cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rotating black holes in valid vector-tensor theories after GW170817

Vector-tensor theories beyond General Relativity have widely been studied in the context of ultraviolet completion of gravity, endowing a mass to the graviton and explaining dark energy phenomena. We here construct rotating black hole solutions in vector-tensor theories valid after the binary neutron star merger event GW170817 that placed very stringent bound on the propagation speed of gravitational waves away from the speed of light. Such valid vector-tensor theories are constructed by performing a generic conformal transformation to Einstein-Maxwell theory, and the new rotating black hole solutions are constructed by applying the same conformal transformation to the Kerr-Newman solution. These theories fall outside of beyond generalized Proca theories but are within an extended class of vector-tensor theories that satisfy a degenerate condition to eliminate instability modes and are thus healthy. We find that such conformal Kerr-Newman solutions preserve the location of the singularities, event horizons, and ergoregion boundary from Kerr-Newman, as well as the multipole moments and the Petrov type. On the other hand, the Hamilton-Jacobi equation is no longer separable, suggesting that the Carter-like constant does not exist in this solution. The standard Newman-Janis algorithm also does not work to construct the new solutions. We also compute the epicyclic frequencies, the location of the innermost stable circular orbits, and the Schwarzschild precession and apply the latter to the recent GRAVITY measurement to place bounds on the deviations away from Kerr-Newman for Sgr A*.
Rare event risk analysis – application to iceberg collision

Abstract To design an engineering system, testing in extreme conditions is at least recommended if not required. There are ambiguities about how to define an extreme state and how to consider it in the design of a system or its operation. The probability estimation of such an event is challenging due to data scarcity, especially in many engineering domains, e.g. offshore development. In this study, available techniques for analyzing the probability of extreme events are examined for their suitability in engineering applications, and a framework is proposed for rare event risk analysis. The framework is comprised of three phases. In the first phase, the outlier based extreme value theory is implemented to estimate the rare event probability. The maximum likelihood criterion is used to estimate the extreme distribution parameters. In the second phase, the rare event is considered as a heavy tail event, and the tail index is estimated through the Hill and the SmooHill estimator. In the third phase, The uncertainty analysis is conducted, and the risk is computed. The proposed methodology is tested for extreme iceberg risk assessment on large offshore structures in the Flemish Pass basin. For this specific case, the estimated design extreme iceberg speed was 4.31 km/h, with an occurrence probability of 3.61E-06.
Visualizing Information in Scientific Figures

Computer software can help scientists develop visual representations of their research, but the key to the effective communication of scientific concepts, data, and processes, is for scientists to approach the presentation of their research from the perspective of those who will be encountering it and who ask, “what do you want me to know?” and then state “show this to me in a way that I can understand it.” This paper explores the use of visual variables and of systems of visual organization in revealing the relationship between the intent and visual display of information in scientific figures.
Estimation of Sustainable Utilization Model of Common Groundwater Aquifers: A Case Study of Urban and Operators-Game Theory

The growth and expansion of the population on the one hand and the supply of water to provide food to the growing population on the other hand in recent decades has caused serious differences among the users of water resources. Due to the limited resources, the need for sustainable use of these resources is evident. In systems consisting of several independent decision makers, game theory is a powerful tool for users to achieve a stable equilibrium point. The purpose of this study is to present a dynamic model in order to resolve the differences between the operators of the common greenhouse and achieve a stable balance. In this article, based on the way of cooperation and degree of interaction of water users, their behavior is modeled in the form of three scenarios as model of static games without cooperation, model of dynamic games without cooperation and finally, model with full cooperation. In order to compare the results obtained from application of the above scenarios, the exploitation of a common groundwater aquifer has been studied between urban and agricultural exploiters. The results show that the revenues from the model with full cooperation are more than the models without cooperation.
Sub-Terahertz Antenna Array Packaged in Bio-Compatible Polymer for Fully-Passive Subdermal Sensing

Sub-terahertz (sub-THz) systems are ideal for implants that require continuous high-resolution sensing and wireless communications for diagnostics. There is also a need for these systems to be small, cost-effective, and of bio-compatible material. Here, we present an antenna array that is capable of sub-THz operation (0.063-0.212THz) and is small in size with a $\mathbf{5\times 5}$ configuration $\mathbf{(2.85{mm}\times 2.85{mm})}$ , or a $\mathbf{3\times 3}$ array $\mathbf{(1.7mm\times 1.7mm)}$ . Furthermore, the antenna uses a low-cost polymer as substrate and superstrate. This ensures efficient high frequency operation and bio-compatible packaging while maintaining a profile of 0.38mm. The array has dual-linear polarization and achieves a 3.4:1 contiguous impedance bandwidth at broadside with a voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) $\mathbf{ across the entire band under a 0.07mm epidermis layer. Similarly, the antenna achieves a 3.2:1 bandwidth with VSWR $\mathbf{ for a 0.015mm layer of stratum corneum. Full-wave simulation of the array demonstrates $\mathbf{>70 \%}$ efficiency across the entire band for both conditions. A 60dB polarization purity is also achieved.
Update on Supersonic Jet Noise Research at NASA

An update on jet noise research conducted in the Fundamental Aeronautics and Integrated Systems Research Programs was presented. Highlighted research projects included those focused on the development of prediction tools, diagnostic tools, and noise reduction concepts.
Room temperature fabrication of CH3NH3PbBr3 by anti-solvent assisted crystallization approach for perovskite solar cells with fast response and small J–V hysteresis

Abstract Anti-solvent assisted crystallization (ASAC) approach was used to synthesize crystalline CH 3 NH 3 PbBr 3 thin films with uniform microstructures through accelerated crystallization process at room temperature. The influence of different solvents and various interval dropping time on the final morphology was investigated. Photovoltaic devices with TiO 2 /CH 3 NH 3 PbBr 3 /spiro-MeOTAD structure were fabricated using ASAC approach without any post-annealing process. The devices were found to exhibit fast photocurrent response and small J – V hysteresis due to the room temperature processing that minimizes the formation of surface electron traps and corresponding slow transient current. The ASAC-CH 3 NH 3 PbBr 3 solar cells exhibited open circuit voltage of 1.42 V with champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.29%, much higher than the devices fabricated without using anti-solvent approach having a Voc of 1.01 V and PCE of 3.15%. Our results demonstrate that ASAC approach can provide high performance room temperature fabrication method for low-cost perovskite solar cells.
The Nature of Nurture

The Study of the Environment in Historical Perspective Measuring the Environment Specific Environmental Influences The Structure of the Environment Operation of the Environment Across Time Specificity of Environmental Action Organism-Environment Covariance Organism-Environment Interaction The Nature of Nurture Implications and Applications
The evolved child

Evolutionary developmental psychology, an emerging subdiscipline of evolutionary approaches to human behavior and cognition, focuses on the adaptive nature of psychological mechanisms built into the brains of juveniles, some of which may serve immediate demands at different stages of development, and some of which serve preparatory roles for maturity. The current article reviews some of the central ideas of evolutionary developmental psychology and investigates how human educability, which is qualitatively different from the learning capacity of other species, is governed by specific adaptations of Homo sapiens' childhood that serve to orient the young child to his or her cultural environment. Evolutionary developmental psychology, we argue, can be especially informative to educational policy makers who wish to take children's natural limitations, as well as their intellectual pliability, into account when planning curricula.
A compact circularly polarized microstrip transmit-receive antenna for LAN applications

A circularly polarized microstrip antenna integrated within a 90/spl deg//180/spl deg/ hybrid network for the construction of a compact transmit-receive antenna is presented. The hybrid network allows a signal to be transmitted with a left-hand polarization and to be received with a right-hand polarization, while providing at least 20 dB of isolation between the transmitting and receiving ports. Simulated and measured results are presented.
Isolation of type 5 adenovirus mutants with a cold-sensitive host range phenotype: Genetic evidence of an adenovirus transformation maintenance function

We have isolated host range mutants of type 5 adenovirus which possess a cold-sensitive host range phenotype. These mutants grow well on 293 cells at 32.5° and 38.5°, and on HeLa cells at 38.5° but show restricted growth upon HeLa cells at the low temperature. Complementation and recombination tests with prototype hr and dl mutants of type 5 assign these new mutants to group I, mapping in early region 1A (ElA), and group II, mapping in early region 1B (ElB). The ElA mutants possess a cold-sensitive transformation phenotype, and the results of temperature-shift analyses of transformation and transformed cell phenotype provide strong genetic evidence that an E1A gene function is required either directly or indirectly for maintenance of transformation. The ElB mutants are effectively transformation defective at both high and low temperatures, but hr transformants established at 38.5° do show a cold-sensitive phenotype. Thus, an ElB gene function may be involved in both initiation and maintenance.
War 2.0: cyberweapons and ethics

Considering the basic ethical questions that must be resolved in the new realm of cyberwarfare.
Micromechanical characterization of cellulose fibers

Abstract The work presented here aims towards the characterization of micromechanical properties of individual cellulose fibers. In particular, our interest is in determining the elastic modulus, tensile strength and tensile elongation of cotton and wood based cellulose fibers. Testing is conducted at a microscale, on single fibers of a few millimeters in length and tens of microns in width, a scale so chosen because such fibers are commonly used as industrial raw materials. An in-house microtensile fiber tester was designed and fabricated. A fine resolution stepper motor (10 nm per step) provides the actuation for the microtensile load frame and load in the fibers is measured by a high sensitivity load cell (0.01 mN resolution). The entire assembly is placed below a zoom stereo microscope for the dual purpose of aiding in specimen mounting and visually recording the experiment. After calibration of the device, good results were obtained when testing both the cotton and wood based cellulose fibers. Average Young's moduli of 4 GPa and 2 GPa were found for the two fibers, respectively. However, a large variation in failure stress was found for the fibers of both kinds, necessitating a statistical analysis assuming a Weibull distribution of failure. Based on this, mean strengths of 496 MPa for cotton cellulose fibers and 164 MPa for wood cellulose fibers were obtained.
Relationship between the electronic and local structure in BaPbxBi1−xO3 and Ba1−xKxBiO3 perovskites

Abstract Starting from 2D Peierls–Emery Hamiltonian in the hole representation the relationship between the electronic and local structure in BaPb x Bi 1− x O 3 and Ba 1− x K x BiO 3 perovskites has been investigated. I attempt to provide some grounding in the model of charge disproportionation: 2Bi +4 →Bi +3 +Bi +3 L 2 . The O K- and Bi L 3 - EXAFS as well as the XPS were calculated and compared to experimental data. Calculated local structure of parent BaBiO 3 agrees reasonably well with those supplied by EXAFS and XRD measurements. Both breathing and tilting distortions of the Bi–O bonds were found. Evolution of the local structure with hole (electron) doping was evaluated numerically and compared with EXAFS data. The low-temperature “anomalies” in the local structure of BaBiO 3 are discussed.
La vorágine: The Symbolics of Masculine Logic and the Open Vortex(t)

Their desire is often interpreted, and feared, as a sort of insatiable hunger, a voracity that will swallow you whole …1 I am not afraid of you. I defy you. I have a penis.2
Incorporating Professionalism into Medical Education: The Mayo Clinic Experience

Professionalism is a core competency of physicians. In this article, the statements of professional societies (e.g., the Charter on Medical Professionalism), the expectations of patients and society regarding professionalism, and a framework for defining medical professionalism are described. The framework's foundation consists of clinical competence, communication skills, and a sound understanding of the ethical and legal aspects of medicine. Rising from this foundation are attributes of professionalism: accountability, altruism, excellence, and humanism. The capstone of the framework is professionalism, or the complete physician. Reasons for teaching professionalism to and assessing professionalism among medical students, physicians in training, and physicians in practice are also described. These reasons include patient expectations; the association between professionalism and improved clinical outcomes (and the association between unprofessional behavior and adverse outcomes); accreditation organization requirements; and observations that professionalism can be taught, learned, and assessed. In addition, methods for teaching professionalism are described (e.g., didactic lectures, discussion groups, simulation, and role-modeling). To ensure that medical students, physicians in training, and physicians in practice are competent in professionalism, they should be assessed for professionalism. Thus, approaches to assessing professionalism are also described (e.g., multiple tools and observers). Professionalism assessments can be used for formative and summative feedback, evaluation of professionalism education programs, and generating hypotheses for professionalism research. Finally, the rich history and culture of clinical excellence and professionalism and specific programs for teaching and assessing professionalism at Mayo Clinic are described throughout this article. Indeed, the Mayo Clinic experience validates professionalism a s a core physician competency.
Chemical and electrochemical studies of the oxide ion-oxygen reaction in equimolar sodium nitrate+potassium nitrate

Abstract Manometric and potentiometric studies of the oxide ion+oxygen reaction in molten alkali nitrate are reported. Sufficient oxygen was found to be absorbed by alkali nitrate melts after addition of Na2O to convert virtually all of the added O2− ion to O22− and O2− ions. The equilibrium constant and the temperature dependence of the reaction 2 O2−=O2+O22− was determined over a temperature range of 250–400°C. The value of the equilibrium constant determined by the method used was found to depend on whether Na2O, Na2O2, or NaO2 was used as the starting material. Stabilized zirconia tubes were studied for use as oxide ion probes in these melts. In oxygen-containing melts the zirconia/melt interface was shown to respond to added Na2O or NaO2 in a manner similar to the response of a platinum wire dipped into the melt. This response is shown to be the expected one, for the cells studied. When nickel chloride was added to oxygen-saturated melts which contined Na2O, a reaction was found to occur which resulted in the effective loss of two oxide ions from the melt for each nickel ion which was added.
Never-Married Women as Caregivers to Elderly Parents: Some Costs and Benefits

A study of fifty never-married women, aged 66-101, from metropolitan areas in the northeastern United States, revealed that most (84 percent) had been the primary caregivers for their aged and dying parents. Most of the women derived satisfaction and legitimacy from their role of nurturer. However, many also paid a high price for providing this care; they became emotionally and physically exhausted, financially depleted, and socially isolated.
Human SIRT1 : A potential biomarker for tumorigenesis?

Accumulating body of evidence reveals that hSIRT1, an NAD+-dependent protein deacetylase, is involved in regulating numerous biological processes. Therefore cellular functions of hSIRT1 are highly pleiotropic. The integrated hypothetical mechanisms of hSIRT1 action contributing to regulating cellular senescence and longevity have been proposed. Based on recent evidence, I propose that hSIRT1 is a potential biomarker for tumorigenesis.
Myoelectric frequency changes in children during static force production.

Abstract Neuromuscular adaptations to a submaximal static contraction for a period of 2 min were investigated using children as subjects to detech changes in the contributing frequency components of the electromyogram (EMG) recorded from surface electrodes. The purpose of this study was to determine the similarity between EMG response patterns of children and published data for adult subjects under similar conditions. Spectral analysis of the EMG signal revealed a shift to lower frequency components and a concurrent increase in total variance of the signal as a response to fatigue. The frequency shift and increase amplitude for the EMG signal were discussed in light of evidence for recruitment and synchronization of motor units and changes in muscle fiber conduction velocity as possible mechanisms.
Polarized dendritic cells as cancer vaccines: Directing effector-type T cells to tumors

Ex vivo generation and antigen loading of dendritic cells (DCs) from cancer patients helps to bypass the dysfunction of endogenous DCs. It also allows to control the process of DC maturation and to imprint in maturing DCs several functions essential for induction of effective forms of cancer immunity. Recent reports from several groups including ours demonstrate that distinct conditions of DC generation and maturation can prime DCs for preferential interaction with different (effector versus regulatory) subsets of immune cells. Moreover, differentially-generated DCs have been shown to imprint different effector mechanisms in CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells (delivery of "signal three") and to induce their different homing properties (delivery of "signal four"). These developments allow for selective induction of tumor-specific T cells with desirable effector functions and tumor-relevant homing properties and to direct the desirable types of immune cells to tumors.
Ethylene and ethane from Poa pratensis callus and from leaf blades of regenerated and seed-derived plants inoculated with Bipolaris sorokiniana

Summary Ethylene and ethane production from Poa pratensis callus, from intact leaf blades of plants regenerated from callus, and from intact leaf blades of plants from seed inoculated with Bipolaris sorokiniana was determined during pathogenesis. Ethylene increased from callus and leaf blades in response to inoculation. Ethylene increased progressively from 24 to 96 h after inoculation of callus, whereas, ethylene from inoculated leaf blades peaked at 48 h and then declined through 96 h. The magnitude of ethylene production from leaf blades of plants regenerated from callus was greater than that produced from leaf blades of plants from seed. Ethane from inoculated callus increased sharply at 72 and 96 h after inoculation, whereas that from inoculated leaf blades of plants regenerated from callus and from seed declined at 72 and 96 h. The ethane generated from inoculated callus and leaf blades establishes the gas as a product of pathogenesis in this host-pathogen interaction. The decline in ethylene and ethane in leaf blades at 96 h is believed due to a loss of cell and tissue integrity as pathogenesis progressed and symptoms were expressed by the host. Differences in ethylene production between leaf blades of plants from callus and seed, implications of ethane production during pathogenesis, and the potential use of callus culture for pathogenesis research are addressed in the discussion.
The central respiratory effects of acetylcholine vary with CSF pH

Abstract Hydrogen ion concentration [H + ] centrally is a major determinant of ventilation. Its action involves central cholinergic mechanisms. The point(s) where increased [H + ] induces its changes in the cholinergic system is unclear. If H + acts presynaptically by increasing endogenous ACh synthesis and release, its effect should be absent when ACh is supplied exogenously. If H + acts postsynaptically by changing ACh degradation or ACh receptor sensitivity, its effect should persist in the presence of exogenous ACh. We perfused the brain ventricular system in spontaneously breathing anesthetized dogs with progressively higher concentrations of ACh (0–52.8 mM) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) at pH 7.4 and CSF pH 7.1. Increasing concentrations of ACh increased ventilation >4-fold in a linear manner in the presence of non-acidic and acidic CSF. With acidic CSF the ACh ventilatory response line was shifted to a higher y -intercept, resulting in a higher ventilation at any [ACh]. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that central acidosis augments ventilation by postsynaptic cholinergic events.
Directed Evolution of Improved Zinc Finger Methyltransferases

The ability to target DNA methylation toward a single, user-designated CpG site in vivo may have wide applicability for basic biological and biomedical research. A tool for targeting methylation toward single sites could be used to study the effects of individual methylation events on transcription, protein recruitment to DNA, and the dynamics of such epigenetic alterations. Although various tools for directing methylation to promoters exist, none offers the ability to localize methylation solely to a single CpG site. In our ongoing research to create such a tool, we have pursued a strategy employing artificially bifurcated DNA methyltransferases; each methyltransferase fragment is fused to zinc finger proteins with affinity for sequences flanking a targeted CpG site for methylation. We sought to improve the targeting of these enzymes by reducing the methyltransferase activity at non-targeted sites while maintaining high levels of activity at a targeted site. Here we demonstrate an in vitro directed evolution selection strategy to improve methyltransferase specificity and use it to optimize an engineered zinc finger methyltransferase derived from M.SssI. The unusual restriction enzyme McrBC is a key component of this strategy and is used to select against methyltransferases that methylate multiple sites on a plasmid. This strategy allowed us to quickly identify mutants with high levels of methylation at the target site (up to ∼80%) and nearly unobservable levels of methylation at a off-target sites (<1%), as assessed in E. coli. We also demonstrate that replacing the zinc finger domains with new zinc fingers redirects the methylation to a new target CpG site flanked by the corresponding zinc finger binding sequences.
Scrutinizing history: Polemic and exegesis in Pablo de Santa María's Siete edades del mundo

This essay considers the growth of historiographical writing in fifteenth-century Iberia within the context of mass conversions of Jews to Christianity. It takes the writing of the convert Pablo de Santa Maria (ca. 1351-1435) as a test case for considering the emergence of historiographical writing directly informed by the events of 1391, in which many thousands of Jews were forcibly converted to Christianity. By reading Pablo’s poem Siete edades del mundo (Seven Ages of the World) in light of his biblical exegesis and anti-Jewish polemic, it is possible to show how issues relevant to Pablo’s conversion, including his exegetical polemic with Judaism, directly affect his historiographical writing and shape his use of standard tropes of fifteenth-century Castilian historiography. This suggests that, while there may be no uniquely “converso voice” in history writing, some fifteenth-century historiography is clearly informed by issues of particular relevance to conversos. At the same time, it implies that some fifteenth-century Christian historiography, like that of Sephardic Jews after the expulsion of 1492, grew from earlier historiographical and polemical traditions that transcend any single catalyzing event such as the trauma of 1391.
A review of 130 humans enrolled in transgastric NOTES protocols at a single institution

Background The methodology of Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) has been validated in both human and animal models. Herein is a discussion of our experience gained from the initial 130 patients enrolled in transgastric pre-NOTES and NOTES protocols at our institution.
Effect of a résumé-writing workshop on résumé-writing skills

What is the best way to teach someone how to write an effective resume? A workshop format was used to teach college students the skills needed to write a successful resume. Archival data consisting of student resumes and rubric score sheets were used to determine the effectiveness of a resume-writing workshop by using a pre–post design evaluating student resumes. The authors used a rubric to produce quantitative data for comparison purposes. Participants’ postworkshop resume rubric scores were significantly higher than their scores were before attending the workshop. The authors offer possible explanations for the results and make suggestions for future research.
Cell Death Inhibiting RNA (CDIR) Modulates IFN-γ-Stimulated Sensitization to Fas/CD95/Apo-1 and TRAIL/Apo-2L-Induced Apoptosis

We have previously demonstrated that over-expression of Cell Death Inhibiting RNA(CDIR), a portion of the 3’untranslated region (UTR) of KIAA0425, inhibits Interferon-γ(IFN-γ) induced apoptosis in HeLa cells (Shchors et al., J Biol Chem. 2002277(49):47061-72). IFN-γ is known to sensitize cells to killing induced by the deathreceptor ligands such as Fas/APO-1/CD95 and TNF-related apoptosis–inducing ligand(TRAIL/Apo-2L). Here we report that while CDIR does not alter the response of cells toFas or TRAIL, it significantly modulates IFN-γ-induced sensitization of HeLa cells tothese death-inducing ligands. Interestingly, while CDIR abrogates the IFN-γ-modulatedsensitization to Fas, it enhances the sensitization to TRAIL. Expression of CDIR did notalter initial steps of IFN-γ signaling including induction of Signal Transducer andActivator-1 (Stat1), caspase-1 or Interferon Regulatory Factor -1 (IRF1) transcription. Incontrast, although expression of CDIR does not affect the pr...
Backcrossing High Seed Protein to a Soybean Cultivar

An inverse relationship between seed yield and seed protein concentration has limited success in developing soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivars with high seed protein. High protein from the donor parent 'Pando' (498 g kg -1 protein) was backcrossed to 'Cutler 71' (408 g kg -1 protein) to determine if the yield of Cutler 71 could be recovered in addition to the high protein from Pando. Random F 4 -derived lines, plus three lines with highest seed protein concentration, from the initial cross, the BC 1 , and the BC 2 populations, were evaluated for agronomic traits in separate, two-replicate tests for 1 yr at West Lafayette, IN. Seed from replication composites were evaluated for protein and oil concentration using near infra-red reflectance or near infra-red transmission. The parent line for each backcross was selected first for high seed protein, then for yield and agronomic similarity to Cutler 71. Random F 4 -derived progenies of the BC 3 population, the parent line for each backcross, and the cultivars Pando, Cutler 71, and Hamilton were evaluated in three-replicate tests for 2 yr at West Lafayette, IN. In each backcross generation, lines were identified with seed protein in excess of 470 g kg -1 and that progressively approached the yield of Cutler 71. In the BC 3 population, one line averaged 472 g kg -1 seed protein and was significantly (P = 0.05) higher in seed yield than Cutler 71, similar in yield to the cultivar Hamilton. In each backcross population, there were inverse relationships between seed yield and seed protein (R 2 values ranging from 0.33 to 0.06) and between seed protein and seed oil (R 2 values ranging from 0.55 in BC 1 to 0.94 in BC 3 ). In successive backcross populations, minimum oil values increased from 148 in BC 1 to 174 g kg -1 in BC 3 , indicating a trend toward recovering oil concentration (204 g kg -1 ) of Cutler 71. The data demonstrate that high seed protein can be backcrossed to a soybean cultivar, fully recovering the seed yield of the cultivar, suggesting the absence of physiological barriers to combining high seed protein with high seed yield in these populations.
Evaluating Tripsacum-introgressed maize germplasm after infestation with western corn rootworms (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a valuable commodity throughout the world, but corn rootworms (Chrysomelidae: Diabrotica spp.) often cause economic damage and increase production costs. Current rootworm management strategies have limitations, and in order to create viable management alternatives, researchers have been developing novel maize lines using Eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides L.) germplasm, a wild relative of maize that is resistant to rootworms. Ten maize Tripsacum-introgressed inbred lines derived from recurrent selection of crosses with gamagrass and teosinte (Zea diploperennis Iltis) recombinants and two public inbred lines were assessed for susceptibility to western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) and yield in a two-year field study. Two experimental maize inbred lines, SDG11 and SDG20, had mean root damage ratings that were significantly lower than the susceptible public line B73. Two other experimental maize inbred lines, SDG12 and SDG6, appeared tolerant to rootworm damage because they exhibited yield increases after rootworm infestation in both years. In the majority of cases, mean yield per plant of experimental maize lines used in yield analyses was equal to or exceeded that of the public inbred lines B73 and W64A. Our study indicates that there is potential to use Tripsacum-introgressed maize germplasm in breeding programs to enhance plant resistance and/or tolerance to corn rootworms, although further research on insect resistance and agronomic potential of this germplasm needs to be conducted in F1 hybrids.
Short-channel threshold model for buried-channel MOSFET's

An analytical closed-form expression for the short-channel threshold voltage of a normally-OFF-type buried-channel MOSFET (BC-MOSFET) was derived. The model is based on the increase in majority-carrier concentration along the channel and the substrate charge sharing property between source-drain and the channel. This model is able to predict the condition under which the magnitude of the threshold voltage can initially increase and then falls off precipitously as the channel length gradually decreases. Good agreement between theory and experiment was obtained with the p-channel BC-MOSFET used in the CMOS circuit.
Lituya Bay Landslide Impact Generated Mega-Tsunami 50th Anniversary

On July 10, 1958, an earthquake Mw 8.3 along the Fairweather fault triggered a major subaerial landslide into Gilbert Inlet at the head of Lituya Bay on the southern coast of Alaska. The landslide impacted the water at high speed generating a giant tsunami and the highest wave runup in recorded history. The megatsunami runup to an elevation of 524 m caused total forest destruction and erosion down to bedrock on a spur ridge in direct prolongation of the slide axis. A cross section of Gilbert Inlet was rebuilt at 1∶675 scale in a two-dimensional physical laboratory model based on the generalized Froude similarity. A pneumatic landslide tsunami generator was used to generate a high-speed granular slide with controlled impact characteristics. State-of-the-art laser measurement techniques such as particle image velocimetry (PIV) and laser distance sensors (LDS) were applied to the decisive initial phase with landslide impact and wave generation as well as the runup on the headland. PIV provided instantaneous velocity vector fields in a large area of interest and gave insight into kinematics of wave generation and runup. The entire process of a high-speed granular landslide impact may be subdivided into two main stages: (a) Landslide impact and penetration with flow separation, cavity formation and wave generation, and (b) air cavity collapse with landslide run-out and debris detrainment causing massive phase mixing. Formation of a large air cavity — similar to an asteroid impact — in the back of the landslide is highlighted. A three-dimensional pneumatic landslide tsunami generator was designed, constructed and successfully deployed in the tsunami wave basin at OSU. The Lituya Bay landslide was reproduced in a three-dimensional physical model at 1∶400 scale. The landslide surface velocities distribution was measured with PIV. The measured tsunami amplitude and runup heights serve as benchmark for analytical and numerical models.
A fixation artifact simulating acantholytic disease

Abstract A fixation artifact simulating acantholytic disease was studied and reproduced in the laboratory. Its possible implications in an erroneous diagnosis are discussed, and a mechanism for its occurrence is proposed.
Application of In-Line Fiber-Optic Raman Spectroscopy to Monitoring Emulsion Polymerization Reactions

INTRODUCTION Emulsion polymerization has a large number of applications in the chemical and process industry. It is one of the predominant processes for the commercial manufacture of polymeric materials used in paints, adhesives, and synthetic rubbers etc. Raman spectroscopy has been identified as a promising tool for monitoring the aqueous emulsion polymerization processes as it provides direct information about the changes in the double bond content from the monomer as the polymerization reaction progresses.
The Rationale for Intervention to Reduce the Risk of Coronary Heart Disease

Cardiovascular diseases remain extremely common and the United States and are the single most common cause for death in both men and women. Many risk factors including cigarette smoking, elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity and in inactive lifestyle carry a significant lifestyle component. This fact is recognized in the National Guidelines for the Treatment of many risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Moreover, lifestyle intervention, in combination with proper medical and/or surgical therapy can play a significant role in the management of existing cardiovascular disease. In this review, we provide background and rationale for interventions to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease with a particular emphasis on intervening to improve lifestyle related issues. To achieve the best outcomes clinicians must be skilled not only in pharmacologic and surgical therapies but also in counseling patients on various lifestyle interventions to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Evidence for the Direct Observation of Molecular Exchange of a Liquid at the Solid/Liquid Interface

Optical Kerr effect spectroscopy has been used to monitor the orientational dynamics of acetonitrile in the bulk and confined in nanoporous silicate glasses. While the orientational decay in the bulk liquid is described by a single exponential, the confined liquid decays are best described by the sum of three exponentials, the fastest of which has a decay time matching the bulk liquid. On the basis of the activation energies determined from the temperature dependence of the three decay times, we suggest that the slowest exponential arises from orientational relaxation at the solid/liquid interface, while the intermediate exponential results from molecular exchange between the surface population and the bulk liquid.
Isolation of stable ribosomal RNA from whole cells of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Abstract Sonication, rather than lysis, of cells in the presence of diethylpyrocarbonate and Mg 2+ as nuclease inhibitors has resulted in the isolation of stable high molecular weight ribosomal RNA from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii . Preparations are nuclease free and show excellent conservation of the previously thought labile 23-S rRNA species.
Studies of the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation in intact Escherichia coli B.

Abstract A method is described for the assay of oxidative phosphorylation using intact Escherichia coli B and based upon the initiation of respiration linked to phosphorylation by the addition of O 2 to anaerobic bacteria. Control experiments show that the quenching time of reagents used to terminate reactions is negligible. Three different methods of measuring the amount of inorganic phosphate (P i ) esterified closely agree, and the ratio of P i esterified to intracellular reduced pyridine nucleotide oxidized, corrected for small amounts of other electron donors, is close to 3. The esterification of P i is almost completely abolished in the presence of 2,4-dibromophenol, an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation. Indirect evidence for the separation in time of electron transport and phosphate esterification is presented. Previous attempts by others to determine the efficiency of bacterial oxidative phosphorylation are discussed and compared with the present method of direct assay.
Paroxysmal Ventricular Arrhythmias and Familial Sudden Death Associated with Neural Lesions in the Heart

A high school athlete with history of syncopal attacks died suddenly. Paroxysmal ventricular arrhythmias had been documented many times, as had at least one episode of ventricular fibrillation. A brother with similar history also had died suddenly and unexpectedly at about the same age. Except for the syncope and arrhythmias, they were both considered to be in good health. At postmortem examination, no significant extracardiac abnormalities were found, and the heart was normal on gross examination. The cardiac conduction system was the subject of special study. Focal inflammatory degeneration of small nerves and ganglia was found in various sites within the heart, including atrioventricular node, but were especially prominent in and around the sinus node. There was epicardial edema and thickening of the pericardium in that vicinity, but all of the pericardium elsewhere was normal. Some persistent fetal dispersion of the atrioventricular node was present Ways are discussed in which these neural lesions may have contributed to the pathogenesis of paroxysmal arrhythmias and eventually sudden death. The possible etiology of the neural disease and the basis for its familial occurrence are considered.
Biosynthesis of bacterial glycogen: characterization of adenosine diphosphate glucose synthetases from Enterobacter hafniae and Aeromonas hydrophila

Enterobacter hafniae and Aeromonas hydrophila ADPglucose synthetases were purified approximately 39-and 61-fold, respectively, over the crude extract. Both enzymes were heat stable at 60°C in the presence of inorganic phosphate. The molecular weights of both enzymes were approximately 200,000 which are similar to other enteric ADPglucose synthetases studied. Based on kinetic results obtained from the partially purified enzymes, the E. hafniae enzyme is activated twofold by phospho-enolpyruvate while the A. hydrophila enzyme is activated twofold by fructose 6-P and 1.5-fold by fructose 1,6 bis-phosphate. The E. hafniae enzyme activity is strongly inhibited by AMP and ADP and the inhibition can be partially reversed by P-enolpyruvate. ADP is the most effective inhibitor of the A. hydrophila enzyme and its inhibiton can be partially overcome by the presence of the activators fructose 6-P and fructose 1,6-P2. These kinetic results show that the allosteric properties of the E. hafniae enzyme are distinctly different from the ADPglucose synthetases of those previously studied from bacteria of the genus Enterobacter. Although the A. hydrophila enzyme is activated by fructose 1,6-P2, its allosteric properties are quite different than those observed for ADPglucose synthetase of the Enterobacteriaceae.
Microstructure characterization of oxide coatings deposited by pulsed excimer laser ablation

This work addresses the issues of coating of oxide fibers or laminates with debondable oxide interphases. It fabricates a model system for an alumina matrix reinforced with alumina fibers, wherein an enstatite interphase is transformation weakened, resulting in interphase debonding. A suitable multilayer coating sequence was chosen to act as a chemical bridge between the alumina fiber and matrix. The pulsed excimer laser ablation method (KrF excimer laser of λ = 248 nm) was used to deposit several oxide materials individually onto silicon wafers. Titania (TiO2 or T), aluminum titanate (Al2O3 · TiO2,Al2TiO5 or AT), and enstatite (MgO · SiO2, MgSiO3 or EN) layers were deposited from sintered target materials. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy investigations indicated that as-deposited coatings were amorphous or partially crystallized into nanosize grains, and their thicknesses were uniformly distributed over the Si-substrate, growing in columnar texture (although not as pronounced for enstatite). Transmission electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis confirmed that the chemical composition of the coating materials was the same as that of the target materials and that the coatings were completely crystallized into nano- or submicrometer grain size after annealing at 1200 °C for 1 h. With these data, sapphire monofilaments were sequentially coated with five layers of Al2TiO5, TiO2, MgSiO3, TiO2, and Al2TiO5. This construction provided a chemical bridge between the alumina monofilament and the enstatite debondable interphase.
How to blow the Whistle and still have a career afterwards

Filing charges of scientific misconduct can be a risky and dangerous endeavor. This article presents rules of conduct to follow when considering whether to report perceived misconduct, and a set of step-by-step procedures for responsible whistleblowing that describe how to do so once the decision to report misconduct has been made. This advice is framed within the university setting, and may not apply fully in industrial settings.
Recent progress in the morphology of bulk heterojunction photovoltaics

A review of current research in the characterization of the morphology of semiconducting polymer:fullerene bulk heterojunctions (BHJs) is presented. BHJs are complex blends of polymers and fullerenes with nanostructures that are highly dependent on materials, processing conditions, and post-treatments to films. Recent work on the study of the morphology of BHJs is surveyed. Emphasis is placed on emerging work on BHJs of poly(3-hexylthiophene), P3HT, and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester, PCBM, along with BHJs of donor–acceptor polymers that have high power conversion efficiency.
Quantifying whole body vibration exposures in metropolitan bus drivers: an evaluation of three seats

The objective of this study was to evaluate three seats amongst a population of metropolitan bus drivers as they drove a standardized test route including city streets, old and new freeways, and a street segment containing ten large speed humps. Three comparisons were made: 1) comparing seats made by different manufactures (Seat 1 and Seat 2), 2) comparing seats with a standard foam (Seat 2) and silicone foam (Seat 3) seat pans, and 3) comparing WBV exposures based on road types. Whole body vibration (WBV) exposures were measured using a tri-axial seat pan accelerometer and the attenuation capabilities of each seat were evaluated by comparing the vibrations measured at the floor and seat of the bus. There were significant WBV exposure differences between the various street types, which were shown across all seat types. The city street and older freeway segments had the highest WBV exposures with both segments producing WBV exposures slightly above the action limit for Vibration Dose Value (VDV(8)). Relati...
Regulatory natural autoantibodies to apoptotic cells: Pallbearers and protectors

To provide effective host defense, a healthy immune system must recognize microbial threats and coordinate a protective inflammatory response. Yet the maintenance of overall homeostasis also dictates an absolute requirement for the efficient recognition and clearance of the host’s own dead and dying cells, and these functions must somehow also be balanced to avoid autoimmune disease. In recent studies we have characterized a class of naturally arising regulatory antibodies (NAbs) to oxidation-associated phospholipid antigens on apoptotic-cell (AC) membranes that discriminate apoptotic from healthy cells. When augmented by appropriate constant region effector functions, these antibodies enhance the phagocytic clearance of ACs, blunt inflammatory responses transduced by membrane and endosomal Toll-like receptors (TLRs), and block the development of inflammatory arthritis. These NAbs have also been implicated in lupus as well as atherosclerosis. We describe a model of immune homeostasis, termed the inhibitory dual receptor hypothesis, in which NAbs to ACs oppose the development of autoimmune and inflammatory disease.
Isolation of Thiomonas thermosulfatus Strain 51, a Species Capable of Coupling Biogenic Pyritization with Chemiosmotic Energy Transduction

The precipitation of iron sulfides potentially offers enough energy and reducing power to sustain life but organisms harnessing this reaction have not to our knowledge been previously described. We isolated a bacterial strain, capable of forming the iron sulfide minerals troilite (FeS), greigite (Fe3S4), and pyrite (FeS2), from subsurface, microbial mats in Mangalia, Romania. This strain, most closely related to strains of Thiomonas sp., forms pyrite only if the redox conditions remain negative (< −60 mV), sulfides are provided continually (≈1 mM), and the concentration of iron remains low (≤ 0.08 mM) but constant. Pyrite formation by this microbial strain is proposed as an example of biologically controlled mineralization because it is controlled by uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation, it is larger in living than in dead cells, it is additive (controlled less by the amount of cell surfaces and more by reagents), and it results in the formation of ATP. This study indicates that precipitation and cryst...