermal evaporation method. In this fabrication process, we completely eliminated the need of either any metal catalysts or a ZnO seed layer to synthesize the ZnO nanobridges. As initially postulated, the morphology of an anisotropic crystalline substrate alone defines the growth region to prevent the random growth of ZnO nanowires on the substrate. The photoresponses of a ZnO nanobridge device measured under the UV illumination (λ = 365 nm) have indicated distinctively higher photosensitivity compared with a networked ZnO nanowire device fabricated by using a conventional photolithography technique. This result confirms that the single-step process not only provides a simple and a cost effective way to integrate self-assembled nanodevices comprised of individual and/or multiple ZnO nanobridges with conventional circuits without using e-beam lithography techniques and/or additional costly deposition processes but also allows one to fabricate devices with higher photosensitivity.
Ixabepilone: a new chemotherapeutic option for refractory metastatic breast cancer

Taxane therapy is commonly used in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. However, most patients will eventually become refractory to these agents. Ixabepilone is a newly approved chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Although it targets microtubules similarly to docetaxel and paclitaxel, ixabepilone has activity in patients that are refractory to taxanes. This review summarizes the pharmacology of ixapebilone and clinical trials with the drug both as a single agent and in combination. Data were obtained using searches of PubMed and abstracts of the annual meetings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium from 1995 to 2008. Ixapebilone is a semi-synthetic analog of epothilone B that acts to induce apoptosis of cancer cells via the stabilization of microtubules. Phase I clinical trials have employed various dosing schedules ranging from daily to weekly to 3-weekly. Dose-limiting toxicites included neuropathy and neutropenia. Responses were seen in a variety of tumor types. Phase II studies verified activity in taxane-refractory metastatic breast cancer. The FDA has approved ixabepilone for use as monotherapy and in combination with capecitabine for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Ixabepilone is an efficacious option for patients with refractory metastatic breast cancer. The safety profile is similar to that of taxanes, with neuropathy and neutropenia being dose-limiting. Studies are ongoing with the use of both iv and oral formulations and in combination with other chemotherapeutic and biologic agents.
A Value Transmission Method for Abstract Data Types

data types have proved to be a useful technique for structuring systems. In large systems it is sometimes useful to have different regions of the system use different representations for the abstract data values. A technique is described for communicating abstract values between such regions. The method was developed for use in constructing distributed systems, where the regions exist at different computers and the values are communicated over a network. The method defines a call-by-value semantics; it is also useful in nondistributed systems wherever call by value is the desired semantics. An important example of such a use is a repository, such as a file system, for storing long- lived data. Abstract data types have proved to be a useful technique for structuring systems. They permit the programmer to encapsulate details of the representation of data so that these details can be changed with minimal impact on the program as a whole. It is sometimes useful, especially in large programs, to use different implementations of a data abstraction in different regions of the program. Current languages that support data abstraction, however, limit a program to a single implementation (11, 17). The reason for this limitation is the difficulty of com- municating between the regions using different implementations. This paper describes a technique for communicating abstract values between such regions. The method defines a call-by-value semantics. The method was developed for use in distributed systems, where the regions exist at different computers and the values are communicated over the network. It is also useful in
Analysis of the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes of two basidiomycetes, Coprinus cinereus and Coprinus stercorarius

Summary. The mitochondrial and nuclear genomes of Coprinus stercorarius and C. cinereus were compared to assess their evolutionary relatedness and to characterize at the molecular level changes that have occurred since they diverged from a common ancestor. The mitochon- drial genome of C. stercorarius (91.1 kb) is approximate- ly twice as large as that of C. cinereus (43.3 kb). The pattern of restriction enzyme recognition sites shows both genomes to be circular, but reveals no clear homo- logies; furthermore, the order of structural genes is dif- ferent in each species. The C. stercorarius mitochondrial genome contains a region homologous to a probe derived from the yeast mitochondrial varl gene, whereas its nu- clear genome does not. By contrast, the C. cinereus nu- clear, but not mitochondrial, genome contains a region homologous to the varl probe. Only a small fraction of either the nuclear or mitochondrial genomes, perhaps corresponding to the coding sequences, is capable of forming duplexes in interspecies solution reassociations, as measured by binding to hydroxylapatite. Those se- quences capable of reassociating were found to have ap- proximately 15% divergence for the mitochondrial ge- nomes and 7%-15% divergence for the nuclear genomes, depending on the conditions of reassociation.
Using “Informances” in General Music

General music teachers might be faced with formal performance expectations placed on them by administrators. While performance expectations are common in performance-based ensembles, meeting these expectations can be cumbersome and daunting to those who serve in the realm of general music. Informances—informative presentations of student learning that emphasize the learning process—provide an alternative to traditional concerts or programs. Informances serve as an excellent way of communicating one’s educational objectives to parents, administrators, and community members by sharing what and how students learn in the classroom. This article explores the benefits of including informances in one’s yearly programming, aligning the role of informances to address the new core music standards, two differing types of informances, as well as suggestions on how to successfully include them in the general music curriculum.
Effects of CF4/O2 gas plasma power/exposure time on dielectric properties and breakdown voltages of PVDF films

Dielectric properties and electrical breakdown strengths were measured on 12-μm-thick poly(vinylidene fluoride) films before and after exposure to various power levels and exposure times in a 96% CF4/4% O2 gas plasma. Significant changes in dielectric constant, dielectric losses, and breakdown voltages were observed. Breakdown voltages for PVDF films as a function of exposure time and plasma power appear to go through a maximum. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Driving a wedge between viral lipids blocks infection

There is a massive push to develop new drugs to treat viral infection. Traditional therapeutic strategies aim at viral proteins responsible for each and every step of viral replication. The main drawbacks of these approaches include an ever-increasing pool of drugs specific for a given virus and selection for drug-resistant viruses. An alternative strategy, which has recently gained popularity, targets cellular factors (not limited to viral receptors) involved in virus entry and replication (1, 2). Numerous cellular proteins aiding viral replication have recently emerged from genome-wide screens (3–6), showing the virus’ reliance on various cellular processes. Targeting less variable host factors is an attractive concept that is less prone to selecting for drug-resistant viruses. The flip side of this approach is the potential for serious side effects and the need to target a large and often nonoverlapping number of cellular factors. A study by St. Vincent et al. (7) in PNAS and the paper published earlier by another group (8) introduce an exciting paradigm that focuses on a universal cellular target, which happens to be an intricate part of all enveloped viruses. The authors (7) show that infection by enveloped viruses can be blocked by altering their membrane composition in a way that disfavors their merger with a target cell membrane.
Linking root traits to potential growth rate in six temperate tree species

There is an extremely limited understanding of how plants of different potential growth rate vary in root traits, especially in woody species. We contrasted fine root morphology, physiology, and elemental construction between a fast- and a slow-growing species in each of three families: Aceraceae (maple), Fagaceae (oak), and Pinaceae (pine). Measurements were primarily made on 1-year-old seedlings growing in a growth chamber. Across all three families, first- and second-order roots of fast-growing species had greater specific root length, thinner diameters, and faster respiration rates than those of slow-growing species. These fine roots of fast-growing species in Aceraceae and Fagaceae also had faster phos- phorus (P) uptake on a surface area basis than those of slow-growing species, whereas little difference in P up- take was found between Pinaceae species. On a dry weight basis, roots of fast-growing species in Aceraceae and Fagaceae had higher nitrogen concentrations, lower carbon:nitrogen ratios and higher tissue construction costs than roots of slow-growing species (data were un- available for Pinaceae). Tissue density did not vary in a consistent pattern between fast- and slow-growing spe- cies across all three families ( P=0.169). To better under- stand the ecological significance of differences in these root characteristics, a root efficiency model was used to compare P uptake and root carbon (C) cost of each spe- cies in simulated field situations in two soils, one with low P buffering capacity (loamy sand) and another with relatively high P buffering capacity (silt loam). For the soil conditions modeled, fast-growing species of Acerac- eae and Fagaceae were 17-70% more efficient (defined as cumulative P gain divided by cumulative C cost) at nutrient capture than slow-growing species while the fast- growing Pinaceae species was 20-24% less efficient than the slow-growing species. However, among all three fam- ilies, roots of fast-growing species reached maximum lifetime efficiency 5-120 days sooner, depending on soil type. Thus, modeling results indicated that root traits of fast- and slow-growing species affected P acquisition in simulated field soil although soil type also had a strong impact.
Decomposition of Bt and Non-Bt Corn Hybrid Residues in the Field

Results of a previous laboratory study indicated that six transgenic crops expressing the Cry1Ab insecticidal protein from Bacillus thuringi- ensis (Bt) decomposed at a slower rate than their respective non-Bt isolines. Consequently, litter decomposition rates, nitrogen cycling, and carbon pools may change in agricultural systems as the result of the widespread use of Bt crops. In this study, we assessed the decomposition rates and chemical composition of commonly grown hybrids of Bt and non-Bt isolines of corn (Zea mays L.) in the field. Leaves, stalks, and cobs from two Bt corn hybrids (Pioneer 34N44 Bt and NC+ 4990 Bt) and their non-Bt isolines (Pioneer 34N43 and NC+ 4880) were analyzed for biomass fractions (soluble, hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin) and total C and N content. Litterbags containing these residues were buried at a depth of 10 cm in a Holdrege silt loam (fine-silty, mixed, mesic Typic Argiustolls) soil and recovered 5, 11, 17, and 23 months after placement in the field. There were no differences in the rates of decomposition and mass of C remaining over time between the Bt and non-Bt corn residues. Plant parts differed in decomposition rates where leaves ( stalks ( cobs. There were differences in total C, total N, biomass fractions, and C:N ratios between initial Bt and non-Bt corn residues, and between companies (NC+ and Pioneer), however, these differences did not result in differences in their rates of decomposition or mass of C remaining over time. For each plant part, there were no differences in lignin content between the Bt and non-Bt residues. These data suggest that the Bt and non- Bt corn hybrids used in this study should not cause differences in carbon sequestration when their residues decompose under similar environmental conditions.
Transient Resonance in Hypervelocity Launchers at Critical Velocities

A projectile accelerating along launcher rails may cross a range of critical velocities and induce resonance. As a result, the rails and other components exhibit increased displacements and stress that may cause launcher failure. This work is focused on the computation of the critical velocity and investigation of the transient resonance in the assembly of a notional electromagnetic hypervelocity launcher. Several analytical and finite-element models were employed. Different models yielded a good correlation and aided in better understanding of the launcher dynamics. Analysis shows that various components of a launcher can have different critical velocities. The results of this work will further be used to develop a novel design approach based on the idea of controlling the intervals between the critical velocities to minimize the enhanced occurrence of induced resonance regimes in launcher assemblies
Testing multi-beta asset pricing models

Abstract This paper presents a complete solution to the estimation and testing of multi-beta models by providing a small sample likelihood ratio test when the usual normality assumption is imposed and an almost analytical GMM test when the normality assumption is relaxed. Using 10 size portfolios from January 1926 to December 1994, we reject the joint efficiency of the CRSP value-weighted and equal-weighted indices. We also apply the tests to analyze a new version of Fama and French's [Fama, E.F., French, K.R. (1993). Common risk factors in the returns on stocks and bonds. Journal of Financial Economics. 33, 3–56.] three-factor model in addition to two standard ones, and find that the new version performs the best.
Two-photon-excited stimulated emission from atomic hydrogen in flames

The first observation to the author’s knowledge of optically excited stimulated emission in atomic hydrogen is described. The two-photon n = 1 → n = 3 transition of hydrogen atoms in low-pressure flames is excited with 205-nm radiation produced by using a beta barium borate crystal to frequency mix the fundamental and frequency-doubled radiation from a 615-nm pulsed dye laser. The resulting 656-nm n = 3 → n = 2 Balmer-α radiation is readily observable by eye as a coherent beam propagating in both the forward and reverse directions. We describe a variety of characteristics of the stimulated emission, comparing its behavior with simultaneous measurements of two-photon-excited fluorescence, and discuss the possibility that the stimulated-emission process may affect the quantum yield of fluorescence and ionization detection methods. Potential diagnostic applications of two-photon-excited stimulated-emission detection for measuring atomic hydrogen in flames are demonstrated, using simultaneous profile measurements of stimulated emission and fluorescence signals.
Imaging Evaluation of Adnexal Masses: Self-Assessment Module

The educational objectives for this self-assessment module on adnexal masses are for the participant to exercise, self-assess, and improve his or her knowledge of the imaging evaluation of adnexal masses and to gain familiarity with the features of adnexal masses on sonography and MRI that characterize them as benign.
Beautiful minds (i.e., brains) and the neural basis of intelligence

The commentaries address conceptual issues ranging from our narrow focus on neuroimaging to the various definitions of intelligence. The integration of the P-FIT and data from cognitive neuroscience is particularly important and considerable consistency is found. Overall, the commentaries affirm that advances in neuroscience techniques have caused intelligence research to enter a new phase. The P-FIT is recognized as a reasonable empirical framework to test hypotheses about the relationship of brain structure and function with intelligence and reasoning.