cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of food surface topography on phage-based magnetoelastic biosensor detection

Phage-based magnetoelastic (ME) biosensors have proven useful in rapidly and inexpensively detecting food surface con- tamination. These biosensors are wireless, mass-sensitive biosensors and can be placed directly on food surfaces to detect the presence of target pathogens. Previously, millimeter-scale strip-shaped ME biosensors have been used to demonstrate direct detection of Salmonella Typhimurium on various fresh produce surfaces, including tomatoes, shell eggs, watermel- ons, and spinach leaves. Since the topography of these produce surfaces are different, and the biosensor must come into direct contact with Salmonella bacteria, food surfaces with large roughness and curvatures (e.g., spinach leaf surfaces) may allow the bacteria to avoid direct contact, thereby avoiding detection. The primary objective of this paper is, hence, to investigate the effects of food surface topography on the detection capabilities of the biosensors. Spinach leaf surfaces were selected as model surfaces, and detection experiments were conducted with differently sized biosensors (2 mm, 0.5 mm, and 150 μm in length). Spinach leaf roughness and curvatures of both adaxial (top) and abaxial (underside) surfaces were measured using a confocal laser scanning microscope. The experimental results showed that in spinach as the sen- sor was made smaller, the physical contact between the biosensors and bacteria were improved. Smaller sensors thereby enhance detection capabilities. When proper numbers of biosensors are used, micron-scale biosensors are anticipated to yield improved limits of detection over previously investigated millimeter-scale biosensors.
Integrated Plant, Observer, and Controller Optimization With Application to Combined Passive/Active Automotive Suspensions

The plant and control optimization problems are coupled in the sense that solving them sequentially does not guarantee system optimality. This paper extends previous studies of this coupling by relaxing their assumption of full state measurement availability. An original derivation of first-order necessary conditions for plant, observer, controller, and combined optimality furnishes coupling terms quantifying the underlying trilateral coupling. Special scenarios where the problems decouple are pinpointed, and a nested optimization strategy that guarantees system optimization strategy that guarantees system optimality is adopted otherwise. Applying these results to combined passive/active car suspension optimization produces a suspension design outperforming its passive, active, and sequentially optimized passive/active counterparts.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Rate constants and isomeric branching of the Cl-isoprene reaction

Abstract The formation rates and isomeric branching ratios of the four possible adducts arising from the Cl–isoprene reaction have been calculated using canonical variational transition state theory (CVTST). In addition, RRKM/master equation (ME) formalism is employed to investigate isomerization of the Cl–isoprene adducts. We found that there is no evidence for an energetic barrier for Cl addition to isoprene and the Morse potential well represents the energetics along the reaction coordinate. The results reveal the importance of terminal Cl addition to isoprene in partitioning of the final reaction products and in determining the reaction pathways.
Reconstruction of 3-D objects using splines

A method for reconstructing three dimensional objects from given cross-sectional data is described. The method utilizes both volumetric and surface techniques, and produces a triangular facet approximation to the surface of the object. Branching is automatically dealt with. The method, which uses univariate splines as an essential tool, also provides a very compact way of storing the reconstruction.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Cycloaddition Reactions of 1,3-Cyclohexadiene on the Silicon(001) Surface

[2+2] and [4+2] cycloaddition reactions of 1,3-cyclohexadiene on the Si(001) surface were studied. It is shown that not only the [4+2] cycloaddition reaction but also the [2+2] cycloadditions can occur on the Si(001) surface. Surface isomerization reactions connecting [4+2] and [2+2] are very unlikely due to a high energy barrier, implying that the surface reactions are kinetically controlled. Therefore the final surface reaction products are determined during the initial stage of the reactions in contrast with earlier assumptions that the “product distribution is thermodynamically determined”. Our interpretations are consistent with the new experimental results by the Hamers group. According to our CASSCF(6,6) calculations, the nonsymmetric π-complex transition states along the [2+2] cycloaddition mechanism, which has been suggested by many theoretical studies, seem to be an artifact. Nevertheless, the very soft Si dimer buckling motion of the Si(001) surface certainly facilitates the [2+2] reaction.
Access and utility as reflections of cultural constructions of pregnancy.

Abstract Health care providers can give their patients better care if they understand how their patients view pregnancy and birth. This article provides some examples of how women from various cultural backgrounds understand pregnancy and how these beliefs affect women’s decisions to seek prenatal care and to utilize prenatal services regularly throughout their pregnancies. These concepts—access and utility—provide the frame for this article, and the case studies from diverse ethnic groups provide examples of a variety of cultural beliefs and women’s decisions to seek and to value biomedical direction during pregnancy. The conclusion includes several recommendations that health care providers can employ to enhance the quality and effectiveness of care.
Relationships Among Identity, Perceived Discrimination, and Depressive Symptoms in Eight Ethnic‐Generational Groups

Objective Examine whether personal identity confusion and ethnic identity, respectively, moderate and/or mediate the relationship between perceived discrimination (PD) and depressive symptoms (DS) in eight ethnic-generational groups. Method The sample consisted of 9665 students (73% women; mean age 20.31) from 30 colleges and universities from around the United States. Cross-sectional data were gathered through a confidential online survey. Results Across groups, PD and ethnic identity levels varied, while identity confusion levels were mostly similar. Neither identity confusion nor ethnic identity moderated the PD-DS relationship for any groups. However, identity confusion was a partial mediator for immigrant and nonimmigrant Hispanic/Latino(a) and White/European American participants. Identity confusion also suppressed the PD-DS relationship for Black/African American participants. Conclusions Results highlight the need for additional research on identity confusion's role in the PD-distress link and the importance of addressing ethnicity and generation status when examining the effects of PD on college students’ mental health.
Flexible packaging for PV modules

Economic, flexible packages that provide needed level of protection to organic and some other PV cells over >25-years have not yet been developed. However, flexible packaging is essential in niche large-scale applications. Typical configuration used in flexible photovoltaic (PV) module packaging is transparent frontsheet/encapsulant/PV cells/flexible substrate. Besides flexibility of various components, the solder bonds should also be flexible and resistant to fatigue due to cyclic loading. Flexible front sheets should provide optical transparency, mechanical protection, scratch resistance, dielectric isolation, water resistance, UV stability and adhesion to encapsulant. Examples are Tefzel, Tedlar and Silicone. Dirt can get embedded in soft layers such as silicone and obscure light. Water vapor transmittance rate (WVTR) of polymer films used in the food packaging industry as moisture barriers are ~0.05 g/(m2.day) under ambient conditions. In comparison, light emitting diodes employ packaging components that have WVTR of ~10-6 g/(m2.day). WVTR of polymer sheets can be improved by coating them with dense inorganic/organic multilayers. Ethylene vinyl acetate, an amorphous copolymer used predominantly by the PV industry has very high O2 and H2O diffusivity. Quaternary carbon chains (such as acetate) in a polymer lead to cleavage and loss of adhesional strength at relatively low exposures. Reactivity of PV module components increases in presence of O2 and H2O. Adhesional strength degrades due to the breakdown of structure of polymer by reactive, free radicals formed by high-energy radiation. Free radical formation in polymers is reduced when the aromatic rings are attached at regular intervals. This paper will review flexible packaging for PV modules.
Phase separation in amorphous Pd-17at%Si-5at%Cu

Abstract The phase separation process in an amorphous Pd-17at%Si-5at%Cu alloy is studied by APFIM. The structural relaxation in the amorphous state is observed at the early period of annealing at the temperatures between 573 and 743 K. The amorphous state crystallizes to form a super-saturated fcc phase at 648 K. Randomly distributed bright spots observed in the Ne-ion image coagulate to give many islands of spots after the amorphous alloy is annealed for 10 min at 673 K. Particles of metastable Pd3Si (Cu) are first observed after annealing for 10 min at 693 K. In addition to Pd3Si (Cu), metastable Pd3Cu (Si) is formed after annealing for 10 min at 743 K.
Can Embedding Prompts in the IFSP Form Improve the Quality of IFSPs Developed

The purpose of this study was to determine in what ways the quality of plans developed by individualized family service plan (IFSP) teams changed following targeted revisions to the IFSP form and instruction manual. IFSPs were collected from 94 family service coordinators, one IFSP from each before and one from each after the form revision. The revision included adding written prompts to the IFSP form and manual targeting three areas: (a) recording family routines; (b) recording families’ priorities for emotional, material, and informational support; and (c) connecting routines and priorities to outcomes and procedures. Results of multivariate analyses of variance for repeated measures indicated that the quality of IFSPs improved after document revision. Follow-up univariate tests showed statistically significant improvement in 7 of 12 indicators of IFSP quality.
Dialogues: A basis for constructing programming environments

The components of a programming environment must communicate with the user while maintaining a state that is constantly evolving. We introduce the “dialogue”, an abstraction of such components, and we implement a dialogue function in a purely applicative language. The dialogue function exploits the properties of lasy evaluation and recursion to implement communication and state through recursively defined streams. We show how to define programming environment components using dialogues. The components of the resulting programming environment are consistent in their treatment of communication and state.
Torsion of nonhomogeneous bars

Abstract A general theory is given for the torsion of nonhomogeneous prismatic bars. The problem is formulated in both the variable ϕ, the warping function, and the ψ, the stress function. Simple solutions are given by the semi-inverse method.
COMPARISON OF PROGRESSIVE PROMPT DELAY WITH AND WITHOUT INSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK

We examined the effectiveness and efficiency of 2 instructional arrangements using progressive prompt delay (PPD) with 3 young children with autism and 1 child with developmental delays. Specifically, we compared PPD with instructive feedback (IF) to PPD without IF in an adapted alternating treatment design. The results suggested that (a) children with autism and developmental delays can learn when PPD is used with IF, (b) IF can be an effective method of instruction for young children with autism and developmental delays, and (c) the combination of PPD and IF can increase the efficiency of instruction. Data collected 8 to 9 weeks after instruction ended showed that participants maintained mastery of 58% to 92% of the acquired behaviors. We discuss these results within the constraints and limitations of the data and recommend areas for future research.
Advances in quantitative evaluation, 1987–1996

Advances in quantitative methods enable evaluators to collect and analyze data more efficiently, more cost-effectively, and with greater precision and sensitivity.
Bilateral breast cancer.

The bilateral nature of breast cancer is generally accepted. Early detection of second primary breast cancers through repeated physical and x-ray examinations is difficult and uncertain. A significant number of occult second primary breast cancers have been detected in their earliest stages through generous surgical biopsy of the opposite breast at the time of initial mastectomy for a proven breast cancer. Some of these early cancers were not detected by either careful physical examination or adequate x-ray mammography. Biopsy of the contralateral breast is a minor nondeforming operation which is well-accepted by the patient. The second mastectomy is more readily accepted by the patient after a positive biopsy has been obtained. Simultaneous, generous excisional biopsy of the opposite breast at the time of initial mastectomy for breast cancer represents a practical approach to the problem of bilateral breast cancer. However, a negative biopsy of the opposite breast does not rule out the possibility of subsequent development of a new primary in this breast at a later date. All patients undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer should be followed closely, with particular emphasis on the opposite breast. There is an urgent need for the development of more efficient methods for detecting early breast cancer, preferably, during its long, silent noninfiltrating phase of development.
Dynamical simulation of superionicity in antifluorites and in mixed systems

Abstract Superionicity in the antifluorite alkaline oxides and sulfides, such as Li2O, has been studied by molecular dynamics, together with similar studies of superionicity in mixed oxygen/sulfur antifluorites and in mixed fluorites. In all cases, we find transitions to superionic phases in which the anions (O2−, S2−) maintain their regular lattice positions while the smaller cations (e.g., Li+) flow through them.
Microfluidically-tunedminiaturized planar microwave resonators

This paper presents two frequency tuning techniques, applied to planar microwave lumped LC and CPW resonators. Both methods are based on employing the reactive loading effect of a fluid metal placed on top of planar microwave circuits. The frequency tuning is achieved by moving the fluid metal inside the micro-channel and on top of different sections of each resonator. Realization of tunable resonators using common PCB technology and PDMS structure is demonstrated. The metal fluidic used is a non-toxic eutectic alloy of Gallium, Indium, and Tin known as Galinstan. Two implemented prototypes are measured and tuning ranges of 1.45-2.35 GHz and 2.8-3.9 GHz are achieved for lumped LC and CPW resonators, respectively.
Analysis of the binding of phenylalanine to phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase.

Abstract Using the complete rate equation for the PPi-ATP exchange reaction at equilibrium, the dissociation constants of phenylalanine (10−5 m ), phenylalanine butyl ester (8 × 10−5 m ), benzyl alcohol (6 × 10−4 m ), phenylalaninol (2 × 10−4 m ), hydrocinnamic acid (3 × 10−3 m ) and glycine (>1 m ) with the phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase (Escherichia coli K12) were determined. Taking the model of Koshland (1962) for the estimation of the configurational free energy change due to proximity and orientation, and decomposing the process of binding into several thermodynamic steps, the contribution to binding of the benzyl group, glycine unit, protonated amino group, carboxylate group and joint interactions were estimated. The results are: (1) the standard free energy contributions for binding phenylalanine are benzyl group (−8.2 kcal/mol), glycine unit (−2.5 kcal/mol), protonated amino group (−0.8 kcal/mol) and carboxylate group (1 kcal/mol). (2) The standard free energy change due to the change in the interaction between the protonated amino group and carboxylate group when they are transferred from the aqueous environment to the enzyme environment is −2.7 kcal/mol. (3) A dissociation constant for glycine of 7.5 m is calculated without the hypothesis that a conformational change occurs in the enzyme when the benzyl unit of phenylalanine binds, permitting an interaction of the enzyme with the protonated amino and/or carboxylate groups. The detection of E·AA † and E·ATP shows that a sequential addition of substrates is not necessary for binding. A comparison of the dissociation constants of E·AA (10−5 m ), E·ATP (1.5 × 10−3 m ), E·PP (5.5 × 10−4 m ), E·I (8 × 10−5 m ) and the mixed complexes E·I·ATP (6 × 10−8 m 2), E·I·PP (5 × 10−8 m 2) and E·AA·PP (7 × 10−9 m 2), with phenylalanine butyl ester as the inhibitor, indicates no strong interaction between the binding of ATP or PPi with the binding of phenylalanine.
Preparation and properties of active dansyl-α- and -γ-thrombins

Abstract Human α- and γ-thrombins were labeled with a fluorescent dansyl group, and tested for their utility in polarization of fluorescence experiments. The enzyme carbohydrate groups were oxidized with sodium periodate, labeled with dansyl-hydrazine, and reduced with sodium borohydride. Dansyl-α-thrombin showed 75% of the clotting activity of the unlabeled enzyme. The γ form (a proteolyzed derivative of α-thrombin with essentially no clotting activity) retained 90% of its esterase activity, and 60% of its amidase activity. Steady-state and polarization of fluorescence measurements of the two dansyl-thrombins were essentially the same indicating a similarity in gross structural properties despite the covalent modifications which convert the α to the γ form. Both dansyl-thrombins reacted with antithrombin and the expected decrease in tumbling time was observed in the fluorescence polarization measurements. High-affinity heparin had no effect on the fluorescence parameters for the dansyl-thrombin-antithrombin complex. Dansyl-α-thrombin also reacted with α2-macroglobulin; the polarization measurements indicated substantial immobilization suggesting the enzyme is not bound to subregions of high-rotational freedom.
Robust nonlinear control of systems with input unmodeled dynamics

We consider systems with unmodeled dynamics appearing at the input, and present a redesign that preserves global asymptotic stability. The admissible unmodeled dynamics are relative degree zero and minimum phase. The redesign is illustrated on an analytical example.
Optimal designs for response functions with a downturn

In many toxicological assays, interactions between primary and secondary effects may cause a downturn in mean responses at high doses. In this situation, the typical monotonicity assumption is invalid and may be quite misleading. Prior literature addresses the analysis of response functions with a downturn, but so far as we know, this paper initiates the study of experimental design for this situation. A growth model is combined with a death model to allow for the downturn in mean doses. Several different objective functions are studied. When the number of treatments equals the number of parameters, Fisher information is found to be independent of the model of the treatment means and on the magnitudes of the treatments. In general, A- and DA-optimal weights for estimating adjacent mean differences are found analytically for a simple model and numerically for a biologically motivated model. Results on c-optimality are also obtained for estimating the peak dose and the EC50 (the treatment with response half way between the control and the peak response on the increasing portion of the response function). Finally, when interest lies only in the increasing portion of the response function, we propose composite D-optimal designs.
The Dilemma of Prisoners: Choice during Stalin's Great Terror, 1936-38

Stalin's Great Terror was one of history's most massive political purges. In its form, the Terror resembled a one-shot, n-person prisoner's dilemma game. Although the Terror could not have been sustained if prisoners cooperated, most prisoners defected against one another, as the model would predict. Yet the record of the Terror also demonstrated that in a mass purge there exists a wider strategy set than that of the prisoner's dilemma game. Using an illustrative case and a generalized model of purges, it is shown that if prisoners implicate their interrogators and play what is called a “transformation” strategy, they raise the cost to the authority of conducting the purge. In fact, the authority has no consistent best response to the transformation, and the purge should not be sustainable for long thereafter. The Great Terror was apparently limited by employment of this transformation. Limitations on the formation and use of such a strategy are also considered.
Compensation of interchannel nonlinearities using enhanced coupled equations for digital backward propagation

Enhanced coupled-nonlinear equations are introduced for full compensation of cross-phase modulation and partial compensation of four-wave mixing (FWM) via split-step digital backward propagation. Compared to full FWM compensation, the new backward propagation equations provide a significant reduction in the number of steps required in the split-step method. This increased step size together with more relaxed sampling requirements reduced the computational load by more than a factor of 20.
Synthesis of delay fault testability circuits

Multilevel Logic Optimization Transformations used in existing logic synthesis systems are characterized with respect to their testability preserving and testability enhancing properties. A sufficient condition for a multilevel unate circuit to be "hazard free delay fault testable" is presented. In contrast to existing results that consider either "single path propagating hazard free robust tests" or "general robust tests" we consider "multiple path propagating hazard free robust tests" in our analysis.
Letter by Katz regarding article, "television viewing time and mortality: the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle study (AusDiab)".

I read with great interest the recent study by Dunstan and colleagues1 purportedly demonstrating that prolonged television viewing increased the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality “independent of traditional risk factors such as smoking, blood pressure, cholesterol, and diet, as well as leisure-time exercise and waist circumference.” With only a …
Designing a Climate Policy: A Carbon Tax Approach with Adaptation Funds

This paper suggests a climate policy that integrates adaptation funds into a harmonized carbon tax approach. In the proposed approach, the world will set a carbon tax assuming that vulnerable sectors will adapt to future changes at its full capacity. At the same time, the world will support climate adaptation programs at a regional level. A mitigation policy will be set at the global level while adaptation measures will be taken at a local or regional level. The carbon revenue generated from a mitigation program will be used to support adaptation aid programs in developing countries. This augmented carbon tax approach has the capacity to deal with climate inequities while it creates additional incentives for developing countries to participate in a global mitigation effort.
Feedback controlled dephasing and population relaxation in a two-level system

This Letter presents the maximum achievable stability and purity that can be obtained in a two-level system with both dephasing and population relaxation processes by using homodyne-mediated feedback control. An analytic formula giving the optimal amplitudes of the driving and feedback for the steady-state is also presented. Experimental examples are used to show the importance of controlling the dephasing process.
Dynamic equation for the polarization state in inhomogeneous anisotropic media

A dynamic equation for the polarization state is derived to analyze the transmission of light in inhomogeneous anisotropic media including liquid crystals. This method is an extension of the Jones matrix method, with a higher accuracy, and is valid for arbitrary incident angles. As an example, the dynamic equation is employed to analyze the evolution of the polarization state of a beam of light in a twisted nematic liquid crystal. The results are presented and discussed.
Chiral separation with gradient elution isotachophoresis for future in situ extraterrestrial analysis

The first results of chiral separations with the gradient elution isotachophoresis method are presented. As previously described, citrate is used in the run buffer as the leading ion and borate in the sample buffer as the terminating ion. Modulation of parameters such as electrolyte pH, pressure scan rate, chiral selector concentration, combinations of CD or the percentage of ampholytes provides an easy optimization of the separations. To perform fluorescent detection 5-carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester and two fluorogenic-labeling agents, fluorescamine (Fluram) and 3-(4-carboxybenzoyl)quinoline-2carboxaldehyde, are used to label amino acids. With the 5-carboxyfluorescein amino acids, chiral separations are easily obtained using a neutral CD ((2-hydroxypropyl)-b-CD) at a low concentration (2 mmol/L). With Fluram amino acids, the situation is more complicated due to the formation of diastereoisomers and due to weak interactions with the different CDs used. The use of the 3-(4-carboxybenzoyl)quinoline-2-carboxaldehydelabeling agent solves the problems observed with the Fluram agent while retaining the fluorogenic properties. These first results demonstrate the simplicity and the feasibility of gradient elution isotachophoresis for chiral separations.
Nomograms for estimating coronary artery disease prognosis with gated stress myocardial perfusion SPECT.

Background Nomograms can be useful tools for estimating coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. We sought to devise risk-based nomograms for stress myocardial perfusion SPECT to include measures of % ischemic myocardium and left ventricular function.
Enhanced Smooth Hysteretic Model with Degrading Properties

AbstractThe elastic and inelastic nonlinear behavior of structural members use constitutive relations in which restoring forces and deformations are not proportional and often follow different path...
Faculty Hiring Mandates: A Cautionary Tale

In 1988, California lawmakers enacted legislation designed to increase the ratio of full-to part-time faculty in community colleges. Twenty years later, college leaders in this study report the legislation has had little success in increasing the number of full-time faculty due, in part, to confusion regarding the intent of the legislation and the meaning of the hiring goals. This study offers recommendations for other state legislators and educational leaders who may be considering similar mandates.
Purification and properties of an intracellular ribonuclease from Candida lipolytica

Abstract 1. A ribonuclease (RNAase CL) (EC 3.1.4.23, ribonucleate 3′-oligonucleotide hydrolase) was extracted by EDTA/acetate buffer, pH 5.6 from acetone-dried cells of Candida lipolytica and purified 1350-fold by acetone and (NH4)2SO4 fractionation, DEAE-cellulose and DEAE-Sephadex chromatography. 2. RNAase CL is an acidic protein having an isoelectric point of 4.2, and an approximate molecular weight of 32 000. 3. Optimal pH and temperature for the enzyme were 6.0 and 60°C, respectively. It is stable at neutral pH up to 50°C. At 64°C for 30 min, 95, 49 and 64% inactivation of the enzyme occurred at pH values 4.2, 6.6 and 10.0, respectively. 4. RNAase CL was inhibited by Zn2+ and Cu2+, sulfhydryl reactants and by high concentration of salts, but not by chelating agents. 5. RNAase CL degraded ribosomal RNA, transfer RNA, polyadenylic acid, polycytidylic acid and polyuridylic acid into acid-soluble nucleotides. Among the synthetic homopolymers, polycytidylic acid was most rapidly degraded. Polyguanylic acid and duplexes of synthetic homopolymers were less sensitive. DNA was not attacked. Specificity studies showed that RNAase CL preferentially cleaves pC-purine bonds. 6. Digestion of poly(C) by RNAase CL resulted in the liberation of cyclic 2′,3′-CPM from the start of the reaction with no observable formation of intermediate oligonucleotides. This suggests that the enzyme depolymerizes by an exonucleolytic mechanism.
nanos is required for formation of the spectrosome, a germ cell-specific organelle.

Germ cell identity and development are controlled by autonomous cues in the germ plasm as well as by interactions between germ cells and somatic cells. Here, we investigate the formation of a germ cell-specific organelle, the spectrosome. We find that spectrosome formation is independent of germ cell–soma interactions and is autonomous to the germ cells. Furthermore, the germ plasm component nanos (nos) is essential for spectrosome formation. The role of nos in spectrosome formation is independent of its role in germ cell survival; nos mutant germ cells that are prevented from undergoing programmed cell death still fail to form spectrosomes. Thus, nos is required to regulate the formation of this germ cell-specific organelle, further supporting a role for nos in promoting germ cell identity. Developmental Dynamics 234:22–27, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A scalable service for photo annotation, sharing, and search

In this work we present the details of the implementation of Fotofiti(FF), a website that provides automatic semantic annotation of digital photographs, event management and social network integration. We describe our technique for real-time online semantic annotation using global features from both content and context. Classification experiments using various learning techniques were performed on a realworld data-set. Additionally, a scalable landmark recognition system which utilizes local features is discussed.
Viscoelastic properties of stereocomplex polymers

Sterecomplex polymers were synthesized by radical polymerization of mixtures of isotactic and syndiotactic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) in some vinyl monomers under the conditions of stereocomplex formation. The viscoelastic properties of stereocomplex polymers were studied by a sinusoidal vibration method and compared with those of the usual blended polymers. It was found that the network structure resulting from the stereocomplex association between isotactic and syndiotactic PMMA prevents a phase separation of the newly created polymers from the matrix of PMMA during the polymerization process, and that makes the viscoelastic properties and optical transparency of stereocomplex polymers very different from those of the usual blended polymers without stereocomplex formation.
PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF THE BOTANICAL PHOTOTOXIN, α-TERTHIENYL AND SOME RELATED COMPOUNDS*

The photochemistry of α-terthienyl (αT) and its mono- and dodo derivatives has been examined using nanosecond laser Hash photolysis techniques. The triplet states of these intermediates have been characterized, and show strong triplet-triplet absorptions with maxima in the 450 to 490 nm region. The triplet lifetimes are normally reduced by efficient triplet-triplet annihilation and self-quenching both of which approach diffusion control. Triplet lifetimes in methanol obtained by extrapolation to zero laser dose and zero concentration are 30, 12.5 and 9.4 μs for αT and its mono- and dodo derivatives, respectively; the effect of iodo substitution on the lifetimes is attributed to heavy atom effects. The triplet states are efficiently quenched by oxygen and the electron acceptor methyl viologen, while amines tire very poor triplet quenchers. The iodo derivatives are photolabile. undergoing C-I bond cleavage from the singlet state, a process that was studied in benzene solvent, where the complex between iodine atoms and benzene can be readily characterized. Modification of αT by replacement of the central thiophene ring by an aromatic ring (i.e. DTB) causes drastic changes in the triplet and singlet state kinetic and spectroscopic characteristics.
The Protonmotive Q Cycle in Mitochondria and Bacteria

AbstractThe cytochrome bc1 complex is an oligomeric electron transfer enzyme located in the inner membrane of mitochondria and the plasma membrane of bacteria. The cytochrome bc1 complex participates in respiration in eukaryotic cells and also participates in respiration, cyclic photosynthetic electron transfer, denitrification, and nitrogen fixation in a phylogenetically diverse collection of bacteria. In all of these organisms, the cytochrome bc1 complex transfers electrons from ubiquinol to cytochrome c and links this electron transfer to translocation of protons across the membrane in which it resides, thus converting the available free energy of the oxidation-reduction reaction into an electrochemical proton gradient. The mechanism by which the cytochrome bc1 complex achieves this energy transduction is the protonmotive Q cycle. The Q cycle mechanism has been documented by extensive experimentation, and recent investigations have focused on structural features of the three redox subunits of the bc1 c...
Distribution of glycosphingolipids of monkey small and large intestinal mucosa

The ganglioside and neutral glycosphingolipid composition of adult monkey small and large intestinal mucosa were characterized and compared. GM3, GM2 and GD1A were found to be the principal gangliosides in each of these tissues. Dihexosylceramide was the major neutral glycosphingolipid of both organs. The total content of gangliosides and neutral glycolipids/ceramide, however, was ca. four-fold and two-fold higher, respectively, in small intestinal than colonic mucosa.
Chemical Structure of Resin-Treated Cellulose1: Part I: Trimethylolmelamine-Treated Cotton

The nature of the interaction of trimethylolmelamine resin with cotton substrates, arising from the dry curing (ca. 140° C for 4 min) of the resin on cotton, has been in vestigated. A new chemical ...
Parent Reading Belief Inventory: Reliability and Validity With a Sample of Mexican American Mothers

Research Findings: The purpose of the current study was to (a) evaluate the internal consistency of the 7 scales of the Parent Reading Belief Inventory (PRBI), (b) assess the factor structure, and (c) examine concurrent validity in a sample of Mexican American mothers from low-income homes. Two hundred and seventy-four mothers of preschool children completed the PRBI and the Home Literacy Activities Questionnaire. Five of the seven scales demonstrated adequate internal consistency. Principal component and parallel analyses revealed that one component provided the best summary of the observed variables. Preliminary evidence of concurrent validity was revealed. Practice or Policy: Future qualitative research is needed to explore mothers' interpretations of the items and to examine modifications to the PRBI.
Girth and fractional chromatic number of planar graphs

In 1959, even before the Four-Color Theorem was proved, Grotzsch showed that planar graphs with girth at least 4 have chromatic number at the most 3. We examine the fractional analogue of this theorem and its generalizations. For any fixed girth, we ask for the largest possible fractional chromatic number of a planar graph with that girth, and we provide upper and lower bounds for this quantity. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 39: 201–217, 2002; DOI 10.1002-jgt10024
Navier‐Stokes dynamics by a discrete Boltzmann model

This work investigates the possibility of particle‐based algorithms for the Navier‐Stokes equations and higher order continuum approximations of the Boltzmann equation; such algorithms would generalize the well‐known Pullin scheme for the Euler equations. One such method is proposed in the context of a discrete velocity model of the Boltzmann equation. Preliminary results on shock structure are consistent with the expectation that the shock should be much broader than the near discontinuity predicted by the Pullin scheme, yet narrower than the prediction of the Boltzmann equation. We discuss the extension of this essentially deterministic method to a stochastic particle method that, like DSMC, samples the distribution function rather than resolving it completely.
Integrating advance organizers and multidimensional information display in electronic performance support systems

This study has reviewed major design approaches for electronic performance support systems and identified two common problems: users’ inability to comprehend screen‐based material and poorly designed instructional scaffolds. This paper presents a design approach, called the ‘Matrix‐Aided Performance System’ (MAPS), which enables these problems to be avoided. The MAPS design framework incorporates Ausubel’s theory of advance organizers and a matrix information display structure. The latter is derived from a thorough analysis of the knowledge domains relevant to a particular user’s performance objectives and information needs. A multidimensional information display is then used in order to minimize user’s navigational confusion. The paper discusses the MAPS design framework and provides two working examples of its use. The effectiveness and impact of our design approach has been field tested; the findings, design guidelines and some future research suggestions are presented.
Creating ethical organisational cultures by managing the reactive and proactive workplace bully

Organisations in the current economic climate might conclude incorrectly that being hard and even abusive to employees will serve a useful purpose. However, we will argue that organisations that will survive the current economic turbulence are those that follow ethical principles by managing damaging bullying behaviour. Workplace bullying is the repeated, malicious and health-endangering treatment of an employee by one or more other employees. The aim of this paper is to understand how organisational cultures interact with individuals' tendencies towards bullying behaviour and individuals' abilities to self-monitor their behaviour, thus, producing various outcomes for individuals and organisations.
Low-dose radiation plus rapamycin promotes long-term bone marrow chimerism.

Background. The ability to achieve significant donor engraftment without fully myeloablative conditioning has revolutionized allogeneic stem cell transplantation. These nonmyeloablative approaches may allow extension of this potentially curative modality to an increasing number of patients including those with non-malignant diseases. Although a number of regimens have been explored, the optimal means of conditioning has not been determined. Methods. We previously demonstrated that rapamycin (RAPA) has the ability to promote T-cell tolerance even in the presence of costimulation. In the current study, we examine the ability of rapamycin or the calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporine A (CSA) to promote chimerism in a murine haploidentical bone marrow transplantation model. Mice were conditioned with 300 cGy and received either RAPA at 3 mg/kg/day IP, CSA at 20 mg/kg/day IP, or no immunosuppression starting on the day before the transplant and continued for 4 weeks. Results. There was no apparent toxicity, and animals maintained normal blood counts throughout. More importantly, long-term macrochimerism was observed only in the RAPA-treated group. Conclusions. These results establish a simple, nontoxic, irradiation-based regimen that facilitates engraftment without ablation. This strategy may prove useful in nonmalignant disorders such as hemoglobinopathies in which moderate levels of donor chimerism could prove curative.
DETECTION OF STAPHYLOCOCCAL ENTEROTOXIN B (SEB) WITH SURFACE PLASMON RESONANCE BIOSENSOR1

An automated and rapid method for detection of staphylococcal enterotoxins is needed by the food industry. We have developed a biosensor Sandwich Assay using a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor for the detection of Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B (SEB). The assay is based on the immobilization of SEB antibody, capturing the SEB from the standard solutions or samples, and followed by the capture of the second SEB antibody by the sensor surface. The assay conditions were optimized to detect SEB in Hepes buffer and in ham extracts. The results indicated that SEB can be detected at 2.5 ng/mL of HBST buffer or in ham tissue extract. The calibration lines in 8 replicate analyses were determined from SEB spiked in ham extract and resulted in a mean R2 of 0.982 (SD = 0.026) and 0.995 (SD = 0.005) from SEB spiked in the supernatant of the centrifuged ham extract. Analysis of 10 and 20 ppb SEB inoculated on the surface of ham slices resulted in recoveries of 70 and 87%, and 62 and 86%, respectively, but at lower doses of 2.5 and 5 ppb SEB, the recoveries were 53, 0 and 65 and 16%, respectively. The extraction procedure can be improved to increase recoveries and the utilization of a more specific antibody can also improve the detection sensitivity. The Biacore method of analysis is semiautomated and can be developed for multi-toxin detection in foods.
Pedagogies of experience: a case of the African American male teacher

Numerous scholars have illustrated how African American teachers’ past experiences provide them a philosophical vision committed to teaching for social and educational change for African American students. This article draws from this body of work by looking at the diverse ways five African American male teachers used their past experiences to shape their vision for working with African American male students. However, this article also extends this body of work by illustrating that while the teachers in this study had similar commitments to working with African American males, their varied life experiences and social locations provided them different sources of practical and philosophical knowledge. These findings illustrate the diversity of experiences these teachers drew from, thus troubling the common sense discourses that essentialize African American male teachers as one-dimensional monolithic role models.
Is Coleman-Weinberg symmetry breaking in the standard model ruled out?

Abstract In the standard model with Coleman-Weinberg symmetry breaking a symmetric vacuum (〈φ〉 = 0) always exists at any non-zero temperature; the transition to the symmetry-breaking vacuum can only occur after much supercooling. Witten has shown that this transition occurs when the strong interactions break chiral symmetry; the transition temperature is O(200) MeV and a large (but not fatal) amount of entropy is produced. It is noted here that since the strong coupling grows as the universe cools in the metastable symmetric vacuum, the Yukawa coupling to the top quark will also grow. This causes top quark loops to dominate the effective potential at small scales, drastically altering the nature of the transition. We show that if m t ⪆ 65 GeV , a metastable vacuum at 〈φ〉 ≈ 0(1) GeV forms which persists to T = 0; the resulting transition would generate far too much entropy to be compatible with the current baryon to entropy ratio, ruling out the CW mechanism. If mt ⪅ 65 GeV, we argue that a metastable vacuum might also exist, but a breakdown of perturbation theory precludes a definitive statement.
Nanotechnology for Treating Damaged Organs

Atherosclerosis, which is caused by endothelial dysfunction, vascular inflammation, and the build-up of lipids, cholesterol, calcium, and cellular debris within the intima of the vessel wall, is one of the most important complications of health. Vascular stenting is the procedure of implanting a thin tube into the site of a narrow or blocked artery due to atherosclerosis. However, the application of vascular stents using conventional metals is limited because the implantation process will cause significant injury to the vascular wall and endothelium, which functions as a protective biocompatible barrier between the tissue and the circulating blood, resulting in neointima hyperplasia followed by the development of long-term restenosis. The objective of this in vitro study was to investigate the endothelial cell function, especially their adhesion behaviour, on highly controllable features on nanostructured surface. Considering the importance of the endothelium and its properties, highly controllable nanostructured surface features of titanium, a popular vascular stent metal, were created using E-beam evaporation to promote endothelialization and to control the direction of endothelial cells on vascular stents. Endothelial cells are naturally aligned with the blood flow in the body. In this manner, the present in vitro study provides much promise for the use of nanotechnology for improving metallic materials for vascular stent applications.
Measurement of the Deposition and Fate of Sulfur-Dioxide-35 in a Pine Plantation

The average deposition velocity for the entire leaf surface of the pine plantation was 0.0041 m/s. The fresh whole needles were rinsed in distilled water. About 50% of the 35 S activity was removed by the water rinse. About one-third, 30 to 38%, of the 35 S activity remaining after washing was found in each of the two extracts and about one-third in the residual material left after extraction
Occurrence of a Tabular Halloysite in a Texas Soil

A substantially homogeneous mineral fraction from a Katy soil profile in Fort Bend County, Texas, consists of a tabular kaolin group mineral with the physical and chemical properties characteristic of a nearly dehydrated halloysite, retaining only a small excess of water.
Dynamic recrystallization of zirconium carbide

Results of compression testing of ZrC are presented which show that in the range 1200 to 1800$sup 0$C these materials may undergo dynamic recrystallization. The predominant deformation mechanism near the yield stress is carbon diffusion-assisted motion of dislocations. Oscillations appear in the curves for constant strain rate becoming pronounced at 1800$sup 0$C. The oscillations are attributed to dynamic recrystallization. Successive recrystallization steps appear to be confined to grain boundary regions having adjacent grains yet to be crystallized. (JRD)
Reconstructing Vegetation Response to AlteredHydrology and its Use for Restoration, Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida

We present reconstructed hydrologic and vegetation trends of the last three centuries across the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida in order to understand the effects of 20th century water management. We analyzed pollen assemblages from cores at marsh sites along three transects to document vegetation and infer hydroperiod and water depth both before and after human alteration of Everglades hydrology. In the northern and central part of the Refuge, late Holocene water levels were higher and hydroperiods longer than the last 100 years. Post-1950 was a time of several different water management strategies. Pollen assemblages indicate drier conditions post-1950 in the northern and central parts of the Refuge, whereas sites in the southern Refuge are wetter and vegetation turnover is higher. Throughout the Refuge, Sagittaria pollen declines with the onset of water management, and may indicate a loss of greater variation in hydroperiods across years and water depths between seasons. Paleoecological evidence provides clear estimates of the vegetation response to hydrologic change under specific hydrologic regimes.