cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deep learning: A guide for practitioners in the physical sciences

Machine learning is finding increasingly broad applications in the physical sciences. This most often involves building a model relationship between a dependent, measurable output, and an associated set of controllable, but complicated, independent inputs. We present a tutorial on current techniques in machine learning—a jumping-off point for interested researchers to advance their work. We focus on deep neural networks with an emphasis on demystifying deep learning. We begin with background ideas in machine learning and some example applications from current research in plasma physics. We discuss supervised learning techniques for modeling complicated functions, beginning with familiar regression schemes, and then advancing to more sophisticated deep learning methods. We also address unsupervised learning and techniques for reducing the dimensionality of input spaces. Along the way, we describe methods for practitioners to help ensure that their models generalize from their training data to as-yet-unseen test data. We describe classes of tasks—predicting scalars, handling images, and fitting time-series—and prepare the reader to choose an appropriate technique. We finally point out some limitations to modern machine learning and speculate on some ways that practitioners from the physical sciences may be particularly suited to help.
How Expensive Are U.S. Broadband and Wireless Services

A conventional wisdom holds that competition for broadband and wireless services has declined in the United States over the past 20 years. This note provides an updated comparison of the US with other rich countries, focusing on prices, speed, and investment. Contrary to some recent commentaries, it finds that the conventional wisdom is largely correct and that American consumers pay more than consumers in other industrialized nations.
Safety Evaluation of KP-10 (Metastin 45–54) Following once Daily Intravenous Administration for 14 Days in Dog:

Kisspeptin-10 (previously referred as metastin 45–54), an active fragment of the endogenous full-length kisspeptin-145, is a potential therapeutic agent for reproductive disorders such as infertili...
Radiation, Adenosine Signaling, and Immunosuppressive Changes to the Tumor Microenvironment.

Purpose/objective(s) Tumor irradiation causes pro-inflammatory changes in the tumor microenvironment (TME). We have shown that these changes may be countered by the induction of immunosuppressive changes that drive therapy resistance. Here, we test the hypothesis that radiation activates adenosine signaling and induces immunosuppressive myeloid cells in the TME. Materials/methods Using the 4T1 orthotopic breast cancer mouse model, we tested immunophenotypic changes to the TME by spectral flow cytometry and by bulk RNASeq of tumor infiltrating leukocytes (CD45+, TILs) 72-hours after tumor irradiation (8 Gy x 1) using the small animal radiation research platform (SARRP, Xstrahl; 220 kV). Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were cultured in vitro with 0.1, 1, and 10uM of adenosine receptor agonist, 5'-N-ethylcarboxamindoadenosine (NECA), in the presence of CD3/CD28 beads. Cytokine quantification of cell-free supernatant was performed 48-hours later using the Meso Scale Discovery platform. Results Radiation increases the abundance of CD11b+ myeloid cells (77.4% vs. 84.4%) and decreases TCRb+ lymphocytes (6.3% vs. 3.6%) in the TME. The reduction of lymphocytes was driven by CD4+ T-cells (5.2% vs 2.7%), including a proportional reduction in Tregs (1.4% vs 0.63%), with no change in abundance of CD8+ T-cells (0.53% vs 0.43%). The increase in myeloid cells was predominantly influenced by granulocytic- and monocytic-myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs: 22% vs 34.5%; M-MSCSs: 3.0% vs 10.0%). By bulk RNASeq of CD45+ TILs, radiation increased the expression of adenosine 2A receptor (A2AR, log2 fold change 1.13) and A2BR (log2 fold change 0.92), but not CD73 - an ecto-nucleotidase that metabolizes AMP to adenosine. By flow cytometry, radiation increased expression of both CD73 and A2AR in the myeloid population, with CD73 expression significantly increased in the monocytic compartment (Ly6C+, 63% vs 70%) and A2AR expression increased in the granulocytic compartment (Ly6G, 89% vs 97%). The addition of adenosine analog, NECA, to human PBMCs resulted in significant reduction in effector T-cell cytokines (IL-2, IFN- γ, granzyme B) across doses, an increase in IL-6 and MCP-1/CCL2 at the intermediate dose tested, and increased IFN-β and TGF- β while decreasing IL-1 β, IL-8 only at the highest dose. Conclusion Radiation induces an immunosuppressive TME, increasing the abundance of PMN-MDSCs and M-MDSCs and activating adenosine signaling. Radiation increases the expression of adenosine receptors on CD45+ TILs at the transcriptomic level and cell surface expression of CD73 on monocytes and A2AR on granulocytes. Treatment of human PBMCs with adenosine receptor agonist resulted in loss of effector T-cell function and suppressive changes to cytokine milieu. These data suggest a mechanistic link between radiation, adenosine signaling and the myeloid compartment.
Inelastic Lateral Buckling of Beams

The problem of the inelastic lateral buckling of steel wide-flange beams is treated as an extension of the classical elastic buckling solution. The method is developed for the case of equal end-moments, about the major axis of the cross section, and for simply supported lateral and torsional boundary conditions. The influence of cooling residual stresses is considered in defining the boundaries of the elastic core. The lateral and the torsional stiffnesses are computed from the assumption that only the unyielded portions of the beams resist lateral buckling. The numerical work was performed for four representative wide-flange cross sections, and the results are represented as non-dimensional critical length-versus-critical moment curves. A simplified analytical method is given, and the analytical results are compared with two empirical design equations. A straight line transition equation is proposed in the report.
ECOLOGICAL ROLE OF ANIMAL DIVERSITY IN SOIL SYSTEM (A CASE STUDY AT EL- RAWAKEEB DRY LAND RESEARCH STATION, SUDAN)

Interest in soil biodiversity characterization and its function in soil ecosystem have come from the need to develop this ecosystem and manipulate soil biota to encourage a greater reliance on ecosystem self-regulation. Observations on the impacts of agricultural managements on populations and communities of soil fauna and their interactions confirm that high input, intensively managed systems tend to promote low diversity while lower input systems conserve diversity. Animal diversity contributes to soil ecology and functioning such as breakdown and cycling of nutrients in the soil. These animals are essential to the proper function of the soil ecosystem in different environments. In arid environment, the role of soil Collembola , mites and nematodes in decomposing plant litter was assessed and compared in El-Rawakeeb Dry land Research Station, (latitudes 15" - 2ᵒ and 15"- 36ᵒ N and longitudes 32" -0ᵒ and 32" – 10ᵒ E) as affected by application of organic manure (bovine manure) or pesticide ( neem leaf powder) over one year. Thirty litter bags each one contain 10 gm oven dried litter of Cajanus, cajan were buried into the treated and control plots. Six bags per plot along with their respective soil were retrieved four times the year. Mean mass loss in litter was correlated to population density of Collembola, mites and nematodes. Some soil properties eg. temperature, moisture , particle size distribution and organic matter contents were correlated to litter mass loss. Results showed that manuring enhanced role of decomposers in decomposing plant litter, while neem application mostly retarded it.
Construction of a Minimal, Protein-Free Spliceosome

The spliceosome is a complex and dynamic molecular machine that splices pre-messenger RNAs to mature transcripts, a crucial step in eukaryotic gene expression. In her essay that won the Young Scientist Award, Saba Valadkhan describes the construction of a minimal, protein-free spliceosome. Her work provided direct evidence for RNA catalysis in the spliceosome and settled the longstanding question of the identity of the catalytic domain. It provides an elegant example of using designed simple biological systems to address problems not amenable to other approaches. For the full text of essays by the regional winners and for information about applying for next year9s awards, see Science Online at www.sciencemag.org/feature/data/prizes/ge/index.shtml.
Fast Spin Rotations by Optically Controlled Geometric Phases in a Charge-Tunable InAs Quantum Dot

We demonstrate optical control of the geometric phase acquired by one of the spin states of an electron confined in a charge-tunable InAs quantum dot via cyclic 2pi excitations of an optical transition in the dot. In the presence of a constant in-plane magnetic field, these optically induced geometric phases result in the effective rotation of the spin about the magnetic field axis and manifest as phase shifts in the spin quantum beat signal generated by two time-delayed circularly polarized optical pulses. The geometric phases generated in this manner more generally perform the role of a spin phase gate, proving potentially useful for quantum information applications.
Biliary tract cancer incidence in the United States- demographic and temporal variations by anatomic site

We evaluated incidence patterns of biliary tract cancers (gallbladder, extrahepatic bile duct, ampulla of Vater and not otherwise specified) to provide potential insight into the etiology of these cancers. Data were obtained from the population-based Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results program. Rates for cases diagnosed during 1992-2009 were calculated by racial/ethnic, gender and age groups. Temporal trends during 1974-2009 and annual percentage changes (APC) during 1992-2009 were estimated. Age-adjusted rates by site were higher among American Indian/Alaska Natives, Hispanics (white) and Asian/Pacific Islanders (Asian/PI) and lower among whites and blacks. Gallbladder cancer was more common among women in all ethnic groups (female-to-male incidence rate ratio [IRR] ranged from 1.24 to 2.86), but bile duct and ampulla of Vater cancers were more common among men (female-to-male IRR 0.57 to 0.82). Gallbladder cancer rates declined among all racial/ethnic and gender groups except blacks (APC -0.4% to -3.9%). In contrast, extrahepatic bile duct cancer rates rose significantly in most female racial/ethnic groups; the APCs among whites were 0.8 among females and 1.3 among males, both significant. Rates for ampulla of Vater cancer decreased among Asian/PI females (APC -2.7%) but remained stable for the other groups. In addition to confirming that biliary tract cancer incidence patterns differ by gender and site and that the gallbladder cancer incidence rates have been declining, our study provides novel evidence that extrahepatic bile duct cancer rates are rising. These observations may help guide future etiologic studies.
Vizster: visualizing online social networks

Recent years have witnessed the dramatic popularity of online social networking services, in which millions of members publicly articulate mutual "friendship" relations. Guided by ethnographic research of these online communities, we have designed and implemented a visualization system for playful end-user exploration and navigation of large scale online social networks. Our design builds upon familiar node link network layouts to contribute customized techniques for exploring connectivity in large graph structures, supporting visual search and analysis, and automatically identifying and visualizing community structures. Both public installation and controlled studies of the system provide evidence of the system's usability, capacity for facilitating discovery, and potential for fun and engaged social activity
The emergence of networking abstractions and techniques in TinyOS

The constraints of sensor networks, an emerging area of network research, require new approaches in system design. We study the evolution of abstractions and techniques in TinyOS, a popular sensor network operating system. Examining CVS repositories of several research institutions that use TinyOS, we trace three areas of development: single-hop networking, multi-hop networking, and network services. We note common techniques and draw conclusions on the emerging abstractions as well as the novel constraints that have shaped them.
The Heritability of Eating Disorders: Methods and Current Findings

Family, twin, and adoption studies of anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge-eating disorder (BED), and the proposed purging disorder presentation (PD) have consistently demonstrated that genetic factors contribute to the variance in liability to eating disorders. In addition, endophenotypes and component phenotypes of eating disorders have been evaluated and provide further insight regarding genetic factors influencing eating disorders and eating disorder diagnostic criteria. Many of these phenotypes have demonstrated substantial heritability. This chapter reviews biometrical genetic methods and current findings from family and twin studies that investigate the role of genes and environment in the etiology of eating disorders. We review the methodology used to estimate heritability, the results of these studies, and discuss the implications of this research for the basic conceptualization of eating disorders and the future value of twin modeling in the molecular genetic era.
Incidence of New Atherothrombotic Brain Infarction in Older Persons With Prior Myocardial Infarction and Serum Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol ≥125 mg/dl Treated With Statins Versus No Lipid-Lowering Drug

Background We report the incidence of new atherothrombotic brain infarction (ABI) in older men and women with prior myocardial infarction and a serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol of >or=125 mg/dl treated with statins and with no lipid-lowering drug. Methods The incidence of new ABI was investigated in an observational prospective study of 1410 men and women, mean age 81 +/- 9 years, with prior myocardial infarction and a serum LDL cholesterol of >or=125 mg/dl treated with statins (679 persons or 48%) and with no lipid-lowering drug (731 persons or 52%). Follow-up was 36 +/- 21 months. Results At follow-up, the stepwise Cox regression model showed that significant independent predictors of new ABI were age (risk ratio = 1.04 for a 1-year increase in age), cigarette smoking (risk ratio = 3.5), hypertension (risk ratio = 3.1), diabetes mellitus (risk ratio = 2.3), initial serum LDL cholesterol (risk ratio = 1.01 for each 1 mg/dl increase), initial serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (risk ratio = 0.97 for each 1 mg/dl increase), prior stroke (risk ratio = 2.5), and use of statins (risk ratio = 0.40). The Cochran-Armitage test showed a trend in the reduction of new ABI in persons treated with statins as the level of serum LDL cholesterol decreased ( p Conclusions Use of statins caused a 60%, significant, independent reduction in new ABI in older men and women with prior myocardial infarction and a serum LDL cholesterol of >or=125 mg/dl.
Cluster-transfer analysis of the 7Li(3He, p)9 Be reaction

Abstract An exact finite-range two-mode multi-interaction DWBA cluster-transfer analysis of the 7 Li( 3 He, p) 9 Be reaction for 3 He bombarding energies of 3.2, 4.5, and 10 MeV is performed using the computer code FANLU2. It is found that it is essential to include the exchange mode in order to describe the angular distributions at backward angles and that the analysis provides a good overall description of the reaction when the full exact finite-range multi-interaction formalism is employed. Extracted spectroscopic factors indicate that d⊕ 7 Li is a more probable cluster configuration for 9 Be than is 3 He⊕ 6 He, but the latter configuration plays an important role in the analysis. The various cancellation approximations that can be employed in the DWBA are shown to be inadequate for this reaction.
Phospholipase A2Activities Are Decreased during Early but Increased during Late Phases of Sepsis in Rat Heart

Abstract Background.Changes in the activities of secretory phospholipase A2(sPLA2) and cytosolic phospholipase A2(cPLA2) in the rat heart during early hyperdynamic and late hypodynamic phases of sepsis were studied in an attempt to understand the pathophysiology of cardiac dysfunction during sepsis. Methods.Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Experiments were divided into three groups: control, early sepsis, and late sepsis. Early and late sepsis refers to those animals sacrificed at 9 and 18 h, respectively, after CLP. PLA2activity was measured based on the rate of hydrolysis of 1-palmitoyl-2-[1-14C]oleoyl phosphatidylcholine. Results.The results show that under physiological conditions, sPLA2and cPLA2activities were time and protein dependent. The optimal Ca2+concentrations for sPLA2and cPLA2activities were 3 mM and 40 μM, respectively. During sepsis, sPLA2activity was decreased by 25% (P Conclusions.Since PLA2functions to maintain cell membrane integrity and function, a biphasic change in sPLA2and cPLA2activities may contribute to the development of the two cardiodynamically distinct phases during the progression of sepsis.
Wave energy transformation on natural profiles

Abstract A wave energy transformation model, which includes wave breaking within the surf zone described by surface rollers, is developed for randomly varying waves over arbitrary bathymetry. The model includes roller energy gradients in the energy flux balance, and further specifies the dissipation function based on roller theory following Svendsen. Root-mean-square wave heights, Hrms, are found across the surf zone by numerical iteration, and compare well with field data acquired on both barred and near-planar beaches. The model has two free parameters, σ, the mean angle to vertical of the wave/roller interface roughly representing the type of breaker, and γ, a measure of breaking wave saturation equal to the ratio of Hrms to local depth. Optimal values of both parameters are chosen by model fitting, and show the model to be insensitive to σ. Although the model is sensitive to the choice of γ, values are consistent with field data. The surface roller model behaves similarly to the bore dissipation model of Thornton and Guza for a particular parameter choice, and is used to decrease model dependence to one input parameter, γ.
Review: Propafenone—A New Agent for the Treatment of Ventricular Arrhythmias

ABSTRACT Over the last several years a number of new and potent antiarrhythmic agents have been developed. One of these promising new drugs, propafenone hydrochloride (Rhythmol®), will soon be available for use in this country. Although similar in some aspects to flecainide and encainide, the drug possesses some unique characteristics. The purpose of this review is to summarize the pharmacologic and physiologic effects of propafenone and to outline its clinical use.
Fear and aggression in the rat

The effect of fear on two types of aggression in rats was investigated by adding a cat stimulus to a colony in which the dominant male was attacking an intruder (offensive aggression), or, to a tube test situation in which defensive biting was measured before and during tail shock. The cat completely abolished offense in the colony; when the cat was presented and removed before a strange rat was placed in the colony, attack on the intruder was also reduced. In contrast, defensive biting was unchanged or even slightly potentiated by the presence of the cat, demonstrating a separation of the effects of fear on offensive and defensive aggression.
Bacterial Variability Within Diseased Periodontal Sites

The purpose of this study was to examine the variability in bacterial proportions between individual periodontal sites in patients with chronic periodontitis by means of differential dark-field microscopy. Fourteen patients with untreated, moderate to advanced disease were included. Probing depth, plaque and gingival index scores were recorded for each patient. Microbial samples were collected from the tooth surface with the greatest probing depth in each sextant and examined individually by dark-field microscopy. The results indicated that proportions of spirochetes and motile rods at any given probing depth varied considerably, ranging from those expected at healthy sites to those expected at diseased sites. In accordance with previous studies, mean percentages of spirochetes tended to vary directly with increased PD, PlI and GI scores, while mean percentages of coccoid cells tended to follow a reverse pattern. However, no significant correlations could be demonstrated when measurements from individual ...
Confidence Intervals of a Climatic Signal

Abstract In order to interpret climate statistics correctly, the definitions of climate change, signal-to-noise ratio and statistical significance are clarified. It is proposed to test the significance of climate statistics by the use of confidence intervals, since they are more informative than merely testing the null hypothesis that the true response is zero. The confidence intervals of the mean difference, variance ratio and signal-to-noise ratio are formulated and applied to a climate sensitivity study. It is also proposed to make a multivariate test of a response pattern by the use of joint confidence intervals, since they are more informative than merely testing the null hypothesis that the true response is everywhere zero. These intervals can also be applied to test the joint significance of the amplitude and phase of the seasonal cycles of a response.
A density functional theory study of oxygen reduction reaction on Me–N4 (Me = Fe, Co, or Ni) clusters between graphitic pores

In this study, we performed first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations to investigate the reaction pathway of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on Me–N4 (Me = Fe, Co, or Ni) catalytic clusters formed between pores in graphene supports. Our DFT results indicate that formation of Me–N4 clusters at the edges of graphitic pores is energetically feasible. The catalytic mechanism of the Me–N4 clusters for ORR was elucidated by calculating the binding energies of ORR intermediates O2, O, OH, OOH, HOOH, and H2O on these clusters. It was found that O2 could be chemisorbed on the Co–N4 and Fe–N4 clusters but not on the Ni–N4 clusters. Thus, the Co–N4 and Fe–N4 clusters are predicted to be active for catalyzing ORR. Moreover, we observed that the O–O bond in HOOH was broken in the lowest-energy adsorption configuration of HOOH on the Fe–N4 and Co–N4 clusters. This process of breaking the O–O bond suggests that the Fe–N4 and Co–N4 clusters between graphitic pores could promote 4e− reduction of O2 with a single active site. Here, our theoretical study provides an explanation to the experimental findings of 4e− ORR on nitrogen-derived transition metal/carbon electrocatalysts. Furthermore, we illustrated that the ORR activity of the Me–N4 clusters could be gauged by an electronic descriptor related to the d-electron orbitals of the transition metal atom.
Effect of Freezing Rate and Thawing Rate on Milk Properties

Abstract Milks of 17 different compositions were standardized by addition of varying amounts of 40% cream to mixed herd milk each week over seven weeks. Samples were divided into five portions; one was analyzed fresh; the remaining four portions were frozen and thawed at different rates and analyzed after 49 days of frozen storage. Milk fat, protein, and total solids were determined. Milk fat and total solids were lower for frozen samples than for those analyzed fresh. Babcock fat test was also affected by rate of freezing and possibly by an interaction between freezing and thawing rates. Correlation coefficients indicated that milk fat, protein, and total solids in fresh milk could be accurately predicted from determinations on milk which had been frozen and thawed.
Induction of detoxification enzymes in phytophagous insects: Role of insecticide synergists, larval age, and species

Five insecticide synergists, all of which were either methylenedioxyphenyl compounds or analogs, were compared as to their effect on cytochrome P450 monooxygenase induction caused by an allelochemical in fall armyworm larvae. Feeding the synergists (piperonyl butoxide, safrole, isosafrole, MGK 264, and myristicin) individually to the larvae caused decreases in the microsomal aldrin epoxidase activities ranging from 38% to 74% when compared with controls. Feeding indole-3-carbinol resulted in a 4-fold increase in the microsomal epoxidase activity. However, cotreatment of any of the synergists and the inducer completely eliminated the induction. Sixth instar larvae were more inducible than second instar larvae with respect to microsomal epoxidase and glutathione transferase in the fall armyworm. Enzyme inducibility varied widely among the seven phytophagous Lepidoptera examined. When indole-3-carbinol was used as an inducer of microsomal epoxidase, the extent of inducibility of the enzyme was fall armyworm > velvetbean caterpillar > corn earworm > beet armyworm > tobacco budworm > cabbage looper > diamondback moth. When indole-3-acetonitrile was used as an inducer, the inducibility of glutathione transferase was fall armyworm > beet armyworm > corn earworm > cabbage looper > velvetbean caterpillar > tobacco budworm > diamondback moth. Inducibility of five microsomal oxidase systems also varied considerably in the corn earworm, indicating the multiplicity of cytochrome P450 in this species. Microsomal epoxidase and glutathione transferase were induced by cruciferous host plants such as cabbage and their allelochemicals in diamondback moth larve. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Addressing the “It Is Just Placebo” Pitfall in CAM: Methodology of a Project to Develop Patient-Reported Measures of Nonspecific Factors in Healing

CAM therapies are often dismissed as “no better than placebo;” however, this belief may be overcome through careful analysis of nonspecific factors in healing. To improve trial methodology, we propose that CAM (and conventional) RCTs should evaluate and adjust for the effects of intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental factors on outcomes. However, measurement of these is challenging, and there are no brief, precise instruments that are suitable for widespread use in trials and clinical settings. This paper describes the methodology of a project to develop a set of patient-reported instruments that will quantify the nonspecific or “placebo” effects that are in fact specific and active ingredients in healing. The project uses the rigorous instrument-development methodology of the NIH-PROMIS initiative. The methods include (1) integration of patients' and clinicians' opinions with existing literature; (2) development of relevant items; (3) calibration of items on large samples; (4) classical test theory and modern psychometric methods to select the most useful items; (5) development of computerized adaptive tests (CATs) that maximize information while minimizing patient burden; and (6) initial validation studies. The instruments will have the potential to revolutionize clinical trials in both CAM and conventional medicine through quantifying contextual factors that contribute to healing.
Inescapable shock induces resistance to the effects of dexamethasone

Administration of bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysachharide; LPS) elevates proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and IL-6, and activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Corticosterone (CORT), the glucocorticoid (GC) effector hormone of the HPA axis in rats, inhibits both proinflammatory cytokine production/release and activity of the HPA axis itself. Exposure to chronic or repeated stressors often induces resistance to the effects of GCs. The following experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that an acute stressor, inescapable tailshock (IS), alters responsivity of the HPA axis and proinflammatory cytokine system to dexamethasone (DEX), a synthetic GC. First, we examined the ability of various doses of DEX to suppress proinflammatory cytokine and HPA activity in response to LPS challenge 24 h after either home cage (HCC) or IS treatment. Upon finding resistance to DEX in IS animals, we examined the duration of the altered response to DEX by testing animals 1, 4 and 21 days after IS. To test whether IS animals were selectively resistant to the suppressive effects of DEX on the response to LPS, the ability of DEX to suppress HPA activity in response to a non-inflammatory stressor, exposure to an elevated "pedestal", was assessed. Again, DEX resistance was observed in IS animals. Finally, we examined whether changes in the responsivity to DEX were dependent upon the controllability of the stressor. The induction of DEX resistance was independent of the degree of behavioral control that the animal had over the stressor. Thus, a single session of IS induces DEX resistance of both HPA axis and cytokine responses measured in vivo.
Instantaneous energy separation in a free jet - Part II. Total temperature measurement

Abstract The mechanism of energy separation in a free jet and its enhancement by acoustic excitation are investigated using an experimental technique to measure instantaneous velocity and total temperature simultaneously. The measured velocity and total temperature data are analyzed and compared by both time-averaged and spectral methods. By introducing the skewness of the total temperature fluctuation, the characteristics of energy separation can be identified. The results show that the frequencies of dominant total temperature fluctuation coincide with those of velocity fluctuation which represent the passing frequencies of vortices at give locations. This confirms that the mechanism of energy separation is induced by the motion of the coherent vortical structure which generates pressure fluctuation with the flow field. Spectral analysis of the data with acoustic excitation indicate that the enhancement of energy separation by acoustic excitation should result from vortex pairing processes induced by the acoustic excitation.
Overture and Finale: Lévi-Strauss, Music, and Religion

Abstract Claude Levi-Strauss’s writings are filled with intricate discussions of music, seemingly intended to clarify his thinking about myth and ritual. His peculiar, idiosyncratic musical remarks point in surprising directions, posing a significant and continuing challenge to scholars of religion. In an important recent book, music semiologist Jean-Jacques Nattiez explicates Levi-Strauss’s musical ideas and levels a number of strong criticisms. Drawing on the original texts as well as Nattiez’s critique, I argue that while Levi-Strauss is certainly wrong about music, this very wrongness reveals dimensions of his project of considerable importance for our own discipline. Specifically, I find that Levi-Strauss’s conception of myth, as it arises in the context of his somewhat bizarre ideas about contemporary music, raises difficult methodological and ethical questions about particularism and the necessity of comparison.
Comparison of Volatiles Produced by Selected Pseudomonads on Chicken Skin

Four pseudomonad cultures (one P. putida, one nonpigmented, and two P. fluorescens) were isolated from spoiled chicken breasts held at 2–6°C for 14 days. Each culture was grown on psychrotroph-free chicken skin for 14 days at 2–6°C. The volatiles produced by each organism were separated by high-resolution gas chromatography and identified by mass spectrometry. Some of the more significant volatile spoilage compounds produced by these microorganisms were sulfur-containing, e.g. methanethiol, dimethyl sulfide, propylene sulfide, and dimethyl disulfide.
Sodium channels blocked by aphantoxin obtained from the blue-green alga, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae

Abstract Aphantoxin, an agent contained in some New Hampshire strains of the cyanobacteria, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae , blocks the sodium conductance of the squid axon membrane with no effect on the potassium conductance. Channel blockage by aphantoxin follows a dose-response curve representative of 1:1 stoichiometry, similar to the action of tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin. The blocking effect of aphantoxin appears to be completely reversible.
Modification of provider behavior to achieve improved asthma outcomes.

Despite an abundance of scientific evidence supporting the use of guidelines, adherence to asthma practice guidelines by physicians generally is low, regardless of provider and patient characteristics. As a result, scientific information, obtained with great effort and at huge expense, is not being translated into clinical practice. To remedy this, we developed a disease management program that emphasizes alteration of provider behavior using operant conditioning. We did this by placing asthma educators in private offices for up to 8 weeks. The educators used a combination of problembased learning, role modeling, and operant conditioning with positive reinforcement to affect behavior change. As a result of these behavior changes, by the end of 8 weeks the cost to treat asthma patients decreased, despite an increase in the cost of medications. We concluded that behavior-oriented programs targeted at provider offices can lead to improved asthma care while reducing costs.
Road Construction Earthwork Volume Calculation Using Three-Dimensional Laser Scanning

Terrestrial laser-scanning (TLS) technology can be used to create a detailed model before and after construction to determine earthwork quantities. Cost-effective implementation of this technology requires that field operations are planned to efficiently acquire sufficient scan data and that data processing is able to filter out off-terrain points to provide an accurate bare earth model. This research developed a workflow for using TLS on road projects and created a customized computer program with a graphical user interface. Scans taken before and after construction were planned using the best available terrain model. Point cloud data were converted to station/offset coordinates for viewing cross-sections and generating the surface. An algorithm was developed, based on the finite element method, to create a surface through the lowest scan points. This surface was converted to a Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN) file, and earthwork quantities were calculated by comparing the TIN of the original terrain to that of the finished project.
AN EXPERIENTIAL CAPSTONE FOR STUDENTS OF ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR

The benefits of experiential exercises for making conceptual material more dynamic and relevant, thus enhancing students' learning and developing their skills, are well documented. Presented here is an easy‐to‐administer roleplay that enables students to integrate a wide range of concepts covered in a typical organizational behavior course. Participants assume the roles of members of a food services department attending their weekly staff meeting. At the meeting, the new department manager announces that the previous manager has just resigned Each roleplayer has a different perspective on the problem‐riddled department, and none has a complete set of relevant information. Because the roleplayers have engaging issues, students participate actively, practicing managerial behaviors as they experience various organizational phenomena. An assessment of the exercise indicates its usefulness for developing students' skills, imparting an appreciation for the realities of organizational life, and provoking introspection and self‐learning.
Environmental effects on latex paint coatings. I. Base polymer degradation

Films of the base polymer used in a latex paint have been exposed to various combinations of UV/SO2/H2O/air. The polymer is primarily a terpolymer of butyl acrylate, vinyl acetate, and vinyl chloride. Reported here are results from dynamic mechanical analysis (Tg), sol-gel analysis, intrinsic viscosity and contact angle measurements. Exposure without the presence of UV and causes virtually no change in the properties of the films. In the presence of UV and clean air containing O2. there is evidence of both chain scission and crosslinking. When films are exposed to combinations of either UV/SO2 or UV/SO2H2O, a dramatic increase in the rate of change in the properties is observed, indicating a synergistic interaction between UV and SO2. The gel fraction increases from about 20% for the control to about 65% in samples exposed to UV/SO2 or UV/SO2/H2O for as little as 24 h. In the latter exposed samples, there is a corresponding precipitous drop in the intrinsic viscosity of the soluble fraction, a significant increase in the surface polarity of the films, and a large increase in the Tg. Reaction mechanisms for changes resulting from the various exposure conditions are proposed.
WITHIN‐SESSION CHANGES IN RESPONDING DURING AUTOSHAPING AND AUTOMAINTENANCE PROCEDURES

Four pigeons were exposed to autoshaping procedures in which an 8-second light on a response key was followed by food. Pecks on the key had no scheduled consequences. Subjects were also exposed to negative automaintenance procedures in which a peck on the illuminated key canceled the following food. The intertrial interval varied from an average of 7 seconds to an average of 232 seconds in different conditions. Rate of responding usually changed within sessions during autoshaping. Responding also changed within sessions for the 1 subject that responded during negative automaintenance. The within-session patterns of responding were flatter, peaked later, and were more symmetrical around the middle of the sessions at lower rates of food presentation, regardless of whether subjects responded on autoshaping, negative automaintenance, or previously reported variable-interval schedules. These results imply that similar variables produce within-session changes in responding during both classical (Pavlovian) and operant conditioning procedures.
Description of components in tailored testing

The major purpose of this paper is to describe the components of testing systems that address the primary goal of producing tests tailored to each individual’s needs and abilities. The principal components of a tailored testing procedure are: item calibration, item selection, and ability estimation. Each of these components is defined and discussed. Alternative methods for each component are presented, along with an indication of their relative complexities. Finally, the particular methods used for each component in the tailored testing procedure at the University of Missouri-Columbia are described.
Characterization of an avirulent FCV strain with a broad serum cross-neutralization profile and protection against challenge of a highly virulent vs feline calicivirus.

Highly virulent, systemic strains of Feline calicivirus (vs FCV) have been described in recent years. These vs FCV isolates cause severe edema, cutaneous ulcers, lameness and other upper respiratory and oral clinical signs typically associated with FCV infection in cats. Vs FCV isolates can cause high mortality even in cats vaccinated with currently available commercial vaccines. This study reports identification and characterization of an avirulent FCV strain (FCV 21). This strain offers a broader serum cross-neutralization profile in comparison with the commonly used vaccine strain (FCV F9), as tested with two separate viral panels of FCV isolates. The first viral panel consists of 45 FCV strains isolated around 1993. The second viral panel consists of 26 FCV strains with most isolated around 2003. The potential of using this strain as a vaccine, in a 3-way (FCV+FHV+FPV) or 4-way (FCV+FHV+FPV+FCp) format, was tested by using a highly virulent vs FCV strain (FCV-33585) as a challenge virus. The mortality induced by this vs FCV in unvaccinated control cats was 78% (7 out of 9 cats). The mortality decreased to 44% (4 out of 9 cats) in cats vaccinated with a 4-way vaccine containing FCV F9. However, when this novel FCV vaccine strain (FCV 21) was used, either in combination with FCV F9 or by itself, the mortality decreased to 0% (0 out of 10 cats). The 3-way vaccine (FCV+FHV+FPV) that contained both FCV 21 and FCV F9 also had mortality of 0% (0 out of 10 cats). The clinical scores, as calculated taking into consideration the frequency and severity of various clinical signs, correlated with mortality data. The results suggested this FCV vaccine has the potential to be broadly protective against newly emergent FCV isolates, including complete protection against challenge with a highly virulent vs FCV 33585.
Shame and its psychopathologic correlates in two women's health problems: binge eating disorder and vulvodynia.

Shame is thought to be a ubiquitous and destructive psychological process associated with psychiatric and medical conditions. This study examined its nature in two contrasting health problems that influence women's self-evaluations of their bodies and attractiveness, namely an eating disorder (a psychiatric disorder with medical implications) or vulvodynia (i.e., vulvar pain; a newly identified medical condition with psychiatric implications). A community sample of adult women without medical conditions served as an additional comparison group. Participants were 203 adult females: 72 with DSM-IV-defined Binge Eating Disorder (BED), 57 with vulvodynia, and 74 non-patient controls. The three study groups differed significantly: the BED group reported greater shame than the vulvodynia group, and the BED and vulvodynia groups reported greater shame than the control group. Higher levels of shame were associated with higher levels of symptomatic functioning within each group.
Untying the Afghan Knot: Negotiating Soviet Withdrawal

Diplomatic efforts to resolve the Afghanistan crisis began almost immediately after the Soviet Union's military intervention in that country in December 1979. Untying the Afghan Knot offers the first detailed account of the diplomatic process set in motion by that intervention and culminating in the April 1988 Geneva Accords-a milestone in multilateralism and United Nations (UN) peacemaking. Riaz M. Khan, a senior Pakistani diplomat, participated actively in all meetings on Afghanistan in the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the Organization of the Islamic Conference, and in all of the Geneva negotiating rounds (1882-1988). Drawing upon his personal experience, official documents, scholarly literature, and press accounts, he provides a unique insider's view of these precedent-setting negotiations, which were often shrouded in secrecy and misperceptions. Khan examines the interests, positions, and behind-the-scenes maneuverings of the major players-Afghan governments and resistance groups, Pakistan, the Soviet Union, the United States, and UN mediators-and assesses the impact of military and political developments inside Afghanistan and elsewhere, including the advent of Mikhail Gorbachev. Khan's authoritative account of these critical diplomatic initiatives sheds important light on the internal dynamics of the multilateral Afghanistan negotiations.
Defining, integrating, and assessing a purposeful progression of cross-curricular initiatives into a computer science program

ABET-based program outcomes are the skills and knowledge that a student successfully completing the program has obtained at the time of graduation. For a Computer Science program, many of these outcomes require a developmental progression of learning experiences that are best provided incrementally across courses. Achievement of such a progression is predicated on a cooperative effort by faculty to define effective approaches to realizing the outcomes. However, the progression must also minimize demands on individual courses and eliminate unnecessary restrictions on faculty discretion in course design and implementation. In addition, a time-phased assessment plan should be overlaid upon the progression to measure and track the developmental process. This work documents our effort to define a developmental progression in our computer science program to better achieve ABET-based outcomes, integrate the progression into an existing curriculum in a minimally invasive manner, and incrementally assess the effectiveness of the approach.
Ab initio prediction of the solution structures and populations of a cyclic pentapeptide in DMSO based on an implicit solvation model.

Using a recently developed statistical mechanics methodology, the solution structures and populations of the cyclic pentapeptide cyclo(D-Pro(1)-Ala(2)-Ala(3)-Ala(4)-Ala(5)) in DMSO are obtained ab initio, i.e., without using experimental restraints. An important ingredient of this methodology is a novel optimization of implicit solvation parameters, which in our previous publication [Baysal, C.; Meirovitch, H. J Am Chem Soc 1998, 120, 800-812] has been applied to a cyclic hexapeptide in DMSO. The molecule has been described by the simplified energy function E(tot) = E(GRO) + summation operator(k) sigma(k)A(k), where E(GRO) is the GROMOS force-field energy, sigma(k) and A(k) are the atomic solvation parameter (ASP) and the solvent accessible surface area of atom k. This methodology, which relies on an extensive conformational search, Monte Carlo simulations, and free energy calculations, is applied here with E(tot) based on the ASPs derived in our previous work, and for comparison also with E(GRO) alone. For both models, entropy effects are found to be significant. For E(tot), the theoretical values of proton-proton distances and (3)J coupling constants agree very well with the NMR results [Mierke, D. F.; Kurz, M.; Kessler, H. J Am Chem Soc 1994, 116, 1042-1049], while the results for E(GRO) are significantly worse. This suggests that our ASPs might be transferrable to other cyclic peptides in DMSO as well, making our methodology a reliable tool for an ab initio structure prediction; obviously, if necessary, parts of this methodology can also be incorporated in a best-fit analysis where experimental restraints are used.
Radioassay of Carbon-14 in Aqueous Solutions using a Liquid Scintillation Spectrometer

MOST compounds of biochemical interest have only limited solubility in organic solvents, and the useful fluors described to date have only limited solubility in aqueous solutions. This basic incompatibility has limited the application of liquid scintillation counting methods in many biochemical tracer studies. The method described below permits direct counting of aqueous solutions (or alcoholic solutions). In addition, it permits quantitative recovery of the sample in its original form for further analyses, often an important advantage when the quantity of sample available is limited.
Culturability and Secondary Metabolite Diversity of Extreme Microbes: Expanding Contribution of Deep Sea and Deep-Sea Vent Microbes to Natural Product Discovery

Microbes from extreme environments do not necessarily require extreme culture conditions. Perhaps the most extreme environments known, deep-sea hydrothermal vent sites, support an incredible array of archaea, bacteria, and fungi, many of which have now been cultured. Microbes cultured from extreme environments have not disappointed in the natural products arena; diverse bioactive secondary metabolites have been isolated from cultured extreme-tolerant microbes, extremophiles, and deep-sea microbes. The contribution of vent microbes to our arsenal of natural products will likely grow, given the culturability of vent microbes; their metabolic, physiologic, and phylogenetic diversity; numerous reports of bioactive natural products from microbes inhabiting high acid, high temperature, or high pressure environments; and the recent isolation of new chroman derivatives and siderophores from deep-sea hydrothermal vent bacteria.
Blame testing, not teachers.

![Figure][1] CREDIT: RYAN BALDERAS/ISTOCKPHOTO.COM In her Editorial “Education is not a race” (24 June, p. [1481][2]), D. Stipek faulted science teachers for teaching to the test. Teachers, however, are constrained to address the terms of their employment. The preoccupation with testing
Talking back about When God talks back

Response to Hau Book Symposium on Luhrmann, Tanya. 2012. When God talks back: Understanding the American Evangelical relationship with God. New York: Alfred E. Knopf.